Venkatesh Completes Shoot with Chiranjeevi for Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu
Shhyamali De Shares Emotional Note Amid Samantha-Raj Wedding
Shhyamali De, ex-wife of filmmaker Raj Nidimoru, shared a heartfelt and emotional note following the recent wedding of Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Raj Nidimoru, expressing gratitude while also revealing a deeply personal challenge she is facing.
“I spent a sleepless night tossing and turning, debating, and realised it would be ungrateful and churlish not to acknowledge all the good that is coming to me. I have been practising Meditation on Twin Hearts for many years now. Doing the meditation involves blessing Mother Earth and all persons and beings with peace, love, forgiveness, hope, light, joy, loving-kindness, goodwill, and the will to do good,” she wrote.
Shhyamali added that a friend reminded her that all the positivity she is currently receiving is simply energy returning to her. She clarified that she manages her social media personally, without any team or PR assistance: “I have no team, no PR, no staff or associates managing my page. I am personally responding while dealing with something that needs my full presence.”
She then opened up about a deeply personal struggle: “On 9 November, my Jyotish guru was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, which has unfortunately metastasised to multiple parts of the body, including the brain. I am sure you all will understand where my attention must be right now.”
Concluding her note, Shhyamali appealed to her followers with a simple request: “So, a humble request: please keep this space clean. Thank you… thank you… thank you… May every person, every being be blessed with good health, happiness, prosperity, and spirituality.”
Meanwhile, the end of 2025 marked a new beginning for Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Raj Nidimoru. On December 1, the couple tied the knot in a Bhuta Shuddhi Vivaha ceremony at the Linga Bhairavi abode in Sadhguru’s Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore. The two first met in 2021 while working on The Family Man Season 2. What began as a professional association gradually grew into a close friendship, eventually blossoming into love, and culminated in marriage.
Putin and Modi Share Official Car, Evoking SCO Summit Memories
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s arrival in India recently sparked some nostalgic memories for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital.
After touching down in Delhi, Modi and Putin travelled together in the same official car as they exited the airport. This immediately brought to mind a similar moment at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in September, where the two leaders shared a vehicle from the summit venue to the Ritz-Carlton for their bilateral meeting.
“The car ride with PM Modi was my idea. It was a symbol of our friendship,” Putin told India Today during an interview.
The SCO carpool had previously drawn global attention, especially as it coincided with rising tensions over India’s oil trade with Russia and the imposition of higher tariffs by then-US President Donald Trump. At the summit in China, Modi’s car followed Putin’s Aurus Senat, where the two leaders shared the ride for some time. In Delhi, a similar arrangement saw Putin’s vehicle trailing the Toyota Fortuner carrying the Indian Prime Minister.
Before arriving in India, Putin’s aircraft had also been the most tracked flight in the world, according to Flight Radar 24, reflecting the global attention surrounding his visit.
Pragya Jaiswal Moves On After Akhanda 2 Snub
Pragya Jaiswal, fondly remembered for her role in Akhanda alongside Nandamuri Balakrishna, recently found herself back in the spotlight after Balayya shared some unexpected news. In an interview, he revealed that he and director Boyapati Sreenu had considered bringing her back for Akhanda 2 but couldn’t find a meaningful role for her. Including her character again would have unnecessarily extended the film’s runtime, so they decided to close her chapter completely. Fans, who had anticipated a fun return, were naturally disappointed.
Meanwhile, Pragya’s Maldives pictures have been making the rounds online, showcasing a completely different vibe. The photos feel candid, capturing her in sweet in-between moments—hair tousled by the breeze, sunlight highlighting her cheeks, and her blue dress blending with the waters behind her. In the images, she appears to be laughing at something off-camera, strolling along a wooden deck as if lost in her own holiday bubble—effortlessly unfiltered and breezy.
Despite the setback with Akhanda 2, Pragya isn’t waiting around. She is now exploring more Hindi film opportunities, experimenting with new scripts and teams, quietly planning her next move in the industry without making much noise.
