Shankar talks hard to Powerstar

It is no news that Powerstar Srinivasan has bagged a role in Shankar’s I. He will act in a few scenes joining hands with Santhanam. But what has caught the ears of the rumour buggs is that director Shankar has laid down strict rules for Powerstar. Apparently, Shankar who is well aware of Powerstar’s ‘blowing the trumpet’ behaviour has ordered him not to speak a word about the film ‘I’ or his character in the film and if some tidbits are known to have been revelead, Shankar has warned Powerstar that his scenes will be removed from the film.

Ram Charan's Mega Branding In TN

Ram Charan is all set to make his debut in Bollywood with ‘Zanjeer’ and that is known for all.

The 27 year old actor has seen big flop with “Orange” . Directed by Bhaskar the movie was a dud at the box office but was very much applauded by a few for the subject and content in the movie. The movie is being dubbed in Tamil and any guesses what’s the title of it? It’s just “Ram Charan”

Yes! The name of the character being played by him is Ram. RCT who got introduced to Kollywood with dubbed version of Magadheera is now hitting back with “Ram Charan”.

Well, it’s not just the movie but it’s his name getting branded in south India. Although he is very well recognized in Andhra Pradesh but he has chosen a path to get attention across with a Bollywood project but now he gets more attention from South India by branding his name.

The actor who was delighted to hear this news hopes this movie does well like Maaveeran. He also expressed that if everything goes well he may do a straight Tamil film with a noted director down the lane. Directors in Chennai are you listening?

Kadal’ audio creates history!

Mani Ratnam’s AR Rahman composed music of Kadal has become a runaway chartbuster.

Seeing the phenomenal advancebooking for the album, Sony Music has advanced its audio launch by two days! It is for the first time in Indian market the audio release of a film album has been advanced.

Kadal audio was planned with ads saying it will hit the music storesand could be downloaded from December 17.

A Sony Music spokesperson said : “There was a terrific buzz and unbelievable advance booking orders for Kadal album, so we decided to advance its release by two days and get a huge opening during the weekend.”

Kadal music is phenomenal by any yardstick with ‘Elay Keechan..’ and ‘Nenjukkulle..’ rocking the charts. The critics have been raving about the music, easily ARR’s best in recent times

Rajinikanth To Make Sound

Whenever a film of superstar Rajnikanth is on the anvil, the box office prepares itself for a tsunami and right from the time the film hits the floors every development creates a stir. Now, all eyes are on Rajini’s new film ‘Kochadaiyaan’ which is coming as ‘Vikrama Simha’ in Telugu.
 
According to sources from Chennai it is heard that the first sound of the film would be heard when the lyrics of the film’s soundtrack would be released next week. This is for the Tamil version and the lyrics are penned by the famous lyricist Vairamuthu. The music for the film is by A R Rahman.
 
‘Kochadaiyaan’ is the first Indian film to use performance capture with 3D and the expectations are very high on this one. This marks the debut of the beautiful Soundarya Ashwin, daughter of Rajinikanth, as the director. For now, all eyes are on the lyrics and many are also waiting to see how the Telugu lines will be penned.

‘Kumki was a wonderful experience’

This Friday is a historic moment. Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan's grandson, Vikram Prabhu, Prabhu's son, makes his on-screen debut in Kumki. This movie is presented by Thirrupathi Brothers' N Lingusamy and produced by N Subash Chandra Bose. It is released by Studio Green K E Gnanavelraja. In the Prabusolomon-directed Kumki, Vikram shares screenspace with Lakshmi Menon and Manikkam, the elephant.

How has his debut flick shaped up? Vikram says, "Kumki has been a wonderful experience to me. We have shot in spectacular locations for the film. Shooting for the flick was physically tiring. I lived a different lifestyle during the making of the film. I had to run barefoot in the forests, tame an elephant and trek gigantic mountains during the shoot. When I saw the outcome, I was so happy. This is the magic of cinema and I understood it in my very first film itself."

On playing the role of a mahout and forging a special relationship with the elephant, he says, "The character taught me a lot of patience, which is the most important aspect of a mahout. I miss Manikkam now. He was incredible."
So, is Vikram feeling the pressure of this momentous occasion? The actor says, "The pressure is very much on. All these days I was excited about the release. My fingers are crossed for a good response for my debut film. I have an added responsibility as I have come from a renowned film family. There are high expectations riding on me. I hope I do not disappoint my grandfather's and my dad's fans."

