“I take life as it comes”

Visual effects supervisor turned art director Jackson shares his experience with his film Paruthiveeran, his future plans and more…

S Suresh Kumar

Despite the recognition he’s received as art director for the super hit film Paruthiveeran, Jackson comes across as a rather simple man.
“The success of a film doesn’t depend on how much money you’ve spent on the sets or how opulent you make them look. It depends on how realistic the shots look,” he told us.
Paruthiveeran
A producer is always walking on fire, trying to keep up with deadlines and financial commitments. So all Jackson does is keep it simple and make sure the sets are in coordination of the story. There are no dream sets in Paruthiveeran — but each and every shot has a rich look despite its minimalist appearance.
“You can’t separate art direction from the story. There’s a fight scene in the film and the director wanted to shoot it in muddy areas and there were a lot of aerial shots. So we decided to use tractors as props but the rains came and our plans went down the drains. But Aamir is an extremely particular director. He cancelled the shoot and we waited for the rains to stop. We had to do the whole thing all over again,” said Jackson.
Road to Art
Born in Bangalore and educated in Chennai, Jackson is a qualified artist from the School of Arts, Chennai. He’s worked at Pentamedia as a visual effects supervisor for more than eight years where he mastered 3D animation and models. He’s also worked at SG, 3D Studio Max and Maya. “I don’t really plan big. I take life as it comes and just give it my all,” he says.
In Indian cinema, scripts lack hard work. Pre-production is taken very lightly and that’s why there is much confusion on the sets, affecting the cost, length of film and even the release date,” says Jackson.
Budgeting art
This art director not only sketches and plans the sets, he also works with the carpenters where he can visualise shots not only on paper but creates it with the help of 3D tools before the schedule of the film.
This way, he helps the producer calculate the approximate time and money required for the sets, easily.
Working with Aamir
“It’s been a great opportunity, working with Aamir. He’s brilliant and the entire production was like a picnic. The success of a film depends largely on teamwork and he never wasted time on the sets. By the time the first shot was completed, we were ready with the third shot,” says Jackson.
This savvy art director has two more projects in the pipeline — Sakkarakatti and Onbathu Roopai Nottu and we just hope that his films keep adding feathers of success to his cap!

What’s in a name?

Last week the Tamil Nadu Film Producers Counsil had issued a notice to two film makers suggesting a change in their film titles

S Suresh Kumar

Earlier, a movie title was the one thing that directors concentrated upon a lot. But lately, it doesn’t seem to matter at all. For instance, Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag. One would think it’s a film about Ram Gopal Varma’s life. No wonder it bombed at the box office. The other one is the Abhay Deol starrer, Manorama — Six Feet Under, directed by Navdeep Singh. In one of the interviews the actor had a hard time explaining what the title of the film really meant.
Among the regional films, Sundar C’s new movie titled Porukki and Simbu’s film Kettavan, both in Tamil, got warnings from the Film Association. To encourage the use of Tamil titles, the Tamil Nadu Government has announced a service tax exemption for films with a Tamil title. After the announcement, 99 per cent films from Kollywood are being titled in Tamil, but this is just a financial benefit for the producer and just led to films having strange names.
However, there are still some directors who put a lot of thought behind the names of every film they make. Filmmakers like Mani Ratnam, K Balachandar, Bharathiraja and Kamal Haasan, all from Kollywood choose the names of their films carefully.
Directors like Tulasidas, Fazil, Vinayan, Kamal, Renjith from the Malyalam film industry, K Viswanath from Tollywood are also masters when it comes to naming their films. The titles usually reflect much more than a name, it encompasses the thought behind the film’s story and concept as well. Mouna Raagam (Silent Symphony) by Maniratnam is a brilliant example. One gets the drift of the story just from the title itself.
Wish there were more directors from the same league?

Shaam’s all set to rock ‘n’ roll

Two back to back Tamil releases and his first Telugu film — Shaam talks about those and more...

S Suresh Kumar

Shaam is a busy actor now. He is working hard for that elusive big hit. After 11 movies in Tamil and one in Kannada he’s trying out one in Telugu. What could be the reason that he’s not had a hit lately? “Story selection is the key. During narration, the story sounds good but the execution is not always done the right way. I try and give my hundred per cent in every film I do, irrespectively,” he says. Last year, his film Kannada film Tananam Tananam too didn’t fare well.
About Thoondil
After a long break director KS Adhyaman, a master on the subject of relationships, is making this film. Shaam plays a software engineer and will be accompanied by Sandhya and Ramya. The entire film is shot in UK. It’s a triangular love story and expectations are high on Adhyaman. “Everyone falls in love at least once in a lifetime. When the audience sees this movie, they will surely go back to their old memories. I have really playing doing this character,” says Shaam. “Working with Sandhya is wonderful. She’s fun loving and cool on the sets and yet, an extremely serious and professional actress. She has excellent screen presence. As for Ramya, I have already worked with her in Tananam Tananam,” he adds.
Third time lucky?
Shaam is pairing with Sneha for the third time in the movie Inba. Their first film together was Hey Nee Romba Azhaga Irukae and their chemistry worked well. With ABCD, they worked together again, and though the film didn’t do well, it was critically appreciated. In Inba, Shaam’s undergone a makeover, sporting a beard to play the role of an auto driver. The music is doing quite well.
Tryst with Telugu
“Now I am going to do a Telugu film, which will be directed by Gireesh. Parvathi Milton is going to be my co-star. The story is very different. I am happy that I have got a very good script for my first Telugu film,” says Shaam.
Remembering Jeeva
“Close friend and director Jeeva’s death has been a big loss. He is very close to my heart. He was the one that introduced me in films. I can’t forget those moments at all. He lives forever with me. I have learnt a lot from him,” he says.
On stage shows
“Dancing to a song on stage is a big task. On screen, you have chances for retakes and finally you have a good number after all the breaks. Stage shows that way are a different ball game. You cannot make a mistake. And you also need a lot of stamina. Working with Maniratnam’s Netru Indru Naalai (stage show) was a very good experience for me,” Shaam recollects.

