Vijay, Hari come together

IndiaGlitz [Thursday, November 29, 2007]

The latest buzz doing rounds in the industry is that the Vijay and Hari are coming together for the first time. Hari, who has proved his credentials as a successful commercial director, hasn’t worked with Vijay so far. He has worked with the likes of Vikram, Suriya, Sarath Kumar, and Simbu but somehow the combination between him and the box office King Vijay hasn’t happened yet. Now Kavithalaya, who produced the hit movie Thirumalai, starring Vijay (directed by Ramanaa), brings Hari and Vijay together. Thirumalai went on to become a big hit and the success came at the right time when Vijay's chips were down after a string of failed outings. Reports say that Vijay and Hari have agreed to work together next year. The actor is currently shooting for Dharani's Kuruvi. Then he would go ahead to complete Prabhu Deva's movie before commencing Hari's film. Hari, who is fresh from the success of Vel, is set to start a movie with Bharath. He would start Vijay's venture at the end of next year.

Is it Ajith-Vijay or Surya-Vikram combo?

By Behindwoods News Bureau.
November 28, 2007

Azhagam Perumal, one of director Mani Ratnam’s assistants, last seen in Kattrathu Tamil as the Tamil teacher is reverting to direction. He started his career playing a small role in Alaipayuthey as Madhavan’s Malayalee landlord and later went on to direct Dum Dum Dum for Mani’s production house.

Azhagam Perumal grabbed the audiences’ attention big time with his performance in Selva Raghavan’s Pudupettai in which he played a politician.

According to him, he prefers to act only when the roles interest him and it is not something that he is looking forward to. He is working on a script and plans to start his next venture soon for which he is eyeing two leading male stars. Whether it is Vikram and Surya or Ajith and Vijay - we will have to wait and watch.

Vijay accepts Minister's request

IndiaGlitz [Tuesday, November 27, 2007]

We reported yesterday that Union Health Minister Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss had requested to Vijay to avoid smoking on screen. Ilaya Thalapathy Vijay has responded positively to the appeal. “I will not act in smoking scenes anymore”, says Vijay. Vijay, who is currently shooting for Kuruvi near Chennai, has said that he would not act in scenes, which would demand the hero to smoke on the screen. The minister had urged the actor to stay away from smoking on screen. The minister said, “The actor has huge fan following with youngsters and children admiring him a lot”. Hence, Vijay, Dr. Anbumani said, should not set a bad example for them by acting in such scenes. Vijay immediately accepted his request. “Since I played a role with negative shade in 'Azhagiya Thamizh Magan', I had to smoke on screen. However I would ensure not to repeat the same again” he said. It was a healthy move by the minister to make a request instead of trying to force his opinion through enacting a law. It is a commendable response from the leading hero for an appeal with noble intentions. It could well become a positive precedence for others as well.

Vijay suggests cuts in Kuruvi

By Behindwoods News Bureau.
November 27, 2007

In his upcoming action-thriller Kuruvi, actor Vijay seems to have suggested a few significant changes after viewing the rushes that were shot earlier. Now the scenes that were shot to please his hardcore fans with some larger than life heroism will either go under the scissors or suffer a package alteration, based on his advice.

It seems Vijay is a tad apprehensive about too much of blind masala machismo not working out among the movie going public these days. He in fact is reported to have suggested to director, Dharani to project subtle affable heroism, which was the forte of their last outing – Gilli.
Kuruvi has already generated enough hype, as it is the debut production venture of Udhayanidhi, grandson of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. With music scored by Dharani’s lucky mascot - Vidyasagar, Trisha plays Vijay’s ladylove. The movie also has Suman, Vivek, Manivannan, and Malavika playing significant roles. Kuruvi is expected to hit the screens for the Tamil New Year – 2008.

Vijay says No Smoking in a Hari

By Behindwoods News Bureau.
November 27, 2007

When it comes to abide by requests, Vijay seems to follow his idol Rajini in every possible way. Recently, at a Health Conference, the Union Health Minister Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss put forth a request to Vijay to quit smoking on screen as it sets a bad precedent to the youth, to which the actor also acquiesced.

