Vijay Devarakonda Kingdom Negativity ? / Aishwarya Lekshmi ona roll/ Fahadh- Vadivelu Rocks

 Vijay Devarakonda Kingdom is ready for a Pan India release and that includes Hindi. The second song promo is getting trolled for Anirudh’s singing. Apart from this the film’s Producer Nag Vamsi feels that he has to fight so much of negativity that is spread about the film. Releasing on July 31 the film is about a man rebellion in an island with Bhagyasree Borse for company. Jersey fame Gowtam is directing the film.

Last week, there were reports that Vijay Deverakonda’s Kingdom, which is coming to screens on July 31, will skip theatrical release for its Hindi version due to the OTT theatrical window and other issues. However the film’s producer revealed in a recent interview that the Hindi version is getting theatrical release. “Kingdom is releasing in Hindi. We didn't add it to the poster just because we've a title issue. It'll be released on the same day with a different title like Samraj or something,” said Naga Vamsi. 

Aishwarya Lekshmi ‘s popularity in Tamil along with Joju George and Urvasi , both known to Tamil viewers, Aasha is going to be a film to be released in  5 languages. Apart from Aishwarya has announced that she is soon to be reaming up with Gautham Ramachandran again after Gargi. Aishwarya was the co= producer of Gargi and it won accolades for Sai Pallavi who played the main lead.

The title-look poster of "Aasha" was also unveiled during the ceremony, sparking interest among film enthusiasts.

Presented by Ajith Vinayaka Films, the film is produced by Vinayaka Ajith. "Aasha" marks the directorial debut of Safar Sanal, who also pens the story. The screenplay and dialogues are jointly written by Joju George, Ramesh Girija, and Safar Sanal.

Cinematography: Madhu Neelakandan, Editing: Shan Mohammed, Music: Midhun Mukundan, Sound Design and Sync Sound: Ajayan Adat, Production Design: Vivek Kalathil, Make-up: Shameer Shams, Costume: Sujith C.S., Stunts: Dinesh Subbarayan, Production Controller: Shabeer Malavattam, Chief Associate Director: Ratheesh Pillai, Associates: Jijo Jose, Febin M. Sunny, Stills: Anoop Chacko, PRO: Yuvraaj, Publicity Design: YellowTooths.

The trailer of the film 'Mareesan', starring popular Tamil actors Vadivelu and Bhagat Faasil, has been released. The trailer has been viewed by more than one million viewers within a short period of its release, setting a record.

 In an announcement that could get all the Prabhu Dheva-Vadivelu combo fans excited, The untitled project is written and directed by Sam Rodrigues, who previously helmed Prabhu Dheva's Musasi. The film, produced by Kannan Ravi, has music composer Yuvan Shankar Raja, cinematographer Vignesh Vasu, editor Anthony, and stunt choreographer Peter Hein in the technical team.

The two actors have previously collaborated in Kaadhalan (1994), Love Birds (1995), Mr Romeo (1996), Kaathala Kaathala (1998), Manadhai Thirudivittai (2001), and Engal Anna (2004). Vadivelu has also featured in Prabhu Dheva's directorials Pokkiri (2007) and Villu (2009).

 

Prabhu Deva to Direct Director Shankar son and Puri Jagan to direct Vijay Sethupathi

Prabhu Deva to direct Director Shankar’s son Arjith and Puri Jagganath to direct Vijay sethupathi. These two news circulating around has one common thread- Both the Directors are flop Directors. Look at Prabhu Deva. Last time I saw him was in a forgettable film Jolly Gymkhana. I saw it on OTT and reason was that I could get some or least one good choreographed song. No way. Many of my friends have not heard about it. Now it seems a leading Telugu film maker has decided to back Prabhu Deva’s story and Arjith is the choice. Now we know that Shankar’s Aditi launch. Aditi Shankar, daughter of director S. Shankar, made her acting debut in the film "Viruman" (2022) and also participated in the audio launch of "Indian 2" where she performed a song and dance. So did Arjith. Read his Insta post : arjith_shankar 41w Grateful to have had the opportunity to dance to this absolute banger by @anirudhofficial with moves so meticulously and masterfully crafted by @iambababaskar sir! Thank you @lycaproductions for having me. And big hugs and love to @shanmughamshankar @eswari_shankar @aishushankar8 @tarun_karthik Guruji @aditishankarofficial and @thanga_18 for your immense support 🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️🙇‍♂️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🫂🫂🫂

