Varalaxmi moves to Tollywood

Varalakshmi

Heroines balancing films in Tollywood and Tamil cinema is the latest trend, And soon to join the line is  Varalaxmi (Varu) Sarathkumar who had a stunning debut opposite Simbu in Podaa Podi. No wonder that she won the sensational debutant actress at the Jaya TV Awards this year.

Varu is extremely delighted receiving the award and she says, “Yaayy so won my first award. Best sensational debut actress” .Her debut venture Poda Podi worked gave her the much expected hit at the box office thanks to its peppy music and a youth oriented subject that was executed well by the good looking lead pair that featured her opposite Simbu.

In the movie she portrays an aspiring dancer and Simbu an animation artist. Now, having proved her credentials the buxom beauty is being flooded with offers from neighboring film industries too. Reportedly the beauty will be part of a Telugu movie soon which is a remake of Manam Kothi Paravai. The original in Tamil featured Sivakarthikeyan and debutant Aathmiya in lead which was a commercial hit.

Meanwhile, in Kollywood, the actress has Madha Gaja Raja directed by Sundar C gearing up for release. The movie also has Vishal and Anjali in pivotal roles.

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Amala Paul is busy shooting this New Year

Amala Paul

New Year is here and Amala Paul is in no mood to rest. Despite the ongoing festivities, the pretty lass will be staying put on the sets completeing her current shooting schedule. Amala who shot to fame with Mynaa had some big hits in 2012. Worth mention would be Siddharths starrer Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi and Run Baby Run in Mollywood.

Moreover, Amala bagged two more biggies in her kitty recently. Reportedly she signed AL Vijay’s film featuring Ilayathalapathy Vijay and Nimirndhu Nil directed by Samuthirakani featuring Jayam Ravi in lead.Anyhow, she still believes that she is still not established enough to choose her own hero for her future projects like some top actresses in Kollywood. The modest girl maintains if a script is good and the character is neatly sketched out, even debutant actors would do a fine job.

Back after a hectic schedule in Bangkok the girl will be in Hyderabad for her next schedule.The Mynaa ponnu is glad to be accompanied by daddy on the sets. She says “It is believed that shooting on New Year day is good and I have my father with me here. We will celebrate the New Year together with other members of the unit. I’m really happy to shoot on January 1st”. Amala, hats off to you for your dedication.

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Alex Pandian Musical Night was a success

Alex Pandian Musical Night

The Alex Pandian musical night finally happened in Chennai.Apparently, crowds had gathered outside the YMCA Grounds, Royapettah waiting in line three hours earlier for the musical which was scheduled for 6 o’clock in the evening. Joining in with the fans of actor Karthi were many youngsters who grabbed the opportunity to bid goodbye to New Year with their friends.

The program saw music director Devi Sri Prasad giving one of his best performances on stage with his compositions.  He was subsequently accompanied by singer Karthik who created a uproar with his singing. Meanwhile, Dhansika and Neetu Chandra made sure the glamour quotient remained at an all time high with their sizzling hot moves on the stage. Moreover, Anushka, G V Prakash, Lingusamy, Suseenthiran,and S J Suryah were also present for the gala function.

Alex Pandian Musical Night stills

However the highlight of the event remained Surya and Karthi who were seated next to each other and were overwhelmed by the choice of songs which included some past hits of Surya too. The evening turned splendid as Karthi shook a leg to his latest song Bad Boy for a frenzied crowd who danced in unison. In addition, Surya also came on stage for a brief moment to speak on behalf of his brothers movie.Now that the Alex Pandian team has done its bit preceding the release they must be really looking forward to an amazing streak this Pongal at the box office. Wishing them all the best.

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Sargunam turns producer with Manjapai starring Vimal-Lakshmi Menon

Director A Sargunam

A. Sargunam is certainly one of the few upcoming young directors in Kollywood who hold lots of promise for the future. After debuting with the enterprising Kalavani three years back, Sargunam made Vaagai Sooda Vaa which didn’t have any commercial elements in it and sincerely attempted to drive home the importance of educating children instead of sending them to work at a young age.

Two films as director and now Sargunam has decided to turn producer. He has just floated his production house ‘A. Sargunam Cinemaz’ and would be making Manjapai as his first film as a producer. In a press statement, Sargunam has thanked the print and television media for the support he had received in making his films as director and hoped he would continue to receive the same support in his new avatar as a producer.

“My brother Nandhakumar would be managing the production house while N. Raghavan, who worked with him in my earlier films as assistant director, would be making his debut as director with Manjapai which has Vimal, Lakshmi Menon and Rajkiran essaying prominent roles. Gibran, who scored the music of Vaagai Sooda Vaa, is the music director of Manjapai while Masani would be the cinematographer.

“Raghavan’s younger brother Deva would be the film’s editor. Dileep Subbaranan and Bobby Antony would respectively be the stunt and dance choreographers in that order. The film would go to the floors in February and would be shot mainly in and around Chennai and Pollachi. I request the media to continue to support my ventures as they did in the past. I’m happy to convey to all of them my New Year and Pongal wishes,” the statement concluded.

