Shivanna keeps it classy on Rajinikanth

OB Bureau

Kannada superstar Dr Shivarajkumar has drawn a clear line between admiration and advantage and he is not crossing it, even for a box-office titan.

When asked whether he would return the favour to Tamil cinema icon Rajinikanth, just as the makers of Jailer had roped him in for a role. His response was refreshingly grounded.

“It cannot be done just like that. When he comes, it must be something very different. I shouldn’t take advantage of him. Just because I did a role in Jailer, I shouldn’t call sir,” Shivarajkumar said, making it clear that any collaboration with Rajinikanth would need to be driven by substance, not sentiment.

Calling Rajinikanth someone he has looked up to since childhood, Shivarajkumar underlined that reverence cannot be transactional. “If there is a worthy role, I will definitely request Rajini sir,” he added, drawing applause from fans who praised the actor’s humility and restraint.

While talk of a Kannada-Tamil mega crossover may be on hold, all eyes are firmly on 45, slated to hit theatres on December 25. The film marks the directorial debut of acclaimed music director Arjun Janya, who has stepped behind the camera after years of shaping chart-topping soundtracks.

Produced by Uma Ramesh Reddy and M Ramesh Reddy, with dialogues by Anil Kumar, 45 boasts a powerhouse cast that includes Raj B Shetty and Upendra in pivotal roles, instantly fuelling fan expectations.

Explaining the film’s intriguing title, Arjun Janya said the story unfolds within a 45-minute window and draws inspiration from personal experiences. It was Shivarajkumar, he revealed, who urged him to don the director’s hat.

Genre labels? The team refuses to be boxed in. Raj B Shetty describes 45 as a seamless journey where realism colliding with cinematic drama before tipping into fantasy, without jarring shifts.

With cinematography by Satya Hegde, editing by K M Prakash, stylised stunt choreography and polished dance sequences, 45 arrives this Christmas with ambition and a leading man reminding the industry that respect, like stardom, must be earned, not leveraged.

 

 

HL: Not a fairytale: ‘Toxic’ is Kiara’s toughest yet

Strap: The film also marks Yash’s first project since the massive success of KGF: Chapter 2 in 2022, making expectations sky-high

 

OB Bureau

Bollywood star Kiara Advani is stepping into darker, deeper waters and she is not calling it easy. Ahead of the release of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, Advani has described her role as “nothing short of transformative”, calling it the toughest challenge of her career so far.

The actor, who plays a character named Nadia, shared a candid note on Instagram, revealing the physical, mental and emotional toll the role demanded.

“A role that demanded more from me; physically, mentally, emotionally all… I felt nothing short of transformative. My toughest one yet. Months of hard work. One fearless leap,” she wrote, striking a reflective note as the buzz around the film steadily builds.

Heaping praise on Kiara’s first look, filmmaker Geetu Mohandas said her performance in the movie is one that every artiste craves for.

“Some performances don’t just belong to a film, they redefine an artist. What Kiara created on screen in this film is nothing short of transformative. As a director, I am deeply proud of her and for the performance she has delivered, and for the faith and heart she brought into our shared journey,” he said.

The makers released Advani’s first-look recently, instantly setting social media abuzz. Draped in an off-shoulder velvet gown and standing on a stage under dramatic lighting, the actor cuts a striking figure. Grateful for the response, Advani said the love pouring in meant “everything”.

Headlined by Yash, Toxic is slated for a theatrical release on March 19, 2026. The film is directed by Geetu Mohandas, best known for critically acclaimed films Moothon and Liar’s Dice, and is produced by VN Productions and Monster Mind Creations.

Adding to its edge, Toxic makes history as the first Indian film to be simultaneously shot in English and Kannada, underlining its global ambitions. The Kannada film also marks Yash’s first project since the massive success of KGF: Chapter 2 in 2022, making expectations sky-high.

For Advani, Toxic arrives at an interesting juncture. Her latest outing is War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji, where she stars alongside Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR. The film is a sequel to the 2019 blockbuster War.

From high-octane action to a gritty fairy tale for grown-ups, Advani appears ready to shed comfort zones. If her words and that arresting first look are anything to go by, Toxic is shaping up to be less sugar, more sting.

 

 

‘Ningavva Ningavva’ sets the mood for ‘Landlord’

 

OB Bureau

As Landlord edges closer to its theatrical release, the film has found its beating heart in a song that chooses feeling over flash.

Ningavva Ningavva, unveiled at a grand launch, is already emerging as the emotional anchor of the film. The romantic track introduces audiences to Rachayya and Ningavva, played by Vijay Kumar and Rachita Ram, a pairing that feels lived-in, organic and quietly affecting.

Penned by Yogaraj Bhat, the song carries his trademark lyrical intimacy, where romance is suggested rather than announced. Composer Ajaneesh Loknath keeps the arrangement restrained, allowing emotion to lead the melody. Sung by Vijay Prakash and Ananya Bhat, the track leans on warmth and familiarity instead of spectacle.

Visually, the song stays rooted. Bhushan’s choreography favours subtle movement and expression, while Swamy J’s cinematography wraps the romance in calm, textured frames that quietly elevate the mood.

The launch itself turned into a mini-industry moment, with actor couples Prem–Jyothi, Darling Krishna–Milana Nagaraj and Tharun Sudhir–Sonal coming together to unveil the song. Their praise went beyond protocol, singling out the writing, music and the understated performances of the lead pair.

For Vijay Kumar, Landlord appears to be driven more by character than scale. There is visible curiosity around Rachayya, a role that relies heavily on emotional restraint. Rachita Ram, meanwhile, draws attention in what is being described as a never-seen-before avatar, bringing maturity and composure to Ningavva.

Produced by KV Satya Prakash, the film has already secured a strong audio deal, adding to the growing buzz. Landlord is slated for release on January 23 and also marks the debut of Vijay Kumar’s daughter, Ritanya, who appears on screen as his daughter, mirroring their real-life bond.

Director Jadeshaa K Hampi says recreating a 1990s village was among the film’s toughest challenges. Art director Ravi Santhehaklu rebuilt the period world from scratch, with shoots spanning Mangaluru, Tumakuru, Uttara Karnataka and beyond. The family drama, he adds, is rooted in real-life incidents from his own childhood.

With nostalgia, restraint and emotion at its core, Landlord is betting big on sincerity and Ningavva Ningavva may just be its softest, strongest calling card.