Malayalam film actor Shane Nigam has announced his Telugu film debut. The film's makers released a glimpse featuring Nigam and detailing key members of the production crew.

"Get. Set. Go! For a thrilling ride with 

 Stepping into Telugu Cinema with this. Need all your blessings for this. Wishing everyone a very Happy Ugadi 😇🙏 

," the Malayalam actor wrote on Instagram. 

Sagar Udagandla, will have music by Sam CS. Shane was last seen in Malayalam film 

, which courted a few censor controversies. 

, the Catholic Congress contested that Haal had scenes showing forceful religious conversion. It also misrepresented interfaith relationships and portrayed the Thamarassery bishop as a supporter of such marriages, although his known stance is otherwise. An earlier report in The News Minute, the makers of the film had agreed to remove a scene involving characters eating a plate of beef biryani. The Kerala High Court on November 14 directed the makers to also approach the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) again to decide on the next steps for the film’s release. This report adds that the CBFC had originally mandated six cuts in the film while also restricting 

Shane Nigam Announces Telugu Film Debut

Filmmaker Aditya Dhar and Actor Ranveer Singh’s 

 made a record-smashing start at the Indian box office, collecting ₹102.55 crore net on its opening day, according to figures posted by tracking website Sacnilk. 

The film’s total India net collections are currently pegged at ₹145.55 crore after early adjustments from paid previews. Its total India gross stands at ₹172.63 crore, while overseas collections have reached ₹64.00 crore, taking the worldwide gross to ₹236.63 crore.

has recorded the highest Day 1 net collection, with the Hindi version contributing ₹99.10 crore. It has surpassed the opening day figures of 

Among Indians films across languages, Dhar’s film ranks among the top five openers, securing the fourth position. Allu Arjun’s

 leads the race with ₹164 crore, followed by 

 occupies the next position on the list with ₹103 crore, ahead of 

One of the most anticipated Indian films of the year, 

 recorded ₹43 crore net from paid previews alone. In terms of all-India gross collections, it crossed ₹50 crore from previews, surpassing the previous record held by the Pawan Kalyan-starrer Telugu film 

An espionage action thriller that blends facts and fiction, 

continues the story of Indian intelligence agent Hamza Ali Mazari, also known as Jaskirat Singh Rangi, operating undercover in Karachi to dismantle a terror network. In the new film, audiences learn about Jaskirat’s backstory and his transformation into a deadly spy. The narrative expands to include major events such as the 2016 Indian banknote demonetisation. It also portrays the alleged killings of international terror operatives by Indian intelligence forces on foreign soil. 

Produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Lokesh Dhar, the sequel released on March 19, coinciding with Eid, Gudi Padwa and Ugadi, in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.

'Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge' Box Office: Ranveer Singh Film Scores Highest Opener For A Hindi Film, Nets ₹103 crore on Day 1 

has been denied certification for theatrical release in India by the Central Board of Film Certification, according to the film’s local distributor.

Manoj Nandwana, who acquired the film’s India distribution rights, said the board had communicated the decision orally and had not issued a written rejection. The film centres on a five-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by Israeli forces in early 2024 during the Israel–Gaza War (2023–present).

The reported ban was first noted by a the trade publication on Thursday. Nandwana later confirmed the development in comments to 

According to the distributor, he had anticipated difficulties securing certification. He said the film had previously struggled to obtain clearances required for festival screenings in India. Events such as the Bengaluru International Film Festival and the International Film Festival of India in Goa reportedly did not receive approval from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to screen the film.

Nandwana said the only Indian festival where the film was screened was the Kolkata International Film Festival. He suggested that the organisers may have proceeded without seeking central government clearance.

The distributor said he did not plan to pursue a legal challenge against the decision. He added that the film’s producers were surprised by the outcome and that his acquisition of the distribution rights had not been insured against a possible ban. Nandwana said he had purchased the rights to the Tunisian-produced film several years earlier at the Venice Film Festival, before it became an awards contender. The deal was reportedly valued at around ₹1 crore.

