Sunday, February 10, 2008

Music composer Iman to wed an engineer



Iman has finally found his soul mate in a computer engineer. D Iman made his debut in films with 'Whistle.' The song "azhagiya asura..." from the film was a super hit and Iman became sought after. He went on to compose music for around 20 films including 'Giri,' 'Chinna,' 'Thalainagaram,' 'Vathiyar,' 'Marudhamalai' and so on. Iman is the in-house music composer for all Arjun films.

When offers dwindled, Iman started composing music for television programs. Right now, he does not have too many offers on hand, so his parents have found him a suitable bride. Iman is now betrothed to Monica, the daughter of Richard and Rita from Chennai.

The betrothal took place on Feb 1 at Chennai. Monica has a BE degree. The wedding is to take place on April 24 at 7pm at St. John's Cathedral in Chennai.

Not all of films that Iman composed music for have been great hits. Our best wishes that his luck turns for the better after his marriage!

Dhanush Charges 3 Crores


The Telugu super hit Arya created a star out of Allu Arjun in the lead. The same is to be remade in Tamil with Dhanush in the lead role. This debut undertaking for Gemini Labs will be directed by Balasekharan, who has victorious movies like Love Today and Thulli Thirindha Kaalam to his name. Dhanush, who has hit a high following the huge critical and commercial success of his recent release Polladhavan, is currently awaiting the release of his forthcoming movie Yaradi Nee Mohini, a remake of the Telugu film Aadavari Matalaku Ardhale Verule, which was directed by his brother Selvaraghavan.

The actor has supposedly been signed up for a huge sum of 3 crores, which has catapulted him into the big league. The heroine is yet to be finalized. The original was a marketable potboiler with rib-tickling comedy, awesome action and rocking musical numbers. With a big league star, a fine filmmaker and a proven script at their disposal, it seems like Gemini Labs is going to have a dominant debut production.

Mallika to Kiss Simbu



Mallika to Kiss Simbu

Bollywood’s sex throb Mallika Sherawat, famous for her ‘dare to bare’ attitude, has set her eyes towards south, it seems. Recently her Telugu dubbed version of ‘Bach Ke Rehna Re’ is simply rocking Andhra Pradesh and she is all set to heat up Tamil screen too. A rumour is making the rounds that she is going to smooch with Tamil cinema’s young smooching king Simbu in a new film.

Mallika is now doing a role with Kamal Haasan in Dasavadharam. It is said that Simbu, the bold young actor, is roping her to his next film. He has planned a kissing scene with her. It is interesting to recall that Simbu’s lip lock with Nayan Tara in ‘Vallavan’ created a lot of sensation last year. The latest news is that the Mallika is said to have agreed to his lip kiss proposal.

Ajith will be King of Remakes Soon


Tamil superstar Ajith has slipped into the remake mode. Why not? The remake of the Rajnikanth starrer Billa featuring the handsome hero is a super hit.So, when the Sivaji films, enthused by the phenomenal success of ‘Billa’, offered him a role in another remake, Ajith accepted with both hands, say the reports emanating from Kollywood.

The latest remake in which he will play the male lead is the old classic ‘Puthiya Paravai’ with Sivaji Ganesan and Saroja Devi in the title roles. The grapevine has it that Ajith may also figure in the Tamil remake of the Hindi movie, Main Hoon Na which had Shah Rukh Khan playing the hero. The Kollywood buzz is that Bollywood beauty, Katrina Kaif will play Ajith’s love interest in the film. For all you know, Ajith may soon become the King of Remakes!

srinivasan about kuselan birth


In the first part of an exclusive interview, Sreenivasan spoke about how the film Kadha Parayumbol was born. In the second part, he speaks about how Rajnikanth [Images] reacted to the film.

Read on:

From the day Rajnikanth decided to act in the Tamil version of Kadha Parayumbol, the film has suddenly become a topic of discussion everywhere. How did Rajnikanth get interested in the film?

P Vasu (the director) saw the film and suggested Rajnikanth to watch it. That was how he saw the film.

I was in Mumbai at that time, and could arrive at the preview theatre only when the movie was about to end. The producer had told Rajnikanth that I would be there. When the film ended, I saw him step out of the theatre, his eyes filled with tears. He was looking for me. He was so emotional that he hugged me for a very long period. After a while, he said, 'you made me cry.'

He then took me to the conference room and started asking me questions. We knew each other when we were students at the film institute, but we were not very close friends. I didn't know then that Shivaji Rao Gaekwad would one day become Rajnikanth! (laughs).

Anyway, we were meeting after a long time now.

He asked me, 'Did you read a lot of books when you were young?'

I told him that I practically grew up in the village library. That day, he was more curious to know more about me than about the film itself. We parted after agreeing to meet the next day.

On the second day, he spoke to me about the subtle scenes in the film. It appeared now that he just wanted to talk about the film alone. I asked him how he followed the dialogues. He said, 'Malayalam is quite similar to Sanskrit, and I therefore understood all the dialogues very well.'

We then met a third time the following day. The first thing he told me was, 'all my friends tell me that I should do the film. But I signed up for Robot three days ago. What do you say if Kamal Haasan [Images] did this film?'

I told him, 'why should we discuss another actor?'

And then I said, 'Come to think of it, is this not the story of a Shivaji Rao?'

If you remember, that was the first question I asked you...

But when I wrote the story, I didn't think of Shivaji Rao. (laughs)

What was Rajnikanth's reply?

