Soundarya Rajnikanth’s new addition

Ochre Studios run by Soundarya Rajinikanth has added one more feather to its cap when it selected HP storage works technology to store Animated Digital Content. This is said to enhance production processes of animated films and minimize service interruption. Industry sources aver that animation industry in India is sure to grow in leaps and bounds in the coming years and to combat this growth, it is mandatory to have state-of-art technological devices in hand.
While discussing on this, Soundarya had this to say, “Our team is determined to create the next generation of digital animated films and for this we needed a storage solution that would grow as our requirements changed.” She further added, “We are delighted to work with HP. Their unparalleled technology experience and resources will help us to achieve our business goals. The HP MSA2000fc array has made storing and retrieving data effortless by streamlining the post-production process so we can meet the creative needs of filmmakers as well as today’s competitive image quality demands.”

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Aamir Khan's Ghajini now slated to release in December

The release of Aamir Khan starrer Ghajini has been further postponed to 2008 year end. The film is now slated to release worldwide on 26 December.

The film was first scheduled to release on 2 October during Eid, which was then postponed to 28 November.

Sources inform Businessofcinema.com that the film is in process of completion and it may take longer than what was estimated earlier, hence the release date has been postponed.


The film is produced by Madhu Mantena. While Adlabs holds the overseas distribution rights, Studio 18 will distribute the movie in India.

Ghajini is the Hindi adaptation of the Tamil film by the same name and is directed by A R Murugadoss. The movie also stars Asin and Jiah Khan and has music by A R Rahman.

At the time of filing this report, Mantena was not available for comment.

Courtesy: Businessofcinema.com

Tamil film industry frowns at corporate film ‘raiders’

Star prices in the Tamil film industry have sky rocketed ever since Mumbai’s corporate world entered the field,

Entertainment majors like Adlabs, UTV, Moser Baer, Eros Entertainment and Ashtavinayak have made inroads into the southern film industry by offering 20 percent commission - making it difficult for the southern entertainment companies to compete.

Director S. Ramanarayanan, also president of the Tamil Film Producers’ Council (TFPC), said the entry of the Mumbai corporate world had rendered star prices beyond the reach of hardworking entertainment companies.

‘The despicable 20 percent commission culture that has begun plaguing the south Indian film industry has allowed corporate raiders that have zero commitment to our culture to gain more than a foothold here,’ Ramanarayanan told IANS.

‘Driven by their yearning for pelf, they are driving star prices sky high for a reported 20 percent commission leaving the mainstays of the south high and dry,’ Ramanarayanan fumed.

According to reports, the Mumbai companies are offering B-grade southern stars Rs.12 million per film - way beyond the Rs.4 million they were getting earlier. The top two stars, Rajnikant and Kamal Haasan are untouched by the new developments. While Rajnikant, whose ‘Kuselan’ released recently, has not signed any film, Kamal is an independent filmmaker.

The other popular stars Vijay and Ajit have not signed any venture with the Mumbai firms, said a source.

‘We ought to learn a thing or two from Hollywood professionals,’ Ramanarayanan pointed out. ‘While Walt Disney is collaborating with southern mainstay Pyramid Saimira to make the forthcoming Kamal Hassan starrer ‘Marmayogi’, Warner Brothers are doing business only with the committed Saundarya Rajnikant to make an animated film.’

‘Neither of the Hollywood companies pays any commission,’ the director remarked.

Significantly, while most of the Mumbai-based business houses have demanded memberships of TFPC, the two Hollywood outfits have steered clear of the move as they have little interest in pocketing the generous subsidies made available by film technician Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi or capturing the world of south Indian cinema, film sources added.

The TFPC has deferred a decision to admit the Mumbai corporate houses at its next general body meeting.

‘At least 80 people claiming to be directors representing Mumbai corporate entities have approached me with an unrealistically high price, provided I cooperated in fudging the books. Though I turned them down others have not,’ a top actor admitted on condition of anonymity.

A top actress differed with this view.

‘Till recently, top cricketers earned a pittance when the Board of Control for Cricket in India made itself the richest body in the world. The entry of corporate houses has made our sportsmen richer. So why not us as well,’ the actress, who stars in at least two big ventures, argued.

Corporate houses have resented the TFPC outburst.

A source close to Moser Baer said Ramanarayanan’s views were lopsided.

‘Production houses and their pet directors in the south churned out silly movies in the past at massive costs. Our entry has infused a new found professionalism into the set up. While stories can no longer be stolen, inane movies will soon be a thing of the past. The corporate world has forced arm-chair story-thieves to clean up their act or close shop,’ the source said.

Courtesy: sindhtoday.net

Rajini's daughter a 'behind the scenes superstar'

Superstar Rajnikanth is all set to begin shooting for Sultan, the much-awaited, most expensive Indian animated film. And Rajinikanth's daughter Soundarya is both directing and producing the film.

"First of all, a film like Sultan has never been done before because it's realistic 3D and what India has seen as of now is more 2D. It's all mythology-based and this is a fictitious film. It stars superstar Rajinikanth, so yeah, I think that's the edge," says Soundarya.

"Oh my father's looking forward to it too. It's the first time he's going to be directed by his daughter so he's very excited about it as well," she adds.

Soundarya is the head of Ocher studios which is co-producing Sultan along with Adlabs. And now Ocher studios has also tied up with Warner Bros for producing live action films.

"They're a great team, you know there's nothing more I can say about Warner Bros that people don't already know. We have tied up an exclusive agreement deal that we'll produce live action films for them. We're producing South Indian films to begin with, but soon we'll move on to the North Indian market as well. It's an exclusive agreement that we have happening," says she.

When asked if she ever wants to become an onscreen glamour queen, Soundarya says that she has done a guest appearance with her father in the yet to be released Kuselan, but that for the moment, she's happy playing the back screen boss.

"It may be too late for that because I've already stepped behind the camera. And Kuselan, well it's a wonderful movie and the song is called Cinema Cinema and it talks about how movies are made. The crew that participates in it from behind the camera and it's just a couple of shots, that's it," she explains.

If Rajnikanth is the undisputed superstar in front of the camera, his daughter wants to make her mark from behind the scenes.

Courtesy: ibnlive.com

Aamir Khan's Ghajini release postponed to 28 November

The release of Aamir Khan-starrer Ghajini, which was earlier scheduled for 2 October during Eid, has now been postponed to 28 November.

The shooting of the film got delayed by three weeks due to Khan's hamstring injury post which he was unable to shoot.

As of now, no other big movie is scheduled to release on the same day. Two weeks after 28 November, Yash Raj Films' Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi directed by Aditya Chopra will release theatrically on 12 December.

Ghajini is being distributed in India by The Indian Film Company- Studio 18 and in the overseas by Adlabs.

Courtesy:businessofcinema.com

Rajini will ‘act’ in Sultan The Warrior

KEEPING the word about Sultan The Warrior being 90 percent realism in animation, Soundarya Rajinikanth,MD,Ocher Studios, and stunt master Peter Hein are in Vietnam now, shooting the action sequences of this film, which will animate the superstar.

Following the system followed by animation movies of world standard, most of the scenes of the film will really be shot, before they are animated and exaggerated. It is only for this reason that the crew is now in Vietnam, trying to capture original Vietnamese stunts.

Meanwhile, Rajinikanth,who has agreed to lend his voice for the animated version, will also be acting out his entire portion for the movie. But his dates for the movie have not been fixed and Soundarya Rajinikanth, producer and director of the movie, is waiting for the Superstar to give her dates.

The movie will have music by AR Rahman, art by Thotta Tharani and is set for an April 2009 release.

Courtesy: newindpress.com

Vietnamese fighters in 'Sultan The Warrior'

Soundarya is leaving no efforts to make 'Sultan The Warrior' a product that will be termed as an animation movie having the same kind of standard shown previously by all the hit animation films created by the leading film and animation studios in the world.

For giving a particular action scene the maximum perfection which can be achieved, Soundarya along with the action choreographer of the film Peter Hein have gone to Vietnam.

The action scenes which will be shot in Vietnam will not be seen in the film as everyone knows the film is a fully animated one and do not require real actors.

The head of Ocher studios and her team of technicians are in Vietnam to shoot the action shots just for using it as reference points for similar scenes to be shown in 'Sultan The Warrior'.

But then why Vietnam and why it is being shot using some fighters of that country when there is enough and more facilities and junior artists right here in Chennai, is a question that can pop up.

The native fighters who are participating in the action scenes can be only found in Vietnam and they are the only ones in the world who are capable of doing the action scenes which are required as per the necessity of the story of 'Sultan The Warrior'.

These fighters are labeled as guys who can even challenge the laws of gravity and come out with stunning, unbelievable flexible movements as never seen before.

'Sultan The Warrior' is already hot in the film circles because of the reason that Superstar Rajinikanth will be seen in a complete 3D animation avatar for the first time.

Now this news of this variety action scene has added up to the excitement surrounding the film.

Watch Sultan The Warrior Trailer

Indiaglitz will give you more instant updates of "Sultan the warrior".

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

Rajinikanth met Sultan

Superstar Rajinikanth saw two things when he watched the trailer of the animated movie 'Sultan The Warrior'.

For the first time he saw himself in a movie in which he did not act but still was able to enjoy Sultan as he is called in the film.

He also saw the talent and potential of his own blood in its full glory and splendor revealing in front of his eyes.

The actor after watching the trailer was moved and appreciated his daughter Soundarya who is the creative force and director behind the first of its kind animation project in India where a film star is being featured in a full length animated movie as an 3D animated character.

Ocher movies, Soundarya Rajinikanth's company is producing 'Sultan The Warrior'.

As usual in Rajinikanth movies, S.P.Balasubramanium has given the voice for the intro song in this film composed by the music wizard A.R.Rahman.

Three other songs composed by A.R.R. also add elegance to the film which has the duration of one hour and fifty minutes.

For Thotta Dharani, the acclaimed Art director, the experience in working in this movie turned out to be entirely different as he did not have to work with physical resources which are used to construct a set but just had to come out with designs which got the material and texture in the hands of 3D animation artists working under his guidance.

This attempt is sure to find followers once it gets released and Kollywood can be proud that the idea of 'Sultan The Warrior' was conceived and the effort to make it true was dared in Chennai.

Even if the film shows a Rajinikanth made up by animators, the opening and the hype to this movie is going to be the same as like any other film of the superstar.

That also is an honour that is meant exclusively for Rajini.

Who can argue on that?

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

Adlabs Films inks deal for Ghajini remake

Adlabs Film has bought the overseas distribution rights for the Hindi remake of Tamil film, Ghajini, being produced by Arvind Allu and actor Aamir Khan. The film is slated to release next year in April.

Confirming the same to Adlabs COO - film distribution and marketing Sunir Kheterpal says, “The deal was signed some months ago and we will be doing their overseas distribution.”

Apart from the distribution, Ghajini remake's prints will also be released by Adlabs. “As the date of release comes closer, we will get a fair idea as to how many prints will be released,” informs Khetrapal.

However, Khetrapal refused to comment on the figures at which the deal was sealed.

The producers have not yet zeroed in on a title for the remake. The film’s music has been given by A R Rehman and is being directed by Murgadoss.

Courtesy: businessofcinema.com

The music of ‘Sultan The Warrior’

‘Sultan The Warrior’, the hi-tech and novel attempt on celluloid by Superstar Rajinikanth’s daughter, is growing in a fast pace with 20 per cent of the movie is completed.

More exciting news about the first ever 3D animation feature film in India is that the music wizard A.R. Rahman has so far composed two songs for the movie. As director Soundarya informed earlier, the film has all the ingredients of a Superstar flick, including the intro song for the Superstar. The song, penned by veteran lyricist Vairamuthu and sung by S.P. Balasubramaniam, is all set to enthrall the Rajini fans.

The other song is a duet song, which is again penned and sung by Vairamuthu and SPB respectively.

