Ravichandran slows down and relaxes

Star Ravichandran has planned to slow down, relax and take the backseat. According to him, he has reached a stage where now he feels that he doesn’t need his films to release every three months. All that he wants to concentrate on now is to make good and meaningful films and keep his fans happy. As of now, his current film is Manjina Hani of which- some feel its complete, while some say he is planning to re-shoot some parts of it. But according to Ravi, all that is left to be shot in the film are the songs. He personally feels that, as the film is about the sentiments of a child, it is going to click with the masses.
The son of the superstar is also said to be all geared up to make his entry and is currently said to be busy with his acting and dance classes. Ravi has been giving a lot of acting tips over the years to his son, as he felt that his son always had the spark in him to make it in cinema.
As far as giving tips is concerned, Ravi not only advises Manoj but also, is into social networking and is in touch with many young stars and wannabes. They keep in touch with him by sending him words of admiration and he in return helps them with his acting tips.

Superstar Rajnikanth to launch ‘Eeram’ audio

Director Shankar has been simultaneously producing three films- “Anandhapurathu Veedu’, “Eeram’ and “Rettaisuzhi’.
Although, the filmmaker is preoccupied with his forthcoming directorial “Endhiran’ starring Rajnikanth and Aishwarya Rai in lead roles, he doesn’t fail to focus on his production.
It has been confirmed that “Eeram’ will be the first film to hit screens by August. With the cordial invite of Shankar’s call, superstar Rajnikanth will grace over the occasion of launching the audio of “Eeram’ on August 9 at Satyam Cinemas. Producer-Filmmaker M. Sasi Kumar will receive the first copy. Producers Council President Ramanarayanan, Sivasakthi Pandian, Kalaipuli G Sekaran, Abhirami Ramanathan and other eminent personalities will be present for the occasion.
Director Shankar produces the film under the banner of “S Pictures’. Arivazhagan makes his debut directorial with “Eeram’ featuring Nanda, Aadhi and Sindhu Menon in lead roles. The film is reported to be a romantic suspense-thriller with Aadhi enacting the role of assistant commissioner of police and Nanda as automobile engineer. Thaman has tuned melodies.

Aishwarya happy with two mega southern projects

Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai is elated over bagging the main leads in two mega south Indian projects - Mani Ratnam’s “Ravan” and Shankar’s “Endhiran”.
“Shankar had approached me previously to work with him, but it never materialised. Finally, everything landed in place and here we are working together after 10 years,” said Aishwarya on the sets of “Ravan”.

Tamil superstar Rajinikant, who is playing the male lead in “Endhiran”, was also very keen to work with Aishwarya and had tried to sign her for his earlier ventures - “Padaiyappa” and “Chandramukhi”, but the actress could not spare the dates.

Speaking about Ratnam’s “Ravan”, in which she once again teams up with her husband Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya said: “I don’t want to reveal much about it. Working with Mani is always a delight. He is a man of perfection. I am lucky to act in his movies again and again.”

Aishwarya was earlier seen in Ratnam’s “Iruvar” and “Guru”, in which Abhishek was in the main lead.

While shooting for “Ravan” in the jungles of Kerala, the entire cast and crew had a scary experience when an elephant ran amok and killed 51-year-old mahout Andavan.

The actors including Abhishek, Aishwarya, Vikram, Prabhu and Munna had to take shelter in a guest house.

According to sources, the film personalities spent the night in the forest guest house and survived on bread and eggs. After 12 hours of tension and waiting, the crew returned to their hotel.

Now the cast and crew of “Ravan” has moved to Ooty where the remaining portions of the film will be shot.

"I enjoyed Jai’s company" - Lakshmi Rai

From girl-next-door to bikini bombshell, Lakshmi Rai has come a long way. Though her initial films did not do well at the B.O. the leggy lass sure got noticed. Hers has been a steady rise to fame cemented by Dhaam Dhoom where she played a lawyer.

She has had a fair share of rumors though what put the media on overdrive was her link-up with Indian Cricket Captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Her bike rides with him made headlines and speculations about a brewing marriage. We quiz her on Dhoni, her no-holds barred bold onscreen attitudes and more.
BW: How did you get your break?

Lakshmi Rai: I was a model to begin with and later enrolled myself in an acting school. After completing my course, I won Miss Karnataka crown which fetched me a role in a Kannada film with Rajkumar’s son. When I was doing it, I got an offer in Karka Kasadara and I just continued.

You have worked in different languages, which industries do you think you really fit in?

