Kollywood Hotshots

Prabhu Deva's wife Ramlath has opened her heart to a leading vernacular daily with a tearful message that she is already distressed by the death of her 12-year-old son Vishal due to cancer six months ago.

In her hard-hitting message, Ramalath said she would never allow her husband to marry another girl. “A husband is punished for a second marriage when his first wife is alive. I feel the second wife should be arrested when she tries to snatch a man who is already married.”

Admitting that she did pick a fight with Nayantara once over phone, Ramlath said she will give Nayantara a sound thrashing if they meet.

Expressing her anger at a leading actor who, in the garb of playing a mediator's role, is only helping the love to blossom, Ramlath said that the said actor should put his house in order first – clearly referring to his divorce case, now in the High Court.

“If Nayantara could throw Simbu out after being on the verge of marrying him, what is the guarantee that the same fate would not befall my simpleton husband,” says this mother of three.

In a pleading note, Ramlath has requested elders to intervene to solve this unsavoury episode which has rocked Kollywood.

Later the unit will move to London, where a major chunk of the film will be shot.

The film directed by Saran has Sameera Reddy and Bhavana as heroines. Two songs tuned by Bhardwaj are going to be canned in this schedule. One of the songs will be picturised against the moonlit Eiffel Tower in Paris.

After the Paris and London shoot nearly 80 percent of the film will be over. Asal is likely to be a Pongal 2010 release.

It is common belief that Baba has lived for more than 2,500 years and that the caves exude a lot of positive energy and one can feel that enigmatic aura. Recently, the crew of an investigative show on a television channel visited the Himalayas to throw more light on the mystical caves. A close friend of Rajinikanth also joined the team and took them to the path that leads to the Baba caves, narrating many interesting anecdotes en route. The channel is airing the visit as a four-part series this week, and promises a mystic journey to the Himalayas. Hop on!

The popular International Harpers and Queen magazine had listed 100 beautiful women and among them was our Aishwarya Rai Bachchan! Not only that! She has taken the ninth rank in the list, reports say.

Meanwhile, Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie is said to be topping the list, followed by Supermodel Christy Turlington. Among other beauties, Queen Rania of Jordan has also found her place in the chart.

Asal, directed by Charan, features Ajith in a style of quirky-side-burns-connected-to-the-thick-moustache and has already raised a few eyebrows. Sameera Reddy and Bhavana play his female leads. Asal is produced by Sivaji Productions.

Having become the apple of producers’ eyes, Tamanna has also bagged the role opposite Vijay in Sura. Mani Sharma scores for Sura that also has Vadivelu.

The producer of the film Boney Kapoor was very particular not to hold any previews or a premiere of the film.

Prabhu Deva could have easily arranged a special screening for her in one of the preview theatres. But Nayan was very particular to see the film at a theatre and gauge the audience’s reaction.

Prabhu arranged tickets at the Cinemax multiplex in Bandra, for the first day first show. As Wanted, a remake of Vijay-Asin Pokkiri unfolded the audiences including Nayan got hooked to the film which is pure mass masala entertainer.

Nayan enjoyed every moment of the film as Salman Khan is her favourite

Bollywood actor. The film as noted Bollywood critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh wrote- “Wanted rides on Salman Khan's star power. He may not be the best actor in town, but in a film like this, in a role that seems like an extension of his personality, you can't think of anyone else enacting this role with flourish”.

The film has taken an earth shattering opening in its first two days and with Eid (Ramzan) falling on Monday, Wanted is sure all set to be another Ghajini in Bollywood.

Buzz is that Katrina Kaif has been approached for the role. Suriya had favoured Harris Jayaraj to score music for all the three versions. Suriya, Murugadoss and Harris Jayaraj had teamed up to render a huge hit in ‘Ghajini’.

Suriya will also be acting in a Bollywood film ‘Rakta Charitra’, to be directed by Ram Gopal Varma. In Hari’s ‘Singam’, Suriya plays a straight-forward police officer Durai Singam who fights evil in society.

A petition has been filed at the Madras High Court by N. Narayanan, representing Pyramid Saimira, that Kamal Haasan has taken an advance amount of Rs. 7.82 crore for the proposed Marmayogi project at an estimated cost of Rs. 100 crore. As Kamal Haasan has violated the agreement of not acting in any other movie till Marmayogi is completed, the petitioner wanted the release of Unnaipol Oruvan to be stopped.

