September 10, 2025

THE CLIFF NEWS

National Daily Bilingual Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

SSMB29: Mahesh Babu Returns From Rome, Third Schedule of Rajamouli’s Epic Adventure to Begin Soon

SS Rajamouli’s ambitious action-adventure film, tentatively titled SSMB29, starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, continues to generate massive buzz—even in the absence of an official announcement. With the first two shooting schedules already wrapped up, the team is now preparing to kick off the third leg of filming. After completing high-octane action and adventure sequences in Hyderabad and Koraput, Odisha, the team took a brief hiatus. During the break, Priyanka Chopra returned to the U.S., Rajamouli flew to Japan to promote his documentary RRR: Behind and Beyond, and Mahesh Babu spent quality time with his family in Rome. Now, with Mahesh Babu back in Hyderabad, speculation is rife that the third schedule is ready to roll. The actor, fresh off the success of Guntur Kaaram, is expected to rejoin the sets soon. A Rs 1000-Crore Jungle Adventure Inspired by Epics SSMB29 is shaping up to be one of Indian cinema’s most awaited spectacles. Described as a globetrotting jungle adventure thriller rooted in themes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the film is touted to be a visual and narrative masterpiece. With a reported budget of Rs 1000 crore, the project will blend mythology, history, and modern action with a global appeal. Adding to the excitement are unconfirmed reports that Mahesh Babu’s children may make their on-screen debut in powerful roles, further fueling fan anticipation. Awaiting the Official Word Despite already rolling cameras in multiple locations, the makers are yet to make a formal announcement about the film’s title, cast, or release timeline. But with momentum building and Mahesh Babu back in action, fans can likely expect updates—and possibly a grand reveal—very soon.

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Editor03 mins

Meghna Gulzar, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Prithviraj Sukumaran Collaborate on Crime Thriller Daayra

The last time Meghna Gulzar and Kareena Kapoor Khan explored the crime thriller genre, their respective contributions received significant acclaim. Gulzar directed the riveting investigative drama Talvar, while Khan showcased her talent in the intense crime thrillers Jaane Jaan and The Buckingham Murders. This time, with the addition of Prithviraj Sukumaran, known for his stellar performances in critically acclaimed Malayalam thrillers like Mumbai Police and Memories, their collaboration promises to deliver a distinct and original narrative. Junglee Pictures, which had previously worked with Gulzar on Talvar and Raazi, reunites with the director for their third project together: Daayra. Currently in pre-production, this crime drama — co-written by Yash and Sima — marks the first collaboration between Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The combination of these accomplished talents has already generated significant anticipation for the project. Gulzar, speaking on the upcoming film, expressed her excitement about working with co-writers Sima and Yash. She noted the challenge and thrill of exploring the complex grey areas within the black-and-white nature of the narrative. As the lead characters come to life through the performances of Khan and Sukumaran, the dynamics of the story are poised to elevate further. Sukumaran, equally impressed by Gulzar’s screenplay, shared his enthusiasm for the project. He believes that Daayra is a layered narrative that will resonate with audiences. The actor, who is known for his compelling roles in crime dramas, emphasized that working with Meghna Gulzar, Junglee Pictures, and an actor of Kareena Kapoor Khan’s caliber would be a remarkable collaborative experience. He also highlighted how the film delves deep into societal norms, the world of crime, and the complexities of punishment. Currently celebrating her 25th year in cinema, Kareena Kapoor Khan is consciously stepping away from traditional star-driven vehicles, instead choosing to collaborate with directors like Hansal Mehta and Sujoy Ghosh. Meghna Gulzar, with her ability to craft powerful and socially relevant narratives, is seen as an ideal creative partner for Khan at this stage in her career. The actress is eager to begin filming Daayra, describing it as “a powerful and timely film of our times.”

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Editor03 mins

Shanaya Kapoor to Play Double Role in Student of the Year 3, Filming Begins April 20

