Cine News Digest – 09 Dec 2024

Dhanush to co-star with Sydney Sweeney in Hollywood flick

Dhanush is to share the screen with Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria, Anything but You, White Lotus & Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) in a film titled Street Fighter, a forthcoming Hollywood film bankrolled by Sony Pictures. The film will be formally launched in 2026.

AR Rahman drops out of Suriya’s 45^th film

AR Rahman has dropped out of Suriya’s 45^th film which will be directed by RJ Balaji. Rahman has been replaced by youth sensation Sai Abhyankar of Katchi Sera-fame. The change was announced by the producers, Dream Warrior Pictures, the producers of Suriya’s NGK. Earlier in the week, it was announced that cinematographer GK Vishnu had been signed on for the film.

Maharaja opens strongly in China

Maharaja has done brisk business by collecting 50 million Chinese Yuan, 9 days after its release in China. The film is continuing to attract significant footfalls and will definitely go beyond the predicted 14-day run in China

Rajinikanth on another signing spree

After weeks of speculation, it seems that a deal has now been struck for Rajinikanth to act under the direction of Maniratnam. The two last came together for the 1991 blockbuster, Thalapathy. The new film will be officially launched in June 2025.

Rajinikanth and Bollywood megastar Aamir Khan will be shooting key sequences for Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie in selected spots in Jaipur later this month.

This week should also see the official announcement of Rajinikanth’s planned film for director Mari Selvaraj (Vaazhai).

New Soori-Vetrimaran collaboration

Vettrimaran, who is gearing for the release of the eagerly anticipated film, Viduthalai Part 2 on 20 December, has penned a script that will be directed by Mathimaaran, the director of Selfie. Soori will play the lead role

Kottukaali gets more international recognition

Soori’s Kottukaali is continuing to attract international accolades. This week, the film picked up its latest international award at the 35^th Singapore International Film Festival – the Best Overall Performance award for the cast of the film. Kottukaali premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival to critical praise but had a poor showing at the Indian box-ofice, but continues to feature prominently in International Film Festivals. Kottukaali is produced by actor Sivakarthikeyan.

Vishnu Varadhan to team up with Ajithkumar again

Vishnu Varadhan has directed two of Ajithkumar’s most iconic films – Arrambam and Billa 2007. Now they are set to launch another film together which will once again feature music by Yuvanshankar Raja. The untitled film will be formally launched at the end of January 2025.