Page 153

Vishwak Sen, Anudeep, and Kayadu Lohar Pin Hopes on Funky

Share


Tomorrow is set to be a crucial day for Vishwak Sen, director Anudeep, and heroine Kayadu Lohar as their new film Funky hits the screens. Much depends on its performance.

Vishwak Sen has faced a string of box office setbacks in recent years and hasn’t delivered a major blockbuster in almost five years. At the pre-release event, he openly thanked Anudeep for offering him Funky during a low phase in his career, noting that the film arrived at the perfect time.

His previous films, including Laila, Mechanic Rocky, and Gangs of Godavari, failed to impress audiences, with Laila drawing particularly harsh criticism. Gaami was his last moderately successful release, but he is still searching for that big hit to truly bounce back. While Vishwak is undeniably talented, he needs a commercially successful film, and Funky seems to fall perfectly into his comfort zone, potentially serving as the turning point.

For Kayadu Lohar, the film is equally significant. Her first Telugu outing failed to make an impact, and she went largely unnoticed. Funky presents her with a major opportunity to prove her talent and capitalize on her growing popularity.

Director Anudeep also has a lot at stake. While he is celebrated for his fun, witty style, he needs to prove that he is not a one-film wonder following Jathi Ratnalu. In today’s cinema landscape, films cannot rely solely on one-liners; audiences expect a balance of comedy and substance. If Anudeep succeeds in delivering sharp humor with Funky, he could carve a strong niche for himself.

The box office window looks open for Funky, and positive word of mouth could make all the difference for the trio. Will it succeed? Only time will tell.

Dil Raju Responds to ₹120 Crore Toxic Theatrical Rights Rumors

Share


The team of Toxic, starring Yash, has been generating buzz by claiming that the film’s business deals have been closed for “record amounts.” However, social media users quickly questioned these claims.

Recently, reports circulated that renowned producer Dil Raju had acquired the theatrical rights for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for a staggering ₹120 crore. Considering that Yash’s previous blockbuster, KGF 2, earned around ₹70 crore in the AP–Telangana region, many wondered how an experienced distributor like Dil Raju would pay nearly ₹50 crore more for Toxic.

When journalists approached Dil Raju for clarification, he stated that he would provide proof of the ₹120 crore deal to the media after transferring the amount to the producer. Observers noted that his response seemed diplomatic, as he neither directly confirmed nor denied the reported figure.

అంబటి కి బెయిల్.. అంతలోనే మళ్ళీ జైలు, కారణం ఇదే..!! | Special Report

Share

అంబటి కి బెయిల్.. అంతలోనే మళ్ళీ జైలు, కారణం ఇదే..!! | Special Report

India to Get 114 Rafale Jets as Government Clears Rs 3.25 Lakh Cr Deal | Rajnath Singh

Share

India to Get 114 Rafale Jets as Government Clears Rs 3.25 Lakh Cr Deal | Rajnath Singh

Markandeya Title Glimpse | Dil Raju | Vikranth | Sistla VMK | Dil Raju Dreams

Share

Markandeya Title Glimpse | Dil Raju | Vikranth | Sistla VMK | Dil Raju Dreams

Vikranth Stuns in First Glimpse of Mythological Film Markandeya

Share


After winning acclaim for his performance in Santhana Prapthirasthu, actor Vikranth is set to take on an ambitious new role in his upcoming film Markandeya.

Produced under the Dil Raju Dreams banner and directed by Sistla VMK, the film represents a significant leap in scale and storytelling. Markandeya is the first project from Dil Raju Dreams, and the makers unveiled the title glimpse at a special event, offering audiences a first look into the film’s world.

The glimpse introduces a mystic universe layered with divine undertones and visually striking imagery. It opens with Vikranth lying in a snow-covered landscape, surrounded by dead bodies, instantly drawing viewers into the dark and intense world of Markandeya.

