Simbu to do Dabangg remake?

Kollywood grapevine is abuzz that Silambarasan aka Simbu is doing the Tamil remake of Salman Khan blockbuster of 2010 Dabangg.

Sura Tamil Film: Sura Review, Vijay and Tamannaah Bhatia in lead roles

Sura is a Tamil 2010 action film. Written and directed by S. P. Rajkumar. Sura film will be rocking.
Vast film of Vijay is just released and first show is running on the screen of hundreads of theaters. This film is Vijay’s 50th number of film.
Star Vijay and Tamannaa Bhatia having key roles in Sura. The film, earlier patrician as Urimai Kural, will be Vijay’s 50th film upon release.
Sura, Produced by Sangili Murugan and spreaded by Sun Pictures. Sura has been released to 800 screens all over the world today.
Vijay has avowed all through the Audio utility of Sura, that film will be his preceding “mass” film and will start picking new scripts.
Sura releasing in 112 centers which is a record in Kerala film industry.

Tamil producers in a hurry to release films before IPL

Tamil film producers and distributors seem to have learnt a hard lesson from last summer (Ma rch – May) season. Th ough the Indian Premier League matches were he ld in So uth Africa, match timings clashed with the timing of shows in cinema ha lls. Wi th the school board exams also scheduled during the same period, most films released at that time came cropper at the Kollywood box office.

To avoid a similar fate this season, most producers are releasing films in a flurry in February. At least 15 Tamil films are expected to hit the big screen this month, at the rate of four-five movies a week.

After a long gap, last Friday (February 5) saw a solo release when Ajith Kumar’s Asal hit theatres.

Karthi’s Payya, Silambarasan’s Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya, Vishal’s Theeradha Vilayaatu Pillai and Bharath’s Thambikku In dha Ooru are the other films set for a February release. These movies are expected to hit theatres between February 12 and February 19 along with several small-budget films.

“No other film was released on February 5 because of Ajith’s big-budget Asal. Otherwise, at least five movies are being released every week and this will continue for a while,” says Kalaipuli G Segaran, president of the Chennai-Kanchipuram-Thiruvallur Tamil Film Distributors’

Association.

“We don’t have enough theatres to release films and as is the case in the last two years, low-budget films with ‘lower artiste value’ are left out. About 50 to 60 films are pending release because no theatre owner

is ready to buy films at

the rate they are priced,”

he added. Ironically, only a handful of low-budget films made money last year and the same was the case even a year before that. Over 90 per cent of films failed and big movies including Vik ram’s Kandasa my were total failures.

“At any point in time, out of 50 films, only five collect profits,” said V Shanmu­gam, manager of the Coimbatore Distributors’ Asso cia tion.

Of all the films rele ased in the last three mo nths, only Venkat Prabhu’s Goa released on January 30 is doing well, he added.

While it collected about Rs 40 lakh in the first week in the Coimbatore region, Cloud Nine Productions’ Tamizh Padam grossed Rs 20 lakh. Vijay’s Vettai karan, though a hit among C centres, did not make profits, he said.

The proliferation of oth er language movies, especially Hollywood films, has also hurt the fortunes of the Ta mil film industry. James Cameroon’s Avatar was a massive hit and it has gr ossed over Rs 1 crore in Co imbatore alone, Shanmu gam said. If the present tr end continues, no big film will be released next month and only the pending mo vies will be released, he added.

Top Tamil Albums of 2009

Pavithra Srinivasan in Chennai

Of the hundreds of Tamil films released in 2009, the music of very few have been good. Here is a look at movie soundtracks that did really well:

Film: Naan Kadavul
Music composer: Ilayaraja

Director Bala's projects are known to be ambitious and off-beat, bringing out the best in his actors. The same holds true of his music directors as well, and when the man in question is Isaignani Ilaiayaraja, the results are marvelous.

The maestro has delivered stirring music for other Bala films as well, and his combination of pathos and light-heartedness works here too.

If Om Sivoham served as a fitting emotional introduction to the hero, Pichai Pathiram brought the plight of beggars -- on whom the movie has majorly focused -- to light.

Kamal Haasan launches tunes for a spoof!

