vijay busy

Vijay is busy at one thing for what he is known for acting in films. The ‘Ilaya Thalapathi’ is currently part of five films, all different from each other. While shooting is on at a hectic pace for Nanban (directed by Shankar) and Velayudham (directed by Jayam Raja), the actor would soon start shooting for Mani Ratnam’s f...ilm, whch is said to be inspired by Ponniyin Selvan. Besides, he would do Pagalavan, a revolutionary film with Seeman and a yet-to-be-titled movie to be directed by a former associate of Shankar. ‘So, Vijay will be busy for the next two years,’ sources close to him say.

Vijay - The Darling of Mass.!!! Vijay supports AIADMK

Proving media reports true, ‘Ilaya Thalapathi’ Vijay on Sunday extended the support of his Makkal Iyakkam to the main opposition AIADMK in the April 13 elections to the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

Popular film director and father of Vijay, S A Chandrasekar, called on AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa at a hotel in T...iruchi on Sunday afternoon and informed her about the decision.

Chandrasekar, closeted with the former Chief Minister for about 20 minutes at Sangam Hotel in Tiruchi, said the Iyakkam favoured political change in the State to ensure that it develops equitably.

An AIADMK press release said the party general secretary thanked Chandrasekar and Vijay for their support. Speaking to reporters later, Chandrasekar said he will soon commence his campaign in support of the AIADMK alliance.

Ponniyin Selvan to make magic

The Mani Ratnam-AR Rahman combination in the film industry has resulted in some magical music. The duo has come together once again for Ponniyin Selvan. The cast is yet to be finalized but AR Rahman, determined to do his best for Mani, has already completed five songs.

The tunes are said to be outstanding and Mani was moved by his gesture. He has approved the songs and is keen to begin shooting for them as he wants to make them memorable. This big-budget epic film also has Vijay, Mahesh Babu, Arya, and Sathyaraj in key roles. Santhosh Sivan will be wielding the camera.

Location hunt is on for Nanban

Shankar Shanmugam aka Shankar's upcoming film 'Nanban' is progressing at a rapid pace and the director is all set to start the third schedule of the movie which is going to be the shooting of film's songs.

The ace director, in a recent tweet said like this, "Hello World.. Let me thank all of you for your interest towards Nanban. It is growing Big day by day. Completed 2nd schedule in Dehradun."

In the meanwhile Shankar has set off to London with music director Harris Jayaraj for composing remaining songs for Nanban. It can be remebered that the previous work of this duo, Anniyan, was a smash hit album and all of the songs were chartbusters. The duo is expected to create the magic once again. 

Shankar also visited UK and Spain along with cameraman Manoj Paramahamsha as part of his location hunt for the songs.

Shankar is always the best man in getting the top quality work from his artistes and technicians and we can hope that this trend continues with Nanban too.

It looks like stunning visuals and songs are on the make.

எங்களை தாக்கினால் எம்.ஜி.ஆர்., விஜயகாந்த், விஜய், அஜீத் ரசிகர்கள் காப்பாற்றுவார்கள் : நடிகர் சத்யராஜ்

கர் விஜயின் தந்தையும், இயக்குநருமான எஸ்.ஏ.சந்திரசேகரன் நீண்ட இடைவெளிக்குப் பின் இயக்கியுள்ள படம் ’’சட்டப்படி குற்றம்’’.  இப்படத்தில் சத்யராஜ், சீமான், ராதாரவி நடித்துள்ளனர்.

 இந்தப் படத்தில், அரசியல்வாதியால் பாதிக்கப்படும் நபராக சத்யராஜ் வருகிறார். பின்னர் போராளியாக மாறுகிறார். தன்னை போலவே பாதிப்புக்கு உள்ளான இளைஞர்களை இவர் ஒன்று 

சேர்த்து சமுதாய மாற்றத்தை ஏற்படுத்த முயல்கிறார். அது முடிந்ததா? இல்லையா? என்பதுதான் படத்தின் கிளைமாக்ஸ்.

 பல்வேறு துறைகளின் உயர் அதிகாரிகள் சத்யராஜ் தலைமையிலான மக்கள் இயக்கத்தால் (இது விஜய் ரசிகர் மன்றத்துக்கு வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ள பெயர்) கடத்தப்பட, அரிசி கடத்துகிறார்கள், சாராயம் கடத்துகிறார்கள்! இப்போது அதிகாரிகளைகடத்துகிறார்கள். எங்கே சார் போகுது நாடு'' என அரசு அதிகாரிகள் ஒரு காட்சியில் பேசிக் கொள்கிறார்கள்.

