Director Soundarya Rajinikanth - Tamil Movie Directors Interview - Sultan The Warrior

The label of superstar’s daughter is inherited whereas the personality of a young film producer is an earned one. Soundarya Rajinikanth takes her first step as a producer through Goa. Over to Soundarya…

BW: Transition from running Ochre Studios to becoming a film producer? Soundarya Rajinikanth: Ochre Studios is like my baby that was started three and half years ago with just ten people. Today my team is 150 in number. We started with graphics work, digital editing, color grading, and animation work and have now moved to a higher level, i.e., film production. In film industry, production is one department which gives job opportunities for many. That’s why I decided to produce films. What kind of films would you like to produce? Our films would be fun-filled and rich in entertainment quotient. They also would be spoken for quality in content, technical excellence and good script. I am keen to introduce new actors, directors, cinematographers, makeup men and editors. Hence we are working on those lines. Ochre Studios will serve as an excellent platform for the generation next. " Ochre studios will serve as an excellent platform for the generation next " What is Ochre’s contribution to graphics department? We have done graphics work in many Tamil and Kannada films and

Talks are on with Rajini for his next film : Soundarya

Rajinikanth’s daughter Soundarya is working on the final touches of Sultan – The Warrior, the animation flick which has Rajini in the lead the role. Happy over the way this film has shaped up and directing her dad for the first time, Soundarya has plans to release Sultan – The Warrior worldwide.

Though the lady has her hands full with projects like Goa, which her production house Ocher Studios producing the film, she is discussing with the super star about a full length feature film that will have him in the lead. Soundarya also plans to wield the megaphone herself! The project is still in discussion stage and more details are awaited.

Sources say that with Rajini busy with Endhiran and Soundarya with Goa, the new project could begin only after their respective commitments are completed.

There are talks in the tinsel town that Rajini could star in a low budget film that is to be produced by Sun TV after Endhiran.


Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Peter Hein for & on 'Sultan'

Action and stunts have always appealed the young and old. A good action sequence can help in a movie’s success. And movies like Murattu Kalai, Sathriyan, Captain Prabhakaran, Suriyan, Jai Hind, Sakalakala Vallavan, Satya, Dheena were well enjoyed by viewers and raised the movie’s status. The dhishum-dhishum responsibility is mainly shouldered by the action director or the stunt master. A movie’s action sequence is the outcome of sweat-pain and creativity efforts, of these stunt choreographers.

Coming to the current scenario, a name that stands tall amidst the action field is Peter Hein. He is the man who grabbed an important place in cinema for his unique way of presenting Hollywood fights in Tamil style. His action sequence in movies like ‘Run’, ‘Mazhai’, and ‘Bose’ stands testimony for his talent and impressed one and all. He directed the fights in Hindi for Aamir Khans ‘Ghajini’. In Telugu he gave ‘Chatrapathi’ and the recent ‘Maghadheera’ with Chiru's son Ramcharan Tej. Who can forget the astounding stadium action sequence of ‘Anniyan’? Well, it was choreographed by this brilliant mind.

Peter Hein might have directed many fighting scenes but he says the one movie which very close to his heart is ‘Sultan The Warrior’. This Soundarya Rajnikanth’s venture was very interesting and challenging for this ace stunt director. Even though movie is mainly based on animation, it includes stunts that look too real. Peter Hein along with Soundarya had traveled to France and Vietnam to capture the best shots of the martial sequences; as the best expertise were said to be found there. Worthy to be mentioned, Peter Hein had also directed our Superstar, Rajinikanth in ‘Sivaji’ before.

So people gear up to see Peter Hein’s creative fights in this Superstar’s animation flick.

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

More about Sultan!

Sultan The Warrior, the animation film produced by big Pictures and Ocher Studios and directed by Soundarya Rajinikanth, has quite a number of specialities. What are they?

Rajinikanth, who appears as a king in this film, displays a six pack physique. In order to show nuances of his appearance and movements effectively on screen, 48 cameras have been used to capture his every movement. The graphics work is so complex that every twitch in Rajni's face is the result of  200 muscles in the facial area moving, as would happen in real life. Vijayalakshmi plays the Sultan's wife; but she also has a villain's role to play.

