Kollywood diary

[ChennaiIndian]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/article510816.ece



The district that had produced some of the greatest artists and musicians of the country is honouring its yet another great son, the well known silver screen icon 'Makkal Thilakam’ and the late Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.G. Ramachandran by constructing a memorial for him in his ancestral village of Vadavannur in Chittur taluk, 15 km from Palakkad.

The memorial – a Community Hall – constructed by the Vadavannur Grama Panchayat will be inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran on Monday.

The ancestral house of MGR ’s mother Sathyabhama is nearby and a distant relative of him is living there now.

Though MGR was born in Sri Lanka, his father Maruthur Gopala Menon belonging to the nearby Nalleppilly village returned to Vadavannur after his retirement as the Magistrate of Kandy in Sri Lanka and stayed for some time in their ancestral house.

After his death MGR ’s mother left with her another son M.G. Chakrapani to live with her elder brother at Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district.

While living there both the brothers entered the film world.

M.G.R had married from Kuzhalmannam in Palakkad. His first wife was Ammukutty alias Sadanandavathy, daughter of Kadukunni Nair and Mokambika Amma.

After her death only MGR married actress Janaki. In fact some of the relatives of Janaki had married from Vadavannur.

Though the family left Vadavannur MGR had visited his ancestral house on a number of times even after becoming Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the local people said.

The Grama Panchayat President of Vadavannur K.S. Sheeja said that the Panchayat has constructed the memorial which will be used has a conference hall and Kalyana Mandapam. An amount of Rs.52 lakh was spent from the M.L.A’s local area development fund of K. Achuthan.

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[ChennaiIndian]

http://www.thehindu.com/arts/article509556.ece

"Nothing would deter KB [Balachander] from extracting the best out of the actors. He would ask us to get ready for a retake even if he finds a slightest slip in our performance," extols actor Sivakumar

Four DVDs containing the works of director K. Balachander were released by Swathi Soft Solutions on Friday in the city. The video discs released by ‘Cho’ Ramaswamy, Editor, Thuglak contain Rail Sneham, Ramany Vs Ramany (both TV serials), Pournami and Oru Koodai Paasam (both stage plays).

The release event coincided with the 80th birthday of the well-known director. K.S.Sudhakar of Swathi Soft Solutions honoured KB on the occasion, applauded by a packed audience at the Chettinad Vidyashram auditorium in R A Puram.

S.B.Khaanthan, creative director who worked as the floor director for KB’s stage plays anchored the show and explained how the innovative director had created the right format for TV serial production. K.S. Prabhakar of Swathi Soft Solutions welcomed the gathering.

Actor Sivakumar praised Balachander for his prowess in doing things differently and recalled some of the scenes in which he had acted under his direction in various films. Veteran stage actor and script, dialogue writer ‘Crazy’ Mohan quipped that KB continued to write scripts at an age when most people found it difficult to write letters to their wives.

Poet Vaali said that he most eagerly watched the DVD of Pournami and was awestruck by the way KB had woven his magic into it. ‘Cho’ Ramaswamy turned nostalgic and reminisced about the days when Balachander directed his plays several decades ago. He added in a lighter vein that despite his great capabilities KB could not turn him into a good actor. He congratulated Swathi Soft Solution on releasing the classic works.

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[ChennaiIndian]

http://www.thehindu.com/arts/article511111.ece



Music club on Sirkazhi Govindarajan, literary forum on Jayakanthan planned

Film, art and literature buffs in the city can soon look forward to interesting exchanges in these areas between India and Russia.

As a first step, the Indo-Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industries, and Russian Centre of Science and Culture will set up Sirkazhi Govindarajan – Tchaikovsky Indo-Russian Dance and Music Illam, a music club that will organise dance and music performances on a regular basis.

From Salsa to Bharathanatyam, and Russian folk music to Carnatic, every month would see a medley of performing arts from both the countries, beginning July 24.

“It is a wonderful initiative and will be the right platform to integrate Russian and Indian art forms. For artists, the awards will be an international honour. And for Russians who want to learn Indian dance and music, the club would be the right guide,” said singer Sirkazhi Sivachidambaram, son of Sirkazhi Govindarajan.

