‘Chiyaan’ Vikram wants to watch ‘Madurai-to-Theni’

Amidst of big tickets in Kollywood dashing down the hopes, few low-budget films have really made it big on box office. In the recent times, it has been more illustrious with Shankar’s production “Eeram’, which was produced at a low budget and is now making good business on box office.
On the dot, here comes yet another film “Madurai-to-Theni Vazhi Andipatti’, a love story set in the backdrops of bus journey between Madurai and Theni.
The film has already witnessed good results in “B’ and “C’ centers, and started making great business through good word-of-mouth. All of a sudden, the filmmaker received a surprising phone call from actor Vikram, who lauded the entire film and for making a good film. Also, Vikram has decided to write a personal letter to all media channels after watching the film by next week…

‘Subramaniapuram’ Swathi pairs with Vikram

Tollywood actress Swathi, who shot to fame with Sasikumar’s “Subramaniapuram’, pairs up with “Chiyaan’ Vikram in Selvaraghavan’s forthcoming film. Selvaraghavan had earlier casted Swathi in his Telugu movie “Aadavari Maathlaadu Arthale Vaeru’ (later remade in Tamil as “Yaaradi Nee Mohini’).

Followed by the success of “Subramaniapuram’, the actress has been offered to star opposite actor Jai in an untitled film produced by T. Siva of Amma Creations. As well, the actress would be shooting simultaneously for Vikram-Selvaraghavan’s untitled film.

The film’s shooting will hit the floors by first week of December once Vikram completes his final schedule of “Raavana’ and Selvaraghavan finishes his postproduction works of his present project “Aayirathil Oruvan’.

Tamil star Vikram’s ‘Kasi’ now in Sinhalese

Sri Lanka-born Indian Niranjan, who is doctor by profession, is making hit Tamil movie “Kasi”, which starred Vikram, in Sinhalese and says the film’s success in four south Indian languages inspired him to take it to Sri Lankan audiences as well.

“The movie was based on a Malayalam film titled ‘Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum’, which was remade in Tamil by the same director Vinayan. Then it was adapted in Telugu and Kannada. The reason I chose the film was because it proved to be successful in all its adaptations,” said Niranjan.

He has titled it “Sooriyaa” and plays the lead role himself, while popular Sri Lankan actress Kanchana Mendis will be seen in the female lead. Niranjan has altered the script to suit the taste of local audience, but has retained Ilayaraja’s music.

“My passion is to do films with a vision to do service to society. I also want to start a huge hospital at Madurai with state-of-the-art facilities and help the poor and needy,” he said.

“I owe everything to director Mahendran. A family friend of mine, he inspired me to enter filmdom. I had earlier made two short films - ‘Nandri’ and ‘Slipper’ - and got critical acclaim at the Australian International Film Fest and the Canadian International Film Festival,” he added.

Niranjan has done a couple of Sinhalese films too.

Major portions of “Sooriyaa” were shot in exotic locations in Sri Lanka, except a song sequence that would be canned in Switzerland.

“We hope it would add to the commercial value of the movie,” said Niranjan who plans to release the movie in Sri Lanka, Europe and other parts of the globe where Tamils live.

“Since we get latest facilities in Chennai, I chose to do the post-production works here.”

An ardent Rajnikant fan, Niranjan plans to invite the southern superstar for the movie’s premiere.

‘Raavana’ trailer to feature Vikram alone

Apart from making exceptional films, Mani Rathnam holds a special courtesy for establishing his actors in a much different and unforeseen role. Well, the best example would be Madhavan’s role in “Aayitha Ezhuthu’ and “Kannathil Mutthamittal’. The so-called “Chocolate Boy’ shed his good-looking image and spotted himself so powerfully as a ruffian and revolutionary writer in those flicks.
Abhishek Bachchan wasn’t any different, as Manirathnam transcended his actor prowess with “Yuva’ and “Guru’.
And now, it’s the turn of Vikram to strike gold, as Manirathnam has shot an exclusive trailer for his “Raavana’ featuring Vikram alone. Sources believe that the complete teaser would precisely deliver a glimpse on his breathtaking performance.Also, a different teaser for the Hindi version featuring the actor will be aired simultaneously.
It’s noteworthy that Vikram plays “Raavana’ in Tamil and “Ram’ in Hindi version.

