It is on, is it off?
Ever since the success of Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya (VTV) there have been speculations that a sequel would follow. Recently, Simbu is said to have spoken about VTV2 being on and that even the heroine has been finalised. But Gautham Menon clarifies, “VTV 2 is not confirmed and reports about shooting of the film starting in November 2011 are not true. I am talking to Simbu for a project. Its script, cast and crew have not been finalised. VTV 2 was an idea we spoke about but I haven't decided if that's what we will be filming. Amy Jackson (who is reprising Trisha's role in the Hindi remake of VTV) is not on board of the project as yet. It will be a pleasure to work with Simbu again.” Well, if one reads between the lines, there's lot it says.
An actor first
Vikram has always chosen his projects based on a strong script and unique characterisations that give him scope to act. “When I am before the camera, Vikram should take the backseat and the character should come to the fore. I have been lucky in getting to play interesting characters,” he says.. Are the star and actor Vikram different? “In Tamil cinema there's always been an actor-star divide. Look at MGR-Sivaji and Kamal-Rajini. I really want to be somewhere in between. I want to be the actor who provides star value.”
Love in the air
Director Ramkumar's Idhayathil Idam Kodu is a love story with liberal doses of sentiment and action. Ramkumar has written the story, screenplay, dialogues and lyrics. “The heroine Iniya plays a tough girl who resists the casanova hero's (Udayakumar) attempts to woo her. So the hero takes it as a challenge to get her to fall in love with him. To help him in this are a group of friends. This being a love story, the inevitable finally happens,” says Ramkumar.
STR on a high note
Simbhu, or STR as he wants to be known, continues to explore his talent as a singer with another song, this time as playback for Prashanth in Mambattiyan . Doing meaningful films ( VTV and Vaanam ) aside, STR seems to have developed a penchant for singing. Will composing music for films follow? After all, dad T. Rajendar, was a multi-faceted personality. STR's song in Mambattiyan is reportedly inspired by a song from yesteryear actor Thyagarajan's film Malayoor Mambattiyan .
Rural fantasy
First-time director Balan, who will be making movies under the name Balu Malarvanan, has written the story and screenplay for Oththa Veedu , produced by Wishing Well. Starring Dilip Kumar and Jahnavi, the story is set in the 1980's in a village and deals with a unique subject. Says Balu, “The film deals with the myths and beliefs that are part of life in villages. I plan to make a realistic movie by shooting in locations such as Villivalam near Kanchipuram and Edayur near Tirutturaipoondi.”
The grand-son rises
The Sivaji legacy continues. Vikram, Prabhu's son, will soon don the grease paint. He will act in director Prabhu Solomon's untitled film, being produced by director Lingusamy's Tirupathi Pictures. Lakshmi Menon plays his love interest. Talking about the film, Solomon says, “In recent times there have been many instances of elephants straying into residential areas. I have tried look into the reasons behind this in my story. The film will show how these wild elephants are brought under control and lead back into the forests. After a six-month search for a hero, I found him in Vikram recently. Fortunately, he agreed to do the film. He is currently in Kerala preparing for his role by learning more about elephants.”
