More honours for Shankar films

Director Shankar's home production Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi and Veyyil won several acclaims. Both the movies managed a good collection at the box office and also appreciated by the critics.
The former was directed by Simbhudevan and the latter by Vasanthabalan. Adding one more feather in the cap of director Shankar is the recognition from the Tamilnadu Murpokku Ezhuthaalar Sangam. The organisation comprising elite Tamil writers selects the most deserving films for every year for the award instituted by the organisation.
For the year 2006, Veyyil and Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikesi have been selected. Awards will be given to the producer, director and writer of these films at a function to be held at Hosur in August.

Success brings them together - Chandramukhi

Celebrating the grand success is Chandramukhi team. The cast and crew of Chandramukhi team would come together at Kamaraj Arangam in Chennai on Monday evening to celebrate the completion of 804 day run of the Rajni starrer.
Presiding over the function would be Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. Veteran director K Balachander and Kamal Haasan would be the chief guests on the occasion.
Rajnikanth, producers Ramkumar and Prabhu, director P Vasu and music-composer Vidyasagar would be present on the occasion.
The movie set a new record in Tamil film history surpassing M K Thyaraja Bhagavadhar's Haridas (1944). The latter has run continuously for over 700 days. But Chandramukhi is still going strong after 800 days.
Some of scenes which were not accommodated in Chandramukhi will be screened at the venue besides the hit song Ra Ra will be premiered in Tamil at the venue.

Vijay birthday special interview:

Vijay celebrates his birthday on June 22. This year’s birthday sees him at the top of the rungs in Tamil filmdom. With Ghilli breaking all box office records Vijay the Illaya Thalapathi has bounced back to center stage. His earlier film `Thirumalai’ too was a big hit. Vijay speaks about his feelings and excitement on the success of Ghilli एक्ष्केर्प्त्स्

Did you expect Ghilli to be a big success?

I knew that it would be a great success but never expected it to be such a big hit. The credit goes to the good heart of A M Rathinam and director Dharani’s hard work. I was very happy to hear in several theatre complexes that they were running Ghilli in all the theatres. I was told that 12 shows were screened in one day.

So you are the number one?

I don't know about that. All I know is that my fans have placed me in a good position but whether it’s a number one position I cannot say.
The song `Apidipodu’ is a big hit …

Credit goes to Vidyasagar. He has done a wonderful job with mass tunes. Dharani’s placement of the songs was correct. He was sure that when this song comes the audience would dance to it.

What is your role in Mathura?

I am a vegetable vendor in a market. The story has many surprise twists in it. Madhesh like Shankar has given a grand look to the film. There are six fights composed by Kanal Kannan. Sonia Agarwal is my heroine.

Which is your next film?

Thirupachi directed by Perarsu for Super Good films.

Don't you attempt to do an offbeat role like changing your looks etc ?

I am doing roles, which suit my age. I have done so far 38 films. There is lot of time for all that. I don't believe that a actor who does offbeat roles or changes his getup is doing his work whereas we who do commercial films are having a ball. To make a film a hit is not a joke. If we make one slip in a fight sequence the result can be very bad.

Which criticism of Ghilli did you like the most?

My friends and my family’s criticism is what I take very seriously. My friends tore to pieces my best films but this time they said `We cannot find fault this time’. My father who sat through the film came out and said `Good you have done well’. It was the comment from my mother and wife. They always point my mistakes.

Sivaji in UK Top Ten

It can't get bigger than this. Sivaji, the magnum-opus from the stable of AVM Production starring Rajnikanth has found a place in the UK's Top Ten box-office list for this weekend.

Sivaji finds a place among big Hollywood productions like Fantastic Four 2, Ocean Thirteen and Pirates of Carribean 3.

Sivaji released on 15 June all across the globe has been witnessing a phenomenal response at the box office. It has been sold out till this weekend in all screens across Tamilnadu.

In countries like USA, Middle East, Canada and Australia, Sivaji has been topping the charts.

Breaking into the top ten in UK's Box Office list is one more feather in Sivaji's cap. The movie is directed by Shankar and features Shriya opposite Rajnikanth.

The who's who of Tamil cinema including, music composer A R Rahman, cinematographer K V Anand, costume designer Manish Malhotra among others.

Sivaji is Rajnikanth's 100th direct film in Tamil.

Srikanth vs Vandana

Actor Srikanth’s personal life is embroiled in problems from the day his marriage to Vandana was announced. Sources say that Srikanth and his parents Krishnamachari and Jayanthi called off the wedding when some section of the media floated news that Vandana’s parents and brother were involved in economic crime cases filed with the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The aggrieved Vandana, last night, went to Srikanth’s house in Chennai and created a racket by claiming that the actor had married her in a secret ceremony sometime ago and that his parents are not aware of the fact. According to some sources Vandana’s parents and brother dropped her off at Srikanth’s doorsteps and left the place.

Unable to tolerate the ruckus created by Vandana, the actor left for Tirupati in a fit of rage. Looks like Vandana is not perturbed by this and stood ground that it was her matrimonial home and would not leave the place under any circumstance. Even Srikanth’s parents left the house.

Meanwhile, the actor’s parents lodged a police complaint at the Vadapalani All Women Police Station. The case is under police investigation.

Ajith – Nayan opine on Sivaji

Although not in town to catch the live Sivaji action and excitement that has gripped Tamil Nadu and all over India, Ajith managed to catch a full glimpse of Sivaji when it premiered in Malaysia on Thursday (14/06/07) night, where he is shooting for the upcoming Billa. Ajith and Nayanthara were spotted in Damansara, Malaysia for the special premiere of the mega movie at 9.00 p.m.

They were greeted by Malaysian politician Datho Samuel. Ajith was also accompanied by Maras Ravi who handles the Malaysian shooting of Billa. Sivaji has obviously left Ajith and Nayanthara enthralled which was visible, sources present at the venue stated.

Billa crew, which includes Namita, director Vishnuvardhan, and producer L. Suresh will be stationed in Malaysia for a month for the shoots.

Sivaji in Chicago

Sivaji premier show will open with chakarai pongal in Chicago. Elite high profile crowd will watch the premier show tonight. All shows for the weekend are sold out. Big parties are planned for all the 3 days with fans planning to dance outside the theater. Rajini fans are driving from Arkansas, Indianapolis, Bloomington, Iowa and flying from Seattle and Washington to see the movie with their family and friends. This is a big festival event in Chicago which has never happened before. Bloomingdale police will help co-ordinate traffic during the weekend. First time ever, entire weekend is sold out for an Indian movie in Chicago.