Karthi as Kamal

Saguni: Karthi as Kamal The trailer of Karthi's Saguni, directed by Sankar Dayal (a former associate to Ezhil and S.D. Saba) has already created the much needed buzz in the industry. From the trailer it is clear that Karthi will play the role of Kamal, a street-smart cookie who, through his crooked yet intelligent moves, becomes the Chief Minister of a state. The film is produced by Dream Warriors and music director G.V. Prakash will compose its tunes. P.C. Muthiah will be the cinematographer while Sreekaran Prasad is the editor. Rajeevan will take care of the art department. After Siruthai, Karthi is teaming up with Santhanam again in Saguni and their chemistry is one of the major highlight of the film. Kannada actress Pranitha plays the leading lady. Saguni photo gallery. Saguni on location stills.

Varalaxmi Sarathkumar opposite Naga Chaitanya?

Varalaxmi Sarathkumar opposite Naga Chaitanya? If reports are to be believed, popular Tamil actor Sarathkumar's daughter Varalaxmi , who will make her acting debut with Simbu starrer Podaa Podi, will be part of young Tollywood hero Naga Chaitanya's new film Gouravam to be directed by Radha Mohan. The official announcement is expected to be made during the movie launch to be held shortly in Hyderabad. Notably, this is Varalaxmi’s maiden film in Telugu. Touted to be a family entertainer, this film will be made Telugu and Tamil. Thaman will score the music. More details are awaited.

Atharva awaits Bala’s nod to dub for MUK

Most of the leading heroes tend to curb their ‘starry airs’ and restrain themselves from throwing tantrums on the sets when they are to shoot on the sets under director Bala’s supervision. The no-nonsense character that he is, Bala pens his script first and then chooses the hero. As such, he doesn’t need to go after any particular hero reBala, who has directed big stars like Vikram and Suriya in films like Sethu, Nandha and Pithamagan, had his Avan Ivan releasing last week. The film presented actor Vishal in a hitherto unseen manner and gave the confidence to other producers and directors that Vishal, who had been doing only commercial flicks till that time, has the acting potential in him take on any role and do justice to it
For his next film titled Eriyum Thanal, Bala has roped in the lanky Atharva (son of late actor Murali) to play the lead role. Bala has made Atharva undergo a new hairstyle for his role in the film and has reportedly instructed him that the hairdo shouldn’t be ‘revealed’ neither to his friends and relatives nor to media-persons. For the past month or so, whenever he comes out, Atharva is spotted putting a cap on to cover up the ‘hair’.
Atharva, who debuted as hero with Baana Kathadi which released towards the end of 2010, has completed the shooting of his next film titled Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal (MUK) directed by producer Elred Kumar. Even before Atharva could start the dubbing portion of MUK, the offer from Bala came through and he accepted it gleefully.
When the call from the MUK crew came inviting him to attend the dubbing session, Atharva doesn’t know how to open the topic with Bala and get his formal approval to stay away from the shoot of Eriyum Thanal for a few days to dub for his role in MUK.questing him to star in his film.

Trisha refuses to pair up with Sunil

Trisha Krishnan, one of the top actresses of South India, has refused to act opposite Sunil in the upcoming Telugu film Napoleon. The makers of the film recently approached her for the female lead role but she rejected the offer for the reasons best known to her.
Dil Raju, who is introducing SS Rajamouli's former assistant Koti as a director, met her along with him and offered the female lead role in Napoleon. But the actress, who was not impressed by it, turned down the offer. An industry insider says that it was expected, as she is one of the most sought after actress in South Indian film industries.
The makers of the film have started searching for another face. It is said that Deeksha Seth is also being considered for the leading lady role. Other details about the film are yet to be announced.

varalaxmi sarathkumar's next hero

With her Poda Podi taking forever for completion, Varalakshmi Sarathkumar seems to have realised that it's not prudent to pin her hopes on that movie if she wants to make a career in films. If speculations are to be believed, she has recently completed a photoshoot with Naga Chaitanya for a Telugu movie titled Gauravam.
Gauravam is a bilingual and will be directed by Radha Mohan. The movie will be produced by Chaitanya’s dad Nagarjuna for their home production Annapoorna Studios banner.

