September 3, 2026

The excitement around NTR and Prashanth Neel’s highly anticipated action drama Dragon has reached a new level. The makers have now confirmed the addition of Bollywood stars Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, who are set to play key roles in the much-awaited project.

The film, which brings together NTR and Prashanth Neel for the first time, has already created massive buzz among fans. With Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt joining the cast, expectations surrounding the pan-India project have now gone several notches higher.

The shooting of Dragon is expected to resume soon. NTR is currently recovering from surgery, and the makers are reportedly planning to get the production back on track once the actor is fit to return to the sets.

Prashanth Neel, known for his high-octane action entertainers, is said to be presenting NTR in a powerful and intense role. The addition of prominent Hindi cinema stars further strengthens the film’s pan-India appeal.

Dragon is currently slated for a theatrical release in June 2027. With NTR’s mass image, Prashanth Neel’s action filmmaking and the presence of Shahid Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, the film is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Indian movies on the horizon.

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Telugu OTT audiences are in for a gripping crime thriller! Panchanama, starring Udaya Bhanu, Bharat Nivas and Medha in key roles, is all set to premiere directly on OTT. The makers have officially announced the streaming date, promising viewers a suspense-filled investigation packed with unexpected twists.

https://twitter.com/ZEE5Telugu/status/2095105896095629515?s=20

Panchanama To Stream On ZEE5

Crime thrillers have always enjoyed a strong following among OTT audiences, thanks to their suspense, mystery and unpredictable narratives. Adding to that list is Panchanama, a Telugu crime mystery investigation thriller that is heading straight to OTT.

The film has been produced as a ZEE5 Original and will premiere exclusively on ZEE5 Telugu from September 11, 2026. The movie will be available to stream in Telugu.

ZEE5 made the announcement on social media with the intriguing line, “The investigation begins on September 11.” The announcement video has already caught the attention of thriller lovers, with many viewers expressing their excitement for the film.

What Is Panchanama About?

Panchanama is said to revolve around a serious criminal investigation led by a character named Jai Ram. The story reportedly explores a mysterious case filled with shocking developments and unexpected turns.

With the investigation unfolding step by step, the film is expected to keep audiences guessing until the very end. The makers are promising a suspense-driven narrative with plenty of twists designed to deliver an engaging OTT experience.

Bharat Nivas In The Lead

‘Premisthe’ fame Bharat Nivas plays the lead role in Panchanama. He is expected to bring a distinctive performance to the intense investigative drama.

Another major attraction is Udaya Bhanu, who is making her return to the screen after a considerable gap. She will be seen in a powerful and important role, while Medha plays the female lead.

A Promising OTT Crime Thriller

With its crime investigation backdrop, suspenseful storyline and intriguing cast, Panchanama looks like an interesting addition to the Telugu OTT space. For viewers who enjoy crime mysteries and investigation thrillers, the film could offer an engaging weekend watch.

Panchanama premieres exclusively on ZEE5 Telugu on September 11, 2026.

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Rashmika Mandanna has emerged as the No. 1 female star in Indian cinema in India Today’s latest ranking, placing her ahead of Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone. The magazine has also described Rashmika as a “national star,” highlighting her growing popularity and pan-India appeal.

Interestingly, Deepika Padukone, who also hails from Karnataka, has been placed at No. 2. While Deepika continues to have a massive presence in Bollywood, Rashmika has steadily expanded her reach across multiple Indian film industries and established herself as one of the most recognisable actresses in the country.

The ranking also throws up another interesting surprise, with Sai Pallavi placed ahead of Alia Bhatt.

According to the magazine’s list, the top five female stars in Indian cinema are:

Rashmika Mandanna
Deepika Padukone
Shraddha Kapoor
Sai Pallavi
Alia Bhatt

The ranking has naturally sparked discussion, particularly because Deepika has traditionally been regarded as one of India’s biggest female stars. However, star power can be measured in several ways, including box-office pull, popularity across regions, social media reach, brand value and the ability to connect with audiences nationwide.

