A Record 8 films to release on Dec 28!

A record number of eight or more small and medium Tamil films are due for release on December 28. It is the last Friday of 2012, as everybody wants to release in a mad rush.

The eight films which have announced a December 28 release are Akilan, Kozhikoovathu, Paraseega Mannan, Lollu Dadha Parag Parag, Pathayiram Kodi, Kathal Kaviyam, Kandu Pidichitten and Vishal’s Samar.

Some of these films may drop out at the last moment due to lack of theatres. But there are six others waiting in the queue, who may come on January 4!

Why this rush? A theatrical release is a must for television channels to show it as “Puthan Puthu Padam”. If there is no theatrical release, even for one show or one day, it becomes a television film. Satellite rights of some of these films have been sold as low as Rs 15 lakhs!

Actor Vikram, Jiiva and Mani Ratnam to come together !

The release date of Mani Ratnam’s latest offering ‘Kadal’ has been announced. The movie is slated for release on Febuary 1st, 2013. The film stars newcomers Gautham Karthik and Thulasi Nair with chart-topping music by A.R.Rahman and camera work handled by Rajiv Menon.

The same day will also see the release of Bejoy Nambiar’s ambitious bilingual project ‘David’. The film stars Vikram and Jiiva, both having character names as David, and the movie is about how their lives intertwine. The music of David is also tipped to be equally ambitious if not just ecclectic as nearly 12 different artists have contributed to the soundtrack. The audio release is expected to take place in the coming weeks.

Actress Samantha’s second lip lock

Samantha and Nani’s lip-lock in the posters of the upcoming romantic entertainer, directed by Gautham Menon, is already creating quite a buzz. This will be her second onscreen kiss after her lip-lock with Naga Chaitanya in her debut Yem Maya Chesave, which was also incidentally directed by Gautham Menon.

The actress has also played the female lead in the Tamil version of the flick which stars Jiiva. The leaked images has fueled thoughts that Samantha and Jiiva could have also shared a passionate kiss in Neethaane En Ponvasantham.
Neethaane En Ponvasantham is a youthful romantic entertainer, which is also simultaneously made in Telugu as Yeto Vellipoyindi Manasu. Gautham Menon has written and directed the film and Samantha has dubbed for herself for the first time in this film.

Music Director Anirudh & Actor Dhanush sold for a huge price

The Kolaveri boys are back with their second production. Ethir Neechal has been produced by Dhanush and Anirudh has scored the music. Dhanush has also penned and sung a couple of songs in the film. It has now come to our knowledge that Sony Music has bought the album for an anount that is huge for a small film like Ethir Neechal.

Ethir Neechal has been written and directed by Senthil. The album has six songs – Boomi enna suthude, Un paarvayil, Sathiyama Nee Ennaku, Nejamellam, Ethir Neechaladi and Yo Yo Honey. Anirudh has also made Hip Hop Thamizhan Aadhi and Yo Yo Honey sing a number. The audio will be launched on December 14th.

Director Vasanthabalan, Siddharth & ARR together

It’s official Vasanthabalan after his critically acclaimed Aravaan has confirmed his next film Kaaviya Thalaivan.

It is a casting coup of sorts as he has roped in Siddharth to play the male lead with music by none other than the ‘Mozart of Madras’. The dialogues are by Jeyamohan.

Kaaviya Thalaivan will be an interesting film as Vasanthabalan is for the first time doing a film with AR Rahman and Siddharth. Vasanthabalan is a director who believes in story telling as proved by his earlier films like Veyil and Angadi Theru

Actor Kamal Haasan and Mahesh to clash?

It looks like Kamal Haasan’s Viswaroopam and Tollywood Superstar Mahesh Babu’s Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu are all set to battle it out at the Box Office.
A slew of Telugu films is lined up for release in January and will be giving a tough competition to Kamal Haasan’s much-anticipated Viswaroopam (the Telugu release).
In the meantime, Chiranjeevi’s Nayak, Venkatesh’s Shadow and Mahesh Babu’s Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu are also gearing up for a January release. Will all these films get theatres for release or will the Teluguversion get postponed? We will have to wait and watch for that.

Actress Manisha Koirala hospitalized

Manisha Koirala, once the darling of cinema buffs across the country has been hospitalized since Wednesday. The 42 year old fell unconscious suddenly and was rushed to the h hospital. The doctors are giving her a thorough check up and it is expected that she will be released once the medical reports are out.

