Shilpa Shetty praises Priyanka Chopra

Now this is a rare compliment coming from an actress for another actress - Shilpa Shetty is all praises for Priyanka Chopra's work in Vishal Bharadwaj's "7 Khoon Maaf".

"Watched 7 Khoon maaf,las night Well directed@priyankachopra rockd,really complex role but u did a gr8 job effortlessly,U go girl,all d best (sic)," Shilpa posted on her Twitter page.

In the film, Priyanka plays the role of a woman who kills her seven husbands. It released Friday.

Ileana has opened a textile show room in Hyderabad

Ileana has opened a textile show room in Hyderabad. Ileana hails from Goa. She debuted in the Tamil film Kedi. Then she continued to act in Telugu films. She is the leading actress in Andhra Pradesh.

Now she is pairing with Vijay in the Tamil film Nanban which is directed by Shankar. She has opened a textile show room in Hyderabad. Andhra Pradesh State Home Minister Sabitha Indira Reddy inaugurated the show room which is situated in Madhapur area. The showroom is named Ileana.

Ileana’s mother Sameera D Cruz is a fashion designer. The apparels that she would design would be show cased in this showroom.

Get ready for ‘7am Arivu’. Audio on March 28

Phrases like ‘eagerly waited’ and ‘much anticipated’ are fast becoming clichés when talking about a Suriya film these days. So simply put, the shooting of Suriya’s ‘7am Arivu’ will complete by mid March and the audio of the film will be launched on March 28.

In the film Suriya plays Anwar Basha, a trapeze artiste who also doubles up as an animal trainer. Shruthi Kamal plays Shalini, his love interest. Suriya was trained for his acrobatic acts by a renowned circus company in Coimbatore and as always the creative actor learnt the art well.

According to sources the audio launch will be a spectacular feat with Suriya performing some dare devilry acrobatics live on stage. The mega music launch will happen at the Nehru Indoor Stadium on March 28.

Suriya will perform acts like trapeze, 10 balls juggle, human pyramid etc. He will do some 10 amazing feats along with trained circus artistes who will be specially flown in for the event.

As soon as the shoot is completed by mid March, AR Murugadoss will go into post production immediately. The innovative story line demands high end special effects and ARM will spend two months to get them perfect.

The producer of the ‘7am Arivu’, Udhayanidhi Stalin of Red Giants is planning to release the film in August. It will also be dubbed in Telugu.

Now Prithviraj in Bollywood

It is now the chance of Prithviraj to take his best foot forward in Bollywood. The Kerala heartthrob has signed his first Hindi film which will be directed by Anurag Kashyap of the internationally acclaimed films like Dev.D and Black Friday.

Anurag Kashyap was in Chennai recently for the audio launch of ‘Easan’ and he made his admirations for south Indian films public. He also then said he was very impressed with ‘Subramaniapuram’ and would love to make a similar film in Hindi. We don’t know if the Prithviraj starrer will be the remake of ‘Subramaniapuram’.

Sources say Anurag Kashyap and his team were impressed with Prithvi after seeing some of his films is Malayalam. Since the proposed Hindi film has an unusual off beat theme, the choice of actor is convincing they say.

And what more, Prithvi may team up with Rani Mukherjee in the film. The suave beauty is on top of the mind of Anurag for the lead female role.

The last time a popular south Indian hero attempted a film in Bollywood was when Vikran did ‘Raavan’ and Suriya did ‘Raktha Charitra’. Will Prithvi be able to achieve what Suriya and Vikram could not? His fans are very positive.

