Friday, May 30, 2008

U.K. BOX-OFFICE Weekend: May 23 - 25, 2008

* JANNAT [last weekend: No. 17, this weekend: No. 16]: In its second weekend, the film has collected £ 28,067 on 20 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 1,403. Total: £ 1,02,658 [approx. Rs. 86.94 lacs].

* BHOOTHNATH [last weekend: No. 18, this weekend: No. 21]: In its third weekend, the film has collected £ 17,669 on 27 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 654. Total: £ 1,73,397 [approx. Rs. 1.47 crores].

* TASHAN [last weekend: No. 39, this weekend: No. 56]: In its fifth weekend, the film has collected £ 1,441 on 4 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 360. Total: £ 3,52,494 [approx. Rs. 2.98 crores].

* U ME AUR HUM [last weekend: No. 63, this weekend: No. 58]: In its seventh weekend, the film has collected £ 1,218 on 1 screen. Total: £ 4,22,948 [approx. Rs. 3.58 crores].

* KURUVI [Tamil film; last weekend: No. 47, this weekend: No. 75]: In its fourth weekend, the film has collected £ 527 on 2 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 264. Total: £ 1,29,179 [approx. Rs. 1.09 crores].

THIS WEEKEND IN U.K.
[Based on screen averages]

RANK FILM AVERAGE
1 JANNAT £ 1,403
2 U ME AUR HUM £ 1,218
3 BHOOTHNATH £ 654
4 TASHAN £ 360
5 KURUVI [Tamil film] £ 264

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Kuruvi races @ the UK BO

By Behindwoods News Bureau.
May 29, 2008

While the Chennai box office has given the cold shoulder to the Vijay – Trisha starrer Kuruvi, the distributors who bought the international rights of the movie seem to have reasons to smile. Over the last weekend (May 23 - 25, 2008) Kuruvi has recorded decent collections at the UK box office and garnered an approximate of one Crore in total in returns in the last four weeks of its release.
Kuruvi

The other movies in contention were the Emran Hashmi Jannat, Amitabh starrer Bhoothnath, Saif starrer Tashan, and the Ajay Devgan starrer U Me aur Hum. Kuruvi is still running to average houses in two screens in the United Kingdom.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Vijay stars at the special screening

Galatta.com
Smitha Mathew [May 27, 2008, 2:31:22 PM]


Kuruvi special screening in San Jose, US was a hit just like Vijay’s movies. The distributor of Kuruvi, Jayavel Murugan had arranged for a special show of Kuruvi on Friday. Vijay who is on a holiday in the US immediately agreed to participate in it. The highlight of the show was the interaction session of Vijay with his fans, prior to the screening.

The actor, who never leaves an opportunity to meet his fans arrived in style in an 18-seater stretch limousine and spent time with his fans. He spoke with them, signed autographs and posed for pictures. He even asked to delay the screening so that he could meet all the fans gathered there.

The show was a huge hit and Vijay enjoyed it thoroughly. He thanked his fans for patiently waiting to meet him and promised that he would do another show.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Vijay rocks California!

Ilayathalapathy Vijay’s Kuruvi special screening at the state-of-the-art Century Cinemas in the Bay Area, California, was a crowd puller.
Ilayathalapathy Vijay’s Kuruvi special screening at the state-of-the-art Century Cinemas in the Bay Area, California, was a crowd puller.
Vijay arrived in an 18-seater stretch limousine. The actor enjoyed himself thoroughly and insisted on meeting each and every fan, even though the screening was supposed to start at 8.30 p.m.
Vijay asked the organisers to delay the screening until he had met everyone queuing to meet him.
Jayavel Murugan (seen with Vijay in the picture), the distributor of Kuruvi in the US, said the event was a huge success. After clicking pictures with his fans, Vijay spoke to them in the auditorium where the screening took place.
The hungama surrounding the screening did manage to pull Americans out of Indiana Jones and Iron Man shows to watch an Indian hero and his fan base.
In his speech, Vijay told his fans that he loved them and thanked them for patiently waiting to greet him. He also promised that he would do another show in the US soon.

Vijay’s 'Kuruvi' Rocks Bay Area
[Saturday, May 24, 2008]

Ilaya Thalapathi Vijay attended a special screening of his new film 'Kuruvi' in the Bay area of California, USA on Friday 8.30 pm local time along with hundreds of his fans in the ultra modern Century Cinemas.
Within a few hours after the news leaked out that the Kollywood star will be coming for the screening, the turn out of his fans were in a scale that was unexpected. The online booking facility also got house full in a short time.

The actor arrived in style in an 18 seater brand new Hummer limousine as per the time informed earlier.

The hundreds of exited fans who till then were waiting patiently in the theatre lobby broke all the rules of security of the cinema hall and ran towards Vijay. The security personnel deployed there for the megastar's security also was not able to control the crowd who were just eager to somehow get near their favourite actor.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Vijay's fans in USA go ecstatic

IndiaGlitz
[Saturday, May 24, 2008]

Ilaya Thalapathi Vijay attended a special screening of his new film 'Kuruvi' in the Bay area of California, USA on Friday 8.30 pm local time along with hundreds of his fans in the ultra modern Century Cinemas.

Within a few hours after the news leaked out that the Kollywood star will be coming for the screening, the turn out of his fans were in a scale that was unexpected. The online booking facility also got house full in a short time.

The actor arrived in style in an 18 seater brand new Hummer limousine as per the time informed earlier.

The hundreds of exited fans who till then were waiting patiently in the theatre lobby broke all the rules of security of the cinema hall and ran towards Vijay. The security personnel deployed there for the megastar's security also was not able to control the crowd who were just eager to somehow get near their favourite actor.

Americans who had come to watch 'Indiana jones' and 'Iron Man' in the other theaters in the big complex stood watching at the ongoing commotion caused by the die hard supporters show of affection

The distributor of 'Kuruvi' in USA Jayavel Murugan said that just within a day's advertisement, a crowd of this scale turning up to the theatre was totally unexpected as normally it takes months of advertisement to attract people in USA.

The distributor also praised Ilaya Thalapathi on the dedication shown by the him towards his work, his time management skills and the intimacy shown towards his fans.

At last Vijay was escorted inside the big theatre and his fans were requested to come in an orderly fashion to have his autograph and pose for photographs.

In the middle of the meeting session with Vijay, the organizers reminded the star of the screening time of 'Kuruvi'.

But the people's star wanted to meet in person every one of his loyal fans and asked the persons in chare to delay the screening until he completes it.

After satisfying each of this admirer's wish of spending a few seconds with their megastar, Vijay spoke to his gathered fans in the auditorium where the movie was to be screened.

He thanked all his fans for the patience shown by them in waiting for him and also expressed his affection towards all of the people who love him. He also gave a promise to do a show for the thousands of his fans all over from USA very soon.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Vijay's Next film - Ayngaran's News


After kuruvi actor Vijay will be dynamically involved with a film directed by Prabhu deva the shooting for the film will commence from June 6th 2008 the shooting locales is finalized in India, the later part of the film are planned to shoot abroad.

Nayanthara for the first will be starring along with him as the lead for this film, the title is not yet finalized it will be finalized very soon.

Vijay's fan goes to Malaysia

Vijay's fan Sushmita is going to Malaysia. This opportunity has come as a prize for winning a contest run by Boost in relation to Azhagiya Tamizh Magan.

After the release of Azhagiya Tamizh Magan, Boost introduced an SMS contest to which 11,000 people responded. The contest question was "What is actor Vijay's secret of strength?"

Sushmita's answer was selected as the best and she was rewarded with a Malaysian vacation package for her and her family. This gift package consists of a trip to Malaysia, an exclusive sightseeing programme and stay in a five-star hotel.

When we spoke with Sushmita, she said that she is very excited about this prize and feels proud of being selected from 11,000 respondents. She said she is going to enjoy this vacation with her family. She also joyfully screamed in Tamil "Ella Pugazhum Vijaykkey (all the fame belongs to Vijay)", alluding to the popular song "Ella Pugazhum Iraivanukkae" of Azhagiya Tamizh Magan.

While she was thinking that this is one of the best experiences in her life, it got even better. Actor Vijay called her up and conveyed his best wishes, leaving her breathless.

She received a grand send-off from Azhagiya Tamizh Magan's film director Bharathan, who handed over the flight tickets to her, and also from some crew members of the film, dignitaries from Boost and VisionPro, who organized this event jointly with Boost.

Vijay to interact with US fans

Vijay, always keen to show his commitment to his fans, immediately decided to take a break from his holiday and attend the show to meet his fans.

Vijay is currently spending his summer holidays in the US with his family. Meanwhile, Jayavel Murugan, US distributor of Vijay's recent release Kuruvi, has arranged a special show of the movie in San Jose. Vijay, always keen to show his commitment to his fans, immediately decided to take a break from his holiday and attend the show to meet his fans.

