[For the Date between 19th Jul'04 - 10th' Aug'04]
Kumbakonam Tragedy - Artistes’ first reaction
The gruesome pictures of the burnt innocent young children in the school fire in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu would even make the heart of an iron man bleed. The Tamil Film industry has decided to stay off work today (17th July 2004) as condolence to the death of the innocent children.
Various artistes have reacted emotionally to this ghastly incident. Ajit who was shooting for Ji in Kumbakonam, along with director Linguswami, visited the hospital where the burnt victims were admitted. This was after his unsuccessful attempt to visit the school premises. Later while talking to journos outside the hospital, a visibly moved Ajit said “So far I have not requested any favours from my fans but now I request all my fans to contribute Rs.2/-or Rs.3/- towards the CM relief fund which will go a long way in helping the affected families”. Sarathkumar a sitting MP apart from offering his condolences said that he would get maximum relief from the MP fund and would also visit the tragedy site soon. He also said that the Tamil Nadu Government should immediately ban thatched roofs being used in wedding halls and schools. Vijaykant offering his condolences to the bereaved family offered Rs.10 lakh to the CM relief fund. In a statement issued by him, he said that in order to run a college certain requirements like the college premises to be built 25 acres of land have to be met with. Similarly to run a school, certain rules like the premises should be built in at least 5 acres of land, has to be implemented. Rajinikant also offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved to families.
The new slim and trim Kiran
Kiran who made a thunderous entry with the blockbuster Gemini was soon made a non entity in the Tamil film industry. Even after acting with bigwigs of the industry she could not hold ground, thanks to her increasing flab.
With just Alibabavum 9 Thirudargalum with Prabhu Deva in hand, she has nothing interesting coming her way. Determined to make a comeback, Kiran has taken all efforts to go to London to make her tummy trimmer and get her figure etched. Now she is ready to make a second round in the industry but this time only to be paired with the youngsters. Will Kiran succeed in her second chance facing the onslaught of new young heroines? Let’s wait and see.
SICAA plans Mega Star night
South Indian Cine Artistes' Association’s general council has planned a star studded Mega star night to commemorate the golden jubilee celebrations of the body. According to association president and veteran actor Vijaykant, Dec 11 - the birth anniversary of Tamil poet Subramania Bharati was being considered as the possible date for the star-studded show. The show is to be held in Chennai. The Tamil Nadu government had recently lifted the ban on film stars participating in stage shows.
The proceeds of the event will go for a new building for the association, to old artistes as pension and go to support local artistes among poorer communities. As many as 5,000 members of the association have also decided to contribute Rs.200 each into the building fund.
Simbu - Gopika in Thotti Jaya
Simbu has been signed by Kalaipuli Thanu for his next project Thotti Jaya. The producer is still waiting for the actor’s call sheets, who is at present busy giving the final touches to his much awaited Manmadhan. fame Gopika is to play his love interest.
Suyatchai MLA - Lorry driver becomes CM
In a country where everyone enters politics to become leaders, Guru Dhanapal’s Suyatchai MLA has a different connotation. A lorry driver is made to enter politics under circumstances and becomes a CM, this forms the crux of the film. Two politicians quarrel amongst each other thereby preventing themselves from becoming the Chief Minister. They need the support of an independent MLA (Sathyaraj), a lorry driver who will decide their Chief Ministership.
The bargain starts from the independent MLA who asks nothing in cash but in kind, that is the Chief Minister post. One of the politicians accepts it and makes him the Chief Minister. Goundamani, Prakash Raj, Nasser, Ponnambalam, Delhi Ganesh, Manthra and Abitha are among others cast in the film. Sabesh and Murali are the music composers and D.Shankar is the cinematographer.
Chellamay audio creates stir
Chellamay audio was launched on 14th July with the projection of two songs for the huge gathering at Satyam Cinemas. Director Dharani released the first cassette which was received by actor Surya in the presence of Vairamuthu, Harris Jayaraj , K.V.Anand, actress Reema Sen, directors Kasthoori Raja, Gautham Menon, actress Kushboo, Ibrahim Rowthar, Muralidharan etc. Earlier producers Gnanavelu and Jayaprakash introduced the debutante hero Vishal.
Harris Jayaraj in association with A.R.Gandhikrishna, the director of Chellamay and one time associate of Shankar has given offbeat and scintillating songs picturised on sexy Reema Sen and hero Vishal. Reema sizzled the audience with her towel song Vellaikara. Hats off to cinematographer K.V.Anand who has picturised the songs on lush greens and sandy beaches.
