Tamil movies based on friendship

Annamalai

A loose adaptation of Jeffrey Archer’s 'Kane and Abel', Annamalai had the celebrated duo, Rajinikanth and Sarath Babu, weave a tale of friendship, betrayal and hatred. Directed by Suresh Krishna, it was the story of friendship between an architect and a milkman.

Chennai 600028

A cult classic, 'Chennai 600028' gave a new anthem to friendship last year, through 'Yaaro'. The movie is a story of a dozen friends, who are united by the cricket team they are part of.

Rockers or Sharks, that friendship was what gave them happiness was clear, until love undid the seemingly inseparable group.

Friends

After 'Nerukku Ner', in which the two came as arch rivals, Vijay and Surya lived the roles of the duo, Chandru and Aravindan, in this movie directed by Siddique. Their relationship dates to their childhood, with a flashback of what made Surya special to Vijay. 'Friends' was a smashing hit, not too common then for a double hero movie.

Kuselan

This one’s the newest to the pack of movies based on friendship. Rajini and Pasupathy play an actor and a barber, respectively, who were once the best of friends in their school days. The surprise is in the climax when Rajini unravels the truth of who’s actually Krishna and who’s Kuselan.

Dalapathy

Directed by Maniratnam, 'Dalapathy' had Rajini and Mamooty immortalise the roles of Surya and Deva as best friends, who will give up anything, even their family, for each other. A dialogue in the movie, when Rajini simply states he did what he did because Deva is his best friend ('Yena Nee En Nanban Da'), still remains one of his most popular sentimental one-liners.

Piriyadha Varam Vendum

Long before Aamir Khan’s production house conjured up a strikingly similar storyline in 'Jaane Tu', Malayalam director Kamal has debuted in Tamil with 'Piriyaadha Varam Vendum'. A remake of the Malayalam movie 'Niram', it portrays the friendship of two inseparable friends from childhood, who despite claiming to be friends, are unable to grapple with each other’s love lives. Prashanth and Shalini play the lead roles. ....

‘I can do slick roles’

IT’S a Rs 15 crore project that Sarath Kumar was so impressed with, that he decided to produce it when he heard the story.

Titled 1977, it has the actor don six different looks in a dual role about a son trying to prove his father’s innocence, both roles played by the actor.

“It’s a myth that I’m a hit only in rural-based scripts with me playing a villager. In 1977, I’ve tried a new stylish look, and I play a nanotechnologist,” he explains.

Most of 1977 was shot in Malaysia, including the climax that was shot for 11 days on the trot at the Malaysian Twin Towers. This is also the first time that a Tamil movie will be dubbed in Cantonese and Malai.

Following this, the actor will also head abroad to shoot for 'Jaggubhai' in which he will play a policeman. The movie’s director KS Ravikumar had earlier stated that it will be a stylish movie, shot for the most part abroad.

“The movie’s post production is going on and we expect the movie to be an October-end release,” the actor added. As the title suggests, the movie will shift to 1977 and the present. Namitha and Farzana play the heroines of the movie, which will also have a sizzling number by Mumbai model Sandhya Shetty.

1977 is the directorial debut of GN Dinesh Kumar, an MBA who has worked as an ad-film maker. “Despite it being my movie and one with a James Bond-ish theme, I have not opted for any in-film branding. It is not the culture here to integrate brands in movies,” the director explained. ....

Rajini buys peace, says sorry

CHENNAI: With matinee idol Rajinikanth finally bowing to pressure from a pro-Kannada outfit and apologising to the Kannadigas, his latest movie Kuselan, which hit the screens on Thursday night, is all set for release in Karnataka as well.

The actor, who is currently in Hyderabad shooting for Sultan The Warrior, had met three journalists of Kannada TV channels on Thursday afternoon. In an interview to them, he has clarified that he is ready to help Kannadigas as well, and asked them to forgive him for his speech during the Hogenakkal fast.

“The people who are opposing me are also children of Karnataka. They're doing it for their sake. It has taught me a great lesson in my life. I'll never commit such a mistake again. Please, please forget the past and what I've said. Allow me to release Kuselan in Karnataka. I'm ready to help Kannagidas also. It was a bad time. It happens in life. Please don't mind it,” the actor said.

The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike had demanded the apology, following Rajini's statements in support of Tamil Nadu during the Hogenakkal fast, which happened on April 4 this year.

Earlier this week, the actor had sent a letter of regret to the president of the Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce, actress Jayamala. But pro-Kannada groups refused to budge and demanded a public apology. Kuselan is being distributed in Karnataka by the Jayalakshmi and Co.

Speaking to this website’s newspaper, Niranjan from the distribution house said: “We are hopeful of releasing the movie now as Rajinikanth has tendered an apology. We don't foresee any problems now.”

Directed by P Vasu, Kuselan has Rajinikanth playing an extended cameo, which is said to span over an hour. Pasupathy, Meena and Nayanthara play the other lead roles in this movie. ....

Rajnikant's fans have little to cheer in Kuselan

"Kuselan" (Pauper) is all about an impoverished barber Balu (Pasupati) yearning to meet his childhood mate Ashok Kumar (Rajnikant) who has gone up in life and become a superstar.

The climactic union of the hero and his understudy actually proves to be an anticlimax of sorts as the movie abruptly ends after a few frames featuring Pasupati and Rajnikant.

The thespian matinee idol looks much younger under a nice wig, sunglasses and a large wardrobe of costumes that do him justice.

But for the name, Rajnikant is playing himself and offers plausible explanations for his earlier political statements and ambitions.

Director P Vasu has improvised from the Malayalam original "Katha Parayumbol" to suit Rajnikant's mass appeal.

Pasupathi and Meena play their roles to perfection. In more ways than one Pasupati has broken his existing villain image with a scintillating performance.

The 'comedy' of Vadivelu and Livingston is pathetic and Nayantara doesn't impress either.

G V Prakash's tunes are forgettable.

Vasu has worked on the script and seems to have extracted adequate sweat from his stars. But the obvious plagiarism of the idea from "Remember The Time" - the music video featuring Michael Jackson and Eddie Murphy -- was stretching things too far since Rajnikant virtually has zilch knowledge in dancing.

If it was an attempt to project the thespian and Nayantara, it failed miserably.

While family audiences will love the film for its offbeat theme, Rajnikant's fans have little to cheer in "Kuselan".

The hero of the movie is a barber who has mauled Rajnikant badly. We can only hope the family audiences will see it enough to make a "close shave".

Film: 'Kuselan';
Cast: Rajnikant, Pasupati, Meena, Nayantara, R Sundararajan, Vadivelu, Livingston and others; Director: P Vasu;
Music: G V Prakash ....

Tamil stars uneasy over Rajini’s apology

CHENNAI: Kollywood once again finds itself in a parochial ferment with some top stars lashing out against actor Rajinikant for his open apology to Kannadigas - to ensure an unhindered passage of the reels of Kuselan into the cinema halls of Karnataka - and fans of the ‘superstar’ tearing up posters in Coimbatore.

Though this is not the first instance in which actors are expressing their collective love for Tamil Nadu by taking a stand against Karnataka, today’s reaction by Sathyaraj, Sarath Kumar and Vijaya T Rajendhar makes one wonder if tinsel town is taking chauvinism to needless lengths.

For one, even while apologising to the Kannadigas, Rajinikant did not say anything against Tamils or Tamil Nadu. He only said that he had learnt a lesson from Kannadigas and that he will not repeat what he had done.

For that, why should Rajinikant give an explanation to the people of Tamil Nadu, as Sarath Kumar has sought, or how can his statement be construed as an insult to the people of Tamil Nadu, as Sathyaraj has alleged.

T Rajendhar, on his part, has said that Rajinikant has become a ‘zero’ from a ‘hero’ by his apology and has suggested that he should have compensated the producers of the film the loss they might incur by the film not being released in Karnataka.

Meanwhile in Nagercoil, former Union Minister and PMK MP Ponnusamy said that Rajini has taken the Tamils for a ride by submitting himself before the Kannadiga forces.

Of course, the film stars are only projecting themselves as the champions of their language like the fringe Kannadiga groups that vowed to not let the release of Kuselan in Karnataka until Rajinikant apologised for his remarks made at a protest meeting in Chennai when the dispute over Hogenakkal was raging.

At that time, the film industry had at least some reason to stage the protest because, Kannadiga chauvinists were attacking cinema halls screening Tamil films. In that meeting, Rajinkant had said that it was not proper for Karnataka to stake claim over Hogen akkal that belongs to Tamil Nadu - a possible fodder for Kannada chauvinists to take umbrage at.

But can an apology, that too made with a commercial intent, be taken as an insult to Tamil Nadu?

If so, are the film stars suggesting that the pride of Tamil language rests on the paeans sung in its praise in open? Whatever it is, there is scope of yet another controversy as long as the people look up to the film actors for inspiration. ....

Kuselan to hit theatres tonight

ALL in Kollywood have set their eyes on Rajini’s 'Kuselan,' which releases worldwide today. In Chennai, it will get released officially tomorrow, though a few theatres are having special shows by fans tonight, besides the celebrity premiere that will be held tonight.

“Most often, when I see an adaptation of a Malayalam movie, I end up coming out of the theatre disappointed. But that’s not what 'Kuselan' did to me. I was tearful at seeing how well it has been taken,” explained K Balachandar, whose Kavithaalaya Films is producing the movie. Director P Vasu, on the other hand, calls it “a stylish movie in which Rajini looks younger than in his previous films.”

To many Rajini fans, it is a treat to watch the Superstar not just in one, but as many as 20 different looks. 'Kuselan' is the story of friendship between a barber and his Superstar friend years after they meet when the actor comes to the barber’s town. The movie is being simultaneously released in Telugu as 'Kathanayakadu.'

Touted to be his career best performance, Pasupathy plays the barber and Meena his wife. Nayanthara, appearing as herself, has been a new addition to the movie from the Malayalam original, 'Kadha Parayumbhol.'

Rajini’s fame, which has transcended India and has won him fans in Japan as well, is expected to go one notch higher with Kuselan. For the first time, large cut outs and banners of the movie have been shipped to America.

With the Superstar himself announcing at the audio launch that he is scared of all the hype he has been generating, all focus is now on seeing if these acquisitions will prove profitable for the parties concerned. And with the movie getting released now, it will be clear if Rajini, even in a special appearance, will reiterate his position as the boss of the box office. ....

Dasavathaaram, 50 and counting

AFTER much speculation about its reach, the Kamal Haasan- starrer 'Dasavathaaram' has completed a successful 50 days and is said to be going strong. The movie, directed by KS Ravikumar, had the actor play 10 different roles.

In celebration of the movie’s success, actor Kamal Haasan presented 50 fans to orphanages and senior citizen homes at the office premises of Raajkamal Films.

Meanwhile, plans are also on to launch his next movie, 'Marmayogi,' to be produced by Raajkamal Films and Pyramid Saimira, which is to begin after August. The hunt for a heroine is still on for this movie, which is said to be set in the sixth century ....

Southern star Sneha completes 50 films

BANGALORE: South Indian actress Sneha, who has acted opposite top stars like Kamal Haasan, Mammooty and Nagarjuna, is all set to complete 50 films with a cameo in Rajnikanth's fortcoming "Kuselan".

The 26-year-old, who made her debut with Malayalam film "Engane Oru Nila Pakshi" by director Anil Babu, made her way into audiences' hearts with her endearing 'thousand watt' smile. In her career spanning seven years, she has acted in movies of all south Indian languages - Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil and Kannada.

Apart from her smile, she is also known for having rejecting movies as she doesn't believe in wearing skimpy clothes on screen. Her popularity has soared to great heights and she is often compared to late south Indian star Soundarya.

The actress, who is now upbeat about working with Rajnikanth, said: "I feel proud that I'm compared to a top actress like Soundarya. I would like to be remembered for my performances than my glamour. I feel satisfied if people say that I have acted very well in films like 'Sri Ramadasu' and 'Autograph'."

She added: "I am not against actresses who wear skimpy costumes for films. But I don't wear them because I don't feel comfortable. I have rejected requests to wear some costumes."

A Telugu girl who was born in Mumbai and brought up in Dubai, Sneha can boast of having worked with the best of actors and has given many hits so far.

The actress has starred opposite Kamal Hassan ("Vasool Raja"), Mammootty ("Thiruppu Gulam"), Ajit ("Jana"), Nagarjuna ("Sree Amdasu") and Balakrishna ("Pandurangadu"). Her performance in Tamil films "Autograph", "Parthibhan Kanavu", and Telugu films like "Radha Gopalam", "Sree Ramadasu" and Sankranthi have been appreciated by audiences and critics alike.

"I have worked with the best of directors and have been lucky enough to get extraordinary roles in my career. My ambition is to work with top directors like Mani Ratnam sir and Shankar sir. And I also want to do a film with Laletten (Mohanlal). Though I have worked in Malayalam films, I'm yet to get an opportunity to work with him," Sneha said.

The young actress is presently acting with Mammootty in the bilingual "Vande Matharam" and with Prasanna in "Achchamundu Achchamundu". ....

Rajni- the villain

Rajni as the hero is good. But Rajni as the villain is better.
This actor's metamorphosis from a baddie to a hero and vice versa was quick and unique, which could not be replicated by any other Indian actor so far.
We take a look at some of the unforgettable roles:
Apoorvaragangal
After meeting Rajni at the Adyar film Institute, filmmaker K Balachander saw the potential in the actor and cast him in a negative role in his debut film Apoorvaragangal, in 1975. The director also rechristened him Rajnikanth.
This film with Kamal Haasan and Srividya in lead roles had an offbeat theme dealing with complex relationships.
The film heralded the beginning of the anti-hero phase of Rajni's career, lasting from 1975 to 1977. Here, his was a comparatively insignificant cameo role, where he dies in the end. Towards the climax he is seen wearing rags with a beedi in his mouth.
Rajnikanth impressed many though some thought it an inauspicious beginning. But time proved them all wrong, and how!

Moonru Mudichu
His role in another film by K Balachander titled Moonru Mudichu (1976) was meatier. The film saw Kamal Haasan as the hero, a perfect foil to Rajni's villain.
Moonru Mudichu is a story of treachery, murder and vengeance of a strange kind.
Rajni plays a shady character who covets his best friend's (Kamal) girl, enacted by Sridevi. He pulls out all the stops to impress her and when that fails, he kills the unsuspecting Kamal by drowning him in the lake.
Later financial exigency forces Sridevi to marry an elderly man not knowing that he is Rajni's father. Sparks of hatred and vengeance fly when the two meet as stepmother and stepson.
Rajnikanth's villain in Moonru Mudichu is slimy and scheming, introducing a new acting style with individual mannerisms like flipping the cigarette in the air and then catching it between his lips.
He also added the trademark swagger, the rotating of his black-rimmed sunglasses, and a staccato style of dialogue delivery to his repertoire with this film.

16 Vayathinile
In September 1977, 16Vayathinile was released, which earned Rajnikanth's first award from Arima Sangham.
By this time producers and directors were very impressed with Rajnikanth's talent. One of them was debutant director Bharathiraja, who cast him in the villain's role in 16Vayathinile.
Bharathiraja was also the producer and scriptwriter of this new genre of pastoral film, which was true to village life in characterisation, costumes and dialect.
Like the two previous films, this one too, starred Kamal Haasan and Sreedevi.
Rajni is Parattai, a village rake idling away his time with his cronies and passing lewd comments to the damsels passing by.
Meanwhile, Sridevi is seduced and ditched by a new wily vet. Kamal as the handicapped and retarded 'Chappani' is more like a watchdog -- loving and protecting her. In the climax Kamal kills Rajni to save her from his clutches.
Rajni's Parattai is in a way an extension of his villan in Moonru Mudichu, but the villainy is more pronounced and transparent here. He repeats the punchline 'Ithu eppadi irukku?'(How's that?) with lecherous glee to the delight of his fans.
Repeated punchlines, merrily lapped up by the increasing multitude of his fans, became a part of Rajni's acting style and the trend continues to this day.

Avargal
Avargal, released in February 1977, was considered a progressive and radical film by the seventies' standard. It was another K Balachander movie with Rajnikanth playing an abusive and sadistic husband.
Avargal tells the story of a hapless woman walking out of an oppressive marriage to seek employment in the city and start life afresh. When she is about to be united with the man she loves the sadistic husband once again enters her life.
With studied guile he worms his way into her life as a supposedly reformed and repentant man. When the vulnerable woman is all ready to give him a second chance he shows his true colours, leaves her and goes back to his already existing second wife and child.
Balachander ends the film on a note of poetic justice. The man gloating over his own treachery turns away only to be hit in the eye by a flying stick accidentally aimed by the urchins playing nearby.
In Avargal, Rajnikanth gave a classic performance projecting a combination of two contrasting facets of villainy -- both openly sadistic and wily. He actually outdid himself as the wily scheming man.
Like all the other films, here too, Kamal stars in this film as the heroine's widower colleague.

Gayathri
Avargal was followed by Gayathri, released in October 1977.

The film, based on a novel by the same name by eminent Tamil writer Sujatha was directed by lesser known director R Pattabhiraman.

This tale of degradation and debauchery is about a husband making pornographic films of his wife (Sridevi) without her knowledge and then blackmailing her.

The film is all about how Sridevi rescues herself from her husband's clutches through her diary with the help of Jaishankar, the hero of the piece.

The movie was a hit and won Rajni much critical acclaim.

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From a milkman to superstar!

In a career spanning more than three decades, superstar Rajnikanth has acted in several roles -- from an autorickshaw driver to a psychiatrist. In his latest Tamil film Kuselan, the superstar plays, well, a superstar of Tamil cinema.
With that in mind, here's a look at some of Rajnikanth's interesting filmi professions.

A lawyer in Priya (1978)

This S P Muthuraman movie arrived at a time when Rajnikanth was on his quest for stardom. This stereotypical action movie saw Rajnikanth as a lawyer, Ganesh, who performs swashbuckling stunts and rescues kidnapped children as well as the heroine (Sridevi) from distress -- all with aplomb. ....

An author in Aarilirunthu Arupathuvarai (1979)

Playing an author is always a chancy thing. But not for Rajnikanth as was evident in this soulful experience.
Aarilirunthu Arupathuvarai gave the actor a role of a lifetime, offering him the opportunity to flex his acting muscles. Paired with the vibrant Padapat Jayalakshmi, the movie traced the saga of a man who seemed to have lost everything in the beginning but ended up an established author. ....

A barber in Johnny (1980)

Directed by veteran Mahendran, Johnny proved to be an excellent combination of brains and brawn for Rajnikanth.
Revered as a cult classic, especially the romantic parts, the movie saw Rajnikanth as a petty thief and a barber who is disinclined to bring the world into his home. ....

A farmer in Thambikku entha Ooru? (1984)

The movie showed everyone that it wasn't just fisticuffs that Rajnikanth was good at -- he was a master at tickling the funny bone as well.
The movie opens with the star squandering his father's fortune, upon which the irate old man sends his son into the country for a sharp dose of reality. What follows is a hilarious, yet poignant tale of how Balu the rich kid slowly learns to work and live on a farm -- starting with sweeping out cowsheds and harvesting rice. ....

