9 PM | ETV Telugu News | 7th March” 2026
Thalapathy Vijay Addresses Divorce Rumors, Urges Fans Not to Worry
Thalapathy Vijay is currently going through a challenging personal phase, as his wife Sangeeta has filed for divorce. The situation intensified recently when Vijay made a public appearance with actress Trisha, followed by Sangeeta petitioning the court to stay at the matrimonial home with him.
Amidst ongoing discussions about legal remedies, alimony, and public speculation, Vijay finally addressed the matter publicly.
During a public meeting on International Women’s Day, Vijay shared his first reaction to the personal turmoil. He said:
“Please don’t worry about the recent problems surrounding me. Those issues are not worth your time. I will take care of them myself. What hurts me the most is seeing you feel sad or stressed because of my problems. Please don’t carry that burden for me. Instead, let’s focus on the welfare of people.”
Vijay’s message clearly calls on his fans not to worry about his personal issues, emphasizing that he has the strength to handle them privately. He urged that his personal matters should not be politicized and encouraged fans to focus on broader social and public issues, especially with elections approaching.
YCP Media Targets Pawan Kalyan via Naga Babu Rumors
YSR Congress (YCP) media seems to be gearing up for a major campaign targeting Pawan Kalyan. Earlier, the party’s media ecosystem focused on the Laddu Adulteration issue, but with the CBI chargesheet confirming the adulteration, Pawan Kalyan has largely become immune to that line of attack.
Now, reports suggest that YCP media may be shifting its focus toward Naga Babu, Pawan Kalyan’s brother.
Earlier this week, Pawan Kalyan met Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to discuss matters related to his ministries. Since then, YCP media has been actively circulating stories involving Naga Babu. Initially, they claimed that Pawan Kalyan requested Naidu to make Naga Babu the TTD Chairman if the current chairman, BR Naidu, were to be replaced. Media narratives quickly questioned how an atheist like Naga Babu could hold the position.
The latest speculation suggests that Pawan Kalyan wants Naga Babu to be inducted into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet. It appears that, in the coming days, stories may surface labeling Jana Sena as a casteist or “family” party. The objective seems to be overshadowing the positive work happening in Pawan Kalyan’s ministries and painting him as power-hungry.
Currently, Naga Babu is not a Member of Parliament; he is an MLC. Earlier, Chandrababu Naidu had committed to including him in the cabinet, but the induction did not take place. Pawan Kalyan himself clarified that he requested Naidu to pause the induction. Until that announcement, YCP media had been suggesting that Naidu was ignoring Naga Babu, framing Pawan Kalyan as power-seeking.
If Naga Babu is not inducted into the Union Cabinet, the narrative could shift to claim that the TDP and BJP are neglecting Jana Sena. The modus operandi is clear: YCP media creates a rumor, weaves a negative story, and regardless of the outcome, spins the narrative to generate confusion and public negativity toward the ruling government.
Tharun Bhascker’s Gaayapadda Simham Gets Fun Rap Song
Tharun Bhascker’s Gaayapadda Simham, directed by Kasyap Sreenivas and produced by Saptaswa Media Works, POV Stories, and Zee Studios, with presentation by Pavan Sadineni, continues to capture attention with its inventive promotional content.
Following the positive response to the trailer, the makers released a promotional rap song that adds a fun, satirical edge to the film. Sweekar Agasthi scored, sang, and wrote the track, which humorously depicts the protagonist’s struggles after US President Donald Trump announces a deportation operation. Adding to the energy, Asura penned the rap verses and performed the rap sections himself.
The song features modern, rap-driven vocals and vibrant instrumentation, while the promotional video showcases Tharun Bhascker and Vishnu Oi, alongside Sweekar and Asura, in a playful and lively presentation. Visually, the video emphasizes satire and comedy, with exaggerated moments such as Trump celebrating the deportation drive with a cake-cutting ceremony.
A real lion makes an appearance, symbolizing the protagonist’s resilience and strength, tying into the song’s title. Tharun Bhascker’s deadpan reactions to his character’s misfortunes serve as the highlight, turning otherwise serious scenarios into hilarious, laugh-out-loud moments. The promotional content has further increased curiosity and excitement for the film’s release.
Naga Chaitanya Confident About Vrishakarma
Young superstar Naga Chaitanya is all set to headline the mystical thriller “Vrishakarma”, directed by Karthik Dandu, generating huge buzz even before its release. The film marks Chaitanya’s first venture into this genre, and the actor recently expressed immense confidence at a Glimps event, calling it the best film of his career. Such a strong statement has amplified expectations for the project.
