Showing posts with label Dil Raju. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dil Raju. Show all posts
Salman Khan, Nayanthara to film action sequences in Bandra next week
8:59 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; June 6, 2026)
Manali done, now Mumbai is calling out to Salman Khan and Nayanthara. Sources have told mid-day that the two actors are set to kick off the next schedule of their yet-untitled film, directed by Vamshi Paidipally, on June 10 in the Maximum City.
What’s on the agenda? To film critical action blocks that have been envisioned against the city’s locations. “The team will shoot across multiple outdoor locations in and around Bandra because the sequences require the texture and scale of an urban setting. The sequences, featuring both leads, include chases, vehicle-based action, close-quarter combat, and crowd-heavy moments,” revealed a source.
Producer Dil Raju and the director have also lined up a key set-piece involving Khan. An insider shared, “It’s one of the film’s major action pieces. It begins as a pursuit and gradually escalates into a confrontation.”
After Mumbai, the unit will head to Hyderabad in July for the next leg.
Salman Khan to kick off his next actioner with Dil Raju in April while Maatrubhumi struggles to find a release date
10:08 AM
Even as Maatrubhumi's release window is yet to be finalized, sources say Salman Khan will kick off his next actioner with Dil Raju on April 14
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 26, 2026)
Salman Khan’s ‘Maatrubhumi’ may be going through changes, making it difficult to lock its release date (Hindi-Chini bhai bhai, Bhaijaan giving that a try? March 17). But things appear to be moving fast on the superstar’s next with producer Dil Raju and director Vamshi Paidipally. Industry insiders have told mid-day that the actor is expected to kick off the actioner around April 14.
Naturally, preparations are underway in full swing in Mumbai. We’ve heard that a massive set is being constructed at the SRPF Ground in Goregaon.
A source close to the production shared, “This isn’t a regular set, it’s practically a mini-city. The set has been designed to resemble a dense urban area, which will be shown as a high-conflict zone where a large-scale action sequence plays out. Think of it almost like an industrial township.” The decision to build such an elaborate set-up stems from the film’s action-heavy narrative.
While casting for the yet-untitled movie is being finalized, the production team is racing against time to have everything ready by mid-April.
The source added, “Many elements are being pieced together simultaneously — set design, action choreography, and final casting. The goal is to hit the ground running.”
Salman Khan likely to share screen with Samantha Ruth Prabhu in Raj-DK's next
10:02 AM
Sources say after teaming up with Nayanthara in Dil Raju’s next, Salman Khan is likely to share screen space with Samantha Ruth Prabhu in Raj-DK’s film
Mohar Raju (MID-DAY; March 9, 2026)
All eyes are on Dil Raju’s upcoming production that is rumoured to star Salman Khan. Even as reports suggest that the yet-untitled film may see Khan sharing screen space with Nayanthara for the first time, we might see the superstar in another fresh pairing, courtesy filmmaker duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, better known as Raj-DK.
Last week, mid-day reported that the actor is in early discussions with Raj-DK for a superhero film (A retiring superhero, March 6). Now, sources have revealed that Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who featured in the filmmaker duo’s second season of ‘The Family Man’, is the frontrunner for the movie.
“Samantha is very much in the conversation. She shares a strong creative equation with the makers, and they feel she fits the part,” said the source. The producers are aiming to take the project on floors by August.
Before facing the camera with Prabhu, Khan will kick off Raju’s production that is being helmed by Telugu film director Vamshi Paidipally. Another source shared, “Nayanthara has emerged as the frontrunner for the female lead, though talks are ongoing. It will be a pan-India action entertainer, and should roll by April.”
Tussle over war films on Operation Sindoor
8:12 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; May 11, 2025)
On the morning of May 7, as the Indian Armed Forces carried out Operation Sindoor, a different mission kicked off in Mumbai’s film production circles – the race to claim Sindoor as a film title. Inside producers’ offices and association desks, phones buzzed. But the only response many got? A simple, “ Aap kataar mein hai .”
