The hype around Peddi’s special song is only increasing with each passing day, with multiple rumors surrounding it. The latest buzz suggests that the shoot of this special dance number will commence tomorrow.
Shruti Haasan is reportedly part of this song, and the shoot is said to have been planned as per the actress’s convenience. Earlier, Charan and Shruti Haasan shared the screen space in Yevadu, which was a box-office superhit.
Janhvi Kapoor plays the female lead, while the film features music by AR Rahman. Shiva Rajkumar, Divyyendu Sharma, Jagapathi Babu, Sai Kumar, and Boman Irani in key roles. Venkata Satish Kilaru of Vriddhi Cinemas is bankrolling the big-ticket entertainer.
Lavanya Tripathi Konidela will be next seen in the film Sathi Leelavati. The movie features Malayalam actor Dev Mohan as the male protagonist, who made his Tollywood debut with Samantha’s Shaakuntalam.
The latest update reveals that the breezy feel-good entertainer will hit the big screens on May 8. Tatineni Satya of Bheemili Kabaddi Jattu and Shiva Manasulo Shruti (SMS) fame is directing the film.
Aanandi Art Creations is presenting the film, which is jointly produced by Nagamohan Babu M and Rajesh T under the Durgadevi Pictures and Trio Studios banners. Naresh Vijayakrishna, Sapthagiri, and others play key roles. Micky J Meyer is composing the tunes.
SS Rajamouli and Superstar Mahesh Babu’s much-anticipated Varanasi is right now in the spotlight as an exclusive behind-the-scenes content will be screened at CCXP Mexico 2026. Currently, Karthikeya is at the global event promoting the fantasy action entertainer, while Rajamouli interacted with the attendees through a video message.
However, it is being said that the video asset shown at the Mexico event will only be exclusive to the event and won’t be released digitally. If it’s true, then fans need to wait a bit longer to catch the BTS footage.
Rajamouli is pulling out all the stops to position Varanasi as a global cinematic event and the promotion at the CCXP Mexico is one major step towards it. Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran play key roles. KL Narayana of Sri Durga Arts is bankrolling the biggie.
Movie Name : Michael
Release Date : April 24, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Jaafar Jackson, Nia Long, Juliano Valdi, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Laura Harrier, with Miles Teller, and Colman Domingo
Director : Antoine Fuqua
Producers : Graham King, John Branca, John McClain
Music Director : Lior Rosner
Cinematographer : Dion Beebe
Editors : Conrad Buff IV, Tom Cross, John Ottman, Harry Yoon
Related Links : Trailer
The biopic of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, is now out in theatres. Let’s see if the movie lived up to the expectations.
Story:
Michael tells the story of the pop icon who rose from Gary, Indiana. Michael (Jaafar Jackson), the youngest of the Jackson brothers, is believed by his mother to be a rare talent. After performing with the family band, the Jackson 5, for several years, he decides to go solo, but remains petrified of his strict father, Joseph Jackson (Colman Domingo). The rest of the film chronicles the crucial events in Michael’s life.
Plus Points:
Michael Jackson has been part of our lives at some point, with his god-gifted voice and dance skills, and hence the enthusiasm for this biopic is surreal. Hence, we look forward to the real-life concerts and popular tracks of the legend, and this aspect has been delivered superbly. The one sequence that gives immense satisfaction is the recreation of the iconic ‘Thriller’ track, and scenes like these will make us revisit Jackson’s concert videos after the film.
Michael Jackson had a troubled childhood due to his strict father, who even whipped him with a belt. Because of his father’s harsh verbal insults and physical abuse, Michael creates a dreamlike world called ‘Neverland’ as he attempts to recapture his lost childhood, and this aspect helps the audience connect emotionally with the legend.
The scene where Michael conveys to his father during a concert that he will live his life the way he wants is superbly presented. Jaafar Jackson makes a phenomenal debut with an award-worthy act. His performance is A-rate, as he perfectly portrays the mannerisms and body language of Michael Jackson. He makes us feel the aura of the legend, and the way he performs the dance moves is simply brilliant. In the emotional scenes, Jaafar is terrific.
Colman Domingo is superb as the antagonist and makes us despise him through his performance. KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Miles Teller, and others deliver satisfactory performances. Juliano Krue Valdi, who played the young Michael, was adorable.
Minus Points:
Anyone who walks in to watch a biopic would want to know the ins and outs of that celebrity, including the negative aspects, and this is where Michael falters. The film doesn’t showcase the allegations and controversies surrounding Michael Jackson’s life. Though a second part is likely, it still feels like watching a biopic that tells only half the story.
The pacing is initially a bit slow. There’s also an important aspect that lacks clarity. The film doesn’t show what the Jackson brothers were doing when Michael wasn’t around. Were they unhappy with their younger brother’s growth? Were their albums not performing well when Michael was on the rise? Even if we set aside the allegations, which may be explored in the second part, these aspects remain largely unaddressed.
Technical Aspects:
The usage of Michael Jackson’s iconic songs is the film’s biggest trump card. The production design by Barbara Ling and the costumes by Marci Rodgers recreate the bygone era flawlessly. Dion Beebe’s cinematography is stunning, with the concert sequences being a visual treat. The way the ‘Thriller’ track is captured feels magical. The film also moves at a faster pace in the second half.
Antoine Fuqua’s direction works well in parts, especially in the portions that celebrate the music icon. However, he should have addressed a few key elements, the absence of which slightly reduces the overall impact.
