9 PM | ETV Telugu News | 14th August “2025
Rashmika Shines in Thama Amidst Special Song Appearances
Rashmika Mandanna, already one of Tollywood’s top stars, is generating major buzz with her upcoming film Thama. Following a trend seen in her previous hits, the film is expected to feature other heroines in special song sequences. In Pushpa: The Rise, Samantha Ruth Prabhu made a cameo in a dance number, while Pushpa: The Rule featured Sreeleela. Thama appears set to continue this pattern.
Reports suggest that Bollywood sensations Malaika Arora and Nora Fatehi will be part of the film in high-energy dance numbers. Malaika’s performance is said to appear at a pivotal moment in the narrative, while Nora’s number might serve as a promotional track toward the climax. This blend of Tollywood and Bollywood talent has already created excitement among fans.
While special songs can sometimes overshadow the lead actress, in Thama, Rashmika’s role remains the central focus. Her screen presence and charisma are expected to anchor the film, ensuring she retains the spotlight despite the glamorous guest appearances. Whether this strategy strengthens the film’s appeal or simply follows a growing cinematic trend, the combination promises visually captivating sequences. Fans eagerly await to see Rashmika shine alongside Malaika and Nora while maintaining her dominance on screen.
Pulivendula By-Poll: Pawan Kalyan Stays Silent
The recent by-election for the Pulivendula ZPTC seat has created a political ripple in Andhra Pradesh, as the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) managed to claim a victory in the stronghold of the YSR family—an achievement seen as breaking an “unbreachable fortress.” Naturally, the TDP is celebrating the win, marking a symbolic triumph over Jagan Mohan Reddy in his home turf.
Interestingly, the other alliance partner, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), also stayed officially quiet, although BJP MLA C. Adinarayana Reddy actively campaigned for TDP candidate Mareddy Latha Reddy in Pulivendula. Adinarayana Reddy’s involvement appears to have been personal, stemming from his rivalry with Jagan’s family, which indirectly gave TDP a boost in the by-poll.
Sources suggest that Pawan Kalyan’s silence may not just be political strategy. Reports indicate he was dissatisfied with the way polling was conducted and allegedly disapproved of certain irregularities reportedly carried out by TDP in some areas. This could explain why the Jana Sena chief chose to stay away from the limelight during this electoral battle.
Record Delays Hit Employer-Sponsored Green Cards
.
Employer-sponsored green card applicants are now facing the longest processing times on record, according to a recent analysis by the Cato Institute. By the second quarter of 2025, the average wait time had climbed to 1,256 days—approximately 3.44 years— compared to just 705 days (1.9 years) in 2016. Even with a $2,805 premium processing fee, the total timeline remains around 2.8 years, underscoring the depth of the backlog.
The employment-based green card process spans six major stages, each taking significantly longer than in prior years:
Prefiling documentation – Collecting academic, employment, and wage evidence.
Prevailing wage determination – 187 days in 2025 vs. 76 days in 2016.
U.S. worker recruitment – 141 days vs. 131 days.
Labor certification (PERM) – 483 days vs. 180 days.
Employer petition (I-140) – 234 days (15 days with premium) vs. 180 days (15 with premium).
Green card application (I-485) – 210 days vs. 165 days.
In total, these steps add up to more than 3.4 years, not including preliminary preparation, visa cap wait times, or interim visa extensions. At the end of fiscal Q2 2025, the number of pending employer-sponsored cases exceeded 500,000, more than double 2016 levels. Overall, USCIS is managing 11.3 million pending immigration applications, reflecting systemic delays across the board.
More than 90% of employment-based green card applicants already live and work in the U.S., primarily on H-1B or other temporary visas, while waiting for permanent residency. The Cato Institute criticized the process as redundant and overly burdensome, arguing that current procedures slow economic growth and undermine America’s ability to attract top global talent.
“America will lose the global talent competition when other countries grant green cards in weeks or months, not years,” the report warned, calling for radical streamlining of the legal immigration system to eliminate unnecessary steps and ensure U.S. employers can access critical skills more efficiently.
