Kama Of Kingstone

WISHING ALL THIS BLOG READERS A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS BRIGHT YEAR 2009

Recently, actress Namitha's scene in a swimming dress was filmed by the Telugu prouducers who produce the Tamil Bill. There are two heroines including Anushka. The shooting of the film, as if Namitha taking bath in a swimming pool at Vizag was filmed. In the shooting when Namitha appeared in glamour dress, the film unit began to pinch their eyes on the body of Namitha. Knowing this, Namitha immediately called everyone as 'Anna' as elder brother and asked them to close their eyes till she took a dip in the holy swimming pool, in which the Telugu film, Billa was filmed.

But the story of Anushka who is also another heroine is entirely different. She did not ask anyone as Anna, but she simply walked towards the swimming pool and began to act as per the director's instructions.

Telugu blockbuster ‘Vikramarkudu’ is all set to speak Tamil. ‘Paruthi Veeran’ fame Karthi, who is currently busy with ‘Ayirathil Oruvan’ will do the lead role in the Tamil version, which is to be directed by Suraj.

Anushka, who played the lead role in the Telugu ‘Vikramarkudu’ is roped in to play the second heroine in this film, while Priyamani will be the heroine. This is for the first time Karthi and Priyamani to act together after Paruthi Veeran.

Suraj, who is currently directing Dhanush starrer 'Padikathavan' in Tamil will the start the work for this new project soon.

Chennai, Sep 10 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's nephew and Sun TV's Managing Editor `Murasoli' Selvam was today summoned by Chennai Police's Central Crime Branch (CCB) after Tamil daily Dinamalar filed a complaint of `provocative' coverage against the channel, police said.

Selvam is the second top official of the Marans-run channel to be summoned by police. Sun TV news editor Raja was summoned last night.

The summonses followed a complaint lodged by the daily with the state government yesterday alleging the telechannel had "misrepresented" a cartoon of Prophet Mohammed carried by the paper's Vellore edition recently.

However, Sun TV communicated to police that Raja had been on leave for the past 20 days, and Selvam, brother of the late `Murasoli' Maran, was responsible for news content during the period, following which the latter was summoned today.

A number of Muslim outfits staged violent demonstrations in front of the newspaper's Vellore office last week. Some protest demonstrations were also held near the newspaper's office in Chennai.

The daily subsequently issued an apology for publishing the cartoon.

The CCB had registered a case under Sections 153 (provocation with an intent to cause riots) and 503 (criminal intimidation) of IPC.

Sun TV is part of the Sun Network, owned by Kalanidhi and Dayanidhi Maran, the estranged grandnephews of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. - Agencies

Published: Thursday, September

Onam Thirakatha a film which was released on last Friday turning out as a controversial film. It has been said, the story of the film is based on the romances between Kamal Hassan and the late actress Sri Vidhya who died in Kerala due to cancer.

Malayalam film Writer and Director Ranjith who knew the actress when she had been acting in Malayalam films. Sri Vidya is the daughter of noted Carnatic Musician M.L.Vasantha Kumari.

It has been said Ranjith who has produced this film purely based on the live history of the laste tragedy-queen, Sri Vidya. In Thirakatha Prithvi Raj, Anup Menon and Priya Mani have acted with the story fully revolving around the romance of an actress.
The film's promotional posters also feature Srividya's photo along with Padmarajan and Bharathan, two of the greatest writer- director team of 70's and early 80's, the 'Golden Age' of Malayalam cinema.
Director Ranjit in television interviews is quite candid that it is loosely based on Srividya's torrid affair with Kamal. However he goes on to add that there has been similar romances between leading men and their heroines from time immemorial.
The buzz is that Ranjit had access to Srividya's personal diaries she maintained. At one time Srividya was to publish her memoirs for a Malayalam weekly, but strangely it never saw the light of the day.

Newcomer Anup Menon is the superstar Ajaychandran, while Pritviraj plays a young director Akbar Ahmed a new age director who plans to write a script about the romance between Ajay and Malavika and her subsequent disappearance.
Thirakatha is one of the best films to have come out from Kerala in recent times. The climax, which will leave a lump in your throat is the highlight of the film, and Priyamani a spitting image of Srividya is excellent as she is able to bring out the various mood

N.THYAGARAJAN

Actress Sneha who celebrated her 29th birthday at Chennai, lauded Hithendran's father for donating heart generously after the former who met with an accident. She said she wanted to bring such holistic measures in her life too to serve the common people. The actor who had donated various provisions to Balamandir an orphanage functioned from Chennai said that she had been acting in six films and the Vijyanthi IPS had been remade and she had been acting in the film. She wanted to appear in glamorous roles but at the same time she had been watching that it should not cross the limits of a girl.

N. THYAGARAJAN

The grapevine is abuzz that there will be five females of all hue and colour in Kamal Hassan's magnum opus Marmayogi!
Yes, five deadly females. They are heroine Trisha who will appear in most number of scenes, followed by Hema Malini who is rumoured to be playing the role of a negative character. Then there is Shriya Saran who will play Kamal's first wife. Then there is a very strong role for National Award winning actress Shobhana.
The latest to join the bandwagon is Mumaith Khan, the item girl! Mumaith according to sources has also a role with grey shades. Mumaith has just completed an item song with Vikram for Kanthasamy.

Batlagundu (Tamil Nadu) (IANS): For the second time in two months, Tamil movie director Seeman was arrested at a shooting locale here on Friday for allegedly making inflammatory, secessionist speeches, police said.

"The arrest was made after repeated complaints from Congress leaders alleging denigration by Seeman of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's sacrifice and his continued inflammatory, secessionist speeches," a police official said.

"These are our continuing measures to curb suspected anti-national activity," Director General of Police K.P. Jain told IANS on phone from Chennai, 400 km north of here.

Seeman's car was set afire by miscreants in a southwest Chennai suburb.

