NTV జర్నలిస్టుల అక్రమ అరెస్టులను ఖండించిన ఎడిటర్స్ గిల్డ్ ఆఫ్ ఇండియా ( EGI )
Nara Lokesh Explains the Real Purpose of AP’s Davos Trips
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has a long-standing tradition of attending the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, often accompanied by his son and AP IT Minister Nara Lokesh. This year, Lokesh, who arrived in Switzerland to participate in the summit, shared his perspective on the purpose and significance of these annual trips.
In an interview with a business channel, Lokesh clarified that the Davos visits are not just about showcasing investment MoUs. “We can sign multiple MoUs for publicity, but that defeats the real purpose. The summit provides a platform to engage with global players and understand emerging trends in technology and employment,” he explained.
The IT minister emphasized that the summit allows the administration to gain insights into evolving tech trends and pose important questions to business leaders. Highlighting a tangible outcome, Lokesh noted that the recent Google mega-investment in Vizag began with discussions at Davos in 2025, which later translated into concrete progress.
Lokesh’s remarks underline that the Davos trips are focused on exploring global opportunities and understanding industry dynamics, rather than merely generating media headlines through non-functional MoUs. This also explains why the AP government signed relatively few MoUs in 2025, despite meetings with influential figures such as Bill Gates and other top executives.
ED Summons YCP MPs Vijay Sai Reddy and Mithun Reddy in AP Liquor Scam
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its probe into the Andhra Pradesh liquor scam, bringing more senior YCP leaders under scrutiny. After issuing a notice to former Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Sai Reddy, the agency has now summoned sitting MP Mithun Reddy for questioning.
Mithun Reddy is scheduled to appear before ED officials on January 23, following Vijay Sai Reddy’s questioning on January 22. The back-to-back summons have grabbed political attention, as both leaders are believed to have played significant roles in the previous government’s liquor policy decisions.
Investigators allege that the liquor policy framed and implemented during the YS Jagan government was heavily influenced by a small group of political leaders. While Vijay Sai Reddy is named as an accused, he was not arrested due to his cooperation with the state-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT). Mithun Reddy, on the other hand, was identified as a key accused and was arrested after his legal relief attempts failed, though he later secured bail from the ACB court.
The ED’s investigation into Mithun Reddy focuses on alleged financial dealings related to the liquor policy, participation in high-level meetings, and actions that purportedly caused losses to the state exchequer. The agency is now probing potential money laundering angles, including how funds were collected, routed, and allegedly passed on to higher levels.
With two influential leaders being questioned in quick succession, political circles suggest that the liquor scam investigation has entered a decisive phase, signaling that the ED probe is far from over.
Revanth Reddy Moves from Medaram Jathara to Davos WEF Summit
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is set for a dynamic 24 hours, traveling from the rustic heartlands of rural Telangana to the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland.
Today, Revanth visited the culturally significant Medaram Jathara with his family, offering prayers at one of the state’s most historic festivals. This visit marks a meaningful cultural start before he heads to the prestigious Davos World Economic Forum (WEF) summit.
After completing his Medaram visit, the Chief Minister will depart for Davos, where he will spend four days meeting top global company representatives. At the Telangana Pavilion, Revanth will hold one-on-one discussions with leaders from Google, Salesforce, Unilever, Honeywell, L’Oréal, Novartis, Tata Group, DP World, Infosys, and Cisco, alongside participating in multiple roundtable sessions.
This whirlwind itinerary reflects a dual focus: celebrating Telangana’s rich cultural heritage at Medaram while simultaneously promoting global investment and strategic partnerships at the WEF summit, underscoring the state government’s evolving approach to governance and economic growth.
Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu Storms Towards ₹300 Cr Mark
The first-ever collaboration between Megastar Chiranjeevi and director Anil Ravipudi is creating waves at the box office. Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu continues its sensational run in the first week itself, delivering outstanding numbers despite intense competition during the festive season.
The film opened to a thunderous response, grossing over ₹84 crore worldwide on Day 1, including premieres. Since then, it has maintained remarkable consistency, earning around ₹30–35 crore per day. On Wednesday, the film added ₹31 crore, taking its total worldwide gross to an impressive ₹292 crore, and is now poised to cross the ₹300 crore milestone today.