The music of Tamil Padam, which stars Shiva in the lead role, was launched recently by Kamal Haasan. The film, which is a spoof on Tamil cinema, has been directed by C S Amudhan who has an advertising background. Shiva, a popular RJ, was also part of the Chennai 28 gang.

Music for the film is by debutant Kannan, a composer who has done many ad jingles. True to the flavour of the film, the songs too have some spoof elements in them with one number starting with the words Omaha Zeeya... (remember the number in Kaakha Kakkha?)! Cinematography for Tamil Padam is by Nirav Shah.
“One can watch comedy throughout the day,” said Kamal, releasing the album, “But, making a film that has a comic vein running through is a difficult task.”

M S Bhaskar, Vennira Aadai Murthy and Manobala will be playing important roles in this film, which marks the comeback of Kasturi.

Hijacked IC 814 to be relived in Tamil, Telugu cinema

Actor-turned-director Prakash Raj [ Images ] has just finished the first schedule of his Kannada directorial venture, Naanu Nanna Kanasu but he is already thinking about his next bilingual film to be produced under his own Duet Movies banner.

Pavanam (Journey) will be made in Tamil and Telugu, and star himself. It is budgeted at Rs 11 crores, and is based on the hijacking of Indian Airlines' IC 814 from Nepal to Kandahar.

Radha Mohan, who had directed Mozhi and Abhiyum Naanum, will direct the film.

"I will play the role of a bureaucrat from the Prime Minister's office in Payanam. Radha Mohan did a lot of research while writing the script. I was inspired to make this film after reading the book Flight Into Fear by Captain Devi Sharan," says Prakash Raj.

Prakash Raj, who played a villain in the Salman Khan-starrer Wanted directed by Prabhu Deva [ Images ], has now become a sought-after actor in Bollywood too. But he is in no hurry to sign Hindi films.

"I will pick and choose films as I have been consciously doing in the case of my South Indian films," says Prakash Raj.

Puthiya Mugham for a Tamil remake

The superhit movie Puthiya Mugham is getting its Tamil remake with the same title. Prithviraj and Priyamani play the lead roles in the movie. Bala is also seen in the cast. The movie has the same story as that of the Malayalam version.
Director Deepan will remake the movie in Tamil. Deepak Dev will score the music for Tamil. The song 'Pichavecha Naal Mudhalkku Nee' was a duper hit in Malayalam

Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya for Valentine's Day

Followed by the grand success of Vaaranam Aayiram, Gowtham Menon is back with yet another breezy romantic entertainer titled Vinnaitandi Varuvaaya. The film is simultaneously made in Tamil and Telugu with academy award winner A.R. Rahman scoring music for both the versionshe film’s audio was recently launched in London with playback singers giving live performance. Gowtham Menon has planned to host another audio launch function in Hyderabad and Chennai separately by this weekend. Closer sources to Gowtham have confirmed that the film will be released on Feb 14, 2010 for the occasion of Valentine’s Day. Thamarai has penned lyrics for all the songs and Manoj Paramahamsa has cranked the camera.
The film is about an assistant director Karthik (Silambarasan) and a catholic girl Jessie (Trisha). Karthik aspires to be a successful filmmaker, but when he falls in love with Jessie, he almost decides to give up on his long-term dream for the love of his life.

'Puli' to roar in Tamil

The Telugu film 'Puli' starring Pawan Kalyan in the direction of S J Suryah is getting ready for a Sankaranthi (Pongal) release. In the meantime, the filmmaker is getting ready to start the movie in Tamil.

According to sources, Suryah himself would do the lead role in the Tamil version, which would bear the same title. "Audience would see the power of a tiger in the characterisation of the hero and hence the film titled as Puli," he says.

"I have full confidence that the film will create a big sensation in Andhra Pradesh and would cross all the expectations of Pawan Kalyan fans. He has a huge fans base there," he adds.

Produced by Ramesh for Kanakarathna Movies, A R Rahman is the music director for 'Puli'.

Tough law to check film, video piracy planned

— Photo: R. Ragu

ON THE AGENDA: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi releasing a FICCI report in Chennai on Wednesday. (From left) FICCI Secretary-General Amit Mitra; film director Yash Chopra, Union Minister Amibka Soni and actor Kamal Haasan are in the picture.

