Norway Tamil Film Festival 2012

 

 

As many as 15 Tamil films have been selected to be screened at the upcoming film festival to be held in Norway in April this year. The 5-day long festival would be held from 25-29 April and is organized jointly by Norway-based Tamilian Vaseegaran's troupe Isaikanavugal and Abirami Cash & Carry and with the cooperation of some Norway-based organizations. The Festival has been attracting a huge number of Tamil films every year. In recent years, the Festival has taken the shape of a 'true' international film festival. Many leading Tamil film producers, directors and film-makers have been vying with each other to send in their films as entries to participate in the event. As part of the film festival, many short-films and documentaries are also likely to be screened. A 7-member team led by German-based Gloria Selvanathan selected the final nomination of 16 films (including 15 Tamil films) to be screened during the festival. These films are: Vaagai Sooda Vaa, Vengayam, Azhagarsamiyin Kudhirai, Ko, Aaranya kandam, Theera Nadhi (France), Engeyum Eppodhum, Poraali, Mayakkam Enna, Paalai, Uchidhanai Mugarndhaal, Varnam, Mahaan Kanakku, Narthagi and Star-67 (Kannada). Prominent among the films listed to be screened in the exclusive 'short film' section are Subash Kalyian's documentary and 'Annakkili' R. Selvaraj's Pachaikudai which has music by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. Vaseegaran, who holds the festival in association with many local bodies, has said that the festival is an effort to take Tamil cinema all over the world.

Sonia Agarwal speaks out

 

Sonia Agarwal is all thrilled at the way the oru nadigayin vakkumoolam has shaped up. The actress is upbeat that the film releasing today will make it big.

She says, 'all credit goes to director Rajkrishna for making a gripping movie. I have played my part and audience have to decide now'.

The movie talks about the travails of heroines. Denying that it is the story of her struggles in the industry, Sonia Agarwal says, 'there are few instances of casting couch in the industry. But it is not that common here'.

Sonia says one has to struggle hard to attain stardom in the industry and that is what has been shown in the film.

She says, ' I am getting many good offers. I want to concentrate and pick the right ones'

Surya or Karthi for Alagu Raja

Studio green productions by Gnanavel Raja known for there movies such as Jil nu oru kadhal, Paruthiveeran, Paiya is again back in action with the title Alagu Raja .Sources close to the banner reveals that the tiltle has a mass appeal and has been registered by Studio green.

The production house has registered the title and the question is that the tiltle is registered for Surya's upcoming flick or it is Karthi 's upcoming flick. Both the films are under production and the guess is that it belongs to whom. So let us wait and see who grabs the tile Alagu Raja.

Pony Verma to direct a masala movie?

 

Prakash Raj is one of the most talented actor in India. He almost worked in all main film industries in India and proved his talent. Now he is coming as director for his bilingual movie 'Dhoni'. Being inspired from this actor turned director, his wife Pony Verma is planning to turn as director.

Latest buzz from Bollywood is, Pony Verma, the second wife of Prakash Raj and also popular choreographer who is continuing her career even after marriage is ready to direct a movie. Unlike Prakash Raj she is not going to make heart touching films, she will be making an out and out masala entertainer. Prakash Raj would help her in making this new film. However, official confirmation on this new movie is yet to be made by couple.

Arjun’s Kaatupuli – Censor objects

 

Director Tinu Varma is soon to release his film Kaatupuli which has Action King Arjun in the lead. The director has said that the film is about the Cannibals that still live in forest areas. Arjun plays a doctor in this film, who gets trapped in the forest, along with his wife and daughter played by Priyanka Desai and Dhanya respectively.

Apart from them, there are three other pairs in this film. When the film went in for censor certification, the officials insisted on removing an objectionable kissing scene and eventually the length of this scene was scaled down. The director though was not happy with the decision decided to go for it as he wants everyone to enjoy the film.

Murugadoss plans to release movie on the internet

 

The Tamil film industry has come to a standstill after the FEFSI strike and many filmmakers are affected by this. Director Murugadoss who is working with Vijay on Thuppaki is unable to go ahead with the film because of the strike.

