Southscope magazine April 2012

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VOL 03 | ISSUE 07

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APRIL 2012

Tollywood’s Mantra:

RACHA! Ram Charan Teja is all set to VHW WKH VFUHHQ RQ ¿UH ZLWK WKH most-awaited Racha

‘I wouldn’t even call

Salman Khan a great friend’ - Shriya Saran

‘Flops keep you going’ - Naga Chaitanya

‘Who are you to sit in a room and talk about legends?’ - Gautham Vasudev 0HQRQ EUHDWKHV ¿UH

April Showers A look at some of the biggest blockbuster releases for Tamil New Year’s Day

April’s here! If it weren’t for the heat, this would easily qualify as the best month of the year. Holidays, idling away, hill stations, mangoes and best of all, movies – with April, it is literally the season for everything! After 3, there aren’t any Tamil releases with big stars for April. The reasons are several, and known to all. But that does not mean the scenario is even remotely dull in Tamilnadu. Interesting ¿OPV DUH EHLQJ PDGH DQG LQ IDFW the entire industry is smiling after striking gold when the National Awards were announced recently. Telugu has some awesome releases that fans simply can’t wait to watch. Racha, Dammu, Gabbar Singh‌ that’s how summer rolls, baby! Our April issue is all about celebrating some of the most fascinating tinsel towners in south India. Southscope wishes you a super summer. Read on and enjoy! Aruna R Krishnan

Managing Editor

Bridal collection A treasure of inventive designs, faultless artistry, and a varied culture. Come over to South India Shopping Mall, today!

Managing Editor

Aruna R Krishnan

Founder & Advisor

Allu Sirish

Editorial Consultant

InkWell Publishing

Editorial Coordinator

Maureen Fernando

Contributors

Aravind G Shivakamal Pavithra Srinivasan R Richard Mahesh Unni R Nair Radhika Rajamani Martina Niranjini Nandini T Reddy Vijayalakshmi Sridhar

Cover & Star of the Month

Design Marketing Manager Publication Consultant Printers

Photographer: Avinash Gowariker, Styling: Leepakshi Ellawadi, Makeup: Vipul Bhagat, Hair: Aalim Hakim Whoa Mama Design Praveen Kumar +91 9841973090

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Raghurama Raju Kalidindi

Please address all correspondence to our (GLWRULDO DQG 0DUNHWLQJ 2IÂżFH DW

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Southscope takes no responsibility for unsolicited photographs or material. ALL PHOTOGRAPHS, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, ARE USED FOR ILLUSTRATIVE 385326(6 21/< 5HJLVWHUHG 2IÂżFH 6KLYD 6DL 6DQQLGKL 'ZDUDNDSXUL &RORQ\ 3XQMDJXWWD +\GHUDEDG $OO ULJKWV UHVHUYHG 5HSURGXFWLRQ LQ ZKROH RU LQ SDUW RI DQ\ RI WKH contents of this magazine or any pages thereof in any manner without our express written consent is prohibited. Southscope assumes no responsibility for the veracity and authenticity of the advertisements published herein. Readers are requested to make appropriate enquiries before incurring any expenses or acting on medical recommendations or otherwise in relation to any advertisement or article published herein. Views in articles are those of the respective authors only. Southscope does not necessarily subscribe to these views. PUBLISHED FOR THE MONTH OF April 2012 RNI NO.: APENG/2009/29389

PREVIEW A whisper here, a rumour there, our Roving Eye is always near! Get the low-down on everything that’s happening in WKH VRXWKHUQ ¿OP LQGXVWU\ ZLWK RXU µH\H IRU GHWDLO¶

Sharmila Mandre

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Yogi

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Gautham Vasudev Menon

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µ:KR DUH \RX WR VLW LQ D URRP DQG WDON DERXW legends?’

Udhayanidhi Stalin

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µ, KDYH D JUHDWHU FKHPLVWU\ ZLWK 6DQWKDQDP WKDQ with Hansika’

Anoop

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Naga Chwaitanya µ)ORSV NHHS \RX JRLQJ¶

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12 ~ 39

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Husbands in Goa The story of three husbands, who are thick friends too, and on a trip to Goa

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Shiva 7KH VWDNHV DUH KLJK DV 6KLYDUDMNXPDU JHWV VHW WR scorch the screen for the 101st time!

Ram Charan Teja-VV Vinayak’s XQWLWOHG ¿OP

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Thandavam 'LUHFWRU $/ 9LMD\ WHDPV XS ZLWK 9LNUDP ± H[SHFW 9LNUDP ± H[SHFW only the best!

Tollywood’s Mantra: RACHCHA!

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PREVIEW Are the comic scenes as funny when said in English? Read on

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Bachelor Party $ ÂżOP ZLWK D GLIIHUHQFH VWDUULQJ 3ULWKYLUDM ,QGUDMLWK DQG $VLI $OL

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Grandmaster 0RKDQODO LQ D WKULOOHU Âą D PXVW ZDWFK

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Topiwala Upendra’s stunning new look in his upcoming movie, Topiwala has become the talk of Sandalwood.

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Dammu $ ÂżOP WKDW KDV EHHQ WDLORU PDGH IRU -U 175ÂśV IDQV

A look at some of the best Tamil New Year releases, followed by a meeting with three National Award winning directors

74 ~ 76

,WÂśV D VWDUU\ $SULO IRU RXU KHURHV RI tinsel town

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Dhanush to romance Sonam Dhanush is keen on making the best of the current surge in his popularity. His Bollywood debut Raanjhna, directed by Anand L Rai will have Sonam Kapoor as the lead lady, we hear. In fact director Anand has resolved the date quandaries with Sonam and is all set to get down to work. Sonam’s hot QHZ ORRN ZLOO EH WKH 863 RI WKH ¿OP 'KDQXVK¶V springboard to Hindi also factors in the HindiGXEEHG YHUVLRQ RI KLV ODWHVW ¿OP DV ZHOO After this, Dhanush is said to have given the nod for a Tamil comedy caper to be directed by Chimbudevan.

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Privyet, Kajal! It’s Russian on Kajal’s lips these days! The gorgeous girl, who has not been seen on Tamil screens for a while, is betting big on Maatran. She has taken lessons in Russian for her role in the much-awaited bilingual. The buzz is WKDW .DMDO $JJDUZDOœV UROH LQ WKH ¿OP UHTXLUHV KHU WR DSSHDU ÀXHQW LQ 5XVVLDQ ,Q RUGHU WR JLYH D UHDOLVWLF ORRN to her character, the actress took lessons to perfect her diction. A tutor from Russia was employed to teach her the language and the 20-something beauty is said to have picked it up at a surprising pace. As the major part of Maatraan has been shot in Russia, she will be seen belting GLDORJXHV LQ 5XVVLDQ WKURXJK YDULRXV SDUWV RI WKH ¿OP The movie is directed by KV Anand and stars Suriya in the lead role.

Shriya’s evergreen charm At one point, she had it all. But we will never quite understand why the sensuous Shriya Saran with her smouldering good looks DQG VFUHHQ SUHVHQFH KDVQœW KDG D GUHDP UXQ LQ ¿OPV $V IRU QRZ WKH EHDXW\ KDV DFWHG LQ WKH URPDQWLF FRPHG\ 7HOXJX ¿OP 1XYYD Nena, directed by debutante Narayana after quite a long break. She apparently found the script of Nuvva Nena very entertaining and didn’t mind acting with a fairly fresh cast including Allari 1DUHVK ZLWK ZKRP VKH DFWHG EULHÀ\ LQ WKH ¿OP $ %HOO\ )XOO 2I Dreams, some years ago) and Sharwanand (with whom she has VKDUHG VFUHHQ VSDFH IRU WKH ¿UVW WLPH )RU WKLV RIIEHDW FDVWLQJ Nuvva Nena seems to have had a decent run. And needless to say, 6KUL\D KHUVHOI ORRNV JRUJHRXV LQ WKH ¿OP WRR

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ANDREA IN A RELATIONSHIP? Casting aspersions is a regular affair in movie town. Andrea who has almost always remained a recluse has once again come under the spotlight. She is rumoured to be back in a close relationship with fashion photographer Sunder Ramu, her alleged one-time boyfriend and longtime friend. Andrea who is shooting for Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroopam has chosen to brush it aside as just baseless gossip. Will this trail of VPRNH OHDG WR D VPRXOGHULQJ ¿UH"

Sunder Opens Up The man in question, Sunder Ramu, plays Dhanush’s friend LQ WKH ¿OPV DQG 0D\DNNDP (QQD 6XUH HQRXJK KH KDV EHHQ hogging a lot of attention recently for his friendship with some of the most well-known celebs in Kollywood and of course, his alleged romance with Andrea. When we quizzed him about this, Sunder says,�Many people want to know about my friendship with Kamal and Rajni sir’s daughters. I have known Aishwarya from our younger days; I’ve always called her Ice. Similarly, I’ve known Shruti from the time she was a schoolgirl, and she has even posed as a model for me. Now she is all grown up and has become a heroine! Since I am a fashion photographer, I have photographed many actors like Suriya, Vikram, Sameera Reddy, Andrea, Richa Gangopadhyay, etc. Naturally, I know all of them quite well. But am I in love with $QGUHD" :HOO , KDYH NQRZQ KHU VLQFH , KDYH EHHQ DFWLQJ in stage plays. We became friends and our relationship is a respectful friendship.�

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Ajith not in ‘Race’ Contrary to popular speculation, Vishnuvardhan will not come together with Ajith for the remake of Race. Instead, the successful director who has already proved himself ZLWK %LOOD LV \HDUQLQJ WR JHW EDFN LQ WKH ER[ RIÂżFH race by bringing Thala (Ajith) and Arya together in his next project. After Panjaa (2011) with cult hero Pawan Kalyan, 9LVKQX LV OLNHO\ WR LQIXVH WKH ÂżOP ZLWK D ORW RI VWDU SRZHU And interestingly, there are whispers that Panjaa itself is on the Tamil remake track.

Maddy DINES WITH SURIYA Maddy is known to be one actor who is impervious to both failure and success. His well documented switchover from Kollywood and his rise through the ranks in Bollywood has been a great success. Maddy has now built a rather robust FDUHHU LQ ERWK WKHVH ¿OP LQGXVWULHV $IWHU D ORQJ VWLQW DV DQ DFWRU WKDW KDV VWUHWFKHG RYHU \HDUV 0DGG\ KDV ¿QDOO\ WDNHQ D EUHDN IURP DFWLQJ DIWHU KLV ODWHVW ¿OP -RGL %UHDNHUV FUDVKHG DW WKH ER[ RI¿FH 5HFHQWO\ KH ZDV DW 6XUL\DœV KRXVH GLQLQJ with the star and his wife Jyothika. Now that’s what you call a cool head, indeed!

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More delays for Alex Pandian The FEFSI problem has been hotting up, and all of Kollywood is feeling the heat. However the movie Alex Pandian produced by Gnanavel Raja’s Studio Green starring Karthi, was the worst affected by this state of affairs. Recently, the shooting of Alex Pandian was stalled, since the light men refused to work. When Southscope contacted Gnanavel Raja, he gave a clear explanation. “The problem started on the 5th when the workers refused to resume work after the lunch break. They asked me to speak to their Union Head, which I was not willing to do. At 2.30pm, after an hour’s break, the men came back to work. Again on the 6th, they refused to work and asked me to speak to their Head. The issue between Ameer and me is in the court, and I am waiting for a solution. Since I wanted to approach this problem with the correct procedure, I elevated the matter to the Producers’ Council.â€? The skirmish had started again on the 11th, a second Sunday, which is usually a holiday for the labourers and unit hands. However, as is the common practice, Gnanavel Raja had paid a fee of 25,000 rupees on the 10th and taken permission to employ the workers on the second 6XQGD\ Âł%XW´ KH VWRSV WR SRLQW RXW Âł,W UDWWOHG XV WR NQRZ WKDW WKUHH PRUH ÂżOPV KDYH EHHQ JUDQWHG SHUPLVVLRQ WR VKRRW RQ WKH VDPH GD\ 2Q 10th we had planned for a schedule with 250 people, but problems cropped up again. At 7am, out of the 23 crafts, crucial workmen like the camera operators, light men, and crane operators staged a non-cooperating strike. They stood outside the compound, but did not participate in the shoot. At 10am, they resolved it with their Union Head and were ready to start work and I could not go ahead with the shoot since half day was lost in debate, and we had planned to wrap up at 4pm. So I went ahead and paid everyone, except the non-cooperating twenty.â€? With that, Gnanavel Raja decided to shift the shooting to Hyderabad and requested the Council to probe into the issue. “We were bugged by the fact that Ameer was using FEFSI to trouble us continuously. Meanwhile the Producers’ Council raised the issue with the Labour Union &RPPLVVLRQHU ´ 7KH PHHWLQJ KDG HQGHG LQ D Âż[ ZKHQ 5DMDÂśV VLGH ZDV DVNHG IRU DQ LPPHGLDWH VHWWOHPHQW IRU WKH 3DUXWKLYHHUDQ FDVH DZDLWLQJ FRXUW GHFLVLRQ 7KH 3URGXFHUVÂś &RXQFLO PHPEHUV KDG FRQVHTXHQWO\ ZDONHG RXW *QDQDYHO 5DMD DOVR FODULÂżHV 6WXGLR *UHHQÂśV VWDQG RQ KLV Paruthiveeran problem with Ameer. “Our intentions are quite transparent and we have given in to his demands,â€? he asserts. The shoot in Hyderabad too did not go on for more than two days. “They complained that we had ill-treated the workers. Even then I was ready to pay the compensation. But when the Hyderabad shooting was stopped, I paid the workers for food and accommodation and brought them back to Chennai,â€? he tells us. Gnanavel also points out the problems and discriminations in wages for the labourers that are currently rampant in the industry need to be sorted out. “Because of high wages, small-budget productions are forced to source labourers from other states like Kerala,â€? he remarks. “The current status is that the Producers’ Council is not ready to let this go, as this is not a healthy trend,â€? he informs us. However as things stand now, a happy ending seems next to impossible.

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GLOBUS AD

Superstar Croons for Kochadaiyaan Superstar Rajinikanth has sung a song after 20 years. The star, who last lent his singing voice for Mannan, way back in 1992, has now agreed to sing a song composed by Oscar Award winner AR Rahman. The number has been penned by poet-lyricist Vairamuthu. The VRQJ HODERUDWHV WKH WKHPH RI WKH ¿OP DQG OLQNV 6XSHUVWDU¶V FKDUDFWHU WR WKH ¿OP 6RXUFHV VD\ WKDW ERWK 5DMLQLNDQWK DQG $55 ZHUH most excited to record the track together.

A sensational wave Maatran directed by KV Anand was caught in an Internet foible. Recently some sensational pictures with Suriya tagged as the Maatraan pictures had decorated pages of the web world. But team Maatraan does not want to admit to the goof-up. The team claims that those undisclosed pictures were from Vaaranam Aayiram. It must be noted that such unauthorised releases and retorts are not new to $ OLVW ¿OPV :LOO WKH WHDP VKDNH RII WKLV SDVVLYHQHVV DQG ORRN IRU WKH FXOSULW" :H¶OO KDYH WR ZDLW DQG VHH

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The Au pair Both Taapsee Pannu and Lakshmi Rai are busy exploring Bollywood. Taapsee has wrapped up WKH ÂżUVW VFKHGXOH RI &KDVKPH %DGGRRU DQG LV eager to begin the second schedule and dubbing. Meanwhile, Lakshmi Rai is trying to sign yet DQRWKHU ÂżOP ZLWK GLUHFWRU $QNXVK %KDWW :KLOH Taapsee has been put to the test by ace director David Dhawan, Lakshmi Rai has got to win a sexy challenge with Mallika Sherawat to land a role. Will the experience help hone both Taapsee DQG /DNVKPLÂśV HUPÂŤ DFWLQJ VNLOOV"

Arid summer for Tamil cinema 6XPPHUÂśV XSRQ XV DQG ZKDW RQFH XVHG WR EH WKH PDLQVWD\ RI ÂżOPV everywhere, doesn’t quite seem to be the case, anymore. What with the ,3/ DOUHDG\ OD\LQJ VLHJH WR YLHZHUV LQ $SULO DQG ELJ VWDU ÂżOPV VFKHGXOHG WR UHOHDVH RQO\ RQ VSHFLÂżF IHVWLYDO GDWHV LW GRHV QRWU ORRN OLNH WKH ÂżOP LQGXVWU\ ZLOO KDYH PXFK WR ORRN IRUZDUG WR WKLV VXPPHU 2U GRHV LW" Âł2I FRXUVH LW does,â€? declares G Dhananjeyan. “Oh, I know that problems exist between WKH 7)3& DQG )()6, EXW LQ WKH HQG , DP FRQÂżGHQW WKDW WKLQJV ZLOO ZRUN out.â€? That certainly is the need of the hour, as the TFPC has now launched a new attack: they have decided to form the Tamil Thiraipada Thozhilaalargal $PDLSSX DV DJDLQVW )()6, DQG WKRVH ZKR ZLVK WR ZRUN LQ ÂżOPV PXVW be registered with this new organisation. This will begin functioning on 0D\ QR QHZ ÂżOP ZLOO EH DOORZHG WR EHJLQ XQWLO $SULO $V D SURGXFHU in both Tamil and Telugu, and scheduled to release Masala CafĂŠ in May, 'KDQDQMH\DQ LV TXLWH FRQÂżGHQW Âł8OWLPDWHO\ QR ,3/ RU DQ\WKLQJ ZLOO LQĂ€XHQFH ÂżOPV LI DQ\WKLQJ SHRSOH DUH NHHQHU WKDQ HYHU WR ZDWFK QHZ ÂżOPV ´ he says. “In the end, good movies will always win.â€?

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Vijay behind the camera After lending his voice for a song in the upcoming action adventure 7DPLO ÀLFN 7KXSSDNNL ,OD\DWKDODSDWK\ 9LMD\ KDV WXUQHG FDPHUDPDQ IRU WKH VDPH ¿OP 7KH 9HOD\XGKDP VWDU KDQGOHG WKH FLQHPDWRJUDSK\ for a sequence in Mumbai. The latest buzz is that Vijay switched on the camera and acted for the scene as per cinematographer Santhosh Sivan’s advice. It was shot on the busy streets in Mumbai on March 11 and was wrapped up within a few minutes in order to avoid unwanted public attention. Planned and executed by director AR Murugadoss, the shoot was supervised by Santosh Sivan. Vijay completed the entire sequence in a single take. Thuppakki, which also features Kajal Aggarwal is produced by Kalaipuli S Dhanu.

Alphonsa attempts suicide Actress Alphonsa, popular in Tamil cinema for her item numbers, is believed to have attempted suicide by consuming sleeping pills. She took this drastic step following the death of her boyfriend. According to sources, Alphonsa was living with her lover Vinod Kumar Virugambakkam in Chennai. Earlier this month, she returned from Dubai and reportedly had a TXDUUHO ZLWK KLP :KHQ VKH ZRNH XS WKH QH[W PRUQLQJ VKH ZDV VKRFNHG WR ¿QG KLP KDQJLQJ from the ceiling. Following this, she informed the police who rushed to the spot and sent the body for post-mortem. Vinod Kumar’s parents are said to be claiming that the actress is responsible for the death of their son and Alphonsa was taken to the police station for questioning. A distressed Alphonsa returned home and decided to end her life by consuming tablets. Fortunately, she was rushed to a nearby hospital immediately and is said to be out of danger.

