Rajni's Kuselan Shooting Started!

The shooting of Rajinikanth’s forthcoming film, Kuselan, started on March 18, 2008 at the Ramoji Rao Film City in Hyderabad. Kuselan stars Rajinikanth, Pasupathy, Nayantara, Prabhu and Meena in the lead roles and is directed by P. Vasu. The film, a remake of the Malayalam superhit Katha Parayumbol, is jointly produced by K. Balachander's Kavithalaya Productions and Seven Arts Films which produced the original.

Kuselan is an emotional rollercoaster on the friendship between a poor barber and a superstar. Rajinikanth plays the superstar while Pasupathy plays the barber. Meena plays the wife of the barber while Nayantara appears as an actress paired with Rajinikanth for a film. It is learnt that Prabhu was roped in to reprise the role played by Mukesh in the original. However, director P. Vasu has modified it from a tutorial college professor to an inspector in charge of providing security for the superstar.

The first schedule of the film is now being shot in Hyderabad and will come to a close on April 4. Later, the unit will travel to a picturesque village near Pollachi to shoot the village scenes including the climax sequence. Director P. Vasu is said to have modified the script to suit Rajni fans. Apart from increasing the screen time for the superstar, Vasu has also plans to shoot a fight and 5 songs, three more than the original. The film is expected to release by July/ August.

Record # of Prints in Dasavatharam!

Bollywood films 'Om Shanti Om' and the recent hit 'Jodhaa-Akbar' share the record for the maximum number of prints, the record being just over 1000.

Now, it’s Kamal Hassan’s magnum opus ‘Dasavatharam’ that has overtaken the Bollywood biggies. It would have more that 1,500 prints in Tamil and other languages put together.

Kamal Hassan’s fans will be assured that they would have more than 1500 movie halls to choose from across the world to watch their favourite star in action!

Vishal Plays Cop for First Time!

He is an action hero and is succesful in all his commercial films. He is now playing the role of a cop in "Satyam" directed by A. Rajasekar. Nayanthara is playing opposite Vishal in this film. She is still riding from the success of Iyya, Chandramukhi, Gajni, and Billa.

Vishal is an Assistant Commissioner of Police and Nayanthara is a journalist. This movie is taken in both Tamil and Telugu.

Harish Jayaraj has scored the music for this film, R.D. Rajasekar worked on the camera and Vikram Krishna produces the film.

Simran's Interview!

Below is an abstract of Simran's interview released in Telegucinema.com

With two films already released, let's see what the actress has to say about her comeback...

Q: You still look very glamorous! How do you manage it?

A: Thank you for your appreciation. Glamour or beauty comes from happiness. I am happy with motherhood. And I take life positively. My life is tension free.

Q: You had acted with top heroes like Chiranjeevi, Kamal, NBK, Nag, Venky etc. What made you accept a film opposite a comedian (John Apprao 40 plus).

A: The script was interesting and so I accepted it. I don't think too much about star value. For me, story is important. Nothing else matters.

Q: Did you miss the arc lights after your marriage!

A: No. It was my personal choice not to act in films until my son turns two. I wanted to enjoy a peaceful marital life, hence I stayed away from acting.

Q: How do you manage career and motherhood, as acting in films takes long hours from home?

A: I have planned it all. I made my comeback after a lot of thought. My son is my everything. And I know how to handle the pressures of my profession and my son's demands.

Q: Will you continue to play glam roles like you did earlier?

A: Why not? I am the glam queen, as the media reports (laughs). I don't mind playing glam roles. And I know where to draw the line.

Q: What are the differences you see in Tollywood compared to the time when you made debut a decade ago?

A: Young filmmakers are more disciplined and have better understanding of film making. Earlier, films were completely entertainment driven and nothing else. Today, they write scripts that accommodate comedian Krishna Baghavan and me in the lead role. Film making here has become more stylish.

Q: In retrospect, which of your films do you like the most?

A: It is a tough task. In Telugu, I think Narasinhanaidu, Nuvvu Vastavani and Kalisundam Raa are memorable movies. In Tamil, Vaali and Kannatthil Muthamittal are my personal favourites.

