Friday, 31 January 2014

Uttarakhand chief minister Vijay Bahuguna resigns

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, 66, has resigned today, reportedly under pressure from his party, the Congress, to accept responsibility for the shoddy rehabilitation work carried out by his government after last year's flash floods in which nearly a thousand people died, and another 4000 reported missing.

Union minister Harish Rawat, who claims to enjoy the backing of a majority of the Congress lawmakers in the state, is the frontrunner in the race to replace Mr Bahuguna.

Mr Bahuguna's removal has been on the cards for quite some time, and is being viewed as part of the organizational revamp being undertaken by the Congress leadership ahead of the national elections, due by May this year. Uttarakhand sends five members to the Lok Sabha, and the Congress won all in 2009.

Mr Bahuguna was selected as chief minister by his party after the elections in March 2012. The Congress won just one more seat than the BJP, but managed to form the government with the support of a few law-makers from other parties. But popular disaffection against his administration started showing up soon after as he was perceived to be spending most of his time in Delhi. Mr Bahuguna's son, Saket, ran for parliament in a by-election from Tehri in October, 2012. He lost the election, attributed to public anger with his father.

Simbu's super busy Feb with films and sister marriage

He has always been like a floating bubble which is difficult to catch hold off. Pinning him down maybe a task but nothing is impossible for scribes if they really are at it!

Silambarasan is back from US after a short vacation and says he is rejuvenated and raring to go. The actor at the moment is working on three projects- Vaalu, a film each with Pandiraj and Gautham Menon. He says that each film is diametrically different from others and he is enjoying working with two big directors.

And by March end, he will be starting the Selvaraghavan project, which he is looking forward to.

February is going to be a busy month and very special to Simbu as his birthday falls on February 3 and he plans to release the single of his Vaalu for his fans. And then the family man that he is, will be taking a few days off as his sister Ilakiya is getting married on February 10 in Chennai.

A grand wedding is planned by the TR family and Simbu the doting brother will be overseeing all the arrangement and inviting guests. February 14 is the audio launch of Vaalu and then he will complete work on Pandiraj film and move on to Gautham`s action thriller.

Ajith in Shankar's direction after Gautham Menon

We have news from extremely reliable sources revealing that Shankar and Ajith are joining hands after Ajith wraps up the untitled Gautham Menon project.

As opposed to the earlier reports, Ajith will not move on to the KV Anand project but will work with Shankar after the Gautham Menon flick. The GVM flick will go on floors in February and Ajith has requested Gautham to relieve him before December to go on to the Shankar project.

It was under superstar Rajini’s recommendation that Shankar decided on Ajith for this movie. The story was narrated to Rajini, who advised Shankar that Ajith will be suitable for the role. Big B, Amitabh is also said to be a part of this venture. The film’s official announcement will be out on the 14th of April

Thursday, 30 January 2014

Simbu feels comfortable working with Nayan in Pandiraj’s film

Contrary to what was widely reported in the print and television media, Unit insiders of Simbu’s upcoming untitled film opposite ex-flame Nayanthara say (on condition of anonymity, though!) that the star appeared to be ‘very much comfortable’ in conversing and acting along with Nayanthara.

Simbu and Nayan split after a brief period of courtship a few years back. After their split, the couple has hardly spoken to each other. Nayan later found the love of her life in Prabhu Deva but at a time when she was about to get married to Prabhu Deva, tremors rocked their relationship and she then quit the industry apparently unable to bear the shock of losing Prabhu Deva.

Nayan made a successful comeback to Tamil films with last year’s back-to-back successful films such as Raja Rani and Arrambam. She has now been cast opposite Simbu by Pandiraj, director of the national award-winning film Pasanga, in an untitled film. Simbu and Nayan’s casting has upped the market value of the film for sure.

Speaking unofficially, Simbu said that he was ‘absolutely comfortable’ in working with Nayanthara. He, however, revealed that he felt hugely embarrassed whenever the whole crew members would stare at him when he uttered dialogues facing Nayanthara.

Simbu’s sister Ilakkiya is to get married next week. When queried about his marriage, Simbu quipped that he might even get married before the end of this year!

Wednesday, 29 January 2014

My country is proud of me: Kamal Haasan

Kamal Haasan

Last year around this time, an emotional Kamal Haasan, hurt by the controversies which had threatened to derail the release of his film, Vishwaroopam, had threatened to quit Tamil Nadu for a more secular state, failing which he even contemplated settling down abroad.

Twelve months later, Kamal who has just been conferred with the prestigious Padma Bhushan, asserted, "I'm proud of this country and I know the country is proud of me too. This award is not for what I've accomplished so far but for the work ahead."