 கனிம வள ஊழல் தொடர்பாக கைதான ரங்கராசன் வழக்கு விசாரணையில் அவருக்கு எதிராக ஆஜராகிறார் சீமான். அப்போது நீதி தேவதையின் கண்களை மட்டும் இவர் கட்டவில்லை.

நாட்டு மக்கள் எல்லோரின் கண்களையும் கட்டி விட்டார் என்கிறார் சீமான். வழக்கு விசாரணையின் போது ரங்கராசனுக்கு, சேர் (இருக்கை) கொடுங்கள் என ஒருவர் சொல்ல, நீதிபதி அவர்களே உங்களுக்கும் ஒரு ஷேர் தந்து கூட்டு சேர்த்து விடப்போகிறார் என்று கமெண்ட் அடிக்கிறார் மற்றொருவர்.

 1 லட்சம் ரூபாய் அடித்தவனுக்கு ஒரு வருஷம் ஜெயில், 5 லட்சம் ரூபாய் அடித்தவனுக்கு 5 வருஷம் ஜெயில். ஒருலட்சத்து 26 ஆயிரம் கோடி ரூபாய் அடித்தவனுக்கு எத்தனை ஆண்டு என கேட்க, நீதிபதியாக இருக்கும் ராதாரவி, எத்தனை சைபர் என்று எனக்கே தெரியவில்லை என்கிறார். 

 வழக்கின் தீர்ப்பின் போது ராதாரவி, இதுவரை நீங்க எழுதிக் கொடுத்த வசனங்களை இதுவரை பேசியிருக்கிறோம்.

இப்போதாவது சுயசிந்தனையுடன் தீரப்பு எழுத விடுங்கள் என்கிறார்.

 நடப்பு அரசியலையும், நாட்டின் அண்மைக்கால நிகழ்வுகளையும் நினைவூட்டும் வசனங்கள் இந்தப் படத்தில் நிறைந்துள்ளன.

இந்தப்படத்திற்கு கடுமையான எதிர்ப்புகள் இருப்பதாக எஸ்.ஏ.சந்திரசேகரும், நடிகர் சத்யராஜூம் கூறியுள்ளனர்.

ஒரு தனியார் தொலைக்காட்சிக்கு நடிகர் சத்யராஜும், எஸ்.ஏ.சந்திரசேகரும் பேட்டி அளித்தபோது,,   ‘’நான் இந்தப்படத்தில் நடித்ததற்காக பயப்படவில்லை.   ஏன் என்றால் எனக்கு ஏதும் பிரச்சனை என்றால் புரட்சித்தலைவர் ரசிகர்கள் பார்த்துக்கொள்வார்கள்’’ என்றார் சத்யராஜ்.

அவர்  மேலும்,  ‘’வள்ளல் என்று ஒருபடத்தில் நான் நடித்துக்கொண்டிருந்தபோது பண கஷ்டம் வந்தது.   என் நண்பர் விஜயகாந்த் இதைத்தெரிந்துகொண்டு எனக்கு பண உதவி செய்தார்.    அவர் பண உதவியே செய்வார்.    மற்ற உதவியா செய்யமாட்டார்.

அதே போல் விஜய் ரசிகர்கள் இருக்கிறார்கள்.      விஜய்க்கு அஜீத் நண்பனாக இருப்பதால் அஜீத் ரசிகர்களும் வருவார்கள்.  

ஒரு பிரச்சனை என்றால் எம்.ஜி.ஆர்., விஜயகாந்த், விஜய்,அஜீத் ரசிகர்கள் வந்து களத்தில் நிற்பார்கள்.    அதனால் நான் யாருக்கும் பயப்படவில்லை.  நீங்களும் பயப்படவேண்டாம்.  நம்மை அவர்கள் காப்பாற்றிவிடுவார்கள்’’ என்று கூறினார்சத்யராஜ்.