Singeetam Sreenivasa Rao Praises First Song from Champion
Visionary filmmaker Singeetam Sreenivasa Rao, celebrated for redefining cinematic storytelling with classics like Aditya 369 and Pushpaka Vimanam, continues to stay connected with contemporary cinema. Recently, he lauded the first song from the upcoming period love-and-sports drama Champion.
Titled “Gira Gira Gingiraagirey”, the track is composed by Mickey J Meyer and pulsates with rustic beats and earthy charm. Sung energetically by Ram Miriyala and featuring lively lyrics by Kasarla Shyam, the song blends folk vibrancy with modern sound design, creating a captivating musical experience.
Upon hearing the song and seeing its visuals, featuring Roshan and Anaswara Rajan’s playful chemistry and spirited choreography, Singeetam expressed his admiration to the team. He remarked that, since Vachinde from Fidaa, no song has captivated him quite like Gira Gira Gingiraagirey.
For a filmmaker whose work has inspired generations, such appreciation is a proud moment for the Champion team. As the film gears up for its Christmas release, the song is already building anticipation among audiences.
Allu Arjun Thanks Fans as Pushpa: The Rule Completes One Year
Allu Arjun took to social media to thank fans for making Pushpa: The Rule a phenomenal success, as the film celebrated its one-year anniversary on December 4. Sharing a heartfelt post, he wrote,
“PUSHPA, an unforgettable journey of five years in our life. This movie audience has given us such immense love, strength, and courage to dive deeper into our crafts. We will always be grateful to everyone in this country and beyond for making it a phenomenon.”
The actor also expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in the project, including director Sukumar, co-star Arya, producers, distributors, and technicians, calling it an honor to have worked alongside them.
“It’s my honour to have walked this journey with all my artists, technicians, the whole unit, producers, distributors & of course the captain @aryasukku garu. I thank each and every one of you in this journey. With a heart full of gratitude once again … THANK YOU 🙏 #Pushpa #Pushpa2 #Pushpa2TheRule,” Allu Arjun added.
Looking ahead, Pushpa 2 is set to expand its international reach, with a release in Japan on January 16, 2026. Geek Pictures India, the film’s Japanese distributor, shared on X (formerly Twitter),
“Konnichiwa, Nihon no Tomo yo! Indian Cinema’s Industry Hit blazes into Japan in full force! Pushpa Raj takes over Japan on 16th January, taking the wildfire across borders and seas. #Pushpa2inJapan #Pushpa2TheRule #PushpaKunrin #WildFirePushpa”
The film continues the saga of Pushpa Raj (played by Allu Arjun), a labourer-turned-red sandalwood smuggler, as he faces mounting threats from rivals, including SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat (Fahadh Faasil). Following Pushpa: The Rise (2021), the second installment stars Allu Arjun alongside Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Jagapathi Babu, Sunil, and Rao Ramesh in key roles.
Bagalamukhi Puja Buzz Adds Heat to Akhanda 2 Postponement
It is known that controversial astrologer Venu Swamy recently released a video claiming that he performed a powerful Bagalamukhi Puja to ensure the success of an upcoming big movie. Although he did not explicitly mention the film’s name, his hints strongly suggested Akhanda 2. Naturally, Balakrishna’s fans and several social-media channels assumed the ritual was done specifically for the film.
Now, with Akhanda 2 getting postponed due to last-minute financial hurdles faced by the makers, the discussion has taken a different turn. Connecting these developments, scholars and those well-versed in teevra devata aaradhana—the worship of intense, powerful goddesses like Bagalamukhi—say such rituals must be handled with utmost secrecy and precision. Using them for publicity or performing them incorrectly, they warn, can lead to adverse effects for both the person conducting the ritual and the project it is intended to support.
“If the producers had genuinely approached him, the worship would have been done discreetly and with full devotion. There is no need to publicize such rituals. And if the producers didn’t request it, there was no obligation for him to perform the puja on their behalf. Even if done voluntarily, it should be done silently, not showcased for attention. The power of teevra devathas is immense, and even this astrologer has faced setbacks recently,” said a scholar who holds deep respect for these traditions.
Although Venu Swamy avoided naming the film—giving himself room to deny any connection if things go wrong—the association has already been made. Fans and several online channels continue linking his puja to Akhanda 2, adding another layer of controversy to the film’s unexpected postponement.