A hotel bell boy in Velaikkaran (1987)

S P Muthuraman's formulaic movie saw the actor as a gullible and naﶥ young man who becomes a bellboy in a hotel. The story takes Rajnikanth all over the place as he works to unravel a plot to kill his boss. In the process he discovers his roots as well.
Paired with the beautiful Amala, bellboy Rajnikanth was anything but a lowly menial and he managed to endear himself to the audience. ....

A gangster in Thalapathy (1991)

Mani Rathnam's Thalapathy toned down Rajini the star considerably, showing in his true colours as an able commander of his leader's forces.

Rajnikanth played Surya, a lean and mean rugged ruffian with a sad past. Inspired by the character in Mahabharatha's Karna, Rajnikanth spouted Mani Rathnam?s typically abbreviated sentences with the right expressions. ....

A milkman in Annamalai (1992)

The still photographer of this movie once described his experience of photographing Rajnikanth in scintillating terms: that a certain aura enveloped him during the photo-shoot as the star stood in front of his trademark vehicle -- a bicycle.
The star in Khushboo's company, chose to appear as a vulnerable milkman who cherishes his friendship with hotelier Sarath Babu but is hopelessly swindled by his erstwhile friend's clan. ....

A coolie in Uzhaippali (1993)

Rajnikanth's punchy dialogues truly took off in this film which was directed by P Vasu. The star was becomes the friend of the masses here as he infiltrates a group of unscrupulous men keen on swindling people.
With the dashing co-star Roja giving him company, Rajnikanth identified himself with the breadwinners by hefting gunnysacks and fighting for rightful wages. ....

An auto driver in Baasha (1995)

Rajnikanth played an honest to a fault auto-driver with a past in Suresh Krishna's Baasha. Amidst a love affair with Nagma, he manages to find time to visit his past as a fearsome underworld don in Mumbai.
As the compassionate auto-driver who drives pregnant women free of charge and never over-charges, Rajnikanth made sure that auto-wallas and fans alike cheered him everywhere. ....

A psychiatrist in Chandramukhi (2005)

Directed by P Vasu, Rajnikanth got a chance to play an author-backed role as Dr Saravana, a psychiatrist.
The movie might have been a remake of the Malayalam film Manichithirathaazhu but the role was shaped to suit a superstar.
While Nayanthara provided the romantic angle, Rajini found time to delve into psychology, manias and phobias. He also provides a successful explanation and cure for Jyothika's mental illness -- even going to the lengths of sacrificing himself.
Again, Rajini's impeccable style and panache carried him through what was essentially an intellectual role -- though it had its fair share of fights and songs. ....

A software professional in Sivaji (2007)

Rajnikanth once again donned another brand-new role -- that of a software system architect. And true to his role, he does possess a posh laptop and taps figures and plans in it, aiming to build schools, colleges and hospitals for his countrymen. And no matter what the profession, Rajnikanth's reign prevails. ....

Dhanam Audio Launch

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AR Rahman talks about Sakkarakkati

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Perumal Audio Launch

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Oru Kalluriyin Kadhai in telugu

TAMIL hit 'Oru Kalluriyin Kadhai,' the Arya and Sonia Agarwal starrer has been dubbed into Telugu as College Days by S Anish Films banner.

Currently in its DTS mixing, the film tries to bring out the interesting elements of college days such as joy, love and sentiment on to the celluloid. Nandha Periyasamy is the director.

The film’s audio is going to be released soon. Charu Haasan, Mouli and Charlie are part of the cast.

Yuvan Shankararaja has composed the music. Vennelakanti wrote the lyrics. Vijay penned the dialogues. S Venugopal Reddy and Challa Srinivasa Reddy are producing the film under S Anish Films banner . ....

Vasundara Das a generous singing bird

Vasundara Das, a renowned multi-faceted artiste, is set to make a comeback to Sandalwood after a gap of few years. Recently, Vasundara sang for the film Saacha, and although she’s considered a high priced playback singer, she declined remuneration from the producer of the film. “I was fortunate to get such an opportunity and I liked those two songs very much. I am grateful to my Guruji Parameshwar Hegde, for giving me a chance to sing those songs. As my music teacher, he knows my strengths and weaknesses,” says Vasundara with gratitude.

Ready to act

Vasundara had acted in a Kannada film Lankesh Pathrike directed by Indrajit Lankesh. She has also acted in Tamil, Malayalam and Hindi films. However, Vasundara has not been seen in films for quite a long time. “I am ready to act in films, provided they are worthwhile projects and justify in keeping me away from music. I am not against acting in films but I’m also not desperate for them. I do not want to act in films just for the sake of it but I would accept good films that will help my career as an artiste,” explains Vasundara.