The decision has drawn criticism from some political figures. Shashi Tharoor, a member of parliament from Thiruvananthapuram representing the Indian National Congress, described the reported ban as “disgraceful” and argued that the screening of films should be treated as a matter of freedom of expression rather than foreign policy considerations.

Officials from the CBFC and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting have not issued an official comment.

Oscar-Nominated ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ Denied Certification by CBFC

A group of Tamil creators, readers, and social activists has demanded that the Jnanpith Award given to Vairamuthu be revoked immediately.

In a letter endorsed by over 230 signatories, such as poet Sukumaran and actor Rohini, the group warned that honouring an individual they deem undeserving would undermine the award’s credibility and stature in the long run, as reported by 

“Vairamuthu’s writings are nowhere close to reflecting Tamil society’s core values or its long-cherished cultural pride. Instead, his literary identity is defined by lowbrow writing, adorned with superficial and ornate rhetoric. Bestowing such a high honour upon a commercial writer basking in mere wordplay, whose works fail to reflect the genuine emotions of the people, is an insult to true literary stalwarts,” the letter stated.

They highlighted that, during the #MeToo movement, nearly 18 women publicly accused Vairamuthu of sexual harassment, arguing that recognising someone facing such serious allegations conflicts with the principles of a society that seeks to uphold women’s rights.

The letter also cited the ONV Literary Award, which was earlier announced for Vairamuthu but subsequently withdrawn by the Kerala Cultural Academy following protests. The letter added, 

“It is essential for the Jnanpith committee to consider this moral precedent set by KCA. Since it is contrary to literary ethics to bestow a prestigious honour upon an individual facing such serious allegations, the Jnanpith committee may take its cue from this precedence and withdraw its decision."

Earlier, while popular Tamil stars, including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan and PC Sreeram, congratulated the lyricist-poet on social media, artists such as singer Chinmayi were quick to voice their disappointment. 

Vairamuthu had been accused of sexual harassment by many women, including Chinmayi, during the #MeToo movement. 

"In 2018, multiple women of different age groups named one Poet - Lyricist as their molester. Today the Gnanpith is awarded to the man, after someone like Sri Jayakantan, whose daughter called Vairamuthu out for presenting a forged, fake letter by Sri Jayakanthan ‘praising’ Vairamuthu. A committee from Kerala announced him as for the ONV Kurup award which was later ‘returned’ as voices of justice from their society rose to speak against sullying Sri ONV Kurup’s name. The collective voices of the women who named him, were silenced. I paid a very heavy price - the rest of the women who left their dreams behind weren’t half as lucky as I," Chinmayi wrote on X.

Vairamuthu's Jnanpith Award Row: Collective of Tamil Readers and Social Activists Demands Withdrawal of Honour

At the 2025 Telangana Gaddar Film Awards, South Indian stars Kamal Haasan and Chiranjeevi won special honours for their contribution to cinema. Chiranjeevi

 received the NTR National Film Award of the Telangana government, while Haasan grabbed the Paidi Jairaj Film Award for Indian film personality.

Jayasudha was the recipient of the Akkineni Nageswara Rao Film Award (female). The B N Reddy Film Award for a Telugu film director, which went to veteran director Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, was received on his behalf by Kamal Haasan.

Akkineni Naga Chaitanya and Rashmika Mandanna received the best leading actor and best leading actress awards, respectively, for 

In a post on X, Haasan thanked Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for the award. "

I thank Hon’ble Chief Minister Revanth Reddy garu 

and Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka garu 

, for resurrecting the Telangana Gaddar Film Awards and humbly accept the prestigious Paidi Jairaj Film Award. In reviving this institution, you have restored more than an honour, you have reaffirmed the vital role such platforms play in recognising artistic courage, cultural memory, and the people’s voice in cinema. My congratulations to all fellow awardees, and to the entire team for an excellently organised event. Long live cinema!" he wrote.

