Murad Khetani, the producer of acclaimed films such as ‘Kabir Singh’ and ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’, is set to expand into South Indian cinema through his production company Cine1 Studios. Cine1 Studios has partnered with A for Apple Studios for the Tamil film ‘Baaththa’, starring National Award-winning actor Vijay Sethupathi in the lead role. The film has been written and directed by Balaji Tharaneetharan. Its teaser has been released, and the film is scheduled to hit cinemas worldwide on October 1, 2026.

With ‘Baaththa’, Cine1 Studios is expanding beyond Hindi cinema and seeking to bring stories from different Indian languages to a wider audience. Vijay Sethupathi headlines the film, while the music has been composed by Sai Abhyankkar. According to producer Murad Khetani, stories rooted in the local settings and cultural fabric of South Indian cinema have the potential to connect with audiences across the country. The company’s objective, he said, is not merely to enter a new market but to build long-term creative partnerships with filmmakers and talent from different linguistic industries.

Presented by Star Studios18 and Atlee, the film has been jointly produced by A for Apple Studios and Cine1 Studios. The producers are Murad Khetani, Priya Atlee, Alok Jain and Ajit Andhare. The recently released teaser offers the first glimpse into the film’s story and its distinctive world.

With names such as Vijay Sethupathi and Balaji Tharaneetharan attached to the project, Cine1 Studios’ collaboration on ‘Baaththa’ marks the beginning of a new chapter for the company in South Indian cinema.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar