Aadu: How the ‘Nonsensical Comedy’ that Bombed in Theatres Became a Pop-Culture Phenomenon After Leaking Online
Midhun Manuel Thomas’s debut *Aadu: Oru Bheekarajeeviyanu* crashed at the Kerala box office in 2015, plagued by a chaotic, non‑linear script and stubborn direction. After a DVD release and an unauthorized leak, the film exploded online, turning its absurd one‑liners and quirky characters into meme‑fuel across the state. Veteran director Lijo Jose Pellissery later assisted with a tighter re‑edit, but the theatrical window was already closed. The viral resurgence spawned *Aadu 2* and set the stage for *Aadu 3* in March 2026, proving that box‑office numbers aren’t the sole measure of a movie’s worth.
Vairamuthu Selected for Jnanpith Award; Third Tamil Writer to Receive Honour
Poet‑lyricist Vairamuthu has been selected for the Jnanpith Award, making him the third Tamil writer to receive India’s highest literary honour. The 72‑year‑old is celebrated for fusing traditional forms with contemporary themes in Tamil poetry. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin...
Akshay Kumar Joins Ajay Devgn in Golmaal 5 as Rohit Shetty Announces Next Film; Fans Say ‘Blockbuster Loading’
Akshay Kumar has officially joined Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal 5, sharing a Tom & Jerry‑style rivalry with Ajay Devgn. The sequel, slated for a 2027 release, reunites the original gang while introducing Kumar’s bald‑look cameo. It marks the first full‑length comedy collaboration between the two...
The Superstar Who Refused Rs 1.5 Crore Pay Cheque, Paid His Own Entourage Cost: Legendary Actor Vishnuvardhan Asked, ‘What Are...
Veteran Kannada star Vishnuvardhan kept his remuneration at a modest Rs 75 lakh, even turning down a Rs 1.5 crore offer after the success of Yajamana. He insisted on covering his own stay, food and crew expenses, refusing producers to foot any entourage costs....
Move over Pune and Bengaluru, Hyderabad Now Houses India’s Largest Dolby Cinema Screen at Allu Cinemas
Allu Cinemas opened in Kokapet, Hyderabad, featuring India’s largest Dolby Cinema screen. The 75‑foot screen seats 644, uses dual 4K laser projection, Dolby Vision and a 64‑channel Dolby Atmos sound system. The multiplex also includes three premium 4K laser screens...
Why Nagarjuna-Starrer Hello Brother’s Composer Koti Saluri Was Left ‘Anguished’ by Adivi Sesh’s Dacoit
The teaser for Adivi Sesh’s upcoming Telugu film *Dacoit* featured a remix of the 1994 hit “Kannepettaro Kannu Kottaro” from Nagarjuna’s *Hello Brother*. The new version, arranged by Gyaani and released by Aditya Music, quickly went viral, but original composer Koti Saluri was not notified about...
Ustaad Bhagat Singh Song ‘Collar Ey Etthara’: Mythri’s Biggest Ever Song Set, 1,500 Dancers and Pawan Kalyan in Full Flow
Mythri Movie Makers released the third single “Collar Ey Etthara” from the upcoming Telugu film Ustaak Bhagat Singh, showcasing Pawan Kalyan in a high‑energy dance sequence. The song was filmed on the studio’s largest set to date, employing between 1,200 and...
‘I Don’t Like Staying in Sh**’: Priyanka Chopra on Why She Left Bollywood at Her Peak, Calls ‘Aishwarya Rai, Mindy...
Priyanka Chopra revealed on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast that she left Bollywood at the height of her fame to pursue broader creative opportunities in Hollywood. She described Bollywood’s constraints and the scarcity of Indian representation in U.S....
India at Oscars 2026: Priyanka Chopra to Present; Winning Chances Ride on Geeta Gandbhir’s Double Documentary Nominations
Indian representation at the 2026 Oscars includes filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir’s double nominations and actress Priyanka Chopra’s role as a presenter. Gandbhir is nominated in both Best Documentary Short for “The Devil Is Busy” and Best Documentary Feature for “The Perfect Neighbor,” tackling...
Without Superstars, Hit Formulas or Hiking Ticket Prices, a Tamil Rural Comedy Enters Rs 50 Crore Club
Tamil rural comedy *Thaai Kizhavi* entered the Rs 50 crore club within 11 days, reaching Rs 51 crore worldwide despite lacking a male superstar. The film, led by veteran actress Radikaa Sarathkumar, opened with a modest Rs 2.65 crore net and sustained weekend spikes of Rs 5‑6 crore, while...
Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par Moves Beyond the ‘Private Cinema’ Experiment for Major OTT Debut
Aamir Khan’s sports comedy‑drama Sitaare Zameen Par, which grossed over ₹250 crore in its 2025 theatrical run, will stream on Sony LIV in March 2026, becoming the platform’s first Hindi theatrical title. The film follows a coach working with neuro‑divergent players, echoing...
Rocket Designer Who Sold Her House to Build Business Gets No Deal on Shark Tank India, Anupam Mittal Says It’s...
Little Cherry Mom, a kids‑nutrition brand founded by a former rocket designer and ex‑cricketer, appeared on Shark Tank India seeking Rs 75 lakhs for a 3% stake, valuing the company at Rs 25 crore. The founders disclosed they sold their house to fund a...
As Drishyam 3, Aadu 3 and Dhurandhar 2 Gear up for Release, Revisiting the Worst Malayalam Sequel Ever that Tarnished...
The Indian Express revisits the notorious Malayalam sequel Kilukkam Kilukilukkam (2006), highlighting how it tarnished the legacy of the beloved 1991 classic Kilukkam. The piece notes that a slate of high‑profile sequels—Drishyam 3, Aadu 3, Dhurandhar 2 and Vaazha 2—are set to release in March...
Blocked, Censored, and Pressured: The Long History of Vijay Films Being Stopped Before They Could Reach His Fans
Actor‑politician Vijay’s upcoming film Jana Nayagan has been stalled in certification limbo for nearly three months, marking the latest episode in a long pattern of political and regulatory interference with his movies. Earlier releases such as Thalaivaa (2013), Mersal (2017)...
Ekaki: How Ashish Chanchlani Made a Horror-Sci-Fi Series on Just 10% of a Bollywood Film’s Budget and Pulled Nearly 150...
Indian YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani’s five‑episode horror‑sci‑fi series Ekaki has amassed nearly 150 million YouTube views. The show, his debut as writer‑director, was produced on a budget roughly 10 percent of a typical Bollywood film yet delivered production values comparable to a Rs 300‑400 crore...
Ridhima Pandit Files Lawsuit Against Vanshaj Singh over Alleged Online Threats; Latter Calls This a ‘Movement’
Actress Ridhima Pandit has filed a civil lawsuit against digital creator Vanshaj Singh, alleging that his fans sent her death threats, sexual violence threats, and abusive messages after a heated on‑air confrontation on the reality show The 50. The complaint, lodged...
Vijay’s Jana Nayagan Faces Another Delay: CBFC Revising Committee Screening Postponed as Member Falls Ill
Vijay’s much‑anticipated final film Jana Nayagan has hit another hurdle as the CBFC Revising Committee postponed its screening to March 17 due to a member’s illness. The delay follows a series of setbacks, including a UA‑16+ certificate with 14 cuts, a...