South newsmakers of the week: Rajinikanth starts filming for Lokesh Kanagaraj’s ‘Coolie', Varalaxmi Sarathkumar ties the knot with Nicholai Sachdev, Actor Anoop Chandran calls Fahadh Faasil ‘selfish’

This week, the South film industry witnessed several notable events, including actress Varalaxmi Sarathkumar's marriage to Nicholai Sachdev and actor Anoop Chandran's criticism of Fahadh Faasil for missing the AMMA general meeting. Let's delve into some of the most trending entertainment stories from the South this week.

Varalaxmi Sarathkumar ties the knot
After remaining single until the age of 39, actress Varalaxmi Sarathkumar recently married Nicholai Sachdev.The couple's grand wedding took place in Thailand on June 2. Earlier, pictures from Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Nicholai Sachdev's pre-wedding ceremonies went viral, attracting much attention. Numerous cinema stars graced the events, adding to the celebrations. Trisha and Archana Kalpathi were also seen with Varalaxmi during the Sangeet ceremony, sharing their heartfelt wishes for their friend as she embarked on this new phase of her life.
Prabhas’ ‘The Raja Saab’ storyline leaked
Earlier in January, the director Maruthi announced a new film titled 'The Raja Saab', featuring Prabhas in the lead role. The announcement was accompanied by a vibrant first-look poster, showcasing Prabhas in a stylish look with a colorful lungi, which thrilled fans. However, the shooting has not yet started, and the release date is still unknown. Recently, a major movie ranking website listed the film and provided a synopsis, describing it as “a story about a couple who fall in love but their fate changes due to a negative energy.” In response, director Maruthi humorously shared a screenshot of the IMDb synopsis on social media, playfully commenting that he was unaware of this plot and jokingly suggesting that the website shoot the film with this new storyline.
DQ and Vijay Deverakonda to return in ‘Kalki 2898 AD’s sequel?

In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, Nag Ashwin discussed the potential for expanding Dulquer Salmaan and Vijay Deverakonda’s roles in the upcoming installment of ‘Kalki 2898 AD’. He noted that while their roles are currently limited, there is potential for expansion, particularly for Dulquer. Nag Ashwin explained that although their roles are currently defined, it is possible to develop them further in the future. Nag Ashwin acknowledged that he had come across some of the fan theories online and found them intriguing.
Rajinikanth begins filming for ‘Coolie’
Rajinikanth has now started filming for Lokesh Kanagaraj's most awaited film 'Coolie', which began today (July 5) in Hyderabad. The makers have confirmed the start of filming by sharing a new poster. A significant set has been constructed in Hyderabad for the 'Coolie' shoot, marking the beginning of a major schedule for the film.
Anoop Chandran criticizes Fahadh Faasil
Actor Anoop Chandran has stirred controversy following the recent annual meeting of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) in Kochi, where he openly criticized prominent actors Fahadh Faasil and Nazriya Nazim for their absence. Venting his disappointment on Facebook, Anoop Chandran expressed his dismay with Fahadh Faasil, suggesting that younger actors should play a more active role in AMMA's affairs. He questioned Fahadh Faasil's priorities, particularly pointing out the actor's substantial earnings and the perceived responsibility to engage with industry associations like AMMA. Anoop Chandran lamented Fahadh and Nazriya's decision to attend Meera Nandan's wedding reception in Ernakulam instead of the AMMA meeting in Kochi, highlighting this as a missed opportunity for their involvement in industry discussions and decisions.
Darshan Thoogudeepa case updates
Vijayalakshmi Darshan, the wife of Kannada actor Darshan Thoogudeepa, recently spoke out in a media address to clarify misconceptions regarding her husband's relationship with Pavithra Gowda. In a letter addressed to the Bengaluru Commissioner of Police, Vijayalakshmi stated, "You made an incorrect statement during a press conference, asserting Pavithra Gowda as Darshan's wife. This misinformation was further propagated by the Karnataka Home Minister and national media, who erroneously reported that the Darshan couple was involved in the Renukaswamy murder case." She emphasized that she is the only legally wedded wife of Darshan Thoogudeepa.
Addressing the rumors directly, Vijayalakshmi firmly asserted that Pavithra Gowda, who is the main accused in the murder case, is not married to Darshan and urged for clarity on the matter.