Cinema
Top 10 Highest Earning South Indian Films of All Time
South Indian movie industry is a great convergence of artistic excellence with commercial success. Whether it is Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, or Kannada, each South Indian film industry shines in both local and global spheres with unique stories, talented directions, powerful actions, and creative cinematography. The ground-breaking successes of some South Indian films draw film enthusiasts around the world. This article lists the top 10 highest-earning South Indian films to date.
10 South Indian Blockbuster Movies So Far
Baahubali 2: The Conclusion | Rs. 1,810.59 Crore
The stated total gross earnings of Baahubali 2: The Conclusion is equivalent to BDT 2,385.374 crore. This Telugu epic action film, directed by S. S. Rajamouli and co-written with V. Vijayendra Prasad, stars an ensemble cast including Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah, and Ramya Krishna.
Set in medieval India, the film follows the son of Amarendra Baahubali, who returns to seek vengeance for his father's death.
Released on April 28, 2017, the movie was made with an estimated production cost of 250 crore rupees (BDT 329.363 crore).
Baahubali 2 emerged as the top-grossing film in India, dominating both the Tamil and Telugu box offices. Its success extended to winning three National Film Awards, including the prestigious Best Visual Effects category.
Read more: List of English Language Netflix Originals Coming in November 2023
RRR | Rs. 1,316.30 Crore
RRR secures second place in the rankings with an impressive box office revenue corresponding to BDT 1,734.170 crore (Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32). This is another Telugu epic creation under the direction of S. S. Rajamouli and co-written with V. Vijayendra Prasad, featuring N. T. Rama Rao Jr., Ram Charan, Ajay Devgn, and Alia Bhatt.
The film revolves around the fictional versions of Indian revolutionaries, Raju and Bheem, and their valiant fight against the British Raj.
The project hit theaters on March 25, 2022, with an expense projection of 550 crore rupees.
RRR set a record as the highest opening-day-grossing South Indian movie by collecting an astounding 213 crore rupees or BDT 293.792 (Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32) on its release day.
Adding to its remarkable journey, the film's song 'Natu Natu' earned an Oscar for Best Original Song, making it the first Indian film to achieve this prestigious milestone.
Read more: Bongo BD presents heartwarming love story of two nameless tourists in "Hello Stranger"
KGF: Chapter 2 | Rs. 1,200 to 1,250 Crore
KGF: Chapter 2 has made history in the Kannada film industry with this staggering total income in currency of BDT 1,580.944 to BDT 1,646.816 crore. It's the most expensive film ever produced in Kannada cinema.
This action film was written and helmed by Prashanth Neel, featuring an ensemble cast including Yash, Sanjay Dutt, Raveena Tandon, Srinidhi Shetty, Prakash Raj, and Rao Ramesh.
The period movie unfolds in the blood-soaked Kolar Gold Fields, where Rocky's name strikes fear into his foes, and the government views him as a threat to law and order.With a budget of 100 crore rupees (BDT 131.745 crore set at Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32), KGF: Chapter 2 was theatrically released on April 14, 2022.The film has earned recognition by winning Best Actor and Actress in a Lead Role, and Best Cinematography at the International Film Awards of South India.
Read more: Top 12 Most Anticipated South Indian Films Releasing in October 2023
2.0 | Rs. 699.89 Crores
2.0 is a science-fiction film that has made a mark with a total box office collection in currency of BDT 922.072 crore. In the Kollywood industry, it holds the top position.
S. Shankar, director of this film featuring Rajinikanth, co-wrote it with B. Jeyamohan and Madhan Karky. The major co-stars of Rajinikanth were Amy Jackson and Akshay Kumar, who made his Kollywood debut.
The action movie delves into the conflict between humanoid robot Chitti, and Pakshi Rajan, a former ornithologist. Rajan intends to stop the worldwide cell phone use to save his avian friends.
The production cost was estimated at 400 to 600 crore rupees, (BDT 426.981 to 790.472 crore at a rate of Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32). As a result, this cinema is recognized as the most expensive in Tamil Nadu.
2.0 had its theatrical release worldwide on November 30, 2018. It has been honored with a total of 5 awards at the Anand Bikash Cinema Awards, including Best Animation and Visual Effects.
Read more: Bongo BD to release South Indian comedy movie 'F2: Fun and Frustration' with Bengali version this week
Jailer | Rs. 600 Crore
Jailer has made a significant impact in the Chennai film industry, with total gross earnings equivalent to 790.472 crore in Bangladeshi currency (Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32). This action comedy film, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, stars Rajinikanth in the lead role. He was accompanied by Vinayakan, Ramya Krishnan, Vasanth Ravi, and Tamanna Bhatia.
