BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, January 6 - SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu team up for the first time for an epic action adventure film, titled Varanasi. The much-awaited collaboration, also starring Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran, continues to generate massive buzz, and now a potential release date has added fuel to the excitement. As per lastest buzz, Varanasi is eyeing a grand theatrical release in April 2027, though an official confirmation from the makers is still awaited. According to reports, the makers are planning to bring Varanasi to cinemas on April 15, 2027, which coincides with Sri Rama Navami. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Varanasi is one of the most ambitious Indian films ever made, both in terms of budget and execution. The project involves extensive international schedules, heavy VFX work, and elaborate action set-pieces. A 2027 release window allows ample time for post-production, especially after the global success standards set by Baahubali and RRR. For Mahesh Babu, Varanasi is easily the biggest film of his career. The film is expected to present the superstar in a never-seen-before avatar, designed specifically for global audiences. Expectations are sky-high, as fans believe this film could redefine Mahesh Babu’s international presence. While April 9, 2,027 is being widely reported as the target release date, the makers have not made any official announcement yet, apart from the fact that they announced a summer 2027 release. Given Rajamouli's track record, the final date will only be revealed once filming and major post-production milestones are locked. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Chennai, January 6 - The makers of Thalapathy Vijay's Jana Nayagan have moved the Madras High Court after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) failed to issue the film's censor certificate, just days ahead of its scheduled January 9, 2026, release. According to reports, the film was submitted for certification on December 18, 2025, and the makers have already complied with the minor modifications suggested by the CBFC. However, the certificate is still pending, forcing the makers to seek urgent legal intervention. An urgent hearing was listed on January 6. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The delay has significantly impacted bookings in Tamil Nadu, where full-fledged ticket sales cannot begin without CBFC clearance. While bookings have opened in overseas markets and a few Indian states, exhibitors in Tamil Nadu remain on hold, causing concern among distributors and theatre owners ahead of the Pongal festive period. Adding to the controversy, members of Vijay's political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), have criticised the delay, alleging that the certification process is being unnecessarily prolonged. Directed by H. Vinoth, Jana Nayagan is Vijay's final film before his full-time political entry, making the censor delay a closely watched issue across the industry. Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK TEAM

The formidable actor-director duo of Dhanush and Aanand L Rai is reportedly gearing up for their fourth collaboration. Following the massive box office success of their recent outing, Tere Ishk Mein (2025), industry buzz suggests that the pair is now looking to explore an entirely new territory: a large-scale period action romance. While an official announcement is still under wraps, reports indicate that this project is intended to be mounted on an epic canvas, blending Rai's signature emotional depth with a grander cinematic spectacle than anything they have attempted before. The partnership between Dhanush and Aanand L Rai has established itself as a cornerstone of intense, character-driven storytelling, beginning with the 2013 cult classic Raanjhanaa.Dhanush’s Bollywood debut was a certified hit, earning ₹60.22 Cr net in India and ₹94 Cr worldwide. The duo continued their successful streak with the 2021 digital premiere Atrangi Re, which emerged as a major OTT hit. Their most recent collaboration, the 2025 release Tere Ishk Mein, further solidified their box office prowess by collecting a robust ₹116.71 Cr net in India and grossing ₹161.96 Cr globally, marking yet another hit in their decade-long joint filmography. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   The reported project is described as a significant evolution of their creative partnership.Sources suggest the intent is to create a period epic that stays true to the director's sensibility while embracing high-octane action. For Dhanush, who has been balancing experimental roles with mass-appeal cinema, this period drama could provide a fresh cinematic terrain to showcase his versatility. Fans are already speculating if this could be part of a broader Love Universe by Colour Yellow Productions, given the spiritual connection between Raanjhanaa and Tere Ishk Mein.As of now, neither Aanand L Rai nor Dhanush has formally announced the project.However, given their track record of 100% success at the box office and digital space, the trade is already keeping a close watch on this potential hat trick plus one.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, January 8 - Pan India superstar Prabhas' romantic horror comedy The Raja Saab is gearing up to hit the big screens on January 9, and there is tremendous excitement among fans and trade alike. Directed by Maruthi, the film has reportedly been made on a massive budget of over 300 crores, which is higher than what was initially planned. The Raja Saab is carrying solid buzz in the trade, and the pre-release business is testament to that. While the overall area wise business details are not known yet, the movie will once again need to score big numbers at the box office to emerge as a box office hit. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) According to the trade estimates, the film will need to gross over 400 crores worldwide to become a box office hit. In Telugu states, the movie will require a gross of over 225 to break even. As has been the case with Prabhas-starrers, a lot will depend on the Hindi version for overall recovery. Prabhas' films have performed very well in the Hindi market, and the same is expected from The Raja Saab. Over the last decade, Prabhas' films have consistently delivered big results at the box office, irrespective of critics' reviews. While the stakes for the actor's films have increased multifold, he is somewhat of a box office guarantee, which makes his films a safe bet for producers. Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK TEAM

