Who is Mani Ratnam’s next Heroni?

We all know that Karthik’s son Gautham will make his debut with ace director Mani Ratnam’s next project, tentatively titled as Pookadai. But speculations keep rising about the leading lady of the film. First there were reports that the director has plans to rope in Kamal Haasan’s younger daughter Akshara for the film. Then Parthiban’s daughter Keerthana (who has earlier worked with Mani Ratnam in Kannathil Muthanidhal) was in the picture.

When we all thought that Radha’s younger daughter Thulasi has finally bagged the opportunity here comes another exciting speculation. Latest reports states that the director has approached Sonam Kapoor (Anil Kapoor’s daughter) for the role and the actress has agreed to do it.

Well to know who will play the female lead in Pookadai, we have to wait a little! So stay tuned to US. We will bring you the latest happenings in Kollywood.

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Rajinikanth’s low-key birthday celebration with family

Superstar Rajinikanth had a low-key birthday celebration this time. The actor spent the day with his family at his farmhouse at Kelambakkam and kept himself out of the media glare.

Sources say that Rajinikanth celebrated his 62nd birthday at his farmhouse. His daughters Aishwarya with her husband-actor Dhanush and Soundarya with her hubby Ashwin were with him on the special day. While the Endhiran star’s fans across the world cut cakes and prayed for him, the actor watched their love for him on television channels, add sources.

Meanwhile, Latha Rajinikanth has thanked the fans for performing poojas for his long life. The superstar is on the path of his recovery, assures his wife. It may be recalled that Rajnikanth fell ill with intestinal and gastrointestinal problems last April and he was treated in Chennai and Singapore.

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Ajith in Hollywood?

Thala Ajith , who is busy wrapping up the talkie portions for his upcoming venture Billa 2, might be seen in a full fledge English movie soon.Siruthai fame Siva who has been signed to direct Ajith’s 53rd venture is the man who planted this thought.
It is said that Siva being a loyal Ajith fan wanted to direct his idol in a full fledge English movie and conveyed the same to Ajith. On hearing the story line , Ajith is said to be totally impressed with the plot and gave green signal. So, does this mean our Indian James Bond will soon be joining the Hollywood counterparts ?

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Mysskin’s Mugamoodi makes a beginning

Mysskin’s dream project of a super hero Mugamoodi has kickstarted in Chennai.

The UTV Motion Pictures produced film has Jiiva, Narain, Nassar and Pooja Hegde in the cast, with music by K.

The director at the pooja launch of the film was all smiles as the project was lying in the pipeline for years. Many of today’s top heroes were approached for the project which for some reason or other could not take off.

Mysskin is shooting the film in various locations in and around Chennai. A huge set for a Kung Fu fight competition has been erected in a city school. Mugamoodi is the big summer 2012 release.

Mysskin said : ” Mugamoodi is my dream come true. From childhood I have been influenced by super heroes. The film will have some of the best action scenes ever and is being made keeping in mind the possibility of a sequel.”

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Karthi shoots for Saguni in Hyderabad

Karthi has moved from Chalakudy where he was shooting for his new untitled Suraj film to Hyderabad for the climax shoot of Saguni.

In Andhra, Karthi has a growing fan base as all his films have done good business when they were dubbed into Telugu.

Now the climax of his Saguni scheduled for release January end is happening in Hyderabad.

The film is said to be a political thriller where Karthi plays a small town guy Kannan who comes to a big city and gets corrupted by the system.

In Hyderabad Karthi went for the audio launch of Venkatesh’s Bodyguard, a remake of Vijay’s Kaavalan.

He was the cynosure of all eyes at the audio launch and stole the thunder from the films hero Venkatesh and heroine Trisha.

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Hansika to enter politics?

Hansika has just completed her final semester as a student of Political Science and will be graduating soon. She somehow managed it amidst her hectic shooting schedule. Her choice of subject has resulted in speculation that like Kushboo with whom she is already earning comparisons for obvious reasons she will also enter into politics.
The vivacious actress said that she is very interested in politics and follows political developments with the utmost interest but as of now films will remain her main priority. She has no idea what the future holds for her though she added with a wink not ruling out the possibility entirely.

