Ajith-Trisha in ‘Mankatha’

BY KARPAGAM THYAGARAJAN

Mankatha’ is springing up more surprises as days are going by. The Venkat Prabhu – Ajith film has already crated a sensation with its first official trailer.
Now the star cast assembling for film is going to put all jaws down. ‘Mankatha’ is going to be the real multi-starrer after many years. So in keeping the sprits high Venkat Prabhu has brought together Ajith, Nagarjuna, Lakshmi Rai, Premji Amaran, Ganesh Venkatraman, debutant Mahat.
Now the latest addition to ‘Mankatha’ is Trisha. Sources say there are a few other big names confirmed for the film and they will be revealed soon. The pre-production work of ‘Mankatha’ is almost complete and Venkat Prabhu may roll the camera anytime from now. The film will have 6 songs and two of them are complete and ready.
Being the 50th film Ajith, most of Ajith’s favourite friends in the industry are doing cameos in ‘Mankatha’. Will Silambarasan also be there? Wait for the moment.
Another thing our sources said was that the role swapping by Ajith and Nagarjuna in Tamil and Telugu version is not happening and the two big stars will play the same role in both the version. It is also categorically said ‘Mankatha’ will not be dubbed in Telugu and a separate independent version will be shot with the same rich cast.

GAJINI WILL STAY

By KARPAGAM THAGARAJAN

Gajini is the star of Sindhu Samaveli. In spite of all the controversies surrounding the film his performance as the immodest father-in law is being appreciated by all.
Like the proverbial Gajini, this Gajini also had to struggle for 18 years to have his day. After graduating from Chennai Film Institute, Gajini had to struggle for 18 years to get his first victory. So born as Kumaresh he became Gajini.
Samy gave him the first break in ‘Charithiram’, but ‘Sindhu Samaveli’ has made him popular even before that. The 1993 batch of acting course, Gajini entered the films when today’s stars like Ajith, Vijay and Surya were gaining grounds.
After so many struggles he has utilized the opportunity well and he proved he is a worthy actor in ‘Sindhu Samaveli’. In spite of all the accolades Gajini says he has given only 50 percent of what he can. HE is waiting for role which will tap his 100 per cent talent. What a confidence!
On the controversies surrounding the movie Gajini says the movie should be taken as a moral story telling you what will happen to you if you cross the limits.
Another thing he maintains is that the negative reports on "Sindhu Samaveli" is only from the trade sections and asserts the general audiences don’t have anything against the film.
A good actor who has the potential is rearing to make it big.

SOUNDARYA RAJINIKANTH BECAME SOUNDARYA ASHWIN

BY AISHWARYA THYAGARAJAN

Rajinikanth, in a message to his fans, said though he wanted to invite all of them to the marriage, he was unable to do so because of space constraint and logistic reasons. "Hence, with a heavy heart, I took a decision not to invite you. But I request you all to bless the couple," the superstar said.
The wedding was attended by high-profile people like Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, Telugu star and Praja Rajyam President Cheeranjeevi, Kamal Haasan and actor Surya with wife Jyothika among other big names.
Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who will be seen with Rajinikanth in mega-budget 'Robot', attended the engagement last night along with husband Abhishek Bachchan.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and a host of other high profile guests are expected to attend Soundarya's wedding reception this evening.
Rajini himself supervised all the arrangements for the wedding. According to reports, the actor has gifted a brand new apartment to Soundarya, who is the CEO of Ochre Productions.
Soundarya's animation film 'Sultan The Warrior', starring the superstar, is set for release this year. Rajini has lent his voice to the lead character in the project, with music by A R Rahman

SOON ARJUN INSTALLS 25-FT ANJANEYAR

Actor Arjun nowadays is very busy with the construction of a big Anjaneya temple at his land and house in Chennai Gerugambakkam. Arjun is very much known for his faith with Lord Anjaneya has been making a 25-ft Anjaneya with various sculptors. Now the Anjaneyar has come up well and is being transported from Karnatak in a week's time.

The actor says that the temple for the Anjaneya would be constructed after the 25-ft idol was installed in his house open space comprising more than two acres. The actor was searching good stone to sculpt the Anjaneyar.

Before Arujun used to pray Hanuman Chalis always before he go for shooting.

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.