Director Maniratnam’s version of Ramayana is Ashokavanam

Eminent director Maniratnam’s version of Ramayana the story of lawful Ram and his wife Seetha who is being kidnapped by fierce Lanka king Ravana is taking shape in the forest region in Thrissur.

This much awaited film Ravanan, which is now renamed as Asokavanam is in its shooting stage.

The film which is made in Tamil and Hindi has Aiswarya Rai as Seetha.

Chiyan Vikram is Raman in Tamil version, while Abhishek Bachan does the role in Hindi.

Vikram has turned all his concentration to Asokavanam now, after completing the shooting and dubbing work of his Kandhasamy which is scheduled to release this Diwali, Ashokavanam will bring Vikram and Aishwarya Rai together as pair for the first time.

Malayalam star Prithviraj is doing the sparking role of Ravana in Tamil version and for Hindi the role is acted by Akshay Kumar.

The movie is expected to be a mile stone in the history of Indian Cinema and also in lives of many actors and technicians.

The controversial cinematographer, director Velu Prabhakaran will be seen playing the role of Vikram’s mute father in the Tamil version.

Karthik who is infamous for not reporting for the shoot in time is giving everyone a pleasant surprise by arriving early. He is a forest officer in the film.

Red Tape
The shooting of Asokavanam came to a halt as Forest officials ordered to stop filming it in the Malayattoor forests after they found breach of the agreement.

The officials found illegal construction of temporary huts by film’s crew for storing equipment in the prohibited area Mahagonythottam

Some rare plants in the area were alleged to be destroyed as vehicles passed to reach the location. The permission for shooting was granted for 20 days within two month period and it was the fifth day as per the terms. Hopefully the problem will be settled soon.

Wedding Bells for actress Meena ...

It is marriage season for Kollywood. Wedding of popular actress Meena is scheduled to take place in Tirupathi, in presence of her close relatives on July 12th. Her peers need not worry as a reception for the newly wed will be held in Chennai on July 14th.
This beauty in the southern filmdom has not been able to find a man in her life for a long time even though Meena and her mother had been looking for a groom. Reasons are many, Meena who happens to be the only child of her parents wanted to get married to someone who was settled in Chennai, so she could be near with her parents. The other reason is a gossip that her mother Raja Mallika who is a former actress and politician is against marriage, as Meena may not get heroine role in films.

Meena is a rare phenomenon. Actresses won’t get chance to pair with heroes in popular commercial films after certain years in industry. Meena born on September 16, 1978 made her debut as a heroine in 1991. This 30 plus actress is heroine in Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu films at the same time. She was the favorite heroine of superstar Rajinikanth at one point of time and has acted in four consecutive Rajani films. She is apt heroine for Mohanlal and Mammooty even today. Lately she was chosen to act in superstar Rajni’s Kuselan. She was found paired with Vijayakanth in latest flick Mariyadai. Meena was more popular among the youth with her navel revealing outfits, than the younger Meera jasmine who looked tainted in Mariyadai.

Meena Durairaj has started her career as a child artist when she was studying in 8th standards in Vidyodhya School, Chennai. Meena completed Master of Arts in History from Madras University under Open University system.

The competition from younger heroines in Tamil is high as every other day new beauties from the age 15 are introduced as heroines. When her chances in Tamil have gone thin, she started concentrating in Malayalam and Kannada films. To withstand the tough competition in the tinsel town, Meena has even shifted her gaze to the small screen.
In this arranged marriage the bridegroom, Vidyasagar, is a software engineer based in Bangalore. A formal engagement ceremony was held at Meena’s residence in Saidapet in which a few of the actress’s friends from the film industry attended.

As any heroines she also was a friend of gossips. It was rumored that she is married to a Japanese man and that she is in love with a Telugu actor and so on. Another gossip was that Meena got married to Kannada actor Sudeep when they acted together in two films. Meena denied all these.

As her 31st birthday is fast approaching she has completed acting with all leading actors in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. Meena is busy with Telugu spiritual movie like Venkamma and Malayalam movies.

Meena assured fans that she would continue to act in films and TV serials, provided good opportunities come her way. She was reportedly asked to give her meaty roles like Asin in Gajini and Jyothika in Chandramukhi.