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Mugamoodi to Beat Spiderman

Produced by Ronnie Screwvala Mugamoodi went on floors from day before yesterday. Jeeva, Narain and Pooja Hegde are so excited working with Mysskin with Sathya in charge of cinematography while K is composing the music for the lyrics penned by Kabilan and Madhan Karky. Mysskin while speaking about this film to the media said, “ This is my dream film. Right from my childhood I have read the stories of super heroes. I have enjoyed it. I wanted to make a film like that. Now I have got the opportunity to do this. I can confidently say that this kind of film has never been made in Tamil so far. Narain is donning the villain role. I know martial arts. Jeeva has also learnt martial arts. Dhilip Subbarayan and Shekar are choreographing the Kung Fu sequences. So far such fighting sequences featuring in this film would not have featured in any Indian films so far. This film is being made with the intention that it should entertain the children as well as the elderly people. I have completed the story of the Part 2 of Mugamudi even before commencing the shooting of the Part 1. There will be five parts.”

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Ram Gopal Varma's Unusual 26/11

Maverick filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma always sticks to the unorthodox style of filmmaking. His voracious attraction to real life incidents marks his uniqueness. The director is all set to make a film based on 26/11. The incident will remain undiminished in the hearts of every Indian as the three day live telecast of the ‘Terrorist-Hostages-Police Forces’ drama.

But don’t predict the film to be travelling on the same lines of an action packed thriller drama as Ram Gopal Varma says, “ My attempt now would be not only to capture on film the physical aspect but also the behind the scenes aspect of what exactly happened from the time Kasab and rest of the team landed on Amar Singh Solanki’s trawler in the high seas, till kasab’s heroic capture by the late Tukaram Ombale at Girgaum chowpatty. This will be intercut with what the various gallant police officers did in their attempt to get the situation under control.

Rommel Rodrigues, author of “Kasab the face of 26/11”, who has an extensive and encyclopedic knowledge of the event will be a helping hand to Ram Gopal Varma.

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Mankatha’s 100th day celebrated

Mankatha’s 100^th day was celebrated at the Short Film Gala 2011 held on December 10^th at the Anna Centenary Library Hall. The film’s director Venkat Prabhu along with his team including Premgi, Vaibhav, Mahat Ragavendra, Ashwin, Aravind Akash and editor Praveen K L were present during this event.
The Short Film Gala is an event organized by The Slight Media and Filmgala. During this event the SFG award for short films were given to the winners.
Later, the entire Mankatha team cut a huge cake to mark the celebrations of Mankatha’s 100^th day.

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'Velayudham' turns 50

Vijay's Deepavali gift to his fans 'Velayudham' has completed its 50-day run in the box-office. Claimed as one of the biggest hits of the Ilayathalapathy, the film is still running in a good number of cinema halls.

Says a trade analyst, "Velayudham came at a right time when Vijay's fans were waiting for a commercial hit. In the recent past, Velayudham can be claimed as the biggest grosser for Vijay. The initial days saw repeat-audience."

Produced by Aascar V Ravichandran and directed by 'Jayam' M Raja, 'Velayudham' has Hansika Motwani and Genelia D' Souza as heroines. Says a Vijay fan, "The film was a Deepavali dhamaka for us. It had everything we expect out of a Thalapathy movie."

Vijay Antony's songs and state-of-the-art stunt sequences turned out to be the highlights of the movie. Thanks to all these things backed by aggressive promotions in media, 'Velayudham' has emerged as one of the hits of 2011.

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Tirumala Devotees condemn Tamannah

During a shooting break, Tamannah and Ram Charan Teja visited the Tirupati Thirumala temple to worship lord Balaji. This visit has Tamannah in the thick of controversy as the actress had worn a pair of jeans and t-shirt.
As per the temple rules, women are required to wear saree or salwar kameez when worshipping the lord. But Tamannah had defied this rule, feel several worshippers who witnessed her visit. The actress however was not available for comments on this issue as she left the temple almost immediately.

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