Geetu Mohandas Dummy -Yash REAL DIRECTOR / Kirthi with Govinda Son

Kirthi Shetty's upcoming film in Tamil is LIK starring Oradeep Ranganathan and directed by Vignesh Shivn.The makers of LIK have now officially announced that the film will hit the big screens on December 18, 2025.Now Kirthi has now signed a Hindi film; ccording to the latest reports, Krithi Shetty will be making her Bollywood debut in a film produced by Zee Studios. She will be sharing the screen with Govinda’s son, Yashvardhan Ahuja, who is also making his acting debut. The film is set to be a launchpad for both young actors. The cast also includes Nitanshi Goel, known for her recent work, who will be playing one of the female leads in the movie. This exciting cast is sure to create a lot of buzz. More Details On The Debut Film While the makers are keeping the details under wraps, it is being said that the film is a remake of a popular South Indian movie. As for who will be directing this big project, there is some interesting speculation. While not yet confirmed, reports are suggesting that director Sajid Khan might be helming the film. We will have to wait for the official announcement to know for sure.

Krithi Shetty, who is receiving a lot of positive response to her performance in the recently released song ‘Abdi Abdi’ from the upcoming film Genie, has spoken up on her experience of learning belly dance for the song. The song also features Kalyani, and showcases both leading ladies in a never-seen-before avatar as they deliver a mesmerizing belly dance performance that’s already setting social media ablaze.For Krithi Shetty, ‘Abdi Abdi’ represents a significant milestone in her career. The young actress, known for her girl-next-door charm in previous projects, transforms completely in this number, showcasing a confident, sensuous side that audiences haven’t witnessed before. Directed by debutant Bhuvanesh Arjunan, the film is produced by Ishari K Ganesh under Vels Films International. Jayam, Krithi Shetty, Kalyani Priyadarshan, Wamiqa Gabbi and Devayani also star in the film with music by Rahman. The film is currently in production and is expected to release sometime this year.

The highly anticipated film "Toxic," starring Yash and directed by Geetu Mohandas, is turning into a costly cautionary tale. Initially hyped as Indian cinema's biggest gangster saga, the film's production has been plagued by issues, with only 60% of the shoot completed after two years. The budget has ballooned to a staggering ₹600 crore, excluding Yash's hefty fee. Behind the scenes, there's turmoil, with reports of endless reshoots, scrapped schedules, casting changes, and a restless crew. Rumors suggest that Yash has taken over the direction of the film, sidelining Geetu Mohandas, due to a lack of trust. This has led to clashes and slowed down the production process. The stakes are high for Yash, who became a national icon after the success of "KGF 2." "Toxic" was expected to cement his legacy, but his obsession with control has stalled momentum. There's a growing fear that if the film doesn't do well, it could impact Yash's stardom, which is heavily dependent on the success of "KGF 2." Interestingly, Yash has also signed on for two massive projects where he won't be playing the lead role. This move has sparked speculation that he's hedging his bets in case "Toxic" doesn't do well. Fans who once saw him as the torchbearer of Indian mass cinema are now wondering if he's playing it safe. With its mounting delays, spiraling budget, and anxious hero, "Toxic" is making headlines for all the wrong reasons, and the film's title seems fitting – toxic for everyone involved. Kamaal R. Khan (KRK) alleged that Yash is managing every aspect of the film, including writing and direction. He also said the budget has now reached around Rs. 600 crores. According to KRK, Toxic won’t match the massive success of K.G.F. Chapter 2.

Kerala Story2 on Hema report and Sidiqque in Abhu Dhabi SIIMA awards ???

 

Two interesting news items – Siddique has fled to Abu Dhabi where SIIMA awards are going to start from tomorrow. Second news is that makers of Kerala Story have been working a script based on the Hema committee report. Both of them turned out to be false. Kerala Police team was in Chennai to track Siddique as the SIIMA ‘s award winners from Kollywood are to leave for Abu Dhabi. By chance he could be in Delhi and awaiting Supreme Court verdict on anticipatory bail. SC has always taken the route that Bail is the rule and jail only an option. TN minister Senthil Balaji got his bail from SC.

