No heroine for Ajith this time

Ajith’s next with Gautham Menon will be announced in a few days. The director is now busy with the release of Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa and will start working on this Ajith-starrer soon.

Meanwhile, there has been a lot of buzz that Ajith plays a cop in this film. Other reports suggested that he is a crime detective. And all this indicated the fact that it is to be an action flick. Looks like there is some truth in this. According to our sources in Kollywood, Ajith will have no leading lady to pair opposite him in this film. So, is this going to be an out-and-out action film?

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

‘Raavan’ at 55 and counting

We are talking about the production cost so far of Mani Ratnam’s ‘Raavan’. Yes Rs.55 crores is the amount of money that’s involved in the making of ‘Raavan’, keeping in mind the fact that it’s a bilingual being made in Tamil and Hindi.

Being his home production, Mani Ratnam has not compromised anything for the quality. For starters, read this- Reports from sources say that dogs that look like wolves have been brought from Australia for a whopping Rs.3 crores.

As reported earlier, the movie was shot in Pollachi and the deep forests in Kerala. A special set was erected near the Chalakudy falls in Kerala. Apparently, a rain pulled it down and huge loss was incurred. So the unit had to erect new set.

Mani Ratnam’s penchant for details is well known. It’s also learnt that the sun rise from the Chalakudy falls is a delightful sight and Mani didn’t want to miss it. So he and the unit of ‘Raavan’ used to get up as early as 4 am to record the natural scene.

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

Goutham plans ‘VTV’ sequel

Even as ‘Vinnaithandi Varuvaya’ is all set to release Goutham Menon hasn’t come out of the film fully say circles close to him. So much so that he is even planning a sequel.

“Goutham is yet to fully come out of ‘Vinnaithandi Varuvaya’. The film had its impact on him since it is inspired by some of his real life experiences,” they add.

“However, he didn’t have the idea of a sequel until a few days ago till he saw the final version on screen. He may start the venture after completing two of his commitments- Ajith’s 50th venture and the film with Kamal Haasan. He considers ‘VTV’ as his best so far” sources add.

With Silambarasan playing Karthik (an aspiring filmmaker) and Trisha as Jessie (a Malayalam Christian girl), the film produced by Escape Artists Motion Pictures and R S Infotainment, will be released by Red Giant Movies (Udhayanidhi Stalin) on February 26.

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

‘VTV’ on Feb 26

‘Vinnaithandi Varuvaya’ has not kept its Valentine’s Day date. The movie expected to make this Valentine’s Day special has been postponed by a fortnight and will release on February 26. ‘VTV’ has been given a U/A certificate keeping with the general trend today. Some sources say the U/A is because of some lip lock scenes in the movie. This soft romance is a typical Goutham Menon film and you can expect all the color and dignity of his earlier urban romance ‘Minnale’. Silambarasan and Trisha are also expecting this film to give a major boost to their image and career. Music is already on top of all the charts. ‘VTV’ will be A R Rahman’s first Tamil release after his winning double Oscars and double Grammys. The film is promoted by Red Giant Movies in India. TWO95 Entertainment, Inc is the distributor in United States.

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

‘Endhiran’ in 3D

Yes. Director Shankar is planning a 3D version of the magnum opus ‘Endhiran’ to pre-empt any piracy attempt.

After the unpleasant episode in ‘Jaggubhai’, where the full length film was leaked on the internet even before it came out of the processing lab, Shankar is trying each and every way to plug the holes. Today all major films are happening under strict vigilance by competent persons. Mani Ratnam has appointed managers at each point where the works for ‘Raavan’ is happening.

So in a no holds barred attempt to make the audience watch ‘Endhiran’ only at theaters, Shankar is even contemplating to convert a part of ‘Endhiran’ film into a 3D version. He has already started consultations to this effect with the experts on the economics of converting the film into a 3D film.

The demo version of ‘Endhiran’ in 3D was shown to Shankar by an effects company and he is awfully impressed with the result. So the chances to see ‘Endhiran’ wearing the 3D spectacles are great.

