ChennaiLoveStory, the ₹60 Cr+ romantic drama, premieres on #SonyLIV from 21st August in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada & Hindi!

Starring #KiranAbbavaram & #SriGouriPriya, and directed by #RaviNamburii, the heartwarming coming-of-age love story is ready to reach audiences across India.

Stream #ChennaiLoveStory from 21st August, only on @SonyLIV

@Kiran_Abbavaram @srigouripriya @sknonline #SaiRajesh @Ravinamburii @MassMovieMakers @AmruthaProd @DheeMogilineni

With impressive projects like Aay, Save the Tigers, Vikatakavi and Gurthukostunnayi to his credit, music director Ajay Arasada has carved a distinct identity for himself among Telugu audiences. With several promising offers coming his way, Ajay Arasada opened up about his journey in the film industry and shared several interesting experiences. Here are excerpts from his conversation:

*Tell us about your background.

• Art and music run in my family and are in my blood. I am from Vizag. I also worked at TCS for seven years. While I was working, I got an opportunity to work on two films. Devi Sri Prasad is my inspiration. It was because of the support from my mother and wife that I could enter this industry. Sricharan, who is also from Vizag, is a very good friend of mine. He brought me on board as a keyboard programmer for Goodachari.

*What challenges did you face while working on smaller films?

• I never faced any difficulties working on small films. Since I worked with good production houses, there were never any issues with payments. So, I did not really face any major challenges in that regard.

*Are you trying to establish a distinct identity for yourself?

• I want to work across all kinds of genres and stories. My intention is to do justice to every story that comes my way. If I get a mass story, I will create mass music for it. There is a perception among some people here that if a music director comes from Tamil cinema, he will bring something new, and if someone comes from Malayalam cinema, he will bring a fresh sound. I don’t think that should be the approach. I want to explore different kinds of music myself.

*Does the music change depending on the budget?

• Every singer charges differently. Once I feel a particular singer is right for my song, I proceed with them. Because ultimately, it is my song. I want to create something that will remain memorable for a lifetime. When I was starting my career, I told a producer that I wanted Anurag Kulkarni to sing a song, but he refused. Today, that same producer isn’t even in a position to get Anurag to sing for him (laughs).

*What is the difference between working on music for theatres and for OTT? How do you feel about it?

• We create the music and score keeping the theatrical experience in mind. But eventually, the film comes to OTT. By then, a lot of the effort we put in gets compromised. If Vikatakavi were to be watched in a theatre, it would sound completely different and be on another level in terms of sound quality. By the time it reaches OTT, what I created gets reduced to almost 50 percent of its original impact.

*How much of an impact will AI have on music?

• AI has not had any impact on music so far. No matter how much prompting you give AI, the output tends to sound similar. Some producers send us tracks generated through AI and ask us to create something like that. At times, we feel, “Then why don’t you make the entire thing yourself?” (laughs). Any technician can use AI as a tool. But that doesn’t mean anyone can become a music director just by using AI (laughs).
• You recently met Pawan Kalyan. What did you discuss?

I provide music for Jana Sena programmes. Recently, when he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I created a score for that occasion. After seeing my work, Pawan Kalyan garu called me and spoke to me personally. He said that we could work together, whether it was for political activities or for the PK Creatives banner.

*When did you start working for Jana Sena? How did that opportunity come your way?

• A friend of mine, Venkat Chikkala, works there as an editor. I got the opportunity through him. Bunny Vasu garu also gave me a lot of work. That association eventually led to my opportunity in Aay.

*Why don’t we see you much outside?

• I don’t like coming out and talking about my own work. I am an introvert and don’t talk much. I don’t usually attend events, and I don’t really know how to promote myself.

*What was your reaction when you were told that you had a meeting with Pawan Kalyan?

• I initially wondered why he would want to speak to me personally. But then I received another call confirming the meeting. I thought I would just spend five or ten minutes with him, take a photograph and leave. But when I reached there, he was alone. We spoke for nearly half an hour and discussed several things. He also spoke about projects that we could work on together.

*We heard that he also asked you about an interesting object you had with you?

• I have a Bose speaker that is shaped like a coffee mug. He asked me what it was. He picked it up, looked at it playfully and laughed. He joked that it looked like a coffee cup and even asked me if I had brought coffee. I was thinking to myself, “Wow, he is actually joking with me!” I was secretly thrilled (laughs).

*How is it working with the current generation of directors?