Genelia attempts action in Urumi

Sweet and bubbly girl Genelia is going to surprise her fans!
Known for her romantic and comedy roles so far, the actress is gearing up to play a Portuguese princess, who is not only gorgeous but also an expert in martial arts, in her first Malayalam film Urumi, directed by cinematographer-director Santosh Sivan with Prithviraj, Vidya Balan, Tabu and Prabhu Deva in the lead roles.
According to sources, Genelia attempts some awe-inspiring martial art stunts in the film, based on the attempted assassination of Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama, who arrived in Kappadu near Kozhikode in 1498. Notably, Genelia is believed to have gone through a short training in martial arts to play her role better.
Meanwhile, the English version of Urumi, being made in Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and English, has been titled Vasco Da Gama, while the Tamil version is Pathinaindham Nootrandu Uraivaal (PNU). It is releasing worldwide in four languages on March 31, 2011 as the big summer release.
The film is produced by Santosh Sivan, Prithviraj and Shaji Natesan under the banner of August Cinema. Music is by Deepak Dev, a former keyboard player with A.R. Rahman.

Suriya, Jyothika together again

The last time Suriya and his better half Jyothika stood together in front of the camera was perhaps for a television commercial shot for a leading telecommunication services provider.

Once again the much talked about pair is ready to share the screen space together, this time too for an ad. "It was after much persuasion we were able to convince Jyothika for shooting," Suriya says.

"As a fan, I really miss Jyothika on screen. I have always been telling her to take up acting again. But she is not ready as her sole priority is to raise kids without any deviation," adds the top actor.

For Suriya, life is so good after marrying Jo. "But for her, I wouldn’t have realised that life is this beautiful," he says. Suriya however regrets that he was unable to gift his sweet heart something this Valentines Day, as they had to attend a close relative’s (producer Gnanavelraja) wedding in Coimbatore.

Wedding bells for 'Singam', 'Siruthai' producer

K E Gnanavelraja, who runs Studio Green, the production house which made hits such as 'Singam' and 'Siruthai', is entering wedlock.

The wedding reception of Gnanavelraja (son of Kousalya and V K Eswaran) and A Neha (daughter of Swathi and Abdul Rasheed) will take place this evening at Hotel Green Park in Chennai.

For those who want to know more details about the bridegroom, he is the cousin of Suriya and Karthi, the two most happening actors of Tamil cinema.

It is expected that a large number of VIPs from K-town would throng the reception venue to greet the couple.

Simbu or Dhanush? Verdict on April 8

The clash of the titans is on April 8. Dhanush and Simbu who were long time foes but recently turned friends will be testing their individual strength at the box office on April 8 when their films ‘Mappillai’ and ‘Vaanam’ hit the theatres same day.

‘Mappillai’ is a Sun Pictures promoted film and ‘Vaanam’ producer VTV Ganesh is also gearing to match the power of the biggie.

Interestingly both the films are remakes and there is sure to be some genuine comparisons made after the release. ‘Mappillai’ is the remake of a blockbuster of Rajini by the same name. ‘Vaanam’ is the remake of the blockbuster Telugu film ‘Vedam’.

May the best win the race.

‘Vanthaan Ventraan’ is no remake

Director Kannan has cleared the air by saying that his forthcoming film ‘Vanthaan Ventraan’, starring Jeeva and Tapsee in lead roles, is not a remake, but based on an original script penned by him.

“My maiden film ‘Jayam Kondaan’ too is not inspired by any other movie. Only my second venture ‘Kanden Kadhalai’ is the Tamil adaptation of Bollywood hit Jab We Met,” says the former associate of Mani Ratnam.

Saying that ‘Vanthaan Ventraan’ would be an interesting mix of romance, action and comedy, the filmmaker says Jeeva, Tapsee and Santhanam had ensured that the package would be presented well to the audience.

“Though Jeeva is playing a boxer, it is just his profession in the movie and it doesn’t have any crucial importance. The screenplay will be so different and I am hopeful that film-buffs would love watching ‘Vanthaan Ventraan’,” Kannan further says.

Protest against 'Nadunisi Naaygal'

Gautham Vasudev Menon's 'Nadunisi Naaygal' has incurred the wrath of certain sections of the society for its 'content' which allegedly portrayed human relationships in 'bad light'.

Close on the heels of few women associations and a political outfit raising their voice against the movie, Shiva Sena has now come down heavily on the film and its director.

In a statement, the Tamil Nadu unit of the Shiva Sena said, "It is unimaginable to see that the culture and tradition of our Tamil land and Hindu sentiments disrespected in ‘Nadunisi Naaygal’. It has been the case in some of the earlier films of Gautham Menon".