CHENNAI: A high-level conference will be held in New Delhi in December to discuss the formulation of State laws with provisions similar to those in the Goondas Act of Tamil Nadu to crack down on film and video piracy, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni said on Wednesday.

Addressing Frames 2009, a two-day conclave on ‘Media and Entertainment Business’ hosted by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Ms. Soni said a draft of the Tamil Nadu Act would be circulated among Information Ministers and Chief Ministers attending the December 5 meet.

The conference would discuss the way forward in addressing the issue of TV content quality in the context of the proliferation of channels.

Stating that self-regulation was indeed the ideal advocacy, Ms. Soni said there was at the same time a need to balance the freedom of expression guaranteed in the Constitution and the rights and sensitivities of civil society – a point she reiterated during a brief interaction with journalists on the sidelines of the event.

“With over 500 channels licensed to air content, we need a mechanism to address broadcasting concerns,” she said.

Kamal retrospective

Ms. Soni announced a national retrospective on Kamal Haasan films in New Delhi next year to mark the actor’s completion of 50 years in cinema. She termed as unfair international guidelines that restricted the Kamal Haasan retro at the Goa International Festival of India to just three films.

Inaugurating the conclave, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said his government had been doing its best to promote the growth of the cinema industry by scaling down entertainment tax from 54 per cent to 40 in 1989 to 25 per cent in 2000.

Now, the tax was completely waived for movies with Tamil titles. The Chief Minister said the media and entertainment industry was among the fastest growing sectors of the Indian economy. The sector had raked in about Rs. 584 billion in 2008 – a growth rate of 12.4 per cent over the previous year. The sector was projected to grow to an estimated Rs. 1,052 billion by 2013, he said.

Noting that the film industry in Tamil Nadu was marked by world-class studios, committed artistes and professionalism, Mr. Karunanidhi said the State should emerge as an international entertainment hub. Already, Sony Pictures had opened a state-of-the-art facility here. Warner Brothers Motion Picture Imaging had entered into a strategic alliance with Prasad Corporation for digital post-production and film restoration.

Kamal Haasan, the conclave chairman, said there were no borders in the film industry. He urged participants to join common cause to “get ready for tomorrow.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Yash Chopra, chairman, FICCI entertainment panel, said regional cinema was represented abroad as Brand India.

Chief Secretary K.S. Sripathi and actor Sarath Kumar spoke.

Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani to be remade in Tamil

The Hindi blockbuster movie Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani is to be remaked in Tamil. Director K Rajeshwar who failed to accomplish success in his earlier movies including Indiravizha is directing the film. It is saisd that Rajeshwar was under the script of the Hindi version for sometime.
The Hindi version was directed by Rajkumar Santhoshi starring Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif. Sources say that Rajeshwar has planned to make his son play the lead role. If so,then it will be his son's debut film. It is said that he approached so many actors but no one turned out. Now the hunt is for the heroine. What if no one turn out???? Let's see

Tamil sex-caper Kadhal Kadhai remade as 'Manmadhulu'

JKRSOTHY.BLOGSPOT.COM

However, one does not know if Manmadhulu, the Telugu title, is going to come up with the same blase and titillating stuff. Though going by the stills released so far, one cannot have hopes that it will be different from its original version, one can still be otimistic that it will not repeat the follies of Kadhal Kadhai.

The bad news is that there are many films that are coming with the self-accorded title of rendering a message, but what is shown inside is simply nonsense. Pray that Manmadhulu does not fall in this category.

Passenger to be remade in Tamil

Dileep and Mamta Mohandas starrer Passenger happened to be one of the biggest grosser of this year in Mollywood box office. The film was acclaimed as an exceptional thriller winning rave reviews.


Well, the film will be soon remade in Tamil as director K. Balachandar of Kavithalaya Productions as acquired the rights. Sources have revealed that director Selvah of Naan Avanillai fame will direct the film with Sathyaraj and Ganesh Venkataram in lead roles.