It is worth recalling that most of the intro songs in Rajini films, sung by SPB have become huge hits. The combination of ARR, SPB, Vairamuthu, and Rajini has rocked in films like ‘Muthu’ and ‘Padayappa’. We hope that the combination would recreate the magic in the animation film as well.

Courtesy: Indiaglitz.com

SRK, Yash Raj films & Rajinikanth clash!

As interesting as the headline is the story itself. If reports smoking out of Bollywood are to be believed then we can witness the clash of Titans, we mean with regards to the film industry.

Red Chillies VFX, Yash Raj FIlms and Rajinikanth's daughter Soundarya's Ocher Studios will be vying with each other in the National Association of Broadcasters show to be held in Las Vegas on April 15.


The three production houses will also be making their presentations. Reports suggest that the production houses will also extend their service to not just desi but foreign films as well. The highest billing among these three production houses has been given to given to SRK's Red Chillies VFX. Not to mention that SRK's production has ventured into making animation films as well.

Rajinikanth's Ocher Studios has ventured in to the production and making of the animated film 'Sultan - The warrior', with a whooping budget of 70 crore rupees. Reports indicate that there is tough competition existing between Red Chillies VFX and Ocher Studios. And with Yash Raj films too coming out with an animation film titled 'Roadside Romeo' the competition is getting stiffer.

Now the best we can do is just wait till the calender turns April 15th and watch who gets picked as the best!
Courtesy: Indiaglitz.com

Daddy’s girl out to prove herself

EVEN as he is busy with the release of his Tamil film Dasavatharam, Kamal Haasan has started work on his next project Marmayogi that is set in the seventh century.

To be made in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam, his fourth directorial film is being produced by Walt Disney Productions in collaboration with Bharatbala Productions and Adlabs. Also starring Hema Malini, it has music by AR Rahman.

Meanwhile, the numero uno actor will be seen in 10 diverse roles in Dasavatharam that is set for release in April. Asin and Mallika Sherawat are the female leads, with music by Himesh Reshammiya.


What was amazing to see was that despite being tied up with work, the superstar made a fleeting visit to Mumbai recently to be with his elder daughter.

Shruti Haasan performed at Mumbai’s Hard Rock Cafe during the launch of Rolling Stone magazine, where she belted out her own compositions.

She is also making her acting debut in a Tamil film, being directed by Nishikant Kamat and starring Madhavan. That's one proud father all out to support his daughter in her attempt to prove her talent.

Courtesy: newindpress.com

Soundarya expects Rs.100 cr from Sultan

The Rs 40 crore budgeted Rajinikanth's animation film 'Sultan the Warrior' is expected to do the business worth Rs.100 crore, as informed by Soundarya Rajinikanth, the director of the film. According to Soundarya, the film is progressing at a brisk pace and more than 100 technicians are working round the clock on the film at Soundarya's Ocher Studios.

Soundarya said, "Though the film is an animated version, it will be like a full-fledged Rajini film with as usual entertainment aspects. Our Superstar is going to sing and fight in this film. It is two and half entertainment extravaganza with all trade mark styles of Appa."

Latha Rajinikanth, wife of the Superstar also contributing in this film from her part. She is going to sing a song in Sultan

Courtesy: oneindia.in

Animated Rajinikanth to get new mannerisms in 'Sultan'

An animated version of Tamil superstar Rajinikanth is set to wow fans in a 3-D film that features him in the role of an armour-clad warrior -- with a whole new set of his trademark mannerisms.

In "Sultan - The Warrior", directed by daughter Soundarya, Rajinikanth dons the persona of a swordsman with an uncanny resemblance to the 58-year-old actor.

"Thousands of years from now when you look up Indian entertainment history and you say animation, Rajinikanth will be the first man to (have) ever been animated," Soundarya said in an interview.

The animation film, slated for release in 12 languages by the end of 2008, is being promoted as a completely commercial venture and includes four song-and-dance sequences.


"It is a period film…on the lines of 'Troy' and 'Gladiator'…it is more of a war movie," the director said. "(But) It has everything a Rajinikanth commercial film needs in it".