Chiranjeevi expressed his joy at receiving an award named after an actor as illustrious as NTR. "

Receiving the ‘NTR National Award’ named after such a great man is a great honor in my life.

My heartfelt thanks to the Government of Telangana, Hon’ble CM 

garu and the entire jury for this prestigious honour. 

Kamal Haasan will next be seen in the sequel to Nag Ashwin's Telugu magnum opus 

. Chiranjeevi was last seen in Anil Ravipudi's 

Chiranjeevi and Kamal Haasan Get Special Honours At Telangana Gaddar Film Awards

At the Prime Video Presents: India launch of their new 2026 slate, Prime Video announced a new original feature on the life of Phoolan Devi, to be written and directed by Richie Mehta.

, will focus on a dramatic episode from Devi’s life, centring on a 48-hour siege in which she is surrounded by thousands of armed men in the Chambal region. According to the official synopsis, the story unfolds as Devi fights to survive the confrontation, a moment framed as a turning point in her life and legend.

Mehta said he initially resisted the idea of directing the project. The filmmaker explained that the producers approached him several years ago, shortly after the success of his acclaimed crime series Delhi Crime.

According to Mehta, producers Shareen Mantri Kedia, Kishor Arora and Kanwal Kohli had secured the rights to Devi’s autobiography and believed he was the right filmmaker to tell the story. He said he initially declined, but the team continued discussions with him for several years before he eventually agreed to take on the project.

The film will be produced by Namah Pictures, with Mantri Kedia, Arora, Kohli and Mehta serving as producers.

Phoolan Devi remains one of the most controversial and mythologised figures in modern Indian history. Coming from a background of caste oppression and violence, she became a feared bandit leader in the ravines of the Chambal valley before later surrendering to authorities and entering politics. She was eventually elected to the Indian parliament, transforming her public identity from outlaw to political figure.

Mehta said the film will focus on a specific moment that illustrates the intensity of Devi’s struggle within a deeply patriarchal landscape. By narrowing the narrative to a single siege, the film aims to examine both the violence of the circumstances surrounding her rise and the personal resolve that shaped her reputation.

Further details about the cast and release timeline have not yet been announced.

Richie Mehta to Direct Prime Video Film on Phoolan Devi

Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi are set to return to the world of 

, with the second season of Raj & DK’s hit counterfeit currency series now in development. The announcement was made at the recent Prime Video showcase in Mumbai, where the actor confirmed that work on

 is underway and teased what lies ahead for his character. 

, released in 2023, followed a small-time artist who gets drawn into the high-stakes world of counterfeiting. The series, created by Raj & DK, blended crime, satire and social commentary, ending on a cliffhanger that set up the next chapter.

Speaking about the upcoming season, Kapoor said the makers have taken things further this time. “They’ve organically developed it… it definitely feels like a level up,” he said. The actor had earlier confirmed his return to the show’s universe, sharing a picture with creators Raj & DK and writing, “The fakers are back at it.” Vijay Sethupathi, who played the charismatic cop Michael Vedanayagam, is also returning in the new season. 

, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. Co-starring Triptii Dimri, the romantic gangster drama marked the fourth collaboration between Kapoor and Bhardwaj. The film, however, had an underwhelming run in theatres and received mixed reviews. 

, alongside Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna. A song from the upcoming film — featuring the leading trio — has been attached to 

At the Prime Presents showcase in Mumbai. Prime Video unveiled a slate of nearly 55 series and films in its pipeline. Some of the major new titles include T

he Revolutionaries, Matka King, Raakh, Lukkhe 

The slate also features returning seasons of shows such as 

Farzi Season 2, Panchayat Season 5, Call Me Bae Season 2, Dupahiya Season 2, Dahaad Season 2 

Shahid Kapoor Confirms ‘Farzi 2’ In Development: 'Feels Like A Level Up' 

Mani Ratnam's next film has finally been announced. The upcoming film will bring together Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi for the first time on screen. Madras Talkies, Mani Ratnam's production house, made this announcement on Instagram. They also confirmed that the filmmaker's frequent collaborator AR Rahman, will join as the composer.

