Source:behindwoods.com

Rama Narayanan resigns

The political change in Tamil Nadu is making its impact felt in Tamil cinema. And it was visible within hours after the counting trends predicted a landslide triumph for the main opposition AIADMK.

The Tamil Film Producers Council president Rama Narayanan, who became one of the most influential men in Kollywood after the DMK captured power in 2006, has chosen to quit as the president of the association.

In a letter released to the media, Rama Narayanan said, “Since I am starting work for a new film which needs more time and also due to my personal commitments, I have decided to resign from the post of the president of Tamil Film Producers Council.”

The producer-director thanked the members of the Tamil Film Producers Council, The Film Directors Association, the South Indian Artistes Association and FEFSI among others, for their co-operation.

My wish has come true: Vijay

Vijay was one among the early birds who called on AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa on Friday, even as her party was heading for a massive win in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

The actor, who supported the AIADMK-alliance in the polls, had a few minutes’ exchange with her. The ‘Ilaya Thalapathi’ was accompanied by his father and popular filmmaker S A Chandrasekar.

Speaking to reporters later, Vijay said, “I was really hoping for a change. And it has happened now. This is a much needed change and the scale of victory is amazing. People have expressed themselves in a big way.”

Expressing gratitude to the members of his Vijay Makkal Iyakkam who had worked for the AIADMK-led alliance, the actor said, “Respecting my request, they worked extremely hard. I thank them sincerely.”





No comments, says Vadivelu

3 MLAs from Kollywood

Tamil cinema will be represented in the Assembly in a more powerful way this time, as three actors have been declared as winners after votes polled during the April 13 Assembly elections were counted Friday.

They are DMDK president Vijayakanth (Rishivandhyam), AISMK chief Sarath Kumar (Tenkasi) and DMDK’s Arun Pandian (Peravurani). All the three defeated their rival candidates with decent margins.

Interestingly, with the Chief Minister-in-waiting J Jayalalithaa herself hailing from the tinsel town, it is expected that Kollywood is in for good times. “A large number of films are waiting to hit the screens. Their releases were put on hold for obvious reasons,” sources say.

It is to be noted that Sarath Kumar currently heads the South India Film Artistes Association, popularly called as Nadigar Sangam, which is one of the powerful bodies of Kollywood. And Vijayakanth is its past president.

Ajith’s Signs 5000 ‘Mankatha’ Posters, Literally!

Ultimate Star Ajith starrer ‘Mankatha’ seems to be the most expected movie so far this year. Recently, the movie’s trailer was launched during ‘Azhagar Samiyin Kudhirai’ in multiplexes and audience roared with joy watching their thala on big screen.

Sony BMG will be launching the audio of ‘Mankatha’ on May 20. The CD will have a single track ‘Vilayadu Mankatha…’ and is priced at Rs 49, and wait, that’s not that. The CDs come with a poster signed by thala Ajith itself! It’s no usual signature where a hero signs one poster and the rest are digitalized, Ajith wanted to please his fans and is using all his breaks in three days and is signing all the 5000 posters by himself! The poster has him donning a look never seen before and is a landscape one. It's a look that will prove the buzz that was making rounds recently about the movie. Now we’re sure fans will be thronging to music stores on May 20 not just for Yuvan's score but to get a glimpse of their thala and bag his autographed poster...

The song is sung by Yuvan Shankar Raja, Ranjith, Premji Amaran, Anita and Sucharitha, a new talent introduced by Yuvan.  The song is set in Bangkok in a club – Club Hollywood, and was shot for four consecutive days.

Yuvan was also present during the shoot although he did not come on screen and dancers from Bombay and Bangkok danced for the peppy number. The disco club’s real speaker was utilized that made dancers shake their legs even off screen! We also hear that a lot of the crowd in the song are people who actually visited the club during the shoot, giving it a more ‘reality’ feel.

Paring with a song set in a club, Yuvan has had his lyrics in a mix of Tamil, Hindi and English. While Gangai Amaran penned the Tamil parts, Yuvan worked on the English and Sucharitha on the Hindi lines.

Well, looks like ‘Vilayadu Mankatha’ will make waves in DVD stands, especially with thala’s actually signed signatures! We’ll get back to you shortly with more updates