Mollywood biggies are in doldrums as Siddique is part of their projects and his portions are to be completed. Many that are about to start have now zeroed in Ranji Panicker.

Kerala Story 2 is non starter and the Director  felt that the Hema report does not fit the bill of a sequel to a subject of human trafficking by terrorists. He said the first part was radicalization of women in first part and second part is about boys as victims.

Probably they are not aware that down South, sequels have the name of the first part and the story has no relevance to subject. In most cases the actors are the only link to first part. A sequel to Indian  had a stretched out link and Kamal Haasan in the lead failed to strike a chord. A third part in under way.

We told you on September 19^th about Jeyam Ravi seeking police protection and Kenisha being a spiritual healer. We also reported on September 22 on Ravi wresting his Instagram account from his wife. Today many dailies have confirmed our stories.

Jeyam Ravi divorce suit to be contested by wife

We reported yesterday that Jeyam Ravi divorce will come through only on October 10th. See https://southfilmy.blogspot.com/2024/09/jeyam-ravi-divorce-case-verdict-on.html. At that time our friends in Family Court had asked us as to how Jeyam Ravi could issue a statement even before the court verdict and that we could be in the wrong. We got back to our source who looked up court registry and confirmed it. We were told that Ravi's statement is a violation of Court procedures and will invite action. The statement was obviously prepared by Ravi's lawyer and in a bid to stall any further questions on divorce, it was released on the birthday of the actor. It was intially planned that Ravi would meet the media and talk about his upcoming films and seal divorce matter with the statement on social media. In what seems to be a goofup, the statement got out before the divorce came through. From wife Aarti statement expressing ignorance of any such divorce being granted. it is obvious that it was not a case of mutual consent. So what are the options left for Jeyam Ravi and our lawyer team tells us : If she expresses before the Judge that now at this stage she doesn't consent to a divorce on mutual consent, even though she had earlier signed the joint petition, the Judge is bound to dismiss the petition. Again, if she doesn't appear before the Court to tell the Judge about her consent to divorce on mutual consent still then, the Judge will be left with no other option but to dismiss the joint petition for divorce on mutual consent. In such a situation, if you so wish, Ravi may file a fresh suit for divorce on any specific ground for which a divorce can be granted. The suit may be contested by Ravi's wife.

Aarti has said that the decision to walk out has been one sided by Ravi abd that it does not beniefit the family. This implies that the alimony is not upto her demands and will be contested. From what it looks like the divorce suit filed by Ravi will be contested .

Jeyam Ravi Divorce case verdict on October 10 th- Cute actress spills truth - AK v/s SK on Diwali

We expect a thunderous Diwali ( October 31) this year – Ajith’s Vidaamuyurchi, Jeyam Ravi Brother and Sivakarthikeyan’s Amaran and along with Kavin’s Bloody Beggar are in running. Distributor R K Suresh has put out a post that Ajith is joining Diwali. We known that AK has multiple roles or looks and Magizh is just an ace at such subjects. We can hope that Ravi and Kavin might opt out and could be a AK v/s SK. Yet another conflict is Lyca v/s Rajkamal International.Additionally we are told that Mythiri v/s Madras Talkies might happen for Pongal 2025 as Good Bad and Ugly of AK and Kamal- Mani Thug Life might clash. October 10 sees Thalaivar Vettaiyan.

On October 10th only will Jeyam Ravi and wife Aarti get legally divorced as the case is coming up in Saidapet Family Court. There is a photo of Aarti and Dhanush circulating around and we hear that it was a photo clicked at a party and nothing more. Our trackers say that the reason for Aarti to get suspicious of hubby was that an actress had told her that she was chased by Ravi after she was signed for a film with him. This actress was the one who leaked to a starry wife about being chased by the actor hubby. We all know that it ended up in a logical manner. This actress is also cause for a top all time hit hero and his wife being estranged. It seems that the biggest insult came when the Production Manager told Ravi that all payments that are made in cash should be made to wifey. A move to plug any cash going to wrong hands. Now a video of Aarti when she was pregnant has her saying that Ravi even collected her vomit in his hands and took her for morning walks despite having shoots. She gave him 100 marks as hubby. 15 years later and two kids, tastes and marks have changed.

