Shalini And Ajith Are Coming In As A Guest Role

He was instrumental in traveling all over India and spreading the Christian faith. His bone fragment still rests in the church on Little Mount in Chennai. On St. Thomas Mount, there is still the stone sculpture that he brought from Jerusalem. It is so zealously preserved that it still retains its luster. Thomas was buried at the Santhome Cathedral in Chennai.

Christians have come forward to make into film, the illustrious story of St. Thomas. It is estimated to cost around 50 crores.

Kalaignar

Since today is the memorial day of St. Thomas, the film pooja takes place at the Santhome Cathedral. It will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister, M Karunanidhi. Others who will participate in the function are Congress MLA Peter Aphonse, Madurai Mayor Peter Fernando, Chennai Deputy Mayor Lawrence Paes.

In this bug budget film, some Hollywood actors also form part of the cast. The shooting is to take place in Chenai, Idukki, Munnar and some foreign locales. The film's coordinator Reverend Father Paulraj Lourdasamy said there are plans to invite Ajith and Shalini to do guest appearances.

Though the pooja takes place today, the shooting will start only next January and will be completed by January 2010.

Namitha's underwater expertise In "Jaganmohini"

Many years ago, a movie named 'Jaganmohini' rocked Tamilnadu resulting in box office collections setting new records. The film was produced and directed by Vittalachariya. And now Murali Cine Arts is trying to recreate the same magic by remaking the film and the same title has been retained.

The story of the film is set about 300 years ago and actress Namitha would play a girl who specializes in pearl hunting. So, most of her scenes in the film would be in and around water. Something her fans would simply love.

The film also features Nila as the princess of another country and a popular Telugu hero Raja plays the protagonist. Interestingly, the hero of the earlier 'Jaganmohini', Narasimharaj plays the hero's father.

Plans are on to shoot underwater scenes near the Andamans and hi-tech cinematic technology is expected to be used. The crew has also planned innovative lighting techniques underwater. Something to look forward to.

The film has cinematography and direction by N. K. Vishwanathan and has music by Ilayaraja.

Meanwhile, what else is Namitha up to besides getting wet in 'Jaganmohini'? She has reportedly asked for an exorbitant salary when the producers of 'Karthigai' approached her to replace Malavika. As reported already Malavika and the makers of the film had a tussle that let to Malavika being shown the door.

Sources reveal that the salary asked by Namitha was so high it sent panic waves among the producers.

Padmapriya, Prithviraj In ‘Nagercoil’

Padmapriya, right from the start of her career, has been considered as a brainy actress who very well knew what she wants from films. She ventured out doing heavy roles with senior stars in Malayalam, and took her time to play heroine to younger heroes like Prithviraj. She had been with the young star in films like 'Sathumpodaathay' and 'Veeralipattu'.

Now the actress is once again teaming up with Prithviraj for 'Nagercoil', a movie directed by Surender. The movie will start its shoot within a couple of months.

Prithviraj is at present is shooting for 'Ninaythale Inikkum' with this year's national award winning actress Priyamani.

Padmapriya has signed for the Tamil film 'Pokkisham', apart from 'Kuttyshranku' with Mammootty in Malayalam.

G V Prakash Is Flying High These Days

G V Prakash is flying high these days. The songs he composed for 'Kuselan' is topping the audio charts and what's more…. he is flooded with offers from just about everybody in Kollywood. Appreciation from the superstar himself has landed him in great joy.

Meanwhile, the young music director is hoping for more variety in his music.

The talented young man who has in his films used several singers feels that variety is the need of the hour. He chose Punjabi singer Daler Mehandi to render a song in 'Kuselan', and opted for veteran playback singer P B Srinivas in 'Ayirathil Oruvan' and Subha Mudgal in 'Anand Thandavam'. Prakash, who has sung for the likes of A R Rahman and Harris Jeyaraj, will be lending his voice for his own music for the first time in 'Angadi Theru'.

'I want to go in for variety. I always look to explore with new voices,' the young happy music director says.

Grand set for "Padikadhavan"

In 'Padikadhavan' also, there's a railway station scene. To wait for permission would mean a delay of 6 months, so they have put up a grand set like a railway station at Ramoji Rao Film City in Hyderabad. It may cost lakhs but need not hang around for permissions. Nor does one need to have time restrictions on when to complete the shooting.

The film may be 'Padikadhavan' but the people are smart!

Udhayathara in Next Project "Autograph 2"

Cheran is contemplating to cast Mollywood lass Udhayathara for 'Autograph-2', a sequel to his blockbuster 'Autograph'.

