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Tamil Ott Releases: The world of Tamil cinema is thriving on Ott platforms, offering a plethora of new movies and web series for audiences to enjoy. This week, several exciting Tamil Ott releases are set to capture viewers’ attention across platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Tentkotta, and Disney+ Hotstar. Here’s a closer look at some notable titles that have recently premiered or are about to be released.

1. Snakes and Ladders

One of the most anticipated Tamil Ott releases is the series Snakes and Ladders, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video on October 18. Produced by Kalyan Subramanian under A Stone Bench Production, this series features a stellar cast including Naveen Chandra, Nandha, and Manoj Bharathiraja. Set in the mid-2000s, it follows the adventures of four school friends—Gilly, Irai, Sandy, and Bala—navigating the complexities of adolescence and friendship.

2. Kadaisi Ulaga Por

Another significant entry in the realm of...

In June 2023, Aanand L. Rai and Dhanush announced their third collaboration, Tere Ishk Mein, following the success of Raanjhanaa and Atrangi Re. However, nearly a year has passed since the announcement with little to no development on the project, sparking numerous rumors about its status. According to Peepingmoon, the film is still on but has faced production delays.

Sources indicate that Dhanush’s commitments to his Tamil films have caused the postponement of Tere Ishk Mein. “Dhanush has several prior commitments down south that he wants to complete before dedicating two months to Aanand L. Rai’s film. The director acknowledged his concern and has agreed to wait for him. They’re now aiming to start the film around October–November 2024,” a source revealed. The film will be shot in a two-month, continuous schedule in Varanasi and other locations in Uttar Pradesh, with a theatrical release targeted for mid-2025.

Described as a tragic love story,...

The makers on Tuesday announced an untitled raw sports drama starring superstar Chiyaan Vikram’s son Dhruv Vikram and Anupama Parameswaran in the lead, which will be directed by Mari Selvaraj.

Selvaraj’s untitled project marks the beginning of a multi-film alliance between Applause Entertainment and Neelam Studios, which is led by Pa Ranjith and producer Aditi Anand.

The inaugural project from this alliance is the highly anticipated sports drama, directed by the acclaimed director Mari Selvaraj, the creative force behind the recent blockbusters Maamannan and Karnan.

The project, which is scheduled to commence production in early 2024, is a tale of guts, grit and glory in the life of a young man where the whole world was a Goliath to his David.

A story of a man who defied the lines on his hand to achieve what no one thought possible, to choose sport over a gun, peace over violence and life over death.

Mari Selvaraj, the acclaimed director of Karnan, Maamannan and Pariyerum Perumal, is reportedly in talks with actor Kavin to helm his next project. According to Vikatan, the movie may begin after completing Dhruv Vikram’s movie and before going to Dhanush’s movie.

Mari Selvaraj is currently working on his fourth film with Dhruv Vikram, which is said to be a sports drama. The film is expected to go on floors soon and will be produced by Pa Ranjith’s Neelam Productions. However, as Dhanush has a huge line-up of films, there will be a break after completing Dhruv’s movie. So, Mari Selvaraj is planning to do one movie with Kavin in the meantime.

Maamannan Trailer

Kavin, who rose to fame with his stint in the reality show Bigg Boss Tamil 3, made his debut as a lead actor in Natpuna Ennanu Theriyuma. He also played a supporting role in Sivappu Manjal Pachai.

National Film AwardsCinematographer PC Sreeram and Telugu actor Nani were among those who expressed disappointment over Jai Bhim not winning National Awards.The 69th National Film Awards were announced on Thursday, August 25, and films like Kadaisi Vivasayi, Kashmir Files, Rrr, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, were among the winners. However, several felt that movies like Sarpatta Parambarai, Karnan, and Jai Bhim were snubbed by the jury because of the social message present in the films and the way these movies took on casteism. Several people took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express their discontent with the winners of the national awards and that the above mentioned movies did not win. Noted cinematographer PC Sreeram also expressed his disappointment with Jai Bheem being left out. He said, “We in the film fraternity are united in our happiness for this year's National Awards. Did they leave out " jaibeem"due to any...

Filmmaker Mari Selvaraj, who is known for directing Dhanush in ‘Karnan’, is set to release his Tamil Ott series titled ‘Sos – Straight Outta Sunnambu Kaalvai’. The story revolves around the struggles of two generations of HipHop dance groups to build a dance studio in Sunnambu Kaalvai.

Mari Selvaraj serves as a showrunner on the show which has been written and directed by Suriya Raj.

Talking about the show, Mari Selvaraj said in a statement: “Exploring the most favourite genre of dance combined with heart wrenching drama, Sos unravels an extraordinary narrative. With hip-hop taking the centre stage in the hearts of youth, this show promises a dance revolution and the journey of passion, resilience, and self-discovery. I am thrilled to bring this unique inspiring tale to viewers”.

Selvaraj entered the Tamil film industry in 2006. He initially planned to become an actor, but later joined Ram, as an assistant director in three films,...

EntertainmentPopular actors Fahadh Faasil and Nazriya Nazim got married on August 21, 2014.Nazriya and Fahadh with their pet dog OreoActor Fahadh Faasil is known to be a bit of a social media recluse, so it was a rather special moment for his ardent fans when he took to Facebook on Monday, August 21 to pen a warm note for his wife and actor Nazriya Nazim on the occasion of their ninth wedding anniversary. “Thank you for the love. Thank you for the life. 9 years of US,” Fahadh wrote alongside a heartening picture of them together, looking away from the camera in what appears to be a foreign country. He credited the photograph to filmmaker Amal Neerad, who has directed Fahadh in films such as Iyobinte Pusthakam (2014) and Varathan (2018). On the occasion, Nazriya too took to social media to share a wholesome picture of the couple holding on to their eight-year-old dog, a Shih Tzu named Oreo.

