Kochi Film-Entertainment-Media Industry

[vu3nnn]

If Shenoys gets split up into three, it would loose its Vistarama Screen, a landmark in itself

[Malayaali]

Multiplex magic for Malayali

Producers of the just-released Malayalam movie ‘Violin’ plan to put up 15 multiplexes across the state in the next two years. The first among them is expected to start functioning at Angamaly in October. Advantage Overseas Enterprises Pvt Ltd managing director Prashant Narayan said the first multiplex at the Angamaly KSRTC shopping complex will have four screens, a food court and sufficient car-parking space. To promote local arts, there would be a separate section for ethnic cultural arts, he added.

Roughly Rs 12 crore would be invested in each of these multiplexes, he said, admitting that people often kept away from theatres owing to the lack of quality services. The culture of multiplexes would help in supporting the film industry, he felt. Regarding new ventures, Mr Narayan said the company was in talks with a number of directors and scriptwriters. A new film venture will be finalised soon. Film director, Sibi Malayil, said the quality facilities offered at multiplexes would certainly revive public interest in watching movies at theatres. Given this concept taking roots, he felt that the concept of big theatres would go and instead there would be small theatres offering superior facilities, which was needed for the film industry.

DC Kochi

[DileepKS]

Originally Posted by vu3nnn

If Shenoys gets split up into three, it would loose its Vistarama Screen, a landmark in itself

That is so 80's technology. these days, the DLP projectors offer much better experience

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by DileepKS

That is so 80's technology. these days, the DLP projectors offer much better experience

I too agree.... Vistarama is not a landmark anymore, unless we are looking to establish a Cinema Museum. The problem is that, its a Mega theatre with more than 700 seats in one theatre alone.

From where you get 700 to 800 people at a time for a show, considering the poor plight of Malayalam cinema and people having other options.... If broken into small theatres, they can showcases more movies and earn better revenues...

I wonder why they remain with 3 only. Its already 2 screen theatre and the present large hall can itself break into 3 or 4. I wish, if Shenoys plans well, it can become Satyam Cinemas of Kochi!!! Like Satyams, they should consider more innovative approach to the Cineplex, with one or two restaurants inside, a game corner, 24 hour box office, automated touch screen based ticketing, lounge bar etc.

The current building and its interiors is really eyesore and pathetic. Its nice to hear, they have finally decided to give a make-over

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by Malayaali

Multiplex magic for Malayali

Since MAY, we are hearing only positive news!!! Good Going, Kochi

[DileepKS]

ഏഴരശ്ശനി കഴിഞ്ഞു. അതാണ്.

[mohammedirshad06]

Kalakshetra, Chennai, since its inception, has strived to bring purity and dignity to Bharatanatyam. By adding precision and definition to the form, it has brought in a unique style of its own. This was evident in a Bharatanatyam performance in Kochi by Shyamjith Kiran and Viraja Arvind Mandhre, both alumni from the reputed institution.



They work in Singapore and at Kalakshetra, respectively, as teachers of dance. In Kochi, they presented a traditional margam in five exquisite presentations. They started off with a perfectly executed ‘Ganapathi sthuthi.'

Each of the items had a unique flavour as the music comprised violas, cellos, and violins, apart from the usual Carnatic music instruments.

The dancers depicted the various attributes of the elephant god. ‘Arputha nadanam' glorified the dancing avatar of the deity. The duo's costumes were simple, yet elegant.

Melodic varnam

The melodic varnam ‘Innum En Manam' in Charukesi, composed by Lalgudi Jayaraman, was admirably presented by the dancers. The crispness and clarity of choreography was extraordinary, especially in the swaras and jathis. Shyamjith's vigour was in stark contrast to the fluid movements of Viraja, who imbibed the essence of music into her nritya. So synchronised were the two dancers that it was a marvel to view the lucidity and precision in their movements.

The fretful nayika was effectively sketched. Her impatient wait for Lord Krishna was portrayed with grace and skill. Meanwhile, Krishna's playfulness aggravates her anguish. The jathis were rightly paced and the sancharis kept to a minimum, hence avoiding the tedium of a long composition.

Viraja captured the angst of Kunti in a poetic piece ‘Enna cheyguve,' choreographed by A. Janardan. In strains full of deep lament, the character questions why motherhood is a pain for her, while it is a joy for others. The danseuse portrayed the plight of Kunti as she gives birth to, and then abandons Surya's child, Karna.