Wrong notion

There is a notion among Kannada music directors, directors and producers that Vasundara is not available either for singing or acting. Perhaps, her busy schedule or travel plans may have fostered the idea. However, she begs to differ. “It’s true that I was not able to to act in films or sing Kannada film songs for the last few years. I’m always game to sing songs for Kannada films, but unfortunately a few people think that I am always out of station,” she says.

Guru’s appreciation

Parameshwar Hegde, who debuts as a music director in Kannada films with Saacha, is all prais for Vasundara. He had the privilege of teaching her classical music when she was a five-year-old. “I know that the producer can’t afford to pay remuneration to Vasundara. I just called her over the phone to find out whether she could sing a song for this film and she agreed to sing not one but two songs and that also for free. It shows her generosity and dedication to good music,” says Parameshwar Hegde. ....

Rajni gets ready to shoot Robot

SUPERSTAR Rajnikant is likely to leave for the US shortly to join the US-based production team of his Rs 1.5 billion venture Robot. This will be a sci-fi movie and stars

Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai in the female lead. She has already reported for the photo-shoot schedule. It is being directed by Shankar whose last offering with Rajnikant Sivaji - The Boss broke all box-office records.

The movie will be simultaneously produced in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and two other Indian languages besides being later dubbed into English, Japanese and Malay. After Rajnikant agrees to the final script, shooting will commence from August 15.

The extravaganza is being jointly produced by London-based Ayngaran International and Eros Entertainment, said a press statement.

While Rajnikant’s Kuselan is scheduled for July 31 release, he has almost completed his daughter Saundarya’s Ocher Studios’ Rs 2 billion animated production Sultan- The Warrior, which has live shots of the superstar. ....

Director Priyadarshan congratulates P.Vasu

IT seems like the rift between two of South India’s famous directors, P Vasu and Priyadarshan, had a natural death. Director Priyadarshan, who is currently directing Billu Barber, a remake of the Malayalam movie Kadha Parayumbhol in Hindi, called on P Vasu to congratulate him about Kuselan.

Though Priyadarshan himself didn’t see the movie, it is learnt that his wife Lizzy was among the guests invited to watch the movie. Perhaps learning about the movie from her, Priyadarshan is said to have congratulated P Vasu. “It’s an excellent movie. I’m surprised at how well the movie has turned out. Congratulations!” is what the director is said to have told P Vasu.

Kollywood is abuzz with stories about how differences between Priyadarshan and P Vasu cropped up when the former trashed out P Vasu’s Chandramukhi as a bad copy of an original classic, Manichithrathazhu.

This was when Priyadarshan was accused of copying Chandramukhi in his movie Bhool Bhulaya. Embittered by this criticism, Priyadarshan is said to have accused P Vasu of plagiarism.

When Priyadarshan announced Billu Barber, the media had also suggested that it was done with an idea to give competition to Vasu’s Kuselan, by inducing competition between India’s cinema idols, Rajini and Shah Rukh Khan.

But now, with this call in which Priyadarshan is supposed to have honestly congratulated P Vasu, it seems like the differences have been ironed out. So true that there are no permanent friends or foes in filmdom. ....

Rajnikanth urges trouble-free 'Kuselan' release in Karnataka

BANGALORE: Tamil superstar Rajnikanth has written to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) to ensure that his forthcoming film "Kuselan' is released in the state without any problems since many groups were against it, alleging that he had made "anti-Kannadiga" statements.

Though KFCC president and actress Jayamala has already given the nod for the movie's simultaneous release in Karnataka Aug 1, Rajnikanth apparently doesn't want to take any chances.

Some Kannada organisations had been demanding that "Kuselan" be released in the state only after a seven-week moratorium as Rajnikanth had hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas by supporting Tamil Nadu on a row over a drinking water project in Hogenekkal, on the border between the two states.

The superstar had joined the Tamil film industry in a daylong protest fast in April against Karnataka's objections to the Rs.13.3 billion Hogenekkal project that is expected to benefit about three million people in two Tamil Nadu districts.

Karnataka is opposed to the project, saying its share of the Cauvery river waters will be affected.

During the protest, Rajnikanth had apparently blamed Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa for the problem, angering many Kannada activists.

The actor, in his letter to Jayamala Monday, which he has written in Kannada, stressed that he had never intended to hurt the feelings of Kannadigas by speaking at the rally.

He wrote: "I came to know that there was some bitterness among a section of Kannada people about my speech on the Hogenakkal issue. I want to say that I'm not a person to hurt feelings of other people and I'm not a person to create any difficulties for others... I have not believed in hurting others."

Rajnikanth added that he did not want his fans in Karnataka to miss out on his film.

"I don't want people to have any difficulty in seeing my film in Karnataka. I would appeal to you to co-operate to facilitate the release of the film in the state," he said in the letter.

Jayamala released the actor's letter at a press conference here.

She said: "The executive committee of the KFCC has already agreed to allow the release of the film with lesser number of prints and lesser number of theatres."