Q: Who do you think is the best among the current heroines?
A: Trisha, Nayanathara and Shriya are a doing great job.

Vellitthirai - Review

Language: Tamil
Movie: Vellitthirai
Director:
Producer: Duet Movies
Music: GV Prakash
Photography:
Cast: Prakash Raj, Prithiviraj, Gopika, MS Baskar

Rating: * * *

One more superb production by Duet Movies. They are really making good and worth to watch movies. This is a Malayalam remake of "Udhayanaanu Thaara" which deals with the nuisances of behind-the-scene activities in making the movies.

Prakashraj, who is looking for a hero chance to act in movies, was turned down by all the producers and directors. Prithviraj, is looking for a directorial debut, who is actually an assistant director.

Prakashraj ends up as room partner with Prithivaraj and they both try their luck. With several chances going down and leading a poor and pitiful life, Prakashraj steals the heart and support of the audience. He steals the dream project of Prithiviraj and registers it. He then sells it to producer and gets the hero chance. The movie clicks and he becomes a top hero.

On the other side, Prithivaraj who knows that he took away the story, still trying to make his foot print in direction. He finally gets a chance, but unluckily to direct the person who looted his story.

Prakashraj did not like Prithivaraj coming up in the life and gives all sorts of trouble when they're working together.

The story ends with how Prithivaraj completes his film with Prakashraj.

Both Prithiviraj and Prakashraj acted very well. They both won the heart of the audience through their acting. MS Baskar's comedy is good and timely. The stealing of the story by Prakashraj was a good and thrilling scene. It would have put a question mark on the minds of viewers on whether he should get caught or not. When Prithiviraj leads his life with Gopika, both of them have done well in all the scenes explaining the trouble some life they go through.

This movie can be watched in theatres and worth watching!

Rating: * * * (3 stars)

Kollywood Stars Turn to Enter Cricket!!

With Sharukhan entering the cricket by buying the cricket team in IPL, the kollywood stars have entered the cricket but not for purchasing a team but as brand ambassador of Chennai's IPL team.

Leading actor Ilaya Thalapathi Vijay and superstar Rajnikanth's pair / heroine in Chandramukhi have been signed by India Cements as brand ambassador for the Chennai Super Kings team. India Cements which bought the Chennai Super Kings is expected to use the ambassadors for selling their products--cement, etc. and they will travel to Mohali, Kolkatta and Mumbai to cheer the team and the crowd.

With the top actor and actress entering the cricket field, more glamor is expected in IPL.

Raghuvaran Passes Away!

Very familiar actor in the Kollywood circle Raghuvaran died today due to cardiac arrest. He was 60 and is survived by his ex-wife and son. He was admitted in a private hospital a week ago due to ailment.

He was married to actress Rohini and ended in a divorce soon. He acted in more than 80 films in Tamil and Malayalam languages and had many awards including "Kalaimamani" given by the Tamil Nadu Government.

He played Antony in Baasha and a dean in Sivaji along with Rajnikanth. He has acted with Rajni in more movies--Mr. Bharath, Raja Chinna Roja, Badsha, Sivaji. His other notable films are: Ratchagan, Mudhalvan, Poovizhivasalile, Anjali.

All actors played tribute to the great actor at his residence. The list includes, his ex-wife Rohini, Srikanth, Pandiarajan and his son, Manorama, Oorvasi, Vivek, Satyaraj and more.

Raji is cleared in Land Issue!

The controversy surrounding the land bought by Super Star Rajnikanth came to a close today after the Tamil Nadu Government issue a statement indicating that there was no loss to the government.

The Tourism Development and Registration minister Mr. Suresh Rajan confirmed the news that there was no issue in the purchase of the land. All the required fees to the government was paid on time, registered the land in person with photograph and the amount registered was also more than the government value for the 8.93 acres of land purchased at the time of purchase. He purchased the land in Thiruvallur District in Tamil Nadu.

With that, the government has put a full stop to the speculation.

Kuruvi Ready to Fly in May!

