Tamil actor Manoj Bharathiraja, son of acclaimed filmmaker Bharathiraja, died of a cardiac arrest on Tuesday in Chennai. He was 48. The news of his demise was confirmed by the Nadigar Sangam (actors’ association), which expressed condolences on social media.

Manoj, who made his debut in Tamil cinema with Taj Mahal, a film directed by his father, went on to act in films like Eera Nilam and Varushamellam Vasantham. In recent years, he had taken on supporting roles, appearing in various Tamil films. His final acting role was in Snakes & Ladders, streamed on Prime Video.

In 2023, Manoj ventured into direction with Margazhi Thingal, a romantic drama featuring his father, Bharathiraja. The film marked a turning point in his career, showcasing his evolving creative vision.

Prominent personalities from across Tamil Nadu expressed their grief over his untimely death. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, music maestro Ilaiyaraaja, actor-politician Khushbu Sundar, director Venkat Prabhu, and political leaders including AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, Tamil Maanila Congress President G K Vasan, and Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai offered their condolences.

Khushbu Sundar shared an emotional tribute on social media, stating, “Extremely shocked to hear that Manoj is not among us anymore… May God give strength to his father Thiru Bharathiraja and his family to overcome this unbearable, painful loss.”

Manoj is survived by his wife, actor Nandana, and their two daughters, Arshitha and Mathivadhani. His death marks a significant loss to the Tamil film industry, where he was admired for his artistic contributions and family legacy.

Playback singer Sonu Nigam recently delighted his fans at DTU’s Engifest ’25. However, reports emerged claiming that he had to pause his concert midway due to stones being hurled at him from the crowd. In light of these allegations, Sonu has dismissed such claims and provided clarification about the actual reason for the interruption.

On March 25, Sonu posted on Instagram, sharing a snapshot of himself performing while sporting a bunny headband. In his post, he stated, “Contrary to what some media outlets reported, no stones or bottles were thrown at me at DTU. There was just one vape thrown on stage that hit Subhankar’s chest, and that was when I became aware of it.”

The singer explained that he chose to pause the show after learning about the incident, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone. He stated, “I stopped the show to remind the audience that it would have to be abruptly canceled if anything like that happened again. The only thing hurled on stage afterward was the Pookie band, which was actually quite Pookie…”

Fans reacted positively to his clarification, with one commenting, “Thank you for clarifying in the caption! It’s sad to see people throwing things onto the stage. Hope Subhankar Ji is also okay…” Another fan humorously noted, “Thanks for the clarification, Mr. Pookie Nigam!” There were also messages of support, as one user expressed gratitude, stating, “Thank you for this… I was worried.”

Despite claims that a section of the large audience, which numbered over one lakh students, was throwing objects, Sonu took the time to address the crowd directly. He pleaded, “Main aapke liye aaya hun yahan pe so that we can all have a good time (I have come here for you guys). I’m not asking you to not enjoy, but please aisa na kariye (don’t do this).”

Reflecting on his concert experience, Sonu shared a series of photos featuring him in a stylish black-and-white striped outfit. He humorously noted, “Learnt a new word at DTU – Pookie!” This playful exchange endeared him to the audience, especially after he wore a bunny headband thrown by a fan and continued performing, which led the crowd to cheer affectionately, calling him Pookie.

Warner Bros. has made a significant update regarding its much-anticipated sequel to The Batman. The studio has dropped the title The Batman 2, instead listing it as an “Untitled Batman film” in its official records. The change accompanies a shift in genre classification, hinting at a new creative direction for director Matt Reeves’ next instalment in the franchise.

Originally labelled as an action-adventure film, the upcoming sequel now falls under the action/adventure/sci-fi/fantasy category. This suggests the new film may incorporate more fantastical elements alongside the grounded noir tone that defined the 2022 original.

Despite its critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination, The Batman’s sequel has experienced multiple delays. Most recently, the release was pushed to October 1, 2027, creating a five-year gap between the two films. The delay has frustrated fans and reportedly even star Robert Pattinson, who is confirmed to return as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Pattinson has expressed impatience with the slow development but maintains a sense of humor about the situation.

Director Matt Reeves is still finalizing the screenplay in collaboration with Peter Craig, who co-wrote the first film. Production is expected to begin later in 2025. Alongside Pattinson, Colin Farrell is also confirmed to reprise his role as Penguin, following the popularity of his Max spin-off series The Pengun.

While not officially confirmed by Warner Bros., Zoe Kravitz (Catwoman), Andy Serkis (Alfred), Jeffrey Wright (James Gordon), and Barry Keoghan (Joker) are all expected to return for the sequel, continuing their story arcs from the original.

The Batman 2—or whatever its final title may be—is part of a planned trilogy by Reeves. Additional content in the same universe, including The Penguin Season 2 and other spinoffs, may also expand the franchise’s scope in the coming years.