Kanchana 2 on her way

Raghava Lawrence's 'Muni' and 'Kanchana' have been his greatest hits ever in his 'Muni' franchise. The actor had a successful run with this franchise.

Now, the actor is busy finishing his next 'Kanchana 2'. The film is slated to screens on April 10 as a summer special for the fans .Sri Thenandal Films holds the theatrical rights for 'Kanchana 2'.

'Kanchana 2' stars Raghava Lawrence, Taapsee Pannu ,Kovai Sarala, Devadarshini and Nithya Menen in a cameo role.

Trisha's 'Bhogi'

Soon after her engagement, it was announced that Trisha will be resuming her long pending film 'Bhogi', a Tamil-Telugu bilingual. The film is female-centric with Poonam Bajwa and Oviya sharing the screen space along side Trisha.

Initially, it was mentioned that the film is a thriller. However, now, an official affirmation from the team claims that 'Bhogi' will be a beautiful feel-good film based on friendship with lots of hilarious episodes.

Trisha will be joining the set of ‘Bhogi’ from the first week of March once she completes her portions for Jayam Ravi’s 'Appatakkar'.

Shruti sings for herself

Shruti Haasan who is a trained classical singer has already sung two songs this year for other actresses. The first for Sonakshi Sinha in 'Tevar' and then for her younger sister Akshara Haasan in 'Shamitabh'.

The actress has finally sung for herself in her upcoming film 'Gabbar' opposite Akshay Kumar. The song is described as a modern, edgy, rock-pop love song and will be picturized on Shruti herself.

Just goes on to prove she's as multi-faceted, versatile and multi-talented as her daddy. Atta girl!

Gautham Menon sings for 'Uppu Karuvadu'

Gautham Vasudev Menon is a singer now, as he has lent his voice for a peppy number in director Radha Mohan's upcoming movie 'Uppu Karuvadu'

The film's music composer Steeve Vatz is a close friend of Gautham and he is said to be instrumental in making the 'Yennai Arindhaal' director to sing the song.

"I am happy that Gautham came forward to sing the song. It is about celebrating a break in life. Madhan Karky came out with vibrant lyrics and Gautham and Steeve added life into it with their voice and music, respectively," Radha Mohan says.

Shreya returns to Hindi

Shreya Saran will play the female lead in the remake of Malayalam thriller' 'Drishyam'. She will essay the role played by Meena in the original while Ajay Devgan will play the lead role.

This movie has been remade in all the southern languages with Kamal Hassan currently starring along side Gauthami in the Tamil remake under the title 'Papanasam'. The Tamil version is being directed by Jeethu Joseph who also directed the Malayalam original.

Nishikant Kama, who directed 'Force' will be directing the film in Hindi. Tabu plays the role of the police officer. The makers are in the process of deciding the other cast & crew.

Nayantara Turns Down Vijay 59?

Recently there were reports doing rounds that Nayantara had been roped in to play the leading leading opposite Ilayathalapathy Vijay in his 59th film. But now, looks like the pretty actress has turned down the offer citing her busy schedule.

Vijay 59 will be directed by Atlee who had earlier worked with Nayantara in his first movie, Raja Rani. Since Atlee shared a good rapport with the Arrambam actress, it was speculated that Nayantara had given her nod to work in Vijay 59.

Nayantara who is currently busy with three other projects may not feature in Vijay 59, according to sources close to the actress. The movie will go on floors once Vijay finishes his current project Puli, an action-fantasy being directed by Chimbu Deven.

Vijay 59 is being bankrolled by Kalaipuli S Thanu and has music composed by GV Prakash. The Mayakkam Enna music director recently revealed that the album will have two romantic songs. Vijay's 59th film also happens to be GV Prakash's 50th film as a composer.

Meanwhile, reports suggests that Puli's shooting is being carried out at a tremendous pace and that the team is focused on wrapping up the current schedule as soon as possible. The climax portion of Puli  will be allegedly shot in some never before seen locations in the interior parts of Punjab and Chennai.

Tharai Thappattai: Varalaxmi's Performance Has Left Director Bala In Tears!

Director Bala who has dished out heart-rending movies like Sethu, Nandha, Pithamagan and Paradesi  is known for extracting National Award winning performances from his actors and actresses. For an actor/actress, it is not easy to impress a director like Bala but actress Varalaxmi has managed to do much more than that.

Varalaxmi of Poda Podi  fame is currently working on Bala's Tharai Thappattai  which also marks Isaignani Ilayaraja's 1000th film. On the sets of the film, Varalaxmi has done so much so that Bala was said to be in tears and has also gifted his heroine a watch with a golden chain which is worth more than 1.5 lakhs.

