BY SUNIT JANGIR

Kochi, October 2 - One of the most-awaited Malayalam movies in the making, featuring the Big M's of Indian cinema, Mohanlal and Mammootty, has officially been titled as Patriot. The mega movie also stars Nayanthara, Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, and Revathi in key roles. Directed by Mahesh Narayanan, the title teaser of Patriot was launched on October 2nd, on the occasion of Dussehra. The 1-minute and 21-second-long teaser promises an action-packed espionage thriller. The promo leaves many hints, as it doesn't reveal much about the plot. Meanwhile, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan shared the teaser of Patriot on his Instagram stories. There have been reports that he would be teaming up with Mahesh Narayan for an action thriller film, and the latest development hints at the same. Produced by Anto Joseph Productions, the film will be released in multiple Indian languages, including Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil, languages. While the makers didn't reveal the release date yet, reports say the film will hit the big screens on Vishu 2026, on April 15. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Chennai, October 2 - Tamil star Dhanush's action drama film Idly Kadai has taken a good start at the Indian box office, grossing approximately 13 crores. Unlike the previous few films, it has been the least hyped movie of Dhanush in recent times, yet it has managed to make a mark at the box office. Directed by Dhanush himself, Idli Kadai has become the biggest opener for the actor in the home state, Tamil Nadu, collecting approximately 10.75 crores gross. It has beaten Raayan, which scored 10.60 crores gross in the state on its first day last year. Idli Kadai was released amid low hype, but it got the holiday advantage, which propelled its opening to double digits and beyond, eventually creating a record for Dhanush in the state. Apart from Tamil Nadu, the movie minted approximately 1.25 crores in Karnataka and another 1 crore in the rest of India markets. The reception for the film is contrasting. While Tamil critics praised the film, reviews were opposite outside the home market. But as said, the movie got the appreciation when it mattered the most, and that should be enough for it to score a good opening weekend. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Bengaluru, October 2 - Rishab Shetty's period folk action thriller Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 has taken an excellent start at the Indian box office. After scoring very good pre-sales, thanks to the late push, the movie exploded in the morning shows on its release day. Directed by Shetty, Kantara Chapter 1 had limited paid premieres, and the reception to them was excellent. Moviegoers hail the film for its technical brilliance and goosebump-worthy extended climax. The initial critics' reviews are excellent, calling it bigger and better than Kantara (2022). The initial reception at the box office is nothing short of extraordinary. It has easily taken the second biggest start ever for a Kannada movie, after Yash-fronted KGF: Chapter 2, from the same production house, Hombale Films. It will easily cross 50 crores gross domestically on day 1, but that is not the target now, and it aims to go much higher. The film is performing best in the home state, Karnataka, where it might beat the opening of KGF Chapter 2, if the momentum remains the same throughout the day. The Hindi and Kannada versions have also opened to good numbers, which makes it a true Pan-India phenomenon. On the online ticketing platform BookMyShow, Kantara 2 has already sold 1 million tickets and is selling over 60K tickets per hour, which is the peak count for any Indian film this year. With the extended holiday weekend ahead, Kantara is set for massive collection at the domestic box office. Stay tuned...

