Actor Janhvi Kapoor has condemned the morphed video featuring her and Jr NTR’s song Chuttamalle from their 2024 film Devara. The sexually explicit, AI-generated video has also sparked debate online over the misuse of AI.

Janhvi addressed it with a note on Instagram Stories on Sunday, calling “the criminal misuse of technology to objectify women and circulate fictionalized content without consent deeply violating, bordering on sexual assault”.

Janhvi emphasized that the issue goes beyond this specific video: “It is about the larger reality of being a woman, the gaze, the judgement, the constant negotiation for safety, and the feeling that our boundaries somehow remain open to interpretation. That threat has now expanded into the digital sphere, when we have not even adequately addressed the very real, physical fear that continues to disrupt the lives of women every day.”

The actor also thanked fraternity members Jr NTR, Chiranjeevi, Vijay Deverakonda, and Khushbu Sundar for coming out in her support. Earlier, Jr NTR had called the morphed video “shameful beyond words”, writing, “To the scumbags behind this morphed Chuttamalle video, I will not spare any of you. I will take every possible legal action against those who created it and those who are spreading it.”

The past few years has seen films from the South score and even break records which was a rarity earlier but it has been presented as some sort of dominating wave which has left Hindi cinema behind which is very far from the truth. Whatever the struggles of Hindi films, it will remain the biggest film industry in the country simply because of the POTENTIAL audience it has in sheer numbers. Its a different matter that this potential audience has not been reached generally over the last few decades or so.

This so called pan India thing is just not there, no matter how much the media shouts as the majority of these so called pan India films bite the dust. But the ones which get though are talked about. It is going to be even tougher now for this South content as generally its built on sequels. The first film gets appreciation and then the second one gets the numbers but this game is just not valid for South films but all films.

The sequel thing will run its course as it cannot go on forever due to over supply be it from Hindi cinema or South. Hollywood has already seen this happen. There was this South wave in the 80's but it was slightly different as it was banners and directors from the South making films in Hindi with Hindi film stars and it lasted 3-4 years before normal service was resumed. Also that was actually a wave while the present is more media made.   

The problem the South films will face are expectations because of this media made wave and their huge budgets and how they open when they are not sequels. The wider audience responds when its a sequel to an appreciated film but outside that, its just a few areas where there is a ready audience.

Below are the opening day collections of South films in Hindi when not sequels and they pretty much say it all with just a handful which can be called good opening and mainly Prabhas starrers who has a following in certain Hindi belts. There are not many films to get even 5 crore nett till date and it will be similar films going forward which history shows is always dwindling returns. The road is only going to be tougher from here.

1. Saaho - 25,82,00,000

2. Kalki 2898 AD - 20,86,00,000

3. RRR - 19,38,00,000

4. Salaar - 15,73,00,000

5. Devara - 7,13,00,000

6. Game Changer - 6,83,00,000

7. The RajaSaab - 5,03,00,000

8. Baahubali: The Beginning - 4,92,00,000

9. Coolie - 4,14,00,000

10. Radhe Shyam - 4,09,00,000

Bosco Martis has again called for long-overdue recognition of choreographers in the Indian film industry. He was recently in the news when he expressed his disappointment at not being credited for his work on the hit Chuttamalle (Devara: Part 1), starring Jr. NTR and Janhvi Kapoor. “I wish Janhvi would have spoken about it in her promotions,” he’d remarked.

Speaking to Bombay Times about this, Bosco highlighted how choreographers are often sidelined during film promotions, despite playing a pivotal role in the visual and emotional impact of a song.

“We choreographers deserve recognition. A song is a story, a world that the choreographer helps create, from steps to set design, costume inputs to colour palettes. Today, a choreographer is no less than a song director.”

Without singling out any actor for deliberate oversight, Bosco stressed the importance of crediting behind-the-scenes creatives. “I know nobody avoids naming choreographers on purpose, it’s like forgetting a friend’s birthday. Jahnvi didn’t do it on purpose, but when actors acknowledge the technicians who make them shine, it’s a deeply fulfilling moment for us.”

Bosco cited the example of radio platforms that now mandatorily mention singers, lyricists, and music composers, and advocated for a similar norm for choreographers, especially for dance-centric tracks. “For years, I’ve been saying this: mention the choreographer’s name. On iconic songs like Ek Do Teen, Tauba Tauba or Dola Re Dola, the choreographer’s identity is vital to the song’s legacy. It's high time this became an industry norm,” says Bosco, the creative force behind dance hits like Jhoome Jo Pathaan and Kala Chashma.

