Kollywood Hotshots

The latest buzz is that due to going over budget, producer Aascar Ravichandaran is finding it difficult to distribute the film. So Aascar films has decided to distribute the film under their own banner. There is widespread speculation that Velayudham is the remake of Nagarjuna's Telugu film Azad. Sony Music has bagged the music rights of Velayudham, composed by Vijay Anthony, for a whopping price. Vijay is said to be doing a typical Rajinikanth's Annamalai type milkman role, who bashes baddies with the help of an investigative television reporter (Genelia).The buzz is that there will be a lot of punch dialogues in the film, in a bid to hit out at Vijay's detractors. There are 15 villains and 30 comedians in the film, which will have five songs and six choreographed action scenes.

Other actors are MS Bhasker, Sathyan, Pandirajan, Sayaji Shinde and 14 other main from villains from Mumbai play the rest supporting roles.

Velayudham is totally mass entertainer with all commercial elements. “Velayudham’s shooting got wrapped up by almost 80% says producer Aascar Films V.RaviChandran.

Velayudham is getting ready to release on Vijay’s Birthday June 22.

Music has composed by Vijay Antony.

According to Prithviraj, the climax scene is the most massive in Mollywood till now. Starring Prabhu Deva, Arya, Nithya Menon, Tabu and Vidya Balan in pivotal roles, Urumi is based on the attempted murder of Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama, who arrived in Kappad near Calicut, on May 20, 1498. The film is about a group of men who plotted to kill the famous explorer Vasco Da Gama for his cruel deeds.

The film has become a hit largely due to the family audiences, who are loving the feel-good factor and comedy in the film.

The film has netted approximately 58 lakhs in three days from Chennai city and another Rs 67 lakhs from Salem area, which the trade feels is a good opening. 

It is hat trick victory for Dhanush-Mithran combination.

The  producers Mohan Apparao and T Ramesh of Balaji Studios are likely to cover their cost and turn profitable in the first week itself. Says T Ramesh: "Uthamaputhiran is a universal hit and it has taken the best ever opening for a Dhanush film in the overseas market. The film is a hit as it catered to family viewers and the comedy of Dhanush and Vivek is being cheered".

Abirami Ramanathan, who is distributing the film in Chennai city and Salem area said:  "Uthamaputhiran has taken the best opening among all Diwali releases. It is working as it is a typical festival film and bringing in the family audiences. The Dhanush-Vivek Comedy is the highlight of the film".

The film, starring Bhagyaraj, Jayaprakash and Vivek in important roles, has already wrapped up the shoot. Produced by Balaji Studios Pvt. Ltd, Uthama Puthiran is Dhanush's third movie with Jawahar. The film has tremendous title value, as it is a Sivaji Ganeshan super hit title of the 1960s.

Vijay has already started working for his next film Velayudham directed by Jayam Raja. Vijay Anthony is expected to compose the music; it will be produced by Aascar Ravichandran. Bubbly Genelia and Hansika Motwani are the heroines.

Genelia D'Souza will play the role of a journalist, while Hansika Motwani will be a village belle. Santhanam and Sathyan take care of the humour element. Velayudham will grace theatres in summer 2011.

Genelia, Hansika, Neetu Chandra, Vimal and host of other actors have made a beeline to the Nadigar Sangam and got themselves registered, sources say. According to Radha Ravi, the secretary of the Sangam, about 20 stars have registered in the past few days.

It has been reported that some members of the Nadigar Sangam visited the Uttama Puthiran shooting spot where scenes involving Genelia were being shot and demanded that she register as a member to continue acting in Tamil films. The actress is reported to have acceded to this demand. It needs to be seen what the other leading ladies will do.

This is a clear indication that Genelia did not participate in the IIFA and is not facing the wrath of the Tamil film industry people. Velayudham will be directed by Jayam Raja and produced by Aascar Ravichandran.

This year Vijay’s fans are in for a treat as he is working on two films Kavalkaran and Velayutham. He is also expected to start work on the Tamil remake of 3 Idiots. Velayutham will be Genelia’s second movie with Vijay. She has earlier acted with him in Sachein. Hansika is currently acting in Dhanush’s Maapillai.

The actress is right now shooting with Dhanush in the Tamil remake of her super hit Telugu film Ready in Palani. And the entire unit of the film is all in awe of her down-to-earth behaviour and dedication to work.

Says director Mitran R Jawahar: “I haven’t seen such a fine, dedicated artist. She has no starry airs, shoots day and night, uses the caravan and room given to her in the minimal comforts available in a small town like Palani, eats the unit food and is friendly with all the crew members.

With this schedule almost 90 percent of the film is complete and what remans is three songs and few scenes, says the director.

Ready, which was released a year ago, had Ram playing the lead role. The film was directed by Sreenu Vytla and produced by Sravanti Ravikishore.

According to the producers, "there was a huge demand for the remake rights of the movie. Thank Almighty, we won the bid. The movie is a mix of action, romance and sentiments."

Mithran Jawahar, who directed Dhanush for 'Yaaradi Nee Mohini' and the to-be released 'Kutty', is wielding the megaphone for this one too. The movie is currently being remade in Kannada starring Puneeth Rajakumar and Priyamani in lead roles.