The film has certain scenes that demeans human relationships and are intolerable. Women have been portrayed as mere objects of lust in the movie. Also a woman has been named after a Hindu Goddess and portrayed in a bad light, it said.

"Major portion of the movie is filled with sex and perversion. The Censor Board should have rejected certificate for the film." the pro-Hindu outfit further said, threatening to launch a protest against the movie.

Rima Kallingal shoots for Kochi IPL Anthem

Director Priyadarshan is shooting for the theme song of Kochi IPL team, Indi Commandos, at the Varapuzha backwaters locations and the home ground of the Indi Commandos the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium since Monday. Some portions will also be shot in Chennai during the World Cup season.

The two-minute long song would encompass the beauty of Kerala and the concept blends cricket with Kerala’s martial art form Kalaripayattu.

The theme song will feature all the leading players in the team and adding the glamour quotient to the song is Actress Rima Kallingal. Award winning music director Ousepachen and cameraman Thiru have played the right and left hands of Priyadarshan in this prestigious assignment.

In March last year Rendezvous Sports World won the franchise rights for the Kochi IPL team for Rs.1,500 crore.

Happy birthday Premji

Today is the birthday of Premji Amaran. And the actor-music composer will celebrate it in his usual style, this time ostensibly with the cast and crew of 'Mankatha', the 50th film of Ajith.

Directed by his elder brother Venkat Prabhu, 'Mankatha' has Premji is an important role. "Premji is delighted about working with Ajith and the Thala is expected to join the birthday party to be hosted by Premji," say sources.

A talented music composer, Premji is however unable to make a mark for himself in the music arena. "His songs in ‘Adhe Neram Adhe Idam’, the Jai-Vijayalakshmi starrer, were good," Premji's friends recall.

This year it is believed that the actor-musician will concentrate in both his trades. "Hailing from a great music family, he is keen to establish himself a music composer too. Also, the year ahead will position Premji as an hero, with the release of Bhagyaraj 2011."

Between ‘Dheivamagan’ and ‘Pitha’

Even as media reports claiming that director Vijay’s forthcoming film, starring Vikram in the lead role, would be name either ‘Dheivamagan’ or ‘Pitha’, here’s something straight from the horse’s mouth.

"It is true that we are considering both the titles. But we are yet to finalise one. A decision will be made soon. Once made, it will be immediately announced to the media," says Vijay.

Denying reports that the film was inspired by a Hollywood flick, Vijay says, "The answer will be known once the movie hits the screens. We are in the last stages of production."

With Vikram playing the protagonist, Anushka and Amala Paul are the two heroines of this project. Santhanam, it is said, is playing a totally different role, which would be a straight contrast to his earlier ones.

‘Siva Poojaiyil Karadi’ is ready

For ‘Mirchi’ Shiva, the Akila Ulaga Superstar of ‘Thamizh Padam’, he was not ready to believe that it was really a phone call from veteran Rama Narayanan when he was approached to play the lead role in ‘Siva Poojaiyil Karadi’.

“I initially thought some friends were playing prank on me. But soon I realised that it was really Rama Narayanan sir. He said that he was planning to remake a Malayalam movie and wanted to know whether I would be interested to be part of it,” says Shiva.

“It was a full-length comedy caper and I immediately expressed my consent,” the RJ turned actor says and adds: “To my surprise, Rama Narayanan completed the entire shoot in just 25 days.”

Shedding more light on the movie, he says, “Quite apt to the title, I would appear as myself till the interval and in the latter half, I would become a bear. Everything would be made clear in the climax.”

Dheena says no to acting

Music composer Dheena, who was seen playing a role in ‘Thambi Arjuna’, has said that he would like others to identify him only as a musician and not as an actor. “Acting is not my cup of tea,” he said.

“I was part of Thambi Arjuna’s cast because of a request from the makers of the film. Standing in front of camera doesn’t mean that I am an actor,” said Dheena, who is clear about his priorities.