In addition to all South Indian languages, Sultan will also be released in English and Japanese. Music is by A.R. Rahman. Above all, Sultan has also uttered his signature style punch dialogues in the film. What are these dialogues? The dialogues have been composed by his daughter Soundarya.

All await the release of this remarkable production, the costliest Tamil film made till date.

 

Courtesy: galatta.com

Rajini’s film to be released in July

Sultan – The Warrior, the animation flick that has Rajinikanth in the main role is expected to hit the screens in July. There were reports earlier that the film would be released on Chithirai Thirunal (April 14th, 2009). Enquiries revealed that the Superstar’s busy schedule with the Shankar-directed Endhiran and Soundarya Rajinikanth’s commitment with Goa was the reason for Sultan – The Warrior’s delay. There are few important scenes and songs that still

need to be shot for this animation film, say sources in Kollywood. The film has Vijayalakshmi, in animated form, starring opposite Rajinikanth.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com 

From Vijayakath to Rajinikanth

Soundarya Rajinikanth’s Ochre Studio’s first production Sultan - The Warrior, the animated flick with Superstar in the title role, is slated for release soon. The post-production works and finishing touches of the movie are currently progressing under the supervision of Soundarya Rajinikanth, who has also directed the movie. Rajini’s heroine in the movie has been modeled on Chennai 28-fame Vijayalakshmi. It had been initially

decided to make an animated character without resemblance to any heroine. But it was ultimately decided to rope in Vijayalakshmi for the role. Mumbai-based model and actor Rahul Dev will be the villain in the movie. He had earlier done the villain role opposite Vijayakanth in Arasangam. Sultan - The Warrior has music by A.R. Rahman with the lines of Vairamuthu.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Sultan: The Warrior in May

The eagerly-awaited animation film of Rajinikanth, Sultan: The Warrior, will be released in May. The buzz is that Rajinikanth himself will make a special appearance in a few scenes of this animated movie! Also, insiders say that this 3-D animation film will be released in more than 15 languages worldwide!

The lead pair of the film has been modeled after Rajinikanth and Vijaylakshmi using high-end motion-capture technology. Producer Soundarya Rajinikanth ensured that she used the latest technology in the field of animation, which makes this film look very close to a feature film. Importing the hardware and paraphernalia required to make such a sophisticated animation film, this young entrepreneurial producer spent about Rs. 50 crores on Sultan: The Warrior. Soundarya has proved that Chennai can also make high-quality animation movies on par with Hollywood.

Mark our words: This film will definitely earn Chennai a prominent position in the international animation film industry. Attracted by it, someday Hollywood might decide to outsource its animation assignments to Chennai, making it the hub of animation industry!

Come May, fans of Rajinikanth and animation movie lovers are in for a big treat!

Courtesy: galatta.com

Rajini- live and cartoon

Sultan, the animation film on super star produced and directed by Soundarya Rajinikanth is likely to be a summer vacation bonanza for his fans. This film being readied at a cost of 60 crores is being made in 18 Indian languages. Vijayalakshmi who played the role of heroine in Chennai-28 will be the lady lead in this animation film too. It has been

reported in the media that Rajinikanth will appear in a few scenes as himself along with his caricatured figure, just to add some variety and spice to the film.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Rajini’s next for Tamil New Year

Soundarya Rajinikanth’s debut directorial and production venture under the now famous Ochre Studios banner, Sultan The Warrior is expected to release on Tamil New Year’s Day 2009. Starring Superstar Rajinikanth for the first time in an animated avatar, the movie is touted be a ground breaking effort in Indian

animation, one that can match international standards. Sultan The Warrior has been in the making for over a year and a half now with Superstar giving small bits of his time in between his movie schedules. The animated Sultan is said to have been carefully created to resemble Superstar in every aspect. It would definitely have been a great challenge for the animation crew to go recreate the deft mannerisms and style, if any, in the movie. Sultan The Warrior also has music by A.R. Rahman.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Marma Yogi, Endhiran & the Global economic crisis