Shyamjith presented a piece in Sivaranjani on Lord Shiva and he portrayed the grandeur of the Lord's form through bold movements, leaps, and jumps. The closing piece was a tillana, which was full of attractive poses and elegant footwork.

The programme was organised by Dharani Society.

[mohammedirshad06]

The action is happening inside a bungalow at Kakkanad where Jayaram and Vandana are facing the camera for director Raj Babu's ‘Ulakam Chuttum Vaaliban.'

“It's a light hearted entertainer with lots of twists and turns, and some slapstick comedy. We have completed a few days of shooting at Ottappalam and the remaining portion will be shot in Kochi,” says Raj, who has earlier directed films such as ‘Chess,' ‘Kangaroo' and ‘Colours.'

His latest movie narrates the story of a villager named Jayasankar (Jayaram) who runs a wholesale business supplying fresh vegetables sourced from Tamil Nadu. Shoba Mohan plays his mother in the film while Mithra Kurian plays his younger sister, Kalyani. When he incurs a big financial loss, he approaches his relative Sethuraman (Suraj Venjarammoodu), who lives in the city and is believed to be a rich man.

Jayasankar goes to the city and some unprecedented things begin to happen in his life from then on.

Comic encounters

In between, he has some funny encounters with Varsha (Vandana), a television anchor, and her brother, Sajan (Biju Menon), a Circle Inspector.

The scene for the day has Varsha coming to meet Jayasankar. The camera has been mounted on a trolley and before the actors go for a quick rehearsal, Jayaram suggests some mannerisms to be added to his character while delivering the dialogue. The director approves it pronto and the shot is given a thumbs-up after the first take.

“All things go topsy-turvy for Jayasankar when he comes to the city. Everything goes out of his hands and he gets embroiled in one issue after another,” says Jayaram.

Says Vandana, who was seen in films such as ‘Happy Husbands' and ‘Karyasthan,' about her character: “Varsha is bubbly and bold at the same time. She meets the hero when she approaches him to choose a favourite song for her programme.”

The location shifts to Cherupushpam Studios at Udayamperoor the next day, where a room has been converted to look like the inside of a police station. The scene being shot has Biju Menon in conversation with Vandana.

‘Ulakam Chuttum Vaaliban' is being produced under the banner of Galaxy Films. Cinematography is by Anandakkuttan and music direction is by Mohan Sithara. Stills are by Mahadevan Thampi.

[mohammedirshad06]

Veteran director Joshiy is making Sevens, a Malayalam thriller with football as the backdrop. Kunchacko Boban, Asif Ali, Nivin Pauly, Rajith Menon, Kuttu, Vijeesh and Ameer are members of the Sevens football team.



Football tournaments with seven-member teams are quite popular in northern Kerala. The film is being shot in Kozhikode and Kochi.

Bhama and Rima Kallingal play the heroines while old-timer Nadia Moidu is doing an important role as the police commissioner. Nadia's comeback film Doubles, with Mammootty, was a big disappointment.

The script has been written by Dr Iqbal Kuttippuram, whose previous film Arabikkatha, with Lal Jose and Sreenivasan, was a big success.

Camera work is by Ajayan Vincent and Biji Bal scores the music. Sevens is produced by Santosh Pavithram and Sajay Sebastian.
Joshiy has recently directed the hit multi-starrer, Christian Brothers.

[mohammedirshad06]

Multiple screens, latest surround sound, plush leather feel seats and melting popcorn would soon be the norm in Kerala.

The latest news is that the State will house a chain of 15 multiplexes by the end of next year, 2012. And Mollywood, which cries foul on piracy, is excited. Filmmakers feel that this move will attract more audiences to the cinema screens and it will help in curbing piracy too.

Veteran filmmaker Sibi Malayil feels that the multiplex culture can bring back a section of the audience, which prefers watching films on DVDs due to the dearth of good theatres in the State.

“The new multiplexes will attract the elite crowd which seems to be missing from the present theatre scene. And this definitely will prove to be an encouraging trend for the Malayalam film industry.”

As a result, local theaters are also sprucing up their interiors to woo audiences. One of the theatres in Kochi, Vanitha & Vinitha, is in for a makeover and will don a new look within a few months.

The theatre manager, Gopinathan Nair, says, “With a huge chain of multiplexes coming up in our city, our owners also want to provide new facilities. We have some renovation plans lined up. In the first step, the theatre will be air-conditioned and this will be done in a month’s time. And in less six months, the single screen theatre will be split into two plush, small screen multiplexes.”

