Farhan Akhtar planned Don 3 with Ranveer Singh, but shockingly, the actor walked out of the project due to creative differences. Ranveer’s exit stirred a controversy, and finally, Farhan Akhtar reacted to the issue in an interview with Hollywood Reporter India.
The director said, “What I have learnt is to expect the unexpected. Nothing can be taken for granted till you actually have it on film. My journey in films has been an incredible ride so far, and I understand that challenging phases are inevitable, and it’s something he chooses to take in his stride.”
Following Ranveer Singh’s exit from Don 3, Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment approached the Producers Guild of India, complaining that the actor’s sudden departure led to losses of Rs. 40 crores. Reportedly, Ranveer said that Farhan Akhtar prioritized other projects over Don 3, and that he was approached after the success of Dhurandhar.
Despite Don 3 not moving ahead as planned, Farhan Akhtar stated that it is one of the incredible stories that he wants to tell. Who will now spearhead the stylish gangster action flick? It remains to be seen.
The box office sensation Pokiri, starring Mahesh Babu and helmed by Puri Jagannadh, completes 20 glorious years today. The industry hit showcased the “Superstar” in a never-before gritty role, giving birth to the iconic Pandugadu vibe. But beyond the nostalgia and celebrations, Pokiri deserves to be looked at from a different lens today. Not just as a blockbuster, but as a benchmark in filmmaking discipline, something that feels increasingly absent in modern Tollywood.
The Legend of the 100-Day Sprint
It is not mere trivia but a striking fact that Pokiri was completed in less than 100 days, with some accounts suggesting even fewer, around 66 active shooting days. Despite having a top-tier star, the film moved with remarkable speed and clarity. This was not an accident, and more importantly, not chaos.
It reflected a system where the script was locked, the director was decisive, and the execution was clean. The same approach was later seen in films like Businessman, reinforcing that this efficiency came from preparation, not compromise. What Pokiri proved is simple: speed in filmmaking is not about rushing, it is about certainty.
The High Cost of Modern Delays
Now, the real question is not why films are taking longer, but why many of them are taking longer without necessarily becoming tighter. Today, even mid-range films are stretching beyond expected schedules, while big-budget projects like Kalki 2898 AD, Salaar, and Devara: Part 1 span years in production.
Yes, scale has increased. Visual effects, pan-India releases, and multi-language shoots naturally demand more time. But scale alone does not explain the entire delay.
A significant part of the slowdown comes from shifting decisions into the production phase. Scripts evolve during shoots, schedules expand, and clarity often arrives late instead of early. What was once pre-production work is now happening on set. And in filmmaking, uncertainty is expensive.
Every additional day adds to interest, logistics, and operational costs, quietly inflating budgets before the film even reaches the audience.
The Sequel Gap: Killing the Hype
Alongside long production schedules, another clear trend has emerged in today’s films, the widening gap between sequels. Franchises are now announced with massive hype, but the follow-ups take years to materialize.
Telugu cinema has several examples. Films like Baahubali, Pushpa, Karthikeya, and HIT built strong foundations, yet their continuations came after significant gaps. While some sustained momentum, the delay still forced the audience to reconnect rather than continue the experience seamlessly.
At the same time, there are rare attempts to do the opposite. The Hindi film Dhurandhar and its sequel Dhurandhar: The Revenge were planned in a way that allowed both parts to release within a very short gap. Whether one calls it an experiment or an exception, it showed one important thing: momentum can be preserved when planning is done in advance.
That contrast is important.
Because what we are now seeing is an even more concerning pattern. Sequels such as They Call Him OG 2, Salaar 2: Shouryaanga Parvam, Pushpa 3, and Devara 2 are announced early, but remain stuck in extended production timelines or planning stages. When the gap stretches too long, the emotional continuity weakens.
The audience no longer carries the same immediate connection, and the hype has to be rebuilt instead of being sustained. This is not about forcing sequels to release within months. It is about avoiding unnecessary delay.
And once again, the root issue is planning. When filmmakers approach a story with long-term clarity, sequels feel like a continuation. When they are developed step by step, gaps grow longer, and momentum fades.
Restoring the Glow: What Needs to Change
Tollywood’s growth in scale is undeniable, but growth without discipline brings its own challenges. What the industry risks losing is not speed, but decisiveness.
Pokiri did not succeed because it was made fast. It succeeded because it was made with clarity. The script was ready, the vision was firm, and the execution followed without hesitation.
To regain that edge, the focus must return to strong pre-production discipline, locked scripts before shoot, clear scheduling without constant expansion, and directors making decisions early instead of delaying them.
Because filmmaking does not slow down only due to scale. It slows down when conviction weakens.
The Real Standard
The Pokiri Standard is not about completing a film in 100 days.
It is about knowing exactly what film you are making before the first shot is taken.
That is what made Pokiri timeless.
And that is what modern Tollywood needs to rediscover.
According to a report in Variety India, Dhanush will soon star in a mythological jungle drama produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The ambitious film will be directed by Kollywood filmmaker PS Mithran. The movie will mark the Bollywood debut of Mithran, who earlier made Irumbu Thirai and Sardar.
It is said that the project was initially offered to Mega Power Star Ram Charan, but somehow the talks didn’t materialize, and that is when Dhanush entered the picture. The project is being described as an ambitious jungle-set saga rooted in mythology.
PS Mithran has been associated with Bhansali for some time, and he developed the Rowdy Rathore 2 script. Since it didn’t happen, the director began exploring other ideas, and that is when the idea of a jungle drama popped into his mind.
Tollywood actor Bellamkonda Sreenivas recently exchanged rings with Kavya Reddy in an intimate ceremony held in the presence of near and dear ones. Sreenivas and Kavya will tie the knot on April 29 at 11:13 PM in the divine surroundings of Tirumala.
The wedding will be rooted in Sanathana Dharma and Vedic traditions. The focus remains on purity, symbolism, and the quiet grace of devotion, making the wedding an experience rooted in soulful authenticity.
Adding an element of refined elegance to this traditional sojourn is designer Shravan Kumar, who has created bespoke attire for the bride and groom. His craftsmanship is expected to weave together the charm of classical Indian aesthetics with subtle modern detailing,
The wedding festivities will be followed by a grand reception on May 1st in Hyderabad. It will be graced by the who’s who of the film fraternity and political dignitaries.
The family is currently busy overseeing the wedding preparations, inviting prominent celebrities to the special occasion. On the professional front, Bellamkonda Sreenivas is busy with multiple films, including Tyson Naidu and Haindhava.
Kartavya, starring Saif Ali Khan, generated interest among OTT audiences with its announcement. The investigative crime thriller backed by Bollywood Baadshah Shah Rukh Khan under Red Chillies Entertainment is reportedly set to arrive on Netflix in May, with an official announcement of the streaming date expected shortly.
Kartavya features Saif Ali Khan as police officer Pawan Malik, and the film showcases how the honest cop investigates the murder of a journalist, which puts his family at risk. The movie is directed by Pulkit, who earlier helmed Bhumi Pednekar’s Bhakshak for Netflix and Red Chillies Entertainment.
Rasika Dugal, Sanjay Mishra, Saurabh Dwivedi, Zakir Hussain, and Manish Chaudhari will be seen in key roles. Saif Ali Khan was the one who featured in the very first mainstream web series from India (Sacred Games), and it received a solid viewership. The actor aims to make a strong impression with Kartavya now.
The highly anticipated Tollywood film The Paradise has been making headlines after a leaked glimpse sent shockwaves through audiences, offering a striking preview of what director Srikanth Odela is crafting with Nani. The buzz surrounding the film has grown significantly, raising expectations among fans. Despite the soaring hype, the makers have postponed the film’s release to August 21, 2026.
Amid this, fresh buzz suggests that the film’s second single is likely to be released on May 10, 2026. However, the team has yet to officially announce further details regarding the song and its launch. Expectations for this track are quite high, especially after the massive success of Aaya Sher, which crossed 100 million views.
The film features a strong supporting cast including Kayadu Lohar, Mohan Babu, Sonali Kulkarni, Babu Mohan, Tanikella Bharani, and Sampoornesh Babu in key roles. Produced by SLV Cinemas, this pan Indian film features music composed by Anirudh Ravichander.
There have been many rumors circulating about Megastar Chiranjeevi’s 158th film (Mega 158), directed by Bobby. The project was expected to begin shooting earlier, but it faced delays due to a few issues. Now, the director himself has shared an exciting update for fans.
Taking to social media, he revealed that the look test with Chiranjeevi has been completed, and the final look has been locked. He also posted a monochrome picture from the session. Bobby confirmed that the film will go on floors very soon, putting an end to all the ongoing speculation.
The film will be produced by KVN Productions on a grand scale. Nimish Ravi has been roped in as the cinematographer, while Thaman will compose the music. More details about the cast and storyline are expected to be revealed during the official launch.
Look test ☑️
Locked the look of #Mega158 with Megastar @KChiruTweets garu today 🤗
Can’t wait to begin this journey❤️🔥#ChiruBobby2 @KvnProductions @LohithNK01 pic.twitter.com/eWSLEqCqVN
— Bobby (@dirbobby) April 28, 2026
Exactly a year ago, a Telugu movie titled Sodhara was released. Starring Sampoornesh Babu in the lead role, alongside Sanjosh, Prachi Bansal, and Aarti Gupta, the film unfortunately did not perform well at the box office.
Now, a year later, the movie has finally found its way to an OTT platform. Aha has announced that it will arrive on May 1, 2026, and the audience’s digital response is now highly anticipated.
Produced by Chandra Chaganla under the Cans Entertainment banner, the film features Babu Mohan, Getup Srinu, and Baba Bhaskar in key roles. Sunil Kashyap composed the movie’s soundtrack.
Kara, starring Dhanush, is all set to hit theatres this Friday. Despite the makers organizing a promotional event in Hyderabad, the film has surprisingly failed to generate strong buzz in the Telugu states.
The action drama’s trailer promises an intense narrative and showcases Dhanush in a powerful avatar. However, when it comes to building hype and audience anticipation, the film seems to be lagging behind despite having popular names like Mamitha Baiju.
There is no major promotional hook or standout element that has caught widespread attention so far. With limited pre-release excitement, Kara now largely depends on its content.
Positive word-of-mouth will be crucial for the film to make an impact at the box office and connect with audiences in the Telugu market.