Vijay's next movie Kuruvi is ready to get released in May. This film is directed by Dharani and produced by Chief Minister Mr. M. Karunanidhi's grandson Udhayanidhi, will hit the silver screens in May. The team that created Gilli is back again in Kuruvi. Vidyasagar's music is guaranteed to meet the Vijay's fans expecations. Trisha is the heroine and pairing with Vijay one more time.

Director is confident that this film will not only exceed Vijay fans expectations but will become a super hit movie. He said, this is an action oriented file with adventure, romance and family sentiments.

This is what almost every director, actor and others claim, but we have to wait and watch when it becomes live. Let us hope that this team does not disappoint all the movie lovers!

Good luck guys!

Rajni's Biography Released!

The much awaited biography of the Tamil Super Star Rajnikanth is released! The author Gayatri has spent useful hours in building this Super Star life history in a few hundred pages and she has succeeded in her attempt.

Veteran journalist and movie actor Shri Cho Ramaswamy handed over the first copy of the book to the Soundarya Rajnikanth.

Praising the actor for his phenomenal achievements as an actor, he is a believer of God and a spiritual person. No one with his amount of money need to be so polite and humble, but he is, said Cho.

Soundarya, daugher of Rajnikanth said, "she is proud to be the daughter of a great man."

Former directory of CBI Mr. Karthikeyan said, "Rajni is a pleasant man to move with and a man of humility."

The author Gayathri said, "Rajni had narrated the events of his life with great patience. Has a lot to learn from him."

His latest movies Chandramukhi, which crossed the 2-year mark and Sivaji, the boss in 2007 were great hits!

Anjathey!

Language: Tamil

Movie: Anjathey

Director: Mysskin

Producer: Nemichand Jabak

Music: Sunder C. Babu

Photography: Mahesh Muthuswamy

Cast: Narain, Prasanna, Pandiarajan, Ajmal, Vijayalakshmi

Rating: * * * *

Beautifully characterised, picturised, and directed by Miskin. Though you can image better actors for the key roles in this film, I doubt whether it would have fitted properly to take it to the public. All the key characters--Narain, Ajmal, Prasanna, Pandiarajan, Vijayalakshmi, MS Baskar, Livingston, all played their role to the fullest potential. Even though the story circles around police, kidnapping, rape, murder, etc. there was not much blood-shed in the name of violence.

The story is about two friends, who have entirely opposite characters--fun, aggressive, street fighter v. serious, honest, soft spoken.

Narain and Ajmal Ameer are friends living in the police colony. Narain plays the role of Satyavan (Satya), is irresponsible who cares for nothing, has habits of drinking, loitering with friends, getting into street fights.

Ajmal plays the roles of Kripa Sankar (Kripa) is a hard working guy, serious and soft spoken. He has dream of becoming a police officer through hard work and discipline.

One day Satya is insulted by his parents for spoiling the festival in the colony for getting into fight with Prasanna--who plays the role of Daya, who runs the kidnapping racket with the mechanic and mobster Pandiarajan--Logu. The incident touches the ego of Satya who decides to join the police force in any manner. Whereas, Kripa wanted join police force through discipline and taking honest route. Both of them take part in the examination where Satya through his uncle--the secretary of a minister, passes the test and his friend Kripa fails. This gives a good turn in the movie. They both separate and take their own path!

After joining the force, Satya turns to be a good human being. He stops all bad habits and tries to help people and the society. Uttara makes Satya as her role model based on his human touch in his police role.

On the other hand, Daya keeps police force on their toes by kidnapping young girls from rich families, rapes them so that they don't complain, and exchange them for huge ransom of money. An enounter team is set up including Satya to hunt down the kidnappers.

Daya recruits Kripa who does not like Satya and wanted him to fail in all his assignments. Daya uses Kripa to fight Satya and the nail-bitting finish in the sugar cane field was good to watch and brings the audience to the edge of the seat. Though it is little lengthy, it was worth an effort and should definitely appreciate the director. The camera work was so good that key things were captured.

As far as music, Sunder C. Babu has done a good job especially on the first song "Kannadasan ..."

Though the length of the moive--runs for more than 3 hours, can be said as a complaint, it is still worth watching! Congratulations to the Anjathey team headed by Miskin.

Rating: 4 stars and please watch it in theatres!

