Tamil Movie News--Pudhu Edition 2
Sandya Sitaraman
***Ellorukkum Vanakkam***
***Tamil Movie News***
***Profiles***
***Meet Pazhani Bhaarathi.. The song lyricist of films like "Poove
Unakkaaga" and "Ullaththai Allithaa".. is actually an employee of the
textbook society!.. Director Vikraman was introduced to a few of Pazhani
Bhaarathi's poems through a mutual friend and gave Bhaarathi his first
chance in films.. Ippodhu, Pazhani Bhaarathi has become Director Sundhar
C.'s favorite lyricist!.. With "Poove Unakkaaga" and "Ullaththai Allithaa"
making a considerable mark in the tamil film world, Pazhani Bhaarathi is
all ready to settle down in life!.. Sondhakkaara penn oruvarai viraivil
kalyaanam seidhu kolla pogiraar!..
***Sarika vaazhvil pudhiya thiruppam.. With rumours flying that Sarika is
prepared to direct a film under the Raajkamal International banner, much
is expected from Raajkamal, Kamalahaasan and Sarika herself!.. Ippadi
irukka, Sarika was recently interviewed by Anandha Vikatan!..
Interestingly, Sarika clarified that she might consider coming back to
acting!.. but truthfully, she is more interested and involved in being a
sound director cum costume designer for Kamal!.. Sarika ippodhaikku avar
direct seiya pogum padaththai paththi "mooch"-u kooda vida matten
yengiraar!.. Avalavu secret-o?.. Sarika has worked as a sound director for
"Devar Magan," and "Mahaanadhi" and as an assistant director in
"Kurudhippunal".. is now set to direct a story written by Kamalhaasan
himself, titled "Amara Kaaviyam"..
***"May Maadham," "Pudhiya Mugam," "Gentleman" paarthavargal, nichchayam
Vineeth-ai adaiyaalam therindhu kollveergal!.. Though Vineeth is not a
household name by any means, he has been signed to act in two of
K.T.Kunjumon's productions!.. "Kaadhal Desam" with newcomer Abbas and
Northie actress Tabu!.. and "Sakthi" with Raadhika, Sivakumar and
Yuvaraani!.. Ippodhu role-gal kidai-padhe aboorvam, says Vineeth..
Wanting to do a good job, he has not committed himself to any other films
besides these two!.. Vineeth is originally from Kerala and a B.Com degree
holder from New College, Madras.. Vineeth is also proficient in
Bharathanaatyam!. Not surprising since his periamma is "Naattiya Perolli"
Padminiamma..
***If clarity, beauty, and great camera angles are what you are looking
for, cinematographer Jeeva is the most sought after cameraman in
Kodambaakkam today!.. Following the footsteps of P.C.Sriram has brought
Jeeva to this great standing today.. as well as given him the unique
opportunity to take portions of "Indhiyan" in black and white!.. As Jeeva
relates, "'Mouna Raagam' padam paarththen. P.C.Sriram Sir kitte
assistant-a serndhe theeranum-gara mudivodu theatre-ai vittu veliye
vandhen!".. Another interesting twist to Jeeva's participation in "Aasai"
as cameraman, lies in the fact that Director Vasanth's wife Renuka is
Jeeva's sister!.. When Jeeva served as PCS's assistant, he fell in love
with Anise, who also worked under PCS!.. Since she was Muslim, veettil
bayangara jagadaa!.. Finally, kalyaanam aayi, Jeeva and Anise have become
parents of a baby girl!.. Camera-vin "Jeeva"n ivar dhaana?..
***Innum oru Sundhar C. fan-ai meet pannungal.. The dialogue writer of
"Ullaththai Allithaa".. Selva Bhaarathi!.. Born in a poor family of
farmers, Bhaarathi was inspired by the film "Dhaavani Kanavugal" and
believed he could get his four sisters married if he could make his entry
into films!.. He started writing poetry and soon Kumudham magazine
printed his kavidhaigal!.. After serving as Manivannan's assistant for
seven years, Selva Bhaarathi oru vazhiyaaga sondha padam yedukka muyarchi
seiya pogiraar!.. He has been able to get three of his sisters married and
insists that he would only write dialogues for Sundhar C. movies!..
Aanaalum, chumma solla koodaadhu, Sundhar C.-kku naattu patru jaasthi!..
Mudhalil Pazhani "Bhaarathi".. ippo Selva "Bhaarathi"..