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மகேஷ்பாபுவிற்கு தங்கையானார் அனுஷ்கா

இதுவரை மகேஷ்பாபுவுடன் ஜோடி போட்டு வந்த அனுஷ்கா, இப்போது டைரக்டர் மணிரத்னத்தின் பொன்னியின் செல்வனில் மகேஷ்பாபுவின் தங்கையாக நடிக்க இருக்கிறார் என்ற தகவல் வெளியாகியுள்ளது.

தெலுங்கில் முன்னணி நடிகராக உள்ளவர் மகேஷ்பாபு. இவர் மணிரத்னத்தின் பொன்னியின் செல்வனில் நடிக்க ஒப்பந்தமாகி இருக்கிறார். இவருடன் நடிகர் விஜய், ஆர்யா, நடிகை அனுஷ்கா உள்ளிட்டவர்களும் நடிக்கவுள்ளனர். கல்கியின் நாவலை மையமாக வைத்து சரித்திர படமாக எடுக்கப்படவுள்ள இப்படத்தில் வந்தியத்தேவனாக விஜய்யும், ஆதித்ய கரிகாலனாக மகேஷ்பாபுவும், அருள்மொழி வர்மனாக (இப்போது ராஜ ராஜ சோழன்) ஆர்யாவும் நடிக்கின்றனர். படத்தில் விஜய்யின் காதலியாக நடிக்கும் அனுஷ்கா இப்போது மகேஷ்பாபுவின் தங்கையாகவும் நடிக்க இருக்கிறார் என்று கூறப்படுகிறது.

மிகுந்த பொருட்ச்செலவில் பிரம்மாண்டமாக இப்படத்தை எடுக்க திட்டமிட்டுள்ளார் மணிரத்னம். தற்போது திரைக்கதைக்கான வேலையில் மும்மரமாக இறங்கியுள்ள மணிரத்னம், விரைவில் இப்படத்திற்கான சூட்டிங்கை தொடங்க இருக்கிறார். 

Velayutham Movie Shooting Spot

Shankar’s promise to Vijay

Nanban the Tamil remake of Three Idiots is proceeding at a steady phase and director Shankar has expressed his satisfaction in the way the film is shaping up. Ilaya Thalapathy Vijay, who is teaming up with Shankar for the first time, will be seen with Jiiva, Srikanth and Sathyaraj with Ileana as his love interest. 

On the songs of Nanban, Shankar is reportedly promised Vijay that it would satisfy all his fans in all aspects. According to Shankar, Vijay’s huge fan base would be very happy and delighted with the songs that would be picturized on their icon.

Mahesh to Pair with Richa Gangopadhyay

Richa Gangopadhyay to romance Mahesh Babu in Mani Rathnam movie! Yes! Richa Gangopadhyay and Mahesh Babu will now share screen space in Mani Rathnam movie. Previously it was Anushka who was playing heroine but now its Richa Gangopadhyay beside Mahesh Babu in Mani Rathnam movie.


Mani Ratnam is coming up with a bilingual movie starring Mahesh Babu in Telugu and Vijay in Tamil and Anushka is supposed to be heroine with Mahesh Babu in Telugu.However, Anushka & Mahesh Babu combination failed previously for Mahesh Khaleja as such the Mani Rathnam decided to get Richa Gangopadhyay for this Telugu version.And now it'll be interesting to see Mahesh Babu Richa Gangopadhyay on-screen presence.


The actress is tightlipped about the project and was also not that interested to reveal even miniscule points of the film. She has recently celebrated her birthday in Mumbai with her family and friends on a grand note. She is right now busy signing some projects in Telugu.

BIG PARTNERSHIPS WHICH MISSED TAMIL CINEMA

Director Ameer has made meaningful movies ever since his debut Mounam Pesiyathey. When he approached the commercial king Vijay for Paruthiveeran, we were hoping for an extravagant rural film with eagerness to see Vijay in a new avatar. Sadly, Vijay turned down the offer fearing that the movie might not do well due to lack of commercial elements and it finally fell on Karthi's lap and he delighted the audience as much as Vijay would have. Needless to remind, the movie was a super hit.

Director Ameer has made meaningful movies ever since his debut Mounam Pesiyathey. When he approached the commercial king Vijay for Paruthiveeran, we were hoping for an extravagant rural film with eagerness to see Vijay in a new avatar. Sadly, Vijay turned down the offer fearing that the movie might not do well due to lack of commercial elements and it finally fell on Karthi's lap and he delighted the audience as much as Vijay would have. Needless to remind, the movie was a super hit.

