Disney to produce “Marmayogi”

It looks like Kamal Haasan has finally zeroed in on a producer for his next project “Marmayogi.” The big budget venture is to be coproduced by Hollywood’s Walt Disney Productions and India’s Bharat Bala Productions. The film will be simultaneously produced in Tamil, Hindi and English.

“Marmayogi,” a historical story set in the seventh century, is to be directed by the versatile actor himself with music by maestro A.R. Rahman. The rest of the cast and crew have yet to be finalized. However, yesteryear-Bollywood actress Hemamalini is playing an important role in this film. Sources say that Asin, who is currently paired with Kamal in his movie Dashaavtaram, will also play the leading lady in this film as well.

To kick start the project, Kamal Haasan plans to go to the U.S. in a few days to discuss production details. He is planning to shoot a major part of the film in the exotic locations of Thailand. The film is to be announced by February and will start shooting very soon.

Reportedly, the film is a remake of the 1951 MGR-Anjali Devi flick of the same name. It is based on the novel “Vendetta: The Story of One Forgotten,” written by Marie Corelli in 1886.

The film is said to be budgeted at 120 crores, making it the most expensive Indian film ever made. However, it might face stiff competition since the title from the recently announced Rajinikanth movie “Robot” is also said to cost 120 crores.

It should be noted that both Rajni and Kamal respectively started their movies “Sivaji” and “Dasavatharam” almost at the same time with the same claim. While “Sivaji,” which was released last June, went on to become a record-breaking blockbuster, “Dashaavtaram” is still under production and is expected to hit the screens in time for Tamil New Year.

Courtesy: Indianewengland.com

Kamal Haasan to join forces with Disney for Marma Yogi

Tamil actor Kamal Haasan will now join forces with the Walt Disney Productions, who are slated to produce his forthcoming film Marma Yogi (Mysterious Saint).

Walt Disney Productions, which recently tied up with Yash Raj Films for a full-length animated feature called Roadside Romeo, wanted to expand its operations across the country.

According to sources, this spectacle will be co-produced by Bharath Bala, who was responsible for Vande Mataram, the first patriotic music video by A. R. Rahman. The new collaboration will also see Kamal Haasan and A. R. Rahman coming together after a long gap.

The film, which is said to be directed by Kamal Haasan will be his fourth directorial venture. It is a period drama, set in the seventh century, which will also feature him in the lead role. Hema Malini, who worked with Kamal in Hey Ram and Asin, and who is casted opposite him in Dasavadharam, has been roped in to play key role.

Co-incidentally, Marma Yogi is the title of one of MGR's legendary blockbusters, which is known to be the first Tamil film to receive an 'A' certificate at the time of its release in 1951. This is the second time that Kamal has adopted the title of an MGR film (after Sathi Leelavathi of 1936). The new film, which is touted to be the most expensive Tamil film, has an astronomical budget of Rs 90 crore.

Kamal will shortly go to the US to discuss the production of this film, which is slated to be shot in Thailand and the actor plans to start shooting for this film in February.

Courtesy: Televisionpoint.com