A slip of the hand spelt death

The sight was enough to send a shiver down the spine. We decided to just wander around AVM Studios and generally check out on what was happening. What should we see but someone hanging upside down from a height of 40 feet.

"What wrong has the man done to be punished like this by heartless fiends?" Just as we were debating the cause, there was a sharp rap on the head. It was director Ramana. He asked, "How's Vijay's performance?" and we looked at him questioningly.

"I am referring to the man who's hanging upside down without a dupe," he said and only then did it dawn on us that it was Vijay! Even though the director had wanted to use a dupe for the scene, Vijay was adamant that he would do it himself.

Till the scene was over and Vijay came down to terra firma, our hair stood up in tension!

Courtesy: Cinesouth.com

Sivakasi takes it all

Many films hit the theatres this Diwali hoping to see the bright lights. But most of them were pushed to the dark corners. Only ‘Sivakasi’ managed to hit the box office really hard. Vijay’s ‘Sivakasi’ did very well this Diwali in spite of the torrential rains. It had 100 percent collections for three consecutive days all over the state.

The collection at Kolathur Ganga theatre on Diwali day was a whooping Rs.7.26 lakhs. Meanwhile, another big film ‘Maja’ failed terribly at the box office. The trade feels that the film failed due to lack of confinement. Moreover, the audience doesn’t want to see Vikram with such a weak character. The collection of the film is dipping every passing day. However, other Deepavali releases ‘Athu Oru Kana Kalam’ and ‘Perusu’ were utter flops. The collection of these films is meager.

Vijay wants to do double duty

IndiaGlitz
[Monday, November 28, 2005]

Guess what is Vijay's dream? 'It has been my desire to play dual role in a movie', says Vijay.

Interacting with his fans through teleconferencing organized as part of the promotion for his film Sivakasi, Vijay said it has been his desire to act in a double role.

He said, 'I hope my long pending desire would be fulfilled atleast next year.'

To a question on playing a similar roles in his films, Vijay replied,'I do what my fans want from me. They have appreciated me for such mass roles.

'I would be playing a cop in a movie next year,' he added.

To a question on whether he aspires to enter politics, Vijay, said, 'I don't like politics and would prefer continue acting in movies'.

The actor has been on a roll since his Thirumalai a couple of years ago. He has followed it up with hits like Gilli, Madurey, Thirupachi and now Sivakasi.

Prabhu and Sathyaraj outdo each other in praising Vijay

Cinesouth.com
- 28.11.2005

There's a lot of drama happening with Prabhu and Sathyaraj vying to head the Vijay fan club!

Vijay recently participated in a function in Chennai. At the same time, Prabhu and Sathyaraj ascended the dais and heaped praise on the Ilaya Dalapathy, as if trying to outdo each other.

"For my son Sibu's birthday, my daughter always gifts him a DVD of Vijay's film. Sibi is that crazy about Vijay. Given the chance, he will even start a Vijay fan club!"

The Puratchi Thamizhan had barely finished when Prabhu continued the flattery. "There's a Vijay fan club in my house too. My elder brother's son Dushyanth is always singing Vijay's praises."

As both the senior actors continued in this vein, the actual head of the Vijay fan club who was standing nearby had an expression on his face that said, "Oh, my god! Looks like there's competition for my post!"

Going great gun

Going great gun
IndiaGlitz [Saturday, November 26, 2005]


Close on the heels of a big success in Sivakasi, Vijay will have his Adhi released on Pongal day. Being his home production, the actor is doubly keen in getting the job done well.

Directed by Ramana, Adhi is a remake of the hit Telugu movie Atanokkade.

Speaking about the film, Vijay says, 'I play a college student in Adhi. The movie has good action, romance and sentiments to attract my fans. Trisha gives me company in the movie'.

Heaping praises on Ramana, Vijay says, 'I owe all credit to Ramana, who gave me a break when my chips were down with Thirumalai. He has made necessary corrections in the movies and has given a perfect entertainer in Adhi'.