Prabhu Deva was a big name as Director with Pokkiri and ended with Villu in Kollywood and in Bollywood with film like Wanted 2 / Radhe. I think most exciting combo new I heard was Vijay son Jason directing Arjith and Dhruv Vkram with Rahman son Ameen as music Director. Moving to Puri Jaaganadh. Report says - After the failure of Liger and Double Ismart , Puri is in search of a comeback movie. Despite multiple script narrations to various actors, nothing has been finalized yet. However, the latest buzz is that Puri recently met acclaimed Tamil actor Vijay Sethupathi and narrated a story. The actor is yet to make a decision, but the filmmaker and his team are optimistic about getting his approval. Now is Makkal Selvan optimistic about Puri we are not sure. Post Maharajah, Vijay is back in reckoning. The problem here is that Puri Jagan as a Producer laso has debts pending and this should be taken into account as financiers these days are not very optimistic about comebacks. But trade sources say that Puri sold his properties and is all clear.

Did Nayanthara hubby miss Prabhu Deva intentionally ? Suresh Gopi to shave beard

Hubby Vignesh Shivan wished Director Venkat Prabhu for sucess of GOAT and in the process kickstarted a renewed interest in his wife Nayanthara's broken relationship with Prabhu Deva. Vignesh had a reason to wish Venkat on GOAT being a hit as the Director had asked Nayanthara for the role done by Sneha. Venkat later said that the couple after seeing GOAT had told him that only Sneha could have done justice to it. Vignesh praised entire GOAT team and actors but left out Prabhu deva who also did a major role. Now we can assume that Vignesh did not want to put out anything that his wife does not like. Prabhu deva had fallen for Nayanthara and it was very itense. Nayanthara had tattooed her arm with Prabhu name. After breakup, she wiped out other letters and made in Positivity with a capital P. The actor's wife Ramlath threatened to file a suit and whole thing ended as Nayanthara walked out. Nayanthara had actually said that the whole relationship was not destined to unite and it ended. Though some say that Prabhu Deva had agreed to divorce his wife and when his wife put her foot down, he buckled and that made Nayanthara walk out. Ultimately, Prabhu deva did get a divorce and two years back married a Mumbau based physiotherapist and have a son. While are on Nayanthara, we got an official announcement that C Sundar is directing Nayanthara in Mookuthi Amman sequel. Sundar;s company along with Nayanthara production house and that of original film producer Vels have joined hands. So where is R J Balaji who directed the first part ?

At last Union Minister Suresh Gopi is to don the makeup from October. He is joing the sets of Ottakomban, Latest we hear is that Suresh Gopi after the Malaysia schedule which is action block is all set to shave off his beard. The film was actually launched in 2022, but ran into legal trouble as the makers of Prithviraj film Kaduva filed asuit that they are making a film on real life character Kaduvakunnel Kuruvachan which is also the subject of Ottakomban. Now makers Gokulam Gopalan has cleared the problem. Anushka Shetty who is acting in Malayalam film Kathanar starring Jayasurya is said to be cast as Suresh Gopi film. This film is also produced by Gopalan. Gokulam movies who distribute Tamil films in Kerala has bought Vettaiyan of Rajinikanth. It lost heavily with Vijay's GOAT. Suresh Gopi has two films ready for release but dubbing for the same is not over.

