Filmmaker SS Rajamouli is all praise for actress Priyanka Chopra as he reviewed the trailer of The Bluff. Taking to Instagram Story, Rajamouli wrote, "Priyanka is unstoppable and always surprises....what a commanding presence and fiery performance. Looking forward to The Bluff." Picture Courtesy/SS Rajamouli's Instagram account Priyanka thanked Rajamouli for his heartfelt words. In an Instagram post, she wrote, "Thank you for your kind words sir." Notably, Priyanka is the leading lady of Rajamouli's next directorial Varanasi. In the film, Priyanka will be seen playing Mandakini. Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran are also a part of Varanasi, which is set to release during Sankranti 2027. The film's title was officially announced at the grand GlobeTrotter event, held at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, last year in November. The teaser was also shown on a huge screen, which gave a sneak peek into the film. Coming back to The Bluff, the film is directed by Frank E Flowers with a script he co-wrote with Joe Ballarini. The film brings an epic period thriller to life, set in the uniquely historical and culturally rich Cayman Islands, featuring stunning real-world locations, including the Skull Cave and the iconic bluff. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 January,2026 10:30 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIActor Prakash Raj met National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut Sunita Williams at the Kerala Literature Festival in Kozhikode on Thursday. Taking to his official X handle, Prakash Raj shared glimpses from the meeting, cherishing his conversation with Williams. "What a moment to cherish .... to meet .. to have conversed with such a courageous woman of our times .. SunithaWilliams at KLF ... sharing with you all my over the moon memories," the actor wrote in his caption. What a moment to cherish …. to meet .. to have conversed with such a courageous woman of our times .. #SunithaWilliams at #KLF … sharing with you all my over the moon memories ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/YN5JfyP9Tt — Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) January 22, 2026 In the post, a cheerful Prakash Raj could be seen posing for pictures while also enthusiastically showing his phone to Williams. Speaking at the event, Sunita Williams spoke about the importance of technology. "Dreams are only as big as their imaginations, and particularly in this environment today, things are changing so rapidly, and people are coming up with ideas and actually making them come true. In the past, inventions were potentially hindered by technology, and now technology is racing up to the inventions people are having. Imagination is really the only limitation," she told ANI. She further emphasised how the cultural ties have played a significant role in shaping her identity, adding, "In both countries, it's pretty amazing. I'm really happy and honoured to be here in India with everyone." Speaking on India's space aspirations, Williams expressed excitement about the country's growing space program, saying, "I'm excited for the Indian Space program. Any ideas are becoming reality. I think as they get more and more involved internationally, as well as on that with their own program, standing on their own two feet, they're going to go to space before too long." Held annually in Kozhikode, India's first UNESCO City of Literature, the Kerala Literature Festival has emerged as one of the world's largest literary gatherings. The previous edition recorded over 6.5 lakh visitors and featured more than 600 speakers. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 January,2026 10:03 AM IST | Kozhikode (Kerala) | ANIActor Mahesh Babu has extended heartfelt birthday wishes to his wife, Namrata Shirodkar, appreciating her major role in his life. Mahesh Babu also shared a picture of Namrata along with his message. "Happy birthday NSG...Thank you for holding everything together with so much grace and love...Couldn't ask for more," the actor wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mahesh Babu (@urstrulymahesh) In a warm response, Namrata shared his post on her Instagram story and added, "Love love and more love to you for making my life so so beautiful." Namrata and Mahesh Babu's children, Sitara and Gautam also penned sweet notes for their mother. "My constant, my compass, my home. Happy Birthday, Amma," Sitara wrote on Instagram, alongside a picture of her younger self, her brother, and Namrata. View this post on Instagram A post shared by sitara (@sitaraghattamaneni) Gautam added, "Happy Birthday, Amma!! Thank you for always guiding my way and for being the best mom ever. Love you more than you know." