Hyderabad : High Tension at Gandhi Bhavan, Congress Calls for Siege of BJP Offices
Sandeep Reddy Vanga Extends Spirit Shoot for Mid-2027 Release
Earlier reports had indicated that filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga would wrap the first schedule of Spirit by the end of December, with a break planned for the New Year. However, the director seems to have revised his plans to meet a mid-2027 release for the much-anticipated cop action drama.
Filming, which began in Hyderabad on November 27, will now continue through the New Year period, with only a short break planned after the first week of January. “The New Year’s break has been called off,” a source revealed, confirming the updated schedule.
Spirit marks Vanga’s first collaboration with both Prabhas and Vivek Oberoi. Insiders say the director has designed distinctive looks for both actors, with Oberoi taking on the role of the antagonist. Drawing a parallel to Animal, which featured Bobby Deol in a striking new avatar, sources suggest that Vivek Oberoi’s character in Spirit will also surprise audiences with an unconventional portrayal.
With the revised schedule and fresh creative approaches, expectations for Spirit continue to soar among fans.
Anaswara Rajan to Make Telugu Debut with Champion
Malayalam actress Anaswara Rajan is all set to make her Telugu debut opposite Roshan Meka in Champion, scheduled for release on December 25. She has also signed another Telugu project, Itlu Arjuna, starring newcomer Aniesh and produced by Venky Kudumula.
With two Telugu films in the pipeline, Anaswara has been spending considerable time in Hyderabad and is gradually embracing both Telugu cinema and the city’s vibrant culture. The actress recently shared that she has been enjoying the city’s food, particularly its spicy flavors, and revealed that Hyderabad’s iconic biryani has become her personal favorite.
Speaking about Telugu films and stars, Anaswara said she has watched Ram Charan’s Magadheera countless times and admires Allu Arjun the most among Telugu actors.
Anaswara rose to fame in Malayalam cinema with notable films such as Rekhachitram and Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil. Excited about her foray into Telugu cinema, she is eagerly looking forward to exploring new opportunities and connecting with audiences in a new language.
Duvvada Srinivas Continues as MLC Despite YSRCP Suspension
Duvvada Srinivas currently serves as an MLC from Srikakulam district. Although the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has suspended him, it has not moved to have him removed from his legislative post. The reason is largely strategic—if the seat were vacated, it would still go to the ruling alliance, which already holds a majority in the Assembly, providing no political advantage to YSRCP. Consequently, Duvvada continues in his position as MLC.
Despite his suspension, Duvvada has continued to make public statements that suggest his ties with YSRCP remain intact. Party insiders say these remarks are creating fresh challenges for the ruling party. From the start, Duvvada has often targeted the Dharmana brothers, a pattern that dates back to his days in the Congress. Even after joining YSRCP, he frequently criticized both the Kinjirapu family and the Dharmana family.
While he enjoyed close ties with Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Duvvada’s political journey remained smooth. However, controversies in his personal life eventually led the YSRCP high command to suspend him. Duvvada has openly alleged that the Dharmana family, whom he claims has been consistently hostile toward him, played a key role in pushing him out of the party.
Despite not joining any other party, Duvvada continues to project himself as a YSRCP sympathizer, making his open criticism particularly damaging. His MLC post, granted by YSRCP, has also fueled the perception that the party has not fully severed ties with him. At the same time, his attacks on political rivals are directly embarrassing for YSRCP.
Political analysts note that if the party wants to clearly signal a break with Duvvada, it would need to formally approach the Legislative Council Chairman and seek action to remove him from his MLC position. Until then, the suspension remains largely symbolic, and Duvvada continues to exert influence in ways that challenge the party internally.
Thaman S Needs to Prioritize Quality Over Quantity
Music director Thaman S has repeatedly proven that he possesses exceptional talent, often delivering chartbusters that elevate films to another level. However, in recent times, that magic seems to be appearing only on select occasions.
Apart from Daaku Maharaj and OG this year, Thaman has not delivered a truly riveting or widely celebrated musical score. Surprisingly, even a high-profile project like Akhanda 2 failed to make a strong musical impact, with its songs not resonating as expected. His latest outing, The Raja Saab, too, lacks the punch and memorability typically expected from a star-driven film.
Industry chatter suggests that Thaman may currently be overloaded with work, which could be affecting the consistency and quality of his output. There is also talk of him taking on projects without charging a conventional fee, instead focusing on acquiring and selling audio rights as a music producer—particularly for small and mid-range films. While this approach might offer short-term financial benefits, it raises concerns about creative dilution.
What Thaman needs to recognize is that his name itself is a brand, built over the years on a strong legacy of hit albums and chart-topping numbers. If memorable music becomes rare, that brand value could gradually erode, potentially impacting even audio companies’ willingness to invest heavily in his projects.
At this crucial stage of his career, prioritizing quality over quantity and being more selective with film choices could be key to sustaining long-term relevance, respect, and musical excellence.
Jagan Skips Birthday Wishes for Sister Sharmila Again
Until 2019, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and his sister YS Sharmila shared a visibly close bond. In fact, Sharmila played a crucial role in Jagan’s political journey, leading the YSR Congress Party’s election campaign ahead of the 2019 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections. Many believe her efforts significantly contributed to Jagan’s rise to power.
