Rajini hails Vairamuthu

Kaviyarasu Vairamuthu is truly a magician of lyrics. His abundant literary works and countless musical compositions are priceless treasures of Tamil cinema.

Recently the great poet and lyricist had impressed our Superstar Rajinikanth. Vairamuthu has penned the lyrics for few songs in Rajni’s ‘Endhiran’. Endhiran, meaning Robot, tells the story of a man who invents a robot. To suit the situation, Vairamuthu had written that as the robot is invented by a man, it has ‘father tongue’ and not ‘mother tongue’. Rajnikanth was bowled over this and wondered at Vairamuthu’s intelligence. A humble Vairamuthu said that even the director Shankar and Superstar were to share the appreciation for this line.

Well, we all are highly impressed with you sir, for all the memorable songs you have given so far.

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

Mani Ratnam chooses Kolkata for Ash!

The climax of the Aishwarya Rai, Abihshek Bachchan, Vikram starrer Raavan directed by Mani Ratnam, is to be shot in Kolkata, reveals a source close to the film unit. The team has been camping in Kolkata where the film will be shot mostly on the streets and in the Vedic village on the outskirts of Kolkata. The entire unit is booked into the Rajarhat resort in Kolkata from February 15 to March 1, while Ash and Abhi will stay at the Lakeside Villas which is made available only for VIPs. Ash had flown in after promoting her Hollywood

flick Pink Panther and Abhi, who is currently in New York to promote his film Delhi-6, will join her after the film hits the screens on February 20th.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Mani seeks Ashokavanam from Kasthuriraja

While the works of Mani Ratnam’s Raavan / Ashokavanam are progressing quite well, it has come to light that Ashokavanam has not yet been finalized as the title of the Tamil version. However, Raavan faces no problem in Hindi. Ashokavanam was chosen because of the story’s source of inspiration, the epic Ramayana. But, another title ‘Ashokavanam 1 KM’

has already been registered under Kasthuriraja’s name though we are not sure about whether he is currently working on any project with this name. Now, the Ashokavanam team plans to approach Kasthuriraja for permission to use the title. If Kasthuriraja feels that the title is not imperative to his plans for the future then Mani Ratnam’s film can be continued to be called Ashokavanam. Else, a change of title for the Tamil version will be required.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

The Surpanaga of Mani’s Ashokavanam

Ace director Mani Ratnam takes his inspiration from many sources but sticks mostly to our Indian stories and epics. If it was Mahabharatha in Thalapathy, then it is going to be Ramayana for Ashoka Vanam. It is well known that Mani and his crew are currently stationed near Jhansi in Madhyapradesh and are shooting

sequences involving Priya Mani, Prithviraj, Vikram and others. Kollywood sources also whisper that Prabhu’s role is akin to that of Vibhishana and Karthik that of Lord Hanumar. By far Priya Mani is said to be doing the interesting role of Surpanaga in the film. She is said to have been shot at on the day of her wedding by Prithiviraj who in all likelihood plays the role of Lakshmana. Priya Mani’s death will be avenged by her brother Ravana played by our very own Cheeyan. Interesting characterization indeed

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Priya Mani’s thrilling wedding

Ashoka Vanam being directed by Mani Ratnam is proceeding as per schedule. The unit has moved north from Chalakudy in Kerala to the dense jungles of Madhya Pradesh. Recently a few sequences involving Priya Mani, Vikram and Prithviraj were shot near Jhansi. The shot that was canned was that of Priya Mani’s wedding. Vikram who plays Priya

Mani’s brother in the film hands over the mangalsutra to the bride groom- a new face- who ties it around Priya’s neck. Following this, Prithiviraj shoots Priya Mani ensuing in a fiery action sequences between Vikram and Prithviraj. Vaiyapuri, the comedian plays a transgender in the film and his character is reported to be very crucial to the film. Ashoka Vanam is said to be inspired from the Hindu holy epic Ramayana. Suhasini Mani Ratnam is penning the dialogues for the Tamil version.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Songs shape up for Mani's Ravan

Mani Ratam's next venture Ravan is progressing at a breakneck speed in the jungles of Northern parts of India. The crew, including Abhishek, Ash and the Bhojpuri star Ravi Kissen, are camping in Jhansi for filming a song sequence. Ganesh Acharya is in charge of the choreography and a song with Abhishek and Ravi were canned.