Despite the lack of consistent credit, he did acknowledge that several actors have celebrated choreographers publicly over the years. “Katrina Kaif, Vicky Kaushal, Shah Rukh Khan and even Janhvi Kapoor have praised us on various occasions. When that happens, suddenly everyone knows your name. That’s when you feel seen.”

Talking about Chuttamalle, the choreographer shared behind-the-scenes insights on the track’s filming. “It was a challenging three to four-day shoot. The water was icy cold. Janhvi danced and emoted through it all without complaining. NTR, of course, is a dream, he barely rehearses and still executes every step with grace.”

Bosco credited the song’s success to a collaborative effort and support from the director and producers. “The song wasn’t rushed. We had the freedom to craft something beautiful. And it paid off, the audience has showered it with love.”

Last year, Janhvi Kapoor made her Telugu film debut with Devara: Part 1 opposite NTR Jr, following it up by signing Peddi opposite Ram Charan. Now, it looks like the actor has bagged her third Telugu offering. Sources tell us that Kapoor will play one of the female leads in Allu Arjun’s next, the working title of which is AA22xA6, helmed by Atlee. Having an Atlee film on her résumé is a big boost for Kapoor.

An insider shares, “Allu and Atlee are a dream combination. With his next, the filmmaker is mounting an ambitious sci-fi film. Naturally, Janhvi is excited to be part of something that could potentially set new standards in Indian cinema’s sci-fi genre.”

In April, mid-day had reported that Arjun and Atlee had conducted look tests and a concept shoot in Mumbai (Beginning of another blockbuster, April 21). The team is apparently planning to take the project on floors in October. Another source reveals that casting is underway for two more female characters in the film.

The source shares, “The makers are in talks with Mrunal Thakur for one of the parts. After Sita Ramam [2022] and Hi Nanna [2023], she has a huge fan base in South, and the makers are keen to bring her on board.”

When production is still in progress, filmmakers often guard their films closely. However, when scenes and looks are leaked despite precautions, it throws the entire unit into chaos. Recently, the makers of Devara: Part One faced a similar crisis when a dialogue by Junior NTR leaked online and circulated on social media.

A source informs, “A significant dialogue from the movie recently leaked, prompting the production team to ramp up security measures on set. Our top priority is to ensure the safety and confidentiality of our project. We’ve significantly enhanced security on set to protect the integrity of Devara.”

The makers have also reduced the number of people on set and implemented a no-phone policy. “Only essential personnel are allowed access, and strict protocols are in place to prevent any further breaches. We are committed to delivering a cinematic experience that our audience can enjoy without any spoilers. The number of unit members allowed on set has been reduced to the bare minimum, and the footage is encrypted and sent to editing,” the source adds.

The film, which marks Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor’s debut in Telugu cinema, has been in the making since April 2023. Directed and written by Koratala Siva, Devara: Part One is set against a forest backdrop, where NTR will play a double role—Devara and Vara—one of whom is a student leader on a mission to end the forest mafia. “Only a couple of songs and a small portion are left to be shot,” says the source.

Reports indicate that a mass duet song featuring NTR and Kapoor will be filmed on a specially erected set in Shamshabad on Tuesday. The song, choreographed by Sekhar Master, is an energetic dance number. “This will be shot in a closed-door setup now. On the shoot days, it will be a no-phone policy on set,” confirms the source.

In the first half of 2024 Bollywood saw a lull at the box office. There weren’t too many big-ticket films released, and those that did, performed below expectation. Fighter, Shaitaan, and Crew brought in some moolah, and some medium-budget (Srikantj, Munjya, Article 370, Madgaon Express) films clocked in good numbers, but overall, the numbers didn’t give the industry a reason to celebrate. As we look ahead at the second half of the year, BT talked to industry experts to understand their expectations and hopes from the upcoming lineup of theatrical releases and why exhibitors are relying on Telugu films to bring in phenomenal numbers.

Industry experts seem quite optimistic about the second half of the year. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh says, “We are optimistic. Hopefully we will recover lots more.”

Amit Sharma, MD, Miraj Entertainment Limited, chimes in, “The past six months have been really dull for Bollywood, however, the calendar for the upcoming months look exciting. We have a medium budget get film coming in every month, along with big budget films. And to have that mixed slate is important. The next six months are going to be really crowded at the box office. I am positive about the business. The next six months we will repeat the numbers that we did last year.”

Film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi stresses on the importance of tentpole movies. He explains, “The second half of the year looks a far more promising because you have a much higher number of big-ticket releases. We have pan-India movies ranging from Kalki 2898 AD and Pushpa 2 - The Rule to big Tamil movies like Indian 2 and then of course, there is Singham Again, which is one of the biggest franchises. These big-ticket entertainers are the true-blue theatrical watches. Hopefully, these films will create an impact and get revenues for multiplexes, single screens - tier one, tier two, tier three - everywhere across the board.”

