Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Music Launch of ‘Baana’

The music of ‘Baana’ directed by Badri Venkatesh starring Adharva and Samandha, will be launched on 30th May, morning at 9:30, at Shantham, Satyam Cinemas.

Produced by the famous Sathyajothi Films, the guest list for the movie includes Rama Narayanan, Abirami Ramanathan, V C Guhanathan, Sarath Kumar, Radha Ravi, Kalipuli G.Sekharan, Hansraj Saxena, Director Vikraman, Sivasakthi Pandian

Reminding our readers, hero Atharva is the son of hero Murali and Samantha is a new comer who’s done Trisha’s role ‘Jessie’ in Vinnaithandi Varuvaya’s Telugu version.

Seeman thanks Amitabh

Filmmaker and president of Naam Thamizhar organisation Seeman today thanked Amitabh Bachchan for saying he never wanted to hurt the sentiments of Tamils.

After a Tamil group picketed his house protesting his taking part in Indian International Film Awards (IIFA) in Sri Lanka, Amitabh Bachchan wrote on his blog that he had no intention to hurt the feelings of anyone.

He also wrote that he beckoned personnel from Wiz who own and conduct IIFA to come and meet him to discuss the issue and give it due importance.

Reacting to this, Seeman said in a statement today: "I thank Amitabh for coming forward to share our sentiments. Other actors too should follow the suit. I request the actor to fight with us for the cause of Tamils."

Raavanan – Mani Speak

TEN HEADS
TEN MINDS
A HUNDRED VOICES
ONE MAN

Did such a man ever exist?

Was' he Just a myth... or does he live even today...?

What is the line that divides Good from Evil..?

Does our understanding change when we look from the opponent's perspective...?

The bond between the hunter and the Hunted between the Captor and the Captive seems to be a bond of do or die... The tension between opposites often seems so electric, that it isolates them from the rest of the world, leaving just the two - All alone...

Are Ten Heads better then one...?

Is there a Ram inside Raavanan?

And a Raavanan inside each of us?

RAAVANAN is not a story. It is a world.

The magnum opus of Mani Ratnam will hit the screens in June.

'Sivappu Mazhai' banned in Sri Lanka

‘Sivappu Mazhai’ the Tamil movie that found a mention in the Guinness Book of Records, for everything from penning the script to the final product done in 12 days, in banned in Sri Lanka.

‘Sivappu Mazhai’ is an appealing film that touches the pains and sufferings of the hapless Eezham Tamils at the hands of Srilankan army and the government. It revolves around a young man Suresh Joachim, a Lankan youth affected by the army kidnaps Meera Jasmine, a Minister's daughter and a television journalist meet his demands.

Debutant director V Krishnamurthy has handled this sensitive plot very skillfully.

From Chennai to China via Singapore, Switzerland

Hunting foreign locations to shoot a film has been always a tough job of the directors all along. Once just crossing the border was great fun for film makers. In the 50s and 60s going to Bombay or Kashmir itself was a great achievement which could generate good publicity for the film.

The breezy entertainer ‘Then Nilavu’ was much talked for its Kashmir locations. For ‘Sabash Mapillai’ even MGR was happy to shoot in Bombay city. Until the 70s going to Kashmir or Shimla was the greatest achievement.



But when ‘Ulagam Sutrum Valiban’ came in 1973 there was a paradigm shift. Nobody until then had thought one could bring beautiful foreign countries so well in our cinema. The way the film captured the beauty of the south Asian nations and the very difficult to shoot expo in Japan is still a bench mark for shooting in foreign locales. Ironically ‘Sivantha Mann’ released in 1969 was the first major film to go exotic. It was sot in Europe but somehow the film did not create an impact as the MGR film which came four years later did. After this Singapore and Malaysia became the hot destinations of our film makers. But most of them went ‘foreign’ only for the songs sequences.

After ‘Ulagam Sutrum Valiban’ the film that captured the imagination of the viewers was ‘Priya’ in 1978. After ‘Priya’ not many Kollywood films made its foreign locations as their USPs except a few like ‘Ninaithale Inikkum’. ‘Ninaithale Inikkum’ did become a genuine film shot over seas as the entire story was happening in Singapore and so the visuals were catchy. Even some ‘bhakthi’ films like ‘Varuvan Vadivelan’ and ‘Thai Mookambikai’ rode on the foreign locations for publicity. That was a time we Indians looked at even the skyscrapers in awe.