Shanaya Kapoor, daughter of Sanjay and Maheep Kapoor, is all set to headline Student of the Year 3, the next installment of Karan Johar’s iconic youth franchise. But this time, there’s a twist—SOTY 3 will be a six-episode web series instead of a theatrical release, and Shanaya will be seen in a double role, a first for the franchise. Directed by debutant Reema Maya—who garnered acclaim for her 2023 short film Nocturnal Burger—the series will begin filming in Mumbai on April 20, 2025, and is scheduled to wrap within just over 30 days. The fast-paced shoot reflects Maya’s dynamic storytelling style, as the series aims to bring a fresh, edgy take to the SOTY universe. The Student of the Year brand, previously known for launching major Bollywood stars like Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Sidharth Malhotra, Ananya Panday, and Tara Sutaria, is now transitioning to OTT, with SOTY 3 set to stream on JioHotstar. According to a report in Mid-Day, the project had been in development for the past six years. A source revealed, “Finally, Karan has given the green signal and the unit plans to begin filming it from April 20.” Another insider confirmed Shanaya’s dual role, which marks a bold new direction for the series. Shanaya Kapoor’s Busy 2025–2026 Line-up While SOTY 3 will mark Shanaya’s streaming debut, it will be her fourth project overall. Her debut film, Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, a romantic drama directed by Santosh Singh, has wrapped and is targeting a theatrical release soon. She also stars opposite Adarsh Gourav in the survival thriller Tu Yaa Main, which is slated for a Valentine’s Day 2026 release. Additionally, she’s working on an untitled project with Abhay Verma. With a mix of romance, thrill, and now a double role in a cult franchise, Shanaya Kapoor is clearly being positioned as one of the most exciting new faces in the industry.

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Editor03 mins

KGF: Chapter 2 Turns 3 – Hombale Films Reaffirms KGF: Chapter 3 is Coming

April 14 marks the third anniversary of KGF: Chapter 2, the record-shattering Kannada blockbuster that redefined Indian cinema’s pan-India appeal. Directed by Prashanth Neel and headlined by superstar Yash, the action-packed sequel was released on this day in 2022 and went on to become the highest-grossing Kannada film of all time, earning over ₹1200 crores globally. The film, produced by Hombale Films, picked up from the events of KGF: Chapter 1 (2018) and built upon the saga of Rocky Bhai in a grander, more explosive fashion. It not only captivated Kannada audiences but also struck gold across India and overseas, cementing Yash as a national icon and Prashanth Neel as a visionary director. Fans were thrilled when the film ended with a teaser for KGF: Chapter 3, hinting that the saga of KGF was far from over. Over the past three years, the makers have consistently assured audiences that the third installment is on the way, though no official production timeline has been finalized. To commemorate the third anniversary, Hombale Films released a special celebratory video on Monday. Clocking in at over two minutes, the video showcases iconic moments from KGF: Chapter 2 and ends with a reaffirmation—KGF: Chapter 3 is indeed coming soon. However, fans will need to wait a while longer. Both Yash and Prashanth Neel are currently committed to other major projects. Yash is busy with Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups and Ramayana, while Neel is directing the Jr. NTR-led Dragon. All three films are scheduled for release in 2026. Given their packed schedules, KGF: Chapter 3 is expected to begin production only by late 2026 or early 2027. Despite the delay, the excitement remains sky-high, and the KGF universe continues to inspire hope for yet another cinematic spectacle.

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Editor03 mins

Katy Perry Set to Soar to the Edge of Space with All-Female Crew on Blue Origin Flight

Pop superstar Katy Perry will soon become one of the most famous celebrities to travel to the edge of space. The “Firework” and “California Gurls” singer is set to lift off on Monday aboard a Blue Origin spacecraft, part of a historic all-female mission organized by Jeff Bezos’ space company. The sub-orbital flight will launch from Blue Origin’s West Texas site at approximately 8:30 am local time (1330 GMT). Perry will be joined by five other women, including Bezos’ fiancée and pilot Lauren Sanchez, TV host Gayle King, film producer Kerianne Flynn, former NASA engineer Aisha Bowe, and activist Amanda Nguyen. This marks the first all-female space crew since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo mission in 1963. The mission will also be Blue Origin’s 11th crewed sub-orbital flight aboard its New Shepard rocket. The journey will last around 10 minutes and take passengers more than 100 kilometers (over 60 miles) above Earth, crossing the Karman line—the internationally recognized boundary of space. During the flight, the capsule will separate from the booster rocket and offer a brief period of weightlessness, allowing the passengers to float freely before descending gently under parachutes, aided by retro rockets. Katy Perry shared with Elle magazine that her motivation for the trip is her daughter, Daisy, whom she shares with actor Orlando Bloom. “I’m doing this for my daughter… to inspire her to never have limits on her dreams,” Perry said. “I’m just so excited to see the inspiration through her eyes… when she sees that rocket go, and she goes back to school the next day and says, ‘Mom went to space.’” Blue Origin, which has already flown 52 people on similar missions—including “Star Trek” actor William Shatner—has not disclosed the price of these space tourism trips. The company is using such high-profile missions to maintain public interest and compete with rivals like Virgin Galactic and SpaceX. While Virgin Galactic offers similar sub-orbital experiences, Blue Origin aims to advance toward orbital missions, bolstered by the successful unmanned launch of its powerful New Glenn rocket earlier this year.

