Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Sultan: The Warrior is for my Appa, says Soundarya


"It's a daughter's gift to her father" - that's how Soundarya, daughter of Tamil superstar Rajnikant, describes her full-length animation film "Sultan: The Warrior" to be released Nov this year.

Addressing mediapersons after a special screening of the second trailer of the much-awaited film, Soundarya sounded thrilled over producing the first-ever animation film made around an Indian actor.

She also confessed that her Appa (father) was initially very hesitant to play the role. She was happy, however, that he agreed after "all his apprehension were allayed".

Except Rajnikant, all the characters would be animated. The superstar would have his "jodi" (female opposite). Further details about the movie, however, are strictly under wraps.

The film, being made at a cost of $10 million by Adlabs, along with Soundarya's own Ocher Studio, will be released in 12 languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and English.

Soundarya said that the film is a "collective effort of 80 of us from the Ocher Studio".

The second trailer showed Rajnikant fighting the villains in his familiar style.

A.R. Rahman scores the music for the film, which will have four songs. One of these will be in English, and the search is on for a Western singer.

Rajini goes to Himalayas


Superstar Rajinikanth, who has the habit of visiting Himalayas at least once a year, has flown there to have a break before starting his new project.

He will visit the Baba Temple located in Himalayas. He will be staying in the cave of Baba Temple for a couple of weeks for meditation.

Rajini left for Badhrinath after receiving the NDTV award for the Best Entertainer of 2008 in New Delhi. He went to Himalayas by walk from Badhrinath. Two of his close friends have gone with him to the temple.

Staying in the cave and mediating seem to be the secret of Rajini’s energy and the balanced mind with which he handles the incredible fame.

Rajini will go for the shooting of his forthcoming movie ‘Kuselan’, directed by P. Vasu after coming back from the Himalayas.

Padmapriya: down to earth


Padmapriya, who takes up experimental and challenging roles in films, is also interested in experimenting with challenging trips in her personal life. Whenever she finds time, she sets off for a tour, carrying just two sets of dresses.

The passionate traveler has seen all the places in Kerala. Recently she went to the tribal areas of Orissa. She interacted with the tribal people with the help of a translator. She ate whatever they gave and stayed with them without any discomfort. It was a tedious and challenging trip. “I used to walk up to 30 kilometer per day in the tribal areas”, says the actress.

She went to the area with the help of Samatha, an NGO, based in Visagapattinam. She stayed there for one week.

The talented actor, known for her realistic portrayal of her characters believes that, every actor should experience the real world that exists outside the tinsel town. Is anybody else interested?

Sneha to pair with Kalanjiyam?


Director M Kalanjiyam, who received the Best Scriptwriter Award for his movie ‘Kizhakkum Merkum’, has decided to appear before the camera. He is said to have approached the leading heroine Sneha to act with him as his pair. The smiling beauty is yet to accept the offer.

Kalanjiyam is now making ‘Kalagam’ in which Dalit Panthers’ leader Thirumavalavan is acting. The leader is growing beard for the movie. The shooting will start by the month end.

It is not known whether Kalanjiam would act in ‘Kalagam’ or he is planning to act in another film. If he acts in ‘Kalagam’ and gets Sneha’s nod to pair up with him, then who would be the real hero of the movie, in which Thiruma is playing a role?

Shriya sends apology letters


Shriya, who courted trouble by coming to ‘Sivaji’s silver jubilee function in a skimpy outfit, has now sent apology letters to the Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, director Shankar, and superstar Rajinikanth.
Shriya has stated that she had no intention of insulting anybody by coming to the function in a sexy outfit. According to the letter, she had come directly from a shooting for a Hindi film ‘Mission Istanbul’. “I have no intention to insult the dignitaries or the sentiments of Tamils or Hindus. I seek apologies for my act”, was her appeal in the letter.

We hope that the controversy will die after this letter.

A pat on the back!

The overall atmosphere of Tamil film world is fast becoming healthier these days. We can see a lot of creative experiments being tried and more professionalism being brought in with the arrival of corporate companies. In addition to these developments, there is a welcome change in the attitude of the stars. They move with more friendliness and seek to make it a healthy competition rather than a bitter one.
We can site the example of leading stars like Vijay, Suriya, and Madhavan viewing ‘Billa’ and appreciating Ajith’s performance. The so-called and much hyped cold war between Ajith and Vijay is nowhere in sight.

Now Vijay has appreciated the efforts of younger actors Bharath and Silambarasan for their respective performances in their latest films that came out on Pongal day. Vijay is said to have hugged Silambarasan to complement him for his acting in ‘Kaalai’. He has also praised Bharath for his “amazing performance in the fighting sequences” in ‘Pazhani’.

Bharath is on cloud nine, as he has been “appreciated by his role model”. He has decided to continue to act in action movies. He also has plans to team up with director Perarasu again.

Vikram-Selva come together


With the entire struggle and hurdles for the past two years he faced, the dedicated actor finally can have a sigh of relief. His long awaited "Bheema" has finally hit the screens and is running successfully.
Now, Vikram is fully focused on his upcoming venture "Kandaswamy" directed by Susi Ganesan and produced by 'Kalaipuli' S.Dhanu. Vikram says this movie will be a visual treat to all and children will love this movie. Get set to see Chiyaan as a Super Hero.

So whats next for Vikram?

In a press meet held at Chennai, Vikram confirmed his venture after Kandhasamy. He will be joining hands with ace director Selvaraghavan, whose passion for realistic cinema is clearly evident from his earlier blockbusters. Selva is currently busy with "Ayirathal Oruvan" starring Paruthiveeran fame Karthik. Work on the new project will begin, when the two are finished with their existing commitments. Vikram is always known for his commitment to only one project at a time and that dedication was very evident in Bheema.

Stay tuned to IndiaGlitz for further updates on this latest announcement.