Manisha worked with Mani Ratnam for the super hit film, Bombay and Uyire. Shankar cast this Nepalese beauty in his blockbuster movie Indian opposite Kamal Haasan and later opposite Arjun in Mudhalvan. She was also Rajini’s heroine in Baba.

Recently the actress was seen in the Dhanush starrer, Maapillai which was a remake of a Rajini film of the same name. Manya as she is affectionately called played the domineering mother-in-law’s role. Behindwoods wishes her a speedy recovery.

Maattrraan Movie Completed a run of 50 days

Suriya’s Maattrraan, directed by KV Anand has completed a run of 50 days at the box-office. The movie is running in a few screens across the state despite the influx of the new Diwali releases.

Kajal Aggarwal also had a prominent role in this movie which featured Suriya in the role of conjoined twins. The movie dealt with themes like performance enhancingdrugs, genetic sciences and baby designing. Harris Jayaraj composed some hit tunes for the album.

Team Maattrraan ought to feel satisfied at the outcome at the box-office.

Actor Karthi's Alex Pandian – All You Wanted to Know Is Here!

Karthi starrer Alex Pandian, directed by Suraaj, is one of the high budget films of the year. This film will depict Karthi in a new avatar that fans have not seen henceforth. Yes, he will be seen as a complete action hero that audiences are going to cherish watching on the silver screens. That doesn’t mean that it would be a serious film because the director has included comedy scenes between Karthi and Santhanam to create a laugh riot. In total, Alex Pandian will have some fiery action sequences and amazing comedy scenes. Director Suraaj has proved already that he is adept in handling comedy flicks and Alex Pandian will ascertain that he is good at directing action flicks as well.

The crux of the story is that Karthi is a happy-go-lucky guy who goes to stay as a guest at Santhanam’s home. Why Santhanam hates Karthi and how he gains too many deadly enemies forms the rest of the story.

Karthi is an actor who works tirelessly to prove his mettle. He has done some daredevil stunt sequences in Alex Pandian without bothering about the risks. The train fight sequence is just an example of his hard work and commitment to excel in his work.

The glamorous Anushka will be seen flexing her muscles to fight the baddies as well. The entire Alex Pandian unit is full of praises for the actress for her punctuality, hard work and cooperation.

Santhanam as Jallikattu champ and Mano Bala as hunter will offer comic relief while Milind Soman plays the menacing villain. Suman and Mahadevan are the other baddies.

Alex Pandian has been shot extensively in Chennai, Mysore, Pondicherry, Hyderabad, Chalakudy and Mumbai. For the train fight sequence alone, the producers have shelled out about 70 lakhs and the audiences will experience the magnificence and intensity of this fight scene when seeing it on the silver screens.

Art director Prabhakar had erected 12 sets for Alex Pandian and all the song sequences have been shot here.

Devi Sri Prasad has scored the music for the lyrics penned by Vaali, Viveka and Pa Vijay. Stunt master Ganesh has included some great chasing sequences and stunts to make it even more thrilling for the action lovers.

Produced by KE Gananvelraja under his banner Studio Green, SR Prakash Babu and SR Prabhu are the joint producers of this film.

Actress Simran ready to rock again

Actress Simran, once the ruling queen in Tamil cinema industry was away from films after getting married. Now the actress is planning to turn as a producer and make a movie under her own production house.

Speaking on her film Simaran said “If the script is good then the film will sure make a hit. Many big budget films fail due to bad script. If we have dedication towards our work then only one can succeed in cinema. There is good response for different genre of films from the audiences and they are expecting this from the makers.”

She also brushed aside rumors that she is going to introduce her husband in that film and asked not to believe such rumors.

Simran is known for her slim and well structured hip. But after marriage and becoming a mother she has put on so much of weight.

Now the actress is keen in reducing her weight to shape her structure. Hope so we can see the hip beauty Simran soon. After the marriage the actress entered small screen as the host of the popular show Jackpot in Jaya TV.

Actor Kamal Haasan to release 3000 prints of ‘Viswarropam’

Kamal Haasan’s upcoming spy thriller Viswaroopam (Tamil) has been cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification with a U certificate with minor cuts, while the Hindi version titled Viswaroop got A rating without any cuts.