His current project with Dharani, produced by Udhayanidhi, titled Kuruvi is going on at a rapid pace. After which he is expected to star in a film to be directed by Prabhu Deva. The latest buzz is that Hari is all set to direct Vijay in a movie under the Kavithalaya banner.

Previously Vijay worked with Kavithalaya for Thirumalai, which gave him the much-needed break, around the same time when Hari established himself as a trustworthy director with Saamy, which was also produced by the same production house. Guess this movie will not feature Vijay in any smoking scenes, pretty strange to watch a Tamil action hero not smoking on screen.

Language is no problem: Prabhu Deva

IndiaGlitz [Monday, November 26, 2007]

Choreographer, director, and actor Prabhu Deva is directing Salman Khan for his maiden directorial venture in Hindi. A remake of his Tamil hit 'Pokkiri', the Hindi film went to floors a couple of months ago. Prabhu Deva says, "I had choreographed a couple of songs for Salman Khan earlier. We share a good rapport. It is easy working with him". Does he have any problem with the language? "I watched the Telugu version of 'Pokkiri' several times. Of course, I wielded the megaphone for the Tamil version. The script is very close to my heart. Language is never a problem when you have the screenplay ready". Prabhu Deva informs that he would team up with Vijay again after finishing the Hindi movie. "I would be back in my familiar territory. The movie will be produced by Ayngaran International. The hero will be Vijay". The movie will also have Vadivelu

Vijay-Prabhu Deva together again

Galatta.com
November 26, 2007

When Ilaiyathalapathy joined hands with the actor-director Prabhu Deva, they brought out the super hit Pokkiri. The movie was the remake of Prabhu Deva's Telugu Pokiri, which was also a big hit. And now, the director is busy making the same in Hindi with Salman Khan in the lead. Looks like he's trying to make the best of a winning script.

Well, if the movie rakes in much moolah and rave reviews again, what will Prabhudeva do next? It happens quite often that when a non-Bollywood person makes a mark in Bollywood, their return to home ground will be delayed, till they meet a rough patch there. So will the South lose a talented director if the Hindi Pokkiri strikes the right chords?

No way! Our man is all set to return home and make another Tamil flick with Vijay in the lead! Once he's capitalized on the winning script, he's ready to see if his winning combination with Vijay will work for him again! Now, add to this combo Vadivelu--it' s already giving Vijay fans a reason to get excited!

Anbumani asks actor Vijay to stop smoking on screen

Chennai Online
Sunday, 25 November , 2007, 20:07

Chennai: After taking on superstar Rajnikanth for his on-screen smoking, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss on Sunday advised popular Tamil hero Vijay to stop showing smoking scenes in his films.

"He is an young actor and a large number of youth are following him. I advise him to stop showing smoking scenes in his films. I am requesting this not only as a Union Minister but also as a Tamil and a doctor," he said.

There was a misconception in the film industry that the films would run successfully only if it had smoking screens, he added.

Ramadoss said he had written to Rajnikanth a few years ago, requesting him not to smoke before the camera as it could have a bad influence on his massive fan following.

His two latest films Chandramukhi and Sivaji - The Boss did not have any smoking scenes and they turned out to be huge successes, setting a record in the history of Tamil film industry, he said.

