As was only expected, the teaser has hit nearly 3 million views in record time.

Riding on the success of the first song from Oru Adaar Love which has gone viral, the filmmakers have now released the teaser of the film. Even though Priya Prakash Varrier supposedly had only a small role in the film, Omar Lulu decided to give her one of the lead roles seeing her performance and the impact it has had on the audience.
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The teaser of the film features Priya and Roshan Abdul, the young man who was seen flirting with her in the Manikya Malaraya Poovi song which became unimaginably viral. In the teaser, Priya and Roshan are sitting in a classroom. Continuing with their exchange of glances and gestures, she "shoots" him a kiss and he pretends to fall dead.
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The teaser has crossed 2.8 million views on YouTube in less than a day, only adding to the fervour around Priya Prakash Varrier.
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The 18-year-old is a first year B.Com student at Vimala College, Thrissur while Roshan studies in ICA college. Roshan was one of the finalists in the Mazhavil Manorama D4 Dance show. This is the first film for both of them.

Omar Lulu's last film was Chunkzz, an adult comedy. Though the film was panned by critics, it went on to do well at the box-office. Oru Adaar Love is supposedly a campus love story. The film is said to have five heroes and five heroines although that could change, given the popularity of the Priya-Roshan pair. The shooting of the film has been temporarily stopped and is expected to resume with a reworked script.
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Watch:

The songs composed by Gopi Sunder from the Mohanlal film are in the running for the 2018 Oscars.

The makers of the blockbuster Malayalam film Pulimurugan have earned another feather in their cap! 

In a major achievement for the Malayalam film industry, two songs from the Mohanlal film may soon be in the Oscar race.

Two songs from Pulimuguran have been listed in the '70 songs eligible for Oscar nomination' in the 'Original Songs' category for the 90th Academy Awards.
 
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the list on Monday which features 'Kaadanayum Kaalchilambe' and 'Maanathe Maarikurumbe' from Pulimurugan. These are reportedly the only songs from an Indian film to have made the list, thereby making the achievement all the more sweeter. 

The songs for the movie were composed by Gopi Sunder.
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Taking to Facebook, Gopi Sunder said that he had no words to express his emotions and said that everything was made possible because of God's grace.

​Other songs in the list include 'If I Dare' from Battle of the Sexes, 'There's Something Special' from Despicable Me 3, 'Fly Away' from Trafficked and more. 

According to the rules, a maximum of two songs can be nominated from a film:

"To be eligible, a song must consist of words and music, both of which are original and written specifically for the film. A clearly audible, intelligible, substantive rendition of both lyric and melody must be used in the body of the film or as the first music cue in the end credits." 

The film has also appeared in the '141 original score scores' list. 

The 90th Oscars will be held on March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center and the nominations will be declared on January 23, 2018. 

You can view the full lists here: 
70 ORIGINAL SONGS VIE FOR 2017 OSCAR®
141 ORIGINAL SCORES IN 2017 OSCAR® RACE
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Pulimurugan is an action adventure film directed by Vysakh that was released in October 2016. The film was produced with a whopping Rs 25 crore budget by Tomichan Mulakuppadam. The film later went on to collect over Rs 100 crore.

In August this year, the film was released in 6D format, becoming the first Indian film to have done so. While the film went on to become a massive hit, there were also controversies that marred its popularity. 

Soon after the film was released, there were allegations of plagiarism against the 'Muruga Muruga' song from the film. However, composer Gopi Sunder had denied the allegations that the song was similar to a devotional song. 

There is no confirmation yet and we can expect an official word from the couple soon.

Malayalam actor Bhavana and Kannada producer Naveen got engaged at a private ceremony on March 9, 2017 early this year but the wedding date was not revealed.  

Sources close to the couple maintained that the wedding is very much on cards but the date has not been fixed yet. While some reports suggested that they will marry during the first week of January, one of Bhavana's friends said that the wedding is fixed to be January 22. We also hear that only close family and friends would be invited for this simple ceremony that is likely to take place in Thrissur and the it is likely to be a low-key affair just like their engagement. 
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The engagement ceremony saw just a few family members and close friends of the couple, including Malayalam actor Manju Warrier.

​Bhavana made her acting debut with the Malayalam film Nammal in 2002 which fetched her a couple of awards. She then went on to act in several Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films. Her last film release was Adam Joan in which she shared the screen space with Prithviraj Sukumaran, Mishti, Narain, and Rahul Madhav. This film hit the silver screens on September 1 this year.

