Kamal Haasan RS seat confirmed / Sri Sri Ravi Shankar launched song a hit / Pradeep Ranganathan next Rs 100 cr film

Kamal Haasan Rajya Sabha entry talks with Tamil Nadu CM Stalin’s emissary Minister Sekar Babu. MNM General Secretary A Arunachalam was also present during the discussions. One out of the six seats that DMK gets in July after it falls vacant will go to Kamal . It was formally offered to him. It will be put up at the annual meet of MNM. MNM spokesperson Murali Appas confirmed that the party is set to receive a Rajya Sabha seat but added that Kamal Haasan would present it at the party executive to name the candidate and get general body approval. Kamal’s MNM supported DMK in Lok Sabha polls and the latter had offered the Rajya Sabha seat. Kamal had offered to contest against BJP State President Annamalai and Congress offered him a `safe’ seat. Stalin however wanted him to go RS as part of INDIA Bloc.

Manchu Vishnu’s upcoming biggie, Kannappa‘s first song, Shiva Shiva Shankaraa released yesterday at the Art of Living ashram in Bengaluru by spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has surprisingly received a stunning response clocking more than 5 Million views in 24 hours on YouTube. The song features Vishnu exhibiting divine love for Lord Shiva amid picturesque locations with Music composed by Stephen Devassy. The song too struck a chord with its soulful composition and the dance was choreographed by Legendary Dance Master Prabhudeva. The cast is Mohan Babu, R. Sarathkumar, Arpit Ranka, Kaushal Manda, Rahul Madhav, Devaraj, Mukesh Rishi, Brahmanandam, Raghu Babu, Preity Mukhundhan and Madhoo play supporting roles, alongside Mohanlal, Prabhas, Akshay Kumar (his Telugu film debut) and Kajal Aggarwal in cameo appearances.

Tamil audience is now shifting from heavy duty action and all the big hyped up films that go as Pan Indian as Kathalikka Neramillai to recent released Kundambasthan have clicked, Now yet another potential winner is Pradeep Ranganathan’s Dragon, directed by Ashwath Marimuthu, is all set to release on February 21. Yesterday, the film’s trailer was released and received positive responses from the audience especially the youth. Pradeep Ranganathan’s film, Love Today, which he both directed and acted in, was a blockbuster success. Made on a budget of just ₹5 crore, Love Today grossed around ₹100 crore worldwide. Following its success, Dragon marks Pradeep Ranganathan’s second film as an actor, directed by Oh My Kadavule fame Ashwath Marimuthu. Majority social media users have shared positive reactions to the Dragon trailer, but some have seen similarities They feel Dragon resembles Sivakarthikeyan’s Don, as the trailer depicts the rise of a backbencher college student who becomes successful—similar to Don’s storyline.

No Paid crowds at Vijay Meet BUT smells of an IRON Man in making

 

Genuine crowds and not paid ones at TVK State meet and with dreams of a better tomorrow. Age group from 10^th Std onwards to college goers were in the majority. Those who came took public transport to reach the venue and bikers outnumbered others in the parking lot. All this is music to ears for those looking for a change of Dravidian rule in Tamil Nadu. BUT ..

The hangover of an autocratic Jayalalithaa regime still lingers. From the TV visuals that come in, Thalapathy Vijay has taken his title seriously . Even before winning an MLA seat. He exudes the autocratic behavior. Right from his entry through a ramp lie structure starts the journey of a Leader’s first walk to political arena. Each office bearer is called on stage and finally Vijay. Chairs are placed almost five feet away from Thalapathy. There is no bonhomie and every body on stage has this scared look and avoid eye contact with each other. Remember Jayalalthaa function. Only one chair for her and no one else allowed on stage. Only exception is for election. Candidate allowed on stage and to stand with folded hands.

Ironically on same day, I switched to Kerala TV channels to see what is Beti Priyanka doing in Wayanad and update on the lady who spoke the `truth’ and led to an ADM suicide. Priyanka was sitting with some khadi clad guys on a stage and exchanging pleasantries. These guys on stage are some local guys. It somehow crossed my mind about our Thalapathy and his TVK Maanaadu. Here is a lady who comes from a Gandhi family and known globally to Indians and seeking her vote and it is her first election battle. This simplicity show is for votes and after the result, these Khadi guys will have only the group photos or selfies to remember. Can they go near24 Akbar road ?.