Wedding preparations in full swing: Genelia

Wedding preparations in full swing: Genelia While actor couple Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia are ready to tie the knot in a wedding ceremony to be held at Grand Hyatt in Santa Cruz, Mumbai on February 3, the actress said that the marriage preparations are going on in full swing. "I'm in a very happy space right now. Preparations are going on in full swing,' Genelia said. Though Genelia remained tightlipped about the designer who is styling her for her D-day, and other pre-wedding celebrations, she said: 'Wait and watch how it is going to be!' The sangeet ceremony will take place on January 31 at the Lands End Hotel in Bandra. Reportedly, a group of Ritiesh's close friends including Housefull 2 producer Sajid, his wife Wardha, Fardeen and his wife Natasha will be hosting a joint pre-wedding party for the couple on January 24 at Royalty in Bandra.

Dhanush elected as the hottest vegetarian

Dhanush elected as the hottest vegetarian The enormously popular Kolaveri guy Dhanush and sexy siren Mallika Sherawath have been voted as the Hottest Vegetarians in a new poll by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India. Dhanush and Mallika has beaten Vivek Oberoi, Vidya Balan, Sonu Sood, Shahid Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini and Kareena Kapoor to top the polls. Dhanush and his Kolaveri has already become an overnight sensation across the globe."Being a vegetarian always made me feel healthy. I've always felt light. Every time I sit down to eat, I'm helping the environment. I'm proud to be a vegetarian. Go PETA, go green," Dhanush was quoted saying.Click here for latest updates!

Amala Paul interview about Vettai and Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal

South Indian Actress Amala Paul who is going to be seen soon in the action movies Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal and Vettai speaks about the movies.

In Vettai which is a multistarrer she stars along with Madhavan, Arya and Sameera Reddy. Vettai would be released by Pongal and would feature the relationship between brothers played by Arya and Madhavan who are part of a tradiational cop family.

In Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal, Amala Paul stars opposite Adharvaa playing the character of Charulatha. Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal has been directed by Elred Kumar and is currently in post production.

Kutty Radhika is back

Kutty Radhika who had mesmerised the Tamil audience with her super performance in the kollywood flick Iyarkkai had faded away from the big screen. Kutty Radhika had revealed later that she had married Kumaraswamy the ex-Chief Minister of Karnataka and the couple have a child Shamika. The actress seems to be keen to win the hearts of the Tamil Audience again and has revealed that she would be donning makeup again to face the camera again to make her comeback to the big screen.

The actress who when producing a film in Kannada which had Divya Spandana in the lead had felt that more than movie production, acting was her passion and is all set to face the camera and be in the limelight again.

Poraali going to Bollywood

Poraali which had Sasi Kumar, Swathi, and Allari Naresh playing the pivotal roles is heading to Bollywood. Priyadharshan who had seen the movie last week had been very much impressed by it and had expressed willingness to remake the movie in Hindi. The plot of Poraali focuses on a youth who has a dark past due to several deeds he had been involved in. The youth comes to the city and changes his name and befriends many and becomes a successful business man till his past catches up with him.

Poraali has been directed by Samuthirakani and is still running in several theatres though it had been released a while ago. Priyadarshan is finalising the cast and crew for the movie.

G.V Prakash takes Bollywood by Storm

Amitabh Bachchan is going to be seen soon in a movie titled as Common Man, which has drawn inspiration heavily from R.K. Laxman’s cartoons. The Music for the movie Common Man would be composed by the young hot musical talent GV Prakash. G.V Prakash who is a relative to the great A.R Rahman has been consistently delivering hit after hit and it is not a surprise that Big B’s movie would be having music by him. This is not the only Bollywood flick which would have music by G. V Prakash. The young music director would be composing music for Shirish Kunder’s Joker and Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wassepur also. After Kollywood and Bollywood, what next Maestro?

Vikram and Anushka start shooting Thandavam in Delhi

Thandavam starring Chiyaan Vikram and Anushka Shetty has started rolling in its specially constructed sets in Dehli. Thandavam is being directed by AL Vijay and has Nasser and Jagapathi Babu playing important roles in the movie.