The story revolves around a retired police officer who seeks to take down an eccentric idol smuggler.
With a budgeted estimate ranging from 200 to 250 crore rupees, (BDT 265.706 crore with an exchange rate of Rs. 1 = BDT 1.32), the movie had its release on August 10, 2023.
Read more: English Language Netflix Originals Coming in October 2023
Showcasing glorious days of Jatra, Aruna Biswas’s debut film 'Ashomvob' releases today
Acclaimed Dhallywood actress Aruna Biswas’s debut directorial venture ‘Ashomvob’ is being released across 20 theatres across the country on Friday.
The state-financed movie features an ensemble cast of seasoned actors, including Abul Hayat, Aruna Biswas, Shatabdi Wadud, Sohana Saba, Gazi Abdun Noor, Shahed Sharif Khan, Swagta, and ‘Jatra Empress’ Jyotsna Biswas in a special role.
The film puts its special spotlight on ‘Jatrapala’, the glorious traditional medium of entertainment in Bengal. Additionally, the plot of the film also revolves around the everyday lives of the rural community and the 1971 Liberation War.
According to Aruna Biswas, the actress-turned-filmmaker, the story of ‘Ashomvob’ revolves around culture, patriotism, love, conflict and many other aspects, highlighting a simple yet passionate narrative.
Read: Aruna Biswas’s debut film 'Ashomvob' set to release this October
“My debut film ‘Ashomvob’ is being released in theatres around the country today. I am grateful to the actors/actresses, journalists/writers, cultural workers, and friends who have shown their support for ‘Ashomvob’ on television, Facebook, Instagram and other platforms,” Aruna Biswas wrote on her social media platforms.
“This is my modest request to the audience: please come and watch ‘Ashomvob’, support me, our artists and support the Bangladesh film industry. ‘Ashomvob’ is going to appeal to you, I believe,” she added.
Marking the release, the cast members along with director Aruna Biswas are visiting theatres in the city. The film is already receiving positive responses from moviegoers on its opening day.
Read: On big screen, moviegoers find new way to appreciate Bangabandhu in Shyam Benegal's biopic
In a recent interview with UNB, the film’s lead actor Gazi Abdun Noor said that It was a privilege for him to work in the movie 'Ashomvob'. “In this film, I played the role of Sri Amalendu Biswas, who is revered as the ‘Emperor of Jatra’ in the country. I got the chance to act alongside eminent actors in our industry including the legendary actor Abul Hayat This film is made with passion and care by Aruna Biswas, one of the most popular faces in our film industry - and I am happy to be a part of it.”
Initially scheduled to be released in October, the film postponed its release out of respect to the nationwide showcasing of the Bangabandhu biopic ‘Mujib: The Making of a Nation.”
Read more: Bongo BD to release South Indian comedy movie 'F2: Fun and Frustration' with Bengali version this week
Top 10 Highest-Earning Bangladeshi Films
The Dhallywood film industry has witnessed a compelling journey in the history of Bangladeshi cinema. The cinematic endeavors have resonated with the audiences and left an indelible mark on the Dhallywood box office. This article presents an exploration of the highest-earning Bangladeshi films to date. Let’s get a snapshot of Bangladeshi movies that have etched their names on the hearts of this film-loving nation.
Top 10 Dhallywood Box Office Toppers of All Time
Priyotoma | Tk 41.23 Crore
Priyotoma', produced by Arshad Adnan under the banner of Versatile Media, has carved its name in the domestic romantic action genre. Directed by Himel Ashraf, the film tells a tragic love story that leaves an indelible mark on audiences. The narrative was penned by the late Faruk Hossain, with Himel Ashraf contributing to the screenplay and dialogues. The film features Shakib Khan, the highest-paid leading actor in Bangladesh, and Idhika Paul, a small-screen actress from Kolkata.
Upon its release on June 29, 2023, 'Priyotoma' made a resounding impact by collecting BDT 10 crore in its first week, exceeding its budget of BDT 2.5 crore.
Notably, this cinematic masterpiece holds several box office records, standing as the highest-grossing Bangladeshi film of 2023 and all time.
The film's excellence is further underscored by its recognition at the 22nd BABISAS (Bangladesh Binodon Sangbadik Samity) Awards. There it received nine awards, including Best Actor and Best Actress in the Special Honors category.
Read more: List of English Language Netflix Originals Coming in November 2023
Beder Meye Josna | Tk 20 Crore
Directed and written by Tozammel Haque Bokul, this classic remains a shining example of storytelling that transcends generations. 'Beder Meye Josna' draws inspiration from a rural Bangla play of the same name, delving into a love story between a gypsy girl and a prince. Released on June 9, 1989, the film starred Ilias Kanchan and Anju Ghosh.