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

Simbu with Mani

Even as his ‘Raavan’ is yet to be released, Mani Ratnam seems to have signed up Silambarasan for his next project. Mani Ratnam is usually a silent director and never speculates about his next project when an ongoing project is yet to release, but he seems to have broken the myth and sources say his next movie will be with Silambarasan. Mani’s ‘Raavan’ will hit the screens in June, but he will start script work for his next project before that. Sources say, Mani’s next project, for which he’s also the producer, will also be a bi-lingual, in Tamil and Hindi with Ranbir Kapoor will be doing the hero’s role. The shooting for the movie would most probably start in November, later this year.

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

Sameera-Goutham Again

The rapport between Sameera Reddy and Goutham Menon is so terrific that the lady has signed her third film for Menon.

After the stunning introduction in ‘Vaaranam Aayiram’, Sameera was signed to do a Goutham film for Sivaji Productions opposite Ajith. Although controversies mired the project and Goutham walked out of the film Sameera stayed on and completed what is now called ‘Asal’.

Now according to latest news Sameera has already started shooting for Goutham Menon’s next film. She plays an intense role of a commercial sex worker. The movie is said to be a thriller about how a single incident one night changes the life of many. New comers play other pivotal roles.

By putting all pieces together, it appears the new film we are talking about is Goutham’s long drawn film ‘Chennaiyil Oru Mazhai Kaalam’. It originated with Suriya and Asin. Then Trisha replaced Asin. And now we hear Sameera. It is expected Goutham will complete the film soon after ‘Vinnaithandi Varuvaya’ is released.

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

‘Rahmania’- A tribute to ARR

A mega musical event “Rahmania" is being organized in Chennai to pay respects and celebrate A R Rahman’s international success in the best way possible. After all A R Rahman is the global face of Indian music today. The event that will rock the Chennai city on February 28 is conducted in aid of ‘A R Rahman Foundation’, which is doing phenomenal service to the society, by helping the under privileged.

The event will feature all the lively numbers of A R Rahman starting from his ‘Roja’ till ‘Guru’. For the first time ever all the original track singers of A R Rahman will assemble on a single stage to pay tribute to the pride of India.

A galaxy of celebrity singers, like Benny Dayal, Srinivas, Suresh Peters, Naresh Iyer, Haricharan, Timothy Madhukar, Sujatha, Swetha Mohan, Suvi Suresh and others will enthrall the music lovers.

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

A R Rahman in

The Michael Jackson’s song 'We Are the World,' that raised over 30 millions US dollars for African humanitarian programs 25 years ago was redone by popular artistes of the world today including our own A R Rahman to raise funds for Haitian earthquake relief. The 25th Anniversary recording featured over 80 artists and performers. The new version embodied the same passion, determination and bigheartedness as the original recording 25 years ago. The song was recorded on February 1st, 2010, in the same studio as the original 25 years earlier. None of the singers from the original were included except for the late Michael Jackson joined by his sister Janet. The star-studded video was premiered on February 12 during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics at Vancouver. Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie brought artists from different genre for this remake. "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" is one of the most diverse and successful charitable collaborations in history.

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

Rajini says ‘Endhiran’ in July

Superstar Rajinikanth today met the Tamil Nadu chief minister M. Karunanidhi at his residence and expressed thanks for his presence at the engagement ceremony of his daughter yesterday. Superstar’s younger daughter Soundarya was engaged to a city businessman Ashwin Ramkumar in a simple ceremony yesterday at a city hotel. The chief minister was present with his entire family to bless the to-be married couple.

While coming out of CM’s residence Rajinikanth told, actors attend filmy functions only on their own will and not out of compulsions from anybody. On ‘Endhiran’ the superstar said the film would be ready for release in July in all probability.

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

Goutham’s gamble!

Goutham Menon, the brilliant director who has given us hits consistently is taking the gamble. Puzzled? Read on…

Goutham Menon is a true flexible director. Its heard that his much awaited movie ‘Vinnaithandi Varuvaya’ has two endings. Depending on the feedback from the audience during the initial one or two weeks, the director will decide the climax of the movie. The movie is about inter-religious love between the hero and the heroine. Sources reveal that the movie will have one tragic climax and another happy.

