Nethra’s Lens: ఏమో అనుకున్నాం గానీ…మూసీ ప్లాన్ అదుర్స్
Rajkummar Rao’s Transformative Acting Sets Him Apart in Bollywood
It hardly needs to be said how talented Bollywood actor Rajkummar Rao is. He has a rare ability to fully inhabit any character, bringing depth, nuance, and authenticity that elevates the role itself. Unlike many actors, Rao’s performances often operate on another level, particularly in biopics and films based on real-life events. He invests immense effort into every role, ensuring that the portrayal resonates with audiences.
In Trapped, for example, Rao played a man stuck in a lift, and his performance was extraordinary. To convincingly portray hunger and despair, he survived for nearly 20 days on black coffee and just two carrots a day. By the film’s conclusion, his body had weakened significantly, with visible bones, perfectly reflecting the character’s physical and emotional state.
Similarly, for Bose: Dead/Alive, Rao underwent major physical transformations to play Subhash Chandra Bose. While many actors rely on prosthetics, Rao physically altered his body, losing 11–15 kilograms to authentically fit the role. For the industrialist Srikant biopic, he maintained his eyes in a specific position throughout shooting, often enduring severe headaches, and conducted weeks of research to understand how visually impaired people perceive and navigate the world.
In Omerta, he portrayed a terrorist, taking a mentally challenging approach by isolating himself for days to internalize the character’s cruelty. Rao also studied extremist videos and documentaries to accurately represent the mindset, and it reportedly took him a long time to return to normalcy after shooting.
For Badayi Do, he followed a strict diet to transform his physique, consuming only lentils and protein powders to bulk up while remaining vegetarian. Recently, for the biopic of Mumbai public prosecutor Uzval Nikam, Rao meticulously prepared to portray aging and physical transformation, including weight gain and loss.
Across all these projects, Rajkummar Rao’s commitment to his roles — physically, mentally, and emotionally — sets him apart, making him one of the most dedicated and versatile actors in Bollywood today.
Nithya Menen Launches Keyuri Productions, Steps Into Film Production
Nithya Menen’s acting journey needs little introduction. From a child artist to a leading actress, she has carved her own niche across South Indian cinema. She has worked in Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, and Tamil films, leaving no language unexplored, and has consistently made her presence felt wherever she appears.
Known for her selectiveness, Nithya has never compromised on the quality of her roles. She chooses characters over remuneration and approaches even glamorous roles with caution and care. For instance, her portrayal of a rape survivor in Ghati demonstrated her courage and commitment to meaningful storytelling. From Ala Modalaindi to Bheemla Nayak, she has maintained a highly selective career spanning 15 years in Telugu cinema, always working with freedom and never succumbing to pressure.
Despite fewer opportunities in Telugu films recently, Nithya remains connected with her fans through TV shows, while staying busy with Malayalam and Tamil projects. In this period, she has now ventured into film production by establishing Keyuri Productions. The banner aims to produce films with the same selectiveness and artistic integrity that Nithya applies to her acting.
Keyuri Productions is envisioned not just as a production house but as a platform to bring strong emotional narratives to the screen. The banner will prioritize scripts with depth and characters that resonate, focusing on cinema as an art form that touches audiences profoundly. Nithya also hopes to introduce new talent through her production house, nurturing them with the same care she applies to her roles.
While the first project under the banner has not yet been announced, Nithya plans to decide on production ventures only after completing her current acting commitments. Fans can now look forward to seeing Nithya Menen not just as a performer, but also as a producer guiding projects with the same selectivity, integrity, and artistic vision that have defined her career.
Nagachaitanya’s 25th Film Backed by Three Producers
The filmmaking landscape is undergoing major changes. With the rise of OTT platforms and soaring movie budgets, production strategies have shifted, with multiple production companies often collaborating on a single project, supported by partners like Zee Studios.
In this context, hero Nagachaitanya is now being backed by three producers for his upcoming ventures. Once slightly behind in the race among Tier-2 heroes, Chaitu, despite his entry through the Akkineni family, has yet to establish full-fledged stardom. Limited access to high-quality scripts has prevented his true potential from reaching the right directors, restricting his impact at the box office.
After scoring a super hit with ‘Thandee’, which pushed him into the Rs. 100-crore club, Nagachaitanya is currently starring in ‘Vrishkarm’, a mystic thriller-adventure action drama directed by Karthik Dandu of ‘Virupaksha’ fame. The film’s shooting is progressing at a brisk pace and is expected to release soon.
