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

Kuselan lands Robot in trouble

Problems seem to surmount for Kuselan and all those even remotely associated with the film. Kuselan was produced by Kavithalaya and Seven Arts and was distributed by Pyramid Saimira. Owing to the film’s poor response, the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners’ Association has been demanding compensation for the losses incurred by them. The theatre

owners also threatened that they would not screen any of the films produced by Kavithalaya and Seven Arts. Sensing trouble over this issue Kavithalaya sold the distribution rights of the two films that it has been producing – Krishna Leelai with Jeevan and Thiruvannamalai with Arjun in the lead – to Ayngaran International. This has redirected the ire of the theatre owners and distributors on Ayngaran International. The Theatre Owners are now contemplating to include Ayngaran International in the ban. If this happens, many films including Rajini’s magnum opus Robot would be in deep trouble, as Ayngaran International is producing the film.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

After Kuselan, Rajinikanth gears up for Robot

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth is likely to leave for the US shortly to join the US based production team of his Rs 1.5 billion venture Robot, said publicists.

Robot will be a sci-fi movie and stars Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai in the female lead. She has already reported for the photo-shoot schedule. It is being directed by Shankar whose last offering with Rajinikanth, Sivaji - The Boss broke all box-office records, publicists added.

The movie will be simultaneously produced in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and two other Indian languages besides being later dubbed into English, Japanese and Malay. After Rajinikanth agrees to the final script, shooting will commence from August 15.

The extravaganza is being jointly produced by London-based Ayngaran International and Eros Entertainment. While Rajinikanth's Kuselan has released today, he has almost completed his daughter Soundarya's Ocher Studios' Rs 2 billion animated production which has live shots of the superstar.

Courtesy: televisionpoint.com

Baadshah scared of Superstar!

Rajinikanth starrer Kuselan is all set for release world over on August 15th. Looking at the unexpectedly crazy response Rajini's last film Shivaji got at the box office all over India even from non-Tamil speaking audience, the makers of Kuselan had decided upon releasing it in its Hindi dubbed version simultaneously. But now it seems like the Baadshah is afraid of the Emperor!

Both Kuselan and Shahrukh Khan produced and starring Billoo Barber directed by Priyadarshan are remakes of Malayalam hit film Katha Parayumbol which had Mammootty in the lead. The story lines of both are exactly the same to that of the original. Both the Hindi and Tamil remakes feature a song where in the lead stars (Ranjii and Shahrukh) appear in 20 various looks. If Kuselan releases in Hindi first, there will be no novelty left for Billoo Barber at all amongst the audiences.



A source tells us, "While Shahrukh was confident that he would be able to wrap up his film before Rajinikanth's Tamil version, he was in for a not so pleasant surprise when he came to know that the Rajini film is not only over but is due for a release in August and that too with its Hindi dubbed version. Shahrukh had already planned a grand Diwali release for his film. But now with the Rajini film coming up much before Diwali he was in for a shock. He then used all his good relations with Rajini (they had met last in Delhi for a news channel's award show) and called him up requesting him to postpone the release of his Hindi version. Rajini obliged and now the film shall only release in Tamil and Telugu all over the world. The Hindi dubbed version will definitely release too but post Diwali."

Rajini's Shivaji (2007) is being dubbed in Hindi and is all set for a September end release. The makers of Shivaji have even shot a song with Rajini where he will imitate Bollywood legendary yesteryears heroes.

Courtesy: oneindia.in

Film music sales rising

Until a few days ago, the Tamil film audio market was dull and all fingers pointed to piracy as the reason for dipping sales. Most audio companies started cribbing but their fortune has taken a new turn.

The audio shops are back to making brisk business and audio CDs are sold like hot cakes now.

Due thanks should be given to corporate who entered the field and also the catchy albums which were released in the past few days.

Rajinikanth's 'Kuselan' set to tunes by G V Prakash, Harris Jayaraj's 'Dhaam Dhoom' and 'Sathyam', A R Rahman's 'Sakkarakatti' and Yuvan Shankar Raja's brisk tunes in 'Saroja' are sold like hot cakes.

The songs in these five albums are already topping the charts. Music-lovers are keen to buy them as they feel the songs are worth listening to.

The audio shop owners say there are very good turnouts in their shops. Hopefully the trend would continue.

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

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

A. R. Rahman begins composing for 'Robot'

A. R. Rahman has begun composing songs for the Rajini starrer 'Robot'.

Sources close to the music composer say that work has already begun in earnest as director Shankar is keen to start filming this August.

The director is on a location hunting spree while Rahman is busy composing the tunes. With Rajinikanth having completed the shooting for 'Kuselan', it looks certain that 'Robot' will begin this August.

'Robot', produced by Ayngaran International, will have Aishwarya Rai playing the heroine. The mega-budget movie will be shot in various locations across the globe.

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

Research for Robot begins

Robot, the latest to come from the Shankar-Rajinikanth team, has begun its ground work and research. The whole process is being done with the strictest of security arrangements. Sivaji, the previous film by Shankar-Rajinikanth, was a big hit; during its making, some of the images were released on the internet without proper authorization. In the wake of this incident, the producers have arranged for even stricter measures to ensure proper security.

Director Shankar has imported computers from the US to be used for the special effects to be shot in the movie. Access to the place were the computers are kept is limited only to the actual people using them.

