Madharasapattinam Movie Review

It seems that A.L. Vijay has flair of getting “inspired” for his directorial ventures. His popular and most-talked about projects prove the fact. He debuted with Kireedom, which is a remake of a Malayalam movie of the same name; then he made the remake of Khosla ka Ghosla (a popular Hindi movie) as Poi Solla Poram. His latest outing Madharasapattinam, also seems to be inspired from the Oscar nominated Lagaan. However, his taste for selecting unique subjects is definitely interesting for the viewers.

The plot of the movie deals with the passionate love between a Tamil dhobi-cum-wrestler (played by Aarya) and a young Amy Wilkinson (Amy Jackson). The story revolves how two people from different strata of society, falls for each other and how they overcome the obstacles laid in their path.

The film starts in London with an old lady suffering from a blood clot in the brain. Her family and the doctors want to conduct an immediate operation on her, but her chances of survival are 50:50. She decides to visit India before she takes up the surgery, to fulfill a certain unaccomplished task.

She visits Chennai and flashback starts rolling to the 1945 era. This was the time when Chennai was Madras, and it was under the British rule. She was 18 years old beautiful girl at that time, called Amy Wilkinson, Governor General’s daughter. She met with a local dhobi, Ilamparidhi, who was a wrestler as well. He used to wash the Britishers’ clothes. Ilamparidhi revolted against the decision of the government to construct a Golf course in the dhobi colony and left a mark on the heart of Amy. Then both Ilamparidhi and Amy start meeting and love blossoms. The story takes a U-turn when the British government announces to make India independent in 1947.

As for the performances, Arya is awe-inspiring in Madrasapattinam and Amy is like a breath of fresh air. Other casts supported well. Cinematography and art deserve kudos for taking Tamil cinema to a different level. The first half is amazing and fast, but drags a bit in the second half. Overall, Madrasapattinam is an entertaining outing.

Vikram’s ‘Vedi’ from July 15

Vikram is back to work. The ‘Chiyaan’, who has been busy receiving accolades for his performance in ‘Raavanan’, will start working for his forthcoming venture ‘Vedi’ from July 15.
Confirming this, director of the film Boopathy Pandian says, “Yes, the movie will go to floors next week. It is an out and out action film which would show Vikram in a different shade. Ileana is the heroine.”
“I will be back to making commercial films with Vedi,” the director of ‘Thiruvilayadal Aarambam’ and ‘Malaikottai’, says and adds: “The entire film will be set in the backdrop of Tiruchirapalli and Salem.”
On his next release ‘Kadhal Solla Vanthen’, the filmmaker says, “A longtime dream to make a beautiful love story has come true with this movie starring newcomers Balaji and Meghna in lead roles. Yuvan Shankar Raja’s music is the highlight of the film.”

MANIRATHNAM NEXT DEBUT“POOKADAI”

It seems Mani Ratnam has zeroed in on a title for his next venture. If reports are to be believed, the ace filmmaker, who is getting ready to launch Karthik’s son Gautham in the movie, has named it ‘Pookkadai’.
“Remember it was Mani Ratnam who directed the two important films in Karthik’s career- Agni Natchathiram and Mouna Ragam. And he was the one who announced the reentry of Karthik in Raavanan,” sources say.
“The good rapport between the actor and the filmmaker has now resulted in the latter introducing the former’s son as hero. The movie will be a typical Mani kind of urban love story with music by A R Rahman,” they add.
“The director is now keenly watching the responses evoked by his last release ‘Raavanan’ and ‘Raavan’. In the meantime, he is also busy doing groundwork for his next venture. He may reveal the details soon,” sources maintain.

NEEYEA STORY ABOUT AN ORPHAN

By N.Thyagarajan

Neeyea is the new Tamil film discusses about a hero who is an orphan studies through an orphanage support.He falls in love with a girl who takes him to her parents. He is being introduced and the parents are dead against the orphan, citing that he is an orphan. Then the hero completes his MBBS and becomes a famous doctor. His education gives him a strength to go and talk to the parents of his lover, that he has completed his doctorate which is considered a high qualification. But at that time the parents refuses to give their daughter, because the Orphan himself does not know the Religion he belonged. Then the orphan tells them that in this world, the education is considered most auspicious than religion.So saying he tells them he wanted to prove it and moves out.

This is the gist of the story is to be directed by Gandhi. Suresh, Arya, Sajan, Sridhar, GG and Anjutha are acting in the film. The shooting of the film are taking on the Kerala sea-shore.