Youngsters in Kerala are excited too. Movie buff Twiggy Abraham Kalarickal, who works in Kochi, feels that night show experience will be a real treat.

“After a hectic day’s work, nothing beats watching a night show at a multiplex. Girls will find them safer too. You won’t even have to stand in those long queues to buy tickets,” he says.

Multiplexes for Rohit Nair are all about caramel popcorns and swanky seats, which offer him a delightful movie experience.

He says, “The city doesn’t offer much for boys like me at late nights. So theatres are a good bet. And watching films in a multiplex will be pleasurable as they won’t delay the movie screening or cut short the duration of the films, unlike the local theatres.”

The multiplex culture will also help small budget movies, according to Manazy K. Babu, a journalism student from Thiruvananthapuram.

“Today small-budget movies are making it big as films like Malarvadi Arts Club were screened at multiplexes. Multiplexes assure a constant influx of the audience thus providing an relief to the producers, who will in turn be motivated to support small-time filmmakers,” she explains.

However, experts say that there is a long wait ahead. Kochi-based architect Gopakumar, says, “Multiplexes are not independent constructions. It takes a minimum of two years to construct one. Also, multiplexes are expected to have minimum of four screens. I also doubt the feasibility of small theatres being split into two multiplex-like constructions.”

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tablo...plex-mania-850

[DileepKS]

King & Commissioner progressing in Kochi



Director Shaji Kailas' King & Commissioner, starring Mammootty as firebrand district collector Thevallipparambil Joseph Alex IAS and Suresh Gopi as Bharathchandran IPS, is progressing at a brisk pace in Kochi. The film is produced by Anto Joseph.

The story happens in New Delhi, where Joseph Alex IAS and Bharathchandran IPS are working. The two come together to investigate a crime and that is when the excitement begins.

The film has acclaimed theatre and film actor Dr. Mohan Agashe playing the guest role of a Prime Minister. Also in the cast are Samvrutha Sunil, Janardhanan, Sai Kumar, Sanjana, Devan, Ganeshkumar, Nedumudi Venu, Vijayaraghavan and Jagathy Sreekumar among others. Bharani K. Dharan is the cinematographer. The music is composed by Rajamani.

[mohammedirshad06]

In an effort to reach out to students and masses and showcase cultural heritage of the country, the National Museum and National Museum Institute (NMI) will jointly open a Campus Museum at Sacred Heart College here tomorrow.

This is the second such museum in Kerala. Replicas, miniature paintings, and photographs of masterpieces exhibited at the prestigious National Museum, New Delhi, would be displayed at the Campus Museum to begin with. Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, K V Thomas would formally inaugurate the museum, a press release said. Dr C V Ananda Bose, Vice-Chancellor of National Museum Institute and Administrator of National Museum, will deliver the keynote address.

Talking of the initiative, Dr Bose said it was just the beginning of many such museums to come up across the country. "This is a dedicated effort from us to come up with numerous museums in schools and colleges across the country and in the second phase, we will be tieng up with National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and University Grants Commission (UGC). We have already started training the NCERT employees for this initiative", he said. In terms of artefacts to be showcased in the Sacred Heart College, Dr Bose said the National Museum will be displaying 100 authentic replicas of miniature paintings and there will also be replicas of statues and artefacts. It would also display artefacts from local people.

The National Museum wants the students in the country to know about our rich art and culture heritage. The first Campus Museum in Kerala came up in a school in Kottayam. The National Museum and the NMI would provide initial support for the setting up of museums. However, operational responsibilities would be with the host institutions.

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfee...ow/756332.html

[vu3nnn]

One of the theatres in Kochi, Vanitha & Vinitha, is in for a makeover and will don a new look within a few months.

They better. Earlier these were the only theaters between North and Alwaye. They'll surely face the heat from Lulu when they open.

Making over Shenoys and Padma may also be a reaction to the upcoming 11 screen multiplex in Central Mall.

Wonder if Kavitha plans to do anything about it?

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by vu3nnn

They better. Earlier these were the only theaters between North and Alwaye. They'll surely face the heat from Lulu when they open.

Making over Shenoys and Padma may also be a reaction to the upcoming 11 screen multiplex in Central Mall.

Wonder if Kavitha plans to do anything about it?