• Earlier, directors would explain the situation or concept and ask for a tune accordingly. But many of the directors coming in now don’t approach it that way. They explain the scenes, but they are unable to clearly convey what they want to say through the scene, what the core concept is, or what kind of song they are looking for. Sometimes, they are unable to explain the overall concept of the film clearly either. Unless the concept is explained properly, a lyricist cannot write the lyrics and I cannot compose the tune.

*What is your opinion about credits being missed in music or being given to someone else?

• I faced a similar situation with Aay. Ram Miriyala garu also contributed two songs, while I worked on the rest of the music. However, only his name appeared in some places. It was incorrectly reported in the media. That is why Bunny Vasu garu would mention my name at every event. He also tried to correct the misinformation that appeared in certain sections of the media. More recently, during Save the Tigers, someone else’s name appeared instead of mine. I always make sure to give credit to every member of my team.

*Are you satisfied with your decade-long journey?

• Although it has been ten years on paper, a significant part of that journey was lost to the COVID period. Over the course of this journey, I have gained confidence in myself. I now know that I can score music for any kind of film. I am confident that I can create exceptional music even for a big commercial film. That confidence is something I have earned over these ten years. Now, I am waiting for the right opportunity.

The Film Is Set for a Grand Theatrical Release on August 28th

“Chiranjeevi” stars Kiku Yanamala and Kashish Khan in the lead roles. Eeswari Rao, Tanikella Bharani, Sreekanth Bharat, Viva Raghava, and others play key roles in the film. Produced by Deepti Nadiminti under the Kiku Entertainments banner, the film is directed by Shubha Sai Venkat. “Chiranjeevi” is gearing up for a grand theatrical release on the 28th of this month. The makers released the film’s trailer today.

The trailer of “Chiranjeevi” opens on an intriguing note with a verse from the Bhagavad Gita: “Those who are born must die, and those who die must be born again.” The protagonist suffers from a life-threatening medical condition in which his heart is located on the right side, yet he repeatedly escapes death.

Several gangs are relentlessly pursuing him, while his mother goes to great lengths to protect him and keep him safe. The girl who loves him is also constantly worried that something might happen to Chiru. Meanwhile, a mysterious man dressed as Spider-Man is seen hunting down the villains.

The intriguing dialogues add to the curiosity of the trailer. At one point, a woman shoots Chiranjeevi, the protagonist, with a gun. Who is she? On one side are the villains determined to take his life, while on the other are his mother and lover desperately trying to save him. How does a man suffering from a life-threatening illness overcome these challenges and emerge victorious? The trailer creates plenty of curiosity around these questions.

Kiku Yanamala impresses with his overall performance, adding strength and intensity to the character.

Cast: Kiku Yanamala, Kashish Khan, Tanikella Bharani, Sreekanth Bharat, Viva Raghava, and others

Technical Team

DOP: Ramakrishna
Music: Shekar Chandra
Editing: Chota K. Prasad
Executive Producer: Yash Mittal
Choreography: Govind, Shubha Sai Venkat
PRO: Suresh (SK Media)
Producer: Deepti Nadiminti
Script & Direction: Shubha Sai Venkat

~ A globally loved culinary format gets a distinctly Tamil soul as Samantha Ruth Prabhu brings together some of Tamil entertainment’s biggest stars for a celebration of food, flavour, emotion and togetherness on Sony VIZHA and Sony LIV ~

Promo link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcDmz_VJGad

Sony Pictures Networks India today announced Celebrity MasterChef Tamil, with Samantha Ruth Prabhu set to headline the globally celebrated culinary format for Tamil audiences on Sony VIZHA and Sony LIV.

Bringing together the irresistible worlds of celebrity, food and competition, Celebrity MasterChef Tamil will see some of Tamil entertainment’s most recognisable faces step away from the sets and into the kitchen, as they take on demanding culinary challenges, unexpected twists and the pressure of creating dishes that win both the challenge and the audience.

Produced by Banijay Asia, Celebrity MasterChef Tamil draws on the global legacy of the MasterChef format while creating an experience that is unmistakably Tamil with local flavours, familiar personalities, and the unique chemistry of Tamil celebrity culture at its heart.

The show will be a key entertainment offering on Sony VIZHA, extending across Sony LIV and digital platforms with exclusive short-form content that takes audiences beyond the main episodes and closer to the celebrities, their culinary journeys, challenges and memorable moments in the kitchen.