Jayavel Murugan has also decided to hold and interactive section with Vijay, much to the delight of his fans. The event will be on Friday, May 23 and the venue is Century Berryessa 10, 1171 North Capitol Avenue, San Jose, CA 95312. The event is from 7.45 to 8 p.m. and will be followed by a screening of Kuruvi.

Ilayathalapthy Vijay has a large fan base and the Kuruvi's release has generated a lot of enthusiasm. For most of his fans, meeting Vijay in person is like a dream coming true. This interaction with Vijay is his first in the US.

By Moviebuzz | Thursday, 22 May , 2008, 14:18

Ilayathalapathy Vijay who is holidaying in California, is a man deeply committed to his fans.

So he has decided to take a break from his holiday and attend a special show of his Kuruvi arranged by Jayavel Murugan the US distributor of the film and his fans.

Which other star in Kollywood while holidaying with family will come out on work?

Jayavel Murugan of Narmadha Travels will also be holding an interactive session with Ilayathalapathy after the special show. It will take place on Friday, May 23, at Century Berryessa 10 ,1171 North Capitol Avenue, San Jose, CA 95132 from 7.45 to 8.30 in the night, followed by a screening of the film.

Says Jayavel Murugan: "The audiences here are going crazy over Ilayathalpathy's arrival in US. He has agreed to attend to have an interactive session with the fans and also be present during the special screening of Kuruvin California. From distribution side we will do everything possible to help fans to meet him. This kind of interaction with a Kollywood star is happening for the first time in US".

Contact for tickets for the special event USA distributor Jayavel Murugan of Narmadha Travels (510)-494-9149

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Watch Kuruvi with Vijay this Friday!

By Behindwoods News Bureau.
May 22, 2008

Ilayathalapathi Vijay, chilling out in Bay Area will take few hours break from his vacation and meet and greet his hard core fans in US on Friday, May 23rd night.
Vijay

Jayavel Murugan of Narmadha Travels, distributor of KURUVI in US will also be holding an interactive session with Ilayathalapathy after the special show. It will take place on Friday, May 23, at Century Berryessa 10 ,1171 North Capitol Avenue, San Jose, CA 95132 from 7.45 to 8.30 in the night, followed by a screening of the film.

To utilize this once a while opportunity, reserve your tickets - contact special event USA distributor Jayavel Murugan of Narmadha Travels (510)-494-9149.

Vijay who will be catching the flight back to Chennai on Saturday took up this initiative himself.

Vijay on holiday in California

Vijay, whose Kuruvi was released recently has flown to California to spent summer holidays there.

Vijay has also taken his family members along with him. And he is expected to return to India on June 6th.


Since he is away Vijay who is the star Brand ambassador of Chennai super kings will not be able to attend the two matches happening on Wednesday and Saturday.


On his return, he would commence shooting for his next movie to be directed by Prabhudeva.

Vijay & family in California!
By Moviebuzz | Tuesday, 20 May , 2008, 09:01

Our Ilayathalapathy, Vijay after continuous and strenuous shooting schedules for the last six months, has taken a well deserved break. He is holidaying in California with wife Sangeeta and kids Sanjay and Sasha.

Vijay is staying with his cousins in Bay area of San Francisco, and generally just chilling out. He has no particular plans other than just laze around, play with kids and do some small shopping. As per plans he will be in US for the next two weeks, a welcome relief from Chennai’s Katri heat wave conditions.

Vijay will be back in Chennai on June 6, for the pooja and launch of his new untitled film for Ayngaran, to be directed by Prabhu Deva. Nayanthara is the heroine and others in the cast are Vadivel, Nepolean, Prakash Raj and Biju Menon. The film has music by Devi Sri Prasad and camera by Ravi Varman.

Vijay on vacation to US
IndiaGlitz [Wednesday, May 21, 2008]

Actor Vijay is off to California along with his family members. Vijay, whose ‘Kuruvi’ released recently, is off to spend his summer vacation in the United States. He is expected to return to Chennai on 6 June.

 Vijay Gallery

It is said that the star brand ambassador of the Chennai Super Kings cricket team will not be attending the matches to be played by the team in Chennai on Wednesday and Saturday.

On his return, he would commence shooting for his next movie to be directed by Prabhudeva.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Chennai Box Office (May 16-18, 2008)

Tuesday, 20 May , 2008, 11:31

Thanks to Ilayathalapathy Vijay’s star power at the box-office, more number of prints, bigger screens and no major opposition, Kuruvi holds on in its third weekend to the number one slot, by a whisker thin margin over the summer hit Santosh Subramaniyan. At number three is Narnia-2 in English and Tamil which opened in a dozen screens. Arasangam which took an impressive opening holds on in the fourth position. And in the fifth position is Yaaradi Nee Mohini. cbo a

Note : Ratings are based on the box office collections and the cost of the film

Kuruvi
Kuruvi
Cast: Vijay, Trisha, Suman, Vivek, Manivannan
Director : Dharani

Vijay, first half

No story, Dharani's listless presentation

BO verdict : Average

Kuruvi's tashan kills Bollywood's Tashan

Tashan means style or flair. But looks like the Bollywood movie, Tashan, has not lived up to its name. It had a very bad response in India and even outside India, where usually every Indian film is watched avidly.

In a box office survey in UK, it was seen that Kuruvi amassed more than Tashan. In a Top-20-films survey, Tashan was at No. 15 (and was only one week old) before Kuruvi made its debut in the UK. After release, Kuruvi took Tashan's spot in the Top 20 list andTashan dropped down to 18. This rating is based on boxoffice collections. Kuruvi collected $152,431 in four days, whereas Tashan managed to collect only about $110,607 in its entire second week.

Kuruvi's record is not ordinary. Taking into consideration that it was screened only on 13 screens, its per-screen-average collection is $11,725 which is second only to Iron Man. This is a very good reason for Vijay and the makers of Kuruvi to party.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Vijay goes the Ajit way?

By Moviebuzz | Saturday, 17 May , 2008, 10:22

The grapevine is abuzz that Vijay's next Prabhu Deva directed untitledfilm for Ayngaran is going to be a remake of a Bollywood film. Has our`Ilayathalapathy' changed tracks? Normally the source material for hisfilms is Telugu mass masalas.

Industry sources say that Dharani had brought the remake rights of the Telugu Prabhas film Chatrapati , and made it the second half of Kuruvi. Now that it has backfired Vijay for the time being is going north.

Remember that arch-rival Ajit's Billa, may be a remake of Rajinikanth's 1980 Billa, which itself is a remake of Amitabh Bachchan's 1978 Don. And Ajit's under production Aegan directed by Raju Sundaram is said to be the Tamil version of Shah Rukh Khan's Main Hoon Naa. The original was produced by Eros Entertainment, who has a tie-up with Ayngaran, the Tamil producers.

The latest we hear is that Prabhu Deva's new film with Vijay is said tobe sourced from Abbas Mastan directed Bobby Deol- Preity Zinta actionsuper hit Soldier(1998). It is an all out action film that was shot in Australia and NewZealand, and tells the story of a son's mission to seek revenge on hisfather an army officer killed by enemy forces and traitors.

Soldier remake is ideal subject for Vijay as it has action,sentiments, steamy romance with peppy songs. The new Vijay film isgoing to have music by Devi Sri Prasad, Dasavatharam cameramanRavi Varman will be the cinematographer and it is likely to be shot inAustria, Italy and Switzerland. Nayanthara will play the role done byPreity Zinta and Biju Menon will be the main villain.

Vijay’s date with Nayanthara in New Zealand!

By Behindwoods News Bureau.
May 17, 2008

Vijay's fans were reported to be keenly expecting the official announcement of their star's next project Singam. However, director Hari has once again played spoilsport where the title of the film is concerned by announcing that he has registered the name Singam and Surya would star in it. It is worth mentioning here that prior to this

Vijay was keen on the title Seval, but Hari refused to part with it. With the title issue finally being put to rest, Vijay's project with Prabhu Deva is all set to commence during the first week of June. This film, as per unconfirmed reports, will be a remake of the Bollywood blockbuster Soldier. It is said that the first half of the film will be shot in New Zealand and the team, including the lead pair Vijay and Nayanthara, are expected to leave the country sometime in June.

Remakes for Ilayathalapathy
Smitha Mathew [May 17, 2008, 3:47:53 PM]

Rumour are circulating that Vijay’s new film directed by Prabhu Deva is going to be a remake of the Hindi film Soldier. Remakes for Ilayathalapathy Vijay usually does the remake of Telugu hits; so has he changed language this time?

Ajit’s Billa, a remake of the 80's hit Billa with Rajinikanth in the lead was a copy of the SRK starrer Don, which was again a remake the 80's hit with Amitabh Bachan as the hero. It says that Ajit’s new film Aegan is a remake of the SRK starrer Mein Hoon Na.