Notably, the movie's budget stood at a humble BDT 20 lakh, a far cry from the blockbuster budgets of today. Nevertheless, 'Beder Meye Josna' emerged as a financial titan, becoming the highest-grossing Bangladeshi film until the year 2023.
A survey conducted by the British Film Institute recognized this cinematic gem, ranking it among the top 10 films of Bangladesh.
The audio cassette of the film's songs sold one lakh copies within a month of its release. Written by Hasan Motiur Rahman and sung by Mujeeb Pardes, the song 'Ami Bondi Karagare' remained on people's lips for the next few decades. Except for this, the rest of the songs were penned by the director, Tozammel Haque Bokul.
The melodious tunes, including the title song 'Beder Meye Josna,' sung by Andrew Kishore and Runa Laila, cemented its immortality in the world of Bangladeshi cinema.
Read more: Coke Studio Bangla concert to return with an ensemble line-up on Nov 10 at Army Stadium
Shopner Thikana | Tk 19 Crore
'Shopner Thikana,' directed by MA Khalek, offers a window into the legacy of legendary hero Salman Shah. The film, which was scripted by Chatku Ahmed, takes its inspiration from a story by Nurul Islam Parvez. Released on May 11, 1995, 'Shopner Thikana' featured Shabnoor and Sonia as Salman Shah's lead co-artists.
'Shopner Thikana' presented a compelling narrative centered around the dynamics of rich-poor relationships and love triangles. Almost all of the cinema's songs, including 'Ae Din Se Din Koni Din,' acquired top positions of the radio charts. All thanks to the creative genius of renowned composer and music director Late Alam Khan.
Hawa | Tk 16 Crore
'Hawa' stands as a unique mystery-drama film that weaves a tale based on a myth. The production company, Sun Music and Motion Pictures Limited released the cinema on July 29, 2022.
Read more: ‘In time we will say more’: Friends stars say after Matthew Perry’s death
There was an ensemble cast under the direction of Mejbaur Rahman Sumon. Chanchal Chowdhury, Nazifa Tushi, Sariful Razz, Sumon Anowar, Shohel Mondol, Nasir Uddin Khan, and Rizvi Rizu were among the main actors.
The film portrays the intriguing journey of an all-men team aboard a fishing trawler. Their encounter with a beautiful yet mysterious young girl sets the stage for a series of inexplicable events.
The film was selected as Bangladesh's entry for the 'Best International Feature Film' category at the 95th Academy Awards. The film also garnered a place on the shortlist for the 80th Golden Globe Awards.
Read more: Shakib Khan set to star Pan-Indian film 'Dard' alongside Sonal Chauhan
Priya Amar Priya | Tk 15 Crore
This Badiul Alam Khokon-directed romantic action movie marked a turning point in Shakib Khan's career. Produced by Monir Hossain under the banner of Asha Production, this film was released on June 13, 2008.
The film's story was crafted by Puri Jagannadh, with the screenplay penned by Sachin Nag. 'Priya Amar Priya' showcases the performances of Sahara along with Shakib in the lead roles.
The movie established itself as the top-earning Bangladeshi film of 2008 and earned its place as one of the all-time highest-earners in Bangladesh. Furthermore, the movie stands as the pinnacle of Shakib's cinematic journey up to 2019.
His exceptional performance earned him the Meril-Prothom Alo Awards for Best Actor, the Euro-CJFB Performance Awards, and the Channel I Performance Awards.
Read more: Chirkutt’s Sumi to join global music conference in Norway
Poran, Kura Pokkhir Shunne Ura jointly win National Film Award-2022 in Best Film category
Md Tamzidul Alam’s Poran, and Muhammad Quayum’s Kura Pokkhir Shunne Ura have been jointly announced as winners in the 'Best Film' category in National Film Award 2022.
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry issued a gazette notification announcing the names of recipients for the National Film Award 2022 on Tuesday (October 31).
Eminent artists Kamrul Alam Khan Khasru and Rawshan Ara Ranu, Rozina have been honoured with the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' for their contributions to the film industry.
Also read: National Film Award recipients for 2021 announced
Every year, the government honours artists in various categories, for their contributions to the film industry.
The award is considered to be the most prestigious prize given for films in Bangladesh.
Thirty-three awards will be given in 27 categories this year.
Chanchal Chowdhury received the best actor award in the lead role (male) for the film 'Hawa' while Joya Ahsan and Rikita Nandini Shimu jointly got the award for the best actress in the lead role (female) for the film 'The Beauty Circus' and 'Shimu' respectively.
Also read: PM gives away National Film Awards to 32 winners
The 'Best Director' prize will go to Syeda Rubaiyat Hossain, for "Shimu".
