Mallika Sherawat as Silk Smitha

A biopic will be made on the legendary Kollywood glamour actress Silk Smitha, without whom a film was considered incomplete in the 80s. Ekta Kapoor, queen of television soaps and daughter of yesteryear Bollywood actor Jeetendra, is making this biopic in Hindi. When the astute producer decided to make a film on this actress whose personal life was rife with many depressing incidents eventually leading to her suicide in 1996, she had already decided Mallika Sherawat would play her on the screen.

Well, who can match Smitha's oomph factor other than Mallika! Except for the heroine, crew members and other details have not yet been decided. There is no word yet on whether this biopic will be made in Tamil as well, as Smitha worked extensively in the Tamil film industry. Smitha, who debuted in Vandi Chakram as 'Silk' and took the Southern film industry by surprise by her glamour, went on to act in 200 odd films in various southern languages.

She grabbed Bollywood's attention after Moondram Pirai (starring her with Kamal Haasan and Sridevi) was made in Hindi as Sadma. After that, she acted in a few Bollywood flicks too. Considered an epitome of Indian glamour as seen only in sculptures of olden days, Smitha ruled almost every male's heart in the South. But sadly, the beautiful actress failed to control her own life.

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Jeevan-Poonam Bajwa to pair up

The tall and well-built Jeevan will soon play the lead in Saravedi, a film to be directed by John Mahendran, son of the famous director Mahendran and director of Vijay starrer Sachin. It appears that Poonam Bajwa, who plays the lead in Thenavettu and Seval, will be the heroine.

Talks are going on with her in this regard and proceeding towards a positive result. At present, Jeevan is acting in Krishnaleelai, a film in which he has pulled off a lot of stunts on his own. The actor has been making steady strides in the industry since Kakka Kakka and is on the verge of joining the elite group of heroes of Kollywood.

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Ramarajan returns

The words "Ramarajan is back" will delight every fan of the cult classic Karagattakkaran and anyone who enjoys films shot in rustic backdrops reflecting rural sentiments and lifestyle. With several such films, Ramarajan became the quintessential "villager on the silver screen". He became a living legend in small towns and villages of Tamil Nadu and within a short span, he was Kollywood's Midas.

Now, this great actor is back but with a difference. It had already been announced that he will act in Medhai in the lead role. Now, further details of the film have been announced with its shooting about to start soon. This time too, Ramarajan will take on the baddies, romance his heroine, join his sidekick and make merry; but he will do all this in a city. Medhai is a commercial entertainer whose story takes place in a city and the film has an abundance of comedy, romance, sentiments and all other masala elements needed for making a grand entertainer.

Though out of a rural backdrop, the 'Ramarajan effect' will be unaltered as he has a reliable partner in Vadivelu, and they both are going to rock in Medhai! Medhai will be directed by N.T.G. Saravanan, who had worked as an assistant to the "commercial cinema expert" Hari.

Story, screenplay and dialogues too have been written by this brilliant student, who would like to emulate his teacher Hari and produce commercial hits. The support cast comprises Charlie, Mahadevan, Ajay, Aryan, Harirajan, Hasini, Sona Nayar and K. Nataraj. Talks are on with several new faces and experienced actresses for the female lead role and soon, we will know who bags the role.

A confident Ramarajan says, "It gives me immense pleasure to come back to films, which I love as much as I love my life. Medhai is for my fans and it will have all that they expect from me. This film shall serve as my comeback vehicle. Music of this film, which is scored by Dhina, is excellent. And with Vadivelu's comedy track, the film will be more attractive. My fans will enjoy Medhai."

J. Sreedhar is the cinematographer, music is by Dhina and lyrics are by Gangai Amaran, Yugabharathy, Muthuvijayan, Parinaman and Muthulingam. The film is being produced under the banner of Kalaimagal Koodam. It would be a delight to watch Ramarajan back in action again. Will Medhai give us something like the memorable "vazahippazham joke" again? We will have to wait and see.

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Murali's son debuts in Anandam Aarambam

Producer Ramanathan and Pyramid Saimira, who are producing a film in which Atharva (evergreen actor Murali's son) makes his debut have named it aptly Anandam Aarambam (AA), which means the fun begins.

Yes! It is indeed Anandam Aarambam for Atharva, who starts his film career as a hero just like his father did years ago. The tall and handsome actor had to change his name from Vijay to Atharva as the industry already has a Vijay.

