Rajinikanth Lal Salaam hits Telugu roadblock - Joju - Gautham Karthik in Thug Life

Lal Salaam the Rajinikanth cameo film that is to be released on Feb 9th is likely to be postponed. Reason being that Telugu speaking States areas might not screen the film. Telugu film Chamber Dil Raju had got Ravi Teja’s Eagle out of the Sankaranti race promising that it will get second Friday of Feb a release date and that no other films will come on that date. He is already talking to two film producers of Yatra 2 and Tillu Square to pull back the films. We hear that Raju who is already standing accused of batting for dubbed films is likely to stop Lal Salaam release. Like Ayalaan and Captain Miller that decided to opt out of simaltenous release in TN and AP/ TS, Lal Salaam might do so. The latest information is Ayalaan is planning to be releases on 19th January, and Captain Miller is scheduled for 26th January release in two Telugu States. Meanwhile like in Leo’s case. Tamil Nadu has allowed an extra show for Pongal holidays as per request from Captain Miller and Ayalaan makers but no shows before 9 AM.

There is one more addition to Kamal- Mani Thug Life from Kerala filmdom. Joju George has been added to the cast as per a late evening announcement yesterday from Madras Talkies. Madras Talkies describes Joju as Every role he touches is a fusion of depth and dynamism. Welcoming an actor who has made an indelible impression on the screens, @C_I_N_E_M_A_A onboard #ThugLife

We had already reported ( https://southfilmy.blogspot.com/2024/01/abirami-nassar-in-kamal-film-stunt.html ) that Abirami from Mollywood is teaming up with Kamal in Thug Life. We already have Dulquer Salmaan and on the technical side it is Ravi K Chandran the cinematographer and Ranjit Ambady who is the makeup and Hairstylist who are Malayalees. Along with Abirami, the sudden inclusion was Nasser who had not acted with Kamal for a long time. Karthik who worked with Mani in Mounam Ragam and AgniNatchithram is coming back for Thug Life was the talk Now we get the announcement that his son Gautham Karthik is coming in Thug Life. He made his debut as hero in Mani’s Kadal. Madras Talkies described Gautham Karthiik as A blend of suave and sophistication, Delighted to onboard the dapper @Gautham_Karthik for #ThugLife✨ Joju George is known to Tamil audience through his potrayal as baddie in Dhanush film Jagame Thanthiram released on Netflix. In Telugu he acted in Adikesava.

Cameraman Venu and Joju George in a brawl - Mansoor Ali Khan decoded

 

Mansoor Ali Khan who is facing flak for his remarks on Trisha had actually said a similar thing at Leo success meet. Only difference was that he did not elaborate what he intended to with Trisha on the sets. He merely said that he was happy that Trisha was in the film but he did not get see her and again when Madonna arrived he got happy but she was playing her sister. What he elaborated in the press meet was that as a baddie he would get do a rape scene. At the function both the ladies laughed it off whil Vijay and others did not seem amused. Mansoor says it was a joke that misfired. It could be true as he knows that the rape scenes that he is talking about had long back done away with. There was a time when audience waited for a rape scene.

Mansoor started his career as a group dancer and was a regular in Silk Smitha’s item songs. In fact he was her protector on sets. Later on I have seen him advising heroines coming from Mumbai. They all considered him as a brother. Not knowing about advancement media or about laws regarding speech about woman in Public, Mansoor is in a hot spot Nadigar Sangham asked him to apologize and instead he pens a not on his pro woman moves and adds that he has t a daughter who is a Trisha fan.

When we were travelling with a candidate also from film industry, we saw a van with Vijayakanth poster and Manssor holding the mike. His appeal went like this – If yoy vote for me, I will be your house dog and if don’t then go and vote for any dog.

Hottest news doing the round in Mollywood is that National award winning Director Venu had an altercation with actor Joju George at sets of Pani and it came to physical blows. Following this Venu walked out and filed a police complaint with Trichur Police that some goons have threatened him. Pani is George’s first directorial and is also a co-producer. The reason for the fight according to reports was that Venu misbehaved with crew members George claims that Venu left on his own will and the rest is imagination. Venu has not responded. For Tamil audience Joju is known for Jagme Thanthiram with Dhanush and released on Netflix. The film Pani is about two underworld heads in Thirussur.

Ponniyin Selvan Anthem - Khushbu - Ravichandran to team up - Joju not in Leo- Answara Rajan in Kannada - Miraa Menon in Rajini film

With the release of Ponniyin Selvan II approaching on April 28, the movie's promoters have ramped up their marketing efforts. Recently, the film's makers announced that the Ponniyin Selvan anthem, composed by music director AR Rahman, will be unveiled at Anna University on April 15. Directed by Mani Ratnam and based on Kalki's novel of the same name, the first part of the movie was released in September of last year. An array of popular actors, including Jayam Ravi, Vikram, Aishwarya Rai, Trisha, Prakash Raj, Rahman, Jayaram, and Karthi, are featured in the film. The screenplay, authored by Mani Ratnam in collaboration with Jeyamohan and Kumaravel, is produced by Lyca Productions and Madras Talkies. Ravi Varman serves as the cinematographer, Sreekar Prasad handles the editing, and Thotta Tharani is responsible for the art design.

