`A` for `Pachakuthirai`!

Parthipan’s one-man show – actor, writer, lyricist, singer, producer and director is ready with Pachakuthirai that got an ‘A’ certificate from regional censors in Chennai!
The censors have cut some scenes of Namitha’s steamy song sequence with Parthipan. Though the actor has been shouting from roof-top that his film is not following the current sleaze trend, the censors have cut some visuals which they found objectionable.
Pachakuthirai is said to have an outstanding performance from Namitha who is carrying the film on her shoulders and the film has the potential to turn into a hit with the mass audience.
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Arya- The auto driver!

If you are living in Anna Nagar area of Chennai, don’t be surprised to see a handsome auto driver who is a spitting image of Arya! Believe it or not, it is our young hero who is practicing to drive an autorickshaw for his next film titled Auto where he plays an auto driver.
For the last two weeks Arya has not only been driving an auto but also picking up the mannerisms, lingo and body-language of auto drivers in the city. This film is directed by debutants Pushkar & Gayathri for ‘AP Film Garden’ banner’.
And last week Arya drove a group of college students crazy as he picked them up and dropped them home without taking any auto charge! Remember that Arya has become hot among the youth not only in Tamilnadu but in Kerala after he played that mean-rugged looking Koshy in Pattiyal.
Now in Auto also Arya has the same rugged look which is surely going to work to his advantage. ....

A family entertainer!

Two big production houses ‘Sri Lakshmi Productions’ of T Rama Rao and Ajay Kumar along with ‘Jeyam company’ of Editor Mohan and his sons are joining together to produce Something Something Unakkum Enakkum for which a press meet was held at Four Frames preview theatre in Chennai.
Something Something Unakkum Enakkum features Jayam Ravi and Trisha in the lead along with Bhagyaraj, Prabhu, Rischa Pallod , Tejasri, Mallika and others in supporting cast. The film is a remake of that super hit Telugu movie Nuvvostante Nendontanna and the Tamil version is directed by M.Raja.
Said Jayam Ravi: “It was wonderful to be back with a film produced under our home production and working with Anna (Raja). It was a great relief and enjoyable as he has always presented me the best on screen”. Added Prabhu: “I play Trisha’s brother and the character is very important to the story. The film is sure to turn out into a super hit”.
Editor Mohan one of the producers of the film says: “A set worth nearly Rs 50 Lakhs was put up near Dindigul and the climax is a major highlight of the film which will be a family based entertainer. The music of Devi Sri Prasad is rocking”.
Something Sometthing Unakkum Enakkum is scheduled to release on June 2.
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Meera- Lohi dispute resolved, Jayaram film dropped!

For a moment we thought that Meera Jasmine and Lohitadas are never going to work together again. But things have now returned to normalcy! Unfortunately, Jayaram stands to lose.
After the disastrous Tamil version of 'Kasturimaan', Lohitadas returned to Malayalam films and went about giving interviews that he was not interested in working with Meera Jasmine anymore. He said that often she wouldn't dedicate herself completely to the role. And, just to show how serious he was about not working with her anymore, he announced a new film with Jayaram and Kavya Madhavan in the lead. Seven Arts was going to produce the film.
But now, things have returned to 'normalcy'.
Lohi has dropped the film with Jayaram and Kavya Madhavan. Instead, he is going to concentrate on 'Chembatta'. He will then make a film with Meera Jasmine in the lead role again.
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Meera- Lohi dispute resolved, Jayaram film dropped!

For a moment we thought that Meera Jasmine and Lohitadas are never going to work together again. But things have now returned to normalcy! Unfortunately, Jayaram stands to lose.
After the disastrous Tamil version of 'Kasturimaan', Lohitadas returned to Malayalam films and went about giving interviews that he was not interested in working with Meera Jasmine anymore. He said that often she wouldn't dedicate herself completely to the role. And, just to show how serious he was about not working with her anymore, he announced a new film with Jayaram and Kavya Madhavan in the lead. Seven Arts was going to produce the film.
But now, things have returned to 'normalcy'.
Lohi has dropped the film with Jayaram and Kavya Madhavan. Instead, he is going to concentrate on 'Chembatta'. He will then make a film with Meera Jasmine in the lead role again.
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Namitha yearns for an award