Undoubtedly, it is the Tamil industry as I have many projects here. I have also done many films here and this industry is the one that has brought me recognition. After this only, I became popular and a star in Malayalam film industry.

You have done a lot of glamour? Will you go beyond this?


Well, if a character needs ultra-glamour, I will definitely do it. However, I will not do glamour just for the sake of glamour. I will do as much glamour as a role requires and not cross my limits.

How comfortable are you doing intimate scenes?


" I will not do glamour

just for the sake

of glamour "


If my character demands it, say to kiss my co-star or anybody and it’s a deep love story, I will do it. The comfort level has to be created and the kissing scenes cannot be shot on the first day of the shoot. If the director feels that a particular scene is needed, there must be good chemistry which needs to be worked between the pair in question. And that’s when the scene would turn out well. If the character demands, there is nothing wrong and I am open to doing such scenes.

You have been the target of a lot of gossip. How do you react to this?

" Gossip is unavoidable

in this profession "



Gossip is unavoidable in this profession. There will be some gossip today and something tomorrow, one must listen to it with one ear and let it out through the other. It’s part and parcel of this industry and I don’t react to it. It’s only me and the person who is linked (with me) will know the truth. I am used to all these now. When you say Lakshmi Rai, there will be a lot of gossip. Once you become a star and are known, there will be gossip.


Can you say something about your relationship with Dhoni?


Dhoni and I are friends. I am an actress and he is the Indian cricket team’s captain. Dhoni is a national figure and I am a popular figure. So linking both of us is news that sells. He has been linked with many people but the names have not been repeated, but in my case it has been repeated and this is a selling point for the media. It’s just to create an attention. Some people in the audience will believe it and some won’t. We tell the truth but if they don’t believe it, what can be done? We have nothing in our hearts.


" Dhoni is a national figure

and I am a popular figure "


You are from a non-filmi background. How does your family react to all this gossip?

My family is completely non-filmi and conservative. Initially they were taking rumors too seriously. It was my duty to convince them that this was part of my profession. Soon, they got used to it. Only my family knows what I am doing and where I am, they don’t believe in outside news. But it is only natural for any parent to become anxious about these things. They do feel insecure sometimes but realize that I am not the only one who is targeted and there are also other actresses who are at the receiving end. Bollywood is all about rumors and it happens only when you are famous. So every industry has gossips and rumors but it depends on one’s mentality in taking it. My parents know what I am and they trust in me. Without their knowledge I will not do anything.

How was the experience working with Jeeva in Dhaam Dhoom?

Firstly, I would like to say he was amazing, fantastic and it was an unforgettable experience working with him. He was so professional, dedicated and is extremely motivating. While shooting he is a different person and while not shooting he is completely different. He used to tell me never to club friendship and professionalism. While shooting, he kept friendship aside as he wanted the best output. It’s very sad we lost him. I still can’t believe it; it’s a very great loss for the industry.

What about the Number 1 dancer tag?

I don’t know about this. I dance well and it’s up to the audience to say whether we are good dancers or bad dancers. As a dancer I feel I am ok and do my best.

Will you do item numbers?

No.


Tell us something about your role in Irumbukottai Murattu Singam

" You need energy,

stamina and strength

to ride a horse "



I wanted to do something different as I want every film of mine to be different. My audience should enjoy them. When director Simbu Devan told me the story of Irumbukottai Murattu Singam where I will be in a cowboy getup, I found it good and agreed. My character has developed a lot and gained importance and you will realize this when you see the film. The film has been shot with a brownish tone that gives it a Hollywood look. It’s an action film and I play a brave bold girl. I learnt to ride a horse and this is not an easy joke. It looks easy, but there are so many things to learn. You need energy, stamina and strength to ride a horse. The horse is not in our control and there must be perfect understanding

between the horse and the rider. You can’t change horses in the film and have to use the same one throughout. There were plenty of riding and chasing scenes. The first few days I had a lot of body pain. This film is one of those with sky- high expectations this year and has been shot like an English film. It’s very good and has a fun theme.

Your first few films did not do well. Did you think of quitting at that point?


My aim was to be a good actress in the Tamil industry and not to become famous. When you give your best you become famous. My aim was not to earn, I was born with a golden spoon and money was not important. My first few films did not give me recognition. Karka Kasadara was a not a bad film, it was a good entry. However after that I made wrong film choices but had belief in myself. I took a break of six months before Dhaam Dhoom and this was like a re-launch. I had a strong gut feeling and a resolve that I would only do a good film. I want to earn a name as a good actress.


