FILMS-CHANNELS

Vijayakanth is now getting ready to create waves in television in industry. The actor-politician has detailed plans for to use his ideas for his political upliftment by launching 'Captain TV. According to sources, The Captain channel would be on air from January 15 of the coming year. Captain Vijaykanth's brother-in-law L K Sudeesh is at the helm of affairs of the channel and started roping some of the best talents in the industry. According to Sudheesh the new channel to be launched would become one of the top three channels of the Tamil language. It is likely, that Captain might direct some of his own serials or soaps as is being done for a film to be released in the near future, the sources added.

Television and film industry share a brotherly relationship and can co-exist, said actor Kamal Haasan. Television was considered a potential threat by film industry when it began to roll out serials. It took time for people to realise that both are allied industries and can co-exist without facing competition from each other, he said at the launch of Abirami, a television serial. “Some actors juggle film and television with ease, while some take time off from films to act in serials. Competition never existed between us,” he said. The reach of television serials was underestimated by many people in film industry, but the serials continue to have a strong impact on people, Mr. Haasan added. Abirami would be aired on Kalaignar TV and it would be the comeback vehicle for many. After a few years of break, the acting career of Gautami will be revived with the serial. She plays the protagonist. Actor Kalpana is also returning to the Tamil entertainment industry through this serial. On her pr

With a month left for the releases of Vijay’s Vettaikaran and Karthi starrer Paiyya, the films now had a near combat over small screens, as audio launches of both these films were to be aired at the same time over leading satellite channels. For past one week, Sun Network has been airing promos about telecasting the audio launch while Kalainyar TV has planned for a Live telecast of Paiyya audio launch. But due to TRP issues the program producers changed the schedule of Paiyya audio launch. Paiyya audio launch, which was a star-spangled occasion, brought together the biggies of Tamil Cinema together on dais. The audio launch of Vettaikaran had the casts and crew sharing their working experiences, and the screening of exclusive songs from this film. The highlight of this function was Vijay crooning the title song ‘Naan Adiccha’.

BY KARPAGAM THYAGARAJAN The film, Passenger, is about to get a Tamil remake. Starring Sathyraj and Ganesh Venkatraman in the roles played by Sreenivasan and Dileep in the Malayalam version, the film will be directed by Selva. The Malayalam version was directed by Ranjith Shankar. The lead heroine of the film hasn’t been decided as of yet. .

BY, KARPAGAM THYAGARAJAN This year National Award Winner Actor Prakash Raj and his wife Lalitha Kumari (who was also an actress)is till set to get divorce, living seperately for the past one year. Now they came to the family court together and filed a joint petition for divorce by mutual consent. Judge with whom the couple was closeted for over an hour on friday, has adjourned the matter to November 18 for further proceedings. Prakash first filed his divorce petotion in April this year, lalitha kumari however filed a restitution petition to be remitted with her husband. Later she again moved the family court seeking a monthly maintenanse of 2lakhs. Counsel for the couple have worked out an out of court settlement and the couple agreed to file a joint application for divorce by mutual consent.

. Chalo Chennai, says Kamal Haasan In an international screenwriting workshop took place in Chennai, Ulaga Nayagan Kamal Haasan plans to produce, direct and act in some short films. He wants those films' stories should be based on the Tamil Nadu capital. Speaking on the occasion, the actor said that his whole life revolves around Chennai including his appearance in films when he was hardly six or seven appearing in films in Kalathoor Kannamma produced by AVM."I am surprised to see the old Chennai onscreen," Kamal Haasan told reporters after announcing his desire. "Can we imagine the sight of chariot hurtling down the Mount Road and people walking leisurely on the stretch? Our attempt is not towards making some money, it is recording the historic memory of Chennai," said Kamal Haasan, who is known for his experiments on screen. Stating that he would wield the megaphone for one of the short films, Kamal Hassan said: "From over 250 participants of the Chennai