While filming an important sequence in which Varalaxmi had to be subjected to gruesome assaults by the baddies, the heroine had dislocated her collar bone. In spite of excruciating pain, she has carried on with the shoot and also never spoke about her discomfort citing that it may interrupt the shooting.

When the same scene had to be shot the next day, Varalaxmi has reportedly given her best despite being in great affliction. After the shot when Bala was finally informed about her condition, the maverick filmmaker couldn't hold back his emotions.

After gifting Varalaxmi his expensive watch, Bala has gone on to say that Varalaxmi will definitely walk away with the National Award for her outstanding performances in Tharai Thappattai. The film which also has Sasikumar is about folk dance and various other traditional art forms of Tamil Nadu.

Dhanush: 'Shamitabh' is the role of my lifetime

Shamitabh' - the short form of Dhanush and Amitabh is the year’s most awaited release. The movie that combines the south god in the making - Dhanush with India’s most recognized face Amitabh Bachchan in R Balki’s next direction after the incredible ‘Paa’ is soaring new heights in curiosity. Dhanush who is very busy in the movie’s promotion managed a quickie with indiaglitz and shared some ‘Shamitabh’ moments.. Excerpts

From a phenomenal B-town debut with "Raanjhanaa" to sharing screen with the phenomenon Mr Bachchan

It's a dream come true working with a stalwart like Mr.Bachchan .My very first shot in Hindi films was against a poster of Mr.Bachchan and now I get to be pitted against him in Shamitabh -It doesn't get any better than this.

People say you a south’s god in the making and you also have an unprecedented fan following up in north

The fact that people loved the character I played in Raanjhanaa and follow my other films down south is something I'm yet to come to terms with - It feels surreal and for an actor and its always a compliment to know that your character is remembered by people and not just your public image.

Why you opt for unconventional roles in Bollywood

Down south my fans are used to seeing me in a particular role and hence I'm restricted as an actor ! In Bollywood I have nothing to lose, so I try to experiment and mix it up as much as possible and thanks to R.Balki I bagged the role of a lifetime.

So what character does Dhanush plays in the role of his lifetime

I play an ordinary guy with dreams of being a star - The film is about clash of egos, about people competing for credit as filmmaking is a collaborative effort. ‘Shamitabh’ explores that collision between Mr.Bachchan and me.

R.Balki has called you an "Original actor" what you have to say

Balki sees things very differently and yet with so much clarity - It was a very enriching experience working on this film. Balki brings out the best in his actors

You are called the dark horse at the B/O

Its overwhelming ...And I hope to continue surprising them with performances that stay with them much after the film releases.

Gautham Menon Talks About Vijay's Yohan: Adhyayam Ondru And His Plans To Revive The Project!

In a recent interview to a popular Malayalam daily, Gautham Menon, who is awaiting the release of Ajith's Yennai Arindhaal  has opened up about Ilayathalapathy Vijay's Yohan: Adhyayam Ondru. He has also revealed why the project was shelved and his plans to revive it.

When asked why the project was stalled in the first place Gautham has said Yohan: Adhyayam Ondru is a film that has London as its backdrop. Since the story takes place in London, I had initially written a lot of dialogues in English. But Vijay backed out of the project saying that this film wouldn't appeal to his fans.

Talking about reviving the project, Gautham has said the project has not been shelved and that he will soon start working on the film once he makes some adjustments in his script. Whether or not Vijay will be a part of the film is not clear as of now.

Earlier there were reports that Vijay backed out of Yohan: Adhyayam Ondru as Gautham Menon was reluctant in sharing the entire story to Vijay. When Vijay lost his cool he requested Gautham to get back to him whenever he is ready with the full script.

Now we all know that Gautham is a director who refuses to divulge everything about the script even when he is working with top actors. Whether Vijay will adapt himself to Gautham's style of filmmaking or whether Gautham will opt for a different actor when he re-starts his work on Yohan: Adhyayam Ondru remains to be the question of the year.

Akshara treading on Shruti's glamour path

'Ulaganayagan' Kamal Haasan's second daughter Akshara Haasan's debut flick 'Shamitabh' is due for release tomorrow and she's already the talk of the town. The young actress is already making plans in advance for the growth of her career.

When asked the kind of films she'd be interested to do, Akshara responded by saying she wasn't interested in doing art or award-winning films, but has more craving for doing commercial flicks. She also said she'd not be hesitant to sport bikinis in movies if the script demands her to do so. It must be noted here that her sister Shruti surprised everyone by wearing a bikini in her debut flick.