After Adhi, Vijay will get into Puli, film in which he will play a cop for the first time ever.

Looks like there is no stopping him.

Nominees for the Film Today awards

November 26, 2005

The awardees for the Film Today awards of 2004 will be honoured at a function at Kamaraj Arangam in Chennai today. Vijay will bag the best actor and Asin will be the best actress. Namitha gets the best glamour star prize. Jeyam Ravi gets the special prize and S.J. Suryah the best popular star while the award for the hero with maximum number of films goes to Satyaraj.

Prakashraj is the best villain and Vadivelu is the best comedian. Ravikrishna wins the prize for best debutante actor and Sandhya is the best debutante actress. Balaji Sakthivel is the best director and A.M. Ratnam is the best producer. Vidyasagar is the best music director and Simbu gets the award for the best screenplay writer for his excellent work in Manmadhan.

Vijay is a man of pleasing demeanour

MODEST Actor Vijay

Actor Vijay needs no introduction. For a hero with `mass appeal', he is extremely affable. His elevation to stardom has not been meteoric but gradual.

"I planned it that way. I could have easily selected the roles I am doing now five or six years back, I am sure I would have succeeded. But my parents did not want my rise to be quick. Hence, I was prudent in selecting characters which would strengthen my career in films," the teenage heartthrob shared his secret of success during a visit to Sivakasi on the eve of his latest release of same name.

Hard worker

For a person with such a huge fan following and a string of successes, he is demure to the core. He knows both his strength and weakness well. "I will never over-do things. I know my limitations and work sincerely within them." Like many other Kollywood heroes, he too struggled before becoming a money-spinner.

His charisma is no less than any other top Kollywood star. He has brilliantly read the pulse of his fans: "I have come the hard way. My parents were always supportive and I was in a position to translate promises into results. Initially I played soft emotional characters and gradually shifted to action-packed roles. It was purely intentional and well planned."

His boyish looks work to his advantage and he selects roles that have a good reach among teenagers. No wonder then, that most of his fans are youths. Vijay also cherishes this status.
"I am what I am for my fans. I try to make them feel good. I want all ingredients in my movie. I am for commercial movies, which have fight, comedy and romance. I am very much involved in the movies I do. I am as interested as the director or the producer. But this should not be taken as interference. It is only participation out of interest. And it is showing good results," says the charismatic hero.

The current bunch of actors work on characters they play and Vijay too believes in it. But he follows a different style.

"I do a lot of home work. I follow real life characters, observe their movements and incorporate them in my movies. At present, I am shooting for `Puli' in which I play a police officer. I am trying to shape myself as a police officer, it is part of the job. Every actor is expected to do it."

Story is the hero

Vijay believes in intrinsic value of the story. "The story is the hero. There cannot be any story tailor-made for a hero. Of course, the content requires certain modifications to suit the hero, but the entire story cannot be tampered with. I never believe in making up," he asserts.

He is impressed by the competition among budding Kollywood heroes including Chimbhu, Dhanush and Jayam Ravi. "I like all the heroes. It proves there is no dearth of talent in acting. The competitive field brings out the best in them," says Vijay.

He values the contribution of his wife to his movies. "My wife takes care of my costumes. She also wishes to be a part of my movies, which is a good sign," he chuckles. Vijay is also involved in social service. "I know my fans have volunteered to serve for the welfare of family members of Tsunami victims. I am happy as long as they are useful and do good to the society. ," he beams with pride.

His next movie is `Aadhi' directed by Ramana, and planned for Pongal release.

T. Saravanan

Vijay dislikes direction, plans to make home production leading

Behindwoods.com
November 23, 2005

Ilaya Thalapthy Vijay is having a dazzling time in the industry. All his movies in the recent past have fetched good profits to the producers and he is in a happy mood as his latest release Sivakasi is also doing excellent business. He said that he is very happy as an actor and he will never turn to a director. He likes doing a job which is free from tension.