Thalapathy Vijay's highly anticipated action thriller, Jana Nayagan, is creating a massive storm at the global box office even before its theatrical debut. With three days still remaining for the grand release, the film has officially surpassed the ₹50 Crore gross mark in worldwide pre-sales, signaling one of the biggest openings for a Tamil film in recent history. The film's performance in Malaysia has been nothing short of historic. Showing unprecedented momentum, Jana Nayagan reportedly eclipsed the pace of Rajinikanth's Coolie within just the first 1 hour and 30 minutes of bookings opening. Currently, after the first 24 hours, the film has sold 90,000+ tickets (grossing RM 2.1M+). While this already makes it the 3rd highest single-day sales of all time in Malaysia, it is now on the verge of overtaking Coolie (95K tickets) to claim the second spot, with Leo (108K tickets) holding the top record. Given the current trajectory, trade analysts expect the film to challenge the #1 position before its premiere.The Film Censorship Board of Malaysia has officially granted the film a '16' certification (suitable for ages 16 and above). In India, the advance booking is off to a flying start, particularly in the Southern states. In Kerala, the film has already amassed ₹2.36 Crore in pre-sales, cementing Vijay's status as a top-tier star in the neighboring state. According to early tracking data, the All-India 1st Day Advance Booking Gross (excluding blocked seats) stands at ₹5.86 Crore, with 202,784 tickets sold across 2,071 shows. When including blocked seats, the figure jumps significantly to ₹8.73 Crore. The average ticket price (ATP) is currently trending at ₹217. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   Despite the box office euphoria, the film is facing a minor legal speed bump. The Madras High Court has taken up a matter regarding the film's censor certificate. The hearing was adjourned today and is set to continue tomorrow. Fans and trade experts are closely watching the proceedings, though it is not currently expected to delay the film's scheduled release. Jana Nayagan is described as a high-octane political action drama centered on an upright and fearless police inspector. The narrative follows his quest to dismantle a vast and dangerous conspiracy involving an extremist group and a powerful politician—a plot that threatens the very core of Indian democracy. Jana Nayagan Pre-Sales Highlights (opening weekend): Worldwide Gross: ₹50 Cr+ (3 Days to go) Malaysia: RM 2.1M+ (90K+ tickets sold in 24 hrs) Kerala: ₹2 Cr India Tickets Sold: 2.02 Lakh+ For a detailed, real-time breakdown of show counts, ticket sales, and territory-wise gross, refer to the official report below: JanaNayagan Advance Booking Report

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Chennai, January 6 - Thalapathy Vijay's swan song is heading for a massive start at the worldwide box office, and it seems to be winning the opening day battle against Prabhas' The Raja Saab, which is scheduled to hit the big screens on the same day, on January 9 in multiple languages. With just three days to go before release, the overseas box office battle between Vijay's Jana Nayagan and Prabhas' The Raja Saab is already turning one-sided. The advance booking trends clearly indicate that the Tamil political action drama has taken a commanding lead, setting the stage for a dominant opening overseas. According to the latest trade estimates, Jana Nayagan has crossed $3.5 million (32+ crores) in overseas pre-sales for the opening day alone, including premieres. The Vijay starrer is witnessing exceptional momentum across key international markets, including North America, the UK, and Malaysia. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Jana Nayagan is Vijay's last film before his full-time political entry, and that sentiment seems to be playing a big role in pre-sales. The actor's last few films have done well in pre-sales, but some of the markets are performing much better than on previous occasions. With bookings going strong and three full days remaining, the opening-day overseas figure is expected to climb even higher. On the other hand, The Raja Saab, starring Prabhas and positioned as a romantic horror-comedy entertainer, has so far recorded around $1 million (9 crores) in overseas advance sales for day 1+premieres. While the numbers are decent and show steady growth, they fall significantly short when compared to Jana Nayagan's blistering pace. With $3.5+ million vs $1 million in opening-day pre-sales, Jana Nayagan currently enjoys a lead of more than $2.5 million overseas, a gap that is considered substantial at this stage of the booking window. The Raja Saab will find it difficult, or it can be said that it is almost out of reach for the movie to close this margin before release day. Both films are gearing up for a massive festive release, and final results will ultimately depend on word of mouth, audience reception, and weekend walk-ins. However, going by current trends, Jana Nayagan is firmly placed for a record-breaking overseas opening, while The Raja Saab is expected to rely more on post-release growth. Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK TEAM

