BY SACNILK

Mumbai, July 18 - The winners of the 72nd National Film Awards were announced on Saturday, celebrating the finest Indian films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) during 2024. Article 370 emerged as one of the biggest winners of the ceremony, taking home the prestigious Best Feature Film award, while its lead star Yami Gautam won her maiden National Award for Best Actress. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Among the other major honours, Kartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion) and Mammootty (Bramayugam) shared the Best Actor award, while Sudipto Sen was named Best Director for The Kerala Story. The award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment went to Kalki 2898 AD, recognising the sci-fi epic's impact both critically and commercially. Several regional films and technical achievements were also recognised across multiple categories, highlighting the diversity of Indian cinema. Notable winners included Srikanth as Best Hindi Feature Film, Lucky Baskhar as Best Telugu Feature Film, Raayan as Best Tamil Feature Film, and Bramayugam, which picked up multiple technical honours in addition to Mammootty's Best Actor win. The awards once again showcased outstanding performances and filmmaking excellence from across the country. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) 72nd National Film Awards 2026 - Winners List Category Winner Best Feature FilmArticle 370 Best ActorKartik Aaryan (Chandu Champion), Mammootty (Bramayugam) Best ActressYami Gautam (Article 370) Best DirectorRajkumar Periasamy (Amaran) Best Supporting ActressRopashree Varkady (Mithya), Sachana Namidass (Maharaja) Best Supporting ActorSanjay Mishra (Bhakshak) Best Feature Film Providing Wholesome EntertainmentKalki 2898 AD Best Film Promoting National, Social and Environmental ValuesCaptain Miller Best Debut Film of a DirectorSwatantrya Veer Savarkar Best Children's Film35 Chinna Katha Kaadu Best Child ArtistRiddhiman Banerjee, Tapomoy Deb, Gitashree Chakraborty, Arundev Pothula & Athish S Shetty Best CinematographyShehnad Jalal (Bramayugam) Best Screenplay (Original)Sukumar (Pushpa 2) Best Screenplay (Adapted)Yogesh Deshpande (Swargandharva Sudhir Phadke) Best Dialogue WriterVenky Atluri (Lucky Baskhar) Best Production DesignNitin Zihani Choudhary (Kalki 2898 AD) Best Action DirectionAnl Arasu (Maharaja) Best Make-Up ArtistP Ravi Kumar (Committee Kurrollu) Best Costume DesignDeepali Noor & Sheetal Sharma (Pushpa 2) Best Music DirectionShashwat Sachdev (Article 370) Best Background MusicGV Prakash (Amaran) Best LyricsManoj Muntashir (Maidaan) Best Male Playback SingerAbhay Jodhpurkar – "Gharat Ganpati" (Navasachi Gauri Mazi) Best Female Playback SingerVaikom Vijayalakshmi – "Angu Vaana Konilu" (ARM) Best ChoreographyVijay Ganguly (Stree 2) Best Sound DesignManas Choudhury (Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3) Best EditingR Kalaivannan (Amaran) Best Assamese FilmJuiphool Best Bengali FilmChalchitra Ekhon Best Hindi FilmSrikanth Best Kannada FilmMithya Best Malayalam FilmFeminichi Fathima Best Marathi FilmMukkam Post Bombilwadi Best Odia FilmLahari Best Tamil FilmRaayan Best Garhwali FilmDholi Best Telugu FilmCommittee Kurrollu Best Gujarati FilmMaaran Best Manipuri FilmSunita Best Konkani FilmMog Asum Best Tulu FilmIMBU Special MentionDhanush (Captain Miller) & Suren G (Meiyazhagan)

