Michael biopic of King of Pop Michael Jackson to release on April 24th 2026
As a Producer, The Girlfriend gave me immense satisfaction: Ace Producer Allu Aravind at Pre Release Press Meet
The movie stars National Crush Rashmika Mandanna and talented actor Dheekshith Shetty in the lead roles. It is being jointly produced by Geetha Arts and Dheeraj Mogilineni Entertainment, presented by Allu Aravind. The film is written and directed by Rahul Ravindran and produced by Dheeraj Mogilineni and Vidya Koppineedi. The Girlfriend is an intense and emotional love story that will release on November 7 in Telugu and Hindi, and on November 14 in Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada across the world. The team held a grand pre-release press meet in Hyderabad today.
Editor Chota K Prasad said, “Geetha Arts has its own editing room, and I always wondered when I would get a chance to work there. I feel fortunate that The Girlfriend gave me that opportunity. Allu Aravind garu has seen every kind of success, and I’m sure this film will be a memorable one in his career.”
Music Director Prashanth Vihari said, “Working on The Girlfriend was a big experience for me. The movie is a visual feast. After watching it, audiences will remain emotionally moved for a while.”
Music Director Hesham Abdul Wahab said, “This is the first Telugu movie I agreed to do. After Hridayam, Rahul was the first director from Hyderabad to approach me. He has made this movie a visual experience. I want to thank Prashanth Vihari for the background score. All the songs are very enjoyable. Please watch our film in theatres and support us.”
Producer Dheeraj Mogilineni said, “Director Rahul lives and breathes cinema. Even though he went through personal challenges, he never stopped working. We’re both friends and sometimes rivals, but he’s truly passionate. He plans to buy his own house, and I promise I’ll make that happen after the release of The Girlfriend. We approached several heroes for various stories before this one, but nothing materialized. Two years ago, we narrated this story to Rashmika, and she immediately said yes. Later, we got Dheekshith’s dates, but shooting didn’t happen on schedule. Still, he adjusted multiple times. After this movie, he’ll get many offers in Telugu cinema because his performance is amazing. Hesham was first approached by us before he did Kushi and Hi Nanna. Both Hesham and Prashanth worked without ego and helped us complete the film on time. Vidya akka was crucial + without her, this film wouldn’t have happened. Just like Geetha Arts and Vyjayanthi Movies have worked together, I hope to make at least ten more films with Vidya akka. She’s not in anyone’s shadow; she’s going to be a major producer. With Allu Aravind garu’s presence, I feel like God himself is with me. No matter the problem, his support gives me confidence. I even want to put his photo in our office for inspiration.”
Producer Vidya Koppineedi said, “Whenever I need advice, I turn to Allu Aravind mama. After hearing the story, he encouraged us to make it, saying it was very relevant to today’s audience. This is not just our film – it’s a movie everyone should watch in theatres and show to their children. As a mother, sister, and daughter, I can say this film carries deep emotional values. Some feelings in life can’t be described in words, and The Girlfriend gives answers to many unspoken questions. It’s not just a women-centric film; both men and women must see it at least once. After watching Dheekshith and Rashmika as Vikram and Bhuma, audiences will remember them by those characters for a long time. Anu Emmanuel’s character makes you wish you had a friend like her; people will remember her as Durga.”
Director Rahul Ravindran said, “The Girlfriend has been a beautiful journey in my career. If Allu Aravind garu hadn’t approved it, this project wouldn’t exist. I feel proud to be a part of the long and respected legacy of Geetha Arts. Vidya and Dheeraj have been fantastic producers. Vidya has great vision, and Dheeraj and I, even when we argued, always ended with a hug. The entire team – DOP, editor, music directors worked with great passion. I was unsure if Anu Emmanuel would accept the Durga role, but she did and performed brilliantly. Dheekshith and Rashmika’s performances are unforgettable. When Aravind garu saw the first schedule’s footage, he praised Dheekshith and immediately gave him an advance cheque for his next movie. There are few actors in his age group with such range. Rashmika is the soul of this film – she not only acted but lived the character. Her performance will be remembered as one of the best by a Telugu actress this decade and will surely earn her awards.”