The forthcoming Dhanush’s starrer ‘Seedan’, directed by Subramaniam Siva, happens to be the 50th film of Dheena. “I am happy. What started with Middle Class Madhavan in 2003 has grown into a big thing in eight years.”

On the allegation that his background score is always noisy, Dheena says, “I give what directors expect from me. I don’t have any personal intentions. I am always a team player and it is the director who leads the team.”

Genelia speaks in Tamil

The beauty of Tamil is that anyone coming to Tamil Nadu would love to learn the language and speak it on their own. The latest to join the list is Genelia D’Souza, the chirpy heroine of Kollywood.

Recently, the actress, who has been roped in to endorse a top brand, dubbed in Tamil for a commercial. And the ‘Santosh Subramaniam’ and ‘Uthamaputhiran’ girl is so excited and happy about it.

“I dubbed in Tamil for the first time for my ad,” she said and added: “I didn’t tell anyone for fear that it might not be perfect. But have got loads of compliments for it. Super… Happy….”

Genelia is currently sharing the screen space with Vijay in ‘Velayudham’, a film directed by ‘Jayam’ Raja, with whome she worked earlier in ‘Santosh Subramaniam’. She is playing the role of a television journalist in the action thriller.

Arun Vijay meets RGV

Working in a Ram Gopal Varma’s film is almost a dream for most artistes. And Arun Vijay may realise it soon, for the actor impressed the director during his recent meeting with him in Hyderabad.

Happy about his luncheon meeting with the ace filmmaker, Arun Vijay says, “I showed him some of the pictures from my latest photo shoot in which I appear with a six-pack. RGV was impressed.”

He adds: “I also showed him my skydiving video clippings and told him about the filmmaking course I had recently done in the US. He was interested to know about my movies and other plans.”

Arun Vijay also reveals that RGV told him that he would keep in touch. “I am a great fan of RGV and has watched all his movies,” the actor, who is currently busy doing a couple of films, adds.

‘Nanban’ songs in London

Nothing can stop the run of ‘Nanban’ now. Shankar has completed the first schedule of shooting for the film in Ooty last week and next, he is flying to London with the music director Harris Jayaraj.

Both are set to return only after composing all the four songs required for the film. Buzz says Harris has already delivered one of the five songs. That song is said to be the ‘All Iz Well’ version and it is also said that this number will be an adaptation of the Hindi original tuned by Shantanu Moitra.

All the other four songs will be original scores from Harris. Shankar has already worked magic with Harris Jayaraj in ‘Aanniyan’ before. Everyone hopes the music of ‘Nanban’ will also be as timeless as the concept of the film.

Gautham grills Simbu and Sameera

Photon Kathaas is taking movie promotions to a new level. To promote his new film ‘Nadunisi Naaygal’, Gautham Menon is resorting to innovations all the way.

Yesterday we reported that the ace director interviewed the veteran Bharathiraja who gave the first psycho thriller in Kollywood some thirty years ago. That was for a television show to promote the film.

For another event conducted by a channel, Gautham played the host and probed a firebrand combination of Simbu and Sameera with reference to his psycho thriller. Simbu was the hero of Gautham’s last film ‘VTV’ and Sameera is the heroine of ‘NN’.

Gautham has a good rapport with the duo and that came handy when he asked some really awkward questions. The actors managed to come out of Gautham’s net in style.

PETA thanks Trisha

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), an organisation working for the well-being of four-legged creatures, has thanked Trisha for her care and compassion towards animals.

In a message to the actress, Sachin Bangera, senior co-ordinator, media and communications, PETA said, “We were so happy to learn more about your animal rescue work. You are such a wonderful example for others to follow.”

“Thanks for extending your support to our campaign to encourage the public to adopt Indian community dogs,” he added. Also, as a token of appreciation, the organisation has also sent a t-shirt for Trisha and her dog.

Expressing happiness, Trisha, who has always been advocating for the cause of showing love towards street dogs, says, “Received the sweetest card from my PETA family. I was so touched and felt like every little thing we do to help animals is worth the effort.”

