Kollywood News and Events

A.R. Rahman pays tribute to Michael Jackson on his death.

I am shocked at the untimely passing away of Michael Jackson, one of
the greatest musicians of our time.

MJ, for most of our generation was an icon who made uncompromising
music. He pushed the milestone of Pop music to unbelievable levels
through the 8os and 90s. I am yet to find an artist with that energy,
perfection and vision.

I met him personally after the Oscars in Los Angeles and we vibed very
well. He said that he loved India and the Indian people. He said he
heard good things about me and he was praising the chord progression
of Jai Ho's chorus.

He was bursting with energy and told me that every dance move he
did,came from his soul and did a five second stunning example. It was
like a lightning strike :)

He was concerned about developmental issues such as Global Warming and
about wars and its damages to the human community.

He asked me to compose a unity anthem on the likes of "We are the
World " for him. I nodded in awe ...!

He introduced me to his three lovely bright Kids. The kids told him
"I love you dad" and he replied “I love you more” as a proud father.
I wished him well for his concerts and he said “God Bless you”.

After hearing the shocking news I wished it was another rumor which
would fade away soon. It took me time to believe that he is no more.

I remember, my late sound engineer Sridhar had brought me a video of
the premiere of "Remember the Time" when I was recording "Kadal
Rojave" for my first movie Roja. Seeing it inspired all of us that
afternoon.

Now, there is no Sridhar and no Jackson anymore.

I hope all of us value people's existence more and respect them when
they are alive.

LIFE IS SHORT...! Artists and their art live for ever. Jai Ho, MJ !
We love you for your music, regardless of all the controversies!

All are awaiting with bated breadth for Kamal Hassan’s much-awaited movie Unnai Pol Oruvan with Mohanlal. The film, a remake of the Bollywood trendsetter, A Wednesday, has been tweaked to suit the taste of Tamil audience.


Kamal fans wanted it to be released on August 12, 2009, for sentimental reasons. It is the 50th Golden Jubilee year since the Ulaganayagan’s first film as a child artist Kalathoor Kannamma released on August 12, 1959.

Now, working on those sentiments, the trade wants it to be released on August 12, too, in Tamil and Telugu.As it is the Independence day weekend and with August 12 being a Wednesday, will the film have a record opening worldwide? Fingers crossed!!

Kollywood bombsheel Namitha is much leaner now! Courtesy, long walks around her dream home in Ambi Valley in Mumbai.

The actress who has lost 8 kilos says that she owe it all to her long walks and her nutritionist and dietician Rujuta Diwekar. Rujita was the one who helped Kareena Kapoor carve a super sexy body.

Guess who is Namitha's neighbour. It's none other than politician and PETA activist Maneka Gandhi

“I am now settled in Mumbai after my dream home in Ambi Valley got ready. I love the place as it is close to nature, and I go for long walks in the woods. It is something which I never could never dream of in Chennai or Hyderabad”.

Namitha is currently doing a Telugu film Desadrohi and a Malayalam film Black Stallion. Her ambitious film Indravizha in which she has an author backed role is getting ready for release on July 10.

The Prasanna - Sneha starrer Achamundu, Achamundu is all set for its release in Tamilnadu on July 10th.

This is India's first movie filmed on RED ONE camera. It is also the first film where Emmy award winner John Shea plays a prominent role.

At a recent screening of the film at Shanghai International film festival, Achchamundu! Achchamundu! received a thunderous reception.

The telugu version of AA is also getting ready and if things go as planned, it will hit the theatres simultaneously, said its director Arun Vaidyanathan.

The censor officials who have seen the film appreciated the AA team and its director for giving a good entertainer. The film is certified with UA and the producer Ananth govindan on behalf of his team says 'We are planning for 100% digital release all over Tamilnadu".

The Prasanna - Sneha starrer Achchamundu! Achchamundu! is all set for its release in Tamilnadu on July 10th.

This is India's first movie filmed on RED ONE camera. It is also the first film where Emmy award winner John Shea plays a prominent role.


The telugu version of AA is also getting ready and if things go as planned, it will hit the theatres simultaneously, said its director Arun Vaidyanathan.

The censor officials who have seen the film appreciated the AA team and its director for giving a good entertainer. The film is certified with UA and the producer Ananth govindan on behalf of his team says 'We are planning for 100% digital release all over Tamilnadu".

Renowned British director and the director of Oscar winner Slumdog Millionaire, Danny Boyle, had congratulated Arun Vaidyanathan for a "clean entertainer."