"He has been under attack for inciting violence in Tamil Nadu in support of Sri Lankan Tamils. Now everyone can see who is indulging in this reprehensible violence," film director Manivannan told reporters after seeing the damaged vehicle.

Directors Seeman and Ameer had earlier been arrested in October for reportedly making speeches inciting violence during a protest demonstration in Rameshwaram in southern Tamil Nadu to express solidarity with the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka.

The directors denied the charges and claimed they were only protesting the attacks on Tamils in Sri Lanka. The duo was released shortly on conditional bail and ordered to stay within the Madurai jurisdiction.

MDMK leaders Vaiko and M. Kannappan were arrested on similar charges the same month and then released in November.

Political parties in Tamil Nadu have expressed anguish over the killings of innocent Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka by its military establishment during the ongoing civil war to quell the banned Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

So far over 100,000 civilians have been killed in the strife since 1983, including former Prime Ministers of India and Sri Lanka - Rajiv Gandhi and R. Premadasa respectively allegedly by the LTTE - charges denied by the terrorist organisation.

India is separated from Sri Lanka by a narrow expanse of water called Palk Strait.

Tamil cinema is growing. And it's growing at a really fast rate. There have been directors that brought Hollywood stories to Tamil cinema. Most notably A.R.Muragadoss's Ghajini (Memento in Hollywood), Gautham Menon's Vaaranam Aayiram (draws inspiration from 1994's Forrest Gump), Prabhu Deva's Pokiri(daws inspiration from The Departed), and Mani Ratnam's Nayagan (The Godfather). These are just some films. Now that the budgets for films is increasing, we might get to see the big exposure that Hollywood puts on their films in Tamil! Here are some movies I would like to see get made in Tamil:

I Am Legend- If there is one actor who can do a better job than Will Smith, then it's Surya. He's one of the only actors who can do this much intensity in a film. You can also put Asin as the guest role of the mother who comes to rescue the main character. It's a big film, and considering it'swith a big budget, Shankar should be director. Music should also be A.R.Rahman.

Ocean's Eleven- A heist film in Tamil would be great! Imagine if Vijay, Ajith, Surya, Vikram, and some other big stars in Tamil cinema came together and made
this remake! Also you can put a lot of the top actresses as well. This film could possibly be the best cast that any tamil film has made! Director should be Venkat Prabhu, because this is his kind of movie. Also music should be Yuvan Shankaraja.

Cast Away- If Kamal wanted to make one last film before he retired, then he should make this film in tamil. The whole film would show him and what he does to survive on an island. It needs an actor who can make the audience sit and watch one person for more than half of the movie. I think Kamal could do this without any problem! Direction should be Gautham Menon to give a Hollywood touch, and music should be Harris Jeyraj(It would be nice to see the Menon-Jeyraj combo one last time).

Scarface- I think Rajini or Vijay should do this one. They could do it Billa style, or just do it regular Indian style. Direction should be K.S. Ravikumar and music should be Vijay Anthony. I wonder if they make Scarface survive in the remake....

The Pursuit of Happiness- This definitly should be remade. Probably Surya or Ajith can do this movie, or even younger actor like Arya or Jayam Ravi. Direction should be A.R. Murragadoss. Music should be the young Dharan.

Rush Hour- Imagine Vijay and Vadivelu as two cops trying to track down gangsters in India and abroad. Well, this film would be a great remake with a nice mix of action and comedy. Direction should be fast, so it has to be Dharani. Music should be Vidyasagar.

There are so many other movies I would like to see happen, but that is just another dream.

BY N.THYAGARAJAN

Actress Nayantara has filed a complaint against the producer of Payya film, for removing her from acting in the film as heroine. According to sources, the actress was fixed a salary of Rs.1.5 crore to act in the film to be directed by Lingusamy. The director who met her at her residence, gave Rs.20 lakhs as advance to act in the film. Because, she has been asked to act in the film, the actress refused to act in various film, including the one Malayalam film to which she gave her callsheeets.

After some time, the director who again met her told that she should forego some money to act in the Payya film. But, she refused to forego even a single rupee, because the agreement with her was already reached by the producer. She also said, the director had to fulfill the contractural obligations. She reportedly, had told Lingusamy, that she forewent a lot of films' opportunities, due to Payya and she had lost money crores of moneys that were offered to her to act in other films.

Now the actress came to know that actress Tamanna has been fixed to act in the new film. She also came to know, that Tamanna had accepted the offer for a lower salary than that of hers. Hence, the actress had refused to pay the advance money paid to her. The director Lingusamy had also filed a complaint with the Film Producers' Council.

Tamanna, and other film unit members of the Payya had gone to Hyderabad for the film shooting. The Council has make to the decision whether the actress has to return the advance money or the producer has to take back Nayantara as per the agreement or both the parties should come for a compromise, is a question of time who should win in the controversy.

Sun Pictures, will produce Enthiran, superstar Rajinikanth’s blazing rising film directed by Shankar. Earlier, the Sun Pictures produced Kadhalil Vizhundhen, Thenavattu and Dindigul Sarathy.

The film was about to be produced by K.Shankar who went along with his unit and Rajinikanth recently to the USA and produced a part of the Enthiran film. Due to global recession and economic meltdown, the producer could not continue the film and hence dropped the idea of producing it for sometime, till the Indian economic scene becomes alright. In the meanwhile, the SUN TV Channel Kalanidhi Maran who had met the director wanted that the Sun Pictures was interested in producing the film with Rajinikanth. Hence, there is a change in the production unit.

A. Danny Boyle, an English filmmaker came up with the much appreciated film 'Slumdog Millionaire' with the background score of India's very own A. R. Rahman. The film was about a poor Mumbai youth who takes part in a game show to win the first prize and eventually become a millionaire.

The London Critics Association has lauded A. R. Rahman's talent by awarding him the prestigious London Critics Award for the year 2008.