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gautam Ghattamaneni (@gautamghattamaneni) Reacting to their posts, Namrata showered the kids with love and warmth. Birthday wishes also poured in from her sister, actor Shilpa Shirodkar, who dropped a series of throwback pictures to send her love. "Happiest Birthday to my gorgeous sister, my chintukli namratashirodkar! Life is so much brighter with you by my side. Here's to more laughs, more memories, and more endless chats. Love you endlessly!" Shilpa wrote in her Instagram post. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shilpa Shirodkar Ranjit (@shilpashirodkar73) Mahesh Babu and Namrata Shirodkar tied the knot in 2004. They are proud parents of two children, Gautam Ghattamaneni and Sitara Ghattamaneni. On the work front, Mahesh Babu will be next seen in Varanasi, alongside Priyanka Chopra. The film is written by Vijayendra Prasad and directed by Rajamouli. Further details about the cast are still under wraps. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 January,2026 09:54 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIMalayalam cinema's much-talked-about action film Chatha Pacha has hit the theatres today. The project brings together a vibrant ensemble cast including Arjun Ashokan, Roshan Mathew, Vishak Nair, and Ishan Shoukath. Music has also emerged as one of Chatha Pacha’s biggest highlights. The three songs released so far are topping charts and dominating playlists. Chatha Pacha X reviews With the film hitting the theatres, audiences have shared their reaction to the film. The film has received largely positive response with the technical side being appreciated as well as the performance. There were strong rumours of Mammootty making a cameo in the film which has been confirmed by people who watched the movie on release day. Sharing their reaction to the film, a user wrote on X, "Gud 1st half with terrific wrestling scenes followed by a flat 2nd half. Superb actions. Visuals & BGM top. Vishak steals the show. Writing is too bad. Zero emotional connection. Climax is a big letdown. Walter will be the next lottery for troll makers." Another user found it a disappointing fare. "The First Half Sets Things up Decently but the Second Half Turns Average with Even the Much Hyped Cameo Failing to Leave an Impression . Overall DISAPPOINTING EXPERIENCE," they wrote. A user said, "Slow testing initial portion as they set up the characters and premise. But once the wrestling kicks in, it's pure adrenaline until the interval block. The second half however dips into generic drama and relies on the megastar cameo for the big save. The cast has put their best foot forward with Roshan Mathews mighty impressive in this brooding tough man avatar. Vishak Nair, as the antagonist, is a manic scene stealer," adding that the film is meant for a theatrical experience. Mammootty fans in the house Many fans rushed into the cinema halls to watch Mammootty in action. #ChathaPacha - #Mammootty's cameo appearance as WALTER was peak theatrical goosebumps moments 🥶🧨What a screen presence & Elevation📈. Perfectly placed the cameo at the interesting point👏🌟 pic.twitter.com/pvq6FlEFen — AmuthaBharathi (@CinemaWithAB) January 22, 2026 He isn't just a person to me; he is a feeling. He is goosebumps. Even if this wasn't his perfect cameo, the fact that he is standing here after such a dark health struggle means everything. Forever my HERO ❤️#ChathaPacha #ChathaPachaTheRingOfRowdies #Mammootty ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/6wV1TvBqRy — Manu Thankachy (@manuthankachy) January 22, 2026 More about Chatha Pacha On the technical front, Chatha Pacha is powered by a group of young energetic and strong creative forces. The film has cinematography by Anend C Chandran, editing by Praveen Prabhakar, screenplay by Sanoop Thykkoodam, background score by Mujeeb Majeed, lyrics by Vinayak Sasikumar and action choreography by Kalai Kingson, collectively elevating the film’s scale, rhythm, and energy. The film is scheduled to hit screens worldwide on January 22 this year.