Meanwhile, Nagachaitanya’s 25th film is already in pre-production with detailed planning in place. The movie will be directed by Clocks, known for ‘Bedurulanka’, and produced under the Annapurna Studios banner by Akkineni Nagarjuna, with Bunny Vasu as co-producer. Zee Studios will handle the non-theatrical OTT rights.
The project aims to elevate Nagachaitanya’s stardom and expand his market reach significantly. The official announcement is expected shortly. Details about the heroine opposite Chaitu and other key cast members will be revealed soon.
CM Revanth Reddy Warns GHMC Officials Over Hyderabad Roads
Hyderabad, known for having relatively better roads compared to other metropolitan cities in South India, may soon see stricter enforcement under Telangana Chief Minister CM Revanth Reddy. He has warned that municipal officials will face serious consequences if road conditions are not properly maintained.
During an interaction with municipal administration officials yesterday, CM Revanth Reddy discussed a detailed plan to ensure top-quality roads across the city. This was the first meeting after the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) was divided into three zones: Cyberabad, Malkajgiri, and Hyderabad.
The Chief Minister adopted a hands-on approach, cautioning that if roads in the Hyderabad urban region are found untidy or poorly maintained, the responsible authorities and officials could be removed from their positions immediately. He emphasized the need for consistent coordination between top administrative officials and executive officers to ensure the smooth functioning of municipal operations.
Several parts of the city require urgent sanitation and repair work, and CM Revanth Reddy’s stern warning underscores the government’s commitment to improving urban infrastructure and road conditions.
Lakshmi Manchu Quits Film Production to Focus on Acting
Actress Lakshmi Manchu has announced that she will no longer produce films and will focus solely on her acting career. She revealed that past financial losses as a producer influenced her decision. “I am currently doing a Tamil film because I received a cheque as an actress,” Lakshmi explained. “These days, when I am asked to listen to a script, the first thing I ask is who the producer is. Only after that do I agree to hear the story.”
Lakshmi admitted that she is still repaying dues from films produced five years ago. “That is why I have decided not to produce films anymore and to remain only an actress,” she said.
Speaking about her latest film Bookie, she shared, “The film released in Tamil last Friday and has received an excellent response. It is a universal story that connects with everyone. The movie was made with a wonderful team and talented actors like Ajay and Dhanush. Whenever Vijay Antony composes music for a film, the content turns out outstanding. Director Ganesh has a very bright future ahead. I have played a very interesting character, and my expressions in this role are quite intriguing.”
Lakshmi Manchu has previously produced films such as Gundello Godari, Lakshmi Bomb, and W/o Ram. However, none became major commercial successes. Having learned from these experiences, she has decided to step away from production, noting that filmmaking is no longer a safe business proposition.
Sidharth Malhotra Mourns Father Sunil Malhotra
Actor Sidharth Malhotra is mourning the demise of his father, Sunil Malhotra, sharing an emotional tribute on social media. He remembered his father as a guiding force whose life embodied discipline, integrity, and unwavering positivity, even in the face of adversity.
In his heartfelt note, Sidharth described his father as “a man of rare honesty, integrity and culture,” praising him as a pillar of strength who lived by values that never bent — discipline without harshness, strength without ego, and positivity even during life’s toughest tests.
Recalling his father’s remarkable journey, he wrote, “From commanding the seas as a Merchant Navy Captain to facing illness with quiet courage, he never compromised, never lost his grace. Even when the stroke confined him to a wheelchair, his spirit stood tall.”
Sidharth expressed profound admiration and gratitude: “Papa, your integrity is my inheritance. Your strength guides me every day. Your positivity still holds this family together. You left us peacefully in your sleep, but the space you leave behind is immeasurable.”
He concluded by acknowledging the lasting influence of his father’s values on his life, writing, “I am who I am because of you. And I will carry your name, your values and your light forward always. Love you Dad.”
The loss has left Sidharth deeply affected, reflecting the close and affectionate bond he shared with his father, who remained a constant source of inspiration and strength throughout his life.
Veteran Actress Pravina Deshpande Passes Away
Veteran actress Pravina Deshpande, renowned for her work in films and television, passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, confirmed the Cine and Television Artists Association (CINTAA). The association expressed its condolences, writing, “CINTAA expresses its condolences on the demise of Pravina Deshpande ji (member since 2008). #cintaa #condolence #restinpeace #rip.”
Deshpande’s family also confirmed her passing on her official Instagram handle, stating, “It is with great sadness that we inform you that Mrs Pravina Deshpande has left for her heavenly abode on 17th February 2026.” Her final rites were held the same afternoon at the Hindu Crematorium in Andheri, Mumbai.