Azhagiya Thamizhmagan (ATM)

Rating: * *

Directed by Bharathan, Music Composed by A.R. Rehman and acted by Vijay in dual role, this movie depicts a combination of extra-sensory character and a person who prefers for money than anything else (of course, he changes in a 30 second dialogue during the climax)

Vijay, starting with Guru character, as an athlete who is a champion in the state level competitions. When he meets the heroine Shreya (played as Abinaya nick-named as Abi), she was praying for her friend's brother's win in an athletic competition, which means, Guru has to loose. Guru, understanding the family position of the competitor, allows him to win and takes the 2nd place. This touches the heart of the heroine and they fall in love.

Unexpectedly, the two villains in the industry played the role of father for Guru and Abinaya (Ashish Vidyarthi). Both accept the love and fix the marriage. The third villain in the cinema industry (Sayaji Shinde) played the role of a jewel shop owner and is a friend of the 2nd Vijay, played as Prasad.

Guru, who has the extra-sensory power, identifies the accidental death of the kid and also the accident of the father's bus. He also sensed the stabbing of Abi by himself. Fearing that he might kill Abi, he goes to Mumbai where he meets Prasad, the 2nd Vijay. Expecting that he might kill Abi, he tries to follow him, but meets with an accident and spends few days in the Mumbai hospital.

Thinking Prasad as Guru, Abi develops her relationship with him and gets engaged. When original Guru returns to Chennai, they fight. Prasad uses Guru's dairy to understand various happenings in his life and whenever Abi or Guru's friend ask about an incident, he convincingly answers them.

Though the importance of love was explained to Prasad by Guru during their fight, he ignores all the dialogue and moves closer to Abi. Abi asks Prasad to explain what happened during their earlier visit to a resort, Prasad's wrong answer explains everything and he chases Abi.
Guru tries to save Abi, but accidentally he stabs Abi (as he sensed it). Prasad knocks Guru and admits Abi in the hospital, still acting as Guru. After a 30 second explanation of what is love, the helping tendency of original Guru, to Prasad, he realizes the importance and accepts that he is not Guru.

Both Guru & Abi join hands and Prasad & Namitha join hands, who was introduced as a companion in the train journey from Mumbai to Chennai.

The remix song of Pon Magal Vandal, Maduraikku Pogadhadi makes you hum, but rest of the songs did not register in the mind. The background music was good, as usual. The supporting roles played Santhanam and others were good. The story did not miss leading comedians.
Though this seems like a “Iyer the Great” Malayalam movie starred by Mamooty, the movie is still not closer to the original. Overall, the rating is 2 out of 5.

Review of Pirivom Sandhippom

Rating: * * * *
This has to be given 4 out of 5 rating. The movie was very well directed, camera work was good, actors and actresses did their job well.

The story is about moving away from joint family and living in a separate family. The joing famil concept is very famous in India though slowly people are moving towards separate family because of various reasons.

The hero (Seran) who lives in a big family of 30+ people! The family looks a girl for him (Sneha) and he is ready to marry her. Sneha sees the hero in a marriage function, but the hero did not see her. So, they meet to chat in the restaurant where Sneha's friends make fun of the hero. He sees her again in the temple, but this time, the hero's uncle and aunty, who is also in the temple, talk to her and offer her a ride back home.

Finally they get married, but he didn't get time to spend with his wife. She is always busy doing something for the family. The hero gets a promotion and moves out of the city. They go to a hill station and live a peaceful life.

But, Sneha doesn't like this life, but accepts it because of his husband. Her liking of joint family is very well expressed when she offers coffee to the empt sofas.

Jayarm played the role of the doctor and he did it very well. During his visit to Cheran's family, he diagnoses that Sneha's mind is not stable. She has recorded the various sounds and voices of the nature when she was alone at home. She shows more than 10 audio cassettes to Jayaram, saying that's her hobby. Just before Jayaram informs Cheran about her condition, she takes multiple sleeping dose and gets admitted in the hospital.

The doctor explains to Cheran that she wanted people around her, otherwise, she will become mentally challenged person.

The story ends with Cheran taking her back to the joint family!

The comedy, songs and decent romance were the hallmark of this film!