Listen to Vaitheki Audio Songs
Starring : Prithvirajan
Music : Srikanth Deva
Director : Pyramid Symira
....
Music : Srikanth Deva
Director : Pyramid Symira
....
Rajnikanth's Kuselan gets rave reviews in Malaysia
KUALA LUMAPUR: Malaysian audiences should see Tamil superstar Rajnikanth's latest film Kuselan since it is a blend of a good story and fine acting, says a noted film critic of the South-East Asian nation."Such is the power of a good story that it can be appreciated all over India in diverse languages," critic K.N. Vijayan wrote in the New Straits Times.
Kuselan, which was released on July 30, has been running to packed houses across South India after getting over initial controversy over alleged anti-Kannada remarks. The story is based on the 2007 Malayalam hit movie Katha Parayumpol, starring Mammootty and Sreenivasan.
Rajnikanth plays superstar Ashok Kumar who comes to a picturesque village with leading actress Nayantara to film Chandramukhi II. Unknown to him, barber Balu (Pasupathy) claims the superstar was his classmate.
Balu's wife, played by Meena who did the same role in the Malayalam version, is proud of this fact. Everyone in the village tries to befriend Balu so that they can get to meet Ashok Kumar.
However, even Balu can't get to see the star because of the tight security. Soon everyone, including his wife and three children, begin to doubt his claims.
Urging Malaysians to "go see this one with the family", Vijayan said: "The last few minutes of the film draw a tear or two. That's when Rajnikanth proves how good an actor he is. Also, whoever wrote that speech Rajnikanth makes in the film needs a special award."
There is a lot of humour in the movie, with Vadivelu and Livingstone indulging in various antics. Vadivelu is wonderful in the scenes where he becomes hysterical after meeting Ashok Kumar, according to Vijayan.
Another draw of the movie is that it is directed by P. Vasu, who helmed one of the most successful Tamil movies ever - Chandramukhi - with Rajnikanth in the lead role.
G.V. Prakash's tunes are also slowly beginning to gain favour, the critic said.
Inspired by the success of the film's Telugu and Malayalam versions, Priyadarshan is re-making it in Hindi as Billoo Barber, with Shah Rukh Khan and Irrfan Khan in the lead. ....
Tearful Aamir accepts Best Director Award
An award, even if financial, gives one the strength to continue what they‘re doing.
Fortunately, I have been blessed with that resource already. I‘d like to give this money to the film institute for the development of good cinema the Gollapudi Srinivas Memorial National Award function, held on Tuesday , ended on a tearful note, despite Lekha Washington's howlers throughout the evening as its host (felicitation was always facilitation, Munna Bhai's director was ‚Vinu Vinu Chopra, Jagjit Singh was Pamabushan-ji). The packed audience at Kamarajar Arangam saw actor Aamir Khan, recipient of the award, get emotional on stage twice, while hearing director K Balachandar heap praise on him, and when he delivered his acceptance speech, wishing his mother was there to see this happen.
The evening began with a concert by Jagjit Singh, and Anupam Kher followed it with a speech on special children whom he called children of the bigger God. The Gollapudi Srinivas Foundation National Award, in its 11th year, honours a debut director every year, in memory of director Gollapudi Srinivas who met with a tragic end whilst shooting his first film. Presenting the award to Aamir Khan for his debut directorial venture Taare Zameen Par was director K Balachandar, besides Anupam Kher and Vidhu Vinod Chopra.
“Indian cinema is in safe hands now,” director K Balachandar said, adding how he had been pushed to tears seeing TZP, and had called on Aamir Khan to congratulate him for the movie.
“I introduced myself as a small time filmmaker from South India but he immediately responded saying that he was a big fan of mine,” the director said, adding that he hated, yet adored Aamir Khan for making him look back at scripts again after he had retired, on seeing a movie like TZP.
Aamir Khan, on his part, thanked the guests and hosts immensely for the award, and donated the cash award of Rs 1, 50,000 that he had received to the Film Institute in Taramani. “An award, even if financial, gives one the strength to continue what they're doing. Fortunately, I have been blessed with that resource already. I'd like to give this money to the film institute for the development of good cinema.” A memorable event it thus was, for all those in Chennai, who'd finally seen Aamir Khan appear in person and accept an honour. And so it was for the actor himself, who called it a special moment, one that he'd never forget. And, perhaps, as proof to that, he carried back home the speech written by KB, calling it one he'd proudly read to his grand children, when he turned old. ....