‘Everyone wants the title Sindoor’
The inboxes of the Indian Film and Television Producers Council (IFTPC), the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), the Western India Film Producers Association (WIFPA), and the Producers Guild of India pinged with urgency. It hasn’t stopped really. “Suddenly, everyone wanted the same title – Sindoor ,” says a weary representative from one of the associations. “There’s been an overwhelming number of applications in the past couple of days for titles related to Operation Sindoor,” shared another official.
‘J P Dutta, south producers want to register the title’
Sources say, “J P Dutta’s banner JP Films has thrown its hat in the ring for Operation Sindoor. A renowned producer from the South, Dil Raju, has requested Sindoor: Ek Jung. “For a title to be accepted quickly, the trick is not to aim for what everyone else is chasing. The smartest titles are simple ones. The trick is to find something that uses the key words and still resonates,” adviced a producer.
‘There are already more than 15 applicants’
In this race, time is what matters. “The title will go to the one who applied first. But everyone else can either stay on the waiting list or get their money back. We receive title applications both by mail and as hard copies,” another representative explained, adding, “Now, when someone is walking in with a hard copy saying they want Mission Sindoor or Operation Sindoor, we tell them – don’t bother. There are already more than 15 applicants. You won’t get it.”
‘The timing of announcing a film based on Operation Sindoor may have caused discomfort’
After backlash for announcing a film based on Operation Sindoor, producer Nickky Bhagnani, brother of Pooja Entertainment’s Jackky Bhagnani, apologized in a post. He wrote, “My sincere apologies for recently announcing a film based on Operation Sindoor. Inspired by the recent heroic efforts of our Indian Armed Forces. The intent was never to hurt or provoke anyone’s sentiments. As a filmmaker, I was moved by the courage, sacrifice, and the strength of our soldiers and leadership. And simply wished to bring this powerful story to light. This project was born out of deep respect and love for our nation and not for fame and monetization. However, I understand the timing and sensitivity may have caused discomfort or pain to some. For that. I deeply regret. This is not just a film, it’s an emotion of the entire nation and a social image of the country globally. Thanks to our Armed Forces and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji who make us proud by working day and night for the country with the motto of always nation first. Our love and prayers will always be with the families of the martyrs as well as the bravo warriors who are fighting on the border day and night to give us a new morning. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!”
Productions that applied for title registration
- Aditya Dhar Films
- John Abraham’s production house
- JP Films (J P Dutta’s banner)
- Vivek Agnihotri’s production house
- Madhur Bhandarkar’s production house
- Ashoke Pandit’s production house
- Super Cassettes
- Mahaveer Jain Films
- Bombay Shows
- Mumbai Films
- Almighty Motion Pictures
I-T raids Dil Raju, Pushpa 2 promoters’ properties in Hyderabad
8:31 AM
U Sudhakar Reddy (THE TIMES OF INDIA; January 22, 2025)
Hyderabad: Income tax (I-T) officials on Tuesday conducted searches on the properties of film producer V Venkata Ramana Reddy, popular as Dil Raju, and ‘Pushpa-2' promoters Mythri Movie Makers at eights locations in the city. The searches, conducted by I-T Investigation Hyderabad Unit, focused on suspected tax evasion and targeted multiple locations, including residences and offices in Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills, Kondapur and Gachibowli.
Apart from the offices of of Dil Raju, a prominent figure in Telugu cinema and chairman of Telangana Film Federation Development Corporation, the I-T officers' investigation extended to his residence in Ujas Villas, Jubilee Hills as well as other properties linked to his associates, including his brother and daughter.
Dil Raju is known for producing several films, including recent releases ‘Game Changer' and ‘Sankranthiki Vasthunam'.
Dil Raju played a key role in connecting the Telugu film industry to chief minister A Revanth Reddy after the fiasco of the arrest of Allu Arjun in the Sandhya theatre stampede case. Dil Raju was recently appointed chairman of Telangana Film Federation Development Corporation by the Congress govt.