Dhruv Vikram, the talented young actor and son of Chiyaan Vikram, is all set to make a big announcement on August 25th. According to reliable sources, the actor will reveal the details of his 4th movie, which will be directed by E.V. Ganesh Babu, who has previously helmed Yamuna and Kattil. The movie is expected to be a romantic drama with a social message, and will feature a fresh face as the female lead.

The most exciting news for the fans is that the music for the movie is likely to be composed by none other than the Mozart of Madras, A.R. Rahman. The Oscar-winning composer has worked with Dhruv’s father in several films, such as Raavanan, I and Mahaan, and has also scored the music for Dhruv’s debut film Adithya Varma. If the reports are true, this will be the second collaboration between Dhruv and Rahman,...

EntertainmentMari Selvaraj and Fahadh Faasil recently collaborated for Maamannan where the actor played the terrifying and casteist villain Rathnavelu. TwitterAnti-caste filmmaker Mari Selvaraj penned a heartfelt note for Malayalam actor Fahadh Faasil’s birthday on Tuesday, August 8. The duo recently collaborated for Maamannan where Fahadh Faasil played the terrifying and casteist villain Rathnavelu. In his birthday wish, the director said that he created Rathnavelu’s character because of his expressive eyes and said that he likes them very much. Detailing the brief he gave Fahadh Faasil while playing Rathnavelu, Mari Selvaraj said, “In one eye, I asked you to firmly believe that the way of life that has been taught for generations is right. In the other eye, I had asked you to represent the confusion that the younger generation creates by asking fierce questions against the established norm. You perfectly portrayed two different lifestyles with your two eyes and carried it throughout the movie.

Social mediaAn ironic compilation of edits of the terrifying Rathnavel from Maamannan (played by Fahadh Faasil) have now become a symbol of caste pride for online caste groups, especially among the Gounders and Thevars (dominant caste groups in Tamil Nadu). It is not unusual for Tamil cinema fans to appreciate their favourite characters from movies by editing short video clips accompanied with ‘mass’ background music to express their love towards the actor and share it on social media platforms. While it is rare for antagonists to receive the same kind of adulation, Fahadh Faasil’s character Rathnavelu from Maamannan, has now been appropriated and celebrated by dominant caste groups on social media. These groups have expressed their love to Rathnavelu’s character by creating a compilation of ‘mass’ videos, asserting their caste pride by sharing them widely on social media. In anti-caste filmmaker Mari Selvaraj’s Maamannan, Rathnavelu, a dominant...

Mari Selvaraj, the talented filmmaker who delivered a blockbuster hit with Maamannan, is all set to start his next project with Dhruv Vikram, the son of superstar Vikram. The film will be a sports drama based on the life of a kabaddi player from Thoothukudi, a coastal town in Tamil Nadu.

According to sources, the film will be set in the 1990s and will showcase the struggles and achievements of a young man who dreams of becoming a kabaddi champion. Dhruv Vikram, who made his debut with the critically acclaimed Adithya Varma, will play the lead role of the kabaddi player. He has reportedly undergone rigorous training in kabaddi and has also learnt the local dialect of Thoothukudi for his role.

The film will also feature an ensemble cast of supporting actors, who will play the roles of the family members, friends and rivals of the protagonist. The details of...

Maamannan is a 2023 Tamil-language political thriller film that has been making waves on Netflix since its release. The film is now trending in Number 1 in Netflix. The film is written and directed by Mari Selvaraj, who is known for his critically acclaimed films like Pariyerum Perumal and Karnan, which deal with the issues of caste oppression and social justice in Tamil Nadu. The film also features a stellar cast of Vadivelu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Fahadh Faasil, and Keerthy Suresh, who have delivered powerful performances in their respective roles.

The film revolves around the conflict between Maamannan (Vadivelu), an Mla from the oppressed community, and Rathnavelu (Fahadh Faasil), the district secretary of the same party, who belongs to the dominant community. Rathnavelu is a ruthless and arrogant politician, who treats his subordinates and rivals with contempt and violence. He also indulges in dog races and kills the ones that lose. Maamannan, on the other hand,...

Writer-Director Mari Selvaraj had a generational revenge drama on his hands, but somehow, mid-way, it seems he decided to make a film on caste politics and the electoral powerplay in the country. The new film Maamannan features entertaining performances by Fahadh Faasil and Vadivelu. Udhayanidhi does a decent job of playing the hero, although his frozen face does become tiring considering the 157-minute runtime of the film.

The story of Maamannan begins by setting up the confrontation between Rathinavelu and Athiveeran, which becomes the catalyst for mending the bond between Athiveeran and his father, Maamannan. Maamannan goes through a radical change in his personality and starts his fight against the oppression that he has endured in the name of tradition.

Spoilers Ahead

Plot Synopsis: What Happens in ‘Maamannan’?

The seed of the story was sown many years ago. Maamannan’s son Athiveeran went swimming with his friends in a well,...