Two characters of 'Autograph' Gopika and Kaniga, will not be a part of the sequel as the former is entering wedlock soon and the latter has already entered it. Looks like Cheran will be finding replacements for the characters and probably, that is how Udhayathara will be fitting into the scheme of things.

Navya Nair has been already cast in the sequel, while Sneha who was part of the original, has also agreed to star in the new version.

'Autograph', which consolidated Cheran as hero, went on to become a stupendous hit. The retro classic swept many awards at several film festivals.

Udhayathara is in the process of rising to fame in Tamil filmdom and has already completed 'Thee Nagar' starring Karan and 'Kannum Kannum' with Prasanna. She has reportedly expressed her delight to be part of 'Autograph 2'.

Once Cheran completes 'Raman Thediya Seethai', he is expected to revisit the story that took him to dizzy heights.

Prabhudeva To Act Again

After directing the Vijay starrer 'Villu', Prabhudeva would don the greasepaint again. In a recent interview, the choreographer-turned-actor-turned-director made it loud and clear that he has this innate desire to act in lead roles.

'Like dance, acting too is my passion. I am doing cameos in Telugu films, but that is just for friendship and fun. But then I am seriously planning to act in the lead role in a Tamil movie. If everything goes well, it will go to the floors next year.'

However, Prabhudeva has some reservations too. Says he, 'I will not direct the movie in which I am going to act. I want to concentrate on acting alone.'

The rubber man of South India has all that it takes to be flashy and successful before the camera. Let's wish this great talent all the very best in his second innings as an actor.

"Kuselan" Photo Gallery

Maddy Next Project "Naan Aval Adhu"

Naan Aval Adhu is the name of Maddy’s next film produced by Storm Pictures who are making their first venture into Kollywood. The film has Maddy in the lead role accompanied by Sada, Shamita Shetty, Sriman and Sayaji Shinde. After Ediri and Priya Sakhi, this will be the third film where Sada and Maddy have come together. The shooting of the film is completed

Naan Aval Adhu
and currently dubbing work is going on.

Noted Telugu script writer Kona Venkat will be making his debut in Tamil films as a director. The young music sensation G V Prakash Kumar has scored the music along with Patnaik, and Srikanth is the cinematographer. A press conference will be held this week in Chennai where the trailer of the film with few songs will be showcased to media. Naan Aval Adhu is slated for an August release.

Villu's Midnignt Grind

After wrapping up the first schedule in Palani, the second schedule of the Prabhu Deva directed, Vijay starrer is underway in Chennai from July 1, 2008. The shoots are being carried out with stringent security measures in and around the Nandambakkam area during midnights. We worked our sources to find out that few hair-raising stunt sequences are being canned in Nandambakkam.

The crew is expected to complete the schedule in 15 days after which it would travel to Thirunelveli for filming some significant sequences. Also, Nayan will join the crew during this leg of the shooting, reveal sources.

Three Movies In Different Genres Are Releasing This Friday- July 4

Three movies in different genres are releasing this Friday- July 4. After a long time there are three Tamil releases on a Friday. All the three are in different genres and carry decent pre-release reports.

Munniyandi Vilayangial Moonramaandu (MVM)
Bharath is once again playing action hero in a film set against a family background in a semi-urban village. The heroine a Mallu girl a spitting image of Asin is directed by Thirumurugan who had made Emttan Magan earlier and Mettioli, the longest running soap fame and has Vadivel in a comedy track. MVM is crucial for Bharath who needs a hit badly after Nepali's 'No Show' at the box-office.

Genre- Action, Family drama

Subramaniapuram
Debutant director Sasikumar, a former assistant of Bala and Ameer is making his debut in Subramaniapuram, a film set in Madurai of the 80's. The film is the story of four friends who bond well, one day a girl walks into the gang and things are never the same again. The guys who play the four men gang are- Jai (Chennai-600028, fame), Ganjakarupu, Mari and director Sasikumar himself. And the heroine is Swathy. The film has some 80's retro music by television anchor turned music director James Vasanthan.

Genre- Musical love story

Uliyin Osai

At last, the romantic historical Uliyin Osai, based on Tamilnadu Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi's classic work Sarappallam Samundi is releasing. The period drama set in RajaRaja Chozha period is a love story between a sculptor and a dancer. Vineeth, Keerthi Chawla, and Akshay are in the lead. The highlight of the film is said to be the haunting music of Ilayaraaja.

Lingusamy's New Film With Karthi And Nayan

It's official! Nayanthara has signed a record deal, to do ace director Lingusamy's new untitled film with Karthi as the hero.

It is a major casting coup of sorts for Lingusamy as he is bringing together the fastest rising young star with the number one heroine in Kollywood.

