Chinna 'Thirai'

The 'Vanakkam Thamizhagam' programme of last week showed on interview with Shobha Chandrasekar. Shobha spoke from the depths of her heart: "I could see my son Vijay more on T.V screen than in person after the phenomenal success of his film, 'Poove Unakkaga'. Our heart goes out for her. Said she further, "Whenever I want to see my son, I would just switch the T.V on. One can easily see him in one Channel or other!". "My husband has given full freedom to me. I would move with my daughter-in-law as if she is my friends. She is also very friendly with me!" She proclaimed we fell happy for her. Really she is endowed with a prestigious life for she is having an understanding and loving husband, a friendly daughter-in-law and a son who stands on the apex of glory, all at once.

By chance we turned on Bharathi T.V as a rare feature. Sathyaraj, P.Vasu, Meena and Manjula Vijayakumar were talking certain things according to their whims and fancies. The topics were uninteresting. The answers of the film celebrities lacked in meaning. Sathyaraj alone strived his best to provide some what different kind of answers. Does Bharathi T.V think that they can catch the attention of the audience merely by ensuring the presence of some cinema people? Mere glity and glamour will not do. The pith and the content of the topic is more important. There should be the required amount of salt in the pep served.

'Pazhaga Pazhaga Paalum Pulikkum'. That is even milk will turn sour with the passage of time. Familiarity breeds contempt. But 'Siththi' is different. For the past one-and-a-half years, 'Siththi' comes to our drawing room to please us all. The serial 'Siththi' never bores us; it always holds our attention. It has its sway over us, alright. Every heroine becomes a bore in the end. But not this heroine, Radhika. To start with, she appeared as an innocent Village girl in 'Kizhakke Pogum rail'. In those days, she did not have any mastery over histrionics. She was a novice. But now she has honed her skills stupendously. In 'Siththi', she never exerts herself. Acting comes naturally to her. She just emote her feelings and sentiments through her expressive eyes. The eyes speak, laugh, weep, love, hate and spit venom too.

'Adangaa Thamizhan'. The unchained Tamilian! This is the new title given by announcer Abdul Hamid to acting legend Kamal Hassan. The celebration breathed all enthusiasm and was highly sensational. The occasion: The silver jubilee function of 'Tenali'. Rajinikanth spoke moving by from his heart: "Let Kamal tell to me, 'Let us act together in a movie'!". Kamal gave his tribute to Rajini at this juncture with a small smile on his lips and a tap by his palm.

What is the meaning of his gesture? " This was the thing I was expecting in all these years"? Whether such a thought lingers at the back of Kamal's mind?



S H A N T H I - M A D H A N

Taking shelter under a shady tree in order to escape from the scorching heat of the summer at its highest ebb, 'Agni Nakshatram', Shanthi and Madhan continued their TETE-A-TETE further.

"Madhan! Now that Jayalalitha has become the chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, they say, the members of A.I.A.D.M.K are giving hard times to the actors who have a soft corner for D.M.K. Have they barred the programme 'Kotteeswaran'?"

"No, no. Not like that. The set for 'Koteeswaran' was there at M.G.R. Film city. Nobody can claim there right on that place because the land belongs to the state government for a very long period. But influential as she was politically, Radhika had entered into a year long contract to have her control over that area. Now the Koteeswaran Unit has been ordered to go out of the set only as per the rules of the government. Now Kushboo is going to conduct a serial programme 'Koteeswari' for Jaya T.V in which the fair sex alone can participate, in the very same set that was used for 'Koteeswaran' programme …."

"I see. But, have they not created problems in front of the houses of Rajini and Saratkumar?"

"Shanthi, all these things are the offshoots of mob psychology. Some of the party workers have created some furore. They just could not tolerate Rajini's finding fault with their beloved 'Amma' who commands the support of the major segment of the general public. But all these things have subsided now. Things have returned to normally, for certain."

"But I heard that Rajini is going to change his residence from Poes Road…."

"One need not cut his hand to escape form the pain of a wound in it. They have aimed stores and threw cow-dung at the house of Saratkumar too. Perhaps Saratkumar was able to expect all these things to happen for he has left for London along with Radhika on the day in which election results were announced.

"Alas! I can't understand this kind of behavior from human beings. It's nice on their part to select the party, which they hope to do good things for them. But it is wrong to wreak vengeance on people disliked by them. This kind of activities are saddening me, Madhan!"

"Can all people be like Simran?"

"Simran?"

