Entertainment

Veera Dheera Sooran review: Vikram anchors a gritty thriller with restrained brilliance

Veera Dheera Sooran is a tense, one-night action thriller where Vikram impresses as a man forced to revisit his violent past to protect his family.

Published

2 years ago

March 28, 2025

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Vikram in Veera Dheera Sooran movie still

Veera Dheera Sooran, directed by SU Arun Kumar, emerges as a compelling blend of realistic storytelling and mainstream masala action. Fronted by a powerful performance from Vikram, the film unfolds over a single tense night, marked by urgent pursuits, simmering conflicts, and a past that refuses to stay buried.

Set against the vivid backdrop of Madurai, the film draws structural comparisons to earlier one-night thrillers, yet stands apart in execution. It introduces its central characters without conventional build-up, weaving their arcs through smart visual storytelling. Suraj Venjaramoodu’s Kannan, SJ Suryah’s Arunagiri, and Prakash Raj’s Periyavar play crucial roles in the game of survival that gradually pulls Vikram’s Kaali back into a world of violence.

Kaali, a family man with a dark past, is brought back into the fold when threats to his loved ones reawaken the violent persona he had long suppressed. His arc mirrors that of a reluctant anti-hero, drawing comparisons to global icons like John Wick. However, the attempt to balance his intense action sequences with his role as a devoted husband and father results in a tonal dissonance that weakens the stakes.

One of the standout elements of Veera Dheera Sooran is the restrained yet expressive performance from Vikram, who imbues Kaali with a mix of pain, purpose, and precision. His chemistry with Dushara Vijayan’s Kalaivaani adds emotional depth, especially during flashback scenes that explore their relationship. Kalaivaani, though assertive in her own right, still exists within a framework controlled by Kaali’s choices.

Technically, the film shines with Theni Eswar’s cinematography, which uses shadows and light to intensify the nocturnal tone. The background score by GV Prakash Kumar enhances several scenes, although the music lacks consistency and some sequences overstay their welcome.

The film’s pacing falters at times, and certain characters—like Venkat, played by Baalaji—are written in ways that highlight their irrelevance, which the makers seem self-aware about. However, the well-choreographed stunt scenes and a tightly written script that delves into themes of revenge and goodwill keep the narrative gripping.

Veera Dheera Sooran is not just a star vehicle; it’s a showcase of what can happen when a capable director like Arun Kumar focuses on the actor, not the celebrity. Vikram rises to the occasion, reaffirming his versatility and depth as a performer. Even when the film stumbles, it never stops being engaging.

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Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, known for Welcome and Hera Pheri, dies at 56

Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, known for his memorable supporting role in Welcome, has died at 56.

Published

3 weeks ago

September 24, 2026

APNLive Desk

Veteran actor Mushtaq Khan, who appeared in several Hindi films and was particularly remembered for his role in the 2007 comedy Welcome, has died at the age of 56.

Khan was known for playing supporting characters across Hindi cinema and had worked in films spanning several decades. His role as Balu in Welcome remains among his best-known performances.

Mushtaq Khan’s film career

Mushtaq Khan appeared in a wide range of films during his career. His filmography included Aashiqui, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Gopi Kishan, Krantiveer, Raja, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Jodi No. 1 and Hera Pheri.

He also featured in more recent films including Stree 2, Gadar 2, Baby John, Dhoom Dhaam and Jaat. His filmography lists acting work continuing into 2026.

In Welcome, Khan played Balu, a supporting character in the comedy starring Akshay Kumar, Nana Patekar, Anil Kapoor and other prominent actors.

Khan’s career also included television work, with his credits spanning a wide range of acting roles over the years.

Mushtaq Khan dies at 56

The actor’s death was reported on September 24, 2026. Reports said Khan had been undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with liver cancer and had been hospitalised for around 15 days. Further details surrounding his death were awaited in the initial reports.

Mushtaq Khan was 56. IMDb lists his date of birth as December 31, 1969.

Entertainment

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh welcome baby girl, their second child

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have welcomed their second child, a baby girl. The couple announced the birth on Instagram.

Published

4 weeks ago

September 20, 2026

APNLive Desk

Bollywood stars Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have welcomed their second child, a baby girl. The couple announced the arrival of their daughter on Instagram on Saturday through a post featuring a baby’s footprint.

The newborn is the couple’s second daughter. Deepika and Ranveer became parents for the first time in September 2024, when they welcomed their daughter Dua.

The couple has not announced the name of their newborn daughter in the post.

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s last spotting

Just a day before the announcement, Deepika Padukone visited Mumbai’s Siddhivinayak Temple with Ranveer Singh and his parents.

Deepika was seen wearing an orange and purple kurta set, while Ranveer wore a purple kurta with white trousers. The visit came as the couple awaited the arrival of their second child.

Interestingly, the couple had also visited Siddhivinayak Temple in September 2024, shortly before the birth of their first daughter Dua.

Deepika and Ranveer’s family

Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh married on November 14, 2018, in Lake Como, Italy. Their wedding featured ceremonies reflecting their Konkani and Sindhi backgrounds.

The couple’s relationship began while working together on Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela in 2013. They later got engaged in 2015 and welcomed their first child, Dua, on September 8, 2024.

Entertainment

Drishyam 3 trailer: Ajay Devgn faces triple threat from Tabu, Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj

Drishyam: The Conclusion trailer brings back Ajay Devgn and Tabu, while Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj join the franchise in new roles.

Published

1 month ago

September 9, 2026

APNLive Desk

The trailer of Drishyam: The Conclusion, the third instalment of the Ajay Devgn-led franchise, has been released, bringing Vijay Salgaonkar back for what is billed as the final chapter of the story.

Ajay Devgn returns as Vijay, while Tabu reprises her role as Meera Deshmukh. The latest chapter also introduces Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj in new roles, creating fresh challenges for Vijay and his carefully planned attempts to protect his family.

Ajay Devgn faces new challenges

The trailer continues the story of Vijay Salgaonkar, a family man who has repeatedly relied on his intelligence to protect his family from the law.

This time, Vijay faces Tabu’s Meera Deshmukh along with two new adversaries. Jaideep Ahlawat plays an SP from the Crime Branch, while Prakash Raj appears as a lawyer. The two characters add another layer to the investigation surrounding Vijay and the events of the previous films.

The trailer suggests that Vijay’s earlier strategy may face its toughest test yet as the investigation moves forward and pressure mounts on his family.

Tabu returns as Meera Deshmukh

Tabu is back as Meera Deshmukh, continuing a character that has remained closely connected to Vijay’s story since the earlier films.

Shriya Saran also returns to the franchise, reprising her role from the previous instalments.

Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj join the cast

Jaideep Ahlawat and Prakash Raj are among the key additions to the cast of the third film.

Ahlawat plays an SP in the Crime Branch, bringing a new investigating officer into Vijay’s path. Prakash Raj plays a lawyer, adding another significant character to the conflict surrounding the case.

Drishyam The Conclusion release date

Drishyam: The Conclusion is directed by Abhishek Pathak and is backed by Star Studio18 and Panorama Studios.

The film is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on October 2, 2026.

The trailer sets up another battle of wits for Vijay Salgaonkar, with the final outcome of his long-running struggle with the law expected to form the central conflict of the concluding chapter.