TRISHA TOPS SOUTH INDIA BRAND AMBASSADOR

BY N.THYAGARAJAN

According to ad agencies Trisha with her lucky streak as emerged as the most sought after brand ambassador for the entire South India among the national products. Fanta, Perk,vivel Shampoo and Tata Indicom are the national products that she is the brand ambassador. Among the male actors Suriya is tipped to be the hot favourite since his movies are a hit all over the South. He is already the ambassador for Fair and Handsome ( shah Rukh Khan in Hindi)and Navratna oil ( Aitabh in Hindi and Mahesh Babu in Andhra).

Among the celebrity endorsements in products in Tamilnadu actress Tammanah tops the list. With a string of hits in Tamil and many projects with top stars in the pipeline she has emerged as the favourite. Sun Direct DTH, Chennai Mall. Mangai night wear, Saravana stores ( shares space with Lakshmi Rai and Vedhika) are her famous endorsements. Among the heroes Suriya endorses Bharathi Cements and Madhvan endorses Univercell the mobile showroom chain and Santoor soap. Mira Jasmine with her homely image features in Pothys Sarees and Joy Allukkas jewellery along with Illena. Sneha has a deal with TTK Prestige mixie.

Chandrika soaps has gone in for Mamta Mohandas and Manapuram Finance the Kerala based financial company that deals with gold finance has opened branches in Tamilnadu and all over the South. It uses Mohan Lal in its campaigns in Kerala and Tamilnadu and Venkatesh in Andhra. Shriya Saran endorses VVD Gold Coconut Gold Hair oil and Shobana features in Mediker’s anti lice oil. Mammoty is yet another Kerala actor whose is a known face in Tamilnadu to feature in the South Indian Bank advts. Sarath Kumar whose popularity is high in Kerala after the hit Malayalam movie Pazhassi Raja features in an advt with Mohanal for dhotis and so also Prabhu( National) and Jayram( ramraj)

Most of the advertising agencies in Chennai and in Mumbai and elsewhere handling national products complain that they hit a roadblock when dealing with the actors in the South. While the actors in Bollywood have tied up with entertainment marketing agencies to look after their endorsements and brand ambassadorship, in South the dealings still have to be routed through their managers or their relatives . The prices they quote most often crosses the limit set by the agencies and it falls through and in some cases the actors signs up small time brands by which they go out of the radar of the big brands. Mahesh Babu is the only actor in the South to sign up with KWAN the leader in entertainment marketing.

According to leading analysts this has resulted in Hindi advts featuring Bollywood actors getting dubbed into regional languages and often in them being comical. The annual market of celebrity endorsement is Rs 850crores and the South share is a measly Rs 20 crores even though the movie craze and loyal fans base are strong

GANESH VENKATRAMAN AS AMITABH'S SON

( BY N.THYAGARAJAN)

Noted handsome film actor Ganesh Venkatraman is appearing as the son of Hindi film legend Amitabh Bachan for the film Kandahar, directed by Major Ravi. Earlier this young man has become popular in Tamil films through Abhiyum Naanum and Unnaipol Oruvan.

When talking about Kandahar film, Ganesh said that it was the story of hijacking aeroplanes in Kandahar. " I am acting as a commondo in the film and Amitabh is acting as my father. In fact Malayalam film hero Mohanlal only recommended my name to the producer. The shooting of the film will be started in June. The film is produced in Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi simultaneously and I am acting with Amitabh Bachan and Mohanlal" said Ganesh Venkatraman.

" I will have tremendous experience with these senior artistes, when the shooting has started" says Ganesh.

SIMBHU TO GIVE DUB VOICE TO ABHISHEK BACHAN

Sources say that Simbhu flush with the sucess of Vinnaithandi Varuvayo has dubbed for Abhishek Bacchan in Raavan. The meeting between Simbhu and Manirathinam led to reports that they were joining to do a film together but it was for dubbing. He had earlier dubbed for the protaganist role in Tamil version of Slumdog Millioanire. Simbhu is all geared up to act under Lingusamy's direction for Cloud Nine movies. Lingusamy whose recent release Paiyaa with Karthi is a hit has just come back from Macau where he fine tuned the script.
All doubts about Simbhu's marriage has been put to rest by none than his actor- director Dad Vijaya T Rajhendar. When quizzed about this he reealed that Simbhu has told him that he would marry only aftr getting his sister Ilakiya married but all the same Simbhu is on the look out for a girl of his choice. Following the footseps of Simbhu his son Kuralarasan who had debuted as child actor would be launched as hero by his Dad in his own venture to be produced and directed by him. Vijaya T rajhendar is currently directing Oru Thalai Kathal and will introduce a Mumbai girl as heroine