Rajinikanth's unique acting style is characterised by a trademark gesture: toss a cigarette in the air, catch it in his lips, then light it with a match struck on a shirt sleeve.

In "Sultan - The Warrior", fans will get to see some new additions to his repository of popular mannerisms.

"Not only what he is already famous for but some new ones which my dad and I have personally worked on," said Soundarya.

"I want to do something that will become a trendsetter after 'Sultan', so lot of new mannerisms."

Rajnikanth's last film, "Sivaji -- The Boss", was a blockbuster hit in 2007 and fans are looking forward to seeing the superstar in a new avatar.

"We love Rajinikanth and we will go to see any film that he is in because we are sure that the film will be good," said businessman Vijay Menon. "Seeing Rajinikanth in an animation film will be a great experience."
Although his popularity remains largely restricted to southern India and the Tamil diaspora, Rajinikanth has also gained a cult following in Japan after his film "Muthu" was released there in 1998.

Courtesy: Deccanherald.com

GHAJINI rights for 71 crore, not 90!

A leading national daily and also a few portals have gone to town proclaiming that Aamir Khan's action bonanza, GHAJINI remake, has fetched Rs. 90 crores! That is far from the truth and we bring you the exact breakdown, as always.

The Indian Film Company, which also distributed WELCOME, has acquired the all-India rights of GHAJINI remake for Rs. 53 crore (including cost of print and publicity). The audio and home video rights have been sold to T-Series for Rs. 8.5 crore.


Similarly, the deal for Overseas had been struck with Adlabs for a reported price of Rs. 10 crore. That means, the all-world rights (excluding satellite rights) of GHAJINI remake have fetched Rs. 71.51 crore (and not Rs. 90 crore) for its producer, Alu Arvind.

The deal for satellite right has not been struck as yet, although at least five to six parties are in queue to acquire the same. If the satellite market remains as buoyant as it is presently, Rs. 15 crore to Rs. 20 crore is very much on the cards!

Courtesy: Glamsham.com

Shruti Hassan in Sultan?

Sultan the warrior, the animated film being directed by Soundarya Rajnikanth and produced by Ochre studios in association with Adlabs is shaping up at a fast pace. The film has many firsts to its credit. Rajnikanth is the first Indian star to have been animated. Music is being scored by A R Rahman and two songs have been penned by Kavi

Perarasu Vairamuthu, out of which one will be the opening number and the other one is a duet. Recording of the songs have been done under tight wraps. It has also been alleged that these two tracks have been recorded very innovatively where creativity will be at its best and unique. Whispers floating in the industry also suggest that Shruti Hassan has sung a song in Sultan. Insiders reveal that the film is sure to be liked by kids as well as adults.

Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

Majority of multiplexes in Indian states defying 'Akbar'

Jodha Akbar makers' troubles don't end with the assault from Rajasthan Rajputs. Majority of Indian multiplex chains like Inox theaters, Adlabs Cinemas, Fame chain, Fun Cinemas, Cinemax, Movietime etc also are shunning the producers and distributor UTV over the film. The movie is slated for release tomorrow however, it won't be much of a launch for the Mughal saga in India which had been hoping to shatter box office records.

The Hrithik Roshan - Aishwarya Rai starrer won't find home at any of the above mentioned multiplexes and single screens owned by these companies. So a total of around 300 prints expected by 'Akbar' will be of no avail.


The film, as it has been well known by now, is under fire from the Hindu formations around the country, with Rajputs taking the lead and calling for a combined nationwide counterstrike from all the states, for what they are calling is gross distortion of theirs and the Hindus' real struggle during the 500 year old era of the Muslims rule over large parts of India. Among the points of distortion they've put forth is the reality of the head queen, a muslim Mariam Zamani who's being depicted as a Hindu Jodha Bai by the Bollywood film.

Courtesy: Ibosnetwork.com

'Sultan is on the lines of Troy, Gladiator'

There are only a few people who could grab the spotlight from Tamil superstar Rajnikanth. One of them is his 23-year old daughter, Soundarya Rajnikanth.

No, she hasn't acted in any films. Rather, it is a film she is making with her Dad that is generating a lot of interest.