Now Vijay, by appearing in the remake of Soldier, seems to be following the same path as Ajith; Soldier was released in 1998 with Bobby Deol and Preity Zinta in the lead roles. Vijay will have Nayantara as his lady love and shooting will take place at exotic locales of Austria, Italy and Switzerland. Biju Menon will be the villain.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Mani joins Vijay & Surya

By Behindwoods News Bureau. May 15, 2008

What?! A movie involving Mani Ratnam, Vijay, Harris Jayaraj, Jyothika, K.V. Anand, Madhavan and Surya? Is that possible? It's not only possible – the film is even ready to be released! Also involved are Kamal Hassan, Aamir Khan, Simran, and Prakash Raj. It's called Hero Va Zero Va, and it's a documentary produced by the Agaram Foundation which is managed by Sivakumar, Surya and Jyothika.
Agaram Foundation

The film looks at the issue of child labour and children dropping out of school. Based on a report/document researched and prepared by the Agaram Foundation (with CM Karunanidhi and Education Minister Thangam Thenarasu motivating them), the film shows Surya, Madhavan, Jyothika and Vijay each taking a child to school. Each of these children had to overcome various hurdles (ignorance of parents, lack of motivation, the prejudice of educating the girl child, etc) and they do so with these four stars motivating them to get an education.

In a function today, Surya screened the film and spoke a little more about it. A promotional video for the documentary that had been shot earlier involved Kamal, Aamir, Simran, Vijay and Prakash Raj speaking. The day Aamir was to do his bit in the video, he had that accident and the production team was messaging him to say they would shoot it later, but Aamir was already messaging them to say he had already shot himself speaking for the promo video and was sending it on Beta to them.
Surya thanked Vijay profusely for giving his time. Vijay as a rule, noted Surya, never goes out on Sundays, especially after 4 pm. Surya had asked him for one Sunday morning, but the shoot involved two Sundays, and it went beyond six p.m. But, said Surya, Vijay never made a fuss. All the other celebrities, added Surya, had been generous with their time also.

The film is directed by V. Priya, photographed by K.V. Anand, with music by Harris Jayaraj. Mani Ratnam helped Roshini and Thomas with the story. Director Priya said she was thrilled to be working with so many film luminaries, and directing four stars at the same time!

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Vikram, Vijay, and Ajith in Q for Soundarya

By Behindwoods News Bureau.
May 14, 2008

Soundarya Rajinikanth's association with the Hollywood production giant Warner Bros is bearing fruit. After rumors about a possible Billa II with Ajith, sources reveal that Soundarya is now busy jotting down plans also for Vijay and Vikram. Billa II, however, is still in the air with no official announcement from either side.
Soundarya Rajinikanth

However, it is learnt that Vishal has been roped in recently for a project by the joint venture production company. An official announcement in this regard will be out soon. Besides, plans for Ajith, Vijay, and Vikram are in the making and will be officially announced in the near future.

Kuruvi caught in the net

By Behindwoods News Bureau.
May 14, 2008

Pirated CDs have always been the bane of the film industry. Though the higher authorities are trying hard to curb this problem, the issue seems to rear its ugly head now and then. With new films hitting the screens, the problem is just getting bigger.
Kuruvi

On a tip off, recently, the police conducted a raid in a theatre in Chennai and arrested Abdul Raja for capturing the film Kuruvi in his video camera. A habitual offender, Abdul Raja had already been arrested twice.

On a search conducted in his home, it was fou nd that he had about 400 copies of Kuruvi CD and other new films. It is expected that Abdul may be booked under the Goondas Act.

Pirated Kuruvi DVDs seized

The city police have arrested four persons for selling pirated DVDs and VCDs of the Tamil film Kuruvi, produced by Udayanidhi Stalin, grand son of the chief minister M Karunanidhi, and starring Vijay and Trisha. The police conducted an intensive raid across the city on Wednesday reports TNN.

The police swung into action following instructions from the political bosses to curb selling the pirated versions of the film. The police formed special teams to conduct raids simultaneously in many places across the city targeting Burma Bazaar, T Nagar, Mogappair and Saidapet.

Police arrested Raja (25), Periya Balaji alias Padmanabhan (44), Suresh (27) and Arunachalam (35) for selling the pirated CDs. They recovered 3,690 DVDs and VCDs, including porn and other language films, worth Rs 26.21 lakh.

A police officer admitted that they have seized only 25 pirated versions of the film Kuruvi. The arrested were produced before the magistrate court in Egmore and remanded in judicial custody.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Chennai Box-Office (May 09-11)

By Moviebuzz
Tuesday, 13 May , 2008, 12:30

The box-office is jittery as highly hyped films are taking lukewarm openings and the star pull is decreasing. Vijay's Kuruvi is tottering at the box –office, but due to lack of strong opposition, the film continues to be at the number one slot. At number two is Santosh Subramaniyam, which is the hot favourite of the family audiences. In the third position is Vijaykanth's Arasangam, which surprised the trade by taking a very good opening (82 per cent) in seven Chennai screens. In the fourth position is NTR's Kantri, which is a hit and in the fifth position is Yaaradi Nee Mohini

Note : Ratings are based on the box office collections and the cost of the film

Kuruvi
Kuruvi
Cast: Vijay, Trisha, Suman, Vivek, Manivannan
Director : Dharani

Vijay, first half

No story, Dharani's listless presentation. Kuruvi looks more like a Telugu film

BO verdict : Average

Monday, May 12, 2008

Kuruvi - Magazine Reviews

கொஞ்சம் காரம். நிறை வீரம். கதைக்குத் தகுந்த மாதிரி குடும்ப பாரம். இந்த மூன்றும் கலந்து வந்திருக்கிறது. குருவி. கில்லியில் சொல்லி அடித்த விஜய் - தரணி கூட்டணி இப்போது குருவியை களத்தில் இறக்கியிருக்கிறது.. இந்த முறை விஜய் ஆந்திர வில்லன்களுடன் மோதுகிறார். பொலிவான முகமும் முறுக்கேறிய உடலுமாய் படம் முழுக்க வலம் வரும் விஜய்யிடம் சூப்பர்கிங் உற்சாகம். எடையைக் குறைச்சுட்டா ச்சும்மா சுறுசுறுன்னு குருவி மாதிரி ஆயிரலாம்னு விஜய்க்குத் தெரிஞ்சிருக்கும் போல.
படம் முழுக்க ஸ்லிம் அண்ட் ஸ்லீக்காக வருகிறார். வீட்டில் சாவு விழுந்தால் கூட தயங்காமல் டூயட்டைத் தொடர்கிற வழக்கமான ஹீரோயினாக த்ரிஷா. அடுத்தடுத்து வெட்டும் குத்தும் நடந்து கொண்டிருக்கும் வேளைகளிலும் என்னை லவ் பண்றியா? என்று விஜயை அவர் துரத்தும் காட்சிகளில் நமக்கு எரிச்சல்தான் ஏற்படுகிறது. அடிக்கடி விஜய்யின் கையை பிடித்தக் கொண்டு ஒடி கில்லி எ ஃபெக்ட்டைத் தர மட்டுமே பயன்பட்டிருக்கிறார் த்ரிஷா.

ஹீரோ, ஹீரோயின் இப்படியிருக்க கதை மலேசியாவை நோக்கிப் போகிறது. விஜய்யின் அப்பா மணிவண்ணன் கடன் சுமை தாங்காமல் வீட்டை விட்டு ஓடிப்போக குடும்பத்திற்கென்று மீதியான ஒரே சொத்து வீடு. அதையும் அப்பா கொடுத்த செக் பவுண்ஸ் ஆன கடனுக்காக பிடுங்கப்பட இருக்க கெடு வாங்கிக் கொண்டு செக் கொடுத்த மலேசிய கம்பெனிக்கு அப்பாவின் கடனை வசூல் செய்ய குருவியாக பறக்கிறார்கள் விஜய்யும் நண்பர் விவேக்கும். கதை அங்கே சூடு பிடித்திருக்க வேண்டும். ஆனால் குருவிதானே அதிக உயரம் பறக்க இயலவில்லை. ஏகப்பட்ட பில்டப்புகளுடன் வில்லன்கள் வந்தாலும், படத்தில் விறுவிறுப்பு மிஸ்ஸிங்.