'Ghore Fera', directed by SM Kamrul Ahsan, won the award in the best short film category, while Bangabandhu and Dhaka University' got the award for the best documentary category.
The award for the best-supporting role award went to Nasir Uddin Khan for the film “Poran” while Afsana Mimi won the best supporting actress award for the film ' Paap Punya'.
Subhashis Bhowmik was awarded best actor in a negative role for the film 'Deshantor'. Deepu Imam got the award for comedy in the film 'Operation Sundarban’.
Muntaha Amelia won the best child artiste award for the film 'Birotto', while a special award in the children division went to Farzina Akter for the film ' Kura Pokkhir Shunne Ura'.
Ripon Khan (Mahmudul Islam Khan) bagged the best music director's award for the 'Paayer Chhap' film. Bappa Mazumder and Chandan Sinha jointly won the award in the best singer (male) category for 'E mon bhije jay' song in Operation Sundarban film and ‘Thikanabihin tomake’ in Hridita film.
Also read: Info Ministry announces national film awards 2020 winners
The best singer (female) award went to Atia Akhtar Anisha for ‘E Shohorer Pothey Pothey’ from the ‘Paayer Chhap’ film.
The best lyricist award went to Rabiul Islam (Jibon) for the 'Dhire Dhire Tor Shopne’ song of the 'Poran' film.
Shouquat Ali Imon won the best composer award for the film 'Paayer Chhap'.
Faridur Reza Sagar and Khorshed Alam jointly won the best story writer award for ‘Damal’ and ‘Golui’ respectively.
The other award winners are: Mohammad Abdul Qayyum (screenwriter), SA Haque Alik (dialogue), Sujan Mahmud (best editing), Himadri Barua (best art direction), Asaduzzaman Mojnu (best cinematographer), Ripon Nath (sound designer), Tansina Shawon (costume and design) and Md Khokon Molla (best makeup artists).
Top 10 Bollywood Movies Being Released in November 2023
Each month ushers the arrival of new movies in the Bollywood film industry, and November is no exception. Movie enthusiasts are eagerly waiting for hindi films spanning a spectrum of genres ranging from high-budget commercial films, to creative art films. Let’s take a look into the stories, and casts of the best10 Bollywood films being released in November 2023.
10 Most Anticipated Bollywood Films for November 2023
Hukus Bukus | November 3, 2023
Darsheel Safary, known for his performance in Taare Zameen Par, is set to return to the big screen in Hukus Bukus. It features Safary as a young cricketer, deeply inspired by the iconic Sachin Tendulkar. The cinema also stars Arun Govil in the role of Safary’s father.
Hukus Bukus explores the concept of molding one's entire personality after a sporting legend.
The movie was helmed by Vinay Bhardwaj and Saumitra Singh, with a script written by Ranjit Singh Mashiana. The cast also includes Mir Sarwar, Gautam Vij, Meenakshi Chugh, Manish Gaharwar, and Sujata Sehgal.
The production company associated with the project is Shining Sun Studios.
Read more: Shakib Khan set to star Pan-Indian film 'Dard' alongside Sonal Chauhan
Three Of Us | November 3, 2023
This touching relationship drama unfolds against the enchanting backdrop of Maharashtra's Konkan region. Notable actors Shefali Shah, Swanand Kirkire, and Jaideep Ahlawat take on the leading roles. The storyline follows a woman grappling with dementia, who reunites with her childhood sweetheart.
Directed by Avinash Arun, this film provides a captivating narrative of introspection, rediscovery, exploration, and the harsh realities of life. The music for the movie is crafted by Alokananda Dasgupta, while the cinematography is skillfully executed by Avinash Arun. The editing is the work of Sanyukta Kaza.
Lakeerein - Behind Closed Doors | November 3, 2023
This socio-drama film delves into the complex and often underreported issue of rape within the context of marriage. Durgesh Pathak and Surya Saxena's story has been adapted into a film by Durgesh Pathak with the screenplay written by Dilip Shukla.
Lakeerein is produced by Image & Creation, BTC Multimedia, and Blackpearl Movies, and distributed by Reliance Entertainment.
Read more: 12 Most Awaited South Indian Movies Releasing in November 2023: A Sneak Peek
Set in Lucknow and Ayodhya, the movie explores the legal, societal, and emotional challenges faced by the victims of this issue. the cinema's ensemble cast includes Ashutosh Rana, Bidita Bag, Gaurav Chopra, and Tia Bajpai.
Aankh Micholi | November 3, 2023
Aankh Micholi, a comedy film, is directed by Umesh Shukla and bankrolled by Ashish Wagh and Umesh Shukla. This film revolves around a family of misfits trying to hide some secrets from the NRI suitor. Their goal is to marry their daughter off to the NRI guy, and with it in the plot, the film takes a series of comical turns.
