Venkatesh is marking a major milestone in his career with a first look that gives audiences a glimpse of a very different avatar. As the actor completes 40 years in Telugu cinema, the makers of his upcoming collaboration with Anil Ravipudi have unveiled his look from the film, revealing him as a no-nonsense military officer.

The actor made his debut with Kaliyuga Pandavulu, which released on August 14, 1986. Four decades later, Venkatesh remains one of the most enduring names in Telugu cinema, having built a career that includes commercial blockbusters, family entertainers, action films and acclaimed dramatic performances.

His debut itself came with a strong film pedigree. Kaliyuga Pandavulu was directed by K Raghavendra Rao and produced by his father, veteran producer D Ramanaidu, under the Suresh Productions banner. Khushbu played the female lead. The film went on to become a commercial success, providing Venkatesh with an encouraging start and setting him on a career that would span generations of Telugu cinema.

A commanding new avatar

The newly released first look presents Venkatesh in a composed and stern avatar, with his military styling immediately signalling the nature of his character. The actor plays Lt. Colonel Venkat Reddy, an Indian Army officer whose area of expertise is counter-terrorism and hostage negotiation.

The details in the first look reinforce the character’s professional background. The Army insignia and crossed-swords emblem visible behind Venkatesh underline the military setting, while his restrained expression and formal appearance suggest a character who is more accustomed to command than chaos.

The role also marks an interesting addition to Venkatesh’s varied filmography. While the actor has frequently explored comedy and family-oriented entertainers, the military backdrop offers Anil Ravipudi an opportunity to place him in a more action-oriented setting while retaining the director’s penchant for accessible commercial entertainment.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Anil Ravipudi (@anilravipudi)

Venkatesh and Kalyan Ram team up

The film, which is tentatively referred to as Venky Anil 5, also stars Nandamuri Kalyan Ram. The combination of the two actors is expected to be one of the film’s major attractions, with their contrasting personalities forming an important part of the narrative.

Kalyan Ram’s first look was previously unveiled on his birthday and received a strong response from fans. The actor was presented in a traditional avatar, offering a contrast to Venkatesh’s disciplined military appearance. The pairing could therefore provide the film with plenty of scope for both dramatic exchanges and the lively humour associated with Ravipudi’s cinema.

The project is being produced by Sahu Garapati under the Shine Screens banner and is presented by Suresh Productions, Smt. Archana and Zee Studios. With Venkatesh’s 40-year milestone adding significance to the project, expectations are naturally high for the collaboration.

For Venkatesh, the first look arrives as a celebration of longevity as much as a glimpse of his next character. From the young actor who made a successful debut in Kaliyuga Pandavulu to a veteran still taking on demanding commercial roles, his career has continued to evolve without losing its connection with mainstream Telugu audiences.

Now, with Lt. Colonel Venkat Reddy, Venkatesh appears ready to enter another phase of that journey, this time with a military uniform, a counter-terrorism specialist’s skill set and Anil Ravipudi’s brand of entertainment behind him.

Also Read: Films that prove Venkatesh is a specialist in modern multi-starrers

Suriya’s Vishwanath and Sons has another surprise waiting for audiences, and this one was deliberately kept away from the film’s promotions. Malayalam actor Anarkali Marikar has revealed that she makes a brief appearance in the newly released film, marking an unexpected Malayalam connection in Venky Atluri’s Suriya-starrer. The actor shared the news on Friday, shortly after the film opened in theatres.

Anarkali took to social media to post a series of pictures from her time on the film, including photographs with Suriya and stills from her appearance. While her role in the film is small, the actor’s note made it clear that the opportunity carried considerable personal significance for her, particularly because of her admiration for Suriya.

“Very grateful and incredibly happy to be a small part of Vishwanath and Sons. To have had a little conversation and shared the screen with this man is more than I could have ever asked for as a child. The little girl in me is jumping with joy.”

A surprise appearance kept under wraps

Anarkali’s involvement in Vishwanath and Sons was not revealed ahead of its theatrical release. Her post therefore served as the first public confirmation that she was part of the film, turning what might otherwise have been a brief appearance into a pleasant surprise for audiences discovering her in the cinema.

The actor also spoke about the experience of sharing a scene with Suriya and expressed her hope that their collaboration could eventually lead to a larger opportunity.

“And now, all I hope for is to see him more often, in an even bigger role. What a privilege it was to share a moment with him.”