22 January,2026 02:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentParasakthi director Sudha Kongara recently opened up on the thought process behind her latest release. She also spoke about the cameros in the film, revealing that she first wanted Abhishek Bachchan and Vijay Deverakonda to feature in the film. Headlined by Sivakarthikeyan in the lead, the period drama includes special appearances by Basil Joseph, Rana Daggubati, and Dhananjaya, representing Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada cinema, respectively. Sudha Kongara considered Abhishek Bachchan and Vijay Deverakonda for cameos in Parasakthi Speaking to Cineulagam, Sudha Kongara revealed that her initial vision of the film involved actors from different language industries portraying key historical figures associated with the anti-Hindi movement shown in Parasakthi. Hence, she even reached out to Abhishek Bachchan for this. She shared, "Early on, I wanted actors of the respective languages to represent the historical figures in the film. Back then, we wanted to include a lot of such personalities who were part of the anti-Hindi movement. In fact, I even asked Abhishek Bachchan if he would be interested in playing one such cameo in the film." However, as the script evolved, she reveals that the team realised that accommodating too many cameos could dilute the narrative. As a result, the idea was eventually streamlined to ensure the story remained the focus while still honouring the historical and linguistic diversity. Apart from Abhishek, Sudha also revealed that Vijay Deverakonda was originally her first choice for a key cameo. However, the part eventually went to Rana Daggubati. Sudha shared, "Long back, I asked Vijay Deverakonda for Rana Daggubati's Michael Reddy cameo, but he was busy with the Kingdom shoot." Nevertheless, Sudha expressed satisfaction with how the final cameos turned out despite the missed possibilities. About Parasakthi For the unaware, director Sudha Kongara's film 'Parasakthi', featuring Sivakarthikeyan and Sreeleela in the lead, revolves around the anti-Hindi agitation that rocked the state of Tamil Nadu in the 1960s. Apart from Sivakarthikeyan and Sree Leela, the film also features Ravi Mohan as the antagonist and Atharvaa in a pivotal role. Parasakthi, which was tentatively being referred to as #SK25 as it is Sivakarthikeyan's 25th film, has music by G V Prakash and cinematography by experienced cameraman Ravi K Chandran. Stunts for the film are by Supreme Sundar. Parasakthi was earlier expected to clash with Vijay's Jana Nayagan during the Pongal season. However, after Jana Nayagan was delayed due to certification issues, Parasakthi was released solo on January 10. (With inputs from IANS)
22 January,2026 01:45 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentJana Nayagan, starring Vijay, continues to struggle to obtain a CBFC clearance and subsequently a release date. Originally scheduled to be released on January 9, the film is yet to receive a clearance certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which has led to a delay in distribution. Meanwhile, amid the delay, reports suggest that the OTT platform, which purchased the digital rights if the film is planning to take legal action against the producers. OTT platform concerned over Jana Nayagan delay According to an Asianet News report, Amazon Prime Video, the platform that purchased the digital rights to Jana Nayagan for Rs 120 crore, has expressed concern over the film’s frequent postponement. The film's delay is apparently affecting its scheduled streaming window. Amid the uncertainty about the release, Amazon Prime Video is seemingly considering legal action against the creators. Nevertheless, it is still uncertain with no official confirmation from either the creators or the platform. Jana Nayagan court battle The Madras High Court earlier upheld the order to postpone the release of Thalapathy Vijay’s final film, Jana Nayagan. During the hearing for CBFC vs Jana Nayagan producers KVN Productions, the former questioned the producers’ move of announcing the film’s release date without first getting certification. The makers argued, citing Dhurandhar 2 as an example. The CBFC notified the Madras High Court that the original 14 cuts it had suggested were simply an “intermediary" decision, as the board’s final judgement yet to be made. The court has reserved its order, and the verdict date is still to be declared. Jana Nayagan, starring Thalapathy Vijay, is expected to be the superstar’s last film before ne switches to his political career. H. Vinoth has helmed the film, which revolves around Thalapathy Vetri Kondan, a former police officer and criminal who adopts a small girl named Viji and pledges to nurture her as a strong and independent lady. He even persuades her to join the military, even though she fears of violence. Apart from Vijay, the film also features Pooja Hegde, Bobby Deol, Mamitha Baiju, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Narain, Priyamani, Sunil and several more actors in significant roles.
22 January,2026 10:01 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe makers of Vijay’s much anticipated Tamil film Jana Nayagan argued before the Madras High Court that announcing a release date before receiving certification from the Central Board of Film Certification is a common and accepted industry practice. During the hearing, they cited the example of Dhurandhar 2, stating that its release date was also announced prior to obtaining censor clearance. Makers cite Dhurandhar 2 The argument was presented as part of an ongoing legal dispute surrounding the delay in Jana Nayagan’s certification. The film, produced by KVN Productions, was originally scheduled for a Pongal release. However, complications arose when the CBFC referred the film to a revising committee shortly before its planned release, leading to uncertainty around its theatrical debut. Representing the makers, senior advocate Satish Parasaran submitted that film production and release involve long term planning, including promotions, distribution arrangements, and agreements with exhibitors and streaming platforms. He explained that announcing a release date while certification is still in process is a long standing practice across the industry, and not a violation of any rule. According to him, expecting producers to wait until certification is complete would disrupt carefully planned schedules and cause significant financial losses. The bench questioned the timing of Jana Nayagan’s release announcement, prompting the producers to defend their position by highlighting precedents within the industry. They pointed out that several films, including Dhurandhar 2, had publicly declared release dates before receiving CBFC certificates, reinforcing their argument that the practice is neither unusual nor unlawful. All about the controversy The makers also informed the court that Jana Nayagan had already received clearance for release in multiple international territories, which further strengthened their case. They expressed concern that continued delays in certification could impact contractual obligations and audience expectations, especially given the scale and anticipation surrounding the film. Earlier, the producers had approached the Supreme Court seeking relief after the certification process stalled. However, the apex court declined to intervene and directed the Madras High Court to hear and decide the matter expeditiously. The High Court has now reserved its order, and the final decision is expected to determine the film’s certification status and eventual release. The case has once again brought attention to the challenges faced by filmmakers in navigating certification timelines, especially for high profile releases.