Fortunately, I have been blessed with that resource already. I‘d like to give this money to the film institute for the development of good cinema the Gollapudi Srinivas Memorial National Award function, held on Tuesday , ended on a tearful note, despite Lekha Washington's howlers throughout the evening as its host (felicitation was always facilitation, Munna Bhai's director was ‚Vinu Vinu Chopra, Jagjit Singh was Pamabushan-ji). The packed audience at Kamarajar Arangam saw actor Aamir Khan, recipient of the award, get emotional on stage twice, while hearing director K Balachandar heap praise on him, and when he delivered his acceptance speech, wishing his mother was there to see this happen.
The evening began with a concert by Jagjit Singh, and Anupam Kher followed it with a speech on special children whom he called children of the bigger God. The Gollapudi Srinivas Foundation National Award, in its 11th year, honours a debut director every year, in memory of director Gollapudi Srinivas who met with a tragic end whilst shooting his first film. Presenting the award to Aamir Khan for his debut directorial venture Taare Zameen Par was director K Balachandar, besides Anupam Kher and Vidhu Vinod Chopra.
“Indian cinema is in safe hands now,” director K Balachandar said, adding how he had been pushed to tears seeing TZP, and had called on Aamir Khan to congratulate him for the movie.
“I introduced myself as a small time filmmaker from South India but he immediately responded saying that he was a big fan of mine,” the director said, adding that he hated, yet adored Aamir Khan for making him look back at scripts again after he had retired, on seeing a movie like TZP.
Aamir Khan, on his part, thanked the guests and hosts immensely for the award, and donated the cash award of Rs 1, 50,000 that he had received to the Film Institute in Taramani. “An award, even if financial, gives one the strength to continue what they're doing. Fortunately, I have been blessed with that resource already. I'd like to give this money to the film institute for the development of good cinema.” A memorable event it thus was, for all those in Chennai, who'd finally seen Aamir Khan appear in person and accept an honour. And so it was for the actor himself, who called it a special moment, one that he'd never forget. And, perhaps, as proof to that, he carried back home the speech written by KB, calling it one he'd proudly read to his grand children, when he turned old. ....
Light boys in Chennai film industry go on strike
CHENNAI: The light boys in the Chennai film industry have gone on an indefinite strike, demanding a shorter working day. A spokesman of the union representing light boys said unless the normal eight-hour call-sheet was reduced to six, they would continue with the strike.
Film Employees' Federation of South India (FEFSI) and the Tamil Film Producers' Council (TFPC) however say all the demands of the technicians had been met and they got a 40 percent pay hike in January.
TFPC slammed the strike notice by terming it "unfair and unheard in workers' history of struggle."
"Nowhere in India or the world has anyone heard of a six-hour shift with a fat pay," a FEFSI statement said.
The strike has blocked the shooting of 60 films and is thus blocking up Rs.2.5 in the industry that is reeling under losses anyway.
S. Vijayan, president of FEFSI, has threaten to disaffiliate the light boys association if they don't call off the strike.
A union member said: "Those who talk about labour laws should know that no producer minds paying fat cheques to stars, but complains when asked to pay more to the workers who don't sit even for a moment on a set." ....
Film Employees' Federation of South India (FEFSI) and the Tamil Film Producers' Council (TFPC) however say all the demands of the technicians had been met and they got a 40 percent pay hike in January.
TFPC slammed the strike notice by terming it "unfair and unheard in workers' history of struggle."
"Nowhere in India or the world has anyone heard of a six-hour shift with a fat pay," a FEFSI statement said.
The strike has blocked the shooting of 60 films and is thus blocking up Rs.2.5 in the industry that is reeling under losses anyway.
S. Vijayan, president of FEFSI, has threaten to disaffiliate the light boys association if they don't call off the strike.
A union member said: "Those who talk about labour laws should know that no producer minds paying fat cheques to stars, but complains when asked to pay more to the workers who don't sit even for a moment on a set." ....
Kamal Haasan to star in $50 mn thriller
CHENNAI: Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan is set to star in an action thriller 19 Steps, to be produced in collaboration with Walt Disney. The film will be made at a budget of $50 million.
It will be directed by Bharat Bala who shot to fame with music maestro A R Rahman's albums Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana.