This film is especially noteworthy as it comes after Karthik Dandu’s previous success, Virupaksha, which reportedly earned over ₹90 crore. After a significant gap, the director is now collaborating with Chaitanya for Vrishakarma, with Sukumar also joining the production team, adding further credibility and anticipation for the movie.
Reports suggest that Megastar Nagarjuna has taken an active interest in the project, even promising Chaitanya that his second son, Akhil, could work with Karthik Dandu in the future. Nagarjuna has reportedly insisted that this upcoming film be produced under his Annapurna Studios, without external producers involved.
Interestingly, despite Nagarjuna’s involvement, Chaitanya has maintained his creative independence, making it clear that he selects his directors himself. Sources say Karthik Dandu’s recent successes and reputation as a talented filmmaker influenced this collaboration.
The shoot for Vrishakarma is currently underway in Mysore, with plans to return to Hyderabad to complete the remaining portions. If all goes according to plan, there are speculations that Karthik Dandu may also direct a future film with Akhil, continuing this promising director-actor collaboration.
Pranitha Subhash Stuns in Deep Blue Gown
At 33, Pranitha Subhash has spent over 15 years in the film industry, building a strong presence in South Indian cinema and earning a loyal fan base. In recent years, her life took a turn as she became a mother of two sons. Despite stepping back from films for a while, Pranitha is showing signs of stepping back into the spotlight, with her latest photos online proving she hasn’t lost an ounce of her signature glamour.
In the pictures, Pranitha stuns in a deep blue off-shoulder gown with a high slit, standing gracefully beside a tall window. Natural light streaming in highlights her look, giving the shots a serene and stylish vibe. Her hair is tied loosely, and her makeup is minimal, letting her poise and the elegant outfit take center stage. She leans casually against the wall, exuding confidence and charm.
Fans are particularly impressed with how well she has maintained her figure even after motherhood, carrying the look effortlessly as if she never took a break from films. Pranitha was last seen on the big screen two years ago in the Kannada film Raman Avatara, which didn’t fare well at the box office. Nevertheless, her continued visibility and the buzz around these fresh photos hint that she might be gearing up for a comeback in films soon.
NTR in Prashanth Neel’s Dragon
The much-anticipated collaboration between mass hero NTR and director Prashanth Neel is creating waves in the Telugu film industry. The project, popularly known as “Dragon”, has been confirmed as the official title by the makers. Produced on a massive scale by Mythri Movie Makers, this high-voltage action drama has its shooting progressing at a rapid pace. NTR will be paired with Kannada beauty Rukmini Vasant as the female lead.
To meet the story’s demands, NTR underwent a significant transformation, including a notable weight loss. The film also features Malayalam superstar Tovino Thomas and Bollywood veteran Anil Kapoor in key roles. Coming on the heels of blockbuster pan-India films like the KGF series and Salaar, this marks Prashanth Neel’s first project with NTR, raising audience expectations to a stellar level. Recently, Anil Kapoor joined the shoot, adding more star power to the project.
The film is set against a backdrop inspired by the China-Bhutan border, and the team recently returned from Jordan, where they shot major action sequences. Currently, balance fight sequences are being filmed on specially constructed sets at Ramoji Film City.
In addition, the film introduces another powerful female character, portrayed by veteran actress Khushboo. Prashanth Neel is known for giving substantial scope to strong female characters, as seen in Indira Gandhi’s role in KGF Chapter 2 and Radharam in Salaar. Similarly, Dragon’s female lead is designed to be a strong, impactful presence. Khushboo revealed that working alongside NTR has been a long-time dream, and the film is fulfilling that aspiration.
The makers are expected to release an official announcement soon. This pan-India project will showcase NTR in a never-before-seen avatar in a high-octane, action-packed role. Set in 1969, the epic action drama features music by Ravi Basrur and promises high-voltage action sequences that are expected to be one of the film’s major highlights, according to insiders.
Thandel’s Success: Naga Chaitanya Honoured at Gaddar Awards
Naga Chaitanya’s blockbuster film Thandel has turned out to be one of the biggest winners at the Gaddar Awards 2025, bagging two prestigious honours. The actor received the Best Actor award for his powerful performance, while the film was also recognised as the Best National Integration Film.
For Naga Chaitanya, this recognition marks a significant milestone in his career. His performance in Thandel received widespread appreciation for its emotional depth and authenticity. The role required a fine balance of intensity and vulnerability, and Chaitanya delivered a performance that strongly connected with both audiences and critics. Notably, this is the first time he has received a state-level award, making the achievement even more special.