***Tamil Movie News***
***Super Star "Ullaththai Alla" pogiraar!.. Rajinikaanth recently went on
a trip to Nepal where he stayed as a house guest in Manisha Koiraala's
mansion!.. Rajini was thrilled by Manisha's hospitality and returned to
Madras rather gleefully, only to run into further good news!..
Anandha-thukku kaaranam?.. Sundhar C.!.. Once in Madras, Rajini
"Ullaththai Allithaa"-vai paarththu vittu.. "aahaa, ohhoo" yendru
pugazhndhu vittu.. immediately sent news to Sundhar, wanting him to
prepare a script for his next film "Mesthiri".. Ippo ellam settle aagi
vittadhu!.. Sundhar C.-ku adithadhu paar yogam!.. Ellarum Kusbhoo vandha
neram yengiraargale?!.. Unmai-yaa Sundhar Sir?..
In the meantime, Manisha Koiraala gave an interview where she stated that
she "yengu"fies to act in a film with Rajini!.. it appears that Manisha
does stand a good chance as Rajini's pair!.. Paarkalaam!..
Maaran kalai koodam.. manjaththil uruvaagum "Mesthiri".. Kaadhal Saastri!
avvapodhu Manisha munu munuththu kondirundhaal nalladhu!..
***"Vettiya Madichchu Kattu" is the next proposed project for
K. Bhaagyaraaj!.. But don't ask him the status of "Gnaanapazham"!.. The
soundtrack has been released, all information on the release date is at
the "mum" stage!.. But, as usual, Bhaagyaraaj padam naale controversy
dhaane!.. "VMK" has had significant heroine problems!.. Initially, Sukanya
was signed for the role!.. Avar-ukku eppavo tata kaata pattadhu!.. No word
on when!.. Then came Oorvasi, who accepted the role rather hesitantly,
considering it was a kavarchi role and she already had call sheet
troubles!.. Oorvasi dropped herself from the film with approval from
Bhaagyaraaj since the role didn't fit her image!.. Ippo ellam kandhal
nilai-yil nikka, Nagma has finally entered the picture!..
(Indha padam-aavadhu shooting arambiththu, mudindhu, veli varum yendru
nambuvom!)..
***After the smashing success of "Makkal Aatchi" last Deepavali,
R.K.Selvamani Mamooty-odu thirumbavum pudhu aatchi nadaththa pogiraar!..
His new film "Arasiyal" with Mamooty and Prasanth is on the subject of
"Adhiradi Arasiyal".. RKS is continuing his search for a Northie actress
to play the lead heroine in the film!.. RKS's other project is with
Saratkumar!.. The film still remains untitled.. but Heroine?.. ippadi
ellam ketkalaama!!... Roja-aave dhaan!..
***"Theatre-e.. Theatre-e.. un panna-thukkum unakkum TA..TA. TA..TA.."
yendru solli vittu.. theatre-a vitte parandha "Love Birds"-in producer
Pyramid Nataraajan has probably heard enough about how his film went belly
up!.. He has decided to take up some adiradi measures!.. The next film he
produces will star Karthik and Prabhu.. first time together since
"Agni Natchatram".. to be directed by none other than K.S.Ravikumar!..
This film is scheduled to begin as soon as Kamal's "Avvai Shanmugi" and
Vijaykanth's "Dharma Chakram" have been completedly by KSR!.. Nataraajan
has also signed K.R. ("Irattai Roja," "Vanaja Girija") to direct a film
for Pyramid International!..
***Pavithran-ukku "Selva"m eppo varum?.. Director Pavithran has been going
bondi ever since "Thiru Moorthy," and "Kallurivaasal" faired poorly at the
box office!.. After finishing up his jagadaa with K.T.Kunjumon, Pavithran
has now taken over the production company "A.R.S. International" which had
produced films like "Gentleman," "Sindhunadhi Poo" etc... KTK nice-saaga
"Gentleman International"-ai vaithu kondaar!.. Orang-kattufy-ing his
direction for a while, Pavithran is producing "Selva" with Vijay and
Manthra (new face heroine in "Priyam" with Arunkumar).. under the A.R.S
Int. banner!.. Deva composes music!.. Direction by Venkatesan
("Mahaprabhu")..
***"Anandham"-il pudhiya kuzhapangal.. For better or for worse, Revathi
has decided to take up Maniratnam's offer to star in a guest role in
"Anandham".. "Maniyaana" role-aaga dhaan irukkum yendru Revathi's deep
belief!.. Indha nalla news-odu comes some kuzhappam as well.. First it was
Arvind Swamy, then Nana Patekar, then Mamooty, then again Arvind Swamy..