Interestingly, remuneration tells a different story. Deepika reportedly commands a fee that is around 2.5 times higher than Rashmika’s for a film. Rashmika, however, appears to have a strong advantage in the brand space, with a larger portfolio of commercial endorsements.

A similar contrast can be seen between Sai Pallavi and Alia Bhatt. While Alia reportedly commands nearly twice Sai Pallavi’s remuneration per film and has several major brand associations, Sai Pallavi has generally maintained a more selective approach towards endorsements.

Therefore, while India Today’s ranking places Rashmika ahead of Deepika in terms of overall star power, it should be viewed as one publication’s assessment rather than an absolute measure of who is the biggest female star in India.

On the work front, Deepika Padukone is currently shooting for Raaka, starring Allu Arjun. She has also completed King, headlined by Shah Rukh Khan, which is scheduled to release in December 2026.

Rashmika Mandanna, meanwhile, is gearing up for her upcoming releases. She will be seen alongside Vijay Deverakonda in Ranabaali, slated for release on October 16, 2026. She will also headline Mysaa, her first female-centric action film, which is scheduled to hit screens on November 27, 2026.

With Rashmika continuing to strengthen her pan-India presence, the debate over whether she has truly overtaken established stars like Deepika is only set to get bigger.

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Punchline

Romanchakam is a breezy youthful comedy that works best when it focuses on friendship, fun and situational humour.

Storyline

Anvesh (Sumanth Prabhas), a young entrepreneur, falls in love with Mythili (Ananthika Sanilkumar), a girl from Chennai. When Mythili travels to Hyderabad to meet Anvesh, an unexpected turn of events lands him and his group of friends in a troublesome situation.

What exactly happens to Mythili? How does Anvesh manage to get himself and his friends out of the mess? The film unfolds around these questions, leading to a series of chaotic and comic situations.

Positives

The biggest strength of Romanchakam is its situational comedy. The film follows the Jathi Rathnalu-style comedy zone, depending more on silly situations, quirky characters and friendship-based humour than on a strong storyline.

The second half offers several entertaining episodes, with the climax standing out for its confusion comedy and well-timed humour.

Sumanth Prabhas fits the role of a carefree youngster and performs comfortably in the comedy scenes. His chemistry with Ananthika Sanilkumar is also neat, while Ananthika makes her presence felt with a confident performance.

Among the supporting cast, Narendra Ravi stands out with his witty punches and hilarious expressions. Venkatesh Kakamanu, Mani Aegurla and Sai Sohan are effective as the hero’s friends, and the entire friends’ gang contributes well to the fun. Upendra Limaye also evokes laughs with his presence.

Negatives

The first half is inconsistent and takes some time to settle into its rhythm. The song featuring the friends’ gang could have been avoided, as it slows down the proceedings.

The film also attempts to bring in emotional elements through the love track and themes of self-realization. However, these portions don’t make the desired impact, as the comedy remains the primary focus.

Technicalities

Vasuki Vaibhav’s music is pleasant and provides good support, particularly during portions where the film’s momentum dips. Pavan Pappula’s cinematography adds a breezy feel to the proceedings, while the songs are neatly picturised.

The production values are good. Director Venu Gopal Reddy does a decent job, especially in handling the buddy-comedy portions. However, some emotional and narrative sections could have been handled more effectively. The editing is just okay.

Rating

3.25/5

Final Verdict

Romanchakam is a watchable youthful comedy that delivers its best moments through friendship and situational humour. The second half and climax provide enough laughs to keep things engaging, while Sumanth Prabhas and the friends’ gang carry the entertainment quotient. Ananthika Sanilkumar is impressive in her role.

The film has a slow start and the emotional portions could have been stronger, but those looking for a light-hearted, time-pass comedy with a youthful vibe can give Romanchakam a try.

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