Meanwhile, producer-director Lingusamy’s Tirupathy Brothers has reportedly acquired the release and distribution rights of Manjapai even before the film went to the floors.

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GV Prakash on marriage and other plans this New Year

GV Prakash

GV Prakash who debuted in Veyil as a Music director has established himself as one amongst the top in his game. Undoubtedly he is a favorite of the directors these days. As a matter of fact it is not only Kollywood that now wants a slice of his efforts even Bollywood actors want the composer on board for their movies.

However, this year saw him accomplish his twenty fifth flick as a composer, with Vikram’s Thaandavam. Thereafter he went on to bag a prestigious offer with Bala titled Paradesi and subsequently Naan Rajavaga Pogiren.

Meanwhile the tunesmith recently disclosed on his microblogging site “Year 2012 has taught us lots …. Given us lots …. Has been a very fast year … Welcome 2013 …. ♥ 2013 will have my career best albums coming up .. Desiya nedunjaalai , annakodi , vijays film , raja rani , UGLY … my best year ever ♥ 2013 has marriage on its cards for me … So its going to be a year never to forget ….”

Notably GV Prakash will tie the knot with songstress Saindhavi this year. The arrangements for the event have already begun. Apart from that, this year his fans will also see him turn hero for a movie produced by ace director A R Murugadoss. In addition to that, he has also announced the launch of his home banner too.Indeed happy days are waiting for you G V Prakash. We wish you a great New Year and hope success sticks to you the next year too.

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Who is targetting Kalla Thuppakki

Kalla Thuppakki to Release Soon

Ravidevan, former aide of ‘Ulaganayagan’ Kamal Haasan and producer of the film titled Kalla Thuppakki, is said to be facing many unexpected problems in getting his film released in theatres. The film was in the news for most part of the year for the legal tangle it was involved with the makers of Vijay’s Thuppakki over the film’s title. However, Ravi reportedly entered into out-of-Court settlement with ‘Kalaipuli’ Thaanu, the producer of Thuppakki.

Ravi, who remarked recently that there is no leading hero at present except for the likes of Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Ajith and Suriya, is said to be facing unexpected hurdles in releasing his Kalla Thuppakki whose release has already been postponed more than two times. After no allotment of theaters for Diwali Race, it was scheduled for december 21, but SA Chandrasekhars  Sattam Oru Iruttarai released that day. And  theatre-owners who had earlier agreed to release the film   had gone back on their promise.

Now Even distributors, who were showing interest in the film, are said to be ‘cold-shouldering’ the film. Ravi is said to be in a dilemma as he is neither able to identify distributors and theatres to release the film nor is unable to release it on his own as he doesn’t have the wherewithal to do so.

Ravi is said to be facing problems aplenty despite his allegiance to the ruling party in the State. He, however, claims that he knows as to ‘who is behind’ the efforts in scuttling the process of the release of Kallathuppakki in theatres. “Let my film release first; I will then expose the names of all those behind the conspiracy to prevent my film from releasing,” says Ravi.

As of now, the film’s does not have a  release date. Politics is every where ……….

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Prabhudeva happy being single

Prabhudeva Single

Choreographer-director Prabhudeva has opened up about his personal life during a recent interview. The bearded Prabhudeva has revealed that he is leading an extremely happy and contented life though there is no woman in his life at present. Early in 2012, Prabhu and actress Nayanthara had called off their 3-year long liaison.

After the split,  Nayan has become very busy in Tamil and Telugu with new film projects, Prabhudeva delivered a super-duper directorial hit in Rowdy Rathore (Hindi version of Siruthai) starring Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha and continues to make/act in films in bollywood. Both the former lovers appear to have forgotten their past and moved ahead in their respective paths.

“I dreamt of establishing myself in Bollywood as a film-maker and have been able to realize my dream to some extent. I know there is a lot to be achieved in Bollywood. I moved to Mumbai so as to ensure that my work relating to my new and current projects is not hindered. I’ve rented a place owned by producer Boney Kapoor. Fortunately, the setbacks in my personal life haven’t affected my professional life.

“I was a very bad student during my school days and after failing in Class XI, I joined my father to assist him in dance choreography. Had I not entered films, I would have become a peon or a police constable befitting my academic qualification. My experiences in life have made me attain wisdom and maturity and I only feel whatever happened was for my own good. I’m solely responsible for all the pains and pleasures that I’ve faced in my life. Things happened as per God’s will.

“I’m alone at present and am able to concentrate more on my work. It’s now almost an year that I haven’t spoken to Nayanthara and I have put those memories at the back of my mind. I’m not on talking terms with Ramalat either but I speak on a daily basis to my sons Rishi and Aadith,” concluded Prabhudeva.

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Kollywood to go on fast against the new service tax

Sarathkumar

The entire Kollywood fraternity is likely to go on a day-long fast on 7th January in order to protest the new service tax imposed by the Union Government on the entertainment industry. The decision to go on fast was taken at an emergency meeting of all film-related bodies held in Chennai.

S.A. Chandrasekaran and S. Thanu, president and treasury (respectively) of the Tamil Film Producers’ Council (TFPC), Sarath Kumar and Radharavi, president and secretary (respectively) of the Nadigar Sangam, FEFSI’s G. Siva, Jananathan (treasurer of the Directors’ Association) and Rajendran on behalf of the small-screen artistes’ association took part in the rush hour meeting.

Sarath Kumar who met the press after the meeting said “The Union government took efforts to impose service tax, albeit in an indirect manner, back in 2012 on distributors and theatre-owners. The implementation of the order to this effect was put on hold as the then Finance Minister Pranab conceded to the film industry’s demand and said there would be no ‘service tax’.

“However, implementation of service tax with effect from 01.7.2012 as been brought in force which would affect producers, distributors, theatre-owners and all other film-related employees and workers. The 12.3% service tax would break the backbone of the industry if not withdrawn immediately; the actors, directors and technicians as a whole are in a state of shock at the imposition of the service tax.

“Therefore, the entire Kollywood film industry would sit in a day-long fast on 7th January in Chennai to protest against the Union government’s decision on service tax. All the shooting schedules slated for the day and shows in theatres stand cancelled,” informs Sarath Kumar.

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AL Vijay requests to be called Director Vijay

AL Vijay

Vijay is currently busy with Director AL VIjays upcoming flick. However, the movie ran into a controversy recently and has caused the team much worry. Reportedly, Director AL Vijay was considering to title the movie on a yesteryear Rajnikanth hit Thanga Magan. When the news reached the producer of the former Rajini starrer, V. Thamizhazhagan, he swiftly denied permission to AL Vijay’s request. Thereafter, Director A L Vijay himself has written an open letter to the media. He updates on the current shoots in the letter below.

01/01/13

Tuesday

Dear media friends,

From kireedam to Thandavam, at various point of time, you have rendered your unequivocal support for my growth and victories I would like to thank you for the same.

As of now in the Production of Mr Chandraprakash Jain, I am writing and Directing a film yet to be titled, starring ‘illaya thalapathy’ Vijay and Amaia Paul. The first schedule of the film started in Mumbal and went on for 30 days. The second schedule is to begin this month. The Shoot is to commence with ‘Illaya thalapathy’ Vijay, Amala Paul, Sathyaraj, Ponvannan and more than 1000 Junior Artists in tine Set, where under the command of Art Director Nagaraj more than 500 carpenters worked day and night to recreate Mahim area of Mumbai.

I will be briefing all the news about this film to you all and would like to request you to kindly not to publish all the news, which you may hear about this film but publish them only after confirming it with me. I would like to humbly bring to your notice that as this is a mega budget movie, where any wrong news or news based on assumptions, when published may cause a severe damage to the Producer as well as the film itself. You may contact me anytime through my P R O Mr Nikkil Murugan,

Moreover from my first film till date my name only appears as Vijay in the Title Cards. So even in my upcoming times whenever there is a mention of my name please let it be Director Vijay only. I would like to greet you all on the occasion of New Year and Pongal.

Regards,

Director Vijay

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Thambi Ramaiah turns hero:

Thambi Ramaiah hero in Vu

Comedians essaying lead roles in films have been in vogue in films right from the black-and-white era. Chandrababu did it and later, Nagesh played the lead role in many films. Goundamani, in his heydays, attempted the hero avatar in a few films but wisely returned to comedian’s role. Vivek, Vadivelu and Karunas attempted it but could only achieve limited success. It’s now the turn of Thambi Ramaiah to attempt the lead role.

Thambi Ramaiah started off as a comedian but slowly graduated to playing character roles with aplomb. He now plays the lead role in a film titled Vu directed by Aashith, who has directed many documentaries and short films in the past. The film is produced by Phoenix Pictures.

Ramaiah is said to be very uncomfortable with the word hero and has asked his friends among the press not to report that he’s playing the hero but only the ‘lead role’ in the film. Along with Ramaiah, others in the cast include Varun, Madanagopal, ‘Smile’ Selvaa, Sathyasai, Rajkamal, Soundararaja, Kali, Rajshiva, Deeps and Arjith, who won the ‘super singer’ title on Vijay TV some time back.

Vu also happens to be the film for which Ramaiyah has given the maximum number of call-sheet dates to shoot. “Except Ramaiyah, no other actor would fit into the lead role in this film. That’s why we signed him up. Unlike the likes of Vadivelu who can only make us smile, Ramaiah has the knack of making us laugh and cry and has a wide-range of emotions. The film would be a full-lenth comedy,” says Aashith.

Abhijith Ramasamy would be scoring the film’s music while Jayaprakash is the film’s cinematographer. Murugan has penned all the lyrics in the film besides working as the production executive.

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