The film is a 3D animation titled Sultan The Warrior which is produced by Soundarya's company's (Ocher Studios) along with Adlabs, and directed by her.

Shobha Warrier caught up with the pretty director to know more. Excerpts:

How did the film with your father happen?

It started very small. My company (Ocher films) was already into visual effects and post production work. So, the next stage was to get into animation.

While I was travelling abroad I saw a couple of animation films. And it got me thinking. Here (India) we don't have those kinds of films. Animation abroad is considered as important as live action. For example, Shrek and Mission Impossible were appreciated and welcomed there. But this is not the case in India. I told myself, why don't I make one? Someone has to take the initiative and do it.

And this made you think of making a film with your father?

Yes, it did, because he is a superstar. I am such a fan of my father that I felt he deserved to be animated first. Appa is God to me. He is known for his style, mannerisms and gimmicks. If he could do so much in live action, imagine what he could do with animation? The sky is the limit. In Sultan too he does a lot of gimmicks.

So, it is my father's style that came to my mind the moment I thought of an animation film. You need someone stylish to get animated. I would say this film is a daughter's dedication to her father.

That's a very emotional statement...

Yes, it is. The film is very emotional for me because in the history of Indian entertainment, no Asian actor has been animated before. And, to me, this is my dedication to my father. The film is like making history, and it is making history.

Did he become emotional hearing that statement from you?

He did. The project is very personal to both of us. There is a lot of emotion involved in it because I am dedicating it to my father. It is good when there is sentiment attached to the project. You can't make a film without getting attached to it.

How did he react when you told your father that you were going to make an animation film on him?

He was very curious and also very excited. Again, animation is not known in India. It is new and it is a road that no one has travelled before.

So, his initial reaction was, animation? How is it going to be? And me as the hero?

I told him, Yes, Appa, you are going to be animated. Then I walked him through it and explained everything. He was very supportive, encouraging and very proud!

From the time I could remember, my parents have been extremely supportive of anything I want to do in life. My Dad is very involved in the project as it is his story.

Which part of his life are you going to animate?

It is not his life story; it is a story written by him.

Did he write the story for you?

No, he wrote the story to make it into a movie. But he never ended up doing it because Sultan's story is very, very grand. So, to make a live action movie, you require not only a gigantic budget but also a lot of effort by way of costumes, sets, etc. It is a huge undertaking because this is on the lines of Troy, Gladiator, etc. It is a film on a Warrior!

So, when I had this idea to make an animation film, Dad and I were discussing various ideas. Then, he gave me this story and said, 'develop this,' and I worked on it and went back to him with the screenplay. My father generally first approves the story of every film of his. Mr Rajnikanth approved the script and here we are doing the film!


Other than the story, what are the other areas he is involved with in the film?

He is giving his voice in the movie.

Only in Tamil?

Yes, as of now. We will think of the other languages later. He is also doing motion capture for the movie. Motion capture is a technology that is required for a 3D film. And I am shooting him live for reference.

How was the experience of directing your father?

I am yet to do it.

Are you dreading the day?

No, I am looking forward to it.

How will you treat him -- just as an actor?

Yes. When we were discussing things, it had always been between a director and an actor. But once home, we are father and daughter.

When we are on the floor, we are very professional. And, he is hundred percent a professional. Sultan is his film, and it will be his next release.



Was he your hero when you were young?

He has always been my hero. I am a die-hard fan of my Dad!

When did you realise that your father was the superstar of Tamil Nadu?

As long as I could remember. My father was a superstar when he got married. So, we grew up in that atmosphere. We have grown up watching his films and adored his every move. So, I can't really say when I realised he was the superstar because he has always been one for me!

What is it about his movies that you like?

He is symbolic of the meaning of the word style! You look up the dictionary for the word style, and it means Rajnikanth! He is the most stylish man -- on and off screen too.

Can you be objective while directing him?

I am a director and he is an actor in my film. So, he is an actor in my film, not my father.

But when I come back home, he is my Dad, and that will never change.