'I am happy with this award and I'd like to credit Danny Boyle for extracting appropriate music from me. Danny has been so meticulous with his work that both of us have become friends now', said Rahman.

A. R. Rahman with his incredible talent is truly going international.

MUMBAI: The DTH juggernaut continues. Tata Sky has pocketed three million subscribers, quickly adding the last one million over just seven months.

The three-million landmark was reached within 27 months, indicating how rapidly the Indian direct-to-home market is growing.


Dish TV, the market leader, has 4.5 million subscribers while Big TV claims to have touched one million within 90 days of launch. Sun Direct has roped in two million customers, 99 per cent of which are from the four southern states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kannada.


Launching its DTH satellite pay-TV service in August 2006, Tata Sky reached one million connections by the end of the first year of operations.

Two of the doyens of Tamil Cinema the 78 year old K.Balachander and 67 year old Bharathiraja are playing the male lead in a Tamil film produced by top commercial director Shankar's 'S' pictures.

The shooting of the film titled Rettai Suzhi has started in Tirunelveli and it is being directed by Thamirai, a former associate dialogue writer with KB's Kavithalaya. The music is by Karthik Raja, and camera is by Chezhiyan.

It is not for the first time the two veteran directors are acting. In the early 80's Bharathiraja has acted in his Kalukkal Eeram and three years back in Mani Ratnam's Ayudha Ezhuthu.

K.Balachander has also acted in his own Kalki, Poi and many of his TV serials.

BY N.THYAGARAJAN

Many of the Superstar Rajinikanth's have been camping in Chennai, in order to wish him on his birthday falling on December 12. But, the actor a month ago, at his fans' meet declared that he never wished to celebrate his birthday tomorrow, in order to support the sufferings of a lot of Tamils in Sri Lanka. "If I celebrate the birthday then I myself show disrepect to the Tamils and the language, through which I became popular". Now Rajinikanth is in Hyderabad to participate in the shootings of the Sultan the Warrior directed by Soundarya.

What about his fans, camping near the star's house? Rajini, propably would be conveying his heartful thanks from Hyderabad through a CD recorded and played before them.
Ulaga Nayagan Kamal Hassan also did not celebrate his birthday for the same reason.

Kushboo with Sonia Agarwal, who is making a comeback in the small screen for a new serial "Naanal" to be aired in Kalaignar TV. Kushboo Sundar has written and produced this serial. The serial is to be aired from December 15.

Actress Trisha will have the heroine role in Paiya to be directed by Lingusamy. Earlier Nayantara was asked to do the role, but she demanded a crore for her role in the film. The director wanted her to reduce her salary, but according to information, she refused to forego the amount and also insulted the director saying that she did not like to waste her precious time arguing over the monetary aspect of the film. Hence, the director has asked Trisha to perform her role. Earlier, it was Nayantara who had to perform her role in Kuruvi with Vijay refused over the financial matter. Later Trisha did the role in the film with Vijay.

Coimbatore-based industrialist, Shivagiri, has ventured into making a Tamil film titled Sivagiri. A lot space for action and entertainment, the movie is directed by a debutant Shivaji. The producer himself plays the role of a hero with Rukshana, Chandini and Risha. The shooting of the film is almost over, according to the film's director Shivaji, and adds,"the movie has suspense and thrill".
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The sequence for the songs of the film are shot in a grand manner. Plans are on to release the movie very soon’. The other credits are Arabin Yusuf (music), Azhagiri Pandian (lyricist) and Edwin Raj (editor).

'Murattu Kaalai' directed by SP Muthuraman and produced by AVM Productions didn't alone fetch good collections at box office. Perhaps, the film won Rajnikanth the title of 'Superstar' and now Sundar C gears up for its remake in the lead role. Sneha takes on the female lead while Suman on the role enacted by Jai Shankar performs negative role and Vivek on the role of Suruli Rajan is the comedian. Srikanth Deva tunes in melodies and probably there would be remix of 'Podhuvaaga En Manasu Thangam'.

Gunanidhi who produced yesteryear films like Madurai Meenakshi and Manasu Rendum Pudhusu gets backs into film industry with the production of this remake. Shooting for the film is expected to hit the floors by December and plans are to release it by mid of Aprilu

Veteran actor of Tamil films who excelled in Villain character in Tamil,Telugu and other languages, M.N.Nambiar passed away peacefully at a private nursing home after he complained of chest pain. Nambiar, who was 89 had acted in more than 1000 films. Though he was a villain in Tamil films, his heart was centered around Lord Ayyappa and he breathed his last leaving all the Ayyappa Devotees in the Tamil month Karthigai, an auspicious month for Lord Ayyappa devotees to observe fasting for 40 days before they to have darshan of the Lord.

Mr,M.N.Nambiar has acted in an English film Jungle, which was released in the year 1952. Besides appearing in villain role with MGR and Shivaji Ganesan, the actor had done a tremendous role with Bhagyaraj in Thooral Ninnupochchu. He did the role of a stunt-man who fights for the marriage of Bhagyaraj who seeks asylum in his hut. He appeared with long hair and mustache in the film and finally wins in his character. The film was a successful one, since, it was written by Bhagyaraj, but the manner in which M.N.Nambiar did the role could not be compared who stole the show when the film was released.

A devotee who observed that, no one can match the devotion that the actor had with the Lord. Even his servants in the house would always utter the Lord's name before if they consume, even water.

The actor was a voracious reader National Geographical magazines and when he flew in an elecopter with some of the devotees over the Lord Ayyappa's Sabarimala, he just requested the pilot not to take the plan over the abode of Lord Ayyappa. He never fed non-vegetarian items to two of his German breed dogs. He wanted always to observe vegetarianism. "That is why my dogs never bark at others" remembers this writer when he had gone for his residence at Gopalapuram in Chennai.