On Kamal Haasan’s birthday, the news that we are receiving about Marma Yogi is not a cause for any celebrations. Credible sources have revealed that Marma Yogi might be neck deep in trouble, to the point of being indefinitely postponed or infinitely worse, be dropped. The reason is quite simple: the global economic crisis. Many were deceived

into thinking that the global meltdown was not indeed global and that India was insulated. Now we have proof that there are problems everywhere. Pyramid Saimira is reportedly wallowing and the processes of Marma Yogi have been temporarily held up. But it is not only the global economic crash that is behind Marma Yogi’s predicament. Kuselan is also being seen as a key factor. As everyone knows, the losses incurred by Pyramid Saimira due to the Kuselan debacle were huge and to top it all, they were even forced to refund distributors. It is in this scenario that SUN Pictures made an entry showing some interest. A team was entrusted with the responsibility of making a thorough research of all resources that would have to go into Marma Yogi. The report presented said that even the pre-production activities of the movie would cost quite a sum which would make the project difficult to execute; SUN Pictures exit; enter OCHER Studios and Warner Brothers. Talks are doing the rounds that Soundarya Rajnikanth has shown enough interest in Marma Yogi. It is believed that Warner Brothers are ready to go by her word and enter the movie. But conversations are still at a very primary stage and nothing is official or confirmed. To add to speculations, it has come to light that Rajkamal films have registered the title ‘Thalaivan Irukkiran’. Further enquiry revealed that Rajkamal indeed intend to go ahead with such a movie without much delay. However, other details were not available. From Marma Yogi to Endhiran. The global meltdown has not spared this one too. It has been reported that the London based Ayngaran Groups funds might be stuck in the European markets that is going through a liquidity crunch at present. With the third schedule of Endhiran slated to begin some time next week, the required funds are yet to arrive and London Karunas is reported to have left for London for the same purpose. Again, the unexpectedly poor show of Deepavali releases Aegan (own production) and Seval (outright purchase) seems to have not done them any favor. However, the troubles with Endhiran are not as serious as ones with Marma Yogi. If, Ayngaran is able to accumulate the funds in time, the shooting will proceed as planned. Otherwise, the worst scenario we are looking at is a delay which is not much of an issue, looking at what Marma Yogi is facing. But with dates being bought, a delay might make schedules go haywire, especially with Aishwarya Rai who also has Ravana. We just hope that all troubles settle down at the earliest.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Soundarya's Ocher ropes in Gautham Menon

Soundarya Rajinikanth's Ocher Studios is currently busy with the 3D animation flick 'Sultan – the Warrior'. Despite this, the production house has big plans to constantly make films with leading directors. As reported earlier, Venkat Prabhu's next film has been titled 'Goa' and Soundarya will be taking care of the production responsibilities.

The latest news however is that Gautham Menon has been roped in for another film. The director is expected to commence work for this project after he finishes 'Vaaranam Aayiram' that stars Suriya.

Observers feel that Ocher Studios are gearing up to produce a slew of quality films every year.

Apart from these, Ocher is planning to make a Telugu film starring Mahesh Babu which will be directed by Puri Jagannath.

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

Rajini signs his next after ‘Endhiran’

Kuselan, inspite of being appreciated by a certain section of media and movie going public, couldn’t garner the profits one usually associates with Superstar Rajinikanth’s movie. Perhaps Pyramid Saimira would be the only producer in recent times to have not made profits out a Rajinikanth starrer. Taking this into

consideration, the actor is said to have promised the production company yet another movie. A credible Kollywood source reveals that a contract might also have been signed to this effect. Usually in such cases it’s a verbal agreement between the concerned parties. The earlier plan was to have the project started by January and release it even before Robot. But now the production house has settled for the idea of starting the movie after the completion of Robot. Director or the rest of the crew is yet to be decided. One of the frontrunners among directors would be Murugadoss, who has been in news recently over Rajinikanth supposedly making a guest role in his next movie. The director however issued a statement rejecting the news. Meanwhile, there are whispers around the tinsel town that Rajini might do a full fledged movie for daughter Soundarya’s production house Ocher Studios after the 3D animated movie Sultan. But it is yet to be known when this project might kick off, if at all it does. Team Behindwoods will keep you posted.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

A. R. Rahman speaks on 'Marma Yogi'

'Marma Yogi', a mega-budget project set in the sixth century A.D. will bring Kamal Haasan and A. R. Rahman together after a gap of almost eight years. The last time Rahman scored music for a Kamal film was Thenali.