Sathyaraj will take on the role of Srinivasan while Ganesh Venkataram does the role of lawyer (performed by Dileep) and female lead is yet to be confirmed. The Malayalam version had Mamta Mohandas performing journalist’s role and wife of Dileep. The Tamil remake has been tentatively titled as ‘Muriyadi’...

Antha Ezhu Naalkal was remade in Hindi twice'

Chennai
Veteran writer, producer and director Bhagyaraj, who reaped rich harvest in the 70s, 80s and 90s, is back with his new Tamil film Siddhu (Plus 2, First Attempt) with his son Shantanu as the hero.

Here's what he has to say about making films for today's generation, and more.

Is there any difference in making a film and telling a story to the audience of the 80s and today?

There are lots of differences. Today's films are technically more advanced. The pace has changed from slow to fast. The general audience has become more educated and mature. So, the way you narrate the story also has changed. If we explained a situation in 2-3 scenes earlier, now, with just one scene, they understand what you want to say.

Is there any difference in the way you write the screenplay now?

Today the average age of an audience is 35! And they prefer fast moving films with less melodrama. On the other hand, earlier, it was more drama and melodrama. They also want more entertainment in less time. So, I have changed my way of writing the screenplay to suit the needs of today's audience.

Tamil Directors Union to give awards to South Films

Tamil cinema directors have come together under the banner of ‘Directors’ Union' headed by veteran Bharathiraja. They have decided to give awards and thus recognize the talented artistes and film makers in the South Indian Film Industry.Says RK Selvamani, Secretary of Director’s Union: "To encourage new talent the Director’s Union is planning to give awards in various categories in all four south Indian languages Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada. We have also decided to hold a cultural program to raise funds for our association. Also we have set up a panel consisting of 25 directors to give the fine shape to this plan..."


Selvamani has also said that the union has extended support to the world Tamil conference in Coimbatore. They will also be celebrating Tamil New Year in a grand manner like the Chinese New Year in coming January.

Tamil stars contribute to Andhra flood relief fund

Leading stars of Tamil film industry and Nadigar Sangam have collected Rs.20.50 lakhs as their contribution to flood relief fund and handed it over to the Andhra film industry.
Superstar Rajinikanth, Surya and Prabhu Deva attended the show recently held in Hyderabad (on Saturday, Nov 7) to raise funds for Andhra flood relief.


Rajinikanth speaking at the function titled, Spandana at the Gachibowli stadium, Hyderabad said that he has come for the function at the invitation of his guru Dasari Narayana Rao and has promised all help for the noble cause.

Among those who donated funds for the flood relief are Tamil Nadu Film Chamber of Commerce Rs. 10 lakhs, Surya Rs. 5 lakhs, Vishal Rs. 2.5 lakhs, Vijay Rs. 2 lakhs, and Jeyam Ravi Rs 1 lakh.

Kandein Kadhalai’ - ‘Jab We Met’ once again (Tamil Film Review)

By Aravindan D.I.
Film: “Kandein Kadhalai”; Director: R. Kannan; Cast: Bharath, Tamannaah, Santhanam, ‘Nizhalgal’ Ravi; Music: Vidyasagar; Rating: **

“Kandein Kadhalai” is a remake of hit Bollywood film “Jab We Met”, which starred Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor. Director R. Kannan has made subtle changes in the screenplay to suit Tamil audiences and it is sure to pass the box-office test with flying colours.

The film is undoubtedly a clean family entertainer. While Bharath plays Shahid’s role, Tamannaah essays Kareena’s part of the bubbly and talkative girl.

The film starts off just like the original - the dejected hero, hurt by a failed romance and family problems, gets into a train. The leading lady, bubbling with youthful zest, is travelling by the same train to her hometown Theni.

When the hero is grilled by the ticket examiner for travelling without a ticket, Tamannah steps in and saves him by paying off the penalty. And when Bharath alights, the girl follows him to console him and in the process misses the train.

Their journey by road to Theni, followed by Tamannaah’s quest for her lover and how her positive energy inspires Bharath to rebuild his father’s business forms the rest of the story.

Even though Bharath falls head-over-heels in love with Tamannaah, he helps her run away from home and escorts her to her lover’s place.