I’m not keen to act in Bollywood, says southern star Vikram

He is a superstar down south and has done over 40 movies. But actor Vikram, who is excited about playing a negative role in Mani Ratnam’s Hindi-Tamil bilingual “Ravan” that also stars Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, says he has no intentions of joining the Hindi film industry.

“I’m not keen to act in Hindi movies. Language is a problem. An actor should understand what a director wants him to do. Working in South Indian films gives me great satisfaction. However, I would love to do a movie with filmmakers like Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra or Sanjay Leela Bhansali,” Vikram said in an interview.

Vikram can’t stop raving about the “Ravan” director. “Mani Ratnam is like a soldier on the war front when he is at the shooting spot. He comes out with scenes that capture reality without exaggeration.”

The National Award-winning actor, who has given hits like “Sethu”, “Pithamagan” and “Anniyan”, will be seen in a negative role in the movie and says he loves to identify with the characters he portrays.

“I love to identify myself with the characters I play in my movies. I try to get the character in my looks, then slowly get accustomed to mannerisms. In a month, I would live and sleep like him,” said Vikram, whose mega budget movie “Kanthaswamy” directed by Susi Ganesan has just hit the screens.

Excerpts from an interview:

Q: How thrilled are you to be part of a Mani Ratnam film?

A: Directors like Mani Ratnam and Bala strive for perfection. It’s always a pleasure to be associated with such people. For “Ravan”, we shot in the dense forests of Kerala, crowded streets of Kolkata and the cold climate of Madhya Pradesh.

Mani Ratnam is like a soldier on the war front when he is at the shooting spot. He comes out with scenes that capture reality without exaggeration. I’m learning more about cinema working with a person like Mani Ratnam. Working with Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai was a different experience. I was impressed with their commitment to excel.

Q: How do you manage to get under the skin of your characters?

A: I love to identify myself with the characters that I play in my movies. I would strive to get the character in my looks, then slowly get accustomed to mannerisms. In a month, I would live and sleep like him. That made me successful in films like “Sethu”, “Pithamagan” and “Anniyan”.

Q: Any plans to join Bollywood?

A: I’m not keen to act in Hindi movies. Language is a problem. An actor should understand what a director wants him to do. Working in South Indian films gives me great satisfaction. However, I would love to do a movie with filmmakers like Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra or Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Q: What is your dream role?

A: I play an interesting and

unique role in my next film to be directed by Selvaraghavan. I’m eagerly waiting to start shooting for the film. Tamil cinema has grown by leaps and bounds. If we concentrate on doing movies close to reality, we can scale greater heights.

Q: Are you interested in direction?

A: Of course. Every actor would aspire to wield the megaphone one day. Having worked with Mani Ratnam, Shankar and Bala, obviously there is an urge in me to test my directorial skills.

Q: What About the delay in your just released “Kanthaswamy”.

A: Some of my movies take time to see the light of the day, but I forget all pains once people throng theatres in large numbers and appreciate it. I always wanted to talk less and work more. I know the value of success because I had to work very hard for more than a decade to achieve it.

Special bus for ‘Kanthaswamy’ promotion

Maybe, Vikram’s latest “Kanthaswamy’ would’ve witnessed mixed reviews by film critics, but the film is topping the charts on box office, with stupendous collections. With the complete first week brimmed with house-packed shows, producers and distributors have kick-started with promotional works to ensure more crowd for next couple of weeks as well.

Abhirami Ramanathan, who has acquired release rights for this film has specifically designed a luxurious bus. Starting its journey on 11 a.m, the bus will keep moving towards all areas of Chennai. Inside the bus, exclusive video songs, teasers and photo gallery of “Kanthaswamy’ will be available. Also, those wishing to watch the film can book tickets in this mobile exhibition.

Susi Ganeshan, Producer Kalaipuli S Dhanu and Abhirami Ramanathan flagged the bus, for it to start its journey.