Ravi Teja Returns in Khaki for Mass Jatara
Ravi Teja’s return to the khaki uniform has Tollywood buzzing with excitement. The Mass Maharaj is back as a police officer, and fans are already celebrating. While the songs set the mood, the teaser has amplified the hype, signaling one thing: a potential box-office hit. From Venky to Walther Veeraiya, Ravi Teja’s appearances in khaki have historically brought success, with only a few missteps along the way.
His journey in uniform began with the comical trainee cop in Venky, but it was Rajamouli’s Vikramarkudu that gave him the iconic ACP Vikram Singh Rathod, cementing his mass hero image. Even in films like Mirapakai, where he wasn’t formally in uniform, his undercover cop act resonated with audiences. Power brought another hit, though Touch Chesi Chudu briefly slowed the momentum. Krack revived his winning streak, reaffirming that Ravi Teja and the police avatar are a surefire formula.
In Walther Veeraiya, acting alongside Chiranjeevi as ACP Vikram Sagar, Ravi Teja added another layer to the film’s success. Now, in Mass Jatara, he takes on the role of a railway policeman—a fresh twist that’s already creating a buzz. His reunion with Srileela, the lucky charm from Dhamaka, adds even more excitement for fans.
Ravi Teja himself hinted at the magic of his past roles, saying, “I have a history of my own,” combining nostalgia and superstition to his advantage. With four recent flops to overcome and a loyal fanbase cheering him on, this khaki outing could be the film that rewrites his recent box office narrative. Audiences are eagerly awaiting August 27th, when the verdict will reveal whether history repeats itself with another blockbuster celebration.
Indian Man to Leave Ireland After Brutal Teen Attack
An Indian man living in Dublin has announced plans to leave Ireland after a violent attack by a group of teenagers left him injured and deeply shaken, intensifying fears within the local Indian community.
The victim, who requested anonymity, told The Journal that the assault occurred on Sunday evening as he was walking home from Fairview Park. He said one of three youths riding an electric scooter kicked him in the stomach, and when he tried to walk away, two others joined in.
“They continued kicking and punching even after I fell to the ground,” he said. One attacker allegedly seized his metal water bottle and struck him above the eye, causing a severe laceration that required stitches at a local hospital.
“It all happened so fast,” he recalled. “One moment I was walking home, the next I was on the ground with blood running down my face.”
The Irish police, An Garda Síochána, confirmed they are investigating the assault, which they described as part of a troubling series of recent attacks against members of the Indian community.
The man said his parents in India were horrified upon hearing of the incident and urged him to return home. “They told me to come home immediately and I’m going. I’ve already booked my ticket,” he told PTI. He added that the attack has created a climate of fear among his friends. “Many are scared to go outside now. Some are even planning to return to India because of what’s happening.”
In response to rising concerns, India’s Ambassador to Ireland, Akhilesh Mishra, met on Wednesday with Detective Inspector Tony Tighe of the Liaison and Protection Unit and Inspector Ciaran P. Nunan of An Garda Síochána, the Indian Embassy in Ireland confirmed in a social media statement.
The meeting followed strong condemnation from senior Irish leaders. President Michael D. Higgins on Tuesday denounced the assaults as “despicable,” saying they “stand in stark contradiction to the values that we as a people hold dear.” The Archbishop of Dublin also described the incidents as “truly shocking” and “unprovoked.”
Amid safety concerns, the Ireland India Council has postponed its annual “India Day” celebrations, which had been scheduled for Sunday in Dublin.
Anupama Parameswaran Opens Up on Tillu Square Role
Anupama Parameswaran recently opened up about her experience playing Lily in the Telugu hit Tillu Square, admitting that she never fully felt comfortable with the role.
In a candid interview, she explained, “If someone offered me a Tillu-like character now, I wouldn’t take it. It’s not because of the team—they were wonderful—but I just didn’t feel like myself in that role.”
Anupama described her time on set opposite Siddhu Jonnalagadda’s DJ Tillu as challenging. “It wasn’t easy. I often felt disappointed, insecure, and not confident. That character didn’t align with who I am, and I struggled to embody it,” she said.