ITS SAD STILL THIS THINGS HAPPENS

Recently i have read this article from one of the sites, its really hurts knowing this things still happens in India......

The practice of female infanticide still occurs in rural areas
A two-day-old baby girl in India has survived after being buried alive in a field by her maternal grandfather in the south of the country.

The baby, who had apparently never been fed, was discovered by a farmer near a village some 150km south of Hyderabad.

He said he only spotted her because her tiny hand was sticking out of the soil.

Police say they have arrested the baby's grandfather, 52-year-old Abdul Rahman, after he confessed to trying to kill the newborn by burying her alive.

"I am yet to marry off four daughters and cannot take responsibility for a fifth one, even when she is only a granddaughter," Mr Rahman was quoted as telling police.

It was not immediately clear whether Mr Rahman's daughter, the mother of the baby, had given her consent for her child to be taken away.

The baby, who has not yet been named and weighs just 1.7kg, is being treated in a nearby hospital.

The practice of female foeticide and female infanticide does occur in some rural areas.

A girl child is often viewed as inferior to a boy and a bride's dowry can also cripple a family financially.

Government figures suggest that around 10 million girls have been killed by their parents - either in the womb or immediately after birth - over the past two decades.

Take? No, it’s a mistake!

Actress Ramya accuses Tamil director
K S Adhiyaman of holding back her money; filmmaker vows never to work with her again
Kavvya Christopher and
S Suresh Kumar

Film director K S Adhiyaman has urged his fraternity to boycott actress Ramya after all the trouble she is said to have caused him during the filming of Thoondil.
At a recent press conference in Tamil Nadu, he announced that he would never again work with the actress because she spelt trouble.
Coming from Adhiyaman, who has directed stars like Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Maduri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai, such fierce statements are quite something. He has never made derogatory remarks about his colleagues till date.
On the other hand, Ramya too insists that signing on Thoondil has been her biggest career mistake. “I do not want to be part of a production unit that does not know how to treat its star cast,” she fumed.
Story so far
The film Thoondil stars Shyam and Ramya in lead roles. A large part of the film has been shot in London, which is where all the action took place.
The shooting for Thoondil began eight months ago and Ramya was put up at a house in London. Since the film was being shot on a shoestring budget, most of the crew were put up at home stays.
According to Ramya, the owner of the house where she was put up used to get drunk every evening. She also said that she had given some of her expensive white clothes to the laundry, and they all came back blue.
“I insisted on moving into a hotel. The sets were far from comfortable. No food was provided for the cast and the crew. I had to go out and buy my own food,” alleged the actress.
Missing laptop
The cast and the crew travelled to Thailand in May for the last schedule of the shooting. Ramya said, while checking in at the Chennai airport, she had over her luggage, including a laptop bag, to the production manager.
“After some time I asked him for my laptop. He said he had already sent it in with someone. But when we reached Thailand, the bag was still missing. The production in-charge said someone had checked it in with the luggage, but I knew they were lying. The bag had my new Apple Mac laptop, my sunglasses worth 20,000, my ipod and mobile phone chargers,” said Ramya.
“Ramya insisted that she would resume shooting only after she was compensated for the loss of the laptop bag. Despite assurances that we would pay her, Ramya was uncooperative,” said Adhiyaman.
“They did not pay me the entire money. So we came to a deal. I told them to give me $500 everyday, failing which I wouldn’t work on that day. They paid up for two days, but the third day, we had an accident on the sets. Shyam’s assistant, a young boy, almost drowned and he was admitted to hospital. I did not want to ask them for my money when there was a crisis. Later, I got to know that it was Shyam who was paying the boy’s hospital bills, so I decided to ask for my money. They promised to pay me the next day, but wrapped up the shoot on the same day without paying me a single dollar. The director and producer of Thoondil owe me $1250. They did not pay my hotel bills and they did not even pay for my transport either,” fumed Ramya.
Right now, the actress and the director are at loggerheads. Whether the box office fate of Thoondil will bring a thaw in the frosty equation remains to be seen.

Kamal ka film?