Here is the Tamil movie Retta Thala box office collection, which is an action thriller film. This film is directed by Kris Thirukumaran and produced by BTG Universal. ## Retta Thala stars Arun Vijay, Siddhi Idnani, Tanya Ravichandran, and Yogesh in key roles. ## Retta Thala Box Office Collection Day Wise | All Language [See Footfalls] DayIndia Net Collection Change(+/-) Day 1 [1st Thursday] ₹ 0.7 Cr - Day 2 [1st Friday] ₹ 0.4 Cr -42.86% Day 3 [1st Saturday] ₹ 0.4 Cr 0.00% Day 4 [1st Sunday] ₹ 0.45 Cr 12.50% Day 5 [1st Monday] ₹ 0.26 Cr -42.22% Day 6 [1st Tuesday] ₹ 0.26 Cr 0.00% Day 7 [1st Wednesday] ₹ 0.25 Cr -3.85% Day 8 [2nd Thursday] ₹ 0.3 Cr 20.00% Week 1 Collection ₹ 3.02 Cr - Day 9 [2nd Friday] ₹ 0.03 Cr -90.00% Day 10 [2nd Saturday] ₹ 0.03 Cr 0.00% Day 11 [2nd Sunday] ₹ 0.03 Cr 0.00% Day 12 [2nd Monday] ₹ 0.02 Cr -33.33% Day 13 [2nd Tuesday] ₹ 0.02 Cr 0.00% Day 14 [2nd Wednesday] ₹ 0.02 Cr 0.00% Total ₹ 3.17 Cr (estimated) - ## Take Subscription To See Footfalls ## India Net Collection ₹ 3.17 Cr ## Worldwide Collection ₹ 3.7 Cr ## Overseas Collection ₹ 0 Cr ## India Gross Collection ₹ 3.7 Cr ## Retta Thala Budget: ₹ - Cr * Approx ## Retta Thala Verdict: Coming Soon ## Retta Thala Screen count ## India: - ## Overseas: - ## Worldwide total: - ## Release Date: 25th December 2025 ## For more and the latest news about Kollywood Box Office Collection, Stay tuned to us.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