With 'Shamitabh' releasing tomorrow, Akshara is waiting with bated breath for a positive result to her debut performance. based on how the movie performs, Akshara will carve a path for her career from then on, say sources close to the young upcoming actress.

Vikram's I(Ai) Latest Box Office: Beats Rajinikanth's Enthiran?

According to the latest report on the total box office collections of Vikram's I, it is said that I has surpassed the box office record set by Rajinikanth's Enthiran in Tamil Nadu. If reports are to be believed then I might end up being the highest grosser ever for any Tamil film.

The worldwide box office collections of I now stands at a whopping 205 crores and the total share is estimated to be an impressive 105 crore rupees. In Tamil Nadu, it is said that a film's success is based on how the movie fares at Madurai as the town of temples is considered as an important area in Tamil Nadu. For the complete playlist(6 songs) from I click here Based on I's performance in Madurai, it is said that the Vikram starrer has overtaken Enthiran and will end up as the highest grosser as it is still going strong in the major towns of Tamil Nadu despite its mixed reviews.

 In Tamil Nadu alone, Shankar's romantic-thriller has collected a humongous 75 crores with 55 crores(approx) as its total share. Thanks to the quality of the film, I has elevated Vikram's market in not just India but also overseas. Vikram's next is titled as 10 Enradhukulla and is being directed by Vijay Milton and has Samantha playing the female lead. Not much about the film has surfaced as of yet but it is anticipated that the film might be completed in just a couple of months from now.

Prashant Nair's 'Umrika' Wins Prize at Sundance Film Festival

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. — Indian director Prashant Nair’s independent feature “Umrika” took the World Dramatic Competition prize at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival Feb. 1.

The film, which stars Suraj Sharma (“Life of Pi”), Tony Revolori (“The Grand Budapest Hotel”), Smita Tambe and Prateik Babbar, describes the journey of a young man (Sharma) who travels from his small town to Mumbai in search of his missing brother. Shot in atmospheric and rarely used 16mm film, “Umrika” has earned rave reviews in The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.

Amitabh Bachchan: My father watched my films for their 'poetic justice in two and a half hours’

iven that Bollywood films are watched by a global three billion people, Amitabh Bachchan has a good claim to be the most famous actor in the world. In India, he has long transcended his day job to become a national institution, Brando, Pacino and De Niro rolled into one. Across Asia and the Middle East, “The Big B”, as he is known, gets mobbed in the streets; when he suffered a life-threatening accident during filming, thousands of people joined prayer vigils outside his hospital.

Today, though, at 72, Bachchan is at pains to dispel any aura of grandeur. He sits alone with me for the interview and dismisses introductory compliments with a smile. But when he talks about conducting himself in a way that befits “a normal, aware, citizen of my country”, the humility of the sentiment is cloaked in a regal steel. It feels like the moment when a superhero says he’d like an alter ego, so that he can experience the anonymity of walking around without requests being made of him to save the universe. You might struggle to believe him, but you know that any conversation between the two of you is going to require you to suspend your disbelief.

In a career spanning 45 years, Bachchan has starred in more than 180 films, but only recently dipped his toe in Hollywood, playing Jewish gangster Meyer Wolfsheim in The Great Gatsby. Leonardo DiCaprio said he was “honoured to work with him” on Gatsby, but Bachchan is quick to explain that it was no big deal. “It was a favour to a friend. Baz Luhrmann just called, there was no commerce involved in it, it was not that this is going to be my stepping stone to ‘go somewhere’. No. It was just sheer … a friendly gesture, just a day’s work.” He balances the statement so that he should not appear arrogant or disrespectful: “But it was a great learning curve on the amount of effort that goes in there – the research, the attention to detail, all of that, a great experience.” His tone is even-handed, but firm, gently communicating that it is a little odd for the press to make such a fuss over such a small gig, just because it is in the western world.

With Tobey Maguire and Leonardo Dicaprio in The Great Gatsby. Facebook Twitter Pinterest expand
With Tobey Maguire and Leonardo Dicaprio in The Great Gatsby. Photograph: Warner/Everett/Rex
Bachchan is outspoken about Indian cinema’s distinct identity, and his dislike of the word “Bollywood”. “Western culture is so different. [Our films] propagate many aspects which are non-existent in their culture: family values, relationships, parents and children, brothers, sisters …” It’s strong stuff, to declare family values non-existent in the west, but delivered with a tone of distant authority that renders it a casual statement of fact.