Gulshan Devaiah Joins Samantha’s Maa Inti Bangaram
After earning widespread acclaim for his Kannada debut in Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1, versatile actor Gulshan Devaiah is now gearing up for a grand entry into Telugu cinema. The actor has officially joined the cast of Maa Inti Bangaram, produced under Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s banner, Tralala Moving Pictures.
Directed by Nandini Reddy, this family entertainer marks Samantha’s second project as a producer after Subham. Known for crafting warm, relatable stories with emotional depth, Nandini’s collaboration with Samantha has already generated strong anticipation. With Gulshan joining the lineup, the buzz around the film has only intensified.
Speaking about his Telugu debut, Gulshan expressed that he had always wanted to collaborate with Samantha and is delighted to finally be part of her production. Though he remained tight-lipped about his character, he offered a small tease about what to expect.
Calling it a “challenging turn” in his career, Gulshan hinted that his role pushes him into unexplored territory—something he’s both excited and nervous to embrace.
With Samantha’s growing impact as a producer, Nandini Reddy’s proven storytelling sensibilities, and Gulshan Devaiah’s knack for choosing layered, unconventional roles, Maa Inti Bangaram is shaping up to be a project to watch out for in Tollywood’s 2026 lineup.
Shilpa Shetty’s Calm Post Amid ₹60 Cr Case Sparks Curiosity
Shilpa Shetty shared a new set of pictures on social media—right in the middle of all the noise surrounding the ₹60-crore cheating complaint involving her and Raj Kundra. The case is far from minor, and the couple has already approached the Bombay High Court seeking cancellation of the FIR. While discussions online continue, with people taking sides and overanalyzing every update, Shilpa seems to have quietly stepped away from the chaos for a moment to post these calm, composed photos.
The pictures themselves exude warmth. Shilpa appears in a soft, ruched outfit, wearing that blend of poise and slight weariness that only experienced actors can project so effortlessly. Fans rushed to the comments section instantly—some appreciating the look, others questioning the timing, and a few simply dropping their daily dosage of fire emojis. In short, peak internet behaviour.
On the work front, Shilpa made a surprising appearance this year in the Kannada film KD: The Devil, a move that caught many off guard. During promotions, she even mentioned that she’s open to signing Telugu films as well. Now fans are curious to see whether any filmmaker actually approaches her with a script or if it was just one of those casual statements actors make and move on from. Either way, the interest around her next move remains high.
Akhanda 2 Postponed: Big Boost for Andhra King Taluka
Nandamuri Balakrishna’s highly awaited sequel Akhanda 2, directed by Boyapati Srinu, has been postponed indefinitely just hours before its scheduled release due to unexpected financial hurdles. This sudden development has come as a major shock for trade circles, especially since the film has been carrying massive hype thanks to the powerful Balayya–Boyapati combination.
With Akhanda 2 pushed ahead and no other major releases lined up this weekend, Ram’s Andhra King Taluka — which released last week to decent reviews — now gets a fresh opportunity to fill the box-office vacuum. Despite favourable critical reception and reasonably positive word of mouth, the film managed only moderate numbers in its first week. Even the team acknowledged that the positive talk did not translate into strong collections.
Trade analysts had earlier predicted that Andhra King Taluka would end its theatrical run on a below-par note, anticipating Akhanda 2 to dominate mass centres with a massive release. However, this last-minute postponement has turned out to be an unexpected blessing for the Ram-starrer, giving it an extended solo run across territories this weekend.
The only concern for the team is the loss of momentum after the first weekend, as audiences have been eagerly waiting for Akhanda 2 and the upcoming Sankranti releases. Whether Andhra King Taluka can regain traction and witness a noticeable jump in collections over the weekend remains to be seen. The coming days will reveal if the film can make the most of this sudden opportunity.
Directed by P. Mahesh Babu, Andhra King Taluka stands out as a fanboy’s tribute to his cinema demigod. Ram’s chemistry with Bhagyashri Borse and Upendra’s impactful performance have been widely appreciated by both audiences and critics.
