Kollywood Hotspot!

Director Radha Mohan, known for his realistic films, is all set to nosedive into a new genre of action films.

Despite being only four films old, the director managed to carve an identity for himself through his films, which were marked by sensitive issues and real characterization.

The director however says he has no interest in being pigeon holed and would like to try out new genres. “I’m currently working on my next script. It is an action based film and we are still working out the cast,” says the director, whose association with actor Prakash Raj is well known. In fact, Prakash Raj has produced three of Radha Mohan’s films.

Originally, it was said that the director was making plans to direct his blockbuster 'Mozhi' in Bollywood, to be produced by Boney Kapoor. “Plans to remake the film have been stalled as the producers want to wait until their film ‘Pokkiri’ is released,” says the director.

“Despite being an action film, it will have interesting characters like all my earlier films,” assures the director, whose 'Abhiyum Naanum' released late last year and met with immediate success.

A project that has been suspected for long, Arya is finally teaming up with director Manikandan, who directed 'Dhaam Dhoom' following Jeeva's demise. The film, titled 'Chikku Bhukku', will have Shriya Saran playing his love interest.

Following 'Naan Kadavul', Arya seems to have his eyes set on romantic films, with ongoing 'Madharasapattanam' providing fodder for his acting abilities. Following 'Sarvam' with Trisha and Vishnuvardhan, will be another love story with a twist.

The film is being produced by Media One and also brings to Kollywood, Preethi Rao sister of actress Amritha Rao. About 25 days of shoot for the film has been completed, and a song with elaborate choreography by Rekha Chinni Prakash has been canned. 'Chikku Bhukku' will have music by Colonial Cousins, who have debuted as music directors with 'Modhi Vilayaadu'. Cranking the camera is another associate of Jeeva, RB Gurudev.

Shooting for the film will also be done in unseen locales of Austria, besides Mysore and Conoor.

We are all well acquainted with the ‘Jaganmohini’ of the past. An unearthly white figure, long unruly hair, loud throaty laughter and her feet in fire! This is the ‘Jaganmohini’ we have seen so far. But with the advance of technology she takes a new shape and is getting ready to send a chill down our spine!

Sexy siren Namitha will be playing the protagonist and Raja and Nila will be essaying the lead pair in this N.K. Vishwanathan directed spooky flick ‘Jaganmohini’. Unlike the older and the original version this latest version will feature state-of-the-art technology, sound effects and visuals.

The film is being wrapped in a feverish pace and the filming is going on in Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad. The film stars Narasimha Raju the man who played hero in the older version, but this time around he will be playing the hero’s father. Jyothi Lakshmi the yester year bombshell will be making a come back with this film and she will be portraying as Namitha’s mom.

The film is said to hit theatres by mid-June.

Director Cheran is back to doing what he is best at! Chronicling yesteryear love stories, in the most poignant way. He back at it again with ‘Pokkisham’ whose audio was launched recently at Kalagnar TV.

Following the audio launch, the movie’s crew met the press at a preview theatre. The director Cheran called it “A simple love story between a Hindu boy working in Kolkata and a Muslim girl living in Nagoor. Over 70 percent of the film is narrated in flashback format, like my previous films Autograph and Thavamai Thavamirundhu.” The movie is slated for a May end release.

One of the songs of the film, Nila.. sung by Vijay Yesudas and Chinmayi, will be the highlight of the film, says the director, who adds that the music duo of Sabesh Murali have provided astounding music, with three full songs and seven bit songs in the movie.

Padmapriya, who plays the role of Nadira in the film, called it a well etched character, which was demanding for her as she had to play a girl enamoured by Tamil literature.

Isaignani Ilayaraja is acting in a song for the first time in his career for the film Azhagar malai. Showing up in his own car in his usual sparkling white attire, the musician dedicated six days for the shoot of a song, Ullagam Ippo, in the film directed by SP Rajkumar.

The Isaignani, who is known to let his music speak for himself, has finally agreed to even don the greasepaint. Acting as himself in the movie’s first song, the musical genius is said to have worked like any professional actor. The song was shot in locations that had an impact in his real life, including his school, the bridge he grew up near, the banyan tree he played with his wife in, and his mother’s cemetery. The song was captured in Thiruvannamalai Raman Assramam, where the genius picked his spiritual learnings from, the Uthama Palayam Aatru Paalam, Mullai Periyar, and the Madurai American College where he studied, apart from the Banyan tree that he and his wife Jeeva played under.

The musician, who looks up to the land of Thiruvannamalai, as a holy place, trod the entire area without wearing footwear, and let his mother’s cemetery been shown on screen for the first time. He also insisted on cleaning it completely by himself and participated with a lot of enthusiasm in the shoot. Director SP Rajkumar gives all credit for making this happen to his producer Sangili Murugan who persuaded the Isaignani to act.