According to set sources, this song would be Abhishek's introductory number. Scored by A R Rahman, the lyrics are penned by Gulzar. Apart from the lead actors, nearly 500 junior dancers participated in the dance scene, who were trained vigorously by Ganesh before the commencement of the shoots.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Vikram's jungle wedding

First leg of star director Mani Ratam's Raavan shoots are wrapped up in the Chalakkudi and Cunoor area. Mani also seems to have found his location for the next schedule of shoots, the dense jungles of Orsa in Madhya Pradesh. To join the cast and crew Vikram left to Delhi recently.

Further, to reach Orsa, a train journey from Delhi followed by subsequent road journey is required. Mani has finalized the Orsa jungles for the wedding scenes of Raavan, the movie heavily inspired by the mythological epic Ramayana.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Mani Ratnam shifts base to MP

Director Mani Ratnam’s forthcoming venture, which has Vikram, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai in the lead roles, is currently being filmed in the dense forests in Kerala. The film is titled as Ravan in Hindi and Ashogavanam in Tamil. A couple of months ago problem arose between the forest officials and the film crew over the abuse of the forest area by

the latter. This issue was solved between the parties and the shooting resumed after a few days halt. Sources close to the film unit now disclose, that Mani intends to shift base to the forests in Madhya Pradesh. According to cameraman Manikandan, shooting in these areas will go on for two months.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Mani Ratnam chooses his Hanuman

Mani Ratnam’s project with Aishwarya Rai, Vikram, Prabhu, Priyamani and Karthik is shaping up really well. It was mentioned in these columns just a few days ago that Prabhu plays the role of Vibheeshanan in the film. The actor, who is seen sporting a beard these days, has raised many an eyebrow over his role.


Now the buzz is that Karthik, who had been in hibernation for long, will play the role of a forest officer. In terms of the epic Ramayana, on which the story is based on, Karthik’s character is akin to Hanuman’s role. It may be recalled that Mani Ratnam churned out two mega hits in the past with Karthik. One is Mouna Ragam in which he played a guest role and the other is Agni Natchathiram where he co-starred with Prabhu.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Mani Ratnam impressed by Rajni’s Sivaji

Impressed by the stunts in Sivaji – The Boss, ace director Mani Ratnam has roped in the stunt director Peter Hains for his forthcoming bilingual film Ravan. Peter Hains has carved a niche for himself in the Indian film industry by choreographing stunt scenes for various films including Sivaji, Gajini (Hindi version) and Anniyan.

The film’s shooting had to be stalled when the lead pair, Abishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, were held up in Mumbai owing to the ill health of Amitabh Bachchan. Sources have it that shooting will recommence after Diwali. Ravan – the Hindi version - stars Abishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the lead role with Vikram playing the antagonist. In the Tamil version Vikram and Aishwarya Rai play the lead roles and Prithviraj plays the villain role.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

One more realistic set from Mani

In less than few days since the forest officials at the Malayatoor reserve forest area issued ultimatum to Mani Ratnam and his crew to vacate the premises for unauthorized construction of thatched huts while shooting for Ravan, Mani seems to have patched up with the officials and gained access to the forest area again. However, this time the

approval has come with very many restrictions including limitations on crew members, vehicles used in the location, and a ban on smoking and usage of mineral water bottles. Mani will also need to shell out Rs. 10,000 each day for the shoots that can be conducted only between 6.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. Last heard, a huge set of Anandha Narayana Perumal is constructed in the spot for the shoots. We all know what magnificent sets Mani erects for his films. We can never forget the old, rusted boat and the Buddha statues in Kannathil Muthamittal – which many thought were locations shots but were actually realistic sets recreated in Tamil Nadu. Now, for this new magnum opus, Mani has constructed a huge, realistic looking set in the forests of Kerala. It will be, we are sure, quite a sight to see.

