KCR Writes Six-Page Letter to SIT: ఇంటి గోడకు నోటీసులు అంటించడంపై కేసీఆర్ అభ్యంతరం
Ranveer Singh’s Next Projects: Rumours vs Reality
Bollywood star Ranveer Singh is currently riding a wave of success as his recent film Dhurandhar not only dominated the box office but also became a hit on OTT platforms, despite some initial setbacks. Fans are now eagerly awaiting the much-anticipated sequel, set to release in March this year.
As Ranveer prepares to begin shooting for his next project, Pralay, media speculation has been rife about his future collaborations. Unconfirmed reports suggest that he is in talks with leading South Indian directors. It is said that acclaimed director Shankar Shanmugam is considering Ranveer as one of the leads in an ambitious adaptation of the popular Tamil historical novel Velpari. Similarly, Telugu filmmaker Boyapati Srinu is reportedly interested in casting him for a high-octane action drama.
While the buzz continues to grow, the chances of these projects materializing appear slim. Ranveer is reportedly in no rush to lock his next films, aiming to build a diverse and distinctive filmography rather than signing consecutive commercial projects. He may also prefer to work on a potential third installment of Dhurandhar if the second part turns out to be a massive hit.
In the past, Ranveer had agreed to collaborate with Hanuman director Prashanth Varma for a period drama titled Rakshas, but the project was shelved due to creative differences. There were also earlier reports of a Hindi remake of Aparichithudu with Shankar, which never came to fruition for undisclosed reasons.
With the overwhelming success of Dhurandhar, Ranveer Singh has emerged as one of the most sought-after actors in India. However, he remains selective about scripts, and until official announcements are made, all media speculations regarding his upcoming projects should be taken with caution.
India Launches IAIRO to Drive Sovereign AI Ambitions
India has marked a decisive turning point in its artificial intelligence journey with the formal launch of the Indian AI Research Organisation (IAIRO), signalling a shift from policy formulation to sovereign execution. Launched in New Delhi on January 30, 2026, IAIRO is envisioned as the execution engine for India’s AI ambitions, with a focus on converting research and intellectual property into deployable, population-scale systems.
The launch was accompanied by a position paper titled “Sovereign AI for India’s Strategic Autonomy”, authored by Dr Amit Sheth, Founding Director of IAIRO. The paper emphasises the importance of strengthening India’s strategic autonomy by building AI systems governed by national institutions and aligned with domestic priorities rather than external dependencies.
Aligned with the IndiaAI Mission, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and the Gujarat AI Action Plan, IAIRO will focus on advancing frontier AI research, creating sovereign intellectual property, retaining top global AI talent within India, translating research into real-world deployments, and supporting evidence-based policy for secure and trustworthy AI.
Unlike consumer-oriented large language models that are often monolithic and resource-intensive, IAIRO will prioritise next-generation AI systems that are custom-built, compact, and domain-specific. These include neurosymbolic and hybrid agent-based frameworks designed to be more cost-effective while supporting mission-critical enterprise, governance, and strategic applications.
Commenting on the launch, Dr Amit Sheth said India is moving decisively to ensure its AI future is built in India, for India, and governed by Indian institutions. He noted that IAIRO has been created to convert national AI ambition into deployable systems, sovereign intellectual property, and long-term national capability, while consciously avoiding consumer-centric AI approaches that are rapidly becoming commoditised.
This approach aligns with recent remarks by Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw at the World Economic Forum, where he underlined the need for India to chart its own AI path, including the development of small language models. Referring to those remarks, Dr Sheth said India’s AI agenda has now entered a mission-mode phase that demands dedicated institutions, long-term capital, deep talent pools, and strong translational capabilities — needs that IAIRO has been designed to address.
Established as a public–private partnership and headquartered in GIFT City, Gujarat, IAIRO brings together frontier research, ecosystem partnerships, talent development, and real-world deployment under a single national mandate. The organisation aims to build for artificial intelligence the kind of concentrated national capability that ISRO created for India’s space sector, with a sharp focus on measurable outcomes and sovereign technological leadership.