The cast includes Paresh Rawal, Abhimanyu Dassani, and Mrunal Thakur in leading roles. The cinema's cinematography is handled by Sameer Arya, and the editing is overseen by Steven H. Bernard. The music is composed by Sachin-Jigar.
UT 69 | November 3, 2023
UT 69 film revolves around Raj Kundra's time in jail and his endeavor to adapt to the challenging prison environment. Raj Kundra, a renowned entrepreneur and the spouse of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, portrays the lead role in this biographical feature. Directed and edited by Shahnawaz Ali, UT 69 offers a unique perspective on Kundra's prison life.
Read more Aruna Biswas’s debut film 'Ashomvob' set to release this October
The screenplay for this intriguing film is written by Vikram Bhatti.
Apart from Raj Kundra, UT 69 boasts a supporting cast that includes Kumar Saurabh, Sadanand Patil, Anand Alkunte, and Gaurav Mishra. Production companies involved in this creation are SVS Studio and The Bigger Picture Films.
Shakib Khan set to star Pan-Indian film 'Dard' alongside Sonal Chauhan
Dallywood's megastar Shakib Khan is all set to make his mark as the lead actor in the Pan-Indian film 'Dard' alongside popular Bollywood actress Sonal Chauhan.
The Pan-Indian film is being directed by Dhallywood's renowned filmmaker-distributor Anonno Mamun, the director of Shakib's successful film 'Nabab LLB' and also known for bringing Bollywood blockbusters 'Pathan' and 'Jawan' in theatres recently for the moviegoers in Bangladesh.
The film will be made in four languages - Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam, and the shooting is scheduled to start from October 27.
A press conference was held at a Mumbai restaurant on Wednesday night, joined by the lead actors, director and other associates of the film.
'Dard' will also showcase other Bangladeshi and Indian actors including Jessia Islam, Rajesh Sharma, Rahul Dev and Paayel Sarkar.
The film is being jointly produced by Shakib's own production house SK Movies, alongside One World Movies, Bangladesh's Action Cut Entertainment, and Kibria Films.
12 Most Awaited South Indian Movies Releasing in November 2023: A Sneak Peek
As a new month is approaching, fans of South Indian movies are waiting to watch a variety of films from the Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada film industries. Like every month, in November 2023, the action, music, and drama are set to hit the screens. Now, get ready to be entranced, as this sneak peek unveils the 12 most anticipated South Indian movies releasing in November 2023.
Top 12 Most Hyped South Indian Films Coming This November
Maa Oori Polimera 2 | Telugu | November 2, 2023
Maa Oori Polimera, the enigmatic thriller that enthralled audiences back in 2021, is set to return with a highly anticipated sequel. The original film was steeped in mysticism, superstitions, and a series of perplexing deaths. This second part promises to venture even deeper into the world of ancient superstitions and sorcery.
This time, the story follows a police officer who delves into the connection between a string of gruesome murders in Mahabubnagar and the domain of black magic. Accompanied by an archaeologist, they set out to unravel the mysteries surrounding the village temple.
Read more: After death threats, Shah Rukh to get beefed up security
Key cast members, including Satyam Rajesh, Kamakshi Bhaskarla, Getup Srinu, Baladitya, Chilam Sheenu, and Ravi Vermal, reprise their roles in this sequel.
Dr. Anil Viswanath, who also directed the movie, penned the screenplay and dialogues. Adding an eerie and atmospheric dimension to the storyline, the music is composed by Gnani. Cinematography is handled by Kushedar Ramesh Reddy, while Sree Vara takes on the role of the editor. The film's producer is Gowr Kriesna under Shree Krishna Creations.
Aadikeshava | Telugu | November 10, 2023
Directed by debutant director Srikanth N Reddy, Aadikeshava features a musical score by G V Prakash Kumar and cinematography by Dudly. Bankrolled by Sithara Entertainments, the cinema will be brought to life on the edit table by National Award-winning editor Navin Nooli.
Aadikeshava will uncover the world of Rudra, portrayed by Panja Vaisshnav Tej, as he fearlessly takes on goons at a Shiva temple. With Sreeleela in the lead female role, Joju George and Aparna Das play supporting roles.
Read more: Khufiya: All eyes on Badhon
Mangalavaram | Telugu | November 17, 2023
Acclaimed director Ajay Bhupathi, known for hits like 'RX 100' and 'Maha Samudram,' is ready to captivate audiences again with Mangalavaram. This highly anticipated film features the talented Payal Rajput in the lead role. What sets this film apart is its versions in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi.
