Hansika replaces Nayantara in Chandi

Reigning actress Nayantara, who was supposed to play the female lead in producer M.S. Raju's heroine-focused horror thriller tentatively titled Chandi (Telugu), starring the producer's son Sumanth Ashwin as the debut hero, has been replaced by Hansika Motwani, it is said. However, the official confirmation is yet to come.

Chandi is said to be a socio-fantasy-cum-graphical extravaganza like Arundhati and will be directed by the renowned Kodi Ramakrishna under the banner of Sumanth Art Productions. Tamil hero Arya, who plays a negative role in Allu Arjun’s ongoing Arya 2, is expected to play the villain. The film will start rolling in September.

Nayantara is currently busy with two films: Jr. NTR starrer Adurs (Telugu) and Suriya starrer Aadhavan (Tamil). She recently completed her portions in veteran director Siddique's Malayalam film Bodyguard opposite Dileep.

Kandasamy Flopped ...!!! ??

Kandasamy Flopped !! C N R Srikanth from rediff astrology said that The film KANDASAMY vibrates on 22 as per Numerology and will do well. The film will be a hit and the collections from the film will be good in the first week itself.

As per Numerology, the name KANDASAMYY vibrating on 23 will prove more lucky.

The launch of KANDASAMY on 21st August 2009, Friday, is an auspicious day.

anyway viewers giving bad response about kandasamy

Vikram and Shreya are in the lead.
Other Cast :Vivek, Santhanam, Vinod Raj, Y G Mahendran, Arun Mathavan, Vinayak, Alex and others.
Direction : Susi Ganesan
Music : Devi Sri Prasad
Production : Kalaipuli S Thanu

Right from the opening scenes, you see the path this mega-movie is going to take. Hordes of people from the economically weaker sections of the society are writhing in anxiety and lack of resources, while rich men barter in crores and fly from Paris to London [ Images ] with scant concern. The police play their part in ignoring pleas for help.

All is chaos when help comes, it seems, from divine sources: the lord Kandasamy, straight from the heavens or specifically around the vicinity of Thirupporur. All that you need to do is write a message and tie it around the temple tree, and your prayers are answered.

In the meantime, there's the trim and fit V Kandasamy IPS (Vikram) looking dashing and packing a lot of panache as he walks around very effectively around the CBI headquarters, conferring with his boss and a whole horde of cohorts. He canoes, works up a sweat with martial arts and conducts raids on stinking rich men, all with just the hint of a smile lurking on his face. All pretty amazing, and the scene is set perfectly making you eager for more.

You're not disappointed when the daughter Subbulakshmi (Shriya) of rich guy PPP (Ashish Vidhyarthi) prances onto the screen to the catchy tunes of Allegra composed by Devi Sri Prasad. It's the heroine's introduction, after all, and you've got to give allowances for these pointless interruptions. (To give credit where it's due, Shriya does a very creditable imitation of the matchless Shakira [ Images ] and the applause hits the roof).
And then its back to business as Kandasamy IPS dons his rooster make-up (yes, that's his avatar, actually since he's an incarnation of Lord Muruga and must conform to one of the deity's symbols) and voila! He's superhero rooster, wearing a red eye-mask (that conceals nothing), a red cape, swishing it very admirably and makes clucking noises that takes some getting used to (and the audience erupt in giggles every time he does it). There's no suspense element to the IPS Officer/Super-hero alter-egos; you know straightaway it's the same guy and so, it seems, does everyone in the business.

Still, Kandasamy does have a definite presence, and he goes about accomplishing his purpose with a gang of 11 friends: to be a modern day Robin Hood who deprives the rich of ill-gotten gains so that he can shower the poor with money. In effect, he has no real super-powers except the one that's the mainstay of every Tamil hero from MGR to Vijay: the man can bash up 100 goons with just a flick of his wrist. He's a one-man killing machine, and logic can go for a toss.

Then there is Thengai Thenappan (Vadivelu), who provides the mandatory comedy track; even movies like this require one like it.

There are a couple of scenes where you can see signs of brilliance: when Kandhasamy's gang arranges a rescue attempt and the whole event is brilliantly "choreographed," the enormous set-up that exists to help him achieve it, and DIG Parandhaman's (Prabhu) attempts to track the divine Lord Kandasamy who's supposedly helping people right and left. At one point, Kandasamy is even captured, and his role-playing instincts are stripped away but there's a twist to it.

