Vijay Sethupathi, Nithya Menen's rom-com 'Thalaivan Thalaivi' gets a release date
Thalaivan Thalaivi, which pairs the actors on screen for the second time, after the Malayalam drama 19(1)(a), will release in theatres on July 25, its makers said.
Welcome you all to Hotel Raghavardhini � Thalaivan Thalaivii worldwide from July 25 � @VijaySethuOffl @MenenNithya @SathyaJyothi @pandiraaj_dir @iYogiBabu @Music_Santhosh @Lyricist_Vivek @thinkmusicindia @studio9_suresh @Roshni_offl @kaaliactor pic.twitter.com/C0ljoKQ24P
— Sathya Jyothi Films (@SathyaJyothi) June 29, 2025
Produced by Sathya Jyothi Films and directed by Pandiraj, Thalaivan Thalaivi features a bevy of leading actors, including the veteran Malayalam star Chemban Vinod Jose, Yogi Babu, Kaali Venkat, RK Suresh, Mynaa Nandhini, Arul Doss.
The makers released a mini-trailer more than a month ago, giving a glimpse into the movie. Akaashaveeran (Sethupathi) runs a restaurant, exchanging banter with his wife Perarasi (Menen) that becomes an argument as they cook a kothu parotta.
Sethupathi, according to media reports, trained with parotta "masters", as they're known in restaurants in Tamil Nadu, to get into character. Pandiraj, known for his movies set in rural Tamil Nadu, last directed the Suriya starrer Etharkkum Thunindavan.
Santhosh Narayanan, who had composed the music for many of Sethupathi's initial hits, including Pizza, Soodhu Kavvum and Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum, returns as the music director for Thalaivan Thalaivi, while its cinematography is handled by M Sukumar.
The talented Yogi Babu, going by the teaser, plays a prominent role in the Thalaivan Thalaivi. He and Sethupathi had acted together in the critically acclaimed Aandavan Kattalai and Kadaisi Vivasayi and the action drama Ace.
Sethupathi had last starred in Ace and Maharaja, which won him praise for his impactful performance as a father protecting his daughter. Menen was last seen in the rom-com Kadhalikka Neramillai opposite Ravi Mohan.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
'Panchayat' Season 4, 'Marianne': Our top picks for the weekend watch
1) Your Friends & Neighbors Apple TV+ | 9 episodes | Dark Comedy/Drama Apple TV+ continues to be that underrated platform — low-key loaded with hidden gems, and Your Friends & Neighbors is the latest proof. Jon Hamm plays a once-wealthy man who's gone broke — but instead of downsizing or getting a 9-to-5, he turns to stealing from the very people he smiles at every day: his rich, oblivious neighbours. The show blends humour, tension, and sharp class commentary in a slick 9-episode season that's easy to binge but leaves you thinking. It's funny. It's a little unhinged. And it's got just the right amount of suspense to keep you coming back. Season 2 is already confirmed — so get in now. For fans of: White Lotus, smart dark comedies BY HUSAIN RIZVI 2) Panchayat Season 4 Amazon Prime | 4 seasons | Comedy Season 4 of Panchayat is here, and yes, we've all been waiting like Vikas outside Sachiv Ji's office. After three solid seasons that kept us hooked with unexpected twists and turns, the bar was set pretty high. But there's something so comforting about slipping back into the sleepy lanes of Phoolera gaon, where time slows down and characters like Pradhan Ji (Raghubir Yadav), Prahlad (Faisal Malik), and our forever-stressed Sachiv Ji (Jitendra Kumar) feel like old friends. This season brings a few surprises (no spoilers, I promise), and while it may not be my all-time favourite of the lot, it's still the kind of storytelling that gives your brain a break, especially when everything else on screen has been trying to outpace itself! For fans of: Breezy, stress-busting sitcoms BY SOMYA MEHTA 3) Marianne Netflix | 1 Season | Horror Netflix and chill (your spine) this weekend with this French 2019 horror series that takes a shot at the write-it-and-it'll-come-true genre. Famous novelist (of terrifying books) Emma has escaped her nightmares — or so she thought. When she goes back to her childhood home, she discovers the cause of her night terrors is in fact real and ready to make her worst thoughts a reality. There is, be warned, some grossness — with sequences that include blood, teeth, and stringy hair — jump scares, and an evil spirit (Marianne, played rather superbly by Mireille Herbstmeyer), but if you like horror, you are going to want to settle in for the show. But be warned: you may want to leave the light on after. BY KARISHMA NANDKEOLYAR 4) Ginny and Georgia Netflix | 3 Seasons | Drama The mother-daughter duo that's left the internet divided is back, in a new season. And this time, they have a new set of problems to tackle, potentially trauma-inducing. But can they emerge unscathed? And, importantly, will it throw their lives into a tailspin all over again? Watch this 10-episode season for its moving portrayal of relations between parents and kids, teenage angst and partners who go through rough patches. For a show that bills itself as drama, there's plenty of suspense and intrigue. Another reason to get you to launch the streaming app: A key question that's left unanswered, opening the door ajar for season 4.