In line with the success of Tamil films in Russia and the popularity of Russian directors in India, the Chamber has plans to set up ‘Sivaji Ganesan and Sergei Bondarchuk Indo-Russian Film Service Bureau,' which would screen Tamil and Russian movies every month. Following the screenings, discussions about the film and the filmmaker by celebrities from Tamil film industry would be held.
Film Library

Indian and Russian film festivals would become a regular affair after setting up the bureau, said the Chamber Secretary P. Thangappan. A ‘Sivaji–Bondarchuk Film Library' will be set up as part of the bureau and the library would feature DVD collections of Sivaji Ganesan and Bondarchuk films.

Apart from movie screenings, the bureau would facilitate movie trading between the two countries. The bureau would also institute ‘Sivaji Ganesan' awards for Russian artists and ‘Bondarchuk' (director of ‘War and Peace') awards for Indian artists, in an attempt to bridge the movie culture of both the countries.

A literary forum at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture would also take shape shortly. The Pushkin-Jayakanthan Indo-Russian Literary Forum' would serve as a platform to recognise and honour Tamil writers and Russian writers who have contributed for Tamil works.

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[ChennaiIndian]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...icle511100.ece

What is common between the female lead roles in the films Iruvar, Guru and Raavanan apart from the fact that they were played by actor Aishwarya Rai? Actor Rohini, who is known for her emotive voice and clear Tamil diction, dubbed for all these characters.

Lending her voice to the Miss World-turned-actor is something Rohini is used to. “In Iruvar, both the roles she plays are very different. One was a convent-educated, bold actor, while the other was a coy and loving wife. Guru was again different and Raavanan was like nothing that I have done before.”

It was director Mani Ratnam who identified her potential as a dubbing artist and utilised her voice for Girija in Idayathai Thirudadae. She also dubbed for Manisha Koirala in Bombay. “It was as if I stumbled upon something I am good at. I have been lucky to get such an interesting range of characters,” says Rohini.

While Girija's role was that of a mischievous, charming young girl, Bombay demanded a completely different voice modulation. “Manisha plays this timid girl coming from a village, who wouldn't speak loudly. In Mumbai, she acquires a Hindi accent and later, she yells out her twins' names ahead of the climax …all these variations are challenging to bring using the voice,” she says.

Rohini, who has also worked for films of other directors such as Gautham Vasudev Menon (dubbing for Jothika in Vettaiyadu Vilayadu) and Shankar (for Manisha Koirala in Indian) says she dreads hearing the compliment “Oh, you were so good” for her work as dubbing artist.

“It's like ‘oh my god, they found out.' I think the success of a dubbing artist really lies in not letting the audience know who you are. It's the character's voice – so one needs to understand the character, her body language and attitude and match the voice to all that.”

One would think that a sore throat was part of the occupational hazard of being a dubbing artist, but Rohini may not have realised how severe it could get, until she dubbed for Aishwarya in Raavanan. “The voice had to come out really strong – with lot of anger. For every scream you hear on screen, I must have shouted some 25 times,” she laughs.
Other pursuits

Rohini will soon collaborate with writer-poet Manushyaputhran and work on a series of audio books in Tamil. “I have been eager to do this, particularly with works of great writers.”

The actor, who loves multitasking, is also active in theatre. Her solo in Pennoli conceptualised by Prasanna Ramaswamy was very well received at the recent World Classical Tamil Conference in Coimbatore. “I enjoy theatre. In addition to acting, it allows me to engage with literature, poetry and music.”

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[ceeznic pirate]

watched madharasapattinam today. felt really proud to see the heights tamil film industry has reached. kudos to vijay and his team. A must watch film for everyone in chennai. Thanks for the great effort taken by the team to portray Madras of 1940s. Amy is a great pick for her role. Guys dont miss the film. Though it has essence of titanic, lagaan, apoalypto, etc., it doesnt mater when it is done well. Satyam recieved a great applause from the crowd when the film ends.
I ve planned to see it again.