Hero Udhayanidhi Stalin ready for take off

It’s official. The journey of the prolific producer Red Giant Udhayanidhi Stalin, as a hero starts in March. Udhayanidhi Stalin's debut film will start rolling in the first week of March.

The film titled ‘Oru Kal Oru Kannadi’, in short ‘OKOK’, will have Hansika Motwani romancing with Udhayanidhi Stalin. The director of the film M. Rajesh completed the first photo session of the lead stars last week in a lavish set created at AVM studio premises. Udhayanidhi and Hansika posed for the photographs.

‘OKOK’ will be a comedy in typical Rajesh’s style. Santhanam plays a key role like he did in the other films directed by Rajesh. Music is by Harris Jayaraj and camera will be handled by Nirav Shah.

The film is planned for a start to finish schedule as the director is keen to complete the film by July to honour his other commitments. Most of the scenes will be shot in Chennai and Pondicherry, but for the songs the team may fly to some foreign locations.

Shankar to make Enthiran Part II?

Shankar's Enthiran was a great success and it is said taht Shankar is making the Part II of the movie and for this too Sun Pictures have agreed to produce.

Shankar too has answered in a very positive tone to the gossip thats being grinded in Kollywood!  While answering a query submitted in his website regarding his plans for making Enthiran Part II, Shankar has said that he is looking into it!
As Sivaji and Enthiran were successful, Rajini too was willing to work with Shankar.
Presently Shankar is busy making Nanban and is not willing to give time to discuss his plans about Enthiran II in detail!

Trisha want to pair with Rajini too...

Before settling with a marriage, Trisha want to pair with Super Mega Star Rajini too! and for this she and her mother are trying their best with all sorts of Kollywood adjustments!!!

KS Ravikumar is making Raana having Rajini in the lead role.  He is now discussing with many babes belonging to hindi film industry ignoring all those in Kollywood.
Understanding this, Trisha is using all her influence that she has with KS Ravikumar with whome she teamed up for Manmadhan Ambu!

Coffee with Anu fame Anu weds her London boy-friend

Anu, daughter of Kamal's brother Chandran who married one Vikas 10 years before got divorce from him and has married her long time boy-friend Graham. 

Graham is a British national.  The wedding was arranged in a typical Aiyangar style.
Graham is an investment banker based in London and Anu met him through a music website and as their friendship developed, love blossomed.
The actress-cum-television host said that she took her time to make her decision after Graham proposed and that her mother supported her all the while.
Anu after her recent wedding says that she was single for five years after her divorce from her first marriage and that only after meeting Graham did she even think of getting committed again.
The wedding was a very private one and was attended only by people very close to her. It was Kamal Haasan who along with his daughter Shruti, Akshara, his girl friend Gauthami and Suhasini were the ones who stayed all the while and gave their consent and support. Graham’s parents also flew down from London for the wedding.
Anu said that she will be shuttling between London and Chennai and she does not have plans to settle down in Chennai.
On behalf of our readers, we wish Anu a very happy married life.

Jayam Ravi speaks about Engeyum Kadhal

Jayam Ravi while speaking to the media about Engeyum Kadhal said," I am donning the role of a wealthy person’s son. My role is like a playboy spending lot of money. My role is called Kamal. My role is that of a person who comes from a foreign country to France and lives there. Hansika is an Indian girl settled there. After meeting her, how I move with her and the tactics I use to love her is the story of this film. With regard to my heroine Hansika, she has the shrewdness and cheerfulness of an19 year old girl. She comes with the same energy and stands before the camera. She looks like a Barbie doll. She will look like a girl only if she laughs or breathes.  I had good experience acting with her.

Many are asking me that there will be importance for dance since this is Prabhu Deva’s film. Yes. It is there. I was very scared when I go for dancing. Sreedhar master only took care of the choreography. Prabhu Deva use to give tips once in a way. He used to motivate me by telling that I have danced well. Prabhu Deva has utilized me in a different way in the dance sequences. 90 % of the shooting took place in France.
The shooting took place for 50 days there. The buildings make me stun. The train journey there also is very interesting. I am planning to go there with my family on a vacation."