Nayan is said to have signed the film for the highest ever amount offered to a south Indian heroine in recent times. The film is said to be a romantic comedy entertainer against the backdrop of a city.

After listening to Lingu's storyline, Nayan simply fell in love with it. She is also eager to do a film with Karthi and this new pair is sure to sizzle on screen.

The film will have music by Yuvan Shankar Raja and the shoot will start in August. Nayan has given bulk dates for the film in September as it is likely to be completed in one single schedule.

Meena And Pasupathi Kept Away

Even though the audio launch of Kuselan was held few days before, the after effects are still felt as the people who did the main characters were kept away from the function.


In the case of Pasupathi, when the story was told to him, it was said that he will be doing 75% of the movie and the remaining will be Rajini's.

When the shooting started, Vadivelu was roped in and keeping Pasupathi near by, the director was saying to Vadivelu "I depend more Rajini and you (Vadivelu) and who cares this guy (Pasupathi) who has no value for himself"

All the stills that are published to the media have only Rajini, Vadivelu and Nayanthara, while the heart of the story deals with Pasupathi and Meena. Even the audio CD has only Nayan and Rajini.

For Pasupathi and Meena, its really a humiliating situation as more worse than this no one can tease them in their living time.

55th National Filmfare Awards

Nomination for the 55th National Filmfare awards has been sent. As per the details available, all the leading stars in the industry has been proposed for the awards. They are:

1. Rajini - Sivaji



2. Vijay - Pokkiri



3. Ajith - Billa



4. Sathyaraj And Archana- Onpathu Rooba Nottu



5. Jothika - Mozhi



6. Priyamani - Paruthiveeran



7. Tamanna - Kalloori



8. Nayanthara - Billa

"Ulliyin Osai" special invitees Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan

Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, along with 150 special invitees including Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan watched ‘Ulliyin Osai’ on Tuesday, a film based on a story the Chief Minister had written four decades ago.

Rajini, when asked about the movie, said, 'Story, screen play and dialogues are super. It is a fantastic love story. Excellent.' Asked if there was any particular dialogue that he liked, he said that there were far too many.

Praising Karunanidhi, Kamal said, 'He had worked on the project despite all his duties as Chief Minister. I have a lot to learn from him.'

This film proves that both Kalaignar's stories and art are timeless, said director Bharathirajaa.

K S Ravikumar, fresh from the success of ‘Dasavatharam’, said there were so many twists and unexpected turns in the movie in the second half and that kept him very interested and absorbed. 'The songs are very good and so is the manner in which they have been filmed. I did not expect such a touching movie,' he said.

The film is based on Karunanidhi's short story 'Saarapallam Samundi'. Produced by Thiruvottiyur SP Murugesan, the film has Keerthi Chawla, Suja, Vineeth and Sarath Babu in lead roles. Ilavenil makes his debut as director while Ilayaraja has handled the music.

Shanker Consultation With A Famous Astrologer

Though predictions come true or not, Tamil Cinema is well known for going by what astrologers predict. An interesting tidbit about the much hyped and highly anticipated film 'Robot' starring superstar Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai seems to be in consultation with a famous astrologer.

Sources have indicated that a top personality involved with the project had taken director Shankar's horoscope to the astrologer in a bid to find out about the film's prospects. The astrologer in turn had wanted to meet Shankar in person before going ahead with the predictions. Shankar had an audience with the astrologer and certain 'revelations' were made.

According to the astrologer, Shankar's 'time' is good at the moment and will continue to be so for a few years. However, with regards to 'Robot', the movie must be made immediately in order to have a dream run worldwide. A delay in its release might even doom the movie to failure.

This information has reportedly rattled the director. One will have to wait and see if the director takes the astrologer's prediction seriously and start filming at once.

It is not know if the astrologer is a fan of the Rajini – Shankar combination and is in haste to see the movie released quickly.

Raghava Lawrence Next Film "Rajadhi Raja"

Pooja has replaced Sandhya for Sakthi Chidambaram's ‘Rajadhi Raja’. The movie starring Ragava Larencce in the lead role is produced and directed by Sakthi Chidambaram.

Sandhya has reportedly pulled out since her role demanded her to perform in skimpy and glamorous costumes.

Now Pooja has agreed to replace Sandhya. Pooja was keen on signing her next film only after the release of ‘Naan Kadavul’, directed by Bala. However she was impressed with the story narrated by Sakthi Chidmbaram and readily agreed to do the movie.

Sakthi Chidambaram has denied that it is a remake of yesteryear Rajini hit. We have just borrowed the title as it sits apt on our story.