Selva makes marriage announcement

Hours after IndiaGlitz carried a report on the new girl in Selvaraghavan’s life, came out the director with a statement confirming his love affair with Gitanjali. He said that both would enter wedlock in June this year.

In his letter to the media, Selva said, “I take great pleasure in thanking my friends in the media for the tremendous support given to me since my days of Thulluvatho Illamai. You have guided, encouraged and motivated me to come out with my best. Your support and patronage till my latest Ayirathil Oruvan has been phenomenal.”

He added: “Today, I wish to share a couple of developments in my personal and professional front. I am currently directing a movie titled Irandam Ulagam starring Dhanush and Andrea. Nearly 70 per cent of the movie is complete.”

”Also I take this opportunity to share some good news. That is of my marriage to Ms Gitanjali Raman, daughter of Advocate General Mr P S Raman. Our engagement will take place in February and the wedding in June. Once the dates are finalised, I will personally call on my friends in the media and share the joy.”

He also released the ph

Mysskin becomes poet

Many of us know Mysskin is a book worm and that he would ask all his assistants to read books to update themselves with literature and other things. And now, the director has taken a new avatar, that of a writer.

Titled ‘Nathai Pona Paadhaiyil’, the book is compilation of Haiku poems from America and Japan translated by the director in a single night. The book is already a hit among those close to Mysskin.

“It all started when I was discussing literature with my friends. It was raining outside and we translated poems which we enjoyed. I am happy to see them in the form of a book,” Mysskin says.

Currently busy with the release of ‘Yuddham Sei’, produced by Kalpathi S Aghoram starring Cheran in the lead role, Mysskin will soon wield the megaphone for a Hindi film which will have John Abraham in the lead.

Not intended to hurt anyone: ‘Siruthai’ producer

Reacting to agitation staged by a caste group protesting the name of one of the characters played by Karthi in ‘Siruthai’, producer of the film Gnanavelraja has said the film was made with the sole intention to entertain everyone and not to hurt anyone.

In a statement, Gnanavelraja, who runs Sudio Green, said, “the film is an adopted version of movies which are already huge hits in Telugu and Kannada. All the characters in it are purely fictional.”

“All that we wanted is to make a quality entertainer which would be enjoyed by everyone this Pongal season. And director Siva has lived up to our expectations by making the movie a full-length entertainer.”

“At this juncture, we came to know that members owing allegiance to a caste group attempted to stage a protest in front of Karthi’s house. We would wish to clarify that our film was not made to hurt the sentiments of anyone.”

On Wednesday, over 100 persons staged a demonstration in front of the actor’s house at T Nagar in Chennai opposing the film. They were against Karthi playing the role of a ruffian in his forthcoming release Siruthai as ‘Rocket Raja’. They alleged that it was the name of a leader belonging to a caste outfit and was an attempt to defame him.

Mansoor Alikhan starts next

Titles of almost all Mansoor Alikhan starrers would garner attention. On the lines of ‘Rajathai Raja Rajamarthanda….’ and ‘Ennaipar Yogam Varum’, the actor has started his next, titled ‘Kadan Vangi Kalyanam’.

The film, which is touted to be a hilarious entertainer, will be directed by Balu Anand, who is famous for ‘Annanagar Mudhal Theru’. Balu Anand is also a popular actor, it is to be noted.

Says Mansoor, “The film will be made in the backdrop of Coimbatore and the areas surrounding the textile city. Hence all the characters will speak Kongu Tamil. It will be a treat to the audience.”

On his part, Balu Anand says, “There is a popular saying in Tamil on the difficulties of conducting a marriage successfully. Our film will focus on the troubles faced by a family for performing a wedding.”

Mansoor Alikhan starts next

Titles of almost all Mansoor Alikhan starrers would garner attention. On the lines of ‘Rajathai Raja Rajamarthanda….’ and ‘Ennaipar Yogam Varum’, the actor has started his next, titled ‘Kadan Vangi Kalyanam’.

The film, which is touted to be a hilarious entertainer, will be directed by Balu Anand, who is famous for ‘Annanagar Mudhal Theru’. Balu Anand is also a popular actor, it is to be noted.

Says Mansoor, “The film will be made in the backdrop of Coimbatore and the areas surrounding the textile city. Hence all the characters will speak Kongu Tamil. It will be a treat to the audience.”