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Divya Spandana repenting? Divya Spandana (Ramya) does not have any qualms about acting with unknown and upcoming male leads in Kannada. Her liberal attitude, it seems, was taken for granted by the struggling and largely unproven DFWRU <DVK 7KH GXR KDG DFWHG LQ D ÂżOP WLWOHG /XFN\ DQG DSSDUHQWO\ <DVK did not like the fact that Divya was hogging the limelight at promos for the movie! It is just natural that Divya, who has spent close to a decade in WKH ÂżOP LQGXVWU\ JDUQHUV PRUH PHGLD LQWHUHVW WKDQ DQ XQNQRZQ IDFH $Q irritable Yash supposedly asked the TV anchors to focus on him and not on Divya‌ A red-faced Divya was forced to tweet about her co-actor’s attitude: ‘In fact he even wanted my name out of the posters!! Every time the producer wanted it back, he would instruct the designer to remove it!! All this behind my back! And I like a fool took up for him, little did I know I would face this myself! Be nice and see what you get!!’ Subsequently, an annoyed Divya kept away from promotions for the ÂżOP DQG WKH PRYLH DV H[SHFWHG Ă€RSSHG

Kollywood bats for Tamilians Kollywood has always batted for the cause of Tamil Nadu and Tamilians. In issues such as Cauvery and Mullai Periyar, the K-town actors, directors and others have rallied their voices for the rights of the Tamils. With the war crimes committed on Tamilians in Sri Lanka coming to the fore now in the form of video clippings, the voices from Kollywood are also growing stronger. STR wrote on his microblogging SDJH Âľ,Q D VWDWH RI VKRFN DIWHU ZLWQHVVLQJ WKH KXJH FU\ DQG JHQRFLGH RI NLGV DW NLOOLQJ ÂżHOGV LQ 6ULODQND ZLVK LW HQGV VRRQ 0\ YRLFH LV for Tamils’. ‘A cruel world again. May the innocent rest in paradise’ tweeted ‘Jayam’ Ravi. Kushboo said, ‘The videos of Tamil killing ÂżHOG VHQGV D FKLOO GRZQ \RXU VSLQH <RX JR QXPE IRU IHZ PRPHQWV DQG WKHQ DQJHU VHHSV LQ VHHWKLQJ DQJHUÂś $FFRUGLQJ WR 3UDVDQQD Âľ&RXOGQÂśW ZDWFK WKH /DQNDQ NLOOLQJ ÂżHOGV YLGHR PRUH WKDQ WZR PLQXWHV +RUULEOH LQKXPDQ KHDUWOHVV FROG EORRGHG 'HHSO\ VDGGHQHG for my Tamils’. Venkat Prabhu said ‘Really disturbing visuals! Is God really watching this!!!’ Lyricist Madhan Karky echoed ‘Shocked DQG GLVWXUEHG VHHLQJ WKH NLOOLQJ ÂżHOGV ÂżOP 2QH RI WKH PRVW LQKXPDQ DFWV ,ÂśYH VHHQ LQ OLIH 7KH ZRUOG VKRXOG VD\ 12 WR ZDU (YHU\ VLQJOH SHUVRQ EHKLQG WKH NLOOLQJ ÂżHOGV ZDU FULPHV VKRXOG EH EURXJKW WR MXVWLFHÂś VLF

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Amala THRILLED WITH KSY Must say, Amala Paul is one happy chick, these days. On her latest ¿OP .6<œV VXFFHVV WKH VH[\ DFWRU VD\V ³, KDG JRQH WR D FLQHPD KDOO LQ +\GHUDEDG WR ZDWFK /RYH )DLOXUH DQG DV VRRQ DV WKH ¿OP HQGHG WKH entire theatre gave a standing ovation. Tears started rolling down my FKHHNV :KDW HOVH FDQ , DVN IRU"´ ,QGHHG

SudeepDivya Spandana patch up Have Sudeep and Divya Spandana buried their animosity WRZDUGV HDFK RWKHU" $SSDUHQWO\ WKH WZR DFWRUV ZHUH QRW RQ talking terms following differences of opinion during the shooting of their 2010 romance movie Just Math Mathalli. 7KH\ EDUHO\ H[FKDQJHG JUHHWLQJV HYHQ DW ÂżOP\ HYHQWV %XW WKH duo are now exchanging old pictures on Twitter and following each other. If industry sources are to be believed, all is truly well now between the two. Could we see another movie IHDWXULQJ WKH KLW SDLU LQ WKH IXWXUH"

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Tamannaah upstaged A little known actor and model Akshara literally shocked Tamannaah by claiming WKDW VKH ZRXOG UHSODFH WKH VWDU DFWRU LQ 0DKHVK %DEXœV QH[W ¿OP 7R PDNH PDWWHUV ZRUVH D OHDGLQJ ¿OP SXEOLFDWLRQ DOVR DQQRXQFHG WKDW $NVKDUD KDG EHHQ VHOHFWHG WR SOD\ WKH IHPDOH OHDG UROH RSSRVLWH 0DKHVK %DEX LQ KLV QH[W ¿OP %XW LW GLG QRW WDNH more than a day for Tollywood to realise that Akshara was back to playing her games. Bengaluru-based Akshara often hogs the spotlight with the fantastic claims she makes. Two years ago, she had claimed that she was dating cricketer Yuvaraj Singh. And now, this announcement allegedly replacing Tamannaah. We wonder what Akshara’s next claim to dubious fame will be!

Honours for Deiva Thirumagal It’s turning out to be a heavy downpour of praises for Deiva Thirumagal across the JOREH 7KH ÂżOP KDV JODGGHQHG WKH KHDUWV RI LWV PDNHUV DQG SURGXFHUV E\ ZLQQLQJ two prizes in the Osaka Film Festival: The Grand Prix Award for Best Film and ABC Award for Best Entertainer. Director AL Vijay, in the midst of a busy shoot, is understandably excited about it. “I’m delighted, frankly,â€? he says. “It was such a ZRQGHUIXO KRQRXU 2XW RI WKH ÂżOPV WKDW HQWHUHG ZHUH VKRUW OLVWHG DQG 'HLYD Thirumagal was chosen as the Best Film. I feel it’s the perfect reward for our hard ZRUN ´ :KDW DOVR LQWHUHVWHG WKH DXGLHQFHV DW WKH ÂżOP IHVWLYDO ZDV WKH XSFRPLQJ 9LNUDP ÂżOP GLUHFWHG E\ 9LMD\ 7KDDQGDYDP ZKLFK LV FRPSOHWHO\ GLIIHUHQW IURP WKLV DZDUG ZLQQLQJ ÂżOP 7KH 7KDDQGDYDP FUHZ ZLOO EH Ă€\LQJ WR WKH 86$ QH[W ZHHN for the second schedule, while composer GV Prakash Kumar has almost completed working on the songs.

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KV Anand close-lipped Cinematographer-turned-director KV Anand is careful not to divulge anything about his proposed project ZLWK 5DMLQLNDQWK 7KH ¿OPPDNHU FODLPV WKDW KH LV IXOO\ IRFXVHG RQ KLV XSFRPLQJ SURMHFW 0DDWUDDQ Reacting to rumours, KV Anand has said that it is every director’s dream to work with Rajinikanth and he is no exception, but as he is fully occupied with Maatraan, he is concentrating only on this project. A ZKLOH DJR .9 $QDQG QDUUDWHG D VWRU\ WR 5DMLQLNDQWK DQG WKH FRQWHQW RI WKH ¿OP LPSUHVVHG WKH 6XSHUVWDU 7KH DFWRU LV DOVR VDLG WR KDYH JLYHQ KLV YHUEDO FRQVHQW WR DFW LQ WKH SURMHFW ,W LV VDLG WKDW WKH ¿OP ZLOO EH D commercial entertainer, which is what the Endhiran star’s fans expect from him.

Nayan is a changed person Insiders are already chirping gleefully about how the sexy Nayan is friendlier than ever before and has a kind word for everyone. With accolades pouring in for her wonderful portrayal of Seetha in Sriramarajyam, Nayan is also on a signing spree, in Telugu FLQHPD DW OHDVW 6KH KDV VLJQHG GLUHFWRU 'DVDUDWKÂśV QH[W ÂżOP ZLWK Nagarjuna, another with Gopichand, and is scheduled to join the shoot of Krish Jagalamudi’s Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum opposite 5DQD 'DJJXEDWL $ ÂżOP ZLWK 3DZDQ .DO\DQ DOVR VHHPV WR EH RQ WKH cards. So, Nayan has a busy year ahead! But Nayan, we are so done with your ‘Sita’ hangover! So lose the sterotypical sarees quick, girl, and start wearing clothes to suit your age.

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Rakshita too joins the league :KDW¶V ZLWK .DQQDGD JODP JLUOV DQG SROLWLFV" )LUVW LW ZDV 'LY\D 6SDQGDQD WKHQ 3RRMD *DQGKL :LWK JHQHUDO HOHFWLRQV in Karnataka only a year away, Sandalwood’s leading ladies are making a beeline to political parties in search of power! After Divya Spandana and Pooja Gandhi joined the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) respectively, actor-turned producer Rakshita joined the lesser known BSR party, led by mining baron and former minister B Sriramulu. A successful PXOWLOLQJXDO DFWRU 5DNVKLWD LV EDFNHG E\ KHU KXVEDQG 3UHP D KLW ¿OPPDNHU 6D\V 5DNVKLWD ³,W ZDV ERXQG WR KDSSHQ I had been toying with the idea of entering politics for a while. Over the past two weeks, I gave it a serious thought and GHFLGHG WR WDNH WKH SOXQJH ´ +PPP VKDOO ZH VD\ 5DNVKLWD GLG QRW ZDQW WR EH OHIW RXW"

Billa 2 bags highest satellite rights $MLWK .XPDU VWDUUHU %LOOD VHHPV WR EH VHWWLQJ D EHQFKPDUN IRU VDWHOOLWH ULJKWV LQ 7DPLO ¿OP LQGXVWU\ DV LW KDV UHSRUWHGO\ EHHQ EDJJHG E\ 6XQ 79 IRU D UHFRUG SULFH 7KH ¿JXUH WKDW LV GRLQJ WKH URXQGV LQ WKH LQGXVWU\ LV FURUHV ,I WKLV QXPEHU WXUQV RXW WR EH WUXH WKHQ LW FRXOG TXDOLI\ DV WKH KLJKHVW SULFH HYHU SDLG IRU VDWHOOLWH ULJKWV IRU D 7DPLO ¿OP 5HSRUWV VD\ WKDW WKH FKDQQHOV 6WDU 9LMD\ DQG Kalaignar TV were also in the race but in the end, Sun TV managed to acquire the exclusive TV rights.

Billa 2 soaring in the skies Expectations from Billa 2, which may now be released in June, are soaring higher with each passing day. Any piece of information about HLWKHU WKH ¿OP RU LWV VWDU $MWK .XPDU JHQHUDWHV KXJH K\SH 0RVW UHFHQWO\ . WRZQ ZDV DEX]] ZLWK QHZV WKDW WKH DXGLR DQG 79 ULJKWV RI WKH ¿OP DUH EHLQJ VROG IRU UHFRUG DPRXQWV 7KH ODWHVW DERXW WKH ¿OP LV WKDW 7KDOD KDV GRQH D IHZ PLQG EORZLQJ VWXQWV LQ WKH XSFRPLQJ 7DPLO PRYLH According to reports, Ajith Kumar will be seen doing stunts, which he has not done till date. A world-class company is involved in the planning RI DFWLRQ VHTXHQFHV DQG WKH VWXQWV KDYH EHHQ FKRUHRJUDSKHG ZLWK VRPH VWXQQLQJ ¿JKWV FKDVHV DQG JXQ¿UH VFHQHV

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‘i’m not the reason for delays’: STR STR is back in the hunt after a couple of months off in the United States, where he was caught up with technicians and musicians for his music album, the Love Anthem. “Yes I am back,â€? STR says and adds: “I will now start working on Poda Podi, Vettai Mannan and Vada Chennai.â€? Giving VSHFLÂżF GHWDLOV KH VD\V Âł7KH HQWLUH WDONLH SRUWLRQ RI 3RGD 3RGL LV RYHU DQG we will soon shoot for songs. Also, I am leaving for Brazil to shoot for my other venture Vettai Mannan,â€? he adds. On Vada Chennai with Vetrimaaran, he says, “I am happy to be associated with the National Award-winning director for Vada Chennai. I will start working on it after completing Poda Podi and Vettai Mannan.â€? He further says, “I am not the reason behind the GLVUXSWLRQ FDXVHG WR WKH VKRRWLQJ VFKHGXOHV RI P\ ÂżOPV 7KH ZKROH LQGXVWU\ was suffering for more than a month due to the strike and only during that time I went to the US for my music album.â€?

Vetrimaaran gets Cloud Nine again With STR’s return from USA on February 19, the shooting of Vetrimaaran’s 9DGD &KHQQDL LV DOO VHW WR JR RQ WKH ÀRRUV :KLOH WKLV ¿OP LV SURGXFHG by Durai Dhayanidhi Azhagiri of Cloud Nine Movies, the director has managed to pull STR in for his other project as well. Vetrimaaran has recently launched his production house – Grass Root Productions, with NH 45 that marks the directorial debut of his long-time associate Manikandan. An interesting fact is that Vetrimaaran had planned to make his own debut through this movie, but was stalled due to various reasons. Very impressed with Vetrimaaran’s script, the young Dhayanidhi Azhagiri has now decided WR FR SURGXFH WKH ¿OP

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Ilayaraja offers prayers at Chidambaram Noted music composer Ilayaraja is a well-known spiritualist. In the past, KH KDV FRPSRVHG WXQHV IRU PDQ\ GHYRWLRQDO DOEXPV DQG KLV ¿OP VRQJV set on the Almighty have become big hits. Indeed who can forget his VRXO VWLUULQJ UHQGLWLRQ RI WKH PDJQL¿FHQW 7KLUXYDVDJDP" (DUOLHU WKLV month, Ilayaraja chose to visit the famous Sri Chidambaram Nataraja temple and offered prayers. He was accompanied by temple authorities DQG ZDV RIIHUHG D VSHFLDO GDUVKDQ 2Q WKH ¿OP IURQW WKH ,VDLJQDQL LV currently busy working in Gautham Vasudev Menon’s Neethanae En Ponvasantham, besides a couple of Telugu movies.

Chakri might direct Kamal? $DVFDU 5DYLFKDQGUDQœV WDONV ZLWK ¿OPPDNHU 6KDQNDU WR GLUHFW .DPDO +DDVDQœV next movie seem to have failed, as the Endhiran creator has reportedly opted out of the project. The latest buzz is that the producer has approached young director Chakri Toleti, who is directing Ajith Kumar’s Billa 2, to helm the Ulaga Nayagan’s project. If reports are to be believed, Aascar Ravichandran DQG 6KDQNDU KDYH EHHQ WDNLQJ GLIIHUHQW URXWHV EHFDXVH WKH ¿OPPDNHU ZDQWHG WR KDYH KLV RZQ VFULSW IRU WKH ¿OP UDWKHU WKDQ XVLQJ WKH VWRU\ SHQQHG E\ .DPDO Haasan himself. Even after holding several rounds of talks, the producer could not bring his plan to fruition. It is Chakri Toleti’s association with Kamal Haasan through Unnaipol Oruvan that seems to have brought Aascar Ravichandran to approach the Billa 2 director.

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Absolutely handsome :H FDQœW JHW HQRXJK RI WKH DEVROXWHO\ KDQGVRPH 5DQD 'DJJXEDWL $QG ZKHQ KH ÀDXQWV WKRVH ZDVKERDUG DEV LQ KLV ODWHVW VL[ SDFN avatar, we simply can’t stop staring! Here, he scorches our pages with his co-star Natalia in RGV’s Andham. The hunky Rana has already had his share of alleged link-ups with glam dolls, including Trisha and Bipasha Basu. For his part, he SDWLHQWO\ GHQLHV WKHVH UXPRXUV ³7ULVKD LV SUREDEO\ RQH P\ ROGHVW IULHQGV LQ WKH ¿OP LQGXVWU\ 6R WKLV UXPRXU DPXVHV PH %XW I know that we are good friends, and the media wants stories,� he laughs. With the gorgeous Nayan being paired with him in his forthcoming Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum, we wonder what rumours are next! That said, Rana shrugs off stories surrounding his personal life. Of late, he has been seen attending a lot of events and interacting ZLWK KLV IDQV DQG DXGLHQFHV )RU LQVWDQFH KH ÀHZ GRZQ WR %HQJDOXUX IRU WKH SURPRWLRQ RI 1DD ,VKWDP ZKLFK LV DQ LQGLFDWLRQ WKDW the actor has found acceptance in new markets like Karnataka.

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Genelia disappoints 7KHVH GD\V ZKHQ DFWRUV JHW PDUULHG WKH ¿OPV WKH\ FXUUHQWO\ KDYH in hand seem to take a backseat in their priorities. This may have EHHQ WKH FDVH ZLWK *HQHOLD 'œ6RX]D UHFHQWO\ ,V VKH DYRLGLQJ ¿OP\ HYHQWV SRVW PDUULDJH" 7KH DFWRU ZDV QRW VHHQ DW WKH DXGLR ODXQFK of her Telugu movie Naa Ishtam opposite Rana Daggubati. More than 15,000 students had turned up for the event. But the actor GLVDSSRLQWHG HYHU\ERG\ LQFOXGLQJ WKH FUHZ RI WKH ¿OP E\ PLVVLQJ the launch. Tch Tch‌ In any case, her absence was certainly not a setback for the event, as tVictory Venkatesh along with Rana added enough star power and elegance to the ocassion. The audio launch was held at the Gokaraju Rangaraju Institute of Engineering & Technology.

Jiiva’s mask and his lidless nights Jiiva has turned into a nocturnal creature for the past couple of years thanks to his involvement with a host of projects. His enthusiasm and positive energy have even impressed the younger league of actors in K-town. The actor recently completed shooting D VFKHGXOH IRU 1HHWKDDQH (Q 3RQYDVDQWKDP DQG KDV UHVXPHG WKH ¿OPLQJ RI GLUHFWRU 0\VVNLQœV 0XJDPRRGL 6LQFH -LLYD VWDUV DV D superhero, the director felt that night would be the best time to shoot a few of the sequences. Apparently, the actor and his entire crew including Narain have been spending lidless nights, well past dusk. It is noteworthy that Jiiva’s specially designed superhero costume weighs a massive 11 kgs and he had to wear it through 60 days of training and shooting!