I have done different kinds of roles in my films. Now my work is to aim for an award." The lady yearning for an award is none other than Namitha. Lady, it's not that simple!
Namitha is a bit disappointed that people associate only glamour with her. She frequently says that like Savitri, she can be a good actress too. Acting in films with Sathyaraj, how is that possible? Poor girl!
If anyone says so, she purses her small lips and challenges them to wait for her new releases 'Nee Venumdaa Chellam' and 'Pacha Kudhira' before jumping to conclusions.
In 'Nee Venumdaa Chellam' she is the heroine for 'Jithan' Ramesh. She may be the heroine, but her character has a touch of the vamp, it seems. "She may be a bit vampish but she will get the audience sympathy in the climax scenes," says Ramesh in praise.
Parthiban talks about Namitha's acting in 'Pacha Kudhira' as if she's already won 4 Oscars. "Namitha has proved in this film that she can act," praises Parthi. And Namitha wears sari throughout the film!
Wearing old man's get-up and talking in slow, measured tones like Sarath Kumar or Vijayakanth and walking in slow motion is what some consider good acting. Just like people think that wearing a sari immediately elevates one to Savitri range.
Namitha - which type do you belong to? ....

Dr Rajkumar passes away

Dr Rajkumar (77), Kannada superstar and winner of the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award, died of cardiac arrest at a Bangalore hospital this afternoon. The superstar had come in the limelight when he was held captive by late sandalwood smuggler Veerappan for more than 100 days, about six years ago.
Dr Rajkumar hailed from Gajanur, a small hamlet, and his father was a doyen among stage actors. The actor, whose original name was Muthuraj, made his debut in 1954 with Bedara Kannappa more than fifty years ago.
Rajkumar’s movies have always carried a social message. The mother was given the highest place in practically every movie. So were good values, ethics, Kannada culture and patriotism. He had enjoyed a larger-than-life image among the people of Karnataka as he always played the role of an ordinary good man.
But unlike his contemporaries, Rajkumar never tried to convert his mass image into votes as he was never interested in politics. His most memorable films include Hannele Chiguridaga, Kasturi Nivasa, Uyyale, Eradu Kanasu, Bhakta Kumbhara, Babruvahana and Bangarada Manushya. Shankar Guru, in which he played an unforgettable triple role, will be remembered for a long, long time to come.
Rajkumar had acted in over 200 Kannada films, and never outside Kannada films. He was also a good singer and a wonderful human being.
He is survived by wife Parvathamma Rajkumar, three sons and a daughter. His death has left millions of fans and the entire Karnataka in a state of deep sorrow. ....

Sarath, Singapore bound!

Sarathkumar is leaving for Singapore tomorrow evening for the inaugural function of Radaan Singapore. Sarath dismissed rumours that he will not be attending the function.
Said Sarathkumar: “My leaving the DMK has nothing to do with the Radaan inaugural function in Singapore. As one of the directors of Radaan I will definitely be a part of the function where senior Singapore ministers and officials are attending”.
Sarath also made it clear that all those who were to attend the function will be there.
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Simran - On the campaign trail!

Simran started her election campaign for AIADMK at Tondiarpet in North Chennai on Monday evening in support of Shekhar Babu, the party’s RK Nagar candidate. Thousands of people went euphoric and screamed every time; Simran raised her hand to indicate the two leaf symbol of the party.
Simran clad in blue jeans, white kurta and a bandhini dupatta was a big hit with the crowd though she spoke in English and only two sentences – “In Amma’s regime there is no water problem, roads are good, rowdism has been curbed. Please vote for two leaves”.
Simran along with actresses like Vindhya, Kovai Sarala, lyrist Snehan, choreographer Raghuram, producer Manoj Kumar and many other film people are campaigning in and around Chennai.
Simran has chalked out a 20-day election tour programme, and will be taken by the party to the interiors of Tamilnadu. She has been asked to rehearse one or two lines from her popular films and say them at the meetings to provide entertainment to crowds. ....

`Tiruttu Payale` gets` A`!

Yet another Tamil film Tiruttu Payale, an action based thriller has got an ‘A’ certificate from Chennai censors for its content and theme. However, fans of Sonia need not be worried as her swim suit scenes remain intact!
Thiruttu Payale carries very good pre-release hype in the trade and Jeevan is said to be riveting as a dynamic action hero where he plays a character with shades of grey. Susi Ganeshan’s racy script and presentation is being talked about in preview circles.
The film releases worldwide with 65 prints and the producer Kalpathi S.Agoram hopes that after release, the word of mouth will make it a hit. ....

Steamy `Thullal` gets A!

Yet another director Pravinkanth has turned hero with Thullal with Gurlin Chopra as heroine. Seeing the success of S.J.Suryah, Praveenkanth the director of films like Jodi, Star and Ratchagan chose to go the sleazy way in his debut film as an actor.
Thullal is story is about a Casanova who is unable to satisfy his wife after marriage! This film with a bold theme and titillating scenes was refused a certificate by censors and referred to revising committee. And now the revising committee has cleared the film with an ‘A’ certificate with record number of cuts!
The film has Vivek, Seetha Parthipan, Manika Vinayakam, Sumithra, Uma Padmanabhan, Sukumari and Seethalakshmi in the cast. Music is by Dhina, cinematography by Suresh Devan and the film is produced by Krishnadev and Sekar Somesh. ....