" When you give your best

you become famous "

Heroines today are more of an eye candy. What do you think of this trend?

The generation is changing and people who are making films are trying something new. Everyone is making films that have everything for everyone.

Did you make any specific preparations before wearing a bikini?

" You can’t wear a bikini

just like that "



You can’t wear a bikini just like that. When the director told me about it, he told me to be prepared. You have to plan to carry it off well. For my type of body, everything in my wardrobe looks good but to sport a bikini, I had to lose weight. I prepared by working out and toning my body. For a bikini shot, you really need to be confident.


Tell us something about Jai as he was your costar in Vaamanan?


The first day Jai was very formal and reserved. But soon, he became friendly and it was like we had known each other for years. He has given two big hits like Chennai 600 028 and Subramaniapuram but has no attitude whatsoever. He makes you feel very comfortable and we were good friends working together. I enjoyed Jai’s company and we had a rollicking time on the sets.

‘Malai Malai’ an out-and-out Arun Vijay movie

Film: “Malai Malai”

Cast: Arun Vijay, Vedika, Prabhu, Prakash Raj, Santhanam, Ganja Karuppu, Arthi

Director: A. Venkatesh

Producer: RMA Factory Production

Music Composer: Mani Sharma

Arun Vijay could not make it big despite giving good performances in most of his films. After searching for success for almost 12 years, he finally breaks the jinx with “Malai Malai”.

He has teamed up with director A. Venkatesh and come out with a racy and entertaining movie. The two have targeted B and C audiences without any pretensions to make a fine movie.

Venkatesh has proved in the past that he can churn out potboilers and “Malai Malai” adds to the list which lacks logic, but manages to create magic on screen as it has the right mix of action, comedy and romance.

“Malai Malai” dwells on love and admiration between brothers and how one single incident brings a sea change in their lives.

Two brothers Vettri Vel (Arun Vijay) and Palani Vel (Prabhu) live in the foothills of Palani and both of them enjoy a strong bonding.

Vettri’s life changes when Anjali (Vedika) comes to Palani as he falls in love with her. Meanwhile, Vettri goes to Chennai in search of a job. Finally, he gets a job as a van driver in a courier company and he also gets friendly with Vimala Haasan (Santhanam).

Enter baddie Essakki (Prakash Raj) who creates problems for Vettri and how he overcomes all the hurdles and reunites with his girlfriend is the film all about.

Arun Vijay seems to have worked hard on his looks - he has lost weight to fit into the boy-next-door image. He also performed stunt sequences with elan.

Vedika is apt for the role, while Prakash Raj and Prabhu pep up the proceedings. The comedy of Kanja Karuppu, Santhanam and Aarthy brings the roof down with laughter. Mani Sharma’s music suits the storyline.

Venkatesh needs to be commended for making a movie that may have cliched and beaten-to-bush scenes, but the pace and manner in which it is presented makes it worth watching.

Ananya sacks manager!

Promising Malayalee actress Ayilya aka Ananya, who shot to fame with her amazing performance as a demure, sacrificing daughter in writer-director-actor Sasikumar's realistic flick Naadodigal (Tamil) directed by Samuthirakani, has reportedly sacked her manager, who accepted a film titled Padithurai on her behalf without her knowledge.

According to sources, Ananya has missed some big opportunities, including the Telugu version of Naadodigal, because of her manager's mismanagement of her dates. She has already rejected two offers in Tamil and quit Prabhu Solomon’s new film, which has a brutal rape scene. Ananya is said to have now appointed a professional manager to look after her dates in Kollywood.

Khushboo upset with reviews

Film critics of movie websites are facing an odd problem now. Actress Khushboo, who produced the recent 'Aindhaam Padai' starring her husband Sundar C in the lead role, is said to be very 'upset' at the way the film has been 'dissected' in the reviews of some film-based websites. She has reportedly approached the Producers' Council with a 'complaint' in this regard.

"We gave those websites many still photos from the film and allotted considerable time for them to interview the actors and the crew. Despite our best efforts, all these websites have 'back-stabbed' us" is what Khushboo is said to be lamenting about. Her cries of help have forced the Producers' Council to 'call' these websites for an explanation (?).

Sources say that that Council could even go the extent of 'boycotting' such websites if the explanation is not satisfactory. The reason for this decision by the Council could be due to the fact that Khusbhoo is a member of the Executive Committee of the Council. Meanwhile, director Badri, doesn't seem unduly perturbed with all the flak his film is facing and is said to have recently purchased a new house in Vadapalani.