Tamil star Vijay Sethupathi is teaming up with director Balaji for their third collaboration, with the new film titled ‘Bata’. The makers have unveiled the first look, featuring Sethupathi in a stylish retro avatar with a thick gold chain, sunglasses, a red printed shirt and a cigarette.

The first-look poster has sparked curiosity as the makers continue to keep the film’s story and Sethupathi’s character under wraps. Filmmaker Atlee also shared the poster, calling the reunion a banger.

‘Bata’ marks the third collaboration between Vijay Sethupathi and Balaji after ‘Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom’ and ‘Seethakaathi’. The film is scheduled to release on October 1, 2026.

Vijay Sethupathi’s ‘ Baththa ’ First Look Revealed | New Tamil Film Releases October 2026

Telugu superstar Allu Arjun has announced a unique welfare initiative for his fans by launching an insurance coverage program for members of his fan association during the Alpha Annual Summit 2026.

The event brought together over 1,000 fan club members and leaders from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. During the summit, Allu Arjun spent nearly five hours interacting with fans, taking photographs, and personally meeting attendees. Every participant also received a special portrait, while lunch arrangements were made for all. The insurance initiative is being seen as a significant step in strengthening the bond between the actor and his fans by offering long-term support and security.

Allu Arjun Launches Insurance Scheme for Fans | Pushpa Star Announces Welfare Initiative at Alpha Summit 2026

Commenting on the phenomenon of the rising popularity of south films in Bollywood-ruled north India, Ranveer Singh says he does not see it as 'them versus us' debate. 
 
The actor said the creative field is a subjective medium and the concept of competition must not exist there. 
"I don't make it a versus thing in the realm of the arts. For me, there are spheres in life where versus is fundamental to competition. I am very keenly interested in such spheres as sports for example. I don't subscribe to this notion of versus or competing with one another. 
 
"I fiercely protect my integrity as an artist and art fall in the realm of subjectivity. There's no competition. I don't compete with my co-actors, be it with other films' artists. I can only appreciate other artists. I've never really looked upon it as 'them and us'. We are all a part of Indian cinema," Singh told PTI. 
 
What is fundamental to India is its diversity, something he is "most proud of", the actor said. 
 
"Even when I go across the seven seas and I meet all these prominent people and give them context to who I am, what I do, and where I am from, one of the first things that I never fail to mention is the most marvellous thing about my country is that just how diverse it is. In terms of demographics, geography, languages, cultures, cuisines... It's that aspect about my country that I feel is definitive of my country that I'm extremely proud of. So, we are all part of Indian cinema," he added. 
 
The actor said he recently watched pan-India films such as 'Pushpa'&nbsp;and 'RRR'&nbsp;and was regaled by the "spectacle value" of these movies. 
 
"I really enjoyed watching them. I laughed and clapped. More power to all of us who are part of Indian cinema." 
 
Singh said he is thrilled about the record-breaking success of these films since they are helping the exhibition sector, which was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, find its footing again. 
 
"I'm thrilled that these films are doing the kind of number that they are because as a champion of Indian cinema, I would like to see the theatrical experience and exhibition sector bounce back and that is happening. That is something to be very happy and proud about. I look upon them as my brothers and I'm very proud of the work they have done. They are making films that the audiences are loving and are flocking to see. I'm really happy about it," he added. 
 
The 36-year-old, who is set to star in the Hindi adaptation of the Tamil blockbuster "Anniyan" with Shankar, said as an artist and a film professional, one has to doff their hat to the filmmaking craft in such movies. 
 
"The technical craft is so superior, the storytelling is top-notch. If you're a true artiste and a sincere professional and if you have a degree of objectivity you can see that these are great films. When anyone does good, I'll be the first one to stand up and applaud them for that." 
 
Singh is looking forward to the release of Divyang Thakkar-directed "Jayeshbhai Jordaar", which opens in theatres on Friday. 
 
A Yash Raj Films production, the film also stars 'Arjun Reddy' fame actor Shalini Pandey, Boman Irani and Ratna Pathak Shah.&nbsp;

Commenting on the phenomenon of the rising popularity of south films in Bollywood-ruled north India, Ranveer Singh says he does not see it as 'them versus us' debate.

