Kochi Film-Entertainment-Media Industry

[mohammedirshad06]

Kochi girls rule Kollywoods

After Asin and Amala Paul, here comes another Kochi Girl to rule Kollywoods- Lakshmi Menon

15 years old Lakshmi Menon, an 8th standard school student from Kochi has hit big time in Kollywood.

She got a break as the heroine opposite Vikram Prabhu in Prabhu Solomon directed Kumki.

Prabhu Solomon is currently the hot and happening director after the runaway success of Mynaa.

Solomon the wise guy is also basking on the success of Mynaa whose heroine Amala Paul has also made it big in Tamil cinema.

Lakshmi Menon is also lucky to be paired opposite Vikram Prabhu son of actor Prabhu and grandson of legendary Sivaji Ganesan.

Lakshmi who has no background in movies other than doing a bit role in Malayalam director Vinayan's Raghuvinte Swantham Rasiya, is slowly getting noticed in Kollywood.

http://www.sify.com/movies/lakshmi-m...skIAfjbfc.html

[mohammedirshad06]

A boat jetty near one of the Goshree bridges in Kochi sees a flurry of activity as students of a polytechnic institute, dressed in dark blue uniforms, clamour aboard a boat just as it starts moving.

It's the location for writer-director A.K. Sajan's ‘Asuravithu,' starring Asif Ali and Samvritha Sunil in the lead.

“Asuravithu' is the story of a young man named Don Bosco (Asif Ali). After an unhappy childhood, all he wants is a peaceful life. He is religious, pious and has joined a seminary to become a priest. But sometime later he realises that he is not cut out to be a priest. Meanwhile, he also happens to witness an incident and it changes his life for ever,” says Sajan, director of films such as ‘Stop Violence' and ‘Lanka.'

Contrary to rumours, the director says that ‘Asuravithu' is not a sequel to ‘Stop Violence.' “Though there are some similarities in the mood at certain points, this storyline is more family-oriented,” he explains.

The crew is having a tough time getting the angles perfect inside the moving boat. Asif is a commuter on the boat that is owned by Samvritha, who also doubles up as a conductor. In a corner of the boat, she is busy scribbling on a sheet of paper.

Changing nature

“Don Bosco's nature gradually changes as the film progresses. At this particular point in the story, Don Bosco is a timid polytechnic student living in a seminary. As an actor this is quite an exciting role to essay. I do not like to be categorised in any particular image and this role poses new challenges,” says Asif Ali, who is also working in director Joshiy's ‘Sevens.'

Samvritha says that her character, Martina a.k.a. Marty, “is a bold and vibrant girl. She is also an artist, who often helps cops sketch pictures of suspects from eye-witness accounts. Of course, she has a soft corner for Don Bosco.”

The next day the shooting shifts to a building near U. C. College, Aluva. It's done up to look like the interiors of a seminary. Actor Lena is all set to face the camera. “My character, Angel, is a violin teacher here. It's a very subtle role,” says Lena after completing her shot, while the unit gets ready for the next one with Asif and Samvritha. Siddique, Vijayraghavan, Jagathy Sreekumar, Harisree Asokan, and Ganapathy are also part of the cast.

‘Asuravithu' is being produced by Shaji Thanaparambil under the banner of Leela Creations. Cinematography is by Vishnu Narayan, and music direction is by Alphons and Rajesh Mohan. Stills are by Zas Hamza.

http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2281385.ece

[Malayaali]

'O My Friend' shoot in Kochi

Shooting for her Tollywood film O My Friend with Siddharth and Shruti Haasan at a Kochi resort a few days back, Hansika paid a visit to the famous Devi temple, Chakkulatthukavu Bhagavathy Devi Temple at Thiruvalla in Kerala.

During her break on Friday, the star travelled 60 kilometers from Kochi to pay her respects at the Devi Temple, and the bubbly girl was excited when people in the vicinity of the temple recognized her.