Judge Rajasurya has advised Chidambaram, the lawyer representing Raaj Kamal Films, that the counter has to be filed by Wednesday. Curiously, A Wednesday was the name of the Hindi title.So the last is not yet been heard regarding the release date of Unnaipol Oruvan.

Namitha is understandably excited and a wee bit nervous as the hype had been on a level higher than for her earlier movies. She is happy on two counts – the trailers have been well received and the music of 'Isaignani' Ilayaraja has become popular.

Namitha said she had no problem to be called a glamour doll but she also has a deep desire to be known as an actress with talent, one who can also slip into glamour roles. In more ways than one, Jaganmohini means a lot to her. “This is one movie where my character is the pivot with the whole plot revolving around me," says Namitha with great enthusiasm.

Namitha also has the English film Maya to look forward to. But before that, she has to pass the Jaganmohini test. “Yes, it has been playing in my mind right from day one of the shoot,” she said with her typical honesty.

Now as it’s planned to reschedule the function with Kamal Haasan as the chief guest, they are waiting for his favourable date. But birdies say that the reason why Kamal was invited is because our Superstar refused to grace the functi1on. As Rajini attended the recent anniversary function of the Nadigar Sangam he stayed away from this function says the sources.

Fair enough! But for what cause is this admiration party for Nepoleon and Jegathratchagan? Well, it is in honour of the members of Nadigar Sangam who have turned as Central Ministers. And so a party just for Nepoleon and Jegathratchagan!

Top actresses like Shriya Saran prefer to travel only by Jet Airways. On Thursday (Sep 10), Shriya flew in to Chennai from Bangalore (where she was shooting) for one of her endorsement events, in a different airline and was finding it difficult in the evening to get business class tickets to go back to Mumbai.

Shriya wanted to be in Mumbai on Friday , to celebrate her birthday with close friends and catch the Saturday early morning (3AM), Jet flight to Toronto, where she was to walk the red carpet for Deepa Mehta’s What’s Cooking Stella.

A peeved Shriya who was to go to Toronto from Mumbai accompanied by her mother and had booked weeks in advance found that her Jet flight has been cancelled!

Now Shriya is running around on her birthday trying to get a “business class” ticket for two to Toronto in “any international airline” as she has to be there latest by Saturday evening!

We hear it that the filming will start from the month of December. This time the weapon in Sasi’s hands is to narrate the sole of friendship, without love. Arya and Pooja and classmates till their high school. During the alumni day function, a scene in which Arya and Pooja are meeting each other after along gap will be canned. And this is where Pooja will be appearing says the sources.

Friendship without love… Isn’t it a lovely topic? Let’s wait for this one guys…

The cancellation came about because the producers did not get permission to shoot in certain locations in Chennai city.

And what did Tammu do? She immediately took off to Mumbai her home town for this unexpected holiday and chill out. By end of the month, she will be joining Ravi and the rest of the unit in Malaysia, where a major chunk of Thilalangadi is going to be shot.

Says Tamannaah: “ I am catching up on sleep, reading and watching all the movies in town. Last night, I went with my friends for The Ugly Truth and the best thing I like doing during such breaks is to do nothing, laze around eating Khar Ka Khana(home made food) and chatting up with friends”.

This speculations began after Rajinikanth did not show any interest in a sequel to the blockbuster Chandiramukhi when he was approached by director P. Vasu. Rajinikanth reportedly replied: "We’ll look into it after the release of Endhiran," sources said. Moreover, the superstar’s elder brother Sathya Narayana Rao has openly stated that the actor would probably make his entry into politics after Endhiran.

For the last few weeks, Shankar has been busy shooting the climax scenes of Endhiran, starring Aishwarya Rai as heroine. Some parts of the climax were shot at the SIPCOT industrial estate in Sirucheri.

The makers will soon move to Prasad Studio, where a huge set has been put up to shoot a fight scene which will be picturised as the whole set will go up in flames.

"Some say that living together before wedding is the order of the day now. But we don't accept it. We have a rich culture of our own and we should respect it," say the star couple in chorus.

Claiming their married life a bundle of happiness, they say, "We are making the most of each and every moment we spend together. And we can claim with all proud that our married life is so successful."

Urging newly-wedded couples to respect the privacy of each other, Krish and Sangeetha say that a husband and wife should be good friends at first. "Don't try to curb the freedom of your spouse. Respect mutually. Your life will become a gift," they say with a smile.

