More on 'Muran'

'Muran' which sees director-actor Cheran and Prasanna essaying lead roles is gearing for completion just with a few more scenes to be filmed. A good director can be a great actor, and Cheran has proved this statement true playing hero in many films and also winning the respect of his audience.

'Muran' is produced by Cheran's production house, Dream Pictures and the auteur-actor is very positive about this film tapping the right pulse of the audience. Cheran plays a singer in this film and his looks have come out very well.

Prasanna plays a filthy rich brat in 'Muran' and the actor is looking forward to his role in this film with earnest. There are rumours that Prasanna will play a character with negative shades in 'Muran.' Prasanna, who has had a lazy spell for sometime now with only a guest role in 'Baana Kaathadi,' is banking his expectations on this film.

'Muran' is directed by Rajjan Madhav, an associate of Mysskin, and belongs to the action-thriller genre. The film depicts the events which are set in motion when two totally opposite characters meet and the incidents that follow.

UTV has bagged the rights of this film and are quite happy to have done so and are positive that this film has all the right elements to make the viewing experience thrilling and enjoyable for the audience.

More than three-fourths of this film is complete. Actresses Nikitha and Haripriya will find themselves opposite Cheran and Prasanna respectively.

The film will hit theatres across theatres in the state just before the Independence Day on August 12.

Ajmal goes to B-town

We had earlier told you that 'Ko' is being remade in Hindi with Akshay Kumar essaying the lead role, for it was the actor who was first impressed with KV Anand's venture and expressed the desire to take it up north.

Now rumours are doing the rounds in the film industry that Akshay Kumar's production house, Hari Om Movies, who are producing the film in Bollywood, have approached Ajmal for essaying the same role, in the Hindi version as well!

The movie will be directed by Akshay's dear pal, Anthony D' Souza.

Although Ajmal appeared in several roles in Tamil, it was his portrayal of Vasanthan Perumal in 'Ko' that has shot him to fame and won him much critical acclaim, for his role in this film is as important as the protagonist, Jeeva.

So will this yet-to-be-titled film in Hindi, a remake version of 'Ko,' give equal importance to Ajmal's character in the film and will Ajmal sign on the dotted lines and make his debut in North?

We'll be sure to tell you once the official word is out.

Parthiban's son turns photographer

R Parthiban's son Rakki aka Radhakrishnan, who is undergoing his under graduation in a leading college in Chennai, is mastering a new art. He is of late seen with a camera in his hands and this passion of him has made his father proud.

A happy Parthiban, who wants to fuel further the zeal of his son, has encouraged him to do still photography for his forthcoming film 'Vithagan'. Stills from the film which were recently released to the media were clicked by none other than Rakki.

"I really admire his photography skills. He can become a very good lens man. I am so proud," says Parthiban, displaying the photographs captured beautifully by Radhakrishnan in foreign locales.

Also, Rakki will appear in a song sequence in 'Vithagan', along with his dad. "Both Keerthana (of 'Kannathil Muthamittal' fame) and Rakki are immensely talented. They will overtake me soon," the actor-director concludes.

Thangar's next

Thangar Bachan's school of film making is not new to Tamil audience. The director is known for making films which are true to life and with a message. He is presently directing choreographer-actor-director Prabhu Deva in 'Kalavadia Pozhudhugal.' The film is wrapping up fast and is gearing up for its release.

'Kalavadia Pozhudhugal' features Prabhu Deva in his career's best role so far with Bhoomika Chawala sharing screen space with him. The film also sees Prakash Raj, Inbanila, and Ganga Karuppu in supporting roles with Sathya Raj playing Periyar.

Even before the release of this film the dedicated director seems to be ready with his next project which has tentatively been titled 'Meendum Mazhai Peiyalam.' Sources also reveal that the director has roped popular names to play the lead roles in this upcoming film which will be revealed by him soon.

'Kalavadia Pozhudhugal' which actually began filming more than a couple of years back has been delayed for various reasons. But now the film is nearing completion and will be released for the public soon, suggest sources close to the unit.

R B Chowdary to be felicitated

The venue Kamala Theatre and the event was the audio launch function of Super Good Film’s ‘Pillaiyar Theru Kadeisi Veedu’. This film sees Jithan Ramesh as the hero and Sanchita Padukone as his pair.

Unlike other audio launches this film saw a host of directors and actors being present. R B Chowdary has the credit of introducing more than thirty directors and all of them were present for this audio launch. Apart from the host of directors Vishal, Arya, Bharath, Prasanna, Jeea, Santhanu, Jai, Sibiraj and Vikranth were also present.

The directors present gave away the first music disc and it was received by the eight young heroes present on stage. The stage appeared young and youthful and the event was fun-filled. There are reports now that the directors introduced by producer R.B. Chowdary would like to felicitate him as a token of their gratitude to the producer.

R.B. Chowdary has produced more that twenty films and has been known in the industry to have introduced many fresh directors

Manisha Koirala as sex worker in her next film

In spite having a marital life, Manisha Koriala is busy and on her toes with various projects in Bollywood and south as well.

While audience is waiting to see her in Dhanush starrer ‘Mappillai’, the actress has signed in for Deepti Naval's forthcoming Hindi project. Titled 'Do Paise Ki Dhoop Char Aane Ki Baarish', Manisha features here as a sex worker and the story is said to be inspired from a real-life one.

According to sources, Manisha plays Juhi, who also is a mother of a handicapped son. One night, she happens to come across a struggling gay lyricist. Soon an emotional bond binds the three together.

Manisha was said to be quite excited to hear that her character had been inspired by a real sex worker whose story Deepti had heard through a friend. However, it was a challenge to portray Manisha as an ordinary woman. For the director wanted to show a sari-clad sex worker and not a mini-skirt clad one someone who is a bit neglected. “She wears dark red lipstick, keeps her hair open and wears dark and bright colours like red, maroon and purple. She had to look like a mother and struggler," added the sources about Koirala’s look in the film.

Currently Manisha is waiting for the release of her another Hindi film ‘I Am’. Directed by Onir, ‘I Am’ comprises of four different short stories – where in one of them the ‘Mudalvan’ famed beauty plays a Kashmiri woman. Besides, Manisha recently made her screen debut in a Malayalam movie. Looks like Ms. MK is back to the filmy ground in full form….

Abhishek, Aishwarya to be at Oscars

The young Bachchans have made it to Oscars; not for any awards though…

The power couple of Bollywood Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan reported to have been invited by the Academy to grace the Oscars Award ceremony that will be held on Sunday.

Quite thrilled over this, Abhishek’s star father Amitabh Bachchan revealed on his blog - "Abhishek and Aishwarya have been invited by the Academy to attend the Oscars on Sunday." The veteran actor is very excited that his son and daughter-in-law have got such prestigious opportunity.

Abhishek and Aishwarya is currently said to be enjoying their stay in LA, by shopping around. On such shopping spree, Big B shared, the couple met American actor Warren Beatty. He also added that they will have Beatty’s company at the award function.

‘Jayam’ Ravi’s double delight

The average showing of ‘Thillalangadi’ has not dampened the spirit of ‘Jayam’ Ravi. The actor is of firm hope that two of his forthcoming films would put things back on track, that too in a big way.

They are ‘Engeyum Kadhal’ and ‘Aadhi Bhagavan’. While the former is a romantic entertainer directed by Prabhu Deva, the latter is an action flick helmed by Ameer.

“The characters I am playing in ‘Engeyum Kadhal’ and ‘Aadhi Bhagavan’ are totally opposite to each other. But at the same time, they provided me with enough opportunity to perform,” he says.

Buzz is that both ‘Engeyum Kadhal’ and ‘Aadhi Bhagavan’ would be released before summer 2011. Hansika Motwani is Ravi’s heroine in ‘Engeyum Kadhal’ while Neetu Chandra would romance him in ‘Aadhi Bhagavan’.

Vishal and Vijay fight in Andhra

In Kollywood the young heroes are very good friends so much so they amicably decide on the release dates of their films, even if it requires change of dates. But their dictates are hijacked by the producers when their films are set for release in Andhra.

Vishal and Vijay have huge following in Andhra Pradesh through their dubbed Tamil films. All their Tamil films are invariably dubbed in Telugu unless the Tamil film happens to be a remake of a Telugu film.

Come this March, Vijay and Vishal will take the box office stage on the same day. Vishal's 'Theeratha Vilaiyattu Pillai' and Vijay's 'Vettaikaaran' will be pitted against each other on March 5. 'Theeratha Vilaiyattu Pillai' as 'Khilladi' and 'Vettaikaaran' as 'Puli Vetta' are releasing on the same day in Andhra Pradesh.

What looks impossible in Kollywood is happening just like that in Tollywood.

Jeeva’s super Jodi

More than any heroine, it’s Santhanam who shares an excellent chemistry with Jeeva on screen. After a good show in ‘Siva Manasula Sakthi’, the duo is now acting in two films- ‘Singam Puli’ and ‘Vanthaan Ventraan’.

“I really enjoy working with Santhanam. We always have great fun on sets,” says Jeeva, adding that the timing sense of the comedian is something which he really admires. “He is terrific,” adds Jeeva.

On their association in ‘Singam Puli’, Jeeva says, “Understanding that the audience would expect more from us, director ‘Singam Puli’ has ensured that enough importance is given to humour.”

Happy about ‘Vanthaan Ventraan’, Jeeva says, “Director Kannan already knows Jeeva well as the actor was there in ‘Jayam Kondaan’ and ‘Kanden Kadhalai’. Our alliance will emerge triumphant in ‘Vanthaan Ventraan’ too.”

Rajini makes Sonu Sood happy

The career graph of Sonu Sood is on a never before high. The hot and happening villain of Tollywood and Bollywood will cross swords with Superstar Rajinikanth in ‘Rana’, which has the top actor in three different roles.

“Rajini sir is a legend. I am extremely thrilled about working with him. Yes, he will beat me up in Rana,” says Sonu. Buzz is that Sonu was handpicked for the role by none other than the Superstar himself.

Meanwhile, sources in the know have it that K S Ravikumar, the director of ‘Rana’, is working fast gear to give finishing touches to the script. “In all probability, Rana will go on floors by the second week of March,” they say.

Produced by Soundarya Rajinikanth’s Ocher Studios and Eros International, ‘Rana’ is touted to be a period film, which will feature the Superstar as an emperor and two other roles.