With this pace, the film is set to surpass Anil Ravipudi’s previous career-best grosser, Sankranthiki Vasthunnam, within a day. More significantly, it is on track to emerge as the highest-grossing film in Chiranjeevi’s illustrious career.
Overseas, the blockbuster momentum is equally strong. The film has already shattered records in North America, amassing over $2.96 million, marking the highest-ever figures for both Chiranjeevi and Anil Ravipudi in the territory. Riding on this exceptional run, MSG has firmly established itself as an industry hit among regional films.
The theatrical response remains electric and festive, with housefull shows across centres and families turning up in large numbers, further reinforcing the film’s mass appeal and long-run potential.
Madhura Sreedhar Reacts to AR Rahman’s Comments on Industry Changes
During a recent interview with the BBC, legendary composer AR Rahman spoke candidly about a lean phase in his career, triggering a nationwide debate. Rahman introduced a communal angle while discussing his reduced workload, suggesting that certain factors may have played a role. Following the backlash and widespread outrage, Rahman later shared a clarification video, stating that his comments were misunderstood and that his intent was not to create controversy.
Amid this discussion, popular Telugu filmmaker and music label owner Madhura Sreedhar Reddy offered his perspective on the issue. In a detailed social media post, Sreedhar Reddy explained the realities faced by music companies today, particularly the financial pressures and evolving strategies they adopt to ensure returns on investment. He stressed that experimenting with different creative combinations does not amount to disrespecting any individual artist.
Providing industry context, Sreedhar Reddy noted that over the past 15 years—especially in Bollywood—the music ecosystem has undergone a significant transformation. “Multiple music directors for a single film, different composers for songs, and separate composers for background scores have become the norm. This is an industry-wide shift, not a case of discrimination,” he stated.
Sreedhar Reddy also expressed that a globally respected artist like AR Rahman should have exercised greater caution. “When someone of Rahman’s stature attributes industry changes to communal factors, especially during a sensitive time for the country, it can create confusion and division. A responsible public figure should acknowledge the evolution of the industry rather than misinterpret it. Words matter,” he wrote.
Quoting Rahman’s earlier remarks, Sreedhar Reddy added context to the composer’s experience: “People who are not creative have the power to make decisions now. It may not be communal directly, but it reaches me like Chinese whispers—that I was booked, yet the music company hired five composers instead. I just thought, ‘That’s fine, I’ll take a break and spend time with my family,’” Rahman had said earlier.
The debate continues to spark conversations about changing industry dynamics, creative control, and the responsibilities that come with public statements from influential figures.
Dhanush–Mrunal Wedding Rumours Debunked by Close Source
Speculation has been rife in recent days regarding a possible relationship between Dhanush and Mrunal Thakur, with sections of the media even claiming that the two are set to tie the knot on February 14, coinciding with Valentine’s Day.
However, a Bollywood-based source close to Dhanush has firmly dismissed these reports, calling them completely untrue. According to the source, there is no wedding on the cards, as Dhanush is not inclined towards remarriage at this point in his life.
The source further stated that when Dhanush and his former wife legally parted ways, they mutually agreed to co-parent their two sons, Yatra and Linga. “As far as I know, Dhanush has no plans to remarry. He does not wish to bring a stepmother into his sons’ lives,” the source clarified.
Addressing the ongoing rumours about Dhanush and Mrunal Thakur’s personal equation, the source added, “I wouldn’t like to comment on their relationship status. They share a fond bond, but that does not mean marriage is on the agenda.”
The speculation gained momentum after Dhanush and Mrunal Thakur were spotted together at the screening of Son of Sardar 2, sparking widespread curiosity and conjecture about their relationship.
Varun Tej Goes Rogue in Korean Kanakaraju (KOKA) Title Glimpse
On Mega Prince Varun Tej’s birthday, the makers of VT15 unveiled the much-awaited title glimpse, officially christening the film Korean Kanakaraju (KOKA)—a wild, genre-bending tease that throws audiences into an eccentric yet explosive Indo-Korean world.
The glimpse opens on Korean cops interrogating Satya about the mysterious Kanakaraju, while Ritika Naik lurks silently in the shadows, setting an ominous tone. The moment Varun Tej makes his entry, the screen ignites—draped in a lungi, a striking trident tattoo etched on his body, and piercing icy blue eyes that burn with controlled rage. What follows is pure mayhem as he unleashes katana-fuelled carnage, tearing through the squad with brutal precision, sealing the chaos with a chilling, devil-may-care grin.
