Karthi, Nayantara in Lingusamy film

Director Lingusamy, who is awaiting the release of Bheema, will commence his next venture with Paruthiveeran"s Karthi playing hero. He will make this film under his home production company Tirupathi Brothers. It is said that Nayantara will be roped in as the heroine of this movie. After her dashing style in Ajith's Billa, Nayan is in great demand both in Tamil and Telugu film industry (Billa will simultaneously hits in Telugu Screens).Lingusamy said that the actress has positively affirmed her intrest and has shown a great interest in this movie. Karthi is at present acting in Ayirathil Oruvan, Selvaraghavan"s mega venture. Nayantara is now busy in Dhanush film Yaradi Nee .
By: Settu Shankar
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Surya - the king of Diwali

It"s official. Finally a winner has emerged from the Box Office this Diwali and it is none other than Surya. The Surya – Asin starrer 'Vel' is placed well on the top of Kollywood box office charts. Its first week collection has set a new record and the advance booking of the film is still continuing in Chennai theaters even a week after its release. This typical Hari film with sentiment, comedy, fire like action and emotions in right proportions are the reasons behind the film being a super hit.In Chennai City, Shahrukh Khan starrer Om Shanti Om still maintained its superiority over Tamil films at the end of the first week after Diwali. Here is the list of top-5 films of this week:
Vel: Director- Hari. The positive word of mouth talk about the film and the family based action story is well suited to Surya"s stature. For distributors and exhibitors, Vel is the undisputed winner from among the Diwali releases this week. Particularly in B and C centers, the film is running like a 'Jallikattu Bull' and makes is making Surya a Box Office mass hero.
Azhagiya Tamil Magan: Director- Bharathan. Though the director worked hard to portray Vijay in different look and style, he failed to give a solid foundation via the script. AR Rehman's excellent tunes and Vijay's thrilling dances in the films songs is keeping the interest of the viewers and keeping them glued to the film. At the end of the first week, ATM is in the second position but one can assure that it wont be the same place in the next week.
Pollathavan: Director – Vetrimaaran. The debutant director's different approach, Dhanush"s realistic look and underplay in performance makes the film watchable. The film is slowly picking up after positive word of mouth and aggressive publicity.
Kannamoochi Enada: Director- Priya V. Produced by Radaan Media Works and directed by Priya V, it is a light romantic comedy inspired from the Hollywood film. But what made this film remain one of the lower names is that the director has not used the story and the actors well enough to get the best out of them. However Sathyaraj, Prithviraj and Radhika performed with ease thus making the movie watchable. Chances are few that the film will pick up in rural and semi urban centers.
Machakkaran: Director- Tamilvavan. This is definitely a hurdle for the fast growing actor Jeevan, who had given two big hits like Thiruttu Payale and Naan Avanillai. It has earned the name of being the most boring film released this Diwali.
By: Settu Shankar
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Vijay very happy with ATM

Vijay said that his fans have not accepted the story of his latest releases Azhagiya Tamil Magan that is the reason for the films second position in the top 5 films. In an interview the actor said, "When director Bharathan had narrated the story to me, I realized that it is indeed a different story from the regular film stories. That is why I had accepted the movie. Even after the announcement of the film, I had told everyone that ATM is a totally different movie and that one should get ready to indeed to watch a different film from me. Now after the release, I agree that there was definitely a mixed response to it in the first three days of its release, but now after watching the film two or three times they have started appreciating the subject." ....

Thirumagan's next film announced

Thirumurugan, the successful filmmaker who came from the small to silver screen via Emdan Magan', has finalized his second film. This is the film based on the story of village young man who joins a college and the problems he causes there. According to the director, Bharath will play the lead role too in this film and the film will have the same cast and crew.The film has been tentatively titled as Muniyandi-Vilangiyal Moonramaandu but it may be changed anytime before the launch of the film. A Malaysia based production company Lotus Five Star will produce the film. Thiru Pictures is plays the role of the films co-producer while it is being made. According to the director, he is yet to be finalized the heroine and other cast. Vidhyasagar will score the music for this film too. I will give all the details in a week or too. Till then, please wait", the director told.
By: Settu Shankar
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Arjun not Surya - Vishnuvardhan's next hero

