Other News on Pokiri....

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Pokkiri is a forthcoming Tamil film directed by Prabhu Deva. The film stars Vijay and Asin in the lead roles with Prakash Raj, Nassar, Vadivelu and Napolean in critical roles. The film's music score and soundtrack are composed by Mani Sharma. The movie is a remake of Mahesh Babu's Pokiri, the Telugu film.

Currently, the director has added numerous comedy actions for his debut flick as a director. Earlier Ileana was choosen for the lead role, as she could not dole out dates Asin zeroed in. The movie is sure to provide ultimatum entertainment.

After waiting for months at home without any new film offers, Asin was finally relieved when she was signed up for Vijay's new Tamil film 'Pokiri'.

Asin has become extremely punctual on the sets of 'Pokiri'. The actress makes it a point these days to turn up atleast half an hour before the usual 6 AM for the shooting. Even otherwise, she is not known for arriving late for shooting.

The film's director, former dance choreographer-turned actor, Prabhudeva is extremely secretive about the script. This, and banning cellphones during shooting, seems to have become a fashion on Tamil film sets these days.

Here's a strong contender for Vijay's Pokkiri!!

The promos for Pokkiri show a fun film with Vijay back in his elements at what he does best – total entertainment. Asin is his foil. Prabhudeva makes his debut as director in Tamil with Pokkiri.

While Vijay is seeking to reestablish his standing as a bankable star and Prabhudeva is out to prove on his home turf, there is some interesting competition brewing in the backyard.

Raghavendra Lawrence, who was an associate under Prabudeva, soon became a much sought after choreographer and director in Telugu. He has worked with all the top stars there.
He did try to become hero in Tamil, but failed. Undeterred, he tried his hand at direction and his first film, Mass with Nagarjuna was a big hit.

His next film, Style, with himself and Prabhudeva has been one of the super hits of this year, a highlight being the presence of Nagarjuna and Chiranjeevi in the climax. That speaks volumes about the affection he commands in the industry there.Now, Lawrence is also on the home beat with the launch of his Tamil film, Muni for director Saran's Gemini Productions.

An extremely choosy Rajkiran, who enthralled with his performance in Thavamai Thavamirundhu, plays a weighty character once again. With him as the hero, one can expect either raw energy or subdued melodrama.

Let us hope, Lawrence is able to draw out another stellar act from him.The talk on everybody's lips right now is – will it be Pokkiri or Muni? We just cannot say, right now.

But watch this space as we bring you sneak peek into both.

www.behindwoods.com

Verdict: Bullshit Article No.1 :-D

Vijay and Asin sizzle in Pokiri

July 13, 2006

On July 6, Vijay -- an actor who has been churning out similar-looking films at regular intervals -- faced the camera after a long gap of six months for Pokiri, a remake of one of the biggest hits in Telugu.

The original, also called Pokiri, starred Mahesh Babu and Ileana and was directed by Puri Jagannadh. Following its stupendous success, Ileana became the hottest heroine in Telugu and Mahesh Babu, already a superstar, consolidated his position.

Vijay's last film Aathi, produced by his father S A Chandrasekhar, was a disaster. It was reported that distributors who lost a lot of money wanted the reimbursement from the producer. Shocked by its failure, and the criticism that he was repeating himself in his films, Vijay decided to become choosy.

A lover of remakes from Telugu, he was supposed to do a Tamil version of Dharani's Bangaram, until that film's failure made him look at other options. When Pokiri stormed the Telugu box office, Vijay didn't think twice.

Prabhu Deva, who has made the very successful Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana with Siddharth and Trisha in the lead, has taken on Puri Jagannath's role as director. It is the dancer's first directorial venture in Tamil.

With Vijay being an excellent dancer, and Prabhu Deva an exceptional choreographer, we can expect some great dance numbers in Pokiri.

Then began the hunt for a heroine. Trisha, one of Vijay's most successful co-stars, was ruled out mainly because she was his heroine in the forgettable Aathi. Vijay's last success was Sivakasi, where his co-star was Asin, the hottest heroine of the moment.

Asin has been extremely choosy about the roles she would like to portray. She found the role of an aerobics instructor interesting. The character is a lot like the real life actress -- friendly, chirpy and vivacious. Also, like Vijay, she has stayed away from the camera for a while, sticking to commercials and becoming a brand ambassador of products like Mirinda instead.

On July 6, a pooja was held at the Ganapati temple at AVM studio in Chennai. Vijay's mother Shobha Chandrasekhar did the clap for the first shot -- that of Vijay and Asin meeting in a lift.

