Unnai pol Oruvan’s new star additions

In less than a few months of its official announcement, the Kamal starrer, remake of the Hindi movie A Wednesday, Unnaipol Oruvan, has wrapped up its first schedule. The movie that revolves around the main characters played by Kamal and Mohanlal also has supporting roles that fuel the pace of it.

Looks like for the two vital roles, model Ganesh Venkatraman, who made his acting debut with the Trisha starrer Abhiyum Naanum and Anuja Aiyer of M3V are added up to the casting list. With that the second phase of shooting is expected to kick start soon.

How Much for That "Slumdog" Kid in the Window?

Being part of an Oscar winning movie can up your asking price in Hollywood. Apparently it can also up your asking price should your father decide to try and sell you.

Rubina Ali, the nine-year-old girl who was featured prominently in the Oscar winning "Slumdog Millionaire," was offered up for sale by her father to undercover reporters working for News of the World, the paper is reporting.

The young child star's asking price was roughly $295,000. According to the paper, the price started off much lower when he first began negotiating the deal. Maybe the father forgot to take DVD sales into account.

Cheran promises a treasure: Pokkisham

The audio release of Cheran’s Pokkisham was held on Sunday, the 19th April at the Four Frames Theater in Chennai. The event was telecast live on TV and was attended by many of the industry’s top directors who expressed their faith in Cheran’s ability to mesmerize the audience with his creations. The CD of Pokkisham was formally released and two songs were screened for those present.

It would be an understatement to say that what was shown on screen was a revelation. We know Cheran as a master craftsman who has touched the chords of our hearts with sheer poignancy of his creations. The emotions evoked by Thavamaai Thavamirindu still linger. Knowing all that and expecting nothing short of high standards from Cheran, one still felt that what was being shown now was something of an elevated standard. Cheran spoke and said that the film is all about love. The story is set in the 70s and the love will have all the charm of that era; when love happened slowly but steadily where a strong emotional chord was formed between the two lovers even before they confessed their love to each other. The film will take us through the myriad emotions that two such lovers go through. Cheran plays the role of a marine engineer (Lenin) based in Calcutta and Padmapriya plays a Tamil literature student (Nithira) from Tamil Nadu. Their love takes form even as they are separated by distances and that is said to be the beauty of the movie. “Everything that is said and done in the movie will leave an impression in the heart of anyone who has ever fallen in love” said Cheran and we believe him.

As said above, the movie is set in the 1970s and that in itself necessitates elaborate sets to replicate the era. However, the budget did not allow for such liberties and Cheran had to scout many places before deciding upon a small area in Calcutta where the architecture was a throwback to the past. Small modifications to the hoarding and advertisements and the paints on buildings recreated the 1970s and brought it alive, as was seen in the songs screened. Cameraman Rajesh Yadav and art director Vairabalan should be lauded for their role in realizing Cheran’s vision. One thing that really surprised is Padmapriya’s role as a Muslim girl; she seems to have lived the character. She said at the function that this was one of the most challenging roles in her career. She has done a marvelous job. Perhaps, her previous experience of playing a Muslim character (in the Malayalam film Amritham) helped her a bit.

The two songs that were screened ‘Nila Nee Vanam’ sung by Vijay Yesudas and Chinmayee and ‘Varum Vazhi Engume’ by Renjini, were soulful and lovable compositions. The picturization too is brilliant, not the regular song and dance type, but one where the characters embed themselves in our minds. The songs appear to be written and composed strictly with the script in mind and Sabesh-Murali have done a great job of meeting the requirements. This is the composer duo’s 25th film. Their score is soothing, melodic and all those good things that are so rare in our lives.

The first impression given by the audio launch is that Pokkisham will be a film that will stand true to its title and be treasured by Tamil cinema lovers.
- Behindwoods

Graham still not leaving Prasanth

Graham lodged a police complaint saying, Prasanth along with his father are demanding more dowry and torturing her.

While Graham, by all legal means tortured Prasanth, Prasanth managed to learn that he is actually second husband for Graham and this made the legal proceeding to twist against Graham.

Now case for divorce and a cheating case is going on against Graham and soon Prasanth will hear a good news.

Mani suffers heart attack

Director Mani Ratnam, who is busy directing his upcoming flick Raavan in the city, suffered a heart attack today. Mani’s heart stroke is said to be his second and he is admitted in the Apollo Hospitals after first aid and medical supervision. Following his sudden ailment, the filming of his magnum opus Raavan is stalled until further notice, says sources close to the director.

Strenuous shoots and stress in work are the most

likely reasons for Mani’s attack. It is worth mentioning here that the director had been busy lately with the backbreaking schedules of his bilingual Raavan.

-behindwoods

Rajinikanth: No politics please!

In a tete–a-tete with the media at the Asal ‘pooja’ launch, Superstar Rajinikanth spoke
What do you think of Ajith? Is he going to be the next superstar? I don’t know about that, but more than a star, he’s a good actor. But so far, no one has completely extracted that ability from him. He’s a very good actor.
What do you think about his films?He’s a good entertainer and definitely every film of his has some message.
A point about elections, who are you going to vote for this elections?Aiyyo, Aiyyo- Sorry, Sorry (Smiles), I will not speak about it
And are you planning to launch a political party in future like Chiranjeevi?No! No! No! Political questions please, thank you

Ananda Thandavam – For Lovers and Love Failures

The title seems to be quite puzzling indeed, right? Must be really especially for you guys if you’re through a great love or even distressed with love failures.
So, let’s not keep dragging with the perplexing motifs. On the buttons, Ananda Thandavam is a film about a couple (Debutant Siddarth and Thamannah) who are deeply in love. But fate alienates them and destiny gets them to meet again somewhere in the World….
Now, will their passions be rekindled? But just take it! The girl has already married and this young guy is almost ready for the nuptials with his new sweetheart.
Director Gandhi Krishna has said that it would be a great treat for those who are in love and a token of gratitude for those who are drenched in love failure that was indeed a truthful one.

