Rajinikanth–Kamal Haasan reunion, ‘Toxic’ release date confirmed, Vijay Sethupathi’s ‘Arasan’ role clarified: Top 5 South stories of the day

February 19 turned out to be an eventful day for South cinema, with major announcements, strong clarifications, star cast updates, and legal developments. From official confirmations to denials of circulating rumours, the industry witnessed a steady stream of headline-making moments. Social media, too, remained abuzz as fans and trade circles reacted to the day’s big updates, once again highlighting the scale and momentum of the South film industry.The long-awaited reunion of Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan has finally been made official. The announcement came at exactly 7:12 PM, turning a decades-old dream into reality. This will mark the first time in nearly 40 years that the two legends will share the screen in a full-fledged project. Further details about the film’s director and additional cast members are expected to be unveiled at 12:07 PM on February 20. The makers of ‘Arasan’ have firmly denied rumours suggesting that Vijay Sethupathi has exited the film. Calling the reports completely false, the team confirmed that the actor remains part of the original cast. They also revealed that the first schedule has already been completed, with the second schedule set to begin in the first week of March. The makers clarified that there are no delays, date clashes, or pending call sheets, contrary to earlier speculation. The Vetrimaaran–Silambarasan project is progressing smoothly as planned.The release date of Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups has been officially locked for March 19, 2026, with no changes to the schedule. Director Geetu Mohandas confirmed the date through a new poster, putting an end to rumours of postponement. The film’s teaser is set to release on February 20 as part of its promotional campaign. Despite an anticipated box-office clash, Yash’s much-awaited film is moving ahead as planned.Mahesh Babu described his upcoming film ‘Varanasi’ as a “once-in-a-lifetime dream project” and said he intends to give it his all. He promised to work as hard as possible and make his director proud. The actor added that when the film releases, the entire country will feel proud of the outcome. He also described shooting in the wild as initially intimidating but ultimately an unforgettable and unique experience.The Kerala High Court has cancelled the GST department’s notice issued to Honey Rose, granting her significant relief. The court ruled that tax details for multiple years cannot be demanded through a single consolidated notice and directed authorities to issue separate notices for each assessment year. With the notice quashed, the actress has moved past a prolonged legal issue.