The song “Dammunte Pattukora” from the much-anticipated film Pushpa 2 has recently been removed from social media platforms, sparking significant discussion and controversy online.

Released by T-Series on December 24, 2024, this track was composed by the acclaimed Devi Sri Prasad and features vocals from the film’s lead actor, Allu Arjun. Written by the director Sukumar, “Dammunte Pattukora” quickly became a centerpiece of widespread debate due to its provocative lyrics and the context of an ongoing legal issue involving Allu Arjun.

The song depicts a dramatic confrontation between the protagonist Pushpa, portrayed by Allu Arjun, and his rival, police officer Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, played by Fahadh Faasil.

The lyrics, particularly lines such as “Dammunte pattukora Shekhawat” (If you have the guts, catch me, Shekhawat!) and “Pattukonte vodilestha syndicate” (If you catch me, I’ll leave the syndicate), emphasize Pushpa’s fearless attitude towards authority, embodying the rebellious essence of his character.

In this number, Pushpa asserts that even if apprehended, he would prefer returning to the forest as a laborer, further highlighting his resolve and pride. While these assertive lines resonate positively with fans who admire Pushpa’s unwavering spirit, they have also ignited substantial controversy.

The bold and defiant nature of the song has contributed significantly to its removal, particularly considering the timing of its release—just weeks after a tragic stampede occurred during the film’s premiere on December 4. This incident resulted in multiple injuries, and Allu Arjun is currently facing scrutiny in connection with it, complicating public perceptions of the song.

Critics argue that the song’s challenging lyrics may come off as insensitive or inflammatory, given the ongoing investigation into the stampede. The rebellious tone could be interpreted as inciting disorder, potentially exacerbating the situation. Conversely, some believe that the backlash against the song is exaggerated and that it merely represents an artistic expression consistent with Pushpa’s character.

The discussions surrounding “Dammunte Pattukora” have led to a heated debate on social media, polarizing opinions among users. Fans of Allu Arjun and the Pushpa franchise have praised the song’s audacious lyrics and its representation of the protagonist’s unyielding spirit. However, others contend that releasing it amid the backlash from the stampede incident was imprudent and could harm the film’s reputation and that of its creators.

Despite the song’s deletion, Pushpa 2 has achieved notable success at the box office, having premiered on December 5 across multiple languages, including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.

Bollywood actor Kartik Aaryan and director-producer Karan Johar are set to collaborate on a highly anticipated project. The film, titled Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri, signifies Kartik’s return to the romantic comedy genre. It will be directed by Sameer Vidwans, known for his work on Satya Prem Ki Katha, and produced by Dharma Productions. The film is scheduled for a global theatrical release in 2026.

In 2021, various reports indicated a rift between Kartik Aaryan and Karan Johar, resulting in the actor’s departure from Dostana 2. After a three-year hiatus, the duo has reunited for a new project, a romantic comedy titled Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri.

In a joint Instagram announcement, Dharma Productions, Kartik Aaryan, and Namah Pictures shared a teaser for Tu Meri Main Tera, Main Tera Tu Meri. The 34-second clip features a voiceover by Kartik humorously reflecting on his three unsuccessful relationships and expressing his determination to make his fourth one successful.

Details regarding the release date and the lead actress remain undisclosed. Following the success of Satyaprem Ki Katha, Kartik is reuniting with Namah Pictures once more, with Dharma Productions enhancing the scale of this collaboration.

This film has garnered attention for re-establishing the partnership between Kartik Aaryan and Karan Johar after their reported fallout in 2022. The rift emerged when Dharma Productions announced a recasting for Dostana 2, which was initially planned to feature Kartik alongside Janhvi Kapoor; although both parties refrained from commenting on any disputes, speculation was rife.

In August of last year, Karan Johar disclosed that he was developing a new project with Kartik. When asked about their collaboration, he mentioned, “We gave one attempt, and for various reasons, it didn’t fructify. However, we have been in conversations to do something, and hopefully, this one will materialise. It’s something we are very excited about.”

He praised Kartik’s contributions, stating, “Kartik has given us films that resonate with the entire country and brought people back to the theatres.” Kartik Aaryan was recently featured in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which achieved significant box office success, and was directed by Anees Bazmee, featuring Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, and Triptii Dimri in key roles.

December 25, Christmas Day, presented a varied landscape for Bollywood, as Varun Dhawan’s highly anticipated film, Baby John, debuted to relatively modest earnings. Tracking website Sacnilk reported that the film generated approximately Rs 12.5 crore on its opening day in India.

Despite being released during the holiday season, Baby John could not surpass the impressive performance of Allu Arjun’s Pushpa 2: The Rule, which garnered Rs 19.75 crore on its 21st day in theaters. The ongoing success of Pushpa 2, along with the favorable reception of Mufasa, significantly overshadowed Baby John’s box office performance.

In this action-oriented film, Varun Dhawan was initially projected to collect Rs 13 crore on its first day, but ultimately fell short of expectations, partly due to mixed critical reviews.

On its release day, Baby John, which features Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Jackie Shroff, achieved a Hindi occupancy rate of 24.97%, with evening shows reaching a higher occupancy of 30.89%.

Despite facing negative critiques, Baby John achieved Varun Dhawan’s highest opening in five years at the box office. For context, Bhediya opened with Rs 7.48 crore, while Jugjugg Jeeyo netted Rs 9.28 crore on its premiere day.

The competitive landscape sharpened with Christmas releases such as Pushpa 2, Mufasa, and the Kannada action thriller Max, featuring Kichcha Sudeep. Remarkably, Max emerged as a sleeper hit, recording a historic Rs 10 crore opening for a Kannada film in 2024. Bolstered by strong word-of-mouth, it is expected to enjoy a thriving extended weekend.

Notably, Baby John signifies Varun Dhawan’s return to the big screen after his digital project Citadel: Honey Bunny, aired in October. As the competition heats up, the forthcoming days will be pivotal for Baby John to establish its box office credentials.

Directed by Kalees and co-produced by Atlee and Priya Atlee, Baby John is the Hindi remake of the Tamil blockbuster Theri, which starred Vijay in the leading role.