New Delhi, July 27 (Ians) With Ott platforms dishing up an overflowing platter of options, it’s hard to put together a must-watch list, especially if it’s limited to five. Here are the five new titles that have caught the attention of Ians:

From an investigative crime drama to a gripping thriller, to a love story, Ians has put together a slate that should grab the interest of diverse audiences, spanning interests and languages.

This week’s must-watch array of multi-genre content includes Urvashi’s 700th movie ‘Appatha’ to Vijay Varma and Shweta Tripathi’s investigative drama ‘Kaalkoot’. We also have Tamil political thriller ‘Maamannan’ to ‘Choona’, a thrilling heist drama loaded with perfect comic punches.

And, don’t forget Raveena Tandon and Milind Soman’s ‘One Friday Night’, which explores the complexities of relationships.

Kaalkoot

The investigative drama stars Vijay Varma and Shweta Tripathi Sharma, along with Yashpal Sharma,...

If you are looking for a gripping and engaging political drama with a star-studded cast, then you might want to check out Maamannan, a Tamil-language film that is now available on Netflix. The film, directed by Mari Selvaraj and produced by Udhayanidhi Stalin, features Vadivelu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Fahadh Faasil, and Keerthy Suresh in the lead roles. The music is composed by the legendary A. R. Rahman.

Maamannan, which means Emperor in Tamil, tells the story of a father and son duo who belong to an oppressed community and rise up in the political arena.

Maamannan Trailer

The film explores the themes of social justice, caste oppression, political rivalry, and family dynamics. It also showcases the culture and history of Tamil Nadu, especially the Adimurai martial art form. The film has some intense action sequences, emotional moments, and witty dialogues. The performances of the actors are commendable, especially Vadivelu, who is...

KollywoodMaamannan is Mari Selvaraj’s third film, starring Vadivelu, Fahadh Faasil, Keerthy Suresh and others.Vadivelu and director Mari Selvaraj fans can rejoice. Netflix has announced that Maamannan is set to stream on the Ott platform from July 27. Mari’s third film, and another success, is an anti-caste take on the cult classic, but caste-pride film Thevar Magan (1992) that had starred Vadivelu in a supporting role. Set in the Kongu belt of Tamil Nadu, in Salem, Maamannan also provides an insight into electoral politics in the region. Vadivelu as the titular character, plays a Dalit Mla from a reserved constituency. The story tracks his empowering journey alongside his son Adheeveran (Udhayanidhi Stalin) as he takes on caste oppressors within his own fictional political party. The film received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. Maamannan cements Vadivelu, known primarily for comedy roles, as a powerful character actor. Maamannan also...

Netflix is bringing two exciting films from the South Indian cinema industry to its platform soon. One is Maamannan, a Tamil political thriller that will premiere on July 27. The other is Padmini, a Malayalam film that will be released later.

Maamannan, directed by Mari Selvaraj, features an ensemble cast of Vadivelu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Fahadh Faasil and Keerthy Suresh. The film explores the conflict between an Mla from an oppressed community and a district secretary from a dominant community, who are both members of the same party. The film has received mixed reviews from critics and audiences, but has been appreciated for its performances and social message.

Padmini, directed by Senna Hegde, stars Kunchacko Boban, Madonna Sebastian and Aparna Balamurali in the lead roles. The film is a fun-filled tale of Rameshan, a part-time poet and a full-time college teacher, whose life takes a standstill when an extremely embarrassing situation makes...

Netflix is bringing two exciting films from the South Indian cinema industry to its platform soon. One is Maamannan, a Tamil political thriller that will premiere on July 27. The other is Padmini, a Malayalam film that will be released later.

Maamannan, directed by Mari Selvaraj, features an ensemble cast of Vadivelu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Fahadh Faasil and Keerthy Suresh. The film explores the conflict between an Mla from an oppressed community and a district secretary from a dominant community, who are both members of the same party. The film has received mixed reviews from critics and audiences, but has been appreciated for its performances and social message.

Padmini, directed by Senna Hegde, stars Kunchacko Boban, Madonna Sebastian and Aparna Balamurali in the lead roles. The film is a fun-filled tale of Rameshan, a part-time poet and a full-time college teacher, whose life takes a standstill when an extremely embarrassing situation makes...

Film CommentaryMari said that Maamannan, his film’s powerful protagonist, is a reimagination of Esaki, a subservient character in ‘Thevar Magan’ who is willing to sacrifice his life for his master Sakthivelu, played by Kamal Haasan.Letting out a spoiler during the film Maamannan’s audio launch, Tamil filmmaker Mari Selvaraj said that his anti-caste film with Vadivelu and Udhayanidhi Stalin in the lead roles was “inspired” by the cult classic 1992 film Thevar Magan. Mari said that the powerful character of ‘Maamannan’, his film’s protagonist, is a reimagination of ‘Esaki’, a subservient character in Thevar Magan who is willing to sacrifice his life for his master ‘Sakthivelu’, played by Kamal Haasan. It is no coincidence, according to Mari, that he chose Vadivelu, who plays Esaki in Thevar Magan, to now play the reimagined character of Maamannan. Mari establishes the politics of Maamannan from the very first shot, just like...

