alia bhatt

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.

Follow Telugu Funda on trending Social Media Platforms for more Cinema, OTT, Political, And Sports updates.

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.

Follow Telugu Funda on trending Social Media Platforms for more Cinema, OTT, Political, And Sports updates.

Punchline

Alpha is an ambitious spy thriller that boasts lavish production values and stylish action, but weak writing, an uninspiring screenplay, and a controversial narrative make it the weakest film in the YRF Spy Universe.

Storyline

Lt. Colonel Fateh Singh Lakhawat (Bobby Deol), devastated by the heavy losses suffered during the Kargil War, conceives a secret mission called Project Alpha to strengthen India’s future security. However, the government shuts down the operation and demotes him. Unwilling to abandon his vision, Fateh secretly continues the mission, with Sita (Alia Bhatt) eventually becoming a crucial part of his plan. The film follows Sita’s journey as she carries forward Project Alpha while uncovering the truth behind Fateh’s controversial mission.

Positives

YRF once again delivers grand production values with visually appealing action sequences.
The visual effects are a noticeable improvement compared to some recent entries in the franchise.
Sharvari performs convincingly in the action scenes despite having limited screen time.
The face-off between Alia Bhatt and Sharvari stands out as one of the better action moments.
Bobby Deol delivers a sincere performance, while Anil Kapoor is dependable in his supporting role.

Negatives

The screenplay is slow, predictable, and lacks the excitement expected from a spy thriller.
The central twist feels heavily inspired by recent films but fails to create any impact.
The narrative presents India’s intelligence agencies and the Army in an unconvincing and controversial manner, weakening the emotional core.
Alia Bhatt, despite being a talented actress, appears miscast in a full-fledged action role and struggles to make the action sequences believable.
The film relies too much on glamour and stylish visuals while neglecting storytelling and character development.
Even with a relatively short runtime, the movie feels repetitive and emotionally disconnected.
The much-hyped cameo fails to generate excitement and ends up feeling underwhelming.

Technicalities

The production design and overall scale are impressive, giving the film a polished look. Rubais’ cinematography captures the action sequences effectively, while the VFX is better than expected. However, the songs leave little impression, and the background score lacks the intensity required for a spy thriller. Aarif Sheikh’s editing cannot overcome the sluggish pacing. Director Shiv Rawail, who previously impressed with The Railway Men, fails to recreate that magic here, delivering a film that lacks both emotional depth and engaging storytelling.

Rating

2/5

Final Verdict

Alpha turns out to be a major disappointment and arguably the weakest installment in the YRF Spy Universe. While the film offers impressive visuals and a few well-executed action moments, its weak screenplay, questionable writing choices, uninspiring performances in key moments, and lack of emotional engagement overshadow its strengths. Stylish presentation alone cannot compensate for the absence of a compelling story, making Alpha a forgettable spy thriller that struggles to justify its place in the franchise.

Follow Telugu Funda on trending Social Media Platforms for more Cinema, OTT, Political, And Sports updates.

Rumours about Alia Bhatt joining the cast of Kalki 2, the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD, continue to gain momentum, with a recent social media interaction between Prabhas and the actress adding to the speculation.

Over the past few weeks, reports claiming that Alia Bhatt has been roped in for the highly anticipated sequel have circulated widely on social media. However, director Nag Ashwin has neither confirmed nor denied the reports. Speaking recently, he revealed that a decision regarding any new additions to the cast would be finalized before the film resumes its next major shooting schedule in September.

The latest buzz began after Prabhas shared the trailer of Alia Bhatt’s upcoming film Alpha on his Instagram Stories, praising the actress and extending his best wishes to the team. Alia later reposted his story and responded with a heartfelt message, writing, “Thank you, thank you, thank you so much,” accompanied by a sun emoji.

Although the exchange appeared to be a friendly gesture between the two stars, fans were quick to read between the lines. Many social media users linked the interaction to the ongoing Kalki 2 casting rumours, with some even speculating that the sun emoji could be a subtle nod to Prabhas’ character, Karna, in the Kalki universe.

The interaction has reignited discussions online, with fans eagerly wondering whether Alia Bhatt is indeed set to play a key role in the sequel. As of now, however, there has been no official confirmation from the makers regarding her involvement in Kalki 2.

Follow Telugu Funda on trending Social Media Platforms for more Cinema, OTT, Political, And Sports updates.

The much-awaited teaser of Alpha, the first female-led spy action thriller from the YRF Spy Universe, has finally been unveiled. Starring Alia Bhatt in the titular role, the film is directed by Shiv Rawail and promises a thrilling blend of action, espionage, and emotion.

The 1-minute-55-second teaser opens on an intriguing note, with Alia celebrating her 18th birthday alongside her father, played by Bobby Deol, at a luxurious hotel. What begins as a special family moment quickly takes a dramatic turn when her father reveals a life-changing surprise her induction into a top-secret soldier program known as Alpha, a mission she has been trained for since childhood.

From there, the teaser shifts gears into full-throttle action. Alia is seen taking on dangerous enemies across multiple missions, showcasing impressive combat skills, tactical brilliance, and unwavering determination. The visuals are slick, the action sequences are intense, and the scale reflects the signature grandeur of the YRF Spy Universe.

One of the teaser’s most striking moments comes in the closing sequence, where Alia embraces her fiercest avatar yet, delivering a deadly final blow that leaves a lasting impact. Bobby Deol also makes a strong impression despite his limited screen time, adding intrigue to the story.

While co-stars Sharvari and Anil Kapoor do not appear in this first glimpse, fans can expect their characters to be highlighted in upcoming promotional material.

Produced by Aditya Chopra, Alpha features a story by Uday Chopra, with music composed by Rohansh and Abeer. With its powerful female lead, high-octane action, and connection to the popular YRF Spy Universe, the film has already generated massive buzz among moviegoers.

Alpha is set for a grand theatrical release on July 3, 2026.

Follow Telugu Funda on trending Social Media Platforms for more Cinema, OTT, Political, And Sports updates.

Recent Posts

Categories