He said, 'theriyum, theriyum...' (I know, I know...) He thought for a while and said in a low voice, 'pannarathukum mudiyala.. vidarthakum mudiyala.. (I can't do it... but I can't bring myself to let it go either..)'

I asked him, 'Is it because you feel you will lose focus on the new film you are going to do?' He firmly denied that.

I then asked him about his next releases. He told me that his daughter's animation film would most probably be out in early 2009. And, Robot was to be released in 2010. At this point, I told him, 'you should shoot this film now and it should be released before you even start shooting for any of your other releases.' He didn't say anything in reply.

Later P Vasu told me how Rajnikanth mimicked me and reproduced all that I said verbatim (laughs). All of them had a hearty laugh watching him mimic me.

Do you feel Rajnikanth got emotional about the film and got interested in acting in it because it was almost like his own story?

That's possible. But he didn't tell me that. He is a man with a big heart. He has helped everybody who was with him at the Institute; not monetarily but by giving jobs in films. He values friendship a lot, and it is not for publicity's sake that he helps them.

Because of such an image, do you feel that the impact would be greater if he were to act in the Tamil remake?

Definitely. In his case, the story would feel more real. People know the kind of a person he is.

It was reported that P Vasu wanted a heroine for Rajnikanth, just as he had he changed the script for Chandramukhi. As the person who created the characters, do you approve of such changes?

It is true that such issues were discussed. I was also there when they discussed this. Rajnikanth said in front of me that he would not do anything that would destroy the soul of the film. He was dead against such changes.

There will be more footage for the character because Rajni is the super star. It's inevitable. But I think that can be achieved without destroying the soul of the film. I don't think they will do anything that will have a negative impact on the story and the film. That is what I understood from he said.

As the creator of the script, will you have any say in the alterations?

No, I will not. After the discussion, he gave me a call one day and asked, 'Are you happy with all that we discussed that day?' That question shows that he is concerned about how I feel as the creator. So, I am not very bothered about what they would do. I told him, "I do not know the pulse of the Tamil audience; I make films for the people of Kerala [Images]. So, you do what they want you to. I am not worried. I am happy with the way the people of Kerala have accepted my film. That you are acting in this film is a bonus!'

Now, your film is going to be remade in Hindi as well. Who is likely to play the superstar in that?

Most probably it is going to be Shah Rukh Khan [Images]. Priyan has finished the preliminary discussions with Shah Rukh Khan.

Will Priyadarshan [Images] stick to the original script?

Yesterday Priyan had a discussion with me after Shah Rukh Khan expressed the opinion that it would be better if his role were extended a bit. Priyan wanted my view on that.

Are you curious about how the remakes shape up?

Yes, I am looking forward to seeing them.

Let me now go back a little and ask you about Dasan and Vijayan, the two comic characters you created in the 1980s. You and Mohanlal were an excellent combination, and each of the three films made with Dasan and Vijayan in the lead were hits. Why didn't you think of making a series like the Laurel and Hardy films?

It is true that many youngsters also ask me the same question. The main reason why we didn't continue making films on the duo at that time was because the third film Akkare Akkare didn't do well. Anyway, somehow, it didn't materialise later on, though some producers came forward.

Yes, they may come back. I am still thinking about weaving a story about them.

As Dasan and Vijayan on the verge of retirement?

Yes (laughs). Do you know something, the last time the three of us- Sathyan Anthikad, Mohanlal and myself- came together was in 1989! That's almost 20 years ago. Due to various reasons, the combination never got repeated.

You are one of the best scriptwriters in India. Do you feel you did not get enough recognition because you write and make films in Malayalam?

Not at all. I am born here and I chose to work here. Kerala is a small state, and Malayalam films are seen by only very few people. That doesn't bother me. I am happy doing what I am doing.

Are you a satisfied person?

Yes, I am. If you choose a job you love, you will never have to work a day in your life! No amount of money can replace the kind of happiness and satisfaction I derive out of writing. Only those who do not understand this run after money. I am not bothered about money. I have no dreams that feature money. I dream only of good cinema and good scripts. I have only one passion in life - cinema.

star fiesta in kuselan


It might be a sweet surprise to the lovers of good and entertaining cinema. Yes, finally director P Vasu agreed the part of Kamal in a scene in Superstar Rajini's next movie Kuselan. The other big news about the film is that Ajith, one of the true followers of Rajini has also agreed to appear in a song sequence along with Rajini and Kamal in the film.

Vasu got this idea from the Hindi Blockbuster Om Shanthi Om in which more than 30 stars appeared in a song with Shahrukh Khan. When the director discussed his idea of recreating the same for Kuselan, the much impressed Rajini also accepted the same and gave his consent to Vasu to go ahead.

It is said that Vasu has already got the approval from Kamal for his appearance with his long time friend (Rajini) on screen after many years and Ajith has also shown great interest to appear with his mentor Rajini, who helped him a lot for a come back.

Sources say that apart from Kamal and Ajith, other stars like Vikram, Arjun, Sathyaraj and Trisha also appear in that song with Rajini. The director also approached Vijay for the same and expecting his approval soon. Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Balakrishna and Mahesh Babu are also being approached for its Telugu version.

When this correspondent asked P Vasu about this grand gala song, the director has agreed that he has such an idea for the film. "But I'm not in a position of disclosing the details of actors, who are going to appear in that song. Let the viewers to wait with more eager," said Vasu.