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By Rinku Gupta After the huge pan- India success of Yash's KGF , the makers are now readying with KGF Chapter 2 and the buzz is already growing. Bollywood actor, Raveena Tandon has now joined the shoot of the film directed by Prashanth Neel. With this,  she returns to Kannada cinema after a long gap post the film Upendra. The shooting is on at Mysuru in Karnataka. Raveena had heard the script from Prashanth  before she watched KGF and was mighty impressed by his edgy approach. Yash in KGF  Raveena plays a powerful character  with the name Ramika Sen  in the sequel. Raveena posted on her social media pages  "Happy to share this much awaited news with all! Thankyou , my coolest director in da world prashanth.neel for such a warm welcome in the KGF family. In and as Ramika Sen. " The team of Hombale films welcomed her on sets with producer Vijay Kiragadur  tweeting," A Warm Welcome to the National award winning actress@TandonRavee...

By Rinku Gupta The team of Maayanadhi celebrated a success and Thank You meet for the press and media. The movie is written and directed by Ashok Thiagarajan. Momentoes were handed to all the team members. Hero Abi Saravanan was happy his name was a recognized one due to the film. " Though the viewers were less in several theaters and I feel bad that a good film sometimes doesnt get its due, I'm happy we got the support from press and media ." Heroine Venba said she was very happy with the support she had been getting in her career. " This is a very important role in my career. Im very grateful to my cameraman for showing me in a new way. I didn't expect such a lot of positive reviews and Im really grateful for that. Many people went to see the film after seeing the positive reviews from media and netizens." The director was clear that he didn't want to have any unnecessary romantic scenes between the hero and heroine which were not requ...

By Rinku Gupta  Eros International upped the ante with the release of the poster today of their three upcoming films titled– ‘Haathi Mere Saathi’ in Hindi, ‘Kaadan’ in Tamil and ‘Aranya’ in Telugu! An emotional and heart-warming drama, the three films explore the relationship between a Mahout and his elephant. The highly anticipated drama will star Rana Daggubati as the protagonist in all three titles along with Vishnu Vishal in ‘Kaadan’ in Tamil and ‘Aranya’ in Telugu respectively. Meanwhile ‘Haathi Mere Saathi’ in Hindi will feature Pulkit Samrat as the parallel lead. All three movies also star Shriya Pilgaonkar and Zoya Hussain in important roles.   VishnunVishal in the Tamil and Telugu versions The story line of all three films have been inspired by the unfortunate event of humans encroaching the elephant corridors in Kaziranga, Assam. The films trace the narrative of a man, the role essayed by Rana Daggubati, who dedicated most of his life living in the...

By Rinku Gupta Sibiraj is looking forward to his next release Walter. In the meantime he is busy shooting for his next film Kabadadaari which is a bi- lingual in Tamil and Telugu and is directed by Pradeep Krishnamoorthy. Recently Suman Ranganathan joined the cast in a key role. She shot for a song and dance number apart from a few scenes in the film at a giant set in Chennai. Incidentally it was actor Pooja Kumar, who was earlier signed by the makers to play a vital role. But she has now been replaced by Suman Ranganathan who had essayed the same role in the original Kannada version. It maybe recalled that Suman has shared  screen space with some of the leading heroes in the 90s (acted in films like Vijayakanth's Maanagara Kaaval, Arjun's Mettupatti Mirasu) and a few years back was seen in Ajithkumar's  Aarambam.  This is probably her comeback. Dhananjayan G, Creative Producer of Creative Entertainers and Distributors ecplains the replacement,  “We ...

The cast and crew of the Ashok Selvan-Ritika Singh starrer Oh My Kadavule (scheduled for worldwide release on February 14) met the media recently. Actor Ashok Selvan said, “It’s an emotional moment to me as I find the whole family here on the stage which  has been supportive completely towards the project from the point of its inception. The friendship between me and Ashwath goes long back in time, say around 9 years. Today, our friendship has found a new meaning through Oh My Kadavule. I thank my sister Abhinaya and Dilli Babu sir for being completely trusting this project and me. I am sure OMK will be an engaging Rom-Com and audiences will walk out of theatres with smile on their faces.” Actress Rithika Singh said, “The whole team has been supportive and sweet. I am making my comeback in Tamil film industry after a long time and it’s a special movie for me. Ashok Selvan will definitely go high on places after this movie. Vani Bhojan is such a beautiful and lovely person wit...

By Rinku Gupta Madras Talkies' Vaanam Kottatum is directed by Dhana with Mani Ratnam co- writing the script with his protege. When Bose ( Sarathkumar) commits a murder in a fit of rage, his wife Chandra ( Radhika) is utterly distraught. Wanting to bring up her kids Selvam ( Vikram Prabhu) and Mangai ( Aishwarya Rajesh) away from the world of violence, she moves to Chennai and makes a new life there. Through grit and hard work, despite the looming background of a father in jail, her children begin to rise in life. Just when things seem on an up- swing, Bose is released from jail. Conflict now arises when the siblings, now grown-up ,are unable to adjust to having a father around, interfering in their world. Bose too has trouble adjusting to a world which seems to have changed drastically. Chandra seems to left bearing the brunt in the midst of it all. Can the rising conflict created by these 2 clashing worlds within this small family, ever get resolved? Dhana has ex...