Goutham's climax have always received appreciation. From 'Minnale' to 'Varanam Aayiram' he has made a definite style in his movies. His Fans in the past have commented on climax of his action movie ‘Khaaka Khaaka’, where the heroine is shown dead. We will have to wait and watch how he gambles this time.

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

Tanvi Shah to stay

Tanvi Shah is thrilled to talk about her association with A R Rahman that got her global recognition. She is one of the A R Rahman regulars of late. Tanvi Shah is the first Indian female singer to win a Grammy Award. Tanvi was a part of the song 'Jai ho' in Danny Boyle's ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ which took the world music community by storm in 2009 and 2010. The versatility of Tanvi goes beyond her voice. She can sing in Arabic, Latin, and Spanish and sings a wide range of music with her band, Zahrra. The lovely voice of Tanvi made Indian debut with a song ‘Yaakai Thiri’ in ‘Aayutha Ezhuthu’ for A R Rahman. After that her association with A R Rahman continued in ‘Rang De Basanti’, ‘Sillunu Oru Kadhal’, ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and ‘Dilli 6’.  Her success with A R Rahman hot her invitations from the other young happening music directors like Yuvan Shankar Raja, Srikanth Deva and Premji Amaran. Tanvi’s popular numbers in Tamil like “Pul Pesum Poo Pesum” from ‘Pudhupettai’, “Sillunu Oru Kaadhal” from ‘Sillunu Oru Kaadhal’, “My Life” from ‘Saroja’ were chart toppers. Her recent songs in ‘Theeradha Vilaiyattu Pillai’ and ‘Goa’ have created a unique space for her kind of voice. An A R Rahman find can never go wrong.

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

Endhiran on 3D?

Although one section of the media speculated that Shankar and producers Sun network are planning to make Endhiran 3D, a plan, according to Shankar, would effectively curb the release of pirated CDs after the movie’s release, looks like it might not happen. As it turned out, plans weren’t made during the commencement of the movie for 3D and trying to convert the entire movie now will not have the same effect. So effectively, the plan is as good as shelved, we hear.

Endhiran is made on a mammoth budget and stars Superstar Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai in the lead. Double Oscar / Grammy winner and a Shankar regular Rahman scores for the movie.


Courtesy:behindwoods.com

Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa - Tamil Movie Images

Courtesy:behindwoods.com

VTV US release finalized

"The music of Vinnathaandi Varuvaayaa, which was scored by AR Rahman, has already been declared a hit. And ever since the audio launch, the movie buffs are expecting the release of the film. The news about the US release is now out. TWO95 Entertainment along with Reliance Media Works will release Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa all over the US on February 19, 2010.

Speaking about the US release, Raman Sanchula, Director of Marketing, Reliance Media Works said, “It is a going to be a great pleasure to have Gautham’s movie Vinnaithaandi Varuvayaa screened on all our screens.”

Mahesh M., CEO of TWO95 Entertainment, Inc said, “We partnered with Reliance because of the professional approach they have towards this industry and most importantly the coverage they have among the Indian audience.”"

Courtesy:behindwoods.com

Sherlock - Ajith!

On the day of Asal’s release, we have more definitive information about the 50th film of Ajith Kumar. As reported earlier, the milestone movie will be directed by Gautham Menon, who is at present busy with the final round work of Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa.

With VTV set to release this month, both Gautham and Ajith are expected to be free of all commitments to start work together. The scripting part of the flick is still in progress. It is being said that Gautham has taken the basic plot of the film from a sensational criminal case in 1980 and that Ajith will be playing an investigating officer. Whether it is regular cop role or something more sophisticated along the lines of CBI or even Sherlock Holmes is open to speculation. Anyway, it will surely be the first time in his career that Ajith will don a full fledged detective role and that itself will give all his fans a lot to look forward to from this movie. With so much decided, one would have expected the film to have been christened by now. But that is not the case. Gautham is yet to decide on a title.