Across 8 locations in city
The offices and residences of Mythri Movie Makers' producers, Naveen Yerneni and Yelamanchili Ravi Shankar, were also searched. The production house is behind the hits such as ‘Pushpa 2', ‘Rangasthalam' and ‘Janatha Garage'. Searches extended to Mango Media, a distribution company associated with Ram Veerapaneni, husband of singer Sunitha.
The coordinated operation, involving 55 officials, was conducted across eight locations in the city. Officials are verifying financial records to probe irregularities.
Interestingly, the number of income tax searches has decreased in Hyderabad investigation unit, and sources said that unless there was clear evidence of tax evasion, officials would not get permission from Central Board of Direct Taxes.
Allu Arjun's father gives 2 crore cheque to boy injured in stampede
8:23 AM
Sribala Vadlapatla (THE TIMES OF INDIA; December 26, 2024)
Hyderabad: Telugu star Allu Arjun's father and Tollywood film producer Allu Aravind Wednesday gave a check of Rs 2 crore as compensation to Sritej, the eight-year-old boy who was grievously injured in December 4 stampede outside Sandhya Theatre. Sritej's mother, Revathi, died in the stampede. Sritej is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Hyderabad.
Addressing mediapersons after visiting the boy, Aravind said: "Allu Arjun has donated Rs 1 crore, the Pushpa 2 producers have contributed Rs 50 lakh, and the director of the film, Sukumar, has also given 50 lakh."
The total amount of Rs 2 crore was handed over to Sritej's family by Dil Raju, chairman of Telangana Film Development Corporation (FDC). The FDC chief and Y Ravi Shankar from Mythri Movies - producer of Pushpa 2 - accompanied Arvind to the hospital.
"Sritej has been doing fine without oxygen support for the last 72 hours. We're praying for his quick recovery. This money can help with his education and overall well-being," Dil Raju added.
He said that they've arranged for a meeting with Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy at 10 am on Thursday. "A bunch of top producers, directors, and actors will be there," said Dil Raju, maintaining government and film industry share a "good" relationship.
Vijay Deverakonda’s team takes legal action against trolls of The Family Star
2:25 PM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (April 9, 2024)
Vijay Deverakonda’s team has launched legal action against those who’ve trolled him and his latest film, The Family Star. A police complaint has been filed in Madhapur, Hyderabad, by the actor’s manager and the president of his fan clubs.
The 34-year-old’s team has claimed that the smear campaign may have impacted the film’s box office performance.
Sharing an image of the team filing the complaint, a representative for Deverakonda wrote on X: “Cyber Crime Complaint lodged against individuals who are part of orchestrated attacks and planned negative campaigns targeting #FamilyStar movie and actor #VijayDeverakonda. The police officials started taking action already and are tracing the fake ids and users and assured due course. @CyberCrimeshyd #TheFamilyStar (sic).”
However, producer Dil Raju told TV9 that viewers have been appreciative. “Everyone I meet is confused why the film is getting such negative reactions. I heard in Kerala they’re debating on curbing reviews the first few days of the release. Something similar needs to happen in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana. It’s not okay to rub your opinion on others,” he told the outlet.
Shahid Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna's action comedy with Anees Bazmee to go on floors in August
7:54 AM
Sources say Shahid-Rashmika to kick off their action comedy in August; director Anees Bazmee plans start-to-finish schedules to wrap up film by the year-end
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 3, 2023)
In May, mid-day had reported that Shahid Kapoor and Anees Bazmee were set to collaborate on an action comedy (Main aaoonga UP, Bihar lootne, May 2). There has been brisk progress on the project since. While Rashmika Mandanna has been roped in as the leading lady, the makers have done a recce for the film, which is backed by Varisu producer Dil Raju. Now, it is learnt that Kapoor and Mandanna will kick off the shoot in the first week of August at a Mumbai studio.
In May, mid-day had reported that Shahid Kapoor and Anees Bazmee were set to collaborate on an action comedy (Main aaoonga UP, Bihar lootne, May 2). There has been brisk progress on the project since. While Rashmika Mandanna has been roped in as the leading lady, the makers have done a recce for the film, which is backed by Varisu producer Dil Raju. Now, it is learnt that Kapoor and Mandanna will kick off the shoot in the first week of August at a Mumbai studio.