Keeping his work aside the director has decided to go for a 10 minute short film which talks about teenage love. The director says that the short film will go on floors once the actors have been finalized. The movie will be released on the internet says the director.

Ok Ok filled with Multi star cast

 

Director Rajesh started working on his third rib tickling romantic movie, Oru Kal Oru Kannadi. Udhayanidhi Stalin plays an unemployed youth in the film in which Hansika is the heroine and has music by Harris Jayaraj. Balasubramaniam is the cinematographer. Santhanam will present his signature humour.

For Boss Engira Baskaran it was Jeeva and for Siva Manasule Shakthi it was Arya.Rajesh has Andrea, Sneha and Arya appear in the guest role for OkOk.

The film will be a typical Rajesh styled comedy entertainer. The album will most likely release on February 24.

How Deepika replaced Katrina in ‘Kochadaiyaan’

 

It was none other than Soundarya R Ashwin, the director of 'Kochadaiyaan', who confirmed the presence of Katrina Kaif in her dream film starring her Superstar dad. But last minute changes ensured that Katrina missed the bus and Deepika boarded into it.

"Soundarya narrated the storyline to Katrina and she was very much interested to make her debut in Tamil with Kochadaiyaan. But she could not adjust her dates following which the plum offer landed on Deepika's lap," sources say.

Remember Deepika was roped in to share the screen space with Rajini in 'Rana' and the actress attended the movie's launch function in Chennai April last. But the project hit a roadblock after the Superstar fell ill and hospitalized.

And now, the word in Kollywood is that Katrina Kaif would star opposite Rajini in 'Rana', which is set to take off soon after he completes shooting for 'Kochadaiyaan'. "By that time, Katrina would free herself from other commitments," add sources.

Dhoni movie review

 

Movie : Dhoni
Director : Prakash Raj
Producer : Prakash Raj
Music : Ilayaraja
Cast : Prakash Raj, Aakash, Radhika Apte

How can one not love a movie about children crafted with utmost compassion? Dhoni, written and directed by Prakash Raj is a well-intended and sincere film with a good message, and it tugs at your heartstrings.

The film illustrates the conflict of interests of a father and his son; as their aspirations clash. The father wants his son to study MBA, but the boy is more interested in playing cricket and his role model is Indian Captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The film is also a scathing attack on our education system which burdens the child.

Karthik (Akash) is a 14-year old son of Subramaniam (Prakash Raj) a middle class government employee. But there is one thing he is obsessed and passionate about and that is cricket. His inspiration is Dhoni and like him, he wants to be an attacking wicket Keeper- batsman, and his coach (Nassar) sees a great potential in him. At school, Karthik struggles with numbers and to make sense of them, falling way behind his classmates, much to the frustration of his teachers and his father who wants to see his son to be an MBA graduate.

It is one-man show for Prakash Raj who is brilliant as Subbu as he carries this film completely on his shoulders. He delivers a mature and sensitive performance, adding those little touches that make a difference. It is to his credit that he balances his role as the protagonist and director. Aakash as the young boy is spontaneous and everyone in the cast like the girl who plays Subbu's daughter, Radhika Apte playing a pivotal character, Brahmanandam, Charms are all good.

There are no commercial trappings like fancy camera angles, unwanted songs or clich'd sentiments. The film benefits from Ilayaraja's inspiring background score which lifts the film.The special song with Prabhu Deva is cute and it goes with the narrative.

Who can't relate with the Subramaniam, the doting father and Karthik who can't seem to get his head around his studies? Everyone can relate to the premise of this relatable story as it is a film about parents and children, about the pressures we put on them, about how we push them into becoming assembly-line products instead of encouraging them to find their own unique strengths.

All great, except the dash of seemingly inevitable melodrama, as the climax is exaggerated where Subbu is beaten up and he meets the Chief Minister and has a lengthy conversation. There are a couple of verbose, preachy scenes which are repetitive and could have been avoided.

On the whole, don't miss Dhoni. The beauty of the narration is that the message applies to everyone and it might change your life.