Could not Thalapathy put out such a show of humility and at least show some bonhomie with party leaders on stage ?.

I have covered many party State and national conferences including what Reds call Party Congress. Most important place here is the Media Room. I did not see any  visual in which Vijay spoke to any media before – after the Maanaadu. In an indirect way, he says that you need me and I call the shots.

I can visualize Vijay going past the  40 feet gate in his Panniyur Palace and falling into a plush couch and beaming. Proud that his non stop speech packed with what is called punches went smoothly . It sounded like a filmy dialogue. Apart from punches, did it pull your heart strings ?.

He could have given biggest punch- Yes M K Stalin and his DMK are my first target. You guys work towards kicking him out.

NO IT DID NOT HAPPEN

Instead he says anybody who joins as an ally , will get a share of power. So even those are with DMK are welcome. Very practical. Look at Vijaykanth. He aligned with Jayalalithaa to get a sizable number of seats and till then he was a lone Ranger. Kamal Hassan too understood this after going to polls alone and now joined DMK allies. Our Thalapathy is clever. He has no such dreams of capturing power alone. How about a coalition Government to fulfill my ambition to serve you ? ask Vijay.

DMK to hit back at Kollywood for Kalaignar 100 Fiasco

Kollywood top bosses are now bracing up for an Andhra CM Jagan kind of approach that will come soon from the Stalin regime. The Kalaignar 100 marketed as mother of all Star shows turned out to be the mother of washout of all functions. Trade bodies expect request to increase number of shows and ticket rates will not happen. Increase in ET tax by local bodies, hike in public shooting charges and permissions for conducting film functions in open grounds would be hard to get. Active Producers Association pushed to background by Film Producers Council and FEFSI are having the last laugh. Arrangements were so shoddy that Nayanthara who came in her latest custom built Rolly Royce was made to travel with few supporting actors in a batter operated pickup vans to cart STARs from parking lot to venue Despite Selvamani and Murali and their coterie working overtime, Gokulam Gopalan of Gokulam Movies was given the PRIDE of place as he was the main sponsor. Stalin announcement open a State of Art Film City near Gokulam Studios in Poonamalee road could have come as a shocker to Gopalan or is State Government going to go for JV with Gopalan ? Thalapathy Vijay and AK aka Ajith are on the on the same page. This was evident by both not turning up at the Kalaignar 100 function in Chennai. One of the main fund contributors for the event was Gokulam Gopalan of Gokulam films and for that `service’ he heard TN CM Stalin say that a hi-tech Film City will ccome up near his Studios in Poonamalee Road. Tamil Nadu Producers Council Murali and FEFSI Selvamani in association with Tamil Directors Association were the event managers. As Ajith posted pixs of him in Dubai with family and then he going solo to Azerbhaijan and his family catching a flight to Chennai on January 5th late night sealed the answer to question onhis turning up at Kalaignar 100. Murali Ramaswamy asked AGS to make schedules to accommodate Vijay to be in Chennai on January 6th. To top it, it was a no shooting day as FEFSI announced it. Vijay was in Chennai and as there was no shooting, he decided to take time to be with his political party members. After the slipper throwing incident at Captain’s funeral, Vijay has decided that he would not stir out without his bodyguards. On that day, he had on the spur of the moment made a dash to see Captain’s body and got a taste of mob fury. Apart from that he did not want to be seen endorsing Kalaignar in public and his political philosophy as it looked like bowing to DMK pressure. In his last public address to fans he listed out names of leaders whose writings written by them should be read and it did not include Kalaignar. Thirdly the invite mentioned Rajini and Kamal and had no mention about him. Thirdly, his Makkal manram was told that they were unwelcome and could come in as public through general entry but with no fan photos or flags. So without Cheerleaders why comes for a function ? Ajith was In Dubai and he celebrated his daughter birthday and left for work in Azerbhaijan. As he was not interested in being a component to boost TRP of Kalaignar TV and his past footprints showing him to be more associated with AMMA, it would look kind of embarrassing to wax eloquent on Kalaignar and his family that is carrying the legacy now. In short Ajith and Vijay for reasons of their own and the circumstances surrounding them has in their actions said that no strong arm twisting through trade bodies can change their minds. It signaled the end of days when Stars were at mercy of the two TV channels that dictated terms if their political bosses were in power.