This type of objectivity would not have been possible when I was younger. When I was a kid, there were times when I saw him cry on screen. I would start crying too. I thought it was my father who was crying. I was too young to realise that it was the character he was playing that was crying. I also hated it when he was hit by villains. I would say, stop hitting my Dad!

How did he react when you told him that you were his greatest fan?

He knows that. It is not that we sat down and I told him that. My sister and I go mad when his films are released. We would be yelling in the theatre like his other fans.

How was it growing up as the superstar's daughter? How were you treated in school?

We didn't have a lot of privacy. A lot of people talk to you because you are his daughter. I am glad that I made lots of good friends.

Did you have a normal childhood?

We had a very, very normal and simple upbringing. My Mom balances it out.

Everybody talks about how simple your father is in real life. The way he conducts himself in public is as a very simple person...

I admire that aspect of him. The more successful he is, the simpler he becomes. That is how it is for him. The more he achieves, the more humble he becomes. When people respect and admire him more, the more simple he becomes. He is such an amazing human being. He is like God for me. I can't say more.

Is it very difficult to emulate the kind of lifestyle he leads?

No, no it's not like that. All of us are very, very simple people.

You went to Australia to study multimedia. Did it just happen, or have you always wanted to do something on these lines?

I have always been interested in graphics and visual effects. I studied multimedia which is more technical. I never went to a film school. I came to know all about films from growing up with a superstar.

I came back from Australia and started Ocher and here is where we are today. I always knew I would be behind the camera.

You must have got a lot of offers to be in front of the camera too...

I have, but I never got excited about it because I always knew I was the creative person who wanted to be behind the camera. I wanted to do something different.

Weren't you tempted at all to act in films?

Acting? No, it never crossed my mind. Never.

Was it because you were more passionate about being behind the camera?

Yes, I am more passionate about being behind the camera. I wanted to do something that was not done before. I wanted to create a benchmark. What I am doing is a first of its kind, and I am very passionate about this.

Is Sultan the Warrior a period film?

Yes, it is a period film but I am not specifying the period. It is a story that happened a long time ago.

Are you excited or nervous about Sultan?

I am excited and nervous too because it is a Rajnikanth film and people expect a lot. Being nervous makes me want to do more and take up more challenges.

Would you also be making feature films in future?

Yes, definitely. And, I want to take Ocher to another level. I want to establish my company and also be a filmmaker. I want to balance both.

How difficult is it to be both a businesswoman as well as a filmmaker?

The advantage is that both are interlinked. I am making my film completely out of my company. So, I know the kind of quality my company can give and the kind of quality I can get from my company. It works for me, by God's grace!

What kind of support do you get from your mother?

She is the chairperson of my company. I studied in her school (Ashram School). She is very involved in the project and the company as well. All of us at Ocher go to her for advice.

So, do you think you inherited the entrepreneurial spirit from your mother and the creative spirit from your father?

Believe me, my dad is a very good businessman. When he chooses his script and movies, he knows what he is doing. He is not only an actor, but a great businessman as well.

Does Ocher Studios do a lot of special effects for films?

Yes, we do. Apart from making our own content, we do that too. By God's grace, we do have a good market share down south. I am expanding my facilities more and getting into Hindi film graphics this year.

We started with 12 people and now have 80 working for us. We will definitely come to Mumbai. We may also go overseas. As we are doing Sultan, we are scaling up the company too.

Do you feel that you have all those projects in the south because you are Rajnikanth's daughter?

No, life has not been easy when I started out. Ours is a very young company -- we are only two years old. It's not that everybody would give you a job just because you are Rajnikanth's daughter. It's not like that.

On the contrary, it is more difficult because a lot of people are scared to give you work because they feel if something goes wrong, they can't question us. But we say, of course, you can question us. We are a company.

I went through all the problems that a start up company goes through, and I am still going through them. We are breaking into a market where there are already established companies.

Which was the first film you got to do special effects for?

Chandramukhi and I must say the response has been good. Chandramukhi ran for 800 days. When your first film is a hit, you are sentimentally happy about it. I have worked only in Tamil so far. Now I am venturing in to Telugu and Hindi.


