SouthScope: Of Regina, men and Maggi, and the continuing re-release mania

“The contestants are some of the most brilliant dancers I’ve ever seen and I hope they make the most of this opportunity to inch close to their ultimate dream!! Thank you @zeetelugu for inviting us to the show. My best wishes to all the participants!”

The superstar of Tollywood rarely appears on any television show and has always been elusive to the media. He limits his media interaction to pre-release interviews.

But as he has reportedly signed has signed a deal with Zee to appear on their reality shows, promote their brand, etc. This endorsement — worth ₹9 crore, according to several cinema news websites — has become the talk of the town.

First appearance on TV with Sitara! Thank you @ZeeTVTelugu for this absolutely incredible memory… My best wishes to all the participants of #DIDTelugu!! Coming this Sunday, Sep 4th at 9pm on Zee Telugu!#SSMBxSitaraForDIDTeluguhttps://t.co/COjpZ6Wng6

— Mahesh Babu (@urstrulyMahesh) September 3, 2022

Allu Arjun’s ICON gets shelved

Pushpa star Allu Arjun announced a film titled ICON with director Venu Sriram, almost four years ago. Except for the announcement, there has never been any update on the film. Meanwhile, Allu Arjun approved the scripts of a couple of directors.

He became a pan-India star with Sukumar’s Pushpa: The Rise and is currently shooting for the sequel. He even signed a movie with Boyapati Srinu, and a film with Koratala Siva is in the pipeline.

With too many projects in his kitty, the Sarrainodu actor is believed to be not interested in the Venu Sriram project. Another factor, we learn, is that the script has not been finalised yet. Venu Sriram’s last film Vakeel Saab with Pawan Kalyan neither impressed the Power Star’s fans nor the audiences.

Against this backdrop, Allu Arjun is reportedly a little sceptical about collaborating with Sriram and, hence, has shelved ICON.

Regina’s ‘Men & Maggi’ remark kicks up a row

Regina Cassandra. (ReginaCassandra/Twitter)

During the promotions of her upcoming film Saakini Daakini, actor Regina Cassandra made certain statements that triggered a heated conversation on Twitter. The interview went viral within hours when netizens started trolling the actor.

When the interviewer asked Regina about food and her cooking skills, she said that she knows how to make Maggi. She cracked a joke: “I know a joke about boys, but I should not crack it here. Abbayilu, Maggi …rendoo two minutes lo aipotharu (men and Maggi noodles last for only two minutes).”

Nivetha Thomas, who accompanied her at the promotional event, tried to control her laughter at this nasty joke.

Re-release fever hasn’t come down yet

After Mahesh Babu’s Pokiri was re-released in the theatres on his birthday, 9 August, Chiranjeevi’s fans demanded the re-release of Gharana Mogudu.

Meanwhile, Pawan Kalyan’s admirers felt that it would be a sheer insult to the actor and an utter disappointment if his film isn’t re-released on his birthday (2 September). And so, they demanded the re-release of Jalsa in the theatres.

The collections of these two films crossed ₹3 crore in two days in the Telugu states.

And now, it’s the turn of pan-India actor Prabhas. Now that the Baahubali actor will turn a year older on 23 October, his fans are demanding the makers of Varsham and Billa to release the 4k versions in the theatres.

South First has gathered that the producers are willing to re-release the films and are completing the formalities at a brisk pace.

Meanwhile, it is well known that the fans of Mahesh Babu, Chiranjeevi and Pawan Kalyan damaged the theatres, out of excitement, during the screening of the re-releases. However, none of the stars have deigned to condemn their acts or compensate the losses incurred by the owners of the respective cinema halls.

However, theatre owners hope that the admirers of Prabhas won’t follow the suit and tarnish his image. Let’s wait and watch!