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ADVT

Going Global Backed by the success of Nuvvila, Tanish is all set to woo audiences with Mem Vayasukku Vaccham. Vijayalakshmi Sridhar talks to the film’s executive producer Haritha Medishetty to get all the info you need on the plot, release date and more For those who want to go back to the eighties for a dose of romantic entertainment on screen, Mem Vayasukku Vaccham is the perfect choice! The plot revolves around a love affair between a young Hindu and Muslim couple and has a lot of vintage value in terms of the story it has chosen to explore. +RZHYHU FODULÂżHV 099ÂśV H[HFXWLYH SURGXFHU +DULWKD 0HGLVKHWW\ Âł:H KDYH FKRVHQ D WUHQG\ DQJOH WR SUHVHQW WKH VWRU\ 7KH UHOLJLRQV DUH MXVW D EDFNJURXQG WR WKH OHDG FKDUDFWHUV 7KH XQGHUFXUUHQWV DUH QRW PDJQLÂżHG LQ DQ\ IURQW DQG DUH GHDOW ZLWK subtly. Against this tried-and-tested formula, the couple who fall in love take their families into consideration and are happy accommodating their cultural and value-based demands and decisions. The balance struck between the two different generations and their contrasting attitudes, is sure to steal audiences’ hearts.â€? 3RVW 1XYYLOD 099 ZLOO FUHDWH D UHIUHVKLQJ IDQ IROORZLQJ IRU WKH ÂżOPÂśV KHUR 7DQLVK $FFRUGLQJ WR +DULWKD KH KDV EHHQ WUDQVIRUPHG LQWR D VW\OLVK KHUR DQG KLV RXWÂżWV DUH GHVLJQHG NHHSLQJ LQ PLQG WKH GLIIHUHQW DVSHFWV RI KLV FKDUDFWHU )XUWKHU VKH DGGV Âł$Q\ \RXQJVWHU FDQ HDVLO\ FRQQHFW ZLWK KLP LQ WKH ÂżOP DQG WKLV LV WKH 863 RI WKH ÂżOP 1LWL 7D\ORU LV 7DQLVKÂśV GHEXWDQWH SDLU DQG 0DGDOD 6KDUPD LV GRLQJ D FDPHR LQ WKH PRYLH ´ +DULWKD LV HTXDOO\ XSEHDW DERXW YHWHUDQ DFWRU %KDJ\DUDMÂśV UROH LQ WKH ÂżOP Âł+H SOD\V D SLYRWDO UROH DURXQG ZKLFK WKH ÂżOPÂśV VWRU\ LV ZRYHQ 7KLV VHQLRU DFWRU DSSHDUV LQ WKH YHU\ ÂżUVW VFHQH DQG FDUULHV WKH UHVW RI WKH PRYLH LQ KLV VKRXOGHUV +H WRR FRXOG UHODWH WR WKH ÂżOP LQVWDQWO\ DQG FRPSOLPHQWHG XV RQ LWV UHOHYDQFH KH LV WRWDOO\ LQYROYHG in the making.â€? 7KH ÂżOPÂśV PXVLF E\ 6KHNKDU &KDQGUD UHOHDVHG WKLV )HEUXDU\ LV WRXWHG DV D ELJ SOXV IRU 099 7KH UHVSRQVH KDV EHHQ SDUWLFXODUO\ encouraging across AP and the Telugu-speaking populace living in US, U.K, Australia etc. All the six tracks belong to different genres and will be a career-booster for Shekhar Chandra. Vellipoke has quickly made its way to the top of the charts. Haritha assures, “Both the story and the music complement each other to a great extent.â€? The theme song choreographed by Swarna was UHFHQWO\ ÂżOPHG LQ *RD Haritha waxes eloquent about the tall plans the team has for marketing the movie. “We are planning to visit colleges in Hyderabad DQG SURSDJDWH WKH LQWHQVLW\ RI WKH OHDG FKDUDFWHUV ´ VKH VPLOHV 7KH WUDLOHU ÂżUVW ORRN DQG SRVWHUV KDYH OHG WR D VXUJH LQ H[SHFWDWLRQV DPRQJVW WKH DXGLHQFHV %DQNLQJ RQ WKH EX]] WKDW WKH ÂżOP KDV DOUHDG\ NLQGOHG LQ FRXQWULHV DEURDG +DULWKD GLYXOJHV Âł:H DUH KRSLQJ for a simultaneous release in India and abroad. We are already contacting distributors.â€? Working on a tight, planned schedule, the VKRRWLQJ IRU 0HP 9D\DVXNNX 9DFFKDP LV FRPSOHWH DQG WKH ÂżOP LV DOO VHW IRU DQ $SULO UHOHDVH

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Shocking change in Saguni Karthi’s forthcoming movie Saguni has undergone a shocking change in the cast well after the shooting was completed. Actor 6DOLP *KRXVH ZKR KDG FRPSOHWHG ¿OPLQJ IRU KLV UROH KDV been replaced by Prakash Raj. The buzz is that Karthi’s family including his father Sivakumar and brother Suriya did not like the portions with Salim Ghouse. They reportedly told director Shankar Dayal that the portions between Karthi-Salim have not come out well and that Salim looks dull in front of the Siruthai star. Following this, the director decided to chop Salim’s scenes and rope in Prakash Raj. The movie bosses plan to re-shoot the scenes very soon in Hyderabad. Produced by Antony Xavier, Saguni also features young actress Pranitha.

Radhika Pandit upset Multiple award winner Radhika Pandit, who maintains a low SURÂżOH DQG VWD\V DZD\ IURP WKH PHGLD JODUH UHFHQWO\ IRXQG herself in the middle of an unexpected controversy. Her alleged linkup with upcoming actor Yash suddenly became the toast of Sandalwood especially because Radhika has not courted any trouble so far, by dating anyone from the industry. Leading newspapers have even ventured that the two actors would tie the knot shortly. Radhika, who was shooting abroad when the news broke out, was apparently quite upset. Should we say this is yet DQRWKHU WULFN E\ WKH VWUXJJOLQJ <DVK"

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Bridging the Gap International School of Film + Media is the perfect place to learn the ropes of various aspects of the film industry, straight from the stalwarts themselves. Radhika Rajamani with the update 7KHUH LV DOZD\V D QHHG IRU WDOHQWHG ¿OPPDNHUV DQG WHFKQLFLDQV DQG TXDOLW\ ¿OP HGXFDWLRQ WRGD\ 7KH ,QWHUQDWLRQDO 6FKRRO RI )LOP Media (ISFM) aims to bridge this gap by providing the much-needed education and exposure to aspirants. Situated in the sprawling Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad, equipped with a world class faculty (comprising ¿OPPDNHUV DV ZHOO DQG VWDWH RI WKH DUW WHFKQRORJ\ EHVLGHV ZKROHVRPH LQIUDVWUXFWXUH ,6)0 LV WKH FRXQWU\œV ¿UVW SULYDWH DQG QRQ SUR¿W LQVWLWXWH VHW XS E\ WKH $NNLQHQL IDPLO\ ¹ RQH RI WKH SUHPLHU ¿OP IDPLOLHV LQ 6RXWK India. Some of the biggest names in cinema – be it in acting, direction or in other technical departments, are associated with the school. ,6)0 LV D QRQ SUR¿W LQLWLDWLYH DV WKH SURFHHGV DUH UHWDLQHG ZLWKLQ WKH school and ploughed back into the system. Also the resource mobilisation IRU WKH HQGRZPHQW IXQG WRZDUGV VFKRODUVKLSV IRU ¿QDQFLDOO\ disadvantaged students) is done by the school through various ways. :KDWœV PRUH LQGLYLGXDOV KDYH SOHGJHG WKHLU ¿QDQFLDO VXSSRUW $ FKDULW\ DXFWLRQ RI DUWLFOHV GRQDWHG E\ VWDUV ZLOO EH KHOG RQOLQH DQG RIÀLQH LQ June-July and the proceeds collected would be used for the scholarships. ISFM will soon have international academic accreditations. The school is introducing Government-recognised Bachelors and Masters, with University degrees being awarded to students. The curriculum will combine the best of Indian and global media education – for instance, the BA (Film+Media) will include a mixture of liberal arts and specialisation LQ ¿OPPDNLQJ ¹ GLUHFWLRQ HGLWLQJ FLQHPDWRJUDSK\ DQG DQLPDWLRQ The BFA (Animation + VFX) students will be trained in all aspects of animation and visual effects, including high end software and the latest GLJLWDO ZRUNÀRZ PDQDJHPHQW WHFKQLTXHV 6WXGHQWV FDQ RSW IRU %)$ LQ Dramatic Arts too. Two post-graduate courses of two-year duration are also being introduced namely MFA (Film + Media) and MBA (Media Management). A Feature Film Fund is being constituted, to sponsor the efforts of the IDFXOW\ DQG VWXGHQWV LQ PDNLQJ ¿OPV &RQVHTXHQWO\ VWXGHQWV ZRXOG KDYH KDQGV RQ H[SHULHQFH EHVLGHV ¿OP FUHGLWV 3ODQV DUH RQ WKH DQYLO WR PDNH ¿OPV LQ +LQGL DQG 7HOXJX ZLWK WKRXJKW SURYRNLQJ FRQWHQW 7KH ,6)0 has entered into an agreement with RED company which has donated two cameras to the school. This is the only school to have these cameras and students will have the privilege of handling them, as part of their course! At ISFM, the exposure a student gains is enormous, as the veritable ZKRœV ZKR RI WKH ¿OP LQGXVWULHV ZLOO SOD\ JXHVW IDFXOW\ $ IDEXORXV preview theatre within the studios will enable students to view cinema from across the world, since the curriculum is structured in an interactive way. The faculty goes through training too, before they embark on lecturing students. A pr i l 2012 | S o u t h sco p e

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When the press and the public began to whisper about her affair with restaurateur Shiv Karan Singh, like a typical actor, Reemma Sen tried to dismiss the news as a ‘rumour’. Her marriage to Shiv still looks like a dream sequence from one of her movies, as Reemma goes back to March 11, 2012, the day she tied the knot. In Vijayalakshmi Sridhar’s words, Reemma’s Big Fat Punjabi Wedding comes alive in these pages

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Building castles in the air Shiv and Reemma’s love affair exudes a down-to-earth quality and had kicked RII LQ WKH PRVW QRQ ÂżOP\ ZD\ 1R VSDUNV Ă€HZ LQ WKHLU ÂżUVW HYHU PHHWLQJ WKDW ZDV through a common friend, Riaz. “It was a huge misunderstanding which brought us together eventually,â€? recalls a still-smitten Reemma. It took them a year of avid courtship to became attuned to each other’s thoughts. Reemma explains, “Since the day we realised our feelings for each other, Shiv has been keen on getting married. True to his word, he took care of all the arrangements and I did little in terms of planning or execution. A March wedding suited us, because the Delhi weather is at its tolerable best at this time of the year!â€? she smiles. Striking a chord 6KLY DQG 5HHPPDÂśV HTXDWLRQ GHÂżHV the romantic clichĂŠ. Both of them are Scorpions and echo each other’s thoughts right from the mundane to the most substantial. “The similarity is very uncanny,â€? exclaims Reemma. But that is what has indeed offered the couple more insight into their individual persona,

particularly while addressing differences. “I know what bugs him and keep away from such facets!â€? she smiles. The only thing Reemma and Shiv don’t agree on is in his love of dogs. “I can’t stand dogs, whereas he owns four canine pets!â€? she shrieks. Secret rendezvous Two days before the wedding, on March 9, 2012, the famous restaurateur and the gorgeous actor entertained their long-term friends with a lavishly planned prewedding party. Themed as a gangsters’ night, the party venue had cages, cut-outs and lap dancers to add to the amusing ambience. “Also, there was a free-wheeling Sangeet and candid ten-minute takes...â€? reveals Reemma. Underlining the fact that having fun was the main motive behind their wedding, the actor says, “Our ZHGGLQJ LQYLWH ZDV LQ D '9' IRUPDW ÂżOOHG with pictures from an exclusive photo shoot.â€? Timeless trousseau When the duo decided to say ‘I do’, they were clear that they wanted to choose their wardrobe independently. The colour co-ordination had happened only later, she

tells us. “I bought a homespun Jaipur kota work lehenga for the mehendi ceremony. For the pheras, it was a Sabyasachi bridal ensemble in red. For the reception, I wore a Suneet Verma piece - a yellow saree with D Ă€DPER\DQW EORXVH 6KLY FKRVH DQ RXWÂżW by Mannu Arya,â€? she elaborates. Precious accessories Reemma chose fully ethnic jewellery to go with her bridal costumes. “I did not want to wear diamonds. Ethnic sets were my pick for the D-day,â€? she tells us. Her trousseau included a heavy kundan pendant and the kundan long chain, with a pendant studded with polka stones and emeralds, that went along with a tika. Incidentally, the bangles and earrings were bought in Chennai. Reemma also received a beautiful piece of heirloom jewellery as wedding gift from her grandmother. But what she cherishes the most are Shiv’s family ornaments that she wore for the reception. “Shiv’s mom and sister had worn it on their wedding day,â€? she says, with a sense of pride. Mehendi medley Reemma’s mehendi was an out-andout informal and an unusually lengthy affair. Demure in her lehenga, Reemma

joined the riotous party at about three in the afternoon. Talking about the off-beat arrangement, Reemma says, “There were DERXW IRXU WR ÂżYH KXQGUHG SHRSOH DW WKH party! It was not an all-girl event. Even boys who had come were bowled over by the chudi shops, dholkis, a live DJ and the presence of a percussionist. The highlight of the evening was of course the dance performance. Marut Sikka’s H[FHOOHQW ÂżQJHU OLFNLQÂś IDUH DQG $NKLO 3DXO Lakhanpal’s fabulous dĂŠcor added to the magic of the evening.â€? Momentous moment Since Shiv is Punjabi and Reemma a Bengali, the love-birds decided to cut complexities and agreed on an abridged Hindu wedding. She sums up the goingson, “It was indeed a clean-cut affair with hardly any do’s and don’ts. Despite the minute-to-minute planning, the couple JUDFLRXVO\ VDW WKURXJK WKH VLJQLÂżFDQW rituals. Speaking about the most longwinding hour at their wedding, Reemma says, “The sehra bandi was more like a bachelor’s party that started off at 11.30pm and stretched till 3.30am! We had to literally push the guests off to their homes.

The next day, when the tika ceremony was completed in one-and-a-half hours, I actually asked Shiv in disbelief, ‘Did you EULEH WR H[SHGLWH LWÂś"´ VKH ODXJKV Spouse sagacity Though her wedding was a curious affair to her movie fans, Reemma confesses that she was lost in the mind-boggling rituals and carrying on the business of greeting the 2,000-odd guests who had arrived to bless WKHP 5HFDOOLQJ WKH ÂżQHVW PRPHQW RI KHU wedding, Reemma says, “It took three days for the feeling to sink in. Shiv is simply great. We have decided to give each other space and trust, to keep this going strong.â€? She has no new-bride jitters in settling down with her in-laws. “I know them well,â€? she says, adding that her parents are MXVW D RQH DQG D KDOI KRXU Ă€LJKW DZD\ from Delhi!â€?

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TOLLYWOOD’S MANTRA:

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It does not get bigger than this! When news that Racha was ¿QDOO\ JRLQJ WR EH UHOHDVHG LQ $SULO ZDV RXW WKH H[SHFWDWLRQV from the fans and followers of Magadheera Ram Charan Teja reached an all-time high. If there is any indication about the frenzy surrounding Racha, it can be gauged from the number (thousands!) of people that thronged the audio release of the movie in Hyderabad. Not much is being revealed about the movie plot, because producer RB Choudhury believes in saving it as the surprise element for Ram Charan’s fans. But we can be assured of a great combination of romance, dance, adrenalin-pumping action sequences and songs shot in amazing locations. No wonder then, that in every territory, the movie has reportedly bagged the highest offer from distributors. 5DFKD PD\ ZHOO JR RQ WR VHW PXOWLSOH UHFRUGV 8QFRQ¿UPHG reports indicate that the overseas rights of Racha have been sold for a record sum of 2.75 crores to Hari Venkateshwara Pictures. Insiders contend that the movie cost a whopping 35 crores to make. The producers have already decided to release the movie in 2,400 theatres worldwide (another record!) to mop up the LQYHVWPHQW GXULQJ WKH ¿UVW ZHHN LWVHOI <RX FRXOG VD\ WKDW WKLV LV

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RQH RI WKH ODWHVW WUHQGV LQ WKH ,QGLDQ ÂżOP industry. The concept of ‘commercial VXFFHVVÂś KDV EHHQ UHGHÂżQHGÂŤDQG WKH producers of Racha are following the trend. 7KH ÂżOP LV EHLQJ UHOHDVHG VOLJKWO\ EHKLQG schedule, because of the injury Ram Charan suffered during the shooting of an action sequence, following which the actor was advised bed rest for two weeks. $V VRRQ DV 5DP &KDUDQ ZDV ÂżW DQG ÂżQH he completed the remaining portion of the shooting. Bolstered by the sheer excitement about Racha among fans, the entire production team is working round the clock to HQVXUH WKDW WKH ÂżOP LV D EORFNEXVWHU The producers have chosen the most appropriate time of summer. The April 6 weekend is a long one and the exam fever will also be over in Andhra Pradesh for high school and college students, who are expected to turn up in droves for one of the biggest movies of 2012. The music has become the perfect launch-pad for Racha. The audio tracks composed by Mani Sharma have become a rage. The track, Vana Vana Velluvaye, which is a remix of the hit song from Chiranjeevi’s VXSHUKLW ÂżOP *DQJ /HDGHU LV D UXQDZD\ success. Fans of Chiranjeevi and his son Ram Charan seem to have fallen in love with the song and it has become one of the most-searched tracks on the internet. The remixed version is as good as the original and is already a hot club favourite. The song is also supposed to be one of the highlights of the movie. Featuring the lead pair, the shooting of the song was hyped partly because of Tamannaah’s stylish costumes. While some contended that the costumes were outrageous, the makers defended their choice. Whatever might be the contention, the song has indeed set the stage for bigger expectations from Racha. The other tracks in the movie are equally absorbing; the title song Racha

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is boisterous, while Dillaku Dillaku is a romantic number. The songs have been stylishly shot in several parts of the country and neighbouring Sri Lanka as well. In fact, the crew has shot various SRUWLRQV RI WKH 多OP XQGHU YHU\ GLI多FXOW and trying circumstances. We are sure all that effort will certainly translate on screen! Another milestone of Racha LV WKDW LW KDSSHQV WR EH WKH 多UVW ,QGLDQ movie to be completely shot using the HD camera. From the performance perspective for actors, Racha is likely to change the course of the lead pair. Ram Charan is keen on turning Racha into another 0DJDGKHHUD 7KH 多OP KDV EHHQ LQ WKH

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making for the last nine months, and is supposed to have evolved on expected lines. 7KLV LV DOVR WKH ¿UVW WLPH WKDW 7DPDQQDDK has been paired with Ram Charan Teja and all eyes are on this smouldering hot FRXSOH WR VHW WKH VLOYHU VFUHHQ RQ ¿UH The onscreen chemistry of the pair is supposed to be fantastic and one of the USPs of the movie. And if this sexy actor continues her winning streak in Telugu, she will remain at the top. Badrinath opposite Allu Arjun created thousands of fans for Tamannaah, and Racha could add to that following. The surprise package of Racha is the special song focusing on Ram Charan Teja. It is said that model-turned-actor Lisa Haydon has sizzled to the track, ZKLFK ZLOO RSHQ WKH ¿OP /LVD LV PDNLQJ her debut in Telugu with Racha and is expected to emerge as a star dancer (for item songs) in the coming days in Tollywood. Racha has power-packed performances by some of the biggest actors, including Prakash Raj. Ajmal Ameer, Parthepan and comedian Brahmanandam to complete the star cast. So, you can expect a combination of great acting and sideVSOLWWLQJ ODXJKWHU 1HHG ZH VD\ PRUH" In order to take advantage of the hype, the makers of Racha also plan to release Tamil and Malayalam versions of the ¿OP DV ZHOO To sum up the movie in Chiranjeevi’s words, during the movie’s audio launch, “Racha will be a complete entertainer and fans will be very happy. Mani Sharma has FRPSRVHG JRRG PXVLF , DP FRQ¿GHQW about Racha’s success.”

