Prabhas Rajasaab Hindi gets BIG OTT DEAL / Mahesh Narayanan Tamil Debut on Car Racer Narain

According to Cinejosh, the Hindi version of The Raja Saab’s post-theatrical streaming rights have been sold to Netflix for 100 crores.

This isn’t a surprising amount, as Kalki 2898 AD’s Hindi version was also purchased by Netflix for 175 crores. You might be wondering why Kalki 2898 AD fetched a premium compared to The Raja Saab, because Kalki 2898 AD was a big-budget mythological epic with a dystopian science-fiction setting. Besides Prabhas, the film also starred top actors from several industries, including Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan, so fetching that amount was only natural.

As per the live data, around 140.2K users have showcased their interest in watching The Raja Saab on BookMyShow. It currently ranks at #3 in BMS interests among upcoming Indian films of 2025. Maruthi’s directorial has surpassed every Indian film except two.

Prabhas starrer may soon surpass Jr NTR and Hrithik Roshan’s War 2 in BMS interests. Ayan Mukerji’s directorial has garnered 159.2K likes so far. With around a 13% jump, The Raja Saab will steal its #2 spot.

Pawan Kalyan’s swashbuckler action film Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 – Sword vs Spirit conquers the top throne. Set to release in theatres on July 24, 2025, it has gained a massive interest of 258.6K on BookMyShow.

Take a look at the top 5 Indian films with the highest interests on BookMyShow:

Hari Hara Veera Mallu: 258.6K
War 2: 159.2K
The Raja Saab: 140K
They Call Him OG: 128.3K
Vishwambhara: 115.4K

Mahesh Narayanan and Shalini Usha Devi team up for biopic on India’s first F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan

The upcoming Tamil film will chart Narain Karthikeyan’s remarkable rise from the streets of Coimbatore to the elite world of international racing

Writer-editor-director Mahesh Narayanan, best known for helming critically acclaimed Malayalam films such as Take Off, Malik, C U Soon, and Ariyippu, is set to direct a new biographical feature on the life of Narain Karthikeyan, India’s first Formula One driver. The upcoming Tamil-language project, tentatively titled NK 370, was announced recently and is currently in development under Blue Marble Films. The film will chart Narain’s remarkable rise from the streets of Coimbatore to the elite world of international racing.

The screenplay is being penned by writer-filmmaker Shalini Usha Devi, who earlier co-wrote the Suriya-starrer Soorarai Pottru—a film that earned her the National Award for Best Screenplay, an honour she shared with director Sudha Kongara. Reflecting on the prestigious opportunity to spotlight a subject rarely explored in Indian cinema, Produced by Faraz Ahsan, Vivek Rangachari, and Pratik Maitra, with Amish Shah and Nilaanjan Reeta Datta attached as associate producers, NK 370 is being developed for a global audience with a focus on underdog stories that transcend national and cultural boundaries.

“People understand what F1 is now after Drive to Survive (documentary series on F1 championships) on Netflix, and now the F1 movie as well. So it’s great to tell the story about India’s first F1 driver. To break all the barriers to get there coming from India, there is a lot of drama in it,” said Narain in a chat with Sportstar.

Narain revealed that the project has been in the works for the last 18 months, and he will be involved in ensuring the on-track action is filmed realistically, which will include training the lead actor in the basics of racing.

Mahesh is currently busy directing his ambitious multistarrer Patriot, which is reportedly an espionage thriller featuring a stellar ensemble that includes Mammootty, Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara, Darshana Rajendran and Zarin Shihab, among others. Shalini is awaiting the release of her latest directorial Ennennum, a dystopian science fiction film featuring Santhy Balanchandran and Anoop Mohandas

Suriya's Singam look sparks sequel talk / Salman Khan - Mahesh Narayanan to work

 Actor Suriya is currently creating quite a buzz on social media, after his latest appearance in his daughter Diya's graduation day grabbed the attention of fans.

His wife and actor Jyotika shared two pictures featuring Suriya. What caught everyone's attention was that Suriya appears to be seen in two different looks in the pictures. One of the now-deleted photos features him in his 'Singam' look which has sparked craze among fans.

