Etcetera: Minimum takes, maximum impact

Passion for theatre made Taman Kumar quit a good job in the IT industry and led him to Koothu-p-pattarai. This experience gave him a solid foundation and helped him perform well during the audition for the lead role in Sattam Oru Iruttarai. “I was given a small sequence and asked to improvise on the dialogues and act out the scene. I didn’t even know it was for the lead role in Sattam Oru Iruttarai. I was pleasantly surprised when I was chosen. Working with experienced actors such as Reema Sen, Piaa and Bindu Madhavi has been a great privilege. They have no airs about themselves and I have greatly benefited by their encouragement and advice. As far as performing in Sattam… is concerned, my theatre background has helped me understand the script and complete each scene with minimum takes,” says Taman. He has already signed another film, Kannan Ennum Mannan, by director A. Venkatesh.

The journey continues

A Keralite born and brought up in Pune, she has three Tamil films to her credit. Deepthi was in Chennai when she heard of a small requirement in Engeyum Eppodum. She auditioned for the role and bagged it. “It was a small sequence during a bus journey where I fall for a co-passenger. I presume I must have made an impression to get a lead role in Thulli Vilayadu with Yuvraj, the producer’s son. Meanwhile, I got another role as Vijay’s sister in Thuppaki, which released first. Now I am awaiting the release of Thulli Vilayadu,” says Deepthi who is back in Pune to complete her MBA. “I have to give priority to the course; only after that will I look out for more films. I had to turn down a Telugu film due to the exams.”

Without a break?

Director Vishnuvardhan’s untitled film is progressing at a brisk pace despite the ligament injury sustained by its lead actor Ajith Kumar during a stunt sequence. Ajith reportedly wants to complete shooting before he takes a few weeks off for a minor surgery. But it doesn’t look like this is going to happen as his dates to start the next film will almost coincide with the completion of Vishnuvardhan’s film. Ajith has confirmed the Vijaya Vauhini Studios’ production which is to be helmed by director Siva (Siruthai). Paired with Ajith will be Tamannaah. In Vishnuvardhan’s film, Ajith’s co-stars are Arya, Nayantara and Taapsee. Looks like 2013 is going to be a busy year for ‘Thala.’

Dabbling in different genres

After several minor roles (Chennai 28, Thozha, Nadodigal, Kanimozhi and Nanban) and guest appearances (Saroja and Mankatha), the scion of Vasanth & Co group, Vijay Vasanth, is ready to chart his solo career path in films. Eagerly awaiting the release of Madhilmel Poonai and his own home production Theriyama Unnai Kadhalichuten, Vijay is already into his third film, Ennamo Nadakkuthu. “Although I prefer to maintain the boy-next-door image in films, I don’t know which genre I will succeed in. Therefore, I am dabbling in different roles to know my comfort zone as well as what the audience thinks. Madhilmel Poonai is an action thriller with a dose of romance, while Theriyama… is a romantic comedy. Ennamo… has love and action in ample measure,” says Vijay. How does he juggle his time between running the family business and films? “As far as the home production is concerned, my brother takes care of all aspects. As for the family business, my father is always around, and I help a lot in the management. I schedule my acting dates according to the needs of the business.”

Nothing but love

There are movies with schools and colleges as the backdrop, but director Selvabarathi is making Kaadhalai Thavira Veru Ondrum Illai with a tuition centre as the venue of action. “This is where students from different institutions meet, especially from classes 8, 9 and 10. There are chances of forging new friendships which could develop into love. Hero Yuvan meets heroine Saranya Mohan at the institute where she is a teacher. There are flashback scenes where Saranya appears as a student herself. Yuvan firmly believes that love is quite a painful thing, whereas Saranya thinks pain itself is love,” explains Selvabarathi. He intends to release the film on Valentine’s Day.