The film will be co-produced by Lyca Productions and Madras Talkies in what is tha latter's 23rd production. The film will be Vijay Sethupathi's second collaboration with Mani Ratnam, following the sibling action drama 

(2018). This will mark Sai Pallavi's first collaboration with Mani Ratnam. 

Sai Pallavi, who was last seen in Sivakarthikeyan's 

. Vijay Sethupathi, on the other hand, was last seen in 

 and will next be seen in JioHotstar series 

“We’ve started the shoot. It’s going fantastic. I’m enjoying every day." His joy comes from the reverence of watching a master at work. “I love the way this man executes his films.” He speaks of a respect for his craft that is so profound that he even took his son to the sets of Kumararaja’s 

When asked if he often visits directors on set to watch, he said, “No.. some of the directors I love, I just go to sit (on their sets). But I don't spend too much time there because I don't want to spoil their set," talking about how it is a rare opportunity to witness Kumararaja at work, making the situation different.

, starring Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan TR.

Mani Ratnam's Next Film To Star Vijay Sethupathi and Sai Pallavi; AR Rahman On Board

The first look of the upcoming supernatural series 

has been released, introducing a story built around grief, childhood fear and a mysterious entity known as Boba.

Produced by Emmay Entertainment, the series is backed by producers Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani and Nikkhil Advani. The project is created by Ananya Banerjee, who also directs the show alongside Gaurav Chawala.

The first images from the series focus on a young girl played by Preeti Panigrahi, who appears to be experiencing disturbing visions of a shadowy male figure. In the teaser material, the child describes a sensation of pressure on her chest, as if an unseen weight is bearing down on her.

According to the premise outlined in the first look, the entity known as Boba appears to prey on children who feel isolated or frightened. The promotional text suggests that the figure follows vulnerable children, manifesting as a haunting presence that grows stronger when fear and loneliness take hold.

The story unfolds around a motherless child and a childless woman whose lives intersect as they confront their personal grief. Their emotional vulnerability places them at the centre of the unfolding events as the sinister force begins to close in.

The teaser also introduces a time-bound threat. The words “All You Have is 6 Nights” appear across the footage, indicating that the characters must confront the supernatural presence within a limited window of time.

Alongside Panigrahi, the series features an ensemble cast that includes Gulshan Devaiah, Kalki Koechlin, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Sumedh Mudgalkar, Harshita Gaur and Barkha Bist.

While further details about the storyline remain under wraps, the early footage positions 

 as a psychological horror drama that blends supernatural elements with an exploration of loss, fear and childhood vulnerability.

First Look of ‘Anarth’ Starring Preeti Panigrahi Reveals a Supernatural Series About a Child Haunted by ‘Boba’

The anticipated reunion of two legends won't just debut theatrically but also open a movie gala. 

2026 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA). 

The Mahesh Narayanan-directed Malayalam thriller, one of the most anticipated Indian films of 2026, also stars Fahadh Faasil, Nayanthara, and Revathy. 

Described as a high-stakes thriller packed with combat, chases, secret missions, covert operatives, death threats and assassination attempts, 

marks Mohanlal and Mammootty’s first on-screen reunion in 18 years.

The 24th edition of IFFLA will take place from April 23 to 26 and will close with Anusha Rizvi’s Delhi-set social satire 

This year’s festival will showcase 27 films, including seven narrative features, two documentary features and 18 short films. The line-up spans titles from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, France, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Saudi Arabia and the US.

, this year’s lineup reflects a remarkable surge of women filmmakers across the subcontinent and the diasporas, something we are very proud to champion,” said Anu Rangachar, IFFLA’s artistic director, in a statement.

Anjay Nagpal, IFFLA’s Executive Director, said the festival aims to put the spotlight on the "brilliant breadth and scope of South Asian storytelling," and added, "We look forward to bringing another exciting group of filmmakers together with the Los Angeles audiences and industry vets eager to see their new work."

