Itsy-bitsy

Bodinayakanur Ganesan

Double bonanza

Jiiva Vs. Jiiva. Hero vs. villain. In what will be a first, Jiiva will portray diametrically-opposite characters in director Sai Ramani's Singam Puli . Sai has based these characters on Lord Rama from the Ramayana and Sakuni from the Mahabharata . While one wants to live life as it should be led, the other wants to live life according to his own dictum. Jiiva has for romantic company Divya and Soundarya. “The film features a unique style of scripting, and viewers will love one character while hating the other. One is a fisherman and the other, a lawyer. Jiiva has done both roles wonderfully. And no, the two are not long-lost brothers; they just happen to be lookalikes,” says Sai.

One for the record

Percussionist Sivamani has turned composer for a film that is creating waves for many other reasons too. To start with, the film, directed by Vijeshmani, is being made in 35 languages, many Indian and quite a few foreign ones, too. Obviously being made with an eye on the Guinness World Records,

Boologa Ratchagan will see Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa in an important role. Apparently, he was quite taken up by a character in the film and evinced interest in doing the role. Apparently, Sivamani has utilised the voices of 200 singers and 50 lyricists.

A father's quest

This one is not your usual romantic thriller or a tearjerker.

Puthran is a film with a message — about the sensitive issue of child labour. When Y. Gee Mahendra's and Sangeetha's 10-year-old son (Master Varun) is kidnapped, the family goes through emotional turmoil. Sangeetha attempts suicide and Y.Gee, in an attempt to divert her mind from the issue, shifts the family from a town to Chennai. During his efforts to search for his son, Y. Gee comes across many instances of child labour and exploitation, and decides to take up the issue. Threatened by the publicity his moves are attracting, the powers of the underworld intimidate him and his family. Will his efforts bear fruit? Does he get back his lost son? Director Jayabarathi delivers the answers in

Puthran .

Path to redemption?

After Thoothukudi and Madurai Sambavam , actor Harikumar travels to Bodinayakanur under the guidance of director O. Gnanam. Accompanying him on this journey is his love interest, Arundathi. The villain in Bodinayakanur Ganesan is Ravi Shankar while ‘Parotta' Suri brings in the laughs.

“I hail from Bodinayakanur and have based the story on a real character from that town. The hero takes the wrong path due to the villain's influence. Even when he falls in love and wants to mend his ways, the villain stands in his way. The hero has a brother who is specially able, a role that has been performed by someone who is like that in real life too; he's done a great job. And, he plays a crucial role in the reformation of the hero and the villain,” says Gnanam.

Hitting the high notes

Music director Vijay Ebenezer has been composing gospel songs for a long time in association with Harris Jayaraj, and not, as frequently reported, assisting the latter in film music. “We have worked together for 10 albums, all of which have been composed by me; Harris Jayaraj has played a key role as a musician. We are good friends and Harris has even released my last three Gospel / Pop albums under the title ‘Nesipaya', primarily aimed at younger audiences,” explains Vijay. “It was at a get-together organised by singer Krish and actress Sangeetha that director Gautham Menon heard the songs I'd composed for Kanden . He took a copy with him and called me after a few days. He was very impressed with the music and wanted it to be the first release of his new label, Photon Kathas Music,” adds Vijay.

The seven songs from the album, which was released on Thursday, have already climbed up the popularity charts.