By Rinku Gupta Seeru, is Jiiva's next outing, directed by Rathna Siva and produced by Vels Films International. Manimaaran ( Jiiva ) is a do-gooder in his town, lives a happy life with his friends and his sister Ilakkiya ( Gayathri) who is pregnant. As luck would have it, he ends up  with enmity of a Chennai -based goonda, Malli ( Varun) who is known for his cruelty. But strangely, when Malli ends up helping taking Ilakkiya to the hospital in time for the delivery in the absence of Manimaaran, the latter is much indebted and goes to Chennai to search for Malli and express his gratitude. In this processs, he ends up encountering a bigger plot of Malli's hirer, a suave, powerful lawyer Ashok Mithran ( Navdeep) who is trying to kill Malli, because he helped some girls  escape after trying to kill Ashok. Manimaaran runs into the girls as they are trying to escape the clutches of Ashok's ggoons and in the process learns how and why they have attracted the wrath of the...

By Rinku Gupta Shri Krish Pictures' Adavi is directed by Ramesh G, who has also played a villainous cop in the film which stars  Vinod Kishan ( remember the boy actor in Nanda?) and Ammu Abirami in the lead. The film is set in a small village in a scenic mountain, where the villagers are  hounded to leave their settlement by a greedy land grabber who wants to make a huge mountain resort for profit. He is aided by the local police and his own goons to chase out the villagers who have been living there for generations and for whom the mountains are thier home and source of livlihood. When the youngsters of the village get drawn into this issue, it escalates and all the villagers are tortured by the fraudsters. What happens to the innocent village folk? Do the greedy villains get their way? The basic premise of the story deserves kudos. Director Ramesh G seeks to throw light on the gradual deforestation issue which has a cascading efffect on the environment and the food c...

By Rinku Gupta Hero Mahat Raghavendra wed his sweetheart Prachi Mishra at a glittering ceremony recently. The grand event was attended by his close friends from the industry which included STR and Anirudh Ravichander. We wish we couple a happy married life!

By Rinku Gupta Popular comedian Yogi Babu got married today at a temple wedding, to Manju Bhargavi. The wedding ceremony took place amongst family and friends at their kula deivam kovil  on the morning of 5th feb today. A grand reception for the couple is planned in March in Chennai. We wish the  couple a long and happy married life!

By Rinku Gupta After the huge success of the Karthi  starrer Kaithi directed by Lokesh Kangaraj, the film is now being made in Hindi. Reliance Entertainment now join hands with S. R Prabhu of Dream Warrior Pictures , the producers of Kaithi, to jointly produce the remake  in Hindi. S.R. Prabhu of Dream Warrior Pictures says - 'Kaithi is a film with No Heroine, No Songs and a 100% Action Genre. Released with all these odds on the Diwali festival day, Kaithi came out as a box office blockbuster among the family audience in South. We're delighted to join hands with Reliance Entertainment for the Bollywood remake. This high-octane film will surely entertain the  pan Indian audience." Watch out for further details of the project.

By Rinku Gupta It's a rare feat in Indian cinema for any celebrity to have their wax statues stationed at a premium exhibition hall like Madame Tussauds. Actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone and  few others from Bollywood have statues made at Tussauds.  But from the South industries, very few actors have it on their resume. Mahesh Babu and Prabhas are the only two stars who have their statues made at Tussauds in Singapore so far. And now, added to that list is actress Kajal Aggarwal who is the first female actor from Southern cinema to have a wax statue at Tussauds. The unveiling of the statue took place today at the Singapore franchise of Tussauds and the event was attended by Kajal Aggarwal along with her family. The wax statue  looks like a carbon copy of her. The Special 26 actress seemed more than elated posing for the cameras alongside her statue in Tussauds.

By Rinku Gupta Avni Movies and Rockfort Entertainment's Naan Sirithal held a grand audio launch at a leading posh auditorium in the city. The film is Sundar C's third film with hero Hip Hop Thamizha Adhi. " He is like my younger brother. This is my third outing with him. This film will have a message and will also be a full time family entertainer, " said Sundar C. The event was attended by Khushbu, producer Shaktivelan, Badava Gopi, Sujatha, Iruma Sani Vijay and Sathya, K S Ravikumar, VJ Ashiq, Ravi Mariya and Sha Ra amongst others. Hip Hop Adhi has acted in Meesai Murukku and Natpe Thunai before this.  Naan Sirithal is directed by debutant  Raana. It is the story of a man who keeps laughing in every situation,  sad or happy. A live dance performance was done by heroine Aishwarya Menon, and a troupe, to one of the songs. Later, Hip Hop Adhi rapped and sang live to the delight of the audiences who also danced along with him,  near their seats. ...