IAIRO’s founding team includes Prof. Ramesh Jain, Prof. Dev Niyogi, Prof. Sanjay Chaudhary, Juhi Bhatnagar, Selvam Velmurugan, and Dr Amit Sheth. Its advisory council features leading global academics and industry experts from institutions such as Ohio State University, Penn State University, IBM Research, Google, DeepMind, OpenAI, Apple, and Amazon. The organisation’s board comprises industry and policy leaders including Dr Ajai Chowdhry, Prof. Rajat Moona, and Smt. P. Bharati, with an approved expansion to include Shri Sharad Sharma, Shri Abhishek Singh, and Prof. Ramesh Jain.
As India prepares to host the AI Impact Summit, the launch of IAIRO reflects a broader national intent to pair ambition with institution-building and innovation with sovereignty, positioning India not just as a participant in the global AI race but as an architect of its own AI future.
Canada Visa Processing Times Updated, India Sees Relief
Canada’s immigration department has quietly revised processing timelines for thousands of temporary visa applicants, with Indian travellers seeing a notable improvement even as other categories show signs of strain. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its processing times for temporary resident applications, including visitor visas, work permits, study permits, and super visas.
The most significant relief is for visitor visa applicants from India. Processing time has dropped to 83 days from 99 days in the previous update issued on January 14, marking a 16-day improvement. In contrast, applications from Nigeria and those submitted from within Canada have experienced slight increases in wait times. While IRCC maintains a service standard of 14 days for visitor visa applications submitted outside Canada, it does not specify a benchmark for applications filed within the country.
Work permit processing remains uneven. Although overall timelines have been relatively stable, several markets have seen slower processing and greater unpredictability. Applicants from Pakistan and the United States are facing longer wait times. For Indian applicants, the work permit processing time currently stands at eight weeks, a marginal improvement from nine weeks in the January update. IRCC targets a processing time of 120 days for work permit applications submitted within Canada, including extensions, and 60 days for those filed outside Canada, except for International Experience Canada permits, which carry a 56-day standard.
Study permits continue to be the most stable category, with only minor fluctuations rather than sharp delays. However, processing times for Indian applicants have increased slightly to four weeks, up from three weeks in the previous update. IRCC’s service standard remains 120 days for applications filed inside Canada and 60 days for those submitted outside the country.
Super visa applications continue to face extended wait times well beyond IRCC’s internal target. For India, processing time has increased to 214 days from 206 days in mid-January. The most dramatic change was observed in applications filed from the United States, where super visa processing times doubled within a two-week period, possibly due to a sudden surge in application volumes. IRCC’s service standard for super visas is 112 days, and these applications can only be submitted from outside Canada.
IRCC processing times are estimates that reflect how long it may take to reach a final decision for applications submitted today. The timeline begins once IRCC receives an application and ends when a decision is made. Actual processing can vary depending on factors such as case complexity, verification requirements, and how quickly applicants respond to additional information requests. These estimates are based on historical performance and current workloads and may change frequently as application volumes fluctuate.
GCC Unified Tourist Visa Delayed to 2026
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has delayed the launch of its much-anticipated Schengen-style unified tourist visa, confirming that the “GCC Grand Tours” visa is now expected to be introduced sometime in 2026 instead of the earlier end-2025 target.
The single visa is designed to allow tourists to travel freely across all six GCC countries — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain — using one authorisation, thereby eliminating the need to apply for separate visas for each country. Officially referred to as the GCC Unified Tourist Visa, the initiative was approved in November 2023 during a meeting of GCC interior ministers in Oman and has been positioned as a regional mobility project inspired by Europe’s Schengen system.
Officials have attributed the delay primarily to challenges in integrating backend systems across the six member states. The process involves synchronising immigration databases, security screening mechanisms, and cross-border verification protocols among sovereign jurisdictions, which is critical for enabling seamless travel under a single visa framework. Reports suggest that backend testing revealed compatibility gaps in API–Passenger Name Record (PNR) systems and biometric watch-list integrations, prompting ministers to opt for phased pilot launches instead of a simultaneous region-wide rollout.
Once implemented, the unified visa is expected to be particularly beneficial for frequent travellers from India, given the large volume of tourism, business, and family travel between India and the Gulf region each year. Officials have indicated that the visa may be priced between $90 and $130 (approximately Dh330–Dh480), depending on the duration of stay and whether travellers choose a single-country or multi-entry option. The multi-entry “GCC Grand Tour” visa is expected to allow stays ranging from 30 to 90 days.