Interview with Vikram

There’s nothing that can stop Vikram walking on air now. He’s much excited for couple of reasons: ‘Kandasamy’ – His ever biggest opening with record-breaking sales releasing on August 21 and well, other one is long dream run turning into reality. It’s all about working with ace filmmaker Mani Rathnam…

Here we’ve Vikram, who does something, more than shooting breeze…

So, how about Kanthaswamy?

I would say, it’s the earnest hard work of entire team that had really urged me to put more and more efforts for perfection. For sure, this would be a special film for all the buffs of Tamil Cinema and I looking out for the release as an audience as well.

Looks like your dream of working with Mani Rathnam has come true?

Definitely, it’s a blessing to work with such filmmakers. Auteur Mani Rathnam and Bala are the best perfectionists in tinsel town, who don’t compromise with certain things at any extent. Working with Mani Rathnam was a blissful moment as I had got through unique experience. We shot across locales of Ooty, dense forests of Kerala, thickly-populated areas of Kolkata and cold-climatic area of Madhya Pradesh.

Naturally, you should’ve gained a different experience while working with ‘Raavan’

Mani Rathnam can be best ennobled as a warrior on battle ground, when he’s on the shooting spots. He has everything pre-planned in his mind and knows the limit of reality to be delivered on the screens. He never allows exaggeration to preponderate in the final take. Abhishek and Aishwarya were contrastive in their nature. Abhishek was so jovial who would remain on the sets even after his portions are finished. When it comes to Aishwarya Rai, she’s so professional and encouraging.

How do you carry persona of every character with excellence?

I inhale the traits of every character I perform in each film. I live deeply under the skin of characterization even during non-shooting periods. That precisely helps me out in elevating the roles’ traits.

How about your Bollywood dreams?

Many say that Language isn’t a barrier. Possibly, I would say an actor must understand the language first and that would alone get them right into the feel. All my focus is in South Indian films as I have god linguistic skills in all the languages.

So, we heard you’ll soon direct a film?

Naturally, I am much interested in direction. Every actor has his dreams of achieving the designation of ‘Captain of Ship’. Working with so many filmmakers Shankar, Bala, Mani Rathnam, I have gained unique experience. Within next 5 years, I am sure to direct a flick.

Very often, we hear that Tamil film industry is hero-oriented?

Maybe, but according to me, I solely believe and act pertaining to director’s taste and requests.

Anything specific about your dream role ?

I am performing a role that is close-to-my-heart in Selvaraghavan’s next film. I am curiously waiting for the film’s shooting to commence.

Are you an ardent believer of God?

Definitely, I put all my trust in God and he has gifted me with success. Hope, he makes me an actor in next birth as well.

TAMIL FILM REVIEW: Kanthaswamy

Kanthaswamy- Purely Vikram’s show, Susi Ganeshan disappoints

Banner: V Creations

Production: Kalaipuli S Dhanu

Direction: Susi Ganeshan

Star-casts: Vikram, Shriya Charan, Vadivelu, Prabhu, Krishna and others

Music: Devi Sri Prasad

So, you’ve been waiting for a long time for the most expected biggie of this year. Well, was this wait worth? Actually, it’s not really big. With a running length of 3 plus hrs, the film lacks solidity in conceptualization of script and screenplay. The film’s script reminds us of Vikram’s previous films “Anniyan’ and “Samurai’. Susi Ganeshan seems to have strongly focused on technical aspects, but drops off instantly when it comes to narration.

The film starts-off well on a good note, but as the suspense is broken in the early moments; you lose your interests. The film is all about Vikram and only Vikram. The actor stuns us with his top-notch performance in all characterizations. Especially his physique and gestures have been stupendously delivered.

The film opens with needy and underprivileged devotees raising their prayers to God Kanthaswamy through a note of petition. On the very next day you’ve their petitions granted (monetary aids in particular). There comes the Superhero Kanthaswamy– a superhero taking the baddies to task and delivering justice to the innocent souls.

