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Shalini also part of Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan?

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Shalini also part of Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan?

Mani Ratnam’s ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ is a highly ambitious film that has some of India’s best technicians and actors from various languages. Based on the historical Tamil novel of the same name written by Kalki Krishnamurthy, it tells the story of early days of Arulmozhivarman, who later became the great Chola emperor, Raja Raja Chola I.

‘Ponniyim Selvan’ cast already includes popular actors like Aishwarya Rai, Vikram, Trisha, Vikram Prabhu, Karthi, Jayam Ravi, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Sarath Kumar, Prakash Raj, Kishore, Jayaram, Rahman, Lal and Ashwin Kakumanu. Latest buzz is that Shalini has also agreed to play a cameo role in the film.

After getting married to Ajith in 2000, Shalini has completely stayed away from movies. ‘Alaipayuthe’ directed by Mani Ratnam is one of her last released films before she quit cinema. Shalini continues to share great bond with the veteran director and if things go well, she might be making her comeback after two decades with ‘Ponniyin Selvan’.

An official confirmation is still awaited.

AR Rahman plays a cameo role in Mohanlal’s Aarattu?

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AR Rahman plays a cameo role in Mohanlal’s Aarattu?

Mohanlal’s new film ‘Aarattu’ is eagerly awaited for many reasons. The makers have promised to be a full-on mass entertainer that would appeal to all sections of the audience. The promos so far have been promising with Mohanlal’s bearded look grabbing attention. If reports are to be believed, there is one more reason to look forward to the film.

Maestro AR Rahman is reportedly playing a cameo role in the film. While Rahul Raj is handling the music department in the film, Rahman is said to be making a guest appearance as himself. The makers are yet to confirm it, but fans are already excited on hearing this. Incidentally, Rahman’s last Malayalam film as a composer was ‘Yodha’, which also had Mohanlal as the lead.

‘Aarattu’ directed by B Unnikrishnan has Mohanlal playing a larger-than-life character named Neyyattinkara Gopan. Udhayakrishna has scripted the film as a mass-masala entertainer set in a rural backdrop.
Popular South Indian actress Shraddha Srinath plays the female lead in the film. The elaborate supporting cast also includes Siddique, Sai Kumar, Nedumudi Venu, Indrans Vijayaraghavan, Swasika, Rachana Narayanankutty and Sheela.

On the technical front, Vijay Ulaganath is the cinematographer and edits are being handled by Shameer Muhammed.

Suriya 40: Suriya’s next with Pandiraj launched

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Suriya 40: Suriya’s next with Pandiraj launched

Suriya’s new film with director Pandiraj got launched on Monday. The star, who is recovering from Covid-19, was absent for the function. He will be joining the sets shortly. Sun Pictures is producing the film, which has been tentatively titled as ‘Suriya 40’.

The makers have signed Priyanka Arul Mohan of ‘Gang Leader’ fame as the female lead. It is her second Tamil after debuting with the Sivakarthikeyan starrer ‘Don’, which is gearing up for release next month. Sathyaraj, Saranya Ponvannan, Jayaprakash, Ilavarasan, Devadarshini, Subbu Panchu Arunachalam, ‘Vada Chennai’ fame Saran and many others are part of the film’s cast.

‘Suriya 40’ is expected to be a proper commercial entertainer that appeals to all sections of the audience. It is most likely to be on lines of Pandiraj’s blockbuster films ‘Kadaikutty Singam’ and ‘Namma Veettu Pillai’, both of which found wide acceptance among the families.

Rathnavelu is the cinematographer and music is by D Imman. Ruben will be handling the edits.

Helen Tamil remake titled Anbirkiniyal; First look poster out

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Helen Tamil remake titled Anbirkiniyal; First look poster out

The hit Malayalam film ‘Helen’ is getting remade in Tamil. Veteran actor Arun Pandian and his daughter Keerthi Pandian of ‘Thumbaa’ fame play the lead roles. The film has been titled as ‘Anbirkiniyal’ and its first look posters have been released online. It is being directed by Gokul, who has previously helmed films like ‘Rowthiram’, ‘Idharkuthaane Aasaipattai Balakumara’, ‘Junga’, and ‘Kashmora’.

‘Helen’ directed by debutant Mathukutty Xavier had Anna Ben in the titular role and Lal essaying her father’s part. The film was received well by both the critics as well as the general public. Anna Ben’s performance in it got her a Special Jury Mention at the Kerala State Awards.