21 January,2026 09:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn 2025, Gulshan Devaiah made his Kannada film debut with Kantara: A Legend — Chapter 1. Now, the actor is set to foray into Telugu cinema with Maa Inti Bangaaram, led by Samantha Ruth Prabhu and helmed by BV Nandini Reddy. Interestingly, the actioner, which revolves around a dutiful daughter-in-law who drops the facade every night to chase goons, is co-produced by Prabhu’s husband and filmmaker Raj Nidimoru. Sharing his experience of shooting the film, Devaiah said, “Working with newly-weds Raj and Samantha, and our director has been a fun experience. They are all deeply passionate about cinema, and that reflects in every decision made on set.” Samantha Ruth Prabhu in the film Having built a 15-year career on varied roles, the actor is now keen to expand his scope to regional cinema. Noting that working in movies of different languages gives an artiste a new perspective, he shared, “Working in different languages shakes you up in the best way. Every film industry has its own energy and own way of looking at stories. Each film in a new language strips away habits I have picked up and makes me rediscover my craft.”
21 January,2026 10:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuActress Mrunal Thakur celebrated with the cast and crew as she wrapped up the shoot for her much-awaited drama Dacoit, alongside Adivi Sesh. Mrunal took to her Insta Stories and shared a video of herself surrounded by the entire crew, with all of them shouting with excitement. She was also seen holding a bouquet in her hand. "And it's a film wrap Dacoit", she captioned the post. She further dropped some other snaps with her team on Instagram, commemorating the wrapping up of the film shoot. Earlier, speaking during the recently held teaser launch of the drama, Mrunal shared that Dacoit is the first film that she has shot in 2 languages. Addressing the audience in Marathi, she talked about her experience of working with director Shaneil Deo, and co-stars Adivi Sesh and Anurag Kashyap. “Khoop chhan vaat-ta mala. Dacoit is a very different film, and this is my first film that I have shot in Hindi and Telugu. It was an amazing experience working with Adivi Sesh. To see Hari in this avatar is really nice, the magic that he has created on-screen. And to work with Anurag sir was such a delight. I didn’t have many scenes but whatever I did was fantastic. I feel like it was a schooling, you get to learn a lot," she said. The drama has been shot simultaneously in Hindi and Telugu. Aside from Mrunal, Adivi, and Anurag, the project further stars Prakash Raj, Sunil, Atul Kulkarni, Zayn Marie Khan, and Kamakshi Bhaskarla in significant roles, along with others. The movie shares the tale of an angry convict who is determined to take revenge on his ex-girlfriend, who had betrayed him. Adivi Sesh and Shaneil Deo have jointly crafted the story and screenplay for Dacoit. Over and above this, Mrunal will also be seen romancing Siddhant Chaturvedi in Do Deewane Seher Mein. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 January,2026 10:39 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSActor Allu Arjun has extended a heartwarming message for his uncle and megastar Chiranjeevi, hailing the success of his film Mana ShankaraVaraPrasad Garu. Taking to his X handle, Allu Arjun penned a long note and congratulated the team. Calling Chiranjeevi the "Boss", he wrote, "CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ENTIRE TEAM OF ManaShankaraVaraPrasadGaru The BOSS IS BACK. L - I - T Happy to see our megastar KChiruTweets garu light up the screens again. Full VintageVibes VenkyMama garu rocked the show. VenkyGowda. Gracious presence by Nayanthara garu , humorous presence by CatherineTresa1 & energetic performances by all the artists especially Sankranthi star BulliRaju, Whistle-worthy songs HookStep, MegaVictory , etc. Congratulations to BheemsCeciroleo garu & all the technicians of the movie & esply the producers my dearest cousin sushkonidela & sahugarapati7 garu Biggg Congratulations to the Sankranthi Blockbuster machine AnilRavipudi garu. Sankranthi ki Vastaru -Hit Kodatharu - Repeatu. This is not just a Sankranthi Blockbuster... This is a Sankranthi "BOSS"-buster." CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ENTIRE