The three-week Mumbai stint will be followed by a 15-day break, after which the team will head to Rajasthan for an extensive schedule.
“Anees wants to do a start-to-finish schedule in the state from mid-September and complete a chunk of the film by October. Then comes the movie’s most crucial schedule in Mumbai, which will involve a lot of action. If things go as planned, the project will be wrapped up by the year-end.”
Bazmee remained unavailable for comment.
Shahid Kapoor’s action comedy with director Anees Bazmee to roll in July; to be shot in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar
8:32 AM
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; May 2, 2023)
It’s a busy 2023 for Shahid Kapoor, who started the year with a bang with his maiden web series, Farzi. In mid-April, he wrapped up the shoot of his yet-untitled romantic drama opposite Kriti Sanon, moving on to producer Siddharth Roy Kapur’s next, helmed by Rosshan Andrrews. After the thriller, it will be time for the actor to shift gears to comedy with director Anees Bazmee.
mid-day has learnt that the big-budget action comedy, backed by Varisu producer Dil Raju, is set to roll in July. In keeping with the narrative, the film will be shot in the heartland of India, including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Sources tell us that Bazmee, right after the success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 last year, started developing the action comedy.
“When he met Shahid last year, the actor loved the concept and said yes in principle. Anees dedicated the next six months to develop the comedy. Contrary to reports, it is not a remake of a south film, but an original script. Shahid is excited about the project as it not only sees him attempt a light-hearted fare after the intense Jersey [2022], Farzi and the upcoming Bloody Daddy, but will also see him in a double role. True to his style, the director has designed it as a massy entertainer,” reveals a source. The makers will zero in on the leading lady in the next fortnight.
mid-day reached out to Bazmee, who remained unavailable for comment.
Tollywood hits pause; here's why
8:29 AM
Amid growing national appeal for Telugu blockbusters, film producers in Hyderabad have stopped shoots for a course correction as profits plummet
Sushil Rao (THE TIMES OF INDIA; August 13, 2022)
Perhaps for the first time in its 101-year-old history, the Telugu film industry is in a self-imposed lockdown. Shoots have been stopped, stalling at least 80 to 100 movies. And this at a time when many Telugu films have taken the country by storm, leaving behind even the big guns of Bollywood.
The producers of the third largest number of films in the country after Hindi and Tamil say their pan-India image raking in the moolah is a magnified myth. To the extent that the entire film industry decided to suspend film shoots from August 1 with the aim of making corrections.
The biggest issue is high production costs and low revenues. A section of the producers blames expensive stars for the quagmire. For every ‘Baahubali’ and ‘RRR’ and ‘Pushpa: The Rise - Part 01’ that gave Tollywood a larger-than-life image, there are multiple films that lose hundreds of crores after bombing at the box-office.
“We have suspended shoots but only to emerge stronger as an industry,” says Dil Raju, film producer and president of the Active Telugu Film Producers Guild. Raju has delivered a string of Telugu hits, including the latest ‘Vakeel Saab’. The newly elected president of Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce, Basi Reddy, concurs. He is in discussions with various sectors of the industry to cut costs. At the centre of issues are stars and their rocketing remuneration.
Consider this: an upcoming male actor reportedly got Rs. 6 crores for a movie in 2021. The film did well at the box office. For his next film, he increased his fees to Rs. 14 crores and the film flopped, making barely Rs. 6 crore.
Some of the top male actors are said to be earning more than Rs. 40 crore per film. This is not directly as remuneration but in other ways, like taking the distribution rights for a territory. No one reveals the numbers, but if one has to make a film with any of the top heroes, the minimum budget that is required is Rs 100 crore. “The tragedy is that 50% of the budget is the hero’s remuneration,” a producer said. Female actors, too, demand crores and character artists in several lakhs.
Besides, chartered flights are used to take top actors to other cities. Earlier, only the hero would have a caravan but now apart from heroines, all character artists settle for nothing less than an exclusive caravan at the shoot. “I was aghast to see 32 caravans at a film shooting. This definitely is a huge burden on the producer,” a leading producer says.
