When Vijay had a fanboy moment 

It is no secret that actor Vijay is one of the Indian actors who enjoys a tremendous fan following. While it is no secret he hold high regards for his contemporaries, Vijay himself turned into a fan boy while watching the recently released Equalizer 3 starring Denzel Washington.

Director Venkat Prabhu, who will be next directing Vijay in the upcoming tentatively titled Thalapathy 68, took to social media to share the actor’s fan boy. The duo watched Equalizer 3 in the USA, where they are working on the VFX for their upcoming film.

“For the first ever time!!! I captured our #Thalapathy @actorvijay na’s fan boy moment!!!” Venkat Prabhu shared on Twitter, while posting a photo of Vijay. The picture shows silhouette of Vijay, with his hands wide open, in front of the movie screen playing Equalizer 3.

Meanwhile, Vijay is awaiting the release of Leo, with director Lokesh Kanagaraj. The film is set to hit the theatres on October 19.

Jailer gets OTT premiere date 

Jailer, the recently released Tamil film starring actor Rajinikanth in the lead role, is set to have its OTT premiere on Prime Video on September 7, the platform announced. The film, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, is backed by Sun Pictures.

Jailer stars Rajinikanth as Muthuvel Pandian, who is a former jailer, and has to face off with a deadly criminal in order to save his kidnapped son. Others part of the cast include Ramya Krishnan, Vasanth Ravi, Vinayakan, among others. The film also boasts a slew of guest appearances by Shivrajkumar, Mohanlal, Jackie Shroff, Tamannaah, Sunil, among others.

The film opened to mixed to positive responses, and the dark comedy action drama has Anirudh Ravichander as the music composer and Vijay Karthik Kannan handling the cinematography. Following the success of Jailer, the CEO of Sun Pictures, Kalanithi Maran, has gifted a brand new BMW X7 to actor Rajinikanth.

Tenkasi schedule of Vijay Antony's Romeo wrapped up

It is known that Vijay Antony, who was recently seen in the murder mystery Kolai, is shooting for his upcoming romantic drama titled Romeo, directed by Vinayak Vaithianathan. The Telugu version of the film is titled Love Guru.

While the team had wrapped up the Malaysia schedule of the shoot a few weeks ago, they have now completed the next schedule which was happening at Tenkasi. Vijay Antony took to X (Twitter) to share a picture of the cast and crew, and wrote, "Successfully wrapped up the challenging Tenkasi schedule of  #Romeo and #LoveGuru."

Vinayak Vaithianathan has earlier worked as assistant director of filmmaker Shree Karthick in Kanam and has previously directed a YouTube Series titled 'Kadhal Distancing'.

While Mirnalini Ravi plays the female lead, VTV Ganesh, Thalaivasal Vijay, Ilavarasu, Sudha and Sreeja Ravi feature in key roles. The film has cinematography by  Farook J Basha and music by Barath Dhanasekar. 

The film will be shot extensively in and around Malaysia, Bangkok, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Tenkasi, and Mahabalipuram.

Vijay Antony has several films like Ratham, Mazhai Pidikatha Manithan, Agni Siragugal and Valli Mayil in various stages of production. 

Romeo is expected to hit the screens summer of next year.

Kamal Haasan pays tribute to RS Shivaji

Condolences have been pouring from all quarters for actor RS Shivaji who passed away today at the age of 66. He is the son of actor and producer MR Santhanam and the brother of Santhana Bharathi.

Actor Kamal Haasan mourned the demise of the veteran actor and penned a note on his X handle (formerly Twitter). He wrote, "I am deeply saddened to hear the news of my friend and great character actor RS Shivaji's demise. Even if it was a small character, he had the potential to give it life that would make it stay in the hearts of fans for a long time. He is widely recognized as a member of our Rajkamal Films family. I offer my condolences to his bereaved family and friends."

It is to be noted that RS Shivaji frequently collaborated with Kamal Haasan and his banner Raaj Kamal Films International. The actor has collaborated with Kamal in many films, including Vikram (1986), Sathya (1988), and Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990), to name a few. RS Shivaji was mainly known to play comic and supporting roles. His dialogue, "Sir! Neenga Engeyo Poiteenga, sir" from the Kamal Haasan-starrer Apoorva Sagodharargal has become a sort of parody.

Of late, the actor also coupled with new-age actors and appeared in supporting roles. He was seen alongside Nayanthara in Kolamavu Kokila, and his performance in Sai Pallavi's Gargi was applauded. He was last seen in Yogi Babu's Lucky Man which was released in theatres recently.

Kavalthurai Ungal Nanban team returns for a comedy entertainer

Actor Suresh Ravi, and producers Bhaskaran B and Rajapondiyan P, who had worked together for Kavalthurai Ungal Nanban (2020), have teamed up again for a yet-to-be-titled film, directed by K Balaiya.

In a conversation with Cinema Express, Suresh Ravi explains the story behind the collaboration. "Following the success of Kavalthurai Ungal Nanban, I pitched this story to the producers after hearing it from the director. Even before I finished narrating it, they were on board with the idea," he says.

Explaining the storyline for the film, which is currently titled, Production No. 2 he says, "Sathya, the hero of the story is an IT professional who works in Chennai. He keeps avoiding his father who wants him to come back to his village. The reason for the same is revealed when a family function forces him to go back to his roots and face his family." Suresh mentions that this film will be distinct and wouldn't follow the tropes of a regular family drama. 
 
Unlike KUN which falls under the genre of a crime-thriller, the actor notes that this film will be an out-and-out comedy film with elements of family drama.