She is currently busy with the Kannada movie Tagaru which has Shiva Rajkumar playing the main lead. The star cast of this film also includes Manvitha, Dhananjay, Vasishta N Simha, Devaraj and Suhasini Maniratnam. Directed by Duniya Soori and produced by KP Srikanth under the banner Venus Entertainers, the film is slated to hit the marquee on January 10 to cash in on the festive holidays.
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With reports about Bhavana – Naveen wedding surfacing again, we can expect an official word from the couple soon.

FROM ANDREA IN 'ANNAYUM RASOOLUM' TO AMALA PAUL IN 'MILI', HERE ARE OUR PICKS FROM MALAYALAM FILMS WHERE THE HEROINE BARELY HAS ANY MAKE-UP ON.

In comparison to other southern industries, heroines in Malayalam cinema have usually worn muted make-up. In contemporary cinema, while the leading ladies of other industries usually sport straightened hair and are almost never seen on screen with skin imperfections or dark circles under their eyes (with a few exceptions like Subramaniyapuram, Kaaka Muttai etc), Malayalam films have frequently shown women protagonists as they are, preferring a natural look that suits the character they are playing.

On the other hand, bold make-up in Malayalam cinema has been subjected to a fair amount of moral judgment on screen. It is the women who play "loud" characters or arrogant ones who have appeared with bold make-up on their face (the "feminist", ironically, has appeared with lots of make-up in Malayalam films - remember Kaliveedu and the women's group that "wrongly" advises Manju's character?). Their "glamour" marks them out as being fake and of poor character.

However, with changing times and more films being made that are set in the urban milieu, it has become more acceptable to see women on screen with some make-up on their face. Even as that may be the case, there are many contemporary Malayalam films where the heroine has worn little to no make-up.
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Here are our picks:
Nimisha Sayajan in Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum

With bushy eyebrows, untamed wavy hair, and no make-up at all save for a bit of kajal, Nimisha looked absolutely natural on screen. The actor charmed the audience with her portrayal of Sreeja, a woman who elopes to get married but has her thaali swallowed by a thief on a bus.
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Andrea in Annayum Rasoolum

Andrea usually plays the urban, sophisticated woman. In this Malayalam film about interfaith love, however, she barely had any make-up on. From pimples to shadows below her eyes, the actor was willing to appear on screen as she was and the audience only loved her all the more for it.
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Sai Pallavi in Premam

​The film had three heroines but it was Sai Pallavi as Malar teacher who was the unanimous favourite with the audience. The actor has spoken in several interviews about her apprehensions about appearing on screen with skin imperfections but the director, Alphonse Puthren, convinced her to go through with it.
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Shaun Romy in Kammattipaadam

The glamorous Shaun Romy is near unrecognisable in this film, playing a young woman from a slum. This is also one of the few films where a fair-skinned hero (Dulquer Salmaan) has been paired with a dark-skinned woman.
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Amala Paul in Mili

Playing an introverted, depressed young woman, Amala Paul barely had any make-up on in this film. She also wore a pair of unflattering glasses.
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Parvathy in Take Off

For her highly acclaimed film Take Off, Parvathy put on weight and wore no make-up to suit the look of Sameera, a nurse. Parvathy manages to look different in every film she acts in but the Take Off look still came as a surprise.
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Nazriya in Om Shanti Oshana

As a schoolgirl who is obsessed with her crush (Nivin Pauly), the young Puja Mathew played by Nazriya looks like the actor just washed her face and turned up for the shoot. Although she wears light make-up when she dresses up or becomes older, the schoolgirl Nazriya is fresh-faced and very believable.
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Anna Rajan in Angamaly Diaries

FROM DIRECTOR ANJALI MENON TO ACTORS MANJU WARRIER AND PARVATHY, SEVERAL WOMEN FROM THE WCC SPEAK ON WHAT THE COLLECTIVE STANDS FOR.

The Women in Cinema Collective, which was established soon after a prominent woman actor from the Malayalam film industry was abducted and assaulted earlier this year, has come up with a video that speaks about what the group stands for.

The Collective has staunchly stood by the survivor, even as other film organisations like AMMA scrambled to defend actor Dileep, who is accused of being the mastermind behind the conspiracy which led to the attack. However, the WCC has also met with criticism for "not doing anything". Some women from the industry have also said that they don't see the need for such an organisation since they've never faced any such harassment.