Kaavalan Official Paper AD on 26.03.2011

Mahesh Babu taking protein shots for Ponniyin Selvan

Earlier we broke the news of Mahesh Babu entering Ponniyin Selvan
and donning the role of Uththama Chozhan. While the Tollywood prince
is all gung-ho bagging the Mani Ratnam flick saying that it was one of his ‘dreams come true’ sources told us that ‘cute boy’ Mahesh is ready to go to any extent to leave a lasting impression with his act.

Reports suggest that he will go topless and treat the ladies with his skin show taking setting new trends.Now Mahesh doesn’t want to let them down and latest we hear that the actor is taking prescription drugs in the form of protein shots on doctor’s recommendation. Soon we will get to see a new Mahesh with those chiseled looks.He was spotted hitting the gym to tighten up all those loose bits and gain some extra muscles to rightly fit into the shoes of his character.

Ooohh! Watcha ya think ladies?

Srikanth gives tense moments to Vijay, Jeeva in Nanban Shooting

The shooting of director Shankar’s upcoming directorial venture titled ‘Nanban’ is presently taking place at a college on the outskirts of New Delhi. The film is the Tamil remake of the Bollywood superhit ‘3 Idiots’ and stars Vijay, Jeeva and Srikanth and Tollywood’s Ileana D’Cruz in lead roles.


Known as a perfectionist to the core who takes care of even the minutest of things while he is shooting, Shankar has wrapped up the shooting schedule of almost all the campus sequences in the film.


Sources close to him say that only the outdoor sequences now remain to be shot and also revealed on condition of anonymity that Shankar, did face some ‘minor’challenges due to the dancing ‘talents’ of Srikanth.


While a song sequence featuring the trio was being shot, Vijay and Jiiva were getting their counts right but Srikanth couldnt match up to them, and was taking nearly 9 takes for each movement, which didn’t go well with Vijay and Jeeva seems, and raising the question of why was Srikanth cast in the role of the third hero.


Srikanth, it’s time to develop your dancing skills for sure…

Sathyaraj to play Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar in Ponniyin Selvan

Ace director Maniratnam is on a casting spree. After roping in Vijay,Arya and Tollywood’s Mahesh Babu and Anushka to star in lead roles in his epic Ponniyin Selvan, he recently signed up Sathyaraj. Though there were reports that Sathyaraj will play a Buddhist Monk,  the latest is that he will play the important role of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar, the legendary lieutenant who stood as a great pillar of strength to successive Chola Kings.

The epic has so many major characters and it would test Maniratnam’s directorial instincts to the core as to whom to rope in to play which role. Those who have ready the epic novel would easily agree that there couldn’t have been a better choice to play the role of Periya Pazhuvettariyar than Sathyaraj. For the ageing actor, the role could well be a defining moment in his career.

The scripting over, Mani is now planning to go into the pre-production work and is busy seeking call-sheets from all the lead stars. Sathyaraj, who has been signed up for 60 days on-the-trot, is said to have been paid a whopping Rs.2 crores to play the role in the film, unconfirmed sources say. The first schedule of the film’s shooting is likely to take place in the legendary Mysore palace.

Kaavalan Official Paper AD on 25.03.2011

A bearded Vijay in Nanban?

Shankar is back in Chennai aftaer a grueling but satisfactory shooting schedule of his upcoming film ‘Nanban’ in the ever-green hill-station of Dehra Dun, which is nestled in the mountain ranges of the Himalayas in the State of Uttarakhand.


The mercurial director, whose last film ‘Enthiran: The Robot’ was a phenomenal hit and created waves world-wide, is upbeat about the prospects of ‘Nanban’ at the box-office. He’s all praise for the combo of Vijay, Jiiva and Srikkanth and says that the trio has become thick friends, not merely for their on-screen roles but off it as well.


Meanwhile, reports said that Vijay was very ‘apprehensive’ in changing his hair-style for his role in the film. Shankar scotches those reports as nothing but a figment of somebody’s imagination. He has confirmed that Vijay would actually be sporting a beard for his role when shown in the ‘flashback mode’ in the film.


A bearded Vijay, fresh Ileana and the untested trio of Vijay-Jiiva-Srikkanth… looks like ‘Nanban’ has a lot to look forward to!