19 Steps will go on the floors in mid-2009 after Kamal completes his film Marmayogi, which is another Hollywood co-production, said a publicist.
The movie also stars Japanese star Tadanobu Asano, who is known for his Samurai roles in Gohatto (1999) and Zatoichi (2003).
In 19 Steps, Asano plays a blood thirsty Samurai Kenji seeking to conquer the ancient Indian martial art of Kalaripayattu (precursor of Karate). He learns the tough 18 steps and masters the 19th from an Indian guru played by Kamal, said the publicist.
The movie is being scripted by award-winning Malayalam novelist M T Vasudevan Nair. ....
It will be directed by Bharat Bala who shot to fame with music maestro A R Rahman's albums Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana.
19 Steps will go on the floors in mid-2009 after Kamal completes his film Marmayogi, which is another Hollywood co-production, said a publicist.
The movie also stars Japanese star Tadanobu Asano, who is known for his Samurai roles in Gohatto (1999) and Zatoichi (2003).
In 19 Steps, Asano plays a blood thirsty Samurai Kenji seeking to conquer the ancient Indian martial art of Kalaripayattu (precursor of Karate). He learns the tough 18 steps and masters the 19th from an Indian guru played by Kamal, said the publicist.
The movie is being scripted by award-winning Malayalam novelist M T Vasudevan Nair. ....
Kamal and Asin to tie up again
A film that has been in the news for over two years now,19 steps, an ambitious production by Warner Bros is said to feature the Dasavathaaram duo, Kamal Haasan and Asin, together again.19 Steps, a movie based on the script of MT Vasudevan Nair, will be an English movie, with music by Bharat Bala’s long time friend and associate, AR Rahman.
Kamal has been reportedly approached to play the role of a Kalaripayattu guru. Asin plays a princess. The movie will also feature Japanese star Tadanobu Asano, who will be paired with Asin.
Speaking to Expresso from Mumbai, Bharat Bala, an ad filmmaker who has made albums like Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana, said “Negotiations are on. So it wouldn’t be right to comment on them now.” An official announcement is expected next week, when the director will be returning to Chennai.
It may be remembered that the project was announced over two years ago, with Mohanlal said to be playing the role that Kamal Haasan has been offered. However, it never materialised. Finally, it seems like Kamal Haasan will be doing the role. ....
Still photographs stay in audience mind for long
Whether it is the launch or the release of a film, a lot of hype is created with wall posters, invites and brochures. But what occupies a major part of them are still photographs, which need to be attractive so as to stay in the readers' mind for a long time.While most of these promotional materials use stills from the film, these days the trend is to use exclusive still photographs that do not find a place in the actual film.
“This trend has been there for the past seven to eight years and was started by Bollywood director Boney Kapoor,” says G Venket Ram, a city-based photographer who did the promotional stills for Kandasamy.
Filmmakers have made it man datory to shoot exclusive promotional stills once they are done with the basic script.
“It is to create a bit of a noise among the people that a particular movie is going to be launched or released,” says Sakkarakatti director Kalaprabhu.
This was the only reason, few years back. Today, using such still photographs is part of a major marketing strategy, adopted to get better investments.
“The stills are taken, keeping in mind the design of the brochures,” says Antony Sridhar, another popular still photographer in Kollywood. Brochures with such exclusive photographs are then sent to all the important people in the film fraternity . This way it helps to promote the film and also gets more investments.
The promotional stills are these days taken even before the film's shooting begins, a sea change from yesteryears when these photographs were taken only in-between shots.
“The director and producer approach us with the basic thread of the storyline,” says Venket Ram.
With inputs from the stylist, costume designer, make-up artist, producer and director, the photographer decides on the look of the main characters in a film.
The look of the hero, heroine, villain and others becomes uniform from then onwards till the end of the film.
These exclusive shoots, which are done only for high budget films, can cost anywhere between Rs 1 to 10 lakh. Such shoots can consume one hour to four days of the technicians' time. “It is the planning that takes more time,” says Anthony Sridhar.
“We do take pictures during the production of a film. But it is done to help the director check the continuity between shots,” says Kalaprabhu. More than that, shoots done before production bring out better results in terms of quality, which can help in blowing them up for publicity needs.
Photographs like the profile shots of AR Rahman taken for Sillunu Oru Kadhal is also part of the trend. “It was to promote AR Rahman's association with the film, as he is an icon and many will notice it,” says Venket Ram.
