Will Kamal and Rajini team up?

They last acted together in 'Illamai Oonjalaadugiradhu.' After that, there has been news now and then about their acting together again. It was said they would make guest appearances in K Balachander's 'Poi.' Then it was said they would feature in a Mani Ratnam film.

When asked about it, Kamal said that the acting fees for just the two of them would itself amount to a mega budget Hindi film, that's why it was not feasible for both of them to act in a film. There is an attempt to get Kamal to act in a scene in 'Kuchelan.' Rajini plays an actor in the film. Sneha, Khushboo and Prabhu also come as actors. Director P Vasu is trying to get Kamal also to do an appearance.

If Rajini asks, Kamal would hardly refuse. Also, the film is produced by his guru's Kavithalaya.

Whether Rajini will ask Kamal and if so, would Kamal accept is like the climax scene from a fast paced film!

Sun-Radaan team to produce 10 films

For the past few days, filmdom looks glowing. That's because the number of films produced has gone up After 2000, the slump in the film industry affected the livelihood of many employees and hit them hard. Apart from pirated VCDs, theatres were being converted into marriage halls and shopping malls.

While Hindi and Telugu film fields were flourishing, Kodambakkam was on the verge of collapse but all that is fortunately a thing of the past.

New screenplays, story lines and concepts by upcoming young directors, stepping in of corporates to fund films, have brought new life into Tamil cinema.

Pyramid Saimira was started only 2 years back by through its many widespread activities, it has become a force to be reckoned with. They plan to produce at least 100 films a year. Last week, they launched 10 films on a single day and plan for another 14 next month.While this is tonic on one hand, the Sun TV – Radaan teaming up is planning for some glucose energy. They plan to produce 10 films and story selection is on. Director KS Ravi Kumar is in charge of story selection and it is said that about 6 have been selected already. Of course, Sarath Kumar will be hero of one of the films. The cast of other 9 have not yet been decided.

In the last 15 years, only 100 films have been made in a year. But next year, a healthy 150 films are sure to be made!

Aishwarya Rai on Rajini

To those who raised rumours that she was not acting in 'Robot' with Rajini, Aishwarya Rai has given her answer in her interview. Are you acting with Rajini or not?

This is a total Rajini-Shankar entertainment film. My main reason for agreeing to act in the film is my eagerness to act with Mr. Rajini. Shankar and Rajini have approached me to act in many films except Shankar's 'Boys.'

This is the reason for your acting in 'Robot'?

I immediately accepted the offer to act in 'Robot' because I am eager to work with Rajini sir and Shankar. My film 'Jeans' directed by Shankar was a great hit. I learnt a lot from it. I'm sure I will learn a lot from 'Robot' too.Is 'Robot' a science fiction film?

It's difficult to put it in a genre. But in terms of technology, it will take the film to the next realm. Rajini is a wonderful person and many speak about working with him with pride. I would like to join with them. Rajini approached me a few times to act in his films and had absolutely no ego about that. Even though I had to turn him down, he never took any offence to that at any time. That really touched me.

Aishwarya Rai went on to heap more praises on Rajini. With this interview, she has put a stop to gossip.

Trisha images

Priyamani on the move

Actress Priyamani, who rose to fame with ‘Paruthiveeran’, is getting bold and busy. She is flooded with offers from both Tamil and Telugu industry.

She played rural belle in ‘Paruthiveeran’ while her next films ‘Malaikottai’ and ‘Thotta’ featured her in the urban girl oozing glamour.

Now she has been assigned to act opposite Prithviraj in a Tamil movie to be produced by Gemini Film Circuit. It is a remake of Malayalam blockbuster Classmates.

She has also signed up for a Telugu movie.

Stars shine in ‘Kuselan’

The long list of actresses appearing for a song in Superstar Rajinikanth starrer ‘Kuselan’ is still growing, with Trisha and Flora being the latest additions.

According to sources, Flora, who is facing a ban in Kollywood following her alleged involvement in the US visa forgery racket is shaking legs for a peppy number in the Telugu version of the film.