Then after a long time director created a sort of record in going to foreign locales. Shankar’s ‘Jeans’ made a mark in 1992. Shankar’s ‘Jeans’ is a record for shooting in maximum number of foreign locations for a single film. Having the influential Hollywood producer Ashok Amritraj at the back Shankar brought the best of America in ‘Jeans’. From Las Vegas to California and the Grand Canyon in Arizona, ‘Jeans’ is one of the best films pleasing the eyes. ‘Jeans’ was also shot in locations like the Valley of Fire, Manhattan Beach, Malibu Lake, Venice Beach, New Jersey and New York World Trade Center.

The highlight of the film was picturising the wonders of the world in the song ‘Poovukkul Olinthirukkum’ which dubbed Aishwarya Rai as the eighth wonder of the world. The song featured Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Empire State Building, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, the Egyptian Pyramids, and the Eiffel Tower.

Later when film makers were trying to be different they found foreign locales may camouflage a weak script and started looking to go to a foreign location at the drop of a hat. So even if the lead characters are poor and live in a barren village fighting to survive in life they go to Switzerland to sing and dance in their dreams. European countries particularly Switzerland had enough in Tamil.



In his ‘Anniyan’ Shankar shot the song "Kumari" in the Tulip gardens in Amsterdam. In ‘Kannum Kannum Nokiya' song Shankar used Petronas Tower, Kuala Lumpur. In ‘Boys’ he used the Lavender Gardens in New Zealand for the “Ale Ale” song. By this time almost all the film makers went out of India to shoot their songs. The best one to capture the modern Malaysia is Ajith’s ‘Billa’. Malaysia never looked more beautiful than in ‘Billa’.

Now film makers are tired of Europe and South Asia. They rake their brains to find locations un-explored. They even have specialists to guide them. Susi Ganesan found Mexico to suit ‘Kanthaswamy’. The song “Mambo Mamiya” was shot in a famous bull ring in Mexico. Gautham Menon went to Malta Islands for ‘Vinnaithandi Varuvaya’. The pristine beauty of Malta is fresh. K V Anand is the new maverick director who flies more often. He shot ‘Ayan’ predominantly in both South Asia and Africa. “Nenje Nenje” song was shot in the Namib Desert in Namibia.



Of late in their search for never seen before locations China is fancied more these days. K V Anand has completed a schedule in China for his upcoming film ‘Ko’ starring Jeeva and Karthika. He is planning to go again. Action King Arjun starrer ‘Vallakottai’ is also going to the Red Land. Its director A. Venkatesh is planning a lot to do in China. ‘Vallakottai’ team wants to film a song at the colourful rally conducted during an expo every year in Beijing. Also there will be many action scenes filmed in China considering the action king plating the hero.

And the latest addition to China fans list is director A R Murugadoss. He along with Suriya-Shruthi Haasan and team will take off to China to shoot for his next film.

There are 194 recognised countries in the world today. There may be many more waiting for recognition. Our film makers will continue to strive to be the first to shoot in a never-before -gone country. And we the viewers are more than happy to watch the visuals which otherwise be missed in this life time. All said and done the beauty of a foreign locale lies in the adept handling of the script by its creative director. So always remember to take a story along with when going abroad for a film. Story is mightier than a sky scraper and lighter than your baggage.

Helen Mirren: 'Awards Are Wonderful ... But They Are Not the Main Course'

Dearest Liz,

After much rushing, finishing my husband’s film, promoting my book in New York, and then enduring six-hour costume fittings here in Germany, and shooting the first week of a fabulously emotional role as Tolstoy’s wife, I finally have a moment with my computer to answer your questions, so here goes …

LIZ: Did you have more fun at the Academy Awards this year or last year when you won for "The Queen"?

HELEN: Last year at the Academy Awards was probably the best night of my life and I floated on a cloud; nothing could be better than that! Having said that, the "Dame in Red" had a grand time this year, the highlight being the honor of presenting an Academy Award to my countryman [Daniel Day-Lewis], and one of the film world’s greatest actors.

LIZ: How does it feel now to have the Oscar, the Golden Globe awards, several Emmys, the BAFTA awards, the SAG awards and everything else all behind you for your great efforts in "Prime Suspect," "The Queen" and "Elizabeth I"? Where do you keep these things? Can you now rest on your laurels and your neat little behind?

HELEN: Darling Liz, who gets everything else right, my behind is neither neat nor little. However, you know awards are wonderful things to receive, a delicious dessert at the end of a dinner, but they are not the main course. They have to find the right place both in the home and in your professional life. In the home they should never be center, front of the mantelpiece, and in your professional life likewise.

