Vikram-Shriya's 'Kandhasamy' to release in June

The release date of 'Kandhasamy' has been postponed to June 12 from May 29. The audio launch too has been delayed, from April 26 to May 10. Vikram and Shriya Saran play the lead roles in the film.

The mega budget action entertainer by Susi Ganesan has been one of the most hyped movies in recent times. Mind-blowing action sequences and breathtaking songs shot in exotic locations will be the highlights of the film, say insiders. Vikam has sung four songs for the movie. Devi Sri Prasad is the music director.

Thought the shooting for the super hero movie is complete, the post production work, including graphics and animation, is taking longer than expected, say our sources. ....

Mohanlal turns to farming

Rosshan Andrews will be directing superstar Mohanlal in a film to be produced by Antony Perumbavoor, it is learnt. The film, yet to be titled, has Mohanlal playing Mathachan, a committed farmer. James Albert of 'Classmates' fame writes the script.

The shooting for the film will begin once Mohanlal completes Kamal Haasan’s 'Unnai Pol Oruvan'', the Tamil remake of 'A Wednesday'.

A couple of months before, Rosshan Andrews had started shooting for a big budget film, starring Mohanlal and Arya. It was heard that the producer of the project had backed out following the lacklustre performance of Mohanlal's 'Sagar Alias Jackie'. ....

After Tamannaah, Reema rejects Vishal

After Tamannaah, it is the turn of sultry siren Reema Sen. She has made it very clear that she will not be acting in Vishal's 'Theeratha Vikayattu Pillai'. But she was not willing to divulge the reasons for her change of mind to the mediapersons.

The film by debutant Thiru has three heroines and Reema was supposed to play the first female lead. Though it was earlier said that Bollywood hottie Bipasha Basu would be one of the heroines, later her name was replaced by Tamannaah's. The latter reportedly declined the offer the other day as she had reservations about sharing screen space with two other female leads.

Reema has the same problem that Tamannah has. She had burnt her hands in Simbu's 'Vallavan', another three-heroine movie. ....

Namitha's hot fave for poll canvassing

‘They are calling me for election canvassing’ says Namitha

Namitha has captivated her fans with her glamour and sensuous looks. She has acted numerous films like Engal Anna, Hey, Chanakkya, Vyaapari, Nan Avan Illai, Billa, Sandai, Perumal, Thee and 1977. She is also busy in Telugu film Industry. She is also being frequently invited to inaugurate textile and jewellery shops because she is a crowd puller. Because of her popularity, political leaders are trying to rope her in for election canvassing. She has been invited by Congress party. Simran had also earlier campaigned for AIDMK party. It is also learnt that a huge amount of money is being offered to Namitha for this.

When asked about Namitha about this she said,” There are rumors that the political parties are calling me to canvass for elections. That is true. Congress part has approached me with this regard. But I have refused. My whole concentration will be on cinema. I have no time to indulge in politics.” ....

Rajni's 'Sultan' set for July release

Rajnikanth's much awaited animation film, 'Sultan - The Warrior', will hit screens in July; it will have a global release with approximately 3500 prints in 18 languages.

'Sultan - The Warrior' is produced and directed by Soundarya, Rajnikanth's daughter. The film is jointly produced by Ocher Studios and Warner Bros. winner A.R. Rahman has composed the music for the film.

The film has a hero made in the mould of the superstar who himself has dubbed for the character. The work for the film is almost complete, it is learnt. ....

Action King Arjun turns Car Racer

Action King Arjun has been getting through merely cop and security based roles. Now, he has set to go for a changeover in his forthcoming film ‘Mei Kan’ that was earlier titled as ‘Adhe Kangal’ and then ‘Adhe Vizhigal’. S.N. Raja who earlier churned out ‘Rameshwaram’ and yet to release ‘Sarithiram’ under the banner name of ITA Films produces this film. Major Ravi who earlier made ‘Mission 90 Days’, ‘Kandahar’ and Tamil Movie ‘Aran’ will be directing this film.

Couple of heroines; Telugu Actress Kaverija while the other one is debutant Hithishree is starring him opposite in the female lead roles. Thilakan, Ganja Karuppu and Sathyan are performing prominent roles. Sundar C Babu scores music for the film... The film was earlier titled ‘Adhe Vizhigal’ and now has been rechristened as ‘Mai Khan’ and Arjun dons the role of a car racer. ....

Priyamani says ‘no’ to multi-heroine flicks

Actress Priyamani happens to be the talk of town in recent times. Much fascinated with her best performances in ‘Paruthiveeran’ and Malayalam film ‘Thiraikadha’, ace director Mani Rathnam offered her to pick a great role in his forthcoming bilingual film ‘Raavana’. The film has not just her in female lead, but also World’s most alluring missy ‘Aishwarya Rai’.

When asked whether she would be gearing up for other films that has more heroines, she says ‘ definitely not... only the films that will get more importance on my characterization’. The actress is simultaneously shooting for ‘Ninaithale Inikkum’ – remake of yesteryear Malayalam film ‘Classmates’ and another Tamil film ‘Aarmugam’ starring opposite Bharath in female lead. ....

Suriya’s films hot amongst distributors

Precisely, when distributors go for second thought much before picking the films of Vijay, Ajith and even Kamal Haasan, Rajnikanth, Suriya is one perfect guy who wins them all. Distributors are so curious about taking the distribution rights of Suriya’s forthcoming film ‘Aadhavan’ and ‘Singam’. The reason is that his recent release ‘Ayan’ has picked the most grossing collections across all the centres.

Sources have revealed that the film has collected Rs. 81 Lakhs in just 17days while Mayajaal multiplex has grossed with Rs. 63 Lakhs for the same period... Glimpsing back through his previous films, the actor has continually delivered successful hits, ‘Vel’, ‘Vaaranam Aayiram’ and now ‘Ayan’... It is notable that in United States, the actor has more masses next to Rajnikanth. ....

Haasan to teach you screenwriting

Wanna get the best lessons on screenwriting from your most favorite personality Kamal Haasan? Do you want to be one of the chosen 250 to attend a week-long master class by some of the best screenwriting teachers in the country? Well, then here’s that opportunity knocking at your doors.

Kamal Haasan, in association with Indian Institute of Technology, Madras presents a first-of-its-kind international workshop and seminar on screenwriting in South India. “It’s a strictly instructional event. Basic education is compulsory and candidates need to demonstrate their seriousness to get selected,” says the writer-filmmaker-actor.

The Chennai International Screenwriting Workshop to be held at the IIT-M campus between May 29 to June 3, 2009 will feature a few of the best screenwriters and filmmakers from around the world.

Veteran writer Jean Claude Carriere has confirmed his participation via video conference.

Mr. Kamal Haasan himself will join the discussions and don the role of faculty during the workshop and seminar.

The screenwriting workshop will be conducted by K.Hariharan, Director of the L.V. Prasad Film and TV Academy, Anjum Rajabali, Professional screenwriter and head of departments of screenwriting at Film and TV Institute, Pune and Whistling Woods, Mumbai and Atul Tiwari, Professional screenwriter and well known playwright.

Interested candidates can mail their resume, with their photographs along with a 200-word synopsis on their favorite film and a list of their 5-favorite films to admissions@screenwritingindia.com ....