The shooting Schedule in Dehli is expeted to go on till the 27 of this month and after shooting at Delhi the cast and crew of Thandavam would leave for the United States for the second schedule of shooting.

Thandavam, is supposed to be an action-thriller with lots of explosive action in true Vikram style especially as he had pumped up his muscles as was seen in his last release Rajapattai. Anushka Shetty is also looking lean and cute in the sets of the movie. UTV Motion Pictures is producing Thandavam and GV Prakash is composing music for the movie.

suryas next movie 'MAATRANN'

Surya has completed the shooting of his AR Murgadoss directed 7aam Arivu. Surya will soon start the work on his next movie Maatraan directed by K.V Ananad. The duo has earlier given one of Kollywood’s Biggest Box office hits in it history through Ayan.
Maatraan is being produced by Kalpathi S. Aghoram and Harris Jayaraj is scoring music for the fim. Maatraan Shooting is expected to start by 1st week of June. Also KV Anand is searching for the lead lady in the movie and hasn’t finalized any one yet. As per sources Tamanna, Tapasee, Kajal Agarwal and Deepika Padukone are in the race to pair with Surya. But it seems like Kajal Agarwal will pair up with Surya in Maatraan even though it is not officially confirmed yet.
An official announcement about the movie cast and crew is expected soon.

Divya Spandana in Vada Chennai?

While she may have debuted opposite Simbu in Kuthu, Divya Spandana got a new lease of life in K-Town with Vetrimaran's Polladhavan.

The actress, who has been away from the Tamil screens after the dismal Singam Puli, might make her return to Kollywood in Vetrimaran's Vada Chennai.

Coincidentally, this film stars Simbu, Divya's first Tamil hero, apart from Tollywood hunk Rana Daggubati and Andrea Jeremiah. When contacted, Divya said, "I've had discussions with Vetri sir. He's the most well-read director I've come across and writes good roles for his artists. We are good friends and have worked on Polladhavan together. I hope things work out just fine so that I'll be part of Vada Chennai." The actress' Tamil flick Kadhal 2 Kalyanam is yet to hit screens.

Meanwhile, director Vetrimaran said, "We are in talks with Divya, but nothing has been finalized as of yet." Vada Chennai is said to show the less-glamorous side of the city and is said to be Vetrimaran's pet project. He had a workshop with some of the cast and crew earlier this week and the film is expected to kickstart shortly.

Shriya Saran's on a roll

Actress Shriya seems to be going all out to promote her forthcoming Bollywood release, Gali Gali Chor Hai, directed by Rumi Jaffrey.

"I'm currently in Indore with the cast to promote the film, which will hit screens in the first week of February. We have a tight schedule and are planning to cover as many states as possible," she informs.

The film, starring Akshaye Khanna, Mugdha Godse, Satish Kaushik along with Shriya in lead, is a social satire. "It's about a young man who tries his best to fight corruption. It's a warm story that will want us to change the way the society functions," she says.

Meanwhile, the Sivaji girl has Hero in Mollywood and Deepa Metha's Winds Of Change. Apart from a cameo in Saguni, looks like Shriya hasn't signed any plum projects in Kollywood though!

BILLA 2

Billa 2 will be a prequel to Billa, and will narrate the story of David Billa's earlier life. Billa 2 will be produced by Suresh Balaje, son of the legendary producer and actor K Balaje who produced the original Billa with Rajinikanth. Ajith-starrer will start rolling in the end of June as soon as the star completes his Venkat Prabhu-directed Mankatha.

Earlier it said Vishnuvardhan director of Billa(2007) will direct this prequel but later Vishnuvardhan was forced to opt out of Billa 2 as the shoot was clashing with his Pawan Kalyan Telugu film The Shadow. Producers have roped in Chakri Toleti of Unnaipol Oruvan fame as the director.. Parvathi Omanakuttan will play the love interest of David Billa in this film. Billa 2's technical team includes cinematographer RD Rakasekhar, editor Sreekar Prasad and music director Yuvan Shankar Raja. For the first time in India, RD Rajasekhar & Chakri Toleti are filming it with an RED EPIC Camera, being shot at 5K resolution.
Release Date: 14 Apr 2012
Genre: Action
Language: Tamil

K-Town keeps Resul Pookutty busy

Even as he's busy working on the Telugu version of Nanban, Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty has committed himself to Aishwaryaa Dhanush's 3.