Azhagiya Tamil Magan : Feel good

Screen India Naresh Flamboyant Vijay in a dual role takes the viewers on a rollercoaster ride of entertainment for a two and half hours in Swarga Chitra’s Azhagiya Tamil Magan. Athletic Guru (Vijay likes the kind hearted Abhinaya (Shreya) daughter of a business tycoon Anand Cheyyar (Ashish Vidyarthi). She reciprocates his love when she comes to know that he lost the running race to her friend’s brother Shakthi (Sreeman) so that Shakthi could get a job under the sports quota. Anand Cheyyar agrees for their marriage and after a dramatic entry, the boy’s father (Thanikella Bharani) too accepts his son’s choice. Abhi goes to Guru’s village along with him and convinces his mother (Geetha) who till then was apprehensive about a city bahu. In the meantime, Guru realises that he has extra sensory perception (ESP) as he foresees the death of the little girl who lives in the same bungalow as he is. He couldn’t save her but he could save his father and the villagers averting a train accident. Much to the chagrin of Abhi and her father, Guru stays away from his engagement ceremony. The reason his ESP told that he is going to knife Abhi in a ruined fort. In order to avoid the incident he leaves Chennai and heads for Mumbai. To his surprise he finds his look-alike Prasad (Vijay) there. Before he could reach him, he is hit by a moving lorry and is hospitalised. Prasad works for a Bank and illegally finances the money to a Seth (Sayaji Shinde) in Chennai. To recover the money he comes to Chennai. Abhi spots him outside the Seth’s office complex and takes him home thinking that he is Guru. A Casanova of sorts Prasad assumes the role of Guru and plans to usurp the girl and her property. Guru returns to Chennai to save Abhi. And then follows the one-up-man-ship drama between Guru and Prasad leading to an interesting climax. TECHNICAL EXPERTISE: The story seems to have drawn its inspiration from an old MGR hit, Ninaippadhai Mudippavan and ace filmmaker Bharathan makes the proceedings interesting with his crisp and witty dialogue. Vijay played the hero as well as the anti-hero to the hilt offering total entertainment. Shreya makes good contribution while Namita donned a special appearance. Super Subbarayan’s action blocks allure especially when the two Vijay’s fight with each other. A. R. Rahman’s music is a major asset for the movie.

Kuruvi in Bar

By Behindwoods News Bureau.
November 23, 2007

Following the release of ATM, Vijay has gone forward to his next project Kuruvi being produced by Udhayanidhi and directed by Dharani. The Ghilli team of Dharani, Vijay and Trisha are back in action once again and shooting is proceeding at a brisk pace just like any of Dharani's film.

Recently a song was canned at A V M studios where a grandiose set resembling a bar has been erected for this purpose.

Dharani's innovative technique of filming a stunt scene along with a song was much appreciated by everyone in Dhool. A sequence in a similar pattern is said to be shot making use of the services of hundreds of dance artists, Stuntmen and atmosphere artists. Going by past record, this scene may sure to set a new trend rolling in film industry.

Style of his own - Friday Review Thiruvananthapuram

PREMA MANMADHAN

In a freewheeling conversation, Vijay explains why he will act in Tamil films only.

Savvy: Vijay has evolved his own signature style that includes emoting, acting and dancing.

His future, should he become a politician, is paved with gold, for Vijay would have perfected the role with panache, in a few years’ time. He will act only in Tamil movies. He speaks only in Tamil for any interview. Why doesn’t he speak in English even in another State like Kerala?

“I don’t know English,” he answers, without batting an eyelid, when he came to Kochi for an award function Sunday last. You would think the 33-year-old actor is just in his early twenties. The ‘boy next door’ image sticks in most of his movies. With a day-old stubble and in casual jeans, Vijay does not look too enthusiastic to field questions. But then, his managers warn you that he is a shy person. But he discussed everything from Tamil cinema to his favourite actors in Indian cinema. Who are his favourite actors? Amitabh Bachchan and Madhuri Dixit!

‘Kaadhalukku Mariyadai,’ directed by Fazil, was his first major hit in 1997. Shalini had played the female lead in this movie. Vijay debuted as hero at age 18 in ‘Naalaya Theerpu.’ He has had his share of hits and flops, but Vijay takes it all in his stride. Some of his movies such as ‘Ghilli’ and ‘Thirupachi’ have been huge box office grossers while ‘Kannukkul Nilavu’ and ‘Aadhi’ bit the dust.

“I usually analyse what went wrong when a film does not do well. I do it myself and don’t take anybody’s help. I have found that people expect me to take roles which have a lot of action and some comedy. That is what they like and those kind of films have clicked,” he says.

Does that mean he will do only one kind of movies? “No, maybe once in two years or so, I will do some other kind of movie for a change, that’s all. But no movies in any other language,” he insists. Why?

“I have a problem following other languages and I don’t like my voice being dubbed,” he explains. But Vijay watches a lot of movies in all kinds of languages.

