Getting real
In recent times, realism has struck gold in Tamil cinema, thanks to movies such as Mynaa and Kalavaani . Following in the same vein, director Sakthivel S, who last made Kandakottai with Nakul and Poorna, is making Uyirai Tholaithen . The film is all about scores of youngsters who come from across the State and converge on Triplicane to stay in the numerous ‘mansions', pursuing their dreams. Sakthivel intends to shoot on the narrow streets and packed rooms of these bachelor havens. New faces Rajesh and Archana play the lead in the film, which has music by Dilip Varman.
One for the record
Director Prashanth intends to get into the Guinness World Records through a unique venture. Buoyed by the Limca Book of Records entries for the Malayalam film Bhagavan starring Mohanlal, which he shot in 19 hours, and the Kannada film Sugurva starring Shivraj Kumar, which he made in 18 hours, Prashanth plans to simultaneously shoot a film in five languages — Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi — using as many directors. A top actor will play the lead in every language. Besides producing the films, Prashanth will also direct Shivraj Kumar in the Kannada version. In addition to this, Prashanth is already making Ungal Veetu Pillai in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.
A slice of rural life
Following his 2007 appearance in Maamadurai , actor Vasan Karthik has been signed up for director A.R. Kendran Muniyasamy's Ayyan , opposite Divya Padmini. Says the director: “The story revolves around a romantic liaison in a village and the social problems that crop up because of it. The story is set in Muthukulathur where such an incident really took place. It depicts how a dejected hero takes to divinity and becomes Ayyan, the village guardian.” Maestro Ilaiyaraaja has reportedly scored some excellent tunes for the film.
A tale of two horses
A wooden horse forms the central character in director Suseenthiran's Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai . After Vennila Kabbadi Kuzhu and Naan Mahan Alla , the director attempts a full-length comedy, liberally sprinkled with emotion. The characterisation is also said to be unique. The story is set in a village called Mallayapuram near Theni. The villagers believe the Rain Gods will favour them after the annual Thiruvizha, during which the deity is taken around the village on a wooden horse. They are in for a rude shock when the horse goes missing. At the same time, Azhagarsami, a youngster who earns his livelihood by ferrying loads on his horse in Aagamalai village in Periyakulam, gets ready for his marriage. His horse also goes missing, and his marriage is put on hold. Do the villagers and Azhagarsami find their respective horses?
Beyond borders
Director Seenu has made a movie, Kaidhi , mainly featuring Tamil artistes settled in Malaysia. The story revolves around a loving mother and her dedicated son. While Seenu has featured many leading Malaysian actors such as Ben, Yaghu and Sumathi in the film, he has also roped in a few Tamil actors, notably, Varadaraj as a villain. Kaidhi has been extensively shot in Malaysia as well as in Tiruchi and Namakkal.