The Best Actor category saw tough competition this year, with leading stars like Venkatesh, Balakrishna, and Nani also in the race. However, Naga Chaitanya’s sincere and grounded portrayal in Thandel stood out, highlighting his evolution as an actor and his readiness to take on challenging roles.
Apart from Chaitanya’s acting honour, the film itself also earned recognition for its meaningful theme. Directed by Chandoo Mondeti, Thandel impressed the jury with its strong message promoting unity, patriotism, and cultural harmony.
Produced by Bunny Vasu under the Geetha Arts banner and presented by Allu Aravind, the film’s narrative struck a chord with audiences across regions, ultimately helping it secure the Best National Integration Film award at the Gaddar Awards 2025.
S. Saraswathi Review: Varalaxmi’s Emotional Drama Falls Short
Plot:
Lakshmi (Varalaxmi Sarathkumar) works as a nurse and lives a simple life with her young daughter Saraswathi. One day, after dropping her daughter at school, Lakshmi returns later only to receive a shocking response from the school management—they claim that no student named Saraswathi studies there. Confused and devastated, Lakshmi soon realizes that her daughter is in serious danger and something terrible may have happened to her. What exactly happened to Saraswathi? Who is responsible? And how does Lakshmi uncover the truth while fighting the system all by herself? The film revolves around these questions.
Performances:
Varalaxmi Sarathkumar appears in a rare role as a mother, which is different from the powerful or negative characters she usually portrays. She delivers a convincing performance and carries the emotional weight of the film quite well. Her determination to find justice for her daughter and the pain she experiences are portrayed effectively.
Prakash Raj, as always, delivers a solid performance, though his character does not get enough scope in the narrative. Priyamani adds emotional depth and does justice to her role. Rao Ramesh and Murali Sharma perform adequately but their roles remain limited and do not leave a strong impression.
Technical Aspects:
The music composed by Thaman works reasonably well for the film. His background score adds energy to several otherwise ordinary scenes. Although it may not be among his best works, it still supports the narrative. The production values are decent and the overall visual presentation of the thriller looks good. The writing has a few effective moments, but the execution could have been much stronger. Dialogues are impactful, and the lyrics carry meaning. However, the editing could have been tighter despite the film having a relatively short runtime. Story-wise, the film does not bring anything particularly new.
Positives:
- Core theme of the story
- Varalaxmi Sarathkumar’s performance
Negatives:
- Illogical screenplay
- Lack of strong emotional depth
- Predictable and routine thrills
Analysis:
S. Saraswathi marks the directorial debut of Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, where she takes on the challenging responsibility of both acting and directing. While she succeeds in delivering a strong performance as an actress, her direction does not completely impress. The film focuses on a mother–daughter relationship and attempts to present the story with a unique narrative style.
The film starts on an engaging note, establishing the central conflict effectively. Initially, it creates the expectation that the story will develop into a deeply emotional and gripping drama. However, as the film progresses, it becomes predictable with familiar elements such as the search for the criminals and melodramatic sequences.
The film does highlight certain loopholes within the judicial system and touches upon the issue of justice in cases of sexual assault. These aspects are presented reasonably well. Unfortunately, after a promising beginning, the story begins to lose momentum. Several scenes appear to be inserted merely to heighten the drama, which weakens the overall narrative.
The second half, in particular, feels slower and less impactful. Prakash Raj’s character had the potential to create powerful dramatic moments, but it remains underutilized. The emotional turmoil of the protagonist is also not explored as deeply as it could have been. While the film might have had a strong concept on paper, the execution results in a mixed outcome.
Bottom Line:
S. Saraswathi is an emotional drama with a few engaging moments, but overall it ends up being a fairly routine and average watch.
Missile Scare Near Dubai Airport, Flights Briefly Halted
Tensions in the Middle East briefly intensified after reports of explosions near Dubai International Airport, sparking fears of a possible missile strike amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing loud blasts and noticing smoke rising in parts of Dubai, which quickly led to speculation about a potential attack. As a precaution, authorities temporarily halted flight operations at the airport. Passengers inside the terminal were moved to safer areas while security teams carried out checks. Several airlines also delayed departures and arrivals to ensure the safety of travelers and airport staff.
Later, officials from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) clarified that there was no confirmed missile strike on Dubai International Airport. According to authorities, the smoke seen in viral videos on social media was not the result of a direct attack on the airport.
Officials explained that the confusion was caused by a minor incident involving debris that reportedly fell after aerial threats were intercepted. The falling debris led to smoke in parts of the city, which many initially mistook for the aftermath of a larger attack.
The incident occurred at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, with reports of missile and drone activity across several Gulf regions. Governments in the area remain on high alert as the conflict continues to impact security and air travel across multiple countries.