For now, travellers must continue applying for individual visas for each GCC country, with costs and conditions varying significantly. Saudi Arabia remains among the costliest, charging around SAR535 (Dh525) for a one-year multiple-entry e-visa that includes insurance and allows stays of up to 90 days per visit. Kuwait offers a 30-day visa on arrival for GCC residents, while online processing typically costs between Dh250 and Dh300 depending on the service provider. Oman is one of the most affordable destinations, offering a single-entry GCC Resident e-Visa for OMR5 (Dh48), valid for 28 days, with visas also available at land borders. Qatar charges QAR100 (Dh100–105) for a 30-day e-visa, while some nationalities qualify for visa-free entry. Bahrain’s visa costs vary, with BD29 (Dh284) for single-entry visas and BD77 (Dh756) for a three-month multiple-entry permit.
The delayed rollout means travellers will need to wait until 2026 to benefit from a unified GCC travel permit, though officials maintain that the system will significantly simplify and enhance regional travel once fully implemented.
Shriya Saran: “My Heart Is South Indian”
Actress Shriya Saran has opened up about being labelled a “South actress” and said she feels a deep emotional connection with the region that shaped her career. “I was born in Haridwar and lived there for 17 years. Later, I moved to Delhi to learn Kathak from Shovana Narayan ji. That was a huge move at that time,” Shriya shared. “I started acting when I was just 17, and it was a big step for my family. My father is an engineer and my mother is a teacher at DPS, so it was quite a shock for them.”
Reflecting on her formative years, Shriya said that moving from a small town to Delhi was a major cultural shift. “From there to studying at LSR and then stepping onto film sets, learning new languages and adapting to different environments — all of this truly prepared me for life,” she said.
Shriya expressed immense gratitude for the love she has received from the southern film industries. “The kind of affection the South has given me makes me feel truly blessed. My heart is South Indian,” she added.
Talking about being boxed into labels, the actress said perspective plays a crucial role. “One thing I’ve learned is that you are what you believe yourself to be. If you keep growing, learning, and allowing life to teach you, you begin to live better. But if you feel attacked because people are boxing you into an image, life becomes a constant battle,” she explained. She added that labels can also be embraced positively. “You can treat it as a flavour — this is how people see me. People start boxing you in only when they notice you, and then you break that image and become something else.”
Shriya Saran earlier ruled the roost in Tollywood and worked with top stars such as Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Balakrishna, Pawan Kalyan, and Tarun, carving a strong niche for herself in the industry.
Aishwarya Rajesh Recalls Harrowing Early-Career Experience
Tamil actress Aishwarya Rajesh, who was recently seen in the Telugu film Sankranthiki Vasthunam and is known for her powerful performances across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi cinema, has opened up about a disturbing incident from her early days in the film industry.
In a recent interview, the actress revealed that she faced harassment when she was very young and new to films. Aishwarya recalled visiting a studio with her brother for what she believed was a professional opportunity. However, the photographer asked her brother to wait outside, leaving her alone inside the studio.
She said the photographer then handed her lingerie and asked her to wear it, claiming it was part of the audition process and insisting on seeing her body. The incident left her scared and confused, as she was too young at the time to understand how the industry truly worked. Aishwarya admitted that she almost believed him, thinking such demands might be normal in cinema auditions.
She further shared that if the conversation had continued a little longer, she might have even given in. However, trusting her instincts, she told the photographer that she needed her brother’s permission before proceeding and immediately walked out. Aishwarya said she never spoke about the incident to her brother later but admitted that the experience still haunts her, especially when she thinks about how many other young women might have been similarly misled or exploited.
Soundarya Rajinikanth Talks Rajinikanth & Upcoming Films
Producer and director Soundarya Rajinikanth has stated that there are no regrets regarding superstar Rajinikanth’s decision to stay away from politics. “There are absolutely no regrets as far as my dad’s journey is concerned,” she said. “As a family, we fully support him in whatever decision he makes.” However, she chose not to comment on the current political scenario in Tamil Nadu.