Described as a rustic action thriller, the cinema offers a unique rural backdrop for the storyline. Mangalavaram boasts an ensemble cast, including Payal Rajput, Shree Tej, Chaitanya Krishna, Ajay Ghosh, and Laxman.
The cinematography is done by Dasarathi Shivendra, with music composed by B. Ajanish Loknath. Editing by Madhav Kumar Gullapally ensures a seamless flow of the story.
Read more: English Language Netflix Originals Coming in October 2023
Jigarthanda DoubleX | Tamil | November 10, 2023
Also known as Jigarthanda 2, this action comedy film is directed by Karthik Subbaraj. The film is produced by Kaarthekeyen Santhanam, Alankar Pandian, and S. Kathiresan. A seqel to the 2014 hit Jigarthanda, it stars Raghava Lawrence and S. J. Suryah in lead roles.
The plot centers around a filmmaker who collaborates with a dreaded gangster to make a western movies.
Santhosh Narayanan has contributed for the soundtrack and background score. The cinematography and editing are handled by S. Thirunavukkarasu and Shafique Mohamed Ali respectively.
This film will also be released in Telugu and Hindi versions.
Read more: Bongo BD to release South Indian comedy movie 'F2: Fun and Frustration' with Bengali version this week
Japan | Tamil | November 12, 2023
This crime comedy-thriller film was written and directed by Raju Murugan. Produced by S. R. Prabhu under Dream Warrior Pictures, the cinema stars Karthi and Anu Emmanuel in lead roles. Apart from Tamil, this film’s dubbed versions in Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada are also scheduled for release.
Japan, a notorious maestro of theft, orchestrates the heist of jewels valued at ₹200 crore from an upscale jewelry store. Thus, it set the stage for a high-stakes cat-and-mouse pursuit by the relentless police force.
G. V. Prakash Kumar is the music composer, with Ravi Varman handling the cinematography and Philomin Raj taking on the editing.
Read more: Top 12 Most Anticipated South Indian Films Releasing in October 2023
Dhruva Natchathiram | Tamil | November 24, 2023
Dhruva Natchathiram: Chapter One – Yuddha Kaandam is an action spy film made under the direction of Gautham Vasudev Menon. The film features Vikram, Ritu Varma, Vinayakan, R. Parthiban, Simran, and Radhika Sarathkumar in prominent roles.
The movie's music is composed by Harris Jayaraj, with editing by Praveen Antony. The cinematography section was jointly looked after by Manoj Paramahamsa, Jomon T. John, and Santhana Krishnan Ravichandran.
The story revolves around a New York City-based undercover operative and his team on a secret mission to find their missing team leader.
Read more: Bongo BD presents heartwarming love story of two nameless tourists in "Hello Stranger"
Aruna Biswas’s debut film 'Ashomvob' set to release this October
Dhallywood’s acclaimed actress Aruna Biswas is all set to debut as a film director with her maiden film ‘Ashomvob’, set to be released in theatres across the country this October.
Featuring an ensemble cast of notable actors including Jyotsna Biswas (Aruna Biswas' mother), Abul Hayat, Sohana Saba, Shahed Sharif Khan, Shatabdi Wadud, Gazi Abdun Noor and others, ‘Ashomvob’ puts the spotlight on ‘Jatrapala’, the glorious traditional medium of entertainment in Bengal.
Read: Legal notice seeks ban on screening of 'Mujib: The Making of a Nation'
In addition, the plot of the government-granted film also revolves around the everyday lives of the rural community and the 1971 Liberation War.
Initially set to be released on October 21, the film is now scheduled to be released on October 27, according to the film’s lead actress Sohana Saba.
As per media reports, the decision was made due to the countrywide screening of the Arifin Shuvoo starrer Shyam Benegal film ‘Mujib: The Making of a Nation’ which is currently running successfully across the theatres.
Read: Khufiya: All eyes on Badhon
“Our great Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s life is brilliantly portrayed in the film and we want our moviegoers to watch the movie, thus we are delaying our film ‘Ashomvob’ a bit - however, it will be in theatres very soon, and we want to release the film in maximum theatres,” the actress-turned-filmmaker said in a recent interview.
Songs featured in this film are written by late eminent lyricist Gazi Mazharul Anwar, and it also features the iconic song ‘Moder Gorob Moder Asha’, penned by Atul Prasad Sen.
Martin Scorsese is still curious — and still awed by the possibilities of cinema
A moment from years ago keeps replaying in Martin Scorsese 's mind.
When Akira Kurosawa was given an honorary Academy Award in 1990, the then 80-year-old Japanese filmmaker of "Seven Samurai" and "Ikiru," in his brief, humble speech, said he hadn't yet grasped the full essence of cinema.