According, to him director is the captain of the ship and he has to manage lot of things and work's with a great deal which he dislikes. At the same time his father S.A.Chandrasekhar has started a new production house under the banner Suryan Arts and he is producing the movie Aadhi with Vijay. Vijay has some innovative ideas to make his home production house as one of the leading production houses in Cinema.

Laugh with Vijay (New Straits Times Press Malaysia)

Courtesy: Steve Purusotaman, actorvijay_fans@yahoogroups.com

Cinema: Laugh with Vijay
K.N. Vijiyan and Sharon Wong
Nov 17:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
SIVAKASI (Tamil)
Directed by Perarasu
Starring Vijay, Asin, Prakash Raj, Geetha, Lakshana, Sakunthala, M.S. Bhaskar

THIS movie has been drawing the crowd since it opened for Deepavali. It has been doing better business than Vikram's Majaa (the other Deepavali release), both here and in India.This goes to prove that Vijay has more fans, especially among the young. But don't go expecting a Gilli (Vijay's massive hit last year with Trisha and Prakash Raj). That was a movie with a serious theme.

Sivakasi is a full-length comedy (despite its mother-sentiment moments) and will leave you smiling. Expect to see the hero thrashing the baddies - in fact you see them flying through walls with just one punch — and some illogical twists in the story. But despite the hiccups, Vijay is fun to watch and the humour is infectious.Even lawyers in India have joined in the "fun". They are threatening to sue the film producer for maligning their profession. In the movie, a comedian (M.S. Bhaskar), acting as a lawyer, sleeps on the five-foot way and is the butt of jokes.

DREAM SONG:
Vijay (left) and Asin having fun in SivakasiVijay plays a poor welder called Sivakasi who is a good fighter. Rich girl Hema (Asin) falls for him and Sivakasi opens his heart to her. In a flashback, the hero tells Hema about his past life and how he had run away from home. Hema insists that he revisit his village and come back with his family to seek her hand in marriage.

The rest of the movie tells what happens when Sivakasi returns home.Director Perarasu, who also helmed Vijay's Thirupatchi, paces the story well. The events have the necessary momentum to take viewers to the climax without being boring.

Cameraman Sunny V. Joseph, who did excellent work in superstar Rajnikanth's Chandramukhi, also does well in Sivakasi. Srikanth Deva has tuned the six songs and most have already become popular with radio listeners, especially Vaada Vaada Tholah and Deepavali Deepavali.

It definitely was a blast watching Sivakasi (named after the Indian town famous for its firecrackers)
.................
THIS NEWS PUBLISHED IN MALAYSIA'S LEADING ENGLISH NEWSPAPER NST, ON 17TH NOV.

Sivakasi - Movie Review 9

Sivakasi: for Vijay fans only

Courtesy: rediff.com

Shobha Warrier November 08, 2005 15:50 IST

The Tamil Diwali release Sivakasi is like a pack of assorted crackers, with almost all the varieties made in the famed Sivakasi town of Tamil Nadu. It has sparklers, flower pots, 'atom' bombs, Lakshmi vedis… every cracker available in the market, and all of them used well.

Perarasu, the director of Sivakasi told rediff.com that Sivakasi is not a typical Vijay film, but the truth is that it is a typical Vijay film with all the ingredients in it, in the right proportions to satisfy all his fans. Like all his recent films Vijay plays a hero who growls and fights like a tiger, dances like a dream, is adept at tickling the funny bone, sheds tears for his mother and sister -- all in great style.

What more do his fans need? Is the story of Sivakasi any different from Perarasu's own Thirupachi or any other Vijay film? The answer is no.

The film which starts in Chennai moves to the village in the second half where Sivakasi (that's Vijay's name in the film) goes to save his mother (Geetha) and sister from his elder brother (Prakash Raj) who is evil incarnate. There are several songs with his lady love (Asin) and a number of fights with the baddies.

Like Perarasu said in his interview, in a nutshell, Sivakasi is about how a bad son treats (ill-treats) his mother when she is old, and how another son cares for her and saves her.