[dhandapanik]

Originally Posted by ceeznic pirate

watched madharasapattinam today. felt really proud to see the heights tamil film industry has reached. kudos to vijay and his team. A must watch film for everyone in chennai. Thanks for the great effort taken by the team to portray Madras of 1940s. Amy is a great pick for her role. Guys dont miss the film. Though it has essence of titanic, lagaan, apoalypto, etc., it doesnt mater when it is done well. Satyam recieved a great applause from the crowd when the film ends.
I ve planned to see it again.

Actually the first half gives the old madras. Its really good to see boats and trams running in madras..

They could have trams atleast in few roads.

[ChennaiIndian]

http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article522268.ece

It took nine years for Su. Venkatesan to complete his maiden novel. But within a year of its publication, ‘Kaavalkottam' has become the source for a period film.

‘Aravaan', the next venture of director Vasanthabalan of ‘Angadi Theru' fame, is based on one of the many stories that were part of the mega novel published in 2009. The director, who comes from the ‘director Shankar school', made a mark with ‘Veyil', which received accolades both in India and abroad.

“I was more than happy when Vasanthabalan asked me if he could make a film based on the book. We held discussions for 6 months and decided on the story,” says Mr. Venkatesan, who has also written the story and dialogues for the film.

The novel tracing the over 600 years' history of Madurai, beginning with the conquest of the ancient city by Malik Kafur, focuses on the unique security system and guards at Madurai Fort. The British, keen on expanding the city, dismantled the security system, suppressed the revolt of the guards, settled them in the Gudalur-Cumbum areas and finally declared them as a criminal tribe. The 1000-odd page novel has hundreds of stories between the covers dealing with the history of these people

Story of an Aravaan

There were Aravaans among the security guards, so called after Aravaan, the son of Arjuna, who sacrificed himself before Goddess Kali for the victory of the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra war in Mahabharata. The story revolves around one such Aravaan. Mr. Venkatesan says he has already completed the task assigned to him.

“It is a challenge because it is a whole new world. But I am fully comfortable with Mr. Vasanthabalan, a keen follower of Tamil literary trends, who has worked with various Tamil writers such as Sujatha, S. Ramakrishnan and Jayamohan,” says Mr. Venkatesan, a member of the executive committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Madurai unit. He is also the deputy general secretary of the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Association.

“Even in my novel I tried to create a visual impact through the narration. So it was not difficult for me to pen a story suitable for a film,” Mr. Venkatesan says responding to the question on how he was able to write the script for the film based on an 18th century story.

The action-based story will be racy and gripping, says Mr. Vasanthabalan. The award-winning director makes sure he handles a different genre in every movie and this film will be no different.

On casting, he says Aadhi has a gigantic personality, which aptly suits the character of the movie. “Pasupathi has always been my favourite since Veyil,'”he says. Singer Karthik will make a debut as a music director, composing a good number of folk-based numbers

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[kg4129]

Anyone watched "Kalavani" movie?

Interesting movie to watch.. I liked it

[saysenthil]

True!! To too watched the movie last sunday.....It was a well made movie. I wont tell that it was the Master class. But had a decent story & a neat performance from the lead stars especially hero & his amma..... Cooool!!!


I highly recommend this film for our forumers!! U can also watch it with ur family!! (No blood even it has been filmed in a village back drop)

[kongutamizhan]

Originally Posted by saysenthil

U can also watch it with ur family!! (No blood even it has been filmed in a village back drop)

What?? True that there is no blood shed. Did you pay enough attention to the dialogues? If you did and if you still didn't get the double meanings behind it then I have nothing to say

[rajii]

kalavani is an jovial treat and also i loved the village location.. its very beauty..

anandha burathu vedu is very different movie given by naga who have took super hit serial marama desam.. this movie was not an thriller it have sentiments and comedy..

[ChennaiIndian]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...ow/6216408.cms

CHENNAI: Sports is emerging as the new hero in Kollywood. Running abreast of village-based small films with unknown actors directed by debutants, sports-based themes are slowly warming up. "It's a tricky business since cinema-goers are not tuned into all games, including cricket, but sports seems to be the new hero" says Venkat Prabhu, who directed the 2007 sleeper hit Chennai 28' which revolved around locality cricket.