Speaking to DC Hansika said, “My earlier Tamil film, Engeyum Kadhal, has been released here in Kerala. A lot of people recogniSed me when I got down from my car and women came forward to shake hands. It was a pleasant surprise.”

Reportedly the star was given a warm welcome by the temple authorities. She was taken inside for a special darshan.

“It was a heartwarming trip. I also bought a huge Kerala-type traditional lamp for my home and picked up a few small items from the shops outside the temple to gift to my friends,” the Maapillai actress revealed.

cc: DC Kochi

[Malayaali]

Mr Marumakan @ Kochi

Khushboo was injured while shooting for her in-the-making Malayalam film Mr Marumakan at Kochi recently.

Yes, she’s working again. After all her political aspirations ground to a halt when her party DMK was routed in the state elections, yesteryear’s diva of Tamil films has returned to acting.

The actress recently signed a Malayalam film titled Mr Marumakan where she plays the headstrong mother-in-law of top Mollywood star Dileep. The story revolves around a young, attractive maamiyaar (m-i-l) and her marumakan (son-in-law) and their games of one-up-manship.

The shooting was proceeding at a brisk pace in Kochi at various locations.

On Friday, a scene where Khushboo was conversing with Dileep while descending a staircase was shot by director Sandhya Mohan. A staircase set had been erected especially for this purpose at a shooting bungalow.

Reportedly, as Khushboo was stepping down, her leg got caught in a gap and when she tried to pull it out, she lost her balance and the set collapsed, with the Annamalai star falling to the floor with a badly injured knee, bleeding and screaming in pain, said a unit source.

The actress was immediately rushed to a private hospital in Kochi where the doctors diagnosed a fractured leg. She was treated on the spot.

DC Kochi

[mohammedirshad06]

While shooting for her Tollywood film O My Friend with Siddharth and Shruti Haasan at a Kochi resort a few days back, Hansika paid a visit to the famous Devi temple, Chakkulatthukavu Bhagavathy Devi Temple at Thiruvalla in Kerala.

During her break on Friday, the star travelled 60 kilometers from Kochi to pay her respects at the Devi Temple, and the bubbly girl was excited when people in the vicinity of the temple recognized her.

Speaking to DC Hansika said, “My earlier Tamil film, Engeyum Kadhal, has been released here in Kerala. A lot of people recogniSed me when I got down from my car and women came forward to shake hands. It was a pleasant surprise.”

Reportedly the star was given a warm welcome by the temple authorities. She was taken inside for a special darshan.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chann...er-prayers-585

“It was a heartwarming trip. I also bought a huge Kerala-type traditional lamp for my home and picked up a few small items from the shops outside the temple to gift to my friends,” the Maapillai actress revealed.

[mohammedirshad06]

Kochi-based Indiavibes, which claims to be the country's first web TV, has been awarded the Bloomberg UTV-Aegis Graham Bell award 2011 for innovation in mobile content application.

This award honours the outstanding contributions of entrepreneurs and companies in India in the fields of telecom, internet, media and edutainment.

www.indiavibes.tv, launched early this year, has become a popular stop for global audiences.

"We are delighted that entrepreneurs are also given a level-playing field now alongside big companies. Winning this award within a short span of starting our venture cements our belief and vision," said Andrine Mendez, founder and CEO, Indiavibes TV, after receiving the award late Saturday.

The selection process of the Aegis Graham Bell Awards 2011 winners was based on various parameters like innovativeness,

http://twocircles.net/2011jul25/koch...ous_award.html

[mohammedirshad06]

In a very sad turn of events, Celebrated Malayalam film director- Joshiy's lone daughter Aiswarya died in Chennai after a car accident. Lets all pray for her soul. 2 others also died in the incident. Her funeral will be tommorrow in Kochi.

The daughter of well known Malayalam film director Joshi was among three Infosys employees killed when the car they were travelling in collided with a lorry at Mahabalipuram, about 45 km from Chennai today. Aiswarya, Joshi's daughter was driving the car with five persons in it, police said, adding they were on their way to Chennai from Mahabalipuram when the mishap occurred. Two of the seriously injured, who were also Infosys employees, have been admitted to a hospital in Chennai. The bodies were released to relatives after post-mortem and are being brought to Kerala, family sources said. All of them had passed out from the Rajagiri school of Engineering and Technology in 2008.