P.C. Sreeram roped in for ‘Ponniyin Selvan’

Guess who is the latest to join the Ponniyin Selvan crew? Ace camera man P.C. Sreeram! While director Mani Ratnam approached Sreeram for wielding the camera the director was struck by the in-depth knowledge the lens man had about the epic novel Ponniyin Selvan. Sreeram, who has read through the novel more than five or six times started categorizing each shot on how it can be filmed and which shots can be chromakeyed and so on.

Now Mani is really impressed with his team because he already has director Vasanth who has a good knowledge of the novel co-ordinating with him in the entire process of filming. Now with lens man P.C. Sreeram the team will only get better. Incidentally it was P.C. Sreeram’s mom, who is a great fan of the novel Ponniyin Selvan, who gifted the book to Sreeram.

There are also talks going on in some circles that since the novel is too huge to be completed as a single film, so the makers might be planning at least a couple of sequels with different heroes in each sequel, but the fact remains to be seen regarding this. Whatever might be the case ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ which will start the filming session soon will have Vijay as the hero. There are also talks that Sathyaraj might get to play the role of Buddha Bikku in the film. But nothing has been confirmed regarding this.

The director is taking much care in picking up artists for each character in the film. We will bring you more updates regarding the progress of ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ as and when it happens!

Anushka plays Vijays lady love in Ponniyin Selvan

Mahesh Babu might be making all the news, as the sugar faced Tollywood boy is all set to go topless and even take some protein shots to get the real prince look,come riding on a French horse and take his lovely princess for a ride. Well Mani Ratnam has plans otherwise; the director has let Ilayathalapathy Vijay to do the honors.

Sizzling hot face Anushka Shetty will play sister act to Mahesh Babu and the strongly built Kollywood lad Arya. Mahesh Babu will be seen as Arulmozhi Varman’s and Arya will prove his mettle playing Aditya Karikalan’s role. Sathyaraj who was last told to be playing a Buddhist monk now steps into the shoes of Sundara Chola, in Mani’s celluloid version of Kalki’s classic Ponniyin Selvan. Sundara also happens to be the father of the beautiful Kundavai played by ‘Sweety’ Anushka.

So it’s Vijay and Anushka to dazzle the screens with Mani Ratnam’s 200 crore magnam opus in the making.

The quarter century in Nanban

It is believed that Madan Karky, son of Vairamuthu, has come in to fill the void left by writer Sujatha. His work in Endhiran is enough to prove this fact.

But the young writer has also proved that penning lyrics is in his genes and his songs in various films including Endhiran have turned out to be chartbusters.

This young writer-lyricist will soon be scoring his quarter century with Shankar’s Nanban. Yes, he has just written the 25th song in his career for the Vijay-starrer Nanban.

We wish the young lyricist reach greater heights in his career in the film industry!

Shankar completes Nanban

Shankar has just completed the shooting of Nanban. Well, to be precise, he has completed the second schedule of the film in Dehradun.

The ace director has said in his blog that the second schedule, in which the college exterior scenes are a major part, were completed much to his satisfaction.

Shankar has also said that scenes in which Vijay and Sathyaraj appear together has come out well and this will be new combination in Kollywood.

He was also full of praises for Ileana, Jiiva and Srikanth. With the second schedule over, he has already begun work for the next schedule.

Vikram in Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan

It’s already known that Vijay is playing the role of a brave warrior Vallavarayan Vandiyadevan while Mahesh Babu is likely to play King Aditha Karikalan. Arya will star in the role of Arulmozhi Varman in Ponniyin Selvan. So far it’s fine but the latest news we hear is that Chiyaan Vikram is also part of this magnum opus.

In the recent times there was news stating that Vikram is out of the project. But now it is almost confirmed and Vikram 

is playing a very crucial character in the film, which is not, been revealed by any of them until now. Apart from Vikram, Nasser is playing a meaty role.

Anushka has been roped in to play opposite Vijay while the hunt for the other two heroines in going on. Mani Ratnam is 

looking for a heroine who is beautiful, and must be able to depict dance with expressions, just like Sobhana and Hema 

Malini. To our surprise Mani may even give chance for new comers apart from existing heroines.

Kaavalan Official Paper AD on 24.03.2011

Mani Ratnam to unveil AR Rahman’s biography

Jai Ho!! Music maestro AR Rahman’s first authorized conversational biography ‘AR Rahman: The Spirit Of Music’ is all set be released on 6th April 2011. The book launch will be attended by some well-known celebrities and will have renowned film maker and producer Mani Ratnam doing the honours. 