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‘I DON’T ACT JUST FOR THE HECK OF IT’ She grew up watching Superstar Rajinikanth on the sets of Bloodstone; she adored Aishwarya Rai when her family co-produced the Tamil movie, Jeans; she had access to some of the best Hollywood blockbusters which were distributed in India by her home banner... It was obvious that Sharmila Mandre was destined to enter showbiz! In conversation with Aravind G Shivakamal

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Âł:HOO OHW PH ÂżUVW WHOO \RX KRZ H[FLWHG , DP ULJKW QRZ 0\ GHEXW 7DPLO movie, Mirattal directed by R Madesh, will be released shortly and I am eagerly looking forward to it. You should ask me more about Mirattal, because of which my long-cherished childhood dream of acting in a Tamil PRYLH LV ÂżQDOO\ EHFRPLQJ D UHDOLW\ ´ 6KDUPLOD XUJHV EUHDWKOHVVO\ Her excitement is understandable. Her family has produced multilingual ÂżOPV WKDW KDYH EHHQ PLOHVWRQHV LQ WKH LQGXVWU\ VXFK DV 3URYRNHG 5DPML Londonwaley, Minnale and Tropical Heat to name a few. But at that time, this school kid didn’t look even remotely close to being an actor. “Nobody believes me when I tell them I weighed 90 kilos when I was in school! I QHYHU HYHU WKRXJKW WKDW , ZRXOG EHFRPH D ÂżOP VWDU 7KH WUDQVIRUPDWLRQ IURP 90 kilos to 60 kilos is a personal Guinness Book of World Records! And look where I am now‌realising my dreams,â€? smiles Sharmila, grateful to her aunt, who prompted her to lose weight. “It was easy coming down to 70 kilos. But losing the extra 10 kilos was a major challenge. Now, I am a KHDOWK IUHDN %HVLGHV , GDQFH HYHU\ GD\ WR VWD\ ÂżW $QG E\ WKH ZD\ , KDYH lost weight through the traditional way of exercising and a balanced diet,â€? she states emphatically. Okay, we get the point! Sharmila had a dream debut in 2007 with the Kannada movie, Sajni RSSRVLWH 6DPHHU 'DWWDQL 7KH ÂżOP ZDV D VPDVK KLW ZKLFK DQQRXQFHG WKH arrival of this new face on the big screen. And the songs composed by $5 5DKPDQ IRU WKH ÂżOP ZHUH FKDUWEXVWHUV )ORRGHG ZLWK RIIHUV IROORZLQJ the success of Sajni, her very next project, Krishna opposite Ganesh, who was at the pinnacle of his career, was also a blockbuster. This barely-17 newcomer was then selected for actor Darshan’s home production, Navagraha, which went on to be critically-acclaimed, and what followed were several hits like Ee Bandhana, Venkata in Sankata, Kari Chirathe, Swayamwara and Dhan Dhana Dhan, opposite almost all the A-list actors of Kannada including Duniya Vijay, Ramesh Aravind and Diganth, as also upcoming stars like Prem and Murali, propelling her into the top league of actors in Kannada. Today, she has become selective. “I don’t act just for the heck of it. Tell me, where is the scope for female-oriented roles in Kannada movies these GD\V" ,W LV YHU\ KDUG WR FRPH DFURVV JRRG VFULSWV WKDW JLYH LPSRUWDQFH WR WKH female lead,â€? she argues. Is it true that Sharmila has been concentrating on KHU 7DPLO GHEXW IRU WKH ODVW RQH \HDU ZLWKRXW DFFHSWLQJ DQ\ .DQQDGD ÂżOPV" “I cannot afford to compromise on my debut Tamil movie. I wanted to focus on Mirattal before accepting any offers in Kannada. Now that Mirattal is complete, I will explore Kannada movies again. Yeah, there have been plenty of offers. Let me see...â€? she says, obviously betting big on Mirattal. Initially, Genelia D’Souza had been approached for the female lead role, EXW GLUHFWRU 0DGHVK ÂżQDOO\ VHWWOHG IRU 6KDUPLOD ZKR WKDQNV KHU OXFN\ VWDUV for bagging the role. “The language was alien to me. I have worked very hard to pick up the accent and dialogue. My director did not approve of any prompting. Fortunately, my hard work has paid off, and already, there have been offers from several Tamil projects. But I am keen on the response to Mirattal, before signing any new ones,â€? she tell us. We are also pinning our KRSHV RQ KHU GHEXW 7DPLO ÂżOP

Favourite Hobby: Dancing and singing (since the age of 3!)

Love: I am not interested in clichĂŠs. Love is about understanding one another, to ensure compatibility.

On screen idol: Audrey Hepburn; no one can replace her.

Passion: Wildlife photography; I have made a beginning‌

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‘I DON’T BELIEVE IN SHOWCASING MYSELF AS A STAR’ The character, ‘loose maada’ in the smash-hit Duniya became so popular that people still remember 21-year-old Yogi by that name. In conversation with Aravind G Shivakamal, the actor talks about groping in the dark, but finding gold in the film world

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In 2007, when acclaimed director Duniya Soori started his maiden movie, he was looking for a fresh face to play the role of a teenage villain. It was sheer coincidence that Yogi (Yogesh), VRQ RI WKH ÂżOPÂśV SURGXFHU 73 6LGGDUDMX FDPH WR WKH VKRRWLQJ location. His raw looks and rugged appearance prompted Soori to cast the 16-year-old college student in the character of a ‘loose maada’, a bike-riding, knife-wielding killer in Duniya! “Fate brought me here. I did not know the ABC of acting, and was thrown in front of the camera. I never knew that acting would become my source of livelihood. Duniya created history, and I became an actor. It looks simple, but is quite complicated,â€? recalls Yogi, now 21, and with several blockbusters to his credit. Though he started his career with a negative role, from his VHFRQG ÂżOP LWVHOI <RJL WXUQHG LQWR D IXOO WLPH PDOH OHDG +LV VHFRQG ÂżOP 1DQGD /RYHV 1DQGLWKD ZDV D VPDVK KLW establishing Yogi’s name among the top actors of Kannada ÂżOPV ,Q WKH ODVW ÂżYH \HDUV <RJL KDV DSSHDUHG LQ PRUH WKDQ ÂżOPV PRVW RI ZKLFK KDYH EHHQ KLWV 2011 was one of the biggest years for Yogi with all his three ÂżOPV GRLQJ ZHOO DW WKH %2 SDUWLFXODUO\ +XGXJUX UHPDNH RI the Tamil hit, Naadodigal). His performance was so strong in the movie, that even veteran Puneet Rajkumar was admitted to have been overshadowed. But Yogi is modest, “I am known for performing the roles of a slum boy or an uneducated guy. But, Hudugru proved to the world that I can play the funny guy with ease.â€? Yogi does not mind spending time with his IDQV LQ D FULFNHW ÂżHOG IRU KRXUV XQDVVXPLQJ DQG GRZQ WR HDUWK with absolutely no celebrity hangover. “No sir, I don’t believe in showcasing myself as a star. I never dreamed that I would EHFRPH D ÂżOP VWDU VRPHGD\ :K\ EH SUHWHQWLRXV" , ZDQW WR EH as natural I am,â€? Yogi is candid in his admission. Without any formal training in acting, Yogi simply lapped up the opportunity in Duniya. The character, ‘loose maada’, became so popular that people still call him by that name. But Yogi is least bothered with the nomenclature. “Let me be honest‌it was loose maada that fetched me instant fame and popularity. Why VKRXOG , VFRUQ DW SHRSOH ZKR UHIHU WR PH DV ORRVH PDDGD" $W DQ\ given time, I feel happy to be called a loose maada.â€? And in order to cash in on the popularity of ‘loose maada’, his home banner, Samy Associates is planning a movie with the same title some time later this year. “I want my mentor, Duniya

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Favourite Hobby: Friends. My world is incomplete without my buddies.

Love: I am too young for a statement about love, but for me it means trust and mutual respect.

Role Model: Shivanna (Shivarajkumar).

Passion: I always wanted to be an automobile engineer. I am still pursuing it!

Soori sir to direct that dream project. Right now, both of us are busy with various commitments. Besides, the story for Loose Maada is not complete. We hope to launch the movie by this year end or next year,â€? says Yogi. The actor has performed a variety of roles, but interestingly, it is the role of a college dropout that he often excels in! Yogi is also referred WR DV WKH .DQQDGD ÂżOP LQGXVWU\ÂśV Âľ'KDQXVKÂś SDUWO\ EHFDXVH KH KDV acted in the remake of the Tamil star’s movie. “I really don’t know why my fans compare me to him. But yes, I admire his work, and have spoken to him several times over the phone, and even met him recently in Bengaluru. It was fun getting to know him,â€? remarks Yogi. 2012 has begun with a big bang for Yogi with his movie, Siddlingu opposite Divya Spandana, declared a BO hit. Speaking of Divya

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6SDQGDQD <RJL LV H[FLWHG ³(YHU\RQH LQ WKH ¿OP LQGXVWU\ NQHZ KRZ desperate I was to act opposite Ramya (Divya Spandana). Even before , HQWHUHG WKH ¿OP LQGXVWU\ , DGRUHG KHU ,W ZDV P\ GUHDP FRPH WUXH when she agreed to work with me. But I never felt overwhelmed by her presence, and the movie performed well.� In what is a true sign of a fast rising star, all the top heroines of the .DQQDGD ¿OP LQGXVWU\ DUH QRZ DFWLQJ RSSRVLWH <RJL $IWHU 'LY\D Spandana, the highly-talented Radhika Pandit was seen opposite him in Alemaari. Right now, he is shooting for Bangaari opposite Ragini Dwivedi. 'RHV <RJL KDYH D GUHDP UROH" ³1R , ZDQW WR H[FHO LQ HYHU\ UROH , VLJQ for. Even if the director casts me in the role of a beggar, I will make sure that I deliver my best!�

‘WHO ARE YOU TO SIT IN A ROOM AND TALK ABOUT /(*(1'6"¶ Intense. Impatient. Irascible. Intelligent. Immediate. Intimate. Impassioned. All this he is. But there’s one thing he isn’t. Ignored. Pavithra Srinivasan in conversation with the much sought-after Gautham Vasudev Menon

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The man really needs no introduction: he’s been touted as the successor to Mani Ratnam! Indeed, Gautham Menon has brought passionate romances back in vogue on screen; he’s brought urban locales, men, women, and their problems into sharp focus; made it possible for emotions to be right out there; unapologetic, unashamed, and unafraid to wear your heart on your sleeve, while still being a macho man who could beat bullies. $QG EHVW RI DOO Âą KHÂśV KDG ER[ RIÂżFH VXFFHVV even if it was a little sporadic. Gautham Vasudev Menon is a rolling ball of energy, usually – but these days, he’s not really keen on baring his soul to the general public or the media. He sounds impatient when I ask him for an interview. “What do I QHHG WR WDON DERXW" ,ÂśYH VDLG HYHU\WKLQJ WKDW needs to be said.â€? But patience, and his own need to share his experiences eventually wins out, and what follows is an explosive conversation on his movies, music, fans, heroines and best of all Âą KLPVHOI 2YHU WR WKH FUHDWLYH VSLWÂżUH What’s your state of mind right now? What project are you working on? I’m good. I’m doing a trilingual, Neethaane En Ponvasantham. &DQ \RX WHOO XV PRUH DERXW WKH ÂżOP" There’s no particular reason why – I just think it’s the kind of story that needs to be told, in three languages. Also, I wanted to work with three actors (laughs). The whole process seems to be interesting. That’s why I’m doing it. I can’t reveal too much about it, but it’s a love story. It’s about two people, and about how they meet at various moments LQ OLIH $QG ÂżQDOO\ GR WKH\ JHW WR EH ZLWK HDFK RWKHU RU QRW" 7KDWÂśV KRZ LW UROOV You’ve worked with Harris Jeyaraj and A R Rahman in the past. Any reason why you have chosen music director Ilaiyaraja for your latest venture? (Pause) Is there any reason why anyone ZRXOGQÂśW FKRRVH WR ZRUN ZLWK KLP" , PHDQ come on, I’ve always wanted to work with

him; I’ve grown up listening to his music, that’s the only reason. I’ve always admired him. I’m a big fan of his work. Many PRPHQWV LQ P\ OLIH KDYH EHHQ GH¿QHG E\ KLV music. Just like I wanted to work with Kamal sir at one point, I wanted to work with Raja sir as well. What happened with Ekk Deewana Tha? 7KH ¿OP IDLOHG DW DOO OHYHOV :KDW ZHQW wrong? I don’t know – I don’t think people got the ¿OP , WKLQN 3UDWHLN %DEEDU ZDV D UDQN newcomer and people didn’t come to the WKHDWHUV WR VHH WKH ¿OP There was some criticism that the dialogues didn’t work in Hindi the way they did in Tamil. That they were literally translated and made no impact. There was all sorts of criticism about the ZKROH ¿OP ¹ QRW MXVW WKH GLDORJXHV 3HRSOH didn’t like the story; they didn’t like the simple idea of two people being that way with each other. I think Bombay and these Hindi critics – they’re generally used to FHUWDLQ ¿OPV WKHLU ZKROH OLIH LV EDVHG RQ WKH ¿OPV WKDW GRQœW VXEVFULEH WR WKLV NLQG RI UHDOLW\ 7KH\ GLGQœW VHH WKH ¿OP $QG DERXW WHQ FULWLFV NLOOHG WKH ¿OP DQG SUHYHQWHG people from coming to the theatre. We didn’t have a Ranbir or a Shahid – just Prateik, who , WKLQN FRXOGQœW FDUU\ WKH ZHLJKW RI WKH ¿OP on his shoulders. Other than AR Rahman, ZH GLGQœW KDYH DQ\RQH WR VXSSRUW WKH ¿OP DV such, in terms of big names. I think people didn’t even come to the theatre to see the ¿OP WKH\ MXVW SLFNHG XS WKH WDON

You’ve worked in three movie industries: Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. Do you think there’s a great deal of difference between them? No, I think it’s just a perception, that’s all. The working style and everything is just the same. It’s just that in Hindi they’re very star-driven. I mean, here, I can make the same Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa with rank newcomers – and get away with it. But there, \RX QHHG VWDUV WR JHW WKH ¿OP DFURVV WR WKH audience. What about Nadunisi Naigal? People say LWœV \RXU ZRUVW ¿OP HYHU 'R \RX WKLQN \RX could have done something different? No, I’m actually happy with the way the ¿OP WXUQHG RXW ,W ZDV H[SHULPHQWDO ,W ZDV supposed to be bizarre and again, it’s a TXHVWLRQ RI ¾:K\ GLG , PDNH WKLV ¿OP"œ 7KH audience here has this perception that I make D FHUWDLQ NLQG RI ¿OPV DQG WKH\ FRXOGQœW handle it. It worked against the movie and prevented most people from coming to the theatre. Which is why we slashed the budget ¹ ZH PDGH WKH ¿OP LQ FURUH ODNKV :H WRRN D ELJ RSHQLQJ GXULQJ WKH ¿UVW GD\V actually, which made the money for us, with the satellite rights and everything. It was a VPDUW ¿OP LQ WKDW VHQVH ¹ LW ZDV PDGH DW D very low cost; we knew it wouldn’t work beyond a certain point and a certain section of the audience. It was just me trying to PDNH WKH NLQG RI ¿OPV ,œYH DOZD\V ZDQWHG to make and not stick to familiar subjects. ,œYH JRW DEVROXWHO\ QR UHJUHWV DERXW DQ\ ¿OP I’ve made. We actually showed it to a lot of SHRSOH LQ %RPED\ DQG WKH\ OLNHG WKH ¿OP

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I’m sure 10 years from now people will actually say, it’s a part of a journey in ¿OP PDNLQJ :KDW KDV FKDQJHG VLQFH 0LQQDOH \RXU ¿UVW ¿OP" ,WœV EHHQ D ORQJ DQG HYHQWIXO FDUHHU I’m still learning the trade, learning the way the industry works, the way critics respond, and stuff like that. Nothing has changed, DEVROXWHO\ :LWK HYHU\ ¿OP , OHDUQ PRUH DQG ORRN IRUZDUG WR PDNLQJ P\ QH[W ¿OP But you have a reputation for being very forthright. 7KDWœV MXVW PH 1RW MXVW ZLWK ¿OPV EXW ZRUN and that’s how I’ve been in life also. I think P\ ¿OPV DUH OLNH WKDW DV ZHOO So who’s the best heroine you’ve worked with, so far? I still haven’t found her. I mean yeah, I’ve liked everybody’s work, but I’m still looking for that perfect leading lady. I’ve liked ZRUNLQJ ZLWK -\RWKLND DQG 7ULVKD GH¿QLWHO\ Maybe if I get a chance to work with Kate Winslet, I’ll tell you. So far, you’ve shuttled between romance and action, mostly. Any reason why you haven’t tried anything else, yet? :KDW RWKHU JHQUH FRXOG , WU\" , JXHVV ,œP QRW too bad at comedy – Minnale and Neethaane En Ponvasantham do have their share of KXPRXU , WKLQN DOO P\ ¿OPV DUH ODFHG ZLWK some humour – even Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu had Kamal sir mouthing some funny lines. Other than that, I tried the psycho-thriller line with both Nadunisi Naigal and Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu. :K\ GR VRPH RI \RXU ¿OPV WDNH D ORQJ WLPH to make, while others are done quickly? I think the answer lies in your question. See, PDNLQJ D ¿OP GHSHQGV RQ WKH DFWRUV WKH situations – like, Vaaranam Aayiram did take a long time because we had Suriya playing two characters; we wanted him to lose weight for one and put on weight for the other. We gave him the time, you know, to change. In fact, he played characters from 16 to 60 and we gave him three months to actually look different, between each of the characters. But Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa was done in 60–75 GD\V 0RVW RI P\ ¿OPV KDYH EHHQ VKRW RYHU 70 days. When you work with people like Simbu, you know, he needs a little time to complete things. You can’t get him every day

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and get him to work. Also, when you want music from someone like AR Rahman, you get the songs spread over eight months. You need to wait for the music to come. Speaking of Vaaranam Aayiram – wasn’t WKH ¿OP DQ RGH WR \RXU IDWKHU" +RZ LQÀXHQFHG ZHUH \RX E\ KLP LQ \RXU ZRUN" Yes, it was a tribute to him. I was really inspired by my father, not just with my ¿OPV EXW JHQHUDOO\ LQ HYHU\WKLQJ OLIH ORYH cricket‌ He was a dear friend, and we had a very easy relationship. We always used to go to each other when things didn’t work out. :KDW DERXW \RXU ¿OP ZLWK ,OD\D 7KDODSDWKL Vijay? Looking at the title, Yohan: Adhyayam Ondru (Yohan: Episode One) – is it a part a series? It’s starting in June. It’s one of our biggest ¿OPV DQG ,œP UHDOO\ ORRNLQJ IRUZDUG WR LW $QG \HV WKH ¿OP ZLOO KDYH VHTXHOV :HœUH going to set up a character that people will want to come back and watch, like a James Bond kind of thing.

Fair enough – but why Yohan? Yohan’s a very popular Christian name. It’s another form of John, actually. In Christian FLUFOHV SHRSOH ZLOO GH¿QLWHO\ NQRZ ZKDW LW means. We wanted something unique. 7KHUHœV EHHQ D ORW RI WDON WKDW WKH ¿OPœV SRVWHUV ZHUH LQVSLUHG E\ D )UHQFK ¿OP See, if you look at what people have done on the Net – they’ve actually taken our posters, and put it on shots of Will Smith DQG RWKHU )UHQFK ¿OPV :H KDYHQœW GRQH WKDW 7KH RI¿FLDO SRVWHUV ZH FDPH RXW ZLWK the ones that appeared in the newspapers and magazines, are all original. The ones that appeared on the Net are what fans have pulled out and used on other images. They’re not what we’ve done. It’s not a remake or DQ LQVSLUHG ¿OP ,WœV RULJLQDO LQ HYHU\ ZD\ 3DXVH ¹ DQG QRZ KHœV TXLWH DQJU\ See, I don’t want to answer these questions. People write all sorts of things. There’s this online community that’s very jobless. They sit in closed rooms and vent their feelings. You can’t respond to all these people, because

there’s a big hatred out there, towards certain people. Like this whole controversy about Ilaiyaraja and AR Rahman, because I’m GRLQJ D ¿OP ZLWK 5DMD VLU , PHDQ VHULRXVO\" Who are you to sit in a room and talk about OHJHQGV OLNH ,ODL\DUDMD DQG $5 5DKPDQ" 7R compare them is really unfair. After a time, I decided that there wasn’t any point in reading these and responding to them. Because these are frustrated, jobless people. And they do all sorts of stuff, sitting in their dark rooms, in front of a computer. It really doesn’t matter. This is a very small community, which reaches out to a small section of people. Internet penetration itself is very low in India. And even among those, there are very few people who actually browse and comment. I mean, how jobless would you have to be to DFWXDOO\ FRPPHQW RQ D WUDLOHU" +RZ PDQ\ times have you or I commented on a trailer ZHœYH VHHQ" ,I ZH VHH VRPHWKLQJ RQOLQH we like it and move on. We don’t sit and comment on it. It’s just not done.

directors. First, we need to establish a banner – and that’s not going to be easy. I mean, WKH ¿UVW WKUHH ¿OPV GLGQœW DFWXDOO\ PDNH much money for us. But we’re trying. We’re DFWXDOO\ FRPLQJ RXW ZLWK WZR ¿OPV WKLV year. Apart from our own Yohan, there will EH WZR RU WKUHH PRUH ¿OPV QH[W \HDU ¹ ,œYH actually asked a couple of big directors to do something for us. (Pause) It’s been ten years in the industry and it’s high time we gave something back to it...