Problem is, that's all the evidence there is in Susi Ganesan's screenplay. A superhero usually has a rock-solid flashback, attempting to explain why he becomes one. Here, Kandhasamy worked in a pizza shop, sang a song, and saw a friend's left hand amputated. Oh, and he loves acting as well. (That explains the rooster avatar). That's enough for him to take on multi-billionaires single-handedly, kill trained assassins and fool every law enforcement system in the country. And there are the mandatory speeches as well; endless lectures on how economic offenses cripple our country and how distributing everyone's wealth can help solve India's debt thus making every Indian citizen the best in the world.

Vikram is certainly the best thing in the movie. He's fit, lean, a great fighting machine with a permanent smile lurking in his eyes, which makes you forget a lot of imperfections in the screenplay. This man is made to play the intelligent hero though it's a pity that Kandasamy doesn't quite match his glittering screen presence.

Shriya shows you just how well she can shake those hips; her costumes just mould to her shape and she makes sure you get an eyeful. Her dubbing voice is sultry, sexy and she could give any Hollywood heroine a run for her money. Which is a good thing, because, aside from prancing around in skimpy outfits in Mexico and other areas, there's nothing else for her to do.

Ashish Vidhyarthi is his usual, over-acting self while Prabhu is calm, cool, dignified, making him a pleasure to watch. Various smaller characters have done well. If only the extraneous poor people hadn't been played in such a wooden fashion.

Devi Sri Prasad has realised that movies with this budget don't often get made, and with plenty of copied tunes, goes all out. But the movie ultimately, belongs to cinematographer N K Ekhambram who performs magic with his camera, the special effects team, and costumers who have worked their hearts out. Technically and visually, the movie's excellent. Thotta Tharani's art-work is done with professional finesse.

At 3 hours 20 minutes, the movie could have done with some editing.

Watch Kandhasamy for its beautiful locales, a ravishing heroine, and Vikram's smile but go with nil expectations as this particular super-hero doesn't have much to offer a discerning viewer.

Amitab in Robot ?

The Robot troupe is getting bigger in terms of cast, cost and star value! Every day, there is a new star on board this mega ship, but most often we can never be sure who will disembark at the next port!

Last ,we got news that Aishwarya is no more in the movie; two days later, we heard that she is once again in the reckoning. So as of now, she still has one foot in. Next, we heard that Arjun, who has already teamed up with Shankar twice before, is playing a pivotal role in Robot. But the latest is that Shankar has roped in Amithabh Bachchan as well!

The Super Star of Bollywood and the Super Star of Kollywood have shared screen space in Hindi films, but this will be the first time they get together in a Tamil flick. If the rumour is true, that is…

Sexy Simran turns into director

Sexy Simran was a rage among audiences, particularly youngsters, before her marriage. She tried to come back but new her films have not been received too well by audiences. Even her role opposite Balakrishna in Okka Mogadu did not bring her any new offers. Simran is now planning to turn director. She has also signed up to appear in a TV serial.

Varun, Tamanna together again in Pellivaarillu

The hit pair of Varun Sandesh and Tamanna from Happy Days is coming together once again in a new film Pellivaarillu, produced by M.S. Raju and directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. Navdeep and Sindhu Menon is the other pair. Varun is presently acting in Dil Raju's Kotha Bangaru Lokam and Tamanna is acting in Ninna Nedu Repu with Ravi Krishan. Dil Raju expressed confidence that Varun and Tamanna will repeat their magic in the new film too.

Ileana is sexy and me too - Thamannah speaks out

Actress Thamannah just denies about the media channels depicting her as ‘No.1’ in Tamil film industry.

But the actress feels that she’s so lucky for having been a part of best flicks. All that she’s focused is about ‘Kanden Kadhalai’ a remake of Bollywood blockbuster ‘Jab We Met’. Speaking about her recent project she has signed for ‘Kick’ remake with Jeyam Ravi, she’s merely elated about it.
Would she go for the same glam-show of Ileana in the original version? ‘Definitely not, Ileana has got the best stunning physiques and I am really a great fan of hers. But everyone has got their own identities and I will take on with such efforts. Indeed, some of my fans appreciated me that I looked so glamorous in Ayan…’

Kamal Haasan launches ‘Azhagar Malai’ audio

A film that has already received a lot of buzz, Azhagar Malai’s audio was launched by Padmashri Kamal Haasan at his Alwarpet office recently. It was only recently that the movie made waves for another reason, Illayaraja’s cameo in a song in the film.