அதிரடியாய் அறிமுகமாகும் சீனியர் வில்லனான சுமன் பாதிப் படத்திலேயே விஜய் அடித்து வீல் சேரில் உட்கார வைத்து விடுகிறார். எம்.எல்.ஏ. வாக வரும் ஆசிஷ் வித்யார்த்தி அடிமைத் தொழிலாளர்களை வைத்திருப்பதும் நினைத்த மாத்திரத்தில் அவர்களை சுட்டுக் கொல்வதும் போலீஸ் கைத்தடிகள் போல நடத்துவதும் சினிமாவில் மட்டுமே சாத்தியமான காட்சிகள். ஏதோ தெலுங்கு படம் மாதிரி போய்ட்டிருக்கே? என்ற நம் சந்தேகத்தை வில்லனகள் அனைவரும் ஆரம்பம் முதல் கடைசி வரை தெலுங்கில் பேசி உறுதிப்படுத்திவிடுகிறார்கள். குவாரியிலிருந்து குழந்தைகளைக் காப்பாற்ற முயலும் இளவரசு ஒரு நல்ல குணச்சித்திர நடிகராக மனதில் இடம் பிடிக்கிறார்.

சரண்யா, மணிவண்ணன், நாசர் (சிறப்பு தோற்றம்) போன்றோருக்கு நடிக்க வாய்ப்பே இல்லை.

விஜய்-விவேக் கூட்டணியில் வரும் காமெடி காட்சிகள் கோடை வெயிலில் தர்பூசணி சாப்பிடுவது போல் இருக்கின்றன. மேற்கத்திய இசையும் நாட்டுப்புறப்பாட்டும் கலந்து ஒலிக்கும் ஹேப்பி நியூ இயர் பாடல் இசையமைப்பாளர் வித்யாசாகரை தரணிக்கு சூப்பர் ஜோடி என சொல்ல வைக்கிறது. ஆனால் விஜய்யின் அறிமுகப் பாட்டு... விஜய்க்கான குத்து மிஸ்ஸிங்...

கொத்தடிமைத் தொழிலாளர்களை மையமாகக் கொண்டிருந்தாலும் அவர்களின் பிரச்னையை நச்சென்று காட்டுவது போல ஒரு காட்சி கூட இல்லாதது திரைக்கதையில் மிகப் பெரிய பலவீனம். முதல் பாதியில் காமெடி கலக்கலாகப் போகும் கதை பின்பாதியில் ரத்த மயமாகிறது. கில்லியின் வேகத்தை தொட்டுவிடவேண்டுமென்று தரணி முயன்றிருக்கிறார். ஆனால் அது தொட இயலாத அசுர வேகம்.

- குமுதம் விமர்சனக் குழு
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வில்லன்களால் சிறை வைக்கப்பட்ட தந்தையை காக்கும் மகனின் கதை. ஆம்பளையா இருந்தா உன் அப்பனை காப்பாத்துடா என்று சுமன் சவால் விட விறு விறு வேகமெடுக்கும் திரைக்கதையின் முன் பாதி, ஜாலி எக்ஸ்பிரஸ். ஆனால் பின்பாதி சீரியஸ் ஷதாப்தி. காட்சிக்கு காட்சி விஜய்யின் விஸ்வரூப ஆக்ஷன் அட போட வைப்பது இந்தப் படத்தின் ஸ்பெஷாலிட்டி. பணம் தர மறுக்கும் மலேசிய வில்லனை அடித்து துவைப்பது முதல் அவர்களின் சமூக விரோதத்தை வெளிச்சம் போட்டுக் காட்டுவது வரை அதிரடி இடி....
விஜய்யின் அலப்பறையில் அதிர்கிறது தியேட்டர். மின்வெட்டு நடனம், பன்ஞ் டயலாக்... என இளமை திரையில் தளும்பி தியேட்டருக்குள் தெறிக்கிறது. த்ரிஷாவை விஜய் சந்திப்பது கலகல கவிதை. விஜய்யைத் தேடி திருவல்லிக்கேணி வரும் த்ரிஷாவின் பையில் வைரத்தை வைக்க, பின்னர் நடக்கும் சம்பவங்கள் சந்தோஷ களேபரங்கள்... விவேக் வரும் காமெடி காட்சிகள் சிரிப்புக் களஞ்சியம். தோற்றத்திலும் குரலிலும் கரடு முரடு சேர்த்துக் கலக்கியிருக்கிறார் சுமன். ஆஷிஸ் வித்யார்த்தியின் சவுண்டான நடிப்பில் ரசிகர்களைக் கட்டிப்போடுகிறார். என்ன தான் கணவன் கெட்டவன் என்றாலும், அவன் அடி வாங்கும் காட்சியில் சரண்யா மகிழ்வது டூ மச். த்ரிஷாவும் அவ்வப்போது நடிக்கிறார்! குதிக்கிறார்.

அனைவரது கைத்தட்டலையும் பெறும் ஒளிப்பதிவாளர் கோபிநாத்., இயக்குநருக்கு இணையாக உழைத்திருக்கிறார். அதிரடி இசையில் அசத்தியிருக்கிறார் வித்யாசாகர். "மொழமொன்னு', "பல்லானது' பாடல்கள் இனி மியூசிக் சேனல்களின் செல்லப்பிள்ளை.

- கல்கி விமர்சன குழு
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தில், தூள், கில்லி' என்று ட்ரிபிள் ஷாட் அடித்த தரணியின் குருவி

வீடு ஏலத்தில் மூழ்காமல் இருக்க காணாமல் போன அப்பாவுக்கு வர வேண்டிய கடனை வசூலிக்க, "குருவி'யாக மலேசியா செல்கிறார் விஜய். கடனை வசூலிக்க முடியாமல், வில்லன் சுமனிடமிருந்து காஸ்ட்லி வைரத்தை லபக்கிக் கொண்டு சென்னை வருகிறார். வைரக் கள்வனிடம் மனதைப் பறிகொடுக்கும் சுமனின் தங்கை த்ரிஷாவும் பின்னாலேயே சென்னை வருகிறார். வைரத்தையும் தங்கையையும் தேடி சுமனும் சென்னைக்கு!
விஜய்யைப் போட்டுப் புரட்டியெடுத்துவிட்டு, அவருடைய அப்பா மணிவண்ணன் தன்னிடம் கொத்தடிமையாக இருக்கும் ஃப்ளாஷ்பேக்கைச் சொல்கிறார் சுமன். பிறகென்ன... அப்பாவை மீட்பதும் த்ரிஷாவைக் கைபிடிப்பதுமான திசை நோக்கிப் பறக்கிறது குருவி!

விஜய், தரணி, த்ரிஷா கூட்டணி; மதுரைக்குப் பதில் மலேசியா; கபடிக்குப் பதில் கார் ரேஸ் எனப் பழைய பாதைதான்! கொத்தடிமைகள் மீட்பும் வில்லன்களும் மட்டும் புதுசு!

விஜய்க்கு ஆதர்சமான ஆக்ஷன் அவதாரம் பொளேர் பொளேரெனப் பொளக்கிறார். டமால் டுமீலென வெடிக்கிறார். ஆகாயத்தில் பறக்கிறார். தண்ணீருக்குள் தடதடக்கிறார் என ஆக்ஷன் பேக்கேஜ்! கிடைத்த கேப்களில் காமெடி. சென்டிமென்ட் வகையறாக்களுக்கும் மரியாதை செய்கிறார். ஆனாலும்...?

கொஞ்சம் வெளிறி மெலிந்திருக்கிற த்ரிஷா, தமிழ் சினிமாவின் டிபிக்கலான சமய சந்தர்ப்பம் தெரியாமல் ராவடி பண்ணுகிற ஹீரோயின்! விஜய்யின் மரணச் செய்தியின் போதுகூட அம்மணியின் கண்கள் துடிக்கத் தவறுகிறதே?

ஆக்ஷன் டெம்போவை எகிறவைக்கிறது வித்யாசாகரின் இசை. பலானது பாடலின் பீட்டும் டான்ஸும் அதிரடி! சரசர சுறுசுறுவென அடுத்தடுத்து ஆங்கில் மாறி அசரடிக்கும் கோபிநாத்தின் ஒளிப்பதிவும் துல்லியம்.

மலேசியாவுக்கு பொருட்களைக் கை மாற்றும் குருவி வைரக் கடத்தல் என்று சின்ன சுவாரஸ்யம் உண்டாக்கியவர்கள், பின்பாதி பழிவாங்கும் ட்ரீட்மென்ட்டில் புதுசாக ஏதுமில்லாமல் கோட்டைவிட்டதில்... ஆவ்வ்வ்!'

நின்றால் ஆக்ஷன், நடந்தால் ஆக்ஷனோ ஆக்ஷன் என்ற திகட்டல் முயற்சிக்கு தியேட்டரில் நெகட்டிவ் ரியாக்ஷன்! சுமன், ஆசிஷ் வித்யார்த்தி, பவன், ஜீவி (கடப்பா ராஜா) என்று படம் நெடுக வில்லன்மேளா

விஜய்க்குத் தோழராக விவேக் உண்டு. கொஞ்சம் கலகலப்போடு சேர்த்து, நேரடியாக அதிரவைக்கிற கெட்ட வார்த்தை காமெடியும் உண்டு!