South India Film PRO Union meets TN CM Stalin

 

The South India Fim Pro Union met Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin and Information minister to prsent a five point demand memorandum . CM Stalin who read the demands forwarded it to Information Minister who met the reprsentatives led by Priesident Dimond Babu, Ganesh and Yuvaraaj  . He said that all the demands raised would be considered.

Decks cleared for Indian 2 restart as Dr Ishari Ganesh plays mediator with DMK backup

 

Dr Ishari Ganesh ( Vels University owner and film Producer) along with  DMK's support worked in removing the ban on comedian Vadivelu - Simbu  and restart of Indian 2.   When FEFSI decided to ignore Film Producer's call for boycott of Simbu and decided to send unit hands for shooting, it was obvious that it cannot be pulled off without  DMK nod. The only VIP to attend the marriage of director Shnakar's daughter marriage ( conducted under Covid protocol)  was TN CM M K Stalin.  

 Dr. Ganesh had been a well wisher of  Vadivelu and trying to bring the actor back  by lifting the industry ban on him. Vadivelu's  plunge into politics during the 2011 poll by siding with DMK to hit out at  his neighbour Vijaykanth  proved costly. DMK lost and Vadivelu became a untouchable. Simultaneously, a comedian with his own brand of comic antics which was interpreted as social messages rose. Vadivelu sat at home  and was battling a fraud pulled on him by his  pal - actor who swindled him of a good chunk of wealth.

A month after Stalin took over as CM, Vadivelu turned up to give a cheque to CM relief fund for Corona victims. It was then in the air that comedian would start seeing the end of his troubles. It has finally happened.  Lyca who is producer of the film 24 am Pulikesi and  S Pictures ( owned by director) who produces the film on a first copy basis agreed to withdraw the complaint. Vadivelu is said to have refused to wear costumes suggested by the costume designer hired by the company and did not turn up for weeks together with the producer paying for the cost and floor rent.

Dr Ishari Ganesh was first approached by Shankar to produce  Robot 2.0 . Lyca came on board. It was Lyca- Shankar combo film 2.0 that still rated the costliest film produced in India and the biggest grosser in box office. Next was Indian 2. Dr Ishari Ganesh was asked by Shankar to mediate with Lyca and get the Indian 2 and 24 am Pulikesi off his back.

Reason according to sources was that it looked like the rest 20 % of the shoot would be under Court supervision and after completion, the earlier accounts would be audited. As a Court monitored audit would not favour  Lyca or Shankar ( who is doing it on a first copy basis) as  film production expenditure are rarely on board.

Lyca Subhaskaran has around Rs 170 crores stuck in the film Indian 2.  Lyca moves the court and also various trade bodies in  Telegu- Hindi these languages, saying Shnakar should not be allowed to work without  finishing Indian 2. The court appoints a arbitator to bring out a truce.  The common factor in Vadivelu- Shankar- Indian 2 is Lyca Subaskaran Allirajah.

Dr Ganesh is said to have arranged a straight heart to heart talk between Subaskaran and Vadivelu and another with Shankar. Vadivelu would two films for Lyca as compensation and finish Pulikesi sequel. If the sequel was dropped , then Vadivelu would pay Rs 4 cr taken as advance ( to be adjusted from his payments for two films)

Shankar was told of Vadivelu deal and he is said to have backed off from completing it as there was bad blood between both parties and cannot be patched up. Coming to Indian 2, Shankar said that unconditionally he would complete the film on a toned down budget and instead wanted him relieved from all court and trade body cases. Subaskaran agreed to it. The arbitataor would be given in writing the setellement of dispute. It would be communicated to the High Court. In turn the verdict would be announced.

In Simbu's case, Lingusamy ( director- producer), Murali Ramaswamy ( Council President and DMK hard core man ), a third  Alwyn Vijay ,a friend of Ramaswamy were all open to resolving the issue.  The fourth person is Micheal Rayappan , an ex  AIADMK MLA from Tirunelveli. He is one who says that Simbu has to pay him Rs 5 cr for the wastage incurred due to the actor's unprofessionalism.

The first three have been cleared by Dr Ishari Ganesh  as he is producer of a film with Simbu and Gautham Menon as director  and would probably be adjusted against the payment. Rayappan would be monetarily compensated by giving him distributorship of the Simbu film for Tirunelveli .