Director Vishnuvardhan clarified that the hero of his next project Sarvam will be Arjun, not Surya. A few days back Ayngaran Films International has announced that they would be launched a movie, which Vishnuvardhan will direct in which Surya will play the lead role. Now there is been a change in the cast of the film. It is not Surya but Arjun who will act as hero in Sarvam. Interestingly Arya will also act in the movie in the second lead role.This clearly means Surya is out of the project and the buzz is that the star did not agree with Vishnu's script. Surya who is now in US shooting for Gautham Menon's Vaaranam Aayiram had given Vishnu priority dates from the last week of January 2008. Vishnu's favourite cast and crew - Yuvan Shankar Raja and Nirav Shah - are also likely to be a part of this musical thriller, which will be shot most likely in Munnar by mid December.
By: Settu Shankar
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Rehman retunes Tamizhthai Vazhthu!

Neerarum Kadaludutha... is the invocation to Mother Tamil, the Goddess of Dravidian culture for many years and the same was composed by legendary MSV nearly three decades ago. Now musician AR Rehman would like to retune the song with the approval of the Govt of Tamil Nadu. According to the sources the musical work would be started from coming April 2008.Rahman has taken this decision after an open request made by veteran director Baalu Mahendra, a close associate to Maestro Ilayaraja (all the songs in his 26 movies were composed by Raja only) during the audio launch of Kallori recently. All other VIP's who attended the function backed Baalu and applauded loudly.Bakkim Chandra Chatterjee's Vande Matharam with Rehman's tune had rocked the nation for a decade. Now the Mozart of Chennai is set his focus on Thamilthai Vazhthu written by Manonmaneeyam Pe. Sundaram Pillai, nearly 250 years ago.
By: Settu Shankar
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Priyamani replaces Rajini

Don't assume anything after reading the headline. Priyamani has been chosen to light the traditional Kuthuvilakku at the prestigious International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa starting November 23 along with the 'Bollywood Baadshah' Shahrukh Khan! (We hope it may be her route to Bollywood, apart her being talented enough to get there.)For Priyamani, it is a big honour and good recognition that she is getting for her excellent career. This honour has been given to her for her performance in Paruthiveeran, which got her the best actress award at 9th Osian Cinefan Awards, which were held in New Delhi. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which recommended her name in the south Indian actor category, after Tamil superstar Rajinikanth politely refused to inaugurate the function.
After hearing the good news, Priyamani couldn't believe it. After confirming the news, she immediately shared her joy with all her friends and director Ameer who is the reason for her success. Priyamani said: "For most of the actors, it is a dream to share the stage with Shahrukh, the King Khan of Bollywood. It is really a great honour to be chosen to light the lamp at Goa IFFI and that too representing south cinema in the place of the super star."
By: Settu Shankar
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Hari's next with Bharath

Director Hari is on a high after the success of his recent release 'Vel'. The movie starring Surya and Asin has won rave reviews and is placed on the top of the list at the box office. With the success of Vel, Hari is quick to commence his next film. Hari, who is called a minimum guarantee director, will direct Bharath for his next movie, which will be produced by a new producer.Addressing media persons in Chennai Wednesday, Hari said," The movie would be produced by MA Jinnah of Jinnah Creations. I have signed up for this film but it will take about 3 months to shape up the script. I plan to start this movie March 2008. It would be an action packed entertainer with the right mix of sentiments and comedy like my other films. I'm in search for the star cast. I'm planning to cast a familiar face as a heroine. It is always safe for me and my producer too!", he said.
Admitting himself to be a non-creative director, Hari said, "I wouldn't like to try with different subjects with the producer's money. I will always be a producer's delight." Speaking on Vel, he said, "I know that the story of the film is not very strong but the performance of artists and racy script is the cause for this success." Bharath, the hero of the movie, also attended the press meet and expressed his joy in collaborating wit Hari.
By: Settu Shankar
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