The grand wedding ceremony took place at Srivaru Venkatachalapati palace in Chennai. Though it was an early muhurtham between 7.30 am and 9 am, the kollywood league was present in full strength to bless the couple.

The cute, bubbly, Mallu girl Bhavana is still at it! She is desperate to shed her girl-next-door image and wants to turn a hottie!

For the Ajith starrer Asal directed by Saran, Bhavana has undergone a 'shocking' makeover with a glam look. Sporting tights and chic T-shirts with straightened hair, she surely looks a hot babe.

However, her early makeovers in Malayalam film T-20, a Dileep-starrer turned a real flop. Though she was seen sun-kissing on the beaches of Mauritius in mini-skirts and tops, she flunked badly with her looks.

Hope this new makeover in Tamil will lend her the much-needed recognition. Good luck baby!

With Father's day nearing, here's another act from Father Sarathkumar.

He has teamed up with his daughter, Vijayalaxmi (born out of wedlock with his first wife Chaya) to form a company to promote theatre, drama, dance and musicals.

The duo plans to bring the the most popularl Broadway Musical, MAMMA MIA! from the Hot Shoe Entertainment Production to Chennai.

The twosome has already made arrangements for the musical to be performed in Chennai on July 4 and 5 at the Music Academy and on 24th and 25th of July in Bangalore.

Varalaxmi, who has done her degree in microbiology in Chennai and her Masters in Management in Scotland, had returned to Chennai only in 2007.

However, the bitten by the movie bug, she will soon make her debut in the forthcoming romantic comedy Poda Podi with Silambarasan.

The Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) has unanimously elected comedy artiste Innocent as its president for the fourth time in a row.
Innocent said that he wanted to step down, but had to accept the post for the fourth time because everyone wanted him to continue.

Even though the Malayalam film industry is passing through difficult times with lesser number of films being produced, the body of film artistes is united as ever before and the actor is very happy.

"One thing why I am very happy is that I always wanted that in a body like ours there should be no elections because it could lead to unpleasant situations. We don't need a ruling and an opposition front among ourselves. This shows that we are united and we have no issues at all," said Innocent.

Innocent has been the president of AMMA since 2000 and at an executive meeting held here Monday night, there were no issues when his name was cleared unanimously.

Apart from Innocent, 16 other artistes were also elected unanimously to the executive committee. The two vice presidents are two time opposition legislator K.B. Ganesh Kumar and Mukesh.

Veteran superstar Mohanlal is the general secretary, while Edavela Babu is the secretary and Jagadish is the treasurer.

Superstar Mammooty and actor Dileep also found places in the committee.

The official announcement would be made here Thursday and the new committee will take charge at the 15th annual general body meeting to be held here June 25.

After Kuruvi, the second film from Red Giant Movies of Udhayanidhi Stalin is Aadhavan.

The film is pegged as another sure shot entertainer with Suriya and Nayantara in the lead. The key highlight of the movie is the reappearance of veteran actress Saroja Devi, who plays a key role in the film. Other cast include vedivelu, Murali, Fefsi Vijayan, Ramesh Khanna, Shayaji Shindae, Rahul Dev, Anand Babu, Manobala and Erode Soundar.

The shooting initially began in Chennai and was shot in Chettinad Palace. A few key scenes and a song sequence titled Dekho dekho (penned by Valee) and choreographed by Gayathiri Raghuram featuring over 200 junior artistes were taken.

At AVM Studios, a grand set erected by Rajeevan for a song titled Varayo varayo (penned by Kabilan) was shot on Suriya and Nayantara.

Another song, titled Masi Mas, featuring Suriya - Nayantara and Murali - Saroja Devi was canned in Darjeeling

Though most part of the movie was shot in Kodaikanal,. a few others involving Suriya and Rahul Dev were shot in busy streets of Kolkata and Delhi.

Now the cast and crew are off to iceland to shoot a song Eno Eno Interestingly this is the first film to be shot in the region where popular james Bond movies like A View To Kill and Die Another day were shot. The song would be canned for ten days.

The magnum opus of Selvaraghavan ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’ is all set to hit the screens by first week of August. The project was shot nearly for 2 ½ years.

Director Selvaraghavan, Producer Ravendran, Actors Karthi, Parthiban and Andrea, Music Director G.V. Prakash, Cinematographer Ramji and Choreographer Siva Shankar interacted with the media today to announce the audio launch of the film.

