2022 has been a successful year for the film industry, owing to several theatrical releases that have gone on to become box-office successes. Films such as RRR, KGF Chapter 2, Beast, Bheemla Nayak, and Gangubai Kathiawadi premiered in theatres, this year and garnered positive reception and financial success.
While it is safe to assume that theatres are back on track after coping with the pandemic, the big screens are all set to see different kinds of films made on varied budgets. Ahead of Vignesh Shivan’s Kaathu Vaakula Renduu Kaadhal and Chiranjeevi’s Acharya, which release on Thursday and Friday, respectively, Silverscreen India compiles a list of Tamil and Telugu films that are gearing up for opening in theatres for the month of May.
Koogle Kuttapa – May 6
This is the official Tamil remake of the Malayalam science fiction comedy Android Kunjappan Version 5.25. The Malayalam film follows the life of a father, who is left with an Android robot named Kunjappan to take care of him, while his son leaves to Russia for work, leaving the father disgruntled. In the Tamil version, filmmaker KS Ravikumar will be portraying the father, while former Bigg Boss Tamil contestants Tharshan and Losliya will be essaying the son and his love interest, respectively. Koogle Kuttapa is helmed by debutant duo Sabari and Saravanan, who had previously said to us that the film won’t be a “frame-by-frame remake.”
Jayamma Panchayathi – May 6
Led by anchor-actor Suma Kanakala in the titular role, Jayamma Panchayathi is a Telugu rural satirical drama. The film is written and directed by Vijay Kumar Kalivarapu, who had said to us earlier that the film revolves around a strong-willed woman named Jayamma, who goes to any extent to solve her problems. The story takes place in a village in northern Andhra Pradesh and it is set in 2006. Jayamma Panchayathi will also feature local theatre artists from Andhra Pradesh, with its music composed by MM Keeravani.
Titanic – May 6
This Tamil film led by actors Kalaiyarasan and Anandhi, is a romantic comedy revolving around three couples. The other two couples are portrayed Kaali Venkat and Madhumita, debutant Raghav Vijayan and Ashna Zaveri. Titanic‘s director M Janakiraman previously told us, “the film will focus on three love stories of people from different walks of life: a village farmer, a graduate, and a wealthy IT professional.” The film is produced by CV Kumar under the Thirukumaran Entertainment banner.
Ashoka Vanamlo Arjuna Kalyanam – May 6
This Telugu film stars actor Vishwak Sen and is directed by Vidhya Sagar Chinta and was earlier scheduled to premiere on April 22. Speaking to us earlier, Chinta had said that the family entertainer, set in the backdrop of the East Godavari district, will “leave the audience with a sense of nostalgia.” Sen plays Arjun Kumar Allam, a 34-year-old man in search of a bride. “The film is about Arjun and his marriage. He is 34 and has many insecurities about getting married. The many rejections he has faced have also got him to this point. He desperately wants to get married and faces family pressure to do so as well. The story will follow the hurdles that he faces in the process,” said the director.
Visithiran – May 6
A Tamil remake of the Malayalam film Joseph, this film is led by RK Suresh. The original version featured actor Joju George essaying the titular character. The story revolves around a retired police officer known for his investigative prowess, who gets unexpectedly pulled into a criminal case involving organ harvesting, after the death of his ex-wife. The film is also being remade in Hindi starring actor Sunny Deol. M Padmakumar ,who helmed the Malayalam and Tamil versions, will direct the Hindi remake, as well.
Don – May 13
Starring actor Sivakarthikeyan, Don was earlier scheduled to release on March 25. It is written and directed by debutant director Cibi Chakaravarthi. According to Cibi, the film is a drama that revolves around a person named Chakaravarthi (Sivakarthikeyan). It will follow his life from childhood until his 30s, set amidst a college backdrop. The film has an ensemble cast, including SJ Suryah, Munishkanth, Soori, Kaali Venkat and Bala Saravanan, among others. It is produced by Lyca Productions, in association with the actor’s home banner, Sivakarthikeyan Productions.
Sarkaru Vaari Paata – May 12
Headlined by Mahesh Babu and Keerthy Suresh, this Telugu film is directed by Parasuram. It is jointly produced by Naveen Yerneni, Y Ravi Shankar, Ram Achanta, and Gopichand Achanta, under Mythri Movie Makers, GMB Entertainment and 14 Reels Plus banners. According to a statement shared by the makers, the story of Sarkaru Vaari Paata is set against the backdrop of the bank system. AS Prakash has handled the art direction of the film, who said that the story required three banks, one of them, is to be 50 years old, while the other two are modern banks. The music is composed by S Thaman and the makers released a song named Kalaavathi that became viral on social media.
Pattampoochi – May 13
Directed by Badri Narayanan, and backed by Kushboo Sundar, Pattampoochi features filmmaker Sundar C, Jai, Honey Rose Varghese, and Imman Annachi, among others. An investigative thriller, the teaser of Pattampoochi shows Jai and Sundar in contrasting roles and is expected to be a cat-and-mouse chase between the characters.
Nenjuku Needhi – May 20
This Tamil remake of the hit Hindi film Article 15, which starred Ayushmann Khurrana as a righteous police officer, will see actor-politician Udhayanidhi Stalin stepping into Khurrana’s shoes. The 2019 film deals with an officer who investigates the case of a missing Dalit girl in a small, remote village after two Dalit girls are found hanging from a tree. While the film makes no direct reference to any specific incident, it is loosely based on the 2014 Badaun gang-rape case and the 2016 Una flogging incident. The Tamil remake is set in Pollachi. Nenjuku Needhi is directed by Arunraja Kamaraj, and produced by Zee Studios and Boney Kapoor’s BayView Projects in association with Romeo Pictures.
F3 – May 27
Starring Venkatesh Daggubati and Varun Tej, and directed by Anil Ravipudi, F3 is expected to be a comedy-drama and is a standalone sequel to the 2019 film F2: Fun and Frustration. The film is produced by Sri Venkateswara Creations. While Tamannaah Bhatia and Mehreen Pirzada are the female leads opposite Venkatesh and Varun Tej, respectively, Rajendra Prasad will be seen essaying a comical role. F3 was scheduled earlier for a release in April.