The book, published by Om Books International, has been written by renowned film historian, Nasreen Munni Kabir, who has also made over 80 documentaries on Indian cinema for Channel 4 TV, U.K. In this book, she provides rare insights into Rahman’s private life and his music. There are photographs from his personal archives as well as a gratis CD of music composed by him (8 tracks).

Said Ajay Mago (Publisher of Om Books International), “It is indeed a rare honour to publish this book. AR Rahman’s journey, like that of most great artists, is one that moves and inspires. Nasreen Munni Kabir has recorded this journey, over the last three years. This book also has a CD with AR Rahman’s compositions for free distribution with the first edition.” 

A two-time winner of the Academy Award (Oscars), the BAFTA and the Grammys, AR Rahman is popularly known as the man who has redefined contemporary Indian music. He started his career composing commercials for cinema and television. But after ‘Roja’ (1991), Rahman’s musical genius caught the attention of Andrew Lloyd Webber who invited him to compose music for the stage production of Bombay Dreams.

He is now familiar to the audiences in the West as his song “Jai Ho” from the film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ topped the charts all around the world. His film soundtrack albums have sold over 150 million copies across the world and he deservedly enjoys iconic status in India.

Celebrating 25 With 'Nanban'

For sure, Madhan Karky is sure to make his realms in Tamil film industry now. The young and happening lyricist enthralled us with his brooding lyrics in Superstar Rajnikanth’s ‘Endhiran’ and now he is joining hands with Shankar again for the film ‘Nanban’. This time, he has an additional task to be carried out – writing dialogues along with Shankar.

Madhan Karky has said that he has completed working on lyrics for ‘Nanban’, which completes 25 songs of his career now. His outstanding lyrics for the songs and penchant taste for delivering some new-dimensional traits has become his ‘USP’.

We wish Madhan that he comes up with more splendid songs in years to come… 

Ponniyin Selvan to be on par with Sholay?

The cult hit Sholay is much remembered for its excellent storytelling and big star cast that consisted of Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Amjad Khan and Mac Mohan among several others. Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan were gaining fame at that time and Sholay boosted their image even more and the actors went on to give several more hits in their career later. Looks like Mani Ratnam is going to pull a casting coup and make a cult film like Sholay with Ponniyin Selvan.


Here we bring to you the latest about the film. It is confirmed that Vijay will be playing the role of Vallavaraiyan Vandiyadevan and Mahesh Babu will play Aditya Karikalan. The next slot to be filled was the character of the fearless fighter Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar who needs to look tall, strong and be able to wield several weapons and fight with élan. This character will be essayed by none other than veteran Sathyaraj who has the looks and also is experienced with aspects of weapon fighting. There was news that Vikram is not a part of the project but it is confirmed that Vikram is indeed playing a very important role in this film and that has not be revealed until now. Apart from this stellar cast, there is seasoned artist Nasser who has a very meaty role.


When quizzed about the heroine, we heard the Anushka is on board for sure and apart from that the director is hunting for two heroines who can dance, emote and look beautiful - in short, someone like Shobana. The hunt is on and we hear it might even be new comers and not only existing heroines. With such exciting news surfacing every day, Mani Ratnam is definitely making us all crave for the film.

Media playing with Mani Ratnam

Ever since the news about Mani Ratnam planning to make Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan into a film hit the media, numerous speculations were traveling at vigorous pace regarding the cast and other technical members of the team. Everyone worth their salt are giving ideas to the ace filmmakers through different media how the established film maker should make his film.

At this juncture, came the news that Sathyaraj would be donning the role of a Buddhist monk in the film. Immediately, it was assumed that the monk is of Srilankan origin and criticisms were thrown against Sathyaraj that he was going against Tamil sentiments by agreeing to do a Sinhalese monk and that he was not a ‘suddha Thamizhan’. But what the media failed to understand was that Buddhism was much rampant in Tamil Nadu in the period that Ponniyin Selvan was set and there were many Buddhist monks in Tamil Nadu in that era as well. Hence Sathyaraj would only be a Tamil Buddhist monk and not a Sinhalese Buddhist monk as imagined by the media.