It is said that Kamal Hassan would release 3000 prints of the movie but the release date is yet to be finalised.

“Totally 3000 prints are to be release. I’ve poured all my energy and focus into Vishwaroopam now. I can’t think of Hollywood project until my current one is complete. Although I have put the idea for the English project together, but I believe it still needs some fine tuning” said Kamal.

Once the release date is decides, I would make an announcement. To understand the movie one needs some general knowledge and worldly wisdom,” he added. It is to be noted the Viswaroopam is the first movie in Indian to have Auro 3D sound technique used in it.

Written, directed and co-produced by Kamal himself, the film stars Pooja Kumar, Andrea Jeremiah, Rahul Bose, Jaideep Ahlawat, Nassar, Zarina Wahab and Miles Anderson in important roles. Shankar, Eshaan and Loy have composed music for the film, while Sanu Verghese has handled the camera.

2 Days to Diwali

Finally three days before Diwali, the films releasing in Tamil for the festival of lights has been firmed up.

They are Ilayathalapathy Vijay’s Thuppakki, STR’s Podaa Podi, Thangar Bachchan directed Ammavin Kaipesi and little known Kasi Kuppam. All these films have announced their release date with censor certificate and theatre listing.

Vijay’s Thuppakki Chengalpet distribution has been firmed up with market guru Aascar Ravichandran snapping the rights at a fancy price. Advance booking started in all theatres in Chengalpetu area from yesterday evening.
In Chennai city where bookings started from early morning on Friday, the response has been very good with most of the ‘plexes being sold out for the first two days.

STR’s Podaa Podi which got it‘s censor certificate late yesterday evening will start its advance booking from Sunday. Ammavin Kaipesi too has announced that their advance booking too starts from Sunday.

Meanwhile Shah Rukh Khan’s Diwali Dhamaka and Yash Raj Films tribute to their mentor and maker Yash Chopra’s Jab Tak Hai Jaan (JTHJ) is releasing in a dozen screens in Chennai city and suburbs.
The advance booking for the film has been very good.

Ajay Devgan’s Son of Sardaar too has got 9 screens in Chennai city with most of the multiplexes giving them small screens, as their priority is JTHJ.

Actress Samantha bags a biggie with Suriya

Looks like Samantha has baaged herself a biggie this time around. Waiting for a upcoming release with Gautham Menon’s Nethanae En Ponvasantham opposite Jiiva, Samantha has been roped in to Lingusamy’s next starring Suriya.

There were reports that Lingusamy was searching for a heroine to play Suriya’s ladylove in his forthcoming production and direction venture.

Suriya is currently working on Singham 2 and would start to work with Lingusamy next. Impressed hearing the script, Suriya agreed to do the movie and search began for the heroine. The names of Anushka, Kajal Agarwal, Hansika did the rounds.

Eventually Lingusamy and Suriya have settled for Naan Eee and Nethanae En Ponvasantham fame Samantha to settle for the role.

Samantha is busy with her shoots for Gautham Vasudev Menon bi-lingual Neethaane En Ponvasantham (NEP) in Tamil and Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu (YVM) in Telugu, but the buzz is that she has signed on the dotted lines.

Actress Nayantara plays ‘Silk’ Smitha in The Dirty Picture!!

It’s final now. After weeks of speculation and dilly-dallying, the makers of the Tamil remake version of the Bollywood super-hit film The Dirty Picture have finally decided as to whom to cast in the role essayed with aplomb by Vidya Balan in the original version which resulted in her bagging the coveted national award for ‘best actress’.
Petitions which were filed against the making of The Dirty Picture were quashed and the film ultimately ended up as a high-grossing film at the box-office. The kind of response the film elicited from the audiences has made more and more produces think seriously about remaking the film in their respective regional languages.
Nayanthara, who is on a comeback trail in Tamil films, has been chosen to play the lead role in the film, has reportedly demanded and has been assured of a huge sum for the film. It is said that she has agreed to act in many sexy and ‘steamy’ sequences.

Actor Prasanna,Sneha to go to US?

