It has been a long time since legendary filmmaker Mani Ratnam scored a super hit. ‘Sakhi’ which came in 2000 was the last big success. Though ‘Ok Bangaram’ was declared a hit, it wasn’t entirely satisfactory. Films like ‘Yuva’ and ‘Villain’ got critical acclaim but they were commercial failures. It is unnecessary to about disasters like ‘Kadali’ and ‘Cheliyaa’. But things took a positive turn for Mani Ratnam after ‘Ponniyin Selvan – 1’. The movie has nearly reached 400 crores of gross collections and the Tamil audience are terming it as a classic.
Though it did not perform well in any other language including Telugu, Mani Ratnam’s taking, visuals and colorful presentation paired with stellar performances made this film a decent success. Talk from Chennai circles claim that the result of ‘PS – 1’ has made Mani Ratnam to team up with Rajnikanth. This duo made ‘Thalapathy’ together back in 1991 and it was a huge success. This movie which was based on the friendship of Duryodhana and Karna from Mahabharat has gained a cult classic status. It is considered as Mani Ratnam’s best work and Ilayaraja’s music is heard even today.
It has been 31 years since it released and sources claim that the superstar-Mani Ratnam combo may happen once the director finishes working on ‘PS – 2’ which will be arriving next year. Unlike ‘PS – 1 & 2’, Rajni’s film will not be set in a period backdrop and reports are that it showcases the journey of a man who sees many ups and down in life. It reportedly runs on the lines of ‘Nayagan’. Currently, Rajni is working on Nelson’s ‘Jailer’ and we need to wait till the news becomes official.
Recent Random Post:
Ananya Panday for Vijay’s Rowdy Janardhan?
Vijay Deverakonda’s upcoming action entertainer Rowdy Janardhan has once again become the talk of the industry, with fresh reports suggesting that Bollywood actress Ananya Panday is being considered for a special dance number in the film. Directed by Ravi Kiran Kola and produced by Dil Raju, the film is regarded as a crucial project in Vijay’s career, making every update surrounding it a topic of discussion.
According to industry buzz, the makers are planning a high-energy special song, and Ananya Panday has reportedly emerged as the leading choice to feature alongside Vijay Deverakonda. If the collaboration materialises, it will mark the duo’s reunion after Liger, which failed to impress both critics and audiences at the box office. Their pairing in the film also received mixed reactions, with many viewers feeling that their on-screen chemistry fell short of expectations.
Despite the mixed response to their previous outing, Telugu filmmakers continue to rope in Bollywood actresses for special songs to strengthen a film’s pan-India appeal. Industry experts believe that featuring a popular Bollywood face helps generate visibility in the Hindi market, which has become increasingly important as production budgets continue to rise. However, they also point out that repeating an on-screen pairing comes with its own challenges, and the success of such collaborations ultimately depends on how well they connect with audiences.
Special dance numbers have become a proven promotional strategy in Telugu cinema in recent years. Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s chartbuster “Oo Antava” from Pushpa: The Rise created a nationwide sensation, while Sreeleela’s special appearance in Pushpa 2: The Rule also generated significant buzz. Shruti Haasan recently featured in a special song for Peddi, while Bollywood actresses Nargis Fakhri and Nora Fatehi have also appeared in Telugu films through glamorous dance numbers, helping boost their reach across markets.
Although there has been no official confirmation from the makers, reports of Ananya Panday joining Rowdy Janardhan have already sparked curiosity among fans. If the rumours turn out to be true, all eyes will be on whether Vijay Deverakonda and Ananya can create better on-screen magic this time around.
