SRK in dhoti
If you have noticed, there is a song sequence in Shah Rukh Khan's RA. One, featuring dancers in dhotis. Now, we all know that SRK, like Aamir Khan, is an expert at marketing. So, has this song been included with an eye on the Tamil audience? Yes, if you go by the audio release of the songs in Tamil. The songs, ‘Mutthata Chammak Challo', ‘Pachai Poove', ‘Poovulagama', ‘En Uyir', ‘Ulagam Ulagam' and ‘Yaarukkum Nenjay', have been written by Vairamuthu. In the accompanying photo, doesn't SRK look like a typical Tamil hero — curly hair and dhoti to boot?
Mane doesn ’ t matter
Vincent Asokan's mane will have to go when he starts shooting for his first Telugu film directed by Raghava Lawrence, for, he plays a cop in it. Prabhas is the hero. Meanwhile, Vincent is working on his first Kannada film, Lakshmi, in which he plays an assassin and Shivrajkumar, the hero. Closer home, Vincent is keenly awaiting the Deepavali release of Vijay's Velayudham in which he plays a villain. “I play the role of the minister's brother — a role several notches above the usual henchman's,” says Vincent who has two other films awaiting release — Vithagan and Maiyyam Kondein .
Keen to make a mark
Ineya has been getting rave reviews for her performance in the recently released Vaagai Sooda Vaa . This Malayalee actor, who has done a couple of award-winning flicks such as Dhalamarmarangal and Saira and a short film Ammu , is keen on making a mark in Tamil cinema. “I am happy about the response I've been receiving for Vaagai Sooda Vaa . Now I have completed shooting for Mounaguru featuring Arulnidhi as the hero. The good news is I have been signed up by director Bharathiraja for his forthcoming Annakodiyum Kodiveeranum . Bharathiraja-sir mentioned that I look like yesteryear actor Radha on screen,” says Ineya who is on the verge of finalising a couple of other projects too. Annakodiyum… features Parthepan alongside Ineya and has music by G. V. Prakash Kumar.
Back to calling the shots
Sundar C is finally doing what he's best at — direction. Produced jointly by Khushbu's Avni Cine Max and UTV Motion Pictures, the film titled Masala Café is a comic entertainer with Vimal, ‘Mirchi' Shiva, Anjali, Oviya and Santhanam in important roles. To the director's fans, it will be a welcome move to see him writing and directing, rather than facing the camera. Masala Café is expected to go on floors next month and will be a 2012 summer release.
Romantic thriller
P arithi marks the directorial debut of Anandhasiva, who has worked under stalwarts such as Bhagyaraj and Vasanth. “A romantic thriller, the film features Rishi as both father and son — the latter role with negative shades. The theme is quite similar to Vaali . It's a psychotic love affair between the hero and the heroine played by newcomer Kareena Shah from Mumbai,” says Anandhasiva. He has introduced music director Ilakyancharu who has composed five songs for Parithi , scheduled for release immediately after Deepavali.
Chart-topping ‘Chillax’
Vijay's Velayudham seems to have all the right ingredients to become a blockbuster. Adding to the ‘masala quotient' is Vijay Antony's music — the songs are already topping the charts. One such song is ‘Chillax' sung by classical singer Charulatha Mani, who had made a name for herself in the industry with her debut number ‘Kakha Kakha' in Naan Avan Illai under Vijay Antony's music direction. “I am grateful to Vijay Antony for recognising my talent and introducing me to the world of playback singing. ‘Chillax' (a duet with Karthik) is a huge hit here and overseas. The special feature of this song is the raag alaap in Sindhu Bhairavi, along with some jathis. This is a Carnatic fusion number targeted at the masses and I'm quite excited about its acceptance. The song is picturised on Hansika and Vijay,” says Charulatha.