Despite these personal challenges, she felt proud of the audience’s positive response. Tillu Square, directed by Mallik Ram and produced by Sithara Entertainments in collaboration with Fortune Four Cinemas, emerged as a commercial success, and Anupama’s performance was widely praised.
“When people appreciated my work, I felt proud. Even though I was uncomfortable in the role, I managed to make the audience believe I was confident—a boss lady who doesn’t care what others think. That, for me, is a big achievement,” she reflected.
Released on March 29, 2024, the film overcame early criticism and online trolling to become a box-office hit, cementing Anupama’s versatility as an actress.
Mrunal Thakur Faces Old Comment Controversy
Mrunal Thakur, who has established herself as a busy actress working across Telugu, Hindi, and other film industries, has recently found herself in the news due to a controversy stemming from a comment she made years ago. Despite facing numerous struggles in the industry earlier in her career, she has steadily built a strong fan base and continues to take on back-to-back projects.
The controversy dates back almost a decade when Mrunal, during a program with Arjit Taneja, asked a question about marrying a girl who rolls her eyes and, in the same context, made a remark about Bipasha Basu, which was considered body-shaming. At that time, Mrunal was not very famous, and the comment did not gain much attention. However, as her career took off and she became more popular with audiences, her old remarks resurfaced on social media, attracting criticism and sparking debates. Many questioned the appropriateness of one woman commenting negatively about another, especially about a star like Bipasha Basu, who is widely admired for her fitness and looks.
Eventually, Bipasha responded to the resurfaced comment on social media. She emphasized the importance of women supporting one another, stating that body-shaming is never acceptable and that past remarks, regardless of who made them, should not be treated as definitive judgments. In response, Mrunal expressed her displeasure over the way her old comment was being interpreted and spread, clarifying that it was never meant to be offensive.
The incident has reignited discussions online, with some pointing out that while controversies can be overlooked to an extent, repeated negative publicity could impact a rising actress’s career. Fans of Mrunal have defended her, suggesting that the remarks were unintentional and made without ill intent. Many also feel that apologizing for the past comment and clarifying her position could help resolve the situation amicably.
Despite this, Mrunal continues to grow in popularity thanks to her recent films, but this controversy serves as a reminder of how past statements can resurface and attract attention in today’s social media-driven world.
తారక్ యష్ రాజ్ ఫిలింస్తో స్పై యూనివర్స్లో సోలో మూవీ
బ్లాక్బస్టర్ హిట్ ఆర్ఆర్ఆర్ ద్వారా నార్త్ ఇండియాలో తన క్రేజ్ను చూపించిన టాలీవుడ్ స్టార్ హీరో జూనియర్ ఎన్టీఆర్, ఇప్పుడు బాలీవుడ్లో సోలో మూవీస్తో ఎంట్రీ ఇచ్చారు. తనదైన ప్రత్యేకమైన ముద్రను ప్రతిష్ఠించుకునేందుకు తారక్ సిద్ధంగా ఉన్నారు. ఆగస్టు 14న గ్రాండ్గా రిలీజ్ అయిన వార్-2 మూవీలో ఆయన విక్రమ్ పాత్రలో ప్రేక్షకులను ఆకట్టుకున్నారు.
యశ్ రాజ్ ఫిలింస్ ప్రతిష్ఠాత్మకంగా నిర్మిస్తున్న స్పై యూనివర్స్లో భాగంగా రూపొందిన ఈ సినిమాలో తారక్ యాక్టింగ్, ఎంట్రీ, డ్యాన్స్ ప్రతీతి ప్రేక్షకులను మెప్పించాయి. నెటిజన్లు ఆయన ప్రదర్శనపై మంచి రివ్యూస్ ఇవ్వడం విశేషం.
ఇక సౌర్స్ సమాచారం ప్రకారం, తారక్ కేవలం వార్-2లో మాత్రమే కాకుండా, స్పై యూనివర్స్లో మరింత విస్తృత పాత్రలో కనిపించనుండవచ్చని YRF ప్లాన్ చేస్తున్నారు. అలాగే, యంగ్ స్టార్ తారక్ కోసం యష్ రాజ్ ఫిలింస్ ప్రత్యేక సోలో మూవీ కూడా చేయనున్నట్లు సోషల్ మీడియాలో వార్తలు వస్తున్నాయి. ఈ సినిమా యాక్షన్-డ్రామా ჟానర్లో రూపొందనుంది మరియు స్పై యూనివర్స్లో భాగంగా ఉంటుంది. ఇప్పటివరకు ఎన్టీఆర్తో ఇప్పటికే చర్చలు జరిగి, త్వరలో అధికారిక అనౌన్స్మెంట్ కూడా రావనుంది.