BY N.THYAGARAJAN

Mallipoovu, a grand success in Telugu is being dubbed into Tamil. The film has attracted a large number of Telugus, for its story-line and the dialogues, also for its direction. The producers thought it could be better to dub the film into Tamil language, instead of spending heavy money on it for remake.

Bhoomika in this film has performed her role in a matured manner and it is hoped that if the Tamil dialogues are aptly done and lipping is done properly for the actress' role, then it would be a grand success. Soon the film will be released in various parts of the Tamil Nadu.(See pix of Bhoomika)

“Rekha and Kamal Haasan will be the chief guests of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Panaji International Film Festival of India, besides the presence of the governor of Goa, S.S Siddhu, Chief Minister Digamber Kamath and the minister of state for Information and Broadcasting Anand Sharma,” said S.M. Khan, Director of film festivals. Films of veterans like Dilip Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, B. Saroja Devi and Tapan Sinha will be presented in Lifetime Classics.


Actress Amrita Rao will host the inaugural ceremony and Telugu actress Illina D.Cruz, who is of Goan origin, will be a the special guest, according to a press release.

In the IFFI, 15 films from all over the world will be showcased. Film India Worldwide will be another attraction in the cinema of world section, which will showcase films made by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in collaboration with foreign filmmakers.

In addition, there will be 47 films including 26 feature films and 21 non-feature films in the Indian Panorama section.

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It was few days ago the artistes of the South Indian Film Industry observed one day fast.Aftermath, the technicians who are employed in the Tamil film industry observed one-day fast, to show their solidarity towards the Tamils who are being ruthlessly killed by the Sri Lankan army. Finally,Thousands of Tamil Nadu (TN) T.V Actors, Actresses, Directors, Producers, Singers and many others in the TV drama industry in Tamil Nadu wide took part in a famine protest yesterday (on November 9, 2008) in Chennai Serpakam area to condemn Sri Lanka for killings of Tamils in Eelam, Sri Lanka’s military operations against them in Eelam, Center’s military support to Sri Lanka and urging immediate Cease Fire in Sri Lanka

The famine protests took place under the leadership of TV Actors & Actresses Association leader Viduthali. The participants and speakers of the famine protest Indian Central government to stop the war in Sri Lanka against the Tamils and save the Tamils from genocides of their Tamil brethrens in Eelam. They also urged Center to stop the military aid to Sri Lanka.
More than 200,000 Tamil civilians are living in subhuman conditions with limited or no access to food, medicines, and other basic essentials in the open air where more than 200 people have died due to snake bites without access to anti-snake bite medicines to these people. India cannot wash away this as internal matter of another country as over 100,000 people fled Sri Lanka due to the ongoing war and living in India as refugees.
Some of the actors and actresses took part in the famine protests are Ajay, Rathnam, Rajkhanth, Mohanram, K. Nadarajan, Vasantha, Manobala, Deve Ajay, Rishy, Devajani, Theepa, Dr. Sharmila, Monica, Rani, Lalitha and many other actors and actresses along with many producers and directors other people in the TV film industry.

Tamil Nadu boils over the Eelam Tamils issues and hundreds of Thousands of people in Tamil Nadu going beyond their party affiliations participating in the State wide protests, rallies, famine protests and many other type of agitations and urged Center to stop the genocides of Eelam Tamils by Sri Lanka

The TAM ratings of various Tamil TV serials being broadcast in the morning hours, when the power cut is at the pinnacle, has dropped considerably. The people of Tamil Nadu face the power cut for the last several months, at last have decided to switch off their idiot boxes but with much reluctancy. However, those who watch the prime-time TV serials did not give up watching those serials, since, the power cut has not been playing in these crucial hours..

According to the latest overall TAM ratings for the Week 43 to Week 44, Sun TV, Kalaignar TV, Jaya TV and Raj TV channels have registered a marginal improvement over the previous Week's.

Industry watchers, however, confirmed that day time viewing of serials has been affected. Although prime time viewership, between 6 pm and 10 pm, has remained unaffected, with serials like Arasi and Kolangal registering an increase in ratings, those aired in the mornings such as Vasantham and Athipookal on Sun TV have seen a dip in their ratings in Week 44 compared to the earlier Week's.

Programmes like Super Singer continue to be unaffected as well, but media watchers conceded that there was an imbalance in the viewing pattern, not out of audience choice but due to the power cuts.

"Many of our TRPs have fallen in the last few weeks and we are answerable to the advertisement agencies. It has never happened before in the television industry, and corporates have started tightening their belts, with contracts that should have been signed with advertisers not happening." said Radhika Sarath Kumar of Radaan Media.

However, with more people tuning into television as an option to going out, the industry is happy to churn out content. "Production is not hit, only our margins are," said Pushpa Kandaswamy, producer of serials such as Comedy Colony on Jaya TV.

N.THYAGARAJAN

Malayalam Superstar Mohanlal and Tamil film ace hero, known as Ulaga Nayagan Kamal Hassan will appear as heroes in the Tamil film, Thalaivan Irukkiran, to be produced by Kamal Hassan himself. The two heroes who had met on several occasions discussed about the story of the film in Tamil.If Mohanlal joins his hands with Kamal, then it will be his first film to act with Kamal Hassan.

Kamal Hassan, following the sudden shirking away from producing Marmayogi, has decided to produce this film, since Thalaivan Irukkiran is a middle-level-budget film. It is expected that the shooting of the film will be started soon.

BY N.THYAGARAJAN

One may see the beauty of the sea from outside, but they may not know about its depth and dangers that surrounds. Similar is the story of love. In the mornings the sea-shore will be a beautiful thing for any lovers who make love near the sea shore. In the evening, the very sea shore will become an asylum for notorious and goondas. Based upon the imagination, the film Kadarkarai is produced. A software engineer who falls in love with a girl of engineering college takes her to the sea shore. He gives party to his friends, but in the end the college is being killed. He does not know who had killed his love. He just enters into the investigation of finding out the killer. The film Kadarkarai is growing fastly and is likely to be released in the very near future.

