Arc lights attract
A diploma in acting from Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares and award-winning Bharatanatyam performances in several parts of Andhra Pradesh have propelled Shruthi Reddy towards the silver screen. Two Telugu films in quick succession with diametrically opposite roles have boosted Shruthi’s confidence and prompted her to try her luck in Tamil cinema. “While I played a village girl in People’s War (with Srihari), I have gone glam in Jagan Nirdoshi (with Siva). Having done these, I feel I can tackle any role and am looking forward to doing Tamil films that will give me a strong identity,” says Shruthi who rejected a prospective career as a software engineer for the attraction of the arc lights. “Since childhood I have been in love with movies and I am glad my film career has started on a good note. I am reading several scripts in Tamil and will soon decide on my debut role,” says Shruthi.
Pizza follow-up
Following the heart-warming reception to his productions, Attakathi and Pizza , C. V. Kumar is into his third venture, tentatively titled Black Ticket . “One of the three finalists of Naalaya Iyakkunar on Kalaignar TV, Nalan Kumaraswamy has written the story and screenplay and is directing my film. At present, the songs are being recorded under Santhosh Narayanan’s music direction and the cast is being finalised. This film is a roller-coaster comedy with unique elements,” says Kumar.
Vikram Prabhu’s next
Though Vikram Prabhu (Ganesan)’s debut film Kumki is yet to release, he has already moved onto his second film, Ivan Vera Mathiri under Saravanan’s direction. After his first offering Engeyum Eppodum , Saravanan is attempting a city-based romantic thriller. How did he zero in on Vikram Prabhu? “I watched the trailer of Kumki and was impressed with Vikram’s intense performance. Later when I met him in person, his height, build and confidence made an impact on me. Moreover, his positive attitude and eagerness to take on challenging roles made me sign him up for my film. Vikram plays a city-bred youth seething with anger which surfaces every now and then. The female role in the film is equally important and I am scouting for the right actor,” says Saravanan.
Win-win situation
It is a win-win situation for all concerned. Vijay+Vijay=Victory. Director A. L. Vijay has managed to rope in actor Vijay for his next project, post- Thandavam . For Amala Paul, who migrated from Kerala to Tamil Nadu and made a temporary shift to Andhra, thanks to a slew of Telugu projects, this will be a return to Tamil films. Her mentor (since Deiva Thirumagal ) A. L. Vijay has signed her up opposite Vijay for the forthcoming project. Says Amala: “I’m quite excited about my second film with A. L. Vijay and my first with Ilayathalapathi Vijay. He is a thorough professional and has a great fan following which will surely help this film become a huge success. For me, it’s like being in a familiar territory because this will be my fourth film with Nirav Shah and G. V. Prakash.”