The movie's audio launch is slated on Sunday June 14, 6.30 pm at University Hall. Chennai.

Producer Ravendran has set this occasion for a more grander display including dance performance by Ladies – Kerala ‘Singari Melam’, rope dance, snake dance, Kerala ‘Kalari Fight’
Classical Dance by actor Poorna, ‘MAKOSSA’ Dance from Nigeria, Dallu’s fashion show (Featuring the star-casts of ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’ with his collections) and live performances by G.V. Prakash and his crew.

Southern spice Shrya Saran took her shots with hot dude Arya for their upcoming release, Chikku bukku. Some hot scenes were shot in picturesque coffee plantation in Chikmagalur in Karnataka.

The film directed by Manigandan, is reportedly a mix of three Bollywood films in which Shirya plays the role of a bubbly and chatty girl akin to Kareena in Jab we met.

Music composers Hariharan and Leslie Lewis are said to have churned out some really romatic tunes and the film is being billed as a romantic entertainer with all masala elements in it.

The wedding reception of actor Jeyam Ravi and Aarthi took place in MRC grounds in Chennai on June 7. The main marriage ceremony was held on June 4.
Almost the entire Kollywood fraternity and the small screen artists turned up wish the young couple.

Apart from top stars as Vijay, Surya, Dhanush, politicians like Deputy CM Stalin, Dayanidhi Maran, GK Vasan, ex-minister Anbumani, Jayakumar also attended the function

Superstars Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan, attended the main wedding on June 4 and blessed the couple.

Even Nayanthara seems to unaware of her union with Prabhu Deva while the whole world is abuzz with their marriage rumours.

There were strong rumours on Sunday that Prabhu Deva, father of three children, has tied the knot with Kollywood hottie, Nayanthara in a secret place.

A few websites even claimed to have their wedding photos though what they threw up was only a set of individual photos of the twosome. Nayan's tatoo act, of having Prabhu Deva's name in her hand lend credence to this rumour.

However, coming out in the open about the gossip, Nayanthara in a press conference on Monday denied such an incident.

She said: “Even I heard about my marriage. Isn’t that funny? I’m not even in Hyderabad right now. Everyone knows that I am a very open person and when I decide to get married, I will officially announce it to the media. I believe in the institution of marriage and when it will be with the blessing of my parents. I don't need to do it secretly.

Remember Palaivanacholai, the super-duper hit of 1980s starring Suhasini and Chandrasekar with the excellent song Meghame Meghame rendred by Vani Jayaram?

This film joins the latest remake leagues. Maruti Films’ producer R Radhakrishnan and Director S Dayalan are all set to recreate the magic albeit some changes in the climax.

While the original cast included Chandrasekar, Janakaraj, Rajiv, Thyagu and Suhasini, the new version will have Nitin Sathya playing Chandrasekar's role with Sams, Abinaya, Sathyan and Karthika.

The rest of the cast includes TP Gajendran, Manobala, Anu Mohan and Veniradai Murthy amongst others.

Two remix songs are there amongst the five songs in the film. Megame is sung by Sadhana Sargam while Alanalum Aalu is by Karthik. Vairamuthu has penned the lyrics and EK Boby has handled music.

The film is set for release in July

The hot chick of Kollywood and Tollywood has decided to go plain, sans any glamour, for her upcoming Malayalam flick, Bodyguard.

The glam girl has opted for a traditional Mallu look for the movie. She plays the role of Ammu, a college-going girl. Dileep dons the hero role for the movie directed by Siddique.

The film is being shot in Palakkad, Kottayam and a few other places. This is Nayan's comeback Malayalam movie after a break of four years.

The Chennai International Screenwriting Workshop, the first of its kind in South India, hosted by Raajkamal Films International in association with the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, will kick off with a brief inaugural session on May 28.

The workshop will culminate with a two-day seminar with some of the best screenwriters and filmmakers from around the world.

French writer Jean Claude Carriere, Olivier Lorelle (whose film Indigenes was nominated to the Oscars 2006) and Shekhar Kapur, will share their thoughts with the likes of K. Balachander, Balu Mahendra, Gulzar, Gollapudi Maruthi Rao, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Vishal Bharadwaj, Rituparno Ghosh, Shyamaprasad and Sriram Raghavan at the seminar between June 2 and June 3, 2009.

"I envy the 250 delegates who will get to be there at the ICSR auditorium at IIT to listen to the masters and attend the screenwriting workshop to be conducted by Anjum Rajabali, Atul Tiwari and K.Hariharan," says Kamal Haasan.