Hero Dheekshith Shetty said, “I thank director Rahul for trusting me with Vikram’s role. During the shoot, Allu Aravind garu gave me an advance for another project. That wasn’t just money – it was confidence and hope. Coming from TV and theatre, I doubted whether I could establish myself in cinema, but his words gave me belief. Vidya ma’am supported me a lot. I used to wait eagerly for shooting calls. Rashmika was a wonderful co-star; she never made me feel like I was working with a star. If I performed well, the credit goes to her. Like Rahul said, if even one Vikram in the audience changes after watching our film, our effort will be worth it. Please watch The Girlfriend in theatres and support us.”
Producer Allu Aravind said, “I’ve produced many films and earned crores through cinema, and I say that with no hesitation. But what I wanted to earn from The Girlfriend was not money – it was satisfaction. This movie gives me immense creative fulfillment. When I first heard the story, I felt that some unspoken truths about life needed to be told through cinema. Only a sensitive and committed filmmaker like Rahul could handle such a subject. He narrated it with great emotion and made it just as beautifully. This isn’t a film to watch for its songs, jokes, or entertainment – it’s one to feel deeply. You have to watch it thinking about the emotions and unspoken desires in the hearts of women around us – our sisters, mothers, and daughters.
If not titled The Girlfriend, the film could have been called “Nee Jeevithamantha Nene.” It’s a delicate love story between a boy and a girl that ends with powerful intensity. After watching it, many people may find it hard to sleep that night – it will haunt them. Every family will relate to this story in some way, either personally or through someone they know. Even critics will find it difficult to rate this film.
Rashmika has truly lived the role. Dheekshith’s performance shows he’ll have a bright future in Telugu cinema. After watching him, I gave him an advance for my next film immediately. Every scene he did was perfect. Vidya and Dheeraj are close to me – Dheeraj’s father introduced him to me, and I didn’t expect he’d be producing with Geetha Arts so soon. Vidya is like my daughter – she grew up with us and now she’s part of Geetha Arts. Dheeraj, Vidya, Vasu, SKN – all those I’ve encouraged are keeping Geetha Arts thriving with their work. I hope the media treats this film with responsibility and helps promote it strongly.”
Cast: Rashmika Mandanna, Dheekshith Shetty, Rao Ramesh, Rahul Ravindran, and others
Technical Crew:
Cinematography – Krishnan Vasant
Music – Hesham Abdul Wahab
Costumes – Sravya Varma
Production Design – S. Ramakrishna, Mounika Nigothri
PRO – GSK Media, Vamsi Kaka
Marketing – First Show
Presented by – Allu Aravind
Banners – Geetha Arts & Dheeraj Mogilineni Entertainment
Producers – Dheeraj Mogilineni, Vidya Koppineedi
Writer & Director – Rahul Ravindran
Pranav Mohanlal’s ‘Dies Irae’ is releasing in Telugu through Sri Sravanthi Movies, with paid premieres on the night of November 7.
Pranav Mohanlal, son of Superstar Mohanlal, stars as the protagonist in ‘Dies Irae’, a mystery horror thriller. The film is directed by Rahul Sadasivan, known for ‘Bhoothakaalam’ and ‘Bhramayugam’, and produced by Chakravarthy Ramachandra and S. Sashikanth under Night Shift Studios in association with YNOT Studios. Esteemed production house Sri Sravanthi Movies is releasing the Telugu-dubbed version in Telugu states.
‘Dies Irae’ was released in Malayalam on October 31. The Telugu version is set for paid premieres on November 7 (Friday), followed by a wide release across both Telugu states on November 8 (Saturday). Today, the Telugu trailer for ‘Dies Irae’ was released.
The trailer shows a luxurious mansion. Inside, a person sits holding a woman’s hair clip. Then, a strange voice is heard, saying, “When the sky and earth turn to ashes, the world will be filled with fear.” The trailer ends on this note, without revealing the story, but highlighting the abundance of horror and thriller elements.
‘Dies Irae’ received a super hit response in Malayalam, earning praise from critics along with box office success. Sri Sravanthi Movies has previously achieved massive success in Telugu by releasing non-Telugu films like Kamal Haasan’s ‘Pushpaka Vimana’, ‘Nayakudu’, and Dhanush’s ‘Raghuvaran B.Tech’, receiving critical and audience acclaim. ‘Dies Irae’ too is expected to join those ranks.
The film stars Sushmita Bhatt, Jibin Gopinath, Jaya Kurup, Manohari Joy, and Arun Ajikumar in key roles, with Pranav Mohanlal as the hero. Written and directed by Rahul Sadasivan, ‘Dies Irae’ has music composed by Christo Xavier.