Verdict:
On the whole, Michael, the biographical film on the ‘King of Pop’, delivers a decent big-screen experience, backed by Jaafar Jackson’s first-rate performance, the recreation of Michael Jackson’s iconic tracks and concerts, and a few emotional moments. However, the absence of the controversial events from his life makes the biopic feel somewhat hollow in terms of subject matter, preventing it from reaching the next level. Nonetheless, it can be given a try, as there are worthy moments that make us relive the magic of the legend.
123telugu.com Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
Movie Name : Vaazha 2
Release Date : April 24, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 3.25/5
Starring : Hashir H, Alan Bin Siraj, Biju Kuttan, Ajin Joy, Vinayak V and others
Director : Savin SA
Producers : Vipin Das, Harris Desom, Sahu Garapati, P. B.Anish, Adarsh Narayan, Icon Studios
Music Directors : Malayali Monkeys, Rajat Prakash
Cinematographer : Akhil Lailasuran
Editor : Kannan Mohan
Related Links : Trailer
The coming-of-age drama Vaazha 2: Biopic of a Billion Bros is a sensational Malayalam sequel that has recently stormed the global box office, crossing the Rs. 200 crore mark. Featuring social media sensations and directed by debutant Savin SA, the movie has now released in Telugu. Check out the review to know how it fares for the local audience.
Story:
Hashir (Hashir H) and Alan (Alan Bin Siraj) have been friends since childhood, eventually forming a close-knit group with Vinayak (Vinayak V) and Ajin (Ajin Joy). Their behavior in college creates a massive ruckus that lands them in significant trouble with both their families and the authorities. Later, they decide to concentrate on their studies with the hope of going abroad and settling down well to escape their “loser” labels. Whether their plan works and what they learn during this transformative journey is what the movie is all about.
Plus Points;
The beauty of the film is that it doesn’t go overboard anywhere, maintaining a grounded and authentic tone throughout the narrative. It gives you a nostalgic reminiscence of the life many of us passed through during our own student days. Many incidents involving mistakes, friendships, and life realisations are showcased in a fun manner. It successfully captures the essence of youth without feeling forced or overly dramatic.
The director avoids preaching and instead lets the viewers recollect their own memories by telling even painful stories in a humorous way. Regarding the performances of Hashir, Alan, Vinayak, and Ajin, they are incredibly lively and deliver surprisingly neat performances. We see ourselves in them because their acting feels unpolished yet incredibly genuine. Their chemistry is the driving force that keeps the audience hooked from start to finish.
The problems faced by the leads in foreign lands are showcased in a fun manner, yet there is a layer of truth and pain underneath. The first half runs very well with high-energy comedy and relatable student life scenarios that keep the momentum high. While the second half flows smoothly, the emotional ending is well-showcased and provides a satisfying conclusion to the journey. It manages to transition from laughter to heart-tugging moments with relative ease.
The underlying meme references in the Telugu version, such as the Jaya Janaki Nayaka dialogue and nods to Anil Ravipudi, will connect deeply with the youth. These local touches, including references to Cash Anudeep, make the dubbed version feel fresh and relevant to our audience.
The technical department also deserves appreciation, especially for the well-crafted interval fight sequence. The cameo by Premam director Alphonse Puthren is a treat for film buffs and works perfectly within the narrative. The rest of the supporting cast does their job adequately.
Minus Points:
This kind of movie may not work for those who are looking for a traditional, heavy narrative or a complex plot. The story flows like regular life with its usual ups and downs, which a few people might find slightly aimless. It is a “slice-of-life” film at its core, meaning it prioritises character moments over a fast-paced thriller-like structure. This approach might not resonate with viewers who prefer high-stakes commercial cinema.
The love stories could have been better showcased, especially considering the target youth demographic of the film. While the second half starts off well, a few moments of slowness can be observed in the middle act before the climax. However, the proceedings eventually pick up again to make the movie enjoyable overall. A bit more depth in the romantic tracks might have added another layer to the emotional payoff for the viewers.
Some viewers may not agree with the director’s choice of showcasing serious life problems in a purely entertaining or satirical manner. While the writer and director’s intention is to tell a story for recollection, some might feel the tone is too light for the gravity of the situations.
Additionally, while the Telugu dubbing is generally fine, a few minor characters didn’t receive a proper voice match. This creates a slight “dubbed movie” feel in certain scenes that momentarily breaks the immersion.
Technical Aspects:
Savin SA was highly successful in bringing Vipin Das’s sharp writing from the paper to the screen. No scene feels forced, and there is no sense of boredom thanks to the clear vision of the director. The editing by Kannan Mohan is a standout, making the entire film feel like a racy and well-paced narrative. He ensures that the comedy and the emotional beats are balanced without any jarring transitions.
The visuals by Akhil Lailasuran are cool and refreshing, giving the film a polished look despite its modest budget. The production values are decent and suit the scale of the story perfectly for this genre. The background score by the A Team is a massive highlight, as it amplifies the impact of both the action and the emotional scenes. The technical team has clearly worked in sync to deliver a high-quality product.
Verdict:
On the whole, Vaazha 2 is truly a “biopic of a billion brothers” who have navigated the messy highs and lows of youth. It is a well-crafted coming-of-age drama that manages to be both entertaining and deeply relatable. All thanks to Savin SA and Vipin Das for bringing this fresh perspective to the screen. Despite being newcomers, the lead actors lived in their roles and left a lasting impression. On the flip side, the satirical narrative style and a few minutes of draggy scenes in the second half are minor negatives. Overall, it will definitely give you a chance to remind yourself of your own school and college days. One will definitely come out of the theater with a happy smile and a lot of nostalgia. Without any doubt, you can watch this movie with your friends this weekend.
123telugu.com Rating: 3.25/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