"She does not worry for being outrun by Jyothika. Unmindful of the distance in between them, she moves freely with Jyothika during the shootings of '12B'. Simran was the heroine in 'Vaali' in which Jyothika appeared in a guest role. Jyothika is the heroine in 12B in which Simran has been offered just a guest role. It is boom time for Jyothika. But Simran doesn't complaint. She is generous to the point of telling, "Once I was in the top spot. But now Jyothika has captured by place as she acts very well!"

"Oh! Times have changed upside down, no doubt! Have you noticed that Tamil Cinema has turned its attention towards making films with family subjects?"

"Yes, Shanthi.' Vaanaththaippola' has triggered this trend. Nowadays, the stories of the films have started glorifying the merits of family values. 'Anandham' would sing the praise of joint family system. 'Samuthiram' is going to narrate the troubles taken by three brothers for the sake of their sister. 'Poovellam Un Vaasam' is going to point out the strong bond of relationship that passes from one generation to another. ' Vedham' is going to stress the greatness of human relations. Tami film industry has opened the floodgates for family stories much in the fashion of the small screen……".

"It's a nice trend, Madhan. We can now hope that the heads of families may enter into theatre complexes at least now. Have you noted a gimmick of Sathyaraj? Why has he given the title, 'Military' to his new film?"

"Shanthi, don't worry that film won't have anything to do with the army. Ajit is in need of sensational titles. And they want some comic, mischievous titles for the films of Sathyaraj. Hence the names, 'Military', 'Asaththal' and 'Mister Naradhar'".

"But why don't they show an equal interest in selecting a pithy story? Why can't they exercise more interest in the second half of the films? Can the titles alone can steer them through the waters of the ruffled sea towards the shores of triumph?. Why can't they do justice to the interests of ardent movie-lovers?"





A long drag

It was told that the movie 'Citizen' is over except for its re-recording work. Ajit himself has told that the film would surely be released on May 18 though it is not on his birthday. But the real fact is this. Shootings are now on again for 'Citizen'!

Although full shape has already been given to the film, certain scenes are being shot again as they lacked in perfection before. Under these circumstances a question mark has cropped up. "When would the film be released actually?"




 
Arjun in Austria

Arjun started his film, 'Vedham' with all speed. The speed continues still as he makes progress with the task at his hand. As the other people are splitting their hair to choose and decide the foreign locations for song sequences. Arjun also has his own confusion.

He had been making a thorough search to find out a shooting spot on which no other Tamil film unit has set its foot. Now he has chosen Austria the country that attracts most tourists who make a visit to Europe as the locale of his filming.

Having chosen the ideal location for his film Arjun flew straight to Austria along with Sakshi, Divya Unni and Vineeth. Three song scenes were picturised there in several beautiful places.

But mere scenic beauty with mountains and rivers cannot bring the desired result. Tamil Cinema is known for falling short in the content of the song although it takes the trouble of going too distant countries and catching the glimpses of pretty tourist spots. The songs should also be pleasing to ears; they should be appealing to the brains too. The lyrics should capture the imagination and give food for thought. The feet should tap to the eyes will not win the hearts of the fans [Example : A Bhadri song scene shows Vijay as a railway porter.)

Would Arjun have employed has imaginative powers effectively likewise in Austria?




 
The flowers on the sea of time

"Poruththaar Bhoomi Alwar"

Those who are patient will rule the world. This axiom suits the picture 'Kadal Pookkal' also.

Almost all the dates in a month were being tipped as the probable dates for the release of the movie. But the film is yet to see the light of the day. At a point when the public entirely forgot about the film, a national award was conferred on it, rekindling public interest again. The film has become sensational for the second time.

Under these circumstances the film was presented for a preview to the film personalities and media men in Chennai. The film has been received well and hailed much in Chennai too as it had been earlier in Delhi.

Usually a film would be receiving reviews and rewards only after its release. But 'Kadal Pookkal' has reversed that trend. It has received rave reviews and bagged a national award well in advance of its release. Now the film is waiting for the verdict of the members of the general public, nay, and the ardent film-goers who are the real gods who deliver the final judgment.

Vikram carves a niche for himself

Until recently Kamal was not having virtually any competition in one aspect from his fellow-actors. No other actor has donned as many different roles as him. He has the singular honor of appearing in various and varied get-ups.

Now Ajit and Vikram are working magic in these aspects, as is the fashion of Kamal Hassan.

Vikram strikes particular wonder in this way.

'Sethu' was of a different mould. Although Vikram has played an exceptionally unique role in that film, many thought he would join the mainstream masala pot-boilers, duly partaking in five song dance sequences and three fight scenes per film. But it is not to be. He simply and firmly says: "Those kind of roles are not meant for me!". He has reduced his weight to the tune of ten kilograms in order to look suitable for the character he is going to act in 'Dil'.

