Aishwarya Rajesh's next, titled Valaiyam, helmed by debut director Mano Bharathi, went on floors on Saturday. The film, backed by G Dilli Babu's Axess Film Factory, also introduces actor Dev in a lead role. 

Shedding light on the film's genre and plot, director Mano Bharathi says, "The film is a female-oriented action thriller. Aishwarya Rajesh plays a village girl who comes to Chennai to take an examination. During her visit, she becomes a witness to a crime, and because of this, she faces certain consequences. How she takes the help of her friend, a rookie cop, to come out of the situation forms the crux of the story." Dev is set to essay the role of the buddy cop. 

Mano says that Valaiyam is not like the usual female-oriented films. "The film's crime is set in the night backdrop, and the film will feature Aishwarya performing stunt sequences," he shares further adding why Aishwarya was his choice for the role, "I chose Aishwarya Rajesh because I wanted my lead to represent someone from the South side of Tamil Nadu." 

When asked about Dev's casting, the director explains, "I needed an innocent face for the role of the police officer, but at the same time, I didn't want the conventional actors who always play such roles. I chose a debutant because the audience will have no idea about his background."

Chethan, Tamizh, Pradeep Rudra, Hareesh Peradi, and Suresh Menon round out the cast of Valaiyam. Mano says that the film is being planned to be shot in and around Chennai. "Only one small village portion needs to be filmed outside the city. Further, we have only planned a single schedule of 40 days for the shoot," he adds. 

Valaiyam has cinematography by M Henry, an erstwhile assistant of Velraj, editing by Bhoopathy, of Oh My Kadavule fame and music by Lift-fame Michael Britto. The makers plan to release the film in the latter half of this year. 

The latest to join Vikram's Chiyaan 62 is Malayalam actor Suraj Venjaramoodu, who will be making his Tamil debut with the film. Helmed by SU Arun Kumar, who last helmed the critically acclaimed Chithha, Chiyaan 62 also stars SJ Suryah. 

Suraj Venjaramoodu who made his debut as a comedian in the Malayalam film industry, has received the Kerala State Award for Best Comedian three times and has also won The National Award for Best Actor in 2013 for his performance in the film Perariyathavar. The actor is known for his performance in films like Android Kunjappan, Jana Gana Mana, The Great Indian Kitchen and Driving License. 

GV Prakash has been roped in to compose music for the film. Chiyaan 62 is backed by Riya Shibu under the HR Pictures banner. It may be noted that Riya's father Shibu Thameens bankrolled Vikram starrers like Irumugan and Saamy Square. 

Chiyaan 62 is currently in the final stages of post-production. The film is expected to go on floors in April. More details regarding the film's titled, extended cast and crew are yet to be made by the makers.  

The makers of Double Tucker announced on Friday that the film's shoot has been officially wrapped up. The film stars Dheeraj, who has previously starred in Bodhai Yeri Budhi Maari. Double Tucker is written and directed by Meera Mahadhi.

Previously, the makers released the teaser which shows Dheeraj to be accompanied by two animated characters, whom he calls Angels, Right and Left. The two seem to sit on Dheeraj's shoulders and guide him with regard to what's right and wrong. The film's teaser promises an entertaining comedy of errors.

Smruthi Venkat is the female lead of Double Tucker which also stars Kovai Sarala, MS Bhaskar, Yashika Anand, Kaali Venkat, Munishkanth, Suniel Reddy, and Sha Ra among others. 

Vidyasagar is the music composer for Double Tucker which will also feature cinematography by Gautham and editing by Vetri. Air Flick Productions is bankrolling Double Tucker. The film, which is currently in post-production, is slated to hit theatres for Summer.  

Poosanikai Break, It's a WRAP !

Patch shoot mudichu Wrapup paniyaachu 
.
Gears up for a grand SUMMER RELEASE.. pic.twitter.com/igW0yun9Lb

— Meera Mahadhi (M²) (@meeramahadhi) March 1, 2024

Singer and music composer Pradeep Kumar's production house, Poorva Productions, unveiled the trailer of their upcoming film, Nalla Perai Vaanga Vendum Pillaigale (NPVVP), on Saturday. The film is written and directed by Prasath Ramar, who has previously helmed Siddharth's Enakkul Oruvan (2015). 

The trailer of NPVVP introduces us to youngsters from the towns of Tamil Nadu. We see a boy and a girl, newly in love, having different outlooks towards their relationship. The film tries to give us a picture of how the Youth from non-urban areas are also moving towards modernity and maybe even immoral behaviours.

NPVVP stars debutantes Preethy Karan, Senthur Pandian, Suresh Madhiazhagan, Poornima Ravi, Thamizhselvi, Shivani Keerthi. Apart from producing, Pradeep Kumar has also composed the music for the film. Kalyani Nair and Harish Balan are the co-producers of NPVVP. 

The technical crew of NPVVP consists of editor Radhakrishnan Dhanapal and cinematographer Udhay Thangavel. An A-rated film, NPVVP is gearing up to hit theatres on March 8. 

The makers of GV Prakash's Rebel unveiled the third single from the film, titled 'Chakara Muthey', on Saturday. Siddhu Kumar has composed the song which has vocals by Navakkarai Naveen Prabanjam and Gold Devaraj. Penned by Vignesh Ramakrishna, 'Chakara Muthey' is a love song. 

