Lucasfilm announced today that their first film in the new standalone Star Wars stories series, “Rogue One,” has begun principal photography. Gareth Edwards (“Godzilla,” “Monsters”) is directing “Rogue One,” which tells the story of resistance fighters who have united to steal plans to the dreaded Death Star. The film is produced by Kathleen Kennedy and is slated for a December 16, 2016 release.
The filmmakers have assembled a stellar cast, including Felicity Jones, nominated for an Academy Award® for her leading role in “The Theory of Everything”; Diego Luna, who was featured in 2008’s Oscar®-winning “Milk” and the critically acclaimed “Killing Them Softly”; Ben Mendelsohn, recently nominated for an Emmy® for his leading role in “Bloodline” and co-starring in the upcoming “Mississippi Grind”; Donnie Yen, Hong Kong action star and martial artist who starred in “Ip Man” and “Blade II”; Jiang Wen, who co-wrote, produced , directed and starred in the award-winning “Let the Bullets Fly” and “Devils on the Doorstep”; Forest Whitaker, recently featured in the critically-acclaimed Lee Daniels’ “The Butler” and winner of an Academy Award® for his leading role in 2006’s “The Last King of Scotland; Mads Mikkelsen, who starred in “The Hunt” and was the memorable villain from 2006’s “Casino Royale”; Alan Tudyk, who plays a performance-capture character in “Rogue One,” stars in the soon-to-be-released “Con Man” series and “Trumbo,” which releases this November; and Riz Ahmed, who was recently featured in “Nightcrawler” and starred in the BAFTA-winning film “Four Lions.”
“‘Rogue One’ takes place before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope and will be a departure from the saga films but have elements that are familiar to the Star Wars universe,” says Kathleen Kennedy. “It goes into new territory, exploring the galactic struggle from a ground-war perspective while maintaining that essential Star Wars feel that fans have come to know. Gareth is such an innovative director and I’m so excited to be working with him and the extraordinary ensemble cast he’s selected for ‘Rogue One.’”
Veteran ILM visual effects supervisor John Knoll, who shares a long history with the Star Wars movies, dating back to the mid-1990s, originated the idea for the movie. Allison Shearmur (“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” “Cinderella”), John Knoll, Simon Emanuel (“The Dark Knight Rises,” “Fast & Furious 6”) and Jason McGatlin (“Tintin,” “War of the Worlds”) are executive producers. Kiri Hart and John Swartz (“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”) are co-producers.
To create the lived-in, realistic feel of “Rogue One,” Edwards chose Greig Fraser (“Zero Dark Thirty,” “Foxcatcher”) to be his director of photography and Neil Corbould (“Black Hawk Down,” “Gladiator,” “Saving Private Ryan”) to be his special effects supervisor. Star Wars and Lucasfilm veteran Doug Chiang (“Star Wars: Episodes I-II,” “Forrest Gump”) and Neil Lamont (supervising art director for the “Harry Potter” series, “Edge of Tomorrow”) will be the production designers. Additional crew members will include stunt coordinator Rob Inch (“World War Z,” Marvel’s “Captain America: The First Avenger”), creature effects supervisor Neal Scanlan (“Prometheus”) and co-costume designers Dave Crossman (costume supervisor for the “Harry Potter” series, “Saving Private Ryan”) and Glyn Dillon (costume concept artist for “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” “Jupiter Ascending”).
In the ever-evolving world of Indian cinema, few stars have managed to carve a niche as effortlessly as Allu Arjun. Known for his electrifying screen presence, unparalleled dance moves, and ability to adapt to any role, Arjun has become a phenomenon, transcending regional cinema to gain pan-Indian appeal. Whether it’s intense action dramas, heartwarming family entertainers, or stylish romantic films, he has done it all.
Take Pushpa: The Rise (2021), for instance. With a rugged new look and a raw, earthy performance, Allu Arjun transformed into Pushpa Raj, a smuggler who refuses to bow down to power. His signature swagger, powerful dialogue delivery (“Thaggede Le” became a cultural mantra), and intense action sequences made the film a box-office juggernaut. The film’s massive success on Amazon Prime Video only extended its reach beyond Indian borders, turning Arjun into a global icon.
But the star’s magic isn’t just limited to mass action spectacles. In Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo (2020), Arjun showcased his flair for comedy and family drama, delivering one of the most charming performances of his career. His character, Bantu, a middle-class man who discovers his true lineage, resonated with audiences, and his impeccable dance moves in songs like Butta Bomma took the internet by storm. The film’s presence on Netflix made it one of the most-watched Indian films on the platform.
However, Arjun’s journey to superstardom wasn’t built on commercial cinema alone. Films like Arya (2004) showcased his ability to bring depth and sincerity to romantic dramas. Playing the role of a selfless lover who believes in destiny, he delivered a performance that remains iconic to this day. His natural charm and emotional depth made Arya a cult classic, solidifying his reputation as Tollywood’s next big thing.
Even when he steps into full-fledged action mode, he never loses his distinct style and charisma. Sarrainodu (2016) was a high-octane actioner where he played an ex-military man fighting corruption. With power-packed fight sequences, catchy dialogues, and foot-tapping songs like Blockbuster, the film became a true crowd-puller.
But one of Arjun’s most underrated performances came in Vedam (2010), a film that explored multiple narratives and showcased him in a never-before-seen role. Playing Cable Raju, a slum dweller pretending to be rich, he brought a rare vulnerability to the character, proving his ability to balance mass appeal with meaningful cinema.