We have heard stories of Bollywood actor buying swanky apartments in Mumbai. Very rarely have any South actor showed any interest in Mumbai. Now Prithviraj from Mollywood who has branched out to Tollywood and also to Bollywood has bought a swanky place for Rs 30 crores and it is in Pali Hill and called Narain Terrace. is a spacious flat measuring 2,971 square feet, has a four car parking space. He already owns a Rs 17 crore flat in same area. Akshay Kumar and Ranveer Singh stay in the neighbourhood. Kangana Ranaut owned a flat in same area but sold it. She bought it for Rs 20 crores and sold it for Rs 32 crore.

Indian 2 on August 2 - Thalapathy backs Chiyaan rival film - Cheran in Tovino film

Decades later two blood relatives and both Stars too are clashing with each other at the box office. We are talking about TOP STAR Prasanth and Chiyaan Vikram. On August 15th, the Prasanth starrer Andhagan and Vikram’s Thangalaan are releasing. Prasanth is first cousin as his father is maternal uncle of Vikram. Vikram’s mother is Rajeswari is youngest sister of Thiagarajan , father of Prasanth. Vikram’s real name is Kennedy John Victor and his father Vinod Raj was an actor. It seems almost 23 years back Prasanth’s Majnu and Vikram’s Kasi clashed at box office. Kasi gave Vikram a good name as he played blind man in it while Majnu was a big hit. Reports indicate that Thalapathy Vijay will release Andhagan anthem song sung by Anirudh and Vijay Sethupathy and cisual concept by Prabhu Deva and choreographed by Sandy. Prasanth is sharing scrn space with Vijay and Prabhu Deva in G O A T. Prasanth as hero was Johny released in 2018 and co starred in a Telugu film with Ram Charan and released in 2019. Vikram last release was PS 2 last year. Thangalaan trailor has created a huge buzz for the looks of Vikram and also that it is directed by Pa Ranjith , who has a great following among the youth. Ravi Teja film Mr Bachchan is also releasing on same date and it will be a competition to Vikram film in two Telugu States. It seems that the OTT company that holds Ravi Teja film had wanted this date for theatre release. Mr. Bachchan is a Telugu remake of the popular Ajay Devgn starrer Raid.

Indian 2 South languages will stream from August 2 on NetFlix . As per multiplex rules, Hindi will not release till 8 weeks after theatre release. Shankar’s next Game Changer will release on Christmas said Producer Dil Raju at pre- release event of Rayaan in Hyderabad.

Director- Actor Cheran is making his acting debut in Malayalam with Naarivetta directed by Anurah Manohar and has Tovino in the lead. It is produced by Indian Cinema Company. They are also producing a film with Fahadh and S J Suryah and directed by Vipin Das.

Sex - sleaze - Bribes rock Mohanlal Bigg Boss - Rajini- Amitabh intro song - Prabhu Deva apology

As we reported that Indian 2 is not coming in June, many reported about an audio launch of the film to take place on May 2 and that Rajinikanth and Ram Charan are coming for it. Nothing happened and now we hear that Rajinikanth and Big B are in Mumbai filming for Vettaiyan. Our sources say that the shoot was an intro song of Rajinikanth along with Amitabh. As we are informed that Amitabh and Big B are officers of a Customs squad that has employed them on a contract basis to break the gold smuggling racket that has shifted from Mumbai to Chennai and Trichy airports. The duo are ex Customs official now posing as gold smugglers. This song sequence is a major chunk that was waiting for the shoot to finish.

As heat wave conditions prevail in Chennai, an organization decided to get 100 kids assembled at a city stadium for a feat that will enter Guniess Book. !00 hours of dancing to Prabhu Deva songs is the feat. Chief Guest Prabhu Deva did not turn up and many kids standing in the heat wilted and some were taken sick. A heavy backlash took place and finally Prabhu Deva put out a video saying sorry and that he was caught in a shoot at Hyderabad. Speaking about heatm Ram Charan and Shankar were shooting in Chennai city for Game Changer.