The festival will also mark the return of IFFLA Industry Days, featuring panels, masterclasses, screenings and pitch finalists, with further details set to be announced in the coming weeks. Conceived as a forum for South Asian film and television creatives, the initiative offers opportunities to forge meaningful connections with industry leaders, along with the chance to win a $10,000 Pitch Competition Development Grant.

Mohanlal-Mammootty's 'Patriot' To Open 2026 Indian Film Festival Of Los Angeles

There’s a special genre of Hindi social dramas that distinguish themselves by making a mess of perfectly sensible themes. They’re so chuffed about saying something progressive that they say it with the confidence of a 5-year-old teacher’s pet. They’re so determined to school the average viewer that they do it in the syllabus of pandering. They’re so convinced that only intent counts that the storytelling is treated like a Zoom meeting with an attendance-not-mandatory option. Did I need to use such an unnecessarily colourful analogy? No, but it would help if the film-making tried to be as creative. 

is the latest example. It brings a cartoon knife to a live-action gunfight. It’s more frustrating to watch because the ideology is sound, but instantly subdued by the demands of a deafening algorithm. The result is a performative women-written-by-men project, where the depth is more theoretical than practical, and where artificial moments are spoon-fed to convey brutal truths. 

The six-episode series is centered on the transformation of a Traditional Indian Woman when her younger sister-in-law becomes a victim of marital rape. There’s no denying that it has a bunch of interesting ideas. This middle-aged protagonist, Kamlesh (Divya Dutta), is a product of patriarchy herself. She is the only uneducated person in a forward-thinking household. Her ideals about womanhood and domesticity are regressive. Her father-in-law (Sanjay Mishra) is a celebrated author and anti-establishment man, and her husband (Faisal Rashid) is gentle and caring; they are the ones who chastise her for wanting a son and not a daughter. What’s fascinating is that she is partly responsible for the horrors inflicted on young Pooja. She pampers her brother-in-law Arun (Siddharth Shaw) and inadvertently shapes him with her worldview to a point where he becomes the problematic creep in the family; she’s blind to his faults. What’s even more fascinating is that when Kamlesh is humbled by her own complicity, the two women soon realise that patriarchy cannot be smashed in a day; revolution is not the solution, evolution is. Even if they dream of grand statements — like escaping, self-harm, rage, revenge, or abandoning the family and hiring a lawyer to get justice — they know that they have to remain within the system to challenge it. 

Kamlesh even mentions that all it takes is for them to cook a dish of their choice, not stop cooking altogether. Their dissent need not be dramatic; it doesn’t always need the cinematic flourish of feminism. It’s a leaf from the pages of 

, whose co-writer Divy Nidhi Sharma is the creator of this show. I also like that it takes the axe to the hypocrisies of self-proclaimed liberals. The head of the family writes poetry and hides his primal chauvinism behind words. The mask fades the moment the carefully calibrated image of his family is under threat; a simple apology for him is enough to undo the trauma of sexual abuse. There’s nothing worse than “badnaami” in his book. His green-flag son — Kamlesh’s husband — admits he doesn’t have a spine to defy his dad, and that “I can be the hero’s husband, if not the hero”. He knows right from wrong, but he can’t stand up for his wife because it involves standing up to the old-school values of his father and toxic masculinity of his brother. 

But there’s a thin line between mainstream self-awareness and contrived wokeness. At first, it looks like 

is being cute by delivering modern messages in the language of the dated tv-soap aesthetic. It’s like seeing a saas-bahu serial excavate the ruins of its own foundation. Arun even behaves like a 90s villain who licks his lips and offers an evil chuckle before closing the door and preying on his wife. There’s a grandmother who doesn’t speak much; you know her words will arrive when the script is in a tight spot. But then it becomes clear that 

is not that radical. It just knows no other way of putting across its packaged commentary. It’s the typical on-the-nose and patronising tone that epitomises social entertainment made by privileged classes. 