Suja, the item number specialist of Kollywood is doing the number in Tamil while Trisha, Sneha and Mamta Mohandas are also there.

Sneha's 'yes' to glamour

Actress Sneha, who chose to stay away from glamour roles, has finally taken to a skimpy show in her forthcoming release ‘Pandi’.

The movie featuring Ragava Larencce in the lead role is produced by Hithesh Jabhak and is directed by Madhuravan. Namitha and Sneha play the heroines. Ganja Karuppu play the comedian.

The movie went to floors a few months ago. Madhuravan has managed to shoot the entire talkie portion of the movie in a quick time.

He says, 'The climax was shot in Dindigul at a grand set erected at 5 acre of land. A huge statue of Ayyanar was erected and a grand Thiruvizha was set up'.

Both Sneha and Namitha have oozed glamour in the movie. For Ragava Larencce, it is a movie to reckon with in his career, he adds. The movie has music by Srikanth deva and cinematography by Senthil Kumar.

Hogenakkal row: Kollywood loses Rs 200 cr

Due to the spat between the Kannada and Tamil film industry over the controversial Hogenakkal Joint Drinking Water Scheme, which resulted in attack on theatres screening Tamil movies in the neighboring State, the Tamil industry has lost over Rs 200 crore in the last couple of weeks.

According to Kalaipuli G Sekaran, president, Tamil Film Distributors Association, 'the decision by the Karnataka film chamber not to release Tamil films in Karnataka has dealt a big blow to us'.

'The movies including ‘Anjathey’, ‘Thotta’, ‘Sadhu Miranda’ were removed from theatres. Interestingly the movies including ‘Santhosh Subramaniyam’, ‘Yaradi Nee Mohini’, ‘Arai En 305il Kadavul’ and ‘Thozha’ were not bought by the distributors in Karnataka fearing attacks. As a result our industry stands to loss Rs 200 crore so far. Hope the issue is sorted out at the earliest', he said.

Anti Sathyaraj

Hot Hot Smooch Kisses

Hottest Celebrity Tattoos

Nepali Review

Starring: Bharath, Meera Jasmine, Prem

Direction: VZ Durai

Music: Srikanth Deva

Production: Rama Saravanan
‘Nepali, the name itself suggests that something different is on offer. But everything that is different need not always be interesting. In a way, Nepali has nothing new in terms of its basic plot. It’s the same boy meets girl, love at first sight, marriage, tragedy and revenge plot, but the script takes a slightly offbeat route.
Nepali is the story of a young man, Bharath, who does odd jobs in many places during the day but assumes a dangerously sadistic persona at times. It is as if he knows things that few others know, doing things for reasons that only he knows. His hands hold steady as he sends people to their death, often in the most grueling ways. The law is behind him. But one thing puzzles us: why is he dressed in such a peculiar manner- those pointed brows and small eyes. Is he from Nepal?

Nepali is also the story of another young man, played by Bharath again, who has to face bitter experiences that change him forever. To start with, Bharath is shown as a software engineer, young and happy and in love with a girl in Ooty, Meera Jasmine. Facing opposition from her family, the lovers have no option but to elope and marry. It is a happy and contented life in a world of their own –and it couldn’t get better. But the evil shadow of a police officer who has developed a desire for Meera Jasmine lurks over them. Desire becomes obsession and tragedy follows close behind.


Nepali tells the story of one other young man- Bharath again! who ends up in jail for a crime that he could not avoid committing. In jail he meets a man who holds many secrets that could knock down many big names in the city. In the dark shadows of the gallows, the secrets change hands while no one notices. The hunted man with secrets does not survive but leaves his unfinished tasks in the hands of the young man he met.

This is basically what Nepali is all about. You might be a bit confused, and that’s exactly how the script is - confusing. You might also think that there are many layers to the story but it is actually a simple linear story that has been convoluted back and forth to produce a movie that falls just short of being interesting. The film is set in three time periods and the script moves back and forth between then and now. This kind of narration can be interesting, but the talented director, V.Z. Dhorai (remember the excellent Mugavari?), somehow misfires. This see-sawing narrative movement only makes the movie lose momentum far too many times, always moving in fits and starts, never settling into a steady pace.