Crazy Star Ravichandran and Khushbu to team up Director Gururaj Kulkarni is set to helm a legal thriller for Crazy Star Ravichandran, with the official launch taking place on April 21. The production team has approached noted actor Khushbu to play the lead role alongside Ravichandran. This duo has previously worked together on films such as Ranadheera, Anjada Gandu, Yuga Purusha, and Shanti Kranti. The Kannada industry is eager to see this successful pairing on the big screen once again, and the opportunity has arisen with this new project. Gururaj confirms that initial discussions with Khushbu have taken place, and they are currently working on scheduling. An official announcement will be made once the actor commits to the project. Khushbu was last seen in the Kannada film Naanalla in 2011.

Answara Rajan in Jio Studios Kannada film with Dhananjay Parameshwar Gundkal, a well-known name in the television industry, and known for his work on various seasons of Bigg Boss Kannada, television serials, and several reality shows. He has worked with ETV Kannada , Zee and Colors is now joined Jio Studio , where he plans to produce several movies ranging from small to big-budget. Additionally, he will also be directing his debut film, which is a commercial entertainer starring Dhananjay in the lead role. The movie is set to start filming in May and is rumored to mark the Kannada debut of popular Malayalam actress Anaswara Rajan. More information about the cast and crew is expected to be announced soon. Dhananjay, on the other hand, is currently occupied with a Kannada-Telugu bilingual project directed by Eashvar Karthic and has Uttarakaanda in the works.

Joju George not in Vijay's Leo There were rumors circulating that Joju George, the Malayalam actor, would be part of Vijay's upcoming film Leo, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. However, a close source to Joju has denied the rumors. It's worth noting that Joju recently made his Tamil debut in Jagame Thandhiram, starring Dhanush. The team behind Leo has just finished filming their long schedule in Kashmir. This film is the second collaboration between Vijay and Lokesh, following their previous project Master. The next schedule is at Prasad Studios Chennai. The movie features an ensemble of stars, including Trisha, Priya Anand, Mysskin, Arjun, Sanjay Dutt, and Mansoor Ali Khan, among others. The film is set to release worldwide on October 19 and has music by Anirudh Ravichander, cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa, stunt choreography by Anbariv, and editing by Philomin Raj. Joju, who was recently seen in Thuramukham, has several projects in the works, including his Telugu debut in the tentatively titled film PVT 4, starring Panja Vaisshnav Tej, and Pulimada.

Mirnaa Menon in Rajinikanth Jailer Actress Mirnaa Menon, who gained recognition for her role in Sarjun KM's 'Burqa', has landed a significant role in Superstar Rajinikanth's latest action flick 'Jailer' directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. The up-and-coming actress has revealed that she will be playing an important character in the movie and will be seen traveling with Rajinikanth's character. She has already filmed for 45 days for the project. Menon made her debut in Tamil cinema with 'Santha Devan' opposite Arya, directed by Ameer, which unfortunately was shelved. However, she gained her big break with a role alongside Mohanlal in 'Big Brother' and went on to appear in Telugu films with Adi Saikumar and Allari Naresh. Her Tamil movie 'Burqua' with Kalaiyarasan is currently available on the Aha OTT platform and has garnered positive critical reviews. Other notable actors in 'Jailer' include Mohanlal and Vinayakan from the Malayalam film industry.

Pada ( Malayalam film) review: True to the subject

Pada ( army) directed by K A Kamal is true to the 1996 incident when  Palakkad District Collector was taken hostage by four members of a Ayyan Kali Pada to focus the injustice done to Adivasis through an amendment to an existing law for Kerala Scheduled Tribes. For one in the name of cinematic liberty, film does not bring in any unrealism, Secondly by making public the actual people involved in the incident, it gives the viewer the gravity of the incident. Thirdly, film is not preachy and totally apolitical.

Four actors - Vinayakan, Joju George, Kunchacko Boban and Dilesh Pothan  live the role as the main antagonists The casting of Prakash Raj as Chief Secretary and Arjun Radhakrishnan ( he played APJ Kalam in Rocket Boys ) as Collector was yet another excellent move as these two actors made a great difference. Technically, the camera and music gives what is needed.

Wonder why name of  Collector  was named Dange instead of W R Reddy the real life .man and similarly with Chief Secretary. I feel the film could have brought in the present retired Collector too into the frame work.  In real life , at the the court , he failed to identify the four men who took him hostage !!!.. Kamal had directed a Hindi film ID which was produced by Oscar winner Resul Pookutty along with cinematographer Rajeev Ravi - Madhu Neelakantan along with Editor Ajithkumar.

Madhuram Malayalam movie review: Overdose of Feel Good but actors keep you rooted

Madhuram coming from director Ahammed Khabeer of June fame can be seen as a film with an overdose of goodness and positivity  and as for the plot you can call it the adaptation of the film Waiting starring Kalki - Nasseeruddin Shah and setting it from a upper end multi- specialty hospital to a Government run Hospital. There are many similarities but what makes it watchable is the actors Joju George - Shruti Ramachandran- Indrans and Arjun Asokan . 

The film belong to Joju George and Shruti Ramachandran whose on screen chemistry makes it worth a watch. Next is Asokan who comes as the son whose marriage is falling apart and his mother waiting for a crucial surgery does give a good account of himself and Nikila who plays his wife is a perfect foil. As expected Indrans just steals the thunder in a few scenes and wins your heart. His body language and emotions when he makes his exit from the place he stayed for long is just brilliant.

Camerawork- music and the location are all add on to the mood of the film. It is one of those movies that just transports you to world of goodness  and at the end just sigh and say- Wish World was like this.