Suriya to Host Tamil KBC – Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi, Video

We revealed earlier Suriya to host Tamil KBC in Vijay TV.Read More… Now it’s official! Actor Suriya is all set to don the hat of quizmaster for the Tamil version of popular reality game show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’. Titled as ‘Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi’ (You can also win 1 Crore), with the tagline-‘A question can change your life’, the show is slated to go on air from the third week of February 2012.

Regional and English language newspapers across the State carried huge advertisements announcing that Suriya would be hosting the much-expected show. Walls across Chennai and elsewhere in the State were splashed with posters screaming that actor Suriya (clad in executive suit) would be hosting the show. And hold your breath! The actor has been paid a bomb by Vijay TV, which is buzzed to be as big as Rs1 crore per day of his call sheet.

It is said that Ilayathalapathy Vijay was Vijay TV’s first choice to host the programme, but in a last-minute shuffle, Suriya was brought on board.

KBC became very famous the world over when Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan hosted more than a decade back on a Hindi channel. The programme not only bailed Big B out of his financial mess but also made him a household name in the nook and corner of the country and elsewhere.

To match up with the image of KBC, a huge set is being erected.

K Sriram, General Manager, Vijay TV, stated, “We aired the first season of ‘KBC’ and the third season, which was hosted by Shah Rukh Khan, as dubbed versions on our channels when it aired on STAR Plus. Back then, it was different. Now, the time has come when Vijay TV took the lead, with this being the first international format that would hit Tamil television screens. We are proud that we have managed to rope in Suriya as the host. Easily, he is the biggest USP of this show. This programme will be the game-changer not only for Vijay TV but also for Tamil television.”

Suriya who is currently busy shooting with KV Anand’s Maatraan at the moment, is trying to make sure that none of his film shoots get affected with this.

“He (Suriya) has been undergoing training sessions for the show at AVM studio in Vadapalani for a few days now. He’d shoot in the mornings and would rush off to shoot his film with K V Anand in the evenings.”, a source said.

No doubt Suriya would be as fluent on small-screen the same way he has managed to get a strangle-hold on big-screen!

READ MORE - Suriya to Host Tamil KBC – Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi, Video

Dhanush to feature in AR Rahman’s Vande Mataram video

Actor Dhanush has been visiting Mumbai frequently in the recent past. The media is agog with rumours/news that Dhanush is planning to cast Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan’s son and actor Abishek Bachchan as hero in his debut directorial project which he plans to make in Hindi. While the frequent visits are attributed as part of the film-making process, there appears to be something more than that meets the eye.

Actually, Dhanush has reportedly agreed to star in the music video to be produced by Bharatbala for music director A.R. Rahman’s Vande Mataramsong. Bharatbala, who has already shot Rahman’s previous music videos, reportedly approachedKamal Haasan first to star in the music video. After Kamal refused citing date problems, Bala tried elsewhere before zeroing in on Dhanush to star in the video.

In a related development, Dhanush is said to be getting offers to sing from many foreign countries (?!) as well, thanks to the super-duper hit songWhy this kolaveri di… from his yet-to-be-released film 3. The song has become so hugely popular that it is played at regular intervals at almost all the non-Tamil television channels across the country.

While Dhanush is willing to take up the singing assignments, he might be charging a fee as high as Rs.25 lakh per song, it is said. Sources close to the actor said that he had already taken advance from ‘some parties’ as well.

Isn’t a new profession which is likely to rake in millions for Dhanush?

READ MORE - Dhanush to feature in AR Rahman’s Vande Mataram video

Ajith’s next with Vishnuvardhan or Shiva?

Now that the shooting of ‘Billa 2′ is over but for some patch work which will be completed in a few days, ‘Thala’ Ajith is gearing up to start his next. It will be directed by Vishnuvardhan.

“Actually Ajith has two projects in his hands. One to be helmed by Vishnuvardhan and the other by Siruthai fame Shiva. But Ajith chose Vishnuvardhan since it is a long due to work with him,” circles close to the ‘Thala’ say.

They add: “It was Vishnuvardhan who was to direct Billa 2. But he missed it due to unavoidable reasons. At that time, Ajith promised Vishnu that he would work with him soon. The actor is honouring it now.”

Another reason is said to be Shiva being busy with a Telugu film starring Ravi Teja and Taapsee Pannu in lead roles. “The Ajith-Shiva venture will start after May 2012,” sources say. It will be produced by Vijaya Productions to mark the centenary of its founder Nagi Reddy.

READ MORE - Ajith’s next with Vishnuvardhan or Shiva?

‘Aravaan’ writer gets Akademi award

Su Venkatesan, the script writer of filmmaker Vasanthabalan’s upcoming venture ‘Aravaan’, has been selected for the country’s highest literary honour Sahitya Akademi Award for the year 2011, for his book titled ‘Kaaval Kottam’.

Interestingly, the story of ‘Aravaan’ is inspired by a small episode from this celebrated novel, which captures 600 years of history of Madurai between 1310 and 1920. The 1048-page novel begins with the pillage of the temple town, which has an ancient history.

Vasanthabalan and other members of the ‘Aravaan’ team are on cloud nine that their script-writer Su Venkatesan has been selected for the award. “When I was clueless what to do as my next venture after completing Angadi Theru, a sub plot in Kaaval Kottam ignited the spark in me. It is now taking shape as Aravaan. I am so happy that Venkatesan was selected for the Akademi Award. He deserves it,” says Vasanthabalan.

