Director Tharun Moorthy has firmly denied reports claiming that the shoot of Athimanoharam, his upcoming film with Mohanlal, has been halted due to problems with the script. The filmmaker took to social media on Thursday to address the rumours, calling them entirely baseless and urging people not to spread unverified information.

Director sets the record straight on viral speculation

Responding to the growing chatter online, Tharun revealed that he had been receiving numerous calls and messages regarding reports suggesting that production had come to a standstill because of alleged confusion surrounding the screenplay.

“I am receiving many messages and calls regarding online news claiming that our shoot has been stopped due to confusion in the script. This is completely false,” he wrote.

The director further explained that the team has been actively filming in Thodupuzha and that work on the project has continued uninterrupted. According to him, the production has now completed 78 days of shooting, a significant milestone that reflects the team’s steady progress.

While dismissing rumours of script-related setbacks, Tharun acknowledged that the crew has faced challenges from unpredictable weather conditions. Heavy rainfall in parts of Kerala has affected certain plans and schedules, but he emphasised that the team remains committed to moving forward despite the obstacles.

He added that the cast and crew have been working with enthusiasm and optimism, adapting to circumstances whenever required. The filmmaker also cautioned against the circulation of misinformation, noting that such reports can create unnecessary concern among audiences and undermine the hard work being put in by everyone involved in the project.

Expectations run high after Thudarum’s success

Athimanoharam has emerged as one of the most closely watched Malayalam films currently in production, largely because it reunites Tharun Moorthy with Mohanlal following the success of Thudarum. The previous collaboration was widely appreciated by audiences and critics alike, making expectations surrounding their next venture particularly high.

In recent weeks, speculation surrounding Athimanoharam has extended beyond production updates. Tharun had earlier addressed assumptions that the film would follow a similar template to Thudarum. The director clarified that the new project occupies a very different creative space and should not be viewed as a continuation of the earlier film’s style or tone.

Describing Athimanoharam as a “police procedural and family drama”, he stated that it is not designed as an action-driven entertainer. His comments were aimed at ensuring audiences approach the film on its own terms rather than through comparisons with his previous blockbuster.

The film carries additional significance as Mohanlal’s 366th feature. The veteran actor plays police officer TS Lovelajan, a character expected to anchor the story’s investigative and emotional threads. Joining him is Meera Jasmine, who portrays his wife, marking another notable collaboration on screen.

The screenplay has been penned by Ratheesh Ravi, known for his grounded storytelling and nuanced character writing. Production is being handled by Ashiq Usman under the Ashiq Usman Productions banner.

The technical team also boasts several accomplished names from Malayalam cinema. Jakes Bejoy is composing the music, while cinematography is being handled by Shaji Kumar. Editing duties have been entrusted to Vivek Harshan, with Vishnu Govind overseeing sound design.

With filming continuing steadily despite weather-related hurdles, Athimanoharam remains firmly on track. As anticipation builds around Mohanlal and Tharun Moorthy’s latest collaboration, the director’s clarification should put to rest concerns about any alleged production troubles.

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Director Prashanth Neel celebrated his birthday on Thursday. Although it was a quite affair, he received a special birthday wish from Jr NTR, the protagonist of his movie, Dragon. Taking to social media, the Devara actor shared a warm message for the filmmaker. “Happy birthday, Director Avare… May this year for you be as grand as the stories you tell. Can’t wait to see what lies ahead for us, Prashanth,” he wrote. Jr NTR’s birthday greeting increased anticipation because he is headlining the director’s immediate release, Dragon, one of the most awaited projects in Indian cinema.

Dragon to be full of tension, drama

To be released in theatres on 11 June 2027, Dragon, an action entertainer, will explore themes like patriotism. The RRR actor is playing a villainous character in the movie. Recently, Prashanth Neel spoke about Dragon and hinted at drama being its biggest merit, saying that Jr NTR’s sense of drama is extraordinary. The First Glimpse, released on May 20 marking the actor’s birthday, featured an intense and rugged Jr NTR in a world filled with tension and conflict. It offered a brief look at the film’s dark setting and high-stakes narrative. The visuals carried Neel’s signature style, with Rukmini Vasanth’s narration amping up the feel. Though the glimpse revealed very little about the story, it successfully generated curiosity.

The master of elevations

Prabhas, along with other industry colleagues greeted the filmmaker on the special day. Prashanth Neel, who started out in Sandalwood, has built a reputation as one of the most successful action filmmakers in Indian cinema. His KGF in 2018 was a trend-setter. After its sequel, he made Salaar with Prabhas. His movies are known for their powerful hero elevations, stylized action blocks, and larger-than-life storytelling. Neel often uses dark visual tones and striking cinematography to create a gritty atmosphere, the kind of aesthetic he is going to drop with the KGF-Salaar-Dragon trilogy. He also pays close attention to background scores and visual detailing.

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The special screening of ZEE5’s upcoming neo-noir crime thriller Brown turned into a warm and memorable evening, as Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan arrived in full support of Karisma Kapoor. Marking Karisma’s much-anticipated show’s release, the screening doubled up as a heartfelt family moment, with Kareena and Saif cheering for her as she steps into an intense role.

Expressing his excitement for the series, Saif Ali Khan shared, “I have seen the trailer, and I love it. It is so well shot, and I am so excited, as Karisma has been talking about this show for quite a long time. I saw her preparing, rolling her smokes, and how she is playing an alcoholic slightly different from her own personality but I am really excited to see it because I think it is going to be really, really cool.”

Kareena Kapoor Khan was full of praises for her sister’s performance. She said, “It is so nice to finally see Lolo, the absolute ’90s queen, back on screen. It is a role that is very different for her. Karisma Kapoor has been the dancing superstar in Raja Hindustani and all those classic films; I think this part for her is very, very different. She has given her heart and soul to it, and I feel she will be spectacular. The trailer, the way Abhinay has shot it, is very, very interesting, and I am really happy that Lolo actually took the plunge. People try to do roles in their comfort zone, but Karisma has always tried to do things differently be it with Fizaa or Zubeidaa, she has always pushed the envelope and has been such an inspiration for me and so many other people.”

Directed by Abhinay Deo, Brown stars Karisma Kapoor as Rita Brown. She is a disgraced detective investigating a chilling series of murders while confronting the ghosts of her own past. The series also features Surya Sharma, Soni Razdan and Jisshu Sengupta in pivotal roles.

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