In the Tamil version, Keerthy Pandian will be reprising Anna’s role and her father Arun Pandian will be seen as her on-screen dad as well. Since ‘Helen’ is a survival thriller, its story should appeal to a wide range of audience irrespective of the language. It is getting remade in Hindi and Telugu as well with Janhvi Kapoor and Anuapama Parameswaran as the leads.

Nagarjuna completes his portions for Brahmastra

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Nagarjuna completes his portions for Brahmastra

‘Brahmastra’ is a mega biggie in the making that stars Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles. Veteran Telugu star Nagarjuna is also said to be playing an extended cameo role. He has completed shooting for his portions in the film. He took to his Twitter handle to share photos taken with Ranbir, Alia and the film’s director Ayan Mukherjee. Nagarjuna’s tweet reads,

And it’s a wrap for me on #Brahmāstra . Such an amazing experience it has been with our stellar performers #Ranbir and @Aliaa08. Can’t wait for you guys to witness the outstanding world #AyanMukerji has created.
#TheBigIndianMovie #Brahmastra

‘Brahmastra’ is a fantasy adventure film, which is being planned as a trilogy. Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions is backing this ambitious project. Other details regarding the film are still under kept under wraps. It will be released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada languages.

Valimai update issue: Ajith expresses his displeasure over fans’ behaviour

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Valimai update issue: Ajith expresses his displeasure over fans’ behaviour

Ajith’s ‘Valimai’ is one of the most hyped projects in Tamil cinema in recent years. Though it has been over a year since shoot commenced, the makers have not shared regular updates which has not gone well with the fans. #ValimaiUpdate is a regularly trending hashtag in Twitter and fans often storm the social media handles of the film’s cast and crew members pestering them for updates.

Of late, ‘Valimai update’ has become a topic of jokes in social medias. Multiple videos of fans asking politicians, sportspersons and others for updates on ‘Valimai’ have gone viral. Some even asked updates regarding the film to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and England cricketer Moeen Ali.

This relentless behaviour from the fans has forced Ajith to come out with a statement urging them not to indulge in such acts. He has asked the fans to maintain dignity and discipline in public. In a strongly worded statement, Ajith said he was disappointed by the recent incidents. In the statement shared by his PRO Suresh Chandra, Ajith said,

“Films are entertainment for you. It is my profession. The decisions I take are related to my profession and society. Only our actions will increase our worth and respect in the society. Updates on Valimai will be decided by me in consultation with the film’s producer. Until then, please be patient.”

Directed by H Vinoth, ‘Valimai’ is said to be a cop-thriller made on a big scale. Bollywood based producer Boney Kapoor is backing the film. Huma Qureshi, Kartikeya Gummakonda, Yogi Babu and Achyuth Kumar are part of the cast. The makers still have one more foreign schedule left to be completed.

Kaana Dooram: Here’s a new song from Saajan Bakery

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Kaana Dooram: Here’s a new song from Saajan Bakery

Aju Varghese-Lena starrer ‘Sajan Bakery Since 1962’ got released on February 12 and opened to largely positive response. Most critics have rated it as a heartwarming film that is centered around dysfunctional family and their bakery business. Aju and Lena play siblings in the film. Ganesh Kumar essays their uncle’s role. A new song from the film has been released online. Titled as ‘Kaana Dooram’, it is composed, arranged and programmed by Prashant Pillai. It is sung by Preeti Pillai and lyrics is by Anu Elizabeth Jose.

‘Saajan Bakery’ is directed by debutant Arun Chandu. Besides playing the lead role, Aju Varghese is also debuting as a scenarist with this film. He has scripted the film jointly with director Arun Chandu and Sachin R Chandran. According to Aju, the film is inspired from real-life incidents that he has seen in his own childhood.

Grace Antony, Ranjitha Menon, Anand Manmadhan, Jaffer Idukki and many others are part of the supporting cast. Cinematography is by Guru Prasad and music is composed by Prashnath Pillai. Aravind Manmadhan, who won the Kerala State Award last year, has done the edits.

Ajai Vasudev is all praise for team Operation Java

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Ajai Vasudev is all praise for team Operation Java

‘Operation Java’ continues to get excellent response. Hiring screens last Friday (February 12), the film open to highly positive reviews. Besides the critics and general audience, industry insiders are also heaping praise on the film. Directors like Jofin T Chacko, Mamas, Dijo Jose Antony, Prasobh Vijayan and many others written highly about the film.