By Rinku Gupta When the grand audio launch of producers Prabhu Thilak and Shruthi Thilak's Walter film was held recently, it was a moving moment for the film's hero Sibiraj  Speaking at the event he said, " When I was a kid, my father  acted in the superhit Walter Vetrivel. I thought that the iconic Police officer Walter Devaram sir had come for the event.  I had a hazy recollection being a kid. But director of that film, P Vasu sir said that it was not so. That's why,  today,  when Devaram sir has come to our Walter audio launch, I feel really blessed.  Because our film Walter is getting the privilege of his presence,  which the original did not get. I feel honoured." Though his father could not attend the event,  he added that P Vasu being present on his behalf,  gave him the feeling that his father was present. The film is directed by U Anbu. The guests at the event included heroine Shirin Kanchwala, Rythvika, Sanam Shetty, C...

By Rinku Gupta ( subscribe to cinemaspeak for video updates) Rom-Com flicks have always been the most loved piece of work that instantly arrests the attention of universal audiences when delivered with perfect formula. In this aspect, Ashok Selvan-Rithika Singh starrer Oh My Kadavule has showcased an exquisitely elegant appeal with its visual promos and songs. Apart from these colorful and amazing elements, the film has generated a groovy spell of attractiveness for its star-cast, especially the pivotal role played by Vijay Sethupathi. And now, there’s yet another embellishment to the film as filmmaker Gautham Vasudev Menon will be seen appearing in a cameo as himself. Producer G. Dilli Babu, Axess Film Factory says, "There are few sequences in the film that involves the shooting spots and one among them had to feature a prominent artiste as filmmaker. Eventually, we felt that the presence of someone very famous in the directorial panorama would be an additional value. ...

By Rinku Gupta ( Cinemaspeak for video updates) The grand audio launch of producer (and hero) Kamal Govindraj's Puranagar was held recently. The grand function was attended by dignitaries like Bhagyaraj, K Rajan, Mansoor Ali Khan, Tarun Gopi, RV Udhayakumar and others. The film is directed by Minnal Murugan with music by EL Indrajith. Murugan has directed a film on Sri Lankan Tamils called Ellalan. Puranagar is a film dealing with caste issues which are the bane of society.

By Rinku Gupta ( cinemaspeak for video updates) Director Samudrakani's Nadodigal 2 is about a group of friends ( Sasikumar, Anjali, Barani) who are the good samaritains of the town, helping out on every issue with protests and petitions. As a result, Sasikumar ends up with nobody willing to give him their daughter in marriage. When finally,  a rich family agrees to him marrying their daughter ( Athulya) , he thinks good times are ahead. But fate has other things in store. On his wedding night, he finds out his new wife was forced into wedlock by her parents because she actually loves a man from another caste. When Sasikumar hears this and sees her ready to slash her wrists, he decides to help her elope with her lover. What follows is total mayhem, with his wife's family hot on her pursuit, ready to indulge in honour killing for sullying their name. How does Sasikumar save his wife? Does he find true love in his life? How does he handle the casteist mindset of the people...

By Rinku Gupta In his next outing, Dagalty, Santhanam plays a con - man called Guru who lives in Mumbai. A rich man in Mumbai ( Tarun Arora)  has an unusual habit. He draws faces of women on a whim and then sends his staff on chase to look for a woman who looks exactly like the painting, all for an astronimical sum of 10 crores this time. Guru manages to find a girl who ressembles the photo and heads to Tiruchendur to bring the girl Malli ( Ritika Sen) to Mumbai on the pretext of fulfilling her dream of directing a film. But things go south when he has a change of heart when he learns the truth about her impending fate.  How does he now rescue Malli from the millionaires clutches? Santhanam  has cut down on the punches and one liners to a minimum in the film, keeping the ' heroic' acts in check,  so as to make it watchable.  There are some funny scenes here and there, the climax scene with Bramhanandam and the farcical cat and mouse game with the million...

By Rinku Gupta Utraan directed by Rajagajini is set in a college campus and revolves around the issues faced by students. Roshan Udayakumar plays a college boy who lives with his college teacher ( Heroshini), who looked after him since childhood. When he falls in love with a college girl  college (Priyanka) this issue of their relationship becomes a bone of contention. Added to his problems are petty college issues leading to enemies which make life tough for him. How does he deal with it all? Roshan looks good and  does a neat job and carries the emotional , action and romance scenes well. His personality fits the role to a T.  But the story seems dated, and the manner of filming reminds you of 80s college movies. The issues the students face seem trivial and there is no solid reason, apart fron the usual love angle, for all the enemity and fights on display.   There are too many characters being mentioned at random which is a tad distracting....