As a filmmaker, what kind of feature films do you like to make?

I like to make fantasies. They are my favourite genre. I read a lot of Amar Chitra Katha. I was very interested in Indian mythological stories. I know Mahabharata and Ramayana thoroughly. I never read novels, however.

What kind of films do you watch?

I watch all kinds of movies except horror.

Do you feel films have to have a message?

Of course. But you can't say every movie has to have a message.

All your father's films have messages?

Yes, they have. Sultan also has a message. When someone is in a place from where he can tell people to do good, he has to do it. The lyrics of every song of my Dad's have strong messages and people do follow them.

Like your father, are you also a spiritual person?

Yes, I am a spiritual person. I have taken up his school of spirituality but I have never had the chance to go to the Himalayas. Hopefully, I will go there some day.

Do you believe in God?

Of course, I do.

What's God to you? You said earlier that your father is like God to you...

You can interpret what I said in many ways. When you say call someone God, it is like saying that you love and believe in that person completely. My father is irreplaceable. That is why I said he is like God to me.

Courtesy: Rediff.com

Rajni the animated superhero

Meet India's first 3-D superhero - superstar Rajnikanth! He is to star in an animated mythological film at a whopping budget of Rs 40 crores, and directing Rajnikanth in this new avataar is his own daughter.

Rajnikanth has always played larger-than-life images on the silver screen, but now South India's biggest superstar is attempting a bigger feat - an altogether new celluloid genre.

The film 'The Sultan' features Rajni as India's first 3-D animated superhero, and presenting him in a kingsize persona on reel is his daughter Soundarya who is calling the shots.

"My dad is ,king and I am very proud to say that. I personally think he deserves the best - and to be animated first is the best. All his films are for his fans, so he is putting in a lot of drama, a lot of humour and excitement in the story which is his own. It's a typical Rajnikanth commercial film," says Soundarya Rajnikanth, MD of Ocher Studio.

The slick production belies its Indian origins. The Sultan is a mythological movie to be made at a whopping Rs 40 crore budget and is expecetd to make Rajnikanth the first ever South Asian hero to be compeletely animated.

Soundarya says it is her tribute not only to her dad, but to the countless Indians technicians who are on par with their international counterparts in digital wizardry.

"This is my dedication to my father, and I am looking at giving it to him on his birthday this year. So there is a lot of effort that is going into it and definitely directing my father is not simple, but it's very exciting and apart from the excitement and the personal involement that my father and I have in this movie, I want to do this for the country as well; Indian technicians are so, so good and they have not have the recognition ot the chance to prove themselves as yet," says Soundarya.

This is just a small teaser for what will turn out to be a full-length feature film - one that will be not only be a much awaited one for Rajni fans, but all technosavvy Indians.

Courtesy: Timesnow.tv

Sultan the Warrior: First 3D animated feature film

Ecstatic Soundarya, the younger daughter of Superstar Rajinikanth launched the theatrical trailer of "Sultan of Warrior" India's biggest 3D animation film on January 13 in Chennai.

This 40 crore film is directed by Soundarya and Produced by Ocher in partnership with Adlabs.

The flamboyant aor agreed to do the film on the pretext of her daughter, under whose direction the film has promises to keep the expectation of huge fan following Rajinikanth.

With this movie Rajinikanth will script his name to be the first superhero to act in an animated film made in India or South East Asia.

Both the father and daughter are newcomers for one is going to be the first to do the animated film while his daughter is debuting with “Sultan of Warrior” and according to her the film is a ‘daughter’s gift to a father.’

“And with this, we hope to set a benchmark for Indian animation. There have been animation films before in India but, not of quality that we are trying to achieve with this movie,” she added.

“My father is happy and proud that I am a director. And I am proud of directing him,” she said.

The film has four songs written by Vairamuthu and A.R. Rehman scores the music.

India entertainment industry unknown to this concept will get a first hand experience which promises to break the myth that only Hollywood can deliver good animated movie. The film will be released by the end of the year in 12 different languages.

Courtesy: NewstrackIndia.com