Speaking about the show, Samantha Ruth Prabhu said, “I’m incredibly excited to finally share this with everyone. Celebrity MasterChef Tamil is unlike anything I’ve done before, and that’s exactly what made it impossible to say no. Food has a wonderful way of bringing people together, creating memories, and revealing a side of you that the cameras don’t usually get to see. What I’m most excited about is watching some of our favourite Tamil celebrities’ step into the kitchen, take risks, make mistakes, surprise themselves, and compete with a lot more passion than you’d expect! I wish I could tell you who’s cooking, but where’s the fun in that? I can’t wait for everyone to experience what we’re cooking up with Sony Vizha.”

With Samantha at the helm and some of Tamil entertainment’s most recognisable faces stepping into the kitchen, Celebrity MasterChef Tamil promises a fresh and celebratory take on celebrity cooking, bringing together food, fame, competition and the warmth of Tamil culture in one entertaining experience.

Celebrity MasterChef Tamil is coming soon on Sony VIZHA and Sony LIV, with exclusive content across digital and social platforms.

Ameer Log is the first production venture of Madhavi Reddy Soma under the banner of Awwal Number Productions. Directed by Ramana Reddy Soma, the film has Manohar Reddy Manchuri as its co-producer. MC Hari, Manoj and Sasidhar play the lead roles, while Vedha Jalandhar, Ravan Nittooru, Vishwender Reddy and Saiyogi appear in key roles. Rana Daggubati’s Spirit Media is releasing the film grandly in Telugu on August 21. As part of the promotions, director Ramana Reddy Soma interacted with the media and shared several interesting details about the film. Tell us about your background:

I am from Raghavapuram in Nalgonda district. I came to Hyderabad in 1997 for higher studies and pursued Architecture at JNTU. I was an avid movie watcher even during those days. I started my own office in 2007 and have around two decades of experience in the architecture industry. During the COVID period, I went back to my hometown. Since I had plenty of free time then, I started watching many more films on OTT platforms.
 
How did you develop an interest in filmmaking?

I have always loved reading and writing stories. I started writing stories around six or seven years ago, drawing from my own experiences and things I had observed around me. Later, with the help of a friend, I learnt how stories should be written for cinema. I also picked up a few things through YouTube. Eventually, with the support of some friends, I got an opportunity to visit a shooting set. That is how my journey into cinema gradually began.
 
Tell us about your first filmmaking attempt:

I made a short film around three years ago. I wrote the story at night and shot it the following morning. We ended up with around 33 minutes of footage shot across a village and the city. After watching the output, I felt that I could do much better and decided that I should make a film only after preparing a proper bound script. During a podcast, I once heard Manoj Bajpayee mention the phrase ‘Ameer Log’. That stayed with me, and that is where this journey began.
 
How did the journey of ‘Ameer Log’ take shape?

I first locked the title ‘Ameer Log’. From there, I started exploring who the real ‘Ameer Log’ are and developed different ideas around it. I began writing a story set in a basti, revolving around three youngsters. My intention was to present a Hyderabad basti in a striking and authentic manner on screen. The script was completed around two years ago. I discussed it with several people, took their suggestions and prepared the final version. We also conducted a demo shoot and showed it to many people.
 
Why did you choose sync sound?

The artistes performed very naturally. We did some dubbing as well, but after dubbing, I could not recreate the same feeling I experienced on the sets. The sound did not feel right to me, so I decided to go with sync sound. A film like this needs to feel completely natural. We could not rely on sets either; we had to shoot in an actual basti. I felt sync sound would help retain that authenticity.
 
How many days did you take to complete the shoot?

We shot most of the film in the basti itself. Including the demo shoot, it took around 43 days. We spent 38 days shooting entirely in the basti. Since we also shot at night, the local residents had to put up with some inconvenience because of our schedules, which was a bit challenging.

 
What kind of support and suggestions have you received from Rana Daggubati and his team?

We showed ‘Ameer Log’ to the Spirit Media team. They liked the first half immediately. Later, they were extremely happy with the wonderful response from the audience to the second half. The support we have received from Rana and his team cannot be described in just a few words. Rana also shared a post about our film. He will be watching the movie himself very soon.
 
The film features a lot of Hindi. Will subtitles be provided?
The language in the film is similar to the way people speak in Hyderabad. There is mainly a local accent, with Urdu words naturally mixed into Telugu. While watching the film, audiences will not feel that the language is a barrier. The emotions in every scene will be easily understood. I am confident that the film will connect with audiences across sections.
 
What kind of response has ‘Ameer Log’ received so far?