Jyotika deleted the photo very soon. However, the picture is now being widely shared on social media. Fans are curious to know if this was the actor's look for Singam or RJ Balaji's film or just a new look of Suriya.

After Priyadarshan , it is Mahesh Narayanan from Malayalam cinema who is set to direct Salman Khan. As reports say that a rough narration by the Director has impressed the Actor and asked him to come with a full script.  Salman Khan will take up Mahesh project after he finishes the film on the war drama from Lakhia that is based on the clash in the Galwan Valley in 2020 but has no title yet. He portrays the martyred 16 Bihar Regiment commander, Colonel B. Santosh Babu. Writers Suresh Nair, Chintan Gandhi, and Chintan Shah are adapting a section of “India’s Most Fearless 3” into a screenplay. Final production is targeted for November, with an anticipated theatrical release in the first half of 2026.

Mahesh Narayanan is currently directing a Mega Project in Malayalam film that features Mammootty and Mohanlal in the lead with Nayanthara, Revathy, and Fahadh Faasil all play important roles in the film. Two Superstars come together after a 16 year gap. It is jointly produced by both the actor’s home productions. Mahesh’s C U Soon and Malik streamed on OTT had got huge appreciation from viewers outside  Mahesh was to direct Kamal Haasan but the project got shelved. Mahesh edited Viswaroopam. , Kamal was  quoted saying, “I have a commitment with Mr. Mahesh Narayanan. He began his career with me as a cinematographer and editor. We seem to understand each other and I have completed a script for me. We are tweaking it a bit and plan to hit the floors by July end or early August.”

Priyadarshan had directed Salman Khan in the 2005 Hindi film "Kyon Ki". The film also starred Kareena Kapoor and Jackie Shroff. According to IMDb, it's a drama and romance film about a psychiatrist who falls in love with a patient.  Remake of Thalavattam.

Mammootty in Sri Lankan Political thriller - Madhu turns 91

 

Mammootty – Mahesh Narayanan political thriller will be funded by Lyca Productions . The film will have Mohanlal in an extended cameo and screen time of 20 minutes. The shooting portions of the film has around 30-40 days in Sri lanka and this film being a political thriller, is the film anything to do with Sri Lankan politics ? What adds to this theory is that the film has an equally long schedule in London. We all know that London is also a hub for overseas Tamils of Sri Lankan origin. Similarly New Delhi is another major locale. The fact that Lyca’s owner Subhaskaran is a Sri Lankan Tamil adds to the likely angle of the thriller.

Yet another aspect is that Mammootty Kampany and son Dulquer’s Wayfarer films are coming together with Lyca. A photo of Mammooty with Mohanlal and Producer Antony of Aashirvad Cinemas together led to a speculation that Mammootty is playing a cameo in underproduction film and sequel to Empuran directed by Prithviraj.

About the Mahesh Narayanan film, we learn that de-aging technology is to be used for younger days of Mammotty. In the anthology based on MT stories, Mammootty portions were shot in Sri Lanka. If Mahesh Narayanan is the director can it be with without Fahadh Faasil?

Shooting has started in Nagercoil for Mammootty film directed by Jithin  K jose began without Mammootty. Vinayakan is playing a guy who is targeted by by a bad cop played by Mammootty in the film. Dulquer is the Producer.

A short nostalgic trip . A news item that Madhu has turned 91 , prompted me to pen a few thoughts about him. Though I had interviewed Madhu several times in Trivandrum for Screen, it was my chat with him in Palmgrove Hotel Chennai that lingers in me. Madhu had a soft corner for me as he has seen me when I used to accompany my grandfather Ayyappan Pillai ( ex Trivandrum Corporation Comissioner) to Sri Moolam Club known as SMC. While my grandfather sat inside and played cards , I sat in the lounge and read the magazines. Madhu was also a card player.

After the card game, I would help my grandfather board the car and go to our house. Sometimes, our car would not be available and anybody from the card game set gave a lift. Many times Madhu has given us a lift. I learnt from my grandfather that Chemeen’s Bombay show and publicity was all coordinated by S S Pillai then Editor of Screen weekly in Bombay. Pillai is none other than my grandfather’s younger brother. A side track- my aunt Udaya Tara Nayar later became Editor and later yours truly headed the South Bureau of the magazine.