For Kamal Hassan, his latest film Dasaavatharam is all about new ideas and breaking barriers. He is unstoppable, even if controversy does follow him everywhere
Suresh S Kumar
Controversy might seem to graze producer, director and actor Kamal Hassan, yet he always seems to come out unscathed. A lawsuit was filed by Senthil Kumar — an assistant director, against Hassan on his latest film Dasavatharam, claiming that the script was copied from his. The high court, which had previously rejected this petition on account of lack of evidence, had asked for a full script in English to be submitted to check on the veracity of the claim. Now, Senthil has again filed a case with some new evidence to support his claim.
Even with the script controversy still raging, Kamal Hassan is undeterred and is busy completing the film. Almost 90 per cent of the film has been shot with the climax scene also getting ready with great fanfare, according to sources.
The film directed by K S Ravikumar, features Kamal Haasan in 10 different roles. Sources say that the movie is inspired by the 10 avatars of Lord Narayanan, which, in mythology is called Dasavatharam.
Ten times better?
Hassan will break the past record of nine roles performed by actor Sivaji Ganesan in Navaratri with this new film, where he plays 10 different roles. In the film, Hassan is a Vaishnavite saint in his first avatar. For this, the actor travelled to the US to get the best make-up techniques. He also hired a team of American experts to work on the technical side. This big budget film has been shot in America, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand, with the climax slated to be done in Chennai. The actor also had plans of shooting in the 2,000-year-old Airavatheeshwarar Temple near Kumbakonam, but was denied permission by the temple authorities. The crew then recreated the locale on a five-acre plot in Chennai. Over 500 workers built the set of the temple.
The film also features mega stars like Asin who plays the lead opposite Hassan and actresses Jayapradha and Mallika Sherawat. Actress Gowthami has done his costumes and Jeeva is on camera.
The music for the film is being done by Himesh Reshammiya, who working in a South film for the first time. Hassan’s daughter Shruti has also contributed by singing a track for the film. Sources saw that producer Ravichandran has spent Rs 3 crore on just one of the song. So, one can expect a visual feast, no doubt.
Riding a Tsunami
The film shows the devastation of southern India during the tsunami that killed over 2,758 people. Since North Chennai was the worst hit, Kamal Hassan has incorporated the disaster with a crew that worked tirelessly to recreate the tidal wave on silver screen. An artificial sea was created across two acres near the fishing village of Royapuram, on the outskirts of Chennai. The art direction team lead by Thota Tharani was behind this simulation. Interestingly, Dasavatharam will be the first film to have had a tsunami-like artificial sea for a shoot of such large proportions.
Back with Rekha
The onscreen chemistry between Kamal Hassan and Rekha in the film Punnagai Mannan will revive itself with another kiss after 21 years! The actress once again appears with Hassan in the film in an important role.
Being different
Kamal has always been known to explore new areas. He was first to introduce Dolby stereo sound in Kuruthipunal in 1996 and after that, he shot Mumbai Express and Virumandi digitally. This time around, Hassan walks the unique path again. While the budget does not in anyway match the much-hyped Rajnikant release Sivaji, Dasavatharam will have a new marketing technique to sell tickets.
At a recent FICCI-Frames meeting, the actor is said to have revealed that the tickets will be sold through retail shops and malls, which will hopefully end the sale of tickets in black.

Kamal ka film?

For Kamal Hassan, his latest film Dasaavatharam is all about new ideas and breaking barriers. He is unstoppable, even if controversy does follow him everywhere
Suresh S Kumar
Controversy might seem to graze producer, director and actor Kamal Hassan, yet he always seems to come out unscathed. A lawsuit was filed by Senthil Kumar — an assistant director, against Hassan on his latest film Dasavatharam, claiming that the script was copied from his. The high court, which had previously rejected this petition on account of lack of evidence, had asked for a full script in English to be submitted to check on the veracity of the claim. Now, Senthil has again filed a case with some new evidence to support his claim.
Even with the script controversy still raging, Kamal Hassan is undeterred and is busy completing the film. Almost 90 per cent of the film has been shot with the climax scene also getting ready with great fanfare, according to sources.
The film directed by K S Ravikumar, features Kamal Haasan in 10 different roles. Sources say that the movie is inspired by the 10 avatars of Lord Narayanan, which, in mythology is called Dasavatharam.
Ten times better?
Hassan will break the past record of nine roles performed by actor Sivaji Ganesan in Navaratri with this new film, where he plays 10 different roles. In the film, Hassan is a Vaishnavite saint in his first avatar. For this, the actor travelled to the US to get the best make-up techniques. He also hired a team of American experts to work on the technical side. This big budget film has been shot in America, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand, with the climax slated to be done in Chennai. The actor also had plans of shooting in the 2,000-year-old Airavatheeshwarar Temple near Kumbakonam, but was denied permission by the temple authorities. The crew then recreated the locale on a five-acre plot in Chennai. Over 500 workers built the set of the temple.
The film also features mega stars like Asin who plays the lead opposite Hassan and actresses Jayapradha and Mallika Sherawat. Actress Gowthami has done his costumes and Jeeva is on camera.
The music for the film is being done by Himesh Reshammiya, who working in a South film for the first time. Hassan’s daughter Shruti has also contributed by singing a track for the film. Sources saw that producer Ravichandran has spent Rs 3 crore on just one of the song. So, one can expect a visual feast, no doubt.
Riding a Tsunami
The film shows the devastation of southern India during the tsunami that killed over 2,758 people. Since North Chennai was the worst hit, Kamal Hassan has incorporated the disaster with a crew that worked tirelessly to recreate the tidal wave on silver screen. An artificial sea was created across two acres near the fishing village of Royapuram, on the outskirts of Chennai. The art direction team lead by Thota Tharani was behind this simulation. Interestingly, Dasavatharam will be the first film to have had a tsunami-like artificial sea for a shoot of such large proportions.
Back with Rekha
The onscreen chemistry between Kamal Hassan and Rekha in the film Punnagai Mannan will revive itself with another kiss after 21 years! The actress once again appears with Hassan in the film in an important role.
Being different
Kamal has always been known to explore new areas. He was first to introduce Dolby stereo sound in Kuruthipunal in 1996 and after that, he shot Mumbai Express and Virumandi digitally. This time around, Hassan walks the unique path again. While the budget does not in anyway match the much-hyped Rajnikant release Sivaji, Dasavatharam will have a new marketing technique to sell tickets.
At a recent FICCI-Frames meeting, the actor is said to have revealed that the tickets will be sold through retail shops and malls, which will hopefully end the sale of tickets in black.