ListicleHeadlined by stars like Rajinikanth, Ram Charan, Mammootty, and Fahadh Faasil, these films challenge how Dalit and Adivasi lives have so far been represented in cinema from the southern states.Cinema from the southern states have seen a wave of anti-caste films that challenge how caste is represented on our screens. Kollywood in particular has seen many such movies in recent years, with several helmed by Dalit directors such as Pa Ranjith and Mari Selvaraj among others. The success of these films in both box office takings and wide-spread popularity among audiences and critics alike have certainly created a trend of anti-caste movies. These films have banked on some of the biggest stars in their respective industries like Rajinikanth, Ram Charan, Mammootty, and Fahadh Faasil to draw in movie-goers, while simultaneously challenging how Dalit and Adivasi lives have been represented so far. Here’s a list of films in Telugu,...

EntertainmentBesides two Hollywood biggies, there is much to look forward to in India’s cinemas this July — some more exciting than others. Here are some films to catch in theatres this month.Between Greta Gerwig’s wild live-action meta-comedy Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s epic historical drama Oppenheimer, Hollywood film fans are spoiled for choice this July. The widely different genres of the two films, the anticipation surrounding both, and the decision to release them on the same day (July 21) have tickled many a funny bone, with the internet even christening the face-off ‘Barbenheimer’. But besides these two Hollywood biggies, there is much more to look forward to in India’s cinemas this July — some more exciting than others. Here are seven films, across industries and languages, that we can’t wait to catch in theatres this month. Maamannan - In theatres Mari Selvaraj’s Maamannan was released in theatres...

ControversyThe popular anti-caste director tweeted his praise for ‘Maamannan’ and also stated his concerns regarding the treatment of Dalit MLAs within their own parties.In the wake of Mari Selvaraj’s Maamannan receiving wide praise from audiences and critics alike, director Pa Ranjith has spoken out on the politics of the film. Maamannan stars actor-producer and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (Dmk) minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. Congratulating Udhayanidhi and Mari Selvaraj, Pa Ranjith said, “As an actor, producer and minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin truly deserves praise. He himself must be aware of the immense challenge of caste discrimination within the Dmk. We believe that through this movie [Maamannan] Udhayanidhi will take the first step toward abolishing discrimination inside the party.” The plot of Maamannan revolves around a Dalit Mla (Vadivelu) who is discriminated against by members of his own party on the basis of his caste. This fictional party in the film claims that...

Kollywood The movie, starring Udhayanidhi, Vadivelu, Fahadh Fassil, and Keerthy Suresh, was released on June 29 and has garnered critical acclaim as well as positive responses from audiences. Udhayanidhi Stalin’s production house Red Giant Movies has presented a Mini Cooper, a luxury sports car, to director Mari Selvaraj in recognition of the success of their latest film, Maamannan. The movie, starring Udhayanidhi, Vadivelu, Fahadh Fassil, and Keerthy Suresh, was released on June 29 and has garnered critical acclaim as well as positive responses from audiences. Maamannan marks Mari Selvaraj’s third triumphant anti-caste film, following the success of Pariyerum Perumal (2018) and Karnan (2021). Udhayanidhi took to his social media platform to announce the gift and shared pictures of the presentation. In a tweet, he expressed his gratitude to Mari Selvaraj, stating that the film has sparked discussions and debates among Tamils worldwide. Udhayanidhi emphasised that Maamannan has effectively conveyed the principles of...

Actor ProfileFrom comedy to singing, to moving audiences and fellow actors to tears in emotional scenes, Vadivelu, fondly called Vaigai Puyal, has done it all.Vennaam. Valikuthu. Azhuthuduven. Did you just hear these three iconic words in Vadivelu’s voice? If you did, it’s a testament to how much the celebrated Tamil comedian’s dialogues are burnt into our collective memory. It has been 35 years since Vadivelu, affectionately called Vaigai Puyal (Vaigai Storm) by his fans, was first seen on screen in En Thangai Kalyani (1988). The epithet is a reference to the famed Vaigai river that flows through the actor’s hometown of Madurai. All these decades later, Vadivelu and his work continue to defy both expectations and easy categorisation. Simultaneously, many of his dialogues have become embedded in spoken Tamil, offering succinct witticisms to use for everyday problems. The actor has delivered some of the most memorable scenes in Tamil cinema comedy,...

ReviewAfter ‘Pariyerum Perumal’ and ‘Karnan’, director Mari Selvaraj is back with yet another film that will redefine how Kollywood talks about caste. FilmPoster/CourtesyMariSelvarajTwitterThe heart and soul of Maamannan is Vadivelu. After all, the title takes the name of his character. And it feels as if the actor never forgets that for even a moment when he is in front of the camera. This is a Vadivelu so spectacularly in form that you cry when he cries, and you are enraged for him when his grief gives way to anger. Nearly every minute of the story you are made to travel with him. Mari Selvaraj, after Pariyerum Perumal (2018) and Karnan (2021), delivers yet another film that will redefine how Kollywood talks about caste. The film is set in the Kongu-belt, in Salem district. Maamannan (Vadivelu) is a Dalit Mla from Kasipuram. His son Adhiveeran, fondly called Veeran, (Udhayanidhi Stalin) and him...

ControversyThe protesters in Theni raised slogans against Dmk and said its actions could lead to caste riots. To prevent violence, police protection has been offered to three theatres in Thoothukudi as well.Police in Tamil Nadu’s Theni district detained 20 people who were staging protests in front of a theatre against the screening of Mari Selvaraj’s Maamannan, which was released on Thursday, June 29. According to reports, police protection was given to the theatre in Theni. The protesters reportedly belong to the Tamil Desiya Forward Bloc which supports the dominant Thevar community in Tamil Nadu. During the audio launch of Maamannan, director Mari Selvaraj had said that the film was inspired from Thevar Magan. He said that although Thevar Magan was a masterpiece, it made him feel distressed with its glorification of the feudal nature of the Thevar caste, and its problematic caste politics. After this speech, people began calling...