Directed by debutant filmmaker Nikesh RS, Rebel stars Mamitha Baiju as the female lead, marking her Tamil debut. The film's first single, titled 'Azhagana Sathigari' and the second single, titled 'Rise of Rebel', were earlier released by the makers. The film is slated for a release on March 22. 

In an earlier conversation with CE, director Nikesh said, "I was brought up in Kerala's Munnar. It is a period film which will showcase the life of people in the town. The film will centre around students who study there and how they are affected by the politics unfolding in the institution."

The film also stars Karunaas, Subramania Siva, Shalu Rahim, Venkatesh V.P., Aaditya Bhaskar, Kalloori Vinoth and Aathira, among others.

Rebel's technical crew comprises Arun Radhakrishnan (cinematographer) and Vetre Krishnan (editor). The film has cleared censorship formalities with a U/A certificate.

The makers of Hansika's Guardian announced on Saturday that the film will hit theatres on March 8. The makers also announced that the film has cleared censorship formalities with a U/A certificate. 

A horror film, Guardian is directed by the duo Sabari and Gurusaravanan. Suresh Menon, Sriman, Rajendran, Pradeep Rayan, and Tiger Garden Thangadurai form the supporting cast of Guardian. 

Guardian will have music composition by Sam CS, cinematography by KA Shakthivel and editing by M.Thiyagarajan. Guardian has been produced by Vijay Chandar. Previously, the makers released a teaser in which we find Hansika getting possessed by a revenge-taking spirit. 

The director duo Sabari-Saravanan made their directorial debut in 2022 with Koogle Kuttappa, the official Tamil remake of the Malayalam flick  Android Kunjappan Version 5.25. Koogle Kuttappa stars KS Ravikumar and Tharshan in lead roles.

Actor Varalaxmi Sarathkumar got engaged to art gallery owner Nicholai Sachdev on Friday, March 01. The couple exchanged rings in an intimate engagement ceremony in Mumbai, attended by close friends and family.

In a statement released by their families, the couple disclosed that they have known each other for fourteen years and that they would get married later in 2024. Photographs from the ceremony have been shared on social media as well, showing the couple with their family, including Varalaxmi's actor-politician father Sarathkumar, sister Pooja, and stepmother Raadhika Sarathkumar.

On the film front, the actor was last seen in the Prasanth Varma directorial Hanu-Man, and she will be next seen in Dhanush’s upcoming film Raayan, along with Sundeep Kishan, S J Suryah, Kalidas Jayaram, Prakash Raj, Aparna Balamurali, and Selvaraghavan.

Aishwarya Rajesh's upcoming film has been titled Valaiyam and the film was officially launched recently. The film bankrolled by G Dilli Babu's Axess Film Factory is directed by debutant Mano Bharathi. 

Valaiyam stars newcomer Dev starring opposite Aishwarya and it also stars actors like Chethan, Tamizh, Pradeep Rudra, Harish Peradii, and Suresh Menon. The action thriller has been planned to be shot in and around Chennai. 

The film has cinematography by M Henry, an erstwhile assistant of Velraj, editing by Bhoopathy, of Oh My Kadavule fame and music by Lift-fame Michael Britto.

Apart from this film Aishwarya has films like Karuppar Nagaram, Sister, Mohandas, Theeyavar Kulaigal Nadunga and ARM in various stages of production. 

Actor Nakkhul's upcoming film has been titled The Dark Heaven. The title look of the suspense thriller was reaveled online by Sasikumar, Bharath and Sibiraj. 

The Dark Heaven is directed by Baalaji and produced by B Production house. The story of the film is said to revolve around the series of mysterious murders that happen every 25 years. Interestingly, the film marks Nakkhul's first role as a cop and he plays an inspector who investigates the murders in the story. 

Starring Renu Soundar as the female lead, the film also has Saran, Kesavan, John Alex, Manoj, Tony Dayal and Bragan in important roles. The Dark Heaven has cinematography by Manikandan BK, music by Sakthi Balaji and editing by Raja Arumugam. The shooting of the  film is happening in full swing and it will be dubbed into languages like Telugu, English and Hindi. 

Apart from this film, Nakkhul is awaiting the release of his long-pending sattire Vasco Da Gama. 

The makers of Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha released a new song from the film titled 'Joshua Siru Paeraasai' from the film. The action film, which stars Varun and Raahei in lead roles, is all set to release tomorrow, March 1 in theatres.

'Joshua Siru Paeraasai' is sung by Keerthana Vaidyanathan, Niranja Ramanan and Karthik, with lyrics written by Super Subu. The music has been composed by Karthik.

Joshua Imai Pol Kaakha started filming in 2019 and was expected to see a theatrical release in 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the production of the film was halted.

Talking about the film ahead of its release, in a press interaction, the director hinted at the chances of the film falling into the universe of Vikram-starrer Dhruva Natchathiram, which is yet to hit the theatres.

Stressing on the Dhivyadharshini's (DD) character from Joshua, GVM  opened up about the film being part of the Dhruva Natchathiram universe, "DD worked with me in Dhruva Natchathiram, and I told her, the character in Joshua is almost as same as what she has done in  Dhruva Natchathiram, or it might be an extension". Then he goes on to add, "  There is a connection you will get to know when you watch Dhruva Natchathiram."

This action-thriller is produced by Ishari K Ganesh for Vels Film International. The cinematography for the film is done by SR Kathir. 

Read: Varun: Joshua won't be your usual action flick