Mohanlal is back!

Mohanlal the Malayalam superstar who has done Mani Ratnam’s classic Iruvar and Nassar’s crass Popcarn is doing his third Tamil film. The film titled Aran is produced by ‘Super Good’ films R.B.Chowdary and directed by debutant ‘Major’ Ravi.
It is touted as a bilingual as Aran in Tamil and Keerthichakraa in Malayalam and has Mohanlal and Jeeva playing two encounter specialists cops with an army background. Along with them there is a battalion of Tamil and Malayalam character artists like Ramesh Kanna, Ganja Karuppu, VMC Haneefa, Biju Menon and in the female lead there is Gopika and Mamta Mohandas.
The camera is by Thiru and music is by Joshua Sridhar and the highlight of the film is that it is being shot in Kahmir, Ladakh and Kargil. The shooting has already started in Kashmir and says Major Ravi who was the advisor to many war films with Army backdrop films in Hindi (Pukar), Tamil (Aalavanthan)and Malayalam: “It is an all out action adventure thriller and is loosely based on Kargil war and certain other incidents”.
After the Kashmir shoot the unit will be back for the next schedule in Pollachi and Ooty in May which is scheduled for release in August 15, Independence Day. ....

Tirupati`- Off to a flying start!

As expected Ajit’s Tirupati directed by Perarasu produced by AVM releasing on April 13 has taken a fantastic Chennai city advance booking!
Upper class tickets have been sold out for the opening Tamil New Year-Easter week end in all five theatres as advance booking counters opened on Sunday (April 9). Says ‘Abhirami’ Ramanathan: “The pressure to get tickets is tremendous. The AVM- Ajit-Perarasu trio is creating the market frenzy. We have been sold out till Sunday night show which is amazing!”
At the same time in Madurai, Tiruchi, Kovai area where advance booking does not exist, Ajit fans have taken the theatre for entire shows. Says Madurai Anbu the distributor of Tirupati: “Ajit fans have booked shows at theatres in Madurai area. The expectations from his fans are big and I think Tirupati will take a super opening”.
Meanwhile on Sunday Ajit , Shalini, Perarasu and the AVM family saw the first copy at AVM preview theatre. Later in the night a trade show was also screened. The unanimous opinion among preview audience is that the film has the potential to turn into a super hit.
Shalini is reported to have told one of her friends-“The sentiments have been worked out very well. It is the best Ajit film that I have seen after a long time”. ....

Sarathkumar quits DMK!

As predicted by political observers, actor Sarathkumar has quit the DMK party. In a letter handwritten by Sarath to DMK president M.Karunanidhi, he said that he was resigning as his work for the party went unrecognized.
In the letter he also made it clear that close family members of Karunanidhi were targeting him and said that he had no future in the party. Sarath has resigned from primary membership of the party though he has not resigned from the Rajya Sabha membership.
Sarathkumar is likely to project himself as a Nadar leader and negotiate with Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK for three or four seats in the southern districts for the forthcoming assembly elections.
Now the big question being asked is what will happen to his wife Radhika’s Radaan TV which is the most favoured producer in Sun TV? Meanwhile there are rumours that Radaan’s big show in Singapore on Friday where Sarath and Simbu were to take part on April 14 has been cancelled.
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Gana Ulaganathan in Pori

Vazhameenukum song in Chitiram Pesuthadi has made this man pretty famous in Tamil Nadu. After this song, Ulaganathan is flooded with offers from all sides. Ulaganathan is playing an important role in Madurai Veeran, director Vincent Selvah’s venture. Githan Ramesh is the hero in this film. Ulaganathan is also doing a small part in Subramania Siva’s Pori. Ulaganathan climbing the mountain of success. Galatta.com wishes him all the best to reach still greater heights.
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Is Shreya's Dating Partner?

Shivaji heroine Shreya now is dating a Delhi entrepreneur after dumping Hyderabad guy. Very few people know about the Shreya's Hyderabad boy friend. Shreya met this Delhi guy last December while attending a program organized by the company of her newfound love. Shreya says both hit off easily because of many common interests and gradually their relationship grew into something more concrete. "I love him so much. He makes me happy when he is around", a media report quotes Shreya as saying. "I feel great being in love. That's all I want to say for now, because too much has already been made of it by media. It's a very personal matter and that's the way I would like to keep it for myself!" she confirms. Shreya is not willing to reveal anything more about the relationship and says she has been cautious to keep it away from the media glare because her new found lover loves privacy. ....

