Vairamuthu bats for churidhar for girls and women

Lyricist Vairamuthu has his opinion on matters of significance which affect the polity and society at large. His recent utterances have centred around the costume for Tamil women. The lyricist, who holds the Indian record of having won the coveted national award for ‘best lyrics’ six times, was taking part at a private event in Erode.

Speaking on the occasion, Vairamuthu touched upon many issues. “There is absolutely no need for us to feel bad that paavadai-dhaavani, the traditional Tamil costume for women and girls, has disappeared slowly even from rural areas. It had disappeared from urban areas long back. Now, it appears that it’s slowly making its way out even in rural areas in the State.

“In this regard, I’d like to pint out that churidhar is not only a perfect alternative for paavadai-dhaavani but is also double safe for them. Speakers before me pointed that it’s a honour for Erode that I have come here today. I won’t accept this at all; Erode is the birth place of EVR Periyar, the founder of the self-respect movement. As such, it’s I who feel honoured to be visiting this place.

“Young women and girls have now almost forgotten paavadai-dhaavani and have taken to wearing churidar. We don’t need to feel for it, as churidar is a perfect costume in tune with the changing times. It’s a safe dress which won’t do any harm to our tradition or culture. The dress is more suitable, comfortable and safe for women, I feel,” said Vairamuthu.

Actress Anjali was also one of the invitees at the event.

Karthi-Anushka movie titled Alex Pandian

Director Suraj’s, Karthi starrer has got its title at last. The flick starring Karthi and long legs Anushka Shetty in the lead went on floors as early as September last year. Being an action-masala offering with, 3 more heroines part of the shoots, the director was in search of a suitable title for his big project.

Taking inspiration from Rajini’s cult classic Moondru Mugam, he has zeroed in on the title Alex Pandian. Infact Karthi’s brother Surya has openly cited, how Rajini’s cop act in Moondru Mugam gave him a real kick preparing for his police officer role in Singham. Rajini’s character as Alex Pandian still connects well with many fans and now it’s Karthi choosing the same for his forthcoming mass offering. The lead pair has shot some action scenes in the dense Chalakudy forests of Kerala, having to face some elephant trouble on that account. They later had special protection from guards so as to carry the shoots forward smoothly. ‘Alex Pandian’ Karthi also has another release in Saguni that is expected for the month of April.

Now it’s for fans to decide whether Karthi lives up to the name.

Dhoni – Movie Review

Banner: Duet Movies
Production: Prakash Raj
Direction: Prakash Raj
Star-casts: Prakash Raj, Radhika Apte, Akash Puri, Brahmanandam, Nasser, Murali Sharma, Thalaivasal Vijayand others.
Music: Ilayaraja
Cinematography: K.V. Guhan
Editing: Kishore T.E

Tamil cinema seems to be undergoing a pleasant change now. It is ready to make movies around issues that affects our contemporary life. Much recently we have seen films like Nanban and Marina harping on the education system prevalent in our country. Joining the list is Prakash raj’s Dhoni.

Don’t get confused by the title for it may suggest a movie made on sports. But Dhoni has more to it. It speaks loud againt the education system of today that has turned children into rats running for victory in a mad race.The loopholes in education needs to be arrested. The cost of education has gone up and only those who afford it gets
educated. Prakash raj with his Dhoni is trying to arrive at an answer for such issue.

With a bunch of artistes who give their best, Prakash raj’s maiden directorial venture in Tamil is pleasant and a pleasure to watch.

Subbu (Prakash raj) is a government employee. For him life is all his children a lovely daughter and bubbly son Karthick (Akash). He works hard to make both ends meet.Though he does all menial jobs in the evenings like selling pickles, he wants to give good education to his children. He makes them join a premier institution and works hard to meet their educational expenses. But his son Karthick is his problem. He prefers cricket to studies. He wants to become a cricketer. But Subbu wants him to study well. All hell breaks loose, when the principal calls up Subbu and informs that his son is bad in studies and would not be allowed to write his tenth standard board exams. An angry Subbu returns home and slaps Karthick, who sustains injuries and slips into coma. The father realises his mistake. He understands that he should have encouraged his son more rather than punishing him.