“I am extremely happy on getting this award. It’s a due recognition given to eligible work at the right time. I would like to consider this as recognition for the works of debutants like me,” Venkatesan said, expressing happiness. In the first three years of my labour for this novel, I did not decide whether it will be fiction or non-fiction. I decided it will be a novel much later. We have a lot of good, young writers in Tamil and I share this honour with them,” the writer said.

The honour has come at an apt time, so to say, as the film is getting ready for a release. Produced by T Siva’s Amma Creations, ‘Aravaan’ has Aadhi, Pasupathi, Dhanshika in lead roles and the marks the debut of singer Karthi as music composer.

READ MORE - ‘Aravaan’ writer gets Akademi award

Billa 2 First Look

Ajith’s most awaited film is Billa 2 the prequel of his 2007 Blockbuster Billa. Fans of Ajith are eagerly waiting for months to catch a glimpse of the first look stills of Ajith in Billa 2.

As per sources, the First look stills of Ajith will be revealed on January 2012 as a new year treat for Thala fans. During 2007, the first look stills of Billa created waves because of the Stylish designs, hope that magic re-creates with Billa 2.

READ MORE - Billa 2 First Look

3 audio launch at St George’s school grounds

The much talked about film in Tamil right now is 3, directed by Aishwarya, daughter of superstar Rajinikanth and wife of National award winning actor Dhanush.

The film has Dhanush and Shruti Haasan in the lead but the film is grabbing all attention due to Why this Kolaveri song from 3 album which has gone viral.

The audio of the film is being launched on Dec 23 at St George’s school grounds opposite Pachaippa College in Chennai.

Contrary to the news doing the rounds that Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan are launching the audio, we understand that there will be no chief guests or long winded speeches, but a slick performance-driven programme that Aishwarya has finalised.

Aishwarya who does not want a cliched launch, is not willing to divulge any information about the flow-of-events that will happen on Friday evening.

Market leaders Sun TV has snapped the telecast rights of the audio launch at a very high price.

So will there be a live Kolaveri performance by Dhanush? We will have to wait and watch.

READ MORE - 3 audio launch at St George’s school grounds

What’s life without colour and spice? asks Vikram

He is one actor in south, who realises the importance of marketing and promoting his films. Vikram’s perfection lies in his ability and expression to re-invent himself, every time he embarks on a new mission. Be it a film shoot or interview-he wants to add that something unique to everything he does.

In a freewheeling chat with Sridevi Sreedhar on the eve of the release of his new film PVP cinemas Rajapattai, Vikram opens up. Excerpts

Are you tensed?(Laughs)  Not at all. In fact, I’m too excited and proud.Can’t wait any longer for the release and the magic to unfold. I can promise you that it’s a 2 hour 7 minutes of pure entertainment with all the masalas in the right mix.

How different is Rajapattai from the normal mass masala commercial potboilers?After doing serious films like Raavan and Deivathirumagal, I wanted to do something light, funny and totally entertaining like Dhool and Saamy. That’s when I met Suseenthiran, who narrated this script to me and the first thing that struck me is Wow! But trust me, I worked very hard and it was not easy like I thought (smiles).

Rajapattai is a visual treat with land grabbing, a topical subject as the base.There are no comedians but there is an undercurrent of comedy throughout, there is action, romance and the relationship between my character and K Viswanath, who plays an important role, is the emotional angle to the story.

What’s your role?I play a common man Anal Murugan a gym boy who dreams big, of becoming a villain in cinema. There are no punchlines, I’m not a superhero and in fact I get beaten up couple of times.  The best thing about the film is the logic behind every scene. Suseenthiran is a good film maker and he visualises each and every scene before the shot.

You shared a great rapport with Suseenthiran?I loved all his films especially Naan Mahaan Alla and Azhagar Samiyin Kuthirai. There is his signature in every frame along with usual mass masala gimmicks  like any other commercial films without tampering with logic. He has an immense amount of passion and dedication for work. To have someone like him as director inspires you to work even harder and give your best. He gave me complete freedom and it was lovely working with him.

You sport different looks in the film?It’s not a deliberate attempt to sport different looks. I have 17 looks and they are very important to the story and it is set in a filmi background. In one song,heroine Deeksha dreams about me in different villain looks.

People seem to like your chemistry between Deeksha in the promos of the film?She is very promising actress and in one of the songs Paniye Panipoove.. shot in Italy, she looks ravishing like a goddess.

How do you prepare for a role?For me, the most crucial aspect is the sessions I have with my director before the shoot starts. I sit with my director and brainstorm, I give my suggestions and that’s what I call the home work. And when the actual shoot starts, I completely surrender to my director and I become a directors’ actor.I never interfere and all my directors have been wonderful people, who know their job.

The audio is a big hit. Which is your favourite song?My personal favourite is Podi Payyan Polave among the four songs. I loveLaddu Laddu Rendu Laddu,(laughs) not because I sung it but for the energy and the positive vibes I shared with Reema and Shriya during the shoot. Shobi master has choreographed all the songs and the Italy songs will be a major highlight.

The glam quotient is high with three hot girls shaking a leg with you?What’s life without colour and spice? We love masala in our food or films. But, including Reema, Shriya and Saloni was again a part of the script, not any last minute decision. It was fun shooting the song with them in Italy.

READ MORE - What’s life without colour and spice? asks Vikram