Dasavatharam

Sneak preview of what southern star Kamal Hasan is upto. His soon-to-be released film, Dasavatharam features the actor in 10 different roles and here is a dekkho at how different each of his looks in this mega budget film really is...

A Different Try

Film: Varalaaru
Cast: Ajit, Asin, Kanika, Ramesh Kanna, Sujatha
Direction: K S Ravikumar
Music: A R Rahman
Stars: ***

Its really history that this film is finally hit the theatres. From the start of the production varalaaru got all kinds of problem, from script to settling the money everything it got into trouble. But always hardwork never let you down. All the credit goes to Ultimate star Agith. Not only acting he is taken in his shoulders but also taken the burden of the film till it released. He acted in three different roles, financed the film, fought and compromised with close friend and producer S S Chakravarthy. For the all the trouble what he got finally is a hit movie which is not only sells in the market but also its best in his acting carrier. After Kamalhaasan nobody tried the charecter of acting as a Classical Dancer, but Ajith went one step forward and done the role of Classical dancer with feminaine bodylanguage and look.
Shivashankar (Ajit), a millionaire with a lookalike son Vishnu (Ajit). The father who is not able to walk and all the time in his wheel-chair, Vishnu is a funguy and wants to enjoy the life to the fullest. Father is gives responsibility to vishnu on a job to visit the village he has adopted, there he meets Divya (Asin) and falls in love in a very sentiment way and wanted to marry her. When everything works on vishnu's way strange things starts happening, he starts acting cranky and spoils the wedding plans and also he try to kill his own father. Sounds crazy right but for the remaining of the story you have to watch the movie.
The movie is full of ultimate star with his full effort in all the charecter. And the Classy act is the father role that nobody tried till. Full marks to him for his best performance. Sons charecter is hep and innocent and the third charecter is a negative one but lots of ressablance of Vaali,
Asin suited for the role very well and also tried in the comic role also. Wonderfull performance by Kanika as Ajith’s wife and mentally disturbed mother charecter. Others like Ramesh Kanna, Sujatha, Rajesh, Rajalakshmi all just done their job.
K S Ravikumar film means always an entertainerand fun but this one is disturbed because of Production troubles but still he did a good job, and to cutdown the leangth of the movie they added the reveling scene after the movie ends Well tried funda.
Rehman’s given wonderfull youth, classical and sentiment songs. The best Song he himself sung. And superb background score. Recently in tamil movie hie is not given such a good package. Varalaru a wonderfull attempt by ajith in triple charecter and you must watch it.

Veyil

Cast:Bharath, Pasupathy, Bhavna, Shriya Reddy, Priyanka, G M Kumar, T K Kala, S Ravi Maria, Periyakaruppu Thevar, Sukumar, Kottachu, Bombay Gnanam
Director: G Vasanth Balan
Music: G V Prakash Kumar

Veyil is directed by Shankar's assistant Vasantha Balan. The Film shaped up itself one good interesting one. Vasantha Balan written this stroy as a book and then went and aproched his mentor Shankar. Shankar just heard the synopsis of the movie and decided to produce it.

Veyil is totally different movie whis deals with more on emotions and the typical anger of the South Tamil Nadu villege.

Pasupathy who is the eldest son of the famly. Father who is a meat cutter and very tough with sons Pasupathy and Bharath. Elder son is a very angry man and the younger one is very naughty. Pasupathy is very fond of movies, start from MGR to Vijayakanth. He bunks class and caught by father and he belts like anything keeping him naked in the sunny day infront of the street people. This shame is not tolerated by Pasupathy and he escapes from the house stealing money and gold from his own house. He lands up in a theatre and grows up there as a operator and he starts his life in his way. Weather he is united with the parents or not is the story.

