Producer Gaurav Verma’s newly launched production banner, Avanika Films, has announced its first film, Prem Keetanu, which is set to release in cinemas worldwide on October 2, 2026, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. The film is being co-presented by Avanika Films and Phars Films.

 
Directed by Apoorv Singh Karki, known for Sirf Ek Banda Kaafi Hai and Aspirants, the film features Veer Pahariya, Aafiya Sayed, Aparshakti Khurana, Rakesh Bedi and Nikhil Vijay in key roles.

Take a look at the poster below:

Prem Keetanu follows a group of young men navigating college, friendships, aspirations and heartbreak. The story looks at a phase of life where academic success and romance do not necessarily go as planned, while friendships become a central part of the experience. The film uses comedy to explore the everyday struggles and expectations faced by young Indians.

The film is the first title under Avanika Films, which Verma has established with a focus on theatrical projects. Verma was previously associated with Red Chillies as an independent producer and worked on films including Darlings, Bhakshak, Jawan and Badla.

 With Prem Keetanu, the banner is beginning its slate with a youth-focused story that combines elements of comedy, friendship and romance. The makers say the film is intended to connect with younger audiences while also bringing back memories of college life for older viewers.

For Avanika Films, the film marks the start of its plans to develop theatrical stories across different genres, with an emphasis on accessible narratives and mainstream entertainment.
 

Prem Keetanu will release in cinemas on October 2, 2026 which is also Gandhi Jayanti. More details about the film’s trailer, music and promotions are expected to be announced ahead of its release.

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Vijay Sethupathi’s next film, previously referred to as VJS56, now has a title. The makers unveiled the first look and announced on Wednesday that the film has been named Baththa. The project brings Vijay Sethupathi back together with director Balaji Tharaneetharan, marking their third collaboration after the much-loved Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom and Seethakaathi.

The announcement comes with a first look that offers little in the way of conventional information about the film but does provide an intriguing visual clue. Vijay Sethupathi is seen smoking a cigarette in the foreground, while a young boy plays behind him. A playground forms part of the setting, creating an ordinary, almost nostalgic backdrop that contrasts with the actor’s more contemplative presence.

With the story still being kept under wraps, the poster is likely to invite plenty of speculation about the relationship between Vijay Sethupathi’s character and the child. Whether the setting has a deeper connection to the narrative remains to be seen, but the deliberately simple composition suggests that Baththa may have more going on beneath the surface. The reunion of Vijay Sethupathi and Balaji Tharaneetharan is perhaps the biggest talking point surrounding the film.

A Third Collaboration For Vijay Sethupathi And Balaji Tharaneetharan

The actor and filmmaker first worked together on Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom, the 2012 comedy that became a cult favourite and played a significant role in Vijay Sethupathi’s rise as a leading performer in Tamil cinema. Their second collaboration was Seethakaathi, a 2018 film that saw Vijay Sethupathi take on the unusual role of an ageing theatre actor.

Baththa therefore marks their third outing together, giving the collaboration a history that stretches across two very different films. Producer Atlee highlighted that connection while announcing the title on X. He wrote, “K-town history la nadula konjam pakkatha skip pannama paatha… You know it’s going to be a banger when this combo reunites for the third time.”

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The film also brings together a new creative combination on the music front. Sai Abhyankkar, who has quickly emerged as one of Tamil cinema’s most talked-about young composers, is scoring the film. Baththa marks his first collaboration with Vijay Sethupathi, adding another interesting element to the project.

The film is produced by Atlee’s A for Apple Studios along with Ashwin Murugan, Murad Khetani, Priya Atlee, Alok Jain and Ajith Andhare under the Star Studio 18 and Cine 1 Studios banners. Lijomol Jose has been cast as the female lead alongside Vijay Sethupathi.

The technical crew includes cinematographer Selva Kumar SK, editor Kalaivanan R and production designer T Muthuraj. Their work, particularly the production design, could prove important given the first look’s emphasis on the playground setting and the everyday environment surrounding the characters.

For now, the makers are keeping the plot and the rest of the cast under wraps. That approach makes the first look more of a mood piece than a conventional introduction, leaving the audience to piece together what kind of story Baththa might tell.

After two previous collaborations that have explored very different tones, the third film from Vijay Sethupathi and Balaji Tharaneetharan already carries considerable curiosity. The title may be new, but the reunion gives Baththa a built-in audience. What remains to be discovered is whether the film can deliver another unexpected chapter in their creative partnership.

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