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The Communiqué News

Director Raja Krishna Menon, known for films such as Airlift, Chef and Pippa, is venturing into Tamil cinema for the first time with an untitled psychological horror drama that has begun filming in London.

Swati Bhat

Raja Krishna Menon Enters Tamil Cinema With An All-Women Psychological Horror Drama Starring Trisha Krishnan, Radhika Sarathkumar and Aparna Balamurali

Produced by Panorama Studios in association with Locomotive Global, the upcoming film brings together three distinctive performers Trisha Krishnan, veteran actor Radhika Sarathkumar and National Award winner Aparna Balamurali. Principal photography is currently underway in London.

Raja Krishna Menon Enters Tamil Cinema With An All-Women Psychological Horror Drama Starring Trisha Krishnan, Radhika Sarathkumar and Aparna Balamurali

For Raja Krishna Menon, the project represents several firsts. It is not only his Tamil debut but also his first psychological horror film and his first feature built entirely around women.

“Someone once quite aptly called me ‘genre agnostic,’ and this film is another exploration in that journey,” Menon said, describing the project as a new creative challenge. He also highlighted the opportunity to work with Trisha, Radhika Sarathkumar, Aparna Balamurali and the wider cast and crew.

The filmmaker’s previous work has often explored high-stakes human drama, but this project takes him into a considerably darker cinematic space. Instead of relying solely on conventional jump scares, the film is positioned as an atmospheric psychological horror where character, emotion and tension are expected to drive the fear.

The project also marks Panorama Studios's first Tamil production as the company continues to expand its presence across South Indian cinema. It is being produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak, Sundar Aaron, Vikas Sharma and Amit Dalmia.

With Menon stepping into a new language and genre, and three accomplished actors at the centre of the narrative, the yet-to-be-titled film brings together an intriguing combination of psychological drama, horror and female-led storytelling.

For a director who has consistently moved between genres, his first Tamil film could prove to be another significant departure, this time into considerably darker territory.




R. Madhavan’s passion project GDN is proving that a compelling story can build momentum long after its opening weekend. The biographical drama on legendary Indian inventor G.D. Naidu has entered its fourth week in theatres, continuing to draw audiences through strong word of mouth.

Swati Bhat

R. Madhavan’s GDN Holds Strong in Week Four, Finding Audiences Across Generations

Released on August 7, the film has gradually expanded its audience beyond its initial family and mature-viewer base. According to the makers, theatres have increasingly seen school and college students joining families and older moviegoers, giving the film a cross-generational appeal that has become one of its most significant talking points.

For Madhavan, the success carries a personal significance. Alongside portraying G.D. Naidu, the actor has also taken on the role of co-producer, making the project closely connected to his own interest in bringing the inventor’s largely under-told story to a wider audience.

“We made this film to honour a man who fought every odd to bring so many things to Indians at an affordable cost, and to put that story in front of every generation,” Madhavan said.

Reflecting on the film’s fourth-week run, he added, “Seeing families sit through this film together, and now more and more students discovering his story as well, is exactly why we made this film.”

Producer Dr. Varghese Moolan believes the film’s continued theatrical run reflects the strength of its subject and Madhavan’s commitment to it.

“What has struck us most is how this film has clicked with everyone; grandparents, parents, and now their children. To still run housefull in the fourth week purely on word of mouth tells us this story has found its heart,” he said.

Directed by Krishnakumar Ramakumar and jointly produced by Varghese Moolan Pictures and Tricolour Films, GDN continues its theatrical journey across Tamil Nadu and international markets. The film is also headed for a Netflix release, potentially taking the story of G.D. Naidu and Madhavan’s portrayal to an even wider global audience.

More than its opening numbers, GDN’s four-week theatrical run points to something increasingly valuable in today’s cinema landscape: the ability of a story to find new audiences organically and remain relevant across generations.

R. Madhavan’s GDN Holds Strong in Week Four, Finding Audiences Across Generations




Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia’s The VVAAN has generated massive online buzz, with its teaser crossing 55 million views and trending at No. 1 on YouTube across languages.

Swati Bhat

The VVAAN Teaser Crosses 55 Million Views, Trends #1 on YouTube Across Languages

The teaser of The Vvaan - Force of the Forrest, the upcoming fantasy folklore spectacle starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, has struck a strong chord with audiences even before the film’s theatrical release. With more than 55 million views, the teaser is currently trending at the #1 spot on YouTube across languages, signalling considerable curiosity around the film’s unusual world.

Presented by Balaji Motion Pictures, the teaser introduces audiences to a mysterious universe shaped by ancient beliefs, supernatural forces and Indian folklore. A major highlight is the striking portrayal of the Van Devi, accompanied by the powerful musical backdrop of Aigiri Nandini. The teaser also offers a first-of-its-kind large-screen representation of Chhath Puja, bringing a deeply rooted cultural element into the film’s fantasy setting.

At the centre of the film is the fresh pairing of Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, who step into a world that combines folklore, adventure, mystery and humour. Rather than restricting itself to conventional fantasy, The VVAAN appears to be building an expansive universe designed for a theatrical experience.

The project brings together TVF’s Arunabh Kumar, filmmaker Deepak Mishra and producer Ektaa R Kapoor, with the team attempting to place Indian folklore at the heart of a mainstream commercial entertainer. The larger world of the franchise has already begun taking shape through The Legend of Vvaan comic book.

Written by Arunabh Kumar and directed by Deepak Mishra, the film features Manu Anand as Director of Photography and Visual Director. It is produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, Arunabh Kumar and Niraj Kothari.

Presented by Balaji Motion Pictures, a division of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, in association with TVF and 11.11 Production, The VVAAN is scheduled to release in cinemas on September 25, 2026.

With the teaser response already translating into substantial digital traction, attention now shifts to the film’s trailer and whether it can build further momentum around one of Bollywood’s more ambitious attempts at bringing Indian fantasy folklore to the big screen.





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