The KFCC president had earlier also urged people to not link the Hogenakkal issue to the release of "Kuselan", specially since producer K. Balachander was a respected film personality who had contributed to Kannada cinema as well. ....

Modern 'Jaganmohini'

JAYAMALINI’S 'Jaganmohini, the Vitalacharya’s'1978 classic is going to be relived on the celluloid. Inspired by the classic, a film with the same title was launched at Ramanaidu Cine village, Nanakramguda in the city on Monday.

Raja, dressed up as a prince, voluptuous Namita in her red outfit and Meera Chopra posed for the shutterbugs in the backdrop of a set reflecting the royal splendour.

Raja dons the role of Narasimha Raju while Namita will play the role essayed by Jayamalini. Interestingly the film’s director NK Viswanathan is planning to rope in Jayamalini and Narasimha Raju as Namita’s mother and Raja’s father respectively.

Namita appears as a girl who collects pearls. While Meera Chopra plays princess of another kingdom and Raja’s love interest. ‘‘Though the film borrows the concept, it will have a dash of latest technology and glamour,’’ said H Murali, who is producing the film under Murali Cine Arts banner in Telugu and Tamil.

Dasari Narayana Rao sounded clap board for the film. Ramanaidu switched on the camera while Tammareddy Bharadwaja directed the first shot.

Ilayaraja is set to score the film’s music. The film is scheduled to be released in December. ....

Man behind Nayanthara’s new look

PRASAD,the man behind Nayanthara’s new look explains the reasons behind her diet and why it worked. He also tells us about her exercise regimen.

“I gave her a diet of three meals and three snacks and a high protein diet with complex carbs and no saturated fat. The two-hour gaps in meals kept her metabolic rate high. She realised the importance of drinking lots of water and eating the right foods ( like greens and fruits) at regular intervals.”

“She was most dedicated and followed the diet and exercises completely. She worked around 20 days in the gym and lost 4 kilos overall. Today she has tighter muscles, great skin and a completely toned and fit body. She has a much better idea of what works for her and has begun to love exercising,” says Prasad, all praise for Kollywood’s hottest girl. ....

Feeling shy was ‘most difficult’-Swathi

SHE has just hit the jackpot with the dark horse 'Subramaniyapuram'. Swathi, the heroine from Andhra, is a far cry from Tulasi, the demure maiden she played. “Feeling shy was the most difficult thing for me.

Those coy glances are just not me!” she exclaims. But director Sasikumar seems to have effectively transformed this jeans and T-shirt girl into the pavadai-dhavani one. And the move seems to have paid off.

With two Telugu films to her credit and a stint at TV anchoring for the Colors channel in Hyderabad, how did she sign up 'Subramaniyapuram'? “It was instinct. Sasikumar’s narration and passion for work was exciting.

He had already completed the photo shoot and two songs were ready when I signed up. Also there was no sleaze in the movie. So I didn’t have any reason to say no. If it was a jump into the unknown with a debut director, at least it was a safe jump,” she recalls.

Though Tamil was her weak point, she claims to have picked up a lot by now. She is all praise for the unit’s way of working. “There was no unnecessary bonding after shooting and it was total team work. We have all become good friends.” About the heavy climax shot she reveals, “Sasikumar kept the atmosphere charged for the climax. Jai and I were not allowed to speak for three days as a buildup to it,” she recounts. “That way we were mentally prepared for the heavy crying and murder scene.”

Swathi wants to do roles that will be noticed in Telugu and Tamil. “I don’t want to be just eye candy or play coy roles,” she says. In the meanwhile, she is looking forward to her next Telugu release, 'Ashta Chamma', opposite newcomer RJ Nani. ....

Media joint venture offers Kuselan movie clips on mobile phones

CHENNAI: A path-breaking joint venture (JV) between Bay Talkitec and Saimira Access Technologies will help film buffs abroad watch trailers of the forthcoming Rajnikanth starrer "Kuselan" on mobile phones.

"Thanks to huge inventory of movie software of Saimira, our collaborative venture would help us corner a large segment of the Rs.84 billion value-added services (VAS) global market through video service delivery platform (VSDP) that exploits the growing 2.5G and 3G networks," K. Sheker, Bay Talkitec co-founder, said.

"The foray into mobile VAS is a logical extension of our existing business and it will be the future growth engine for us. With mobile penetration increasing exponentially and India expected to allow 3G in a few months, the timing of our launch is expected to lead to a revenue growth of at least Rs.1 billion in three years," Sheker added.

The Rs.60 billion Pyramid Saimira group which owns 955 screens in India and five countries abroad had increased its turnover by 450 percent between the last fiscal through diversification in IT-related enterprises, a company press statement said.

Saimira is also distributing the Rs.650 million "Kuselan" releasing next Friday in India and abroad, the statement said. ....