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Idly Kadai, Dhanush’s latest Tamil directorial and acting venture, opened to decent numbers on its first day at the box office. Featuring a strong ensemble cast including Nithya Menen, Arun Vijay, Shalini Pandey, Sathyaraj, Parthiban, Samuthirakani, and Rajkiran, the film tells the story of Murugan and his ties to his father’s humble eatery. The film collected an estimated 10-11 crore Net, making the opening modest compared to Dhanush’s Raayan. Still, the film saw strong local support in Tamil Nadu, where occupancy rates averaged over 40% on release day. Advance bookings of 5.77 Cr (with blocked seats) before release, with nearly all sales concentrated in Tamil Nadu, reflecting Dhanush’s strong regional pull. While competition from Kantara: Chapter 1 premieres posed some challenge, Idly Kadai retained screens and pulled in solid crowds, with industry watchers noting that its long-term run will depend heavily on positive word-of-mouth. Overall, the film’s first day performance was steady if not record-breaking, showing promise for growth over the weekend.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, October 1 - Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar's courtroom comedy-drama Jolly LLB 3, co-starring Arshad Warsi, has entered the coveted 100 crore net club in India in 13 days, becoming the 10th Bollywood release of 2025 to breach the milestone. Directed by Subhash Kapoor, the third instalment of the hit franchise has carved its way to enter the 100 crores club after getting mixed to positive reception. The achievement further consolidates Akshay Kumar's box office legacy, as this marks his record 19th film to surpass the 100-crore net mark domestically. For Arshad Warsi, who reprises his much-loved role in the franchise, Jolly LLB 3 is his 4th film to achieve this milestone, reflecting his continued audience connect in multi-starrers and content-driven entertainers. Overall, Jolly LLB 3 is the 135th Hindi film ever to cross 100 crore net collections in India. The Jolly LLB franchise has enjoyed immense popularity since its inception, with the third instalment continuing the legacy by delivering a mix of satire, courtroom drama, and mass appeal. With its entry into the 100-crore club, the film further strengthens its position as one of the notable successes of 2025. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, October 1 - Actor and director Rishab Shetty's Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 is one of the most awaited films of the year, riding high on the blockbuster success of 2022's Kantara that became a cultural and commercial phenomenon across the country. The prequel promises to expand the mystical folklore universe on a much grander scale, with intense visuals and rooted storytelling that connects deeply with Indian traditions. Directed and headlined once again by Shetty, and with a festive Dussehra release amid massive curiosity around how the world of Kantara began, the stage is set for a solid theatrical debut at the Indian box office, and all eyes will be on how the Hindi version of the movie fares, especially after the original movie turned into an unexpected big succees. After a slow start, the film's advance booking in the Hindi market has gained some momentum with less than a day to go for the release. So far, it has grossed approximately 2.50 crores for the opening day and is expected to close above 4 crores in pre-sales. This puts the film ahead of other recent titles such as Sky Force (3.78 crores), Sitaare Zameen Par (3.30 crores), and Jolly LLB 3 (3.23 crores) in advance sales. With this trajectory, a double-digit opening in Hindi, which once seemed tough, is now comfortably within reach. Current trends indicate an opening day in the range of 14–15 crores net, with spot bookings and walk-ins on the Dussehra holiday expected to provide a significant boost, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 centres where the film holds an upper hand in single screens. If word of mouth is positive, these figures will likely go further. Censored with a U/A certificate and carrying a runtime of 169 minutes, the film will be released in the Hindi belt by AA Films, which has ensured a wide release across multiplexes and mass circuits alike. Despite a clash with Dharma Productions’ family entertainer Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, Kantara Chapter 1 has managed to carve out a strong showcasing, thanks to its brand value and the aggressive planning by the distributor. All eyes are now on the audience reception. If the film garners positive word of mouth, Kantara Chapter 1 could turn its promising advance into a blockbuster start in the Hindi market, reaffirming the pan-India appeal of Rishab Shetty's vision. Worldwide, the film is expected to take the opening of 50+ crores. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, October 1 - Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor's romantic comedy drama Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is gearing up for release this Dussehra, amid some expectations. Directed by Shashank Khaitan, the film has managed to catch the attention with songs and trailer, which is aimed at the family audience. It has been certified U/A by the CBFC and carries a runtime of 2 hours 15 minutes. Varun Dhawan and Shashank Khaitan are a proven combo, having delivered box office hits like Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and Badrinath Ki Dulhania, and the expectations are no different this time either. However, unlike in the past, there are challenges for the film this time. While the trade is expecting this combo to hit the bull's eye, the ground buzz doesn't seem to be that strong. The advance booking of the film was opened a couple of days ago, but it hasn't found momentum with less than a day to go for the release. The pre-sales are proceeding at a slow pace, with the big momentum missing that usually accompanies a festive release. So far, the movie has accumulated approximately 1.40 crore in pre-sales and is heading for a finish around 2.50–3 crore gross for the opening day. This figure places the film below the advance sale of recent Bollywood releases like Jolly LLB 3 (3.23 crore gross) and Sitaare Zameen Par (3.30 crore gross), both of which managed to open in double digits on Day 1. Given the current trend, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari might struggle to reach that mark and is instead looking at an opening in the 8–10 crore net range domestically. The film does, however, benefit from the Dussehra holiday, which could give a crucial boost to its spot bookings, especially in urban multiplexes. The challenge lies in single screens, where Kantara: Chapter 1 is enjoying stronger buzz and demand, making the competition tougher for Varun and Janhvi’s outing. Directed by Shashank Khaitan and backed by Dharma Productions, the film also stars Sanya Malhotra and Rohit Saraf in supporting roles. With positive word of mouth and the holiday advantage, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari still has a chance to build momentum post its release, but its opening day numbers are likely to stay modest compared to recent big festive Bollywood launches. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, October 1 - Power star Pawan Kalyan's gangster action drama They Call Him OG continues its decent run at the worldwide box office after the good opening weekend. Having already become the biggest and first 200 crores gross of the Telugu superstar, Sujeeth's directorial has now shattered a record for Telugu cinema this year. On its first Wednesday (7th day), They Call Him OG officially surpassed the collections of Venkatesh Daggubati's Sankranthiki Vasthunam (255.20 crores), making it the highest-grossing Telugu film of the year at the worldwide box office. The achievement further strengthens Pawan Kalyan's dominance at the box office with this film, which has easily been his most hyped in recent times. They Call Him OG opened to record-breaking numbers and sustained decently since that, drawing audiences across both domestic and overseas markets. The film's strong storyline, coupled with Pawan Kalyan’s charismatic performance and Sujeeth’s stylish direction, has helped it maintain momentum on a decent level. This consistency has now placed it at the very top of the Telugu box office for 2025, a spot previously held by the Sankranthi blockbuster Sankranthiki Vasthunam. They Call Him OG has not only redefined expectations for Telugu cinema this year but also added another feather to Pawan Kalyan’s illustrious career. It is quite stunning that despite carrying massive star power, Pawan Kalyan had never touched the 200 crores mark before. They Call Him OG has not only breached that milestone, but is also likely to end the year as the biggest Telugu grosser of the year, unless new films surprise. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, October 1 - Over the years, Emraan Hashmi's character Shivam Pandit in 2007's Awarapan has become a cult name, and his fans have been demanding a sequel to it. The wish was granted when the makers confirmed Awarapan 2 recently, with Nitin Kakkar replacing Mohit Suri to direct it. Ever since the movie was announced, fans have wanted to know what the story could be. Earlier, there were rumours that Awarapan 2 would be a new story, different from the first part. But, according to the latest report in Mid-Day, the movie will be the continuation of the original film. "The last moments of Awarapan showed a dream sequence of Shivam reuniting with his love, played by Shriya Saran. The second instalment begins from this point — Shivam comes back to life and meets Disha Patani's character, who helps him in his next mission", says the report. Disha is playing the female lead this time. Produced by Vishesh Bhatt, the shoot of Awarapan 2 commenced recently. It is said that Emraan Hashmi and Disha Patani, led by director Nitin Kakkar, have a 40-day schedule lined up in Bangkok, Thailand, after which they will shoot extensively in Mumbai to wrap up the sequel by the year-end. "Throughout this week, the team will film a high-octane action scene in a local market. All the action set-pieces and songs will be completed in this leg. The producer has roped in robust security as they will film in real locations, and he doesn't want pictures to make their way online", Mid-Day added. The details about the rest of the cast are not known yet. The film is scheduled to release on April 3, 2026. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 30 - Earlier this year, it was revealed that Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh was discussing a zombie film with director Jai Mehta. The discussion was at the advantage stage with the intent to take the movie on the floors in 2026. According to the report by Pinkvilla, the movie has been confirmed, and Ranveer Singh and Jai Mehta have tentatively locked a title for this zombie-based post-apocalyptic film. The film has reportedly been titled Pralay. The title is said to be in sync with the world of the film, which is hit by an unexpected disaster, both natural and man-made. Pralay is touted to be a survival story unlike anything seen before. The film is more of a human story based on how far a man can go to save his family in the most difficult circumstances. It will be produced by Applause Entertainment, and the makers are aiming to take it on floors by the second half of 2026. Ranveer is currently gearing up for director Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar, which is scheduled to hit the big screens on December 5. He will next start Farhan Akhtar's Don 3 in January 2026, and after wrapping it up, he will commence the filming of Pralay. "Pralay is a film that requires prolonged pre-production, as the makers will be aiming to create a completely new world. The tone of the film is on the lines of World War Z and I Am A Legend, where the leading man has to fight multiple evils for the sake of his family", says the report. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 30 - Bollywood star Ajay Devgn is set to return as Vijay Salgaonkar in the third installment of the blockbuster crime suspense thriller franchise, Drishyam. After scroing the big success with the first two parts, the franchise is set to be concluded with Drishyam 3. While the news about Drishyam 3 has already been reported in the media, the official announcement of the same is around the corner. According to the latest reports, a 1 minute and 17 seconds announcement promo of Drishyam 3 has been censored by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on September 29. The announcement of the movie is expected to be made in the next couple of days as the makers set to begin shooting on October 2nd. Abhishek Pathak will return to direct the third installment which will also feature the original cast of Tabu, Shriya Saran, Ishita Dutta, Mrunal Jadhav, and Rajat Kapoor alongwith Akshaye Khanna. Produced by Panorama Studios, Viacom18 Studios, and T-Series, Drishyam 3 has been scheduled to release on October 2, 2026, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. It is not yet clear if it is the remake of Malayalam version of Mohanlal Drishaym 3, which recently started shooting, and will be released in March 19, 2026, on Eid. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, September 30 - Megastar Chiranjeevi has watched a special show of his brother Pawan Kalyan's gangster action drama They Call Him OG, and he couldn't stop raving about it. The film, directed by Sujeeth, was released on September 25 and has been running with packed houses at the box office. Chiranjeevi took to social media after watching the film with his whole family. The legendary actor said that he was proud watching Pawan Kalyan in the film, and felt that he made the film stand out with his swag and gave the fans the proper feast they've been waiting for. The veteran actor also praised director Sujeeth and music composer Thaman for their brilliant work in the movie. "Watched #TheyCallHimOG with my whole family and thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. A brilliantly made underworld gangster film on par with Hollywood standards, while keeping the right emotions intact. From beginning to end, the director conceived the film in an extraordinary way, Congratulations to @sujeethsign. Felt so proud watching Kalyan Babu on screen. He made the film stand out with his swag and gave the fans the proper feast they’ve been waiting for. @MusicThaman poured his heart and soul into the music, @dop007 delivered excellent visuals, and the editing & artwork were super", he added. Watched #TheyCallHimOG with my whole family and thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. A brilliantly made underworld gangster film on par with Hollywood standards, while keeping the right emotions intact.From beginning to end, the director conceived the film in an extraordinary… pic.twitter.com/jTWIlon5c8— Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) September 30, 2025 Produced by DVV Entertainment, They Call Him OG stars Pawan Kalyan as the retired gangster OG, who returns to Bombay in 1993 after a ten-year disappearance to confront the rival crime-lord Omi Bhau, played by Emraan Hashmi. The supporting cast includes Priyanka Mohan, Arjun Das, Sriya Reddy and Prakash Raj. The movie has been running in theatres with a good collection. It grossed approximately 227 crores worldwide in the 4-day opening weekend, followed by a decent hold on Monday to push the total cume to around 235 crores in 5 days. It is already the highest-grossing film of Pawan Kalyan. Stay tuned...