Apart from Suresh, the film stars Yogi Babu in a prominent role. Iravin Nizhal fame Brigida Saga, YouTuber Deepa Balu and Kana Kaanum Kaalangal 2 actor Teja Venkatesh will play female leads in the film. The star cast also features Karunakaran, Vela Ramamoorthy, Adithya Kathir, Appukutty and Gnanasambandam.

The shooting for the upcoming film is set to start on September 4 in Karaikudi and Madurai for 21 days. The second schedule will take place in Theni and Kodaikanal while the final leg of the shoot is planned in Chennai. The technical crew has cinematography by Gopi Jagadeeswaran, music by N R Raghunandhan and editing by Dinesh Ponuraj.

Backed by BR Talkies Corporation, the makers are aiming to release the film by summer 2024.

Suresh Ravi, who was last seen in KUN, is awaiting the release of B.E. BAR, Nandhi Varman and another untitled film with actor Sathish.

Kichcha Sudeepa and Cheran join hands for Kichcha 47

Actor Kichcha Sudeepa is set to collaborate with director Cheran for an upcoming film tentatively titled Kichcha 47, the makers of the film announced on social media on Saturday. The film will be backed by Sathya Jyothi Films.

The makers released a new poster featuring a man, whose face is not seen. His shirt and hands have stains of blood. The makers did not reveal the rest of the cast and technical crew of the film as of yet.

It is to be noted that the actor had earlier remade and starred in My Autograph, based on Cheran's 2004 romantic drama Autograph. The film marked Sudeepa's directorial debut.

Meanwhile, Sudeepa was last seen in Vikrant Rona. The actor will be helming his upcoming film KK for KRG Studios. He is all also set to join forces with Kabzaa director R Chandru. On the other hand, for Cheran, Kichcha 47 will mark his return to the director's chair after four years, since the release of Thirumanam.

Trailer launch event of Chandramukhi 2 to happen on this date

With P Vasu's Chandramukhi 2 gearing up for a worldwide release on September 15, the makers are on a promotional spree for the film. While fans have been eagerly awaiting the release of the trailer for the much-anticipated film, Lyca Productions announced that the trailer launch event will happen on September 3 at the Express Avenue Mall in Chennai.

Taking to their X handle (formerly Twitter), Lyca Productions, the production house backing the film, wrote, "Join our amazing cast and crew for the Official TRAILER LAUNCH EVENT of Chandramukhi-2 at the Express Avenue Mall, Chennai on Sep 3rd, 3 PM Onwards! Let us all together light up the arena & have fun!"

Earlier the makers had arranged a grand audio launch in Chennai where the cast and crew were in attendance. Director P Vasu, Raghava Lawrence, Kangana Ranaut and Vadivelu spoke about the movie and their roles in the film.

Scheduled to hit the theatres for Vinayaka Chaturthi in September, Chandramukhi 2 is the sequel to the 2005 film Chandramukhi. P Vasu, who helmed the former, is also directing the sequel. Backed by Lyca Productions, the upcoming film stars Raghava Lawrence and Kangana Ranaut in the lead roles.

Apart from Raghava Lawrence and Kangana Ranaut, Chandramukhi 2 features an ensemble cast including Vadivelu, Radhika Sarathkumar, Mahima Nambiar, Lakshmi Menon, Ravi Maria, and Shrushti Dange, among others. The film has cinematography by RD Rajasekar and editing by Lewellyn Gonsalvez.

Thalapathy 68: Vijay and Venkat Prabhu reach USA for VFX works

Venkat Prabhu took to his official X handle on Thursday to share photos of actor Vijay from the USC Institute of Creative Technologies (USC ICT). The photos show the actor undergoing a full-body 3D VFX scan at the institute for his 68th film helmed by Venkat Prabhu. 

"Welcome to the future!!" Venkat Prabhu captioned the tweet. USC ICT is known for working on films like Avatar and Fast and Furious. Thalapathy 68 is reportedly the first Indian film to get its VFX work done at the institute. 

Backed by AGS Entertainment, Thalapathy 68 is all set to have music composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja. Thalapathy 68 marks the first collaboration between Vijay and Venkat Prabhu. 

In a previous conversation with CE, Venkat Prabhu said, "I am more than elated to have gotten this opportunity. Words cannot describe how happy I am. I have been trying to do a film with Vijay ever since the release of Mankatha (2011). I am glad that it has finally materialised."

The film is slated for release in 2024.

Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir is now available to stream on OTT

Vijay Sethupathi's much-delayed Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir, which hit theatres on May 19, can now be streamed on Prime Video. The film marks the directorial debut of Venkata Krishna Roghanth. 

The film was released by Sakthi Film Factory.  Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir has Megha Akash play the female lead. The film also has director Mohan Raja making a cameo appearance.

Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir has music composed by Nivas K Prasanna and is backed by Essaki Durai. Ragu Aditya serves as the creative producer. Vetrivel Mahendran shot Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir, which has been edited by John Abraham.

Baba Black Sheep gets OTT premiere

YouTube personality and public speaker Raj Mohan's directorial debut, Baba Black Sheep can now be streamed on Prime Video. The film hit theatres on July 14 and opened to unfavourable reviews. 

Virumaandi-fame Abhirami essays the role of a student's mother in the film. The ensemble cast of the film includes RJ Vigneshkanth, Bose Venkat, Madurai Muthu, Suresh Chakravarthi, Narendra Prasad, Ammu Abhirami, and Vinodhini Vaidyanathan amongst others. 

The music for the film is composed by Santhosh Dhayanidhi. The lyrics for the songs are penned by Yugabarathi, A Pa Raja, and Vaisagh while Vijay Velukutty takes care of the editing. Sudarshan Srinivasan is the cinematographer for Baba Black Sheep.

The film is backed by Romeo Pictures.

Read our review of Baba Black Sheep.