‘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.

Filmmaker Perarasu becomes music director

Filmmaker Perarasu is ready to strike with his next film, titled “Thiruthani’ featuring most-favorite Bharath in lead role. The film started rolling recently herein Chennai and following schedules are planned to be shot in “Thiruthani’, “Karaikkudi’, “Pondicherry’ and other surrounding locales.

Apart from handling story, screenplay, dialogues and direction, Perarasu himself pens the lyrics for songs. When music director-turned-filmmaker Vishal Bharadwaj is leaping with laurels for his film Kaminey, it’s vice-versa situation with Perarasu, who tries his best at this new avatar as “music director’.

J Saravanan and C Bhaskar of VK Media produce the film.

After tasting success with “Kadhalil Vizhundhen’ and “Maasilamani’, Sunaina has signed the deal for this film starring opposite Bharath in female lead. Followed by “Kireedom’, Raj Kiran performs a prominent role in this film while Pandiarajan, Aashish Vidyarthi, Yuvarani, MS Bhaskar, Chitti Babu and many others form rest of the star-cast.

Endhiran’s final schedule from Sep 10

Rajnikanth’s magnum opus “Endhiran’ is fast on the heels of completion, as the actor himself had announced that 85 percent of filming has been done. According to the sources, director Shankar has called back his team for the next schedule, which will start rolling from September 10.

The previous schedule was shot in and around the regions of Mayajaal Multiplex, situated in the outskirts of Chennai.This upcoming schedule will be shot in an indoor set at AVM Studios. Although, director Shankar hasn’t confirmed officially about the film’s completion, sources close to him have stated that it will be the final schedule for this two and a half years project.

Once, the filming is done the entire team will kick-start vigorous promotions, as Sun Pictures has planned for a unique approach while HBO will promote the film across western countries.

‘Kanden Kadhalai’ goes the way of ‘Jab We Met’

“Kanden Kadhalai’ is making news all over the town with the vigorous promotions courtesy by its producer G Dhananjayan. The producer has been making earnest efforts in drawing big results at box office. Meanwhile, director Kannan has started filming promotional song “Oru Naal Iravil’ (similar to “Mauja Mauja’ in “Jab We Met’).

The song is being pictured in the grand sets erected at AVM Studios. Closer sources have revealed that both director Kannan and producer Dhananjayan have planned to broadcast the song continuously on the air for the promotions.

With Vidhyasagar scoring music, Benny Dayal and Tippu have crooned for the song.

The film is slated to hit the screens in the third week of September.

Malaysia to see Maya Ravan

Talented danseuse and actress Shobana’s dance ballet, Maya Ravan will be staged in Malayasia. The show, which was recently appreciated by Kamal Haasan, has been conceived, interpreted and choreographed by Shobana herself.

The show’s idea is to spread the Ramayana among foreign audiences. The show’s narrators are artists from Mumbai and Chennai.

The proceeds from the show in Malaysia will be donated to the Malaysian Association for the Blind.

Tamil Film Preview: GOA

Goa– Come, join the journey in December

Banner: Orcher Studios, Warner Bros

Production: Soundarya Rajnikanth

Direction: Venkat Prabhu

Star-casts: Jai, Vaibhav, Aravind, Premji, Sneha, Sampath, Piyaa and others

Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja

Cinematography: Sakthi Saravanan

“No Bloodsheds… No Violence! Welcome to the journey of fun-n-frolic’ –it’s what you hear straight from Venkat Prabhu, as he lets out his take on forthcoming attraction “Goa’.

Precisely, it isn’t just a Desi version of “American Pie’ but has lots of enjoyable moments catering to the tastes of universal audiences. Venkat Prabhu holds a special mention in contemporary Tamil Cinema, as he revived with innovative approach –Content is King. Moreover, he broke the barriers of casting non-superstars in lead role and is winning laurels for it.

Well, it’s been more illustrious with his previous directorial: “Chennai 600028′ and “Saroja’.

Soundarya Rajnikanth of Orcher Studios produces “Goa’ in collaboration with Warner Bros. Indeed, it’s the first South Indian film to be produced by a Hollywood production house.

Actor Jai, Venkat Prabhu’s brother Premji, “Saroja’ fame Vaibhav and Aravind are performing lead roles of happy-go-lucky youngsters in search of perfect girls to get married. Actress Sneha will be spotted enacting negative role, while Sampath has a meaty role to take on.

Yuvan’s musical score has 7 tracks and one amongst them is crooned by “winner of Airtel super singer’ reality show telecasted on Vijay TV. Apart from scoring music, Yuvan Shankar Raja has confirmed about shaking legs with hot models for a song shot across the shores of Malaysia.

Sakthi Saravana, who cranked camera for previous films of Venkat Prabhu, as well for Jeeva starrer “Siva Manasula Sakthi’, handles cinematography while Selva choreographs for the stunts.

With accordance to inside reports, buzzes are that Soundarya Rajnikanth has plans about releasing the film on her dad’s birthday (which falls on December 12). Since, it’s her first production; she seems to be much focused on getting it released on the special occasion as a special gift for her dad.

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.