The family of late veteran actress Malini Fonseka has issued a strongly worded statement accusing the makers of the upcoming biographical film “Rajiniye” of acting without informing or consulting the family, despite repeated assurances.

In a statement issued by actress Samanalee Fonseka on behalf of the family, it was alleged that filming for the movie commenced on Monday without the family having been provided with the screenplay they had repeatedly requested.

The statement said the family had initially remained silent as they did not wish to comment on a project without knowing its contents. However, they decided to respond after learning that production had begun without prior notice.

While expressing gratitude to producer Jayantha Dharmadasa for the care and support he had extended to Malini Fonseka during her illness and final years, the family stressed that the film was a separate professional matter requiring transparency and proper consultation.

According to the statement, the family first learned of the proposed film through a third party. It said discussions with Jayantha Dharmadasa in February this year resulted in assurances that the screenplay would be shared with the family before production proceeded.

The family further stated that screenwriter Suneth Malinga later contacted them by telephone, but they insisted that the project should be discussed at an official meeting with all family members rather than over the phone.

It said the screenplay was requested on several occasions, including through registered letters and WhatsApp messages, but despite promises that it would be delivered before May 20, the document was never provided. The family also claimed that none of their subsequent communications received a response.

Samanalee Fonseka said the family welcomes the idea of a film based on Malini Fonseka’s life but believes they have a legitimate right to know its storyline and how her life will be portrayed.

The statement accused the filmmakers of breaking their promises, using Malini Fonseka’s name for promotional purposes without proper consultation, and proceeding with filming in what the family described as an unethical and deceptive manner.

The family said it strongly condemns the decision to proceed without engaging Malini Fonseka’s siblings and other close relatives, arguing that using the life story of a celebrated artist for commercial purposes without transparency goes against the ethical standards of the arts sector. (Newswire)

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The Jackson family film Michael has become the highest-grossing biopic of all time, despite middling reviews, strong competition and even late rewrites and legal hurdles.

The Antoine Fuqua-directed movie, now boasting a $977 million US worldwide box office, surpassed 2025’s Oppenheimer to claim the title this weekend, moving behind the previous record holder’s gross of $975 million. It was already the highest grossing musical biopic, as it earned more than the $911 million of Bohemian Rhapsody by mid-June. It is also Lionsgate Films’ highest grossing movie, ahead of 2013’s The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Michael follows pop superstar Michael Jackson, played as an adult by his real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson, through his earliest days performing with his family in the Jackson 5, on to the heights of his early career releasing hits like Billie Jean, Beat It and Thriller.

Notably though, the plot neglects to explore or even mention accusations of sexual child sexual abuse levied against Michael Jackson, who died in 2009. Speaking to the New Yorker, Fuqua confirmed the original plan for the script was intended to address them: a planned scene would have seen Michael Jackson stripped and searched by police during the 1993 police raid of Neverland ranch. 

But though Fuqua wrote and even filmed many of those segments, they were eventually cut and redone. In the end, a reported legal agreement between the Jackson estate and Jordan Chandler — who, along with his family, accused the singer of sexually molesting him when he was 13 — were largely why that plan was scuppered, according to multiple reports.

As reported by trade magazine Puck, The Hollywood Reporter and others, an out-of-court settlement agreement stipulated that Chandler’s story could never be included in any productions about Jackson’s life — a stipulation that producers were not aware of until filming was already well underway.

The version that landed in theatres ends in 1988, before any public accusations were made against Jackson. The extensive reshoots, costing as much as $50 million US, were done at the estate’s expense.

Jackson and his estate always denied the singer was guilty of any accusations of sexual abuse. Chandler’s family stopped co-operating with prosecutors after receiving their settlement, and the investigation was closed. Jackson did not admit guilt in that settlement, though was later prosecuted over allegations for similar allegations in 2005. He was acquitted on all charges.

Still, that framing led to a significant amount of outcry surrounding the project: from think pieces to calls for a boycott, a segment of audience members, journalists and even family members had various issues with how the star’s life was reconstructed. Some went so far as to accused Michael of misrepresenting Michael Jackson’s story and leaving out key facts to rehabilitate his character for a new, younger audience. 

Michael Jackson’s sister and parallel superstar Janet Jackson declined to be depicted in the film and is notably absent from the story. His daughter Paris Jackson posted on social media that her script notes were ignored by producers, and that the end-product would satisfy those still obsessed with the “fantasy” of her father’s life. 

Dan Reed, who directed the documentary Leaving Neverland which deals with those accusations, said Michael existing at all spoke to the shifting perception of the singer over the years. 

“People just don’t care.” he told The Hollywood reporter. “I think a lot of people just love his music and turn a deaf ear.”

Differing opinions

Outside of its subject matter, the film was also subject to criticism around its pacing and storytelling. A mixed slate of reviews pointed to a shallow plot operating to glue musical scenes together, and simplistic, saint-like depiction of its central character — common complaints against musical biopics. Similarly, biopic Bob Marley: One Love was largely panned by critics despite earning an impressive $181 million US. 

And the previous musical biopic record-holder, Bohemian Rhapsody, saw similarly mixed reviews before based around its simplistic — and allegedly inaccurate — depiction of Queen singer Freddie Mercury.

Other reviewers found more to enjoy in Michael. Both the Hollywood Reporter and Deadline complimented Jaafar Jackson for the impressive channelling of his uncle. At the same time, the singer’s streaming numbers spiked by 95 per cent after the blockbuster film’s release in April. 