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfee...ap/764011.html

[mohammedirshad06]

Angamally to host its first Multiplex to be opened in first week of November 2011 in the new KSRTC Shopping Complex. Promoted by M Square, a subsidiary of Anthipilly Plantations, the new 4 screen multiplex will have a 300 seat large theatre, two theatres with 200 seats each and a mini theatre with 30 seats.

In addition a permanent gallery cum theater to showcase cultural events, a large atrium where regular games and events are organized to entertain children and adults, a food court and a beauty palour will be part of the multiplex.

The multiplex will occupy a space of 21,000 Sqft in the fifth floor of the complex. The company assures providing an international viewing experience at the multiplex with state-of-the-art technical features. The company will start promoting more artistic value movies by providing screening space, in addition in taking up production and distribution of such films.

The company will soon start 15 more multiplexes across Kerala, mainly in small towns and suburbs to promote multiplex culture in the state.

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bi...=&villageName=

[mohammedirshad06]

When Sameer Tahir was in college, he worked as a wedding cameraman and stills photographer to earn some pocket money. He even set up a small studio in Kochi along with a friend. Cinema never featured in his priority list despite being an avid movie buff. “In Maharajas College, my only exposure to cinema was limited to my friends,” says Sameer.

Luckily for him, friends Rajiv P and Amal Neerad later ventured into cinematography. Sameer worked with Neerad as his assistant cameraman in many Ram Gopal Varma films (‘James’, ‘Shiva’, ‘Darna Zaroori Hai’), but his biggest break turned out to be the former’s debut directorial venture, ‘Big B’ starring Mammootty.

“I could not get a bigger opportunity than that,” says Sameer. “It was the first time in South Indian cinema that the super-16 format was used, though it is a common feature today.” Later, he did camera work for yet another Mammootty-starrer, ‘Daddy Cool’. Meanwhile, Sameer has just written his first script for his debut directorial venture ‘Chappa Kurisu’ that figuratively means head and tail. “It is about two diametrically opposite characters who never see each other, but are strangely connected in a way,” he says. “It talks about infidelity, passion and love in current times. It is a youth film with a strong social relevance.”

As for the choice between art and commercial cinema, Sameer maintains that ultimately cinema is all about showbiz.

Another debutant director Pramod Payyanur’s film will probably take another five months to go on the floors, but it is already under the scanner. ‘Balyakala Sakhi’ is an adaptation of a famous novel of the same name by Vaikkom Muhammad Basheer. Second, the epic role of Majeed is being played by Mammootty. Also, a few immortal songs from the early 1950s have already been recorded. But for Pramod, it is all about making a film in the backdrop of a familiar cultural milieu and framing the work of a legendry writer.

Pramod is already a well-known name in theatre and TV, having won numerous state and National Awards. The first short film that won the National Award, ‘Ente Thangam’, is also based on Basheer’s work. “I have consciously tried to base all my plays, short films and telefilms on famous literary works. This is because Kerala has produced some of the finest literary works in the country.”

Pramod’s biggest break came when he got a chance to direct M T Vasudevan Nair’s ‘Randamoozham’ on stage, with Mammootty in the role of Bheema. “That set the ball rolling for my film career and I had Mammootty in mind all along for the role of Majeed,” he says. “It is set against the backdrop of Partition, with the love story of Majeed and Suhara weaved in.”

Today, he works as a programme head on the newly launched Reporter Channel. A self-confessed fan of Bharatan and Padmarajan, his idea of good cinema is not “plain academics, but an entertainer with a socially relevant theme”.

http://expressbuzz.com/entertainment...es/298905.html

[mohammedirshad06]

Things getting shaped for Kerala's mega Fashion show- KIFW 2011.

The city will host its hottest and first ever International fashion week from August 5 to 7 at Casino Hotel here.

