Latest news with #SreenathBhasi
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Drug ban in Malayalam movie industry: Kerala producers make new rule compulsory in film contracts, claims report
In a decisive move to curb drug use in the Malayalam film industry , the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA) has announced that all cast and crew members will soon be required to sign a mandatory 'no drugs' affidavit along with their remuneration contract, as per a OnManorama report. The implementation of this rule is scheduled for June 26, coinciding with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Affidavit to Cover Both Sets and Accommodations According to the report, the affidavit is intended to prevent drug consumption not only on shooting sets but also at accommodations arranged for filming purposes. Anyone signing the agreement will be held accountable if they violate its terms. In such cases, the individual will be expected to compensate the producer for any financial losses incurred due to their actions. The decision comes as part of a broader effort by the KFPA, headed by Anto Joseph, to address the growing concerns about drug abuse within the film industry. According to reports, the new rule will apply to everyone involved in the production process, from actors to technicians and other crew members. Consultation With Industry Bodies To ensure broader industry support, the producers' association has submitted a draft of the affidavit to the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) and the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). FEFKA has reportedly agreed to the proposal, while AMMA is currently reviewing the plan and is expected to announce its decision following a general body meeting. The producers have requested AMMA to share its response by June 24. Background of Rising Drug-Related Incidents The move follows a series of drug-related controversies that have rocked the Malayalam film industry in recent months. In April, actor Shine Tom Chacko was arrested for alleged drug use, with reports claiming he fled a hotel during a police attempt to detain him. Actress Vincy Aloshious also alleged that he misbehaved with her on set while under the influence. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists subsequently took disciplinary action against him. Other incidents include the arrests of directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza for drug possession, and claims by producer Haseeb Malabar that actor Sreenath Bhasi had asked for cannabis during a film shoot. In May, actress-producer Sandra Thomas alleged that some producers were even allocating funds to procure drugs for actors during production. This isn't the first time the Malayalam film industry has faced backlash over substance abuse. In 2023, FEFKA and KFPA imposed a temporary ban on actors Shane Nigam and Sreenath Bhasi due to drug-related misconduct on sets. The ban was lifted after they offered public apologies. The affidavit initiative marks the most formal and industry-wide attempt to address the issue so far. If successfully implemented, the requirement may set a precedent for other regional film industries to adopt similar preventive measures.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Azadi OTT Release Date: When and where to watch Sreenath Bhasi and Vani Viswanath's Malayalam thriller online
Azadi OTT Release Date: Sreenath Bhasi and Vani Viswanath's latest Malayalam outing is finally ready to make its digital debut. Released globally on May 23 this year, the film earned about Rs 7 lakh at the box office. With such a miserable fate in theatres, the thriller is set to live a second life on OTT. Azadi will be streaming on ManoramaMAX starting June 27, 2025. Azadi's cast and crew Other than the lead duo, Azadi also stars Lal, Vani Viswanath, Saiju Kurup, Vijayakumar, Maala Parvathi, Gilu Joseph, Abhiram Radhakrishnan, T. G. Ravi and Rajesh Sharma among others. Directed by debutant Jo George and written by Sagar, the film is produced by Faizal Raja under the banner of Little Crew Production. This Varun Unni musical is cinematographed by Saneesh Stanly and edited by Noufal Abdulla. Azadi's plot overview Set primarily within the confines of Kottayam Medical College, Azadi follows Ganga, a pregnant prisoner accused of murdering a political leader's son. As she is admitted to the hospital to deliver her baby, her husband Raghu devises a 24-hour escape plan involving a network of insiders. However, their past catches up with them as adversaries infiltrate the hospital, turning the escape mission into a dangerous fight for survival. Azadi's review A part of the Lensemen's review of the film read, 'Azadi is a movie that had the potential to be at least engaging if it had better writing. The way it conceals the whole plan is actually interesting on a conceptual level, but when the writing forces you to look at every twist with a frowning face, it becomes very difficult to enjoy a thriller like this. If your film viewing frequency is extremely low, Azadi might feel like a passable watch.' Do you think Azadi will find its audience on OTT? Drop your thoughts @indiatimes.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Theri Meri' trailer out: Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi headline an emotion-driven youth drama; watch