After a much-anticipated theatrical run, the Nandamuri Balakrishna starrer Akhanda 2: Thaandavam is heading for its digital premiere. The film, which marks the fourth collaboration between Balakrishna and blockbuster director Boyapati Srinu, is set to stream on Netflix starting January 9, 2026. This comes after the film's worldwide theatrical release on December 12, 2025. Akhanda 2: Thaandavam was released with monumental expectations, given the historic success of its predecessor. However, the sequel failed to replicate the same magic at the box office. The film grossed a total of ₹122.6 Crore worldwide. The India Net collection stood at ₹94.15 Crore, with the India Gross collection reaching ₹110.25 Crore. The film's performance in the overseas market was also underwhelming, with collections amounting to ₹12.35 Crore. The majority of the domestic collections came from its primary market, the Telugu states, where it earned a net of ₹90.61 Crore. The performance of the dubbed versions was negligible, with the Hindi version collecting ₹0.77 Crore, Tamil ₹2.51 Crore, Kannada ₹0.18 Crore, and Malayalam ₹0.08 Crore. Given its high production and distribution costs, Akhanda 2: Thaandavam has been declared a Flop at the box office. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   The sequel continues the story of the Aghora, a powerful devotee of Lord Shiva. This time, he is faced with a national crisis as a biowarfare attack threatens the Maha Kumbh Mela. Balakrishna returns in his powerful dual role, with Samyuktha Menon as the female lead and Aadhi Pinisetty playing the antagonist. The film also features Harshaali Malhotra, with music by the acclaimed S. Thaman. While the sequel may not have met expectations, the combination of Nandamuri Balakrishna and Boyapati Srinu has a celebrated history of delivering massive blockbusters that have redefined box office records. This powerful partnership began in 2010 with the landmark success of Simha, a film that re-established Balakrishna's dominance at the box office and became a huge commercial success. They continued their winning streak in 2014 with Legend, a political action film that also emerged as a massive blockbuster, further solidifying their reputation. This collaboration reached its zenith with the 2021 cultural and commercial phenomenon, Akhanda, which earned a hit verdict and was celebrated by audiences everywhere.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Chennai, January 5 - Tamil star Sivakarthikeyan has delivered a massive digital record as the trailer of his upcoming film Parasakthi has emerged as the most viewed Tamil movie trailer on YouTube in the first 24 hours, beating Thalapathy Vijay's Jana Nayagan's record on the same day. The trailer of Parasakthi crossed 40+ million views on YouTube within its first 24 hours, setting a new all-time benchmark for Tamil cinema. Earlier, Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan held the record for the biggest Tamil trailer launch on YouTube, having scored 34.4 million views in its first 24 hours. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) With this achievement, Sivakarthikeyan becomes the new record holder for the biggest Tamil trailer debut on YouTube, marking a major milestone in his career. Directed by Sudha Kongara, Parasakthi is a period political drama set against the backdrop of socio-political movements, and the trailer has struck a strong chord with audiences. The extraordinary response reflects the growing anticipation for the film, especially with its Pongal release clashing directly with Vijay's Jana Nayagan, making the festive box office battle even more exciting. Both films are releasing a day apart, with Jana Nayagan hitting theatres on January 9, followed by Parasakthi on January 10. Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK TEAM

In the dynamic world of Bollywood, the crore club is the ultimate benchmark for commercial success, a testament to a film's widespread appeal and box office dominance. Over the decades, this prestigious club has evolved, with its entry points constantly being pushed higher by cinematic giants. From the first film to net ₹50 crores to the latest behemoth crossing the ₹700 crore mark, this journey chronicles the evolution of the Hindi film industry's scale, reach, and audience. Here's a look at the pioneering actors and films that inaugurated each of these milestone clubs, setting new standards for success in Indian cinema. The journey began in the pre-multiplex era with Salman Khan's Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994). A cultural phenomenon, it became the first Hindi film to cross the ₹50 crore net mark, a staggering achievement for its time. With record-breaking footfalls of approximately 7.4 crores, its success revived the family entertainer genre and cemented its place as the highest-grossing Indian film of the 20th century. The modern box office era, however, was truly kicked off by Aamir Khan's Ghajini (2008). It became the first film to officially inaugurate the coveted ₹100 Crore Club, driven by a powerful marketing campaign and Aamir's physical transformation. The film set a new benchmark for what was commercially possible, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2008. Aamir Khan continued his trailblazing streak with 3 Idiots (2009), which became the first film to enter the ₹200 Crore Club. A monumental success both critically and commercially, it was declared an all-time blockbuster, earning over ₹400 crores globally and finding unprecedented success in overseas markets like China. A few years later, Aamir Khan once again rewrote history with PK(2014). The satirical comedy-drama was the first film to breach the ₹300 Crore Club domestically, proving that content-driven cinema could achieve unparalleled commercial success. It also became the highest-grossing Indian film globally at the time of its release. For nearly a decade, the next milestones seemed insurmountable, until Shah Rukh Khan's spectacular comeback with Pathaan (2023). The film shattered every existing record, becoming the first original Hindi film to storm into the ₹400 Crore and ₹500 Crore Clubs. It registered the biggest opening day for a Hindi film and became the fastest to cross numerous milestones, grossing over ₹1,000 crores worldwide without a release in China. Shah Rukh Khan outdid himself the same year with Jawan (2023), which set an even higher benchmark by becoming the first Hindi film to enter the ₹600 Crore Club. The film achieved the highest opening day ever for an Indian film and made SRK the only actor to deliver two ₹1000 crore blockbusters in a single year. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   The bar was raised yet again by Ranveer Singh's espionage thriller Dhurandhar (2025). The film captivated the nation with its sustained and historic run, becoming the first film to inaugurate the elite ₹700 Crore Club at the Indian box office, solidifying its position as an all-time blockbuster and setting a new target for the industry to chase. Bollywood's Box Office Milestone Club Openers (India Net)Milestone ClubPioneering FilmLead ActorYear of ReleaseLifetime India Net Collection₹ 50 CroreHum Aapke Hain KounSalman Khan1994₹ 72.47 Cr₹ 100 CroreGhajiniAamir Khan2008₹ 114 Cr₹ 200 Crore3 IdiotsAamir Khan2009₹ 202.47 Cr₹ 300 CrorePKAamir Khan2014₹ 340.8 Cr₹ 500 CrorePathaanShah Rukh Khan2023₹ 543.05 Cr₹ 600 CroreJawanShah Rukh Khan2023₹ 640.25 Cr₹ 700 CroreDhurandharRanveer Singh2025₹ 772.25 Cr* (As of Day 31)