-tamil movie

Nayan’s other side revealed!

Nayanthara the most successful star of Kollywood has revealed the real shade of her. Please don’t jump to conclusions. The Malabar lass has divulged the philanthropist and humane side of her in two unrelated incidents. Thought the actress was keen to keep under wraps, the incidents somehow leaked.Venkat Manikkam who was a production manager for Ayngaran films and Kalpathy Agoram films and who has also worked in Villu was suffering from brain
tumor and is undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital. When Nayan heard this, she immediately gave away 3.5 Lakhs to his family to assist his treatment. In another incident, production manager Kamalakannan who worked for Chandramukhi and Billa had a major accident and Nayan donated 2 Lakhs for their treatment. Needless to say the families feel highly grateful to the star.

Simbu in a different beat!

After having redefined the comedy genre with his highly acclaimed Imsai Arasan and the moderately successful Arai En, Simbudevan is back with what is rumored to be the cowboy movie of Tamil cinema. Titled Irumbukottai Murattu Singam (IMS), the movie has a colorful bunch of artistes ranging from the latest babe of Tamil cinema Lakshmi Rai to the yesteryear veteran Manorama. IMS is scored by G V Prakashkumar and produced by AGS Entertainment, Kalpathi Agoram.


A cowboy themed movie in Tamil cinema is a novel concept and the press releases announcing the movie’s shoot commencement have already sparked curiosity. Dressed in Cowboy hat; a hat with a wide brim to protect from sun, overhanging brush, and other inevitable cowboyish elements, the actors are photographed in a different light altogether from the usual movie stills. IMS has Lawrence in the lead with Padmapriya, Lakshmi Rai and Sandhya as the lead ladies. The other actors include Nasser, Manorama, Vaiyapuri, Ramesh Kanna, Mouli and Delhi Ganesh.

- Behindwoods

'Rahman and Motorola, what rubbish!'

We're not being boorish in abusing people who've spread this story. Officials from Rahman's office themselves are poking fun at the media which has been floating highly unbelievable stories like Rahman endorsing Motorola.

Agreed, brand AR Rahman sells. More today than ever before. And a few media houses and online websites have been using it to their advantage with stories like these. But such fakes are being rubbished by people close to the maestro himself, who IndiaGlitz spoke to.

The latest in the beeline of rumours about Rahman was about him endorsing Motorola for a record price. 'Then what about his dealings with Nokia already?' his officals ask in jest. That a person cannot endorse two brand of the same field is common sense, they think. And it was less than a few months ago that Rahman, in collaboration with Nokia, brought out his mobile album, Connections, as part of his deal with them. Rahman and Nokia have earlier collaborated for his album, Pray For Me Brother. Officials in Rahman's studio say there were not even talks about an agreement with Motorola and this was a complete baseless rumour.

Now, reports in various spurious sections of the media have announced that Rahman has inked a deal with Motorola for a record Rs 28 crore to take over as its youth icon and brand ambassador, instead of David Beckam. Websites and online sources mind find it interesting to publish such stories, but those who know the truth only call them 'imaginative'.

- IndiaGlitz

Kamal’s invitation to Amitabh

Although Dasavatharam, released last year, reaped enviable commercial success down South, the Hindi dubbed version is ready to hit the screens in Bollywood only now. On this occasion, Kamal spoke briefly to a private television channel revealing that he has invited the Big B for premiere of Dasavatharam.

He was non-committal when questioned about the delay in releasing Dasavatharam in Hindi saying that the producer has to be asked the question. ‘I want


everyone to see this movie,’ he added. When asked whether Shruti receives his fatherly advises, Kamal stated that the only advice she got was in zoo or Disneyland and added that she would do well.

Kanthaswamy – Vikram’s disbelief!

As a preamble to the ensuing grand audio release, producers of Kanthaswamy convened a press brief at Sri Annai Abirami Theatre tonight at 8.00. The event witnessed attendance from Vikram, Shriya, Devi Sri Prasad, Susi Ganesan, lyricist Viveka, Sony BMG official Nandini and producer Kalaipuli Thanu.

Thanu, in his welcome speech, launched Kanthaswamy’s trailers. As a novel attempt and to pronounce the grandeur associated with the movie’s


production, five different trailers were screened. Each one, shot in super stylish angles with perfect finishing, is meant to tantalize the viewers and give them a sneak peek on what is in the anvil.

It was also made known that the audio will be released on April 15, 2009 for which a big scale event is planned. Dancers from Italy were invited to be part of the event who are already rehearsing for the same, it was revealed. The audio release will be telecast on Sun TV. Thanu mentioned that this audio release event will be a tribute to the film’s lead Vikram who has sung almost all the songs in the album like good old days when heroes also took the role of singers.

Kanthaswamy will also adopt around 30 villages in Tamil Nadu, as opposed to the earlier plan of 3. Many welfare schemes will be implemented in the villages and eligibility to become a part of this adoption scheme will be announced very soon, Thanu and director Susi Ganesan announced. Susi also showered admiration on Thanu mentioning that he was provided complete freedom during the movie’s production.

It is worth mentioning that Thanu completes his 25 years in cinema this 2009.

Vikram was all praises for Susi Ganesan and stated that he never imagined such a grand scale filming of Kanthaswamy. “When the script was narrated to me, I did not think Kanthaswamy would be such a mammoth project. But Susi has made the project truly humongous,” he said.

In her brief speech, Shriya attributed her beautiful looks in the movie to director Susi. “If I look any better in this movie than my other ones, the sole credit of it goes to the director,” she asserted.

- behindwoods