KollywoodMari Selvaraj took to Twitter to share a picture with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mk Stalin, who he said hugged and appreciated them after watching ‘Maamannan’.TwitterJust hours into the release of Mari Selvaraj’s latest and much-anticipated film Maamannan, praise has already begun to pour in. On Twitter, Mari Selvaraj shared a picture with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mk Stalin, who he said was all praise for the film. “After watching Maamannan, Chief Minister Mk Stalin hugged and appreciated us. We offer our gratitude and love to him,” said the director. The film features Vadivelu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Keerthy Suresh, and Fahadh Faasil in lead roles. Actor and producer Dhanush, who watched the film on Thursday, June 28, also took to Twitter to share his appreciation. “Maamannan by Mari selvaraj is an emotion. A big hug to you Mari. Vadivelu sir and Udhayanidhi Stalin have delivered a very convincing performance. Great...

NewsThe petitioner claimed that the release of Maamannan could lead to communal tensions.A writ petition has been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a ban on director Mari Selvaraj’s Maamannan, claiming that the film might stoke communal tensions between Thevars (dominant community) and Devendra Kula Velalars (Dalit community). The film is scheduled to release on Thursday, June 29. Maamannan stars actors Vadivelu, Fahadh Faasil, Keerthy Suresh and Udhayanidhi Stalin. The petitioner, Manikandan, who belongs to Thevar community, demanded the Central Board of Film Certification to revoke the censorship certificate of Maamannan and further completely ban the film’s screening. Manikandan claimed that after watching the trailer and audio launch of the film, he suspects that Maamannan will induce “religious fanaticism” between Thevars and Devendra Kula Velalars. He said that Mari Selvaraj’s previous film Karnan was based on a true incident between Thevars and Devendra Kula Velalars. Mari...

NewsIn 7 aum Arivu, Shruti Haasan, who is a genetic engineer, claims that talented people are fleeing India because of reservation, recommendation and corruption.Actor-politician Udhayanidhi Stalin, scion of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party (Dmk), disclosed that actor Suriya, in the lead role in 7aum Arivu, had objected to a piece of dialogue in the film that sounds anti-reservation. It was Udhayanidhi’s production house Red Giant Movies that had produced it. Though Suriya’s advice was well-meant, he chose to ignore it because of his inadequate understanding of the concept of social justice and Dmk’s own unwavering fight towards achieving it. In a scene in the film (released in 2011) where a group of scientists dismiss Shruti Haasan’s absurd theory of ‘reviving skills through genetic transfer,’ Shruti retorts, “Because of reservation, recommendation, corruption, talented people are fleeing India.” (She was the heroine.) In an interview, while promoting his film Maamannan,...

Cinema“The voice in the film is an important one. It is not just Mari’s but the voice of crores of people. This is a generation which dictates the path of India, and films are necessary for that,” Kamal said.Ever since Mari Selvaraj’s speech during the audio launch of Maamannan was televised, the director has been either subjected to criticism or applause and his views on Thevar Magan movie have become a raging topic of discussion. However, actor Kamal Haasan, who was the chief guest for the event, has appreciated Mari Selvaraj for his politics. “I have been watching your films since Pariyerum Perumal. One quality I like about you is, instead of defining who is the opposition, intending to change the society, you attempt to give even the oppressors a neutral space. When you are in anger that thought does not occur. But your thought proves your quest for equality,...

KollywoodThe court was hearing a petition by producer Ramasaravanan who says that ‘Maamannan’ star Udhayanidhi Stalin had failed to complete shooting for his film as promised. With less than a week left for director Mari Selvaraj’s Maamannan starring Udhayanidhi Stalin to hit the theatres, the Madras High Court has refused a petition to stay the film’s release and given Udhayanidhi time until June 28 to respond. Maamannan is set to release on Friday, June 29. The court was hearing a petition by a person called Ramasaravanan, who says he is a producer, stating that Dmk Minister and actor Udhayanidhi Stalin had failed to complete shooting for his film Angel as promised. The petitioner further says that Udhayandhi had promised to finish the shooting and dubbing for his film before the release of Maamannan, which is to be his last film. Ramasaravanan has also demanded Rs 25 crores in damages. The petition...

EntertainmentPlayback singer Shuba posted the Instagram video featuring Ar Rahman, lyricist Snehan, and herself on Wednesday, June 21, taking even the original creators by surprise. When a typically reticent Ar Rahman gets the occasional urge to express himself on camera, it is always a matter of excitement for his admirers. The Oscar-winning music composer, who recently surprised his ardent fans by shaking a leg to the peppy ‘Jigu Jigu Rail’ track in Mari Selvaraj’s Maamannan, seems to have now decided to maintain the streak, this time by indulging in some tongue-in-cheek humour with lyricist Snehan and singer Shuba. On Wednesday, June 21, Shuba posted an Instagram video featuring the trio, recreating a hilarious video by team Vikkals, and taking even the original creators by surprise. In the original video, content creators Vikram Arul, Hari Muniyappan, and Sibi Jayakumar appear as Shuba, Snehan, and Rahman respectively, enacting to comedic effect their imagination...