Isaignani Illayaraja, who has composed music for the film, will make an appearance as himself in a song in a self introspection mode. The song has been composed and rendered by him, and will feature him reminiscing about his childhood and the places he has been to as a child. Director SP Rajakumar reveals that the plan to rope in Isaignani into the song was possible by the efforts of producer Sangili Murugan, a good friend of the music maestro.

'Ellam Avan Seyal' hero RK plays the lead of this film while Banu of 'Thamirabarani' fame plays the heroine. Produced by Karumari Kandasami, the film is the shot in the beautiful backdrop of Madhurai and its suburbs with the lilting tunes of Isaignani Illayaraja.

The film is directed by PS Rajakumar and has Illayaraja is singing and acting in the song, “Ulagam Ippo Enge Poghuthu”.

Sathyam' fight scene at cost of 1.5 crores

The cars are speeding past on the Tambaram bypass-Maduravayil road. In one of the cars is a smart khaki clad Vishal with gun in hand. This is the scene of 'Sathyam' shooting. Vishal tells stunt master Kanal Kannan that he's ready for the take and presses his foot on the accelerator, woth villain's henchmen chasing him and cinematographer RD Rajasekhar starts shooting the scene. In 10 seconds they were gone half a km and when the cars bumped into each other, Vishal's car did a topsy turvy and got back straight.
This put butterflies in the stomach of those present. But the take was successful and as Vishal emerged from the car, director Rajaekhar gave the thumbs up victory sign.
Vishal, aren't you afraid? You do such shots so coolly?
"If one wants applause from the audience who pays to se me on screen, all these risks are like halwa," says Vishal after doing a thrilling scene.
"You would never have seen such a car chase in Indian films," challenges Kanal Kannan who has brought in 6 experienced drivers from Mumbai for the action scenes. 50 stunt men in 48 cars have risked their lives for the car chase.

The scene running to 7 minutes in the film would be shot over 20 days on various locations like Tambaram bypass, Ennore, Ramojirao Film City, Pattinapakkam and so on.
New cameras like Roll Vison and Cross Camera are used to shoot this scene and the visual effects are by Craig. He has worked in famed Hollywood film 'Mummy' and 'Krish' starring Hritik Roshan.
Producer Vikram Krishna casually remarks that this fight sequence alone costs...hold your breath...1.5 crores!

Padmapriya speaks about her cowboy experience

The shooting of the film Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam is progressing in Singai in Nellai District. Simbhu Devan is directing this film.


Padmapriya is donning the role of cowboy girl in this film. Padmapriya spoke to the media in between the shooting. She said,” I am from Tamil Nadu. My mother tongue Is Tamil. My mother is from Nellai Kodaka Naloor. This is my native place.

My father is from Vellore District. I did my M B A and was doing research. Initially I was modeling. After this I was working. While working I started acting in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films. I had completed 30 films.

In Tamil I have acted in 6 films including Thavamai Thavamirundhu. In all the films I understand my characters and enjoy acting in these roles. I am acting as a cowboy girl in the film Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam. It is really appreciable to make a cow boy film in Tamil. It is a great thing for me to get an opportunity to act in this film.

The director is so passionate about this film and is enjoying directing each scene. This film will be a great hit among the audience. I want to act in a role which is very difficult for me. I am donning the role of a Muslim girl in Pokkesham.
All the places in Nellai District are beautiful. I am currently living in Kolkata. I have relatives in Thenkasi and Virava Nalur. My father is a Brigadier in the army. My greatest strength in Tamil films is that I dub myself.’

Subramaniapuram actress and actor meet again

Actors Jai and Swathi were acclaimed for good onscreen chemistry in ‘Subramaniapuram’, although there weren’t any Liplock or intimate sequences in that film.
Now they’re back together pairing in their next untitled film. The film is produced by T. Siva of Amma Creations directed by Sripathy. Speaking about this Jai has said, ‘Yup! Shooting for this untitled flick will kick-start once my presents are completed.

We were desperately searching for many heroines and finally Swathi signed the deal as she felt more impressive with her characterization…”
Nothing has been finalized on other star-casts and technical crew for this film. Looks like Yuvan Shankar Raja would be scoring music as he’s closely associated with Jai and Producer T. Siva.