The story of 'Dil' is akin to that of 'Kakki Chattai', a Kamal starrer. The story depicts Sethu as a youth who is looking for a job in police force. The director has suggested that he should grow a little thin and cut his hair short in order to fit in the role of the hero of 'Dil'. Sethu promptly took the words of the director as God's decree. He has taken pains to lose weight and has had a close crop.

'Muyarchi Than Mei Varuththa Kooli Tharum' (Perseverance, persistence and striving one's nerves will pay off in the long run).




 
The advertisement mania

Vijay might have signed in an auspicious hour to appear in the advertisement for 'Coke'. Thanks to the advertisement, the box-office of 'Bhadri' has picked up. No doubt, the producers won't get their fingers burnt. Though it is a not a rain of cats and dogs, the film enjoys a perennial flow of monetary collections.

'Coke' people have displayed advertisements throughout the tinsel city for free, stating 'Kaththiri Veyilil Badri' (Badri in searing summer). This act of kindness on the part Coca Cola has reduced the advertisement expenditure of Bhadri to a great extent.

Madhavan is surrounded with many advertisement offers following that of 'Pepsi'. Many more firms are now besieging Vijay with a request to help advertising their products. A large manufacturer of bikes is waiting for the approval of Vijay in this connection.

Where are we heading for? In the near future, we would be seeing our heroes displaying the sponsor stickers of various hues on their shirts and pants. Similarly as we see our cricketers today fully covering themselves excepting for their face with advertisements for different products in the background of song-dance sequences of films themselves!




 
An avont guarde director

Movie titans, 'Oscar' Ravichandran, Director Ezhil, Ajit and Jyothika have joined their hands together for the film, 'Poovellam Un Vaasam'. The film now has attracted beauty Queen Yuktha Mookhe also to participate in a song dance together.

'Oscar' Ravichandran had invited Yukta Mookhe just because the words 'Yukta Mookhe' figure in the lyrical line.

People talk very high of this film. They equate the film with the famous Hindi movie, 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun'. The film would be full of family sentiments as it would be modeled on that Hindi film. Director Ezhil has pinned his hopes on the film. He hopes that it would be a path-breaking film for him and that it would ensure a bright future for him.

At the end scene of 'Thullatha Manamum Thullum' Director Ezhil gave a twist to the story with a song. In this film he is going to avoid any dialogues whatsoever during the last fifteen minutes of it. Music alone would dominate those fifteen minutes.

Ezhil works wonders, no doubt!

Hurrah!!!!!

Vijay:

Fans are the cause for the increase as well as the decrease in the market value of an actor. The price of a film is fixed on the strength of the number of fans a hero has. The distributors take into account the number of fans a hero has to his credit at the time of purchasing a film. The success of a film is determined beforehand on the basis of the expectation that the fans of a particular actor would view the film at least once. So the support of fans is of paramount importance for the growth and development of an actor.

 
Boost of the Week

Murali:

I am proud that some film companies make films continuously with me as the hero. I never create any sort of problem to anyone. Super Good films and Sivasakthi movie makers have made many films with me as their lead actor. I rate Super Good Films and Sivasakthi movie makers as the home of my own mother.


 
Divya Unni:

I do possess the sense of humor from a very early age. There would be a crowd always around me to hear my jokes when I was a school student. But my ability in cracking jokes has not yet been utilized by the Cinema people.




 


T I T B I T S

 
Aalavandhaan's release has been postponed from the month of May 2001 to August, 2001. There is an outside chance for the release of the film specifically on August 15.



 
Vivek is going to give darshan as Lord Venkateswara in the picture, 'Viswanathan-Ramamurthy' to be directed by Rama Narayanan.






 
Divya Unni is going to set her foot on the Kannada soil also. She is going to be feature in a film, which would be a remake of 'Veetula Viseshanga'.




 
Director Charan would be taking up an assignment from Kavithalaya after finishing with the direction of the two films, with Vijay and Ajit in the lead roles.




 
S.A.Rajkumar is not going to score the music for the next Vijay starrer, which would be directed by Vikraman. In all probability, Harris Jayaraj would set the music for that film.




 
Ramba would be acting as Sathyaraj's pair in 'Military' following the earlier film, 'Maams'.






 
Ranjitha is acting in the film, 'Maayan', after a very long gap. Nasser would be directing the film.






 
It was expected that Pradhiusha would be bagging many chances after the release of Kadal Pookkal. But it is not to be for in the meantime, Uma, the daughter of Sumithra has made it through the cycle gap. Now she is running ahead of Pradhiusha in the race. At present, Uma is getting more opportunities to act than Pradhiusha. Tributes are also galore for her - from various quarters.