Pick any year and say jallikkattu' to anyone in rural Tamil Nadu, and chances are he would rattle off Aranganallur match statistics like you and I would of FIFA or IPL. But the younger adolescents of the state, newly into cricket in the last decade or so, are scripting a new trend for Kollywood. After last year's Vennila kabbadi kuzhu', this year's Kalavani' saw the film opening with a boys' cricket match which draws entire villages. On the cards is another cricket film Patta patti,' where cricketer Sadagopan Ramesh, playing himself, takes the game to a village.

"Sports, especially cricket, is emerging as a new genre in Tamil cinema, and small films with new faces are emerging as an agent of change. It is exciting times for filmmakers," says Venkat Prabhu. Lee,' a film on football in 2007 did not quite score a goal, but two years later, Vennila kabbadi kuzhu,' swept the audience of the feet. "I come from a family of kabbadi players, but being a filmmaker, and although this game is popular in villages, I wanted to take the story to both village and urban audiences. It was a tricky one, but it succeeded" said Suseendran, director of the move. As for Lee,' a director says, it didn't click because the theme tried to mix, unconvincingly, football with goondaism.

Unlike Bollywood which had Hurray' Boxer' and All Rounder' all releasing in 1984, and a host of other films in the wake of Lagaan' in 2001, and Chak de' (2007), Tamil cinema has not seen a deluge of sports themes. " Lagaan' and Chak de' worked because of big names like Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh, but with unknown names in small films, as is done in Tamil, the task is much harder, say directors. "Although cricket has penetrated into rural areas because of satellite channels, it is only the younger generation which is into cricket. The scene of villagers turning up in large numbers to watch children play a cricket match in Kalavani' is true to life," says Yuvaraj, director, Patta patti'. Fifteen years ago, villagers were into football, kabbadi and jallikkattu', not cricket, he points out.

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[satishanu]

Audio launch on July 31st at KL, Mal.

http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/t...cle/58884.html

[vs007]

Looking at the second picture, reminds me of the college mates in Tamil Padam.

[ChennaiIndian]

http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.a...NDIA&nid=41143

[ChennaiIndian]

Cross-posting.

Originally Posted by ChennaiIndian

Endhiran Team: The almighty Superstar Rajnikanth, the music God ARR and the most successful extravagant director in India - Shankar!!

Enthiran is the first Indian movie to use Stan Winston Studio’s Animatronics technology. We all are proud and happy to be associated with the number one Hollywood studio who did a great job in movies like Jurassic Park, Predator, Terminator, Ironman and the recent Avatar.



Listen songs online (legally) - http://music.galatta.com/entertainme...Enthiran.html#

Aishwarya, Rajnikanth at Endhiran music launch - http://movies.ndtv.com/PhotoDetail.a...=5545&img=1&cp

Stage is set for Endhiran music launch - http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.a...NDIA&nid=41143

[georgenadar]

Yeah, I listened Enthiran, the songs are rocking ARR done good work in album, hope we can expect same in the movie especially bgm...

[georgenadar]

Music Director : A.R.Rahman
Vocals : S.P.Balasubramaniam, A.R.Rahman, Khatija Rahman, Vijay Prakash, Shreya Ghosal, Kash n’ Krissy, Pradeep Vijay, Pravin Mani, Yogi B, Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam, Benny Dayal, Naresh Iyer, Javed Ali, Chinmayee, Kirthi Sagathia, Swetha Mohan, Tanvi Shah.
Lyrics : Vairamuthu, Karky, Pa.Vijay
The Endhiran storm has intensified. It is raining music around the world with the launch of the year's most awaited audio released in Malaysia. There was secrecy maintained first, then a few stills released, then it was Shankar's tweets and finally the music of Endhiran is out. With the superstar and Aishwarya in lead roles, Sun Pictures producing, Shankar directing and AR Rahman composing the music, we wonder what we can expect out of this album. Technical brilliance, hugeness, flamboyance and a touch showy, Endhiran has it all.

The first few seconds of the song "Puthiya Manitha" tells you what to expect out of this album. "Techno". The robotic tone of AR Rahman is just the appetizer for more to come. Robotic ? Oh come on, this is Endhiran after all. Then we just slip our senses listening to Khatija Rahman's




(Rahman's eldest daughter) serene rendition only to be awakened by the bold voice of SPB. Vairamuthu pleads to the robot "Ella uyirukkum nanmai aa iru ... entha nilaiyilum unmai aa iru". Just an amazing opening number.