Gowry Lekshmi the singer who made her debut as singer in Mohanlal’s Casonova received flak and admiration for her song Murivu ( wound). Many termed the lyrics bland. She then revealed an incident while travelling in a bus and being groped by an old man. She was 8 then. In a recent interview with Deshabhimani, she said that after she sung the Kathakali padam Ajitha Hare on stage and wearing a shorts, her religion and many other aspects that were never existed before cropped up. Ajitha Hare ~ A popular kathakali padam in Sree ragam from Kuchelavritham where Kuchela expresses his Bhakthi to Lord Krishna . Gowry had said that a senior music Director whom she considered as her Godfather had told her that if she compromised with him sexually, she would get offers from him. She walked out on him.

BJP Madhavan and ex BJP Gautami winners, Kamal ignored by DMK State awards

In a race to beat the model code of Election Commission, DMK Government has gone and given the Best Actor award for 2015 to R Madhavan, a Sangh Parivar sympathizer and to Gauthami the ex BJP office bearer wo joined AIADMK. R Madhavan the Director of the film Rocketry that showed Congress and UPA in bad light won National awards, was also made President of FTII Society Pune. After the BJP came to power in Centre, this post has been going to those who are pro saffron and had created many controversies. Yet another award winner that will make the Ministers Swaminathan I&B minister along with Health Minister Ma Subramanian and HR &CE Sekar Babu squirm in their seats is that of Actress Gautami who was judged best character actress for her performance in Papanasam, Incidentally Kamal Haasan played her hubby in the film. CM Stalin is not giving away the awards. In all probability Udhaynidhi could be expected. It is no secret that political affliatations count when State Government awards are announced.

The film Irudhi Suttru directed by Sudha Kongara had Madhavan in the lead along with Ritika Singh. All three have won the State Award. Thani Oruvan with Jeyam Ravi in lead has picked up 5 awards including best villain but missed the Best actor award. One reason is that Jeyam Ravi’s mother in law Sujatha is a close pal of Kushboo who loses no opportunity to put the DMK in the docks. Though the DMK could weed out Ravi , it missed Gautami and Maddy. Even taking for granted that State level DMK thinktanks were not familiar with Maddy and his Rocketry brand politics, it is a surprise that Gauthami crept in and to add salt to wound, she joined the AIADMK and is said to be a front runner for a Lok Sabha ticket. On the sidelines, we hear that Kamal will be fielded on a DMK backed ticket. As the press release says that invites have gone out to all Kollywood celebs and so it would include Kamal Haasan too, the function will generate more news outside the venue. With the winners list out on March 3rd, the function is on March 6th at Rajaratinam Kalai Arangam in R A Puram in Chennai. Valluvar Kottam hall is under renovation. A backlog of 2009- 2014 film awards was cleared in one go at a function in 2022. The last few years of the AIADMK Government saw the annual award function kept in limbo. The Kalaimamani Awards was given for 2019-2020 year and this too could now spring up. The list of award winners drawn up by Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Manram, had led to a batch of litigations and HC asked the body to fix norms and not decide on caste and religion basis the winners who are supposed to have done yeoman service to field of arts.