BY SACNILK

Hyderabad, July 11 - Telugu and Tamil cinema are gearing up for an exciting showdown, with two ambitious films based on Lord Murugan currently in development. While Indian cinema has produced several epics over the years, it is rare for two major industries to simultaneously back large-scale films inspired by the same Hindu deity. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) On the Telugu front, filmmaker Trivikram Srinivas is developing a magnum opus on Lord Murugan with Jr NTR in the lead. The project has generated significant buzz since its announcement, with the makers reportedly planning a grand visual spectacle that combines history, emotion, and cutting-edge visual effects. The film is expected to begin production after Jr NTR wraps up his ongoing commitments. Tamil cinema, meanwhile, has announced Thamizh Murugan, starring Dhanush in the lead role. The ambitious project will be directed by acclaimed filmmaker Vetrimaaran and is expected to present a distinct cinematic interpretation of Lord Murugan. The announcement has already created considerable excitement, given the combination of Dhanush and Vetrimaaran, who have previously delivered acclaimed films together. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) With both projects still in the early stages and release dates yet to be announced, the parallel development of these two films has become a major talking point among fans. If the films arrive within a similar timeframe, audiences could witness an intriguing comparison between Telugu and Tamil cinema's unique storytelling styles and their respective visions of one of Hinduism's most revered deities. About Lord Murugan Lord Murugan, also known as Kartikeya, Skanda, Subrahmanya, Shanmukha, and Kumara, is one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. He is especially worshipped in South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, as the God of War, Courage, Victory, and Wisdom. Lord Murugan is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and the younger brother of Lord Ganesha. He is believed to have been born to defeat the powerful demon Tarakasura, who could only be slain by Shiva's son.

BY SACNILK

One of the most notable director-actor pairings in Kollywood cinema has officially announced their next project. Dhanush and Vetri Maaran, the creative duo behind films like Polladhavan, Aadukalam, Vada Chennai, and Asuran, are reuniting for their fifth collaboration. Titled Thamizh Murugan, the first look of the film was unveiled today, July 10, 2026, marking a significant milestone for the pair who have consistently delivered both critical and commercial successes over the years. For months, fans have been desperately waiting for any news regarding Vada Chennai 2. However, the creators have thrown a complete curveball with this announcement. Moving away from the gritty, contemporary gangster and crime-drama roots that defined their previous work, the duo is mounting a grand, culturally rooted historical epic. Centered around the Tamil deity Lord Murugan—referenced in the hashtag #sonofkottravai—the film looks to explore ancient Tamil identity and leadership on a scale never seen before in Kollywood. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The technical crew for the project brings its own set of surprises. The film is written by the prominent lyricist-writer Arivumathi. However, the biggest talking point is the music director. In an unexpected twist, the musical reins have been handed over to the sensational Sai Abhyankkar. Known for his viral global hits like Katchi Sera, this marks a significant shift for Vetri Maaran, who has traditionally collaborated with veterans like Santhosh Narayanan or G.V. Prakash Kumar. The film is being produced jointly by Dhanush’s own banner, Wunderbar Films, alongside Production Miles To Go. Industry trackers are noting that Thamizh Murugan firmly cements Kollywood’s massive new wave of divine and folkloric blockbusters. With several faith-and-legend-driven films currently in development across the industry, Dhanush and Vetri Maaran are clearly looking to set a new benchmark in the genre. The first look poster, featuring Dhanush in a warrior avatar atop a decorated elephant holding a spear, has already sparked intense discussion about the film's visual language. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The Eternal Protector, warrior, THE KING & LEADER of the Thamizh people and lands.#sonofkottravaiதமிழ் முருகன் 🙏🙏🙏THAMIZH MURUGAN https://t.co/3wjGHGfAjG— Dhanush (@dhanushkraja) July 10, 2026 Interestingly, fans on social media are already drawing nostalgic comparisons to Dhanush's 2011 movie Seedan, where he played an extended cameo as a modern-day incarnation of Lord Murugan. While that was a simple family drama, Thamizh Murugan appears to be a much more intense, high-budget warrior epic. As of now, the project is moving under the working tag #DxV, and with the first look already breaking records in engagement, the anticipation for this dream reunion is at an all-time high.

