Kollywood Hotshots

Meanwhile, Jayam Ravi is extremely happy at this opportunity to work with Ameer, the talented director who gave the critically-acclaimed Paruthiveeran. At present, the broad-shouldered actor is working in Thillangadi, a remake of the super hit Telugu movie Kick. Tamanna plays the female lead and Shaam reprises his role from the original. Ravi has returned to his chocolate boy look after donning an action hero's look in Peranmai. Prabhu and Suhasini play pivotal roles. Vadivelu provides comic relief. Music is scored by Yuvanshankar Raja.

Now, a film with director Ameer only portends Jayam Ravi’s rise as an important hero of Kollywood this year. Meanwhile there are also rumours that the film will be bilingual in Tamil and Telugu. Rana Daggubati of Leader 2010 fame (grandson of D. Rama Naidu, son of producer Suresh Babu and nephew of actor Venkatesh) will play the lead role in Telugu.

The young actor has won laurels from Tollywood buffs. It's worth mentioning that the dubbed version of 'Aayirathil Oruvan' is doing good business as the direct Telugu release 'Kedi' starring Nagarjuna in lead roles.

Recently, the actor was here to meet the winners of Valentine's Day contest at Sathyam Cinemas. When asked about what makes him happy, Karthi said, "Home is the best place where I feel like paradise. Once, I am in home, my tension and worries are gone. I have seen my father live by this philosophy and I am merely following it."

“I have no one to support in film industry. The growth that I had achieved so far is due to my hardwork and the confidence directors and producers had on me. Some forces which are unable to stomach this are spreading such rumours,” she says.

Tejashree adds: “I am really not in love with anyone. And I don’t have the idea of marrying someone connected to cinema. I want to make it big in films before settling in married life and I am striving towards that.”

The ‘Ottran’ and ‘Madurey’ actress is currently doing ‘Manmadha Rajyam’ in Tamil besides movies in Kannada and Marathi. “Manmadha Rajyam will bring out the actress in me. My role is so substantial in it,” she says.

So expecting Vikram to make it big in Bollywwod after ‘Raavan’, Vikram’s current producers and getting ready to cash in. Mohan Natrajan who is doing a film with Vikram under Boopathy Pandian is all set to dub it in Hindi also. Ileana opposite Vikram will make it easy for Telugu dubbing. Vikram plays a police officer after ‘Samy’ in this untitled film. Brahmanandam will tickle the funny bones. Devi Sri Prasad will do the music instead of previously reported Mani Sharma.

Kamal Haasan had also graced the ceremony and had stayed on till the end.

Ajith was there with his wife Shalini and so is director Shankar with his wife. Others who attended the high profile function are Rajini's mentor K Balachandar, producers Panchu Arunachalam, Kalaipuli S Thanu, directors S P Muthuraman, lyricist Vairamuthu and actors Prabhu and Vijayakumar among others.

In an interview to a leading English daily the pretty actress confessed, “It is a breathtakingly beautiful, romantic movie made in typical Gautham style and will tug at your heart strings. I’m happy that I did the film and I think it’s the best that I have done so far!”

Kollywood enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting VTV given its hype, breezy posters and chart-buster songs. The trailers depicts a terrific on-screen chemistry between the lead pair, Simbu and Trisha and when asked about the liplock scene between them, the lissome lass replied, “Yes, there is. But the director has integrated it seamlessly into the story.”

The lady has more reason to cheer, since she is all set to make her Bollywood debut with Priyadarshan's Khatta Meetha and a dream role in Kamal Haasan's next.

VTV , a romantic musical starring Trisha and Simbu, revolves around the love between an aspiring film maker Karthik, who wants to make it big in his profession, and a Christian girl Jessie. Music by A.R. Rahman is already rocking the charts.

Sana Khan has her reason to be grateful to Silambarasan. When Silambarasan was looking for a heroine for ‘Kettavan’ he found Sana Khan. But the film did not take off. Silambarasan did not let go Sana Khan empty handed and offered her ‘Silambattan’ because of which she is here today in Kollywood.

Sana’s latest film 'Thambikku Indha Ooru' is ready for release. She has two more films – ‘Aayiram Vilakku’ and Santhupottu - under production.

In spite of her Bollywood sojourn, Asin is still the most wanted girl in south. Now the news is abuzz that quite a few big projects are lined up for Asin, waiting for her approval.

We already reported that Asin will play the lead opposite Vijay in the Tamil remake of Siddique’s Malayalam flick ‘Bodyguard’. Nayantara was the heroine in Malayalam original. This will start in March.

Another project waiting for her to take is her ‘Ghajini’ director A R Murgadoss’ next film for Red Giant Movies which will have Suriya in the lead.

Rumours also float saying Silambarasan had a meeting with Asin in Mumbai trying to convince her for his pet project ‘Vaaliban’. Another big one is ‘Jayam’ Raja’s proposed film with Vijay. ‘Jayam’ Raja is the one who introduced Asin to Tamil with M. Kumaran s/o Mahalakshmi.