Isn’t there some talk about a TV series with Parthepan? Yes – we’re starting it in a month’s time. We’re doing a series of episodes based on a central character who happens to be a cop. It is set in Chennai and is about crime in the city and how cops handle it. It’s also an emotional story about a cop who is a widower and with a daughter. It’s going to be very interesting. And it’s going to have music by AR Rahman, incidentally. 7KDWÂśV D ÂżUVW LVQÂśW LW" %ULQJLQJ $5 5DKPDQ WR WKH VPDOO VFUHHQ" +RZ GLIÂżFXOW ZDV LW WR manage it? Oh, he was perfectly okay with it. Didn’t take any convincing at all, because he said, ‘We really should improve the quality of programmes on TV. Television is so bad; we must do something to better it’. It will be like the one hour episodes, hopefully Monday to Friday. What’s your journey been like, as a producer? It’s a journey that’s just begun, actually. We know we’ll come around and do much better ÂżOPV +RSHIXOO\ ZHÂśOO PDNH PRUH PRQH\ DQG SXW WKDW EDFN LQ WKH ÂżOPV :H KDYH EHHQ meeting a lot of people. Now that you’ve PDGH ÂżOPV DQG D QDPH IRU \RXUVHOI SHRSOH ZDQW WR PDNH ÂżOPV IRU \RX $OO WKH ELJ GLUHFWRUV ZDQW WR PDNH ÂżOPV IRU WKHPVHOYHV and we want to work with smaller, new

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‘I HAVE BETTER CHEMISTRY WITH SANTHANAM THAN WITH HANSIKA’ Udhayanidhi Stalin is all smiles and cheer this season. Pavithra Srinivasan finds out just why this produceractor is in such a bubbly mood

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It’s a glorious day for the Oru Kal Oru Kannadi team at the Accord Metropolitan Hotel, Chennai. The lead cast, director DQG FLQHPDWRJUDSKHU KDYH JDWKHUHG SULRU WR WKH ÂżOPÂśV UHOHDVH DV Ă€H[ EDQQHUV DQG SRVWHUV GHFRUDWH WKH KDOO ZLWK FDPHUDV Ă€DVKLQJ DOO RYHU WKH SODFH %XW GHVSLWH WKH RYHUZKHOPLQJ DWWHQWLRQ RQ HYHU\RQH EHORQJLQJ WR WKH ÂżOP IRFXV LV FHQWHUHG WR D ODVHU SRLQW RQ RQH SHUVRQ WKH ÂżOPÂśV KHUR Udhayanidhi Stalin. Already a producer and distributor of merit, his Red Giant Movies began its production ventures with Ilaya Thalapathi Vijay’s Kuruvi. He’s seen the good, bad and ugly of Tamil cinema in all its varying sizes and colours, and by his own admission, loved every moment of it. Being the sole hero of a project however, is a different ball-game altogether, and grilled by the press, he admits that it is something of a daunting experience. “Dancing and action stunts, you know, are not really my cup of tea. But I try my best,â€? he grins, as I engage him in an exclusive chat session. He’s on the best of terms with OKOK’s cast and crew, who call him Udhay affectionately. And wouldn’t trade director Rajesh IRU DQ\RQH DV IDU DV KLV GHEXW ÂżOP LV FRQFHUQHG Âł<RX NQRZ what people expect from him: his style and his humour have D JUHDW UHDFK ´ KH FRQÂżGHV Âł$V IDU DV WKH PRYLH LV FRQFHUQHG the story is all his. When he narrated the one-line to me, I wanted to go ahead with it straightaway. He’s made a few changes to the character to suit my body language, but that’s it,â€? he explains, crediting everything he’s done to his director, cinematographer and choreographer from whom he has learnt a great deal, “And Hansi,â€? he grins. “I mean, she’s acted with top heroes, and had to adjust to me, a new guy, a lot, I think...â€? he guffaws. “So, thanks to her too.â€? Despite his political and cinema pedigree, he comes across as the guy-next-door who’s self-deprecating in the extreme. “I’m thrilled beyond belief right now, with the reach the trailer KDV KDG ZLWK WKH DXGLHQFH 0\ LQER[ KDV EHHQ Ă€RRGHG ZLWK messages, ever since the teaser came out. So it’s all good.â€? But unlike any other debutant though, he’s far from nervous. Âł7KDWÂśV EHFDXVH ,ÂśYH JRW FRQÂżGHQFH LQ P\ WHDP WKH HGLWRUV co-stars, director and everyone connected with the movie. The entire shoot was like a picnic, really! All those rehearsals were a riot,â€? he grins, as he describes how cameraman, KT Balasubramaniem always adjusted the lighting for heroine,

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Hansika, and never bothered about him. “If I asked him, he’d VD\ +DQVLNDÂśV ULJKW LQ IURQW RI \RX DQG WKDW UHĂ€HFWLRQÂśV PRUH than enough,â€? he laughs. But there’s another member of the cast who has been mainstay of Rajesh’s movies so far, and who, in all fairness, could be said to have walked off with the lion’s share of applause – Santhanam. Didn’t he have any worries that the comedian, whose lines sometimes are far better received than the hero’s, XSVWDJH KLP" Âł$EVROXWHO\ QRW 7KHUHÂśV QR TXHVWLRQ RI DQ\RQH taking control or overshadowing others, but in any case, Santhanam is the major driving force. I’d say he’s the hero of OKOK. You know, Santhanam, Rajesh Sir’s dialogues and Harris Jeyaraj’s songs are the USP of the movie. In fact, I have better chemistry with Santhanam than with Hansika,â€? he chuckles. But tinsel town rarely leaves its lead alone, and much less IURP FRQWURYHUV\ GRHVQÂśW LW" Âł0D\EH %XW , FHUWDLQO\ GRQÂśW want to be a part of any gossip or controversy,â€? he declares. “I just want to do my job.â€? Which is acting now. But, not so long ago, it was only production and distribution. How different is it, standing in IURQW RI WKH FDPHUD DV WKH KHUR" Âł,W FHUWDLQO\ LV GLIIHUHQW IURP my past experience,â€? he admits. “Earlier, it was all about

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the budgets and production, and those were the questions everyone would ask me. But now, I’m being spoken to as an actor. It’s a different perspective.â€? But he’s not giving up either just because he’s changed roles. “I’ll still go on with everything. Even historicals. After all, Madarasapattinam was a success,â€? he challenges. So far so good. But coming from a famous political family, WKH TXHVWLRQ LV REYLRXV ZLOO KH HQWHU SROLWLFV DW VRPH SRLQW" $QG DUH KLV ÂżOPV D ODXQFK SDG IRU KLV SROLWLFDO FDUHHU" Âł8PPP QR 1RW DW WKH PRPHQW ´ KH GLVPLVVHV Âł/HW PH ÂżQG P\ IHHW KHUH , QHHG WR GR WKDW ÂżUVW ´ +RZHYHU KH GRHV DGPLW WKDW KLV IDWKHU DQG JUDQGIDWKHU DUH NHHQO\ LQWHUHVWHG LQ KLV ÂżOP career, although the former CM had seen only his previous production, Aadhavan, “Appa (MK Stalin) did watch the teaser and a couple of songs of OKOK in Sathyam Cinemas with me though, and liked it.â€? He’s non-committal about his future ventures. “That will depend on how OKOK fares. I’m keen on listening to the VFULSWV ÂżUVW ´ -LLYD 6XU\D DQG 'KDQXVK DUH KLV LQVSLUDWLRQ and his wife Kiruthiga loves what she’s seen of his acting so far. “You know Rajesh’s style. It’s two hours of great entertainment. OKOK will be a fun ride, and I’m happy with how it has shaped up. Beyond that, let’s see,â€? he smiles, hope written large on his face.

Anoop Menon has registered success in a very different manner. After his initial stint ZLWK WHOH ÂżOPV DQG VHULDOV $QRRS PDGH his silverscreen debut as one of the heroes in Vinayan’s Kattuchembakam – a movie ZKLFK QHLWKHU GLG ZHOO DW WKH ER[ RIÂżFH QRU GLG LW EHQHÂżW KLP %XW $QRRS VHHPV WR VHH this failure making a way for his consequent success- “That Kattuchembakam was a Ă€RS SURYHG JRRG IRU PH LQ D ZD\ Âł,W WDXJKW PH WKDW D ÂżOP LV QRW D VLPSOH WKLQJ I realised that a lot of people work hard to PDNH D ÂżOP KDSSHQ DQG , DOVR XQGHUVWRRG that a great deal of hard work has to be put in from my part too. Looking back, I now know that I was an amateur actor. From .DWWXFKHPEDNDP RQ LW ZDV D VORZ UHÂżQLQJ polishing process which has continued till my latest release, Ee Adutha Kaalathu.â€? The movie has hit the screens and is winning appreciation all around. Ee Adutha Kaalathu

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has been directed by Arun Kumar Aravind (with whom Anoop had earlier done Cocktail), and Anoop plays one of the key FKDUDFWHUV LQ WKH ÂżOP +H ZD[HV HORTXHQW RQ KLV UROH LQ WKH ÂżOP Âł, ORYH P\ UROH LWÂśV VR unlike me. A megalomaniacal, yet slightly effeminate cop, who is very bothered about KLV DSSHDUDQFH EXW WRWDOO\ LQHIÂżFLHQWÂŤ+H thinks he is brilliant, but he is not. That was a new experience for me. It’s a role that none of the heroes would do, simply because it’s so unlike a hero; there is no heroism in him. But I loved doing it.â€? He is happy with the response that the role has elicited, “I am happy that times are changing and the audience is ready to accept different kinds of roles. Beautiful is a brilliant example.â€? Beautiful, released a few months back, had Anoop playing a key role along with -D\DVXU\D 7KH 9. 3UDNDVK GLUHFWHG ÂżOP KDG Anoop Menon as the scenarist as well as the

O\ULFLVW DQG WKH ÂżOP GLG ZHOO RQ DOO FRXQWV Explains Anoop, “Beautiful was so unlike RXU XVXDO ÂżOPV LW WROG WKH VWRU\ RI WZR IDLOHG men and still it won not just critical acclaim, but commercial success too. This should prove inspiring to a new generation of actors, writers and directors.â€? Which brings me to my next question. Acting or writing scripts, what gives Anoop Menon WKH PRVW VDWLVIDFWLRQ" +HUHÂśV KLV DQVZHU “Writing, no doubt. Writing is a solitary process....When you are acting, you are supported by and work with many people and there are many factors involved. You have with you the director, the writer, your co-actors, the associate director and others, but in writing you are alone, and you enjoy it the most.â€? Anoop, who got a break with Ranjith’s Thirakatha had also tried his hand at scripting

‘ THE HINDI VERSION OF BEAUTIFUL MAY HAPPEN’ He is Mr. Likeable in Malayalam Cinema. You like him not just for his looks and persona, you like him for his talent, his versatility, and because the characters he plays seem so unpredictable. Unni R Nair catches up with the actor-scriptwritersongwriter, Anoop Menon

and acting in a Hindi movie, Anubhav. Here he shares his ‘anubhav’ (experience) doing WKH ÂżOP Âł:H JRW DQ RSSRUWXQLW\ WR ZRUN in Bollywood and we screwed it up. It was a good subject and was based on the real life story of a failed actor, but we were more focused on thinking of it as a ‘Bollywood’ ÂżOP VR ZH JRRIHG XS WKH RSSRUWXQLW\ , am sure that if I could do Anubhav today, I would do it differently.â€? So is he waiting IRU KLV QH[W RSSRUWXQLW\ WKHUH" Âł7KH +LQGL version of Beautiful may happen; if it does, it will be my second chance, and this time I’ll XVH LW WR WKH KLOW ´ $QRRS VRXQGV FRQÂżGHQW 6R ZKDW FDQ \RX H[SHFW IURP KLP QH[W" You’d perhaps want him to direct a movie, just as his character in Mullasserry Madhavan Kutty Nemom PO does. But Anoop is not going to do that, “No, Direction is not in my agenda; it’s not in my blood. I want to concentrate on acting and writing.â€?

And, what about penning songs, which he did so successfully for Beautiful. “That just happened. We have the best of lyricists in Malayalam and I just tried to do something on my part too. I mean, I just managed to write something, and hope I didn’t put these great lyricists to shame,â€? he laughs. So now, back to square one! Let’s round off with reel one! Where and how did it DOO EHJLQ IRU $QRRS" +H WKLQNV DQG ÂżQGV a reply, “At the Christ Nagar School in Thiruvananthapuram, when I read Moby Dick, Kidnapped, Huckleberry Finn etc. When I visualised them in my imagination, the hero would always resemble me. Maybe that made me want to become an actor. That’s what I feel when I look back. But the thing is, I never acted in a school play. Then in my Law College days, when I read Kidnapped, Mayor of Casterbridge, Uncle Tom’s Cabin DQG &KHPPHHQ DQG VDZ WKH ÂżOPV , FRXOG

relate to them. I knew I was always meant to imagine and to write. It all began from there. Later I met and got acquainted with 6K\DPDSUDVDG DW D ¿OP IHVWLYDO 2QH GD\ P\ IULHQG 6KDQNDU 5DPDNULVKQDQ ¿OP GLUHFWRU who also scripted Urumi) and I went to meet Shyamaprasad at his home, showed KLP VRPH ¿OP ZH KDG PDGH +H ZDV YHU\ cordial and spoke for a long time. In fact, I started off by doing one shot in his serial Manal Nagaram. Then Satish Babu Payyanur gave me the opportunity to host the morning television show Shubhadinam on Kairali TV. 7KHQ FDPH VHULDOV DQG WHOH ¿OPV DQG WKHQ Kaattuchembakam.� Anoop has come a long way from where he began. And we are sure he has miles and miles to go! All the best, Anoop Menon!

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‘FLOPS KEEP YOU GOING’ Despite two BO bombers on the trot, the charming Naga Chaitanya is upbeat about his next film, Autonagar Surya, which he says will be a game changer. In conversation with Radhika Rajamani

Photo Credit: Harpreet Bachher, Styling: Nischay Niyogi, Makeup & Hair: Hriya Marfatia

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With his wide grin and handsome face, Naga Chaitanya sure grabs attention wherever he goes. The young star is the scion of the respected Akkineni family, but he has not let that tag weigh him GRZQ RU LQĂ€XHQFH KLV FKRLFHV +DYLQJ HQWHUHG WLQVHO WRZQ DERXW three years ago with much ‘Josh’, his debut created as much of D PDJLF DV GLG KLV VHFRQG ÂżOP <H 0DD\D &KHVDYH WKH 7HOXJX version of Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa). The success of 100 % Love was followed by two duds - Dhada and Bezawada. Yet, this has not deterred Chaitanya, who takes success and failure in his stride, gearing up for his next project Autonagar Surya (AS), directed by Devakatta of Vennela and Prasthanam fame. His excitement is palpable, as he talks about Autonagar Surya at the IDPHG $QQDSXUQD 6WXGLRV Âł7KH ÂżOP LV DERXW SHUFHQW GRQH , KDG seen Prasthanam and had met Deva casually. A year later he narrated the script. Even before the narration, I was almost convinced and once it was read to me, I decided that I had to do it. I had signed AS EHIRUH 'KDGD DQG %H]DZDGD DQG GHVSLWH ERWK WKHVH ÂżOPV ERPELQJ 'HYD KDG FRPSOHWH IDLWK LQ PH DQG ZDV FRQÂżGHQW WKDW , FRXOG SXOO LW RII ´ VPLOHV WKH DFWRU &KDLWDQ\DÂśV FRQÂżGHQFH LV HYLGHQW WRR DV KH VD\V Âł,W LV P\ EHVW ÂżOP VR IDU LQ WHUPV RI WKH HIIRUW , KDYH SXW in. Deva has brought out something different... something others haven’t been able to do.â€? Speaking of the role itself, the actor tells us that AS portrays the journey of ‘the character I play from a 15-year ROG WR \HDUVÂś Âł, DP DQ RUSKDQ ZKR LV ÂżJKWLQJ KLV ZD\ WKURXJK Deva wanted me to play both the 15-year old and the 25-year-old. That’s what excited me.â€? Chaitanya will start the shoot of the bi-lingual Gauravam directed by 5DGKDPRKDQ VKRUWO\ 7KLV 7DPLO 7HOXJX ÂżOP LV D WKULOOHU VHW DJDLQVW a village backdrop. “There has been a delay because Annapurna 6WXGLRV KDV WLHG XS ZLWK 879 DQG KDV QRW SURGXFHG D 7DPLO ÂżOP so far. Once the formalities are done, the shoot will commence. *DXUDYDP ZLOO EH VKRW DV WZR VHSDUDWH ÂżOPV 7KH PDLQ OHDGV DQG certain character artistes will be the same but others may differ, according to the languages,â€? he elaborates. :LWK 5DGKDPRKDQÂśV ÂżOP &KDLWDQ\D ZLOO EH PDNLQJ KLV GHEXW LQ Tamil. “I personally feel there will be no expectations from me while GRLQJ D 7DPLO ÂżOP ,Q 7HOXJX WKRXJK H[SHFWDWLRQV DUH QDWXUDOO\ huge, because of my family. The audience in Tamil is open to different cinema. Content is important there. Radhamohan is the right person. He tries out something new each time. Gauravam is D JRLQJ WR EH D JUHDW ÂżOP ´ KH UHDIÂżUPV ZKHQ DVNHG ZKHWKHU KH LV nervous about his foray into Tamil cinema. &KDLWDQ\DÂśV ÂżYH UHOHDVHV VR IDU KDYH EHHQ LQ WKH URPDQFH DQG DFWLRQ genres. As an actor, he “enjoys action much more as it is challenging. In romances, the work is lesser, relaxed and breezy.â€? Ask him if his ODVW WZR Ă€RSV KDYH DIIHFWHG KLP DQG KHÂśV TXLFN WR UHWRUW Âł'HÂżQLWHO\ <RXU FRQÂżGHQFH JRHV XS LI WKHUHÂśV D KLW DQG JRHV GRZQ ZLWK WKH Ă€RS %XW WKH Ă€RSV UHDOO\ NHHS \RX JRLQJ 2QO\ ZKHQ \RX DUH EHDWHQ do you stand up. Maybe it was a wrong judgement on my part. These are like reality checks and I need these to keep me going,â€? he philosophises. At the narration level, Chaitanya was convinced that WKH WZR ÂżOPV ZRXOG ZRUN 3HUKDSV LQ WKH SURFHVV RI WUDQVODWLRQ RQ screen, things didn’t pan out as expected. “I have no regrets. I don’t blame anyone,â€? he smiles. Chaitanya does consult his father Nagarjuna when necessary. “He gives his suggestions and advice and guides me when needed. He feels I should be on my own as I will learn on my own. He tells PH KHÂśV EHHQ WKURXJK ZRUVH WLPHV +H KDV VHHQ VHYHQ Ă€RSV DIWHU

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Shiva. So he asks me to take it as a learning experience and do so positively,â€? he tells us. Chaitanya started his career at a time when competition was stiff, from cousin Rana Daggubati to Allu Arjun and Ram Charan Teja. “Competition is healthy; it will keep me going. Otherwise I’ll be lazy. There won’t be inspiration. By the way, we are all good friends RII VFUHHQ ´ KH FRQÂżUPV 'HVSLWH WKH WZR Ă€RSV WKH DFWRU LV VWLOO RSHQ WR H[SHULPHQWV LQ KLV roles. For instance, Autonagar Surya is an experiment. “There is GHÂżQLWHO\ D FKDQJH LQ LPDJH ´ KH H[SODLQV Âł([SHULPHQWLQJ LV IXQ 7KRXJK LW LV DQ DFWLRQ ÂżOP $XWRQDJDU 6XU\D LV DQ LQWHQVH SROLWLFDO drama, based on the unions and political mix-ups of the 1960s and 1980s..â€? )RU IDQV D ÂżOP ZLWK DOO WKH WKUHH $NNLQHQLV LV WKH SHUIHFW UHFLSH IRU PRYLH PDJLF Âł:H ZRXOG ORYH WR GR D ÂżOP WRJHWKHU LI WKH VFULSW is right. We don’t want to go wrong,â€? he smiles. And what about &KDLWDQ\D VKDULQJ VFUHHQ VSDFH ZLWK 9HQNDWHVK DQG 5DQD" :RXOGQÂśW WKDW EH VLPSO\ VHQVDWLRQDO" Âł0\ JUDQGIDWKHU 5DPD 1DLGX LV DOZD\V looking for scripts,â€? he says cryptically, keeping the lid over what the future holds.

