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 37th match of the tournament delivered a nail-biting encounter between the Rangpur Riders and the Chittagong Kings at the iconic Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. The electrifying atmosphere crackled with anticipation as the Kings ultimately secured a commanding 5-wicket victory, showcasing both potent bowling and explosive batting.

The Riders, batting first, found themselves in early trouble. The top order crumbled under pressure, succumbing to a series of early dismissals. The scoreboard reflected their struggles, leaving them teetering precariously at 68-5. However, a crucial partnership between Iftikhar Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan breathed life back into their innings.

This remarkable rescue act saw Iftikhar anchor the innings with a masterful unbeaten 65, showcasing his exceptional temperament and batting prowess. Mehidy Hasan provided valuable support, contributing a crucial unbeaten 22 off 20 balls, bolstering the team’s total to a respectable 143. The lower order offered little resistance, with Shoriful Islam (1 wicket), Khaled Ahmed (2 wickets) and Shamim Hossain (1 wicket) leading the Kings’ bowling assault. The early wickets provided crucial momentum for the Kings’ chase.

Winning the toss and electing to field, the Chittagong Kings started aggressively. The early breakthroughs set the tone for their dominant performance. Steven Taylor was dismissed for a duck, quickly followed by Saif Hasan’s departure for a meagre 8 runs. The dismissal of Soumya Sarkar through a run-out further compounded the Riders’ woes. Khaled Ahmed’s impressive bowling figures of 2 wickets were instrumental in dismantling the Riders’ batting lineup. The collective bowling effort kept the Riders’ run rate in check, restricting them to a below-par total.

Chasing a modest 144, the Kings began their innings with a cautious approach. Parvez Hossain Emon played a responsible knock of 41 runs off 43 balls, laying a solid foundation for the chase. However, it was Haider Ali’s breathtaking display of power-hitting that truly stole the show. His electrifying, unbeaten 48 runs off a mere 18 balls, peppered with 1 boundary and 6 towering sixes, propelled the Kings towards victory.

Despite some early breakthroughs by Akif Javed (who removed Lahiru Milantha and Graham Clark) and Saifuddin (who dismissed key batsmen Mohammad Mithun and Parvez Hossain Emon), the Kings’ momentum proved unstoppable. The remaining bowlers struggled to contain the Kings’ aggressive batting, ultimately handing them a comfortable 5-wicket victory. The match underscored the fine line between triumph and defeat in the high-pressure environment of competitive T20 cricket.

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.