Khaleej Times
2 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
'I miss those films': Abhishek Bachchan on 'Kaalidhar Laapata' and his next big move
In a world increasingly defined by the relentless pursuit of chasing more, faster, louder, the subtle art of finding joie de vivre in the everyday has in itself become an act of rebellion. A sentiment deeply explored in the upcoming film Kaalidhar Laapata, and one that its lead actor, Abhishek Bachchan, and producer Monisha Advani, are keen to delve into, as they prepare for its July 4 release on Zee5 OTT. Beyond the glitz and grandiosity often associated with Hindi cinema, this film, and the conversations surrounding it, signal a subtle shift in storytelling, echoing a universal yearning for connection and meaning in the seemingly mundane. Though our conversation took place over Zoom — with Abhishek playfully remarking, 'You didn't call us there! We would've come,' before professing his love for the viral Dubai chocolate — it quickly moved well beyond Kaalidhar Laapata, diving into the shifting landscape of Indian cinema, the growing appetite for layered characters, and how digital platforms are redefining not just how stories are told, but who gets to tell them. The allure of the ordinary Kaalidhar Laapata isn't another bombastic Bollywood spectacle. Its appeal, according to Abhishek, lies in its profound simplicity and its ability to resonate with the silent struggles of modern life. "I really liked the story and I loved the way [filmmaker Madhumita Sundararaman] wanted to tell it. The route she wanted to take to convey the story was very nice and fresh," he says. The film strikes a chord with the universal feeling of burnout, stress, and the rising mental health issues stemming from a hyper-connected yet often disconnected existence. But for Abhishek, the decision to sign on was instinctive: "I have always said when you hear a film and if you're intrigued as to how this film is going to turn out and it's a film you'd like to watch, then you should do the film." The actor describes Kaalidhar Laapata as "very sweet,' possessing "a very strong moral compass," and leaving him with a "really nice" feeling after reading the script. Contrary to initial assumptions, the actor isn't playing an 'older character' in the film. While the original — a Tamil film called KD (Karuppu Durai) — was centred on an 80-year-old man who wakes up from a three-month coma, only to overhear his family plotting to kill him through the ancient euthanasia ritual or ' thalaikoothal', this version takes a different turn. He clarifies, "Kaalidhar is my age... he's in his late 40s, early 50s, similar to me." This age choice fundamentally shifts the film's emotional core, transforming it from a story of someone in their twilight years to a protagonist who, "has a life to live forward to, but hasn't been living that life." This distinction also elevates the film from a mere remake to an empathetic adaptation, says Abhishek. Crafting a new narrative In recent years, Abhishek has visibly gravitated towards roles that embrace vulnerability and emotional complexity (Think Dasvi [2022], I Want to Talk [2024]), a stark departure from the traditional mainstream hero image. Is this a conscious "2.0 version" of himself? "I've never really... thought of it in such depth," Abhishek admits. "I guess it just kind of, the stories that I did or I'm a part of, they just resonate with me. I always ask myself, 'is this something that inspires you to go to work?' And if the answer is 'yes', I do the film. It's actually pretty simple." This authenticity also extends to his on-screen chemistry with the young boy playing the role of Ballu in Kaalidhar Laapata. Though, Abhishek credits this to conscious effort: "I'm glad you picked up on it because that's something that we consciously worked on. And that's actually at the core of the film,' he adds. "Daivik [Baghela] is a wonderful young actor, has a lot of promise. And it was just a sheer pleasure to go to work every day with him." Beyond the big screen While reflecting on the challenges and opportunities of finding an audience for films that don't follow the typical 'action and big spectacle' formula, the film's producer, and executive director at Emmay Entertainment, shares her perspective on the digital revolution that's reshaping how stories are told and received. "Honestly, I think it's a great time to be a