Hats off to Vasantha Balan. Keeping a tittle as Veyil(hot sun) and most of the shots taken in rain. Each and every scene is taken in a superb way. If its a sentiment or a action scene he is done a great job. The screenplay is superb other than the length of the film he could have made short. The film is ful and fully

Aalwar

Cast: Ajith, Asin
Direction: Chella
Music: Srikanth Deva

Makeing a box-office hit movie is tought these days. But Director Chella knows how to make a commerciall movie and also to satisy the fans. Nowadays makeing a box-office movie is so simple if you take care of all the elements. First you have to list blockbuster hit thats acted by a star. Second select a movie that made in late 80's. Third Watch it thousand time. Fourth tell the story to the hero that it has all the commercial aspects including fans appriciation and added by punch dialogue, different getups, and usuall 'Kutthu' song. Rope a top heroin who is in the market and a other state actor for villan role. Finally re-make the movie and keep the suspense saying to be continued and remix old songs and give rview to media saying different story nobody ever heard it.

Director Chella got it right selecting the film Naan Sigappu Manithan which is made in 1985 and acted by Super star Rajinikanth. Only he is to do is just ad special effects and use the technology to look like its new product. Alwar is ditto story that had the original verson. Sister sentiment flash back, Robin hood style murders, Hero talk less, very concern about society.

Shiva(Ajith) working in government hospital as ward boy and and off the work he takes revenge of bad people. He claims himself as a 'Naan Kadavul'(Am God) and comes in the different Avtar of Alwar. Born in a traditional brahmin poojari with full of devotion towards god. Maoramma who runs mansion where shiva stays and Asin who is college girl comes on vocation to grandma's house and she likes shiva and falls in love with him. Why he kills people and weather he accepts the love is the story.

Ajith is very happy man after God father success he again prove himself a good actor and successfull hero. After reduceing his body he is looks cool and the positive vibes shown in his acting also. Sure he is very happy man.

Vivek long time he is not done movie with Ajith, done a goodjob of comedian and he made people to lough in his style. Manoramma suports him in the comedy sequence and whole theatre enjoys them. After the hit of Sandai Kozli Lal again acted a the main villan and did his job also. Asin acted as lead lady and full fills audiance expection. Srikanth Deva could have concentrated more on songs.
If you missed to watch the super star movie then sure you have watch this. Its pure commercial, sentiment, action, thriller and entertaining move.

Silence a Brave attempt

Cast: Prithviraj, Prakash Raj, Jyothika, Swarnamalya, Brahmanadam, M. S. Bhaskar
Direction: Radha Mohan
Music: Vidyasagar

The gutsy producer and actor Prakash Raj is always hunts for a new talented people after all of his movies done well under his the banner Duiet films. Hard work naver fails, and if trust and freedom given to the director sure the film will be succes. Always need to appriciate Prakash Raj for his confidence of produceing the movie. The versatile actor fit in for any roles and the audience always with him because of his talent(some time little over acting but that will be negligable because the effort he puts in). Director Radha mohan is already worked with the same banner given success in the film Azhagiya Theeye. Both of them is winning combination. The subject he is choose is really wonderfull in this generation. Everybodys life is going in a such a phase there is no time to help people who are really suffereres

Mozhi is a musical love story. It is the light hearted and at the same time, intense portrayal of love between a musician and a deaf and dumb girl. Karthik (Prithviraj) and Viji (Prakash Raj) are musicians who work in the dream factory. They are keyboard players who live and love music. They exhibit an infectious enthusiasm and enjoy life the way it is.

It is at this juncture that Karthik chances upon Archana (Jyothika), and she happens to live in the same apartment as Viji and Karthik. Karthik looks up to this woman with awe for her sheer courage, as she takes on a man who bashes his wife in the middle of the road. Karthik realizes that she could just be the one that he has been waiting for all his life.
Radha Mohan has given us clean entertainers like Azhagiya Theeye and Ponniyin Selvan before. With this film, he has joined the bandwagon of directors who remain uncompromising on quality. His screenplay is taut. Subtle directorial touches in the form of the bulbs burning bright when Karthik sees Archana and when Viji takes a liking for Sheela are exemplary. Mention can also be made of the gift Archana gives to Karthik (a violin made of soap), the musical clock, Archana being able to feel music by keeping her hands on the speakers, and the delicate humour that sneaks up when a neighbour (Neelima Rani) takes a liking for Karthik. Such nuances have made the film mor

KV Guhan’s cinematography and Kasi Viswanathan’s editing are neat and are of first-rate. Art director Kathir has lent creative touches with brilliant sets which strike a chord in the viewers’ minds. His sensitive set in the form of Jyothika’s room deserves mention.e interesting.

