The upcoming teaser for Ranabaali, dropping on September 9, promises a dramatic historical epic under the tagline, “The legend of the cursed land rises.” Directed by Rahul Sankrityan, the film stars Vijay Deverakonda as a “rebellious chieftain” inhabiting a domain steeped in “buried history”. Set against the backdrop of British India between 1876 and 1878, the narrative draws from Indian “folklore”. A “brute face-off” from the folklore of India is what the film promises.

From real life to reel life

The period action-drama Ranabaali, also starring Rashmika Mandanna, will release worldwide on October 16. The hero-heroine duo, who got married earlier this year, have previously worked together in Geetha Govindam and Dear Comrade. Their chemistry in the film, their first release after marriage, is expected to be a winner.

The Kingdom actor plays the formidable title character, alongside his wife as Jayamma, while Arnold Vosloo portrays the lead antagonist, Sir Theodore Hector. What the makers wrote on social media on Rashmika’s birthday in April gives a hint of what is to be expected from her. Opening with the poetic quote, “In a world painted in grey, she was his only color,” the BTS montage shared by the team ended with a playful moment between the newly married couple on set.

Rashmika plays a fierce partner

A glimpse of the film was released a few months ago. Rashmika, known for Animal and Chhaava in Hindi, plays the lead man’s fiercely supportive partner. Intense battle sequences, rich period aesthetics and powerful dramatic moments are to be expected. The central romance could be the icing on the cake amidst a brutal conflict against colonial oppression. Driven by an evocative score and grand visual scale, the glimpse also brought out the high emotional chemistry between the leading duo. The film features music by Ajay-Atul.

Ranabaali is coming from the director of Nani’s Shyam Singha Roy and the producers of the Pushpa duology.

Also Read: Ranabaali: Vijay Deverakonda, Rashmika Mandanna’s Film Gets a Release Date

Trust Diljit Dosanjh to turn an awkward moment into a masterclass in grace. The singer was performing in Milan, Italy, over the weekend when a small detail on a fan’s t-shirt caught his eye. And instead of brushing past it, he stopped everything to address it, right there on stage.

Diljit had pulled a fan and his companion up on stage, something he does often at his shows. That’s when he spotted the design on the man’s white t-shirt. It had the sacred Sikh symbol Ik Onkar printed right next to Diljit’s own name. His expression changed instantly. He raised his hand, gently covered the design, and turned serious for a second.

Then, calmly, he explained it to the fan in English. He said, “This is God… This is very special… and my name together, no, no.”

No shouting. No awkward silence. No public embarrassment for the fan either. Diljit then turned to the crowd and asked them to go easy on the man, speaking in Punjabi this time. He said, “I respect your feelings. Inhe pata nahi, maaf kar do please. But I respect you… Ek Onkar, mere walon saare ek ne.”

The fan, visibly moved, folded his hands and apologised on the spot. He later clarified online that he genuinely hadn’t realised how close his name sat next to the symbol on the design, and that he regularly visits gurdwaras himself. 

Diljit, in true Diljit fashion, didn’t let the moment end on an awkward note. He handed the fan a gift and gave him a warm hug before sending him off stage.The clip has since gone properly viral, with fans flooding comments sections calling him humble, dignified, and exactly the kind of star India needs more of.

Diljit was last seen in Imtiaz Ali’s Main Vaapas Aaunga. Up next, he has the Punjabi film Ranna Ch Dhanna lined up.

Also Read: Exclusive: “They Fear Punjab Would Come Together” – Honey Trehan on Satluj, Political Cinema & More

Varun Dhawan doesn’t hand out compliments easily. So, when he takes to Instagram to gush about a film, people notice.  That’s exactly what happened when the actor watched Hanuman Ansh with his mother in theatres and couldn’t stop talking about it.

Taking to his Instagram story, Varun shared a video urging fans to head to the theatres. “Please visit the theatre and watch Hanuman Ansh. I just went with my mom, and it was an amazing experience. Go with your parents, kids, friends and family. I highly recommend this film to everyone.”

What made the moment even more heartfelt was Varun’s own connection to the subject. The actor spoke about his lifelong bond with Lord Hanuman, and how the film left him searching for a different word altogether. “I have had a connection with Lord Hanuman since childhood. But this film is something else. This is a purely made film. Actually, I wouldn’t even call it a film, it’s something divine.”

He didn’t stop there. Varun also had special words for the film’s lead and its director. “Shobhinaw Satyaa ji is brilliant in the movie. What a performance.” On director Vishal Chaturvedi, he added, “And Vishal ji, the direction you did, hats off. Brilliant stuff.”

Interestingly, Varun made it a point to clarify that this wasn’t a paid shoutout. “Nobody has told me to tell this, neither have I received any phone calls to appreciate this film. I wanted to do this.”

Directed and produced by Vishal Chaturvedi under Swambhu Media Network, Hanuman Ansh is based on his own book, Divine Detour: That Changed My Life, which traces the story of Neem Karoli Baba. The film stars Shobhinaw Satyaa alongside Vihaan Shedge, Chandan K Anand, Purnima Tiwari, Anil Rastogi, Gulshan Pandey and Bhagvandas.

Varun isn’t the only celeb who’s been moved. Aditya Dhar, Madhur Bhandarkar and Kangana Ranaut have also thrown their weight behind the film in recent days. Looks like Hanuman Ansh has quietly become the film everyone in the industry is talking about.

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