Tributes have poured in from fans and colleagues alike. Actor Palash Dutta, who worked with her in the Manik Talwar-directed short film Thanks Mom, remembered her as a “beloved person and a talented actress” and praised her resilience. He said, “She shot for the film despite being in pain and undergoing chemotherapy, winning awards and accolades for her performance. Pravina ji was a living example of an iron lady who fought cancer with grace and strength.”
Dutta, recalling their professional journey, added, “I have known Pravina ji professionally for over 22 years. About 19 years ago, I cast her as Priyanka Chopra’s mother in a TV commercial, and we worked together on several projects thereafter.”
A prominent face in the industry, Pravina Deshpande appeared in popular films like Ek Villain, Gabbar is Back, and Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran. Her latest appearance was a cameo in Emraan Hashmi’s Netflix series Taskaree: The Smuggler’s Web.
Alia Bhatt to Present at 79th BAFTA Awards
Alia Bhatt will present an award at the 79th edition of the BAFTA Film Awards, the British Academy announced on Tuesday. The ceremony, which celebrates excellence in international cinema, will be held on February 22 at London’s Royal Festival Hall. Sharing her excitement on Instagram, Bhatt reposted the official BAFTA page and wrote, “100 points if you can spot me.”
The 32-year-old actor joins a star-studded lineup of guest presenters, including Alicia Vikander, Bryan Cranston, Cillian Murphy, Kate Hudson, Sadie Sink, Patrick Dempsey, Delroy Lindo, Emily Watson, Ethan Hawke, Gillian Anderson, Glenn Close, Hannah Waddingham, Monica Bellucci, Rege-Jean Page, Riz Ahmed, and Stellan Skarsgård.
Also attending the ceremony is filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi, whose Manipuri-language film Boong is nominated in the Best Children’s and Family Film category. Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani under Excel Entertainment, Boong tells the story of a young boy from Manipur, Boong (played by Gugun Kipgen), who plans a surprise gift for his mother. The film will compete against Disney hits Lilo & Stitch and Zootopia 2, as well as the animated sci-fi fantasy Arco.
Pawan Kalyan, Anna Konidela Shine at Navy Dinner in Visakhapatnam
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan attended a special Navy dinner in Visakhapatnam alongside his wife, Anna Konidela. The event was hosted by Navy officials in honor of President Droupadi Murmu, who is in the city for the International Fleet Review 2026.
Representing the State Government, Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, High Court Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur, and Social Welfare Minister Swamy were also present. Pawan Kalyan engaged warmly with senior officials and their families, spending time with guests and posing for photographs.
The evening’s gallery captures memorable moments from the prestigious gathering, highlighting Pawan Kalyan and Anna Konidela at the Navy-hosted event in Visakhapatnam.
Jacqueline Fernandez Stuns in Royal Blue Gown Amid Controversy
At 40, Jacqueline Fernandez continues to command attention, trending not only for her fashion choices but also for controversies connected to jailed conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar. Reports of lavish gifts, including a luxury helicopter, have once again kept her in the headlines. Despite the buzz, Jacqueline remains focused on her public appearances and maintaining her glamorous persona.
Recently, she shared striking photos in a royal blue, body-hugging gown. The off-shoulder design with a single full sleeve adds a bold touch, while the sleek silhouette and visible back zipper give the look a modern edge. With straight, open hair and sharp makeup, she exudes confidence and poise in every pose.
On the professional front, Jacqueline currently has few film releases but stays active with stage shows, events, and judging assignments. Her eagerly awaited film, Welcome to the Jungle, is expected to mark a strong comeback on the big screen.
Balakrishna May Team Up with Vassishta for Sankranthi 2027
Things are heating up in Tollywood as a new combination is reportedly forming. Sources reveal that Nandamuri Balakrishna may soon hear a script from director Vassishta, sparking speculation about a potential collaboration aimed for Sankranthi 2027. The project is said to be produced by Dil Raju under the Sri Venkateswara Creations banner.
Insiders suggest that a formal narration could take place in the coming days. If Balayya likes the script and everything aligns, the makers may plan an official launch on his birthday in June, making it a grand announcement.
Earlier reports had indicated that Balakrishna might team up with Harish Shankar for a Sankranthi 2027 release under the Sithara banner. With multiple possibilities in discussion, it remains to be seen which project comes first.
This development comes amid fan curiosity over Bhimbisara 2, which is still in limbo even after a new director was appointed following Vassishta’s exit, and the delay surrounding Chiranjeevi’s Vishwambhara, which has not yet announced a release date.
If Balakrishna approves the Vassishta script, it could surprise many fans. However, securing a Sankranthi 2027 release might be challenging, considering Vassishta’s reputation for taking ample time to craft his films on a grand scale. The coming days will reveal how things unfold.