The Gitanjali Lifestyle Kochi International Fashion Week (KIFW) will open with designs by internationally known fashion guru James Ferreira. The Grand Finale will see designs by celebrity designer Sanjana Jon. Actor Mamta Mohandas is the brand ambassador for the event.

Sanjana says her wish is to exhibit designs that imbibe the spirit of ethnic Kerala. The event produced by Storm Fashion Weej which organises the Chennai International Fashion Week will see 48 models taking to the ramp. Out of these 14 models will be from Kerala. Apart from Mamta around eight actresses from the Kerala film field are also expected to be part of the event.

Around 16 designers including Archana Kochhar, Sanjana Jon, James Ferreira, Mona Pali, Aruna Singh, Riyaz Gangji, Hari Anand, Vivek Karunakaran, Megha Grover, Jules Idi Amin and Ankita Choudhary will present their collections at the event.

[Kochi Resident]

When is Sui going to reopen? I heard EVM group is taking over the same?

[mohammedirshad06]

Come this weekend, Kochi is all set to go soaked in glitz and glamour with a series of high profile events taking the city to next levels.

August 5th 2011, marks launch of two mega events in the city

1. Kochi International Fashion Week 2011 starting from August 5th to 7th.



Kochi's premier date with a world class fashion event, KIFW 2011 will be kicked off in evening of August 4th, while August 5th marks the major shows that showcases Kerala's new found status in fashion world and Kochi's entry into the elite fashion cities of India.

With more than 16 world famous fashion designers and gurus promoting their new Kerala themed collections, along with 48 hot models on the ramps, surely takes the entire cameras to the city.

2. Kochi Metroplus Theatre Fest 2011- August 5th - 7th



Kochi's first date with South India's celebrated annual Theatre festival, the Metroplus Theater Fest 2011 organized by the newpaper giant, The Hindu. The Metroplus Theater Fest is one of the largest theater fests organized in 3 major metros since 2005. Kochi's inclusion as 4th destination, also marks as a recognition from India's largest daily as one of the most happening place in India.

The festival, which goes on 3 evenings, showcases 3 famous Indian plays, patronized and appreciated all over India. Its now the turn of Kochinites to keep themselves amused with a life infused art-form.


3. Dansync Dance Festival, August 6th and August 11th 2011.



South India's largest dance festival, Dansync 2011 organized by Spring events is in the city for the first time. The auditions are held in the city, to identify Kerala's hottest dancers. Quarter auditions are on 11th of this month and selected participants get chance to compete with South India's best talents at Bangalore

The mega auditions are conducted in high limelight, surely rise the city's status among cultural community

4. Freedom Rocks, August 15th 2011



And the major glitz thats going to stage in the city, makes its mega finale's with the state's largest rock band show on August 15th, to celebrate India's independence. The ultimate rock show with Kerala's top 7 bands coming together to set the city completely under fire!!!!

Surely its going a mega blitzkrieg for the Kochinites, next few days.

So Kochi, its lights, camera, RUNNING!!!!!

[manukarukail]

Celebrities galore at KIFW

Kangana Ranaut
Kangana Ranaut to walk the runway for Lawman Pg3 Show.

Suhasini Maniratnam
Suhasini Maniratnam to walk at the grand Finale for Designer Sanjana Jon along with 15 chosen filmstars supporting 'save the girl child' campaign.

Mamta Mohandas
Mamta Mohandas to walk for the Jaipur's Royal Designer Aruna Singh

Shweta Menon
Shweta Menon To walk the runway for designer Riyaz Gangji.

Parvathy Omnakuttan
Parvathy Omnakuttan to walk the runway for Designer Hari Anand.

Sonali Sehgal
Sonali Sehgal To walk the runway for Jules Idi Amin - Xylo Show

Natasha Suri and Arjan Bajwa
Natasha Suri and Arjan Bajwa to walk for The Man - James Ferriera Show

[mohammedirshad06]

Finally the city is all set to get soaked in world of fashions, style, glitz and glamour









Whats in store

The venue at at Casino Hotel, Kochi will include a Collection Show Area, a Media Centre, a dedicated Buyer’s Lounge, a Sponsor Zone and a VIP Hospitality Lounge.