Ocher Studios and Warner Bros will jointly produce a film by director Gautham Vasudev Menon, after Ocher completes Venkat Prabhu’s ‘Goa’.

This film, if reliable sources are to be believed, is a thriller by the director who is currently completing his ‘Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya’, with Silambarasan and Trisha in the lead. More than half the film is complete and the director is said to be working on his next script already.

Following Gautham’s film, Ocher and Warner Bros will be producing a Malayalam project with Mammootty in the lead, apart from a Kannada flick directed by Prem with Puneet as the protagonist.

‘Goa’ is Ocher Studios’ second production, after the animation flick ‘Sultan The Warrior’. ‘Naan Kadavul’ Pooja is the latest to have been signed up for ‘Goa’, in which Sneha plays a different role. It is not a negative character, but is one that she has not tried before, says its director. Shooting for the film has been going on in Theni for sometime, and the movie features Jai, Vaibhav, and Premji in the lead.

Mass numbers for a mass hero. This seems to be the mantra for music composer Mani Sharma as he comes up with songs for the latest Vishal starrer ‘Thoranai’, which are racy and riveting.

Mani Sharma shares a good rapport with Vishal as the two had delivered a musical hit in ‘Malaikottai’ before. Thoranai has songs that include a mass intro one song, a couple of romantic duets and of course racy numbers.

Mani Sharma has opted for few young voices in his album and has given a good output. Ranjith, Naveen, Vijay Yesudas, Janani, Thippu and Saindhavi have crooned for the songs, while Udit Narayan comes up with a beauty in between.

Peppy beats and fast rhythm make up the album. It would be a treasure for die-hard Vishal fans, who would love to see their favourite star’s peppy dance sequences.

Vedi Vedi Saravedi (Ranjith, Naveen) Listen here

What else but for peppy beats and racy chorus when it is the mass introduction song of the hero in the movie. The song is in all praise of the hero penned by Viveka. A shrewd lyrics writer has also used the names of hit Vishal films of the past. Mani Sharma smartly uses percussion instruments including Thavil.

Certain to please Vishal fans, the song flows like a waterfalls. It is progresses at quick pace sure to make fans shake their legs in theatres. Ranjith and Naveen do their job well.

Vaa Chellam (Udita Narayan) Listen here

Interestingly Udit Narayan has been used to render a soft romantic song. Slow to begin with thanks to guitar notes, the song kind of gains momentum as it progresses. Mani Sharma has liberally used the Latino music. Pa Vijay’s lyric is the major highlight of the song. It is rolled with fun and romance.

Udit Narayan’s seems to have consciously sung the number from his belly. It is entertaining thanks to his catchy tune.

Pattucha (Vijay Yesudass, Janani) Listen here

The moment one says Vijay Yesudass, it becomes very obvious that it would be a soft melody with thrust on vocals and less instrumentation. Pattucha rendered by Vijay Yesudass and Janani, lyrics penned by Kabilan, is perhaps the pick of the album. Unlike other numbers, it progresses at steady pace with easy hummable tunes and simple lyrics. Vijay Yesudass reminds us of his father especially in the second part of the number.

Peliccan Paravaigal (Ranjith, Rahul, Rita, Jai) Listen here

Peppy beats, catchy rap and loud music that make our spirits go high. These form the hallmark of the song Peliccan Paravaigal rendered by Ranjith, Rahul, Rita and Jai. Watch out for the veteran Vaali’s lyrics, which are trendy and youthful. The addition rhythm and harmony in the song are impressive. The singers has consciously underplayed their emotions in the song and whispered few lines to give a different feel.

Manjasela Mandakini (Thippu, Sainthavi) Listen here

An album without ‘kuthu’ number is incomplete in Kollywood. Mani Sharma has come out with a song that is ‘fast and furious’. Penned by Pa Vijay, the song has everything to appeal to front-benchers. Thippu’s voice modulation and Sainthavi’s apt diction of lyrics gives it more sheen.

Verdict:

All said. Thoranai is an album that has a mix of mass and soft numbers. No wonder it is an attempt to satisfy Vishal fans. Mani Sharma seems to have succeeded in his attempts.

Climbing fast the ladder of success is Jai. With back-to-back hits in ‘Chennai 600028’ and ‘Subramaniapuram’, this young lad is keen to scalp a hat-trick with ‘Vamanan’. Written and directed by Ahmed (a former associate of director Kathir), the movie is about the travails of a young man who aspires to be a film hero, narrated in a very attractive manner.

Jai, who has a striking resemblance to Vijay, is busy acting in ‘Adhey Neram Adhey Idam’ and ‘Aval Peyar Thamizharasi’.

'Vamanan is fast a wholesome entertainer sure to entertain all sections of the audience', Ahmed said and added, 'it has action, romance and sentiments at right mix'.

According to sources, the dialogues especially the one-liners penned by Ahmed are the major highlight of the movie.

‘Vamanan’ was one of the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu according to Hindu mythology. He was short but prevailed over the giant king Mahabali. So would be Jai in the movie, they add.

