January 27 turned out to be an eventful day for South cinema, packed with legal developments, high-profile public appearances, heartfelt tributes, and headline-making moments that kept the spotlight firmly on the industry.Court sends ‘Jana Nayagan’ back for fresh reviewThe Madras High Court on January 27 set aside its earlier order directing the CBFC to grant a U/A certificate to Vijay’s upcoming film Jana Nayagan. A division bench comprising Chief Justice M. Shivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan observed that the film contained several contentious elements, including scenes depicting insurgency allegedly linked to foreign forces and the portrayal of the armed forces in an unfavourable light.The matter has now been remitted to a single judge for a fresh hearing, with the CBFC granted the right to reassess the certification. As things stand, the film’s release has been put on hold pending the completion of the certification process and further hearings.Samantha’s Rashtrapati moment becomes a dream fulfilledSamantha Ruth Prabhu received an invitation to the Republic Day At Home Reception hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. Sharing glimpses from the event on social media, the actor described the moment as a dream come true.Reflecting on her journey, Samantha wrote that she never had a roadmap but kept “showing up,” adding that she feels proud to be recognised in a country where perseverance matters. She attended the event dressed elegantly in a pastel green saree, marking the occasion as a memorable milestone in her life.Nayanthara’s heartfelt tribute to Mammootty goes viralNayanthara extended her wishes to Mammootty on being honoured with the Padma Bhushan at the 2026 Padma Awards. Taking to Instagram Stories, she shared a poster celebrating the legendary actor’s vast body of work and captioned it, “Rare, real, and remarkable.”Though brief, her tribute resonated strongly with fans, who saw it as a mark of deep respect for Mammootty’s enduring legacy. The two actors share a warm professional relationship, having worked together on multiple projects over the years.‘Gandhi Talks’ trailer proves silence can be powerfulThe official trailer of Gandhi Talks, a silent film starring Vijay Sethupathi, has been unveiled, offering a compelling visual experience. The film traces two contrasting life journeys — Mahadev, an impoverished man played by Sethupathi, and Boseman, a wealthy yet morally compromised character portrayed by Arvind Swami — and the circumstances that bring them together.Completely devoid of dialogue, the trailer relies on evocative performances and A.R. Rahman’s background score to drive the narrative. The response online has been overwhelmingly positive, with viewers praising the film for letting music and expressions do the talking.Atlee calls Deepika his lucky charmFilmmaker Atlee has described Deepika Padukone as his “lucky charm,” lauding her talent and commitment following their collaboration on Jawan. Calling her “unbelievable,” Atlee said working with Deepika continues to be a source of motivation for him.Speaking about their upcoming project AA22xA6, the director revealed that the film will present Deepika in a fresh light, highlighting a transformative phase in her life post motherhood. Atlee believes her presence could be a key driving force behind the film’s vision.
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