It struck Scorsese, then in post-production on "Goodfellas," as a curious thing for such a master filmmaker to say. It wasn't until Scorsese also turned 80 that he began to comprehend Kurosawa's words. Even now, Scorsese says he's just realizing the possibilities of cinema.
Also read: Group exhibition of late great Kalidas and his brothers begins on artist's 4th death anniversary
"I've lived long enough to be his age and I think I understand now," Scorsese said in a recent interview. "Because there is no limit. The limit is in yourself. These are just tools, the lights and the camera and that stuff. How much further can you explore who you are?"
Scorsese's lifelong exploration has seemingly only grown deeper and more self-examining with time. In recent years, his films have swelled in scale and ambition as he's plumbed the nature of faith ( "Silence" ) and loss ( "The Irishman" ).
His latest, "Killers of the Flower Moon," about the systematic killing of Osage Nation members for their oil-rich land in the 1920s, is in many ways far outside Scorsese's own experience. But as a story of trust and betrayal — the film is centered on the loving yet treacherous relationship between Mollie Kyle (Lily Gladstone), a member of a larger Osage family, and Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio), a WWI veteran who comes to work for his corrupt uncle (Robert De Niro) — it's a profoundly personal film that maps some of the themes of Scorsese's gangster films onto American history.
Also read: Asiatic EXP joins hands with AB Kitchen to promote Ayub Bachchu’s songs
More than the back-room dealings of "Casino," the bloody rampages of "Gangs of New York" or the financial swindling of "The Wolf of Wall Street," "Killers of the Flower Moon" is the story of a crime wave. It's a disturbingly insidious one, where greed and violence infiltrate the most intimate relationships — a genocide in the home. All of which, to Scorsese, harkens back to the tough guys and the weak-willed go-alongs he witnessed in his childhood growing up on Elizabeth Street in New York.
"That's been my whole life, dealing with who we are," says Scorsese. "I found that this story lent itself to that exploration further."
"Killers of the Flower Moon," a $200-million, 206-minute epic produced by Apple that's in theaters Friday, is an audacious big swing by Scorsese to continue his kind of ambitious, personal filmmaking on the largest scale at a time when such grand, big-screen statements are a rarity.
Scorsese considers "Killers of the Flower Moon" "an internal spectacle." The Oklahoma-set film, adapted from David Grann's 2017 bestseller, might be called his first Western. But while developing Grann's book, which chronicles the Osage murders and the birth of the FBI, Scorsese came to the realization that centering the film on federal investigator Tom White was a familiar a type of Western.
"I realized: 'You don't do that. Your Westerns are the Westerns you saw in the late '40s and early '50s, that's it. Peckinpah finished that. 'Wild Bunch,' that's the end. Now they're different," he says. "It represented a certain time in who we were as a nation and a certain time in the world – and the end of the studio system. It was a genre. That folklore is gone."
Scorsese, after conversations with Leonardo DiCaprio, pivoted to the story of Ernest and Mollie and a perspective closer to Osage Nation. Consultations with the tribe continued and expanded to include accurately capturing language, traditional clothing and customs.
Also read: On big screen, moviegoers find new way to appreciate Bangabandhu in Shyam Benegal's biopic
"It's historical that Indigenous Peoples can tell their story at this level. That's never happened before as far as I know," says Geoffrey Standing Bear, Principal Chief of Osage Nation. "It took somebody who could know that we've been betrayed for hundreds of years. He wrote a story about betrayal of trust."
"Killers of the Flower Moon" for Scorsese grew out of a period of reflection and reevaluation during the pandemic. COVID-19, he says, was "a gamechanger." For a filmmaker whose time is so intensely scheduled, the break was in some ways a relief, and it allowed him a chance to reconsider what he wants to dedicate himself to. For him, preparing a film is a meditative process.
"I don't use a computer because I tried a couple times and I got very distracted. I get distracted as it is," Scorsese says. "I've got films, I've got books, I've got people. I've only begun this year to read emails. Emails, they scare me. It says 'CC' and there are a thousand names. Who are these people?"
Scorsese is laughing when he says this, surely aware that he's playing up his image as a member of the old guard. (A moment later he adds that voicemail "is interesting to do at times.") Yet he's also keen enough with technology to digitally de-age De Niro and make cameos in his daughter Francesca's TikTok videos.
Scorsese has for years been the preeminent conscience of cinema, passionately arguing for the place of personal filmmaking in an era of moviegoing where films can be devalued as "content," theater screens are monopolized by Marvel and big-screen vision can be shrunk down on streaming platforms.
"I'm trying to keep alive the sense that cinema is an artform," Scorsese says. "The next generation may not see it that way because as children and younger people, they're exposed to films that are wonderful entertainment, beautifully made, but are purely diversionary. I think cinema can enrich your life."
