How about some action

Bangalorean Shaam is so keen to breakout as a Tamil action hero that he stepped in when the producers abandoned his latest project

So convinced is Shaam about being an action hero that when producers backed out of Agam Puram, he took it upon himself to complete the film and turned producer. With three films that crowned him a romantic hero 12B, Lesa Lesa and Iyarkai, Shaam is ready to give up that title.
Agam Puram, which will release in Telugu as Gang War, is directed by Thirumalai and has Shaam and Meenakshi in the lead roles. “You will see a different Shaam in Agam Puram,” Thirumalai says. Apart from a change in genre, Shaam sees the film as a career advancing move since it’s being released by Sun Pictures. “Their strategies are good and they back their films very well,” he says.
Shaam is no newbie to not understand how well marketing a film works. He’s spent nine years in the Tamil movie industry, and shot to fame with 12B, directed by Jeeva. Later he got to work with Priyadarshan and Jananaadan but that did nothing much for his career. Things began to roll after he starred in director Surendra Reddy’s Kick.
Shaam then went on to act in the Telugu remake of the Tamil film Thillalangadi, with Tamannah as the heroine. “Doing a regular role never thrilled me and I have always wanted to experiment,” he says. Shaam believes without a good script any film will flop. “I am always looking for challenging roles and it’s now that I am getting good opportunities. I have made mistakes in choosing films in the past, and I don’t want to repeat them.”
The past has also taught him that a big production house does not ensure success. “If the role is challenging, I am even ready to do a negative character, regardless of the banner,” he says.
FACT FILE
Making an entry
It was during his modelling days in Bangalore that films beckoned Shaam. He was introduced to the assistant director to director Kathir through a friend. “I submitted a portfolio of my pictures to him but never got a call. Then I secured the role of Vijay’s friend in Kushi. While working in Kushi, I got a call from director Jeeva who was looking for a new face for his film 12B. I was offered the film immediately
after he saw me. I learnt a lot from working on the sets with Jeeva. I got that chance again when I acted in his film Ullam Ketkume. Whenever I think about him I feel like he is still alive; nobody can take his place in my heart,” says Shaam.
Campus capers
“I graduated from St Joseph’s College of Commerce; I used to be a brat. I would spend most of my time in a gym in Frazer Town. I am still in touch with all my friends and whenever we meet up it’s always a lot of fun.”
Better half: Shaam married Khashish, his college sweetheart. Two kids complete
the picture.
Mush talk: “When director Surendra Reddy narrated the story of Kick, he commented that something was amiss in my look. Instantly, he suggested I try growing a moustache. I had never had one before and do agree it gives me a different look which has clicked.”

Kaalam Badil Sollum - Tamil Music Album

Pain relief technique

Blind people are bringing reflexology to Bangalore, thanks to an initiative of the National Association for the Blind.
Popular in Malaysia, reflexology is a healing art in which the feet and hands are pressed and massaged. Association secretary Karun said, “When I visited Malasiya, I experienced reflexology for myself and thought why not bring it to Bangalore and give employment to visually challenged people.”
Telephone booths and the garment industry traditionally provided jobs for the blind. But with the advent of mobile phones, and the recession, jobs have shrunk, leaving the visually impaired at a disadvantage. “Reflexology could well provide the much-needed alternative,” Karun said. The first batch of reflexologists is trained and ready, and two students have already got employment.
Mahesh (20) and Kempakka (19), both visually challenged, joined a free two-month course at the association. They now work at a private centre in Indira Nagar. This is their first job, and each takes home Rs 3,500 a month.
Mahesh is proud he is an earning member of his family now. “I am waiting for my first salary. People used to say I was useless, and I used to feel sad, but now I can prove my worth to them". He lost his sight when he was four. He demonstrated his skills, cheerfully singing a movie song, ‘Noorondu Nenapu’ (Memories spring from the depths of my heart/and turn into song…) Kemppakka used to work at a garment factory in the packing department, and had nowhere to go when recession robbed her of her job. “I heard about the course from friends… I am not worried about my livelihood now".
Hailing from Tumkur, a two-hour drive from Bangalore, she now lives on Hosur Road, where she and her friends share an apartment for Rs 1,500. Mahesh and Thimmakka work from 10 am to 7 pm. The association is looking at a franchise model, and is ready to send trained reflexologists to entrepreneurs who wish to set up centres. Reflexology involves applying pressure on the hands and feet to relieve pain. It believes specific points, when pressed, improve blood flow in related organs.

what’s reflexology
A healing art based on the principle that reflexes in the feet, hands and ears correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body.
Reflexologists press these points with their hands without the use of tools, creams or lotions.
Reflexology is said to relieve tension, improve circulation, and promote the natural functions of the body.