The binaries are grating. Kamlesh is staged as such a village bumpkin that you’d think she’s an infant written by adults. The series mistakes her illiteracy for intellectual diminishment. When she addresses her husband as “Pinky ke Papa,” he encourages her to call him by his real name instead; she lectures other women on the duties of “lugai” (the colloquial term for wife) in the kitchen and bedroom; she slaps a broken Pooja when she tells her about the rape; she pronounces lesbian as “libian,” and her wariness of a short-haired queer activist is mined for cheap humour. The series makes her distinctly unlikable in its pursuit of a saas-bahu caricature. The character is more of a concept than a human; you can tell that empowerment means she will go from “lugai this lugai that” to “aurat this aurat that”. It’s as if the script notes are simply slapped onto the screen as dialogue.

also makes the cardinal mistake of presenting a female saviour as a gendered version of the male saviour. Pooja and her hell exist for Kamlesh’s transformation, which is why Kamlesh often behaves like a narrow-minded man who just happens to be a conditioned woman. She is essentially the protagonist of someone else’s story. And Pooja is presented as the kind of Gen-Z stereotype who would seem implausible in this setting; she does activism in her spare time, attends LGBTQ+ protests, says “I am more than my body” in the middle of an assault, speaks in trending terms, and generally acts like an urban and chronically online social media kid (“why expect middle-class women to start a revolution?”) who’s been parachuted into this joint family out of nowhere. 

The performances are flattened by the simplistic writing. It’s nice to see Divya Dutta get a lead role playing a familiar character, but the Disney-fication of Kamlesh’s personality is difficult to see. Such women are usually relegated to the background as bitchy aunts or regressive relatives, so I get why the series chooses to spotlight her and not the victim. But her main-character energy is more acceptable on paper than on the screen; it reduces Prasanna Bisht’s Pooja to an accessory in search of a senior ally. Bisht was impressive in 

, therefore it’s all the more perplexing to see the woman culturally appropriated by a show that operates in the broadest of broad strokes. The finale paints itself into a corner and wraps things up with a poorly crafted and hurried climax. A slate with statistics at the end of six episodes is never a good sign, nor is a random slow-mo walk after an unconvincing speech. In short, 

thinks it’s a bird that can fly by virtue of looking like a bird, only to reveal that it has wings of clay. 

Not the gender empowerment story we deserve

Chiraiya

'Chiraiya’ Series Review: A Liberal Mind Undone By A Conservative Body

Actor Shruti Haasan has joined the cast of 

2, the makers announced on Thursday at the Prime Video Presents: India launch event in Mumbai. The series, headlined by Ananya Panday in its first season, returns with an expanded ensemble later this year. 

 followed a privileged young woman, Bae, navigating a fall from grace, forcing her to rebuild her life independently in Mumbai. The show combined elements of comedy and drama, tracking Bae's journey to forge a new identity and career.

Season 2 continues Bae’s arc with a sharper focus on ambition and personal conflict. The official description reads: 'With her own news show finally on air, Bae is ready to rule! But fame comes with fallout. The drama in her personal life is even messier as Bae is caught between her returning ex-husband and her distractingly hot boss. And just when Bae thought her sisterhood was solid, a “Nayi Behen” enters, and the behencode starts to crack. Love is war. Work is a battlefield. And a new mystery is about to explode.'

The new season is produced by Dharmatic Entertainment, with Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla and Apoorva Mehta serving as producers. Somen Mishra and Collin D’Cunha are attached as executive producers, with D’Cunha also directing the series.

 comprises Ishita Moitra, Samina Motlekar and Rohit Nair. Alongside Panday and Haasan, the ensemble cast includes Vir Das, Gurfateh Pirzada, Varun Sood, Vihaan Samat, Muskkaan Jaferi, Niharika Lyra Dutt, Lisa Mishra and Mini Mathur.