Even still, Michael’s opening weekend projections were around a humble $50 million to $70 million for the U.S. and Canadian box office. It wildly outperformed those numbers, pulling in almost $100 million, nearly doubling the opening weekends of other blockbuster music biopics like Straight Outta Compton and Bohemian Rhapsody. 

That dominant run has continued ever since. And as both Fuqua and studio Lionsgate have teased, at least one more film following Michael Jackson’s later life is expected to hit theatres in the future. (CBC)

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Lokesh Kanagaraj’s ensemble film ‘Coolie’, headlined by Indian Actor Rajinikanth, seems geared up for a bumper opening, with Sun Pictures, the film’s producers, announcing that the Tamil film broke previous records for pre-sales of the US premieres. 

This means Coolie has not just beaten Leo and Ponniyin Selvan I’s advance collections for premiers in the US, but Rajinikanth has also beaten his own record for Kabali.

Sun Pictures wrote on their social media that Coolie is the first Tamil film to cross more than $2 million in premiere pre-sales in North America. They wrote, “#Coolie varraan solliko! #Coolie is the First Tamil film to cross $2 million in premiere pre-sales in North America. #Coolie releasing worldwide August 14th.”

Fans were thrilled with the record, calling it a ‘Rajinikanth mass’. One fan commented, “The movie will create a new history.” Another wrote, “Already record broken.” A Rajini fan seemed thrilled as he wrote, “With 2 days left #Coolie overtakes #Kabali and creates history. Record maker & Record breaker #Thalaivar #Rajinikanth.”

By collecting over $2 million with two days left for the film’s release, Coolie has broken past Tamil film records. Rajinikanth’s Kabali (2016), which made $1.9 million, held the top position for premiere pre-sales so far. Vijay’s Leo (2023), The GOAT (2024) and PS1 (2022) held the second, third and fourth positions, with Jailer (2023) holding the fifth spot.

About Coolie

The synopsis for Coolie on the British Board of Film Classification website reads: “A mysterious man takes a stand against a corrupt syndicate exploiting and abusing the workers of a port town in this action drama.” This is Lokesh’s first film with Rajinikanth. The film also stars Nagarjuna, Nimma Upendra, Soubin Shahir, Shruti Haasan and Aamir Khan in lead roles. It will be released in theatres on 14 August. (Hindustan Times)

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The South Indian movie “Tourist Family,” inspired by Sri Lanka’s economic crisis and portraying the Jaffna Tamil dialect, has emerged as a breakout hit of 2025, crossing the impressive ₹75 crore mark at the global box office. 

Abishan Jeevinth’s debut film, released on May 1, the Tamil drama has captivated audiences and critics alike, cementing its place as one of the year’s standout films.

Set against the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s post-COVID economic crisis, Tourist Family chronicles the journey of a Tamil family forced to migrate to Tamil Nadu. 

The narrative beautifully captures themes of displacement, dignity, and communal resilience, weaving a story that resonates with the struggles of real-world refugees.

Led by actor Sasikumar and actress Simran, the film’s performances have struck a chord with viewers across urban and rural centres. 

Yogi Babu, Mithun Jai Sankar, Kamalesh, MS Bhaskar, Ramesh Thilak, Bagavathi Perumal, Elango Kumaravel, and Sreeja Ravi round out a talented supporting cast that brings authenticity and emotional weight to the immigrant community they portray. (Newswire)

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Indian film ‘Singham Again’, which premiered on November 1 during Diwali, brings attention not only to its star-studded cast but also to its picturesque filming locations, some of which are in Sri Lanka. 

Starring Ajay Devgn and featuring notable actors such as Kareena Kapoor Khan, Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Tiger Shroff, Arjun Kapoor, and Salman Khan, the film integrates scenes filmed in both India and Sri Lanka, underscoring the region’s cultural significance.

One of the standout locations in Sri Lanka featured in ‘Singham Again’ is the Seetha Amman Temple located in Nuwara Eliya, which is closely associated with the Ramayana, making it a key historical site. This temple is revered for its ties to the epic tale, believed to be where Sita was held captive by King Ravana. Its depiction in the film enhances the narrative’s parallels with themes of devotion and heroism.

Other prominent Sri Lankan sites showcased in the film include the colonial-era Galle Fort and the city of Colombo, where significant sequences were shot at landmarks such as the Colombo Lotus Tower, Hotel Shangri-La, and the Galle Face Green. The inclusion of these locations highlights Sri Lanka’s blend of heritage, architectural splendour, and natural beauty.

Singam Again’s use of these locations not only enriches its storytelling but also invites viewers to explore the region’s ties to ancient myths and its modern-day allure. The portrayal of these sites may boost tourism interest, drawing attention to Sri Lanka’s diverse landscape that bridges historical reverence and contemporary charm. (Newswire)

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The motion poster of the Kollywood movie ‘800’, which is the untold story of Sri Lanka bowling legend Muttiah Muralitharan, has been released.

The movie which depicts former Sri Lanka cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan’s way to the top in the cricketing arena is directed by MS Sripathy.

The movie’s star cast includes Madhurr Mittal as Muttiah Muralitharan in the main lead roles. The music is composed by Ghibran. 

The film was produced by an unknown under the banner Movie Train Motion Picture and Vivek Rangachari.

‘800’ is set to be released in November 2023. (NewsWire)

Motion poster : https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hHWN4fXAVIo 

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