I have shown the film ‘Ameer Log’ to many people so far. Recently, I screened it for several directors and actors as well. Among them, V. N. Aditya garu appreciated ‘Ameer Log’ and praised its writing as outstanding. I can never forget his appreciation. He compared the film to Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Jhund’ and Ranveer Singh’s ‘Gully Boy’.
 
Tell us about the music:

I asked Smaran to give us a Dawath song. But after watching the film, Smaran suggested where songs would work best. That’s how he gave us 10 wonderful songs. Lyricists Manoj and Nikhilesh have delivered beautiful lyrics. The song sung by Keeravani garu will remain memorable for decades.
 
What can you tell us about the censor report?

The censor board asked us to mute dialogues at only four or five places. Every character in the film has an important role, and the story is presented from the perspectives of the different characters. I gave the artistes a lot of freedom, which allowed them to improvise some dialogues on the sets. Ultimately, ‘Ameer Log’ is a complete family entertainer.

Ameer Log Will Connect With Everyone Through Its Emotions, Irrespective of Language or Dialect: Heroes MC Hari, Manoj and Sashidhar
 
Produced by Madhavi Reddy Soma under the banner of Awwal Number Productions, Ameer Log is directed by Ramana Reddy Soma. Manohar Reddy Manchuri is the co-producer. MC Hari, Manoj and Sasidhar play the lead roles, while Vedha Jalandhar, Ravan Nittooru, Vishwender Reddy and Saiyogi appear in key roles. Rana Daggubati’s Spirit Media is set to release the film grandly in Telugu on August 21. As part of the promotions, the lead actors MC Hari, Manoj and Sashidhar shared several interesting details about the film.
 
Ameer Log feels extremely natural. It doesn’t feel like you are watching a film; instead, it feels as though you have stepped into a Hyderabad basti and are experiencing life there. We shot the film at our director Ramana Reddy’s mother-in-law’s house, which is located in the same locality. The people there treated all of us with great warmth and care.
 
The entire film was shot using sync sound. So, even the slightest disturbance would bring the shoot to a halt. If an aircraft flew overhead or even if we heard the sound of an air conditioner, we would stop shooting. Only the scenes filmed on the roads were dubbed later, and that accounts for barely five percent of the film.
 
We grew up in bastis, so portraying the Telangana dialect and the lifestyle of the bastis came naturally to us. Our characters also felt very close to people we have seen in real life. Ramana anna has made the film in a very natural and simple manner.
 
Biryani is the central point of Ameer Log. Our characters revolve around the biryani, but what exactly that means will be revealed only when you watch the film. In the first half, you will feel the aroma of biryani. In the second half, you will get to taste it. By the climax, you will feel completely satisfied, as though you have had a hearty meal.
 
We even started a cloud kitchen during the shoot. We ate the food prepared there. Whenever we didn’t have scenes, we would go to the kitchen and help out. In the process, we also got used to cooking.
 
Although the three of us are seen prominently on screen, the women characters are actually very important to the story. The roles of mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sisters-in-law and neighbours all play a key part in the film. It is designed to appeal to audiences across different sections and is something the entire family can watch and relate to. In many ways, the film has a strong female-centric core.
 
The reason our director Ramana anna is so relaxed and confident is because he has seen the final output. He was able to execute the film exactly as he envisioned it. After watching the film, all of us became extremely confident. We know we have a good product in our hands, and that is what we are trying to communicate through the promotions.
 
Rana Daggubati’s team has watched our film. Rana garu advised us to focus on Hyderabad first and then take the film to audiences across all areas. He will also watch the film himself very soon.
 
Smaran’s music has taken the emotions in our film to another level. His songs are the soul of Ameer Log. His music and background score have elevated the film to the next level.
 
Unlike regular Telugu films, Ameer Log features a considerable amount of Hindi. In Telangana and Hyderabad, Hindi and Urdu words naturally become part of everyday speech without us even realising it. We have used the language in a way that is easily understandable to ordinary audiences rather than making it overly complex. Ameer Log will serve as a true representation of the language and dialect of this region. Irrespective of language or dialect, the emotions in the film will connect with everyone.

 
Memory Makers, headed by producer Harikrishna Somisetty is set to bring a distinctive suspense thriller, The Red Bag, to audiences. Written and directed by Ravi Kumar Seerapu, the film features an ensemble cast comprising Kabir Singh, Prasad Behara, Raadhya, Monika, Sneha Singh, Akanksha, Eshan Shankar, Avinash Badal, Bhargavi, and Raasi.
 