I wish Matha in also follow the suit. They have enough space even to make into a 5 screen facility. Kavitha is surely going to be in great loss, especially when a 11 screen facility going to come in front of their face

Perhaps, bit of innovation and creativity coupled, they can create an urban entertainment center as they have pretty good space at heart of town. Or otherwise they have sell the space to Abad hotel by which they can upgrade their flagship property into a 4 or 5 star property or even a convention center..... Lets wait and see!!!

[DileepKS]

EVM is not going to sell. Those guys have swimming in money, and eager to expand their kingdom in the city.

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by DileepKS

EVM is not going to sell. Those guys have swimming in money, and eager to expand their kingdom in the city.

EVM really has money and political muscle power.... But that won't make people fill the theatres.... I rarely have seen for couple of years, this theatre ever putting a house-full tag outside the theatre..... Such a large hall, poor facilities and now with increased competition from its own backyard, surely it won't be much easy unless they really invest so hard and go for intensive innovative products.....

[mohammedirshad06]

Malluwoods Ladies go Size Zero, while Heros goes Six Packs

A lady, in her early thirties with long, flowing hair, swathed in a gorgeous silk sari, flaunting her rather plump body, is no longer the concept of today’s heroine.

With the changing times, the trend seems to have turned around and now a size-zero figure is the ‘in’ thing in Malayalam cinema.

The golden ladies like Jayabharathi, Sheela and Vidhubala don’t allure the young any more. The trim frames and curves of Bhavana, Rima and Mamta are what are in vogue today.

The upcoming International Fashion Week at Kochi has already picked up a huge glamour quotient with the cute Mamta Mohandas as its brand ambassador.

So, is Malayalam cinema is becoming fitness-conscious with heroines like gorgeous models, who are more in demand than the talented yet chubby actresses, such as Kavya Madhavan?

“Obviously, size is a really big concern in acting. Kavya Madhavan might be an exemplary actress, the accolades she bags every year is testimony to that fact, yet had she been more health conscious, it would have only accentuated her versatility,” says Vipin Vijay, a Palakkad-based young professional currently.

Vineeth Nair, who works with a shipping firm in United Arab Emirates, explains, “For a long time, none of our heroines bothered much about keeping themselves fit, hence they could not remain in the industry for long. Take the example of Bollywood actresses. Their bodies are their lives and they try everything to look trim and smart — that should be the recipe for a long career. Watching Rima Kallingal and Mamta Mohandas on screen, it’s really refreshing to find that this taste for svelte young heroines is developing in Malayalam cinema too,” he says.

Devi Babu, an IT professional, says there is nothing amazing about the fact that the heroines of Malayalam cinema are growing extremely fitness conscious.

“Today, every girl is conscious about her body. And when it comes to a film personality, it becomes an absolute necessity,” Devi says. She, however, denies that it is in an attempt to cover one’s lack of skill that the focus is heavily on the body.

She says, “Bhavana was a good actress. When she lost weight, her inherent skills were enhanced. After all, you cannot fool the enlightened audience of Kerala, where an actress with a good figure minus the skills can’t remain in the industry for long,” she says.

Rayson Tennyson, a professional from Thiruvananthapuram, feels that the sense of fitness is valid not just with the heroines but the entire cast as well.

“Imagine Indran playing the role of Bharath Chandran IPS! You demand a lot from an actor. An actor is not someone with just a good face; he/she should have a flexible body that fits into the roles he/she is offered with. But still it’s sad that the heroes of Malayalam cinema don’t attach much importance to their bodies. It’s heartening to hear that at least the girls are picking this trend’,” he concludes.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tablo...-zero-last-986

Yesteryear star Jayan continues to enjoy a place among Malayalam film lovers — old and young as one of the fittest actors that Mollywood ever saw.

Over the years, Malayalam cinema saw several new faces. But has looking fit ever been a criterion to make an entry into Kerala’s own tinsel town?

Young actor Asif Ali never had that problem. None of the characters he played demanded a six-pack figure till date.

But if ever the problem arose, he is confident that he can trim down in a matter of days.

“All I need to do is skip my dinner for a week or so and I will be back in shape,” he says.

Also, it seems most young actors take pains to look fit for their fans seem to adore on screen. Actor Narain makes sure he gets his one hour of gym every morning. Indrajith had to go through strict diets on several occasions.

His six-abs figure in Nayagan continues to be one of the most-fit-looking Malayali heroes. So was Prithviraj’s role in Urumi. Ajmal Amir too is another health-conscious young hero.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tablo...-six-packs-976

[mohammedirshad06]

So it all ended.