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Editor03 mins

Salman Khan Receives Fresh Death Threat via Mumbai Police Traffic Department’s WhatsApp

Bollywood actor Salman Khan received a fresh death threat early Sunday morning through the WhatsApp number of the Mumbai police’s traffic department in Worli. The unidentified sender sent a chilling message around 6:30 am, threatening to enter Khan’s residence and kill him. The message further stated intentions to plant a bomb in the actor’s vehicle and detonate it. A senior police officer confirmed the details of the threat, noting that the sender had explicitly stated their intention to kill Salman Khan. The threatening message was sent to the traffic police helpline, prompting the authorities to register a case. The Worli police have launched an investigation and are actively working to locate the suspect. This is not the first time Salman Khan has received threats. The actor has been on the hit list of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, particularly linked to the 1998 Blackbuck poaching case. In recent months, Khan has faced multiple threats, some of which have come directly or indirectly through the Mumbai police. The most alarming incident occurred last April when a member of the Bishnoi gang opened fire outside Khan’s Bandra residence. Lawrence Bishnoi’s brother, Anmol Bishnoi, later claimed responsibility for the attack. Lawrence Bishnoi is currently imprisoned in Gujarat, while the Mumbai police arrested over a dozen members of the Bishnoi gang, invoking the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against them.

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Editor02 mins

Allu Arjun and Atlee Join Forces for ₹800 Crore Pan-India Spectacle #AA22XA6

Icon star Allu Arjun is all set to ignite the silver screen once again — this time by venturing into a brand-new genre with blockbuster director Atlee, known for his work on Jawan. The duo is collaborating on the tentatively titled film #AA22XA6, and the buzz around the project is already reaching fever pitch. Mounted on a staggering budget of ₹800 crores, this film will be the second most expensive Indian film ever, right behind S.S. Rajamouli’s upcoming epic SSMB29. The scale of #AA22XA6 reflects not only the ambition of its creators but also the rising pan-India stature of Allu Arjun. According to reports, ₹200 crores are being allocated solely to the production, while an enormous ₹250 crores are being dedicated to cutting-edge VFX — signaling that this will be a visually extravagant cinematic experience. Despite being just five films old, Atlee has already proven his mettle with Jawan, which grossed ₹386.34 crore in India and turned into a blockbuster across markets. Allu Arjun, riding high on the global box office domination of Pushpa 2: The Rule, which raked in a phenomenal ₹1785.84 crore worldwide, is taking his stardom to the next level. For #AA22XA6, the National Award-winning actor is reportedly charging a whopping ₹175 crores along with a 15% profit share, making him one of the most lucrative stars in the Indian film industry today. With Atlee’s flair for crafting mass entertainers and Allu Arjun’s unmatched charisma and popularity, #AA22XA6 is shaping up to be one of the most awaited films of the decade. A new genre, a mammoth budget, and two powerhouses coming together — fans can expect nothing short of cinematic fireworks.

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Editor03 mins

Tabu Joins Vijay Sethupathi in Puri Jagannadh’s Next Film

Bollywood powerhouse Tabu is all set to share screen space with acclaimed actor Vijay Sethupathi in an upcoming film directed by Puri Jagannadh. The yet-to-be-titled project is being produced under the Puri Connects banner by Jagannadh himself, alongside his frequent collaborator Charmme Kaur. The announcement was made via Puri Connects’ official Instagram handle on Thursday, with a striking image of Tabu posing with the director and Kaur. The caption read:“She’s electric. She’s explosive. She’s THE TABU. Team #PuriSethupathi proudly welcomes THE GEM OF INDIAN CINEMA, Actress @tabutiful on-board for a ROLE as DYNAMIC as her presence.” The film promises a high-octane collaboration between Makkalselvan Vijay Sethupathi and the ever-versatile Tabu, both known for their intense and layered performances. While details of the storyline and Tabu’s role remain under wraps, the makers have hinted that her character will be as impactful as her presence. Principal photography for the film is expected to commence in June. Meanwhile, Tabu is also gearing up for her next release, Bhooth Bangla, a horror comedy directed by Priyadarshan. The film, set to release next year, will see her reunite with Akshay Kumar. With PuriSethupathi on the horizon, fans can look forward to a dynamic blend of talent, style, and storytelling — helmed by one of South India’s most energetic filmmakers.