Anarkali went on to thank director Venky Atluri for casting her in the film and encouraged audiences to watch Vishwanath and Sons in theatres. The project also marks her first appearance in Tamil cinema, adding another milestone to what was otherwise a closely guarded piece of casting.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by anarkali marikar (@anarkalimarikar)

Another Malayalam connection for the Suriya film

Anarkali’s surprise appearance adds to the film’s Malayalam connection through Mamitha Baiju, who plays the female lead opposite Suriya. The film also brings together an ensemble featuring Radikaa Sarathkumar and Raveena Tandon in important roles.

Vishwanath and Sons has been described as a story centred on dreams, emotions and unexpected love, with Venky Atluri combining family drama and romance in a film led by Suriya. The film opened in cinemas on Friday and has been receiving a positive response from audiences.

Behind the camera, the film features music by GV Prakash, cinematography by Nimish Ravi, editing by Navin Nooli and production design by Banglan. Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya have produced the film under Sithara Entertainments, Fortune Four Cinemas and Srikara Studios.

For Anarkali, however, the significance of Vishwanath and Sons appears to have less to do with the size of her role and more with the opportunity itself. Having grown up admiring Suriya, the actor described even a brief conversation and shared screen space with him as something she could not have imagined as a child.

Her revelation has now given audiences one more reason to look out for an unexpected face when they watch the film, while opening the door to what could potentially be the beginning of a longer journey for Anarkali in Tamil cinema.

Also Read: Althaf Salim and Anarkali Marikar reunite for ‘Innocent’: First Look out! 

The trailer of Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, the upcoming Malayalam film starring Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju, is out, offering a glimpse into a quirky romantic comedy that appears to thrive on misunderstandings, eccentric characters and an unlikely relationship. Directed by Girish AD, the filmmaker behind Premalu (2024), the film is scheduled to hit theatres on August 21.

The trailer introduces Nivin’s Justin, a music enthusiast who has spent much of his life pursuing his artistic interests rather than settling down. His devotion to music appears to have come at the expense of his personal life, leaving him firmly in bachelor territory. That changes when Ashley, played by Mamitha Baiju, enters his life.

Ashley is Justin’s neighbour and, like him, has a strong connection to music. However, unlike Justin’s seemingly carefree personality, she appears to carry a more melancholic streak. Their shared interests bring them closer, but the trailer suggests that their relationship is anything but straightforward.

Two neighbours, one complicated equation

Rather than presenting Justin and Ashley’s romance as a conventional love story, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit seems to build its humour around the complications that arise once the two begin getting involved with each other. The trailer hints at a series of misunderstandings and unexpected situations that threaten to derail their equation.

That setup is particularly intriguing given Girish AD’s track record with Premalu, which became one of Malayalam cinema’s most popular recent romantic comedies. While Bethlehem Kudumba Unit appears to have a similarly youthful and comic energy, the new film seems to place greater emphasis on music and the peculiarities of its central characters.

The supporting cast is another major draw. Sangeeth Prathap, Suresh Krishna, Vinay Forrt, Roshan Shanavas, Shyam Mohan, Shameer Khan, Srinda, Parvathy Ayyappadas and Meenakshy Raveendran are among the actors appearing in the film. The ensemble also features Sreeranjini, Vineeth Viswam, Bindu Panicker, Vettukili Prakash, Thankam Mohan, Manjusree, Jayasankar Karimuttom, Abhiram and Sanath Sivaraj.

A Bhavana Studios production

Bethlehem Kudumba Unit reunites Girish AD with several collaborators from Malayalam cinema’s new generation. He has co-written the screenplay with Kiran Josey, while Vishnu Vijay has composed the music. Suhail Koya and Vinayak Sasikumar have penned the lyrics, suggesting that music will be an important component of the film’s narrative as well as its overall identity.

The technical crew includes cinematographer Ajmal Sabu, editor Akash Joseph Varghese and production designer Ashik S. The film is produced by Dileesh Pothan, Fahadh Faasil and Syam Pushkaran under the Bhavana Studios banner.

With Nivin Pauly and Mamitha Baiju at the centre of a romance that seems destined to go spectacularly off course, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit looks to combine the warmth of a relationship drama with the chaos of a comedy of errors. The trailer keeps much of the plot under wraps, but its focus on the chemistry between Justin and Ashley suggests that the film’s biggest strength could lie in the unusual dynamic between its two leads.

Bethlehem Kudumba Unit releases in theatres on August 21.

Also Read: Nivin Pauly Begins Shooting His Next With Rukmini Vasanth and Aju Varghese