Maitreyi Ramakrishnan gives Tamil handloom a mini dress twist
‘Traditional textile, but make it contemporary’ – actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan just embraced this in-vogue trend with a Tamil weave.
Tamil cinema, popularly known as Kollywood, is one of India’s most influential and commercially powerful film industries, with a legacy that spans over a century. Rooted in Tamil Nadu and extending its reach globally, Tamil cinema is known for its scale, star-driven culture, technical ambition, and its ability to reflect social, political, and cultural realities.
From pioneers like K Balachander, Balu Mahendra, and Bharathiraja to contemporary filmmakers such as Mani Ratnam, Shankar, Vetrimaaran, Pa. Ranjith, Lokesh Kanagaraj, and Sudha Kongara, Tamil cinema has continually evolved in form and content. The industry’s star system, led by icons like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijay, Ajith Kumar, and Suriya, coexists with strong writer-driven and experimental cinema. In recent years, Tamil films have expanded their footprint across India and internationally through theatrical releases, OTT platforms, and global film festivals. Movies such as Vikram, Jailer, Ponniyin Selvan, Asuran, Kaithi, and Jai Bhim highlight the industry’s range, spanning mass entertainers, political dramas, literary adaptations, and socially conscious storytelling.
‘Traditional textile, but make it contemporary’ – actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan just embraced this in-vogue trend with a Tamil weave.
Meesaya Murukku 2 movie review: Directed by Hiphop Tamizha Adhi and starring himself, Karunas and Baba Baskar, the gaana-driven musical explores the class divide in the music world and the struggle for gaana to find mainstream recognition. Spanning the musical dreams of three generations, the film has an interesting premise but remains disappointingly hollow.
25-year-old Jason Sanjay said he is aware that his debut film Sigma will be viewed through his father CM Vijay's legacy. He said the film's response will shape his identity as a director.
Actor Kamal Haasan met the Mandaadi team and praised their work after the Soori-starrer crossed Rs 100 crore worldwide. Soori, director Mathimaran Pugazhendhi and Suhas shared their memorable experiences of meeting the veteran actor.
The new trailer of Fahadh Faasil's Don't Trouble The Trouble follows street magician Suri as he joins a young girl with real powers to find her missing parents. Actor Balakrishna's voice-over and the shift from staged tricks to actual magic set the film's central hook.
Music maestro Ilaiyaraaja was honoured at the Australian Parliament with a ceremonial stamp marking his 50 years in cinema. Calling it truly touching, he thanked those who shaped his music and supported it across generations.
Actor-director Dhanush attended the 72nd National Film Awards with his sons, Yatra and Linga, after winning two honours. Their appearance together and his tribute to fans became the standout note of the evening.
Director Rajkumar Periasamy received the National Film Award for Best Direction for Amaran from President Droupadi Murmu in Ekta Nagar. The honour highlighted his direction of the biographical drama, which juxtaposes Major Mukund Varadarajan's personal life and military career.
Raghava Lawrence has been unveiled as Karna in Ramesh Varma's upcoming film Mahaveer Karna. The first look marks his entry into mythology with a Rs 150 crore five-language epic.
Tamil actor Radha has filed a police complaint against her sister Ambika and brother Mallikarjuna over old signed cheques. The complaint ties the alleged cheque misuse to a wider family property dispute now under police scrutiny.
Actor Prakash Raj urged people to give Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's government a year before judging its performance and defended his meeting with actor-racer Ajith Kumar in England. His remarks shifted attention from the optics of the UK trip to whether it delivered the promised investments and governance outcomes.
Filmmaker Atlee said Vijay urged him to accept Jawan when Shah Rukh Khan approached him for the film. He said the advice changed his career and reflected Vijay's lasting support.
Actor Nani has distanced The Paradise from the pan-India tag as his releases reignite the debate over the label. Box-office trends and industry voices suggest audience interest now depends more on content and word of mouth than multilingual positioning or scale. Does this mean the pan-India trend is over now?
Superstar Rajinikanth’s upcoming action sequel Jailer 2 has kicked off its character introduction rollout by unveiling Suraj Venjaramoodu in a sleek new look.