READ: Kamal Haasan conferred the Padma Bhushan

The 59-year-old actor, who has done around 190 films in a career spanning five decades, admitted that he had sat on the same staircase in his Eldams Road office in Chennai when he was a boy wondering if he'd ever make it in films.

It was here that he sat and wept when he lost his parents. And it was from here that he addressed the media last year when the Vishwaroopam controversy broke.

"My mindset hasn't changed but I've come a long way from the boy who'd stare blankly out at Chennai's Mount Road even as my family and friends teased me saying I'd end up rearing cattle.

"My mother would warn me that that's how I'd end up if I didn't study hard," the actor recalled, adding that his quest for perfection is like an insatiable hunger.

READ: I am opposed to autobiographies: Kamal Haasan

"Success makes one content but the journey towards excellence will always continue." So, will we write his autobiography some day? "No way," he retorts.

"Most autobiographies lie and end up offending everyone." He'd rather make movies. The next one is a sequel to Vishwaroopam which is fast nearing completion.

"We have just one song and a few scenes which need to be shot, after that the post-production begins. The movie will release in a few months."

Jackie Chan finds CNY annoying and doesn't know when son's birthday is

Lunar New Year is one of the most important traditional holidays for many Asians around the globe, but for Jackie Chan (成龍), the New Year can be quite “annoying.”

At a recent public function, Jackie revealed that he director Feng Xiaogang (馮小剛) did not invite him to perform at the CCTV Spring Festival, and that he will not be spending his Chinese New Year holidays in Beijing unlike previous years.

According to an article on Popular Asians, the international superstar said he does not enjoy holidays, particularly Chinese New Year, because holidays are a time when people are on break. “The crew goes on break and I’m left with nothing to do,” he said.

“For them, the Spring Festival is break time. For me, it is very annoying. The company is empty once it’s the holidays. The crew is gone. [I] wouldn’t know what to do for the next few days. It makes me feel desperate.”

Jackie claims that his family also does not like to celebrate Lunar New Year. He said that both he and his son, Jaycee Chan (房祖名), would not call each other on their birthdays. “Actually, when it’s his birthday, I wouldn’t even know,” Jackie said.

It appears that Jackie does not seem to be much of a family man, as the workaholic has emphasized on multiple occasions that he does not like celebrating the holidays with his family. Jaycee also revealed that at one point in time, he only got to see his father once a year.

Asked if Jackie has set any expectations for his son in the upcoming New Year, he said, “I just want him to be good. Don’t cause trouble and don’t get into trouble. If he can make some little achievements in music and film, I’ll be happy.”

Click on thumbnails for larger image:

Vijay's third time dual role in ARM project

Day in and day out there of news pouring in about Vijay's upcoming film with A.R.Murugdoss, the one who ensured one of the biggest hits in the actors career spanning more than two decades with his 2012 film 'Thupakki'. Though the Director was recently heard stating that he has not divulged anything and the people in the media write everything about the film based on their assumption, we have a few information that have come from reliable sources associated with the script department of the film.

In this untitled film Vijay is donning dual roles and this will be his third after 'Azhagiya Tamil Magan' and 'Villu'. The film's script is said to include fiery punch dialogues that were missing in the star's recent super hit film Jilla, directed by R.T.Neason.

While there were rumors floating that the title of this most expected film is Vaal (Tamil word for Sword), Murugdoss has stated that the title is yet to be finalized. We also hear that the Gajini Director has ordered his Assistant Directors to write at least a 100 titles a day to select the best one from the lot.

Vikraman's predicition on Vijay

Director Vikraman deserves the credit making a turning point in actor Vijay's career with his super hit film Poove Unakkaga. That was one of the early super hits of Vijay. The success of that film can be said as the starting point of Vijay's success story of elevating himself to the position in what he is today.

Vikraman who is well known for churning out pure family entertainers laced with oodles of sentiment and humor is gearing up for the release of his next film Ninaithadhu Yaaro, that has new comers Rejith and Nimisha playing the lead. The film is supposed release on the forthcoming January 30, The ace Director has predicted that Rejith and Nimisha will make it big in the industry and climb up to the stardom.

Incidentally, it was the same film maker who predicted, during the shoot of the film Poove Unakkaga that Vijaywill become a mass hero and his prediction has become true with Vijay raising as a star with tremendous mass following.

Is Vikraman spot on this time too.? Well, we will have to wait and watch.