Vijay has excelled in all departments. Asin, who got a lot of applause in Ghajini, does not have much to do in Sivakasi. But Nayanthara, who drew a lot of flak for her item number in Ghajini, is the actress who is getting all the whistles and claps in Sivakasi for her latest. She just sizzles in the song! If Asin scored over her in Ghajini, it is Nayanthara who gets even with Sivakasi.

Yes, Sivakasi is made strictly for Vijay fans. The fact is, nobody associated with the film, the producer or the director or Vijay himself, proclaims this film to be 'different' or 'pathbreaking'. They have made the film to cater to a particular audience, those who have made Vijay's earlier films like Gilli, Madurai, Thirupachi, etc huge successes, and the same audience will make Sivakasi another blockbuster. The fantastic opening the film had all over Tamil Nadu is proof of that.

http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/nov/08sivakasi.htm

Sivakasi - Movie Review 8

Copyright: actorvijay_fans@yahoogroups.com

Author: Sai Venkat, Owner-Moderator, actorvijay_fans@yahoogroups.com

Just finished watching Sivakaasi last night! Just can't forget those hours of pure entertainment that I had watching Sivakaasi. From first scene to last scene, it was totally enjoyable! Far less violence than Thirupaachi, Far more enjoyable like Thirumalai and Ghilli, this is one of Vijay's most entertaining movies!

Story:
We all know its nothing new! Vijay is known for giving the same storyline with a different feel! Its the story of a welder who falls in love with a rich girl and then goes back to his village to his family to settle the problems of his cunning elder brother!

Music:
Srikkanth Deva has done a great job! All songs are superb. The background score could have been a little more better but who cares? His songs are what makes the movie more and more enjoyable! He definitely deserves another chance to work with Vijay!

Other Cast:
All did their job well. Vaiyapuri, Geetha, Lakshana, Chiti Babu, MS Baskar, etc all did well... The little boy from Kadhal had too small a role to play and his antics from Kadhal was missing!

Direction:
Perarasu has a formula and he perfectly goes by it! Entertain the audiences with unadulterated heroism, good fast songs, romance, action, comedy, etc all form ingredients of his formula! And he has the best ally in Vijay who does it to the hilt! This combination surely spells super success and I wish they do one more movie together but somewhat deviating from their formula but not at the cost of entertainment!

Prakash Raj:
He does as much as what he did in Ghilli! I cant understand how this role is small for Prakash Raj. He had good importance and had something to act for! He is one of the best villians today and he has been utilised by Perarasu well. We should appreciate Vijay for persuading Prakash Raj to act this role out!

Nayanthara:
ROCKING! My liking for Nayanthara is going up! She looks so beautiful in the song and with Vijay, she looks even good. Her dance was so good that I watched the song again for her dance with Vijay! She has definitely proved Perarasu's words that she has danced superbly in the song!

Asin:
Hema or Homa??? She is one of the rare heroines these days who can hold her own in action movies. Even actresses like Jyothika and Trisha couldnt hold their own in movies like Thirumalai, Thirupachi, Arul, Saami, etc but Asin has done her job very well. She has taken care that her role doesnt go unnoticed! Her chemistry with Vijay, needless to say, is so cute. The best scene was when she comes to Vijay's shop and accuses him of saying I love you to her sister Homa.. And the way she challenges Vijay and then turns her head three times after saying "Idho Paar, en thangachikku mattum edhavadhu aachu....". She is superb.

Ilayathalapathy:
After all praising above, I am surely losing words! Anyways, this is going to be a small review on Vijay in Sivakaasi. Because I am tired of praising him from Kushi till Sachein. So my praise on him for Sivakaasi is going to be short! He has done to his best and has lived up to the role of Sivakaasi. Cant imagine any other hero in this role of his! His acting, his expressions, his fights, etc all are superb. Chinna Thalaivan namma Vijay kalakittaru indha Padathula!

Overall Review: 9.4/10

WATCH IT AGAIN AND AGAIN! GET THE DVD FOR SAVING IT@

A smart work

IndiaGlitz
[Wednesday, November 16, 2005]

Vijay is known for nifty and swift actions in his films. In real life too, he has proved to be equally smart.