Soundarya was in Hyderabad to promote her upcoming film With Love. On the occasion, she revealed that discussions are underway for a film uniting Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. “Kamal uncle and daddy are planning to do a film together, and talks are in progress. The production house will announce the details soon. However, I won’t be part of that project,” she clarified.
Speaking about With Love, Soundarya fondly mentioned actor Rana Daggubati. “Rana is a childhood friend, and I have many memories with him. The moment I told him about this film, he agreed to bring it forward as his release. I am very happy that he is releasing this film,” she said. She also expressed confidence in the film’s cast: “I am very happy to launch Abhishan as a hero. He has delivered a good success with his debut and performed wonderfully in this film. Anaswara is already making waves in Telugu cinema, and I hope audiences will enjoy this film in theatres on February 6.”
Soundarya Rajinikanth began her career in cinema as a graphic designer, creating title sequences for several of her father’s films. She later ventured into production with Goa (2010) and made her directorial debut with the motion-capture film Kochadaiyaan (2014).
Border 2’s Box Office Surge Marred by Theatre Incident
War, action, and drama films have traditionally struggled at the Indian box office, with many failing to strike a chord with audiences. Border was a rare exception. Based on the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the film released in 1997 and struck a deep emotional connection with viewers, eventually emerging as a massive blockbuster.
Nearly three decades later, Border 2 has recreated that magic. Starring Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty in lead roles, the film is receiving an impressive response and is steadily marching toward the ₹350 crore mark worldwide.
Amid this success, the film encountered an unexpected incident. A morning show of Border 2 at Rajhans Multiplex in Valsad was abruptly cancelled after a portion of the ceiling inside the auditorium collapsed just before the screening began. Theatre staff quickly evacuated the hall, ensuring that no injuries were reported. Authorities later stepped in to secure the premises, once again raising concerns over the maintenance and safety standards of older cinema halls.
The incident also revived memories of the tragic Uphaar Cinema fire during a screening of Border in 1997, which claimed 59 lives and remains one of the darkest chapters in Indian cinema history. This time, however, the situation ended on a far more fortunate note, with everyone escaping unharmed.
As Border 2 continues its successful box-office run, the stark contrast between the film’s triumphant journey and these real-life incidents has not gone unnoticed.
ప్లాపుల మధ్య కార్తీ సెంటిమెంట్… మళ్లీ పుంజుకునే టైమా?
తమిళంతో పాటు తెలుగులోనూ భారీ క్రేజ్ సంపాదించుకున్న హీరో కార్తీ ప్రస్తుతం తన కెరీర్లో ఓ ఆసక్తికరమైన దశను ఎదుర్కొంటున్నారు. ఒకవైపు భారీ విజయాలు అందుకుంటూనే, మరోవైపు కొన్ని సినిమాలు బాక్సాఫీస్ వద్ద ఘోరంగా బోల్తా కొడుతుండటం అభిమానులను ఆందోళనకు గురిచేస్తోంది. ప్రతి కొన్ని సంవత్సరాలకు ఒక సాలిడ్ హిట్ దక్కుతున్నప్పటికీ, మధ్యలో వచ్చే భారీ బడ్జెట్ చిత్రాలు మాత్రం అంచనాలను అందుకోలేకపోతున్నాయి.
కార్తీ కెరీర్లో ప్రయోగాలు చేయడం కొత్త కాదు. కానీ ఇటీవలి కాలంలో ఆ ప్రయోగాలే ఆయనకు ప్రతికూలంగా మారుతున్నాయి. 2019లో వచ్చిన దేవ్ సినిమాను సుమారు 55 కోట్ల బడ్జెట్తో తెరకెక్కించగా, అది కేవలం 12 కోట్ల వసూళ్లతో ఫుల్ డిజాస్టర్గా మిగిలింది. అలాగే 2023లో భారీ అంచనాల మధ్య విడుదలైన జపాన్ పరిస్థితి మరింత నిరాశ కలిగించింది. దాదాపు 80 కోట్ల వ్యయంతో రూపొందిన ఈ చిత్రం 26 కోట్లకే పరిమితమైంది. తాజాగా వచ్చిన వా వాతియార్ కూడా ఆశించిన స్థాయిలో వసూళ్లు రాబట్టలేకపోయింది. కథా ఎంపికలో వైవిధ్యం కోరుకుంటున్నప్పటికీ, సామాన్య ప్రేక్షకుడిని ఆకట్టుకోలేకపోవడం కార్తీ మార్కెట్పై ప్రభావం చూపుతోందని ట్రేడ్ వర్గాలు అభిప్రాయపడుతున్నాయి.
