On Wednesday, the title and a captivating teaser were unveiled for Ravi Mohan’s RM 34, a film poised to mark a significant departure for the actor. Now titled Karathey Babu, and directed by Ganesh K Babu (known for Dada), the movie promises a compelling political narrative, a first for Mohan’s filmography.

The teaser itself is a cleverly crafted scene mimicking the atmosphere of the Tamil Nadu parliamentary assembly. A dramatic exchange unfolds between veteran actors KS Ravikumar and Nasser, focusing on the significance of a politician’s name – a subtle nod to Ravi Mohan’s own transition from his well-known screen name, Jayam Ravi, to Shanmugha Babu.

Ravikumar, in the scene, questions the Chief Minister and his party’s insistence on knowing a minister’s former name. Nasser’s response emphasizes the weight a name can carry, highlighting its crucial relevance. Ravi Mohan, portraying the MLA of RK Nagar, then steps in to clarify his own past identity as Karathey Babu, effectively mirroring the thematic core of the film.

Adding intrigue to the cast is the presence of Daudee Jiwal, daughter of Tamil Nadu’s current Director General of Police (DGP), Shankar Jiwal, making her mark as the female lead. This impressive ensemble cast also boasts a large supporting cast, including Shakthi Vasudevan, Vtv Ganesh, Subramaniam Siva, Kavithalayaa Krishnan, Pradeep Antony, Raja Rani Pandian, Sandeep Raj, Knife Naren, Sindhupriya, Ajith Gosh, Aravindh, Kalki Raja, Sri Dhanya, Anandhi, Ilan, Sam Anderson, Vetrivel, and Nandhini Senthamizh, promising a rich tapestry of characters that will undoubtedly contribute to the film’s political intrigue.

Behind the scenes, the production boasts a strong technical team. Sam CS provides the musical score, Ezhil Arasu K handles the cinematography, and Kathiresh Alagesan edits the film. The screenplay is a collaborative effort by Rathna Kumar, Bakkiyam Sankar, and director Ganesh K Babu. Screen Scene Studios produces Karathey Babu, marking their third collaboration with Jayam Ravi, following the successful releases of Agilan (2023) and Brother.

While plot details remain shrouded in secrecy, the teaser leaves little doubt that Karathey Babu will be a politically charged drama. With production underway, anticipation builds for the official release date announcement. The film’s unique premise, coupled with its impressive cast and crew, positions Karathey Babu as a promising addition to the Tamil film landscape.

The highly anticipated collaboration between Sivakarthikeyan, Atharvaa, Ravi Mohan, and director Sudha Kongara has finally received a title: Parasakthi. This announcement, made on Wednesday, January 29th, comes with the release of a captivating teaser from Dawn Pictures, the production banner behind the film. The teaser immediately establishes a period setting, plunging viewers into a world of student activism and political intrigue.

Sivakarthikeyan takes centre stage as a compelling and enigmatic student leader, rallying the students of Pachaiyappa’s College to form a powerful, unified force. His charisma and determination are palpable, hinting at the revolutionary spirit that drives the narrative. Atharvaa plays a fellow student, his character intertwined with Sreeleela’s, who appears to be his romantic interest. Their relationship adds a layer of personal stakes to the unfolding political drama.

In stark contrast to the student revolutionaries, Ravi Mohan portrays a menacing antagonist, his presence a constant threat to Sivakarthikeyan’s ambitious plans. The dynamic between these characters promises intense conflict and high stakes.

The choice of title, Parasakthi, carries significant weight. It evokes memories of the legendary 1952 film of the same name, directed by Krishnan–Panju and written by M. Karunanidhi, starring the iconic Sivaji Ganesan. Parasakthi remains a cinematic landmark in Tamil cinema, particularly celebrated for its powerful courtroom scene. This new Parasakthi aims to build on that legacy, inheriting the mantle of a powerful narrative with a focus on social and political themes.

The teaser successfully hints at the film’s scope and ambition. With Sudha Kongara’s sharp direction and a screenplay co-written with Arjun Nadesan, Parasakthi promises a gripping tale of student politics and social change. The technical crew further enhances anticipation, featuring the exceptional talents of Ravi K Chandran (cinematography), Sathish Surya (editing), and GV Prakash Kumar (music).

This marks a significant milestone for Prakash Kumar, as it is his 100th film as a composer. Aakash Baaskaran, under his Dawn Pictures banner, completes this impressive team, producing a film with high expectations.

Coldplay’s recent India tour culminated in a memorable performance in Ahmedabad, punctuated by a playful exchange between frontman Chris Martin and the enthusiastic Indian audience. The final concert of the series saw Martin engage in some lighthearted banter, significantly altering the band’s perceived geographic origins.

After thanking his bandmates for their 29 years of musical camaraderie and shared laughter, Martin declared, to the delight of the crowd, that Coldplay was now officially an “Indian band.”

This bold statement was followed by a humorous geographical reassignment of the band members. Martin, with a twinkle in his eye, announced his own origins as being from the southern Indian state of Telangana. This immediately resonated with the audience, given the strong regional pride associated with the state.

He continued the charade by assigning bassist Guy Berryman to Tamil Nadu and drummer Will Champion to Gujarat, specifically Ahmedabad, emphasizing Champion’s “100 per cent Gujarati” status. The playful declaration of Martin’s Telangana roots was particularly striking, adding an extra layer of humour and an unexpected connection to the performance.

This lighthearted moment didn’t go unnoticed. Actor Vijay Deverakonda, a prominent figure in the Telugu film industry, shared a snippet of the video on his Instagram stories. His response was as engaging as Martin’s joke.

Deverakonda expressed his appreciation for Martin’s humorous appropriation of Telangana identity, playfully suggesting a mashup of the Coldplay concert footage with “Podusthunna Poddumeeda,” a celebrated song from the 2011 Telugu film Jai Bolo Telangana. This song, composed by the late Chakri and featuring lyrics and vocals by Gummadi Vittal Rao, holds significant cultural importance as an anthem of the Telangana movement.

The suggestion highlighted the cultural depth and resonance of Martin’s seemingly spontaneous comment, transforming a simple joke into a celebration of both musical artistry and regional identity.

The interaction between the global music icon and the popular Indian actor underscored the impact of Coldplay’s India tour and the lasting impression left by Martin’s unexpected declaration. The event serves as a testament to the power of music to bridge cultural gaps and foster a sense of shared joy and connection.