Another high point of the movie will be its music, which will be scored once again by A.R. Rahman. The Gautham-Rahman team has already proved its worth in glowing terms with the VTV album that is taking the charts by storm. The film is expected to go on floors by April.

Courtesy:behindwoods.com

Here's the reason for the KVA - Silambarasan split!

"It’s official now that Silambarasan will no longer be a part of K V Anand’s Ko. Although the split came as a surprise of sorts and creative differences were cited as the reason, looks like it’s already time for reality check. As it turns out, Silambarasan has been summoned by ace director Mani Ratnam for his next venture.

It’s learnt that Mani has requested Silambarasan to reserve a few months of his dates for the project. And the latter obliged, evidently. For the greater good, we guess!"

Courtesy:behindwoods.com

Shankar after Endhiran!

"Director Shankar is wrapping up Endhiran soon and is almost ready for his next project. According to insiders, his next would be a film based on romance. The successful director has plans of roping in Siddharth of Boys fame in the lead role.

As regards Siddharth, he has taken a sabbatical of sorts after Boys and Ayuda Ezhuthu from Tamil and is concentrating more on Telugu films. His performance in Oye with Shamli earned much appreciation. His first outing as a single hero in the Hindi flick Striker is also a much anticipated film where Padmapriya plays a pivotal role. According to sources as the script demanded a young hero and as Shankar has already worked with Siddharth, the offer fell on the young actor’s lap. Wishing the team all success!"



Courtesy:behindwoods.com

Rahman remakes Michael Jackson's song

Oscar winning music director AR Rahman will be a part of the remake of Michael Jackson’s We Are the World for a noble cause. Yes, the Mozart of Madras has been roped in for the song to raise funds to help those who are affected by the earthquake that hit Haiti. Interestingly, about 100 singers and stars including Carlos Santana, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, Miley Cyrus, Enrique Iglesias Akon, Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Usher, and William, will be a part of the song.

The remake will be recorded in the Henson Studios, the same place where MJ recorded the original. The song will be premiered on the NBC network during the Winter Olympics that is set to begin on February 12th.

Courtesy:behindwoods.com

The story of ‘Raavan’

It’s a much anticipated film of the year. Mani Ratnam’s ‘Raavan’ is almost finalized for May 21 release simultaneously in Tamil and Hindi. The unit is working hard to meet the deadline.

The film is inspired from the events of ‘Ashokavanam’ episode in the epic Ramayana. As usual every thing about the film including the story line was kept under strict secrecy. But we managed to get a feel from the version edited so far.

The story is about a Raavan (Vikram) who is waiting for a chance to take revenge on a police officer Ram (Prithviraj) who was responsible for the death of his sister. At the same time Ram gets married to his love Janaki (Aishwarya Rai). But on the very next day of the marriage Raavan kidnaps Janaki and takes her away. Later Janaki comes to know of the real Ram and falls in love with Raavan. In the end after a fiery duel Raavan Vikram loses to Ram Prithvi. But when Ram wanted to take Janaki back home she refuses to go and stays with Raavan.

Now wait for the treat.

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

Aishwarya breaks Rs. 10 Crore mark

Gone are those days when only the heroes were offered the highest package. Gone are those days when heroines used to get only a tiny percentage paid for the hero.

Now the heroines are demanding as much as a hero if not more. Lakhs have gone out of fashion and crores is fast losing its sheen.

Recently eye brows went up when Kareena Kappor was reportedly paid Rs. 7 crores for a Hindi film. Now jaws are dropping to hear Aishwarya Rai getting paid more than Kareena.

It is spreading that the producer Bobby Pushkarna of Page 3 fame is offering Rs.10 crore to Aishwarya for a film. Bobby is resolute to have Aishwarya in the film which is planned on the lines of Jag Mundhra’s Provoked. He wants to do the film with Ash and only Ash.

So obsessed with Aishwarya’s presence in the film the producer even goes on to say he would shelve the film if Ash doesn’t agree to do the film.

How much Shankar would have paid Aishwarya for Endhiran?