అయితే కార్తీ కెరీర్ను గమనిస్తే ఓ ఆసక్తికరమైన సెంటిమెంట్ స్పష్టంగా కనిపిస్తుంది. వరుసగా కొన్ని ప్లాపులు ఎదురైన ప్రతిసారీ, సరిగ్గా మూడేళ్లకు ఒక భారీ బ్లాక్బస్టర్తో తిరిగి పుంజుకోవడం ఆయన ప్రత్యేకతగా మారింది. కాష్మోరా, కాట్రు వెలియిడై వంటి ఫ్లాపుల తర్వాత ఖైదీతో బాక్సాఫీస్ను షేక్ చేసిన సంగతి తెలిసిందే. అలాగే దేవ్ తర్వాత సర్దార్, పొన్నియిన్ సెల్వన్ వంటి చిత్రాలతో తన మార్కెట్ను మరింత బలపరిచారు. అంటే కార్తీ పడిపోయిన ప్రతిసారీ మరింత శక్తివంతంగా తిరిగి లేస్తున్నారు.
ఇప్పుడు జపాన్, వా వాతియార్ పరాజయాల తర్వాత ఆయన మళ్లీ తన స్ట్రాంగ్ జోన్ అయిన కంటెంట్ ఓరియెంటెడ్ సినిమాలపై ఫోకస్ పెట్టాల్సిన సమయం వచ్చిందని విశ్లేషకులు భావిస్తున్నారు. ఎందుకంటే కార్తీ కేవలం మాస్ హీరో మాత్రమే కాదు, అసాధారణమైన నటుడు కూడా. కొన్ని సినిమాలు కథలోని లోపాలు లేదా అతిగా చేసిన ప్రయోగాల వల్ల ఆడకపోయినా, ఆయన నటనపై మాత్రం ఎలాంటి సందేహం లేదు.
ప్రస్తుతం కార్తీ చేతిలో ఖైదీ 2, సర్దార్ 2 వంటి భారీ అంచనాలున్న ప్రాజెక్టులు ఉన్నాయి. ఇవి ఆయన కెరీర్ను మళ్లీ సరైన ట్రాక్పైకి తీసుకువస్తాయని ట్రేడ్ వర్గాలు గట్టిగా నమ్ముతున్నాయి. వైవిధ్యాన్ని కోరుకుంటూనే కమర్షియల్ అంశాలను సమతుల్యం చేస్తే, కార్తీ బాక్సాఫీస్ వద్ద తన విజయయాత్రను మళ్లీ కొనసాగించడం ఖాయమే.
ఆదిపురుష్ తర్వాత తెలుగు హీరోల వెంట ఓం రౌత్?
బాలీవుడ్ దర్శకుడు ఓం రౌత్ పేరు వినగానే చాలా మందికి ముందుగా గుర్తొచ్చేది ఆదిపురుష్. ఆ సినిమా తర్వాత ముఖ్యంగా సౌత్లో, టాలీవుడ్ ఆడియన్స్ నుంచి ఆయన తీవ్ర స్థాయిలో ట్రోలింగ్ను ఎదుర్కొన్నారు. విజువల్స్ విషయంలో వచ్చిన భారీ నెగటివిటీతో ఓం రౌత్ గ్రాఫ్ ఒక్కసారిగా పడిపోయింది.
అయితే ఇప్పుడు ఈ బాలీవుడ్ మేకర్ మళ్లీ తెలుగు హీరోల వైపు దృష్టి పెట్టినట్లు ఇండస్ట్రీలో హాట్ టాక్ నడుస్తోంది. ముంబై వర్గాల సమాచారం ప్రకారం, ఓం రౌత్ ఇటీవల ఓ యువ తెలుగు హీరోను కలిసి కథను నరేట్ చేసినట్లు తెలుస్తోంది.