We move forward to "Kadhal Anukkal" by Vairamuthu of Gen X. If your ears are treated to strumming guitars and the husky voice of Vijay Prakash, Vairamuthu showcases his understanding of this generation with peppy lyrics. Known for his semi-melodious romatic numbers, Rahman is at ease delivering this. The bag piper interlude is pure genius. No robots, no techno. This one is purely for the die hard romatic. Though the grand arrangement of music catches your imagination, it is hard to miss the voices of Vijay Prakash and Shreya Goshal. A poesy and foot tapping number this.

The start of "Irumbile oru idhayam" is an indicator of what is to follow. Lyrics by Kaarkhi, this one will make you dance right from the word go. We are treated to super example of the "Techno" genre. If the initial lyrics are english, Rahman's settles down things with his husky voice and tamil lyrics. This one is about the iron hearted Endhiran infected by the love virus. If Rahman, the lover, proposes love in Tamil, Lady Kash and Krissy, the curious girl raps back with exciting English lyrics. Verses like "Thottu pesum bothum shock adika thonum.... iravin naduvil battery thaan theerum" makes you want to listen to this more than once. This is easily the pick of the album.

If you think the next song falls in the same category after the first few lines of heavy techno sounds and with slightly uncomprehensible english lyrics, you are mistaken. This is "Chitti Dance Showcase" sung by Pradeep Vijay, Pravin mani and YogiB. A fusion of western and classical music, we wonder where this piece will fit in the movie. We get to hear some wonderful amalgamation of neatly arranged percussion, techno sounds and classical interludes.

We are now welcomed to the grandness of the bigger than the biggest in "Arima Arima". Yes now we see Endhiran with digitised trumpets announcing the arrival of the beast. Vairamuthu is at his best with the finest translation of computer terms. with male chorus and digital notes playing in the background, we can feel the Robot walking forward, amidst praises, trying to conquer a woman's heart with arrogance. If Hariharan showcases the arrogance, Sadhana Sargam's voice surely seems to tame the lordiness. The never stopping drums add charm to this song.

We are now travelling to "Kilimanjaro". Yes, tribal vocals, beats and chimes welcome you to the grandeur of Africa. With Javed Ali and Chinmayi in control, you cannot miss this one. We are now treated to some drum beats and vocals by the virtuoso. Lyrics by Pa. Vijay adds spice to the romance. No this is strictly not the Endhiran style music we have heard so far. This is more the style of our lover-girl lover-boy routine.

Sung by Yogi B, Keerthi Sagathia, Swetha Mohan and Tanvi Shah, the last song of the album "Boom Boom Robot da" sums up the overall experience with a dose of digitised technco music. Lyrics by Kaarki, the song is about the characteristics of the robot. This one certainly evokes interest if one listens to the lyrics carefully.

If AR Rahmman introduced "Blues" genre of music in VTV, this time around he loudly announces "It is Techno time folks". We are just mersmerised with the digital beats and sounds and of course some amazing voices and lyrics. This Robot is out to win all

Rank : 4.5 out of 5

[georgenadar]

[ChennaiIndian]

http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article550138.ece

From the days of truckload of lenses, each weighing over 150 kg, and cameras so huge requiring three persons to mount them on tripods, Tamil cinema has come a long way.

With film cameras shrinking in size and lenses getting slimmer, outdoor shootings have ceased to be a challenge for film units. Shooting overseas, too, has become hassle-free, with some foreign firms offering a package, including cameras, lenses and other equipment for shootings on rent. This has meant lesser work for many local technicians and outdoor unit companies whose services were earlier in demand.

While not all producers are hiring equipment in foreign countries as the expense is much higher, compared to taking a local unit along, the trend, however, is setting in and is certainly disturbing, industry sources say.

Officials of Anand Cine Service, one of the largest and oldest outdoor unit service companies in the country, say the heat is yet to be felt. The units are updating themselves about newer technologies to stay afloat in the market.

In terms of technologies and facilities, we have been on a par with those offered abroad. Producers still find local companies economical, says Hemachandran of Gemini Laboratory, a sister company of Anand Cine Service.

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