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“We always overcome evil with good. During the last years of my father’s life, every evening he’d watch my films. I’d ask him, ‘Why are you watching these films?’ He’d say, ‘You get to see poetic justice in two and a half hours.’ You and me may not get that in a lifetime, perhaps several lifetimes, and that really is the strength of Indian cinema, to be able to seek poetic justice and actually see it enacted in front of you. I don’t see why it should be attached to another industry. That is not to demean Hollywood: they are big, they are great and they have their own philosophy, their own standards.”

Ever since his marriage to film star Jaya Bhaduri in 1973, Bachchan has been keen to present himself as a wholesome family man. Yet in the 80s, his name was linked to a string of starlets, often portrayed by the Indian press as being destroyed by their affairs with him, owing to his charisma and his commitment to his wife and two children. One, Parveen Babi descended into mental illness, referring to him during flights of paranoia, and another – Rekha – retreated from public life, living mostly without a partner for the decades after their alleged affair. A 1984 interview in which Rekha dismissed his denial (“I love him, he loves me, that’s it! I don’t care what anybody thinks”) ended their on-screen couplings and imbued their joint back catalogue with a Burton/Taylor-style mythology.

Church of Scientology targets film critics over new documentary

The Church of Scientology has contacted film critics who have reviewed a documentary portraying the Church and some of its high-profile members in a critical light.
Oscar-winning director Alex Gibney’s new film, Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, received a standing ovation when it debuted at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. Before the premiere, the Church of Scientology took out full-page adverts in the New York Times, accusing Gibney of publishing false information, motivated by religious bigotry. A Twitter account called “Freedom Media Ethics”, set up on January 16, has sent over 100 tweets condemning the film in the eight days since the premiere.
Now, media outlets who have published reviews of the film have become the targets of the Church’s campaign. Outlets including the Huffington Post and Buzzfeed UK received an email from Karin Pouw, Director of Public Affairs for Church of Scientology International, reading:

"The above article concerning Going Clear, Alex Gibney’s film, was posted without contacting the Church for comment. As a result, your article reflects the film which is filled with bald faced lies. I ask that you include a statement from the Church in your article. There is another side to the story which has to be told. Do not be the mouthpiece for Alex Gibney’s propaganda."

The statement describes Gibney’s sources as “admitted perjurers, admitted liars and professional anti-Scientologists whose living depends on the filing of false claims”.
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"To this day, neither HBO nor Gibney can deny that they have yet to present the Church with a single allegation from the film so the Church may have an opportunity to respond. The Church never sought special treatment, only fair treatment," the statement continues.
In response, Gibney told Jason Bailey, a journalist at Flavorwire who reviewed the film, that he was unsurprised by the Church’s reaction. “Anytime someone writes something — film criticism or social criticism — about Scientology, the CoS counter-attacks by smearing critics,” he wrote. HBO, the network where the documentary will debut in March, has been challenged by Scientology campaigners before. In 1998, HBO’s Manhattan headquarters was beset with protesters, following the release of the documentary Dead Blue: Surviving Depression which, contrary to Scientology’s principles, presented anti-depressant drugs in a positive light.

Gibney’s film is based on Lawrence Wright’s 2013 non-fiction book Going Clear, which contains interviews with over 200 current and former Scientologists. The film traces the growth of the religion, founded in 1953 by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, which is organised around a system of spiritual counselling known as auditing. Going Clear includes interviews with Scientology defectors including Mark Rathbun, the second-highest ranking official in the Church until he left in 2004, and Paul Haggis, director of Crash, who left in 2009. It scrutinises the participation in Scientology of well-known members including John Travolta and Tom Cruise, and reveals that Church of Scientology leaders ordered Nicole Kidman's telephones to be wiretapped during her marriage to Cruise, as part of a campaign to break up the Hollywood couple. In December, HBO told The Hollywood Reporter that they have “probably 160 lawyers” examining the film.

The 12 Major Breakouts of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival

Every year, the Sundance Film Festival serves as a calling card for artists hoping to break out in the film world. Last year's Grand Jury Prize winner, "Whiplash," made a star out of its leading man Miles Teller and its director, Damien Chazelle, went on to earn his first Academy Award nomination for Best Director. With this year's edition now over, Indiewire has selected those who stand the best chance at going the distance based on their performance in Park City this year. Below are our picks in no particular order.

'Mistress America'
Lola Kirke, actor ("Mistress America")

Lola Kirke may not be as well known as her sister, "Girls" star Jemima, but the younger actress is on the verge of much wider recognition. She stole scenes with supporting parts in last year's "Gone Girl" and "Free the Nipple" and currently plays the lead role in "Mozart in the Jungle," the first season of which is now available on Amazon. But it's her performance alongside Greta Gerwig in Noah Baumbach's 2015 Sundance premiere "Mistress America," which was recently picked up by Fox Searchlight, that really shows she has what it takes to become one of the most in-demand actresses of her generation. In his review of the comedy, Indiewire's Eric Kohn called Kirke the "driving force of the film," adding that her "sleepy-eyed, quasi-sarcastic delivery makes for the perfect foil to Gerwig's ceaseless energy."

