May 7 brought a mix of emotions in South Indian cinema, with news ranging from heartfelt tributes and viral trends to exciting updates. Here are the top five stories from the day.
Rajinikanth Pays Tribute to R. B. Choudary
Superstar Rajinikanth paid his final respects to veteran producer R. B. Choudary, who reportedly died in a car accident. Rajinikanth offered flowers near the mortal remains and revealed Choudary's unfulfilled dream of collaborating with Vijay for his 100th film. Choudary had told Rajinikanth, 'I want to complete my 100th film and retire peacefully. You should act in that film.' However, Vijay later announced Jana Nayagan as his final film before entering politics. Choudary was remembered as a filmmaker who nurtured fresh talent and backed many successful films.
Vijay's 'Chief Minister' Title Card Goes Viral
Vijay, who has been in the news after his party's reported success in the Tamil Nadu 2026 elections, grabbed attention when a viral 'Chief Minister' title card from Jana Nayagan surfaced online. A theatre moment shows Vijay being introduced as the 'Honourable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu,' with fans cheering loudly. However, reports suggest the video is AI-generated and unofficial.
Allu Arjun's Family Supports 'Pushpa 2' Stampede Victim
In Telugu cinema, Allu Arjun's father Allu Arvind and wife Sneha Reddy visited the family of Sritej, affected by the Pushpa 2: The Rule stampede in Hyderabad. They assured educational support and extended solidarity, earning praise from fans.
Salman Khan and Nayanthara Film Title Buzz
Salman Khan and Nayanthara's upcoming film, directed by Vamshi Paidipally, is reportedly titled The Messengers, according to a Dainik Bhaskar report. The makers recently wrapped a Mumbai schedule and are preparing for the next leg in Manali, but the title is unconfirmed.
Ram Charan's 'Peddi' Post-Production Update
The makers of Peddi, starring Ram Charan, confirmed the edit is locked. Sharing a picture, they wrote, 'The #PEDDI edit has been locked! All set for massive premieres from June 3, 2026. Worldwide release on June 4th.' The film also stars Janhvi Kapoor, Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, Divyendu Sharma, and Boman Irani.
Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, including Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026, and Telugu movies.
