South Newsmakers of the Week: This past week was full of buzzworthy moments in the South Indian entertainment industry. From heated controversies to exciting announcements, several events created a massive stir across social media platforms. If you missed out on these highlights, here’s a quick rundown of the top South newsmakers of the week.
1. Arshad Warsi-Prabhas Controversy
One of the major talking points recently was the controversy involving Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi and South superstar Prabhas. The issue sparked when Arshad Warsi commented on Prabhas’s performance in the film Kalki 2898 AD while lauding Amitabh Bachchan’s portrayal in the same movie. His remarks did not sit well with many in the South industry. Notable actors like Sudheer Babu, Vishnu Manchu, and Nani publicly criticized Arshad Warsi, defending Prabhas and expressing their displeasure. Vishnu Manchu, the President of the Movie Artistes Association (MAA), even sent a formal letter urging the Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) to guide Arshad Warsi against making such remarks in the future. Arshad later clarified that his statements were “lost in translation,” but the matter had already fueled heated discussions in the industry.
2. Thalapathy Vijay Unveils TVK Party’s Flag and Anthem
Thalapathy Vijay made headlines this week by unveiling the flag and anthem of his newly launched political party, TVK. This marked a significant moment for the actor-turned-politician as he officially introduced his party’s symbols on August 22. Vijay took this opportunity to address his followers and discussed his plans for the party’s first state conference, which he hinted would be announced soon. The star also expressed his vision of eradicating caste, religion, and gender differences, promoting equality across society. The unveiling created quite a buzz online, with fans eagerly awaiting more updates on his political journey.
3. Chiranjeevi’s First Look from Vishwambhara
Chiranjeevi’s fans were treated to a surprise on his 69th birthday as the makers of Vishwambhara released the film’s first look on August 22. In the poster, Chiranjeevi is seen holding a flaming Trishul amidst a dramatic backdrop of lightning and fire, creating an intense and powerful image. The look has generated immense excitement among fans and has increased the anticipation for the movie’s release, which is scheduled for January 10, 2025.
4. Allu Arjun and Sukumar Spotted Together Amid Rift Rumors
Rumors of a rift between Pushpa actor Allu Arjun and director Sukumar were put to rest this week. The duo was spotted together at the pre-release event for Maruthi Nagar Subramanyam, where they shared a warm and candid moment. Videos and pictures of the interaction quickly went viral, silencing speculations about any ongoing tension between them. Both Arjun and Sukumar’s stylish appearances further added to the charm of the event, capturing widespread attention.
5. Dulquer Salmaan’s Lucky Baskhar Gets a New Release Date
Dulquer Salmaan’s upcoming film Lucky Baskhar faced a slight delay in its release. Originally slated for September 7, 2024, the movie’s release has now been postponed to October 31, 2024. Directed by Venky Alturi, the film is anticipated to be a gripping thriller-drama. Dulquer’s boy-next-door look in the film has already created a buzz, and fans are eagerly counting down to its new release date.
6. Rajinikanth’s Vettaiyan Release Date Announced
Superstar Rajinikanth’s much-awaited film Vettaiyan finally has an official release date! The movie, featuring an ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Manju Warrier, Rana Daggubati, and Dushara Vijayan, is set to hit theaters on October 10, 2024. The release will be a major clash as it coincides with Suriya’s Kanguva. The excitement surrounding Vettaiyan continues to build as fans look forward to this high-stakes showdown at the box office.
7. Telangana Government Demolishes Nagarjuna’s Property
In a surprising move, the Telangana Government demolished a portion of actor Akkineni Nagarjuna’s property in Hyderabad. The N-Convention Centre, owned by Nagarjuna, was targeted for encroaching on the Full Tank Level (FTL) area and buffer zone of Thammidikunta Lake in Madhapur. Spanning 10 acres, the property has faced long-standing allegations of illegal construction, with officials claiming it occupied around 1.12 acres of the FTL area. The Hyderabad Disaster Response and Assets Monitoring and Protection (HYDRA) authorities, along with police, carried out the demolition early on Saturday.