Pa Ranjith has unveiled the first teaser of Vettuvam, outlining a world shaped by sport, land and destruction. The glimpse points to a struggle for power and survival across timelines, with Mallakhamba at its centre.
At a Chennai press meet for The Paradise, actor Nani questioned why only South films are labelled pan-India. He said Hindi hits such as Jawan and Pathaan remain Hindi films, exposing what he sees as a double standard.
At a Chennai press meet for The Paradise, Actor Nani praised Chief Minister Vijay's political rise and Assembly presence. He said Vijay's bond with Tamil Nadu voters rests on trust built over the years.
A Hollywood agency has begun developing an English-language remake of Maharaja after the film's strong run in China. The project remains at an early stage, but the thriller's mystery and father-daughter core have driven the interest.
Filmmaker Pa Ranjith’s Pan-India film Vettuvam has unveiled its first poster, hinting at a story rooted in the traditional Indian sport of Mallakhamba. The striking poster has sparked curiosity about how the centuries-old discipline will feature in the film.
Thalapathy Vijay will not promote Jason Sanjay’s Sigma, which will mark the latter's debut as a director. Jason said Vijay is excited to watch Sigma but has many responsibilities as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.
Fans of actor Ajith Kumar organised a meeting across various districts in Tamil Nadu to launch a political party, projecting the actor as the chief minister candidate for 2031. Supporters displayed banners, performed rituals, and announced a car as the proposed party symbol alongside releasing a flag. The group also articulated political stances, including opposition to the NEET examination. However, representatives and sources close to the actor clarified that Ajith Kumar has no connection to the initiative and has previously maintained a clear stance against joining politics or endorsing any political outfits. The actor's team maintained complete unawareness of the unauthorized gathering and the use of the actor's image or racing car visuals for political activities.
A debate has emerged over actor Vijay Sethupathi's remarks as the host of Tamil Bigg Boss, with comments on leadership and accountability being interpreted by many as subtle political commentary. Broadcaster Vijay TV issued a statement clarifying that the comments had no connection to politics and were purely fictional. Vijay Sethupathi has not commented on the matter.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has criticised Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay over his comments in the legislative assembly, alleging that cinema dialogues will not resolve issues faced by the public. The opposition questioned the government regarding the law and order situation, drug abuse, and rising crimes, including over 400 reported sexual assault cases and child murders. The criticism followed Chief Minister Vijay asking opposition members not to stage walkouts when he responds to queries in the House. Opposition Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin had earlier raised allegations concerning governance and public safety. BJP leader Nainar Nagendran stated that the Chief Minister should address critical matters concerning crime rather than resorting to cinematic rhetoric, while the assembly prepares for further debate on the state's law and order situation.
In an exclusive conversation with India Today's Rajdeep Sardesai, BJP leader, actor, and former National Commission for Women (NCW) member Khushbu Sundar expressed outrage over political remarks directed at actor Trisha, describing them as crude and repulsive.
Visuals of veteran filmmaker K Bhagyaraj’s mortal remains being taken have surfaced, with actor Radikaa seen requesting the media to respect the family’s privacy. Bhagyaraj died at 73 after a heart attack.
The Tamil Nadu government has rejected the three-language formula proposed under the National Education Policy, reaffirming its commitment to a two-language system.
The Tamil Nadu government faces political turbulence as Chief Minister Vijay appoints a personal astrologer as an Officer on Special Duty, drawing criticism over administrative credentials. Ahead of a crucial assembly floor test, thirty rebel AIADMK MLAs led by S.P. Velumani and C.V. Shanmugham have pledged support to the TVK-led government, officially severing ties with the BJP. During the session, Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin reiterated his controversial stance on Sanatana Dharma. Administratively, the state announced the closure of seven hundred liquor shops near schools and temples, alongside new bans on political hoardings and the creation of women's safety task forces. In Kerala, a leadership struggle for the Chief Minister post has emerged between K.C. Venugopal and V.D. Satheesan following the UDF election victory. Meanwhile, in Telangana, a POCSO case was filed against Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar's son, Bandi Sai Bhagirath. The broadcast also confirmed the return of actor Mohanlal for the third installment of the Drishyam film franchise.