Unholy matrimony

Struggling Tamil actor Srikanth is in a huge personal mess over his alleged marriage and break up with model Vandana

S Suresh Kumar
Reel life drama turns into reality in Tamil actor Srikanth and model Vandana’s life. The two were supposed to get married on June 18, 2007.
However, when Srikanth’s parents came to know about some financial dispute over an education trust of which Vandana’s also a partner, they decided to call off the engagement.
Vandana came out in the public and announced that she had nothing to do with the dispute. She was sure Srikanth would accept her. But Srikanth preferred to maintain his silence on this and no compromise has been made till date.
Prove it wrong
Last Friday, Vandana landed up at Srikanth’s house with her belongings. She further produced photographs showing the two of them getting married in a ceremony, apparently at Kakkinada.
She also said that the two have been in love with each other for the past two years and have been living together since one-and-a-half-years. Upon hearing this, Srikanth’s parents who were staying with him are said to have shifted to a hotel. Srikanth has filed a case against Vandana asking for legal separation.
Fight till the end
In a press meet, Vandana’s mom said that they would fight the case till he accepts Vandana as his wife. She also said that they respect Srikanth and had no intention of ruining his reputation in the industry.
Leave of absence
Srikanth was supposed to give a clarification in Vadapalani police station on Sunday but hasn’t turned up yet. His father however, informed the police that he is unable to come to the police station as he is unwell and under lot of pressure. But he has also assured them that Srikanth will be appearing in the station today.

What’s Rajni without his punch dialogue?

No message, no punch lines… Is this the Rajni we knew?
S Suresh Kumar


Rajnikant’s Sivaji has left fans with many questions.
All Rajni movies have a message. But audiences looking for inspiration found Sivaji a big disappointment. The means don’t need to be pure as long as the end is, Rajni seems to be saying through Sivaji.
The story resembles John Mathew Matthan’s Shikhar, where Ajay Devgan’s long time ambition is to buy a village and convert it to into Las Vegas.
Rajni goes through similar dilemmas. He buys land, and bribes his way from top to bottom. When the project is half way through, a court stays it. This storyline is the same in both films, though the heroes have different intentions.
Shankar’s gamble
Shankar, India’s costliest director, always delivers a positive message, but he gives Rajni fans some confusing signals this time.
Rajni films are famous for their punch lines, but they are missing too. He keeps saying ‘Cool!’ but that’s not Rajni!
Style gags
Shankar has worked very hard on Rajni’s style. He has added some bubble gum and coin tricks. Costumes are unusual too. Richness shows in each and every shot.
What they miss
The motivational song is the first thing fans miss. And then the punch lines.
Other actors always imitate Rajni, but in Sivaji he does a take on Sivaji Ganesan, MGR, and Kamala Hasan.
Next, Rajni tries to commit suicide but is saved by the heroine. Fans find it hard to digest Rajni feeling so weak.
He always makes fun of the comedian, but in Sivaji, Vivek dominates him. The movie also features some jokes in poor taste.
Rajni is proud of his dark skin. But in Sivaji he has changed his skin colour because the leading lady wants him that way.
A bus was modified to look like a mobile five-star hotel. It has a mini theatre, a conference room, a satellite link, and four bedrooms and a couple of bathrooms.
It is also equipped for medical emergencies. The bus was designed in Australia and is said to have cost a fortune. But it was used for just two shots.
For the climax, fake currency notes were printed in Sivakasi at a huge cost.
More than 40 vehicles were smashed for just one fight scene. Thousands of musical instruments were damaged for a fight scene. Dupes have been used for the fight scenes, and fans can make that out.
Logical flaws
Rajni deliberately touches a live wire in jail and kills himself. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is used to bring his life back. But CPR helps only if it is done within 10 minutes of such an event. But the body is kept for some time inside the jail and taken out after a while. Questions, questions...

Rajni’s Chandramukhi breaks all records

Rajnikant’s film Chandramukhi breaks a record held for 73 years by running for 800 days in cinema halls

S Suresh Kumar
Rajnikant’s Tamil film Chandramukhi has been running in the theatres for as many as 800 days already and it still has an audience. The demand for this film has broken the record created by the previous all time hit Haridas, which starred the late Thyagaraja Bagavathar. The film was released in 1944 ran in the theatres for 770 days.
To celebrate this new record created by the Chandramukhi team, Shivaji Productions has planned a grand party on June 25. Team members Ram Kumar and Prabhu approached the chief minister of Tamil Nadu to be the chief guest.
Of late, a film crossing its 50-day mark itself is a tough task, what with all the innumerable number of problems faced by the industry. For a film to complete as many as 800 days is a big deal.
After the failure of his earlier film Baba, Rajinikant was desperate for a blockbuster. When he watched Kannada film Apthamitra, which starred Vishnuvardhan, Ramesh Arvind and Soundarya, he decided it would be the right film for his comeback. And the remake, Chandramukhi, proved him right too.
Apthamitra too happens to be a remake of the Malayalam film Manichitrathazhu. The film was directed by Fazil in the year 1993 and starred Mohan Lal, Shobhana and Suresh Gopi.
Chandramukhi
Rajinikant portrayed the character Saravanan as a psychiatrist.
Prabhu and Vadivelu also pitch in with their accurate comic timing. Jothika's best work is seen in her role in Chandramukhi.
The use of the famous dialogue Laka laka laka in complete Rajinikant style is the ultimate in the movie.
All about Haridas
The multi-talented late Thayagaraja Bhagavathar played the lead in Haridas. T R Rajakumari played his leading lady.
At that time, there was a footage restriction (of about 11,000 ft) on films because of the war.
The Royal Talkies distributed the movie and the film created the record box office hit in Tamil Nadu. The film ran for more than 110 weeks in Chennai.
Multi lingual
There’s got to be something about this film. While it’s Kannada version, Apthamitra, did extremely well, Chandramukhi in Tamil and Telugu fared well too. Now, director Priyadarshan has decided to remake this film in Hindi.
The film is called Bhool Bhulaiya and stars Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan and Shiney Ahuja.

