Monday, March 31, 2008

Script is more important than Silambarasan”, says Dhanush


Dhanush’s Yaaradi Nee Mohini will hit the theatres this Friday and while talking about the film which is a remake of Telugu blockbuster Aadavari Maatalaku Ardhale Verule directed by his brother Selvaraghavan, Dhanush comes across as a very satisfied man. He says, “YNM is a romantic comedy where I have donned on a simple boy-next-door role. Nayanthara’s character also will be liked by everyone.” Answering to a query on his next film, Dhanush says that it will be under the direction of Suraaj produced by Vijaya Vani Productions. The name of the film would be Padikkadavan and the heroine is yet to be finalized.

Reacting to recent news in the media that Prabhu Deva has plans to do a film with Dhanush and Silambarasan, the lean actor reveals, “If I like the script, I don’t mind acting with not only Silambarasan but with anyone. But as of now, I have enough projects in hand and have not thought about teaming up with Prabhu Deva”.

Shriya’s next project with the biggies


Shriya is going places after sharing the screen space with the Superstar in Sivaji. She has some prestigious offers from Hollywood and Bollywood. This perturbed her Kollywood fans, as they felt that she would move on forever. But it looks like Shriya will never miss out a good opportunity. Her current project in Tamil is with Vikram for the film Kanthaswamy.She had in fact agreed to star with Dhanush in Vettrimaran’s film, as the duo gave a hit film Polladhavan. But with Dhanush already committed to director Suraj there seems to be a delay in Vettrimaran’s project. And Shriya has decided to make the most of this delay. She is holding discussions with K.S. Ravi Kumar to star opposite Sarath Kumar in a yet-to-be named film. Interestingly, Sneha, the other heroine, has already signed the dotted lines to star in this film.

From Bharathiraja to Shankar’s Robot

Manoj, son of ace director Bharathiraja, had starred in a few films but his career in acting somehow failed to take off as expected. Initially, Manoj was intent on directing but was persuaded by his father to turn actor instead. With his films not creating the impact anticipated, Manoj has now decided to revert to direction. Incidentally, he worked as an assistant to director Mani Ratnam for the smash hit film Bombay. Presently associated with Bommalattam, directed by Bharathiraja, sources say that Shankar has taken Manoj under his wings after testing his skills. Now Manoj will be associated with one of the biggest projects of the year – Robot! Moreover, this budding director also has plans to direct a film once his commitment to Robot is over. Will he prove his mettle in direction like his father?

Aamir new hairstyle

Aamir Khan is remaking the superhit kollywood movie Ghajini which originally starred Surya and Asin in the lead role. Directed by A.R Murugadoss, the movie will have music by A.R Rehman.Everyone was curious to see the bald look that Aamir will sport similar to the one that Surya had in the original. Recently he appeared at the premier of the movie Race and he will appear in his next film Ghajini in this look. Clean shaved, small hair-cut with a thick chip would definitely be a surprise for the Aamir Khan fans in the movie Ghajini. Bollywood’s Mr. Perfectionist went though one-and a half hour hair-cur session to bring him in this look. Hairstylist Avan Contractor completed the hair-cut for Aamir Khan in the presence of Aamir’s wife Kiran Rao, lyricist Prasun Joshi, designer Arjun Bhasin and director A R Murugados.However the Hindi version of the movie is expected to have a different climax than the original.

First Ajith, now Bharath


The age of giant corporates foraying into the film industry is on the rise which has paved way for quality films and creative innovation. Recently Adlabs owned by the Anil Ambani group of Reliance Industries had funded Ajith’s Kreedom. Currently they are producing Yaavarum Nalam and Sultan, the warrior.Now for the first time, Adlabs will be taking care of distribution of Bharath-Meera Jasmine starrer Nepali directed by V.Z.Durai. The film has Bharath in different getups and promises an outright entertainment. As per trade sources, the film was bought for 1.40 crores for Chennai outer area while Madurai area was purchased for ninety lakhs.

Aishwarya Rai to start her production house?


Reports are that the gorgeous Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has formed her own production house, joining hands with her secretary Hari Singh to launch another film.

Although Ash is going to be involved with the production for this movie, secretary Singh denies it in a report.


"She's doing the film but not producing it or being involved with the production in anyway."

"You can't call it a cameo. Aishwarya-ji is playing a very important role in it," Singh said and added that Ash has already approved the first draft of the film and now they're busy giving the final shape to the script. Bhumicka had made her debut with a small role in Dharmesh Darshan 's Aap Ki Khatir which starred Akshaye Khanna , Priyanka Chopra and Amisha Patel . But that project went unnoticed, and so was Bhumicka's presence.

"You could call this her real debut," Singh added.

The project is reported to be directed by Jagmohan Mundhra who had earlier directed Ash in Provoked .

However, the report has Singh saying that Band Width Entertainment is producing the film. But he is mum on who's behind this company. "They're new and you'll soon know who is involved," he says.