Eros International plans one of the largest ever release for Kambakkht Ishq

Eros International, the leading integrated company within the Indian media and entertainment sector has announced the forthcoming worldwide release of one of the most anticipated blockbusters this year, Sajid Nadiadwala’s Kambakkht Ishq, co-produced by Sunil A. Lulla and directed by Sabbir Khan on 3rd July 2009. Eros is releasing the film across an unprecedented 2000 plus screens worldwide, making it one of the widest releases in recent times. This would include more than 1400 screens in India and over 600 overseas and will be a combination of prints and digital format. Owing to popular demand, Eros International, Sajid Nadiadwala and the multiplexes have decided to open advance bookings from Sunday, 28th June itself instead of the usual Wednesdays. Commenting on the release plans, Sunil Lulla, President – Eros International, India said, “We are looking forward to releasing Kambakkht Ishq which is one of the most awaited films of the year. Audience and trade reactions to the first look and promos have been extremely promising and we are excited to be leveraging Eros’ global distribution in promoting and releasing the film. Kambakkht Ishq is a fun film and with the wide distribution strategy, we hope to reach out to a record number of audiences worldwide”.Nandu Ahuja, SVP, India Distribution – Eros International added, “With Kambakkht Ishq we are striving to reach out to all segments of audiences be it smaller towns, metros, mini-metros and grab maximum possible footfalls into theatres and also combat piracy. Exhibitors of national and non-national multiplexes as well as single screens have been extremely supportive towards Kambakkht Ishq, one of the first major releases this year”. Kambakkht Ishq signifies the first ever Indian film to feature both Indian stars and Hollywood talent on one cinematic canvas - India’s top-ranking artists, Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor, with special guest appearances by Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards. An exciting ‘chemistry’ between a dashing stuntman in Hollywood and a firebrand model, Kambakkht Ishq creates a perfect premise for a thrilling battle of the sexes with music by Anu Malik.

Pramukhan : Kalabhavan Mani as Sub Inspector

Star Cast : Kalabhavan Mani, Sajid Lal, Jagathi Sreekumar, Saikumar, Sreejith Ravi, Anoopchandran, Reghu, Santhosh, Machan Varghese, Urmila Unni, Pooja, Lakshmi Sharma and Sreelekshmy

Director : Salim Baba

Producer : Biju John, Priyesh George

Music Director : Shyam Dharman Lyrics: Vayalar Sharath Chandra Varma, Fazal Nadapuram

Art Direction: Rajesh Kalpathoor

Story and Screenplay: Salim Baba

Kalabhavan Mani arrives with an action flick titled Pramukhan. This mass entertainer will be directed by actor Salim Bava.Kalabhavan Mani is playing the role of Sub Inspector Tomy Sebastian who is famous for his sincerity to department. He gets transferred to a new village police station where he was induced to fight the mighty land Mafia. Story seems to be in the lines of many action films with long dialogues which graced theatres in the 90s. The highlight of the movie is that, no dupes are used in the fight sequences.The other of the movie are Sajith Raj, who is be backed by Saikumar, Sreejith Ravi, Anoop Chandran, Reghu, Santhosh, Machan Varghese. Urmila Unni, Pooja, Lakshmi Sharma and Sreleakshmy are the feminine faces. Anil Gopinath fix the camera for the film. Shyam Dharman tune songs penned by Vayalar Sharath Chandra Varma and Fazal Naadapuram. Rajesh Kalpathoor does the art-direction and P.C. Mohan is in charge of editing.Pramukhan produced by Biju John and Priyesh George under the banner Cinema Movies, will be brought to theatres by Unique Movies.

Nadodigal : Don’t ever miss this gypsies

Production: Global Infotainment Pvt LtdDirection: Samuthirakkani

Star-casts: Sasi Kumar, Abhinaya, Anaya, Vijay Vasanth, Bharani, Ganja Karuppu and many others.