The Collection Show Area features a 30m long catwalk with a total of 200 numbered seats, in 3 tiers divided equally on either side of the catwalk. There is a separate section for Buyers, and Media have a dedicated entrance leading to the media pit for crew as well as seating for editorial staff.


The Buyer’s Lounge is an area where the designer’s collection is taken and displayed after the show. Buyers can relax, interact with designers and conduct business in an environment conducive to business. Access to the lounge is available to accredited buyers only.

The Sponsor Zone, will feature sponsors displaying their products in an innovative manner, like the CHAMBOR make-overs and the quick hair fixes, etc.

The VIP Hospitality lounge provides a favourable environment for sponsors, designers and other VIP guests, to interact with and create potential business associations. Don’t miss the at Casino Hotel Bar where specially concocted brews will be served

The Media Centre is set up for the exclusive use of accredited media representatives. It will comprise a fully equipped media lounge, a post-show conference room and several areas where media can conduct interviews, etc.

[mohammedirshad06]

The tall, lissome lass with striking looks is the new face of Kerala. After establishing herself as both an award-winning actress and playback singer, Mamta Mohandas has now risen to be the fashion ambassador of the State by endorsing the first ever Kochi International Fashion Week (KIFW), which is all set to kick off in a couple of days.

“Don’t call me fashion conscious, I am naturally fashionable. Fashion is all about carrying oneself perfectly all the time — in fact if there is anything that I can’t ever make a compromise on, it is my looks,” says Mamta. As she sits down to talk about the world of fashion she finds it hard to control her excitement. “Ever since the beginning of my career in Kerala, I have always felt that Malayalis found it hard to identify me with the girl next door, but now being the brand ambassador of KIFW, I’m truly excited as I’m Kerala’s fashion envoy and I just love that tag,” she gushes.

Mamta explains how difficult it is to express herself fully in the film industry as there is limited scope for fashion in Malayalam cinema. Hence she believes that the niche that she has carved for herself in the Malayalam cinema industry is through the attitude she lends her characters. “In Kerala, I sensed a weird craze for fashion. A earring and a chain seem to be the Kerala dress code and more often than not there is a strong clash between the two. Most of our people are obsessed with matching hair bands, bangles, necklaces etc. altogether spoiling the whole look of the person.” She believes that even though Malayalis have a collection of outfits in vibrant colours, care should be taken to balance the hues equally. “Even an actress’s screen presence hugely depends on what she is wearing. When I appeared as a journalist in Passenger, both my costume designer and I were careful not to sport the boring look of Vidya Balan in No One Killed Jessica. With very smart-casual wear, my character got highly noted, thanks to the apparel choice we made,” she states.

Even while Mamta gets high on fashion she is aware of the fact that she is a typical Kerala girl too. She says, “I can run around perfectly in saris too. Even my mom says I amuse her when I sport dresses. I find great scope for fashion to take root in Kerala’s ethnic wear and I’m sure the upcoming fashion week will be a huge platform for Kerala’s budding designers to showcase their talent.” Mamta is confident that Kochi is soon going to be a great fashion hub.

Striking a chic footnote, truly reflecting the fashionista in her, she concludes, “I could not have become a singer if I could not become an actress. But, even if I couldn’t become both I was sure of getting noted for my passion for fashion. Today, I’m happiest as the fashion girl of Kerala.”

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tablo...voy-kerala-084

[mohammedirshad06]

Whenever the city gears up for a fashion show, the male fashion element seems conspicuously missing. “But not this time,” promises the high priest of fashion, James Ferreira, who is waiting to flatter Kochi’s men with his latest collection of casuals at the Kochi International Fashion Week (KIFW). Named James’ Men, the repertoire will be affordable and stylish, says the fashion guru, who stole the show during the Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week not only for his sexy collection of women’s wear but also for the concluding act that saw him break into an impromptu jig to Sheila Ki Jawani.