Now he decides take it in his stride. He comes to conclusion that the present education system is creating so much pressure on children and it fails to take cognisance of what the students want to doo in future.

The movie ends on a high note with Subbu making the issue more vocal.

The story is sure to strike a chord with every father who waits in long queue to get kindergarten admission for their children. The need to provide right education and not separate children based on their academic excellence will go down well with student community too.

Donning different hats that of actor – director- producer, Prakash raj delivers his best. He does the balancing act well. His emotions, reactions to various situations, desperation of a dotting father all brought out well by him.Matching him on screen is young Akash. The young lad performs with panache. Hhe is sure to go places in future.

His expressive eyes are his assets. Radhika Apte of Rakatha Charithiram fame excels in a different role. Also there is the likes of seasoned veterans like Nasser, Brahmanandham and Thalaivasal Vijay chipping in with their best.

Watch out for Prabhudeva appearing ina song. If K V Guhan’s camera captures the events well, equally impressive is maestro Ilayaraja’s background score that provides right emotions at every scenes. At places, a silence on screen takes a lot.

All in all, Dhoni is no doubt a rare treasure. Three cheers to Prakash raj and his team. Job well done!

Oru Nadigayin Vakkumoolam – Tamil Movie Review

It’s not often that you get a film made on the life of an actress. Veteran director Bheemsingh made OruNadigai Naadagam Paarkiraal way back in 1978. The film, which starred Lakshmi in the lead, was a successful affair though it was criticized by many inside and outside the industry for being too ‘blatant’. After more than three decades, here comes another film on the similar lines.

The only difference is that unlike the 1978 version, Oru Nadigaiyin Vakkumoolam (ONV) has been directed by a debutant film-maker and stars an actress, not known for doing substantial roles, in the lead role. Debutant Rajkrishna has boldly taken on the job of narrating, albeit in a haphazard manner, the travails of an actress who overcomes several hurdles to become a star.

Let’s now take a peep into the story: Anjali (Sonia Agarwal), daughter of a poor villager Devarajulu (YogiDevaraj) and his wife Girija), is brought to Chennai by her mother who wants to make her a top actress in Tamil films. At the beginning, she gets ticked off by many producers, directors and by studio managers. Anjali’s mother learns soon enough that unless her daughter made some unethical compromises, she might not get any breakthrough at all and manages to convine her daughter to do so.

‘Actress’ Anjali is born out of a naïve village belle Anjali who delivers one hit film after another. Slowly but in a clear manner, the attitude of Anjali’s mother towards life changes for the worst as a result of which Anjali finds herself nothing better than a money-making machine. Along side, she is also forced to undergo physical and mental abuse much against her own will.

After tolerating all the tortures, Anjali ultimately comes to a decision that it’s high time she acted to save her life from hitting a deadlock. Watch the movie to find out what she does.

The film gets off in a brisk manner but loses steam soon enough as the events which unfold on screen are vastly predictable and clichéd. Even the dialogues appear to be too lengthy at times. Though Raj’s basic idea of foraying into vastly non-tread territory is quite appreciable, the way it has been executed lacks proper planning and foresight on his part. ONV, however, succeeds in showcasing vividly the emotional upheavals, compromises and professional pressures an actress has to go through to make it to the top of her field and sustain her longevity.

Lack of a watertight screenplay is what bogs the film down. Given her limitations as an actress, ‘comeback queen’ Sonia Agarwal does deserve accolades and bouquets. The boldness to take on the role of an actress, knowing very well that criticism would be unavoidable from her peers, is itself an appreciable trait in her. She has no doubt essayed her portion quite well. The pain, agony and the mood-swings of a struggling actress is brought out nicely by Sonia. Girija, who plays Sonia’s mother, does deserves a pat for a neat portrayal. ‘Yogi’ Devaraj as a too has done his bit as a desperate father commendably.