Josh Mond's JAMES WHITE, Christopher Abbott
Christopher Abbott, actor ("James White")

Ex-"Girls" star Christopher Abbott was no stranger to Sundance coming into this year's festival, having appeared in "Martha Marcy May Marlene" and "Hello I Must Be Going." But the 2015 edition of the event marked a major breakthrough moment for the actor. In John Mond's gut-wrenching NEXT Audience Award winner "James White," Abbott was tasked for the first time with carrying a picture, and he kills it, delivering a deeply felt performance as a young New Yorker struggling to keep his self-destructive behavior in check shortly after learning that his mother (played by Cynthia Nixon) is losing her battle with cancer. Abbott's been a fascinating screen presence for some years now (he made a strong impression in a bit role in his most recent thriller, "A Most Violent Year"), but as the titular "James White," he reached new depths to show surprising range.

Dope
Shameik Moore, actor ("Dope")

19-year-old newcomer Shameik Moore, best known for Cartoon Network sketch comedy "Incredible Crew," looks like a huge star in the making if his performance in Rick Famuyiwa's crowdpleaser is anything to go by. The actor effortlessly leads the film as a teenager obsessed with '90s hip-hop, who one day dreams of attending Harvard. Hilarious, charismatic and very handsome, Moore has the makings of a major star, should "Dope" become a hit when Open Road opens it sometime this year.

I Smile Back, Sarah Silverman, skip
"I Smile Back"
Sarah Silverman, actor ("I Smile Back")

Comedians often make for great dramatic actors; we're glad to report that Sarah Silverman is no exception. She shocks in the severely bleak drama "I Smile Back" in her first starring role. Silverman plays Laney, a suburban wife and mother who struggles with depression, reckless behavior and addiction. Within the first first 20 or so minutes of Adam Salky's harrowing adaptation of the 2008 novel by Amy Koppelman, Laney goes on a drug and alcohol fueled rampage that causes her husband (Josh Charles) to check her into rehab. Silverman is astonishing in the role, fearless in her portrayal of a woman on the verge of self destruction.

The Diary of a Teenage Girl
Sundance Institute
Bel Powley in "Diary of a Teenage Girl"
Bel Powley, actor ("The Diary of a Teenage Girl")


In her American feature film debut, "Diary of a Teenage Girl," 22-year-old British actress Bel Powley is so convincing playing a teenager in San Francisco in 1976 that you'll swear it's an autobiographical role and she's somehow time-travelled from the '70s. Adapted from Phoebe Gloeckner’s graphic novel of the same name by writer-director Marielle Heller, "Diary" follows 15-year-old Minnie (Powley) as she explores her sexuality by losing her virginity to her mother's boyfriend (Alexander Skarsgard). Powley is total marvel in the role, appearing in every scene. She's currently on a roll; next up is Drake Doremus' futuristic love story "Equals," in which she co-stars opposite Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult.

Manisha Koirala: I salute Hindi film industry

Actress Manisha Koirala says though Bollywood is often projected as a harsh industry, she salutes its artistes for having great respect and affection towards each other.

The 44-year-old ‘Dil Se’ star, who attended 60th Filmfare Awards last night, said she was touched by the fraternity’s display of respect for the senior actors.

“Last night at Filmfare was nostalgic,as I remembered my first few awards. How things have evolved into but mostly what remains closest to my heart is what a great industry it is! The way every one got up to give respect to Kamini Kaushalji, Rekhaji stood long till Kaminiji had left the stage, how graceful n respectful Jayaji was while asking younger generation to know who Kaminiji is,” Manisha wrote on her Facebook page.

Kaushal bagged the lifetime achievement award in the ceremony for her outstanding contribution to the Indian cinema.

“I loved that Ranbir (Kapoor) touched Rekha ji’s feet. Honestly, no matter how badly certain people portray this film

industry,it has it’s great qualities that should never be ignored..I salute this industry and its true soul, the artists (The glamour and facade can take back seat for a bit),” she added.

A very Russian film that could take place anywhere

Award-winning director Andrey Zvyagintsev’s latest film, ‘Leviathan,’ portrays the individual’s place in an aggressive society.

I met the Russian film director Andrey Petrovich Zvyagintsev when he was a guest at the Haifa Film Festival last October for the screening of his film “Leviathan.” That was a few months after “Leviathan” competed for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.