From ruling the box office to winning six Filmfare Awards South, Allu Arjun’s journey is a testament to his unmatched versatility. Whether he’s setting the dance floor on fire, delivering powerful monologues, or simply owning the screen with his presence, he continues to redefine what it means to be a pan-Indian superstar.
For those who haven’t yet experienced the magic of Allu Arjun, now is the perfect time to dive into his cinematic universe. His films are available on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and ZEE5, ensuring that no matter where you are, you can witness the rise of the Stylish Star firsthand.
Genre: Action Thriller
Runtime: 2 hours 45 minutes
Director: Prithviraj Sukumaran
Writer: Murali Gopy
Starring: Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Indrajith Sukumaran, Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas
Studio: Aashirvad Cinemas, Lyca Productions
The Good: What Empuraan Gets Right
Mohanlal’s Magnetic Screen Presence: As Stephen/Khurēshi Ab’raam, Mohanlal owns every scene. His silence speaks louder than words, and his layered performance adds emotional gravity to the action.
Prithviraj’s Direction Shines: Seamlessly balancing intense set pieces with political intrigue, Prithviraj proves again he’s one of the most visionary directors in Indian cinema today.
Murali Gopy’s Sharp Screenplay: The film is packed with political subtext, philosophical dialogue, and thrilling twists that reward patient viewers.
Stunning Cinematography and Score: The visuals, spanning locations from India to the Middle East, are breathtaking. Deepak Dev’s music elevates every sequence, especially the high-stakes confrontations.
Strong Supporting Cast: With Indrajith Sukumaran, Manju Warrier, and Tovino Thomas in key roles, the ensemble delivers solid performances that complement Mohanlal.
The Bad: Where Empuraan Falters
Pacing in the First Half: The film takes its time building the narrative, which may test the patience of action-seeking audiences early on.
Complexity Might Alienate Casual Viewers: With deep political allegories and global criminal dynamics, it’s not exactly light fare — viewers unfamiliar with Lucifer might feel lost.
A Bit Too Long: At 2 hours and 45 minutes, some scenes — particularly flashbacks — could’ve been trimmed without losing impact.
Empuraan Is a Gripping and Ambitious Sequel That Raises the Stakes After the massive success of Lucifer (2019), fans have waited with bated breath for the sequel — and Empuraan does not disappoint. Directed with confidence by Prithviraj Sukumaran, this 2025 Malayalam action thriller expands the universe of Lucifer, diving deeper into the underworld empire of Stephen Nedumpally (Mohanlal) and the origins of the mysterious Khureshi-Ab’raam.
Empuraan is a masterfully executed Malayalam action thriller that expands its cinematic universe with flair. Mohanlal delivers another iconic performance, and Prithviraj continues to evolve as a bold director who knows how to handle scale and subtlety alike. While the film’s pacing and complexity may not appeal to everyone, for fans of intelligent, stylish Indian cinema, Empuraan is a must-watch.
Final Rating: 8.5/10
Recommended for:
Fans of Lucifer, Indian political thrillers, Mohanlal admirers, Malayalam cinema lovers, and viewers who appreciate layered storytelling and high-stakes action.
Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Jr., affectionately known as Jr NTR, has consistently enthralled audiences with his dynamic performances and versatile acting prowess. Following the successful release of “Devara: Part 1” on September 27, 2024, fans are eagerly anticipating his forthcoming projects. Here’s an overview of what’s next for this action superstar.
1. Devara: Part 2
After the resounding success of “Devara: Part 1,” which grossed over ₹466 crore globally, the sequel is highly anticipated. Director Koratala Siva has hinted that “Devara: Part 2” will be even more intense, stating that if Part 1 showcased 10% of Jr NTR’s capabilities, Part 2 will unveil the remaining 90%. Filming is slated to commence in the first half of 2026, with a targeted release by the end of that year.
2. War 2
Expanding his horizons, Jr NTR is set to make his Hindi film debut with “War 2,” directed by Ayan Mukerji. This sequel to the 2019 blockbuster “War” will see him sharing screen space with Hrithik Roshan and Kiara Advani. The film is part of the YRF Spy Universe and is scheduled for release on August 14, 2025, coinciding with the Indian Independence Day weekend.
3. NTR 31 (Tentative Title: Dragon)
In collaboration with acclaimed director Prashanth Neel, Jr NTR will star in a period drama tentatively titled “Dragon.” The film is set to delve into themes of immigration and is expected to be one of the most expensive projects for both the actor and the director. The movie is slated for a grand release on January 9, 2026.
Why Jr NTR is the Action Hero Everyone Wants to See
Jr NTR’s appeal as an action hero stems from his ability to seamlessly blend intense physicality with deep emotional resonance. His performances are characterized by a compelling screen presence, dynamic energy, and a remarkable ability to connect with audiences across diverse roles. This unique combination of skills has solidified his status as a leading figure in Indian cinema, making him the action hero everyone wants to see.
With a lineup of diverse and high-profile projects, Jr NTR continues to push cinematic boundaries and captivate audiences worldwide. His dedication to his craft and ability to reinvent himself with each role ensure that fans have much to look forward to in the coming years.
Allu Arjun: The Stylish Star Who Redefined Telugu Cinema
Empuraan (2025) Movie Review – A Thrilling, High-Octane Malayalam Sequel That Delivers Big
Upcoming NTR Junior projects
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