Cameron Diaz W Magazine May 2008 Cover photo

Kamal’s current getup, a trailer of his next?

Dasavatharam the magnum opus of Kamal in ten different get ups directed by K S Ravikumar would be ready for release soon. Kamal’s fans are eagerly awaiting the release of this film and its audio release is slated to be held soon with the luminaries like Jackie Chan and Amitabh Bachchan in the invitees list. Meanwhile the ever professional Kamal has already started work on his next project Marmayogi. Industry sources divulge that the story of Marmayogi has been recorded in his laptop and from time to time, the veteran actor is making some kind of changes and bringing the same to a shape. There are also talks going on in the industry that Kamal’s recent bearded appearance is also an indicator of his role in the film. Marmayogi which is said to be a period film set in 7th century will be costlier than Dasavatharam and Walt Disney and Bharath Bala are touted to be the producers of the same.

Kamal identified me"

Anjaathe, the recent hit of director Mysskin brought out many talents to the fore. Prasanna proved himself as a capable villain and heaps of plaudits have been showered upon Ajmal Ameer who had donned the role of Kripakaran in the film. His character which was a mix of good and bad was much talked about. This reel life actor is a doctor in real life who hails from Cochin. He has acted as hero in a Malayalam film titled Pranaya Kalam which was a damp squib at the box office but for a song which was a chartbuster and was a ticket to a call from director Mysskin's office for Kripa's role in Anjaathe.

Ajmal is an ardent fan of Kamal Hassan and like any other Kamal fan, has grown up seeing and relishing his movies. Recently at the protest fast which was held in Chennai regarding the Hogenakkal issue, Ajmal was almost catapulted to stratosphere in ecstasy when Kamal recognized him and appreciated his work in Anjaathe. The young actor is yet to come out of his bliss.

Kamal in Mani Ratnam’s next!

We had to wait nearly 20 years after Nayagan to see this day. The duo that created one of the 100 all time greatest movies in the history of cinema is back together and there can be no bigger or better reason for celebration. Yes, Kamal and Mani Ratnam will work together in 2008, the only regret being that it will be a short association, a cameo. But never mind, at least we get that after all these years.

Mani will soon start work on his next movie, Hindi again, with Abhishek and Aishwarya. It will be an urbane love story showing the problems that newly married coupes face, Alai Paayuthey-like, but yet different. Music, no doubt will be courtesy Rahman and so we have another chartbuster in early 2009 for sure. But the biggest news now is that of Kamal’s entry into the project.

In Guru, Mani gave Madhavan a cracker of a role. In this move he was actually planning on giving Vikram the chance of essaying an arresting cameo, as we had reported some time back. But, on second thoughts, the role seemed to suit his old friend, ally and genius, Kamal. So, Mani Ratnam asks Kamal the question, explains the role, which Kamal simply loves and there we have it: the best combination in Indian cinema. The role, as we said, will be short and sweet, but just the fact that Mani called on Kamal to do it suggests that the role will be something very special, something ‘Kamal-worthy’. The wait has ended, or in another sense- just begun. We can’t wait for it to release.

One other thing: we had told you earlier today that Kamal was sporting a beard as part of his Marmayogi look. Maybe that’s not correct, maybe it is for the Mani movie! Perhaps for both. Let’s just wait and watch.

Oh! No… Not Vijay… says Dhanush

Dhanush was recently interviewed by a popular Tamil weekly in which the actor answered many questions candidly. Some of the questions were like: Would you act as a villain in a Rajinikanth film? Which of the three actresses do you like the most – Trisha, Asin or Nayanthara? Though Dhanush did not expect the question – Would you dance with Ilaya Thalapathy Vijay for a song… his apprehension was evident when he replied that he would prefer to appear in guest role rather than dance with Vijay as the latter has mastered the art so well and it would be impossible to match his performance.