Kamal Haasan is dedicating the seminar to his dear old friend Ananthu, who first introduced him to world cinema.

"Ananthu was the one who got me into writing. Suchitra Film Society would screen films from around the world. Every time films came for festivals, we would hijack the films and watch them," he recalls. "Once I could afford it, I went to the US and spent some time with (John) Truby. He was like my coach. He introduced me to all the tools I needed. Thevar Magan was the first film here to be written with Movie Magic, a screenwriting software."

Later in the nineties, he met Luis Bunuel's regular hand Jean Claude Carriere, who went on to become the co-writer for Maruthanayagam. "He then introduced me to Abbas Kiarostami and that was the first time we spoke of mentoring writers and filmmakers. Because not all storytellers make for good screenwriters. Even if Shakespeare was around today, he would have to learn screenwriting. Not to say screenwriting is greater than Shakespeare. It's just that the rules of the game have changed. It took me nearly twenty years to learn what is today taught in film schools. These 250 students we have selected will need just a week to take their first baby step towards writing."

The speakers all belong to different schools of cinema. "All the people I have called are people I have learned from even if they are younger than me. Some of them are people I consider mentors. Mr. Balachander has written and produced 100 different films, Mr. Balu Mahendra and I wish Mani Ratnam could've come too but he has a film to complete."

The workshop is only for selected delegates and the seminar is only by invitation.

The "crazy" brand of humour is all set to hit Tamil screens again. This time, with Karthik Kumar in the lead though! (You last saw him in Dhanush's flick, Yaaradi nee mohini).

Crazy Mohan has penned the script and screenplay of the film Kola Kolaya Mundirikka which is being directed by Madhumita. She made her directorial debut in Vallamai Tharayo.

Kola Kola... cast Karthik and Shika in the lead, with Jayaram, Anandaraj, Vasu, Vikram,M S Bhaskar, Delhi Ganesh and others.

The film was launched recently by Ace director of yesteryears, K. Balachander. Crazy Mohan is confident that he would make people laugh 500 times in two hours through the film.

No more pirated CDs of even the latest flicks. Thanks to Moserbaer. The company has managed to get the DVD publishing rights of even all latest flicks including Subramaniapuram, Anjathey, Sachin, Mayavi and Abhishek Bachchan-starrer Delhi 6.

The company is reportedly wooing all film producers saying that if they could bring out the original DVDs well in advance, it can be beneficial both to the producers and consumers alike. Also, it hopes that this effort can put a tab on the thriving pirated CD market.

In the recent times, the Moserbaer has also managed to release a few popular language films with English sub-titles so that they could reach a global audience.

Oscar winning music composer A.R. Rahman will soon have a doctorate degree added to his title. Courtesy: Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

The doctorate will be conferred on him at the ensuing 59th annual convocation function of the varsity to be held on June 7.

This honarary degree is being given to Rahman appreciating the double Oscars that he won for Danny Boyle's film, Slumdog Millionaire

Apart from Rahman, Gopichand Narang, former president of Sahitya Academy, would also be conferred an honorary doctorate.

Thambi Vettothi Sundaram, story is based on the real life incidents that took place in Kanyakumari, ten years ago, is the latest film to be produced by J. Sentilkumar on behalf of TJS 24 Frames.

"There are two heroes in this film. Karan and Story! We have presented the storyline without distorting the authenticity. Each and every frame will demonstrate reality," says Director V.C. Vadivudayan, a student of Veteran Malayalam director Shaaji Kailash.

The story is about a young man who is possessed by an evil spirit. But what drives him to break the spell of curse forms the crux of the film.

The cast includes Karan, Anjali, Saravanan, Kanja Karuppu, Vennira Aadai Moorthy and others. Cameraman Anjaneyalu, Editor Suresh Ars, Stunt Master Kanal Kannal have also teamed up together.First shooting session took place at Kanyakumari - Kerala border for 35 days.

Vairamuthu and Vidhyasagar have joined hands to create a celebratory and soothing musical treat.

Adman Prakash Verma is the cyonsure of all eyes in the advertising world. For his recent creation, the Vodafone Zoozoos, have caught the fancy of one and all. The alien-like characters with bulbous heads and stick-like hands and legs were the original idea of creative director Rajiv Rao of Nirvana Films.

While Prakash sketched the chracters, Rajiv got the scrips ready for about 30 films based on Vodafone's various value-added services.