The Axis My India exit poll projected a massive victory for Tamil superstar Vijay's newly formed political party TVK in the just concluded Tamil Nadu assembly elections.
In this special show on assembly elections, we break down for you the big players of Tamil Nadu, what's at stake, and what makes this election so interesting.
In an interview with India Today, film director and critic K Hariharan discusses actor Vijay's entry into politics and upcoming Tamil Nadu elections. Hariharan states that Vijay cannot immediately replicate the political success of former Chief Minister MGR.
The 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections signal a potential shift from traditional bipolar politics toward a multi-cornered contest. The entry of actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam targets young voters, threatening established vote banks and the anti-incumbency landscape.
Tamil Nadu's politics is deeply rooted in Dravidianism, shaped by iconic leaders who defined generations. The political landscape began with Periyar's social justice movement in the 1930s, followed by CN Annadurai who formed the DMK in 1949 and brought Tamil identity into governance after the 1967 victory.
TVK chief and actor Vijay's wife Sangeetha has filed for divorce citing allegations of adultery and mental cruelty
This broadcast covers significant national developments, including the showdown over Kerala Story 2, Union Cabinet's approval to rename Kerala to 'Keralam' to reflect its linguistic roots and much more.
TVK chief Vijay held a high-voltage rally in Vellore, launching a sharp attack on Chief Minister MK Stalin and the ruling DMK.
Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran has issued a formal apology following widespread backlash over his controversial remarks concerning actor Trisha Krishnan and actor-turned-politician Vijay.
In this news report, the AIADMK has launched a scathing counter-attack against actor-turned-politician Vijay, the chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), following his recent political rally. The party dismissed Vijay's 'slave to the Centre' jibe, alleging that the actor himself used to 'stand with folded hands in front of Jai Lalita' to lobby for his films. The AIADMK further held Vijay responsible for the deaths of 41 people during a previous rally stampede and mocked his decision to contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu polls without alliances. While Vijay labeled the DMK an 'evil force' and the AIADMK a 'slave force' surrendered to the BJP, the AIADMK retorted by calling his statements 'mere theatrics' and describing his party as a 'political start-up' taking baby steps. The report highlights the intensifying war of words as Vijay positions his party as a solo challenger to the established political giants in the state.
On this special report, the focus is on the announcement of the Padma Awards 2026, which honour icons and grassroots change-makers across India. Former UGC Chairperson Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, who has been conferred with the Padma Shri, shared his vision for the future of Indian academia. He stated, 'These reforms will be carried out at scale so that, you know, our country's higher education will reach the next level and help our students become, you know, global leaders in science and technology.' The bulletin highlights other major recipients, including late actor Dharmendra and late former Kerala CM V S Achuthanand for the Padma Vibhushan. The list also features sports icons Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur, alongside industrialist Uday Kotak. Kumar noted that the awards now increasingly recognise 'unsung heroes' working selflessly in remote areas, providing great motivation for those serving society. The 2026 awards see a significant representation from Southern states, particularly Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The Election Commission has allowed the 'whistle' as the official election symbol for actor-turned-politician Vijay's party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly polls.
On this India Today special report, reporter Anuja provides updates on the legal battle surrounding the film 'Jananayagam', which is reportedly based on actor Vijay and his political party, TVK. The Madras High Court division bench, comprising Justice Arul and Justice Srivastava, is scheduled to hear a writ appeal filed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) at 11:30 AM. This appeal challenges a previous single-judge order passed by Justice P.T. Asha that favoured KVN Productions. Anuja notes that 'There is a 90% chance that the final verdict will be given today about Jananayagam's film release'. The production house, represented by counsel Vijay and Subramanian, argues that the film's release was delayed due to 'political tactics', putting an investment of approximately 500 crore rupees at stake. The court will decide whether to issue a censor certificate or refer the film to a revising committee, which could further delay the release by 20 days.