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) The official trailer of the upcoming Malayalam film 'Theri Meri', starring Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi , has been unveiled. The trailer was launched by veteran actress Urvashi during the announcement event of Texas Film Factory's fourth production venture. The film which promises a fresh, youthful narrative set against Kerala's scenic coastal backdrop, is written and directed by Arathi Gayathri Devi. A tale of youth, dreams, and emotions 'Theri Meri' follows the lives of two youngsters working in the tourism sector. The Shine Tom Chacko starrer is set in picturesque locations like Varkala and Kovalam. Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi bring their unique flair to the central characters, while Telugu influencer Sriranga Sudha and Malayalam actress Anna Rajan play the female leads. The supporting cast includes Irshad Ali, Sohan Seenulal, Babitha Babu, and a host of newcomers. Crafted by a skilled technical crew 'Theri Meri' features cinematography by Bipin Balakrishnan and editing by M.S. Ayyappan Nair. The soulful music is composed by Ranjin Raj. The trailer cut is handled by Jith Joshy. The film also includes creative inputs from Varun G Panicker, with additional script support by Arun Kari Muttam. Other key crew members include art director Saburam, costume designer Venkit Sunil, makeup artist Pradeep Gopalakrishnan, and colorist Ramesh Iyer. DI is done by Vist Obscura, while Shalu Peyad handles still photography. Poster design is by Artocarpus, and marketing is led by Vivek V Warrier. Theri Meri -Malayalam Movie| Official Trailer| Shine Tom Chacko,Sreenath Bhasi |Arathi Gayathri Devi 'Theri Meri' is jointly produced by Amjith S.K., Sineesh Ali Puthussery, Finos Elachola, and Sameer Chempayil under the Texas Film Factory banner. This marks their next major project following King Fish, directed by Anoop Menon. Featuring Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi in the lead, the expectations are quite high for 'Theri Meri'.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Azadi OTT Release: Where to watch Sreenath Bhasi and Vani Vishwanath's Malayalam film online after theatres
Azadi OTT Release: Sreenath Bhasi's upcoming Malayalam film may still be gearing up for its big-screen debut on May 23, but fans who prefer streaming from the comfort of home won't have to wait long. The makers have already locked in ManoramaMAX as the OTT platform for the film's digital release. That's right, unlike many Malayalam films that wait until after the theatrical run to sort out streaming deals, Azadi has managed to tie up its digital rights even before hitting cinemas. This is a rare move in the current Malayalam film industry, where movies usually wait to see how they perform at the box office before landing an OTT partner. Only a few other titles, like Officer on Duty and Thudarum, managed the same. If trends are anything to go by, Azadi is expected to drop on Manorama Max about four weeks after its theatrical release, so you can likely stream it by late June. What is Azadi all about? Azadi is not your everyday drama. This one's a jail thriller unfolding inside a hospital and blending themes of survival, justice, and revenge. The trailer hints at some intense drama where we see veteran actor Lal playing a father on a mission for justice, while Raveena, a renowned voice artist, plays a pregnant prisoner accused of killing a political leader's son in cold blood. Sreenath Bhasi leads the film with a dark, brooding performance, and actress Vani Viswanath plays a strong, no-nonsense cop, a role that harks back to her iconic performances in films like The King and Black Daliya. The supporting cast also includes Saiju Kurup, Vijayakumar, Mala Parvathi, Gilu Joseph, Abhiram Radhakrishnan, TG Ravi and Rajesh Sharma among others. Who's behind Azadi? Azadi is the directorial debut of Jo George, with its screenplay coming from writer Sagar, known for films like Veekam and Sathyam Mathrame Bodhippikku. The project is produced by Faizal Raja under the Little Crew Production banner, with Remis Raja and Resmi Faizal as co-producers. This Varun Unni musical is cinematographed by Saneesh Stanly and edited by Noufal Abdullah.
The Hindu
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Udumbanchola Vision,' starring Mathew Thomas and Sreenath Bhasi, due for release in June
The audio launch of Udumbanchola Vision, starring Mathew Thomas and Sreenath Bhasi, was held in Kochi earlier this week. Directed by debutant Salaam Bukhari, an erstwhile associate of producer-director Anwar Rasheed, the film is set to release in theatres in June. The makers unveiled the first single, titled 'Jodi No. 1,' at the event. With music scored by Gopi Sundar, the song has vocals by Dabzee and lyrics written by Vinayak Sasikumar. Udumbanchola Vision also features Dileesh Pothan, Ashokan, Babu Antony, Sudev Nair, Shaheen Siddique, Srindaa, Neena Kurup, Wafa Khadeeja, among others. The film has created curiosity among the audiences, especially thanks to its unique first look picture, which features a fox dressed in a blazer sitting in what looks like a corporate setting. Written by Alan Rodney, the film has cinematography by Vishnu Thandassery and editing by Vivek Harshan. Ashar Ameer, Riaz K Mohammed, and Bukhari produce the film. Here's the first look poster of Udumbanchola Vision:
