REFUGEE

Murugadoss to kickstart ‘Kick’ Although A R Murugadoss has signed a film for Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Red Giant Movies with Suriya in the lead, it seems that the project could take more time to commence, thanks to other commitments of Udhayanidhi and Suriya. It is to be noted that Udhayanidhi has signed Kamal Hassan and K S Ravikumar for a mega-budget project while Suriya is busy with the shoot of his 25th film ‘Singam’, directed by Hari. Following this, Murugadoss has reportedly shifted his base to Bollywood again. This time, it is said that the ‘Ghajini’ director would work with Salman Khan and Deepika Padukone. He has chosen to remake the Telugu blockbuster ‘Kick’ in Hindi. The Tollywood super hit had Ravi Teja and Ileana in lead roles and is currently being made in Tamil as ‘Thillalangadi’ with ‘Jayam’ Ravi and Tamannah playing the protagonists. It is said the film would speak in Hindi now, thanks to Murugadoss. Meanwhile, buzz is that Shaam, who played an important role in ‘Kick,’ might step into Bollywood through this film. The actor is playing the same role in the Tamil version too.

‘Guru En Aalu’, an average grosser was the chocolate boy’s last movie in Tamil. Madhavan who is sailing safe in the shores of Bollywood with big banners, has turned towards Tamil as someone has impressed him. Madhavan makes it appoint to visit his close friend Seeman in his office, every time he comes down to Chennai. Last time when the actor made a visit to Seeman’s office he had met Gnanashekar, an assistant of Seeman and got impressed with the script he narrated. Looks like the actor then refused to act in this script for some reason. Birdies chirp that the reason may be because of a particular part of the script. According to the script, the CM of the State is being kidnapped, locked in a slum area and is forced to eat ration rice and drink contaminated water. On the other hand, ‘Ninaithaley Inukum’ fame director Kumaravelan had gone all the way to Mumbai and narrated a cool love story to our Maddy. After hearing it, the actor has immediately given the green signal for this one and appreciated the director for giving him his kinda love subject after a long gap. Sources close to Madhavan and the director have also confirmed the development.slot mass hero in the new film.

Film: “Vettaikaran”; Director: Babu Sivan; Cast: Vijay, Anushka Shetty, Salim Ghouse, Srihari, Srinath; Music: Vijay Anthony; Rating: **

Vijay, touted to be the next Tamil superstar, continues to ride on worn-out masala films without any attempt at novelty.

“Vettaikaran”, directed by debutant Babu Sivan, is Vijay’s 49th film and the actor seems to be satisfied with the no-risk commercial formula to maintain his position in the industry. The movie, however, fails to live up to expectations even as a commercial flick, as it seems like a collage of many previous films made in the same genre by directors like Dharani, Hari and Perarasu.

We have seen in umpteen movies, a youth coming to the city to study or find a livelihood but getting caught in the web of all-powerful villains and their hit men. And of course, the powerful villain would remain the most dreaded guy only until he meets the hero, who goes on to single-handedly wipe out his entire regime.

“Vettaikaran” follows the same path of movies like “Pokkiri”, “Bhagavathy”, “Thiruppachi” and “Thenavattu” among many others.

The storyline goes like this: Ravi Alias Police Ravi (Vijay), a Tuticorin guy comes to Chennai to become a police officer like his idol Devaran IPS (Sri Hari). He meets Susheela (Anushka Shetty) at the railway station and instantly falls for her.

While love blossoms in Chennai, Ravi locks horns with Chella, the son of local don Vedhanayagam (Salim Ghosh). Ravi tames Chella and earns the rivalry of Vedhanayagan.

In the meantime, Ravi is shocked to know that his idol Devraj IPS has lost his career, eyesight and his family because of Vedhanayagam. While Vedhanayagan makes life worse for Ravi by using his hold over the police.

Ravi escapes the trap and becomes a powerful gang leader to counter Vedhanayagam. Ravi, with moral support from Devaraj, puts an end to Vedhanayagam and his gang with his intelligence and muscle power.

While the first half moves on quickly, the second half tends to drag. The cliched scenes don’t help either. The movie has grossly failed to entertain, as it is nothing but a ‘copy-paste’ exercise by Babu Sivan.

Vijay looks charming and emotes well but he has nothing new to offer, as he is playing such a role for umpteenth time. It is also frustrating to see Vijay, who has acted in so many films, trying to copy the style of Rajnikant.

Gorgeous Anushka spices up the proceedings with her stunning beauty and screen presence. However, like many other Vijay flicks, the heroine doesn’t get any scope to perform. Other actor like Sri Hari and Salim Ghosh pass muster.

Gopinath does a neat work with his camera but music director Vijay Antony fails to impress. However, two of the songs - “Naan Atichcha” and “Karikalan Kaalu” - sound good.

n the recent times, Kollywood producers have patently started following traits of Bollywood and international film industries about promoting their films through International Film Festivals.


With the 6th Dubai International Film Festival ready to get-going on Dec 9, 2009, three Tamil films have finally made it for the screening along with other international movies. Thamira’s Rettaisuzhi, Ameer’s Yogi and Meera Kathiravan’s Aval Peyar Tamizharasi have been selected for the screening and producers have decided to release these films after the festival.


Thamira’s debut Rettaisuzhi features ace filmmakers Bharathiraja and Balu Mahendra in lead roles. Ameer’s Yogi needs no introduction as the film has already raised everyone’s expectations. Aval Peyar Tamizharasi is Meera Kathiravan’s debut directorial with Jai of Subramaniapuram fame and newcomer Nandagi donning lead roles.

Since, Dubai International Film Festival would have the curtains falling down on Dec 16; these films may hit screens during same week or precisely by first week of January. It’s because Sun Pictures has decided to release its magnum opus Vettaikaran on Dec 18.

Everybody must have heard the mesmerizing voice that sings, “Nerungi Varuvai! Nerungi Varuvai!” for the Close Up ad. In fact, this Jingle has been licensed by Close Up across several countries. The owner of this voice is a Northy pop-singer cum composer, Sona Mohapatra.

The industry sources say that the singer is being introduced to Tamil by music director, S S Kumaran for his project ‘Chinnakadaitheru Pazhani’. The composer had gone straight to Mumbai and recorded a song that goes, ‘Oru Maalai’ with Sona.

This song was penned by lyricist Na.Muthukumar for the melody of S S Kumaran who melted out hearts with his tunes in ‘Poo’. The up-and-coming musician is said to have excited director Sargunam for his upcoming film, ‘Kalavani’.

“Kalavani’s music is mainly targeted for the youngsters. It’s sure to impress all types of music lovers,” said S S Kumaran. The film is produced by Madhavan and actress Trisha’s Manager Nazeer for Sherali Films.

Hmmm... Sounds different! These days managers are turning to be producers...

COLOMBO: Actors Surya and Simran would be in Sri Lanka next month to shoot for an Indo-Lankan co-production titled 'Devadasigal', the Sri Lankan director of the film, Suresh Kumarasinghe, told Express here on Tuesday.
“Surya and Simran will join Sri Lankan stars Cletus Mendis, Rex Kodippily, Sandun Wijesiri, and Manjula Moragaha for the shooting in the picturesque Buddhist ruins of Polannaruwa and Sigiriya,” Kumarasinghe said.
While the camera would be handled by India’s Velu Prakash, Ranjith Silva of Sri Lanka would be the art director for the film.
The dances would be choreographed by P Nandakumar from India. Kumarasinghe has so far directed six Sinhalese films and co-directed three.
Earlier, South Indian actress Monica Maruthiraj had made a name for herself as the bubbly school teacher in the Sinhalese childrens’ film Rosa Kele and Puja Umashankar became a rage after her debut in 'Asai Mang Piyabanna'. Both starred opposite the popular romantic hero Roshan Ranawana.

the audio of Moserbaer Entertainments and Blue Ocean Entertainments Aval Peru Tamil Arasi (APTA) was launched today (Nov 2) morning at Sathyam Cinemas. Three songs tuned by Vijay Antony and a trailer of the film were screened.

APTA has Jai and Nandagi in the lead and is directed by Meera Kathiravan and seems to be a melancholic love story set against a rural milieu. First of the songs picturised on Jai and new girl Nandagi was a melodious duet Nee Otta Sollu…, picturised against village background. The song looks to be an establishment song of the hero’s great love and feelings for his lady love.

The second song on children in school, Kuchoo, Kuchoo, Kuchoo Vandi… obviously hero and heroine’s first pangs of love looks similar to Poo song. The third song screened a pathos Vadakko Thekko…. is the pick of the lot and has been rendered in a heartfelt way by Malayalam singer Vineeth Sreenivasan, who is debuting in Tamil with this song.

Among those who came for the function include Hansraj Saxena COO of Sun Pictures, directors Balu Mahendra, Mahendran, Thangar Bachchan, Sasikumar,Perarasu, Mysskin, Ameer, Partipan, Pandiraj, Susindren , Sasi, Venkat Prabhu and actors Bharath, Ganja Karuppu and the lead pair Jai and Nadagi.

The hero of the day was producer G Dhananjayan and his director Meera Kathiravan, who came in for a lot of praises from the guests at the function

In a first of its kind move, the seventh edition of the International Film Festival scheduled to be held in Chennai in December will have a competition for Tamil movies. E Thangaraj, general secretary of the Indo Cine Appreciation Foundation says that the last date for receipt of entries from Tamil movies is November 5.The organization is organizing the film festival regularly in the City. Tamil films produced and censored between December 15, 2008 and October 15, 2009 are eligible for entry. Entry forms can be obtained from the office of Chennai International Film Festival, E Block, Second Floor, Room No 4, Gemini Parsn Apartments, Cathedral Garden Road, Chennai 600006.

The best film will receive a cash prize of Rs three lakh and an ICAF trophy. The second best film will get a cash prize of Rs two lakh and a trophy. A special jury award would have a cash component of Rs one lakh and a trophy, he said. According to Thangaraj, the support is good enough from Tamil film makers for this move.