In this film, Udaya is acting as the hero and the new face Nivedha is the heroine of the film. New comedian Ram is introduced in this film. The film is directed by "Dishum" Soman. Kannada Millio is producing this film on behalf Millio Pictures.

South Indian actress Rambha rubbishes reports that she is doing television soaps and says she will move to the small screen only after taking retirement from big screen.

"People are making up stories on the basis of my judging a reality show on a TV channel. I may think of a television career if roles offered excite me. But that will happen only after I retire from the big screen. I am choosy about my roles," Rambha told IANS.

She accepted the offer to judge a reality show because she liked the concept, she said. "I am still a sought after heroine. The forthcoming Tamil movie 'Vidiyum Varai Kaathiru' features me as the female lead opposite Prakash Raj," said Rambha, who has done more than 100 films, including some in Hindi.

In a career spanning 16 years, Rambha has played lead roles opposite top Bollywood heroes like Salman Khan, Ajay Devgan, Suniel Shetty, Govinda and Mithun Chakraborthy.

Born Vijaya Lakshmi to Telugu parents, the squint-eyed actress adopted screen name Amritha and later changed it to Rambha. Her uncanny resemblance to late Hindi actress Divya Bharti was one of her claims to all-India stardom.

Stars of Kollywood rose as one for a cause on Saturday. The cameras remained unused and the clap boards made no noise. The reason - film shooting was cancelled as artistes assembled at the South Indian Artistes Association (SIAA) for an eight-hour fast in support of Sri Lankan Tamils.

Several leading actors and technicians voiced their concern over the sufferings that Tamils were undergoing in Sri Lanka.

Sarathkumar, president of SIAA and Radha Ravi, General Secretary, led the fast.

The cinema industry, Mr.Sarathkumar said, had always been sensitive to people’s issues. He gave Rs.2.5 lakh towards the Sri Lankan Tamils Relief Fund. Mr. Radha Ravi said in order to express their solidarity, Kollywood had downed their shutters on Saturday, and no film shooting was allowed.

Actor Rajinikanth, who gave a cheque for Rs.10 lakh, praised the SIAA for organising the fast and said he was confident that the Central and State governments would act seriously on the issue. Actor Kamal Haasan, who gave a cheque for Rs.5 lakh, in his emotionally charged speech, said the fast would convey to the world, the true sentiments of cinema industry.

Actor Napolean said there was scope for a negotiated political peace settlement for the ethnic strife. Prominent among the film stars who spoke included actors Surya, Vijay, Vikram, Ajith, Sathyaraj, Partheeban, Prabhu, Simbu, Dhanush, Vadivelu, Nayanthara, Trisha, Sneha, Manorama, and Khushboo.

The General Secretary of Viduthulai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Thol Thirumavalavan, who gave a cheque for Rs.50,000, said he took pride in extending support to the fast organised by the cinema industry and said he hoped the tears shed by the celluloid world would make an impact in the island nation.

Actor and AIADMK MLA, S.Ve. Shekher, Tamil Nationalist Movement leader, Pazha Nedumaran, were present on the occasion.

Veteran actor S.S. Rajendran ended the fast with his speech and said it was not the first time that the cinema industry was displaying its solidarity to the Tamils in Sri Lanka. He recalled a mammoth public rally few decades ago with doyen of the film industry Sivaji Ganesan, leading it. The fast came to an end with Mr. Rajendran distributing juice symbolically to all the artistes, bringing the curtains down for a show of solidarity.

Noted Tamil film director, Sridhar, a trend setter in modern Tamil cinema, here on Monday of a cardiac arrest, family sources said.

Sridhar (73), paralysed for the past few years and confined to the wheel-chair, is survived by hiswife, a son and a daughter.

The man with the midas touch, Sridhar churned out some of the best romantic comedies in Tamil like "Thenilavu" starring Gemini Ganesan and Vyjayanthi Mala Bali and the first Tamil film to be shot in Jammu and Kashmir, "Kadhalikka Neramillai" -- a cult classic, and others like "Ooty Varai Uravu," starring Tamil icon the late Sivaji Ganesan in the lead.

Known for his penchant for new faces, Sridhar had to his credit introducing various top yesteryear actors such as AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa, airhostess-turned-actor Kanchana and actor Ravichandran, among others.

While the director's debut film "Kalyana Parisu" was a runaway hit, he is best remembered for his "Kadalikaa Neramillai," a light-hearted movie on impersonation.

Ultimate Star Ajith Kumar had called for a press interaction a week ahead of his Aegan’s release. The actor, however, refused to speak to the media on official terms, calling the meeting just an occasion to meet his friends from the media. Here’s the trifle we could make of that evening:


-That Ajith refuses to talk to the media just doesn’t make him the over-the-head arrogant actor. In fact, the actor, who still doesn’t seem to have given up his Billa black suit, walked about and shook hands with every member in the hall, be it camera assistants or the hotel’s service crew. “It’s a pleasure meeting you. I hope you’re staying with me for dinner,” he said, relentlessly to every person in the hall.

Despite looking every bit a dapper, young man, he is seriously working out a way to shed the kilos he won’t need. “I’m actually on a diet now, and all that I could have here is soup,” the actor said, as he is busy finalizing the script with Gautham Vasudev Menon and beginning his work for the movie tentatively titled Suraangani. -The movie is said to be a racy, action movie on the lines of Kaakha Kaakha, and the Ultimate Star is said to be a don in the movie. Is it just shedding kilos or is he to join the six pack sizzlers, we don’t know!

Ajith likes black. And that it makes him look like the smartest actor in town is no reason for it. We’ve rarely seen him in colour clothes these days. The reason? “To be honest, I wear black because it’s the official colour to wear for any event. I doubt you’d see me in colour clothes because I like to adhere to the rules of a formal gathering,” he says.