Star mania

Crazy fans go to any length to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars. And if it is someone like Rajnikanth, then its pandemonium that prevails in the area where he is shooting. It happened recently when the superstar was shooting for Shivaji at the integral coach factory in Chennai. A man tried to enter the field, but with tight security around the place, he was barred from getting in. Furious at being stopped from getting a look at his favourite actor, the man reportedly broke a bottle and stabbed a cop standing there. The cop was admitted to the hospital, and the man taken in custody. That’s why the superstar prefers shooting at locations outside Chennai, like his favourite place Hyderabad! ....

Sneha changes direction!

The place is Chennai Casino theater. The place is jam packed. Rajini's film 'Sivaji' is getting released only during Deepavali, so what could be causing this traffic jam? When we made our way inside, we found Sneha flashing her Colgate smile, with skirt lifted to her knees.
Wait! We don't mean Sneha in flesh and blood but a poster of her in the Telugu film 'Sri Ramadasu.' Such a build up for a mere poster? Wow!
In the Nagaravi episode, the Tamil media played along with Sneha and then played havoc with her. Tamil cinema is also not showing her much respect now.
So, she has started acting with junior stars like Srikanth (The Telugu star) in Telugu films. In just a short span, she has wowed the Andhra people with her Colgate smile ... she could almost be the brand ambassador! She is being hailed as Soundarya's replacement and was even given an award recently. Looks like we can see Sneha only on KTV or some old songs being telecast. She stars with Nagarjuna in 'Sri Ramadasu' and that running in Casino now, explains the fan crowds thronging to catch a glimpse of her.
Since she is going well in the Telugu field, Sneha has developed an allergy to Tamil films. Moreover, the Andhra folks are ready with 25 to 35 lakhs ready for her. So, it won't be surprising if Sneha bids adieu to Tamil films after 'Pudupettai.' ....

Tamil New Year releases

Tiruttu Payale Cast- Jeevan, Sonia Aggarwal Producer- Kalpathi S.Agoram Director- Susi Ganeshan Music- Bharadwaj
Tirupati Cast- Ajit, Sada Producer- AVM Director- Perarasu Music- BharadwajAzhagai Irukkirai Bayamai Irukkirathu Cast- Bharath, Mallika Kapoor Producer- Cheran Director- Vijay Milton Music- Yuvan Shankar Raja
Pachakuthirai Cast- Parthipan, Namitha Producer- Parthipan Director- Parthipan Music- Sabesh Murali
Thagappansamy Cast- Prashanth, Pooja Producer- Gopal G.Kumar Director- Siva Shanmughan Music- Srikanth Deva Perarasu Cast- Vijaykanth,Producer- Kaja Moideen Genre- Political Thriller ....

Suriya in Kovai!

Surya-Jyothika-Bhumika starrer Jillendru Oru Kathal is progressing at brisk pace at a college campus in Coimbatore. Nearly 50 percent of the film has been completed and three out of six songs tuned by A.R.Rahman has been shot.
It is a bilingual film with Tamil and Telugu version and some scenes were shot in Rajamundry. Suriya has a new look for the film which is being kept a secret. Director Krishna is “exploring some new facets of love” in the film.
The buzz on Jillendru Oru Kathal is so good that the Telugu version has been snapped up for a whopping price by the same person who did Chandramukhi in Andhra. In Tamilnadu, three areas have been sold for high prices.
Suriya is shooting in Coimbatore as his dad hails from that town and he has a huge network of friends and relatives there. Remember that Ghajini collected a whopping Rs 1.65 Crore from Coimbatore territory! The highlight of Jillendru Oru Kathal is said to be the strong comeback of A.R.Rahman as the songs are said to outstanding.
The film is scheduled for release on June 23 or 30 and is one of the most exciting romantic movies on the floor. ....

Tirupati gets `U`!

AVM can heave a sigh of relief as Perarasu directed Tirupati has obtained a clean ‘U’ certificate with some minor cuts from censors. The producers have also decided to pre-pone the release by a day to April 13(earlier it was April 14).
Says M.S.Guhan of AVM: “We have decided to pre-pone the release by a day as it is Chitra pournami which is an auspicious day”. The trade also agreed that since it is holiday mood releasing a big budget film will bring in bumper collections. And strictly speaking, there is no competition as all other films are scheduled for 14th.
Guhan is confident about the success of Tirupati and says that it has shaped out well. According to him, the film is sure to take a bumper opening and the buyers will all be safe. As far as publicity is concerned, AVM will abide by TFPC rule and will only release the trailer and no songs will be aired on channels. ....