Recently, director Ajai Vasudev, best known for his films ‘Shylock’ and ‘Rajadhiraja’, shared a brief note on his Facebook page about ‘Operation Java’. He particularly mentioned each and every cast and crew member for their contribution to the film. He lauded director Tharun Moorthy for his strong script and extraordinary making. Ajai Vasudev called it a thrilling experience with not even a single dull moment.

‘Operation Java’ is an investigative film revolving around cyber crimes. The film inspired from several real-life incidents focusses on how the Kerala Police’s cyber department functions and the various cases they crack. Balu Varghese, Lukman, Vinayakan, Irshad, Shine Tom Chacko, Binu Pappu, Dhanya Ananya, Mamitha Baiju, Vineetha Koshy, Johny Antony and Prashanth Alexander are part of the film’s cast.

‘Operation Java’ has music by Jakes Bejoy and edits by Nishadh Yusuf. Cinematography is by Faiz Siddik, who has also cranked the camera for the upcoming films ‘Aanaparambile World Cup’, ‘The Wolf’ and ‘Adi’. V Cinemas International is producing the film.

Star studded cast in Suresh Gopi’s Paappan

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Star studded cast in Suresh Gopi’s Paappan

Veteran director Joshiy is reuniting with Suresh Gopi for a new film titled ‘Paappan’. The film has a solid star cast comprising of Sunny Wayne, Nyla Usha, Neeta Pillai and Gokul Suresh Gopi. Interestingly, this is the first time the father-son duo of Suresh Gopi and Gokul will be seen acting together.

From the title poster itself, it is evident that ‘Paappan’ will be a full-on mass entertainer. Suresh Gopi and Joshiy are best known for their mass films like ‘Pathram’, ‘Lelam’ and ‘Vazhunnor’. They last worked together in ‘Salaam Kashmier’, in which the star did an extended cameo role. There are reports about their comeback film being a cop flick, but the makers are yet to confirm it.

‘Paappan’ is written by RJ Shaan, who had earlier co-scripted ‘C/O Saira Banu’. He had also recently directed the hit short film ‘Freedom at Midnight’. Cinematographer Ajay David Kachappilly, music director Jakes Bejoy and editor Shyam Sasidharan, who were all part of Joshiy’s last ‘Porinju Mariam Jose’, have been retained for ‘Paappan’.
The film is being produced by David Kachappilly productions.

Critics’ Choice Awards 2021 announced; Sachy and Mahesh Narayanan make Malayalam cinema proud

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Critics’ Choice Awards 2021 announced; Sachy and Mahesh Narayanan make Malayalam cinema proud

Film Critics Guild and Motion Content Group virtually hosted the third edition of the Critics’ Choice Awards (CCA). Neha Dhupia hosted the award function this year. Unlike the regular awards, CCA honours talent, artists and technicians in feature films, web series and short films across all Indian languages.

In feature films, Manoj Bajpayee and Tillotama Shome won the top honours for best acting. In the web series section, Pratik Gandhi and Sushmita Sen bagged the awards. Late Malayalam filmmaker Sachy won the award for best writing for his film, ‘Ayyappanum Koshiyum’. Mahesh Narayanan is the only other Malayali to have won an award in this year’s edition. He won it for his remarkable editing skills in ‘C U Soon’.

Here’s the full list of winners:

FEATURE FILMS:

Film – Eeb Allay Ooo

Best Director – Prateek Vats (Eeb Allay Ooo)

Best Actor – Manoj Bajpaye (Bhonsle)

Best Actress – Tillotama Shome (Is Love Enough Sir)

Best Supporting Actor – Pankaj Tripathi (Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl)

Best Supporting Actress – Sai Pallavi (Paava Kadhaigal)

Best Writing – Sachy (Ayyappanum Koshiyum)

Best Editing – Mahesh Narayanan (C U Soon)

Best Cinematography – Siddharth Diwan (Bulbbul)

Gender Sensitivity Award – Thappad

WEB SERIES:

Best Series – Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story

Best Actor – Pratik Gandhi (Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story)

Best Actress – Sushmita Sen (Aarya)

Best Supporting Actor – Abhishek Banerjee (Paatal Lok)

Best Supporting Actress – Swastika Mukherjee (Paatal Lok)

Best Writing – Sumit Purohit, Saurav Dey, Vaibhav Vishal, Karan Vyas (Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story)

SHORT FILMS:

Best Short Film – Bebaak

Best Director – Shazia Iqbal (Bebaak)

Best Actor – Adil Hussain (Meal)

Best Actress – Amruta Subhash (The Booth)

Best Writing – Shazia Iqbal (Bebaak)