BY SACNILK

The contemporary romantic drama Love Oh Love hit the big screens today, July 10, 2026, aiming to capture the pulse of the younger generation. Directed by Magesh Rajendran and starring newcomers Pavish and Nagadurga in the lead roles, the film explores the complexities of modern-age relationships, focusing on themes like possessiveness, lifestyle differences, and the friction between men and women in a commercial format. On its opening day, the film has recorded a modest start at the box office. According to early tracking data, Love Oh Love is currently running across 523 shows in India and has collected a net of approximately ₹0.10 crore. This brings the total India gross collection to roughly ₹0.12 crore so far. The film saw an overall occupancy of around 14%, with the Tamil version leading the footprint across 317 shows and the Telugu version contributing through 206 shows. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Initial critical reception has been largely positive, particularly regarding its appeal to Gen Z audiences. Trade analyst Ramesh Bala gave the film a 3.5/5 rating, calling it an entertaining theatrical watch with standout dialogues and a strong musical score by Foxn Music. He noted that while the first half focuses on fun, the second half brings in emotional depth and fresh ideas on romance. Similarly, critic Rajasekar rated the film 3/5, drawing comparisons between the lead actor Pavish and the early-career energy of Dhanush. He mentioned that the film’s execution occasionally reminds viewers of the hit film Love Today, particularly in its treatment of flawed relationships. While he suggested that certain sensitive dialogues intended for comedy could have been avoided, he credited the film for being an adequately entertaining commercial venture for its target demographic. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Given the niche romantic-comedy genre and the lack of a heavy star cast, the film's trajectory will now depend on evening show growth and weekend word-of-mouth. While the Day 1 numbers are on the lower side, romantic films of this nature often find stability through family and youth audiences over their first three days. Final first-day collections are yet to be reported as late-night show data is compiled. #LoveOhLove [3.5/5] : A fun, romantic entertainer. First half is total fun while second half is full of emotion and new ideas on romance. Dialogues in the film stands out. @Pavishvofficial and @nagadurgaoffl have performed well..@foxnmusic ’s songs & Magesh Rajendran as… pic.twitter.com/IqOHEjJcEO— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) July 10, 2026 (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) #LoveOhLove is all about the current gen man vs woman relationship. Their possessiveness, spendthrift lifestyle, exploiting each other in the name of love of revenge etc., in a commercial treatment. Masses will enjoy the one liners and the cat and mouse game between the couple.… pic.twitter.com/TZONibONU1— Rajasekar (@sekartweets) July 10, 2026

BY SACNILK

As we get closer to the big release of Love Oh Love on July 10, the lead actor Pavish Narayan has managed to spark a major conversation across social media. While the film was already being tracked for its quirky urban premise, Pavish has now added a layer of emotional connect with the audience by talking about his personal inspirations. Being the nephew of the National Award-winning star Dhanush, Pavish is naturally under the spotlight, but it is his recent tribute to Thalapathy Vijay that has really gone viral among Kollywood fan circles. In a recent promotional interaction, Pavish opened up about the work ethic he hopes to emulate as he starts his journey in cinema. He specifically pointed toward the legendary simplicity of Thalapathy Vijay as a guiding light. Pavish mentioned that despite being one of the biggest box-office icons in India, Vijay remains incredibly grounded on a film set. He shared a specific observation that even today, a star of Vijay’s stature is often seen carrying his own umbrella on sets. For a debutant actor, this level of humility is a massive inspiration, and these statements have clearly struck a chord with the massive Thalapathy fandom, giving the film a significant promotional boost just days before it hits the screens. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) For those of you catching up on the project, Love Oh Love is a romantic comedy directed by debutant Magesh Rajendran. It centers on the life of Raghuvaran, a corporate employee played by Pavish, who finds himself in a financial and legal mess. The story highlights the pitfalls of modern dating, where the pressure to maintain a lavish lifestyle for a materialistic partner leads to maxed-out credit cards and a lost job. Most of the narrative unfolds inside a police station as the protagonist recounts his disastrous four-month dating history, a setup that promises plenty of situational comedy. The film also features an interesting blend of fresh and veteran talent. While Naga Durga makes her Tamil debut after a successful stint as a YouTube star in the Telugu market, the supporting cast is filled with heavyweights. Having legendary directors like K.S. Ravikumar and Selvaraghavan acting in pivotal roles gives the film a lot of weight. Selvaraghavan’s portrayal of a police officer is especially being looked forward to, given his intense screen presence. The presence of Vanitha Vijayakumar and Adithya Kathir further ensures that the comedic elements are well-supported. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The Central Board of Film Certification has cleared the film with a U/A certificate, making it an accessible entertainer for the 13-plus age group and family audiences alike. The production team, led by G. Dhananjheyan and Dinesh Raj, is currently in the middle of an aggressive multi-city mall tour across regions like Coimbatore, Madurai, and Trichy. Between the relatable credit-card crisis storyline and the viral goodwill generated by Pavish's comments on Thalapathy Vijay, Love Oh Love is heading into its July 10 release with a very healthy level of curiosity and buzz.