Meanwhile, Rajinikanth is still working on Kuselan and any commitment to Robot will be decided only after he completes it.

Courtesy: galatta.com

Rajini leaves for Vietnam

Rajini’s Kuselan is nearing completion and if sources are to be believed, the film has shaped up very well and would be liked by one and all. After wrapping up his part, super star would be off to his daughter Soundarya’s animation project Sultan, the Warrior. It has been said that few stunt and song sequences are required to be canned at Vietnam which Soundarya proposes to complete in the next schedule.

After finishing them Super star may take his favorite trip up in the Himalayas to recharge himself. Initially it has been reported that he would be off to Himalayas after Kuselan but the plan has been changed to accommodate dates for his daughter. Once he gets back from his trip, he is likely to start work for Shankar’s Robot.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Rajini and Shankar to fly US

Superstar Rajini is almost completed his works for his forthcoming Kuselan and preparing himself to fly off to US for taking make up tests for his year 2009 magnum opus Robot. According to the sources, Rajinikanth and his director Shankar are travelling to Hollywood to try out new looks for this Rs.1300 Million mega sci-fi thriller Robot. The new look and the makeup for it is expected to cost over Rs.30 million.

Robot Rajini will have Aishwarya Bachchan as his lady love for the first time and the actress has already allotted 6 months bulk dates continuously for a whopping Rs.60 million. The movie is a joint venture by Entertainment giants like Ayngaran and Eros and AR Rahman will compose the music for this flick.

The first photo shoot for the film by famous Chennai fashion and portfolio photographer G Venket Ram was held in mid-February and redesigned by Soundarya Rajinikanth as per the instructions of the director.

On the other hand, Gemini Colour Labs, one of the famous labs in Chennai has started its renovation work for the convenient of Rajini, Shankar and Robot team. It has made sure that Robot crew does not have to shuttle Chennai to Mumbai to get better amenities to give the best treatment to the film. So the directors of the lab ordered all new equipments to erect in the laboratory and the renovated lab will be inaugurated by none other than Superstar Rajini soon after his return from the US.

Courtesy: oneindia.in

Rajini's new hairstyle in Robot!

The superstar is almost done with his part in Kuselan and is all set to sail towards his next magnum opus Robot. Expectations are skyrocketing as Rajinikanth, for the first time, will be starring opposite Ashwarya Rai. Made on a mega budget, Robot is a joint venture by Ayngaran International and Eros International.

According to industry sources, director Shankar and Rajini will fly down to the US to finalize the make-up for the latter. While Rajini's make-up in Sivaji came in for some rave reviews, Shankar wants Robot to be even better. It is said that Robot will feature a younger Rajini sporting a different hairstyle. Also, the Robot team intends to bring in professionals from Hollywood to work on Rajini's make-up.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Robot Pooja in April

The official pooja of Superstar Rajinikanth's mega movie Robot directed by Shankar will be held in the second week of April and the movie will go to the floors by the month of May, as announced by Ayngaran Films International, the producers of the film.

The photo-shoot was held last month at AVM Studio and now Ocher Studio Managing Director Soundarya Rajinikanth is busy with the designing work of the stills taken during the shoot. It is expected that Rajini would finish his portions in Kuselan before Robot goes to the floors by May. The actor has allotted 25 days call sheet to Kuselan, the bilingual in Tamil and Telugu.


Though the unexpected demise of writer Sujatha, who was working with Robot team, had shocked the unit, the director is looking confident, because he has got the completed script work that was handed over by the writer to Shankar just few days before his death.

Courtesy: oneIndia.in

Rajini and Vijay – at the same time!

Production house Ayngaran International is gearing up to start one of the most expected projects of the year – Robot – on May 10th, 2008. This film will have Rajinikanth playing the lead role. Meanwhile, the Superstar is busy with a short-term project Kuselan, which is shaping up well under director P. Vasu.

Fans are exuberant about Robot because of the success that Rajini’s previous film, Sivaji, reaped. Added to the excitement of this are the big names involved in the project. With the beautiful Aishwarya Rai Bachchan bagging the female lead and sharing the screen space with the Superstar for the first time, it is no surprise that this film has managed to generate enough curiosity even before it hits the floors. The Ash factor apart, director Shankar and music director A. R. Rahman’s association with Robot is another reason for all the buzz.

Ayngaran International has another project on hand that could also take off around the same time Robot commences. This film has Vijay in the lead and will be directed by Prabhu Deva. The duo already has a big hit to their credit with Pokkiri. Will the magic rub off this time too?

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

'Robot' pooja in April; shooting in May

The pooja of the mega movie 'Robot' by the mega combination Shankar and the Superstar Rajnikanth will be held around April 14 and the movie will go to the floors by the month of May. The photo-shoot was held last month at AVM Studio. The music director A.R. Rahman too will start his work for the movie soon.

Though the unexpected demise of writer Sujatha, who was working with 'Robot' team, had shocked the entire team, the film will soon be kick started. Since Sujatha is one of the few Tamil writers, who are well versed in scientific matters, it would be a challenging task for the director to find a suitable person to write the dialogues for the science fiction movie.

It is expected that Rajini would finish his portions in ‘Kuselan’ before 'Robot' goes to the floors by May.

Courtesy: Indiaglitz.com