Commenting on the phenomenon of the rising popularity of south films in Bollywood-ruled north India, Ranveer Singh says he does not see it as 'them versus us' debate. The actor said the creative field is a subjective medium and the concept of competition must not exist there. "I don't make it a versus thing in the realm of the arts. For me, there are spheres in life where versus is fundamental to competition. I am very keenly interested in such spheres as sports for example. I don't subscribe to this notion of versus or competing with one another. "I fiercely protect my integrity as an artist and art fall in the realm of subjectivity. There's no competition. I don't compete with my co-actors, be it with other films' artists. I can only appreciate other artists. I've never really looked upon it as 'them and us'. We are all a part of Indian cinema," Singh told PTI. What is fundamental to India is its diversity, something he is "most proud of", the actor said. "Even when I go across the seven seas and I meet all these prominent people and give them context to who I am, what I do, and where I am from, one of the first things that I never fail to mention is the most marvellous thing about my country is that just how diverse it is. In terms of demographics, geography, languages, cultures, cuisines... It's that aspect about my country that I feel is definitive of my country that I'm extremely proud of. So, we are all part of Indian cinema," he added. The actor said he recently watched pan-India films such as 'Pushpa' and 'RRR' and was regaled by the "spectacle value" of these movies. "I really enjoyed watching them. I laughed and clapped. More power to all of us who are part of Indian cinema." Singh said he is thrilled about the record-breaking success of these films since they are helping the exhibition sector, which was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, find its footing again. "I'm thrilled that these films are doing the kind of number that they are because as a champion of Indian cinema, I would like to see the theatrical experience and exhibition sector bounce back and that is happening. That is something to be very happy and proud about. I look upon them as my brothers and I'm very proud of the work they have done. They are making films that the audiences are loving and are flocking to see. I'm really happy about it," he added. The 36-year-old, who is set to star in the Hindi adaptation of the Tamil blockbuster "Anniyan" with Shankar, said as an artist and a film professional, one has to doff their hat to the filmmaking craft in such movies. "The technical craft is so superior, the storytelling is top-notch. If you're a true artiste and a sincere professional and if you have a degree of objectivity you can see that these are great films. When anyone does good, I'll be the first one to stand up and applaud them for that." Singh is looking forward to the release of Divyang Thakkar-directed "Jayeshbhai Jordaar", which opens in theatres on Friday. A Yash Raj Films production, the film also stars 'Arjun Reddy' fame actor Shalini Pandey, Boman Irani and Ratna Pathak Shah.

Ranveer Singh on north-south cinema comparisons: There's no competition

Popular Malayalam actor and mimicry artist Abi passed away in the early hours of Thursday. The actor was 52.&nbsp; 
 
Best known for films like Mazhavil Koodaram, Kireedamillatha Rajakkanmar, Mimics Action 500, Aniyathipraavu and Rasikan, Abi breathed his last at a Kochi hospital on November 30. 
 
Abi shot to fame as a mimicry artist during his stint with mimicry troupe Kalabhavan.The actor dubbed for Amitabh Bachchan for various Malayalam ads. 
 
Originally called Habeeb Ahamed, Abi is survived by wife Sunila and children Ahana, Aleena and Shane Nigam. 
 
Malayalam actor Dulquer Salman paid his condolences on the actor&#39;s untimely demise and wrote a heartfelt note for the late actor on his Facebook page.&nbsp;

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The actor breathed his last on Thursday morning at a hospital in Kochi

Popular Malayalam actor and mimicry artist Abi passed away in the early hours of Thursday. The actor was 52. Best known for films like Mazhavil Koodaram, Kireedamillatha Rajakkanmar, Mimics Action 500, Aniyathipraavu and Rasikan, Abi breathed his last at a Kochi hospital on November 30. Abi shot to fame as a mimicry artist during his stint with mimicry troupe Kalabhavan.The actor dubbed for Amitabh Bachchan for various Malayalam ads. Originally called Habeeb Ahamed, Abi is survived by wife Sunila and children Ahana, Aleena and Shane Nigam. Malayalam actor Dulquer Salman paid his condolences on the actor's untimely demise and wrote a heartfelt note for the late actor on his Facebook page. ×

Popular Malayalam actor Abi dies at 52

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