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

Rahman misses Oscar

Dashing India's only hope at the Oscars this year, music maestro A R Rahman’s chance to win back-to-back Academy awards ended on Tuesday as he failed to win a nomination in the ‘Best Original Song’ category.

The 'Mozart of Madras', who won a double Grammy a couple of days ago, was long-listed in the category for his score ‘Na Na...’ in his Hollywood debut venture 'Couple’s Retreat'.

However ‘Na Na...’ was defeated by ‘Almost there...’ ('The Princess and the Frog' by Randy Newman); ‘Down in New Orleans...’ (‘The Princess and the Frog’ by Newman); ‘Loin de Paname...’ (‘Paris 36’ by Reinhardt Wagner and Frank Thomas); ‘Take it all...’ (‘Nine’ by Maury Yeston) and ‘The weary kind...’ (‘Crazy Heart’ by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett).

The nominees were announced by actress Anne Hathaway in a ceremony in Beverly Hills. The ceremony will take place on March 7, hosted by Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin.

Meanwhile, James Cameron's 'Avatar' and his former wife Kathryn Bigelow's 'Hurt Locker' will fight it out for top honours at this year's Academy Awards after receiving nine nominations each.

Both the films have been nominated in the 'Best Picture' category with Cameron and Bigelow being pitted against each other in the Best Director category.

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

Rahman's double Grammy!

The double Oscar winner Rahman has done it once again! This time he has bagged the double Grammy awards! He won the award for best compilation soundtrack and best motion picture song for Jai Ho in Slumdog Millionaire. Lyricist Gulzar shares the award with Rahman. Tanvi Shah, who penned the lyrics in Spanish also shares the award.
The elated music director is reported to have said, “This is insane, god is great again.” Other Indians that have won the Grammy earlier are Pandit Ravi Shankar, Vikku Vinayakram, Zakir Hussain, and Vishvamohan Bhatt.

Rahman beat Steve Jordan for ‘Cadillac Records,’ Quentin Tarantino for ‘Inglorious Basterds,’ and the producers of ‘Twilight’ and ‘True Blood’ in the soundtrack category to win the coveted award.

Courtesy:behindwoods.com

Rahman cures mom’s sickness

Call it music therapy. Music maestro A R Rahman’s mother Kareema Begum, who was unwell for the past few days, almost jumped out of the bed on hearing that her son picked up not one but two Grammys.

If family sources are to be believed, the happy mother soon started dialing her relatives, and shared her joy with them. “All her illness vanished all of a sudden as soon as she received a call from Rahman around 3 am,” they say.

Meanwhile, peers and friends of Rahman have expressed happiness on the music composer’s victory at the Grammys. Rahman’s colleague in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and Oscar winner Resul Pookkutty said he was happy to be living in the Rahman era.

Drummer Shivamani, whose association with Rahman goes back two decades, describes him as a music genius. “His music is very articulate and his passion for new sounds is amazing. A celebrated musician in India, he is now becoming the darling of the world. It is my pleasure to be associated with him.”

Ace singer S P Balasubramaniam feels Rahman truly deserves the honour. “He will continue receiving every coveted award in the field of music,” the veteran says with a broad smile.

Sukhwinder who sang the award winning track ‘Jai Ho’ said that the recognition had been long due. “I want to congratulate the entire music community and everyone in India. Rahman deserves it. So I had been expecting this to happen.”

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

Silambarasan turns Uththama Puthiran

Director Lingusamy’s production house Tirupathi Brothers has roped in Silambarasan to play the lead role in a movie that is to be directed by Bhoopathy Pandian. While Silambarasan’s Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya is almost complete, he is busy with KV Anand’s Ko. The Bhoopathy Pandian project, which is said to have been titled Uththama Puthiran, will go on floors once Silambarasan completes his assignment with KV Anand. There are reports that the actor is working on an image makeover and is taking up films that are in that direction.

Meanwhile, Lingusamy’s Paiyaa will have his undivided attention. The producer-director will move on to Uththama Puthiran after Paiyaa’s release, we hear.


Courtesy:behindwoods.com