Vijay's back to back projects with Renowned Directors

The year 2014 started with a bang for Actor Vijay and his fans thanks to the grand release and the stupendous success of the star's Neason directed flick Jilla. Basking in its glory Vijay is all set to begin work on his upcoming untitled project with A.R.Murugdoss. The film which marks the reunion of the actor-director duo after delivering a terrific commercial success with the 2012 film Thuppakki, is likely to have Samantha acting opposite Vijay for the first time.

After the ARM project Vijay is said to move on to the film to be directed by Chimbu Devan, the director of films like Imsai Arasan 23aam Pulikesi, Arai En 305il Kadavul and Irumbukottai Murattu Singam. With this film Chimbu is directing a well established hero like Vijay for the first time. since the protagonists of his first three films were Vadivelu, Santhanam and Raghava Lawrence respectively. The film touted as a action entertainer is expected to start from September.

Vijay's project with Atlee as reported earlier by Indiaglitz is very much on cards as quoted by the sources. Same sources also confirmed that Vijay has expressed his willingness to work with Suseenthiran and has reportedly asked the Pandiyanadu Director to work on a script for him.

If all goes as planned, Vijay might start either the film with Atlee or the one to be directed by Suseenthiran in December. And the Vijay's union with Directors who have made carved a niche is not going to stop with this. The star has reportedly given the nod to work with Director cum Producer Sasikumar in the year 2015.

Tamannah to work with Ajith and Siva again?

A few days ago Indiaglitz had reported that after tasting success with their recent Pongal release Veeram, Thala Ajith and Director Siva have decided to work together in another project. Now we hear that Siva, the man with Midas touch is expected to start the ground work for this project which may go on floors in December.

Also the name of the heroine heard during the initial round of talks about this film is Tamannah. Tammu starred with Karthi in Siruthai the debut film of Siva in Tamil, and paired up with Ajith for the first time in Veeram.

If she is finalized as the heroine for the upcoming Ajith-Siva venture, the lass will be lucky to pair up with Ajith for the second time and it would set a new trend with a director working with the same heroine in three consecutive films.

Yet another multi starrer for Ajith's next?

Ultimately the man of the moment without a doubt is our Thala, after a successful Veeram outing, he is back to business turning the heat on Gautam V Menon's next flick. News is that Ajith is getting in shape by hitting the gym heavily to give the best looks. But that's not it; the grapevine is that STR has been roped in to be a part of this untitled flick.

While these are the news that is surfacing within Kollywood, there has been a talk that STR might be playing the sibling to Ajith. This however has been denied from the camp of AM Ratnam, the producer and has confirmed that this will be a single hero concept. With speculations going sky high, we need to wait for an official confirmation on to what's going on.

Veeram dialogue is Ajith's own

Making the fans go gaga, the movie is already winning rave reviews around the globe and undoubtedly the credits go to the man of the hour Ajith. His mass screen presence was one of the main factors and some of the "Food for thoughts" dialogues really got the crowd going. For instance the line "Namma Suthi irukravangala Naama Pathukitta, Kadavul Nammala Pathupaar" did not just get whistles from the crowd, but made people do the thinking as well.

And here's how it really came into the picture, on the sets of the movie there was some discussions on Ajith's noble gesture of building houses for the people working along with him when Ajith quipped this line. Totally amazed by this real life thought, Siva decided to use this in Veeram and this is now receiving tremendous response! Way to go Thala!

Nimirnthu Nil (aka) Nimirndhu Nil release date

Double action treat on Lovers' Day

Jan 29, 2014

The Jayam Ravi - Amala Paul starrer, Nimirnthu Nil is set for release on the 14th of February. Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal will also release on the same day, thereby making it a grand clash at the box-office.

Vasans Visual Ventures are producing the movie, directed by Samuthirakani. Sarath Kumar also has a pivotal role in this. It must also be noted that Jayam Ravi is playing a dual role in this movie, where G.V.Prakash has scored the music.

Recently, the film's music and trailer were released to good response from the public.

Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal has been cleared by the censors

No hassles for Nayan and Udhay’s love story

Jan 29, 2014

Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal starring Udhayanidhi Stalin and Nayanthara, directed by Sundarapandian fame S R Prabhakaran is cleared by the Censors with a clean U and the film is ready for a grand Valentine’s Day release on the 14^th February 2014. Being produced by Udhayanidhi’s Red Giant Movies, the music of the film is scored by Harris Jayaraj and it hit the stores recently.

Also starring Santhanam, Sundar Ramu and Saranya Ponvannan, Balasubramaniem is behind the cameras for IKK.

With the positive buzz generated from the trailer of the film that was released and the censor certification also proving favorable for the team, the stage is set for Idhu Kathirvelan Kadhal.

VEERAM - PHOTOS

Veeram