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Kochi, January 5 - Malayalam cinema witnessed its watershed moment last year with director Dominic Arun's superhero film Lokah: Chapter 1 - Chandra, starring Kalyani Priyadarshan, which went on to become the first 300 crores grosser from the industry, widely hailed as the content factory of Indian cinema. The first in the 5-part planned saga, Lokah Chapter 1, not only became the biggest Mollywood grosser, but also set up the stage for the upcoming films in the franchise to aim for bigger things. The buzz around the second part, which will be headlined by Tovino Thomas, is already sky high as the fans wait for what the next saga has in store. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) As the anticipation continues to build up, a big update regarding the production timeline of Lokah Chapter 2 has revealed. During a recent interview, director Arun had confirmed that he has started work on the script, and as per the latest report, the makers are set to take it on the floors by the last quarter of 2026. The buzz is that the makers are aiming to release the film during the Onam 2027 festive season, just like the first part, which was released on August 28, 2025. Onam has always been a lucrative period for Malayalam movies, and with already sky-high expectations, Lokah will be looking nothing less than box office mayhem. The Lokah franchise is backed by Dulquer Salmaan's Wayfarer Films. Dulquer himself is a part of the universe, and he will be seen headlining the third instalment of it. The actor made a special appearance in the first part and is likely to have an impactful cameo in Chapter 2 before leading the next chapter. Stay tuned...

BY CHRISTA LINCY

In a collaboration that could bring a fresh wave of quirky action-comedy to the big screen, Megastar Salman Khan is reportedly in discussions with the acclaimed director duo Raj & DK. The news, first broken as an exclusive by Pinkvilla, suggests that the creators of hit series like The Family Man and Farzi are keen to direct Khan in their signature genre. According to the report, the discussions are currently in the preliminary stages. Salman Khan has reportedly heard the basic concept of the film and has shown significant interest. The project is being developed as a large-scale action-comedy, a genre that marries Khan's mass appeal with the unique, witty storytelling style that has made Raj & DK fan favorites. A source close to the development informed Pinkvilla, Salman Khan has heard the basic idea and has shown interest in it. It's an action-comedy, but it will also present Khan in a slightly different space. However, it was emphasized that the superstar has yet to give his final approval to the project. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({})   The primary challenge for this exciting project will be aligning schedules, given Salman Khan's packed movie slate. If the collaboration materializes and Khan officially comes on board, the makers are reportedly looking to begin filming by the end of 2026. This timeline seems plausible as Raj & DK are also reportedly planning their return to the big screen in the second half of 2026, after wrapping up their current OTT commitments. Salman Khan's upcoming schedule is filled with highly anticipated films. His next major release is the patriotic war drama Battle of Galwan, directed by Apoorva Lakhia, which is slated to hit theatres on April 17, 2026. Recent developments have indicated that the filming for Tiger vs Pathaan is now expected to begin in 2026, with a likely theatrical release in 2027. Other projects in his pipeline include potential sequels like Kick 2 and Dabangg 4, and the Vishnuvardhan-directed film The Bull. This potential team-up between one of India's biggest superstars and two of its most innovative directors has generated immense excitement among fans, who are eager to see Salman Khan in the fresh, contemporary cinematic universe that Raj & DK are known for creating.