Mani-yin kadumai-yaana edhirpaarpu-kku yaarum adanga villai polla
irukkiradhu!.. All this confusion is over the person who should play the
"Kalaignyar" role along side Mohanlaal in "Anandham".. Ippadiyum Appadiyum
suththi, finally Sathyaraj has been offerred the role yendru kelvi!..
Another interesting twist: Whatever happenned to Prakashraaj?.. He
had removed his meesai and shaved his head for a role in "Anandham"..
Adhu yenna aachu?.. Avar padaththula innum irukkaara?..
On a side note, Maniratnam has moved his home to Anna Nagar recently from
the home which was once bombed!.. The old home is soon to become one of
his offices--"Madras Talkies?"..
***Villain hero aaga "AASAI"... Today, Mansoor Ali Khaan is really trying
hard to become a hero.. with "Aavadhum Pennaaley, Azhivadhum Pennaaley"
and his own film "Vaazhga Sana Naayagam".. both going bondi, he is trying
to regain his status with "Maayaavi"..
Livingston, who became very popular after "Makkal Aatchi," avar-ukkum hero
aaga aasai!.. After writing the script for "Sundhara Purushan"..he presented
the script and demanded hero status!.. After being dumped by several
producers, R.B.Choudhri of "Super Good Films" gave him his first hero
chance in "Sundhara Purushan" with Rambha, to be out soon!..
Napolean, our hero constantly alainj-ing with an aruvaall, has yet to make
it big, after "Seevalaperi Paandi".. He currently stars in Velu
Prabhakaran's "Sivan" in a guest role with Swathi, Raadhika and others,
"Bhagath Singh" with Sangavi, "Puli Pirandha Mann" with a heroine search
still on!.. and still presumably in "Thamizh Selvan" with Vijaykanth and
Roja..
Then there's Anandharaaj.. who is currently working on "Kadhiravan" with
Saranya and Rohini in a songless movie, wanting to make it big sometime
soon!.. From here on out.. ellam kadavul vitta vazhi!..
Finally, you have Prakashraaj, who amazed audiences in "Aasai".. Ivarukku
adiththa adhirstam polla verai yevarukkum adikkaadhu.. He has been signed
to play the hero in K.Balachandar's "Kalki" and "Thotta Shinungi" director
K.S.Adhiyamaan's second venture "Swarnamukhi".. Meena plays his pair in
the film, it is uncertain if she plays the title role "Swarnamukhi"..
Incidentally, Prakaashraaj never mentioned wanting to be a hero in any of
his interviews recently.. Hmmm.. koorai-yai pichchindu kottudhu doi!..
***"Kumar"-ukkul Shandai-yaa?.. R.B.Choudhri who produced the very
successful "Naataamai" in 1994, romba ishta pattu, wanted the "Naataamai"
team to do another film for him.. titled "Paamaran" starring Saratkumar,
Meena, story and dialogues by Erode Soundhar and Direction by
K.S.Ravikumar!.. Everything was set to go, when dhideer-nu director maatra
pattaar!.. K.S.R. supposedly dropped the assignment and went somewhere
else!.. News is, Sarat and Ravikumar were not on friendly terms!.. As a
result, Vikraman has taken over directing "Paamaaran".. We'll see if Erode
Soundhar stays around!.. Saratkumar also stars in "Simmaraasi" to be
produced by K.B.Films ("Thozhar Paandian")..
***"Varusha-thukku oru padam" policy maintain pannum Balu Mahendra has
decided to change that policy just a little!.. Just this year, he has
signed to direct five films!.. One of which is titled "Abdhul Raaman"
starring Vignesh!.. It sounds and appears to be a Maniratnam's "Bombay"
type film!.. A true Ilaiyaraaja fan yendru thannai koopittu kollum Balu
Mahendra.. deserves an applause as all the five films he signed have
Ilaiyaraaja composing music.. Whatever happened to "Aur Ek Prem Kahani"
with Revathi, Ramesh Arvind and Heera?... BM-ai dhaan ketka vendum!..
***Everyone knows about Rajkiran's "Ellame En 'Raaja' Dhaan" tendencies..
Appadi irukka, many of the producers who sign Rajkiran, avar-ai veruppu
yetruvadhar-kaagave, sign all other music directors other than
Ilaiyaraaja!.. First it was well advertised that Rajkiran was to star in
K. Prasad's "Puli Pirandha Mann" with Soundharya.. Music by Deva.. No one
knows what occurred.. but now Napolean stars in the film with a new face
heroine!.. Then comes "Kattumarakkan" producer A.G.Subramaniam, who is
currently producing the Rajkiran film "Ponn vilaiyira Bhoomi" with Meena..