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Editor02 mins

Bazooka Movie Review: Even Mammootty Can’t Save This Misfired Game Thriller

Making a movie with a legendary star like Mammootty is no small task, and debutant director Deeno Dennis takes on this challenge with Bazooka, only to fall short in delivering a film that does justice to the actor’s stature. Billed as a stylish game thriller, Bazooka opens with promise but quickly nosedives into a muddled narrative that never quite finds its footing, only attempting redemption when it’s too late. Set in crime-ridden Kochi, the story introduces ACP Benjamin Joshua (played by filmmaker-actor Gautham Vasudev Menon), a determined officer brought in to clean up the city. He encounters an unusual adversary — a criminal mastermind who uses video games as a tool for heists and outsmarts law enforcement at every step. Baffled by this digital strategy, the ACP turns to retired forensic expert John Caesar (Mammootty) for help. The film unravels through Caesar’s interactions with his neighbour, a gamer named Hakkim Shah (Sunny Varghese), as they try to make sense of the clues left behind by the elusive criminal known only as Mr. Mario. While the premise of video games being used to commit crimes could have added a fresh layer to the thriller genre, Bazooka fails to leverage this unique concept. The games referenced — Super Mario, Temple Run, Snakes and Ladders — feel outdated and childish, undermining any real tension or intrigue the narrative could have created. Action sequences are peppered throughout, seemingly more to glorify Mammootty’s persona than to serve the plot. Where the film truly falters is in its writing. Deeno Dennis appears more focused on fan service—employing slow-motion shots, dramatic close-ups, and stylized action—to elevate Mammootty’s presence, rather than building a coherent or compelling storyline. The investigation track is riddled with logical inconsistencies, and the dialogue often borders on the absurd. Despite the intent to be slick and modern, the screenplay lacks substance. Technically, the film has its moments. Saeed Abbas’ background score is rousing and energetic, and the rap number “Loading Bazooka” by Sreenath Bhasi tries to inject life into the film. Nimish Ravi’s cinematography ensures that Mammootty dominates every frame, while editors Nishadh Yusuf and Praveen Prabhakar do their best with the material at hand. Ultimately, Bazooka had all the ingredients for a genre-defying thriller, but squanders the opportunity by prioritizing style over story. Mammootty tries to bring depth and charm to his role, but even his towering screen presence isn’t enough to salvage this misfire. Bazooka may attract fans of the star, but as a film, it fails to hit its mark.

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Editor04 mins

‘Jailer 2’ Heats Up in Attappadi: Rajinikanth, Mirnaa, and SJ Suryah Bring Firepower to the Sequel

The megastar-led sequel ‘Jailer 2’, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, is shifting gears quickly as it enters its next crucial filming phase. After a successful initial schedule in Chennai, the production has now moved to the picturesque terrains of Attappadi, near Coimbatore, with filming officially kicking off on April 11. Superstar Rajinikanth has already arrived at the scenic Kerala-Tamil Nadu border to resume his role as Muthuvel Pandian, and this schedule promises to be packed with key emotional and action-heavy sequences. 🔁 Familiar Faces Return: Mirnaa Is Back A heartening return in the sequel is Mirnaa, who played Rajinikanth’s daughter-in-law in the original blockbuster. According to Cinema Vikatan, she’s involved in this new leg of shooting, suggesting that the emotional threads from ‘Jailer’ will be deepened. Fans can expect her character to evolve and take on a more central role, possibly adding gravitas to the family dynamics that stood out in the original film. 🎭 Enter SJ Suryah: A Dynamic New Addition The big surprise? The addition of actor-director S.J. Suryah in a pivotal role. Known for his intense screen presence and unique performances, Suryah’s inclusion has stirred massive fan excitement. Interestingly, he had once pitched a powerful concept to Rajinikanth involving triple roles and river water issues—though that film didn’t materialize, his collaboration with Thalaivar has finally taken form in Jailer 2. Sources suggest Suryah was personally keen on being part of the film, and with Nelson’s knack for giving characters strong narrative weight, his role is expected to be a major highlight. 🎬 What’s Next? The Attappadi schedule is expected to continue for two weeks, covering major scenes with both returning and fresh cast members. Post this, the unit will return to Chennai for the next leg of filming. With Nelson at the helm, Anirudh likely returning to score the music, and a cast that includes Rajinikanth, Mirnaa, and SJ Suryah, ‘Jailer 2’ is shaping up as a high-octane sequel with emotional depth and a fresh antagonist twist.

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Editor03 mins
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