Many times on my visit to Trivandrum ( I was by then based in Chennai for Screen ), I used to see him and talk to him at SMC. My cousin was a member of SMC. Cinema Express , Tamil fortnightly from Indian Express ( Madurai ) group was part of our group. The Editor Ramamurthy and I shared a good friendship.. I suggested Madhu name to Cinema Express Awards Life Time Achievement award. I went to Trivandrum and invited him. I asked him which hotel he wanted to stay. He said that Palmgrove and quipped if it still exists.

He came one day earlier. He told me that he had not informed anybody about his visit to Chennai and said that he would feel bored if there was nobody to talk. As I had a few invites to give, I told him that he could start the `session’ and I would join later.

When I arrived, Madhu was in full form. I joined him. I had told him that a car was at his disposal as soon as he arrived. I asked him if he went anywhere. He said no and said that he spoke to some and they were all not very active. He asked me what was the rent  of the cottage that he was staying and I said that it was Rs 5000 per day.

This sparked a nostalgic trip in him. He said that for Chemeen , he was paid Rs 2000 and adde that Sathyan got paid Rs 12,000. “ I had most of the scenes than Sathyan “ he added. Do you know that the film totally cost Kanmani Babu Rs 8 lakhs ? he asked.

He wanted to go to actress Srividya’s house and said that he was having dinner with her. I gave the exact route to her house then located in Alwarpet.

After the function , he was leaving next day early morning for Trivandrum. I bid him goodbye at the hotel and told him that office car and driver was parked in the hotel. Next day, the car driver came with a big smile – “ What a gentlemen ! He carried his own suitcase and tipped me a Rs 100 . He pushed it in my shirt pocket. No VIP has even bothered to even goodbye leave alone give a tip”.

May you live for many more years – Madhu Saar.

Malayankunju movie : Strictly for Fahad Fazil and A R Rahman fans

 

If you are a fan of Fahad Fazil and A R Rahman ( not necessarily in that order) then Malayankunju is just the film for you. If you are just an average movie goer out for entertainment, it offers nothing new . However, it does not make you feel Claustrophobic as the makers said it will do and not a big bore that you feel it was a  big mistake falling for the all hype talk of Fahad and team.

Fahad character of Anl Kumar, the electronic gadget repair guy in a distant village of Kerala’s hilly areas has so many characteristics that you have seen in some of the notable films of the actor. Keeping this apart, you enjoy the Anikuju and his life, the characters that he interacts, his tragic past that torments him. So far good and  as the makers said his house sinks in a landslide. From here, Mahesh Narayanan who also is the cinematographer begins to falter as a screenplay writer.

What should have been a survival drama is now a  play of the illusions of a trapped man. This part as far I am concerned did not connect much and I could not travel along with Anikuju. Just like the muddy waters that swarmed the main protagonist, every thing later till climax seem to be very muddy in vision and thought. You get an answer to Dalit politics raised in first half and the man who hated cry of the baby next door is now a liberated man who embraces the baby that was trapped in the pit with him.

I would not give a big rating for Fahad as he has done this before. But for Rahman, a standing ovation SIR. Right from the start, there is a sound of a thunderstorm in low volume and it plays out at certain moments. As the film moves towards a second half, Rahman gives an International level score . I think, a separate album of the BGM of the film should be released. It will be a music lover’s memorable collection. Along with it, I have to  say that ARR should keep these sound engineers for his upcoming films.

Among the actors, Jaffar Idukki got a small but meaty role and he made good use of it. Many are talking about the film as  Fahad- Mahesh combo but the reality is that it is Sajimon Prabhakaran directorial.

Gautham Menon plays lead in Malayalam film- Fahadh Faasil - Nadiya to play brother- sister

 

Gautham Menon director- actor will play a full length lead role in Malayalam film `Lovefully Yours Veda'  directed by Pragesh Sukumaran and has Rajisha Vijayan as the female lead. Rahul Raj scores the music. Menon was last seen in Malayalam film Trance with Fahadh Faasil in the lead. Menon has been doing baddie roles in Tamil. He is currently directing STR and busy wrapping up the shoot in Mumbai. First look trailor has garnered acclaim.