ஏர்போர்ட் கஸ்டம்ஸ் அதிகாரிகளுக்கே ஜஸ்ட் லைக் தட் டேக்கா கொடுத்து வைரம் கடத்தும் விஜய், அதை த்ரிஷாவின் கைப்பைக்குள் இருந்து எடுப்பதற்கு அத்தனையா சிரமப்படுவார்!

அப்பா மணிவண்ணனின் ரத்தம் படிந்த அதே கல்லால் வில்லனை அடிப்பது கம்ப்யூட்டர் பாஸ்வேர்டு தெரிந்த வில்லன் நினைவிழப்பது, க்ளைமாக்ஸில் நல்ல போலீஸ் என்ட்ரி கொடுப்பது, விஜய்யின் சேவையைப் பாராட்டி அவரது கொலைக் குற்றங்களை ஸ்பாட்டிலேயே போலீஸ் அதிகாரி மன்னிப்பது எல்லாம் தமிழ் சினிமா காலம் காலமாகக் கிழித்தெடுத்த கிளிஷேக்கள்!

- விகடன் விமர்சன குழு

Friday, May 09, 2008

There’s Vijay, what else? - Kuruvi Hindu's Review

When a filmmaker gives a blockbuster that stands out for neat narration, thrilling action and admirable technique, he sets a benchmark that even he could find tough to match again.

Director Dharani did just that with Ghilli — which is still fresh in the viewer’s mind. When the same team returns after a hiatus, there’s bound to be comparison. Kuruvi (U/A) tries its best to fly high; only the effort isn’t enough because the eagle (Ghilli) had soared much higher. Of course, Dharani keeps up the momentum and things move fast until the midway point.


This Red Giant Movies’ production is one of a kind — a film with a storyline that doesn’t even feign an attempt to be logical! Without doubt, fans like fantasy, but even they expect some rationale in the plot. Probably, Dharani felt that the Vijay magic would override everything else.


Vetrivel (Vijay) is superhuman. He has his quota of fun, and adding to the levity is his friend (Vivek). Matters take a serious turn when he understands that his father and a lot of his workers are enslaved in a quarry in Cuddapah.


Vijay’s footwork in the dances is absolutely amazing! But, before flexing his muscles, he could have worked on his brawn. It would have made his stunts believable. For the first time, Trisha’s screen presence isn’t a sizzler.


By the way, your timing and modulation are getting too repetitive, Vivek.


You can’t but be awed by the lip sync that Ashish Vidyarthi manages in every film. At no point is it apparent that it’s another person speaking for him! And, the actor lends life to even the most clichéd of roles. Manivannan is in the bad men’s custody but keeps threatening them constantly. You wonder how he gets away with it! Anyway, Kuruvi doesn’t care much for reason, and this is just one example.


Another letdown is Vidyasagar’s music. But Kalyan, Shobi and Prem Rakshit (dance choreographers) score. A definite value-addition is Gopinath’s camera.


Director Hari’s assistant Shiva Shanmugham made a film (Thagappansami) with the same theme — bonded labour. Released in December 2006, it had fine performances from Prashanth and Pooja, and was poignant and sensitively treated. Sadly, it sank without a trace. Dharani has picked up a similar line and made a pot-boiler, but one that is wanting.


Kuruvi
Genre:
Action
Director:
Dharani
Cast:
Vijay, Trisha, Suman
Storyline:
When the son realises that his father and the workers in his firm have been carted away and forced into bonded labour, hell breaks loose.
Bottomline:
There’s Vijay, but what else?

By: MALATHI RANGARAJAN

Kuruvi call - The Hindu

Will Dharani’s box-office draw continue with Kuruvi? Sudhish Kamath talks to the director

Kuruvi is a personal film but with a larger social theme


Chased by baddies, the hero has to rush home to save his family. He runs across rooftops and spots a train 200 metres away. He looks at the eagle soar, takes a cue and jumps! He flies. He doesn’t land on top of the train though. Having crossed 200 metres, he still falls one metre short but manages to grip the edge of a bridge, climbs over, sprints along and dives into the train.

Superstar would’ve landed straight on top of the train. On his feet, standing. “That’s because he’s Rajnikant. This is Vijay,” laughs director Dharani.

But this scene that appears in the interval block of Kuruvi is definitive of Dharani’s school of filmmaking. He likes to suspend your disbelief but within that realm of exaggeration, wants to have a streak of realism running through it. “You will see that in all my films. Going to Malaysia is no big deal for the people watching the film. But not for the hero. He has to find ways to get to Malaysia and he goes as a Kuruvi.”

The backdrop is real, only the events are exaggerated. It wasn’t so when he made Dhil, we ask.

“Dhil was a story of an ordinary man becoming a hero. But in Dhool or Ghilli or Kuruvi, the guys are heroes right from the start. So it has to be made differently.”

So it depends on the stardom of the leading man playing the role?

“Yes, everything starts from a star. From Hollywood to Chennai. James Bond films for example. You can’t make Schindler’s List with James Bond. He needs to be Bond. Imagine a Bond film where he does not say ‘shaken not stirred,’ will you like it? You want those one-liners.”

Dharani says he writes his scripts with those ingredients. “Actors may come and go but Bond remains. I write scripts for the hero.” So what is the formula? If there was one, every film with five songs and five fights would be a hit. “That will not work. Five songs, five fights don’t make up the formula. Dhool had only two fights. I wish I knew the formula. I look within me and go by what I believe in. All my scripts address different issues.” The hero is usually a representative of the common man who becomes their messiah right from his angry young man days. Who is the hero today?

“As times keep changing, problems keep changing. Today, people spend their lives in a cubicle. What people keep fighting for every day differs... like life in a call centre. They are so much inside their own world that the problem is becoming personal… That’s why Kuruvi’s motivation is personal though it has larger social consequences. When do you come out of your cubicle? Only when you have a problem that affects your life.”

Despite the contemporary hero prototype, Kuruvi has a distinct late seventies-eighties classic landscape feel.

“I wanted that feel. I love Sholay. Ramesh Sippy once said he wished he hadn’t made Sholay because he could never make another film bigger than that again. I wanted a remix of that feel for this generation. Otherwise, it is difficult to relate to guys running around with guns.”

The first half of the film is set in Malaysia and the second in a quarry in Cuddapah (shot in Salem). “Again, I wanted a clear-cut demarcation. People who enjoy life stay there (Malaysia). People who suffer stay here. I wanted the hero to be in the middle ground so that he can see both worlds.”

Vijay opts for remake again?

IndiaGlitz
[Friday, May 09, 2008]

Vijay had always tasted success with remakes. A majority of his movies were remade from Telugu.

Buzz is that Vijay's next ‘Singam’ is reportedly a remake of Bollywood blockbuster ‘Soldier’, which had Bobby Deol and Preity Zinta in lead roles.

Prabhu Deva, who is currently directing Salman Khan for ‘Pokkiri’ Hindi remake had watched ‘Soldier’ recently, following which he reportedly recommended Vijay to redo it in Tamil.

And Vijay, who felt comfortable to work with Prabhu Deva has asked the choreographer turned director to wield the megaphone for the Tamil version, hoping for another blockbuster on the lines of ‘Pokkiri’.

Thursday, May 08, 2008

பாக்ஸ் ஆஃபிஸில் பறக்கும் 'குருவி'!

வியாழக்கிழமை, 8 மே 2008 ( 16:49 IST )

'குருவி'க்கு விமர்சனங்கள்தான் சாதகமாக இல்லை என்றாலும், அதிரடி ஒபனிங் மூலம் சென்னை பாக்ஸ் ஆஃபிஸில் ரெக்கை கட்டி பறந்து வருகிறது.

'கில்லி' போல் இல்லை என்று விஜய் ரசிகர்கள் உள்பட பல தரப்பும் கூறி வந்தாலும், சென்ற வார இறுதியில் ரூ.1 கோடியே 80 லட்சங்களுடன் சென்னையில் முதலிடத்தில் கம்பீரமாக வீற்றுள்ளது 'குருவி'.

இரண்டாம் இடத்திலுள்ள ஜெயம் ரவியின் 'சந்தோஷ் சுப்ரமணியம்', பதினெட்டே கால் லட்சங்களை ஈட்டியுள்ளார்.

தனுஷின் 'யாரடி நீ மோகினி', வார இறுதியில் பதிமூன்று லட்ச ரூபாயை வசூலித்துள்ளது.

ஒரு மல்டிபிளக்ஸ்சில் ஒரே நாளில் 33 காட்சிகள் திரையிடப்பட்டு, 'சிவாஜி'யின் (25 காட்சிகள்) சாதனையை முறியடித்த 'குருவி', கடந்த வெள்ளி மற்றும் சனிக்கிழமை ஆகிய இரு நாட்களில் மட்டும் ரூ.37 லட்சத்தை வசூல் செய்தது. இதன்மூலம், முதல் இருதின வசூலில் 'பில்லா'வை முந்தியது.