Also read: I have done my best to portray Bangabandhu on silver screen: Arifin Shuvoo
"As I'm leaving, I'm trying to say: Remember, this can really be something beautiful in your life."
That mission includes spearheading extensive restoration work with the Film Foundation along with a regular output of documentaries in between features. Scorsese and his longtime editor Thelma Schoonmaker are currently producing a documentary on Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.
Cinema, he says, may be the preeminent 20th century artform, but something else will belong to the 21st century. Now, Scorsese says, "the visual image could be done by anything by anybody anytime anywhere."
"The possibilities are infinite on all levels. And that's exciting," Scorsese says. "But at the same time, the more choices, the more difficult it is."
The pressure of time is weighing more heavily on Scorsese, too. He has, he's said, maybe two more feature films left in him. Currently in the mix are an adaptation of Grann's latest book, the 18th century shipwreck tale "The Wager, " and an adaptation of Marilynne Robinson's "Home."
"He's uncompromising. He just does what he feels he really wants to look into," says Rodrigo Prieto, Scorsese's cinematographer on "Flower Moon," as well as his last three feature films.
"You can feel that it's a personal exploration of his own psyche," adds Prieto. "In doing that, he allows growth for everybody, in a way, to really look into these characters who might be doing things we might find very objectionable. I can't think of many other filmmakers who attempt at such a level of empathy and understanding."
Also read: Khufiya: All eyes on Badhon
Yet Scorsese says he often feels like he's in a race to accomplish what he can with the time he has left. Increasingly, he's prioritizing what's worth it. Some things are easier for him to give up.
"Would I like to do more? Yeah. Would I like to go to everybody's parties and dinner parties and things? Yeah, but you know what? I think I know enough people," Scorsese says with a laugh. "Would I like to go see the ancient Greek ruins? Yes. Go back to Sicily? Yes. Go back to Naples again? Yes. North Africa? Yes. But I don't have to."
Time for Scorsese may be waning but curiosity is as abundant as ever. Recent reading for him includes a new translation of Alessandro Manzoni's "The Betrothed." Some old favorites he can't help but keep revisiting. "Out of the Past" — a movie he first saw as 6-year-old — he watched again a few weeks ago. ("Whenever it's on, I have to stop and watch it.") Vittorio De Sica's "Golden Naples" was another recent rewatch.
"If I'm curious about something, I think I'll find a way – if I hold out, if I hold up – to try to make something about it on film," he says. "My curiosity is still there."
So too is his continued astonishment at cinema and its capacity to transfix. Sometimes, Scorsese can hardly believe it. The other day he watched the Val Lewton-produced 1945 horror film "The Isle of the Dead," with Boris Karloff.
Also read: Top 12 Most Anticipated South Indian Films Releasing in October 2023
"Really? How many more times am I going to see that?" Scorsese says, laughing at himself. "It's their looks and their faces and the way (Karloff) moves. When I first saw it as a child, a young teenager, I was terrified by the film and the silences of it. The sense of contamination. I still get stuck on it."
Legal notice seeks ban on screening of 'Mujib: The Making of a Nation'
A legal notice has been served to ban the screening of 'Mujib: The Making of a Nation', the biopic of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
BNP's legal affairs secretary and secretary general of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum (BJAF) Barrister Kaiser Kamal sent the notice on Thursday claiming that two scenes of the film presented distorted and defamatory information about former president Major General Ziaur Rahman.
Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Bangladesh Film Exhibitors Association, the film's producer Shyam Benegal, and seven others have been made respondents.
Also read: All eyes on ‘Mujib: The Making of a Nation’
The respondents have been asked to omit the aforementioned parts from the film and seek an apology before the nation.
Failure to do so will result in legal action against them, the notice reads.
Regarding the notice, Barrister Kaiser Kamal said, "There is distorted and defamatory information about former president Major General Ziaur Rahman in two scenes of the film, which humiliates Ziaur Rahman and his family in front of the society."
Also read: “You can see tears in my eyes”: 'Mujib: The Making of a Nation' brings celebrities to tears
The film, jointly produced by the government of Bangladesh and India, was released last Friday at 153 theatres across the country.
Crafted by renowned Bollywood filmmaker Shyam Benegal, the biographical film portrays the life of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Dhallywood’s popular actor Arifin Shuvoo portrays the title character of Bangabandhu in this film, while Nusrat Imrose Tisha plays Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, the lifelong better half of the Father of the Nation.
The shooting of this biopic started on January 22, 2021 in Mumbai Film City and ended in Bangladesh on December 18, 2021. The film is slated to release in India on October 27.
Also read: I have done my best to portray Bangabandhu on silver screen: Arifin Shuvoo