Praised for its intensity, grandeur, and captivating visuals, the teaser successfully builds intrigue and curiosity. The production values are exceptional, with Jagadish’s cinematography delivering spectacular visuals and Hari SR’s powerful background score adding depth and emotional impact.

The mythological setting feels immersive and convincing, with the reveal of Lord Shiva, portrayed by a real actor, standing out as particularly stunning and radiating a strong divine aura. The glimpse reflects the team’s ambition and commitment to delivering a visually rich and spiritually charged cinematic experience.

9 PM | ETV Telugu News | 12th February” 2026

Share

9 PM | ETV Telugu News | 12th February” 2026

Bandla Ganesh Meets CM Chandrababu At AP Assembly | Tirumala Sankalpa Yatra

Share

Bandla Ganesh Meets CM Chandrababu At AP Assembly | Tirumala Sankalpa Yatra

Nara Lokesh Launches Dinner Meetings to Strengthen TDP Influence

Share


In a move seen as consolidating his influence within the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and paving the way for his potential succession as party leader, general secretary and state IT minister Nara Lokesh has launched a new political initiative.

Starting Thursday, Lokesh has begun hosting dinner meetings with party MLAs and their families. While the party officially says the meetings aim to strengthen coordination between the party and the government, sources suggest the primary purpose is to solidify Lokesh’s position within the party.

According to party leaders, Lokesh plans to meet seven MLAs from each parliamentary constituency daily for dinner, along with their family members. “This initiative provides a platform for direct interaction, allowing Lokesh to understand constituency-level issues firsthand and work toward solutions,” a party leader explained.

The meetings are intended to let MLAs discuss local challenges, development priorities, and public concerns directly with Lokesh. Including family members is seen as an effort to build personal rapport and foster goodwill toward party leadership.

While the programme is officially described as a governance and coordination effort, observers note it is also part of a broader political strategy to enhance internal cohesion, address any dissatisfaction within the party, and unify leaders under a common leadership. Strengthening personal relationships with MLAs and their families is viewed as a key step to ensure a smoother leadership transition and reinforce Lokesh’s influence in the TDP.

Udit Narayan Faces Controversy Over Wife’s Allegations

Share


Veteran singer Udit Narayan, whose song Meesala Pilla continues to trend on the charts, is now facing a serious controversy.

His first wife, Ranjana Narayan Jha, has alleged that Udit was involved in a criminal conspiracy that led to the removal of her uterus without her consent. She filed a complaint on February 10 at the Women’s Police Station in Supaul district, Bihar.

Ranjana named Udit’s two brothers and his second wife, Deepa Narayan, in the complaint, claiming that all were present during the procedure. She revealed that she only learned about the incident years later during a medical examination. Ranjana further stated that she is currently unwell and accused Udit of failing to provide support despite repeated assurances.

Earlier, Ranjana had filed a maintenance case against Udit Narayan. The matter has also drawn the attention of the National Human Rights Commission and the Bihar Human Rights Commission, which noted that Udit’s second marriage could be invalid under the Hindu Marriage Act if no legal divorce occurred.

Mrunal Thakur Denies Dhanush Wedding Rumors

Share


Mrunal Thakur, who gained sensational success with the Telugu film Sita Ramam, has been in the spotlight ever since. In recent years, there has been a lot of speculation about her personal life.

Recently, rumors suggested that she is in a relationship with Dhanush and would marry him on February 14. In a recent interview, Mrunal clarified the situation, denying the wedding rumors. She mentioned that the rumors made February 14 feel like April Fools’ Day, as she has no idea where they originated.

While she did not comment on her relationship with Dhanush, she made it clear that the wedding is not happening, bringing some clarity to the speculation. For now, she continues to keep her personal life private, and fans may have to wait for further updates.

Mrunal will next be seen in Adivi Sesh’s Dacoit and AA26.

