Kuselan

Cast: Rajini, Pasupathy, Nayanthara, Meena, Sona, Vadivelu, Vijayakumar
Direction: P Vasu
Music: G V Prakash
Production: K Balachander
Director P. Vasu’s take on Srinivasan’s Kathaparyumbol attempts to show Rajini in a different light. Kuselan follows the story of Balu, played by Pasupathy and his childhood friend Ashok Kumar, played by Rajini.

Trade Talk:
Thanks to the Rajini quotient, the movie has opened to packed halls all over the release centers.

Public Talk:
Rajini’s role as himself

No. Days Completed: 3
No. Shows in Chennai over this weekend: 252
Average Theatre Occupancy over this weekend: 95 %
Collection over this weekend in Chennai: Rs.81,45,015

Kuselan beats the final hurdle!

Screening of Kuselan, the Rajinikanth starrer ran into rough weather
in Karnataka with Kannada Rakshana Vedike issuing a ban on its release.
This follows the Hogenakkal row where Rajinikanth spoke in favor of
Tamilians a few months back. This had apparently irked some sections
of people in Karnataka who had demanded an apology from the superstar.
However Rajini stood by his stance and did not offer an apology.
Following this some groups had said that they would not screen Rajini’s
films in Karnataka any more.

When Kuselan is ready for release now, people were skeptical about
its screening in Karnataka. However with the intervention of Karnataka Film Chamber,
the issue has been resolved amicably and the chamber has given an order stating
that Kuselan will be screened in 13 theatres with ten prints in Bengaluru alone.

Meanwhile, the president of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce,
actress Jayamala said that Rajinikanth had sent a hand-written letter
explaining that he had no intention of hurting the sentiments of Kannadigas.
He reiterated in his letter that people other than Tamilians also enjoy his films.

Kuselan

Kuselan crew including the superstar is stationed in Hyderabad for the first schedule of the shoots that is planned for 40 days. Rajini plays himself in the movie and scenes of him acting in front of the camera are being shot with numerous other co-stars from the industry. A quick glance at the shoot spot – Ramojji Rao Studio – makes it appear as if Kodambakkam has shifted grounds to Hyderabad Actors who took part in the filming of a song sequence include Prabhu, Pasupathy, Livingston, Vadivelu, Nizhalgal Ravi, M.S. Bhaskar, Vaiyapuri, Sandanabharathi, Madhan Bob, Mohanram, O.A.K. Sundar, Manobala, Nayanthara, Kushboo, Mamtha, Sneha, Jegapathy Babu, and Sunil. If that is not enough, the extended casting also included more than 1000 junior artistes. While Kuselan progresses this way, the mammoth task of handling the massive star cast without a hitch is being managed by director Vasu.

Kuselan revolves around the central characters Pasupathy and Meena and the actor – Rajinikanth – who visits the couple's village for a shooting. The movie is slated for a mid 2008 release.

Kuselan – flash update!

Kuselan – Superstar Rajinikanth’s next venture – is up and running and shoots are on in the Ramoji Rao film city in Hyderabad. Scenes involving Nayanthara, Sneha, and Rajini were shot today. Rajini plays himself for this Tamil version of the Malayalam hit Katha Parayumbol that also has Pasupathy and Meena in vital roles.Besides, scenes of Livingston and Santhana Bharathi who play the smalltime local goons wanting to be photographed with Rajinikanth were also canned in today’s shoots. Prabhu and Manobala played the police officers trying to maintain the crowd under control.

Produced by Balachander for his Kavithalaya Productions and directed by P. Vasu, Kuselan’s background music is scored by G.V. Prakash. Rajini’s role for Kuselan will be extensive as opposed to the cameo Mammootty appeared for Katha Parayumbol.

Stars galore in Kuselan

Groundwork has begun for the upcoming superstar Rajinikanth starrer Kuselan and Vasu seems to be on a signing spree for the rest of the cast. Looks like the Rajini – Prabhu combo will continue in Kuselan after the hugely successful Chandramukhi. The duo’s chemistry and impeccable timing in Chandramukhi has come in for widespread acclamation. Prabhu is likely to don the role played by Mukesh for the Malayalam original Katha Parayumbol.

Besides Kuselan, Prabhu has also accepted to play a vital role in Silambarasan’s Silambattam