'It is very early to comment on the film but what I can say now is that I will do a bit of research, since this is a period film,' he says.

And how about working in an animation film – Sultan, The Warrior? 'It is exciting, no doubt. It offers endless scope,' he puts it succinctly. Directed by Soundarya, daughter of Rajinikanth, the 3-D animation flick will feature the superstar as a mythological, larger than life hero. The multi-lingual film is being made in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

Rahman has no intentions on working only for big banners.  'I would work in ventures where the focus is concentrated on music. That was the case with 'Sakkarakatti'. I am pleased the songs have gone down well with the audience'.

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

Rajni miffed at ARR!

Rajnikanth had said recently that if anybody wanted to meet A.R. Rehman, they are more likely to be given appointments in between 12 midnight and 4 a.m.  Nobody thought there was something else to the comment other than the obvious.

 

Now, it turns out that the music maestro, who composes music for ‘Sultan: The Warrior’, directed and produced by Rajni's daughter Soundarya, had reportedly not completed the songs for the film on time.  When Soundarya wanted to discuss about this with him, she was reportedly asked by Rahman to meet him at 4 a.m. for discussion.

 

After the comments by the superstar, Rehman is said to have swung into action and completed all the songs in one schedule itself.

 

As everybody knows, Rahman has the habit of working during night time and it was due to this that he called Soundarya for the early morning discussion.

Courtesy: msn.com

Marmayogi, nothing like Marudanayakam

SPECULATIONS about a Kamal starrer never cease. The latest was about Ocher Studios and Warner Bros tieing up to produce his latest venture, 'Marmayogi' But these stories are, well, just stories. Clarifying that it will be Pyramid Saimira producing it, along with Rajkamal Films is KS Srinivasan, director and CEO of Pyramid Samira. The deal, sources say, was inked for Rs 125 crore.

“The movie’s formal launch will be in Mumbai on September 14. We’re planning the launch in Mumbai as the movie, which will be shot in Hindi, English and Tamil, is meant for a pan-India audience,” he explains, adding that the deal was inked with Rajkamal over three months ago. After Dasavathaaram, in which he played 10 roles, Kamal will do only one role in this movie, and will sport a new different look.

The hunt for a heroine is on and the names of leading heroines in Bollywood are in discussion. Hemamalini has been roped in to do an important role in the movie, and sources say it has strong negative overtones. Among the names mentioned for contenders as heroines includes Padmapriya, Kajol and Shriya.

“As for the techinicians, most of them, including the DoP and editors, will be from Hollywood,” he clarified.

'Marudanayakam' has nothing to do with 'Marmayogi,' Srinivasan clarifies. “Marudanayakam,' as everybody knows, was a story set during the freedom struggle. This movie, however, is set in an era prior to British imperialism. There’s no way they can be connected. We’re not usig any scenes from that movie in this. Kamal will sport a very different look in this movie.”

Courtesy: newindpress.com

Ileana and her commercial for Ocher

Ileana who debuted in Tamil films with 'Kedi' is a very big name to reckon with in the Telugu film industry churning out big time hit movies. The actress with her sleek and sophisticated look will be making a comeback to Tamil Cinema in a film where she'd star with Vikram.

Meanwhile, there was a rumor that she would be acting alongside Rajinikanth for the animated flick 'Sultan- The Warrior' produced and directed by Soundarya Rajinikanth for Ocher Studios. This proved to be false information.


