commercial cinema

Sivakarthikeyan is filming for his upcoming movie 'Seyon' in Madurai. A viral video from a song shoot shows him in a rural avatar. The film is produced by Kamal Haasan and directed by Sivakumar Murugesan. Bhagyashri Borse plays the female lead. Santhosh Narayanan is composing the music. The movie is expected to be a commercial entertainer.

Cheran, the director of the celebrated Tamil film Autograph, is now a judge on Mahanadigai Season 2. Audiences are enjoying his feedback on the reality show. Autograph, released in 2004, explored themes of love and friendship. Cheran's experience as a filmmaker adds value to the show as he guides aspiring talents.

Filmmaker Jeethu Joseph confirmed a long-discussed collaboration with Prithviraj Sukumaran is still on, revealing it's an emotionally rooted family drama, not a thriller. Despite Prithviraj's commitment, the screenplay remains unfinished due to Jeethu's packed schedule. His daughter's encouragement fuels his desire to explore this new creative territory.

John Wesley Hyatt's quest for billiard ball alternatives led to celluloid, the world's first successful plastic. This innovation, born from practical necessity, revolutionized manufacturing by enabling mass production of materials previously dependent on nature. Celluloid's versatility soon extended to photography, cinema, and everyday household items, fundamentally altering industrial production and consumer goods.

Veteran producer Pahlaj Nihalani, who passed away at 76, leaves a significant mark on mainstream Hindi cinema. He launched careers of stars like Govinda and Chunky Panday, producing commercial hits such as 'Aankhen'. Colleagues remember his passion, perfectionism, and unwavering belief in talent, despite later controversies.

The Hindi film industry mourns the passing of veteran producer and former CBFC chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani, aged 76. Nihalani, known for commercial entertainers like 'Aankhen', left a significant mark on Indian cinema. Tributes poured in from Randeep Hooda, Kangana Ranaut, and Taran Adarsh, remembering his extensive contributions and support for artists.

In a passionate defense, esteemed choreographer Sandip Soparrkar has stood by Ananya Panday’s Bharatanatyam-inspired performance in 'Chand Mera Dil', labeling the criticism as baseless. He took aim at the supposed 'gatekeepers of classical dance', calling out their double standards and emphasizing that film has always had a tradition of reinventing classical art forms. Read on to know more in detail.

Action director Sham Kaushal surprised fans by sharing a throwback photo from Aamir Khan's 'Dangal' sets, revealing his brief role as an akhara guru. A veteran of Bollywood action for over four decades, Kaushal's extensive filmography includes hits like 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' and 'Animal'. The post highlights a lesser-known aspect of his involvement in the acclaimed sports drama.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has greenlit a large-scale redevelopment of BEST properties, emphasizing public amenities like parking and Marathi film theatres. Ownership will remain with BEST, with projects using a PPP model via long-term leases. The plan aims to modernize depots, integrate transport hubs, and support a future fleet of 7,000 buses, aligning with the 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision.

The action thriller 'Sigma', marking Jason Sanjay's directorial debut, will release on July 31. Starring Sundeep Kishan, the film promises a high-stakes heist. Jason Sanjay, son of actor Vijay, chose direction after studying filmmaking abroad. The movie is expected to be a stylish heist drama with commercial elements. 'Sigma' will also be released in Telugu.

Yogalakshmi and Shivani Nagaram, known for the Telugu film Little Hearts, play the female leads.

South Indian cinema saw major updates: Suriya's 'Karuppu' might get an extended cut with deleted scenes, while Allu Arjun earned praise for opting for a commercial flight to cut production costs. Meanwhile, Ram Charan's 'Peddi' faced a Japan premiere postponement, and Madhav Suresh explained his social media break due to cyberbullying.

South Indian cinema buzzed with major announcements and legal actions. Tamil Nadu CM Vijay's son, Jason Sanjay, set July 31 for his directorial debut 'Sigma'. Meanwhile, actor Naga Chaitanya sought legal recourse against deepfake videos and online defamation. Actor Jayaram also shared a heartwarming anecdote about MS Dhoni's family.

The sequel to 'Khal Nayak', titled 'Khalnayak Returns', is in development with Sanjay Dutt reprising his role as Ballu Balram. While Dutt approached Rajkumar Santoshi to direct, Santoshi declined due to his packed schedule, though he praised Dutt's new look.