He would love to act with Mammootty and Mohanlal, but again language is the obstacle, he adds. One of the differences between Tamil and Malayalam movies, he says, is that Malayalam movies are more realistic than Tamil movies.

“It is the percentage really. Tamil films are maybe less than 50 per cent realistic while Malayalam above 50 per cent,” he elaborates. But that is how the audiences in both States want them, he is quick to add. However, some Tamil movies such as ‘Paruthiveeran,’ which was very realistic by Tamil standards did well, Vijay says.

“Tamil film industry is very healthy now, with lots of experimental and other kinds of movies,” he sums up the scene.

Directorial dreams

What about directorial dreams? “No no, I don’t have that mentality, it is not easy,” Vijay feels. Acting under his father’s direction was not easy as one’s parent always wants his son to do the best, but later, he got used to it. Not many actors have the privilege of having as filmy a background as Vijay’s. His father, S.A.Chandrashekharan, is a producer-director and mother, Shobha, a playback singer. Of all her songs, Vijay’s favourite is the one she sang in the movie ‘Sivakasi.’ Vijay has sung many songs for movies though he has had no formal training in music like his mother.

Acting, singing and yes, dancing. Vijay’s signature style, graceful and slow steps, mixed judiciously with fast ones, even got kudos from Prabhudeva.

“My style just developed like that. It was not deliberate. I have had no formal dance training,”

His fans call him ‘Ilayathalapathy’ and even in Kerala, he has a fans’ association which met him at the foyer of the hotel he stayed in at Kochi. The Ilayathalapathy surely has his act together, and is a ‘stylemannan’ in his own right too.

விஜய், நயனதாராவுக்கு விருது

மலையாளத்து மாத்ருபூமி பத்திரிகை சார்பில் நடிகர் விஜய், நடிகை நயனதாரா உள்ளிட்டோருக்கு கேரளாவில் நடந்த விழாவில் விருது வழங்கப்பட்டது.

மாத்ருபூமி திரைப்பட விருதுகள் சமீபத்தில் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டன. இதில், இந்த ஆண்டு முதல் முறையாக தமிழுக்கும் விருதுகள் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டன. போக்கிரி படத்தில் சிறப்பாக நடித்ததற்காக விஜய்க்கு சிறந்த நடிகர் விருதும், ஈ படத்தில் சிறப்பாக நடித்ததற்காக நயனதாராவுக்கு சிறந்த நடிகை விருதும் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டது. போக்கிரி பட இயக்குநர் பிரபுதேவாவுக்கு சிறந்த இயக்குநருக்கான விருது கிடைத்தது.

விருது வழங்கும் விழா கொச்சியில் உள்ள திறந்தவெளி மெரைன் டிரைவ் அரங்கில் நடந்தது. 30 ஆயிரத்திற்கும் மேற்பட்டோர் திரண்டு வந்திருந்தனர். இவர்களில் பெரும்பாலானோர் விஜய்யைப் பார்க்க திரண்டிருந்தனர் என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.

விஜய் நிகழ்ச்சியில் கலந்து கொள்ள வந்தபோது கூட்டம் அவரைப் பார்க்க முண்டியடித்தது. நிகழ்ச்சியில் பங்கேற்ற விஜய், குத்து விளக்கேற்றி நிகழ்ச்சியைத் தொடங்கி வைத்தார்.

இந்த நிகழ்ச்சியில் மாத்ருபூமி இதழின் நிர்வாக இயக்குநரும், ஜனதாதள தலைவருமான வீரேந்திர குமார், ஆசிரியர் பி.வி.சந்திரன், மலையாள சூப்பர் ஸ்டார்கள் மம்முட்டி, மோகன்லால் உள்ளிட்டோரும் கலந்து கொண்டனர்.

மோகன்லால், விஜய்க்கு விருது வழங்கினார். அப்போது கூட்டத்தினர் பெரும் ஆரவாரம் செய்து கைதட்டி மகிழ்ந்தனர். நயனதாராவுக்கு மம்முட்டி விருது வழங்கினார்.