I don't want to rule country, only hearts: Mammootty

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Malayalam superstar Mammootty has rubbished speculation about him contesting the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, saying that he is too busy with movies to enter politics.

This is now become a habit ahead of any election in Kerala. Let me make it very clear that I do not want to rule the country, instead I want to rule the hearts of people through my films," Mammootty told IANS Sunday. Speculation was rife that the veteran actor, who has over 300 films to his credit, was offered either the Ernakulam Lok Sabha seat or the Ponnani seat in Muslim-dominated Malappuram district.

"It is true that many want me to enter politics, but I'm not interested because I'm very comfortable in the present job I have and my hands are full," said Mammootty, who is currently shooting for Maya Bazaar in Pollachi in Tamil Nadu.

His latest film Parunthu has got a mixed response from audiences. The star said that people might not have liked him playing a character with negative shades. He portrays a cut-throat money lender in the film.

"Maybe some do not like me in such a role. But this is all part of the game. As far as an actor is concerned, Mammootty has done his job as he always does," he quipped. ....

Nayanthara’s new look

She’s got one of the hottest body in tinseltown and is awaiting the release of two major films next month.

Nayanthara, the reigning queen of Kollywood, has reason to be excited. Kuselan with the Superstar is enough to put anyone on cloud nine. In September, her next film directed by Lingusamy will hit the floors. And in the forthcoming Sathyam with Vishal, she is looking bootilicious in the promo shots of the Chellame song. But the toned figure and the washboard abs didn’t come overnight.In a rare interview, Nayanthara spills the beans on what it took to get the right look.

“I had been working out regularly on the treadmill and maintaining a control on my diet,” says the lovely lady who wowed audiences with her look in Billa. “But when Vishal was working for his six packs, he told me about his trainer Prasad. He told me that meeting him would really make a difference since effective trainers are very few.” What followed was a complete change in workout regimen and diet.

“Prasad’s workouts were so good that I started enjoying them. I began working out for nearly 2 hours whenever I was in Chennai,” reveals Nayanthara. “At the end of the sessions I felt recharged, refreshed and relaxed.” Soon a new Nayan emerged with flatter abs and a more toned and sculpted look all over.

But how did she manage when shooting in remote spots with no gym? “I stuck to a diet plan and did basic exercises that he taught me,” says Nayan. The results are there for all to see in the much awaited song in 'Sathyam'. ....

Rajnikanth's 'Kuselan' gets nod for Karnataka release

BANGALORE: Forthcoming Rajnikanth-starrer "Kuselan" has finally got the go ahead for its simultaneous release in Karnataka Aug 1, though many groups were against it, alleging that the Tamil superstar had made "anti-Kannadiga" statements.

The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), while giving the green signal, advised the film's distributor in the state to release "Kuselan" with only 10 prints and in 13 theatres in Bangalore.

Some Kannada organisations had been demanding that "Kuselan" be released in the state only after a seven-week moratorium as Rajnikanth had hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas by supporting Tamil Nadu on a row over a drinking water project in Hogenekkal, on the border between the two states.

The superstar had joined the Tamil film industry in a daylong protest fast in April against Karnataka's objections to the Rs.13.3 billion Hogenekkal project that is expected to benefit about three million people in two Tamil Nadu districts. Karnataka is opposed to the project, saying its share of the Cauvery river waters will be affected.

During the protest, Rajnikanth had apparently blamed Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa for the problem, angering many Kannada activists.

But Kannada actress Jayamala, who is also KFCC chief, said that the issue should not be linked to the release of "Kuselan", specially since producer K. Balachander was a respected film personality who had contributed to Kannada cinema as well.

"One of our own members is releasing the film, then how can we stop the release? What we have advised is that he release the film following all the restrictions about prints and the number of theatres it can be shown in," said Jayamala.

Directed by P. Vasu, "Kuselan" is a remake of Malayalam hit "Katha Parayumbol" starring Mammooty. It is said to have been made at a cost of Rs.600 million and also stars actresses Nayanthara and Meena. The storyline is about a film star helping an old acquaintance.

According to industry sources, late Kannada actor Raj Kumar will also be shown three times during a song in the movie. The song is apparently about the growth of cinema in south India.

Many of Rajnikanth's friends in the Kannada film industry are reportedly working overtime to ensure the movie has a smooth release in the state.

Niranjan, the film's distributor in Karnataka, said: "Rajni sir has ensured that the contribution of the Kannada film industry to the film world is to be given adequate importance in a song. K. Balachandar has produced and directed many films, while P. Vasu has directed films of Kannada film legends like Raj Kumar and Vishnuvardhan. We are sure that Kannada film fans will realise this."

Though Pyramid Saimira has got the distribution rights of the film throughout the country, the rights in Karnataka have been obtained by Niranjan for over Rs.20 million, industry sources said. ....

Listen to Perumal Audio Songs

Starring : Meenakshi, Namitha, Sundar C
Music : Srikanth Deva
Director : Vincent Selvah
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