‘Pithapuramlo’ Directed by Maheshchandra
Maheshchandra made his directorial mark with his first film “Preyasi Raave.” Following that, he gained good recognition with films like “Ayodhya Ramayya,” “Cheppalani Vundi,” “Joruga Husharuga,” “Okkade,” “Hanumanthu,” “Aalasya Amrutam,” and “Red Alert.”
The latest film by Mahesh chandra is “Pithapuramlo,” subtitled “Ala Modalindi”. The film stars notable actors such as ‘Natakireeti’ Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Prudhviraj, Kedar Shankar, Mani Chandana, Jayavahini, Annapurnamma, among others.
Produced under the Mahesh Chandra Productions banner by Dundigalla Balakrishna, Akula Suresh Patel, and FM Murali (Godari Kittayya), this film has completed its shooting phase and is now undergoing post-production activities.
Director Mahesh chandra said, “This is a love story mixed with family emotions. The film presents three couples’ love stories and portrays the shortcomings in the upbringing by three fathers.
Audiences can connect with the story in some way. Everyone knows how much Pithapuram has transformed recently. The entire film is set against the backdrop of Pithapuram.
We shot for 28 days in surrounding areas of Pithapuram, 15 days in Hyderabad, and 6 days in Goa. There are three songs in the film, which have turned out very well. One song was shot in Goa, another in a set in Hyderabad, and the third at Aditya College in Surampalem.
Inspired by ‘Movie Mogul’ D. Ramanaidu garu, who gave me life as a director, I believed in the story and made this film without any wastage. We will announce the release date soon.”
The main cast includes Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Prudhviraj, Kedar Shankar, Manichandana, Jayavahini, Annapurnamma, Dasari Padma, Sunny Akhil, Virat, Sai Praneeth, Srilu, Pratyusha, Rehana, Jr. Pawan Kalyan, J.D.V Prasad, K.A. Paul Ramu, and Jabardasth Seshu.
The story is by Akula Suresh Patel, story development and dialogues by Sriram Edoti, editor B. Satyanarayana, music by G.C. Krish, executive producer Anji Sandral, producers Dundigalla Balakrishna, Akula Suresh Patel, FM Murali (Godari Kittayya), and screenplay and direction by Mahesh Chandra.
The Silent Killer: How Insufficient Signages Imperil Indian Roads
India boasts one of the world’s largest road networks, a testament to its infrastructural ambition. Yet, this vast web of connectivity is tragically overshadowed by the country’s alarming road accident statistics, which witness an estimated 1.5 lakh fatalities annually.
While factors like rash driving and poor vehicle maintenance play a role, a more insidious and systemic issue is the insufficient, poorly maintained, and non-standardised road signage that silently contributes to this crisis.
The road sign is the language of the street—it is the driver’s early warning system, navigator, and instructor. When this language is broken or absent, the result is confusion, chaos, and catastrophe.
A Breakdown in Communication: The Core Problem
The issue of insufficient signage goes beyond just the total number of boards. It encompasses a spectrum of problems that compromise road safety:
* Absence of Critical Warning Signs: Many roads, particularly state highways and district roads, lack essential warning signs indicating sharp curves, steep descents, narrow bridges, or, alarmingly, abruptly appearing speed breakers or dividers. This leaves drivers with no time to react, a primary cause of high-impact crashes.
* Poor Visibility and Maintenance: Signs are often faded, covered by overgrown foliage, damaged, or completely knocked down. Crucially, many lack the mandatory retro-reflectivity required for night-time visibility, rendering them useless when light is most needed.
* Non-Compliance with IRC Standards: The Indian Roads Congress (IRC) provides detailed codes for sign design, placement, and dimensions. However, local bodies and contractors often flout these guidelines, leading to signs that are too small, placed at the wrong height, or cluttered with excessive information, making quick comprehension impossible.
* Missing Informatory and Directional Signs: On major junctions, flyovers, and city roads, the absence of clear directional signage forces drivers to slow down abruptly or make dangerous maneuvers, such as driving on the wrong side of the road, to correct a missed turn. This not only causes traffic snarls but directly leads to accidents.
The Deadly Impact on Road Safety
The direct correlation between poor signage and accidents is undeniable.
Insufficient road signs turn a momentary distraction into a fatal error, shifting the blame from systemic failure to ‘human error’.
