Chiyaan Vikram’s ‘Veera Dheera Sooran: Part 2’ made a strong impact right from its theatrical release on March 27, garnering positive reviews despite a few initial hiccups. The film, with its gripping narrative and intense performances, drew steady footfalls at the box office throughout its run. Now, after a successful theatrical journey, the action-packed saga has officially premiered on Prime Video today (April 24). As soon as it hit the digital platform, social media lit up with fresh waves of praise from viewers and fans alike, many calling it a compelling watch.
Authentic setting and strong performances praised
Viewers who caught the film on OTT praised its raw setting and taut narrative that held their attention till the end. Some noted similarities to classic gangster dramas but felt that the unique treatment and storytelling style made it stand out. Performances across the cast received solid appreciation, especially Vikram’s, who many felt was in top form. Comments like “Vikram Peaked ” and “Acting masterclass from Vikram and SJS!” filled timelines, showcasing just how much the audience connected with the leads and their portrayals.
A gritty rural thriller that delivers
Many described ‘Veera Dheera Sooran’ as a gritty rural action thriller that doesn’t waste time before plunging into high-octane drama. Fans felt this was truly a “Chiyaan Vikram film” in every sense — intense, stylish, and emotionally grounded. SU Arun Kumar’s direction and vision were applauded for their precision, and GV Prakash’s music alongside Theni Eswar’s cinematography added significant weight. One fan wrote, “Vetrimaaran-esque level taking, peak drama building. Super watch ” while another posted, “Dei, high beam ah podra ”, celebrating the film’s energy and visual style.
Kaali’s journey from peace to chaos
Set in Madurai, the story revolves around Kaali, a former gangster turned humble store owner trying to lead a peaceful life, only to be dragged back into the underworld due to rising conflicts. The narrative unfolds over a single, intense night and is packed with emotional twists, fierce confrontations, and memorable moments. Along with Vikram, the film features powerhouse performances by SJ Suryah, Dushara Vijayan, and Suraj Venjaramoodu. Backed by HR Pictures, with an engaging score from GV Prakash and visuals by Theni Eswar, Veera Dheera Sooran: Part 2 is currently trending for all the right reasons.

Akshay Kumar’s much-anticipated historical Kesari Chapter 2 is making its presence felt at the North American box office. According to the latest figures, the film has grossed an impressive $172,341 on its fifth day from 298 locations, taking its total reported gross in North America to $1,077,447 ( Rs 9.22 crore ) .The film also featured R Madhavan and Ananya Panday in leading roles.

In the United States alone, the film has collected $479,885 so far. Meanwhile, the film’s performance in Canada has been particularly noteworthy, with Kesari Chapter 2 earning CAD $597,562 by the end of Day 5. The strong showing in Canada reflects Akshay Kumar’s significant fan base in the region, where his patriotic dramas and action entertainers have traditionally performed well.
The film, which is a spiritual sequel to the 2019 hit Kesari, continues the saga of Indians taking on foreign powers. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi- the film is based on Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat’s book The Case That Shook The Empire. The book talks about the case that was fought by Sir C Sankaran Nair and the British Crown after the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre that took place in Amritsar.
Back home in India, Kesari Chapter 2 has registered a total of Rs 42 crore at the domestic box office within its first six days of release. While the film opened with strong collections, weekday drops have been steady but controlled, keeping it in the race for a respectable lifetime total.
Trade note that while the film hasn’t matched the blockbuster pace of Kumar’s previous patriotic hits like Kesari or Airlift, it has found a loyal audience in international territories. North America, in particular, has shown consistent footfalls, especially in Canada’s Sikh-dominated regions.
With the weekend approaching and with just one big film Ground Zero starring Emraan Hashmi releasing, industry trackers are hopeful that Kesari Chapter 2 will add a solid chunk to its total in both domestic and overseas markets. If the current trend continues, the film could comfortably cross the $1.5 million mark in North America by the end of its second weekend, securing a spot among the year’s better-performing Bollywood titles overseas.

The bond between Japan and India is a precious one and people from both sides should cherish it, says Japanese actor Kappei Yamaguchi, known for his voice starring role in the globally popular anime series “One Piece“. Yamaguchi, who voices the fictional character Usopp in the franchise created by Eiichiro Oda, said India is a country just as powerful as the world of the long-running Japanese show.
“‘One Piece’ can really make everyone smile, and I think that’s the case in India and, of course, in America and even in Europe. I’ve been able to experience this for myself by going to various places. It’s a really precious bond (between Japan and India) that we should continue to cherish…
“I thought India was a very powerful country, an exciting country, and I myself have grown to love this country, but the fact that the people of this country are supporting ‘One Piece’ makes me think that it is a country that is just as powerful as the world of ‘One Piece’,” Yamaguchi told PTI in an interview.
The actor was recently in India along with his “One Piece” co-star Hiraoki Hirata for the Mumbai Comic Con 2025.
The series, which has been on air since 1999, follows the adventures of Monkey D Luffy, a boy whose body gained the properties of rubber after unintentionally eating a Devil Fruit. With his crew, named the Straw Hat Pirates, Luffy explores the Grand Line in search of the world’s ultimate treasure known as the “One Piece” in order to become the next King of the Pirates.
Hirata, who voices Sanji in the show, said he is happy to see “One Piece” being recognised in India.
“I’d heard that it was really popular all over the world, but I only experienced it for real when I went to America and saw how enthusiastic the fans there were. So, as Kappie said, when people from countries like India get excited, the power they show is incredible…” he added.
While Yamaguchi and Hirata have been voicing the characters of Usopp and Sanji for 25 years now, both the actors originally auditioned to essay Luffy and Roronoa Zoro.
Mayumi Tanaka and Kazuya Nakai eventually voiced the roles of Luffy and Zoro, respectively.
Yamaguchi said he had never before played a role like Usopp, a member of the Straw Hat Pirates who serves as their sniper.
“I was really worried at first. But now it has been 25 years of me working with the character, I am able to do it now. I think the character of Usopp has already become familiar to me, to the point where I wonder what my initial concerns were…
“The character has changed a lot (over the years), as I’ve been able to put more and more of my own feelings and various aspects of myself into it. I think he’s probably the character I have the most freedom with now,” he added.
Voice starring in “One Piece” has had “a huge impact” on Yamaguchi, he said.
“The fact that I can feel happy about being able to work on this series is the greatest thing of all. We have been given a wonderful gift in the form of the ‘One Piece’ series, which brings a smile to people’s faces and allows them to talk to each other.”
Hirata said Yamaguchi was already a famous voice actor, but he was unknown before joining the cast of “One Piece”.
“So, when I got the role of Sanji in ‘One Piece’, my life completely changed. When I was chosen as Sanji, ‘One Piece’ fans didn’t know who I was at all,” he added.