Ask him how his family background helped him bag Kumki and he says, "My family tag helped me for the first step in films. But I know only my hard work and talent will take me further from here."

Vikram recently met Rajinikanth at his residence. He says, "Rajini sir has always been very supportive. I met him on his birthday and got his blessings for my debut film. He wished me wholeheartedly for Kumki's success."

Kamal defends DTH move for Viswaroopam

Kamal Haasan is not going back on his decision to release his new film Viswaroopam on the DTH platform. On Sunday, the actor-filmmaker defended his move to introduce the film in pay-per-view mode on direct-to-home (DTH) networks on the day of its theatrical release. He said, the move needed understanding rather than spot judgements and associated anxieties. In an audiocast on social network SoundCloud, the actor said the digital screener should be seen as opening new vistas for legitimate revenues for cinema at a time when video piracy was wrecking the industry. The screener would be a one-time affair priced at Rs. 1,000. “This is targeted at a niche segment that wants to be entertained in the comfort of their homes. It is purely for the excitement of watching it on the first day. The cinema hall experience is still something else,” he said. The national award-winning actor also allayed fears about the technology. “The encoded movie content will not be stored in DTH set-top boxes once viewed,” he said. The decision to release the movie on DTH has set the industry abuzz over the past week. Though the move has received largely positive responses from online forums, there have been talks that producers and exhibitors have been unhappy. The Tamil Film Producers Association has called for an urgent meeting in Chennai on Monday to discuss and debate Mr. Haasan’s decision. In his statement, the actor indicated he was unlikely to budge. “We are talking about catering to a niche segment. The majority is still going to enjoy the movie in cinema halls. We have recorded the sound in world-class technology (auro sound). That was done to get people to cinema halls. Running scared of DTH is like the majority of 99 per cent getting scared of the 1 per cent,” he said. He also said, for good cinema to thrive, filmmakers must be allowed to explore all legitimate avenues for legally generating revenues. Saying no to the move would be paving further way for video pirates to thrive. The update on SoundCloud was put up by the actor’s e-zine Maiam on his official Facebook page on Sunday evening. It went viral within minutes of uploading, garnering more than 5,000 views in less than two hours.

Sivaji 3D' Review: Rajinikanth's film raises the standard of Tamil cinema

Watching superstar Rajinikanth sizzle on screen despite how cliched it appears, as some may call it, is an experience worth a million smiles and the thumping of as many hearts.
Now, watching him recreate the magic in 3D, closer to hands-reach, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Released five years after its original release in 2007, 'Sivaji 3D', with shorter running time, cut down by half an hour, is highly entertaining and three times visually enthralling.
Rajinikanth plays a US-returned software systems architect in the film, named Sivaji, with the sole purpose to give something back to the society. He aspires to build a non-charitable trust through which he wants to set up schools and hospitals for the underprivileged.
However, he's faced with illegitimate and corrupt government officials demanding bribe at every juncture. To add to the woes, he earns the wrath of a local, well-reputed businessman Adiseshan, played by Suman, who becomes his biggest obstacle.
The rest of the story is about one man's fight against corruption to create an equitable society in true 'Rajini' style.
The impeccable conversion from 2D to 3D is truly amazing and at par with Hollywood standards. All those who've always cribbed about the poorly executed Indian 3D films should not miss 'Sivaji 3D' at any cost. Had it not been for the successful collaboration between AVM productions, Prasad EFX and Real Image, this visual wonder wouldn't have been possible.
The opening song 'Balleilakka', featuring Nayanthara, is a treat to watch and so are scenes involving Shriya, who appears prettier than she was originally. It doesn't matter if you're a Rajini fan or not, you're sure to leave the theatre with sore throat from screaming.
Tharani's sets come alive in 3D, while KV Anand's cinematography, originally done using 4k scan, a very high video format resolution, has certainly helped the film look superior in the converted version.
And to top it all, you have moments of Rajinism that you can guiltlessly celebrate with everybody. Be it his trademark walk or the dialogues that he mouths with ease and style or even scenes where he pounds baddies to pulp with one punch may appear cliched, yet entertaining.
And all this happens just few inches away from your eyes and probably with a wave of the hand; you might probably touch the superstar.
Finally, to watch the film in Dolby Atmos, an object-based audio platform, will truly give the audiences a life-like, sensory experience. With 'Sivaji 3D', the Tamil film industry is sure to garner a lot of attention from the rest of the world.

But the biggest question that needs answering is will 'Sivaji 3D' pave the way to the re-conversion of many successful films into 3D? If yes, how many will succeed in the process?