* Increased Accident Risk: A study cited that accidents are frequently caused by a lack of proper warning signs, particularly before unscientific road features like unpainted rumble strips or haphazardly placed dividers. When technicalities of road design are ignored, poor infrastructure, including missing signs, becomes the hidden culprit.
* Driver Confusion and Stress: Missing or misleading signs generate significant stress and confusion, especially for drivers unfamiliar with the route. This cognitive load can lead to delayed responses and poor decision-making, increasing the likelihood of a crash.
* Neglect of Vulnerable Users: Pedestrian safety is severely compromised by missing or faded zebra crossings and inadequate signage near schools or markets. Clear signs are vital for warning drivers and guiding pedestrians, cyclists, and two-wheeler riders—groups that make up a disproportionately high number of road accident victims.
Paving the Way for a Safer Future
Addressing this problem requires a concerted, multi-pronged approach that moves beyond ad-hoc installations to a standardised, safety-first philosophy:
* Mandatory Road Safety Audit: Implement a stringent, independent road safety audit for all new and existing roads, with a specific focus on IRC-compliant signage and markings. Defective road designs and faulty detailed project reports (DPRs) must be held accountable.
* Embrace High-Quality, Reflective Materials: Prioritize the use of retro-reflective and thermoplastic materials that ensure maximum visibility both day and night, even in adverse weather conditions like fog or heavy rain.
* Digital and Data-Led Placement: Utilise crash heatmaps and accident data to identify high-risk zones and strategically place warning and regulatory signs well in advance. New technologies, such as Variable Message Signs (VMS), should be deployed on major corridors.
* Regular Maintenance and Upkeep: Establish a strict schedule for the inspection, cleaning, and replacement of road signs. Vandalism and theft should be deterred through better materials and swift replacement protocols.
* Clearer Communication: Signs must be simple, easily comprehensible, and strategically positioned to give drivers adequate reaction time, as required by the principles of traffic engineering.
The Indian government has set an ambitious target to reduce road accidents by 50% by 2030.
Achieving this goal requires fixing the basics. Investing in clear, compliant, and visible road signage is not an optional expense—it is a non-negotiable prerequisite for saving lives and transforming India’s roads from death traps into arteries of safe commerce and travel.
Gummadi Narsaiah Motion Poster Becomes the Talk of the Town — Shyamala Devi Praises Director Parameshwar Hivrale
Bringing a real-life story to the big screen is never an easy task, especially when it’s about a political leader known for his integrity, simplicity, and lifelong commitment to the people. Portraying such a leader’s journey on screen is truly a bold endeavor, and that challenge has been taken up by young director Parameshwar Hivrale. Standing firmly behind him is producer N Suresh Reddy, under the banner of Pravallika Arts Creations. In the titular role of Gummadi Narsaiah, Karunada Chakravarthy Dr. Shiva Rajkumar will be seen in a powerful new avatar.
A few days ago, the motion poster of “Gummadi Narsaiah” was released, and it quickly became the talk of the town. Everyone was curious to see how Shiva Rajkumar would appear in this iconic role, and whether he could truly embody the spirit of the leader. But the actor exceeded all expectations. It’s evident that Shiva Rajkumar has breathed life into the role of Gummadi Narsaiah, perfectly adapting his look and demeanor to fit the character.
Even with a short motion poster, director Parameshwar showcased his talent and creative vision. After watching it, Shyamala Devi was all praise for the filmmaker, showering him with compliments.
Speaking about the motion poster, Shyamala Devi said: “The motion poster is excellent. You can already sense how impactful the film is going to be just by watching the motion poster. It looks like a film destined for multiple awards. Shiva Rajkumar truly breathes life into the role of Gummadi Narsaiah. I wish the entire team all the best.”
Producer N Suresh Reddy is reportedly sparing no expense in bringing this ambitious biographical drama to life. The technical crew includes cinematographer Satish Muthyala, music director Suresh Bobbili, and editor Satya Giduturi. The filmmakers will soon reveal details about the rest of the cast and crew.
Cast: Dr. Shiva Rajkumar and others
Technical Crew:
Banner – Pravallika Arts Creations
Producer – N Suresh Reddy (NSR)
Director – Parameshwar Hivrale
DOP – Satish Muthyala
Editor – Satya Giduturi
Music Director – Suresh Bobbili
PRO – Sai Satish