Varun Tej’s transformation is nothing short of electrifying. His unhinged body language, ferocious screen presence, and those arresting blue eyes firmly establish Kanakaraju as one of the boldest and most unpredictable characters of his career. The glimpse also effectively introduces the key characters played by Ritika Naik and Satya, adding intrigue to the narrative.
Director Merlapaka Gandhi fully embraces the madness, crafting a stylised Indo-Korean tonal space loaded with atmospheric flourishes—flapping bats, a looming full moon, and an eerie dragon-like hiss that heightens the tension. Manojh Reddy Katasani’s sharp, shadow-soaked cinematography slices through the darkness, while Thaman’s thunderous background score injects raw swagger into every frame.
Backed by the high production values of UV Creations and First Frame Entertainment, Korean Kanakaraju (KOKA) promises a visually striking and wildly unconventional cinematic experience. The film is slated for a summer release this year.
Sankranti Weekday Test Begins for Tollywood Releases
The 2026 Sankranti season has turned out to be a phenomenal phase for Tollywood at the box office. Despite an overcrowded release slate and a severe shortage of screens, theatres across both Telugu states reported packed houses, driven by the festive mood among audiences. Telugu films also dominated the overseas markets throughout the week, registering a strong and consistent run.
With the festival holidays now over and the first weekend concluding on a positive note, the real test begins from tomorrow as films enter a crucial weekday phase. Titles such as Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, Anaganaga Oka Raju, and Nari Nari Naduma Murari benefited significantly from the holiday advantage and strong initial momentum.
As Monday marks a return to regular working days, a dip in collections is inevitable across the board. However, sustaining respectable weekday occupancies will be key for these films to maintain box-office stability and continue adding to their revenue pool.
Among the releases, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu is expected to remain the top preference for audiences and continue its successful run, despite a marginal decline in daily numbers. For Anaganaga Oka Raju and Nari Nari Naduma Murari, holding strong through the weekdays will be crucial to cross major trade benchmarks ahead of the next weekend.
On the other hand, Raja Saab and Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi, which opened on a promising note but failed to sustain momentum due to below-par word of mouth, are likely to witness a sharper drop in collections from tomorrow. Nevertheless, both films are expected to retain limited screens until the weekend, hoping for a turnaround.
Overall, the post-festival weekdays will serve as an acid test for all Sankranti releases, as their long-term box-office verdict will largely depend on performance beyond the holiday-driven surge.
RGV Predicts Dhurandhar 2 Will Be Biggest Multi-Starrer Ever
Director Ram Gopal Varma has made a bold prediction about the future of Dhurandhar, declaring that its sequel, Dhurandhar 2, will become the biggest multi-starrer ever made in Indian cinema. His remarks come at a time when the film, directed by Aditya Dhar and headlined by Ranveer Singh, continues its phenomenal box office run even six weeks after release.
Sharing his thoughts in a detailed post on X, Varma explained his idea of true stardom and why he believes the sequel will scale unprecedented heights. According to him, every character in Dhurandhar has grown exponentially in the audience’s imagination. While some roles may have appeared relatively small or big in the first part, the impact of the film has transformed each of them into what he described as “giant superstars.” This collective rise, he feels, sets the stage for Dhurandhar 2 to redefine the concept of a multi-starrer.
Varma’s admiration for the film is not new. Shortly after its release on December 5, he had described Dhurandhar as a path-breaking and “monstrous” hit, noting that such landmark films often make industry insiders uneasy. He observed that when a movie raises the bar so high, it becomes difficult for others to match those standards, leading many to ignore its success and hope it fades away.
He also pointed out that several big-budget, pan-India projects currently in production are still rooted in older formulas—formulas that Dhurandhar has decisively challenged. In his view, the film is not only a massive commercial success but also one of the most discussed Indian films in decades.
At the domestic box office, Dhurandhar has already amassed an impressive ₹871.90 crore and continues to draw audiences. Adding to its appeal is a powerful ensemble cast featuring Sara Arjun, R. Madhavan, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, Gaurav Gera, Rakesh Bedi, and others, reinforcing its status as a true multi-starrer and further fueling expectations for an even bigger sequel.
