Jailer 2 looks loaded with Rajinikanth swag, explosive action and a ridiculous roster of cameos. But will Nelson deliver a blockbuster rather than another all-hype spectacle, wonders Sreeju Sudhakaran.
Rajinikanth brings the swagger, Nelson delivers the whistles, but Jailer 2's predictable plot and underwhelming villains keep this fanboy extravaganza from becoming anything more than a familiar celebration of Thalaivar's aura.
From Mithun Chakraborty and Vidya Balan to S J Suryah and Hrithik Roshan, Jailer 2 boasts an eclectic new cast. Here's a look at the fresh faces joining Rajinikanth's Tiger Muthuvel Pandian and the films you know them from.
Dhanush takes on the role of a desperate bank robber in the newly released trailer for Kara, a Vignesh Raja directorial set against the tumultuous economic backdrop of the 1991 Gulf War, promising an intense action drama.
From Kottayam Kunjachan to Unda, here are 10 Mammootty films that prove the megastar can be every bit as entertaining as he is intense.
Jailer 2 brings back familiar allies, adds a couple of surprise faces and sets the stage for another showdown, but not every cameo gets the moment it deserves.
"Her heroism lies in finding her own voice and finally choosing to stand up for herself," said Nimisha Sajayan, discussing her role as Babita in 'Babita Singh Reporting'.
Kara had the makings of a fine heist thriller anchored by a superlative Dhanush, but a slack screenplay in crucial stretches and an overdose of melodrama ensure it only works in patches, observes Sreeju Sudhakaran.
From Ikkis to Balan: The Boy, these are the 10 Indian films that truly deserved the loudest applause in the first half of 2026.
Bharathanatyam 2: Mohiniyattam emerges as a surprisingly superior sequel, boldly transitioning from a slice-of-life narrative to a dark comedy crime-thriller, observes Sreeju Sudhakaran.
Lack of content proves to be the undoing of this Malayalam movie.
"L2: Empuraan", the second part of the "Lucifer" movie, a trilogy planned by the Prithviraj-Mohanlal team, has become a topic of hot debate over its critique of right-wing politics and the covert mention of the Gujarat riots.
Akshay Kumar has given the world a sneak peek of his latest film.
Arjun Menon looks at 2024's top Web series from South India.
Empuraan promises a world of geo-political intrigue, drug wars and action spectacle all rolled into one, observes Arjun Menon.
The year 2025 started slowly at the box office but the summer is looking up for theatrical releases.
Ahead of his film Selfiee, which releases on Friday, Akshay Kumar broke the Guinness World Record for the Most Selfies taken in three minutes at a promotional event in Mumbai.
'I hope this film will bring some change in people, their homes, and in our society.'
Narivetta takes its cue from real-life incidents and fictionalises the ordeal through the experiences of a young cop caught in the crossfire between the police and tribals up in arms, notes Arjun Menon.
Kaanekkaane is Suraj's triumph all the way, declares Divya Nair.
'I don't know whether it was the Sabarimala issue that made them reject my film.'
A quick look at winners in the major categories.
Mammootty's fans will be happy with his performance, beginning with comedy, then moving to superhero action and culminating in emotionally intense scenes. But good acting is not enough to make up for a vapid plot and content.
Karinkunnam 6s may lack the depth to be a great film but it's worth a watch, says Paresh C Palicha.
'I am a very greedy actor. I want to explore everything.'
Jamna Pyari remains a mediocre effort that cannot fulfill viewer expectations in this festive season., says Paresh C Palicha.
'Family is the most important thing in a society.' 'That's why I am always thinking about family and society. I want it to be better.'
Bhaiyya Bhaiyya does provide a few chuckles, but nothing substantial.
If you think the film is gutsy, you are simply being blind to the truth that the whole men-are-worthless slant is saleable right now, argues Sreehari Nair.
The reasons are too private to be discussed at a round table, listed out during a seminar, or uncovered in an academic course. A proud but insomniac connoisseur murmuring in his sleep may do a better job of explaining the phenomenon than an expert on a podium. Sreehari Nair airs his thoughts.
It may not work for most adults, warns Paresh C Palicha.
The Great Indian Kitchen is one of the most powerful films Divya Nair has watched in recent times. One that will unsettle you long after you've watched it. And that's why everyone -- married or single, man or woman -- must watch it.
In a year where we can find positives in wins for the great Gulabi Gang documentary and ace cinematographer Rajeev Ravi, the silver lining doesn't seem as wide if our priorities remain as skewed.
Aseem Chhabra lists his favourite Indian films of 2021.
'Movie plots clearly don't excite director Dileesh Pothan as much as true stories where life had come dizzyingly close to becoming like a movie and then, had fused back with life.' 'This means that a conversation he overhears at a tea shop is more likely to give Pothan a setting for his next picture than a brainstorming session inside a conference room,' says Sreehari Nair.