Following the burning of his effigy by advocates protesting against his new film Sivakasi, actor Vijay quickly put things in perspective, and said that he always had a great regard for advocates and never hurt the sentiments of the legal fraternity.

Shooting at Vishakapattinam for his Adhi, Vijay said, 'I am shocked to know that advocates had burnt my effigy holding protests in Chennai.

‘Every movie would have some comical relief or a comedian providing some relief. The advocate character was also created with a sole intention by director Perarasu to provide some fun in the movie and not to hurt the sentiments of anyone'.

He also recalled that he played a youth who fights for educating people about the laws of the country in Tamizhan and in Sukran. ‘I act as an advocate, who helps a couple, who gets assaulted by some influential men in the society'.

Urging the advocates to end matter amicably rather than hold protests, Vijay reiterated that his character in Sivakasi was created with no ulterior motives.

That’s all, your honors.

My mother and wife cried" - Vijay laments

Cinesouth.com
- 15.11.2005

"Those who burn effigies today will set fire to real people tomorrow," pens writer Charu Nivedita.

Effigies and photos of Vijay, Perarasu and others were set aflame at Chennai High Court yesterday. This act was committed by members of the court who are responsible for peace and justice. The violence and fury with which they acted is equal to any public offence.

The reason for their outrage is a scene in 'Sivakasi' where a lawyer is made fun of for comedy sake. Coming to know of this incident, Vijay who is at present shooting in Vishakapatnam, has sent an announcement.

"In cinema, there is always a good character for a hero, a bad character for a villain and a character used for comedy purpose from olden days to present times. The lawyer character in 'Sivakasi' is also one such character," says Vijay by way of explanation.

He pointed out instances in 'Thamizhan' and 'Sukran' where the pride of the law profession could be dented. Here are some points by Vijay that deserve mention.

* In 'Sivakasi' only the actor does what I say, not the director or producer. (Then why burn my image?)

* After rigorous screening by the tough Censor Board, 'Sivakasi' was released. (Should not the protestors then protest against the Censor Board?)

Vijay's third question is very valid. Lawyers cannot pass verdict on themselves.

"Our lawyer friends are getting worked up about scenes used purely for comedy. I respect their sentiments. My mother, wife, family and my fans who cherish me more than life itself, are upset to see my effigy being burnt like that, when I am alive and well in Vishakapatnam. Is there a medicine to heal their pain?"

Do the fiery law men have an answer to this?

ENDRENDRUM VIJAY...

FROM: STEVE, Yahoo Vijay Fans Group(purusotaman2002@yahoo.co.in)

Yesterday late night I watched Jaya TV's Endrendrum Vijay's special programme featured during release of Sachein. They showed it on Astro Vaanavil at 11.30-12.30pm. Many of u had watch it before, but for those staying outside India might not have seen it. So, I am writing
it out with some of the interesting conversations of Vijay. He is questioned by four girls. They asked many questions like...

Q: What do you think about Social Activites by stars?
<<>>Vijay: I'don't know about other, but i'm doing just for self-satisfaction. The successful person i'm today is because of the public. So, i think i have to do for them. Thats all, its not to
gain publicity or anything for popularity.

Q: Why do you continously doing commercial movies which known as
Vijay's Formula?
<<>>Vijay: There is thing called as Vijay's Formula. Actually I'm not the one who choose to do commercial movies. But my fans and the people's expectation is towards commercial movies only. So, i stick to commercial movies and my aim is to give what audience
wants. As long as audience loves to watch commercial movies i'll continue to do commercial movies. May be there will be some similarities between the films but audience enjoying commercial movies very much.

