Netflix returns to the South with its annual "Netflix Pandigai," unveiling its Pongal lineup for 2026. The OTT giant has announced a slate of 12 Tamil films spanning various genres, featuring stars like Suriya, Dhanush, and Ravi Mohan in multiple projects, reaffirming Netflix’s continued focus on Tamil cinema.
The Tamil film Parasakthi, starring Sivakarthikeyan and directed by Sudha Kongara, has reached a significant milestone at the Indian box office in its first six days of release, crossing the Rs 35 crore net mark. The movie saw renewed audience interest thanks to the Pongal holiday, with its Day 6 earnings boosting the total to approximately Rs 35.85 crore.
The Telugu comedy-drama Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi, starring Ravi Teja, has earned around Rs 2 crore on its second day, bringing its two-day India net box office total to about Rs 4.6 crore since its release during the Sankranti festival. The moderate numbers reflect steady audience turnout despite strong competition from other festive releases, with Ravi Teja’s fan base helping the film maintain momentum in cinemas so far.
Veteran actor Chiranjeevi’s newly released film Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu has shown a clear boost in box office collections since its release on January 12, with the festive Makar Sankranthi period significantly driving the surge in footfalls.
Prabhas’ recently released horror-comedy The Raja Saab, which arrived in theatres on January 9, has failed to sustain its early buzz at the box office. The film has struggled to gain traction and, despite expectations, has delivered an underwhelming performance, collecting only about Rs 124 crore in its first week of release.
A few months ago, Vijay Sethupathi found himself caught in an unexpected and deeply unsettling controversy that quickly snowballed online. The incident sparked intense discussion on social media, forcing the otherwise low-profile actor to address serious allegations publicly.
Versatile actor Vijay Sethupathi turns a year older today, and his journey continues to inspire millions. Fondly called “Makkal Selvan”, he stands as a powerful reminder that talent, perseverance and humility can carve an extraordinary path in cinema.
Actor Keerthy Suresh celebrated Pongal at home with family, embracing tradition, warmth, and heartfelt moments. Her festive pictures offered fans a glimpse of a cosy, joyous, and deeply personal celebration.
Vishnu Manchu and his family celebrated Pongal in a warm, intimate gathering that radiated simplicity and togetherness. Their heartfelt moments, shared online, beautifully captured the joy and essence of the harvest festival.
Superstar Rajinikanth celebrated Pongal in a way that reflected his trademark simplicity and warmth, choosing family, tradition and gratitude over spectacle. The festival was marked by intimate moments at home and heartfelt interactions with fans, making the day feel quietly special.
After a modest theatrical run, Gurram Paapi Reddy is getting a second chance to connect with audiences through its digital release. The Telugu comedy crime drama is now all set to stream on OTT, much to the excitement of viewers who were waiting to watch it at home.
The road to release for Jana Nayagan continues to be uncertain, with the film once again facing legal hurdles that could impact its theatrical debut. A fresh development in court proceedings has now placed its immediate future in the hands of the judiciary.
Actor Allu Arjun once again demonstrated his global appeal during the Tokyo premiere of Pushpa 2: The Rule, leaving fans in awe with a memorable gesture. The star’s heartfelt connection with the audience, including delivering a dialogue in Japanese, had the theatre erupting in applause.
Bollywood actor Neil Nitin Mukesh is ringing in his 44th birthday with an exciting career milestone. Fans are thrilled as he announces his Malayalam film debut in the highly anticipated thriller Khalifa.
Producer Dil Raju is now presenting the highly ambitious venture of Balagam–renowned director Venu Yeldandi, titled Yellamma, which marks the much-awaited acting debut of music maestro Devi Sri Prasad.
The first look of Yellamma has set social media alight, heralding a thrilling new chapter in Devi Sri Prasad’s career. Fans are eager to witness the beloved composer, known as Rockstar DSP, take his first steps as an actor on the big screen.
The actor offered fans a glimpse into a quieter, more personal side of his life as he marked Makar Sankranti at home with his loved ones. The festive snapshots radiated warmth and tradition, celebrating family, faith and the simple joys of togetherness.
Superstar Rajinikanth shared his heartfelt Pongal greetings on Thursday, January 15, with the fans who had gathered outside his residence in Chennai.
On the occasion of Pongal, Dhanush has announced his next film which will be his 54th.
Veteran actor Venkatesh has lauded Sobhita Dhulipala after the release of the trailer for her upcoming film Cheekatilo, describing it as “a compelling thriller.” The crime drama, which recently dropped its gripping trailer, has been met with positive reactions from audiences as well as industry insiders.
The Supreme Court has refused to hear a plea filed by the makers of the Tamil film Jana Nayagan, starring actor Vijay, which sought a stay on the Madras High Court order that put the film’s certification process on hold.
A lot of the criticism online has to do with the idea that Parasakthi has a story that is based on resisting Hindi imposition.
Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu is maintaining a strong box office momentum despite mixed reviews, driven by festive demand and positive audience turnout. The Chiranjeevi–Nayanthara starrer is expected to soon enter the elite club, adding another major success to the star’s career.
Sivakarthikeyan and Ravi Mohan celebrated Pongal in New Delhi, joining fans in festive cheer while riding the success of their film Parasakthi. The actors shared warm wishes, spreading positivity as audiences continue to applaud the movie.
Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj has set social media buzzing by announcing his next film with superstar Allu Arjun during the festive Pongal and Makar Sankranti celebrations. A gripping teaser hints at a larger-than-life adventure, leaving fans eager to see what the collaboration has in store.