ఇంకా, ఎన్టీఆర్ ఇప్పటికే కొన్ని పెద్ద ప్రాజెక్ట్లలో బిజీగా ఉన్నారు. ప్రముఖ దర్శకుడు ప్రశాంత్ నీల్తో వచ్చే ఏడాదిలో మూవీ రిలీజ్ కానుంది. ఆ తర్వాత దేవర సీక్వెల్ ప్రారంభం కానుంది. అలాగే, త్రివిక్రమ్ శ్రీనివాస్ దర్శకత్వంలో ఫాంటసీ బ్యాక్డ్రాప్తో పవర్ ఫుల్ డివోషనల్ ఎలిమెంట్ ఉన్న కొత్త మూవీ కూడా తారక్ లైన్లో ఉంది. రీసెంట్గా దాదాసాహెబ్ ఫాల్కే బయోపిక్ కూడా ఆయన చేయనున్నట్లు ప్రచారం జరిగింది.
ఇప్పుడు యష్ రాజ్ ఫిలింస్తో మరో ప్రాజెక్ట్ కోసం తారక్ సిద్ధమవుతున్నాడని వార్తలు వస్తున్నాయి. ఈ ప్రాజెక్ట్ నిజమా, లేక కేవలం రూమర్ మాత్రమే అనేది వేచి చూడాల్సి ఉంది.
Ayan Mukerjee’s Commercial Cinema Challenge
Bollywood is always on the lookout for directors who can successfully blend commercial appeal with superstar power. In recent years, a number of young filmmakers have risen to the challenge, and Ayan Mukerjee is among them.
Following his massive success with Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Ayan attempted a high-profile project with Brahmastra, which, despite its scale, did not fully meet critical expectations. Known for his keen sense of cinematic storytelling, Ayan clearly enjoys handling large-scale commercial projects. His latest venture, War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Junior NTR, was highly anticipated as part of the Yash Raj Films universe.
However, the film’s performance has been underwhelming. Audiences and critics have noted that, despite featuring two superstars, the film lacked the commercial punch expected from such a high-profile collaboration. Post-release discussions suggest that the director struggled to translate the film’s star power into strong box-office traction.
There is no doubt that Ayan Mukerjee is one of the most talented directors in Indian cinema, with a unique ability to craft thoughtful, quality films. But the realm of big-budget, high-stakes commercial cinema is a different challenge altogether, and it seems he may need to reassess his approach. The question now is whether Ayan will return to his comfort zone of sensible, narrative-driven films or continue exploring commercial cinema, risking further setbacks.
Allu Aravind Calls Out Tollywood Coteries
Tollywood has long been known for its tightly knit cliques, and while big names often exchange pleasantries at public events, the underlying dynamics within the industry are far more complex. Occasionally, these internal rifts become visible to the public.
Recently, veteran producer Allu Aravind made remarks about the coteries in Tollywood that have gone viral online. Speaking at the SIIMA event, where he was a special guest helping facilitate the National Film Awards winners, Allu Aravind didn’t hold back.
“Telugu cinema has won seven National Awards. I congratulate SIIMA’s Vishnu and Brinda for taking the initiative to honor the awardees even before the industry could recognize them,” he said. “You know how it is in our industry—evari kumpati vaaride (everyone has their own clique). That’s why it’s difficult to achieve anything meaningful,” he added.
His comments underline the long-standing issue of disunity among industry members. Traditionally, the Film Chamber or Movie Artiste’s Association (MAA) organizes felicitation events for National Award winners. Surprisingly, more than two weeks after the announcements, no official event has been planned. Whether Allu Aravind’s statement will prompt the industry to finally act remains to be seen.