Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kareena Kapoor Khan are gearing up for their film Daayra, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Meghna Gulzar. The actor plays DCP Raman Kumar, a cop whose unconventional methods are being questioned. He faces Kareena’s DCP Ajooni Kohli in the crime thriller as they both battle for justice in their different ways.

Sukumaran told Zoom, “Daayra is not a film that is going to tell you this is right or wrong. It’s just going to give you two perspectives. It’s going to ask you questions from both sides of the perspectives. Then it’s for you to decide. If the film has truly worked the way we think it has, you will not be able to decide. It will leave you doubting. And that’s what the film does. It’ll make you speak; it’ll make you think and converse amongst yourselves.

He continued, “But for Meghna as a filmmaker, the biggest challenge I would like to believe is to be so intimate with either one of these characters, either one of these perspectives, but still be far enough to be brutally objective about both these sides of the argument. It’s very tempting as a filmmaker that at some point, you become slightly partial. It might not be explicit; it might be very implicit. But at some point, you veer at one point of the argument. I really can’t pinpoint even one instance in the entire narrative where that happened.”

The actor further explained that Meghna didn’t want her style of filmmaking or a choice she makes as a filmmaker to add unintended weightage to one side of the argument. Sukumaran praised the filmmaker for maintaining that balance and stated that she has done it ‘masterfully’.

Tollywood has soaked in the vibrant spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi on Monday. The festival spirit has come alive as actors from the Telugu film industry celebrate the arrival of Ganpati Bappa. From sharing glimpses of their celebrations at home to extending heartfelt wishes to the fans, these stars have marked the auspicious occasion by seeking the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

Stars like Rashmika Mandanna, Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan, Adivi Sesh, Namrata, Pranitha Subhash, Varun Tej, Nivetha Pethuraj, Ananya Nagalla, gave fans a glimpse from their celebrations embracing the festive spirit. Keeping up with the annual tradition, many stars have created their own clay idol of Lord Ganesha at home.

Ganesh Chaturthi holds a special place among Tollywood celebs. Sharing what the festival means to them, stars welcomed Ganpati Bappa home and celebrated the festival with friends and family. They described the festival as a time for family and overcoming life’s obstacles with divine power.

The makers of Mookuthi Amman 2 have locked a festive release for the much-awaited sequel. On the occasion of Vinayaka Chaturthi, the team announced that the Nayanthara starrer will hit cinemas on November 6, coinciding with Diwali. The announcement was accompanied by a teaser titled ‘Rise of Mahasakthi’, offering the first substantial glimpse into the film’s larger fantasy world.

Directed by Sundar C, Mookuthi Amman 2 appears to expand considerably on the mythology and supernatural elements associated with its predecessor. While the first film blended faith, humour and social commentary, the sequel seems to be mounted on a much larger scale, with its teaser hinting at an expansive story that moves between the past and the present.

A tale that spans centuries

The ‘Rise of Mahasakthi’ teaser opens into a mythological setting, where a kingdom finds itself under threat from deadly invaders. The visuals suggest a period of conflict and destruction, establishing an ancient crisis that appears to have consequences far beyond its own time.

The narrative then shifts to the present day, where an unexplained calamity begins to affect ordinary people. As the situation worsens, the people turn towards a divine force and invoke Mahasakthi. The teaser deliberately keeps several details under wraps, leaving the nature of the calamity and the connection between the ancient kingdom and the present-day events as key mysteries.

The title itself places the deity at the centre of the sequel, with Nayanthara once again leading the project. The film looks set to combine mythology, fantasy, comedy and commercial entertainment, with Sundar C bringing his characteristic mass-oriented approach to the material.

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A big ensemble for the festive entertainer

Mookuthi Amman 2 brings together an extensive ensemble cast. Alongside Nayanthara, the film features Duniya Vijay, Regina Cassandra, Urvashi, Yogi Babu, Myna Nandini, Garuda Ram, Abhinaya, Shruthy S, Singapuli Annavi, VR Swaminathan, Sivakumar S, Sunil Varma Indukuri, Varshini Venkat, Pala Karuppiah, Ananda Adhista Lakshmi, Nitin Sathyaa and Deblina Chaki.

Hiphop Thamizha, who has collaborated with Sundar C on several projects, is composing the music. Gopi Amarnath is the director of photography, while Fenny Oliver is handling the editing. Rajasekar K is the stunt choreographer, with Venkatt Ragavan credited with the screenplay and dialogues.

The film is produced by Ishari K Ganesh under the Vels Film International banner. With its November 6 release, Mookuthi Amman 2 is positioned as one of the major Tamil releases of the Diwali season.

For now, the ‘Rise of Mahasakthi’ teaser has established the scale of the sequel while keeping the central conflict intriguingly under wraps. With Nayanthara at the forefront and Sundar C returning to the director’s chair, the film is gearing up to bring mythology and contemporary fantasy together for a festive theatrical outing.

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