With several of his films in different stages of completion, this year is going to be a busy one for Jai. In director Nelson’s Vettai Mannan , Jai is paired with Hansika Motwani, while in Raja Rani , he shares screen space with Arya and Nayantara. Then, he has director Prem Sai’s Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum with Yami Gautam. Arjunan Kadhali for director Parthy Baskar, where he is paired with Poorna, is in the post-production stage. Meanwhile, Jai is busy shooting for Thirumanam Ennum Nikkah .What’s more, AGS’s Production No. 14 has roped in Jai to play the lead. The buzz is that the title could well be Saraswathi Sabatham.
Formula of living
In Tamil there is a saying Vittukoduppavan kettupovadhillai . This is the premise of director N.P. Sarathy’s Nagarpuram . The story is about two brothers — the elder believes and lives by this dictum while the younger does what fancies him. Says the director, “though the story is based in Chennai, it is also about how life and perceptions change when a boy from a village or small town comes to the city and gets carried away by its many attractions. Many a time the parents back home are happy with the money their boy sends them, little realising the situation he is in.” Nagarpuram stars Akhil as the younger brother and Girish Kanna as the elder brother. Paired with Akhil is Sri Divya.
In introspective mode
His earlier venture, Ariyathavan Puriyathavan , released in February and actor-director JK is already onto his next. In Mugan , JK acts and directs. “The film is about how sex is often used to exploit the gullible. The hero takes advantage of people’s innocence but in the process he learns several lessons that would also make the audience think,” says JK, who is the grandson of yesteryear director Kalaignanam who was instrumental in introducing Rajinikanth in Bhairavi . “I have apprenticed under Bhagyaraj and have gained knowledge in both acting and directing,” adds JK, who has passed the exams in music conducted by Trinity College and will be composing all the songs in Mugan .
Call of the camera
The famed Ilaiyaraja family introduces yet another talent. The maestro’s elder brother Pavalar Varadarajan’s son, Jo V is making his debut as a director with Naalu Perum Romba Nallavanga . Jo V has worked for several years as an associate of director R.V. Udaya Kumar and penned dialogues for many films. “The film is about three youngsters who are thieves. They come across a honest man, played by Power Star Srinivasan and try their best to make him also a thief. He, on the other hand, tries to reform them. In the process, there are many rib-tickling moments; I have conceived the film as a full-length comedy,” says Jo V. How come he has not taken to music like other members of the family? “I think there are enough of them in the music field and, considering my experience with Udaya Kumar, I felt my leaning is more towards direction.” The film also stars Suresh, Yasin, Balaji, Thirupathi, Snehal and Dhisha.