Pokiri in Telugu was the story of a suave, cool mafia man called Pandu, who falls in love with an aerobics instructor, Shruthi. The film had lots of action, romance, fun and glamour - everything needed for commercial success. Like the heroine, the female audience also fell for the sophisticated Mahesh Babu, despite the fact that he played a mafia man.

Vijay is probably expecting the same result with his Tamil version. At present, his fans are mainly young men who like action. Asin is sure to get a lot of applause, like she did in Ghajini. With distributors falling over each other to buy it, Pokiri is being regarded as one of the hottest films in the making.

Vijay stuck with remakes

Vijay stuck up with a series of remakes, says with aplomb " There isn't anything wrong with remakes, as long as the storyline is conventional. In "Pokiri" the main storyline has been taken with a few changes to suit the sensibilities of Tamil cinema."

Vijay currently shooting for "Pokiri" remake of Telugu blockbuster. He is working with Asin in the film, directed by Prabhu Deva, who marks his debut in Tamil cinema. We expect great dance sequences with Vijay teaming up with Prabhu Deva. This stellar is contented doing Tamil films. He quotes " Only if I am comfortable with the language , will I be able perform well."

Vijay for sure concentrate on acting rather than direction for some time. At zenith, Vijay is the next most bankable star following Rajnikanth.

Source : http://kollywoodtoday.com/cinenews/news_item.asp?NewsID=183

Swargachitra's film still on with Vijay!

Cinesouth- 11.07.2006

A long time ago, Swargachitra Appachan had signed Vijay up for his new film. He had brought a long line of directors and screenplay writers with new storylines and ideas. Vijay had refused them all.

Then, the Tamil hero made Swargachitra Appachan buy the remake rights of a Telugu film even before its release. He paid an exorbitant price for it, but within 48 hours, the film crashed at
the box office.

Vijay then bought the remake rights of another Telugu film and is now busy acting in it.

Or a while, it looked as if Swargachitra Appachan had canceled his plans of producing a film with Vijay but now it looks as if the film is still on. In a recent interview to the media, he said that
Swargachitra Appachan's film will be based on a real-life incident that happened in the state a few months ago.

Vijay moving in the right direction...

Touted as the most bankable star next to Rajinikanth, Vijay is certainly riding the wave of success, as most of his films are assured of big draws at the box office. Currently shooting for Pokkiri, remake of the Telugu blockbuster, Vijay is working with Asin for this film, that is being directed by Prabhu Deva, who marks his debut in Tamil cinema.

Having done a series of remakes, one wonders if Vijay is following a set formula. "I don't think there is anything wrong with a remake, as long as the story is worth it," he says. For Pokkiri, Vijay says that only the main storyline has been taken, with quite a few changes made to suit the sensibilities of Tamil cinema. And with Prabhu Deva at the helm, song and dance sequences are being given a lot of importance. Thanks to Vijay's dancing prowess, the dance sequences promise to be quite a treat for moviegoers.

While his peers are venturing into new grounds, like Bollywood and Tollywood, Vijay is content doing Tamil films. He simply says, "Only if I am comfortable with a language, will I be able to perform." With a strict no-no to direction, Vijay sure is moving in the right direction.

Pokkiri filming begins

From The Hindu by S.R. Ashok Kumar

FIRST SHOT: Vijay, Asin, and Prabhu Deva on the sets of `Pokkiri'.

CHENNAI: Vijai greeted pretty Asin with a big `hi' for the first shot of Pokkiri on Thursday morning.

Vijai now looks happy. "The character I am doing in the film is that of an easy going person who is playful. It does not have a negative shade... I know I am in the hands of a good choreographer and director in Prabhu Deva. This project is a big one for both of us, and I am sure we will live up to the expectations of our fans."

Prabhu Deva agreed that he was a bit nervous, as this is his first film in Tamil. "I have full confidence in the stars and also in the screenplay. The final product will be a good entertaining film."

Vijai's mother, Shoba Chandrasekaran, gave the clap for the first shot, while producer S. Ramesh Babu's father, Sathyarama Murthy, switched on the camera. The film also stars Napolean, Nasser, Prakash Raj and Vadivelu. The music is being scored by Manisharma and Niravshah handles the camera.

http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/07/stories/2006070718040200.htm

Producer Appachan wants dates from Vijay

Producer Appachan who said to produce Vijay next movie after aathi unable to do it as Vijay agreed to do pokkiri. Appachan bought the right of Bangaram after negotiate with Vijay.

We also knew that he paid huge sum for the right. After the movie failed at box-office, Vijay decided to not go ahead with the project. But Appachan who had paid the money for the right unable to get it back, he also suffer to payback the interest rates to the financier.