TEAM OF #ManaShankaraVaraPrasadGaru The BOSS IS BACK ❤️🔥 L - I - T 🔥Happy to see our megastar @KChiruTweets garu light up the screens again 🔥Full #VintageVibes ⁰@VenkyMama garu rocked the show . #VenkyGowda ತುಂಬಾ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಮಾಡಿದಿರಾ (Thumba… pic.twitter.com/SI8CF7r9VO — Allu Arjun (@alluarjun) January 20, 2026 Earlier in the day, Chiranjeevi issued a statement and expressed gratitude for the audience response. "Looking at the humongous success of our Film Mana ShankaravaraPrasad Garu, my heart is filled with gratitude. I have always said that I am a product of your love, and today, you have proven it yet again. This success belongs to my Telugu audience, my dear beloved Mega fans, distributors, the movie team who worked relentlessly for this film and who have stood by me for decades. Your whistles in the theatre are the energy that keeps me going. Records come and go, but the love you shower upon me stays forever. This blockbuster success is a tribute to the hard work of our HIT MACHINE, Director Anil Ravipudi, Producers Sahu and Sushmita along with the entire team and the unwavering faith you have in me. Let's continue the celebration... Love you all!" he said. From the heart, with love & gratitude 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/LJ2g32x3qC — Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) January 20, 2026 Written and directed by Anil Ravipudi, 'Mana ShankaraVaraPrasad Garu' features an ensemble cast that includes Nayanthara, Chiranjeevi, and Venkatesh Daggubati. As per the trailer, Chiranjeevi plays the role of a former operative with the national security agencies who falls in love with Nayanthara and decides to become a devoted family man. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
21 January,2026 10:38 AM IST | Hyderabad (Telangana) | ANIActress Nidhhi Agerwal recently starred in Prabhas-starrer The Raja Saab, which earned a decent response at the box office. Ahead of the release, the actress was in the news for being manhandled at an event. Known for speaking her mind, she never shies away from calling a spade a spade. Without mincing her words, she recently shared her thoughts on paid PR campaigns affecting actors’ careers. Nidhhi Agerwal on negative PR campaigns While speaking to Ranveer Allahbadia on his podcast, Nidhhi shared a personal experience and revealed, “Itna negative PR hota hai (there’s so much negative PR). There are so many attacks that happen, even things like BookMyShow ratings and IMDb ratings. There is a certain section of paid reviews. People pay a lot of money to pull others down, and sometimes I feel people pay more money to pull others down than to lift themselves up. Recently, mujhpe bhi ek do negative campaigns had started, but we stopped them immediately. Because I was just like, dude, I am going to push myself in a good way, but if you do something negative, then I am going to do it right back.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nidhhi Agerwal 🌟 (@nidhhiagerwal) Nidhhi praises Varun Dhawan Speaking about the hate Kartik Aaryan and Varun Dhawan have been receiving in recent times, Agerwal added, “That’s very bad. People pay a lot of money for this, and I think it’s horrible. Because actors are very sensitive and emotional. They are child-like from the inside. I feel it’s really not good for their mental health. You feel attacked. Public personalities public property nahi hoti (public personalities are not public property). Everyone has parents at home, and you are answerable to them. It’s not nice.” She further described Kartik and Varun as genuine people. She shared that Varun is very child-like, sweet, and encouraging, and always supports newcomers, while she appreciated Kartik for working hard. For those unversed, Varun recently faced trolling online when the Border 2 song Ghar Kab Aaoge was released. Many criticised his acting skills and dance. About Nidhhi Agerwal Nidhhi was most recently seen in The RajaSaab alongside Prabhas. The fantasy horror comedy, directed by Maruthi, took a bumper opening but crashed on day two following negative reviews. The film also starred Sanjay Dutt, Malvika Mohanan, Riddhi Kumar, and Zarina Wahab.
20 January,2026 08:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
