Rajni sports six pack abs!

Rajini has never looked this good. Muscular, well built and sporting a six pack, the Sultan truly looks a million bucks. And so does Rahul Dev, who plays a dancer in Soundarya Rajinikanth’s ‘Sultan The Warrior’, looks equally stunning, as one can observe in these exclusive stills from Sultan. Rahul Dev plays a baddie in this film, which is set in the Chola Era.

The film is a first-of-its-kind project, directed and produced by Rajini’s second daughter, Soundarya Rajinikanth. Vijayalakshmi plays his love interest in the film, which is a 2009 release.

Imagine Rajini, who plays an action-packed role in the flick, belting out punch dialogues in his booming voice. Summa Adhirudhile... ....

Thoranai's premiere in Malaysia

We’ve known that out actors and their films command a huge market abroad, especially in Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka, but ever heard of a foreign premiere for a Tamil film? In a one-of-its-kind event, Vishal and Shriya, the lead pair of Thoranai, will walk the red carpet together, to attend the premiere of their film, on May 21 at Malaysia.

The film is produced by Gk Film Corporation, and sources contend that Malaysia has been chosen for the premiere owing to Vishal’s large following in the region. The film is hitting screens worldwide on May 21, and is a bilingual, released as ‘Pista’ in Telugu. Apart from participating in the premiere, the duo are expected to interact with fans there as well.

The film is said to be a comic caper, directed by debutant Saba Ayyappan. He has earlier worked as assistant to Boopathy Pandian and Mouli. ....

Rajini joins the 6-pack bandwagon

For once, the Superstar will follow the league of actors Dhanush, Suriya and Vishal. Surprised? This is in having a six pack trend young Kollywood actors are taking on to, seriously.

The Superstar, however, would not have sweated it out to develop his body. This will only be for his animated version for the film, ‘Sultan The Warrior’. The film is directed by daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth, apart from being produced by her.

The Superstar is said to be playing a warrior in the film, which is an action adventure. Despite being an animation film, the Superstar has himself enacted his part, which has been captured by a motion capture camera. Calling him a director’s delight, Soundarya Rajinikanth says the film will be over by end of this year.

The film has brought together the world’s best known technicians. The facial animation has been done by Image Matrix, which worked on Brad Pitt in his Academy Award-winning 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'. The film’s budget is said to be a whopping $ 5 million. Calling it a typical punch film, Soundarya reels out one of her dialogues about dad in the film: “Adikkara Kaathula Parakkura Ilai Illa Da Sultan, Malai. Asaikka Mudiyaadhu.’

The film, which is said to be set in the Chola period, is 70 percent complete. ....

I’m an entertainer, not a hero: Vishal

Actor Vishal, whose ‘Thoranai’ will hit screens next Friday, says he has tired playing not a hero, but an entertainer in his forthcoming flick. Directed by Saba Ayyappan, the film is a bilingual, called ‘Pista’ in Telugu.

“While I’ve constantly been working in films as an action hero, this is the first time that I think I have been given my due as an actor who can do comedy. As the film was slated to release for summer, we wanted to do a film that will be enjoyable to all. And sans unbelievable heroism, I have opted for some good entertaining fare in the film,” says the actor, who says he thinks action comes good to him. “I don’t know how good I am in dance or in romance, but I think I am good when it comes to action,” he said.

Agreeing to reports that suggested that his face was losing its sheen owing to excessive exercises, the actor said he took the comments in his stride and will work about it. “My mother has also pointed out that the glow in my face has dwindled. I sometimes think of the producer who saw me and said “someone like you can never be a hero’. Everytime I see the mirror I think of him. I’m glad I am in a better state today, because the very same producer came to me looking for dates for a film. I couldn’t accommodate him, however,” says the actor.

'Thoranai' has Vishal paired with Shriya and the duo will team up once again for his 'Theeradha Vilayaatu Pillai'. ....

Rajni votes, Haasan not allowed to

While Tamil superstar Rajnikant voted for a "stable government" on Wednesday, thespian actor Kamal Haasan was unable to cast his ballot since his name was not on the electoral rolls.

After casting his vote, Rajnikant told reporters that he had voted to ensure a stable government at the centre.

Kamal Haasan cancelled his shooting schedule for the polls but could not cast his vote.

"My name is not on the list of voters. I am not alone. My brother Chandra Haasan also could not cast his vote," the actor said.

He said he has voted in almost all elections, except when he was hospitalised. ....

Kanthaswamy’s grand audio launch plans

The audio of the much-awaited Vikram-Shriya starrer 'Kanthaswamy', will be held in the Chennai Trade Centre on May 17. The launch, which was originally scheduled for April 14, has been shifted by a month, thus delaying the movie’s release to June.

Kanthaswamy’s audio launch will be a one-of-its-kind event, where in over 30 celebs for Chennai, will take a pledge and adopt a village each and take care of its necessities. Apart from that, it is also expected that two of the film’s songs will be performed live, all sung by Vikram himself. Shriya is also expected to do a sizzling number on stage, as an indicator of her glamour levels in the film. Music for the film is by Devi Sri Prasad, who will also perform live.

‘Kanthaswamy’ is being directed by Susi Ganesan and produced by Kalaipuli S Thanu. Over 40 more dancers have been flown in from Italy to decorate the event. The audio launch will only be a sample of the grandeur splashed in the film. The audio launch will be a live telecast on Sun TV. ....