Further details regarding Haasan’s role and the show’s release timeline are yet to be announced. Haasan is also set to appear in the Tamil film 

opposite Vijay Sethupathi. “I’ve been really excited about everything I’m going to do,” the actor recently told 

Shruti Haasan Joins Ananya Panday in 'Call Me Bae' Season 2

At the Prime Video Presents: India launch of their new 2026 slate, Prime Video announced two new original series from Dharmatic Entertainment, the digital content arm of Dharma Productions. Titled 

, the shows continue the company’s focus on contemporary relationship dramas.

Both series are produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla and Apoorva Mehta, with Anu Ramsay serving as executive producer.

, directed by Ruchir Arun, centres on two couples whose lives become intertwined after a workplace connection alters the course of their relationships. When Seher and Abhay begin working together, their spouses Ved and Meera unexpectedly develop a relationship of their own. The series follows the emotional consequences that unfold as the four characters navigate the tension between loyalty and desire. The cast includes Paresh Pahuja, Aakanksha Singh, Taaha Shah Badusha and Nikita Dutta.

The show is written by Priyanka Bannerjee, Prateek Payodi, Abhinandan Sridhar and Heem Verma, with dialogues by Preeti Mamgain.

, is directed by Harsh Dedhia and focuses on a relationship shaped by missed opportunities and changing circumstances. The story follows Laila and Aarav, whose teenage romance is interrupted by life decisions and shifting priorities. Years later, the two reconnect in their early twenties, confronting the question of whether their relationship can survive the realities of adulthood.

The show stars Zaeden and Katyani Mehra in the lead roles. The writing team includes Riya Poojary, Rohan Thakkar and Zainab Sapatwala, with dialogues by Jehan Handa and Sapatwala.

Both projects reflect Dharmatic’s emphasis on creating stories for the new-age streaming audiences, focusing on modern relationships and shifting expectations around love, commitment and personal ambition.

The event also confirmed a second season of 

, with Ananya Panday and Vir Das set to reprise their roles. Actor Shruti Haasan will join the new season in a key part, expanding the ensemble of the streaming series.

Dharmatic Unveils Two New Prime Video Series ‘Nazdeekiyan’ and ‘Dono Mile Iss Tarah’

At the Prime Video Presents: India launch of their new 2026 slate, Gold Box Entertainment announced 

, a new musical Telugu series starring Prakash Raj, Madhubala, Srikanth Meka, Akshay Lagusani, Sushmita Shetty, Sijju Menon, Shafi, and Suman. 

Set in Vaikuntapuram, a sacred temple town nestled between the banks of the Godavari and the neon lights of pop stardom, a disciplined heir to a musical throne and a fame-weary singer strike a forbidden chord. To protect a century of heritage, they must navigate a landscape of family secrets, masked identities, and the heavy price of finding their own voices. This makes up the plot of the Palnati Surya Pratap directorial. 

. Set in the 1990s, in the ruthless port town of Isakapatnam, three forces collide—a woman driven by justice, a henchman torn by loyalty, and a common man hungry for revenge—each closing in on the empire built by the port’s most powerful man, Naidu.

 The title stars Aishwarya Rajesh, Samuthirakani ,Sunil, Naresh Agastya, Merin Philip, Sudhakar Komakula, Rajeev Kanakala, Mime Gopi, Rohini, and Raja Chembolu.

Shobu Yarlagadda's Arka Mediaworks announced 

a modern-day western, set on the mean streets of Old City, Hyderabad in which lives of criminals, police and cricket players clash on the eve of a high-stakes gully cricket match. The title co-stars Sudheer Babu, JD Chakravarthy, Hansika, Shraddha Srinath, Adarsh Balakrishna, Nandagopal, Chaitu Jonnalagadda, and Prince. 

co-starring Kiran Abbavaram, Thiruveer, Samyuktha Menon, Tejaswi Rao, Siddique, Aadukalam Naren, Vikas Darshan, Maharshi Vidhya, Vinod Kishan. "In a feudal South Indian town ruled by bloodlines and ancestral bargains, a hidden heir quietly manipulates friendship, love, loyalty, and legacy to reclaim his stolen identity—only to realize that once chaos is unleashed, no one controls where it ends," reads its synopsis. 