producer or filmmaker or even an actor because when one has the opportunity to reach an audience through so many different media," says Monisha. For her, platforms like OTT aren't just an alternative; they're a "seamless world" that allows stories like Kaalidhar Laapata, with their universal appeal, "to be discovered by somebody sitting in Dubai, you can be discovered by somebody sitting in Australia. As relevant to somebody sitting in New Delhi or in Indore for that matter." Monisha also emphasises the importance of focusing on storytelling over traditional categorisation: "We have to appreciate the benefit of being able to tell our stories on these platforms and not really categorise them and say that certain stories go to theatre, certain stories go to digital." In fact, she views the rise of digital as a "wonderful way of creating a future first for storytelling and for giving opportunities to our filmmakers who would otherwise have to queue up for the limited infrastructure we have when it comes to theatres." Both Monisha and Abhishek agree that the decision to take on a project begins with an intrinsic connection to the story, rather than its intended platform. "The first step has to be, is this something you want to be a part of? The rest of it is more logistical," Abhishek adds. The bucket list and what lies ahead Kaalidhar Laapata 's narrative also touches upon the idea of a bucket list, of doing things one has always wanted to do. An idea that Abhishek finds relatable on a personal level: "I think everybody has wishes, desires, and hopes and wants. So, that's what makes it very relatable." When pressed about his own list, he smiles, "I'd rather not say, but there are several things I still want to do." Looking ahead, the actor hints at a shift in his cinematic trajectory. After a stretch of 'wonderfully intense work,' Abhishek admits he's craving a return to his roots. 'Right now, I'm itching to get back to the hardcore masala song-and-dance routine. I miss those films,' he says. So, while we await his return in a more playful, carefree avatar, here's a reminder that even after decades in the industry, his journey of exploration, both personal and professional, is far from over!
Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Ramayana first look: Teaser of epic saga starring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, Sai Pallavi is out
The Indian epic Ramayana has had many adaptations for the large screen and small screen. The biggest by far, Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash and Sunny Deol, among other stars, dropped a teaser online on July 3, creating a seismic wave of excitement. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The World Of Ramayana (@worldoframayana) Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and written by Sridhar Raghavan, Ramayana boasts an ensemble cast and is widely considered to be one of the most ambitious film projects in India. Bollywood heart-throb Ranbir Kapoor plays the titular role of Lord Rama, while Sai Pallavi, who won critical acclaim for her roles in the Malayalam romance drama Premam and the war drama Amaran, portrays Sita. KGF star Yash plays the antagonist Ravana, who goes to war with Rama. Ravi Dubey plays Laxman, while veteran actor Sunny Deol is cast as Hanuman. Kajal Aggarwal plays Mandodari, while former Miss Universe Lara Dutta Bhupathi plays Kaikeyi. The movie is being made in two parts. While part 1 will hit theatres worldwide during Diwali 2026, the second will release in Diwali 2027. Among the movie's other key highlights are the involvement of Academy Award winning experts: musicians Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman are its composers. Ramayana is produced by Prime Focus Studios and Monster Mind Creations, along with Oscar-winning VFX studio DNEG, Earlier this week, a behind-the-scenes video from the final day on set surfaced on social media, offering fans a rare and touching glimpse of Kapoor's heartfelt gratitude and camaraderie with his co-stars. In the viral video clip, Kapoor addressed the entire unit during the wrap ceremony. Surrounded by cast and crew members, including Ravi Dubey (who plays Lakshman), the actor was seen delivering an emotional speech in which he expresses deep appreciation for the people who brought the ambitious project to life, allowing him to portray what he says is the "most significant role of his career".