The video titled 'WCC Introduction' starts with director Anjali Menon speaking about the need to create an environment in cinema where men and women can work together happily and can expect safety, security and opportunity equally.

Director Geethu Mohandas, addressing the question why others were not "invited" to be part of the WCC says, "The truth of the matter is, we invited ourselves. Women from the creative fields, from different walks of life, we empowered each other. This is our strength." Geethu goes on to add that change is required and that the change must happen now.

Actor and director Revathy, screenwriter Deedi Damodaran, actor and director Sajitha Madathil, speak about how it's necessary for women to take charge and work towards equality in every sphere, including cinema.

Actor Rima Kallingal says a section of women have recognised that it's time they started thinking and acting for themselves rather than someone else telling them how to go about it.

Editor and director Bina Paul says that the Collective will give a sense of unity to not just women in the Malayalam industry but all over the country.

Screenwriters Vidhu Vincent and Dr Asha Anchy Joseph point out that the Collective is also about recognising gender inequality and stereotypes that are propagated in the name of cinema. Vidhu adds that it's unnecessary for men to be "afraid" of the WCC and that they are working with the support of male allies within the industry.

Screenwriter and director Sreebala K Menon says it's time that the role of women in 90 years of Malayalam cinema came to be known to the world.

Actor Padmapriya says that it will take a long time for organisations like the WCC to change rigid social ideas about women.

Screenwriter Indhu Nampoothiri notes that WCC is interested in seeing how they can contribute towards making this social change.

Actors Ramya Nambessan and Parvathy, and music director and singer Sayanora Philip refer to the survivor's courage and her will to not give up and say that the WCC was formed to ensure no other woman undergoes what she had to.

Cinematographer Fowzia Fathima and director Soumya Sadanand say that the WCC was established to change the cinema industry to a space where a woman can work with dignity and that the gender sensitivity we expect to see on screen should also be reflected in how cinema is made.

Speaking at the end of the video, actors Manju Warrier and Rima Kallingal say any woman in cinema who believes in the ideas that the WCC stands for is welcome to join them and that they look forward to the support of allies.
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Watch the kickass video here:

Here is the news every movie buff has been waiting forever since Baahubali: The Conclusion released in April this year! Yes, director SS Rajamouli has revealed in an interview to Variety about the next two projects for which he would be wielding the megaphone for.

The director revealed that the first project that he will be directing would be for Danayya’s DVV Entertainments banner.

One of the popular production houses in Tollywood, Danayya had bankrolled films such as Varudu, Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu, Julayi, Nayak and Ninnu Kori.

His current project is the highly anticipated Mahesh Babu starrer Bharath Ane Nenu which is being helmed by Koratala Siva.

The director, however, did not disclose anything else about the project including the language it is to be made in and the star cast. In all probability, the film will go on the floors in 2018.

His next would be bankrolled by KL Narayana who has produced films such as Kshana Kshanam, Hello Brother, Dongaata and Santosham.

Mahesh Babu has been roped in to play the lead role in this project and the shooting is expected to commence in 2019. With the director disclosing two of his upcoming projects, all speculation about his next film have come to an end.

SS Rajamouli, the most successful director in Indian cinema, came up with the magnum opus, the Baahubali franchise, which turned out to be a colossal hit. Baahubali: the Conclusion went on to collect over Rs. 1600 crore at the worldwide box office.

He made his debut in Tollywood with Student No 1 and went on to direct blockbusters such as Simhadri, Eega, Magadheera, Maryada Ramanna etc. His last two films, Baahubali: the Beginning and Baahubali: the Conclusion has made him one of the most wanted directors in India.

Bilinguals in south Indian cinema are not a new phenomenon. Even though the four major languages of the south are distinct and have their own scripts, there are many similarities among them. The popularity of stars from one state spills over to others and actors, especially women who play the heroine, have for long worked across industries.
Further, for several years, Madras (now Chennai), used to be the centre where most south Indian films were made. The Tamil and Telugu industries, especially, are closely connected and many films have been made in both languages simultaneously, right from the '50s.