BY SACNILK

The Tamil film industry witnessed a notable event this week as veteran filmmaker Kasthuri Raja, father of acclaimed actor Dhanush and director Selvaraghavan, officially launched NEEK actor *Pavish’s next film with a traditional ceremony in Chennai. The project, which marks the directorial debut of Mahesh Rajendran, began its journey with a pooja attended by prominent industry names and well-wishers. Kasthuri Raja gave the film its ceremonial start by clapping the first board, symbolizing blessings and good fortune for the team. Pavish, who earned recognition through Nilavukku En Mel Ennadi Kobam (NEEK) — a film directed by Dhanush and noted for its youthful narrative — is now set to expand his horizons with this new venture. The yet-untitled project brings together a promising mix of emerging talent and seasoned technicians. Director Mahesh Rajendran, who previously assisted filmmaker Lakshman, steps into the limelight with this feature. According to reports, the film is being positioned as a romantic entertainer with a contemporary touch, aiming to connect with younger audiences while retaining a family-friendly appeal. Adding to the freshness of the cast, the film introduces Naga Durga, a well-known digital creator making her Tamil cinema debut. She is also said to be preparing for her first Telugu release, marking a busy phase in her acting career. This casting move signals the team’s intention to blend cinematic experience with new-age digital reach, widening the film’s audience base. The production is backed by Zinema Media & Entertainment Ltd and Creative Entertainers & Distributors, with veteran producer G. Dhananjeyan associated with the project. On the technical front, the crew includes a strong lineup: P. G. Muthaiah as cinematographer, N. B. Srikanth (a National Award-winning editor) handling the cuts, Magendran overseeing art direction, and Harshika managing costumes. The combination of an experienced crew and an energetic young cast hints at a film designed for both visual appeal and narrative flow. The shooting began immediately after the launch event in Chennai and is expected to move through an intense filming schedule. Sources close to the team reveal that principal photography will continue through the end of 2025, with completion expected by early 2026. The makers are keeping further details — including the film’s title, genre specifics, and music director — under wraps for now, but the buzz suggests a romantic drama with comedic undertones. For Pavish, this project represents a crucial next step in his career trajectory. After earning notice in NEEK for his easygoing screen presence, this film gives him a chance to lead from the front in a story crafted around his strengths. The presence of Kasthuri Raja at the launch not only adds symbolic weight but also signals strong industry support for the emerging star. As Tamil cinema continues to welcome younger voices and creators, this collaboration between Pavish and debutant Mahesh Rajendran stands out as a film to watch. With credible names backing it, a grounded creative vision, and a launch rooted in tradition, the project arrives with both promise and purpose — a sign that the next generation of Tamil storytellers is stepping forward with confidence.