All is well. This is how the wedding of Prasanna and Sneha, which took place on Friday, can be described in one sentence. Within a week’s time from now, the happy couple will start their honeymoon trip, say circles close to them.
“Sneha and Prasanna are willing to go to the United States, as it was there their love journey started. Remember they had acted together in Achamundu Achamundu which was shot entirely in the US,” sources say.
“Some places in the US are so close to their hearts. Hence the love birds will go there as part of their honeymoon trip,” sources say, adding: “But a couple of other destinations are also on the cards.”
The marriage and reception at Sri Varu Venkatachalapathy Palace Kalyana Mandapam were well attended by the couple’s friends, relatives and colleagues. It was a grand, traditional wedding with the blessings of elders in both the families.

Actor Prabhu Deva's Assistant Comes Up With Yen Intha Mayakkam

Rainbow Creations is producing a film that is being directed by Shakthi Vasanth Prabhu who had apprenticed under Prabhu Deva. He had also worked with director Tharun Gopi and dialogue writer Prabhakaran. The film titled Yen Intha Mayakkam deals with the misuse of mobile phones and laptops and the harsh realities associated with it.

The scientific advancement has paved way for the use of these gadgets even among the teenagers. Several teenagers are seen talking on their mobiles or using their laptops for the wrong purpose. This certainly has an adverse effect on the society and Yen Inthan Mayakkam portrays this very engagingly.

Velmurugan, who was Nirav Shah’s assistant, is handling the camera for this film.

Newbies Rajiv Kumar and Rithika play the lead pair with another debutant Sorna playing the second heroine. While Rithika is a Bangalore based model, Sorna is a participant in the Maanada Mayilaada Season 7 show.

The shooting has been in progress in various places in Tamil Nadu and the last leg has commenced recently. Yen Intha Mayakkam is aimed to create a social awareness.

NEP Audio rights for record price?

Maestro Ilaiyaraaja’s achievements, status and stature in the Tamil film industry are unparalleled. The moment a film is announced with Ilaiyaraaja’s music, expectations start building up among his fans in particular about his music and in general about what the film might have to offer. Ilaiyaraaja, who started his musical sojourn in the mid-seventies, has been going strong for more than 35 years now and finds himself in an unassailable position despite him taking a break from composing music for most part of the last decade.
That gap allowed his son Yuvan Shankar Raja, a highly talented individual, to cement his palce in the industry. Now, Ilaiyaraaja is back and is back with a bang. One of his major upcoming films would be Needhanae En Ponvasantham (NEP) directed by Gautham Menon. This is the first time Menon is working with Ilaiyaraaja in his decade-long career as film-maker in Kollywood.
The film’s audio rights are presently in the process of negotiation. Reports say that Sony Music has reportedly offered an unprecedented sum of 2 crore to bag the audio rights of the film which stars Jiiva and Samantha in lead roles in the Tamil version while Naani replaces Jiiva for the Telugu version. Menon might finally settle for 2.50 crore, it is further reported.
If the deal is struck, the cost the film’s audio-rights would easily overtake that of Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya, Menon’s earlier film which had music by A.R. Rahman.

Actor Vikram to team up with Shankar for ‘Thendal?

Post the stupendous success of ‘Nanban’, a guessing game was on as to who will celebrated director Shankar team up with for his next and a number of names, from Suriya, Vikram to Kamal Haasan were rumored.
The rumors came to an end as Shankar has reportedly met few in the industry regarding the pre-production work and it is as good as official that he will be teaming up with Chiyaan Vikram for his next.
Now, rumor mills are working overtime that the director will be helming a project on elections and that it has been tentatively titled ‘Thendral’. Dialogues are touted to be penned by writers Suba and cinematography by PC Sriram.
Vikram who is currently shooting for his forthcoming high voltage action entertainer ‘Thaandavam’ in foreign locales will be back in a few weeks following which the pre-production and first look work on the film will begin.

Actor Vijay's Yohan – Gautham Confirms

Vijay starrer Yohan – Adhyayam Ondru, which director Gautham Menon announced last year, will commence in July. Confirming this, the director has said that the journey will start from July onwards. Gautham Menon is busy with the bilingual Nee Thaane En Pon Vasantham and Vijay has the AR Murugadoss directed Thuppakki.

Both these films are on the verge of being completed and is expected to be wrapped up by June end. Following this, the director and the star have decided to go ahead with their most expected film Yohan – Adhyayam Ondru.

Gautham is planning this as a franchise on the lines of the James Bond series but has said that it will depend on Adhyayam Ondru’s reception.