Why bilingual?
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Of late, with expanding budgets, the explosion of social media, and the multiplex culture, bilinguals have become increasingly common. The more number of people the film is made for, the better the returns.
Besides, a vast majority of these big budget films are set in urban areas with universal themes. Culturally, there isn't much variation that the filmmakers need to make in the scripts for the different films. Characters can sport the same look and have similar lifestyles without looking "off".
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In the recent bilingual release Solo, for instance, the stories are not restricted by place. The action shifts from one place to another and is not bound by cultural specificities. The film has been made in Tamil and Malayalam - the overarching themes being love, betrayal, revenge, and deception, the responses to the film are not likely to be radically different between the two audiences.
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Before Solo's release came the AR Murugadoss thriller Spyder which was made in Telugu and Tamil. With Mahesh Babu and Rakul Preet in lead roles, the film had a massive release in all three states. Even though this was Mahesh Babu's first Tamil film, the Tamil audience was already familiar with him. Besides, AR Murugadoss has given blockbusters with top actors from Kollywood and is an established name in the industry.

Prakash Raj, who is well-known in the southern film industries made Idolle Ramayana in Kannada and Telugu (Mana Oori Ramayanam) and also starred in the lead role. Director Alphonse Puthren of Premam fame made his debut with the bilingual Neram which had Nivin Pauly and Nazriya in the lead roles.
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While the lead cast is likely to be the same, filmmakers may change the supporting actors, especially the comedian. This is because their appeal may be limited to their respective audiences unlike that of the big stars.

Will it work across the board?

However, bilinguals run the risk of looking too generic.
It's impossible to make say, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum or Oru Kidayin Karunai Manu as a bilingual because these films are so rooted in their social milieu. The landscape, the dialect spoken by the characters, the incongruities of their behaviour, even just how everybody in the film looks - it cannot be easily adapted to another culture.

A remake can certainly be made, in different locations and with different actors, but the film will not work merely by changing the language.

The ensemble cast in a bilingual usually features actors from across industries so they hold an appeal to different audiences. The disadvantage of this, however, is that many a time, they appear miscast and the unfamiliarity with the language sticks up as a sore point. This is a criticism that has been leveled against several films, including the latest release Solo.

Moreover, each industry has a certain sensibility which has been shaped by the history of its cinema. Making a bilingual while paying heed to this is a difficult ask. Already, even for the release of dubbed versions, we see filmmakers deliberately including sequences that they believe are necessary for the film to appeal to the "other" audience. Exaggerated fight scenes or "item" numbers may be included because that's the norm in an industry that has the big monies.

Even though the US and the UK make films in English, the ones made in Hollywood and Britain are vastly different. It's not just the accent, it's everything - from cultural representations to even the sense of humour. When it comes to India, with its immensely diverse population, it's not always possible to hit the right note when you are making a film for two different cultures. While the audience may expand, the realm of ideas for subjects becomes narrower.
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One understands that films need to make money for the industry to survive and thrive but hopefully, this trend will not restrict big budget filmmakers from exploring subjects closer home. As Twitter taught Shabana Azmi recently, upma and poha are not one and the same even if they may share similarities.

DILEEP WILL JOIN THE SETS OF 'KAMMARA SAMBHAVAM

Malayalam star Dileep, who was arrested on July 10 this year on allegations of his involvement in the actor abduction and assault case, was released on conditional bail recently.

This gave rise to speculation about the future of his career in the film industry. Putting aside all rumours, it has been confirmed that Dileep will be joining the sets of Kammara Sambhavam on October 20.

The film crew has set the ball rolling to get the project back on to the floors. Reports say that the shooting has recommenced at Vengara in Malappuram district with Ratheesh Ambatt wielding the megaphone.

Dileep will be joining the sets on October 20 at Malayattoor. Touted to be a high budget film, it is being bankrolled by Gokulam Gopalan under his banner Sree Gokulam Movies on a budget of Rs. 20 crores.

While Dileep plays the lead role in the film, it also has Siddharth and Bobby Simha in pivotal roles. Namitha Pramod plays the female lead in Kammara Sambhavam while the rest of the star cast comprises Murali Gopy, Swetha Menon, Kenny Basumatary, Manikkuttan, Vijayaraghavan, Indrans, Siddique, Vinay Forrt, etc.

The actor’s Ramaleela was released last month when he was still lodged in jail. With him being out on bail, Dileep is expected to go ahead with the assignments he had signed before his arrest. Reports say that he will also begin shooting for Professor Dinkan soon.
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Apart from these films, the actor also has a slew of films in his kitty including Pickpocket, Valayar Paramashivam, The Legend, and C.I.D Moosa 2.