The film has already created interest with its intriguing promotional content, especially its teaser, which received a positive response. Now, the makers have announced an important update on its theatrical release.
 
The Red Bag will hit the screens worldwide on August 21st. PVR INOX Pictures has joined hands for the film’s release.
 
The release date poster further raises curiosity, presenting the movie as a stylish and suspenseful thriller where nothing may be what it seems. Featuring three-armed women, a mysterious red bag, an urban backdrop and hints of high-stakes action, the poster adds to the mystery surrounding the film. The makers are keeping the story under wraps, promising an intriguing theatrical experience that keeps audiences guessing until the big screen reveals.
 
Priyesh Guruswamy is the cinematographer, while Shekhar Mopuri is composing the music. Shiva Sharvani is handling the editing.
 
With the release date now locked, the makers are expected to step up the promotional campaign and offer more glimpses into the world of The Red Bag in the coming days.
 
Cast : Kabir Singh, Prasad Behara, Raadhya, Monika, Sneha Singh, Akanksha, Eshan Shankar, Avinash Badal, Bhargavi, Raasi, and others
 
Technical Crew:

Producer: Hari Krishna Somisetty
Director: Ravi Kumar Seerapu
Music: Shekhar Mopuri
Cinematography: Priyesh Guruswamy
Editing: Shiva Sharvani
Writer: Vikram Raja
Line Producer: Nithin Kumar R
Production Controller: Priya
PRO: Sai Satish

~ Unveiled through a rendition of Tamizh Thai Vaazhthu, the channel celebrates emotionally resonant Tamil stories with premium ambition across screens, families and geographies ~

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) today unveiled Sony VIZHA, the name and identity of its new Tamil general entertainment channel, set to launch in October 2026. Sony VIZHA marks SPNI’s entry into Tamil entertainment with a clear creative proposition: premium content deeply rooted in Tamil culture, emotion, language and lived realities, while being produced with the ambition, craft and scale to resonate well beyond its immediate market. The channel will bring together original fiction, global reality formats, movies and tentpole entertainment across television and digital, designed to feel intimate to Tamil households and expansive in its overall ambition.

Channel announcement Link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcC5fThpIqn

The name and logo were revealed on Independence Day through a rendition of Tamizh Thai Vaazhthu performed by children. The invocation holds a special place in Tamil Nadu and is sung at the beginning of important occasions across the state. Its imagery of Tamil pride spreading like fragrance in every direction became the inspiration for SONY VIZHA’s promise: stories that begin in the soil of Tamil Nadu, carry the warmth, memories, aspirations and cultural confidence of its people, and are imagined with the production value and emotional depth to travel to audiences everywhere.

Vizha means celebration or festival in Tamil. The name reflects the spirit of the channel: a celebration of Tamil stories, talent, music, family, aspiration and popular entertainment that connects with viewers at an emotional level. The logo uses yellow and electric blue. Yellow draws from colours associated with celebration in Tamil Nadu, including turmeric and marigold, while electric blue gives the identity a fresh, contemporary and premium character, signalling a brand that is culturally anchored, emotionally relevant and globally fluent.

Comments:
Rajaraman Sundaram, Chief Content Officer – South Regional, Sony Pictures Networks India: “With Sony VIZHA, we are taking a heartfelt step into Tamil entertainment. This is a market with a rich creative legacy, a deeply expressive language and audiences who have always embraced stories with emotion, honesty and cultural pride. We come into this space with humility, respect and a sincere desire to add something meaningful. Our hope is to build premium stories that feel close to home while reflecting the confidence and curiosity of a new generation of Tamil viewers – sharper, faster, funnier, and unafraid to look beyond the four walls of the home. At the same time, we want to bring these stories to life with the scale, craft and ambition that can help them travel further. Tamizh Thai Vaazhthu beautifully speaks of Tamil’s pride spreading in every direction. That sentiment inspires Sony VIZHA – a celebration of Tamil culture, deeply rooted in emotion and imagined for a wider world. We reveal the name and logo today with gratitude and look forward to bringing the channel to audiences in October.”

SPNI is home to some of India’s best-known entertainment franchises, including Kaun Banega Crorepati, Indian Idol, CID and Crime Patrol. Sony VIZHA will draw on that legacy of building enduring popular brands, while creating a distinct Tamil voice of its own: local in soul, emotionally relevant in storytelling, premium in execution and wide in its appeal.

The programming slate and further details about the launch will be announced shortly.