KURUVI SETS RECORD

May 08, 2008
kuruviIlaya Thalapathy - starring "KURUVI", directed by Dharani which was produced by Udayanidhi Stalin, who is the grand son of our CM Kalaingar Karunanidhi is rocking all of your favourite silverscreens from may 3rd onwards. All the vijay fans are celebrating their Thalapathy-s summer extravaganza. KURUVI has created a record in Kerala. All over the state Kuruvi is released more than 50 theatres and is now running successfully. By releasing more than 50 theatres in Kerala, Vijay film has registered another record in a state other than TN.

Also, KURUVI team has another excellent news for Vijay fans. Kuruvi has completed 6 days successfully and with housefull shows it is running successfull. As per Kuruvi has collected more than 50 Lakhs in 3 days of release itself. This Collection is only around Chennai. Then what will be the collection report all over Tamil Nadu. Just Think.

All the Best to Ilaya Thalapathy and KURUVI team.

Vijay’s courtesy

Galatta
[May 8, 2008, 5:44:14 PM]

Vijay recently gifted a 32 gm. gold chain to Prem Nazeer, a famous dance director in Tollywood who received a lot of attention after he choreographed a dance sequence for NTR Jr. in Yamadonga.
Vijay’s courtesy
The dance sequence not only won the hearts of Tollywood audience, it also won Vijay’s heart. He immediately got in contact with Prem and requested him to work with him in Azhagiya Tamizh Magan.

Prem choreographed the dance sequence for 'Ella pugazhum oruvan oruvanukkae', which came out well. Now he has worked on two songs in Kuruvi which have become very popular with audiences.

Vijay was very happy with all this and presented Prem a 4-sovereign gold chain as a token of appreciation.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Kuruvi - No.1 Indian Film @ UK Box Office

U.K. BOX-OFFICE
- By Taran Adarsh, May 7, 2008 - 09:11 IST
Weekend: May 2 - 4, 2008.

· KURUVI [Tamil film] has debuted at No. 15 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £69,001 [approx. Rs. 55.96 lacs] on 13 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 5,308.
The breakdown:- Friday: £ 19,673; Saturday: £ 22,622; Sunday: £ 26,706.

· TASHAN [last weekend: No. 13, this weekend: No. 17]: In its second weekend, the film has collected £54,660 on 43 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 1,271. Total: £2,96,135 [approx. Rs. 2.40crores].
The breakdown:- Friday: £ 13,025; Saturday: £ 19,705; Sunday: £ 21,930.

· MR. WHITE MR. BLACK has debuted at No. 27 position. In its opening weekend, the film has collected £15,037 [approx. Rs. 12.03 lacs] on 11 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 1,367.
The breakdown:- Friday: £ 3,451; Saturday: £ 5,591; Sunday: £ 5,995.

· U ME AUR HUM [last weekend: No. 26, this weekend: No. 32]: In its fourth weekend, the film has collected £ 7,066 on 18 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 393. Total: £ 4,11,760 [approx. Rs. 3.30 crores].
The breakdown:- Friday: £ 948; Saturday: £ 2,199; Sunday: £ 3,919.

· KRAZZY 4 [last weekend: No. 44, this weekend: No. 67]: In its fourth weekend, the film has collected £1,081 on 4 screens, with the per screen average working out to £ 270. Total: £ 1,37,660 [approx. Rs. 1.10 crores].
The breakdown:- Friday: £ 187; Saturday: £ 231; Sunday: £ 663.


THIS WEEKEND IN U.K.
[Based on screen averages]


RANK

FILM

AVERAGE

1

KURUVI [Tamil film]

£ 5,308

2

MR. WHITE MR. BLACK

£ 1,367

3

TASHAN

£ 1,271

4

U ME AUR HUM

£ 393

5

KRAZZY 4

£ 270

'Kuruvi' Screened For Kalainger

IndiaGlitz
[Wednesday, May 07, 2008]


Our CM, Dr. Kalainger, is one person who has shown a constant interest in films. He recently saw the Vijay-Trisha starrer 'Kuruvi' and congratulated the effort put in by the entire team.

'Kuruvi' released a week back with much ado from the fans of Ilayathalapathy. After a week now, the film is circling high with a good collection at the box office.

'Kuruvi' directed by Dharani and produced by Udhayanidhi Stalin has music by Vidyasagar.

After 'Gilli', director Dharani has satisfied the fans as well as the movie buffs this time with 'Kuruvi'. Haven't you seen the film yet? Grab a ticket and watch the film in a theater.

We also have for you some snaps that were shot while the CM was present for watching the film along with the hero of the film, Vijay.

CM watches KuruviCM watches Kuruvi
Galatta [May 5, 2008, 5:59:36 PM]

Kuruvi is flying high, with its opening weekend just gone past. They say practice makes perfect and this seems to be the case with Kuruvi. The team that made the super-duper success of Ghilli, has worked its magic again, with even better results in Kuruvi.

Such is the success and hype around Kuruvi that the Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has seen it and given the movie a big thumbs up. To receive him at the private viewing theatre were Dharani and Vijay, not to mention his grandson Udayanidhi Stalin, debut producer of Kuruvi.

Kuruvi stars Vijay, Trisha, with the comedy track provided by Vivek. The movie is produced by Udayanidhi Stalin under his Red Giant Entertainment Ltd. banner.

Vijay’s plans for Singam

By Behindwoods News Bureau.
May 07, 2008

Vijay’s next project after Kuruvi is Singam, which will be directed by Prabhu Deva. Nayanthara, the leading lady of Kollywood, plays Vijay’s heroine in this film. Though there were widespread reports that Singam would commence on the day of Kuruvi’s release there were no such signs.
Vijay

Now reports flow in stating that Vijay’s busy schedule with the IPL matches has delayed the arrival of Singam. With the summer vacation on for most of the Kollywood families, Vijay is also expected to travel to some vacation spot.

Will the actor prefer a customary pooja before traveling or commence the project after the much-deserved vacation?

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Chennai Box Office (May 2-4, 2008)

Chennai Box Office (May 2-4, 2008)
Tuesday, 06 May , 2008, 14:05


Ilayathalapathy Vijay's Kuruvi, has made an impressive two day opening and is in the number one slot. Though it carries mixed reports, its opening is good and may cover its price as it is a B & C film. From eight Chennai screens it has netted approximately Rs 36 lakh in two days, with Sathyam big screening collecting Rs 8, 60,000 from 10 shows in two days!

At number two is Santosh Subramanian, which is very good in Chennai city. In the third position holding on is Yaaradi Nee Mohini, while Allu Arjun's Telugu film Parugu is in the fourth position. In the last place is Tashaan, which has collapsed.

குருவி - விமர்சனம்

ஆந்திரா காரத்தையும், தமிழ்நாட்டு ஈரத்தையும் கலந்து பிசைந்த மசாலா மிக்ஸ். குருவியாக மலேசியாவுக்கு பறக்கிற விஜய், அங்கே த்ரிஷாவை சந்திக்கிறார். வழக்கம்போல் ஜோடியின் அண்ணனே எதிரி. அவரிடமிருந்து விலை உயர்ந்த வைரத்தை சுட்டுக் கொண்டு இந்தியா திரும்பும் விஜயை விடாமல் துரத்துகிறது காதலும், கலவரமும்! குருவி, கழுகாக விஸ்வரூபம் எடுக்கிறது. எதிரியை போட்டுத்தள்ளி... காதலியை கைப்பற்றி... அப்பாவை காப்பாற்றி... ஒரு ஹீரோவுக்குதான் எத்தனை வேலைகள்? அடேயப்பா...!

விஜயின் அறிமுகக் காட்சியே விட்டலாச்சார்யா படத்தை விஞ்சுகிறது. புவியீர்ப்பு விசைக்கு சவால் விடுகிறார் ஒவ்வொரு காட்சியிலும். இவர் நடப்பதை விட பறப்பதே அதிகம் என்பதால்தான் குருவி என்று பெயர் வைத்தார்களோ?

அப்பாவுக்கு தரவேண்டிய கடனை வசூலிக்க மலேசியா செல்லும் விஜய் அங்கு செய்யும் சாகசங்கள் த்ரிஷாவுக்கு மட்டுமல்ல, ரசிகர்களுக்கும் வியப்புதான். சுமனின் வீட்டிற்குள்ளேயே புகுந்து வைரத்தை கிளப்பிக் கொண்டு தப்பிக்கும் விஜய், ஃபிளைட்டில் ஏறும் வரை ரசிகர்களுக்கு இறங்காது பி.பி. அடுத்த பிளைட்டிலேயே சுமன் சென்னைக்கு வந்திறங்க தீப்பிடிக்கிறது திரை.