Courtesy:behindwoods.com

Prabhu on cloud nine

Veteran actor Prabhu is on cloud nine because of two reasons. The actor, who played the lead role in over 100 films, settled down to play character roles. He played the prominent roles with ease in ‘Unakkum Enakkum’ and ‘Billa’. 

Now the latest buzz doing rounds in Kollywood is that Prabhu would play a prominent role in Mani Rathnam's movie, tentatively titled as ‘Ashokavanam’. The movie is reportedly based on the epic Ramayanana. Prabhu had last acted in 'Anjali', directed by Mani Ratnam.  

Also another talk is that Prabhu has been assigned to act in 'Endhiran', directed by Shankar. He plays a prominent role alongside Rajinikanth in the movie. The duo was last seen together in 'Kuselan'. 

The path seems to be all green for Prabhu.

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

Mani Ratnam forced to leave his set

Mani Ratnam’s Ravan, which hit the floors on September 28th, is in deep trouble! The film unit had been camping in a forest area near Ernakulam in Kerala to film a few important scenes. Scenes involving Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abishek Bachchan and Vikram were due to be shot in this area from October 11th onwards. But the shooting was

stalled when the forest officer Krishan Dev Prasad inspected the area and found that trees on one hectare land had been chopped off to erect the sets. The film unit was ordered to leave the place and a case has been filed. The latest reports on this issue are that a case has been filed against P.D. Baby, manager of Madras Talkies. Due to this incident the shooting has been stalled.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Ash’s declaration about Rajini!

The brand ambassador of Longines, a Swiss watch brand, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made her gracious presence felt in their Gurgoan boutique during its inaugural ceremony. Speaking to the media after declaring open the showroom, Ash said that before Endhiran’s shoot commence she was required to brush up her Tamil so that she can pronounce the words correctly. It may be recalled that her last Tamil film was released more than a decade ago. She also declared that Rajini is a brilliant actor. Though Ash did not disclose much about her another big project – the one directed by Mani Ratnam – she said that the shooting will commence in ten days time.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Mani's initial shooting suffers hiccups!

Mani Ratnam's Raavan seems to have secretly kick started already. Shooting is underway in the lushly backwaters of Chalakkudi in God's own country, Kerala. Mani shot Prithviraj and Vikram for a few significant scenes. However, the shooting wasn't devoid of any hiccups, we hear. Mani and

the crew had to wait for a couple of hours until the production incharge mobilized 50 boats required for the shooting. The crew is now camped in Kerala for the first leg of the shoot schedules and further shooting is in progress. Vikram plays the antagonist, a role inspired by the mythological Hindu character Ravana – where Mani also derived his title.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Mani Ratnam’s Production no: 11

It’s well-known that Mani Ratnam directs a bilingual flick in Hindi and Tamil for his production house Madras talkies, which has its storyline based on the epic Ramayana. The film started rolling and the shoot progresses in the dense forests of Chalakudi. Abhishek would join the crew for the shoot by tomorrow, October 5th whereas Aishwarya would come to Chalakudi on October 8th. Maniratnam titled his movie as ‘Ashokavanam’ for its Tamil version and ‘Ravana’ for its Hindi version. But now the Tamil title has been in mess as the name has been already registered in the film chamber by another popular director who would introduce his son to the filmdom through the film titled same as ‘Ashokavanam’.   However, the closer sources reveal that the ace director would finalize and announce the title of the film once the first schedule of the shoot gets completed and till then the film would be denoted as ‘Production no:11”.

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

Mani Ratnam's title in trouble!

Seems like Mani Ratnam has zeroed in on a title for his next venture. According to inside sources close to the ace director, the title Asogavanam is finalized for the Tamil version while the Hindi version would continue to be called Ravan. However, it also looks like Mani would not have it easy to register the title with the film chamber. We hear

wind of the fact that the title Asogavanam is already registered in the film chambers by a popular director who has plans to cast his son in an upcoming venture with the same title. More details in this regard are awaited, however. The latest addition to the epic-inspired tale of Mani would be Vishnu Vardhan's brother, Krishna, who played the lead in the recent release Alibaba.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com