Bigg Boss franchise in Malayalam has entered sixth season. For the first time in history of Bigg Boss conducted across Hindi -Tamil – Telugu and Malayalam , a contestant jaw bone was broken by a left hook by a co- contestant. A previous winner of the contest says that two officials of the channel that airs the programme had struck a deal with contestants that they should give a major cut of the weekly wages to get a place and in some cases, the women aspirants were asked to spend a night. A contestant send out saying that he had a mental collapse has gone on record saying that he recovered from it and was told that he will e back in the show but was abruptly packed off by the show director. The ex-winner claims that the contestant who was diagnosed of mental disturbance was given medication for bipolar disorder that he was not suffering from. Two contestants Jasmin and Gabbri closeness both physical and emotional and the open show in the 24 x 7 Hotstar platform has angered family audiences. To top it, Host Mohanlal is appearing to be soft on the lovers. The controversy has affected the credibility of the reality show and the host Mohanlal is blamed for it. Though Lal defenders say that he is only a host that does what the show Directors say, many have put the blame on the actor and wants him to take an intervention role and bring it back to course.

Prabhu Deva as Karnan in R S Vimal's next

  Prabhu Deva will be essaying the role of ` Karnan' in the multi- lingual film Suryaputra Mahavir Karna to be directed by R S Vimal. Chiyaan Vikram was to play Karnan and even a making video was released on the actor's birthday. It was later dropped and Vikram moved to another mythological Ponniyin Selvan directed by Mani Rathinam.

R S Vimal directed Ennu Ninte Moideen the all time evergreen romantic film starring Prithviraj and Parvathy along with Tovino . The film released in Feb 2016 and was a runaway hit and all songs a craze. Music director Jeyachandran won the national award.

 Vimal did extensive work on Karnan, the character in Mahabharata and it was the story told from his perspective. He had prepared a story board for 2.5 hrs and enough documentation. At first `Mamamangam' film producer was to fund it but backed out.  Bollywood Producer Vashu Bhagnani came on board and even the logo was released. Names of many Bollywood actors were speculated but surprisingly the choice was Vikram. Suresh Gopi was to play an important role.

Now the film is being funded by a UK based production company . 50 % of the film will be shot in a virtual reality and live action at UK studios. As UK has lifted pandemic curbs, shoot would begin next month said a source. Instead of Suresh Gopi, Malayalam actor Lal ( who acted in Dhanush's Karnan) is in the mythological film. Budget is  Rs 300 crores.  

Salman Khan- Prabhu Deva - Pooja Hegde for Veeram remake - Priety Zinta to produce Mahesh Narayanan film

Salman Khan and Prabhu  Deva are coming back with the remake of Veeram , the Tamil film starring Thala Ajith.  Pooja Hegde is tipped to be the heroine. In yet another development , Priety Zinta is to produce a Hindi film with Malayalam director Mahesh Narayanan whose Malik - C U  Soon  was released on OTT and were hits.  

Sources say that Prabhu Deva after giving a dud with Radhe, had packed his bags and come back to Chennai. He immersed himself in completing some Tamil films and signed a new one. He is said to have told his friends that his innings in Bollywood was over after Radhe. To his surprise, he got a call from Salman Khan office to come and meet him. Khan asked Prabhu Deva to get over Radhe and direct Tamil film Veeram in Hindi, Sajid Nadiadwala who holds the rights too agreed to Salman's suggestion. Sajid is already remaking Tamil film Jigarthanda in Hindi with Akshay Kumar. Veeram is about four brothers and has a Hindu- Muslim  angle to it. The trust that Salman has reposed in the choreographer- director is something rare in filmdom. This will be the fourth time that the duo is teaming up.

Priety Zinta who has produced Talwar, Razi and Badai Ho is to produce a film based on a screenplay by award winning investigative Journalist Josy Joseph and Mahesh Narayanan. The film is an expose of the health sector in India. Mahesh Narayanan is to direct a Tamil film with screenplay by Kamal Haasan ( who will also act in it). He was to remake Take Off ( Fahad Fazil- Parvathy) in Hindi. The dubbed version is available on OTT.