And being one of the hot stars in Tollywood, Chaitanya is obviously a part of many link-ups and a favourite with the gossip mills. “I laugh it off,â€? he says, as I prod him about the Anushka Shetty link-up, “Gossip is gossip unless it comes down to the family. I will proudly tell everyone if I’m engaged. I know the truth, people DURXQG PH NQRZ WKH WUXWK ´ %XW WKHUH FDQÂśW EH VPRNH ZLWKRXW ÂżUH HVSHFLDOO\ ZKHQ WKHUH LV WDON DERXW D ÂżJKW ZLWK KLV FR VWDU .DMDO Aggarwal on the sets of Dhada. “I don’t even know how these things start. It would be good if people ask me before publishing such things!â€? he grimaces. For the moment, all these trival talks are water off a duck’s back for Chaitanya, who says he is all about work, “I have a lot more to do. I have to prove myself. I don’t think the audience is convinced yet. ,ÂśP OHDUQLQJ IURP P\ ÂżOPV ´ 7KH MRXUQH\ VR IDU KH VD\V KDV EHHQ DPD]LQJ Âł7LPH KDV Ă€RZQ VR IDVW 7KH\ VD\ KDUGZRUN SD\V %XW so many people work harder. Ultimately, fate and luck matter. You have to be at the right place, at the right time. Cinema has opened my eyes to a whole new world. I consider myself lucky to be able WR JHW D ÂżUP IRRWKROG LQ WKLV LQGXVWU\ ZKHUH SHRSOH ZLWK VR PXFK talent are struggling to make it!â€?

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‘I WOULDN’T EVEN CALL SALMAN KHAN A GREAT FRIEND’ @ShriyaSmiling. That’s the Twitter handle that has more than 1,28,000 followers who are determinedly watching her every move. Pavithra Srinivasan in a zippy chat with Shriya Saran, who is all smiles indeed as she talks about her glam-girl image, controversies and more

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The sensuous Shriya does have plenty to smile about – she bagged the Best Actress $ZDUG IRU KHU ÂżOP 5RZWKLUDP DW WKH International Tamil Film Awards held in Singapore, while her fans in Sri Lanka honoured her with the Shakthi Award in Colombo. Oh and lest we forget, Shirya Saran also shook a leg (and her shapely ÂżJXUH DW IULHQG DQG DFWRU 5HHPPD 6HQÂśV lavish wedding recently, putting up a glorious performance. The jet-setting star, isn’t in any one place DW DQ\ JLYHQ WLPH Ă€\LQJ IURP 6UL /DQND WR Singapore to Mumbai at a moment’s notice. I catch Shriya just as she’s about to hop onto a plane. She’s looking lovely in a long, Ă€RDWLQJ ZKLWH GUHVV WKDW DFFHQWXDWHV KHU famous curves. It’s time for a conversation that’s entertaining, illuminating and poignant in its own way. And celebratory too – as her 7HOXJX ÂżOP WKH URP FRP 1XYYD 1HQD KDV opened to good reviews. Of course, Shriya is working on other projects as well, and one among them is currently snagging a great deal of interest: it is Salman Rushdie’s classic Midnight’s Children (earlier titled Winds of Change), GLUHFWHG E\ YHWHUDQ ÂżOP PDNHU 'HHSD Mehta, and she’s understandably excited about it. “The movie will be out by August RU 6HSWHPEHU ´ VKH FRQÂżUPV Âł$V IRU WKH H[SHULHQFH" 2K WKDW ZDV D GUHDP FRPH WUXH for me. I mean, it was fantastic working with 'HHSD 0HKWD REYLRXVO\ ´ VKH VD\V Ă€DVKLQJ me the same smile that has won the hearts of millions. Technically, this is her second ÂżOP ZLWK WKH GLUHFWRU WKH ÂżUVW ZDV LQ WKH company of stalwarts such as Seema Biswas, LQ &RRNLQJ ZLWK 6WHOOD :LWK KHU QH[W ÂżOP though, Shriya seems to have had a blast.

“It’s a lovely script, you know. It was a whole different world, a different land, and mine is a really central character. It was such a change from the roles I do – I had to work with slum children and get into the skin of the character. Because that was what the role was all about. It was very interesting and lots of fun,â€? she reminisces, “A great experience.â€? Indeed, especially considering she has a reputation, largely, for being a beautiful glam doll. Does she ever regret that she’s been VWXFN ZLWK WKDW LPDJH" Âł, JXHVV ,ÂśYH DOZD\V wanted to be taken seriously,â€? she says. “I would love to pursue a different arena. But then, I haven’t always been a glamour JLUO \RX NQRZ"´ VKH LQVLVWV Âł, KDYH SOD\HG the girl-next-door. Like, in Gali Gali Chor Hai I played that kind of a role. And if you remember, in Kutty, I tried out something different, which was not really a very glamorous character. But sometimes you have to give yourself a break, and see if there are better things to come. I’m taking it easy right now – not signing anything in Tamil. I’m giving it a while,â€? “My Telugu projects are just done and I’m giving myself some space. I guess I’m waiting for something interesting to come up in Tamil, before signing up. I don’t really have anything against glamour roles but yes, I would love to try something more interesting,â€? Shriya elaborates and takes a long pause. “Having said that, I don’t think being glamorous is not interesting. I’d just like to experiment with different arenas, also. I’d love to try roles that are different,â€? she smiles, “Also, I think it’s very important that the director chooses you for the role, and trusts you to do your best. Like Deepa Mehta did.â€?

Photo Credit: Haider Khan, Styling: Nischay Niyogi, Makeup: Maqbool & Hair: Tanuja

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She’s made her mark in several movie industries, but has she ever felt that she didn’t really capitalise on her success, post the 5DMLQLNDQWK 6KDQNDU EORFNEXVWHU 6LYDML" 7KDW she could have accomplished more, perhaps, LI VKHÂśG VWD\HG LQ WKH 7DPLO 7HOXJX ÂżOP FLUFXLW DQG PDGH FOHYHU FKRLFHV" Âł1R , GRQÂśW think so,â€? she says, matter-of-factly. “Each to his own, in my opinion. I made the best of whatever roles I was offered and sometimes, you know, things go well, and sometimes they don’t. I guess there’s always a risk factor ZKHQ \RX FKRRVH ÂżOPV Âą LI WKLQJV ZRUN RXW everyone says ‘Wow’!â€? she smiles, and goes on to add, “But if they don’t, then, well, everything is wrong, so‌â€? her voice trails RII Âł,Q WKH HQG SLFNLQJ WKH ULJKW ÂżOP LV QRW a formula. Because if it were, then everyone ZRXOG SLFN WKH ZLQQHU QR"´ VKH VPLOHV As most actors do, she has immense respect for Superstar Rajinikanth, whom she considers her idol, in every way. “I mean, look at his incredible career graph and the NLQG RI ÂżOPV KHÂśV GRQH ´ VKH HQWKXVHV Âł+HÂśV an inspiration, not just for what the industry has done for him – but more because of what he’s given back to it.â€? Onto something that’s been a hot-topic lately: what’s her take on her much-vaunted friendship with Bollywood Superstar Salman .KDQ" Âł, UHDOO\ GRQÂśW KDYH DQ\WKLQJ WR VD\ about that. In fact, I wouldn’t even say he was a great friend of mine. All I do want to say is that he’s a great human being, and I have immense respect, especially, with what he does for Being Human. It’s a charity that every celeb should support. Because, you know, celebrities make a lot of people aware of what they should be doing. So like I said, I

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have immense respect for him. And that’s all.â€? So – there’s no truth to the talk that he’s been JLYLQJ KHU D KHOSLQJ KDQG ZLWK KHU FDUHHU" “Nope. What I’ve done, I’ve done on my own by working hard. I don’t think anyone is helping me get anywhere right now,â€? says this sultry siren, distinctly amused. “And I’ve no complaints with whatever I’m doing either. I work at what I like, and I work hard.â€? It looks like controversies won’t stop dogging her: What about the fracas surrounding the UHOHDVH RI KHU 0DOD\DODP ÂżOP 3RNNLUL 5DMD GXEEHG LQWR 7DPLO DV 5DMD 3RNNLUL 5DMD" She had, reportedly, lodged a complaint against the producers of the Malayalam original, with the South Indian Film Artists Association, over her remuneration. “See, I only said that since the movie was made in Malayalam and I had a contract with them, they would have to pay me a certain amount of money, a certain compensation if they wanted to dub and release it anywhere else. It’s just a way of honouring a contract. Not about anything else. That’s always the norm. Which they haven’t done. When you sell the ULJKWV HVSHFLDOO\ ZKHQ \RX GXE D ÂżOP \RX pay the actors a certain sum, unless it’s not in the contract. All I ask is that the terms of my contract be honoured.â€? In the meanwhile, Shriya has withdrawn the complaint after the producer Pandian had a talk with her and her parents. Fair enough. What does she think the future KROGV IRU KHU QRZ" Âł, GRQÂśW SODQ DQ\WKLQJ Âą not even for tomorrow,â€? she laughs, “I just want to keep doing what I’m doing. I want to go on learning. I just want to have fun.â€?

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,W LV WKDW WLPH RI WKH \HDU ZKHQ DOO WKH PRYLH EXIIV DUH ÂżJKWLQJ LW RXW WR JHW WKHLU ÂżUVW GD\ ÂżUVW VKRZ WLFNHW WR ZDWFK WKHLU IDYRXULWH KHURHV on screen. Pavithra Srinivasan tracks the biggest Tamil New Year releases that have rocked the industry

“Ah, April. I remember the time when we KDG EDFN WR EDFN ÂżOPV OLQHG XS IRU UHOHDVH on the 14th, on Tamil New Year’s Day,â€? sighs Manoj, a long-term movie fan – particularly of Superstar Rajinikanth. “You know, Veera, &KDQGUDPXNKL DQG VR PDQ\ RWKHU ÂżOPV ZHUH all released on that date. Even Sivaji was supposed to have released on April 14 2007. They had to push it to June because of postproduction work, but the idea was to release it on Tamil New Year’s Day.â€? Such was the magnetic pull of April 14, traditionally, Tamil New Year’s Day; auspicious in itself as the harbinger of a new year, and important for another reason – it XVXDOO\ VLJQLÂżHG WKH EHJLQQLQJ RI WKH VXPPHU holidays, and people thronged to movie-halls to join the celebration. April 14th saw the UHOHDVH RI PRUH WKDQ WZR ÂżOPV DW WKH YHU\ least, with three or more stars vying for boxRIÂżFH DWWHQWLRQ (YHQ LQ WKH \HDU ZKHQ Rajinikanth’s Chandramukhi and Vijay’s Sachien were both released on New Year’s 'D\ &KDQGUDPXNKL ZDV WKH FOHDU ER[ RIÂżFH

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winner – and Sachien managed to clock respectable returns as well. But the heydays of April 14 were certainly in the decades before. Even if not on the exact date, Rajinikanth’s Arunachalam released four days prior to it, on the 10th of April, LQ 7KH ¿OP UHFHLYHG VRPH VFDWKLQJ reviews but went on to do good business. +H\ LW ZDV D 6XSHUVWDU ¿OP DIWHU DOO In 1999, it was the turn of director Kathir, who came up with some great romantic movies, to taste success: His Kadhalar Dhinam ran to packed halls. It even put the Vijaykanth starrer Periyanna (which also starred then newcomer Suriya), into the shade. But then, that was the whole point of such New Year’s Day releases: heroes competed with one another for a taste of success at the BO, and had fans screaming in jubilation. Like Ilaya Thalapathy Vijay’s mass following, for example. The star, like many before him, had tasted success often on festival openings, and the Tamil New Year’s Day has certainly been kind to him, more than once. His Thamizhan, released on April 12, 2002, was lapped up by the masses, despite some confusion by the release of the Prashanth-starrer Thamizh. But the biggest of them all came the next year, in 2004: Ghilli, a remake of the Telugu hit Okkadu, EHFDPH D PDPPRWK ZLQ DW WKH ER[ RI¿FH a blockbuster among blockbusters that catapulted Vijay straight into superstardom. After that, it seemed there was no looking back for him.

Even veteran directors like Mani Ratnam believed in the magical powers of April 14: His romantic Alaipayudhey was released on that day in 2000, eventually becoming D ERQD¿GH KLW ,W HYHQ SURYHG IRUWXQDWH for his home production directed by Azhagamperumal, Dumm Dumm Dumm the next year, which starred Madhavan and -\RWKLND WKH ¿OP ZDV D KLW Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan, though not a believer in such sentiments, has tasted success on Tamil New Year’s Day, as well: His laugh-out-loud romantic comedy Kaadhala Kaadhala was released in 1998, and was a success, while Vasool Raja MBBS, a remake of the Hindi blockbuster Munnabhai MBBS, was a hit as well. Even Supreme Star Sarathkumar was awash with victory in 2003, when his Arasu won at WKH ER[ RI¿FH ZKLOH $MLWKœV 7KLUXSDWKL ZDV D respectable winner, in 2006. Of course, these were hits that were usually accompanied by at least half-a-dozen middle WR ORZ EXGJHW ¿OPV WKDW ZLVKHG WR FDSLWDOLVH on the festival feeling and those who couldn’t catch their favourite stars in action, on the ¿UVW VKRZ RI WKH ¿UVW GD\ XVXDOO\ ZHQW LQ for them.

they did, they made sure to open either in the ¿UVW RU ODVW ZHHN OLNH 3DL\\D and Ko (2011). Now though things are back to square one, the present AIADMK government has changed the New Year back, which means it still falls on April 14. But sadly, this year too, April 14 sees no major movies being released. With the new decree that stars can UHOHDVH WKHLU ¿OPV RQO\ RQ IHVWLYDO GDWHV perhaps the Tamil New Year’s allure will return at least next year. After all, April 14 has always been a date for blockbusters.

But with the late 2000s, it seemed an era was coming to an end: 2007 saw the release of four mid-level movies like Unnaale Unnaale, directed by Jeeva, director Cheran’s Mayakkannadi, and a couple of others, including Kaanal Neer, starring JK Ritish, politician turned-actor. Cheran’s movie was expected to do well, but sadly, it didn’t; Jeeva’s venture turned to be a respectable winner. But with that, it seemed that the run of New Year releases had dried up. 2008 saw no big star releases, for another bigger threat WR ER[ RI¿FH EORFNEXVWHUV LQ $SULO KDG FRPH up: the IPL cricket tournament! In addition, the then-ruling DMK government announced that from 2009, the Tamil New year’s Day would no longer be on April 14, but on January 14, traditionally celebrated as Pongal. That took away some more of the allure, which meant that very few ¿OPV DFWXDOO\ UHOHDVHG LQ $SULO DQG HYHQ LI

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“You know, before this, whenever they announced the National Awards, it always used to be the Bengali and Malayalam ÂżOPV WKDW ZRQ ´ FRPPHQWHG YHWHUDQ ÂżOP maker K Balachander, in an interview with Southscope, last year. “But now, WKLQJV VHHP WR EH FKDQJLQJ 7DPLO ÂżOPV are getting so many accolades on a QDWLRQDO OHYHO ´ That was in 2011 – and it looks like in 2012, the trend has not only stayed true, but actually reaped even more dividends, proving just how fertile the imaginations of our directors are; how intriguing the stories they weave and most of all, how intensely emotional and thoughtprovoking they actually are onscreen, tugging the audiences along with them on compelling journeys. Three directors, one actor and an editor won National Awards this year and the focus, not unnaturally, has been on the directors themselves: Thiagarajan Kumararaja (Swarna Kamal for Best Debut Film of the Year, Aaranya Kaandam); Suseendran (Swarna Kamal, Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, Azhagarsamiyin Kudhirai); Sargunam (Best feature Film in Tamil, Vaagai Sooda Vaa).

(DFK RI WKHVH ¿OPV FKRVH WR KDYH DW WKHLU centre, an off-beat theme that pandered little to commercial tastes and took up strong story-lines – and much more importantly, refused to rely on the starstudded claptrap for their success. All three directors have been in Tamil cinema only for a few years; this is Thiagarajan .XPDUDUDMDœV ¿UVW ¿OP IRU LQVWDQFH while Suseendran has made 4 and 6DUJXQDP ¿OPV UHVSHFWLYHO\ /LNH DQ\ ¿OP WKDW FKRRVHV WKH SDWK OHVV WUDYHOHG they had to face their share of heartaches, changes to scripts, and rejections from artists and producers, before their ZRUN ¿QDOO\ VDZ WKH OLJKW RI GD\ ¹ EXW RQH WKLQJ XQLWHV WKHP DOO D SDVVLRQ IRU ¿OPV and an urge to bring quality story-telling to the silver-screen, sans compromises. Commercial success might have eluded WKHVH ¿OPV LQ D YHU\ VWULFW VHQVH ¹ EXW they’re willing to face almost any adversity to make sure their audiences get to see classic movies. Pavithra Srinivasan catches up with these three National Award winners in a no-holds-barred chat about their movies, their emotions, and what the future holds for them.