Mine are actually spread around a bit, between L.A. and London, where Taylor and I also have a home. My Oscar is in London, I think at the moment standing halfway up the stairs. He tends to move around a bit, and I suspect has struck up a "Bronnie" relationship with the SAG "Actor" I also have in London.
(I hope you have watched "Make Me a Supermodel" to understand a Bronnie relationship!)

LIZ: You are finishing up playing a madam of a whorehouse in Nevada in "Love Ranch." What’s the difference in being a royal queen and a royal prostitute?

HELEN: Not much! Both are the CEOs of their realm. Our queen of Britain has far more constrictions on how she behaves, but in the end, people are people, and our job as actors is to reveal their humanity.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Anushka to frighten again

Anushka to frighten again
It seems Anushka is the first choice of Tollywood films when it comes to playing ethereal characters.

First she frightened the audience with ‘Arundhathee’ and then she was signed by Larencce to play the ghostly character in Muni-Part II.

Now we hear even director P. Vasu who is remaking his Kannada blockbuster ‘Aaptha Rakshaka’ in Telugu with Venkatesh has also gone for Anushka to play the supernatural heroine. But this one is a different joint. It was the Bollywood Anushka Varma who was the first choice for Vasu. But the delay in her giving commitment made him move towards Anushka.

Whatever it may be Anushka will do some shock treatment to all for some more time.

Bala

Bala has changed a lot. That’s what friends in his close circle say. Usually Bala doesn't think of his next film when he is working on one. He won’t even think of two story lines at onetime. But Bala has changed a lot.

Bala has decided his next film even as ‘Avan Ivan’ is still shooting and that will be with Vikram. It is going to be a real quickie in Bala's time machine. He has promised Vikram that he will complete it in eight months flat.

To accomplish that Bala has already deputed two of his assistants who worked with him ‘Naan Kadavul’ to prepare the first version of the script suiting Vikram. He has briefed them his ideas and put them in a hotel to complete the first draft before he finishes ‘Avan Ivan’.

Vikram is also excited to join his director who got him his first national award for best actor with ‘Pithamagan’. Vikram is likely to take up this film after the one with Boopathi Pandian.

Sivappu Mazhai Movie Review Print E-mail this Sivappu Mazhai - Sensitive yet sensible

'Sivappu Mazhai', according to its makers, is the first Tamil movie to find a place in the Guinness Book of Records, for everything from penning the script to coming up with the final product to be done in 12 days.

The film directed by debutant V Krishnamurthy features Canadian actor, producer and multiple Guinness World Record-holder Suresh Joachim as hero while Meera Jasmine dons a pivotal role.

What is interesting is that the film is a daring attempt to throw light on the sufferings of hapless Tamils in Sri Lanka. To put it in a nutshell, it is a sensitive theme but deftly handled.

Seemingly 'Unnaipol Oruvan' meeting 'Kannathil Muthamittal', the movie revolves around Nandhan (Suresh Joachim), a Lankan youth who kidnaps Meera Jasmine, a Minister's daughter and a television journalist.

The Minister (Suman) is helped by the Director General of Police (Rajeev) and his subordinate (Bose Venkat) to rescue Meera. Things take a turn when they get an interesting demand from Nandhan seeking the release of a Lankan national detained by police. Why and for what the demand is forms the crux.

Suresh plays a decent role though it seems to be his maiden venture on screen. Meera Jasmine plays her part well though she appears briefly in the film. Rajeev, Bose Venkat and Suman have utilised the opportunity well. Vivek fails to tickle the funny bone. The minute details on Lankan camps have been worked out well. Deva has composed a couple of tunes while the re-recording is average.

Raavan’s Hindi Songs Listing

The Mani Ratnam – A R Rahman duo are back. Known for their glorious combination, the music in ‘Raavan’ will definitely have to be watched out.

Starting from ‘Roja’ till ‘Guru’ Rahman has been giving his mentor the best of his tunes.

Recall the evergreen songs from ‘Bombay’ and ‘Dil Se’, Rahman has not let Mani Ratnam down.

The track listing for the Hindi version of ‘Raavan’ goes like this – Beera Beera sung by Vijay Prakash and Mustafa with additional vocals by Keerthi Sagathia. The second song is Behene De by Karthik and additional vocals by Mohammed Irfan. Subsequent songs are Thok de Killi by high voltage singer Sukhwinder Singh and Am’nico, Ranjha Ranjha by Rekha Bharadwaj, Javed Ali and additional vocals by Anuradha Sriram. Khilli Re by Reena Bharadwaj and backing vocals by Dr. Narayanan, Naresh Iyer, M. Kuldeep, Shwetha Mohan, Gopika Purnima, Subhiksha, Sri Madhumita , and finally Kata Kata by Ila arun, Sapna Awasthi, Kunal Ganjawala with backing vocals by Suzanne d'Mello, Sujatha Majumdar, Nikitha Nigam, Dilshad Shaikh, R.N. Iyer, Arun Ingle, Chintamani Sohoni and Gowtham Bharadwaj

Undoubtedly one can presume the songs to be world class and Rahman would have lived up to the expectations of his fans.