He is a first year engineering student (electronics and communication). Murali, a protective father, zeroed in on the script of AA after scrutinizing numerous scripts that came his son's way; ever since Atharva attained age 16, he has been deluged with film offers. Atharva is not the only highlight of AA.

Shruthi, also making her debut in films, perfectly complements Atharva and augments the film's appeal. This young and beautiful girl, who epitomizes the girl-next-door image, has a pleasant smile and mischievous eyes. Together, these youth form the backbone of this film and make it lively.

AA is directed by debutante director Vishnu Shankaran, who has also written its story. Cinematography is by Dinesh Kumar. Music is by Sundar C. Babu and lyrics are by Yugabharathi and Kavi Varman.

AA will be launched on October 9th at Kamarajar Hall. The function will be presided over by Sathyabama Engineering College chairman Mr. Jeppiar; producer council president Mr. Ramanarayanan; actor and Nadigar Sangam president Sarathkumar; actor and Nadigarm Sangam secretary Radha Ravi and many more VIPs of Kollywood. PS: Murali plays hero in Enga Rasi Nalla Rasi, whose audio was released recently and will do dual roles (as father and son) in Maru Avatharam! Murali is evergreen!

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Rajinikanth's fans start political party

In an attempt to spur Rajinikanth to enter politics, his fans have started a political party - Desiya Dravida Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (DDMMK). But it cannot be construed as Rajinikanth's political move; it is a decision taken by his fans, not by him. This act seems to be the culmination of a week of tension amidst his fans following the star's call for a meeting with fan clubs, tentatively on October 12th.

This announcement has given rise to many speculations about the meet's agenda: ranging from brainstorming to boost his star power to launching a political party; coming in the wake of Chiranjeevi's political party launch, Rajni's call for a meeting has made many think he too might announce a political party. At present, the star is busy with Robot's first tranche of filming. His meeting with his fan clubs, when he reveals his ideas, should put an end to speculations.

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Meghna Naidu: No item numbers for me

Meghna Naidu has been refusing all the offers of dancing in item numbers. Meghna explains, "I am refusing all these item numbers as I want to establish myself as an actress, not as an item song expert. I am a glamorous actress and not an item girl. I can earn millions by doing item numbers but that is not what I want to do. I want to be counted among the best actors in the film industry." This sensuous-eyed actress considers comic roles as the toughest and would like to try her hand at comedy. She also added that she would like to do more challenging roles. Meghna Naidu riveted everyone's attention when she danced beautifully to the tune of 'Kaliyon Ka Chaman'.

Her last film in Tamil was Vaitheeshwaran opposite Sarathkumar and she did an item number in Panthayam, which stars Nithin Sathya and Sindhu Tolaani. Well, this glamorous actress has a valid point. Rather than wasting her time in silly roles or item numbers, she could very well be cast in roles embodying boldness and beauty, just like Rahasiya's role of a journalist in the yet-to-be-released Indra Vizha. She could even be cast in comic roles as she desires and there is no doubt she will sizzle in them. Bollywood's Celina Jaitley, who has done quite a lot of comedy roles, is an example and there are slight similarities between them too!

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Vikram-Ash to film in Kerala

Now that Vikram has completed his part in Susi Ganesan's Kanthasamy and Aishwarya Rai is on the verge of completing the first schedule of Robot (probably by October 8th) Mani Ratnam has decided to start shooting his bilingual film. The news is that he will start with the Tamil version first and will film scenes pertaining to Vikram and Aishwarya in dense forests of Salakkudi, Kerala; filming begins on October 10th.

Mani Ratnam is making this film in Hindi and Tamil. The Tamil version features Vikram in the lead role and pairs him up with Aishwarya Rai; Prithviraj plays the villain. After a long time, actor Karthik will work with Mani Ratnam, who made him a household name with Mouna Ragam and Agni Natchathiram. The Hindi version features Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai in the lead.

Vikram makes his Bollywood debut in this version; he will reprise the role done by Prithviraj in Tamil. Meanwhile, Aishwarya Rai is extremely happy for finally being able to act with Rajinikanth, who, according to her, is a family friend. Aishwarya Rai, while giving an interview in Gurgaon while inaugurating a boutique, said that she is enjoying acting with Rajinikanth. She said that it was a learning experience to work with stalwarts like Rajinikanth and director Shankar.

She also added that she has heard her father-in-law (Amitabh Bachchan) praising Rajinikanth's humility, but when she witnessed it in person, she could not believe her eyes. She also added that she considers Rajinikanth a "wonder man", who has managed to be so simple despite being the most popular film star.

Courtesy:galatta.com ....