On his part, Balu Anand says, “There is a popular saying in Tamil on the difficulties of conducting a marriage successfully. Our film will focus on the troubles faced by a family for performing a wedding.”

‘Kadhalil Vizhundhen’ man is back

Prasad, who hogged the limelight by directing Sun Pictures’ maiden venture ‘Kadhalil Vizhundhen’, is in the spotlight again. He is now busy wielding the megaphone for a film titled ‘Eppadi Manasukkul Vandhai’.

Though the film went to floors some time back, it hit a roadblock due to some ‘unavoidable reasons’. However, according to the director, all decks have been cleared now and shooting is on in a full swing.

“Quite like Kadhalil Vizhundhen, Eppadi Manasukkul Vandhai too is a love story. It speaks about the beautiful relationship between a middle class boy and a rich girl, who is the daughter of a textile owner,” Prasad says.

“Newcomes Vishwa and Tanvi Vyas (former Femina Miss India) are playing the lead roles. Music is by Daniel, a former associate to Harris Jayaraj. We are doing a song Oorakkali… in ths movie which would create waves like Nakka mukka…”

'Kavalan' in 350 theatres

Vijay would have never dreamt of the obstacles he had faced before getting his 'Kavalan' out to the theatres. The good news is that Vijay has cleared all of them with great conviction and releasing 'Kavalan' in 350 theatres. Technology has come to his aid largely as almost 99 percent of the theatres screening 'Kavalan' are equipped with QUBE system. This is said to have rudely shocked the forces which were working against the release of the film.

Sources say Vijay was ready to make any kind of sacrifice to release 'Kavalan' as scheduled and he has succeeded in a big way. Of all the big releases on Pongal, 'Kavalan' has got the maximum number of screens, there by proving a point.

After 'Kavalan', Karthi's 'Siruthai' is being screened in around 300 theatres and then comes 'Aadukalam'. The Dhanush film is promoted as an arty commercial film and it has got approximately 200 screens. Pa. Vijay's much hyped 'Ilaignan' will grace around 100 theatres.

Now that all the films are releasing as scheduled, begin your Pongal celebrations starting with your favourite film.

Cloud 9 acquires 'Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai'

The aggressive film acquisition techniques followed by two of the newest and biggest production houses seem to have slightly changed lately.

Red Giant Udhayanidhi Stalin's recent films' rights have not ended up with sections close to the producer as it used to be. His recent production venture 'Manmadhan Ambu' was sold to Gemini Labs. His prestigiously marketed 'Mynaa' wasn’t sold to his family channel. The works of Red Giant are conspicuously low key of late.

But the other big name, Cloud Nine Dhayanidhi Alagiri is doubling up. He has acquired the marketing rights the under production film 'Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai'. Sources close to Gautham Menon the producer of the film are also talking in these lines.

Very impressed after seeing the rushes of ‘Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai', Dhayanidhi is said to have asked Suseendran to direct a straight film under his banner. Any which way, the brother wins.

Anjali mobbed in Madurai

Celebrities getting mobbed by fans is nothing new in Kollywood. The latest we hear is that actress Anjali was harassed by few miscreants in Madurai recently while shooting for Thoonganagaram. The incident took place at the Periyar bus stop where a few youngsters kept screaming profanities and later, one of them tried to grab her hand. However, director Gaurav intervened and thrashed the guys!

RGV to be interrogated?

It is widely romoured that maverick director Ram Gopal Varma would be soon questioned by the police in connection with producer C. Kalyan's disclosure that Bhanu Kiran, the prime accused in the murder of slain factionist Maddelacheruvu Suri, was the financial coordinator of Rakta Charitra. The City Crime Station (CCS) officials questioned C. Kalyan on Thursday about his alleged links with Suri and Bhanu Kiran. According to sources, the officials conducted the interrogation for over one and a half hours based on the information that the producer had links with both the factionist leader and his alleged assailant on telephone. Talking to media persons after emerging out of the CCS, Kalyan denied that he had any personal link with the factionist leader and his follower, though he admitted meeting them during the filming of Raktha Charitra. Kalyan said that he would gladly offer all assistance to the police at any time. He revealed that he had replied to all the questions the police had asked him.

Festival of Festival Films for all film lovers

If you are a film lover who is looking forward to catch up with world cinema, here is an interesting event coming up. South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce is all set to host a Festival of Festival Films from January 24. The event will also screen eight films which were selected for the Chennai International Film Festival, but failed to get slots for screening. The four-day event will also feature repeat screenings of the most-acclaimed films following popular demand.