Actor Vijay might just become one

Tamil movie hero secretly meets Rahul Gandhi, may head Tamil Nadu Youth Congress
Tamil actor Vijay quietly went to Delhi and met Rahul Gandhi two days ago.
The Congress needs a fresh young face, and Rahul has been talking of bringing youthful energy to the party.
Observers are putting two and two together, and assuming Vijay will be the young face Rahul is looking for.
The Congress isn't doing too well in the south, and its influence in Tamil Nadu has waned.
The Congress tried to rope in actor Vijayakanth, who has strengthened his votes considerably in the last two elections. The party backed off when it realised such a step would displease ally DMK.
Vijay may be a better bet for the Congress, since he is on good terms with the DMK.
Vijay's father S A Chandrashekaran, once active in the DMK, is pushing his son in the direction of the politics. In the last six months, fan clubs have been pressing the actor in the same direction.

Sound speculation
Last month, Vijay told fans it was time for them to serve the people.
Chandrashekaran has been mentoring his son to take an active role in public life.
Speculation was rife that Vijay would join the ruling DMK. Last week, Pondicherry chief minister Vaithiyalingam shared the stage with Vijay and S A Chandrashekaran.
Vijay announced several promises to the 50,000 plus people who had gathered at the rally. He also announced he would join politics.
This surprised the Congress and Pondicherry leaders took the idea to their party high command in Delhi.
That prompted Rahul's summons, a source said.
The meeting was spread over two hours. "We expect the high command to announce the post of president of the youth wing for Vijay," a party worker told MiD DAY over the phone.
Rahul and Vijay had already been in touch via email.

New Khan on the block

Visually-impaired debutant Naseer Khan's movie promises to be thrilling, but his life has more to offer

Naseer Khan was born blind, but refused to let his disability hold him back.

This 36-year-old real life hero has turned reel life hero as well Shadow, the movie he acts in and produces, hits the screens today.

Naseer runs a successful real-estate business based in Kanpur, and even a brief listing of his exploits are enough to put any normal person to shame. He can swim, ride a bike and a car, play musical instruments, repair electronic goods, and has even completed four levels of Microsoft certification in computer hardware.

Naseer's biggest ambition though lay elsewhere; he wanted to be a part of the list of famous Khans in Bollywood, an ambition he has steadily pursued. And today, he will realise his dream with the release of Shadow The Dark Side of Truth.

Khan plays a double role in the thriller directed by Rohit Nayyar, and which he has co-produced with Shamshad Aalam. He has written the movie's story himself, too. As the owner of a music label and film distribution business, Naseer has been long associated with movie business. To write and act in a movie would be achievement enough for most people, but for multi-talented Naseer it's one more addition to a long list of achievements.

Naseer tells us his tale:

Were you born blind?
I was born blind. When I was three, I got operated six times but only 10-15 per cent of the vision in my right eye was restored while I was toally blind in my left eye. In 1990, I had a retina detachment and the operation turned out ot be unsuccessful. I am now fully blind.

How do you feel today after completing the movie and while waiting for the audience's reaction?
This is a very exciting moment. I am very confident about my project but I won't lie, there is some nervousness. The director and music director are confident but being the producer and actor, the whole burden is on my shoulders. Until the audience gives its verdict, I can't predict anything.