While the audio launch of ‘Raavan’ is on April 24th, the trailers on television are already creating a lot of expectations among the audience. Grab your copy when the audio is released.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Many Stars but one movie

Just imagine somebody remaking ‘Sholay’ with Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasn playing Amitabh and Dharmendra? Or our own ‘Thirisoolam’ remade with Sarath Kumar as the father and Vijay and Ajith as the two sons. Wow! Isn’t it? Kollywood has many talented actors and surprisingly they are very reluctant to come together for a single film. Actors are ready to play cameos but still not ready to do a parallel role with another hero. Why is that so?

In Hollywood and Bollywood we have seen great actors coming together for one film. The great stars were and are always ready to come together for a good script irrespective of their age and experience.


From Marlon Brando, Al Pacino to Jack Nicholson, Sean Connery to Richard Gere, Tom Cruise to Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp the list is never-ending. Films like A Few Good Men, Godfather, Catch me if you can, Departed are made more memorable also because of the perfect casting possible.

Even in Hindi cinema actors from Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra to the present Abhishek, Ajay Devagan to Salman Khan, Shahruk Khan and Saif all the saleable heroes have no second thoughts in accepting multi-starrers. Film like Sholay, Shaan, Saudaagar, Mohabbatein and many more were possible only with the ego less professionals.

But in Tamil multi-starrer films are rarer than one could imagine. Not just now, but even in those days the top two in the number game have never worked together. If you ask anybody which is the first multi-starrer film in Tamil, invariably most of the people would answer ‘Koondukili’. In theory they may be right as film admirers. But technically the may not be completely right as that was the time when the concept of super stars were emerging. Even when the triumvirate dominated Tamil cinema in the sixties we could see only Gemini Ganesan and SS Rajendran share screen space with other biggies. Even here while SSR managed with both MGR and Sivaji, the other Gemini Ganesan could do just one film ‘Mugarasi’ with MGR in his entire career.


After that the notable multi-star combination in Tamil was that of Rajini and Kamal. If you look closely even this pair broke after they both achieved individual stardom. Most of the Rajini’s early films before turning a solo hero were with Kamal Haasan. Apoorvaragangal, Moontru Mudichu, Avargal, Aadu Puli Aatam, 16 Vayainiley and Ilama Oonjaladugirathu. During this period even Kamal wasn’t a super star but was ahead of Rajini.

When Kamal and Rajini decided on the sets of ‘Ilamai Oonjaladukirathu’ not to work together again and make a separate career nobody could foresee the future. This important decision had its own pros and cons. But for the film buffs cons were more. Apart from a few cameos they both last came together for their mentor K. Balachander in ‘Ninaithale Inikkum’. In the middle when Ramanaidu was planning the multi-starrer ‘Thanikattu Raja’ Kamal was approached and he politely refused reminding them the decision he and Rajini took. Kamal and Rajini later combined with actors like Karthik, Prabhu but not with the likes of Vijayakanth, Sathyaraj. In the Hindi film ‘Geraftaar’ Kamal and Rajini worked together but there was no single combination shot in the three hour long film.

After Rajini-Kamal the super stardom did not belong to any two but there were many takers. Vijayakanth, Sathyaraj, Prabhu, Karthik, Sarath Kumar all of them had their share at different time. Of these Prabhu is the one who did more multi starrer than others. He and Sathyaraj had a few successful films together like ‘China Thambi Periya Thambi’ and ‘Palaivana Rojakkal’.


Vijayakanth and Prabhu did their only film together ‘Kaalaiyum Neeye Maalayum Neeye’. ‘Guru Sishyan’ and ‘Dharmathin Thalaivan’ with Rajini, ‘Vetri Vizha’ with Kamal. Prabhu was seen here there with all the people. Others in their initial stages of their solo career didn’t mind but once they started having their own fan following they strictly preferred to go on their own.

When we talk about multi-starrer films remember we are talking about popular main stream actors sharing significant screen space with another equally popular actor. Not just guest roles or cameo appearances.

So what is stopping Kollywood actors from coming together?