Vijay who got to know about Appachan's problem, agreed to compansate Appachan. But Appachan kindly refused to take the money, but he asked Vijay to give callsheet for his next movie.

Will Vijay agree to do movie for Appachan? We have to wait for that until Vijay finishes his Pokkiri.

http://epaper.tamilmurasu.in/

'Pokiri' Movie Launch

IndiaGlitz
[Thursday, July 06, 2006]

After almost six months, it was action, start, camera for Vijay.

The actor's Pokiri being directed by Prabhudeva hit the floors. A remake of Telugu blockbuster, Pokiri stars Asin opposite him.

A host of celebrities including director S A Chandrasekhar, producer-director Rama Narayanan, Prakash Raj took part in a function held on Thursday. Vijay’s mom Shobana clapped the movie to a start.

Speaking at the function, Vijay, said, 'We have made few modifications in the script to suit the Tamil audience. I am keen to render a blockbuster with Pokiri'. epischomagi: Asked why he has restricted himself only to Tamil, the actor said, ' I am happy with the roles I get here. It is Tamil filmdom that brought me name and fame. Hence I concentrate on Tamil only for now'.

Asin was also thrilled to work with Vijay after the success of Sivakasi. She has changed her hair styling for the movie.

On his part, Prabhudeva, said, 'I am taking all efforts to render a success in Pokiri. Directing a popular star like Vijay is a real challenge, which I relish'.

The movie will be released in January 2007.

"Direction means tension"-Vijay

Cinesouth.com
- 06.07.2006

After the flop of `Aathi' (according to Cinesouth) Vijay has taken his own time in selecting a project and he's all set to be directed by Prabhu Deva in the re-make of `Pokkiri.'

It is produced by Ramesh of Kanakaratna Movies. The pooja for the film took place this morning at AVM's new Pillayar temple. Vijay, Asin, Prakashraj, SA Chandrasekhar and Shoba Chandrasekhar, Nasser, Selvaraghavan and others participated.

The minute the pooja was over, Vijay and Asin hurried to the nearby shooting spot where Prabhu Deva directed them in a few scenes. In between the shooting, Vijay spoke to the press.

"Even when I was acting in `Rasikan,' `Deva' and `Sendoorapandi,' I got offers to act in Telugu and Hindi, but I turned them down because of language problem. `Pokkiri' was a super hit in Telugu but we have changed it a bit in Tamil with some comedy. Since Prabhu Deva is directing the film, there will definitely be Tamil nativity in the film. The stunts will be unique under FEFSI Vijayan's direction. My fans will see their requisite song sequences too.

For a long time, the press has been wondering if I would direct a film. I should know well how difficult it is to direct. It is tension work and I am not suited for it. I have absolutely no desire to direct," said Vijay.

Will you contest in the Nadigar Sangam elections? "I have no idea," responded Vijay.
"Vijay is doing the role of a character Thamizh and the film will be released for Pongal," said Prabhu Deva.

Vijay's Pokkiri sold at record price!

July 06, 2006

Pokkiri, the remake of the Telugu blockbuster by the same name, is the much-awaited film this year. The Vijay-Prabhudeva-Asin combo has given rise to so much speculation and expectation that with just day one of the film being canned, trade experts predict a super hit. After a long hiatus of nearly six months, actor Vijay finally faces the camera.

The first day of shoot for the film was held at the new Pillayar Kovil at AVM studios, with various dignitaries gracing the occasion. Pokkiri is touted to be an action entertainer, much like Vijay's earlier films. In fact, a Vijay film enjoys such a market in Kollywood, that he is said to be the next in line after Rajinikanth.

Already, the prices are creating new records, keeping the producer Ramesh happy indeed. Music for the film is by Mani Sharma (who had composed for Vijay's Shah Jahan before with a quite a few hit numbers!), with Neerav Shah handling the camera, and Srikar Prasad as the editor. FEFSI Vijayan is the stunt master, who had choreographed the stunts for Rajnikanth's Baba.

After rigorous hours spent on going through scripts, Vijay finally chose this film, going for yet another remake. Mahesh Babu's Pokkiri was chosen with Prabhu Deva wielding the megaphone for the first time in Tamil, and Pokkiri is certainly a test for this versatile dancer in more ways than one. The event that marked the first day of the film was not extravagant, but a simple event.

Vijay's mother Shobha Chandrasekhar gave the clap for the first shot. The first scene shot was with Asin and Vijay, the lead pair in the film, in an elevator that was specially designed for the film.