If there’s something that can, perhaps, really bring a broad smile on Ajith’s place, it’s got to be the mention of his daughter Anoushka. “She has just begun talking now and speaks a smattering of Tamil,” he says. The proud father that he is, he informs that his daughter has finally begun calling him 'appa’.

When asked why he wasn’t talking to the media, Ajith had one reason to give a scribe. “I hadn’t spoken for four years to the media, and then Billa happened. It was such a blockbuster and I did give interviews then, which will, probably, last for four more years. So, no interviews now, please!”

Great grandfather of musicians and the man who is yet to be honoured with the title of Kalaimamani by the Tamil Nadu government at long last was recognised by our Indian people living in Dubai.

It was an evening of entertainment with a cause when expatriate Malayalis packed an auditorium here to pay tribute to the living legend of south Indian music, V. Dakshinamoorthi, who has carved a niche for himself in the music direction for over 125 films was honoured by 'Hridayasarassile' (In the Heart), organised by Kalabhavan Dubai.Malayalam films' best singers of the Malayalam film industry performing in fully packed to Sheikh Rashid Auditorium here Friday night.

The event was organised as a charity to collect donations for the Cochin Cancer Society (CCS).Playback singers P. Suseela, P. Jayachandran, Vijay Yesudas, Madhu Balakrishnan and Shwetha Mohan performed some of the music director's best numbers.

The evening started with Dakshinamoorthi invoking god's blessings by saying that music is one form of worshipping god.

The 89-year-old doyen then sang the evening's title song "Hridayasarassile", with Vijay Yesudas, son of acclaimed singer K.J. Yesudas.

Dakshinamoorthi's works now span three generations of music lovers as he had composed music for Vijay Yesudas's father as well as grandfather K.J. Augustine.

Well-known Malayalam lyricist Sreekumaran Thampi, who was also present on the occasion, recounted his long association with Dakshinamoorthi.

As the evening progressed, Susheela, who described Dakshinamoorthi as her 'appa' (father), Jayachandran, Vijay, Balakrishnan and Shwetha sang some of the musician's evergreen numbers before an audience listening with rapt attention.

Vijay and Swetha, who had won a Kerala state award last year for their song "Kolakuzhal" in the film "Nivedayam", also sang a couple of duets.

"This is the third such event we have organised this year," Suresh Krishnan of Kalabhavan Dubai told IANS.

"All our events are linked to a cause," he added.

Friday's function saw CCS president V.B. Gangadharan accepting cheques of Rs.200,000 from Dubai-based businessman N.M. Panicker and Rs.25,000 from Wisemen's club.

Thanking the donors, Gangadharan said that the money would be used for the treatment of poor cancer patients.

"This money will go only to treat cancer patients from poor sections of the society," he promised.

CCS, which was established three years ago, is a charitable group which provides financial aid to poor cancer patients in Kerala through donations and medicines. It also provides counselling for patients and family members.

Affiliated to Kalabhavan Kochi, Kalabhavan Dubai is run by the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based business group Countach. With two centres in this west Asian metropolis, Kalabhavan Dubai offers courses in instrumental music, classical dances, vocal music and art.

"We also formed a new Kalabhavan Arts Club last year to create an elite music lovers' club," Krishnan said.

The club, he said, would endeavour to bring high quality programmes, each linked to a worthwhile charity, from India to the UAE.

"We are planning a fourth show later this year comprising Carnatic music and classical dances," he said.

Earlier in the evening, India's Consul General Venu Rajamony lit the traditional lamp to inaugurate the function. He also accorded a traditional felicitation to Dakshinamoorthi.

Countach managing director Unni Bhaskar, welcoming the audience, said that music was one way of treating cancer.

"Everybody of us have cancerous cells in our body. Living a stress-free life is one way of not allowing these to multiply. Music is one such medium," he said

BY N.THYAGARAJAN

Not many who knew about Sandhya who did a role in the Tamil film Kaadhal would soon realise the talents of the actress through yet to be released Tamil film Nootrukku Nooru. It is the remake of the Tamil film with the very same title which was produced three decades ago with Jai Shankar and Sri Vidya. Sandhaya is doing the role of Sri Vidya who passed away two years ago.

Kadhal Sandhya when talking to this Blog said, that she had seen the old Tamil film on several times and was moved by the character of Sri Vidya. The entire shooting of the film was over, she said and she expected a good reception from the public.

The story is based on the English novel One man is waiting to Kill which was a popular story book sold several lakhs of copies in those days.

N.THYAGARAJAN

Aishwarya Rai and Rajnikant are set to return to India from Brazil on September 28, after completing a three week shooting stint for their upcoming film Endhiran, which included filming two song sequences in Machu Picchu (Old Mountain) in Peru. Machu Picchu is 2500 ft above the sea-level. Two songs of the film were shot in Peru, according to information from the producers.

BY N.Thyagarajan

Noted film actor Paul Newman has died of cancer. He was 83. The late actor who won Oscar in 1987 for the film The Color of Money was nominated for Academy Awards on several occasions. His wife Joanne Woodward is also an Oscar winner for the film Three Faces of Eve.
Newman won Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival for The Long, Hot Summer and the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival for Nobody's Fool.
In 1968, Newman was named "Man of the Year" by Harvard University's performance group, the Hasty Pudding Theatricals.
Newman Day has been celebrated at Kenyon College, Bates College, Princeton University, and other American colleges since the 1970s.

BY, KARPAGAM THYAGARAJAN

Sadha has always has a crunch for Madhavan. She is known for her close acting with Madhavan in the film Edhiri and Priyasakhi. Even in Avan Aval Adhu, she has acted glamorously and close with Madhavan. When asked if both are husband and wife, she said yes. She said in the film Avan Aval Adhu they are both acting as husband and wife".

Comedians are usually the perfect foil to the action star’s brusque, macho act — either as sidekick or fallguy. But this time Vadivelu and Vijayakanth have crossed swords after the comedian said that the actor-turned-politician’s supporters attacked his house.