But Tamannah is in for a shock as her lover refuses to accept her. Bharath then finds her, brings her back to her family and after much melodrama, the hero and heroine are united.

Bharath is definitely a revelation. In the first-half, his emotions are muted as per the needs of his character but in the second-half, he is into his elements and has a ball.

With each film of his, he is showing signs of maturity in his acting.

Tamannaah truly breathes life into the film. She floors the audience with her lightning smile and amazing expressions.

Tamannaah’s beauty gets accentuated by the apt choice of costumes. And her non-stop chattering leaves the audiences asking for more!

Santhanam has a field day and his comic acts tickle the funny bones of viewers.

Muthiah’s cinematography is definitely one of the films strengths - the picturesque locales of Ooty have never been shown more beautifully in any other film!

The music by Vidyasagar is good and soothing to the ears.

On the flip side, the second half drags a little but is saved by an interesting climax.

Charan, a votary of Tamil film talent?

Seems that Charan is no different from his babai Pawan Kalyan when it comes to showing a desire to work with Tamil directors. In the past the Power Star worked with S J Suryah (Khushi and now Puli), Karunakran (a student of Kolly directors like Shankar, worked for Toli Prema and Balu ABCDEFG). Charan, who knows that he should be cautious when it comes to electing subjects for his movies as he is touted to be a superstar contender, is going the same way. Recently, he launched a film with Bommarillu Bhaskar and came the news that he is remaking some scenes his smashing hit film Magadheera in Tamil. Newly, he zeroed in on Paiya, a film being directed by Linguswamy, the shoot of which is going on a brisk pace in Hyderabad. What might be the factor that is motivating Ram Charan Tej to look to Kollywood talents? The reason could be that he knows that Tamil film talents, including the likes of A R Rehman, are evincing keen interest in Tollywood and its stars, what with Gautham Menon, S J Suryah and a galaxy of technicians working for many big projects here. Also, the new age star must be aware of the fact that it is Tamil filmmakers like K Balachandar, Bharathi Raja, Mani Ratnam (who made Geetanjali straightly in Telugu that turned the fortunes of Nagarjuna forever) who gave many of the Telugu stars a big break. Who knows, Charan could also be someone who becomes a crazy superstar with a different idea of a Kollywoodian. The only complaint is that though there are a bevy of directors like Sreenu Vaitla, VV Vinayak, Krish who gave quality films in the past to big stars, newcomers like Charan are preferential towards outside talent.

Meena is back to Tamil

Unlike other actresses who take leave from acting after their marriage, Meena announced that she will be acting even after her wedding.

Meena Ponnu has now signed a deal for ‘Thambikottai’ the debut venture of director Ammu Ramesh, who is a one time associate of ‘Jayam’ Raja. What we hear is that Meena is acting as the elder sis of Narain in this one. Sources say that the film has abundant screen space for the actress.

‘Thambikkottai’ is produced under the banner of Thambikkottai Rajeshwari Films by Suresh. The movie stars Narain and Poonam Bajwa in the lead role with, Prabhu and Vadivelu. ‘Thambikkottai’ has cinematography by Kannan and music by D. Imman. We hear that the film will start rolling from the month of December.

Now we have to wait for this one!

Director’s drama at Tamil conference

The Tamil Nadu Thirai Iyakkunargal Sangam, the apex body of Tamil film directors, has decided to support the World Classical Tamil Conference organised by the State government in Coimbatore in June 2010.

Announcing this to reporters in Chennai Wednesday, secretary of the association R K Selvamani said, “We want to stage a historical play at the conference which will reflect the Tamil culture and ethos.”

A number of themes for the drama have been shortlisted by the association and the final decision would be taken by the Tamil Nadu government, office bearers of the association said. They also welcomed actors to be part of the project.

Besides, the directors association has also planned to record the proceedings of the international event to screen it as a five-minute capsule in cinema halls. “We would like to take to the people the noble attempt being made by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for the growth of Tamil,” they said.

It may be recalled that members of the Tamil Film Producers Council, the South Indian Artistes Association and the Film Employees Federation of South India expressed willingness last week to support the meet through cultural events.