Nadiya Moidu who was introduced to Malayalam films by director Fazil is paired opposite his son Fahadh Faasil in a Malayalam film Sherlock directed by Mahesh Narayanan. It is part of an anthology of famed literary legend MT Vasudevan Nair short stories. Sherlock is the name of the cat owned by Nadiya Moidu , Fahadh Faasil 's  sister who lives in Canada with her husband. Faasil goes to Canada in search of work. Mahesh Narayanan will be directing a Tamil film that will be scripted and produced by Kamal Haasan. Fahad Faasil debut Telugu film where he plays baddie to Allu Arjun In Pushpa is releasing on December 17.

The 10 part anthology has ten directors who filmed MT's short stories for the streaming giant Netflix. Santosh Sivan, Lijo Pallisery, Shyama Prasad, Priyadarshan are among the directors and top stars Mammooty, Mohanlal, Biju Menon, Indrajith , Parvathy, Aparna Balamurali are among the actors who have acted in this anthology 

Salman Khan- Prabhu Deva - Pooja Hegde for Veeram remake - Priety Zinta to produce Mahesh Narayanan film

Salman Khan and Prabhu  Deva are coming back with the remake of Veeram , the Tamil film starring Thala Ajith.  Pooja Hegde is tipped to be the heroine. In yet another development , Priety Zinta is to produce a Hindi film with Malayalam director Mahesh Narayanan whose Malik - C U  Soon  was released on OTT and were hits.  

Sources say that Prabhu Deva after giving a dud with Radhe, had packed his bags and come back to Chennai. He immersed himself in completing some Tamil films and signed a new one. He is said to have told his friends that his innings in Bollywood was over after Radhe. To his surprise, he got a call from Salman Khan office to come and meet him. Khan asked Prabhu Deva to get over Radhe and direct Tamil film Veeram in Hindi, Sajid Nadiadwala who holds the rights too agreed to Salman's suggestion. Sajid is already remaking Tamil film Jigarthanda in Hindi with Akshay Kumar. Veeram is about four brothers and has a Hindu- Muslim  angle to it. The trust that Salman has reposed in the choreographer- director is something rare in filmdom. This will be the fourth time that the duo is teaming up.

Priety Zinta who has produced Talwar, Razi and Badai Ho is to produce a film based on a screenplay by award winning investigative Journalist Josy Joseph and Mahesh Narayanan. The film is an expose of the health sector in India. Mahesh Narayanan is to direct a Tamil film with screenplay by Kamal Haasan ( who will also act in it). He was to remake Take Off ( Fahad Fazil- Parvathy) in Hindi. The dubbed version is available on OTT.

The remake plan was dropped after many scenes and incidents had similarities in Salman Khan's Tiger Zinda Hai.  Take Off's Hindi version was to be produced by Jet Airways. Ironically, Josy Joseph ( who is collaborating with Mahesh) was sued for Rs 1000  crores by Jet Airways for writing  that Naresh Goyal ( founder) had links with Dawood Ibrahim in his book Feast of Vultures.

Kamal Haasan to pen Thevar Magan 2 screenplay - Chiyyan Vikram to act- Mahesh Narayanan to direct

After completing work on Indian 2, Kamal Haasan will be scripting the sequel to the all time iconic Tamil film Thevar Magan in which he co- starred with legendary Sivaji Ganesan. The film was directed by Malayalam film director Bharathan. Now  The Cue reports that the film will be directed by Mahesh Narayanan who directed Malayalam hits - Take Off , C U Soon ( editor - cinematographer ), Malik  and Editor of many hit films like Nayattu, Uyarae and Arakariyam. He was the Editor of Kamal Haasan;s Viswaroopam 2. According to a source close to the actor, Chiyaan Vikram is tipped to act in the film. Vijay Sethupathi is likely to play Nassar's son.

Kamal Haasan in an interview to Mathrubhumi TV said that he was going to script a film with Mahesh Narayanan as director. It is now said that the subject is none other than the sequel to Thevar Magan. Kamal has also revealed that he would soon be winding up his work on Indian 2 and hinted that issues were sorted out. Currently Kamal is working on Vikram directed by Lokesk Kanakaraj and has fahad fazil and Vijay Sethupathi in the cast.

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