Prakash Raj's 'Jagamae Sangeetham', Shraddha Srinath's 'Gully' and Aishwarya Rajesh's 'Isakapatnam' Announced

At the Prime Video Presents: India launch of their new 2026 slate, 

Wallwatcher Films announced two shows, while 

gears up for a darker, more expansive second season—together signalling a strong push into layered, genre-bending narratives across crime, corruption, and the supernatural.

, created, written, and directed by Andrew Louis. The story follows SI Moosa Raaza (M. Sasikumar), who, after a punishment posting to the outskirts of Madurai, cracks a high-profile political cold case—only to suspect he may have wrongfully condemned an innocent man. What follows is a tense moral spiral as Raaza takes on the system he once served, reopening buried truths and risking everything to undo a grave mistake. The series also stars Yashwanth, Anagha Maruthora, Aparna Das, Vivek Prasanna, Revathy Sharma, and Arjun Nandhakumar. It is produced by S. Guhapriya, S. Nandakumar, and Gowtham Selvaraj, with Pushkar and Gayathri as creative producers.

, directed and written by A. Sarkunam, a gritty thriller set against the backdrop of a massive public service exam scam. The narrative centres on a young woman (Dushara Vijayan) who infiltrates a dangerous paper-leak network, only to uncover a far-reaching corruption chain embedded deep within the education system. As the stakes escalate, she must expose the nexus before it derails the futures of countless aspirants. The cast includes Aditi Balan, Abbas, and Vasundhara Kashyap, with Pushkar and Gayathri serving as creative producers.

Season 2 pushes further into supernatural territory. Created and directed by Nandhini JS, the new season follows Rishi (Naveen Chandra) and his team as they investigate eerie abductions where victims return altered—physically scarred and stripped of memory. As unexplained phenomena intensify and a cryptic megalith points to an ancient prophecy, the case begins to hint at an otherworldly invasion with personal implications for Rishi himself. 

The series also stars Sunaina, Kuraishi, Malini Jeevarathnam, Kishore Kumar G, Anupama Kumar, Gaby, Ramesh Thilak, and Deepika Venkatachalam, with writing by Nandhini JS alongside Gautam Kumar Jayaseelan and Charulatha Rangarajan. Produced by Nandhini JS and Shukdev Lahiri under Make Believe Productions, the season promises a gripping blend of investigative drama and cosmic horror

New Seasons of 'Vadhandhi' and 'Inspector Rishi' Announced; Gritty Thriller 'Exam' To Star Dushara Vijayan


Actor Preity Zinta is gearing up for her big comeback with actor-filmmaker 

. At the Prime Video Presents: India launch of their new 2026 slate, the makers announced the new title, which will be written and directed by Kemmu.

While the makers didn't reveal any first look from the project, they dropped a title card of the film along with its tagline: "

"A clueless slacker and his by-the-book best friend—two men who can barely manage their own lives—find the fate of the nation in their hands when they accidentally stumble into a terrorist plot," read the official logline. The film stars Kemmu, Zinta, Sparsh Shrivastava and Vanshika Dhir. 

is produced by Drongo Films, the recently launched banner of Kemmu and producer Chirag Nihalani.

Kemmu made his directorial debut with the hit comedy 

in 2024. He began his career as a child actor in the late 1980s with a Doordarshan television series and made his film debut with Mahesh Bhatt’s 

in 1993, before making his debut as a leading man with Mohit Suri’s 2005 romantic drama 

. He has since starred in several films, including the 

Zinta, meanwhile, was last seen on the big screen in the 2018 comedy drama 

in which she co-starred with  Sunny Deol, Ameesha Patel, Arshad Warsi,  Shreyas Talpade and Pankaj Tripathi.

won't be the only project that will mark the return of Zinta, as she will also be seen this year in

which has been directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and produced by Aamir Khan. The film, also starring Deol, Shabana Azmi and Ali Fazal, is gearing for an Independence Day weekend release. The film is set against the backdrop of the partition of India in 1947.

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