இன்னொரு பக்கம் கொண்டா ரெட்டியாக முண்டா தட்டுகிறார் ஆசிஷ் வித்யார்த்தி. விஜயின் அப்பா மணிவண்ணனையும், அவருடன் சேர்த்து நூற்றுக்கணக்கான குடும்பங்களையும் கொத்தடிமைகளாக வைத்திருக்கும் இவரது கோஷ்டிகள் செய்யும் அட்டகாசங்கள், பதற வைக்கும் பரிதாபங்கள். மெல்ல இந்த கொத்தடிமை கூட்டத்துக்குள் ஊடுருவும் விஜய், கடப்பா ராஜூவை அடித்து துவைத்து, தூக்கில் தொங்க விடுகிற காட்சிகள் கைதட்டல் ரகம்.

விஜயை தேடி சென்னைக்கு வந்திறங்குகிற த்ரிஷா, தனது பேக்கை தவறவிட்டு தேடுவதும், டர்க்கி டவலுடன் ரிசப்ஷனில் சண்டை போடுவதும் கலகலப்பு. அண்ணன் அடிவாங்கி அரை பிணமாக கிடந்தாலும், அடித்துப்போட்ட காதலனிடம் ஒருவார்த்தை கேட்க வேண்டுமே? நல்ல தங்கச்சிங்கப்பா!

இடைவேளை வரைக்கும்தான் சுமனின் ஆட்டம். அதன்பின் நாற்காலியில் உட்கார்ந்தே நடிக்க வேண்டிய பரிதாபம். லேப்-டாப் மூலமாக குவாரிக்குள் இருக்கும் விஜயை சுமன் அடையாளம் காட்டும் காட்சி த்ரில்+கலகலப்பு. கடைசி ரிலீல் அவர் சக்கர நாற்காலியில் இருந்து ஜம்பென்று எழுந்து சண்டை போடுவது எப்டிங்ணா?

மணிவண்ணன், இளவரசு என்று மனதில் நிற்கிற கேரக்டர்களுக்கு ஜே.

விஜய் படங்களுக்கேயுரிய கும்மாங்குத்து பாடல்கள். அதிலும் “மொழ மொழன்னு யம்மா ய ம்மா பயங்கரம். அர்த்தம் புரியாமலே குழந்தைகளும் பாடுவார்கள். ஹ¨ம்...!

மேன் ஆஃப்த மேட்ச் ஒளிப்பதிவாளர் கோபிநாத்துக்குதான். ஒவ்வொரு பிரேமும் பிரமிப்பு! நம்ப முடியாமல் அமைக்கப்பட்டிருக்கும் சண்டைக்காட்சிகள்தான் இப்படத்தின் பலமும், பலவீனமும்.

'Kuruvi' flies high- record

IndiaGlitz
[Tuesday, May 06, 2008]

Vijay starrer 'Kuruvi', has opened in a big way. Released last week-end, the movie featured Trisha, Suman, Ashish Vidyarthy among others in the cast.

Produced by Udhyanidhi Stalin, the movie was directed by Dharani and had musical score by Vidyasagar.

The movie opened in over 300 screens across the State witnessed a bumper opening. Vijay fans thronged theatres in large numbers and it was gala-time at all the screens with huge cutouts and wall posters erected at various places.

Though the movie had managed mixed reviews from the media, Vijay fans are hopeful that the movie on mass-centric theme would certainly click and go on to become a blockbuster.

Awards and accolades all the way

Seven Tamil films bagged most of the Reliance Mobile Vijay Awards at a recent function

Photo: R. Shivaji Rao
MOMENT OF PRIDEDirector Maniratnam receiving the Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award from Director K. Balachandar at the second annual Reliance Mobile Vijay Awards 2007

“Paruthiveeran” and “Polladhavan” bagged four jury awards each (including Best Film and Best Director respectively) as “Pokkiri” and “Sivaji” shared honours in the popular category, winning four statuettes each as well. With “Chennai 28”, “Mozhi”, “Kattrudhu Tamizh” winning two pieces each, 20 out of the 30 Reliance Mobile Vijay Awards were clearly dominated by these seven films.

Satyaraj was adjudged the best actor for “Onbathu Rooba Nottu”, Superstar Rajnikant was voted by fans as their favourite Hero and the industry awarded the Best Entertainer Award to Vijay. Karthi and Anjali won the best debut actor awards for “Paruthiveeran” and “Kattradhu Tamil”. Priyamani was adjudged Best Actress and Nayanthara was voted Favourite Actress.

All of this took over five hours to unfold as one man decided to make it an enduring experience for the audience. When Yuhi Sethu announced “I am back,” little did we know what we were in for. Clearly lacking in brevity and wit, Sethu decided to pun-ish us with his brand of dry humour that was received with an appropriately dry response from the crowd.

“Cinema was moving closer to realism as news was becoming larger than life,” he observed on behalf of the jury that included Bhagyaraj, Madhan, Priyadarshan, Lizzy and Yuhi Sethu himself.

“Vijay is regarded as one of the smartest Tamil language channels,” said Ajay Vidyasagar, president — Content, STAR TV, recalling how “Kathai Illai Nijam” was the first live reality show in Tamil ever and now Jodi No. 1 rated as highest viewed non-fiction show ever. He said that STAR’s association with the Tamil film industry goes back to Channel V’s Quick Gun Murugan ads made in 1996 that popularised the catchphrase: Mind it, today used by the Chennai Super Kings team mascot Dhoni in the latest Pepsi commercial.

The emotional highpoint of the event was when a frail Film News ‘Anandan’ was honoured for his contribution to Tamil Cinema by Manorama who called him the ‘Chitraguptan’ of Tamil Cinema. Later in the evening, K. Balachander gave away the Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan award for excellence to Mani Ratnam, who said it was honour to get the Sivaji award and wished he had the opportunity to have worked with the veteran. And, A.R.Rahman said, “Ella Pugazhum Iraivanukke.”

Among the acceptance speeches, the most sentimental were by the directors Vetrimaran and Venkat Prabhu, the most unassuming speeches were by Prakash Raj and Prabhu Deva (Prakash Raj said other people from his team probably did a better job and a visibly thrilled Prabhu Deva said how he didn’t expect this as he admired all filmmakers nominated, including Vishnuvardhan for “Billa”) and the actors thanked the directors (Satyaraj gave Thankar Bachan all credit, Karthi did a crowd-pleaser saying a couple of lines from the movie before thanking Ameer and Superstar in a video-recorded acceptance speech held Shankar responsible for the success of Sivaji).

The Best singers Neha Bhasin (who said she it was her first award ever) and Krish performed, the king of bling BlaaZe did a hip-hop act and there were item numbers by Kamna, Samiksha, Rahasya and Sada who were accompanied by John Britto’s energetic bunch of dancers.

Overall, it’s a show best seen on TV where you have the option of changing channels to escape Yuhi’s longish academic preludes to each of the thirty categories.

* * *

AND THE AWARD GOES TO…

Eva Best Actor – Female Debut: Anjali, “Kattradhu Tamizh”

Best New Actor – Male Debut: Karthi, “Paruthiveeran”

Best Film: “Paruthiveeran”

Best Director: Vetrimaran, “Polladhavan”

Hitachi Best Actor – Male: Sathyaraj, “Onbathu Rooba Nottu”

Best Music Director: A.R.Rahman, “Sivaji”

Favourite Director: Prabhu Deva, “Pokkiri”

Reliance Mobile Favourite Film: “Pokkiri”

Favourite Hero: Rajnikant, “Sivaji”

Entertainer of the Year: Vijay, “Pokkiri”

Chevalier Sivaji Award for Excellence in Cinema: Mani Ratnam

Contribution to Tamil Cinema: Film News Anandan

By SUDHISH KAMATH

Monday, May 05, 2008

குருவி'யின் சாதனை

Cinesouth.com
- 05.05.2008

ரசிகர்கள் ஆவேசப்பட்ட அளவுக்கு இல்லையாம் விஜய்யின் 'குருவி'.
Vijay, Trisha
இதற்காக யாரும் உட்கார்ந்து ஒப்பாரி வைக்கவில்லை. ஓபனிங் எந்தப் படத்துக்கும் இல்லாத அளவுக்கு களை கட்டியிருக்கிறது. எந்தளவுக்கு என்றால், சில இடங்ளில் 'சிவாஜி'யையே ஓரம் கட்டியிருக்கிறது 'குருவி'.

சென்னை மல்டிபிளிக்ஸில் புதிய படங்கள் ஒரு தினத்தில் ஏழுமுறை திரையிடப்படும். அதிகம் போனால் பதினைந்து. 'சிவாஜி' சிங்கத்தின் படம் அல்லவா 25 காட்சிகள்வரை திரையிடப்பட்டன. தமிழ் நாட்டில் இதுதான் சாதனையாக இருந்தது
Vijay, Trisha
விஜய், தரணி கூட்டணியின் 'குருவி' 'சிவாஜி'யின் இந்த சாதனையை முறியடித்திருக்கிறது. சென்னை மல்டிபிலிக்ஸ் ஒன்றில் 'குருவி' ஒருதினம் முப்பத்து மூன்று காட்சிகள் திரையிடப்பட்டன. வேறு எந்த ஹீரோவும் நினைத்துப் பார்க்க முடியாத சாதனை இது.