KollywoodMari Selvaraj, who is known for his anti-caste movies, said that watching Thevar Magan distressed him greatly and did not understand whether the movie was right or wrong.Anti-caste Tamil filmmaker Mari Selvaraj said that Thevar Magan, considered an iconic movie in Tamil cinema, had inspired him to make his latest movie, Maamannan–by reimagining the film about Thevars, a dominant community, with Dalit characters. In his speech during the audio launch of Maamannan’s on June 1, the director in the presence of actor Kamal Haasan, the lead actor of Thevar Magan, confessed to him that he did not understand whether Thevar Magan was right or wrong when he watched it for the first time. Besides playing the lead role, Kamal Haasan also wrote and produced Thevar Magan. Mari Selvaraj said on stage, “Today Thevar Magan is treated as a masterpiece. Every director would have watched it before making their films.

TrailerMari Selvaraj’s ‘Maamannan’, starring Udhayanidhi Stalin, Vadivelu, Fahadh Faasil and Keerthy Suresh, is expected to release on June 29. The trailer of filmmaker Mari Selvaraj’s highly anticipated Maamannan was released on Friday, June 16. The trailer begins with Vadivelu’s dialogue in the background, “I might be singing the same song, but I will sing it as long as I live. I shall rip my gut out, transform it into a lute and make its strings echo in every street. I will keep seeking the ears which want to hear the truth.” These lines are from a poem written by Telugu poet Nagamuni. Director Mari Selvaraj is known for the strong anti-caste themes in his films, and Maamannan is his third film after Pariyerum Perumal and Karnan. The trailer shows Vadivelu in the role of a musician who passes his art down to young children. Udhayanidhi Stalin is seen in the role of his son.

EntertainmentMari Selvaraj’s ‘Maamannan’ was speculated to be Tn Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s last film as an actor, before shifting his focus entirely to his political career. Red Giant Movies/TwitterAmid speculation over actor-politician Udhayanidhi Stalin possibly quitting acting in films after the upcoming political thriller Maamannan, the Tamil Nadu Minister has announced that he might make a comeback in films after three years, at the end of his term as the state Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development. Udhayanidhi made this statement at the audio launch event of the film Maamannan on June 1, Thursday. In Maamannan, Udhayanidhi plays one of the lead roles alongside Keerthy Suresh. The film also stars actors Vadivelu and Fahadh Faasil. The movie is directed by filmmaker Mari Selvaraj, known for his anti-caste works. Read: Top wrestler says she complained to Pm about Brij Bhushan in 2021 “I have too much work to do [in politics]. Maamannan...

Entertainment 'Maamannan', which stars actors Udhayanidhi Stalin, Keerthy Suresh, Vadivelu, and Fahadh Faasil among others, is directed by anti-caste director Mari Selvaraj.Facebook/Ar RahmanOscar-winning music composer Ar Rahman will perform live at the audio launch of upcoming Tamil film Maamannan on Thursday, June 1. The event is scheduled to be organised at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai. Maamannan, which stars actors Udhayanidhi Stalin, Keerthy Suresh, Vadivelu, and Fahadh Faasil among others, is being directed by anti-caste director Mari Selvaraj of Pariyerum Perumal and Karnan fame. The film's trailer will also be released at the audio launch event. Two songs from Maamannan have already been released. 'Raasa Kannu', an emotional song sung by veteran Tamil actor-comedian Vadivelu, has received rave reviews and clocked over 6.2 million views on YouTube. The second song, 'Jigu Jigu Rail', has crossed 3 million views on YouTube. 'Jigu Jigu Rail' particularly won appreciation from many Rahman...

Mumbai, May 29 (Ians) Star Dhanush looked unrcognisable as he was seen sporting long hair and beard at the airport.

Celebrity photographer Viral Bhayani took to Instagram, where he shared a picture of Dhanush walking at the airport with in new look. The actor was seen wearing a maroon sweatshirt paired with black joggers and sunglasses.

The actor also obliged for a picture with a fan.

However, his new look caught the attention of many fans who likened the actor to Baba Ramdev.

One wrote: “Mujhe toh laga Baba Ramdev kapde pahen kar gaye.”

Another called him: “Baba Ramdev pro.”

“I think Baba Ramdev par biopic banne wali hai,” said a netizen.

One asked: “Baba Ramdev is that you?”

A fan wondered how the camera people recognised the actor.

“How did people recognise him in his new avatar… He is completely unrecognisable.”

It is not clear if this is a look...

After the initial first-look poster, the makers of ‘Maamannan’, with Tamil Nadu Minister for Youth Affairs and actor Udhayanidhi Stalin and Vedivelu in the lead roles, will release the first single on May 19.

Helmed by Mari Selvaraj, the Tamil film, billed as a political thriller, also stars Fahadh Faasil and Keerthy Suresh. A.R. Rahman has been roped in to compose the music for the film. Theni Eswar helms cinematography and Selva Rk is in charge of editing.

The Red Giant Movies official handle shared the first-look poster for the song and tweeted, “Get ready for the musical storm. The first song from #Maamannan drops on May 19th.” The film has been bankrolled by Red Giant Movies, which is Udhayanidhi Stalin’s production house.

Udhayanidhi, who was last seen in ‘Psycho’ and ‘Nenjuku Needhi’, has announced that ‘Maamannan’ will be his last film as an actor. It is, incidentally, director Mari...