Q:Would you have come to acting, if your parents not in this cinema industry?
<<>>Vijay: I start to have interest in movies when i was 10 years. From that age i used to see lots of movies. And more over, my family cinema background has increase my interest in cinema. I still would have come to cinema, even if my parents not in cinema industry. But may be i would have gone to 10-15 cinema company and strugle few years before enter into this industry. With my parents support, my entrance to cinema is a bit easy. But when i was first tell my parents about my interest to enter cinema, i had do lots of arguments with my parents to convience them, because they don't want me to emter into in this industry as they know how hard it is to get a stable position. But i'm very much clear about my ambition to enter into cinema.

Q: Do you feel that your status as actor, disturb your normal life?
<<>>Vijay: I feel i missed few things like going to theatre with full crowd for Rajini sir movies, riding my bike on road, and thing that i used to do before enter cinema. But, i would not say it as
disturbance to my life. I enjoy my life as usual.

Q: Do you feel that you have missed few thing by entering into this industry?
<<>>Vijay: Yeah, certainly like my education, going arround freely. But i'm doing what ever i wish to do to enjoy my life as normal. Even if i'm not an actor, i'll still carryout my life as what i'm
doing today.

Q: Do ever wish to do more character roles?
<<>>Vijay: I wish to do, but previously i did Kannukul Nilavu. it didn't get good reponse, i'm very much happy when doing the movie but i'm very much upset with the result. So, i decided to not doing it and i feel that my fan not expecting that kind of movie from me.

Q: What do you expect from directors coming approach you? Do you tell them what thins that need to be in your movies?
<<>>Vijay: I don't interfece in story. But i used to ask for at least one "Khutu" song for my fans and two fights, thats all. I dont have any experience in story, i don't interfece in things that i
dont know. The direcors now days, knows what the trends in the market and what audience expect. I they are more knowledgable then me. I just leave it to them and concentrate on acting.

Q: Why did you do ghilli which is a remade? What do you think about dir.Dharani? Which is your fav song in Ghilli?
<<>>Vijay: I saw the original version of ghilli in telugu, i'm impressed with fast moving screenplay of the movie and decided to do it. Dir.Dharani has done a even greater job in Ghilli, he lots of changes to the screenplay. I really loved the movie. There are many mass songs in ghilli, but, my fav song is the Arjunar Villu situational song. Even now i use to play the song when i'm driving with Sanjay.

Q: What is your expectation when go to watch a movie as normal audience?
<<>>Vijay: It depends, like for Annamalai, i expect to watch Rajini sir sytle, punch dialouge. For, Autograph i dont expect to see fights all, but i'm very much enjoyed the movie. and i think of my
autograph in the end of the movie.

Q: How may autograph do you have?
<<>>Vijay: I also have, my first autograph when i was in 8th std, then when i was in 12th std, then few other when i'm in college. It's normal like other guys.

Q: Do you take care of all your costumes in movies, because now lots of youngters following your stlye of clothing?
<<>>Vijay: I like to wear a t-shirt and shirt on top of it and unbutton the shirt. I like to wear it very much. Now my wife is taking care of my costumes.

Q: Which is your fav song that you sing in your own voice?
<<>>Vijay: I like the song "Hey Pappa" from Badri, the picturisation also very cute. I also like the song "Coca Cola brown color" from Bagavathy.

Q: Do you have any memorable incident or naughty things you have done?
<<>>Vijay: I remember one thing, when i'm in college day, we go for a tour in train. We going with girls. And there is two guys coming from other compartment and teasing our college girls. So, i and my friends (10 of us), beat that guys. But, when arrive to station, the two guys come with 40 guys and beat us. Then i realise that i shouldn't have done it. Some my friends even get bandages when going back.
........

It's an hour programme, but most of things we already know. Hope u guys who missed the show, enjoy reading it.

- STEVE

"There can be only one Superstar" - Vijay

Ilayathalapathi Vijay has garnered an enviable fan following these days. His performance in films is simply superb and remarkable. Commenting on rumours that he has became arrogant because of his star status, he has strongly denied such rumours, describing them as baseless.

He says that his only aim is to earn a good place in the hearts of his fans. "There can be only one superstar and that can be none other than Rajinikanth," says Vijay in all humility.

Galatta.com