Update on ARS Studio BAN - Krithi In Vignesh Shivan film

As a follow up our story yesterday see link ; https://southfilmy.blogspot.com/2023/12/ambika-radha-studio-banned-by-film.html , after talking to Producer Kattraggada Prasad who has filed a complaint with FEFSI union and Tamil Film Producers Council, we learn that the whole issue is about Rs 6 lakhs that Arjun Nair, brother of Ambika and Radha had taken ten years ago. The loan was not as advance to buy ARS but as what is called hand loan. We learn that Ambika had inutroduced Arjun to Prasad. Prasad said that he has confidence that FEFSI and Tamil Film Producers Council will do the needful and get justice for him.Now when the re-payment issue came up, Ambika has reportedly said that she has nothing to do with the finances of her brother. It is ironical that Radha who spent Rs 6 crore for her daughter wedding in Thiruvanthapuram and as per media reports gave 500 Kg gold and Rolls Royce to bridegroom, has not bothered to clear the debt of a measly Rs 6 lakh of her brother. Talking to FEFSI office bearers, they say that Prasad has always settled disputes of Tamil film industry in their favour during his tenure as South India Film Chamber President and secretary. Due to this, the union has asked all members to not report for any shootings in ARS studio. It has come into effect for past one month. Mohan Natarajan who signed Illena and gave Rs 40 lakhs as advance had moved the Chamber as she was not honoring her dates. Prasad issued an ultimatum that no South Producer should sign till Illena returns the money. She lost atleast two Tamil films and a Telugu film. Prasad in the Chamber seat had made it a practice to settle any dispute within 30 days. Arjun Nair is said to be in Thiruvanthapuram. related link : https://southfilmy.blogspot.com/2023/12/ambika-radha-studio-banned-by-film.html

Krithi Shetty has signed a biggie opposite Pradeep Ranganathan as hero and Vignesh Shivan as Director. The film is bankrolled by Seven Screen Studio of Leo fame. Though her Telugu film Uppena was a hit, later films bombed. Now Kollywood is giving her big offers. Earlier she signed a film with Jeyam Ravi and it is a Pan Indian film. She has Karthi film Vaa Vathiyare. Tovino Thomas Malayalam Pan Indian film is also in her kitty. It is titled Ajayante Randam Moshanam.

Jigarthanda Double x a flop - Kamal poll plan- Dulquer with Balayya - Anpama joins Jeyam Ravi

 

According to trade circles, Jigarthanda Double x is a flop and will not recover the cost from India collections. The overseas distributor Ahimsa had made a profit. After Diwali , the film saw 57 % drop and after 7 days the collection was Rs 30 crores. One reason is that rains lashed major centers in Tamil Nadu. The word of mouth publicity was exactly opposite of the media that praised the film.  Even Rajinikanth public praise has not helped. The budget of the film at Rs 100 cr was unrealistic and with Lawrence and S J Suryah in the lead it was a big gamble. Karthik Subburaj as director was missing from theatres and his two films Jagame Thanthiram and Maahan released on OTT were disasters. The second week has World Cup semi and Finals. Five Star Kathiresan and Ivenio Origin a Dubai based company had funded Karthik’s Stone Bench films. Red Giant were the distributors. Ajith's Viswasam and Dhanusg 3 has been re-released as the Diwali films have crashed.

Kamal Haasan will join Thug Life only after The May 2024 Lok Sabha elections according to sources close to the production House Madrs Talkies. In coming four months, he will complete H Vinoth film and release before the official Election Commission announcement. As he is going contest in alliance with DMK, any film featuring him cannot be released after poll date is made by EC. Unconfirmed reports say that the film deals with exploitation of farmers.

Two Malayali heroines Keerthy Suresh and Anupama Parameswaran playing leading ladies in Jeyam Ravi’s Siren directed by Antony Bhagyaraj. He co-wrote Rajini’s Annatthe, Ajith’s Viswasam and Sivakarthikeyan Hero. Keerthy plays a cop and Anupama who came on board plays what ?. Anupama is a established heroine in Tollywood.

Dulquer is soon to join Balakrishna for the Bobby directorial. The Kerala Superstar is currently working in a Telugu film Lucky Bhaskar. Dulquer is not doing a cameo but a full-fledged role, Balayya with three blockbuster hits in a row is the box office favourite. Dulquer is part of Kamal – Mani film. Due to his other languages commitments, Salmaan had to drop out of Tinu Pappachan film. Now Nivin Pauly is brought in.