Films that have run for more than a year...
Tamil
Baasha
Karagaattakaaran
Payanangal Mudivadhillai
Nenjatthai Killaadhae
Oru Thalai Raagam
Telugu
Pokri
Adavi Ramudu
Bobbili Puli
Premabhishekam
Osey Ramulamma
Kannada
Jogi
Apthamitra
Bangarada Manushya
Nagarahavu
Premaloka
Malayalam
Manichitrathazu
Chitram
Godfather
Karumaadikuttan
Vanaprastham

SHIVAJI - THE BOSS

Sivaji is the boss in US
First time in the history of Indian cinema, Tamil film Sivaji will make an international release in 20 theatres across the US on the same day

Suresh Kumar S

Sivaji, one of the most talked about Tamil films starring Rajnikanth, will make its international release in 20 theatres across the US on June 15.
However, Rajni fans in Bangalore are in for a disappointment since the film releases in just four theatres across the city. The dubbed version of Rajnikanth’s magnum opus along with director Shankar and music director A R Rahman will also be released simultaneously in Telugu.

Much needed vacation
After every film, Rajni heads to the Himalayas for some rest. And this time too, after the two-year-long shooting of the film, he went to visit the temples in Badrinath, Kedarnath and the Babuji Cave. After a hiatus of 38 days, he is finally back in Chennai. Soon after reaching Chennai, he headed to AVM studios and requested a screening of the film. Immediately a screening was arranged for Rajni, his wife Latha, daughters Aishwaryaa and Soundarya and son-in law Dhanush. He seems to have said just one word after the screening, “Fantastic.” Meanwhile director Shankar too has left for Canada with his family for a vacation.

Under the hot sun
Eager fans are waiting in long queues in Chennai and Bangalore to pre-book the tickets. In Chennai the bookings are not available at most of the theatres for almost two weeks after the release.

Breaking records
Typically, even hit films with leading actors have about 130 to 140 prints. Rajnikanth's previous film Chandramukhi had more than 160 prints. However, Sivaji has already broken a few records having about 600 prints.

TV rights
The yet to be launched Kalaignar TV channel has already bought the satellite rights of Sivaji, which will be telecast three years after its release.



Box
Bay Area: Park Theatre
New Jersey CinePlaza @ Columbia Park 12
Atlanta Galaxy Cinema Theater
Austin AMC Theaters @ Barton Creek Mall (Barton Creek 14
Bay Area Camera 3 Cinema
Bloomington The Princess Theater
Boston Entertainment cinemas (Fresh Pond)
Boston West Newton Cinema
Boston(Belmont) Belmont Studio Cinema
Cedar Rapids Galaxy 16 theaters
Chicago Bloomingdale Court Theaters
Cleveland Parma Theater
Columbus Screens at the Continent
Delware Cine Center 3
Denver Harkins 18 Theaters
Detroit Detroit Desi Cinema
Germantown Forest Hill Cinema 8
Indianapolis The Historic Artcraft Theatre
Indianapolis IMAX Theater
Little Rock Riverdale 10 movies
Los Angeles Laemmle7
Los Angeles Plaza 3 Cinemas
Madison West Gate Theater
Milwaukee Oak Creek Value Cinema
Minneapolis Brookdale 8 Theater
New Haven Cine 1-2-3-4
New York Silver Screen Theatre
Phoenixville Colonial Theater
Pittsburgh Screen works 14 (Star City Cinemas )
Portland Cornelius 9 Cinema
Raleigh Galaxy Cinema
Rhodes Island Patriot Cinemas - East Providence
San Antonio Northwest 14 Theatre
Seattle Totem Lake Cinema
Silver Spring (VA)(MD)(Tamil) P and G Wheaton Plaza 11
Spring Hills(Tampa) Touch star Cinemas, SpringHill8
St.Louis

URCHAGAM (Tamil)

Music: Ranjith Barot
After 10 years Ranjith Barot is composed music for Urchagam. In 1997 he is done music for the film VIP and all the songs are Super hit. After giving hit also he is not done any movie in Tamil. Urchagam is really a youthful music with both mix of classical and western. The song Knagal sung by zubeen Gargh and written by Kabilan is more western in style. When you start listening.
The second song Naram Pookal it will take entirely different mood. It has a great touch in classical and western mix. The Ultimate is the lyrics none other than Vairamuth. The words are original Tamil, not like Thanglish. Its tough to understand but if You know the meaning its really superb one. Well supported by Hariharan and Nandini Srikar. Sure it will be big hit when film gets released. Veyil song is sung by Kunal Ganjawalla in a base voice it’s different from his usual tone. This song looks like very familiar to you, lyrics is by Na. Muthukumar. It has the touch of Kushi song Oh Vennila... The Nanabha Nanbha song is sung by Kunal and written by Pa. Vijay. And the last one Nethu Vacha duet sung by Gyayatri and Vijay Prakash.
Totally it’s worth listening