KollywoodThe first look poster shows Udhayanidhi in a dark suit, flanked by Vadivelu and Fahadh Faasil.TwitterOn May Day morning, director Mari Selvaraj released the first look poster of his much anticipated film, Maamannan starring Udhayanidhi Stalin in the lead. Apart from Vadivelu, whose appearance in the film was already announced, Fahadh Faasil is also part of the cast, according to the new announcement. The film is set to release in June. The film is produced by Red Giant Movies, which is also headed by Udhayanidhi Stalin. Maamannan, according to a previous announcement by Udhayanidhi, is to be the actor-politician’s final appearance on screen. He was last seen in Kannai Nambathey earlier this year. Keerthy Suresh is also starring in Maamannan. The music for the film is composed by Ar Rahman. The first look poster shows Udhayanidhi in a dark suit, flanked by Vadivelu and Fahadh. Vadivelu, often referred to as Vaigai Puyal,...

EntertainmentActors Siddhanth Chaturvedi and Tripti Dimri have been reportedly cast as the main characters. Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar is reportedly remaking anti-caste filmmaker Mari Selvaraj’s critically acclaimed Tamil film Pariyerum Perumal. According to reports, actors Siddhanth Chaturvedi and Tripti Dimri have been cast as the main characters. While it was reported that the film has been titled Dhadak 2, Karan Johar had earlier denied making any film with that title. Pariyerum Perumal, released in 2018, dealt with the issue of caste oppression. A young first generation student from a Dalit community, who aspires to become a lawyer, is subjected to severe humiliation and violence because of his caste identity. His caste identity haunts him in every sphere. The story is set in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, one of the regions notorious for caste atrocities against the Scheduled Caste communities. This debut film by Mari Selvaraj received critical acclaim for its powerful storytelling and realistic portrayal.

FlixThis yet-to-be-titled project will feature eminent actors and top-league technicians from across the country.Zee Studios and Wunderbar Films officially announced a new project with actor Dhanush and filmmaker Mari Selvaraj on Sunday, April 9, sparking intrigue. The announcement coincided with the second anniversary of Mari Selvaraj’s directorial Karnan, which starred Dhanush and Rajisha Vijayan in lead roles, and was very well received. "This yet-to-be-titled project will be one of the highest-budget movies in the career of actor Dhanush, made on a larger canvas. Yet another intriguing attraction about the film is that it marks the comeback of Dhanush’s Wunderbar Films into movie production. This film, jointly produced by Zee Studios and Wunderbar Films, will feature eminent actors from various regional film industries and top-league technicians, announcements of which will follow shortly," the production house said in a statement. Speaking about the association, Akshay Kejriwal, the Zee Studios Head of South Movies said,...

Top stars feature in an 18-strong Tamil-language film slate that will bow on Netflix after theatrical release.

Several of the titles will also be made available on the service in the Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi languages.

Dream Warrior Pictures has “Japan,” starring Karthi, directed by Rajumurugan, Studio Green has “Thangalaan,” starring Vikram, directed by Pa. Ranjith and Sithara Entertainments/Srikara Studios/ Fortune Four Cinemas, “Vaathi,” starring Dhanush, directed by Venky Atluri.

Lyca Productions has six films on the slate led by a project identified as “AK62,” the next film from Ajith Kumar, who currently has “Thunivu” on release. P. Vasu’s “Chandramukhi 2,” starring Raghava Lawrence, the sequel to the 2005 smash hit starring superstar Rajinikanth is also from Lyca, as are their untitled 18th production, starring Vidaarth and Yogi Babu and directed by T. Arulchezhian; their 20th production, starring Jai and Aishwarya Rajesh, directed by Rohin Venkatesan; and 24th production featuring Bharatiraja and Arulnithi,...

CinemaThis comes shortly after Udhayanidhi Stalin was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister on December 14. Tnm StaffFacebook/ Udhayanidhi StalinShortly after Udhayanidhi Stalin, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's (Dmk) youth wing secretary and Mla from the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency in Chennai was sworn in as the state minister on Wednesday, December 14, he announced that the upcoming Tamil movie Maamannan would be his last film as an actor. Speaking to the media after the swearing in ceremony on December 14, Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is the son of Chief Minister Mk Stalin, said in Tamil, “No, I am not acting anymore. I was supposed to act in a movie produced by Kamal sir. When he came to know about this, he was the first one to congratulate. The last film would be Maamannan with Thiru Mari Selvaraj,” he said. However, it is unclear whether Udhayanidhi will continue to produce and distribute films under his home banner Red Giant Movies.

ReviewFor fans of Vadivelu, including this reviewer, Naai Sekar Returns falls terribly short of all the fun it promised. Sadly, this entire review cannot be written with just Vadivelu’s most iconic punchlines.Bharathy SingaravelTrailerScreenGrab"Naam yaaruku enna theengu seidhom?” I muse, ten minutes into the much-awaited Naai Sekar Returns. The title makes a call back to Vadivelu’s character in Thalai Nagaram (2006) in which he plays a laughably over-the-top rowdy called Naai Sekar. I wish I could write this review for ‘Vaigai Puyal’ Vadivelu’s return to the big screen entirely in his own iconic dialogues. The line from Imsai Arasan 23 Pulikesi (2006), the actor’s historical satire, remains a meme-favourite as much as the film continues to hold on to its legendary status. But that dialogue also has a life and emotion of its own. Every Tamil who has grown up on Vadivelu’s comedy understands the wry pity...