The remake plan was dropped after many scenes and incidents had similarities in Salman Khan's Tiger Zinda Hai.  Take Off's Hindi version was to be produced by Jet Airways. Ironically, Josy Joseph ( who is collaborating with Mahesh) was sued for Rs 1000  crores by Jet Airways for writing  that Naresh Goyal ( founder) had links with Dawood Ibrahim in his book Feast of Vultures.

Prabhu Deva , Rowdy Baby and salary cut for Tamil film stars

Prabhu Deva is a Rowdy Baby and Tamil producers to sign new films only if the Star takes a 50 % cut in their present income. I had decided that I will not feature anything about Vanitha Vijayakumar after my last blog on her romance and wedding during the Lock Down period. This time however I have to mention her in a different context. Robert the choreographer was ex hubby of Vanitha.  So What? Robert is angry because he saw Prabhu Deva go on stage to receive an award for the Dhanush- Sai Pallavi film Maari 2. Not it was  that Prabhu did not deserve the award but he credited the entire song movements to choreographer Johny ( or is Jaani) who worked as his assistant. “How can you give credit to a Telugu guy? Give that chance to Tamil choreographers,” said an angry Robert. Rowdy Baby trailor clocked 5 million views on YouTube and was  a big hit. Before, I come back to the main point; let me tell you the reason why Vanitha married Robert. According to her, she played a guest role and  a dance number in an Odisha film that had Robert as hero. As Vanitha was lonely and Robert filled the vacuum, she got married. So what took place recently is fourth wedding and second Christian style one.

The Tamil filmdom industry decided that all the trade bodies should have a Tamil identity and not be a South Indian body. It sparked off with FEFSI Vijayan and his men getting hit by local stuntmen in Hyderabad over a labour dispute. It led to  strikeon sets of Balu Mahendra who haired non Tamil workers.  A splinter group of stunt union smashed Manorama Theater where Directors were holding a meeting. Only the cinematographers union and dance masters union said that they will remain pan- South Indian. Later the strike fizzled out after a long gap (it was like the present Lock Down for Kodambakkam then). The compromise evolved was that a certain percentage of local talent will be hired by Chennai based Masters when shooting non- Tamil films. The situation now is that all the three South States have their own union and their own master’s and dancers. Robert is trying to rake up an issue that today has no relevance. Prabhu Deva has grown from a mere choreographer of South films to be a director of Star studded films.

I remember an incident on the sets of Vandanam, the Priyadarshan- Mohanlal film shooting at a set in Vijaya Studios. A group of drunk stunt men came and created a ruckus in filmy style. Lal and director along with actors were packed off. I too left for Palmgrove Hotel where  Lal and everybody were seen tensed. It seems that Balaji ( actor- producer) and Bhagyaraj had a tiff during shooting the remake of Mr India. It was over the publicity stills released by Balaji, a job that is said to be the director’s right. The attack on Vandanam set was by FEFSI men and the reason was that the hero was the son-in-law of Balaji.

All Star’s must take a 50% cut in wages, post COVID. The question -is the cut from the declared amount shown in the IT returns or in the diary of the actor and producer? When distributors raised a similar demand, a decade back, Rajnikanth started his own company. Today, except for Rajinikanth and Ajith, all saleable actors have their own production companies. If not, their mangers or friends-relatives running production companies sign them up. Even successful directors have floated companies. In Tamil filmdom, there is no duly elected Producer’s or Actor’s body. Both are facing elections. Those who have come forward and announced voluntary cuts are not those who matter. The reason for the cut is that collections in theaters post COVID will be minimal. In that case, why not offer a share of the gate collections and see which Star bites the bait?

No Star will take a cut even after a film flops and finally when the mobile stops ringing, that an offer to give a cut by the actor goes around. By then, it is too late. Either they move to character roles or just stay away. As K T Kunjumon , a producer with larger than life image said that Shankar had a five film agreement with him but it was not kept. He added that `Today, I am not in a position to produce a film with him either,’.

