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Sarathkumar’s daughter in Poda Podi

Actor-politician Sarath Kumar's daughter Varalakshmi is making her debut as a heroine in Simbu's next film "Thiru Poda.. Thirumathi Podi". The formal announcement was made on July 14 to coincide with Sarath Kumar's 54th birthday celebrations.

"Poda Podi", a musical love story, will be directed by Vignesh Shiva, a close of friend of Simbu, and produced by Gemini Film Circuit and Shanaya Telefilms of Mumbai. The film will be shot in Toronto in Canada. The shooting is expected to commence at the earliest and last 60 days.

Tall and pretty Varalakshmi gave her nod when Padham Kumar, one of the producers of "Poda Podi" approached her with the 'interesting' script that gives equal footage to the hero and heroine. She plays a dancer in the film.

Varalakshmi or Varu, (Sarath Kumar's daughter from his first marriage to Chaya, a designer and social worker), has done her PhD in microbiology and has an MSc in management from the Edinburgh University in the UK. She has also done a six-month acting course at the prestigious Anupam Kher's Academy in Mumbai. She is a salsa and ballet dancer.

She has done some stage shows. "I think that must have impressed my dad, who agreed to launch me in movies," She says.

According to Sarath Kumar, acting is his daughter's passion. "Her stage show impressed me a lot. I know she has it in her to make it big in cinema."

He along with Varalakshmi attended the 55th Tiger Balm Filmfare Awards (South) on July 12. They were invited on to the stage to present Priyamani with her award.

Rajinikanth is bit nervous about Kuselan

Superstar Rajinikanth appears for a few minutes in Kuselan but in the movie’s posters and promotion he looms large. That’s because a Rajinikanth appearance even for a minute can set the box-office on fire and so the makers of Kuselan are all set to cash in on the superstar. Rajinikanth says the hype is making him nervous and people shouldn’t call it as his film because he is playing a cameo role.

“There’s already a lot of hype about the movie. I’m very nervous with everyone expecting it to run to a silver jubilee,” he says.

For the film’s makers though a bit of Rajinikanth is quite a lot. Distributors have sold Kuselan as a ‘Rajinikanth film’ for Rs 64 crore – more than what the superstar’s movie Sivaji was sold for.

“Today Rajnikanth’s market is such that even if he comes for one scene or two in a film he will still be the superstar,” says P Vasu, director of Kuselan.

People who have bought the film’s rights know that and fans know it too: Rajinikanth in a bit role is big deal still!

Rajinikanth is bit nervous about Kuselan

Nayan to flag off Kuselan promo event?

Rajinikanth starrer Kuselan, in which Pasupathy plays the lead role, is due to hit the silver screens within a few days from now. The team is now gearing up for promoting the film. Only a few days earlier it was announced that Kuselan's music director G.V. Prakash would hold a music concert to promote the film's music. The latest buzz is that the Kuselan team is planning to flag off a bus, which is expected to travel in and around Chennai. The bus, which would be flagged off by Nayan, who incidentally dons a major role in Kuselan, will showcase some of the rare pictures of Rajinikanth. Moreover, contests are also on the anvil and winners will be given Kuselan T-shirts as prizes, says sources.

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