One of the pioneers in the fashion industry, Ferreira entered the arena in the 70s when it was considered ‘strictly all women’. “I was always inclined towards cutting and designing. Since the age of 16, I was on my own as my parents never approved of me being a designer,” says Ferreira, as he recollects how he joined the J.J. School of Arts in Mumbai for a course in fashion designing, which was followed by a course in tailoring from Sheroo Coopers Academy, with him being the only male student amidst 20 girls.

Ferreira’s excellence in his designs for big fashion houses even saw him work with international designer Zandra Rhodes in London. Ferreira worked with Rhodes for four months and attributes his knowledge of prints and embroidery to the master herself. “Before I met Zandra, I was not really into embroidery. Now embroidery is the basis of all my creations.” He also learnt one very important thing from Rhodes. “That to be a successful designer means 90 per cent hard work and 10 per cent designing.”

The high point in his career came when he was roped in by Bada Saab, which is a popular boutiques in Mumbai frequented by the high and mighty of Bollywood.

It was here that he had the opportunity to design costumes for film stars like Amitabh Bachchan. The costume with chain links that the Big B wore in the film Shahenshah was designed by him, becoming a household name from then on for his Western wear with Indian sensibilities. His exclusive and stylised garments were worn by Smita Patil, Tina Ambani and Shabana Azmi. Soon he started his own boutique named James Ferreira, at Khachawadi, where he lives in a sprawling bungalow. “I love Indian fabric because it offers immense possibilities,” says Ferreira.

So what is it one should look forward to during the Fashion Week?
It’ll be a range of satin, tie and dye and silk shirts that will be teamed with khadi jeans,” he says. But that doesn’t mean he has totally left out the opposite sex. The designer also plans to display similar trendy wear in Kochi in a collective boutique after the show. Ferreira’s skill in designing has been utilised by many leading fashion houses.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tablo...ah-fashion-086

[mohammedirshad06]

Meet the fashion Gurus, who are going to drap the city in style for next 3 days....

[mohammedirshad06]

Meet the Celebrities who are going to elevate the city to fashion limelight



Bollywood Fashion queen Kangana Ranaut will walk the runway for Lawman Pg3 Show.



Former Malayalam actress and popular south Indian celebrity, Suhasini along with 15 other suprise celebrities will walk for Sanjana Jone for supporting 'save the girl child' campaign



Popular Malayalam actress and south Indian celebrity Mamta Mohandas to walk for the Jaipur's Royal Designer Aruna Singh



Former Miss World runner-up and leading fashion lady from Kerala, Parvathy Omnakuttan to walk the runway for Designer Hari Anand.



Bollywood fashion queen and prominent Indian television actress, Sonali Sehgal To walk the runway for Jules Idi Amin - Xylo Show



Former Miss India and celebrated Malayalam actress Shweta Menon To walk the runway for designer Riyaz Gangji.



Former Miss India Natasha Suri and Bollywood actor Arjan Bajwa to walk for The Man - James Ferriera Show

[e_arunsid]

Models let their hair down at KIFW party



The glitterati, the glamour. Finally, it has reached the shores of Kochi!

The much awaited Kochi International Fashion Week got to a good start on Wednesday evening with the Lukmance Model agency, one of the official model management people, throwing a ravishing party at Hotel CGH Earth.

Apart from the snazzy models, those who graced the party included Shashi Abraham, Sanjana Jon’s mother, Kochi based designer Hari Anand, Gaurav Sharma of Storm Fashion Company, the organisers of the event and renowned photographer Ashok Koshy.

“For the first time, a model party of this level is being organised prior to a fashion show,” says Lukman, who runs Lukmance Model agency. Former Miss India Parvathy Omanakuttan and celebrities like Suhasini, Shwetha Menon and Asif Ali will be a part of the show.

DC-Source

[mohammedirshad06]

Noted Malayalam director Jayaraj celebrates his birthday with a larger film fraternity in Kochi