నిజానికి ప్రస్తుతం ఓం రౌత్ అబ్దుల్ కలాం బయోపిక్ పనుల్లో బిజీగా ఉన్నారు. ఈ ప్రతిష్టాత్మక ప్రాజెక్ట్లో ధనుష్ లీడ్ రోల్ చేస్తున్నట్లు ఇప్పటికే అధికారికంగా ప్రకటించారు. ధనుష్ లాంటి పవర్ఫుల్ పెర్ఫార్మర్ ఈ సినిమాతో జతకావడంతో ప్రాజెక్ట్పై అంచనాలు భారీగా పెరిగాయి. కానీ ఇంతలోనే ఓం రౌత్ తెలుగు హీరోలను కలవడం వెనుక అసలు కారణం ఏంటన్నది ఇప్పుడు చర్చనీయాంశంగా మారింది. ఇది కొత్త ప్రాజెక్ట్ కోసమా? లేక కలాం బయోపిక్లో కీలక పాత్ర కోసమా? అన్న డిస్కషన్ మొదలైంది.
ఇంకో టాక్ ప్రకారం, ఓం రౌత్ ఒక పక్కా మాస్ యాక్షన్ కథను సిద్ధం చేసి, అది కలాం బయోపిక్కు ఏమాత్రం సంబంధం లేని స్ట్రెయిట్ కమర్షియల్ మూవీ అని చెబుతున్నారు. ఆదిపురుష్ తో కోల్పోయిన ఇమేజ్ను ఒక సాలిడ్ హిట్తో తిరిగి తెచ్చుకోవాలనే లక్ష్యంతో, తెలుగు హీరోల మాస్ ఇమేజ్ను ఉపయోగించి పాన్ ఇండియా స్థాయిలో సినిమా చేయాలని ఆయన ప్లాన్ చేస్తున్నట్లు సమాచారం.
ప్రస్తుతం తెలుగు హీరోలకు నార్త్ ఇండియాలో ఉన్న క్రేజ్ గురించి ప్రత్యేకంగా చెప్పాల్సిన అవసరం లేదు. చిన్న హింట్ దొరికినా బాలీవుడ్ మేకర్స్ ఇక్కడికి వచ్చేస్తున్నారు. ఓం రౌత్ కూడా అదే దారిలో అడుగులు వేస్తున్నట్లు కనిపిస్తోంది. అయితే ఆదిపురుష్ ప్రభావం వల్ల టాలీవుడ్ హీరోలు ఆయనతో సినిమా చేయడానికి ఎంతవరకు ఆసక్తి చూపిస్తారనేది మాత్రం పెద్ద ప్రశ్నగా మారింది. కథలో నిజంగా దమ్ముంటే తప్ప, ఓం రౌత్కు ఇక్కడ గ్రీన్ సిగ్నల్ రావడం కష్టమే అన్న అభిప్రాయం వినిపిస్తోంది.
మరో వెర్షన్ ప్రకారం, ధనుష్ హీరోగా చేస్తున్న అబ్దుల్ కలాం బయోపిక్లో ఒక కీలక పాత్ర కోసం తెలుగు హీరోను సంప్రదించినట్లు కూడా వార్తలు వస్తున్నాయి. కలాం జీవితంలో ముఖ్యమైన పాత్రల్లో ఒకదాన్ని మన నేటివిటీ ఉన్న నటుడు చేస్తే సినిమాకు మరింత రీచ్ వస్తుందని ఓం రౌత్ భావిస్తున్నారట.
ఏదేమైనా, ఈ సీక్రెట్ మీటింగ్ ఇప్పుడు టాలీవుడ్లో హాట్ టాపిక్గా మారింది. మొత్తానికి ఓం రౌత్ మళ్లీ సౌత్ మార్కెట్లో తన అదృష్టాన్ని పరీక్షించుకోవాలని ఫిక్స్ అయినట్లు స్పష్టంగా కనిపిస్తోంది. ఆదిపురుష్ చేదు జ్ఞాపకాలను మరిచిపోయేలా ఒక బలమైన కంటెంట్తో వస్తే ప్రేక్షకులు మళ్లీ ఆదరించే అవకాశం ఉంది. మరి ఆ లక్కీ తెలుగు హీరో ఎవరు? ఓం రౌత్ వినిపించిన కథ ఏంటి? అన్న వివరాలు తెలియాలంటే అధికారిక ప్రకటన వచ్చే వరకు వేచి చూడాల్సిందే.