Mani Ratnam’s ‘Kadal’ all set to roll

 

Its official, finally.
Ace Director Mani Ratnam's upcoming film, produced by Madras Talkies, has been titled 'Kadal' ( Sea ). The film will see the debut of evergreen actor Karthick's son Gautham Karthick as hero opposite Tollywood fame Samantha.

Arvind Samy, one of Mani's favourites in early nineties is making a comeback after a long hiatus. Action king Arjun, though may not be in his usual action variety , is joining hands with Mani Ratnam to play an important role.

A R Rahman composes the music for the film, Cinematography is by Rajiv Menon and Sreekar Prasad will be in charge of the editing.

'Kadal' is a bi-lingual film being made in Tamil and Telugu simultaneously. Kadal is the 14th production by Madras Talkies and 23rd film of Mani Ratnam.

Ileana attracts trouble again

 

Sensuous beauty Ileana seems to be in the news for all the wrong reasons. The latest being that Tamil producer, Mohan Nadarajan, has filed a complaint against the actress for not returning his advance of Rs 40 lakhs.

The money was paid to her to act in Deiva Thirumagal opposite Chiyaan Vikram, in January 2011. Ileana had also initially agreed to allot bulk dates for the movie.

However, at the last moment she withdrew her commitment and allotted the same dates to Nanban, the remake of 3 Idiots directed by Shankar. A miffed Mohan had to replace her with Anushka Shetty.

The producer states that Ileana has neither returned his money, despite his complaint at the Producers Council, nor has she answered the several calls he has made to her.

Now, Mohan has approached the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce and registered a complaint once again to resolve the issue.

Speaking to DC, he says, "Ileana was evasive in her reply in the beginning and later she started avoiding my calls. I had no choice but to resort to arbitration through industry bodies.

She is not a member of Nadigar Sangham, which she should be if she is acting in Tamil films. So, initially I complained to the Producers Council to get my money back. It was passed on to the new set of office bearers after the Council elections last year.

Now, I have requested the Film Chamber to intervene and take proper action against her." Ileana is choosy about her Tamil projects and had done only one movie, Kedi, prior to Nanban, even though many producers tried to sign her.

It is also said that she prefers Telugu and Hindi projects over Tamil ones, as the pay packages are bigger there. Presently, the 'size zero' girl is busy with a couple of Bollywood projects, including Barfee with Ranbir Kapoor, and two Telugu projects.The actress was not available for comment.

No offers for Tamannah?

 

Ever since Tamannah Bhatia starred out with her first Tamil film, Kedi in 2006, till Vennghai in 2011, she has scorched screens across Tamil Nadu. The actress, who was last seen acting with Dhanush in Vennghai, has mantained a low profile in Kollywood for sometime.

However, in the last couple of weeks, some rumours have been doing the rounds that the pretty Punjabi lass have agreed to sign a film directed by Ahmed. Reports also mentioned that Tamannah was to join the star cast, which included Jiiva and Trisha in the untitled film.

The actress, who is currently busy with three Telugu films, cleared the air of being approached for the film. She clarifies, "I was never approached for a Tamil film. I am waiting for good scripts. I don't know how and where these rumours cropped up from." There is no denying the fact that ever since Karthi tied the knot, there was much talk about Tamannah deliberately refusing any Tamil film offer.

Many speculate that the reason behind the refusal was her alleged relationship. However, Tamannah clarifies that too. "I know a lot is being said. But I have no personal reason to stay away from Tamil movies." She adds, "The last film I worked in was Vennghai, after which I have not been offered any Tamil film."

Considering the fact that Tamannah is one of the leading heroines in Tollywood, there is no doubt about the star being approached for Bollywood films too. Speaking about this she says, "I have been approached for a number of Hindi films. But I don't want to sign a film just for the heck of it. I want to choose extremely good scripts."

Tamannah, who is presently acting in, Rachaa, Endhukante Premanta and Rebel assures us that she will surely take up Tamil films when the right script comes her way. She says, "Right now, I have a tight schedule with back–to– back films and it's going to be this way until March or April. Hopefully, after this I will be able to accept Tamil offers that come my way!"