Changing focus
Many years of handling back-end production and logistics for film units ( Nanban ’s schedules in Dehradun, for instance) has given Gautam Kurup the confidence to face the camera. He did a short film (for the festival circuit), Murdering Innocence in Hindi. This was followed by a cameo in director Lalit Bisht’s Jeet Lenge Jahan when Gautam was noticed and signed for Kandahar. “That’s when things started happening. The role as the hijacker of the plane in Kandahar got me the main villain’s role in Thiruppangal . The film also stars Nandaa and Andrea. I am from Kerala, brought up in Karnataka and now living in Delhi. This has taken a toll on my command over South Indian languages. But, friends such as Nandaa have been extremely helpful and encouraging,” says Gautam, who keenly awaits the release of Thiruppangal .
Friends turn foe
True friendship is above all else. But, in director Jayaamutha Mogan’s Kottai , childhood buddies Prabhu and Sampath turn foes and destroy their own lives and their families’ peace. All it takes is a bit of suspicion and jealousy, created by a mischief monger, for the two to part ways. Things take such an ugly turn that Sampath kills Prabhu and appropriates his wealth. Prabhu’s son (played by Aarthik), who is brought up by his widowed mother, decides to avenge his father’s death by making Sampath’s life miserable. Suchitra Unni plays Aarthik’s love interest.
Smooth take off
The Mynaa girl is flying high. Amala Paul is currently one of the busiest actors in Kollywood. After delivering stellar performances in movies such as Mynaa , Sindhu Samaveli and Deivathirumaga l, Amala is busy travelling across the country and abroad shooting for Vettai , Muppozhudum Un Karpanai and Kaadhalil Sodappuvadu Eppadi . In Vetta i, she shares screen space with popular actors such as Sameera Reddy, Arya and Madhavan.
Hot and happening
Earlier, most Hindi films had a cabaret number by Helen. So was it in Tamil cinema too. Actors such as Disco Shanthi, Jayamalini and the unforgettable Silk Smitha have done many such sizzling numbers. The cabarets have now been replaced by ‘item numbers’ in Hindi films and most often feature the heroines themselves. But in many Tamil films such songs are now being done by imports from Bollywood. After a dance number in the Telugu film Dukudu starring Mahesh Babu, Meenakshi Dixit will be seen next in Ajith’s Billa II , setting the dance floor on fire for a Yuvan Shankar Raja composition.