Music: Deva again!.. AGS and Ilaiyaraaja have had a long standing jagadaa
over audio royalty money, even before "Kattumarakkaran" hit theatres!..
(Paavam Rajkiran.. than "Raaja" music podaamal, conscience uruththaadho?)
***Perai maattri, mozhi-yai maattri varum padangal.. First on the list is
"Musthafa".. it is being dubbed in Telegu and renamed "The Great Mohammad
Musthafa".. "Musthafa" is also being remade in Hindi with Nana Patekar and
Raveena Tandon!.. Next is "Poove Unakkaaga".. being remade in Kannada by
R.B.Choudhri himself, who had produced the tamil version!.. the film stars
Rasika (Venkat Prabhu's pair.. new face in "Poonjolai").. Another film to
be remade in Hindi is K.R.'s "Iratai Roja".. yet to be renamed.. starring
Anil Kapoor, Sridevi in Oorvasi's role, and Urmila Matondkar in Kusbhoo's
role!.. Thamizh padam mel evalavu mogam.. paartheergala?..
***"Muttrupulli" vaikka pogiraara?.. Kamalahaasan is rumoured to be
writing a story and screenplay for a film "Muttrupulli," which he plans on
directing himself!.. In a interview, Kamalhassan offered him comments on
why he did not sing in "Indhiyan".. Kamal termed it an "azhai-kaadha
virundhaali" scenario!.. Nobody asked him to sing, he didn't do so!..
Another unique response from Kamal came when he was asked why Ilaiyaraaja
wasn't the music director for 4 films in a row!.. "I am still a big fan of
Raaja.. Producers are doing business today!.. I don't want to meddle in
those matters!.. Naan Ilaiyaraaja-vin rasigan.. Adhai maaththikka
mudiyaadhu!".. Raajkamal International is expected to produce 4-5 films
in the very near future!.. Ella vatrillum Raaja-vin music-ai ketkaalaam
yendru arththam-aa?..
***"Unakku 'THADAA' ippodhaikku illai".. At least, all those doubters of
Director Shankar's talents are keeping mum today!.. "Indhiyan" is running
to full houses around the world.. and yet another feather in Shankar's
cap!.. Add to this, Ashok Amitharaaj producing Shankar's next film,
beginning shooting around Sept/Oct of this year and expected release date:
Pongal 1998!.. There is also word that Arjun has been asking Shankar to
direct a film for him as well!.. But as always, Shankar will check with
A.R.Rahman's schedule before he commits himself to any projects!.. Both
Shankar's and ARR's schedule should match in order for them to accept a
film!.. Idhay maadhiri policy vaithu kondu, niraiya padangalai "VENDAAM"
yendru solli irukkiraar Shankar!.. Than balame ARR dhaan yendru
ninaikkiraaro, yennavo?!..
***Ajeeth-a?.. Arvind-a?.. This remains a big question for Maniratnam's
next production, which will be directed by Vasanth!.. The film was
originally titled "Manasukkul Varalaama?".. and Ajeethkumar and Swathi
were supposed to star!.. But suddenly, Arvind Swamy's name is surfacing in
magazines!.. and Ajeeth is still claiming in his interviews that he is the
hero!.. Padath-thil iruvarum irukkiraargalaa yenna?.. A.R.Rahman composes
music for this new Mani-Vasanth flick!...
***Bharathiraaja-vin VERI?... As "Andhi Mandhaarai" stands above all the
other tamil films today for its portrayal of the struggles of a freedom
fighter in a corruption filled world.. Bharathiraaja-vin manadhil
bayangara sandhosam!.. Bharathiraaja states "Virudhu pera vendum yendru
VERI-yodu yedukka patta padam "Andhi Mandhaarai".. Aanal.. "AM"
virudhukkaana padam mattum alla.. makkal-ukku samooga pragnaiyai thatti
yezhuppum kollkai padam-aagavum villanga vendum!".. Bharathiraaja's wife,
Chandraleela will receive the National Award on behalf of "Andhi
Mandhaarai" and Director Bhaarathiraaja!..
(Adi Aathi.. nenju pattam katti parakkudho!)..
TO BE CONTINUED...
My Sources: Cinema Express, Pesum Padam, Anandha Vikatan, Kumudham..
Sandya..
******
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