Fans of the Drishyam series have been set alight with excitement as the release date for Drishyam 3 has finally been announced. Mohanlal teased the third chapter in the gripping Malayalam franchise, reprising his role as the clever TV cable operator Georgekutty, months before the Hindi remake starring Ajay Devgn hits theatres.
The Konidela family celebrated Sankranthi this year with warmth and togetherness, choosing to slow down and enjoy Bhogi at Chiranjeevi’s Hyderabad home. Far from the public eye, the festivities focused on family, food, and cherished traditions that have been passed down through generations.
Anaganaga Oka Raju is a light-hearted festive entertainer that largely banks on Naveen Polishetty’s effortless comic timing and energetic screen presence. While the first half is breezy and fun, the film falters in the second half due to a weak emotional core and uneven pacing.
Ravi Teja’s Telugu film Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi, which released in theatres on January 13, 2026, registered a lukewarm start at the box office, delivering an underwhelming performance on its opening day.
Netizens shared their early reactions to Anaganaga Oka Raju on social media, praising its festive setup and feel-good tone. Many viewers highlighted Naveen Polishetty’s natural humour and comic timing as the film’s biggest strength.
Parasakthi recorded a modest Day 4 at the domestic box office, taking its overall India collection forward. After a strong opening, the Sivakarthikeyan starrer saw a steep drop in earnings amid ongoing controversies.
Amid controversy over the bold Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups teaser, an old interview clip of Kannada superstar Yash. has gone viral, prompting renewed debate online.
The planned re-release of Vijay’s blockbuster Theri has been postponed amid ongoing issues with the censor certification of his highly anticipated film Jana Nayagan. Jana Nayagan’s release has been delayed due to disputes over its clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), prompting a hold on Theri’s re-run plans as well.
KVN Productions is backing two of 2026’s most anticipated films, Jana Nayagan and Toxic, showcasing its ambition to push the scale of Indian cinema. Producer Venkat K. Narayana said the projects reflect a commitment to meaningful storytelling blended with blockbuster vision.
Beatriz Taufenbach — the Brazilian model who went viral for her intimate ‘cemetery girl’ sequence in the Toxic teaser —seems to have deleted her Instagram amid intense online backlash. The film’s teaser has sparked complaints to the CBFC over allegedly “obscene” content, drawing criticism from activists and the Karnataka State Women’s Commission.
Actor Sivakarthikeyan and director Sudha Kongara recently held a success celebration in Chennai for their latest Tamil film Parasakthi. At the event, Sivakarthikeyan spoke about the heartfelt praise he received from legendary actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, describing the recognition as both deeply meaningful and motivating.
Pushpa 2: The Rule is set for its Japanese release under the title Pushpa Kunrin, with Allu Arjun travelling to Tokyo to promote the film. After becoming a massive success in India, the action blockbuster is now aiming to recreate its box office magic in Japan.
Yash’s much-awaited film Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups has generated intense discussion following the release of its teaser. While fans welcomed the bold new avatar, others have raised concerns over its explicit visuals.
Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi settles with mediocrity but provides brief amusement through comedy and performances.
Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi has sparked controversy after the Tamil Nadu Youth Congress accused the film of distorting historical events and demanded a ban. The party claimed the movie falsely depicts Indira Gandhi, the 1965 Hindi imposition debate, and other incidents, calling the scenes “complete fabrications.”
Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu opened on a strong note at the box office and continues to enjoy a steady run in theatres. However, the celebratory release was overshadowed by a tragic incident at a Hyderabad cinema, where a fan reportedly collapsed and passed away during a screening.
Sudha Kongara’s Parasakthi continues a steady box office run, collecting Rs 25.6 crore net in India by the end of its third day. Despite stiff competition from The Raja Saab and last-minute censor hurdles, the film has also earned Rs 48.03 crore worldwide.
The Malayalam film industry in Kerala is set for a one-day shutdown on January 22, 2026, as organisations stage a token strike over long-standing demands. Industry members warn that the pause could escalate into an indefinite strike if their concerns remain unaddressed.
Prabhas continues to dominate the box office with The Raja Saab, drawing fans to theatres since its release on January 9, 2026. Even on its fourth day, the film maintained strong audience interest, adding around Rs 5.4 crore to its impressive total.
Ramayana has been making headlines for its scale and ambition, with Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi coming together for the epic retelling. The film’s global vision was recently highlighted through a heartfelt exchange between Yash and producer Namit Malhotra.
Tollywood’s festival release Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu has sparked buzz not only for its strong box-office opening and positive audience reactions but also for the remuneration packages of its top stars.
Pooja Hegde celebrated the 6th anniversary of Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo on 12 January 2026, fondly recalling the viral hit song Butta Bomma and the film’s massive success.
Director Anil Ravipudi has revealed that he turned down the opportunity to direct Thalapathy Vijay’s Jana Nayagan because the project was widely expected to be a remake of his own Telugu hit Bhagavanth Kesari — and he prefers working on original scripts and fresh subjects rather than repeating the same story in another language.
Anirudh Ravichander recently visited actor Ajith Kumar at the Marina Race Circuit in Abu Dhabi, where Ajith and his racing team were competing in the 24H Series Middle East Trophy.
After receiving mixed reactions and online criticism over the absence of certain advertised footage, the makers of Prabhas’s film The Raja Saab have added previously missing scenes featuring the star in his old look to the theatrical cut.