What attracted you to the film industry?
In 1992, when I was working in my father's office, my uncle scolded me and told me not to use the typewriter. I was depressed. I had only two options: to go back to sleep or fight with everybody and prove that I too can do it. I decided to learn typing and went to a typing institute The same uncle later appreciated me, but unfortunately he is no more. He is the person who helped me realise that I can do anything if I want. I finished all four levels of Microsoft certification, studied electronic mechanics and I also run a tanning unit. I wanted to prove some more to the world so now I have completed my first movie as a producer, actor, and writer.

What was the toughest thing you faced while shooting?
I had to shoot a song sequence with lions in Thailand at midnight. The director convinced me and explained how I have to do the scene. He would give me a cue and I had to follow his voice and go amidst the lions. I was worried, after all it's an animal and if it gets provoked, that's it. But it went well. Nothing is easy until you try it.
There was also an action scene where I had to go around seven feet under water, and then a jet would propel me out of the water and I had to shoot a guy exactly the moment I came out. It was a real pain because from nine in the morning we were shooting in the sea till we got the perfect shot!

Any plans to screen this movie exclusively for visually disabled people?
Just today I learned that we could add some sort of commentary to the movie so that visually disabled people can also enjoy it. Whatever it costs, it doesn't bother me as a producer, I will spend it.

Is it true that you're planning to send your movie for film festivals abroad?
I have already got into the Limca Book of Records, and I am not going to miss any film festival abroad, including the Oscars!

What's your message for other visually disabled people?
If you are committed and if you work hard, you can do anything.

Kalam's driver, now a lecturer

V Kathiresan (47), a high-school dropout, who used to drive former president Abdul Kalam's car, holds a string of degrees, including a PhD

This is no fairy tale. V Kathiresan (47) rose from driver to lecturer, all thanks to inspiration from an unusual boss: Abdul Kalam.

The boss, and later India's much-loved president, encouraged Kathiresan to study while he worked. The 10th class-drop-out today holds a string of degrees, the latest being a PhD.

MiD DAY visited his hometown of Vadachennimalai, a six-hour drive from Bangalore, to meet the achiever, a day after he had joined the faculty of Arignar Anna Government Arts College.

"I wrote to Kalam-ayya and he was very happy to know about my job. His words of appreciation made me happier than all the degrees I was awarded," he told MiD DAY in Tamil.

Army days

Kathiresan was in high school when his father Vellaisamy died. He couldn't complete his std 10 exams, but went on to join the army.

He acquired electrician skills and was posted at Bhopal in 1979. Two years later, he was sent to Sikkim, and then to Hyderabad.

It was at the Defence Research and Development Laboratory that he met Kalam, who was then its director. He worked for four years with him, and served as his driver.

He had no clue his boss would go on to become the president of India.

Drive time idea

Kalam was always courteous and used to ask Kathiresan about his background. "On one drive, he suggested I resume my studies," said Kathiresan.

Kalam used to give inspirational lectures to all 800 DRDO employees, and often spoke about the importance of education.

"He motivated us to take up distance education courses, and helped us along with whatever we were studying," said Kathiresan.

As driver, Kathiresan was at the office between 10 am and 6 pm, and then used the evening hours to study.

Step by step

Motivated by Kalam's advice, he passed his std 10 English exam. That was the hurdle that had made him abandon his studies as a young boy. He then completed his std 12 exams privately.

Kathiresan took up a BA course from Madurai Kamaraj University's distance education department. His next step was MA in political science, also from the same university.

The urge to study had gripped him, and he did a B Ed and an M Ed from Madras University. He then embarked on an M Phil from Kamaraj University.

Then came a degree in law from an evening college. The high point of his education was his PhD from Manonmaniam Sundaranar University. He did the last course as a full-time scholar.

In 2001, he passed a teachers' recruitment exam, and was selected purely on merit.

Teacher's job

He worked at Kovilpatti as a high school teacher for eight years.

"The urge to learn never died. I have written four history books and a guide to Tirunelveli district," he said. "I have prepared notes for 10 more books."

Kathiresan's wife, a teacher, supported him through his difficult days. He has a son studying in std 11.

Since August 6, Kathiresan has been teaching students in the hot town of Vada Chennimalai. He is now looking for a house to stay.

"I want to share my experiences with my students and motivate them. Our principal and our head of the department have been very supportive," he said.

“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.