మెగాస్టార్ ప్రశంసలతో నవీన్ పోలిశెట్టి మెగా మూమెంట్
ఈ సంక్రాంతి బరిలో టాలీవుడ్లో పలు సినిమాలు విడుదలయ్యాయి. మన శంకరవరప్రసాద్ గారు, రాజా సాబ్, అనగనగా ఒక రాజు, భర్త మహాశయులకు విజ్ఞప్తి, నారీ నారీ నడుమ మురారి వంటి చిత్రాలు ప్రేక్షకుల ముందుకు వచ్చాయి. వీటిలో రాజా సాబ్ తప్ప మిగిలిన అన్ని సినిమాలకు మంచి టాక్ లభించింది. మెగాస్టార్ చిరంజీవి నటించిన సినిమా ఈ ఏడాది సంక్రాంతి విన్నర్గా నిలవగా, నవీన్ పోలిశెట్టి హీరోగా వచ్చిన అనగనగా ఒక రాజు కూడా మంచి వసూళ్లతో సూపర్ హిట్గా నిలిచింది.
నవీన్ పోలిశెట్టి హీరోగా, మీనాక్షి చౌదరి హీరోయిన్గా దర్శకుడు మారి తెరకెక్కించిన ఈ చిత్రం మంచి మౌత్ టాక్తో వినోదాత్మక కామెడీ ఎంటర్టైనర్గా ప్రేక్షకులను ఆకట్టుకుంది. సినిమా విజయాన్ని పురస్కరించుకుని చిత్ర యూనిట్ ‘సంక్రాంతి బ్లాక్బస్టర్’ పేరుతో ఓ ఈవెంట్ నిర్వహించింది. ఈ ఈవెంట్కు దర్శకుడు బాబీ ముఖ్య అతిథిగా హాజరయ్యారు. సాధారణంగా బాబీ తన సినిమాల హీరోలను తప్పించి ఇతర ఈవెంట్లలో పెద్దగా ఎలివేషన్లు ఇస్తూ మాట్లాడరు.
కానీ ఈ ఈవెంట్లో బాబీ చేసిన వ్యాఖ్యలు ఇప్పుడు సోషల్ మీడియాలో వైరల్ అవుతున్నాయి. దానికి కారణం మెగాస్టార్ చిరంజీవి పేరు రావడమే. చిరంజీవితో బాబీ ఓ సినిమా చేయబోతున్న విషయం తెలిసిందే. ఆ సినిమా చర్చల సందర్భంగా ఇటీవల మెగాస్టార్ను బాబీ కలిశారట. ఆ సమయంలో చిరంజీవి, నవీన్ పోలిశెట్టి సినిమా గురించి ఆసక్తిగా అడిగి తెలుసుకున్నారని బాబీ చెప్పారు.
అనగనగా ఒక రాజు ఎలా ఉందని అడిగితే చాలా బాగుందని చెప్పానని, దానికి చిరంజీవి “నవీన్ ఎంత ఎనర్జిటిక్గా ఉంటాడో, ఈ తరం హీరోల్లో నాకు బాగా నచ్చిన హీరో అతడే” అని అన్నారని బాబీ తెలిపారు. తన సినిమా మన శంకరవరప్రసాద్ గారు విజయం సాధించినా కూడా, నవీన్ విజయంలో చిరంజీవి ఎంతో ఆనందం వ్యక్తం చేశారని చెప్పారు.
ఈ విషయాన్ని స్టేజ్ మీదే చెప్పాలనే ఉద్దేశంతో ఇప్పటివరకు నవీన్కూ చెప్పలేదని బాబీ వెల్లడించడంతో, నవీన్ ఆనందానికి అవధులు లేకుండా పోయాయి. సాధారణంగా ఈ తరం హీరోలకు మెగాస్టార్ లాంటి సీనియర్ స్టార్ నుంచి ప్రశంసలు రావడం చాలా పెద్ద అచీవ్మెంట్. అది కూడా నేరుగా కాకుండా మరో వ్యక్తి ద్వారా చిరంజీవి ప్రశంసించడం వల్ల నవీన్కు ఆ మెగా మూమెంట్ మరింత స్పెషల్గా మారింది.
