Rewind mode
Extensive research on Sangam period literature, of life and time around 2,300 years ago, enabled director M. Senthamizhan to write Paalai . “While it is not a historical costume drama, it is a period film portraying how a pastoral village called Mullaikudi (imaginary) lived with modern and radical beliefs. It depicts the war between two clans for survival in the belief that a catastrophe is about to end their lives,” explains Senthamizhan. Shot near Tiruchi, Pudukkottai and Thanjavur, the film was completed in three months, thanks to the director's on-the-spot editing. “We are ready for release, and are awaiting clearance from authorities concerned for having used livestock,” says the director who is ready with his next project Kadambargal , a story based on pirates.
Being himself
Kamal Haasan plays himself — in director Sajji Surendran's Anbulla Kamal , a Tamil-dubbed version of Malayalam film 4 Friends — much like Rajinikanth did in Anbulla Rajinikanth . Says the director: “It is the story of four people —Jayaram, Jayasurya, Kunchacko Boban and Meera Jasmine — from different walks of life, all of whom have cancer. Since they all have a very short time to live, they decide to enjoy life — Jayaram, the wealthiest of the lot, agrees to fund their dreams and aspirations. One of them is a great fan of Kamal Haasan and he wishes to meet his hero. When they meet the actor at a shoot, he understands their predicament and takes it upon himself to motivate them. I feel the Tamil title is quite appropriate considering Kamal's a great actor and has done wonders to his role in 4 Friends .”
Happy outing!
Jiiva has evolved as an actor of substance, proving to his detractors of earlier days that all he needed was good directors to bring out the best in him. And, with every film, Jiiva seems to be growing younger too, if his upcoming film is anything to go by. Jiiva has been signed to play a 21-year-old engineering student in Gautham Vasudev Menon's “Neethane En Ponvasantham”. Looks like the list of successful directors he's worked with is increasing!
Doing the festival round
Tamil films are increasingly being invited for and screened at international film festivals. After actor Vijay's Kaavalan was screened at the Shanghai International Film Festival, it's now the turn of director Suseendran's Azhagar Saamiyin Kudhirai at the prestigious 47th Chicago International Film Festival to be held from October 6 to 20.
Fab 50
Ajit Kumar is heaving a sigh of relief — his 50th film Mankatha's been declared a hit and has also brought him laurels from all quarters. “Now, I am committed to doing Billa 2 and I have to look younger because it is a prequel to Billa . This will probably be the last one where I do so (younger role). I prefer to do roles that suit my age. I'm sure there are many scripts out there for older actors such as me, and hopefully it will set a trend,” says Ajith.