மெரைன் டிரைவ் திறந்த வெளி அரங்கில் இதுவரை இந்த அளவுக்கு கூட்டம் வந்ததில்லை என்று நிகழ்ச்சிக்கு வந்திருந்தவர்கள் கூறிக் கொண்டதைக் கேட்க முடிந்தது.

விஜய்க்கு கேரளாவில் பெருமளவில் ரசிகர்கள் உள்ளனர் என்பதை இந்த கொச்சி நிகழ்ச்சி நிரூபிக்கும் வகையில் அமைந்தது. மேலும், ரஜினி, கமலுக்குப் பிறகு கேரள ரசிகர்களின் இதயங்களில் இடம் பிடித்துள்ள தமிழ் நடிகர் விஜய் என்பதும் நிரூபணமாகியுள்ளது.

Link: thatstamil.com

Vijay, Nayanthara rock Kochi!

It was the mother of all events in Kochi. Tamil superstar Ilayathalapathy Vijay, glamour queen of south India Nayanthara, Malayalam Megastar`s Mammootty and Mohanlal on the same stage receiving the prestigious Mathrubhumi film awards!

The crowd went berserk seeing Vijay, the most popular Tamil actor and the king among non malayalee actors in Kerala, as he lighted the traditional Kuthuvilakku in the presence of `Mathrubhumi` editor P.V Chandran and Managing director and Janatha Dal strongman Veerendra Kumar.

Later old timers were saying that they have never seen such kind of a crowd even for political meetings held at Marine Drive!

The `Mathrubhumi` event managers pulled off a coup when they had Kerala`s mass hero the one and only Mohanlal giving award to the man of the masses Vijay, while the greatest actor in Malayalam cinema, the dashing Mammootty presenting Nayanthara the south Indian glamour queen with her award.

`Mathrubhumi`, a leading Malayalam daily and one of the best known newspapers in the country, had from this year started an award for Tamil films. Nearly 37,000 people turned up at the open air Marine Drive in Kochi, to see mainly Vijay get the best actor and Nayanthara the best actress awards for Pokkiri and E respectively.

Courtesy: Sify.com

Sify Chennai Box office - This week

The big news at CBO this weekend is that King Khan has emerged ‘Number 1’ with his Om Shanti Om collections remaining steady in its second week thanks to multiplexes ( Sathyam, Inox and Mayajaal). Added to that the much hyped ATM collections, are going downhill, which helped OSO, to emerge as a winner in the top slot in five Chennai screens.

And the big surprise is the rise of the dark horse Dhanush’s Polladhavan, which has taken the number two slot due to good word –of-mouth. Please note that it is playing only in single screens or old complexes. It would have been the number one if it had played in multiplexes where elite audiences would have lapped it up. At Pilot in Royapettah, a single screen regularly showing dubbed English films,Polladhavan has netted a record Rs 6.45 lakhs,in its first week more than the Tamil dubbed Spiderman-3 existing record of Rs 5.85 lakhs!

Surya’s, Hari directed action family drama Vel, is not a city film so had a marginal drop but is steady and a winner due to the films collections in B and C centers, and is in the third position. ATM has taken a beating, but is holding on in the fourth place, while Kannanmoochi Yeanada makes an entry in the fifth position only on the strength of its multiplex collections.

Azhagiya Tamil Magan
Verdict - Average

Vijay-Malavika in Race Club!

Cinesouth.com

Is 'Azhagiya Thamizhmagan' a success or flop? Film people and lay people are debating over the above question. Vijay himself does not seem to be unduly bothered. As usual, he remains Mr. Cool.

Vijay's shooting for 'Kuruvi' is going on at a brisk pace. Recently the shooting took place at Chennai's Race Club.

It was a duet featuring Vijay and a scantily clad Malavika. Though she is acting in 'Kattuviriyan, ' she did not hesitate to dance with Vijay for just this kuthu song in 'Kuruvi.' This song was picturised by director Dharani at the Race Club.

Whatever songs she dances for, her all time hit still remains "vaala meen...." Malavika feels this song in 'Kuruvi' may change that.

Can we dare disagree with Malavika!