Paired opposite Jai is Priya Anand, a model-turned-actress. A native of Chennai, she has appeared in several commercial advertisements. She is making her debut as heroine.

Ravindran of Dream Valley Corporation is producing the movie which was shot in various exotic locales in Chennai, Chalakudy and Coimbatore. A couple of songs were shot in abroad.

Jai has expressed his confidence that ‘Vamanan’ would be a movie to reckon with in his career for it had shaped up well so far.

Yuvan Shankar Raja has composed the music for the movie which has lyrics by Na Muthukumar. Arvind Krishna, who handled the camera for several Selvaraghavan's films and the recent Rajinikanth starrer ‘Kuselan’, will be Vamanan’s cinematographer.

The movie would be a treat for audience this summer. Gear up to welcome ‘Vamanan’.

Hip Hip Hooray!!! Here’s the thriving combo back in town with yet another grand fiesta. Winning laurels for their best path breaking film ‘Subramaniapuram’, Director Sasi Kumar and his ducky James Vasanthan make it big this time with ‘Pasanga’. Who can forget the most mesmerizing tune ‘Kangal Irandaal’ that would ever remain cherished in hearts and souls. ‘Pasanga’ produced by Sasi Kumar of Company Pictures as his protégé Pandiraj wielding megaphone. James Vasanthan has scored 4 splendiferous melodies that are enchantingly marvelous. Doubtlessly, the entire album is going to be top-chartbusters of the season.

1. Naandhaan - Listen here

Singer: Sathyanarayanan, Larson Cyril

Lyrics: Yughabharathi

Genuinely, it’s a grand mix of Western beats with lyrics that’s mostly loved across the crossroads. Aye! Ever imagined about heeding to Boney M’s style with our native lines blended? James Vasanthan embellishes the tune with Hip-hop rhythms on Congo-drums, tremendous Bass and running notes on guitars. For sure, it’s a song that will peak through the graphs.

2. Oru Vetkam - Listen here

Singer: Naresh Iyer, Shreya Ghoshal

Lyrics: Thamarai

An unparalleled style to previous number on all dioramas and James excels tuning it. If the first song had more lights on instruments, this is a distinct one that swings with best singers and lyricist on the tracks. Naresh Iyer and Shreya Ghoshal – Crooning for the resplendent tune ‘Munbe Vaa’ (Sillunu Oru Kadhal) are back transfixing us with their mellifluous voices. Thamarai’s trenchant lyric prettifies the song more catchy to our senses.

With special Video Blog with Suriya, ardent fans uploaded their video messages to the actor, and guess what - Suriya replied with his very own message! Over 1,000 fan videos hounded the blog in just a matter of 36 hours and the actor only seemed ecstatic about seeing his fans! He patiently watched each and every question and responded for the ones which attracted him very much with undying enthusiasm.

Suriya's and the community as a whole, categorically said this is way better than a live chat or a text blog, because it gives both the fans and the celebrity enough space to talk their mind in leisure. Even on TV shows so far user interaction has been mostly over the phone, but this medium pushes it further and allows the celebrity to actually see and listen to their fans first hand.

First of its kind and unmatched in its genius, our Video Blog was a resounding success!! Thanks to you!

IndiaGlitz’s status as a leading entertainment portal has been further validated by such initiatives and an ear for fans’ voices. Though it has also become a recent trend in for actors to have blogs, this is the first time that a celebrity has had a live Video Blog. It was conceived by IndiaGlitz, which now has plans to open such blogs for many more leading actors in the industry. This will be just another step by IndiaGlitz to cater to your wishes.

We have plans to roll out EXCLUSIVE Video Blogs and are currently hard at work to let you express yourself to your favorite stars. No matter where you are in the world, with just a click of a button (and a webcam) you can tell your beloved stars just how much they mean to you! So stay tuned to IndiaGlitz and watch for more in this space!

With shooting wrapped up for Jayam Ravi’s 'Peranmai' yesterday, post production work is all set to begin. The film features five heroines, all new comers, all of who play NCC students who reportedly help Jayam Ravi chase terrorists out of the country.


The film is an ambitious project by director Jananathan, who always tries something novel in his flicks. If 'Iyarkai' dealt with the lives of fisher folk, 'Ee' took on the huge issue of Biowar. And now, 'Peranmai', is said to have Jayam Ravi play a role no other Tamil actor has played before. While it is known that he is a tribal leader and a forest guard, the exact nature of his character has not been revealed. After a year of shooting, the film is all set for post production work now.


The director pins his hopes on Tanishka, who plays one of the heroines in the film. In fact, the director says all heroines will be in all songs with the actor. But he says Tanishka will be noticed for her stunts, which remind him of Angelina Jolie. “I affectionately called her that after seeing her performance in the movie,” he says, adding that he picked her from a crowd when he spotted her at an exhibition.