South Entertainment roundup: Samantha returns; Allu Arjun hints at Pushpa 3; Rajamouli denies rumours; and Trisha files defamation case

February was about rumours, defamation, controversies and announcements in south Indian film industry.

Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu to resume work after myositis health break; announces a health podcast: Samantha, who was last seen in Kushi opposite Vijay Deverakonda, will be seen next in the Indian segment of Russo brothers' web-series Citadel, created by Raj & DK and also starring Varun Dhawan. After a well-deserved hiatus, Samantha Ruth Prabhu is ready to dive back into the world of acting, much to the delight of her fans. Taking to her Instagram Stories on Saturday evening, Samantha shared the exciting news, expressing her eagerness to return to work after a period of focusing on her health. Samantha revealed that amid her break, she embarked on a new venture with a friend — a health podcast. Last July, she underwent treatment for her autoimmune condition, Myositis, which causes inflammation in muscles. Read More

SSMB 29: SS Rajamouli’s production team denies rumours; no Indonesian actor Chelsea Islan in Mahesh Babu film: Contrary to recent rumours circulating within the Tollywood industry, director SS Rajamouli's team has categorically denied any involvement of Hollywood sensation Chelsea Islan, known for her role in the 2020 film May the Devil Take You Too, in their upcoming project, tentatively titled SSMB 29, starring Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu, that is in its pre-production stage and is likely to go on floors later this year or next year. Telugu audience has been eagerly waiting for this SS Rajamouli and Tollywood superstar Mahesh Babu collaboration. Read More

Janhvi Kapoor has hiked her fee for Ram Charan's 'RC 16'.

Did Janhvi Kapoor hike her remuneration for Ram Charan starrer? As Janhvi Kapoor gears up for her southern film industry debut, her strategic negotiations reflect not only her growing stature in the industry but also her unwavering belief in her abilities. She made a cameo in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, her upcoming venture alongside Jr NTR in Koratala Siva's Devara marks a significant milestone in her careerand her Telugu film debut. Speculations abound regarding Kapoor's potential involvement in Ram Charan's RC 16, directed by Buchi Babu Sana. Recent reports suggest a substantial increase in Kapoor's fees for these projects, with figures soaring from 5 crores to a staggering Rs 10 crore for Devara. Read More

What legal trouble has Mammootty's horror film Bramayugam run into? Bramayugam: Days ahead of its release, Rahul Sadasivan-directed Malayalam horror film's team encountered a legal case alleging defamation of a Kerala Brahmin household's family name. Scheduled to release on February 15, the film features Mammootty in the lead role as Kunjamon Potti. However, as reported by Live Law, the head of Punjamon Illam, a Brahmin household in Kerala, has filed a case against the filmmakers, alleging defamation of their family name. The legal challenge revolves around Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, which questions the use of the lead character's name in Bramayugam. Read More

Allu Arjun hints at Pushpa 3 at Berlin Film Festival 2024: Extolling the virtues of Indian cinema at the India Pavilion at Berlinale 2024, Telugu superstar Allu Arjun confirmed his plans for expanding the Pushpa universe with a potential third installment of the franchise. Amid the glitz and glamour of Berlinale 2024, or the Berlin International Film Festival (February 15-25), Allu Arjun said to a publication, "You can definitely expect part three, and we do want to make it a franchise. We have exciting ideas for the lineup." Read More

Allu Arjun (left) presenting Pushpa at Berlinale 2024.

Kamal Haasan unveils Sivakarthikeyan-Sai Pallavi’s Amaran teaser: This week, the teaser of Sivakarthikeyan's Tamil-language action war film SK 21, now titled Amaran was released. Sivakarthikeyan is also the producer of PS Vinothraj's sophomore Kottukaali, which premiered at Berlin Film Festival 2024. Celebrated Tamil actor Sivakarthikeyan has embarked on an exhilarating new journey with his latest project, which pays homage to the indomitable spirit of Major Mukund Varadarajan, who made the ultimate sacrifice while combating terrorists in 2014. Read More 

Who all rejected Pushpa The Rise before Allu Arjun, Rashmika Madanna, Fahadh Faasil were signed? Pushpa: The Rise serves as a testament to the intricate tapestry of casting decisions that shape the destiny of a film. In the glittering world of cinema, every iconic role has a story behind its casting. Besides its box office conquests, Pushpa: The Rise, which was screened this week at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival, holds a saga of its own, marked by the rejection of several prominent actors who were initially approached for pivotal roles. As Allu Arjun has made it clear that Pushpa 3 is also on cards, take a look at the actors who rejected Pushpa in the first place. Read More

Actors who rejected Pushpa the film.

Controversies aside, Nayanthara and Sandeep Reddy Vanga take home top awards at Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards 2024: Nayanthara's role in Jawan earned her the Best Actress; Vicky Kaushal's Sam Bahadur act got him Best Actor (Critics); Bobby Deol's Animal role bagged the Best Actor in Negative Role while its maker Sandeep Reddy Vanga earned the Best Director award. Nayanthara, the esteemed South Indian actress, recently silenced controversies around her Tamil film Annapoorani, by winning the prestigious Best Actress award at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards for her Bollywood debut film Jawan. Meanwhile, Sandeep Reddy Vanga was bestowed with the coveted Best Director award for Animal at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival Awards. Read More

Actress Trisha faces abuse again, threatens legal action against Ex-AIADMK leader for derogatory remarks: AIADMK leader AV Raju, who was expelled from the party on February 17 due to party rule violations, faced Trisha Krishnan's ire after a video containing inappropriate and derogatory comments about her went viral. In November last year, actor Mansoor Ali Khan made objectionable comments about her. Expressing her disdain on social media, Trisha slammed Raju for his actions. Read More

Trisha Krishnan takes legal action against ex-AIADMK leader AV Raju over defamatory remarks." width="770" height="433" /> Actor Trisha Krishnan takes legal action against ex-AIADMK leader AV Raju over defamatory remarks.

Trisha files defamation case against former AIADMK politician AV Raju: Former AIADMK leader AV Raju, who was expelled from AIADMK on February 17 due to party rule violations, faced Trisha's ire after a video containing inappropriate comments about her went viral. In response to what she said, Trisha has taken a bold step in response to defamatory comments made against her by politician AV Raju. Sharing copies of the legal notice sent by her lawyers to Raju on her Platform X timeline, Trisha seeks an unconditional apology within 24 hours of receipt. Read More