Bobby Deol is once again stepping into the shoes of a villain. The actor, who revitalized his career with a compelling antagonist performance in Animal (2023), is all set to take on another negative role, this time in the Tamil film industry. Bobby Deol, a name synonymous with Bollywood, is breaking new ground with his Tamil debut in Kanguva, slated for release next month. His journey in the Tamil industry won’t stop there. In an exhilarating update, it has been confirmed that Bobby will go head-to-head with Vijay in Thalapathy 69, the swan song of the South superstar, who is making his foray into politics.
The forthcoming film, tentatively titled Thalapathy 69 and helmed by director H Vinoth, promises to be a defining moment in both Bobby Deol’s career and the illustrious trajectory of Vijay. Anirudh Ravichander, a name that resonates with music lovers, is on board to compose the soundtrack for the film, set to hit theaters in October 2025. The production house took to social media to announce this major news, sharing an image of Bobby Deol with the caption, “100% official now. Super happy and excited to announce that Bobby Deol joins the Thalapathy 69 cast (sic).”
As the cinema world gears up for Diwali, the anticipation is palpable. Box office duels are taking on an electrifying edge as the festival season approaches. The makers of two major festival releases, Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 (BB3), are pulling out all the stops to secure profitable deals. Spurred by recent developments, Rohit Shetty, in collaboration with Jio Studios, has finalized an all-India distribution deal with PVR-INOX Pictures for the action-packed Singham Again. The star-studded cast, including Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Tiger Shroff, and Arjun Kapoor, sets high expectations.
Simultaneously, producer Bhushan Kumar and distributor Anil Thadani are doubling down on their efforts for BB3, a horror comedy that features Kartik Aaryan, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Vidya Balan, and Triptii Dimri. Sources report that Thadani is proposing a unique joint deal involving Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2: The Rule, alongside BB3, to single screens and non-national cinema chains. This strategic move aims to boost footfall in mass centers. Anil Thadani, who successfully managed tough negotiations for Salaar: Part One—Ceasefire during its clash with Dunki last year, is reportedly offering exhibitors reasonable terms to ensure maximum exposure for BB3. As Diwali nears, the cinematic battlefield is expected to heat up considerably.
Meanwhile, Vidhu Vinod Chopra revealed that his next project, Zero Se Shuruwat, will debut on December 13. This film serves as a prequel to 12th Fail (2023) and features the same ensemble cast, led by Vikrant Massey.
. Massey portrayed the lead role in the adaptation of Anurag Pathak’s book, the same title that clinched the top spot on IMDB’s list of Top 250 Indian Movies of All Time. Vikrant Massey describes the most emotional scene in the film, a poignant ‘champi’ sequence between Manoj and his mother, played by Geeta Aggarwal Sharma. Reflecting on the scene, he shares, “Geetaji and I chose not to use glycerin for this emotionally taxing scene, opting instead to feel as close to the moment as possible. It was a scene where we were required not to cry, but weep. It took several rehearsals, but we managed to pull it off.”
The cinematic world was also rattled earlier this week with news about superstar Rajinikanth, who was admitted to a Chennai hospital due to a swelling in a major blood vessel connected to his heart. A medical bulletin from the hospital stated that doctors performed a non-surgical procedure, placing a stent in his aorta to seal off the swelling and ensure a stable recovery. His wife, Latha Rajinikanth, reassured fans, saying, “All is well,” and requested privacy, emphasizing that Rajini’s well-being was the family’s top priority. The legendary actor is expected to be discharged from the hospital later this week.
On another front, shooting for Delhi Crime season 3 recently commenced in Greater Noida under the direction of Tanuj Chopra. Shefali Shah returns as top cop DCP Vartika Chaturvedi, and Rasika Dugal reprises her role as ACP Neeti Singh. This season sees the addition of Huma Qureshi to the cast. Initially set to begin filming early last month, production was delayed to accommodate Huma’s scheduling needs. Although details about her role remain under wraps, it is reported that she bonded well with the team. The filming will continue over the next couple of months, with sequences being shot in various locations in Delhi and Greater Noida. The third season is expected to release in two separate parts.
In another exciting development, it has been confirmed that Kajol will play a cop in debutant director Shashanka Chaturvedi’s thriller, Do Patti. Additionally, Kriti Sanon, who is co-producing the film with writer Kanika Dhillon, will play a double role as twin sisters with dark secrets in this twisted narrative. The film also marks the big-screen debut of Shaheer Sheikh, known for his role in Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi. He will portray a lover entangled in a dangerous game of love, betrayal, and vengeance.