Nanban: What Shankar shot so far…

Director Shankar has said that he has completed the second schedule of Nanban and with this all the “college exterior scenes” have been shot. The director is happy that the visuals have come out very well and credits it to the exquisite campus in which the film was shot in Dehradun.

Shankar, on working with Vijay, Sathyaraj, Ileana, Jiiva, Srikanth and others, said that it was an interesting experience. He reveals that Vijay and Sathyaraj combination will be the talk of the town once Nanban releases. The director added that Nanban will be a complete contrast from Endhiran!

Sathyaraj in Mani’s film?

He fair, he is tall, and handsome of course he is. He adds appeal to any role that he plays, be it a film, an ad promo or a T.V. show. Still guessing???

We are discussing the artist par excellence Sathyaraj! Director Mani Ratnam is busy with the pre-production of his next film ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ with Vijay bagging a slot. Sources close to the director have divulged that he is considering Sathyaraj for a very pivotal role in this film.

Director Mani is rapidly closing in on the cast of the film and Sathyaraj might be seen essaying the character of Buddha Bikku, suggest sources. We do not have any reports from actor Sathyaraj’s office to confirm the reports yet. Be it the hero’s role, comedy or villain you name it and if there is one man who can do the role you can point your fingers it will be our ‘Amaidhipadai’ man.

Sathyaraj now appears regularly on weekends in a game show organized on TV and he plays the perfect hilarious host encouraging the teams to give in their best shot! Kudus to you sir for your rare talent, which glues us to our seats every time you appear on screen.

We will update you on more aspects from every angle as the story breaks in Kollywood

VELAYUDHAM STILLS

NanbaN

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“Difference between Endhiran and Nanban”, Shankar says

“Endhiran filming was different from Nanban”, the talented director Shankar says. Presently he is busy canning the shots of Nanban in Dehradun with Vijay, Jiiva, Srikanth, Sathyaraj and Ileana. Shankar is happy about the way the film is shaping up and he says that he enjoys every minute of it especially shooting with Vijay and Sathyaraj. He adds that it is a rejuvenating experience for him working with these stars who have almost becomes the characters of the film. “It is certainly a different experience from Endhiran and I am enjoying every second of it”, Shankar furthers.

Anushka is Mahesh Babu’s sister!

Well, well here is some news for Mahesh Babu fans. Anushka, who sizzled opposite the charming Prince in Khaleja is all set to play the role of his younger sister in Mani Ratnam’s historical movie. Titled Ponniyin Selvan in Tamil, this movie is yet to be named in Telugu.

Mahesh Babu will share screen with Tamil actors Vijay and Arya who are also playing the lead roles in Ponniyin Selvan. Anushka would play Vijay’s love interest and the heroine for Mahesh is yet to be decided.

As per the news circles, Mahesh Babu will play the role of a King in Ponniyin Selvan. Mani Ratnam is in plans for casting a top heroine from Bollywood opposite Mahesh in this movie. Stay tuned for more scoop.

Thaman to score music for Vijay film

Music director Thaman is surely going places. After debuting in the film ‘Eeram’ as music director, he has done a handful of films including actor Jiiva’s upcoming film ‘Vandhaan Vendraan’. The burly Thaman was one of the four ‘boys’ in Shankar’s ‘Boys’ which released early last decade. After ‘Boys’, Thaman decided to chart a different course and found his love in music.

Thaman is said to have been signed up as the music director for actor Vijay’s upcoming untitled movie which is likely to be produced by R.B. Choudhary of Supergood Films. It was Choudhary who produced many of Vijay’s earliest hits like ‘Poovae Unakkaga’ , ‘Love Today’ , ‘Thirupachi’.

Vijay, who is presently starring in Shankar’s ‘Nanban’, is also in talks with Maniratnam to play the lead role in the latter’s take-off on the Tamil epic ‘Ponniyin Selvan’. While reservations have been expressed from certain quarters within the industry about the rationale behind casting Vijay in the lead role, one thing is certain: the film, which is said to be a mega-budget venture, is likely to take a few years in the making.

For the time being, it is said that Vijay has postponed starring in director-actor Seeman’s ‘Pagalavan‘ as the film is likely to be a ‘poliltically volatile’ one. It’s precisely for this reason that he has chose to do Choudhary’s film after completing ‘Nanban’ and has given the go-ahead to sign up Thaman as the music director with a rider that the film must have a fast-paced ‘kuthu’ song!