Old name, new film
It might be carrying the same name as the yesteryear Sivaji Ganesan hit, but the Siddarth Chandrasekhar-directed Bale Pandiya is totally different. With Vennila Kabaddi Kuzhu fame Vishnu and Piaa in the lead, Bale Pandiya , produced by Kalpathi S. Agoram, is Siddarth Chandrasekhar’s first directorial venture — he has switched to this role after being a publicity designer for many films. The unit has just returned from a 10-day outdoor schedule in Thailand. Says Vishnu: “My character in this film is very different from what I played in Vennila... There is a bit of comedy, action, emoting, dancing… In both my films, I have worked under new directors and I find that an advantage because they give every bit of themselves to make each scene the best. Siddarth’s treatment of the film will make it interesting to watch. I am also thrilled by the songs.”
Five times five
It takes woman power to convert criminals into responsible human beings. Now, say that five times and you will get Manmadha Rajyam , a film by producer-director (also one of its heroes) Mangai Harirajan in which Five women, played by Tejashree, Keerthi Chawla, Akshaya, Mega Nair and Monica, who will help five criminal-minded persons criminal-minded to turn over a new leaf — that’s the crux of the movie. Just launched by Harirajan’s Priyanka Art Productions, the crew will head for Yercaud, Hogenakkal and Sathyamangalam forests for the first outdoor schedule on September 9. “A lot of emphasis is being given to the music by Karthik Boopathy Raja debutant and the work by ace cameraman Ashok Rajan. While I have acted in TV serials, done roles for TV serials, this is my movie debut in first in a movie and what could be better than doing it what better than in my own production where in which I have also written and scripted the story,” says Harirajan.
Creative freedom
“I have six years of experience, assisting cinematographer Saravanan in films such as Pammal K Sambandam, Thirupaachi and Tirupathi . And now, shooting for Gautam Menon’s Chennayil Oru Mazhaikkalam, Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya and his untitled film with Sameera Reddy in the lead as well as S. Pictures’ Eeram directed by Arivazhagan, I consider myself lucky as I enjoy a lot of creative freedom,” says cinematographer Manoj Paramahamsa who is busy with the Telugu version of VTV . Manoj seems to have established a good working relationship with Gautam who is a demanding director.
Cool Kim
She has five films this year — The Whisperers (English), Daddy Cool (Hindi), Magadheera, Anjaneyulu and Yagam (Telugu) and Sinam (Tamil). Now, that’s quite a handful for item girl Kim Sharma, who, if reports from Bollywood are to be believed, will give it all up to marry her Spanish boyfriend Carlos Martin and settle down in Spain. Maybe, next time we will hear of her in Hollywood films with an equally impressive line-up of movies! Kim’s Daddy Cool has just released and is reportedly stirring up Bollywood a bit. Kollywood though will have to wait a while.