Doctorate to Kamalhassan
The Annai Sathyabama Deemed University will confer a doctorate on to the actor Padmasri Kamalhassan. A decision to this effect was taken at the University’s council meeting held recently. This was announced by the Vice Chancellor Jeppiyar, amidst the thunderous applause from the audience and other film artistes who were present at the Vasool Raja MBBS audio cassette release function which took place at the Madras University Centenary auditorium.The audio cassette was released by Kamalhassan and the first copy was received by A.V.M.Saravanan, and Vairamuthu.
Speaking at the function producer AVM Saravanan praised Kamalhassan’s brilliance and unfathomable knowledge about technicalities involved in the film making. Saravanan said that it was in the year 1960 August 12th Kamalhassan as a child artiste in Kalathoor Kannamma gave a success film under the AVM banner. It was in the year 1982 Kamal again gave another hit through Sahala Kala Vallavan which was released on August 12th. Similarly, Saravanan hoped the Vasool Raja MBBS which was scheduled to be released on August 12th would be a super hit.
Actor Prabhu recalled that his father Sivaji Ganesan considered Kamalhassan as the eldest son of their family.
Director Sharan in his address said, that he had learnt several things from Kamalhassan by working with him as the director of the film. He praised that Kamal deserves many doctorates and he literally saw there were a lot of letters from various universities for conferring the doctorate on to the genius actor. To his surprise, he had turned down them all, Sharan said.
Kamalhassan on his part said that, for all my victories in my life there are many persons stood behind me and I recall my stage guru and teacher Avvai Shanmugam, Director K.Balachander and many others in the film industry. He added by honoring the doctorate his responsibility had increased more.
Earlier, the film’s audio cassette was played and the music director of the film Bharadhwaj introduced all the new singers in the film to the audience.
Thullal audio released
Praveenkanth after directing films like Star, Jodi and Rakshagan is debuting as hero in the film Thullal. Produced by Kirudev Arts, the audio was launched this morning (14th July 2004) at a glittering function at Sathyam Cinemas, Chennai. ‘Manmadha Raasa’ fame Dina scores the music. Director Bhagyaraj was chief guest.
Three of the songs were projected for select audience. All of them were picturised on the hero and the two debuting heroines Gurlin Chopra and Sonika. All the songs are peppy and targeted at the youth. ‘Saghalay Saghalay’, a typical folk song is expected to create a similar stir as ‘Manmadha Raasa’ created. While addressing the audience Bhagyaraj said “This is the year of young directors switching over to acting. Praveen has proved himself with his earlier movies and after watching him in dance sequences I’m sure he would make it big in acting too”. The two heroines, director Mano Bala, producer Swaminathan and Dina were present on the occasion.
Ajit Kumar hurt in shooting
Actor Ajit Kumar had a miraculous escape this morning (13.07.04) during the shoot of a stunt sequence for the film Ji in a village near Kumbakonam. The actor was rushed to a private nursing home immediately after he sustained injuries and after a rest he began to act in the shooting. The film Ji is directed by Lingusamy and produced by NIC Arts Chakravarthy. As part of a stunt sequence, a tray was to be thrown at the actor and he was to move away from it. But the actor missed the timing and the flying tray hit on his forehead, resulting in bleeding injuries. Immediately, he was taken to caravan at the shooting spot and doctors gave him first-aid. After sometime, the actor resumed the shooting. In the Ji film he plays the role of student leader taking on politicians who exploit students force to capture power.
Sathya Raj in double role in Iyer IPS
There are many films in Tamil, Malayalam and an even TV serial which bears the name of ‘Iyer’ has become successful. For example, Mammooty’s Iyer The Great film was success. Sri Devi’s Hindi TV serial Malini Iyer has highest response. Similarly, it is expected Priya Art Productions’ Iyer IPS will also head for success not by the title alone, but also for the actor Sathya Raj who acts in dual role - IPS officer & Dada - in the film. The first schedules of the film shooting took place in Pondicherry where Sathya Raj acted as Dada. The IPS officer Sathya Raj arrests the Dada on his birthday amidst many dignitaries who attends the function. Sanghavi acts opposite to Dada Sathyaraj and Mega, a new face is introduced to act with the IPS. TV serial producer and director P.Hari Rajan who produces the film writes the dialogue and does the direction. P.Kannan does the cinematography and Dhina scores the music. Vadivel, Narayana Rao, Anu Mohan, Pandu, Mahanadhi Sankar, O.A.K.Sundar, Raga Sudha, Sathya Priya are the supporting cast in the film.
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