With the release of the last movie in the Harry Potter series on Friday, the fans who started their journey along with the boy from 1998 bid adieu to their hero in a grand style. The first show of the final movie of the series—‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’— began at Q Cinemas at Gold Souk Grande by 9.40 am.

The movie is also screening at Cinemax in Oberon Mall and Sreedhar Cinemas. Hundreds of Potter fans thronged the theatres to see the final version. A majority of them said that they do not want the series to end. “Harry is one character I grew up with since I was nine. It is really sad to see that the series is going to end with this movie,” said Rohith V S, an engineering student. He said he felt the same way when he read the last book in the series. “But still I felt happy as there were three more movies to watch out for. But now it all ended, as the tagline of the movie says,” he said.

Another diehard Harry Potter fan, Arun Sadanandan, drove all the way from Pandalam to Ernakulam to watch the movie in 3D. “I was thrilled when I came to know that the final part is in 3D. In some scenes, like the death of Voldemort and battle at Hogwarts, the 3D effects were nice. But as a whole, the 3D effects were not up to the mark,” Arun said.

He said that though they had not changed the whole climax, the Harry- Voldemort duel in the end was not as impressive as it was depicted in the book. “The verbal duel between Harry and Voldemort is not included in the movie and it is slightly disappointing,” Arun said.

Meanwhile, another fan, Deepu G Vijayan, believe that there is a potential for a sequel. “That is how Rowling has ended the novel. Albus Severus Potter, Harry’s son, is still there at Hogwarts. So, we cannot rule out the possibility of a sequel,” Deepu said.

But Anila Mathew, an MBA student, begs to differ. “Let J K Rowling come up with another memorable character like Harry who will capture the minds of both children and parents,” she said.

http://expressbuzz.com/entertainment...ia/294826.html

[vu3nnn]

EVM is not going to sell. Those guys have swimming in money, and eager to expand their kingdom in the city.

True. In fact I've heard that Abad had earlier made approaches for a portion or whole of Kavitha, but neither the old owner "Chemeen Babu" or the present owner EVM obliged... and now with property prices touching sky highs, I don't see them parting with it. They can very well construct a hotel in the property or convert the existing theater to a convention center themselves.

In any case, EVM has just acquired the shut down Sui theater in Mattancherry, refurbished it and renamed it as EVM Cinemas, an indication that they are not going to exit the theater scene in Kochi. So perhaps a makeover of Kavitha might be on the cards.

[mohammedirshad06]

"Versatility is my keyword. I’m ready to take up any challenge to establish myself as a flexible actress in the film industry. Chappa Kurishu has only set the beginning,” says beautiful Remya Nambeesan, who is now in the limelight after the controversial kissing scene in her latest movie.

“An actress should always be ready to take risks if her character demands so. Even when I was aware that the two- minute intense scene could create waves, I was sure that it was inevitable as it suited the plot. A sense of necessity made me accept that scene. I think director Sameer Tahir brought out the best in me. In fact, I enjoyed doing the scene,” she says.

Remya is happy that she has been brave and confident enough to act in it. She also hopes that the industry might become bolder in the days to come.

It may be astonishing for the Malayali audience to accept that this is the same demure actress who made small-time appearances in films now and then. She speaks so confidently about cinema and her career graph today.

“It has been a long wait. I started acting in films from 1994. It took 17 years for me to bag the role of Sonia in Chappa Kurishu. So far, I’m receiving the best response, I feel I have done complete justice to my character. All my pains have finally proved fruitful,” says Remya, who has been on a diet and an intense workout regime for the past one year to tone her body.

“My career in Malayalam cinema was moving in a very slow pace till the movie Chocolate happened. I was offered some interesting roles in Tamil after that. Soon, I realised the value of a Malayalam actor, who is being looked upon everywhere. I didn’t want my body to be an impediment in my acting and hence I decided to trim down,” she says.

After making her presence felt in Tamil and Telugu film industries, it was through the film Traffic that Remya started trying different roles in Malayalam cinema.

Though she agrees that Mollywood does not give considerable importance to heroines, Remya is convinced to get noticed from now on.

“I hold no regrets for the frivolous roles I have done so far. Because, every time I performed, I learnt something new, and improved on it. Even when the harshest criticisms reach me, I was only busy polishing myself,” she concludes with a smile.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tablo...-nambeesan-373