Resul's says, "I'm doing a few Tamil projects right now. Kollywood is definitely keeping me busy right now. I will also be part of Shankar's next film." When questioned about his being part of team Kochadiyaan, Resul says, "The film is yet to go on floors. Talks are in the initial stages. But, chances of me being part of the team cannot be ruled." Resul is upset about the bad quality of sound projection in the city screens. "What translates to the screens is only 40 per cent of the effort that an audio engineer puts in," says he.

Award for Thoonga Nagaram director

Director Gaurav, who debuted in Kollywood in 2011 with Thoonga Nagaram, has been awarded the best debutant director award by EMITAA, the Emirates Tamilians Association.

EMITAA is a non-profit social welfare organization in the UAE that aims to promote Tamil and the culture in the cyber world.

Set in the temple town of Madurai, Thoonga Nagaram is about a group of four callous friends (played by Vimal, Barani, Nishanth and Gaurav), whose lives undergo a drastic transformation after an incident. The film stars Anjali as the female lead.

The film, produced by Dhayanidhi Alagiri's Cloud Nine Movies, was released on February 4, 2011 and was a critical and commercial hit. Top comedian Vadivelu, who hails from Madurai, served as the narrator of the film.

Report card of success

Kollywood directors may be hot property in Mumbai but how have they fared up north?

It all started with Ghajini and A R Murugadoss in 2005. The Tamil film was a hit and very soon, the reticent director was headed to Mumbai to remake the movie with Aamir Khan. The end result - a Hindi blockbuster! Though his next, 7aum Arivu, was a damp squib, Bollywood is still eager to see how his Shah Rukh Khan movie, a reported remake of Ramana, will turn out. But he's not the only south director who's the toast of Bollywood today.

While numerous Kollywood directors are making steady inroads into Mumbai and are sought-after, they often come with an A+ report card in B-Town and an A- in K-Town.

Gautham Menon, for instance, made his entry into B-Town with the Hindi remake of his hit movie Minnale years back but Rehna Hain Tere Dil Mein fizzled at the box office. Now his attempt at remaking his hit Vinnaithandi Varuvaaya as Ekk Deewana Tha has raised the question has the movie got him a new lease in B-Town? Desperate as always for talent, Hindi film corporations are already talking of him remaking Vettaiyadu Vilayadu with a Bollywood superstar. Prabhu Deva is also another wanted man in Mumbai. His film Wanted with Salman Khan was one of the biggest blockbusters in Hindi cinema.

However, his two consecutive Tamil releases, Engeyum Kadhal and Vedi in 2011, left Kollywood cold. But Prabhu continues to be seen as a safe bet in Hindi. Great hopes are pinned on Rowdy Rathore that should come out in June 2012. Let's hope India's choreographerturned-filmmaker really gives Bollywood something to celebrate about. Another director who's trying to make it in Bollywood is Susi Ganesh.

Though he had a dismal Kandhaswamy with Vikram, he's currently remaking his hit film Thiruttu Payale in Hindi with Neil Nitin Mukesh. Lingusamy's Vettai has been declared a hit and he's now keen on remaking Paiyaa in Hindi possibly with Deepika and Ranbir. And one has to mention Siddique's Bodyguard which in Hindi broke BO records.

However, down South it was at best an average. But, of course, as we said earlier in Bollywood, you are as good as your last hit. So Siddique it is for some other Hindi superstar. Let's watch this space to see where he takes us next.

Kamal Haasan's verdict on Nanban

Ilayathalapathy Vijay organized a special show of Nanban for Kamal Haasan in a preview theatre in the city. And it is said that Kamal seemed to have enjoyed every bit of the movie that he saw and lauded the team's effort in making such a good entertainer. A source tells us that Kamal even congratulated the team for retaining the essence of a film like 3 Idiots and yet managing to bring in the local connect with the Kollywood audience. With such compliments from the Ulaganayagan, the team must definitely be delighted!