Now is the biggest of all. Goutham Menon is said to be talking to Asin for his Hindi remake of ‘Kaakha Kaakha’. If it happens Asin will be working opposite the most handsome guy in Bollywood John Abraham who has been confirmed to play Suriya’s role in Hindi.

A mindboggling comeback, so to say.

When asked about his recent Tirupathi and Velankanni visits, the unassuming star says his spiritual inclinations are not something new and he and his wife Shalini are always open in their views on spirituality. “I always prefer to share my sorrows and happiness with only God”, says Ajith.

He also revealed his secret desire to visit places like Rishikesh and Manasarovar on the Himalayas in the future. Ajith has visited other holy places like Sabarimala and Ajmer before.

When asked about what follows ‘Asal’, the ultimate star said that he is interested to work with Goutham Menon. But he wants to release his 50th film on the Diwali day. The producer has been finalized and the other things are under discussion including the director and cast.

Since then the couple have been spotted at many places like Chennai airport coming out together after Nayan’s photo shoot in Bangalore for her Kannada film, at an upmarket restaurant, and last Friday night at Inox Multiplex in Chennai watching Shah Rukh Khan’s My Name Is Khan.

And on Valentine day Nayanthara, in a freewheeling interview with a leading Malayalam daily said- “If I like a person I will go out of my way to do anything for that person. I just don’t understand why people make and hue and cry that I tattooed Prabhu’s name on my hand. I really don’t care what people think about me as it is difficult to please all and sundry. I believe in the theory that we should live for ourself and the people who love us.”

Prabhu and Nayan are one of the idyllic looking couples in the dream world of Kollywood, the reason may be avowed that both are looking brilliantly stylish these days. And a little birdie tells us that Prabhu made his special one feel even more special on Valentine Day by taking Nayan for a long drive, a romantic candle lit dinner by the seaside at an exotic resort and lots of gifts. Cute isn’t it?

As a precursor to the event, he was seen racing in the MRF Formula 1600 cc car today on the tracks. He was also accompanied by Narain Karthikeyan and Ashwin Sundar during the trial run.

A cultural event will be organized by the television channels of these countries. Apart from Vikram and Tamanna, several other actors actresses and technicians will also be honored in this event. Ganesh Venkatraman will also be receiving an award for his performance in Unnaipol Oruvan.

Now, the latest buzz is that the veteran director will team up with the actress for his next venture with a new face in the lead role. Anwar, a gold medallist from Poona Film Institute will handle the camera and the maestro Ilayaraja will create the music. We also hear that students from Balu Mahendra Film Institute will play prominent roles in the production side. More details are awaited.

Breaking away from rustic roles, Karthi will be seen in a urban look in his forthcoming film Paiyya,followed by Naan Mahan Alla with director Suseendran, which is 60% complete. According to Karthi, though he enjoyed playing rustic roles, he is also happy that he can finally play a city boy, something that is close to his real self.

After these, Karthi will star in Vada Chennai directed by Vettrimaran. The buzz is that the handsome actor will play the role of a good fisherman who unwittingly falls in the trap of a mafia gang. As usual, this Vettrimaran flick will be set in the bylanes of Chennai with a realistic touch.

Ajith, who is known for his nonappearance in such events, made a rare entry yesterday at a glittering ceremony at Nehru Stadium in Chennai. He made a frank appeal to the CM that film fraternity should not be arm twisted to attend such political and social events. He said, “They want us to attend such events and at the same time are against us joining politics.”

Speaking at the event, Rajini said that the CM is offering land and housing facilities for those who cannot afford it. He appealed to all the film personalities not to apply for a house in the allotted land if they can afford it elsewhere.

While the CM spoke, he said that he was against mixing politics with the art world. The other luminaries like Amitabh Bachchan, Bharathi Raja, VC Guhanathan, and Sarathkumar stated that they were participating in the function out of their own will and were not forced. The event was attended by most of the bigwigs in the industry like Kamal, Rajni, Ilayaraja, Vairamuthu and others. The function also witnessed various cultural events organized by the film and television artists.

She has revealed that a story narrated by an ad filmmaker has impressed her so much that she has decided to produce it immediately.

On 'Vaaranam Aayiram' being selected for the national award in the Best Regional Film category this year, Divya said that she feels proud to be a part of it.

Sources say Goutham Vasudev Menon had already narrated the story to Sameera, the actress has given her consent to do it. If it happens, then the movie would be Sameera's third under the direct baton of Goutham. This super cop story will be produced by Dhayanidhi Alagiri.

For the records, this morning we broke the news of the new film by Goutham starring Sameera Reddy which is in all likelihood be ‘Chennaiyil Oro Mazhai Kaalam

Director Lingusamy is also planning to remake the film in Hindi and Telugu after the release of the Tamil version.