Shriya who is upbeat about Kanthaswamy success, says that the character of Subbulakshmi was a well-etched out character and she enjoyed doing the film as much as the audiences accepted her.

Now she is waiting for the release of Jaggu Bhai and Kutty, both according to her have shaped out well.

On how she is planning to celebrate her birthday, Shirya said: “I normally have low-key birthday s. I was away shooting in Mysore but have planned a small get-together for my close set of friends in Mumbai in the evening. Later on Saturday morning, I am off to Toronto for the red carpet premiere of What’s Cooking, Stella along with Seema Biswas and others”.

Major Ravi reportedly met Kavya recently and discussed the story with her. Kavya is rumoured to be have promised the director that she would confirm her participation in the film by the end of September. If this happens, Kavya Madhavan will be seen as an IPS officer Neelambari in daytime, and at night, she will become a blood-sucking witch!

An edge-of-the-seat spine-chilling fantasy thriller, Maadan Kolli will star Prithviraj as the hero. Sunil Parameswaran, well known for his stories based on supernatural themes like Ananthabhadram, is the script writer. Ace cameraman Thiru is the cameraman. The film is produced by Vysakha Films Rajan. Maadan Kolli will start rolling in December and will be a 2010 Vishu release.

Following a small appearance in his production venture ‘Aadhavan’, Udhayanidhi will do a full-fledged role for director Dharani. Any guesses as to who is the lucky lady to pair up with him? It’s our slim-hip beauty Trisha.

Apart from this, it’s heard that Udhayanidhi is now busy hearing stories from many associate directors. If he is held-up with other works, he sends his manager, says the sources. What is more? The generous producer gives Rs.5000 as a token of appreciation to every director who narrates the script to him.

Dhool stars Yogi and Aindrita Ray in lead roles. Prakashraj is the villain and will be seen as Aindrita’s rich brother in the film, which recently started its new schedule from September 5.

The actor is also busy with the Kannada film Manjina Hani, starring Ravichandran. Prakashraj is the director and producer of the ongoing Kannada remake of his much acclaimed Tamil movie Abhiyum Naanum, directed by Radha Mohan.

The audio CD will be released by producer AVM Saravanan while it will be received by director K.Balachandar. For the first time Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and Kamal Haasan are coming together to promote their movie. The audio is being released through Think Music, which is the musical wing of Sathyam Cinemas. Shruthi Haasan has scored the music for the film and also choreographed for a promotional song along with her sister Akshara.

‘Unnaipol Oruvan’ is produced by Kamal Haasan in association with UTV and is a remake of Hindi movie ‘A Wednesday’.

The audio of ‘Unnaipol Oruvan’ will be available in a little while after the audio launch. So, people don’t miss to tune into www.raaga.com to listen and download the songs of ‘Unnaipol Oruvan’!

Just back from Iceland after a hectic 25-day shoot for the Telugu film Namo Venkatesa is Kollywood's dream girl Trisha. A travel freak, Trisha said she was simply bowled over by the black beaches and the experience of shooting at Blue Lagoon with the temperature hovering at minus one degree. "For a song it was a picture-perfect spot,” said Trisha, reliving those exciting moments in an exotic location.

Far from the madding crowd was the perfect way for Trisha to unwind after a hectic schedule of Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya. Now with her Bollywood debut round the corner – the shoot of Priyadarshan's Khatta Meetha about to start – Trisha said there are no complaints for her career graph.

Along the way, Trisha had to decline a few Tamil and Telugu offers to facilitate her Bollywood entry. Clear in her priorities, Trisha is happy she made this choice to migrate to Bollywood.

“I was keen to do the Malayalam movie opposite Dileep, but I was sick. Here again, it was said I was down with swine flu. Not true. I had a growth in my chest that had to be surgically removed, and am now following my doctor’s orders by staying at home. Once I’m out, I’ll begin shooting for a Telugu movie. As for Imtiaz Ali’s offer, I have no clue how that rumour came about. I have no knowledge of such a thing,” she asserts. But she does hint that there is a possibility of a Bollywood venture next year. The details will be out when the project is signed and sealed, she says!

Already two Karthikas are functioning in Kollywood – one is of the Thoothukudi fame and the other appeared in Dindigul Sarathy. What should the third one be called? That is the question. But no prizes for guessing.