Awards aren’t exactly new to this young GLUHFWRU KLV ÂżOP KDV DOUHDG\ ZRQ DFFRODGHV LQ WKH LQWHUQDWLRQDO ÂżOP FLUFXLW and the Grand Jury Award for Best Film at the South Asian International Film Festival, last year. Small wonder, though: Aaranya Kaandam is a hard-hitting movie that gives you a bird’s eye view of the lives of gangsters, their mistresses, their coarse language, shady businesses, a young boy and his grandfather who are caught willynilly in their toils, murder, betrayal – this is a raw, gripping movie that’s unapologetic in its narration. Its characters, like the title WKDW VLJQLÂżHV D IRUHVW DOO EHDU WKH QDPHV of animals, one way or the other, giving us clues to their roles. There’s a thread of subtlety, and a method to the ‘mad’ editing (Editor Praveen also won a National Award IRU WKLV ÂżOP WKDW PDNHV LW DOO FRPH DOLYH

Thiagarajan Kumararaja, Aaranya Kaandam

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Thiagarajan Kumararaja is walking along the Besant Nagar Beach, when I catch up ZLWK KLP IRU D FKDW +HÂśV EHHQ ÂżHOGLQJ D ORW of questions and interviews about his win, RI FRXUVH Âą EXW FRQÂżGHV WKDW PRVW OHDYH him puzzled for an answer. “I mean, they DVN PH ZK\ P\ ÂżOP ZDV QRW D FRPPHUFLDO

VXFFHVV $QG LI , ZLOO PDNH D JRRG ÂżOP LQ the future. Seriously!â€? he groans, amidst laughter. “But I guess what they really want to know is that if I’ll make a FRPPHUFLDO ÂżOP ´ $QG ZLOO KH" ,V WKDW ZK\ KHÂśV ZDONLQJ along the shores, mulling over his next VFULSW" Âł2K QR ´ KH JULQV +H LV KRZHYHU working on a script – or at least on an idea for one. “It will be a different genre, GHÂżQLWHO\ ´ KH VD\V Âł$V WR ZKDW LW GHDOV with, let’s keep it a surprise for the PRPHQW VKDOO ZH"´ Moving on, I Ask him about his reaction to the news of his win – and he says that he

was riding his motor bike when he heard it. “I got the news, said OK, and switched off WKH SKRQH ´ KH FKXFNOHV 7KDWÂśV LW" Âł:HOO , GLG DVN KRZ PDQ\ DZDUGV WKH ÂżOP ZRQ and I was very disappointed that Aaranya Kaandam won only two. I was hoping Yuvan Shankar Raja (music director for the ÂżOP DQG DFWRU 6RPDVXQGDUDP ZRXOG JHW awards as well, but they didn’t.â€? He laughs, but his tone reveals his dismay – throwing VRPH OLJKW RQ KRZ GLIÂżFXOW WKH SDWK ZDV towards this recognition. He is, however, very happy about the award for editing. “We meant it to be a VORZ SDFHG ÂżOP $QG ZKHQ ZH FXW WKH ÂżOP ZH JDYH LW D ORW RI VSDFH $ ORW RI

people had misgivings about the editing, but Praveen was completely OK with the ideas I had. I think he took a big risk with that,â€? he smiles. “We needed to maintain the randomness. What we didn’t want was the straight, linear style, like during the URRVWHU ÂżJKW DQG RWKHU VFHQHV :H QHHGHG that sense of unpredictability, even in the midst of the lethargic pace.â€? So – would he entertain the idea of JRLQJ WKH FRPSOHWHO\ FRPPHUFLDO URXWH" Âł2K \HDK , ZRXOG , PHDQ ÂżOPV OLNH Padaiyappa and Baadshah are complete HQWHUWDLQHUV ULJKW" 6R ZK\ QRW"´

There’s a note of obvious vindication in director Suseendran’s voice, as he responds to the congratulatory messages he’s been receiving, with his National Award IRU KLV ¿OP ZKLFK DOVR QHWWHG KRQRXUV for the lead actor, Appukkutti. The last few months have been a roller-coaster for him: notwithstanding the critical DFFODLP IRU KLV ¿UVW WKUHH ¿OPV +LV ¿UVW commercial venture, Rajapattai opened to scathing reviews and was a washout. What followed was backlash from various sources, with anyone and everyone blaming each other.

Suseendran, Azhagarsamiyin Kudhirai

What is obvious however, is that Suseendran has a great deal to offer, and in his own time. Azhagarsamiyin Kudhirai is a very quaint tale indeed, set in the mountainous villages of the 80s Tamil Nadu and the story that revolves around is a very different one: that of the ornamental horse of the village deity that is stolen. What follows is a hilarious, poignant tale of people, their lives, love, and one man’s quest for his steed. Based on writer Baskar 6DNWKLœV VKRUW VWRU\ WKH ¿OP LV D WDXW engrossing story with Theni’s mountains as the true hero in an era sans TV and cellphones, where nature ruled completely.

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Like many perfectionists, however, Suseendran himself feels that he could have worked more, when it came to the ÂżOP Âł, IHOW , FRXOG KDYH LPSURYHG XSRQ the romance track, with Saranya Mohan – added 2 or 3 scenes to make the love story more intense,â€? he ponders. Also, the WLPLQJ RI WKH ÂżOP ZDV DOO ZURQJ KH VD\V “The producer didn’t suffer any losses, but we shouldn’t have released it at the time the election results were announced,â€? he admits. “But other areas were very good, I think.â€? After Rajapattai’s debacle, will he ever come back to a completely commercial ÂżOP" Âł6HH LI \RX UHPHPEHU WKH DGV WKDW were released at the very beginning of WKH ÂżOP WKH\ VDLG WKDW LW ZDV VXSSRVHG WR be a double-action script. It couldn’t be

Sargunam, Vaagai Sooda Vaa

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done for various reasons – but if I had worked with my own script, I would KDYH KLW VKHHU JROG DW WKH ER[ RIÂżFH ´ he says wistfully. “It would have been a complete commercial bonanza. And people would have accepted me as a mainstream-maker. In this industry, victory and defeat determine everything. I’m not saying I won’t do D PDLQVWUHDP ÂżOP MXVW EHFDXVH RI WKLV failure. But now that Azhagarsamiyin Kudhirai has won the National Award, people are asking me to go back to GRLQJ ÂżOPV OLNH WKLV ´ KH ODXJKV Âł6HH it’s all about winning or losing, in this game. And now, all I want to focus on is the immediate game. What my next goal is going to be. I’m not concerned with the future. I’m just concentrating on the here and now.â€?

He’s working on a new script of course, based in Coimbatore, where he’s doing his research. He won’t mention the genre, but does say that it involves a great deal of leg-work. “Like what I had to do for Naan Mahaan Alla. But it will be different. And LW GHÂżQLWHO\ EH P\ EHVW ÂżOP ´ KH VLJQV RII FRQÂżGHQWO\

It’s the evening of the day the National Awards were announced, and director Sargunam is on the sets of the Pudhiya Thalaimurai TV, participating in a panel GLVFXVVLRQ +LV ¿OP KDV MXVW ZRQ WKH DZDUG IRU %HVW 7DPLO ¿OP KHœV GUHVVHG YHU\ simply in what seems to be a bumble-bee style t-shirt, shaking hands with everyone in sight, almost vibrating where he stands ¹ LWœV QRW GLI¿FXOW WR VHH WKDW KHœV HFVWDWLF with the news, and you can’t help but be infected by the energy.

runs through this story, set amidst a village of brick-layers.

And, of course, most would agree that Vaagai Sooda Vaa richly deserved to win the award. Set in the 60s, it’s the tale of a young man who leaves reluctantly for a barren village, to teach its youngsters. What he really wants is a government job, having grown up in the comparatively modern town of Pudhukottai – but circumstances force him into the rural wilds. He hates it, naturally, and the locals don’t do much to endear themselves to him, including the daughter of the local tea-shop owner. Eventually, with sheer determination and a sense of duty that steals over him despite himself, he does manage to make a change in the people. It’s a tale of perseverance, of a time long gone, values and a romance that are quaint and delicate, not to mention the thread of idealism that

I manage to snatch a few minutes on the VHWV ZLWK GLUHFWRU 6DUJXQDP DQG KLV ÂżUVW emotion is relief. “Naturally, everybody is being very kind to me and I appreciate it. And yes, we did have to face many chalOHQJHV ZKHQ ZH ZHUH DFWXDOO\ ÂżOPLQJ %XW though I knew I had a winner on my hands, we needed to have outside proof that we’re GRLQJ WKH ULJKW WKLQJ QR"´ KH VPLOHV Âł7KH WKLQJ LV XV ÂżOP PDNHUV XVXDOO\ VD\ ZHÂśUH PDNLQJ D GLIIHUHQW ÂżOP EXW LW KDV WR EH YDOLGDWHG ULJKW" ,I LW GRHVQÂśW ZRUN ZH wonder what went wrong. Now that it’s won the National Award, we know for sure ZH PDGH WKH ÂżOP WKH ULJKW ZD\ ´ And, like any successful director, he’s already begun work on his next project. “It’s along the lines of something I haven’t attempted before. I’m doing the story discussion now, with my team, and working on two other projects: one for producer Kalaipuli Thaanu and one for T Siva, of Amma Creations. I can’t tell which one ZLOO EH GRQH ÂżUVW DV ,ÂśP WU\LQJ WR GR ERWK ´ he shares. “But I can promise you that they will be very different from either Kalavaani or Vaagai Sooda Vaa.â€?

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t came alive at the Tamannaah: A doll tha Racha audio launch

wn, please. tivists calm do ac ts gh just ri al m nd her neck; it Uh-oh! Ani the crow arou rm ha ’t dn di Trisha ! her everything died and left

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The shutterbugs are on ove rdrive thanks to hunky Rana Daggubati! Caught on camera during a promotional event for Naa Ishtam promo

Aishwary a Dhanus h in her ‘c look at th o e launch of Sabya ol-your-heels’ at Evoluz sachi’s n ione ew line

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those white shoes...!

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Husbands in Goa

MALAYALAM 90

A pril 2012 | Southscope

Cast: Indrajith, Jayasurya, Asif Ali, Lal, Rima Kallingal, Bhama, Remya Nambeeshan, Praveena Director: Saji Surendran Producer: Ronnie Screwvala Music: MG Sreekumar

Three husbands, who are thick friends too, are on an outing... Jerry is a lawyer at the family court and is ‘happy’ with his wife Teena. Govind, who is a chartered account is married to Abhirami, who is very religious. Arjun is an interior designer and his wife Veena makes her money running a training institute. -HUU\ *RYLQG DQG $UMXQ JHW DORQJ OLNH D KRXVH RQ ÂżUH EXW WKHLU ZLYHV though loving, seem to make things unbearable for them. And at one point of time, they feel they have had enough and set off on a trip. It’s then that a guy named Sunny crosses tracks with them. He joins them and together, they all set off to Goa. Sunny, a cinematographer, drinks a lot and is quarrelsome too. His wife Annie is a lecturer. Temperamentally, he is very different from -HUU\ *RYLQG DQG $UMXQ %XW WKHQ KH VWDUWV LQĂ€XHQFLQJ WKHP DQG slowly, the trio is lured by the cinematographer, not knowing what is in store for them. This forms the plot of Husbands in Goa, directed by Saji Surendran, who had earlier given us Ivar Vivahitharayaal, Happy Husbands and 4 Friends. Indrajith plays Jerry while Jayasurya is Govind and Asif Ali is Arjun. Rima Kallingal plays Teena, Bhama plays Abhirami and Remya

Nambeeshan is Veena. Lal portrays the very interesting Sunny, while Praveena is Annie. Kalabhavan Mani, Suraaj Venjaramoodu and Innocent also play key roles, while Sarayu, Archana and Sonia also do pivotal roles. 6D\V ,QGUDMLWK DERXW KLV UROH DQG WKH ¿OP ³,WœV DQ HQWHUWDLQHU , SOD\ Jerry and am one of the three husbands who want to make the most of their trip to Goa. Jerry is a lawyer in the family court and mostly handles divorce cases, and professionally gets involved with listening to issues between husbands and wives, solving them or getting divorces worked out. At home, he leads a stressful life. He gets up in the morning, washes clothes, cleans, cooks food for himself and his wife and then goes to work. His wife, though she loves him, doesn’t know how to do things. The premise makes for a completely humourpacked entertainer.� Produced by UTV Motion Pictures, Husbands in Goa sees Saji Surendran teaming up once again with his favourite scenarist Krishna 3RRMDSXUD $QLO 1DLU LV WKH FLQHPDWRJUDSKHU 7KH ¿OP LV DW SUHVHQW being shot in Ernakulam and will soon move over to Goa, where the real fun will begin. - Unni R Nair

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SHIVA

KANNADA 92

A pril 2012 | Southscope

Cast: Shivarajkumar, Ragini Dwivedi, Rangayana Raghu Director: Om Prakash Rao Producer: RS Productions Music: Gurukiran

6KLYD KDV KLW KHDGOLQHV QRW RQO\ EHFDXVH DFWLRQ ÂżOP GLUHFWRU 2P Prakash Rao and Superstar Shivarajkumar (Shivanna) have joined hands after a long gap of 11 years; it will also be the Superstar’s 101st movie! Naturally, Shiva had to be different, and the director has ensured it will be a visual treat. “I am very eager to see this movie hit the screens. The shot composition is amazing. It is easily one of the PRVW VW\OLVK PRYLHV HYHU PDGH LQ WKH .DQQDGD ÂżOP LQGXVWU\ , WKRURXJKO\ HQMR\HG ZRUNLQJ RQ WKLV SURMHFW 7KLV LV P\ ÂżUVW ÂżOP with Shivanna, and I am thrilled,â€? says co-star Ragini Dwivedi.

riding skills are laudable. But, according to Shivanna, performing the role of a jockey was challenging. In the movie, the actor got to choose his favourite horse. “Yeah, this is one project which has been delayed unnecessarily. Eventually, everything has fallen into place, DQG , DP VDWLVÂżHG ZLWK WKH RXWFRPH %HOLHYH PH LW LV JRLQJ WR EH different,â€? summarises Shivarajkumar. - Aravind G Shivakamal

6KLYDQQD SOD\V WKH UROH RI D MRFNH\ IRU WKH ÂżUVW WLPH LQ KLV FDUHHU Though the title appears to be mythological, Shiva is about the good Samaritan who helps the downtrodden. However, the route he takes is conventional, the details of which the director is not ready to reveal. “This is a dream-come-true. I have always wanted to direct Shivarajkumar in this particular role. The project has been in the pipeline for the last two years. I have tried to portray Shivanna in a new style,â€? says Om Prakash Rao, whose two previous ventures with the Superstar were blockbusters. Incidentally, the movie is behind schedule, and Shiva could lose WKH WDJ RI EHLQJ 6KLYDUDMNXPDUÂśV VW ÂżOP LI GLUHFWRU 5DR GRHV QRW FRPSOHWH WKH SHQGLQJ ZRUN TXLFNO\ %XW 5DJLQL LV FRQÂżGHQW WKDW the movie will hit the screens shortly, “Because Shiva is Shivanna’s VW ÂżOP WKH UHVSRQVH ZH JRW DW WKH VKRRWLQJ ORFDWLRQV DOO RYHU the state was amazing. We had a tough time controlling the crowds; everyone wanted to get close to him!â€? At the Bangalore Turf Club, Shivanna’s fans turned up in huge numbers to see their hero play the role of a jockey, forcing Rao to suspend the shoot for some time. Fortunately, there were no ‘unsavoury’ incidents on the sets, while the otherwise-strict Rao maintained his cool throughout the VKRRWLQJ RI WKH PRYLH $W WKH DFWRU LV RQH RI WKH PRVW ÂżW DQG KHDOWK FRQVFLRXV DFWRUV LQ WKH .DQQDGD ÂżOP LQGXVWU\ DQG KLV KRUVH

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RAM CHARAN TEJA IN A DUAL AVATAR

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Cast: Ram Charan Teja, Kajal Aggarwal Director: VV Vinayak Producer: DVV Danayya Music: Thaman

This combination was waiting to happen and has indeed come at the ULJKW WLPH )RU QRZ WKH PRYLH LV WLWOHG D ¾5DP &KDUDQ 9LQD\DNœ ¿OP in which Ram Charan Teja will be seen in a dual role – a venture that KDV JHQHUDWHG D ORW RI FXULRVLW\ LQ WKH 7HOXJX ¿OP LQGXVWU\ Kajal Aggarwal is one of the two female leads, and Amala Paul’s name is being discussed for the second heroine. The movie was launched on November 11, 2011 amidst much fanfare with Ram &KDUDQ 7HMDœV PRWKHU 6XUHNKD FODSSLQJ WKH ¿UVW VFHQH 7LOO GDWH D IHZ breathtaking action sequences have been canned in various parts of +\GHUDEDG 6RPH RI WKH YLVXDO HIIHFWV RI WKH QLJKW ¿JKWLQJ VHTXHQFHV are supposed to be stunning. The shooting was on in full swing in various parts of Andhra Pradesh during February. Ram Charan is paired with Kajal Aggarwal again after Magadheera, and his hyperactive fans are already on imagination overdrive mode, waiting to watch them together again! Having directed almost all the A-list actors in Telugu, VV Vinayak KDV QRZ URSHG LQ 5DP &KDUDQ 7KLV ¿OP ZLWK 5DP &KDUDQ ZLOO EH D thriller with plenty of action. According to sources, the star actor has trained for several days for the stunt sequences and has performed a IHZ GDUH GHYLO VWXQWV RQ KLV RZQ ³7KH ¿JKW VHTXHQFHV ZHUH VKRW LQ

the night, which made them even more dangerous. But Ram Charan H[HFXWHG WKHP ÀDZOHVVO\ ZLWK KLV VLJQDWXUH VW\OH DQG ZLWKRXW D hitch,� a member of the production unit beams proudly. But unfortunately, the shooting had to be suspended for three weeks DV 5DP &KDUDQ ZDV LQMXUHG LQ WKH ¿JKW VHTXHQFH RI KLV RWKHU ¿OP Racha, which was under production then. Consequently, the shooting of this untitled venture has been pushed further. Thaman has composed the music with a focus on romantic songs, featuring the two female leads. Vinayak intends to complete shooting the solo portions of Ram Charan, and then start the schedule with .DMDO 7KH ¿QDO SDUW RI WKH VFKHGXOH ZLOO IHDWXUH 5DP &KDUDQ DQG WKH second female lead. The director and producer intend to announce the title of the movie sometime in May depending on the progress of the shooting. Needless to say, we are all ears and waiting‌ - Aravind G Shivakamal

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THAANDAVAM

TAMIL 96

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Cast: Vikram, Anushka Shetty, Amy Jackson, Santhanam Director: AL Vijay Producer: UTV Motion Pictures Music: GV Prakash

“I want to experiment with all genres,â€? is how director AL Vijay expressed his earnest desire when he made his debut movie, Kireedam. True enough, he has carved a niche for himself with his aesthetic style. Be it Kireedam which established Ajith in a new avatar, or Poi Solla Porom that achieved incredulous success, the director has been showcasing his adeptness in handling any subject. While Madarasapattinam took us back to an ancient Chennai, Deiva Thirumagal (DTM), regarded a milestone in Vikram’s career, was an emotional drama. The moviemaker is now set to create magic in a new style. Stepping out of his comfort zone of romance and family genres, 9LMD\ÂśV XSFRPLQJ ÂżOP 7KDDQGDYDP ZLOO EH DQ H[FHSWLRQDO WUHDW IRU WKH DXGLHQFHV &KL\DDQÂśV IDQV PLJKW KDYH VHHQ WKHLU LGRO Ă€H[LQJ KLV muscles and beating up baddies, but Thaandavam will be strikingly out of his usual style, and will see him in a new incarnation. Director Vijay’s association with UTV Motion Pictures dates back WR KLV FRPPHQGDEOH ÂżOP 3RL 6ROOD 3RURP UHPDNH RI WKH +LQGL PRYLH .KRVOD .D *KRVOD :LWQHVVLQJ KLV GLUHFWRULDO SURÂżFLHQF\ the producers had approached him to wield the megaphone for a big budget movie, which didn’t happen. But with his excellent work in 'HLYD 7KLUXPDJDO WKH\ GHFLGHG WR GLVWULEXWH DQG UHOHDVH WKH ÂżOP worldwide. It is noteworthy that UTV Motion Pictures made an RIÂżFLDO DQQRXQFHPHQW RI 7KDDQGDYDP SULRU WR WKH UHOHDVH RI '70 “Anushka held my hand and guided me through the times of GLIÂżFXOW\ LQ '70 DQG QRZ LWÂśV P\ WXUQ ´ MRNHV 9LNUDP ZKLOH VKHGGLQJ OLJKW RQ KLV FKDUDFWHULVDWLRQ LQ WKLV ÂżOP 9LNUDP DQG $QXVKND 6KHWW\ÂśV FODVV\ FORWKHV DV VHHQ LQ WKH ÂżUVW ORRN LPDJHV KDYH already created a stir amongst fans.