Kovvur MLA Vemireddy Prashanthi Reddy about Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan | AP Assembly

Share

Kovvur MLA Vemireddy Prashanthi Reddy about Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan | AP Assembly

సెన్సేషన్ కోసమా.. ప్రమోషన్ కోసమా..! సీనియర్ నటుడు నరేష్ హల్ చల్..

Share

సెన్సేషన్ కోసమా.. ప్రమోషన్ కోసమా..! సీనియర్ నటుడు నరేష్ హల్ చల్..

Andhra Pradesh : వైసీపీ శాసనసభాపక్ష సమావేశంలో వైఎస్ జగన్ కీలక వ్యాఖ్యలు

Share

Andhra Pradesh : వైసీపీ శాసనసభాపక్ష సమావేశంలో వైఎస్ జగన్ కీలక వ్యాఖ్యలు

Balakrishna Meets Pawan Kalyan at Deputy CM Office, Sparks Social Media Buzz

Share


Two of Andhra Pradesh’s most iconic figures, Nandamuri Balakrishna and Pawan Kalyan, recently came together at the state Assembly, drawing significant public attention. Both leaders enjoy a dual identity as political stalwarts and cinema superstars, which adds to their mass appeal and public influence.

Balakrishna visited the deputy chief minister’s office earlier today to meet Pawan Kalyan, where the two reportedly engaged in an in-depth discussion on various political and development matters. It is speculated that Balakrishna may have sought support from Kalyan, who also holds the portfolio of Panchayat Raj and Forestry Minister.

Pictures of the meeting between Balakrishna and Pawan Kalyan at the deputy CM office have gone viral on social media, thrilling followers of both the Nandamuri and Mega families. Despite past political differences, the two leaders have recently showcased strong camaraderie, appearing together publicly and speaking highly of one another. Their collaborative energy reflects the spirit expected from the NDA alliance and has now become visible in full force.

Following this meeting, Pawan Kalyan also met his brother and sitting MLC Naga Babu at the same deputy CM office, further highlighting the family’s active political engagements.

Suhas-Starrer Hey Bhagawan Promises Full-On Comedy Entertainment

Share


Actor Suhas is all set to entertain audiences with his upcoming film Hey Bhagawan, an out-and-out entertainer directed by debutant Gopi Atchara. Shivani Nagaram plays the female lead, and the film is produced by B. Narendra Reddy under the Trishul Visionary Studios banner.

The film has already created a solid buzz with its teaser, and the excitement escalated with the launch of a quirky “Not a Trailer” at a grand event attended by Supreme Hero Sai Durgha Tej. The promo offers a sneak peek into the film’s fun-filled world without revealing too much of the plot.

Packed with hilarious moments, witty punches, and romantic sequences, Hey Bhagawan promises a chaotic laughter ride. From the first frame, the promo delivers comedy, thanks to Sudharshan’s sharp dialogues, Suhas’ impeccable comic timing, and Shivani Nagaram’s charming screen presence. Vivek Sagar’s breezy and quirky background score further enhances the film’s lively mood.

The film also features entertaining appearances by Harsha Vardhan, Ajay Ghosh, Naresh, Vennela Kishore, and Sravanthi, adding to its fun quotient. Set to release on February 20, the film is backed by blockbuster producers Bunny Vas and Vamsi Nandipati.

Mahi Reddy Pandugula’s visuals and Vivek Sagar’s music blend seamlessly with the light-hearted and comedic narrative, making Hey Bhagawan one of the most promising entertainers of the season.

AI Acceleration Warning: Future Already Here, Says OthersideAI CEO

Share


That’s the stark warning from Matt Shumer, co-founder and CEO of OthersideAI, the company behind the AI autocomplete tool HyperWrite. In a widely shared post titled “Something Big Is Happening”, Shumer likened the current AI moment to early February 2020, when most people dismissed warnings about COVID-19. “I think we’re in the ‘this seems overblown’ phase of something much, much bigger than Covid,” he wrote.

Shumer emphasizes that even industry insiders underestimated how quickly AI would shift from incremental improvements to exponential leaps. “For years, AI had been improving steadily. Then in 2025, new techniques for building these models unlocked a much faster pace of progress. And then it got even faster. And then faster again.”

A turning point, he says, came on February 5, 2026, with the release of flagship models like GPT-5.3 Codex from OpenAI and Opus 4.6 from Anthropic. “I am no longer needed for the actual technical work of my job,” Shumer explained. “I describe what I want built, in plain English, and it just… appears. Not a rough draft I need to fix. The finished thing.” He claims he now delegates complex development tasks to AI systems that execute, test, and refine outputs independently. “I tell the AI what I want, walk away for four hours, and come back to find the work done. Done well, done better than I would have done it myself, with no corrections needed.”

Perhaps most striking is AI’s ability to improve itself. Shumer highlighted that GPT-5.3-Codex has been instrumental in its own development, helping debug training processes, manage deployments, and evaluate results. “One of the main things that makes AI better is intelligence applied to AI development. And AI is now intelligent enough to meaningfully contribute to its own improvement,” he wrote.

Shumer also sounded a warning for the workforce. He referenced predictions from AI leaders, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, that up to 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs could be disrupted within one to five years. “This is different from every previous wave of automation… AI isn’t replacing one specific skill. It’s a general substitute for cognitive work,” he said. Any role that involves reading, writing, analyzing, drafting, or coding is particularly at risk. “If your job happens on a screen… then AI is coming for significant parts of it.”

Beyond jobs, Shumer highlighted broader societal implications, including geopolitics and national security. He pointed out the potential upside, such as compressing a century of medical research into a decade, but also warned about risks like unpredictability and misuse. “The people building this technology are simultaneously more excited and more frightened than anyone else on the planet,” he noted.

He concluded with a stark message: “We’re past the point where this is an interesting dinner conversation about the future. The future is already here. It just hasn’t knocked on your door yet. It’s about to.”

xAI Loses Two Co-Founders Amid SpaceX Merger, Musk Reassures Team

Share


xAI has experienced a major leadership shake-up, with two co-founders departing within 48 hours and half of the founding team leaving the company. In response, CEO Elon Musk held an all-hands meeting with employees to address the changes and reassure the team.

According to a report by The New York Times, Musk discussed company restructuring and emphasized that the recent exits will not derail xAI’s long-term plans or performance. While he did not directly comment on co-founders Tony Wu and Jimmy Ba leaving, he thanked them for their contributions. Musk reassured employees that the company’s strategic execution would continue uninterrupted. The meeting also highlighted the recent merger with SpaceX and Musk’s ambitious vision to build a factory on the moon to produce AI satellites, declaring, “You have to go to the moon.”

Musk shared his excitement about the potential scale of AI, saying, “It’s difficult to imagine what an intelligence of that scale would think about, but it’s going to be incredibly exciting to see it happen.” He also discussed xAI’s growth, noting that X currently has 600 million monthly active users. Future plans include new features like X Money for banking and a stand-alone chat app, with Musk aiming for over a billion daily active users.

The all-hands meeting, originally scheduled for last week, was delayed until February 10, shortly after xAI surprised the tech industry with its SpaceX merger announcement. Analysts suggest that the co-founders’ departure may be linked to internal restructuring or strategic disagreements triggered by the merger.

Despite recent turbulence, xAI is reportedly planning a possible IPO in 2026, signaling that the company remains focused on long-term growth and expansion.

Siri AI Upgrade Delayed: iOS 26.4 Rollout Pushed to 2026

Share


Apple’s much-anticipated AI upgrade for Siri appears to be facing delays due to reliability issues, with the rollout now postponed. Originally expected with iOS 26.4 in March 2026, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that the update may not arrive until May, or in some cases, September 2026. Testing has revealed that Siri’s AI-powered features are inconsistent, prompting Apple to adopt a staggered release approach. Some features might even be pushed to iOS 27 in September.

According to Gurman, technical challenges during testing mean Siri is not delivering the accurate, fast, and reliable responses Apple had intended. To ensure a smooth launch, the company is taking additional measures before releasing the AI features publicly. Internally, Apple is focusing on iOS 26.5 to test Siri’s AI capabilities, including personalization, on-screen awareness, and cross-app actions. These enhancements were first teased in June 2024, but delays have stretched more than a year, frustrating users and raising concerns about Apple’s pace in the AI race compared with competitors.

Despite setbacks, a partial release of AI features may provide a meaningful boost to Siri’s functionality. Alongside iOS 26.4, Apple is preparing iOS 26.3, which will introduce a new data transfer tool for moving content from Android devices to iPhones. The phased rollout indicates Apple’s cautious approach as it works to ensure that Siri’s AI features meet user expectations before going fully live.

Beyond Passport Rank: 2026’s Most Accessible Destinations for Indians

Share


For years, global travel discussions have focused on “passport strength.” But for Indian travellers, the more practical question is not where they can go on paper — it’s where they can realistically plan, book and travel to without running into unnecessary hurdles.

A new 2026 Travel Access Report by visa processing platform Atlys shifts the focus from diplomatic mobility to real-world accessibility. Instead of relying solely on passport rankings, the report evaluates 50 international destinations based on how easy they are for Indian passport holders to access. It factors in visa processes, flight connectivity, affordability and actual travel demand.

This approach contrasts with the Henley Passport Index, where the Indian passport currently ranks 80th globally, offering access to 55 destinations visa-free, visa-on-arrival or via ETA — an improvement of five places since January 2025. While that index measures government-level agreements, the Atlys report attempts to capture the lived experience of travellers.

The access lens matters at a time when India’s outbound travel is expanding rapidly. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, 14.65 million passports were issued in 2024. Government data also recorded 28.10 million international departures in 2023 and 29.14 million departures through 8 December 2024. However, rising numbers do not necessarily mean seamless travel. Many travellers still face procedural delays, complex documentation requirements and high costs that go beyond passport rankings.

Mohak Nahta, Founder and CEO of Atlys, said the gap between aspiration and access is visible in travel data. “Indian travellers often choose between the destination they dream about and the destination they can actually access. We see destinations with high search interest that don’t convert into visa applications because friction discourages travellers midway. The Travel Access Report aims to highlight those barriers upfront.”

The ranking of 50 destinations is based on four weighted pillars: Popularity (35%), which considers search trends and booking volumes; Connectivity (25%), including direct flights and convenience; Visa ease (25%), covering approval rates and process complexity; and Affordability (15%), assessing cost of stay. The analysis combines visa processing insights, airline schedules, cost-per-day data and booking demand patterns.

Asian destinations dominate the top of the 2026 ranking. According to Atlys data, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates take the top three spots, followed by Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Maldives, Oman and Mauritius. Strong air connectivity, relatively simpler entry requirements and lower travel costs give South and Southeast Asian countries a clear edge.

In contrast, European and North American destinations such as France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States remain highly aspirational but rank lower in practical accessibility. Visa complexity, longer processing timelines and higher overall trip costs reduce their access scores. Canada ranks at the bottom of the list at 50th, signalling that despite strong interest among Indian travellers, entry barriers have significantly impacted its practical accessibility.

The report also identifies leaders across different travel styles. For budget-friendly travel, Nepal, Laos, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam stand out. Impulse getaways are led by Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the UAE and Vietnam. In the luxury segment, Maldives, Switzerland, Fiji, France and Italy top the list. Thailand, the UAE, Japan, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka are among the most travelled destinations by women, while Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Laos and Japan are rated best for solo travel.

Thailand, notably, appears across multiple categories — overall access, budget-friendly, women-friendly and solo-friendly — making it one of the most balanced and accessible international destinations for Indian tourists in 2026.

More Film News

More Political News