Music: Sundar C Babu

Wow, ‘Subramaniapuram’ team waving the hands of success with their piece of recital. Followed by ‘Subramaniapuram’ and ‘Pasanga’, the team delivers yet another superb film. Although, Director Samuthirakkani enchanted us with his performance as antagonist in ‘Subramaniapuram’ and he had earlier proved his directorial adeptness in TV Series ‘Nadodigal’. After watching the film, you’ll really wonder why leading actors in Kollywood refused to do this film. However, their loss is Sasi Kumar’s gain for he excels fabulously.My God! Your inner spirits will send you throwing appraisals for Sasi Kumar on witnessing his grandiloquent show. What an expression? Doubtlessly, he has billion dollar expressions. Not alone him, Bharani of Kalloori fame supposes to be a comedian at initial parts, but emotes extraordinarily on many quotients; more in frustrated moods. The film is about group of friends; Karuna (Sasi Kumar), Chandran (Vijay Vasanth) and Pandian (Bharani) who are leading happy lives in their hometown. Happy family and good friendliness amongst them is almost like a feel of paradise coming down on earth. Perhaps, a fateful encounter comes through Karuna’s closer friend Saravanan who attempts for suicide due to love failure. The girl he loves is the daughter of a bigshot in Namakkal and Saravanan is the son of a powerful Ex-MP. With all their earnest efforts, they travel to Namakkal and get the young lad and missy united. The friends are completely deteriorated like almost dead with their futuristic plans gone shattered. Anyhow, they’re so elated that their friends are leading a happy life. But sooner, they’re blown out of waters on getting to know that the couple is gonna get divorced. What would be their reaction? Watch the unexpected on the screens with an appealing message for the contemporary society. Quite shocking yet powerfulAs mentioned earlier, every character has lived under the skin of their characterizations. Ganja Karuppu on his part adds more to the humor quotients while Bharani, Vijay and Sasi are top-notching. Abhinaya, Anaya and Nivetha live up to expectations.Background score by Sundar C Babu is fantastic especially the ballad kind of song ‘Sambo Siva Sambo’ (Both versions). A surprisal comes through continuous claps from the audiences throughout the song. Dialogues have been pretty well penned by Samuthirakkani that receives warm welcome. Screenplay seems to be little falling away in places soon after the intermission, but the pace gears up high during penultimate sequences.An open ending with the group of friends on their next task is a surefooted factor for film’s success.

Verdict: Decorously fabulous

Duplicate : Suraj is a hero now

Bollywood, Kollywood, Tollywood and Mollywood all are duplicate of Hollywood. Then why can’t a comedy star become hero in this duplicate tinsel town. Suraj Venjaramoodu, whose name Bing the dialect of certain places in Thiruvananthapuram, turns hero with debutante director Shibu Prabhakar's Duplicate.Amritha and Maithali will be the lead actresses in the flick. Innocent plays a vital role in the film with Suraj.Others in the cast are Lalu Alex, Salim Kumar, Bheeman Raghu, Biju Kuttan, Jaffer Idukki, Manian Pillai Raju, Indrans, Praveena and Ambika Mohan.Music is by Alex Paul, Camera by Syam Dutt and Lyrics by Anil Panachooran, Ramesh Kumar and Santhosh Varma. Story is by Joy Thomas and script by Shani Khader.The film produced by Ajoy Sebastian under the banner Scion International Film Factory. The movie has started shooting at Ottappalam.Can Suraj change the image of comedy star and make a smooth transition to hero is the question skeptics are waiting to get answered.

The Malayalam blockbuster Twenty:20 starring virtually the entire industry- Mammootty, Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Jayaram, Dileep and others is being rema

The Malayalam blockbuster Twenty:20 starring virtually the entire industry- Mammootty, Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Jayaram, Dileep and others is being remade into Tamil.

H.Murali of Classic Creations who is now making Jaggan Mohini has purchased the remake rights.

T:20 in Malayalam was a huge hit as the film was produced by the artists association AMMA along with actor Dileep’s 'Grand Productions'.

However in Tamil it is doubtful if big stars will act in the remake. The basic success of T:20 in Malayalam was that it was a multi starrer and all the superstars had equal roles to play.

The film has been tentatively titled Irupathu Irupathu, and finalization of the film’s cast is going on.