Nayanthara-Trisha’s surprise reunion, PC Sreeram slams 'misuse of state power' in Jana Nayagan row, Chinmayi defends AR Rahman: Top 5 South newsmakers of the day

January 19 turned out to be an eventful day for the South Indian film industry, marked by controversies, censorship debates, teaser launches, and emotional fan reactions. Here are the top film and celebrity headlines that made waves today.

Nayanthara and Trisha’s surprise reunion

Nayanthara and Trisha’s yacht pictures have taken fans by surprise, especially after long-standing speculation that the two actresses were not on talking terms. The photos show them smiling together against a sunset backdrop. A recently viral image, featuring both actresses dressed in black with heart emojis in the caption, further fuelled curiosity, with many questioning whether there had ever been a rift between them.


However, putting rumours to rest, Trisha clarified that there is no conflict and confirmed that the two share no bad blood. Fans are now hopeful that the trending photo signals a rekindling of their friendship.

PC Sreeram slams ‘misuse of state power’ in Jana Nayagan censorship row

The censor delay surrounding Vijay’s upcoming film Jana Nayagan has sparked debate within the Tamil film industry. Veteran cinematographer PC Sreeram voiced his dissatisfaction, stating that it was a shame to use the “might of the Indian state” against a single film.

In a follow-up clarification, Sreeram explained that his remarks were directed at the larger issue of government agencies being misused, rather than the film alone. Speaking about democratic values, he added, “This is the country of Mahatma Gandhi, not Donald Trump.” His comments have since intensified discussions around censorship and creative freedom in Indian cinema.

Varun Tej’s Indo-Korean thriller Korean Kanakaraju teaser out

Varun Tej unveiled the teaser of his upcoming Indo-Korean project Korean Kanakaraju, quickly grabbing attention online. The teaser opens with Korean police questioning an Indian photographer, followed by Varun Tej’s dramatic entry in a lungi and shirt, wielding a sword and declaring, “I am back.”

Directed by Merlapaka Gandhi, the film is described as a comical horror action entertainer. Varun Tej also announced that Korean Kanakaraju is slated for a theatrical release in the summer of 2026.

Chinmayi defends AR Rahman

Singer Chinmayi Sripaada has defended AR Rahman amid allegations that he avoids singing Maa Tujhe Salaam. Taking to X, Chinmayi stated that Rahman performs the song at almost every concert and even shared a clip from his Pune concert, where he also sang Vande Mataram.

She suggested that Rahman may not have sung the song during a particular interview due to vocal strain—or simply because he chose not to—which she said is perfectly normal for any artist. Chinmayi further remarked that the outrage surrounding the issue reflects what is “wrong” with today’s Twitter culture.

Nabha Natesh overwhelmed by Nagabandham first-look response

The first-look poster of Nabha Natesh as Parvathi in Nagabandham has received an enthusiastic response from audiences, with many praising her ethnic avatar and emotional screen presence. Expressing her gratitude, Nabha said the love has been “mind-blowing” and has motivated her to give her all to the character.

The film’s team also released a motion poster hinting at mystery and magic, further building anticipation for the project, which is scheduled for release in 2026.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”