Aadukalam review

Producer Sun Pictures Cast Dhanush, Tapsee, Jayabalan, Kishore Director Vetrimaran Music G.V. Prakash Kumar Cinematography Velraj Editing Kishore Script Vetrimaran

What if you get so involved that you forget about the whole theatre ambiance and feel like living inside the story being portrayed onscreen? Director Vetrimaran’s Dhanush-Tapsee starrerAadulakam is such an awesome experience! It’s an honest, realistic attempt to portray the lives of some villagers in rural Madurai, especially youngster Karuppu (Dhanush), whose life turns upside-down when his master himself, in his own words “father figure”, takes the sword against him! Unlike today’s many “raw films” that cater violence with a label of realism, Aadulakam evolves through a different style that is difficult to be adapted in a commercial perspective. It keeps an ample distance from all sorts of hyperboles: well-choreographed stunts, anticipated skin show from its heroine, ‘inevitable’ item numbers that usually comes as hero’s dream, consecutive twist and turns meant to keep the audience ‘engaged’. At the same time, it is not an art film either. Aadulakam lies in-between! It’s a classic example of how a story can be narrated straight with right intensity! Set in the backdrop of Madurai, the film is all about two groups, headed by police officer Ratna Sami (Nareyn) and Pettaikkaaram (Jayabalan), who conduct cock fights (Saaval Sandai) in a remote village. Though Ratna Sami is a dominating figure among cock fighters in terms of money and muscle power and his family used to win trophies in the sports, he could never ever defeat Pettaikkaaram in 30 years. Pettaikkaaram is comparatively poor and his only wealth is a few roosters and assistants like Karuppu (Dhanush) and Dorai (Kishore). Ratna Sami’s only ambition in life is defeat Pettaikkaaram at least once in his life time! Ratna Sami decides to conduct tournament one last time to prove his family dominance in cockfighting and emerge as a winner to fulfill his dying mother’s dream. While both teams are preparing for the cockfighting by picking up the best roosters, Karuppu approaches Pettaikkaaram with his rooster, but his master rejects and asks him to kill it, saying that it is incompetent for fighting. But Karuppu secretly trains it. On the tournament day, his friend Irene (Tapsee) demands Karuppu to return the money he lent from her some time ago and to earn the amount, Karuppu steps into the tournament with his rooster and wins Rs. 3 lakh. Karuppu’s unanticipated success and fame make his master upset and jealous and consequently an enemy! What happens next forms the rest of the film. No doubt, Aadulakam is one of the best films in Dhanush career and his ‘never-seen-before’ performance as a village boy Karuppu is top-notch. The best thing about him is that he can easily be compared to a boy next door or a friend in school days, who is mostly unnoticed among others, but has some typical characteristics that make completely different and memorable! How Karuppu tries to woo an Anglo Indian girl Irene is rib-tickling. Tapsee is apt as Irene. Others in the cast do justice to their respective roles. G.V. Prakash Kumar’s songs, especially ‘Yathe Yathe’ and ‘Ayyayo’ are awesome and they are well –choreographed. Velraj’s cinematography may lack beautiful visuals of foreign locals, but it is one of the major highlights of the film for its gravity of emotions and mood. Well, Aadukalam too has some flaws, which would have been avoided, though not too serious! The cock fight between the roosters of Karuppu and a Mumbai guy just before the intermission is pretty slow and could have been cut short! And the cock fight with graphics seems to be a bit exaggerated as well. Considering the nature of the film, it seems that Aadukalam is for serious moviegoers and it’s yet to be seen how the ordinary viewers take it. Otherwise, Aadukalam is outstanding!

Gaganam/ Payanam releasing on February 4

The release date of Nagarjuna's bilingual flickGaganam(Payanam in Tamil), directed by Radha Mohan and produced by Prakashraj in Tamil and Dil Raju in Telugu under the banner of Matinee Entertainments, has been finalized. The makers informed that the film will hit screens on February 4. The film was earlier supposed to reach screens in December, but was later postponed to avoid clashing with Nagarjuna's other film Ragada. Gaganam/ Payanam revolves around the hijack of Indian Airlines plane IC 814. What would be the mental status of the passengers during the hijack would be a thrilling experience for the audience, the makers said. Music is composed by Devi Sri Prasad, while cinematography is by K.V. Guhan.