இந்த ரேஞ்சில் படம் பத்துநாள் ஓடினாலே பக்காவாக லாபம் பார்க்கலாம் என சந்தோஷ முகம் காட்டுகிறார்கள் திரையரங்கு உரிமையாளர்கள்.

Kuruvi - Certainly not ‘Gilli’

IndiaGlitz
[Monday, May 05, 2008]

Much was expected on Vijay starrer ‘Kuruvi’ since it brings back the successful ‘Gilli’ team. The Vijay, Trisha, Dharani and Vidyasagar quartet oozed abundance energy and ‘Gilli’ turned out to be a racy entertainer, going on to become a blockbuster.

When they teamed together again, obviously expectations soared to greater heights. Unfortunately, ‘Kuruvi’ has failed to live up to expectations and the pep and energy in ‘Gilli’ was sorely missed in ‘Kuruvi’.

Dharani, known for rendering right commercial elements in his movie, has handled a wafer-thin storyline. He has tried his best to sustain the momentum, which works out in parts.

All credit to Vijay, who manages to leave his screen presence in his usual self. He fights, romances and tries his hand at comedy. The actor with a mass fan-following has tried to play to the gallery.

The on-screen chemistry between Trisha and Vijay deserve a special mention. The bubbly Trisha fits the bill well. Though she has limited scope to perform, unlike ‘Gilli’, she is right there delivering one of her best. Suman continues from where he left in ‘Sivaji’. As a baddie, he performs what one expects of him. The scene stealer is Vivek, who with his usual punch lines walks away with applause.

Music composer Vidyasagar's groovy music is good specially the number Darna..., which will rock the front-benchers.

In a nutshell, the movie is about Vetrivel (Vijay), a racer in Chennai, who sets out to free his father Singamuthu (Manivannan) and his peers who are bonded laborers in a mine run by Kocha (Suman) and Konda Reddy (Ashish).

In the meantime, he also finds time to romance Kocha's sister Devi (Trisha), who falls in love when he comes to her brother's place in Malaysia as part of his mission.

Special pat to producer Udayanidhi Stalin for spending his might to bring grandeur on screen. Dharani, known for his commercially masalas, disappoints those expecting the same from him. It can be enjoyed only in parts.

‘Kuruvi’, a racy thriller loaded with romance and action, is a sure treat for Vijay fans.

சிவாஜியை முந்திய குருவி

Cinesouth.com

பீர் அபிஷேகம், பிரமாண்டமான ஓபனிங், பிரமாதமான கூட்டணி. எல்லாம் இருந்தும் எதிர்பார்த்த அளவு இல்லையாம் குருவி. சைலண்டாக குமுறிக் கொண்டிருக்கிறார்கள் ரசிகர்கள். அவர்களுக்கு ஆறுதல் அளிப்பது போல் ஒரு செய்தி.

சூப்பர் ஸ்டாரின் சிவாஜியையே சைக்கிள் கேப்பில், ஸாரி... தியேட்டர் கேப்பில் தாண்டியிருக்கிறது குருவி. இதுவரை ஒரு காம்ப்ளக்ஸில் அதிக காட்சிகள் திரையிடப்பட்ட படம் என்ற சாதனை சிவாஜிக்கு இருந்தது.

சென்னையிலுள்ள மல்டி ஃபினிக்ஸ் ஒன்றில் 25 காட்சிகள் (ஒரு தினத்தில்) திரையிடப்பட்டது சிவாஜி. இந்த சாதனையை குருவி முறியடித்திருக்கிறது.

தமிழ் திரையரங்கு சரித்திரத்திலேயே முதல் முறையாக ஒரே நாளில் 33 காட்சிகள் குருவி திரையிடப்பட்டது. இளம் ஹீரோக்கள் யாரும் அண்ட முடியாத அபார சாதனை இது. தசாவதாரம் குருவியின் சாதனையை உடைத்தால்தான் உண்டு.

It seems Vijay's 'Kuruvi' did not come up to the expectations of the fans.

No one's weeping over it. It had a great opening like no other film, to such an extent that in some places, it even outdid 'Sivaji.'

In Chennai multiplexes, a film is screened 7 times in a day. Maximum is 15. 'Sivaji' went on to be screened about 25 times. This was a record for Tamil cinema.

The Vijay-Dharani team has outdone the 'Sivaji' record. At one Chennai multiplex, 'Kuruvi' was
screened 30 times, something that no other hero can dream of.

At this range, even a 10 day run is enough to make theatre owners happy.

Dhoni’s moustache a la Vijay

In yesterday's match between Chennai Super Stars and Rajasthan Royals, M.S. Dhoni was seen sporting a moustache in line with the tradition of Tamil Nadu. Dhoni, who is usually cleanly shaved or seen sporting a five o'clock shade, was seen yesterday sporting a well-trimmed moustache, which looks exactly like the one that adorns actor Vijay's upper lip.
Maybe both discussed Tamil culture when they interacted, especially how a moustache plays a role as an indicator of bravery and Dhoni hit upon the idea of growing a moustache. But this time, he chose to follow actor Vijay's style. Earlier, Dhoni was seen sporting a horseshoe-style moustache and even a hipster.

Up North, a clean-shaved face is considered gentlemanly, though hirsute faces are more common in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, which share with Tamil Nadu ideas about facial hair.

In an ad too, Dhoni has a thick fake moustache, caricaturing a maverick Tamilian who issues warning to other teams in the IPL.

Vijay awards presented

Galatta.com [May 5, 2008, 4:08:25 PM]

On May 3, the Jawarharlal Nehru stadium in Chennai witnessed the presentation of the second annual Vijay awards. The most popular persons of Tamil cinema gathered here amidst much glitz and glamour to participate in the event. The winners were selected by counting the votes that the Rasigan Express collected from the public while travelling through the state. So ultimately, the judges of the evening were the movie-loving public who voted for their favourite stars.
Rajinikanth won the award for the ‘Favourite Hero’ for Sivaji while the special award called ‘Entertainer of the Year’ went to Ilayathalapathy Vijay for Pokkiri and Azhagiya Tamizh Magan. A.R. Rahman bagged the ‘Best Music Director’ award for his peppy numbers in Sivaji. The prestigious ‘Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan' award for excellence in Tamil Cinema’ was presented to Mani Ratnam, the man who has taken Tamil cinema beyond the borders of Tamil Nadu and overseas. The Award for the ‘Favorite heroine’ was given to the ravishing Nayantara (Billa), the current heart-throb of Tamilnadu .The Best Actor (male) award was given to Sathyaraj for his excellent performance in Onbath Roobai Nottu; the best actress (female) award went to Priyamani for her memorable performance in Paruthi Veeran. Vetrimaran bagged the Best Director award for Polladhavan. ‘Icon of the Year’, decided by the media agencies and advertisers, was given to actor Suriya. Pokkiri was declared as ‘Favourite Film’ and ‘Favourite Director’ was given to Prabhu Deva for the same film.
‘Film News’ Anandan walked away with the award for the ‘Contribution to Tamil Cinema’. ‘Face of the year’ award went to Silambarasan. Paruthiveeran was adjudged the ‘Best Film’. Vadivelu bagged the award for the ‘Best Comedian’ for Marudamalai. Polladhavan took 3 more awards for Cinematography (Velraj) Stunt direction (Rambo Rajkumar) and the Best Villain (Kishore) categories. Best Playback Singer Male award was bagged by Krish for the song 'June Ponal' (Unnalae Unnalae) and the Best Playback Singer Female Award was won by the VIVA fame Neha Bhasin (Song: Pesugiren, Film: Satham Podathey). Venkat Prabhu of Chennai 600028 fame took home the award for 'best find of the year' and the team of the same film won the ‘Best Crew’. Sivaji bagged two more awards -- one for best lyricist (N. Muthukumar ) and the other for best Art Direction for Thota Tharani.

Best Supporting Actor went to Prakashraj (Mozhi) and to Sujatha for her commendable performance in Paruthi Veeran. ‘Best Dialogue Writer’ was given to Viji (Mozhi) and the award for ‘Best choreographer’ was won by Dinesh (Pokkiri - 'Vasantha Mullai'). The award for Best Actor Male in a debut performance was bagged by Karthi (Paruthi Veeran); the award for Best Actor Female in a debut performance was given to Anjali for Kattradhu Thamizh. The Best Editor award was won by Srikar Prasad (Kattradu Thamizh).

In addition to the presentation, the show glittered with sizzling performances by Sada, Ragasiya, Neha and Kamna. The popular rap artiste BLAZE joined in the celebrations with his many foot-tapping numbers.