“If artists expect a certain remuneration it is justified. So long as the artist is in demand, he can command a price. If producers feel it is not useful to cast the actor, they will not. It is demand and supply,” said actor Suman, who has acted in Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Tamil films. He played the villain in the Rajinikanth-starrer ‘Sivaji’.
There are other problems too. The Telugu Film Workers Federation is demanding a 40% increase in wages, something that producers are not inclined towards but want to settle the matter with talks.
Theatre owners, on the other hand, want a hike in admission rates but small film producers are of the opinion that this is a disincentive as audiences would shy away from coming to theatres and wait for the film to make it to OTT. The theatre owners now ask producers not to release their films on OTT platforms until after six to 10 weeks of the theatre release.
“We have separate committees to look into all issues and we are hopeful of resolving all of them,” said noted film producer C Kalyan. Hopes are up, but so is the restlessness of an industry raring to get back after delivering runaway hits.
Rajkummar Rao bags Hindi remake of Telugu thriller HIT - The First Case
9:14 AM
Actor to play troubled cop in Hindi remake of a Telugu thriller
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 15, 2020)
On February 28, a couple of weeks before a nationwide lockdown was announced, Telugu thriller HIT - The First Case fronted by Vishwak Sen and Ruhani Sharma, emerged a big winner at the box-office down South. The Dr Sailesh Kolanu-directorial was among the last film to open in the theatres and its run was cut short when fear instilled by the Coronavirus pandemic started keeping the audience away. Mirror has now learnt that the mystery movie will be remade in Hindi with Rajkummar Rao stepping in as the cop. It will be produced by Dil Raju and Kuldeep Rathore.Confirming the news, Raj told Mirror, “When I watched HIT, I instantly connected with the story. It’s engaging and relevant in today’s times. As an actor, I am always on the lookout for characters I have not explored before and HIT gives me the chance to do that. I am looking forward to this journey.”
The film revolves around a cop in the Crime Investigation Department working in the Homicide Intervention Team, who is on the trail of a missing woman. It is currently being scripted keeping the sensibilities of a pan-India audience in mind and is expected to roll in 2021.Sailesh elaborated on the narrative, informing that Raj’s cop is caught in a battle between his past and the present. “He’s a troubled character and I wanted to cast someone who can bring that darkness to the role and still make the audience root for him with a mature performance,” reasons the director who believes that Raj can evoke just this response. “I have been following his work since Shaitaan, he is a terrific actor and has managed to surprise us with his performance every time.” The Telugu film had an open-end, hinting at a sequel and Sailesh admits Part Two is in the works. “It has the potential to be a successful franchise in Bollywood, too, because the premise is global rather than local,” he says, revealing that he will be tweaking some portions, the idea being to create a realistic world of crime and investigation with a bunch of beautifully flawed grey characters inhabiting it with multiple stories unfold within that world.
Apart from HIT, Dil Raju is also producing the official Hindi adaptation of Nani’s 2019 sport drama, Jersey, with Shahid Kapoor and Mrunal Thakur in the lead. The film’s shoot was halted in March and the makers are waiting for normalcy to return, so they can resume work and complete the remaining 30 per cent.
Tollywood resumes post production from today
7:50 AM
P Pavan (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 22, 2020)
A week ago, reports claimed that two British shows, Top Gear and Eastenders, are to resume shooting by June-end, while in the US, California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Wednesday that the state is mulling reopening production. Closer home, the FWICE (Federation of Western India Cine Employees) is seeking Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s permission to resume work (Mirror, May 20). Before that, Telangana government has given the go-ahead to the Telugu film industry to resume post-production work from today.
On Thursday, some of Tollywood’s bigwigs, including Nagarjuna, S S Rajamouli, Allu Aravind, Suresh Babu, and Dil Raju, assembled at actor-politician Chiranjeevi’s residence in Hyderabad for a meeting with Minister T Srinivas Yadav, who assured the group that an order to resume production would be issued. Work in film and TV industries across the country came to an abrupt halt on March 23 in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak.
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