Chennai police registered a first information report against DMDK leader and film star Vijayakanth and 40 others on Sunday following an attack on the house and office of leading Kollywood comedian Vadivelu. The action was based on a complaint from the comedian who had insinuated that Vijayakanth’s supporters were behind the incident since he had a running feud with the actor-politician over the past year. However, when contacted, a DMDK spokesperson described this as an attempt to foist a case against the party’s leader and insisted that party cadres were not involved in the violence.

According to Vadivelu, a group of around 40 persons carrying wooden logs had descended outside his house on Velayutham Street in Saligramam at around 10.40 am and started pelting stones, damaging windowpanes. They also pushed aside the security guard Chintamani. Vadivelu and his family members, who were inside, were not hurt. A little while later, the mob headed towards his office located on the nearby Vedavalli Street and allegedly ransacked the premises.

“This is not a laughing matter. It is little over a year since they (Vijayakanth’s supporters) first clashed with me (Sept 12, 2007) and I am due to appear in court on Monday in connection with that case, and now they are compounding the matter,” Vadivelu told The Times of India. A year ago, separate cases were registered against Vadivelu and Vijayakanth’s manager Sathish Kumar following a quarrel over parking of vehicles outside the former’s house. Though Vijayakanth and Vadivelu had acted together in quite a few films, the latter had stopped accepting offers casting him with the former in recent months.

BY N.THYAGARAJAN
People who read Ramayana will not be confused, because there are very less characters, whereas if they read Mahabharatha, then it will be a difficult thing for anyone to keep the characters in their brain boxes.Perhaps, that is the reason why all these mythics are often being told and are produced as films.

The 9X channels which has been telecasting the Mahabharatha in the name of Kahani Hamara Mahabharath Ki has won the audience, but then this serial was produced in Hindi. And the Raj TV Channel which came to know about it, got the rights of the Hindi serial and dubbed it in Tamil for the Tamil viewers to enjoy and also to learn the duties and righteousness that are advised in the epic.

The serial is to be telecast from today (22.9.2008) at 7 PM in Tamil through the Raj TV Channel.

BY N.THYAGARAJAN

A new serial, Kakki is to be telecast from today (22.9.08) on Vijay TV.

Madhiazhagan, Damayanthi,Arjun, Raghavan, Gnanavel,Anbuchelvan who are all given the role of police officers do the right thing as strict police officials. All these police join together in finding out a criminal who has been dodging them for more than 22 years.

Since, the power of TV Channels has been climbing day by day to equalise themselves with the big-screen shows, this serial is produced with action thrilling experiences of the producer.

The serial is being telecast on all Mondays to Thursdays at 7.30 PM at the Vijay TV Channel.

By N.Thyagarajan

Comedy Colony,one of the comedy serials that is being telecast through Jaya TV Channels from Mondays to Fridays is nearing its 100the episode today. The serial has a large number of viewers since, the comedy is written on the basis of problems that are handled in a comedy way. The actors in the serial range from young boys and girls to big experienced artistes of the film industry too. For example, a husband who always lives in his world being diverted by his wife to the reality of life. But this subject was handled with care but in a comedy way. One should have the capacity of the psychological approach to rectify such character and this Comedy Colony does all with a purpose of comedy.

It looks like Vikraman and Vijaykanth have started work for their forthcoming film Mariyadhai; Vijaykanth is looking for suitable getups and Vikraman is busy finalizing the crew. Mariyadhai’s filming will probably start next month. In this film, Vijaykanth plays dual roles and will pair up with two heroines. While Meera Jasmine has been signed up for the film already, the search for another heroine is on. It will be finalized in the coming week.

In 2001, Vijaykanth and Vikraman joined hands and created a magic called Vaanathai Pola. The film – based on sentiments and emotions pertaining to a family – was an instant hit throughout Tamil Nadu. Now, the expectation of everyone has risen up with Vikraman declaring Mariyadhai will have a similar theme, as he is the best in portraying family drama.

Vijaykanth is on the verge of completing his part in Engal Aasan, which has paired him with Sheryl Pinto again. The fact that he made a name for himself in a period dominated by the twin stalwarts Rajni and Kamal and still manages to give hit films is astonishing and shows his calibre.

BY, KARPAGAM THYAGARAJAN

Leading Tamil actress Sneha has alleged that a local channel has used her photos and name to promote a chat show, which is in no way connected to her.
In her press statement regarding this, the actress told that for reasons best known to a Tamil satellite television channel, her name and photographs have been used for a chat show with which she had absolutely nothing to do at all.

"The motive seems mischievously sinister and ridiculous..." Sneha says.
Trouble arose on Saturday when Raj TV distributed pamphlets about a forthcoming show entitled "Soodana Sneha" to reporters.

An image of the actress sans a caption or other indications of her participation has set tongues wagging that she might be turning to television as well
she said, "The channel has no business to do this to me. It is surely the handiwork of a few unwanted elements who want to tarnish my name simply because I opted out of projects for personal reasons..."

The actress had recently walked out of ace director K.S. Ravi Kumar's forthcoming venture Jaggubhai starring actor-politician Sarath Kumar.

Mrs.Karpagam Thyagarajan

Abhinaya creations Mega Serial Thiruppavai being telecast in Sun Tv channel at 12.30 noon on all Mondays to Fridays is the story of a family subject. Many viewers initially thought that the serial speaks about the Love of Andal with Lord Perumal. But it is entirely different. As per the story line the Vedas do not belonged to one particular community or religion alone. People who have faith in them will reap the benefit.

The story of the Thiruppavai, Screenplay and direction are all done by J.K. Balamurugan. Manibharathi is writing the dialogues, and is produced by Radha Krishnaswamy for Abhinaya creations.

Delhi Ganesh, Anuradha Krishnamoorthy, Sivan Srinivasan, Shobana, Sangeetha, Nithya,Shravani and other leading artistes are acting.

