On The Sets

TAMIL:
Suryodayam
Another Vijaya Shanti actioner

The film Suryodayam has been in the making for the last five years. Initially launched as Isai Payanam with Rahman, Ravi Raj, Charlie and Anusha in the cast, along with Srilankan actress Sabita Pereira and Russian artistes, the film got a new lease of life with the introduction of Vijaya Shanti in the cast. Soon, the film was retitled Suryodayam. Directed by LV Athavan initially, the film was shot in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Samarkhand and later, Sri Lanka. The film’s music by Ganaselvam was also released. Later, Pandian Arivalli, who directed Avathara Purushan, tokk over the direction. “When I took over, the film was 75 per cent complete. I did away with 25 per cent of the scenes, and shot again to complete the film,” said Pandian. Producer Jhunjhunwala of Rani Sakthi Creations feels the film has lost none of its relevance despite its long gestatioin. The film deals with the invention of a device which can trigger off bombs and explosives from across continents. The remote control in use now has a far limited radius of operation, while the new invention has no such limitations. “Such a device will be just as bad as the invention of the nuclear bomb and the young team of musicians on a world tour, stumble upon the group that is perfecting the new device. Assisted by Vijaya Shanti they foil the attempts of the terrorists to control the world,” says Pandian.

The film scheduled for release in February has cinematography by Raju.

Taj Mahal
Son on the rise!

BHARATIRAJA, who has launched the careers of many a top-ranking star of today, is now busy giving final touches to his pet project, the launch pad for son, Manoj, as hero. Taj Mahal, says the director, is a romantic film and its lead pair Manoj and Rhea Sen (daughter of Moon Moon Sen), named Mayan and Machikanni in the film, will become just as immortal as Romeo-Juliet, Amravathi-Ambikapathi and Laila-Majnu, he claims.

The film has some of the best talents in South India, with music by AR Rahman, cinematography by Madhu Ambat and screenplay by Mani Ratnam. The film was canned at exotic locales in South India and a major portion also in Kerala. Although the film is primarily a romance, it will also showcase Manoj’s talent for stunts. ‘Super’ Subarayan, the film’s action director, is all praise for Manoj’s action sequences. Produced under the banner of Janani Art Creations, the film is scheduled for release in February.

Nesikaren
One for Preity Zinta fans

NESIKAREN tells the story of a youth whose pastime is to visit wedding halls and woo pretty-looking girls who’re attending as guests. In one such instance, the youth meets Preity Zinta and promptly falls in love with her. The romantic escapades form the rest of the story.

After the success of Uyire in Tamil, Preity has quite a fan following in Tamil Nadu and producers Roja Combines (the banner produced the hit, Porkalam) hope to cash in on the craze. Directed by Jayanth the film was shot in Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland and Kerala. Cinematography by Jayanan Vincent and music by Ramanan the film are the other credits for the film which is scheduled for release soon.

Guest House
Bob Ganesh, Rasika in horror movie

BOB Ganesh and Rasika team up in Guest House produced and directed by PG Rajmohan, a regular distributor of Tamil films. “Today, when everyone is running after romances and thrillers, I am planning to give you a horror film with a difference. Ganesh and Rasika are two lovers who have eloped to get married. They stay in a guest house after marriage, and become the focal point for the villains, who plan to rape Rasika. In the encounter Ganesh is killed and Rasika commits suicide. However, she comes as a ghost to wreak revenge on the killers,” reveals Rajmohan.

The film, shot in Kerala and Mahabalipuram, has two Mumbai-based artistes making their debut in Tamil films as the villains. film. The film which has music by Chinna Babu Ganesh and Bhupathi and cinematography by Prakash Rao and also stars Balasingh, CR Saraswati, Preeti, Anushri in the cast. The film is scheduled for release this month.

Padayappa
Rajnikant film progresses

ARUNACHALA Cine Creations’ Padayappa, starring Rajnikant along with Soundarya and Ramya Krishna, and directed by KS Ravikumar is nearing completion after its latest schedule in Mysore and Chennai. Sivaji Ganesan plays a stellar role in the film, too.

Speaking about the film, executive producer Thenappan, who has earlier produced the Kamal Haasan-starrer, Kathala Kathala, said, “The film is 75 per cent complete. After a schedule in AVM and Mysore, we are now filming key scenes in Chennai and at Chengalpet. In February we plan to dub the film and release it on April 14.” The film is co-produced by Rajnikant’s friends Vittan, Krishna Rao and Satya Narayana (manager of the fans’ club). After Muthu, AR Rahman scores the music for the second Rajnikant film. Laxmi, Preetha Vijaykumar, Abbas, Manivannan, Radharavi, Nassar, Mansoor Ali Khan, Vasu Vikram and Sithara play important roles.

MALAYALAM:
Onnam Vattam Kandappol
When lunatics turn bodyguards!

KK Haridas who has made his mark directing comedies, now tells the story of two inmates of a mental asylum, who, after successful treatment, seek employment as bodyguards to a rich millionaire’s son, also a lunatic. The trio’s lunatic acts comprise the better part of the movie.

Sudhish, Harisree Ashokan, Jagathy, Kalabhavan Mani, Madhu, Indrans, Sainuddin, Spadikam George, Padanayil, Praveena and Kanakalatha comprise the cast. Produced by Welcome Productions, the film is scheduled for release soon.

Pathram
Suresh Gopi, Manju Warrier teamed

JOSHI, who has made his mark as the director of actioners and for dealing with contemporary political themes, now turns to another theme with immense possibilities — the print media and its complexities. The travails of a journalist and the pressures he faces from the powerful and the rich, as from his own bosses, sorm the story. Based on a story by Ranji Panicker who has also written the screenplay, Suresh Gopi plays the journalist. Along with him are Manju Warrier, Jose Prakash, Murali, Biju Menon, Cochin Hanifa, NF Varghese, Mohan Raju, Spadikam George, Vijaykumar, Shammi Thilakan, Mohan Jose, Sukumari, Srijaya and Reena.

Produced by Seven Arts Films and released by Seven Arts, Surya Cine Arts and Kavyachandrika, the film has cinematography by Sanjeeb Shankar.

Mazhavillu
A love triangle

DINESH Baboo needs no introduction to lovers of Kannada cinema. Now, he has sets his sights on making it big in Malayalam films. His Kannada film, Amruthavarshini, which was a box-office hit and bagged the SCREEN-Videocon Award for Suhasini has now been remade as Mazhavillu in Malayalam.

It stars Kunchacko Boban, Vineeth and Preethi (the girl in the Rajshri music video) in the lead. The film, shot in Germany, has story, screenplay and cinematography by director Dinesh Baboo, music by Mohan Sithara, lyrics by Kaithapram and dialogue by J Pallaserry. The film is produced by Cherian Paul and Xavier Mathew and distributed by Harisree, Suryachitra and Telematics. The film is now ready for release. Will it be yet another winner for Boban, who made his debut in the phenomenally successful Aniyathi Pravu, the biggest box-office grosser in Malayalam, which was remade in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi? Boban, for sure, will be hoping it is.