Whie others like Raj Kapoor, Manobala and ‘Ganja’ Karuppu have done their respective parts admirably well, for some reasons, the likes of Kovai Sarala and Nicole have been entrusted with not-so-significant characters. Kovai Sarala, who rocked a few months back as Lawrence’s mother in Kanchana, doesn’t have much frames in this film.

Cinematography by Naga Krishnan and the music by newcomer Aadhish are soothing to the eyes and ears respectively. Aadhish, however, has miles to go.

Rajkrishna has tried his best to handle sensitive theme as deftly as possible but in the ultimate analysis, it is to be said that his effort hasn’t been up to the mark. He could have done away with some extra-dose of sexually explicit sequences and dialogues but these are to be expected from a newcomer.

Watch it for Sonia, if not for anything else!

Vikram and Surya to host game shows side by side

With his 7aam Arivu completing a 100 day run recently, actor Surya along with director KV Anand made a trip to USA, for their upcoming flick Maatraan. The Director and the actor were seen supervising the VFX effects for their movie, joined by members from Hollywood’s Stan Winston Studios. In the meantime, Surya has also signed up for a game show titled ‘Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi’ for VijayTV and is pretty excited to take the plunge, providing wholesome entertainment for telly viewers.

‘Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi’ is the Tamil version of the popular ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ show that questions players on general topics, in order to make it through and win prize money worth Rs.1 crore. Now it is heard that another leading channel is planning to rope in Chiyaan Vikram for another game show on similar lines. Furthermore, there are also plans to air Vikram’s game show in and around the same time of Surya’s ‘Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi’. Vikram, who has this year full of releases, is presently engaged with his Thaadavam shoots. Recently, he had the rare opportunity to shoot an important sequence for the film at the holy Jama Masjid, in Delhi. Apart from Thaandavam, the actor also has Karikalan that has caught up in a tussle between the producers, ready to resume anytime, and then there is the Bollywood project David.

If Vikram does take out time to make his small screen entry, fans can totally look forward to some variety entertainment from the Pithamagan duo!!!

Shobana in Kochadaiyaan?

Rajinikanth'sKochadaiyaanis getting bigger and better! The latest to join the cast list is yesteryear diva and well-known classical dancer Shobana. However more details about her role has been kept under wraps. So it looks likeKochadaiyaan will be a treat for 'Thalaivar' fans, after all who can forget the sizzling chemistry between Rajni and Shobana in Mani Ratnam's Thalapathi.

Kochadaiyaan may have Bollywood diva Katrina Kaif as the leading lady. Actor Aadhi is also expected to play prominent role in the film.

The film is directed by Superstar's daughter Soundarya Ashwin and K.S. Ravikumar has penned the story, screenplay and dialogues for this film. Ratnavelu is the cinematographer while A.R. Rahman will compose it's music.

CLICK HERE FOR Rajinikanth photo gallery

CLICK HERE FOR Shobana photo gallery

Kochadaiyaan to begin on Feb 15?

Superstar Rajinikanth's much awaitedKochadaiyaanis all set to go on floors on Feb 15, 2012. The film is directed by Superstar's daughter Soundarya and ace director K.S. Ravikumar has penned the story, screenplay and dialogues for this film. The film is produced jointly by Eros International and Media One Global Entertainment Limited. The film is likely to grace theatres on August 2012. Katrina Kaif is the leading lady while A.R. Rahman will compose it's music.

Aadhi in Kochadaiyaan?

Recently we have reported that Bollywood diva Katrina Kaif will star opposite Superstar in his much awaitedKochadaiyaan, directed by his daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth. Kochadaiyaan is India's first 3D film with motion capture technology and director K.S. Ravikumar has penned the story, screenplay and dialogues for this film. The film is produced jointly by Eros International and Media One Global Entertainment Limited.

Now the latest buzz is that the makers have approached Aadhi to play a prominent role in the film. It is said that Rajni will play the role of a king who is also an ardent devotee of lord Shiva. There are also reports that Superstar will sport long hairs for this film.The first look of the film is likely to be unveiled towards the end of this month. Music maestro A.R.Rahman has been roped in to compose music for this project.