Ranjith's past history in music
'Seduction' 1995 (Music Today )- This New Age album produced by Ranjit featured his own compositions and his intrinsic flair
of blending traditional folk and classical Indian melodies with sounds and instrumental arrangements learnt from other world
cultures.
The groundwork for this milestone work was a trip through the rural cultures of Rajasthan in India, recording folk singers and
musicians, with only a microphone and recorder, as separate pieces, unconnected until it was brought into the studio and
strung together into a song.
His other album projects at that time include those by Suneeta Rao and Shiamak Davar which were produced and arranged by
Ranjit.
'Senso Unico' 1998 (director : Aditya Bhattacharya)- Ranjit Barot composed, arranged and produced the soundtrack of this
Indo - Italian feature film which received rave reviews at The Texas film festival-Austin. This was his first project to be mixed by
the legendary sound engineer and music producer, Bruce Swedien.Bruce later mixed two songs on the Vande Mataram 2
album and an untitled song album featuring Ranjit on vocals which is yet to be released.
Ranjit also worked on the soundtracks of other noted music composers of the Indian film industry like R.D. Burman,
Laxmikant - Pyarelal and later..A.R. Rehman. and Anu Malik.
'V.I.P' 1997 (director: Sabah) - This South Indian film was entirely in Tamil, a language unknown to Ranjit. It was his
undeniable talent in being able to understand the true essence of a song and his natural insight into the dramatic content of a
scene, that drew the film - makers to invite a Mumbai based non-Tamilian to compose the songs and background score for
this mainstream Tamil venture.
'Fiza' 2000 -(dir:Khalid Mohammad)-
This thought provoking film set amidst the Mumbai communal riots featured Ranjit's arrangements for its soundtrack and the
powerful background score composed and produced by him.
'Aks - The Reflection' 2001 (dir: Rakesh Mehra) -
This unique Hindi film featured Ranjit's music arrangements for songs.
His imaginative background score for this dramatically charged film won him the Filmfare and Screen Awards for the year. (
Best Background score). The powerful score was described by Amitabh Bachchan , one of the leading film personalities in
India as another charecter in the movie, besides the actors.

Sooni Sooni

Sooni Sooni: Manram Vantha Thenralukku Mouna Raagam 1986(Maniratnam's one of the greatest movie.
Hindi song sung by Vijay Prakash. Very good voice

Here is the new Hindi version. http://onlymusicnonoise.blogspot.com/2007/05/download-cheeni-kum-mp3-songs.html

Jaane Do Na

Jaane Do Na: Jotheyali Jothe Jotheyali... This tune is from the film Pallavi Anupallavi(Kannada). Manirathnam's First movie. And Anil Kapoor's also first movie in sliver screen. Sung by S P Balasubramanyam and S Janaki. In hindi Shreya Ghoshal sung the song.
The tamil Song Vizhiyile mani vizhiyile from the film Nooraavadhu Naal
Here is the Hindi version. http://onlymusicnonoise.blogspot.com/2007/05/download-cheeni-kum-mp3-songs.html


Lyrics of Jotheyali Jothe Jotheyalli


S P Balasubramanyan
Jotheyali jothe jotheyali eruvenu heege endhujothe jotheyali iruvenu endhu endhu
S Janaki
entha mathadidhe nala neeentha mathadidhe nanna manisina bhavane neene heLidheJotheyali jothe jotheyali eruvenu heege endhu
S P Balasubramanyan
Preethiyendharenu endhu eegha arithenusavinudiyali thanu araLithusaviganasali mana kunniyithuolavina ee mathigekaredhiha ee notakekoduve ninage bha preethi kaNika
S Janaki
Jotheyali jothe jotheyali eruvenu heege endhu
S Janaki
Modadhali jodiyagi theli naliyuvaharaduva aragiLigaLa mathadisi mudhaduvakhamana billeruvajarutha naavaaduvahagalu iruLu ondhagi haduvaJotheyali jothe jotheyali iruvenu heege endhuhosa harushava tharuvenu endhu endhu
S P Balasubramanyan
entha mathadidhe indhu neeentha mathadidhe nanna manisina bhavane neene hellidheJotheyali jothe jotheyali eruvenu heege endhu

Cheeni Kum:Baatein Hawaa

Baatein Hawaa: Kzhaloothum Kannanukku... (Mella Thiranthadhu Kadhavu) Again a hit tune from the movie Mella Thiranthadhu Kadhavu. Jointly done by Iliyaraja and MSV.


Here is the new Hindi version. http://onlymusicnonoise.blogspot.com/2007/05/download-cheeni-kum-mp3-songs.html

Cheeni Kum Songs

The best of Iliyaraja's tunes are used in this film.

Cheeni Kum: Manram Vantha Thenralukku Mouna Raagam 1986
(Maniratnam's one of the greatest movie. Revathi and Mohan acted in the film)
Revathi is forced to marry Mohan in an arranged marriage. She lives in the memory of her lost love Karthik and asks for a divorce. The law requires them to stay together for a year before granting the divorce. That gives time for a lot of incidents in their lives and things change

Here is the new Hindi version. http://onlymusicnonoise.blogspot.com/2007/05/download-cheeni-kum-mp3-songs.html