And then comes a sincere CBI officer Kanthaswamy (Vikram), tracking the top-on-list of big shots possessing excess black money. He comes across a leading tycoon (Ashish Vidyarthi) and seizes his property worth billions. The tycoon’s daughter- Subalakshmi (Shriya Charan) vows to seek revenge on him and gradually that turns to be a different story, of that of a love affair. But, now the biggest question arrives. Who’s actually Kanthaswamy? Is he the super-hero, or is there any link between them. What unfolds next is a series of incidents where the suspense is broken at early moments slightly diminishing our interests. As mentioned earlier, Vikram spells a fantabulous job on his performance. He is so zippy as a romantic guy and well on a superhero role. But, in the part of superhero, his performance seems to be mediocre. Blame the stunt department In most of the sequences, it looks slight amateurish. And again, over the in “Thai Chi’ stunt in Mexico, the complete drama is absurd. What’s the reason behind blindfolding his eyes and taking him into tasks of fists? We’ve got to ask Susi Ganeshan. Even, if it falls into the category of commercial cinema, this isn’t something that we expect from such a brilliant team. Shriya Charan just falls off shorter in expectation. Looks like she had a no idea about exposing skin shows, and win applause of audiences… Nay The filmmaker could’ve opted for someone else for the female lead. In most of the parts, Shriya strongly imitates Angelina Jolie, which turns out to yield different results, some that she may not be expecting. Prabhu, Krishna and Ashish Vidyarthi have done justice to their role. Vadivelu does entertain us in few parts with his rib-tickling comedy tracks. Mansoor Ali Khan is okay.

Musical score by Devi Sri Prasad sounded good enough on tracks, but nothing seems to be appreciative on the screens. All throughout the background score, we hear nothing but loud-sounded percussions of signature song “Kanda…Kanda… Kanthaswamy’. Ekambaram’s cinematography has eye-catching visuals, especially in Mexico. Nevertheless, the dark yellowish-orange tone blurs your eyes after certain extent. Editing could’ve been crisp without random cuts.

As mentioned earlier, very soon we get to hear the suspense broken down that gradually scatters the audience attention in later moments.

Possibly, with the tickets sold out for the first week, producers and distributors will have their pockets full with good profits. But when it comes to critical analysis, the film has nothing extraordinary.

‘One day, I’ll be the greatest filmmaker’ -Vikram speaks out

Actor Vikram is much excited as his long-awaited “Kanthaswamy’ will hit the screens on day after tomorrow (August 21). With the film simultaneously releasing in Tamil and Telugu, the actor is eagerly looking out for his big day.

Speaking on this, Vikram says, “I must really appreciate producer Kalaipuli S Dhanu for spending big amount to produce this film. I am sure, any other producer wouldn’t have geared up for this speculative take of producing a script with an exceptional theme.”

When asked about his filmmaking plans, the actor replied, “Of course, every actor has great plans about making films, penning scripts. Within next 5 years, I will take up this task of wielding megaphone. After working with ace filmmakers like Manirathnam, Susi Ganeshan, Shankar and Bala, I have gained extraordinary experience that will surely develop my directorial skills.”

Tragedy strikes on the sets of ‘Raavana’

Looks like Mani Ratnam has been perpetually prone to misfortunate, ever since he ventured into the filming of his bilingual flick “Raavan’. Right from Day 1, the ace filmmaker has been exposed to obstructions. Earlier, he was supposed to sign a deal of Rs.150 Crores with a top-notch production house but they later backed off. Also, Forest Department of Kerala imposed many restrictions that dissuaded Mani Ratnam, and he opted for other location.
Amidst these issues, his health was affected, and he suffered cardiac arrest, which in turn stalled the filming for nearly a month. However, as he withstood against all these odd factors, an appalling tragedy hit their shooting floors, last evening in the forests of Athirapally, Kerala. Kunju– A male elephant out of madness turned to be more ferocious killing its own trainer on the spots.
The entire film crew inclusive of Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Vikram and others were blown out of waters witnessing this incident. They were immediately commuted to furthermore deeper regions of forest, until other trainers calmed it down.
Witnessing the nightmarish scenario, Mani Rathnam has shifted the shooting to forest regions of Ooty and Coonoo