However, the relationship has taken a drastic turn in recent years. The distance between the siblings has now reached a point where Jagan no longer acknowledges Sharmila publicly—even on occasions like her birthday.
Sharmila celebrated her birthday on December 17, and she received wishes from prominent political figures including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, and IT Minister Nara Lokesh. Notably absent, however, was a greeting from her own brother, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who once again chose to remain silent on the occasion.
This is not an isolated incident. Jagan has refrained from publicly wishing Sharmila for several years now, ever since serious differences emerged between them. The rift has reportedly escalated into legal battles over Saraswati Power Company shares and other property distribution issues, further widening the gap.
The irony of the situation has not gone unnoticed. While Sharmila was greeted by her political contemporaries—and even rivals—her own brother stayed away, underscoring how deeply strained their relationship has become. What was once a strong personal and political partnership has clearly turned into a prolonged and bitter fallout.
Nidhhi Agerwal Mobbed at The Raja Saab Event in Hyderabad
Celebrities in India often find themselves in uncomfortable and even frightening situations whenever they step out in public. Airports, outdoor shoots, and movie promotions frequently turn chaotic, with fans attempting to get uncomfortably close, often ignoring basic decorum. Female actors, in particular, bear the brunt of such overenthusiastic behavior, facing repeated inconvenience and safety concerns during public appearances.
Tollywood is no exception, and actress Nidhhi Agerwal is the latest to experience this disturbing reality. During the promotional event of Prabhas’ The Raja Saab at Lulu Mall, Hyderabad, on Wednesday evening, an overwhelming crowd gathered for the song launch. The event was attended by director Maruthi and Nidhhi Agerwal, drawing massive fan attention.
As the event concluded, the situation spiraled out of control outside the venue. Nidhhi Agerwal was mobbed by the crowd while attempting to enter her car. Several people jostled aggressively to get close, making her visibly uncomfortable and terrified. Despite resistance from the crowd, her team and bouncers managed to escort her into the vehicle after considerable effort. Clearly shaken by the ordeal, the actress finally breathed a sigh of relief once she was safely inside.
Videos of the incident have since gone viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism and calls for basic civic sense from the public, along with better crowd management by event organizers. The visuals are unsettling and serve as a stark reminder of how easily such situations can turn dangerous.
Incidents like these underline the serious responsibility of event organizers to ensure proper security, crowd control, and exit planning—especially during promotions of big-star films like The Raja Saab, which naturally attract massive crowds. Even a minor lapse can lead to severe consequences, putting celebrities at unnecessary risk.
Such mishaps also unfairly reflect on the film’s team and lead actor, who have no role in these incidents. Safety and decorum must always remain the top priority at public events, ensuring that promotions remain celebratory rather than traumatic.
Are Three-Hour Films Making a Comeback?
Back in the late 1900s, films routinely ran for three to four hours, making lengthy runtimes the norm rather than the exception. Over the past decade, however, three-hour films became increasingly rare as filmmakers began favoring tighter narratives. Now, that trend appears to be reversing, with extended runtimes slowly making a strong comeback.
Until a few years ago, many directors and producers followed an unwritten rule, keeping film durations between 2 hours 30 minutes and 2 hours 45 minutes. With the explosive rise of smartphones and short-form entertainment, there was a widespread belief that modern audiences would struggle to stay engaged with three-hour-long films.
Recent blockbusters have challenged that assumption. Films like Animal, Pushpa 2: The Rule, and the recent release Dhurandhar have clearly demonstrated that runtime is no longer a barrier. When storytelling is gripping, audiences remain invested regardless of length. Conversely, even shorter films can feel exhausting if they fail to engage emotionally or narratively.
Filmmakers have always aspired to tell their stories in the most detailed and expansive manner possible. Encouraged by the massive success of films exceeding three hours and crossing the ₹1,000 crore mark at the box office, directors are now approaching longer runtimes with greater confidence, no longer treating duration as a strict limitation.
Strengthening this trend further, big-ticket projects like The Raja Saab and Jana Nayagan, currently in post-production, are reportedly locking runtimes of over 3 hours 10 minutes and 3 hours 5 minutes, respectively. Most recent pan-India spectacles, especially those mounted on a grand scale, are embracing longer durations—reinforcing the idea that three hours is fast becoming the new normal.
That said, the risk remains significant. If a lengthy film fails to sustain interest, its extended runtime can work against it, turning the viewing experience into a tiring ordeal rather than an immersive journey.
Saif Ali Khan on Why He Avoids Performing at Weddings
Actor Saif Ali Khan has candidly admitted that he feels uncomfortable performing at weddings, despite it being a widely accepted practice in the film industry. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India, the actor opened up about an early career experience that left a lasting impact on him.
Saif recalled performing at a wedding in Mumbai when a comment from a family member made him rethink such appearances. “I was dancing at a wedding once in Bombay and my aunt came backstage and said, ‘Don’t tell me you are dancing at this wedding,’” he shared, adding that the moment stayed with him.
The actor explained that he finds the blurred boundary between being a guest and a performer at private celebrations awkward and unsettling. While acknowledging that wedding performances are common and socially accepted within the industry, Saif emphasized that they no longer align with his personal comfort or values.
His remarks have sparked conversations about celebrity expectations, personal boundaries, and the pressures often faced by actors off-screen.