Thalaivar 170 on Koodankulam protest - Mammooty in Jeyam Ravi film

Rana Daggubatti of Bahubaali and Dushara Vijayan have joined Thalaivar 170 is latest buzz. Already Faahad fasil and Manju Warrier are in the cast. Gananavel the director has planned the shooting in Chennai from September 19th for ten days. According to sources, the subject is on the shooting incident in Tuticorin and the Kudankulam protest by fishermen in Kanyakumari. A few scenes will be shot in Kanyakumari and moved to Thiruvanthapuram .

Mammootty is tipped to play the antagonist in Thani Oruvan 2 starring Jeyam Ravi and directed by his brother Mohan Raja. The first part had Aravind Swamy play the baddie. Mammootty was to play Vinayakan role in Jailer but Rajinikanth had reservations about getting into fight scenes with Mammootty and told the actor about it. In fact Mammootty had agreed only because of Rajinikanth asking him.

Director Bala - wife- daughter at MP wedding after divorce news -

  Director Bala , his wife and daughter were seen at Thamizhachi Thangapandian dayghter wedding in Chennai. They came seperately. Daughter came with mother and at the hall was seated with her father. She went back to her mother after Bala left.  National  Award

winning director Bala ( Sethu - Pithamaghan- Naan Kadavul)  and his wife Muthumalar got officially divorced in the Chennai Family Court. Their marriage lasted for 17 years. Two years back, there was a buzz in Kollywood that the couple had separated and were living apart. They have a daughter.

Four year back the couple break up news broke out . But it was quickly patched up and the couple united again. Director Hari's wife Preetha and Actor Heyam Ravi's wife Aarthi are the two close friends of Muthumalar. Of late, Muthumalar who was seen only in functions with Bala, posted solo photos of her . Also photo of her with her friends too started appearing.

After Nag Chaitanya - Samantha , Dhanush- Aishwarya Rajinikanth, music director D Imman- Monika, this is the next divorce in Kollywood. Bala own production house has a film with R K Suresh as hero that is ready for release. It is a remake of Malayalam film Joseph. Bala after a long hiatus to is start shoot for his film with actor Suriya and according to reports will play a deaf and dumb guy.

Ajith shoot in Mount Road Chennai from March 9th - Arjun Kapoor in Comali remake

 

Ajith's next shoot will begin on March  9th in Mount Road Chennai set erected in Ramoji Rao film city Hyderabad. Valimai Hindi ( same name) will have 1000 screens in North India, biggest for a Ajith Kumar film. Producer is not bothered about how the distributor is going to get screens but  Valimai will release on scheduled date Feb 25 even if Gangubhai of Alia Bhatt is coming on the same date as Boney Kapoor says both are different genres.  Arjun Kapoor is going to act in  Jeyam Ravi's Tamil film `Comali' remake and F2 (  Varun Tej's Telugu). R J Balaji's Veetiliya Visheshangal ( remake of Badhai Ho ) and Udhyanidhi Stalin Nenjuku Neethi  (Article 15) will release in first half of summer.

A confident Boney in an interview said that with little promotion, he is sure  that he will do good biz with Valimai. He says that he is not expecting Rs 100 cr biz in North but only a decent output. Even before Pushpa, Boney sold Hindi theatrical rights. His daughter Jhanvi's next release is Mili , remake of Malayalam film Helen..

His son Arjun Kapoor will reprise Jeyam Ravi's role in Comali remake and Varun Tej's  F2 in Hindi. Anees Bazme will be directing F2 remake and there is talk that Bazmee will being doing No Entry sequel with Salman Khan. Boney said he is keeping his fingers crossed. Luv Ranjan will direct Comali remake.

Boney's upcoming Maaidan with Ajay Devgn will clash with Prithviraj in June. Maaidan is coming on June 3 and following week is Prithviraj ( AkshayKumar). Here too he rules out any change  in  dates.  Valimai OTT release dates yet to be set says Boney. Zee5 is the OTT rights holder. PEN who is distributor of Valimai was also for Ravi Teja's Khiladi Hindi. On first day, there wasno  morning shows and till date there is no box office figures.