Singh also said that his daughter Bhumicka Singh will be playing the leading lady in the film but denied that Ash is playing a cameo.

IPL Launch Ceremony










Nami interview



As Namitha made her way backstage after a live dance performance in Chennai, a Sun TV anchorman asked her what she liked doing the most, and she surprised him by saying, “reading.” “Really? Wow. Who’s your favorite writer?” “Dan Brown is one of my favorites”, replied Namitha. “Which of his books have you read?’ he shot back. And without blinking an eyelid she rattled of all four of his books, more or less in the order they were published! Smiling at the Sun TV reporter who was looking visibly impressed, she said chidingly, “You’re were testing if I could name the books, right?’

“Have you always been fond of books?”
Namitha: “You know, I always carry a book with me wherever I go. It’s always there in my handbag. I may forget
my lipstick but never my book.”

BW: With your busy schedule how do you manage to get your reading done – you probably have to squeeze in time
for a book.
N: I take time out to read, even on the sets. When I arrive I’ll ask the crew first if I have a lot of dialogue. If they
yes, then I’ll work on memorizing the lines. If they tell me it’s just a few lines, I tell them I’ll just speak the lines on the spot and use the extra time to read in a corner and quietly catch up with my reading. I’ve been reading a lot on the different mysteries around the world, the different secrets and mysteries buried in many cultures.

BW: What’s your other passion?
N: I write poetry!

BW: That’s cool. .
N: Nothing that I’ll publish. I write for myself; for my pleasure. I also love to dance, it’s in my blood to dance. Every day - even at home - I have to dance for at least half an hour. It’s my way of unwinding.

BW: All this tells us there’s a Namitha who has a rich inner life, who reflects a great deal, and is philosophical.

N: Oh, psychology and philosophy is what I wanted to really study. Unfortunately, the college I went to do not have these courses, so I did English Literature and enjoyed it. But I continue to read a lot of books on psychology and philosophy. Once a month I go to Landmark- a really big bookstore in Chennai –and buy up a whole bunch of books.

BW: You have a strong sense of self and an active thinking life which calls for sensitivity, contemplation, and silence, so how do you balance this part of life with the demands of your profession in a very commercial industry?
N: I’m an actress –first and last. And as an actress my job is to wear different masks. Once I’m done on the sets, I remove this mask and become myself. Next day on the shoot, I put on another mask. I’m very proud I can do this – because it is a gift not given to everyone. To be different people. And in real life, I’m a quiet person. I talk and laugh but there’s an inner silence I’m very aware of, and that I listen to.

BW: That’s an interesting and insightful answer.
N: Thanks! You know, the TV show I’m in - Maanada Mayilada - revealed who I really am to the people. It told them I’m not a bimbo or an item girl but a real person with deep feeling and thoughts. I’m grateful to the people in the show who’ve become like my family. I enjoy going to the studio – I go early so I can spend more time with all the folks there. It’s like being part of a community.

BW: What about friends? Do you have some special people you talk to, share things?


N: Oh all my best friends are back in Surat. Whenever I need to talk, I call them. They just know from my tone what my mood is.

BW: Suddenly, you’re career has revived. You’re doing heroine roles. How do you feel?
N: Elated. Excited. I owe it all to my fans who’ve been with me through thick and thin. Not many people know this but my fans recently performed a paal abishekam for me to celebrate my presence in Billa. I couldn’t believe it. They called me and said, “Ma’am we want to do this.” And I said: “Why not! And it was so fantastic. One of my most memorable days.

BW: We’re sure it was also your hard work, determination and intelligence. So, what next?
N: Oh, I’d love to do strong character roles. My fans say I have it in me and I’m thrilled they feel I can do greater things. Indira Vizha is my next movie. I’m the heroine there. In Perumal, I’ll be playing a rowdy girl in a half saree and glasses! I’m looking forward to what lies ahead for me.

BW: Nothing but great stuff, we’re sure. Anything you’d like to say in particular?
N: Well, I’m socially very conscious. I’m really troubled about how little civic sense many people living in Indian cities have – just spitting on the road. There’s that saying: “In America you can’t spit in public but you can kiss, in India you can’t kiss in public but you can spit! I’d like all of us to be more civic minded. Be sensitive to the environment. And just one social message to everyone out there: don’t drink and drive, please - there are people waiting for you at home.

BW: Any special message for your fans all around the world?
N: I’d like to deeply thank them for all their support. Though I’m from the North, and Surat is my home, Chennai and Tamil movies are like a second home to me now. My adopted home, really. And I’m thrilled to be part of this vibrant film industry – particularly at this time when Tamil cinema seems to be at its most exciting phase. It’s lovely that all of you take so much pleasure in watching our movies there, and I’m sure for many of you watching Tamil cinema from as far as Canada, must be like revisiting home.