Though latest techniques and equipments are used, it is ultimately the planning and creativity of the photographer that matters. “The subjects' emotions and expressions are also very important to get the best output,” adds Venket Ram. ....
New book on Tamil film legend Sivaji Ganesan
CHENNAI: A new book by S. Theodore Baskaran "Sivaji Ganesan: Profile of an Icon" in the memory of Tamil actor Sivaji Ganesan and part of a series on the legends of Indian cinema was released here Monday.
The book was released by producer A.V.M. Saravanan and received by Sivaji Ganesan's son Ramkumar and film director K. Bhagyaraj.
Noted director Balu Mahendran received titles on Hindi cinema legends Mehboob Khan, Rauf Ahmed, P.C. Barua, Guru Dutt, Shammi Kapoor and Sohrab Modi.
Baskaran said, "The younger generations should know about legends like P.U. Chinnapa, Thygaraja Bhagavatar and the man who produced first Tamil film Nataraja Mudaliayar in 1916."
"I have written about Sivaji Ganesan, his acting and lifestyle so that young people know about him and consider him a role model."
"This book has been written in English because people in other countries are now closely watching Indian cinema. This will help them know about our cinema legends," he added.
In his illustrated book on Sivaji Ganesan, Baskaran traces the life and times of a 10-year-old who ran away from home, walked 60 km from Palakkad to Pollachi to join a street theatre company and grew into one of Tamil cinema's greats.
Ganesan was named Sivaji Ganesan by the Dravidian ideologue Periyar, after his stellar role in "Sivaji Kanda Indhu Rajyam".
Sivaji Ganesan became famous in films following his lead role Parasakthi in 1952.
Ganesan was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1997, and the French government awarded him the title Chevalier de l'ordre des Arts in 1995. ....
The book was released by producer A.V.M. Saravanan and received by Sivaji Ganesan's son Ramkumar and film director K. Bhagyaraj.
Noted director Balu Mahendran received titles on Hindi cinema legends Mehboob Khan, Rauf Ahmed, P.C. Barua, Guru Dutt, Shammi Kapoor and Sohrab Modi.
Baskaran said, "The younger generations should know about legends like P.U. Chinnapa, Thygaraja Bhagavatar and the man who produced first Tamil film Nataraja Mudaliayar in 1916."
"I have written about Sivaji Ganesan, his acting and lifestyle so that young people know about him and consider him a role model."
"This book has been written in English because people in other countries are now closely watching Indian cinema. This will help them know about our cinema legends," he added.
In his illustrated book on Sivaji Ganesan, Baskaran traces the life and times of a 10-year-old who ran away from home, walked 60 km from Palakkad to Pollachi to join a street theatre company and grew into one of Tamil cinema's greats.
Ganesan was named Sivaji Ganesan by the Dravidian ideologue Periyar, after his stellar role in "Sivaji Kanda Indhu Rajyam".
Sivaji Ganesan became famous in films following his lead role Parasakthi in 1952.
Ganesan was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1997, and the French government awarded him the title Chevalier de l'ordre des Arts in 1995. ....
Tamil film industry frowns at corporate film 'raiders'
CHENNAI: Star prices in the Tamil film industry have sky rocketed ever since Mumbai's corporate world entered the field,
Entertainment majors like Adlabs, UTV, Moser Baer, Eros Entertainment and Ashtavinayak have made inroads into the southern film industry by offering 20 percent commission - making it difficult for the southern entertainment companies to compete.
Director S. Ramanarayanan, also president of the Tamil Film Producers' Council (TFPC), said the entry of the Mumbai corporate world had rendered star prices beyond the reach of hardworking entertainment companies.
"The despicable 20 percent commission culture that has begun plaguing the south Indian film industry has allowed corporate raiders that have zero commitment to our culture to gain more than a foothold here," Ramanarayanan told IANS.
"Driven by their yearning for pelf, they are driving star prices sky high for a reported 20 percent commission leaving the mainstays of the south high and dry," Ramanarayanan fumed.
According to reports, the Mumbai companies are offering B-grade southern stars Rs.12 million per film - way beyond the Rs.4 million they were getting earlier. The top two stars, Rajnikant and Kamal Haasan are untouched by the new developments. While Rajnikant, whose "Kuselan" released recently, has not signed any film, Kamal is an independent filmmaker.
The other popular stars Vijay and Ajit have not signed any venture with the Mumbai firms, said a source.
