Latest news with #Vijay-starrer
Hindustan Times
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Lokesh Kanagaraj reacts to Sanjay Dutt being ‘angry' at him over ‘wasted' role in Leo: I'm not the greatest filmmaker…
Recently, Sanjay Dutt made news when he candidly admitted that he was 'angry' at Lokesh Kanagaraj for 'wasting' him in the Vijay-starrer Leo. In an interview with THR India, the director responded to the statement, admitting that he must've made a 'mistake' while writing Sanjay's role. (Also Read: Sanjay Dutt says he is 'angry' with Lokesh Kanagaraj for small role in Leo: 'He wasted me') Sanjay Dutt worked with Lokesh Kanagaraj in the Vijay-starrer Leo. Lokesh Kanagaraj responds to Sanjay Dutt's statement Lokesh was asked about what Sanjay said and if he believes his writing 'failed' when it came to the Bollywood star's character. He said, 'No, he called me after that immediately, and he said, 'I made a comment very funnily, but people just cut it and put it. It looks so awkward, and I didn't mean it, Loki'. I said, 'No problem, sir'.' Lokesh then admitted that he might've made a mistake while writing Sanjay's role, stating, 'Probably, I would've done. I am not a genius or some greatest filmmaker in the world to not do something which may dip other characters. I've done so many mistakes in my films. It's all learning, no? So, yeah, I'll probably do one of the best roles with Sanjay Dutt, sir.' What did Sanjay Dutt say? Last week, while promoting the Kannada film KD – The Devil with Shilpa Shetty and Dhruva Sarja, Sanjay spoke about playing Vijay's character Leo's father, Antony Das, in the 2023 film. He said, 'I loved working with Thalapathy Vijay. I am angry at Lokesh because he did not give me a big role. He wasted me.' In the same interaction, Sanjay stated that he respects Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan. 'I look up to them and learn from them. I have worked with Rajinikanth in multiple movies. He is the most humble person,' he said. He also called Ajith a 'close friend', claiming that he 'loves' him. Lokesh's Coolie starring Rajinikanth, Nagarjuna, Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Sathyaraj, Shruti Haasan, Reba Monica John, Junior MGR, Monisha Blessy and Kaali Venkat will be released in theatres on August 14. It will clash with Ayan Mukerji's Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR-starrer War 2.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
TVK chief Vijay slams DMK, says 'publicity sarkar has transformed into sorry model sarkar,'
Founder-chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam , actor-politician Vijay on Sunday slammed the DMK regime over "custodial deaths" and alleged the "empty, publicity-model DMK sarkar has now got transformed into a sorry model sarkar ." Addressing TVK's protest rally here, Vijay said the custodial torture victim Ajith Kumar hailed from an ordinary family and the chief minister apologised to the victim's family and it is appropriate. Clad in black, Vijay held a placard that read, "Sorry Vendam, Needhi Vendum (We want justice, not sorry)." The TVK chief asked whether "Stalin said sorry" to the families of all the 24 victims of alleged custodial torture (which resulted in deaths) during the DMK regime, since 2021. "Please say sorry to them all; also, did you give solatium to the families of all the 24 victims? Please provide solatium to them as well," he said. When the then AIADMK regime transferred the Sathankulam case (in which P Jeyaraj and his son J Benniks were allegedly tortured to death by police in 2020), Stalin had said that it was an insult to Tamil Nadu police, Vijay claimed. Live Events The fledgling party's chief wondered if the DMK government, which days ago transferred the Ajith Kumar custodial death case to the CBI, has not caused the same insult and added that both instances were only the same. Further, Vijay asked, "Why are you hiding behind the CBI?", which happens to be only the puppet of the RSS and the BJP. It was because his party, the TVK has sought a court-monitored probe by a special investigation team and "fearing" such a move, the DMK regime is hiding behind the union government. The court has questioned the state government on several cases of "atrocities", including Anna varsity girl student sexual assault and Ajith Kumar custodial torture . "If the court has to intervene and ask questions for everything, then why are you there? what is the purpose of the government? and the office of the chief minister? Whatever may be the questions, there are not going to be any answers. The government may provide answers only if it had answers and it does not have any answers in this regard, he alleged. "The maximum reply from you is sorry and the empty, publicity-model DMK sarkar has now got transformed into a sorry model sarkar," he alleged, mocking at the DMK government. Before the end of the "inept DMK government's tenure," it has to set right the law and order situation. Else, by joining forces with the people, "we will make you do it," Vijay said. 'Sarkar' (government) is a popular Vijay-starrer movie that was released in 2018.
Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
TVK chief Vijay slams DMK, says ‘publicity sarkar has transformed into sorry model sarkar,'
Founder-chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, actor-politician Vijay on Sunday slammed the DMK regime over 'custodial deaths' and alleged the 'empty, publicity-model DMK sarkar has now got transformed into a sorry model sarkar.' Addressing TVK's protest rally here, Vijay said the custodial torture victim Ajith Kumar hailed from an ordinary family and the chief minister apologised to the victim's family and it is appropriate. Clad in black, Vijay held a placard that read, 'Sorry Vendam, Needhi Vendum (We want justice, not sorry).' The TVK chief asked whether 'Stalin said sorry' to the families of all the 24 victims of alleged custodial torture (which resulted in deaths) during the DMK regime, since 2021. 'Please say sorry to them all; also, did you give solatium to the families of all the 24 victims? Please provide solatium to them as well,' he said. When the then AIADMK regime transferred the Sathankulam case (in which P Jeyaraj and his son J Benniks were allegedly tortured to death by police in 2020), Stalin had said that it was an insult to Tamil Nadu police, Vijay claimed. The fledgling party's chief wondered if the DMK government, which days ago transferred the Ajith Kumar custodial death case to the CBI, has not caused the same insult and added that both instances were only the same. Further, Vijay asked, 'Why are you hiding behind the CBI?', which happens to be only the puppet of the RSS and the BJP. It was because his party, the TVK has sought a court-monitored probe by a special investigation team and 'fearing' such a move, the DMK regime is hiding behind the union government. The court has questioned the state government on several cases of 'atrocities', including Anna varsity girl student sexual assault and Ajith Kumar custodial torture. 'If the court has to intervene and ask questions for everything, then why are you there? what is the purpose of the government? and the office of the chief minister? Whatever may be the questions, there are not going to be any answers. The government may provide answers only if it had answers and it does not have any answers in this regard, he alleged. 'The maximum reply from you is sorry and the empty, publicity-model DMK sarkar has now got transformed into a sorry model sarkar,' he alleged, mocking at the DMK government. Before the end of the 'inept DMK government's tenure,' it has to set right the law and order situation. Else, by joining forces with the people, 'we will make you do it,' Vijay said. 'Sarkar' (government) is a popular Vijay-starrer movie that was released in 2018.
Hindustan Times
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Varun Dhawan drops adorable pic with daughter Lara, pet Joey, internet calls him ‘daddy no. 1'
Actor Varun Dhawan is currently on the grind, but his heart is at home with his two babies: his daughter and pet dog. The actor shared a sweet picture of his little one, giving fans a glimpse into his life as a dad. Also read: Varun Dhawan got upset when he couldn't witness daughter Lara's big milestone: 'I have not had time to spend with her' Varun Dhawan and his wife Natasha welcomed their daughter in June last year. Varun Dhawan shares daughter's photo Varun took to Instagram on Saturday, confessing to feeling homesick and nostalgic. He shared some heartwarming moments with his daughter and furry companion. While his post is dedicated to his pet dog, it's the picture featuring him, his daughter, and his furry friend that's stealing the spotlight. 'My raja babu #joey #missmybabies,' Varun wrote as a caption to the pictures. In one image, Varun is playing with Joey, and in another, he is seen holding Joey in his arms as he walks out in the rain. One picture captures Varun enjoying a moment at home with his pet dog, Joey, and his daughter, Lara. Varun, shirtless and wearing in black-and-white shorts, is seen lying on his stomach on the carpet. He holds Joey's face in his hands. In the foreground, his little daughter, dressed in a pink outfit, is sitting on colourful play mats, her face covered with a heart emoji for privacy. Fans were happy to get a sweet glimpse of Varun's daughter. They flocked to the comment section, showering her with love and admiration, and expressing their delight. 'Cuties,' one posted, with another one writing, 'Sooooo cute'. 'You, Joey and lara,' one comment read. 'Lara getting jealous,' one wrote. Another social media user wrote, 'Lara and Joey with their daddy no 1'. About Varun's personal life Varun married his longtime girlfriend Natasha Dalal in 2021. Their daughter, Lara, was born in June 2024. Varun only revealed her name in October last year on an episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati while talking to Amitabh Bachchan. Recently, in an interview with PTI, Varun spoke about his daughter, saying, 'Being a father, especially to a daughter, is a transformative experience. It changes your perspective. When I became a father, I recalled my mother's teachings and realised how I could ever be rude to her after seeing how my wife, Natasha Dalal, cares for our daughter. It's been a crazy and wonderful journey". Varun's work file In 2024, Varun had cameos in Stree 2 and Munjya as his werewolf character from Bhediya. He also starred in the Hindi remake of Atlee's Vijay-starrer Theri, which was titled Baby John, but the film failed to make a mark. He will soon star in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, which will be released this year, and Border 2, which will hit screens in 2026.
Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Coolie director Lokesh Kanagaraj reveals why his Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan film was shelved; comments on chances of revival: ‘It's about two ageing gangsters'
With an enviable track record and 100 per cent success rate so far, Lokesh Kanagaraj ranks among the most promising and bankable directors in Tamil cinema. Following the phenomenal success of the 'Thalapathy' Vijay-starrer Leo (2023), Lokesh is set to make a grand comeback, this time with an even bigger ambitious project, headlined by 'Superstar' Rajinikanth. Titled Coolie, the movie is currently in its post-production phase and will be released hit the screens on August 14. One of the very few young filmmakers fortunate enough to have worked with both Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan (in Vikram), Lokesh had, in fact, once contemplated a project featuring both Tamil cinema legends together. Despite coming close to being greenlit, the project was ultimately put on hold due to multiple reasons. Director Lokesh Kanagaraj himself recently opened up about the highly ambitious movie, which would have featured the two Tamil icons as ageing gangsters. Originally envisioned to go on floors after Kaithi (2019), the filmmaker has said that it would be difficult to revive the project now. 'I tried sincerely, but it didn't happen. It was dropped because of COVID-19. We were about to sign (the contract). They, in fact, spoke to each other in front of me. After I narrated the story to them, both Rajini sir and Kamal sir spoke to each other in front of me on the loudspeaker,' he said during a chat with Sudhir Srinivasan on his YouTube channel. ICYMI | Urvashi reveals how a disagreement with Vaali over a Magalir Mattum song led to AR Rahman's iconic track being named after her: 'I asked if they were mocking me' He further mentioned that the project was supposed to be bankrolled by Kamal Haasan himself. 'It seems they (Rajini and Kamal) had made a commitment to each other early on, agreeing to collaborate in this particular year. One of them had said, 'I will work in your company's production venture.' Apparently, this discussion happened quite a while ago. Then, later, they came across me and I shared this idea with them,' he mentioned. Although Lokesh is not sure if he would be able to restart the movie now, the director, nonetheless, emphasised that the decision of the two Tamil stars would be final in the matter. 'The (story) idea won't change. It's about two ageing gangsters and their lives. However, the current market size is entirely different now. At that time, neither Jailer (2023) nor Vikram (2022) had happened. We discussed this project back then. With the release of these two movies, their businesses have expanded significantly. To do a movie balancing that… The scale of the film may not… Just think about it: first, their salaries have to be paid, then mine; and if we were to go for a shoot after that, the process would be too big. It's great if the movie happens; let's see. It's up to both of them. They should take the call. But practically, it's a bit difficult now.' Also Read | Javed Akhtar bought 4,000 sq ft bungalow on Bandra Bandstand for Rs 5 lakh in 1970s, reveals Sahir Ludhianvi was paid in prime real estate by BR Chopra While K Balachander's Apoorva Raagangal (1975), which marked Rajinikanth's feature film debut, was the first movie in which he and Kamal appeared together, they collaborated on a handful of films afterwards, including Moondru Mudichu, Avargal, 16 Vayathinile, Aadu Puli Attam, Aval Appadithan and Ninaithale Inikkum. They were last seen together in the Hindi movie Geraftaar.