7KH ¿OP ZHQW RQ ÀRRUV IURP WKH ¿UVW ZHHN RI 'HFHPEHU ZKHUH WKH ÀDVKEDFN VFHQHV LQYROYLQJ 9LNUDP DQG $QXVKND ZHUH VKRW LQ DQG around Delhi. The crew deserves a special mention for having been able to shoot some important sequences at the iconic Jama Masjid, where permission is not usually granted. According to sources, since WKH PRQXPHQWDO PRVTXH SOD\V DQ LPSRUWDQW EDFNGURS LQ WKH ¿OP WKH FUHZ UHFHLYHG DQ HDV\ QRG IURP WKH RI¿FLDOV WR VKRRW WKHUH 7KH spellbinding melody, Oru Paadhi Kanavu Neeyadi tuned by GV Prakash to the lyrics of Na Muthukumar was shot in the charming locales of Old Delhi. The collaboration of Vijay and GV Prakash has been a treat for music lovers. The romantic melodies by this young music director in Vijay’s movies are evergreen hits, starting from Akkam Pakkam in Kireedam to Pookkal Pookkum Tharunam in Madaraspattinam, and Vizhigalil Oru Vaanavil in Deiva Thirumagal. And this one isn’t going be an exception. Since Vijay is busy pursuing the best locations in the USA for his next schedule, GV is sharing his music through Skype to ensure that the work is completed on time. Nirav Shah, the man with the Midas touch, is back in Vijay’s camp to fascinate us with his cinematography. Besides Anushka, there is yet another attraction for the audiences; Amy Jackson plays an important role, while Santhanam is all set to tickle your funny bone with his trademark humour. The producers are planning to complete the VKRRWLQJ E\ WKH HQG RI 0D\ DQG UHOHDVH WKH ¿OP NHHSLQJ LQ PLQG WKH RWKHU ¿OP ¹ 0XJDPRRGL ZLWK -LLYD 1DUDLQ DQG 3RRMD +HJGH WKDW LV scheduled to hit screens between May and July.

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The younger audiences have more access to media information from the West, be it in music RU ¿OPV VR LQ RUGHU WR DSSHDVH WKHLU FUDYLQJV IRU DOO WKLQJV +ROO\ZRRG PXVLF GLUHFWRUV KDYH heavily borrowed from popular tunes. But now its song writers who are peppering their lyrics with everything that they consider is the most ‘it’, ‘in’ and ‘happening’ thing on the block. That’s what has given rise to lyrics such as these, say Nandini T Reddy and Aravind * 6KLYDNDPDO 1RZ WKH TXHVWLRQ UHDOO\ LV WKDW DUH WKHVH (QJOLVK ZRUGV DGGHG IRU ÀDYRXU IXQ RU MXVW ODFN RI DQ\ RWKHU DUWLVWLF ZD\ WR VSLFH XS D VRQJ 7LOO WKH VRQJZULWHUV ¿JXUH WKLV one out we are stuck grooving to these hit numbers!

Movie: Jalsa (Telugu) Song: Jennifer Lopez -HQQLIHU /RSH] VNHWFK JHHVLQWDWWXJD YXQGLUR HH VXQGDUL FRPH RQ FK JHHVLQWDWW HVLQDWWXJD YXQG +H\ %ULWQH\ 6SHDUV QL SULQW WHHVLQDWWXJD YXQGLUR HH FDGEXUU\ Oh.. nadume chuste shakira daanni antunkunnaa cheyye lucky ra.. 1DGDNH FKXVWH %H\RQFH EDE\ QDYYLQGDQWH NKDOODVH 1DGDNH F -HDQV SDQW YHVXNXQQD -DPHV %RQG JXQQX ODQWL NDQQX NRWWL FKDPSDPDDNXUD D -DPHV %RQG JX %ODFN EHOW SHWWXNXQL -DFNLH FKDQ ODDJD QRQFKDON WLSSDPDDNXUR Q ODDJD QRQFKDON WLSSDP /DG\ NDOOD ODVHUH QXYYD SDUDGLVH ÀDYRXUH QXYYD 2[\JHQ QLPSXNXQQD 678'(176 +$1* 287 ERPEXYD 6D[RSKRQH YDPSXYH QXYYD 2[\JHQ QLPSXNX Volcano volts high current va olcano ki best friend va .. veyyi v 9D\DVX PHHGD YDDOXWXQQD WRUQDGR QXYYD (DUWKTXDNH WKXQGHUH QXYYD YD (DUWKTXDNH WKXQGHUH QXYYD 1HH UHQGX NDOOX UDGLXP GLDOVDD QHH SHGDYXOX SODWLQXP ÀRZHUVDD Nuvvu hello ante romancea , nee silence ayina violence aa... Hey titanic heroine part 2 nuvvani navvutunna Monalisa mothukodaa 3OD\ER\ FKXSXOXQQD VDPXUDL VXPRODQWD VDODDP NRWWDUD L O O N

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Movie: Vaanam (Tamil) Song: Evan di unna pethan (YDQ 'L 8QQD 3HWKDDQ Avan Kaila Kedacha Seththaan Seththaan Seththaan (YDQ 'L 8QQD 3HWKDDQ Avan Kaila Kedacha Seththaan Seththaan Seththaan , )HHO /LNH .LVVLQJ <RX , )HHO /LNH 7RXFKLQJ <RX , )HHO /LNH +ROGLQJ <RX , )HHO /LNH ORRNLQJ VZHHW ORYH WR \RX (Q )DFHERRN VWDWXV¶XP 1HHWKDQ En Twitter Tweeting’um Neethan En Skype Call’um Neethan Neethan (Q %%0¶XP 1HHWKDQ (Q )DFH 7LPH¶XP 1HHWKDQ (Q ,SKRQH ,SDG (ODPDH 1HHWKDQ (Q ,7XQHV 3OD\OLVW 1HHWKDQ Athil Love songs’um Neethan

Movie: Super (Kannada) Song: Sikkapatte Istapatte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BACHELOR PARTY MALAYALAM Cast: 3ULWKYLUDM ,QGUDMLWK .DODEKDYDQ Mani, Rahman, Asif Ali, Vinayagan, Nitya Menon, Remya Nambeeshan, Sambath Director: Amal Neerad Producer: $PDO 1HHUDG 3URGXFWLRQV Music: 5DKXO 5DM

Amal Neerad, who is a product of the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata and who groomed himself as a cinematographer under Ram Gopal Varma, had made his entry into Malayalam &LQHPD ÂżUVW DV D FLQHPDWRJUDSKHU ZLWK %ODFN DQG WKHQ as a director with Big B. After Big B, Amal Neerad directed Sagar Alias Jackie and Anwar, and is now on WR KLV IRXUWK ÂżOP %DFKHORU 3DUW\ Âł%DFKHORU 3DUW\ ZLOO EH D ÂżOP ZLWK D GLIIHUHQFH ´ VD\V Amal adding, “It is not the story of a single hero, but the stories of a bunch of characters, played on screen by some of the most versatile actors in the Malayalam ÂżOP LQGXVWU\ ´ 7KH ÂżUVW ÂżOP WR EH SURGXFHG E\ $PDO 1HHUDG Productions, Bachelor Party tells the story of a group of friends, who come together once again after their FROOHJH GD\V 7KH ÂżOP ]RRPV LQ RQ WKH KDSSHQLQJV

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during a trip planned by them, panning a period of three days. It’s not just Prithviraj, Indrajith, Kalabhavan Mani, Asif and Rahman who play the key roles; Vinayagan too would be pivotal to the theme. Nitya Menon, Remya Nambeeshan, Lena, Ashish Vidyarthi and Sambath also play prominent characters. “It’s a coming together of some of the best performers we have; You will see all of them in a way that you have never seen them before,â€? says Amal. Bachelor Party is based on the script by Unni R and Santhosh Echikkanam, while Rafeek Ahamed is in charge of the lyrics, which is set to Rahul Raj’s tune. 7KH ÂżOP LV FXUUHQWO\ EHLQJ VKRW LQ (UQDNXODP 0XQQDU and Madurai. - Unni R Nair

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B Unnikrishnan, the scenarist-turned-director who had directed Smart City, Madamby, IG, Pramani and Thriller, now teams up once again with Mohanlal (second time after Madamby) to deliver Grandmaster, which is produced by reputed production and distribution house, UTV Motion Pictures. Priyamani, who was last seen in Malayalam in Ranjith’s Pranchiyettan and the Saint, plays the heroine and Narain too plays a key role. This is the ¿UVW WLPH WKDW 3UL\DPDQL LV DFWLQJ RSSRVLWH 0RKDQODO though she had earlier got an offer to act with him in Priyadarshan’s Arabiyum Ottakavum P Madhavan Nairum. Grandmaster tells the story of Chandrashekharan, ZKR LV DQ RI¿FHU ZLWK WKH 0HWUR &ULPH 6WRSSHU &HOO and is of the IG rank. Chandrashekharan, who is a brilliant chess player, was once a brilliant cop too and

GRANDMASTER MALAYALAM Cast: 0RKDQODO 3UL\DPDQL 1DUDLQ Anoop Menon, Devan etc. Director: % 8QQLNULVKQDQ Producer: 879 0RWLRQ 3LFWXUHV Music: Deepak Dev

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made moves with the same deftness that he showed in the game of chess. But the present is entirely different. His wife, Deepthi, who is a criminal lawyer, is no longer with him. They have separated and Chandrashekharan is now just a pale shadow of his earlier self. He has lost all interest in his job and life just goes on for him. It’s in this context that ADGP Fernandez entrusts him with a very important and complicated case. Fernandez also gets a young RI¿FHU .LVKRUH WR DVVLVW &KDQGUDVKHNKDUDQ ,WœV IURP here that this interesting story takes off. Mohanlal is Chandrashekharan, while Priyamani plays Deepthi. Narain dons the role of Kishore and Devan is Fernandez. With such a stellar cast, we can be assured of absorbing performances. Also in key roles are Anoop Menon, Roma, Riyaz Khan, Jagathy Sreekumar, Siddique, Babu Antony and Mithra Kurien.

“It’s all from real life, in a way. I mean there is QRWKLQJ LQ WKLV ÂżOP WKDW \RX GRQÂśW JHW WR VHH LQ UHDO life,â€? says Unnikrishnan, adding, “I personally know many people like Chandrashekharan, the protagonist and I am narrating the story in a totally urban background. This would be very different from Madamby.â€? B Unnikrishnan has penned the script, while Vinod Illambally is the cinematographer and Manoj, the editor. Deepak Dev scores the music for Grandmaster, which is likely to be Mohanlal’s big Vishu (April) release this year. We wish the producers UTV Motion Pictures and the cast and crew of Grandmaster a masterstroke of success at the %R[ 2IÂżFH - Unni R Nair

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TOPIWALA KANNADA Cast: 8SHQGUD %KDYDQD 5DQJD\DQD Raghu Director: 6ULQLYDV 5- 6ULQL

Producer: 56 3URGXFWLRQV Music: V Harikrishna

Upendra’s stunning new look in his upcoming movie, Topiwala has become the talk of Sandalwood. Topiwala presents Uppi in a new avatar, which is now being imitated by his contemporaries. Talking of innovation and creativity, Uppi is always in the forefront, and with Topiwala, this maverick actor-director has started yet another trend. Much of the credit for styling Uppi in the role of a ‘hunk’ goes to MG Srinivas (RJ Srini), the director. As an RJ, Srini was extremely popular for his witty dialogues. He also directed a movie titled Simply Kail Awesome, which won several awards. Now, he has joined hands with Uppi to present a Hollywood-style movie. Though Srini developed the original storyline, Uppi has

re-written the story and screenplay. “It has an interesting story. I cannot reveal much. But be assured that this full-length commercial fare will be a cracker of a movie, with elements of comedy and satire. People will love it,â€? asserts Uppi, who is deeply involved in the project. Srini has roped in Bhavana for the female lead UROH RSSRVLWH 8SSL Âł,W ZLOO EH D VW\OLVK ÂżOP guaranteed. I am sure that Topiwala will usher in D QHZ VW\OH LQ WKH LQGXVWU\ DV IDU DV ÂżOP PDNLQJ LV FRQFHUQHG , DP VDWLVÂżHG ZLWK WKH RXWFRPH so far,â€? declares Srini. In a few instances, Uppi reminds us of the character he played in the

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blockbuster, Raktha Kanneer - the movie which took Uppi’s popularity to a new high. As the title suggests, Topiwala is a person who tries to cheat others. In the movie, every character is a Topiwala trying to make a quick buck off someone else. “The suspense is revealed towards the end, where the original Topiwala is LGHQWLÂżHG 7KH PRYLH LV D W\SLFDO WDLORU PDGH ÂżOP for Upendra, but he is being presented in an ultramodern style,â€? points out Srini. $ VLJQLÂżFDQW SRUWLRQ RI WKH PRYLH KDV DOUHDG\ been completed with most of the shooting taking

place in and around Bengaluru. The styling of Upendra and his costumes have been done by the actor’s personal stylist and designer, Shachina. At present, Uppi is riding high on success following his return to direction with the EORFNEXVWHU 6XSHU +LV SUHYLRXV ¿OP Aarakshaka was critically-acclaimed for his DFWLQJ DQG KLV QH[W ¿OP *RGIDWKHU LQ ZKLFK KH plays three different roles, is ready for release. +H KDV FRPSOHWHG VKRRWLQJ IRU \HW DQRWKHU ¿OP titled, Kalpana. With Topiwala also expected to release shortly, it seems like 2012 certainly belongs to Uppi!

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Tentatively scheduled for an end of April release, 'DPPX LV D WUXH EOXH -U 175 ¿OP DOO WKH ZD\ 7KH ¿OP LV VXSSRVHG EH WDLORU PDGH IRU -U NTR’s huge legion of fans with plenty of action, URPDQFH DQG HPRWLRQ ¿OOHG VHTXHQFHV 3URGXFHU 9DOODEKD LV VXSHU FRQ¿GHQW DERXW WKH VXFFHVV RI movie, which has been shot extensively all over Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. In addition, ace director SS Rajamouli has already spoken very highly about Dammu, which has fuelled the excitement surrounding the movie further. The biggest attraction of Dammu is of course, Jr. 175 %XW WKH QH[W FRXOG EH WKH PXVLF RI WKH ¿OP MM Keeravani has composed very energetic

DAMMU TELUGU Cast: -U 175 7ULVKD .ULVKQDQ .DUWKLND 1DLU %KDQXSUL\D Director: %R\DSDWL 6ULQX Producer $OH[DQGHU 9DOODEKD Music: M M Keeravani

tracks, one of which is specially shot on Jr. NTR. The shooting of this particular track, which is supposed to be in the form of a shloka praising Jr. NTR, has generated a lot of hype and excitement among the star’s fans. Being paired with a huge star like Jr. NTR could provide a major break for Trisha, who hasn’t had an exciting run in the last couple of years. Dammu was in fact supposed to feature Shruti Haasan, who subsequently backed out because of date hassles. The producer’s next choice was Kajal Aggarwal, who again did not have the required dates. Their loss turned out to be Trisha’s windfall gain and she stepped in. This LV KHU ¿UVW ¿OP RSSRVLWH -U 175 DQG FRXOG

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create more opportunities for her to act opposite younger stars in Telugu cinema. Trisha sizzles in Dammu in a romantic role, according to members of the production unit. If their version is to be believed, there are supposed to be a couple of intimate scenes involving the lead pair as well! The makers of Dammu have provided a completely different image for Jr. NTR’s character in the movie; he appears in a dual role, playing the roles of cop and a feudal lord. Director Srinu has roped in well-known stunt director Ram Lakshman to can some deathdefying stunts for Dammu. Apparently, Jr. NTR was at complete ease performing the stunts.

Karthika is the second female lead of Dammu and she gets to romance Jr. NTR’s second character. Though this is just her second Telugu movie, Karthika has agreed to play the second female lead in Dammu, because it is opposite Jr. NTR. Can she expect a better launch pad than WKLV SURMHFW" $FFRUGLQJ WR XQFRQ¿UPHG UHSRUWV Dammu has already made 40 crores through the sale of distribution rights in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, one of the highest sums in recent times. We can’t wait to see Jr. NTR scorch the screens with Dammu and wish him and the entire team the very best. - Aravind G Shivakamal

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What do the stars have to say to the stars? Read on

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Aquarius (January 20-February 18): The need to work on personal and intimate relationships are heightened for stars like Shruti Haasan. April will make you, Rana Daggubati and STR, feel a little more playful, and love matters will be blown out of proportion to create excitement. But, that’s no problem ULJKW" %HFDXVH \RX OLNH LW WKDW ZD\ IRU the time being!

Pisces (February 19-March 20): All actors, listen up: this is the time when you will need to walk the talk, stand by your beliefs and convictions. At this time, your interactions with others and with the outside world in general can be confusing and dull. Not a best month to look for personal recognition.

Aries (March 21-April 19): For Sonia Agarwal, a self-guided detox routine is the need of the hour. It might be a good time to make a thorough scrutiny of the real person, an KRQHVW DVVHVVPHQW RI \RXU IDFH ÂżJXUH health and assets and seek to implement a make-over where necessary. Check where there is room for improvement and take positive action immediately.

Leo (July 23-August 22): For Dhanush, this is a month of exaltation, true spirituality, intellectual and moral growth – a truly cosmic gift. Liveliness and FRQ¿GHQFH DUH KLJK DQG \RX FDQ DWWDLQ your objectives at a rapid pace now. An energising and inspiring phase in which you have abandon of faith and hope, of FRQ¿GHQFH LQ \RXUVHOI DQG DZDUHQHVV of your own strengths.

Virgo (August 23-September 22): You are able to stand your ground and assert yourself more than usual this month. You will do your best, Vishal, to make an impression and these attempts are either assisted or challenged by WKH FLUFXPVWDQFHV LQ ZKLFK \RX ÂżQG yourself and by others. Sameera Reddy: your get-up-and-go attitude to move your plans further is enterprising.

Libra (September 23-October 22): It could also happen that now you’re so busy working for others that you have no time for yourself and in the process you miss out a lot of good things of life.

A pril 2012 | Southscope

Taurus (April 20-May 20): Trisha: there could be some rivalry, hard feelings generated, but it is not a time to go overboard. Look at the brighter side and do not dwell on self-pity, try not to see troubles where none exist, or attempt to solve the world’s problems. It might EH D JRRG LGHD WR PDLQWDLQ D ORZ SUR¿OH and be less vocal. It is time for all actors in this star sign to make a special effort to get along with others, both professionally and personally.

Gemini (May 21-June 20): Kajal Aggarwal: you are likely to fall in love with yourself... which may not be a bad thing because it will GHÂżQLWHO\ ERRVW \RXU VHOI HVWHHP ,Q April, you will naturally let your softer, receptive side loose. Romantic matters, as well as pleasure-seeking activities, come to the fore now.

Cancer (June 21-July 22): Personal and social contacts may be mysterious, and there can be secret love affairs, or at least very private love feelings and longings. Shyness can lead to some seclusion or romantic frustration.

Scorpio (October 23-November 21): Your humanitarian inclination may be stirred. The part you play for other people in your life comes to the forefront now. You may experience that your tasks list gets swarming with things to do... usually for other people.

Sagittarius (November 22-December 21): This is a very playful period of the year for stars like Naga Chaitanya and Arya, where they will be inspired creatively and emotionally. After a period of self-preservation, the actors in this star-sign are more spontaneous and willing to take risks. 7KLV LV D ULFK KDSS\ DQG IXOÂżOOLQJ phase, and you will all enjoy it.

Aquarius (January 20-February 18): This month, you are passionate and daring – more than you have ever been! Some agitation and desire for exciting activity is experienced.

A pr i l 2012 | S o u t h sco p e

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RNI No: APENG/2009/29389 |

Regd No: L II/RNP/HD/1118/2010-12 | April 2012.

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