But then there is truth in Ileana's connection with Ocher Studios. The actress will feature in an advertisement made by the production house for a textile shop. Incidentally, this is the first attempt by Ocher Studios in the world of commercials.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Soundarya Rajinikanth and Kamal team up!

For Marmayogi, Kamal Haasan has decided to switch from Pyramid Saimira to Soundarya Rajinikanth’s Ocher-Warner productions. As reported earlier Soundarya is in the process of producing films in collaboration with WarnerBros. Most recently, they have reportedly paid a huge advance to Jayam and Raja Ravi for an upcoming film.


Kamal is reported to have returned the advance he took from Pyramid Saimira and is intiatiating talks with Ocher Studios to produce his next historical magnum opus. The reason sited is that Pyramid were reluctant to go as high as 150 crores for Marmayogi’s budget. They were more comfortable with 100.

Kamal has apparently, as a first step, sent the entire script of Marmayogi to Warner Bros in the U.S. so that they would get an idea of the kind of production he has in mind for this period epic. The only question now is: will Warner Bros go for it?
 
Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Kamal film to be produced by Rajni's daughter?

Soundarya Rajnikanth, whose Ocher Studios is in the process of producing films in collaboration with Hollywood production company Warner Brothers, has reportedly paid a hefty advance each to the brothers 'Jeyam' Ravi and Raja for her next film. The celebrity brothers will be joining hands for the fifth time after their back-to-back hits four times in a row.

Recent reports indicate that even Kamal's 'Marmayogi' might fall into the hands of the Ocher Studios-Warner Brothers combine. Kamal is said to have returned the advance amount to the company, which was about to produce the film, and has reportedly initiated talks with Soundarya and Warner Brothers to associate himself with them.

As a first step, Kamal Haasan has reportedly sent the entire 'script' of his 'Marmayogi' to Warner Brothers' bosses in the U.S. Once Kamal gets the nod, he would be working closely with them and Soundarya.

The reason for Kamal's decision to switch over to Warner-Soundarya combine is said to be the hike in the production cost of the film from Rs.100 crores to Rs.150 crores. This was obviously not acceptable to the previous company.

Courtesy: chennaionline.com

Soundarya all set to direct super daddy-Rajinikanth

After taking the nation by a storm in ‘Shivaji-The Boss’, superstar Rajinikanth is all set to woo millions across the globe once again as he begins shooting for ‘Sultan’, one of the most expensive animated flicks to be made in the history of Indian cinema.

The film that is a mythology based 3D animation flick will see daughter Soundarya directing papa, Rajinikanth. Speaking to a news daily about the flick, Soundarya said, "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."

So does directing papa make Soundarya nervous?

Well, for now the somber director is keeping her fingers crossed that all goes well. As for Rajinikanth, the director said, "The film stars superstar Rajinikanth, so yeah, I think that's the edge. 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".

The film that is a co-production between Soundarya’s Ocher studios and Adlabs will also see production inputs coming in from Hollywood’s Warner Bros that has signed a five action film deal with Ocher studios.

Courtesy: zeenews.com

Ileana pairs up with Superstar

Ileana, aptly named after the mythical Greek beauty Helen of Troy, has been away from Kollywood for long. But recently, she made Tamil film-goers happy when she announced that she will act in K.S. Ravikumar’s film opposite Vikram. Now, the fans are in for a double treat. And boy, what a treat it is! Ileana will pair up with superstar Rajinikanth for Sultan, The Warrior.

Sultan, The Warrior, as you know, is an animation film produced by Soundarya’s Ocher Studios and Adlabs. This film’s hero is modelled after superstar Rajinikanth. Now, the heroine of this film will be modelled after Ileana. The Rajinikanth-Ileana pair will enact the screenplay in a special studio; these scenes will serve as models for animated scenes of the film. Filming starts next month. Ileana has agreed to give a 20-day schedule.

Ileana said that she is happy to be acting in a Rajinikanth film and is very excited about it even though it is an animation film. She added that after all, almost all the animated scenes will be modelled after the scenes that Rajni and she will enact in the studio.

Courtesy:galatta.com