Michael Jackson Karmic effect on Kodambakkam

June 25^th was the death anniversary of Michael Jackson (MJ) and I am not here to tell you about his moves etc but the telling effect he had on Kodambakkam. For one ,the only University in the World to have a statue of MJ in its campus is Vels University in Chennai. MJ’s comeback concert in India was the one way ticket to doom for a movie moghul GV (brother of director Mani Rathnam). Above all, MJ gave Indian Cinema. the great acrobatic performer – actor- director Prabhu Deva. The last achievement stands partially corrected as the credit should go to K T kunjumon KTK), the white colour obsessed film producer who wore white shirt- pants- shoes, matching watch strap and dial .

In all probability, MJ statue in Vels might be covered in crow shit or moved over to a place that does not distract the students and obstruct the expansion plan of Vels. According to KTK, Shankar told him a story of a poor boy with great dancing skills and a Governor’s daughter falling in love. Sundaram Master said that his son Prabhu Deva could be given a shot. Prabhu Deva had turned independent choreographer with Kamal- Pratap Pothen film `Vetri Vizha and was very busy.Distributors told KTK that a choreographer being hero was not their cup of tea. So then why not add Madhuri Dixit ?. Madhuri is busy. Someone said Nagma. Fine. So Rahman does music. KTK says gets best special effects, even if it from abroad. Movie runs for 100 days. Now KTK is happy that his political God – AMMA is happy. The Governor character was modeled on Channa Reddy , with whom Amma was having a war going on. KTK gave a huge amount to Girish Karnad, the art house actor to accept a commercial film as he felt that Karnad looked like Channa Reddy.

Bharat Shah, the big Bollywood guy, buys Kadhalan and dubs it in Hindi. So Shah asks KTK, whose cut-out should we keep outside the theater? KTK says – mine. KTK says a beggar at a traffic signal in Mumbai recognized him and danced waving show tickets. After the premiere show, G P Sippy and Ramesh Sippy hugged KTK and said that this is bigger than Sholay.  Prabhu Deva becomes a national sensation. Now logically, KTK and Prabhu Deva should be the top of the charts. KTK kept his winning streak with Kadhal Desam and gave Abbas, a lover boy who swept the audience. After that he ventured into making films based on his own subjects and sticking to new director’s who failed him. Prabhu Deva to a certain extent kept his dancing boy image intact with Minsarra Kanavu that had Aravind Swamy- Kajol with Rajiv Menon direction and Rahman music.

His acting career plunged and with a Telugu film that he directed, he took a new avatar. Now coming back to MJ. GV having produced Rajinikanth film Dhalapathy directed by his brother had made his GV Films , a listed company in the stock market. He then took the rights to conduct a concert of MJ in Mumbai.  A Mumbai company had the contract for the show. Now, GV gives me a scoop. Prabhu Deva will dance on the MJ stage.  All tickets sold out. It was something like Rambo Stallone to fight Salman Khan Kind of hype. Something happened. MJ did come to Mumbai but he did not perform. Prabhu Deva found that MJ does not allow any outsider to share a stage with him. Finally, Prabhu Deva, I think through Anupam Kher got to take a few photos with MJ at the hotel. GV Films shares crashed and in 1993, he had to file a lawsuit of Rs 3 crores against MJ and the Mumbai Company.

Years later, Prabhu Deva and his brother Raju, A R Rahman and actress Shobana took part in a concert called Friends of Micheal Jackson in Munich. Here too Prabhu Deva item was to be followed by MJ and latter was to join him on stage. It did not happen.  Prabhu Deva is a PR agent’s nightmare. Put him in front of a TV interviewer who knows only Hindi and English and he will sweat. He still is not comfortable with the languages. Despite this he has directed actors like Salman Khan, Shahid Kapoor and Akshay Kumar . His stock reply as to why he chose to do a film of a particular director or producer is that – He is a nice guy. 

Once he was asked to give a vote of thanks in English at the Chennai Tennis League. His producer -friend Dr Ishari Ganesh of Vels University requested him to do it. He got the audience sympathy by saying that it was his maiden speech in English and got an ovation when he finished by saying `I finally did it’. As the saying goes – Everybody has his Achilles heel. Here it is his neck. He takes care to not strain that part of the body.