On his birthday, a heartwarming story reveals Ilaiyaraaja's extraordinary generosity. The legendary composer often waived his fees for debutant directors, including P. Vasu and Manivannan, helping them launch their careers. His association with their films became a powerful promotional tool, solidifying his role in shaping new talent.

Arya makes his Malayalam lead debut in the action thriller 'Ananthan Kaadu', releasing worldwide on June 25. The film reunites the 'Tiyaan' creative team and boasts a star-studded cast. A new teaser hints at a high-stakes, mysterious narrative filled with intense action and suspense, promising a gripping cinematic experience.

Actress Sona Heiden revealed filmmaker Vignesh Shivan resided and worked at her office for three years during a challenging career phase. She expressed admiration for Nayanthara's resilience, explaining her reluctance to discuss her past with Vignesh openly. Sona acknowledged a "small sadness" that he might have forgotten their past, noting their lives have diverged.

The upcoming film 'Peddi' brings together Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor. Their parents, Chiranjeevi and Sridevi, were a celebrated on-screen pair. This new film marks a significant moment in cinema. Janhvi Kapoor shared her positive experiences working with Ram Charan. She noted a cosmic connection due to her mother's bond with his father.

Vijay Antony's film 'Nooru Saamy' will release on June 19. This movie is expected to be important for the actor. Meanwhile, Thalapathy Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan' release plans are unclear. Fans anticipated a June release for 'Jana Nayagan'. However, a June 18 or 19 release now seems unlikely. Official updates on 'Jana Nayagan' are awaited.

Fantasy action drama 'Karuppu', starring Suriya, continues its successful theatrical run. Director RJ Balaji revealed Aamir Khan and Silambarasan TR praised the film. Balaji also discussed audience trust and Suriya's initial reluctance over a specific dialogue, which ultimately resonated well with viewers, contributing to the film's strong performance.

When offered the chance to act alongside legendary Sunny Deol in 'Right Yaaa Wrong', the late Irrfan Khan found himself hesitant. The actor's apprehension stemmed from the belief that Deol's strong on-screen charisma could overshadow his role. However, director Neerraj Pathak intervened, assuring Khan of Deol's supportive nature and unwavering dedication to the film’s narrative.

My character in Blast is fierce, unafraid and is trained in martial arts. I've explored something that hasn't been done a lot in Tamil cinema, says Preity Mukhundhan.

In an intriguing intersection of cinema and reality, a journalist hailing from the vibrant streets of Lyari in Karachi has praised Ranveer Singh's much-acclaimed film 'Dhurandhar' for its authentic representation of his hometown. Having once served as the mayor during the events depicted in the film, he affirms that it brilliantly captures the essence of life in his community. Read on to know more in detail.

During a recent interaction, Nick Jonas was asked to name the one song that can instantly pull him to the dance floor at a wedding. While mentioning classic international party tracks, the singer also picked a Bollywood chartbuster. Recently, Nick posted a video featuring himself and his brothers grooving to Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar track.

Veteran producer Pahlaj Nihalani passed away at 76. He had previously recalled how Suniel Shetty's planned debut film, 'Arzoo,' was shelved due to creative concerns and production issues. Despite this setback and another unreleased project, Shetty eventually launched his successful Bollywood career with 'Balwaan' in 1992.

Suriya and Trisha's 'Karuppu' nears Rs 300 crore worldwide, despite a recent dip in daily collections. The fantasy film, now in its third week, has garnered Rs 297.12 crore globally. Tamil and Telugu versions continue to draw audiences, with positive online reactions praising its engaging premise and commercial elements.

As Tasveer hosted the only official South Asian panel at the Cannes Marché du Film, Co-Founder and Executive Director Rita Meher reflects on a defining moment for the region's storytellers. She discusses why South Asian creators are moving from seeking representation to claiming space, the growing global appeal of Indian regional and independent cinema, and the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence. Meher also explains why access, not talent, remains the biggest barrier facing filmmakers and how Tasveer is building long-term infrastructure through funding, mentorship and distribution pathways to help creators thrive on the global stage.

Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee on 25 years of storytelling, taking risks, and why rooted cinema travels

In a time when special effects were non-existent, Kirk Alyn emerged as the original live-action Superman, transforming the landscape of comic book film adaptations. Despite facing doubt from Hollywood, Alyn's deep commitment to portraying Superman sincerely—without a hint of irony—captivated audiences and paved the way for the superhero genre we know today.