Since Kuselan (Tamil), and Kathanayakudu (Telugu) bombed in the box office, it is heard that talented director-hero Ramesh Aravind has cancelled his plan of remaking the film in Kannada. He has been preparing and working hard to direct the film and act as the poor barber who is the protagonist. Rajinikanth's role of the superstar was supposed to go to golden star Ganesh. But Kuselan failed to sustain the euphoria of a Rajini movie since Rajini's role in the film is much less than what audiences expected. The stalemate regarding who should take the responsibility of Kuselan's failure continues in Tamil Nadu.

Now, Ramesh Aravind is planning to make a comedy film on the lines of his own Rama Shama Bhama for Bangalore-based Sinema House. The screenplay is completed and it is likely to go on the floors in September.

Ramesh has been doing a one hour programme on TV every Sunday for the past one year. He admits that the programme named Preethiyinda Ramesh has completed 40 episodes and has done extremely well, making him more popular in Karnataka

BY, KARPAGAM THYAGARAJAN
Moser Baer announced that it will remake the Bollywood blockbuster Jab We Met, which starred Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor in the lead roles and ruled the box office several months. Earlier, actor Dhanush and Trisha were invited to play the lead roles in the Tamil version. But they both had to refuse this wonderful project owing to their busy schedules. Moser Baer has now chosen Bharath and Tamannaah to play the lead roles.

Tamannaah, who has become finicky in signing films these days, especially after the success of Kalloori, found this a good subject and readily accepted it. At present, she is acting Ananda Thaandavam, Ayan and Padikkathavan.

The fame of Jab We Met attracted Bharath too, who recently decided to concentrate more on the action hero image. At present, Bharath is acting in four films – Seval, Thiruttani, Arumugam, and Killadi. Seval, in its final stages, is slated for a release on Deepavali.

BY, KARPAGAM THYAGARAJAN

Over two decades ago, Sithara faced the camera for the first time when she was in Class IX. She was paired opposite two stars, Mohanlal and Mammootty, who still rule the Malayalam film industry.

During her career spanning more than 10 years, Sithara acted in many memorable Malayalam movies like Padippura (1988), Aryan (1988), Mukti (1988), Mazhavilkkavadi (1989), Jaathakam (1989), Puthiya Karukkal (1989), Naaduvazhikal (1989), Vachanam (1990), Orukkam (1990), Bhagyavan (1993), Chamayam (1993), Journalist (1993) and Guru (1997).

Later, she ventured into Tamil, then Telugu and Kannada films. Surprisingly, Sithara became instantly popular in Tamil with K. Balachander's Puthu Puthu Arthangal (1989). She appeared in more Tamil films like Chinna Durai (1999), Puthu Vasantham, Natpukkaga (1998) and Padayappa (1999), than in Malayalam. Panchapandavar (1999) was her last Malayalam film.

Sithara, who recently made a public appearance on the small screen as the judge of a reality show in Amrita TV which concluded recently, is now planning to make a comeback to the big screen.

Mirugam fame Saami's new flick Sarithiram will feature her in a prominent role opposite Raj Kiran. Shooting begins from the first week of September. Sarithiram, a story about the bravery of a Silambattam artist, will feature Aadi and Sreedevika in lead roles. Kalabhavan Mani, Karunas and Ganja Karuppu are other actors in the cast.

Sithara also seems to have plans to make a comeback to Malayalam films. Anyway, she should be willing to accept that her new innings would involve a lot of mature roles.

Bollywood Superstar Amitabh Bachchan became emotional when he delivered his dialogues of the Deewar film. He came out in tears amidst 20,000 strong audience as he recited in his inimitable baritone dialogues from all time hits like 'Deewar' and 'Agnipath' as part of the star studded 'Unforgettable' Show.

Bachchan became emotional while delivering dialogues from Deewar -- in which he plays an agnostic role who goes to the temple for the first time asking God to save the life of his mother -- and said: "Whenever I do the scene I get emotional about my mother whom I lost last year."

Besides the three-hour long glitz, glamour of Bollywood songs and dance sequences, performed last night, Bachchan read out some of the poems from Agnipath (Path of Fire), penned by his father Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

The show also had star attractions like Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Ritesh Deshmukh, Shilpa Shetty and music directors Vishal and Shekhar, assisted by a cast of 130 stage artists, who kept the crowd spell bound with their scintillating performances.

The show partners with TERI project to light a billion homes across the globe. "We (Unforgettable Show) have decided to light 1 billionhouses (in the world). About 1.6 billion people in the world do not have electricity. The Lighting a Billion lives campaign provides solar lanterns to people living in villages that don't have electricity," Jaya Bachchan, said.

The event promoted by India's Wizcraft International Entertainment, which marks Bachchans comeback to the stage after a gap of almost 20 years, will have its final event at Rotherdam in Netherlands on Aug 29.

They have already performed in Toronto, Trinidad, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New Jersey, Chicago and New York.

Simran, who recently started her second innings in Tamil cinema, is seemingly in an idea of testing hands in a different avatar. For that, she has decided to fulfill a longtime dream of her, that is to direct a film.

If sources are to be believed, Simran has requested ace director Maniratnam to allow her assist him in a movie, so that she could learn the nuances of film-making. It is said that Mani too has responded positively to the plea of Simran.

Reflecting this, the actress said, ‘It is my ambition to direct a film, eversince I started my career in the industry. Hope it will become a reality soon.’

BY, KARPAGAM THYAGARAJAN

Swathi, who made her debut in Deva and acted opposite Vijay and Ajith in many films will marry Srikanth, a Dubai based entrepreneur on 27 August in Tirupathi.

According to circles close to the actress, formal invitations are being sent to the citizens of the tinsel town and a large number of actors and actresses would attend the wedding and the reception.
It is said that the marriage was arranged by the elders in both the families and Swathi would consider acting post wedding, if meaty roles come in her way.