March was full of controversies and was an eventful month. Check out the M9 News top 10.
#1. Nani
Also Read – Prabhas Goes Strangely Silent?
Undoubtedly, when it comes to March, the most talked-about Tollywood celebrity is none other than Nani, for multiple reasons. His Paradise first look created a buzz, and the teaser’s dialogue sparked discussions—whether for the right or wrong reasons. This was followed by another project “Court” where Nani was involved as a producer, which was well-received from the paid premieres, earning critical acclaim and eventually achieving commercial success.
On both counts, Nani has been the talk of the town.
Also Read – HIT 3 Backlash: Makers Out of Touch with Reality?
#2. SSMB29
The most anticipated project in Indian cinema is SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu’s action-adventure film, which recently began shooting. However, surprisingly, Rajamouli—who is known for maintaining strict secrecy around his projects—has been unable to prevent leaks.
Also Read – Hit 3 Hindi: Surprise Boost Right Before Release?
Mahesh Babu’s look from the shoot, along with Prithviraj Sukumaran’s look in a wheelchair, surfaced directly from the sets and quickly spread across social media. While Mahesh Babu’s look was fairly normal and received a lukewarm response, the leak itself has become a major talking point.
#3. L2: Empuraan
Mohanlal’s L2: Empuraan, directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, hit theatres and received highly mixed reviews and word of mouth from the very first show. However, that wasn’t the reason the film made headlines.
It became the center of political controversies, leading Mohanlal to issue a regretful apology letter. In response, the team decided to trim the film and remove certain scenes that had hurt sentiments. Strangely, the film then had to undergo re-censorship, and a revised version is now in theatres.
Despite high expectations for it to be Malayalam cinema’s first successful pan-India film, L2: Empuraan fell short. However, the political controversies surrounding it have kept the film in the spotlight.
#4. Peddi
After the disaster of Game Changer, Ram Charan began shooting for his next film under Buchi Babu’s direction. The team recently revealed the title and first look, which have been well received overall.
However, on the flip side, there is a stark comparison between Allu Arjun’s Pushpa look and Ram Charan’s Peddi poster—something the team could have easily detected and avoided. Instead, they chose not to, sparking a lot of chatter on social media, with many pointing out the resemblance to Allu Arjun’s Pushpa’s look.
#5. Mad Square
Mad Square, the sequel to the hit film Mad, recently hit theatres. While critics delivered their verdict right after the first shows—mostly calling it a passable entertainer—the commercial verdict is now in after the first weekend, and the film has officially become a blockbuster.
As expected, the sequel capitalized on the success of its predecessor, leveraging a title that resonated with the youth. Moreover, the film benefited from the lack of competition during the festive weekend.
#6. ChiruAnil
After delivering a true-blue commercial blockbuster with Sankranthiki Vasthunam, Anil Ravipudi has teamed up with Megastar Chiranjeevi for his next film, which is set to release during next year’s Sankranti. The project was launched with a grand puja ceremony, attended by numerous celebrities and both senior and contemporary filmmakers.
Known for his unique promotional strategies, Anil Ravipudi kick-started the untitled #ChiruAnil on a fantastic note.
#7. Vishnu Manchu
Vishnu Manchu has pinned high hopes on Kannappa, aiming for a pan-India audience, with Prabhas in a special role. He has already kick-started promotions, and his style of delivering counters and sharp remarks in interviews has made his video clips widely shared across social media platforms.
#8 Ketika Sharma
Nitin’s latest film Robinhood made headlines pre-release due to Ketika Sharma’s hot dance movement, which many deemed vulgar. The dance was choreographed by Shekhar Master. While the song did grab some attention for the film, it ultimately failed to perform at the box office.
#9. Chay-Sobhita
Naga Chaitanya has restarted his personal life by marrying actress Sobhita Dhulipala, which has rejuvenated his life. The lovely couple appeared for an interview, and the energy and happiness that Chay displayed on his face caught everyone’s attention. The couple looked charming, and their pictures and video clips have been widely shared across social media.
#10. Rukshar Dhillon Controversy
Kiran Abbavaram after the success of his project KA, returned with the love story Dilruba, which flopped at the box office. However, during the promotions, the film’s heroine, Rukshar Dhillon, became a talking point due to a controversy involving photographers at the event. While the film itself didn’t make any impact, this controversy managed to grab some attention.