Suriya–Venky Atluri Film Titled Vishwanadham and Sons
In recent times, most films are being made as multi-language projects, making the selection of a suitable title a challenging task. Filmmakers now look for titles that either work seamlessly across languages or carry a universal appeal, which is why English titles have become increasingly popular.
However, Tamil cinema continues to embrace pure Tamil titles, often releasing films in other languages with the same name, without worrying much about linguistic adaptation or relatability.
Coming to the latest update, Suriya is set to collaborate with director Venky Atluri for an upcoming project. Venky Atluri previously chose titles like Sir and Lucky Baskhar, both of which worked well across multiple languages. Naturally, there was curiosity about what kind of title would suit a Suriya film while appealing to both Tamil and Telugu audiences.
After extensive discussions and brainstorming, the makers appear to have zeroed in on a promising title — Vishwanadham and Sons. In Telugu, the title will be retained as Vishwanadham and Sons, while in Tamil it may be slightly modified to Vishwanadhan and Sons. For the Kannada version, Vishwanadha and Sons is said to work equally well, making the title flexible and suitable across languages. Sources suggest that the title is almost finalized.
Once Suriya’s other film Karuppu completes its release formalities, the team is expected to officially announce the release date of Vishwanadham and Sons. The project is being produced by Sithara Entertainments, with Naga Vamsi backing the film. An official announcement is expected soon.
Andhra Pradesh Cities Return to India’s Top 10 Ease of Living Rankings
For a long time, cities in Andhra Pradesh struggled to make it to India’s top 10 in the Ease of Living rankings. In fact, during the 2020 report, not a single city from the state featured in the top group.
The decline of Tirupati was particularly striking, falling from 4th place to 46th in the Ease of Living Index during the YSR Congress Party’s rule—a drop that drew sharp criticism from the opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP), now back in power.
The scenario has changed dramatically in 2025. In the latest Ease of Living rankings, Tirupati and Vijayawada have both secured spots in India’s top 10. Notably, these are the only two cities from South India to achieve this distinction, placing Andhra Pradesh ahead of several larger states and metropolitan areas.
Tirupati’s resurgence reflects the clear vision of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who has committed to making the city one of the best in the country for livability. Soon after assuming office, he instructed officials to prioritize cleanliness, traffic management, public safety, and citizen services over paperwork, and last year unveiled a comprehensive development vision for Tirupati.
As part of this initiative, a new police headquarters was inaugurated in Tirupati around the time the 2025 rankings were announced, aimed at improving law and order, faster response, and public confidence—all key factors in the livability index.
With two cities now in the national top 10, Andhra Pradesh is steadily reclaiming its urban credibility through focused leadership and effective administration.
Prabhas Denies Maruthi Reunion Rumours
Recent rumours suggesting that Prabhas would team up again with director Maruthi for a new Hombale Films project have been firmly denied. Prabhas’ PR team dismissed the reports as completely baseless, stating that the speculation seemed to emerge out of nowhere and appeared aimed at creating unnecessary negativity around the actor.
Currently, Prabhas is fully focused on his upcoming films Fauji and Spirit, both expected to release within the next 14 months. Fans have high expectations, hoping these projects will mark a strong comeback for the star.
The rumours gained traction largely due to Prabhas’ last release, The Raja Saab, directed by Maruthi, which turned out to be a major box-office disappointment. The horror-fantasy entertainer failed to meet expectations, leaving fans critical of the final product.
Prabhas had previously trusted Maruthi, known for hits like Bhale Bhale Magadivoy, hoping to deliver a light-hearted entertainer amid his action-heavy lineup. However, weak execution, poor visual effects, and a much-criticised face-swapping technique drew heavy trolling, and the film was eventually branded a disaster.
In light of this, Prabhas’ team has made it clear that there are no plans for another collaboration with Maruthi, putting an end to the speculation.