The film shot with real people, made to look like animated characters, was a challenge in itself. The team opted for a special material for body suit to show no creases and the entire project was shot in Cape Town, South Africa.

The interesting tidbit about the ad film maker is that he had already made his mark in the tinsel town already as a director with his films Moonamthoral and Freaky Chakra.

The ad maker is reportedly toying the idea of getting into feature films again. Will Zoozoos enter Kollywood soon?

Michael Jackson of India Prabhu Deva is now donning a different role among the Hindi audience. That of a judge in the hottest television dance reality show, Jhalak Dikhala Ja.

The show being aired on Sony TV features celebrity dancers and celebrity judges. Currently 'disco dancer' Mithun Chakraborty, fondly called Mithun da, is the main judge. Prabhu Deva has been called in as the celebrity fourth judge to sort out the dispute between the audience voting and judges favourite.

Though as per audience voting, contestant Hard Kaur was voted out, the judges stumped by her mind-blowing performance, wanted her in.
To resolve this dispute, Prabhu Deva has been called in as a fourth and celebrity judge.

Prabhu Deva is all set to make his Bollywood debut as a director with the Salman Khan starrer, Wanted.

The audio launch of the film Valmiki' produced by media company Vikatan Talkies is scheduled to be held in Chennai on May 22. Maestro Ilayaraja has scored the music for the film.

Malayalam Television anchor turned actress Meera Nandan will make her debut in Tamil with this movie. Kallori fame Akhil is the hero of the movie
The movie is being directed by Anantha Narayanan, former assistant of Director Shanker.

The audio will be released by Director Shanker and will be received by Director N.Linguswamy.

Eminent personalities including Ramanarayanan, Kalaipuli G.Sekar, Abirami Ramanathan etc are expected to participate in the function.

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal celebrated his 49th birthday today(May 21) quietly at a hotel in between the shoot of his latest film, Alexander The Great.

The actor refused any celebrations as his father-in-law produced Balaji had passed away recently.

The only celebration was a cake cutting ceremony, participated by the entire unit. Mohanlal has more than about 300 films to his credit and had recently teamed up with Kamal Hassan for a Tamil movie, Unnaipol oruvan.

This the first time that the two superstars of Tamil and Malayalam film industry had come together.

The sizzling promotional stills of latest flick Thoranai show Shriya dressed in a skimpy blue top and getting wet on a beach. Thoranai’ is the story of smart guy who believes in his brain power and does some amazing things using it. Vishal plays the prudent young man whle Shriya plays the roll of a call centre employee.

Director AMR Ramesh, who is directing a film on Rajiv Gandhi's assasination case, 21/5/1991 - The Hunt for Rajiv Gandhi killers, has zeroed in on Bollywood bombshell Divya Dutta to play the crucial role of LTTE militant, Nalini.
There are reports doing rounds that she may visit the original Nalini, one of the convicts in the assassination case, now in jail in Tamil Nadu. However, Divya has acknowledged that she has been watching videos of Priyanka Gandhi's recent interviews about her meeting with Nalini.
Even lookwise too, Divya who is a real bombshell, is reported to have started working hard. She soon hopes to have a leaner and meaner look to suit the profile of the character she is portraying.

Pasupathy's latest flick is ‘Vedigundu’ Murugesan which depicts the life of a petty thief with great adherence for Tamil Literature falling in love with a lady cop enacted by Jyothirmayee.

The cast also includes Vadivelu, Nirmala Periyasamy, debutants Deepa and Veera, George and many others.

Director C. Moorthy, who made his debut in Karuppasamy Kuthagaitharar, has directed the film. Bala Bharathi has handled the camera while K.L. Praveen and N.B. Srikanth have edited the sequences.

Dheena has tuned mesmerizing tunes for the lyrical lines of Yughabharathi and Eknath.

The film is set for release on June…

Tamil star Madhavan is super thrilled about his latest flick "13B" gaining an entry into the 12th Shanghai International Film Festival, scheduled to be held from June 13-21.

He plans to go Shanghai along with the film's debutant director Vikram K.
Kumar for the screening of the film. The Tamil version of "13B", called "Yavarum Nalam", is also a hit.

Madhavan had just finished a long shooting schedule in London for the Hindi film "Teen Patti" in which he is cast along with superstar Amitabh Bachchan and Hollywood actor Ben Kingsley. He is currently taking a break with his family members in Bangkok.

The hot kissing scene between Shriya and Vishal in Thoranai.