Devara, Kalki 2898 AD, Pushpa and Game Changer are few of the pan-Indian movies that the trade experts are pinning their hopes on. Moreover, Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, Executive Director, PVR INOX Ltd, mentions that Hollywood movies such as Deadpool & Wolverine, Joker, and Venom 2, might be saviours in the second half of 2024. 

Anand Pandit says, “Indian makers are no longer making films for a single demographic.” He also said, “Every year, we may not be able to deliver back-to-back blockbusters but as long as we remain creative, inspired and optimistic, we will always see more success than failure.”

Akshaye Rathi elaborates, “It is not that we don’t have confidence in Hindi films, but there aren’t as many big-ticket Hindi films coming out this year. It is a year run by Ajay Devgn and Akshay Kumar on Hindi front. There is no Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Ranbir Kapoor or Ranveer Singh film releasing. Hence, this dependence on the Telugu movies is huge.”

Films expected to be money spinners from July-Dec 2024

1. Kalki 2898 AD

2. Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha

3. Sarfira

4. Stree 2

5. Singham Again

6. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3

7. Chhaava

8. Welcome to the Jungle

9. Sitaare Zameen Par

10. Baby John

11. Devara

12. Game Changer

13.Kanguva

14. Indian 2

15. Pushpa 2

Actor Shruti Marathe, who is known for her work in Marathi films like Rama Madhav, Taptapadi, and Bandh Nylonche, will soon be seen with Jr NTR and Janhvi Kapoor in director Koratala Siva’s Devara: Part 1. In a chat, the actor talks about her preparation for the film and collaborations in the film industry. Excerpts from the interview:

On working with a big team in her Telugu project... Shruti tells us, “I am thrilled to be a part of a film with such a big star cast. I am playing Jr NTR’s wife, and we are still shooting the film, which will be released in the second half of this year.”

We ask the actor about her preparation for the role, to which she says, “I still struggle with the language," she laughs and continues by saying, "I don’t know how to speak Telugu, so I mug up my lines. The makers give me the script in Devnagari and even if I fumble, the prompter on set helps me get the lines right.”

Of late, crossovers across the film industry are keeping cinephiles engaged. Shruti shares her take on this. “I’ve done five Tamil films earlier when crossovers were not a big thing. Now, all the South films are dubbed in Hindi and vice-versa, because the audience loves these films so much. Art needs to reach everyone, and language should not be a barrier in its way,” the actor says on a concluding note.

After creating a splash in Bollywood, Janhvi Kapoor is following in her mother, late actor Sridevi’s footsteps by making her debut in a movie down south. The actor will be seen opposite Jr NTR in director Koratala Siva’s Devara. The 26-year-old is excited about her “first out-and-out commercial role”. “I am having so much fun with it,” she tells us. However, this new journey is also bringing forth emotions and memories about her mother, who worked in several films down south.

“It’s my first Telugu film, so a lot of my time is spent in learning the dialogues as I don’t speak the language. My mum spoke [to us] in Hindi and English at home. But whenever we went to Chennai (Tamil Nadu), more often than not, she would speak in Tamil. I am more familiar with Tamil, than I am with Telugu,” she confesses.

The Bawaal actor shares that working on the film feels like “homecoming”. “I feel ki main ghar aa gayi hoon. Everyone on set feels like my own. I don’t know if it’s because of my intense emotional attachment to mum or if I am feeling attached to her by doing a film down south. It’s spiritual,” says Kapoor.

Indian fans of the Transformers film franchise may have more than one reason to look forward to the June 9 release of 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts'. Sources tell us that NT Rama Rao Jr is in talks to lend his voice to the character of Optimus Primal in the Hindi version.

A source reveals, “For Optimus Primal, an intense heroic beast that is being introduced in the franchise, the team is looking for a powerful voice. Jr NTR is the top choice for the part. Initial conversations with the Telugu star have taken place. The team wants to make the sci-fi action franchise more popular in India, and the addition of Jr NTR — one of the biggest stars currently in India — will help achieve that.”

However, it remains to be seen whether the RRR actor will be able to accommodate the project in his chock-a-block date diary. He is currently shooting for his next, Devara, which also stars Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor in pivotal roles.

The source adds, “Conflicting schedules may pose a challenge for the actor. Jr NTR is committed to the shoot of Devara, which could deter him from taking on the dubbing role. The actor will arrive at a decision by the weekend.”