Arun Matheswaran, the acclaimed Tamil director behind hits like Rocky, Saani Kaayidham, and Captain Miller, is gearing up for his Hindi film debut. According to Pink Villa, he has signed on for his first feature film under a prominent banner. While the official announcement is still pending, paperwork is reportedly underway, heightening the anticipation among fans eager for more details.
This upcoming project is not just any film; it is currently under script development, with the core idea already finalized. Matheswaran, known for his precise choice of subjects, is set to deliver a content-heavy commercial film justified for its Hindi language production. After concluding the script, the filmmakers plan to begin casting, aiming to secure a top Bollywood actor for the lead role.
But Matheswaran isn’t alone; Rajkumar Periyasamy, known for his work on Amaran, is also making his Hindi film debut. The increasing trend of Tamil directors transitioning to Bollywood—following the massive success of Atlee’s Jawan—indicates the rising demand for fresh talent and innovative storytelling within the Mumbai film industry.
Meanwhile, Bollywood is buzzing with activity as filmmaker Rosshan Andrrews’ maiden Hindi film, Deva, starring Shahid Kapoor and Pooja Hegde, recently experienced a notable dip at the box office on its first Monday. Reports from Hindustan Times noted it brought in ₹21 crore as of February 3, 2025, leading to discussions about its performance among the audience.
Adding to the discussions around Bollywood, director Abhishek Anil Kapur addressed comparisons of his film Sky Force to Fighter, expressing great admiration for Siddharth Anand, the latter's filmmaker. He clarified, “I am proud,” emphasizing the distinctiveness of each film’s story.
Another prominent figure, Saif Ali Khan, made headlines for his first public appearance after his recent attack at a Netflix event. He expressed gratitude for his safety, stating, “Nice to be standing here” during the event announcement. Netflix Japan unveiled its slate of projects featuring Khan along with Jaideep Ahlawat, among others.
On the streaming platform front, Netflix started the new year strong with the addition of over 20 Indian films and two series last December. January 2025 saw the premiere of two original Hindi series and the streaming debut of one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.
Notably, Rifle Club, directed by Aashiq Abu, is among the new Indian films added to Netflix on January 15. The action-comedy stars Anurag Kashyap and follows significant moments at a historic rifle club where gangsters pursue the protagonist’s cousin and girlfriend.
The highly-anticipated sequel to Pushpa: The Rise, named Pushpa 2: The Rule, is another significant addition. This film, featuring Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil, became available on January 30. The sequel continues to explore Pushpa’s rise to power within the sandalwood smuggling scene.
Among other recent additions, the series Black Warrant, directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, debuted on January 10, chronicling events from India’s Tihar Jail during the 1980s. The series is based on real-life observations of prison superintendent Sunil Gupta and includes various language options for viewers.
Another upcoming series, The Roshans, which focuses on the Roshan family’s legacy within Hindi cinema, started streaming on January 17. It features notable actors including Hrithik Roshan and sheds light on the family’s contributions to film over three generations.
With these intriguing developments and heavy hitters on the scene, the integration of Tamil directors and the emergence of innovative projects spell exciting times for both Bollywood and Tamil cinema. Fans of the film industry can look forward to more captivating releases and collaborations as we transition through 2025.