"We ought to learn a thing or two from Hollywood professionals," Ramanarayanan pointed out. "While Walt Disney is collaborating with southern mainstay Pyramid Saimira to make the forthcoming Kamal Hassan starrer 'Marmayogi', Warner Brothers are doing business only with the committed Saundarya Rajnikant to make an animated film."
"Neither of the Hollywood companies pays any commission," the director remarked.
Significantly, while most of the Mumbai-based business houses have demanded memberships of TFPC, the two Hollywood outfits have steered clear of the move as they have little interest in pocketing the generous subsidies made available by film technician Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi or capturing the world of south Indian cinema, film sources added.
The TFPC has deferred a decision to admit the Mumbai corporate houses at its next general body meeting.
"At least 80 people claiming to be directors representing Mumbai corporate entities have approached me with an unrealistically high price, provided I cooperated in fudging the books. Though I turned them down others have not," a top actor admitted on condition of anonymity.
A top actress differed with this view.
"Till recently, top cricketers earned a pittance when the Board of Control for Cricket in India made itself the richest body in the world. The entry of corporate houses has made our sportsmen richer. So why not us as well," the actress, who stars in at least two big ventures, argued.
Corporate houses have resented the TFPC outburst.
A source close to Moser Baer said Ramanarayanan's views were lopsided.
"Production houses and their pet directors in the south churned out silly movies in the past at massive costs. Our entry has infused a new found professionalism into the set up. While stories can no longer be stolen, inane movies will soon be a thing of the past. The corporate world has forced arm-chair story-thieves to clean up their act or close shop," the source said. ....
Entertainment majors like Adlabs, UTV, Moser Baer, Eros Entertainment and Ashtavinayak have made inroads into the southern film industry by offering 20 percent commission - making it difficult for the southern entertainment companies to compete.
Director S. Ramanarayanan, also president of the Tamil Film Producers' Council (TFPC), said the entry of the Mumbai corporate world had rendered star prices beyond the reach of hardworking entertainment companies.
"The despicable 20 percent commission culture that has begun plaguing the south Indian film industry has allowed corporate raiders that have zero commitment to our culture to gain more than a foothold here," Ramanarayanan told IANS.
"Driven by their yearning for pelf, they are driving star prices sky high for a reported 20 percent commission leaving the mainstays of the south high and dry," Ramanarayanan fumed.
According to reports, the Mumbai companies are offering B-grade southern stars Rs.12 million per film - way beyond the Rs.4 million they were getting earlier. The top two stars, Rajnikant and Kamal Haasan are untouched by the new developments. While Rajnikant, whose "Kuselan" released recently, has not signed any film, Kamal is an independent filmmaker.
The other popular stars Vijay and Ajit have not signed any venture with the Mumbai firms, said a source.
"We ought to learn a thing or two from Hollywood professionals," Ramanarayanan pointed out. "While Walt Disney is collaborating with southern mainstay Pyramid Saimira to make the forthcoming Kamal Hassan starrer 'Marmayogi', Warner Brothers are doing business only with the committed Saundarya Rajnikant to make an animated film."
"Neither of the Hollywood companies pays any commission," the director remarked.
Significantly, while most of the Mumbai-based business houses have demanded memberships of TFPC, the two Hollywood outfits have steered clear of the move as they have little interest in pocketing the generous subsidies made available by film technician Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi or capturing the world of south Indian cinema, film sources added.
The TFPC has deferred a decision to admit the Mumbai corporate houses at its next general body meeting.
"At least 80 people claiming to be directors representing Mumbai corporate entities have approached me with an unrealistically high price, provided I cooperated in fudging the books. Though I turned them down others have not," a top actor admitted on condition of anonymity.
A top actress differed with this view.
"Till recently, top cricketers earned a pittance when the Board of Control for Cricket in India made itself the richest body in the world. The entry of corporate houses has made our sportsmen richer. So why not us as well," the actress, who stars in at least two big ventures, argued.
Corporate houses have resented the TFPC outburst.
A source close to Moser Baer said Ramanarayanan's views were lopsided.
"Production houses and their pet directors in the south churned out silly movies in the past at massive costs. Our entry has infused a new found professionalism into the set up. While stories can no longer be stolen, inane movies will soon be a thing of the past. The corporate world has forced arm-chair story-thieves to clean up their act or close shop," the source said. ....
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