Keerthy Suresh, who plays the female lead in director Mari Selvaraj’s much-awaited entertainer, ‘Maamannan’, has announced that she has wrapped up shooting for her portions in the film. On Monday, the entire unit of Maamannan, which features Udhayanidhi Stalin and Fahadh Faasil as the male leads, celebrated the birthday of popular Tamil comedian Vadivelu on the sets of the film.

Keerthy, who took part in the birthday celebrations of Vadivelu on the sets of ‘Maamannan’, posted pictures of the celebration and wrote: “Super happy to wrap up #Maamannan along with Vaigai Puyal Vadivel sir’s birthday. Happy Birthday sir.”

“Thank you for this incredible journey, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Mari Selvaraj, Fahadh Faasil, Vadivelu sir, Theni Eswar and team.”

The film, which is being produced by Udhayanidhi Stalin’s production house, Red Giant Movies, has music by A R Rahman and cinematography by Theni Eswar.

Director Sukumar’s explosive blockbuster ‘Pushpa: The Rise’, featuring actors Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead, led the list of nominations in the Telugu section of the 10th Edition of the South Indian International Movie Awards (Siima) that is scheduled to be held in Bengaluru on September 10-11.

While ‘Pushpa’ got nominated in a whopping 12 categories, Boyapati Srinu’s ‘Akhanda’, featuring Balakrishna in the lead, has got nominated in 10. Anudeep Kv’s ‘Jathi Ratnalu’ and Buchi Babu Sana’s ‘Uppena’ were close behind with eight nominations each.

In the Tamil section, director Mari Selvaraj’s critically acclaimed blockbuster ‘Karnan’, featuring Dhanush in the lead, led the pack with 10 nominations.

Director Nelson Dilipkumar’s action-comedy entertainer ‘Doctor’, featuring Sivakarthikeyan in the lead, got nine nominations while Lokesh Kanakaraj’s ‘Master’ and director Al Vijay’s ‘Thalaivi’, the biopic of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, got seven nominations each.

Film CommentaryDhammam is part of SonyLiv’s anthology series Victim, who’s Next? featuring four short films.Bharathy SingaravelSpoiler alert: This article is not a review and discusses some scenes in detail. The scene opens to a Buddha half buried in the mud. A girl, possibly no more than ten-years-old, sits astride the idol’s shoulders. She tries to stand up, teetering on the edge, a gleeful smile on her lips as she spreads out her arms like wings. At this exact moment, her father working in a field nearby, breaks the spell. Shouting at her for her “irreverence” he drags the little girl off the statue, much to her annoyance. “You never let me fly! Hasn’t the Buddha himself said ‘there is no god?!” she demands. The father grumbles to himself about his ‘out-of-control’ daughter. The girl, miffed, but unrepentant, goes off to play in the mud chasing fish.

KollywoodThe film also stars Udhayanidhi Stalin, Keerthy Suresh, and Vadivelu in pivotal roles.Tnm StaffTwitter/ Sreedhar PillaiThe shoot for Mari Selvaraj’s new film Maamannan is underway. Actor Fahadh Faasil joined the sets earlier this week. Photos of Fahadh along with director Mari Selvaraj and others from the crew have been doing the rounds on social media. Fahadh is seen in a white shirt with his moustache twirled. Maamannan co-stars actors Udhayanidhi Stalin, Keerthy Suresh, and Vadivelu in pivotal roles. Fahadh is likely to essay the role of an antagonist. Maamannan is bankrolled by actor-politician Udhayanidhi Stalin under the banner of Red Giant Movies. A story set against a rural backdrop, Maamannan has music by composer Ar Rahman. Theni Eashwar is on board as the cinematographer. Selva Rk is on board as the editor, while Dhilip Subbarayan and Sandy Master have been roped in as the action and dance choreographer respectively.

Based on similar events that took place in 1995 in Kodiyankulam, “Karnan” was one of the highest grossing Tamil films of 2021, although its theatrical run was abruptly ended due to restrictions following the Covid-19 pandemic. The movie also finds its place in our Best Indian Films of 2021 list and is the first one we review as part of our Tribute to Tamil cinema

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In southern Tamil Nadu, two neighboring villages Melur and Podiyankulam, find themselves in constant conflict as the latter’s inhabitants are denied a bus stop and are forced to use the one by Melur for commuting. However, as the people there look down upon the Dalits of Podiyankulam, the frictions are frequent, and have actually resulted in the latter either waiting for hours to hitch a ride from some passing truck, or not commuting at all. The second choice has inhibited the progress of the village significantly,...

CinemaHelmed by director Suresh Mari, the film features actors Dinesh, Urvashi and Maaran in the lead. Tnm StaffTwitter/ Pa RanjithThe first look poster of director Pa Ranjith’s next production venture J Baby was unveiled on Tuesday, March 29. The film stars actors Urvashi, Dinesh, and Maaran in the lead, and is helmed by Suresh Mari. The film marks Suresh’s directorial debut. Sharing the first look poster, Pa Ranjith wrote, “Here's the First Look (Journey) of #JBaby. Thank you #dinesh (sic).” The film will be produced by Pa Ranjith’s production banner Neelam Productions in association with Golden Ratio Films and Little Red Car Films. The trio reportedly have a five-film slate that kick started with the Tamil movie Writer which released last year. Ranjith will also be producing films by Lenin Bharati, Mari Selvaraj and Akiran Moses. Jayanth Sethu Mathavan, who worked as the cinematographer for Baaram, has been roped in for the project,...