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BY KARPAGAM THYAGARAJAN Prakash Raj to start Acting Academy Acting power house Prakash Raj has announced a plan to set up an acting school in south India to train actors. Prakash Raj revealed this plan while speaking at the 125 days celebration event of his first directorial venture ‘Naanu Nanna Kanasu’ on Sunday. ‘Prakash Raj Academy of Acting’ will most probably set up in either Hyderabad or Bangalore on 20 acres of land. An American Indian Mr Prasad has come forward to invest Rs.300 crores in Indian film industry and Prakash Raj is the prize catch for him. With the American NRI the meeting with Karan Johar, Aamir Khan, Prakash Raj the first meeting was held recently and the outcome of it is ‘Prakash Raj Academy of Acting’. The NRI investor is keen on funding Rs.20 crores on this acting Academy says Prakash Raj. Prakash Raj sitting next to his wife Pony Verma at The Bell Hotel in Bangalore said he has two projects in Telugu, two in Tamil, two in Kannada and three projects in Hindi li...

N.THYAGARAJAN If one considers that Tamil film actor Karthi is only an actor, it is wrong. Karthi who is an engineering graduate has been dreaming quite a long time to do something great to this nation. Karthi said to a group of students about his patriotic interest for the Indian soil, and his dreams to fulfill them. He spoke to the students not in the capacity of film actor but as an ordinary citizen. For him Cinema is his profession and as a citizen of India he wants to a lot to the country. Karthi speaks out from his heart to the students has been pictured by the Raj TV channel is to be telecast on August 15Th Independence Day at 8.30 AM.

By N.Thyagarajan Makkal TV channel’s new invention Pennae has caught the eyes of audiences for its focus on women-achievers in various fields. Further, the episode goes deep into the lives of these achievers who keep some important toys presented to them by eminent men. This week Psychiatrist Dr Shalini who has achieved a lot in her field to solve difficult cases for mental ailments. She describes how she felt the difficulty in finding out the the real difficulties of her patients and how she solved. The episode, it is expected would woo a lot of by viewers. Dance master and actor Gayathri Raghuram also participates in one of the episodes. She keeps a lot of toys in her treasure since the day of her younger days. Late actor Jaishankar presented her a toy when he visited her house. She has a history to brief about her each toy.She also talks about her child days and how she came into the film-world as a dance-master. The programme will be aired on all Saturdays at 3.30 PM in Makkal tv...

( By N.Thyagarajan ) Roja film fame Madhubala has accepted the offer of doing Devadasi role for the Jaya TV Channel’s new mega-serial Soundaravalli to be telecast in the near future. After the release of her maiden film Roja she was busy with her dance schedules and without film chance for sometime. Madhubala who is a relative of famous actor Hema Malini, has learnt Bharatha Natyam from her aunt. The actor had done a role in a serial twelve years ago after which the actress could not be seen. When the people are about to forget her face,the chance to act in this serial came to her hands and knees. Madhubala was little bit shy in accepting small screen roles, after knowing the in-depth story, and the character in which she would appear, she immediately accepted the offer., The new serial would take more than 300 episodes, and the story is centered on the lives of Devadasis in those period, who dedicated their lives to the cause of the temple upliftment. The actress whose sober-look m...

BY KARPAGAM THYAGARAJAN Anushka is literally on Cloud Nine! If reports are to be believed, the actress has been signed up to star alongside Ajith in the film Mangaatha. It may be recalled that a couple of days ago Venkat Prabhu was finalized to direct Ajith in this film. The movie is to be produced by Cloud Nine Movies Having made her presence felt with the strong performance in Arundathi, the actress went on to share the screen space with Suriya in Singam. Both these films have turned out to be smash hits. She also featured with Vijay in Vettaikaran. With her new assignment, Anushka will turn out to be the hot and happening star among the big league actors and directors. “

After actress Kushboo has become DMK party member, the Jaya TV channel, an AIADMK organ,has wound up telecasting Kalki, a mega-serial which had the largest viewers with good revenue. The decision to stop the serial was taken after the actress has enrolled herself as the DMK party member. The serial had won the audience during its first telecast with good advertisement rates. The Jaya TV Channel some months ago started telecasting the same serial second time. During the second time also, the serial continued with good audiences. However, the Channel stopped telecasting the Kalki after the actress had joined the DMK party. The actress also did Jackpot another interesting programme of the Jaya TV channel, a weekly programme on all Sundays of the Channel. The idea of the actress to join the DMK has put a fullstop for this programme too. Though Kushboo is popular by virtue of her excellent acting in films, the actor was not forgotten by the public immediately, because of her continuous appe...

N.THYAGARAJAN In addition to the glamorous roles to various young actors and actresses of the Tamil films, actress Nadhiya, now has been assigned to host the Jaya TV Channel's Jackpot programme. The new programme, after Kushboo had left has been named Jackpot II. Actress Kushboo who after enrolling herself as the member of the DMK party, has decided to quit the hosting of the Jackpot. She has quit because she was hosting the programme in the Jaya TV Channel, backed by the AIADMK party which is the only rival party of the ruling DMK party. The actress does not like to continue her hosting of the programme in the channel, has finally came out and the Jaya TV Channel was looking for equal status actress to host the programme. Though the Jaya TV Channel was megnanimous to the actress Kushboo in continuing the programme, the actress who immediately after joining the DMK party gave her first public address when the TN CM celebrated his 87th birthday. Though Kushboo has been a great admir...

‘ The shooting for the Sun TV Channel’s yet another mega-serial Nadhaswaram began in Karaikudi with film actor Mouli as the leading nadhaswara vidwan. The serial is to be directed by Mettioli serial fame Thirumurugan who had chosen more than 40 raw hands to act in this mega-serial. It is the story of a Nadhaswara Vidwan who has spent his life for the upliftment of Carnatic music, to put it shortly. In this serial Mouli acts the father and the director Thirumurugan act as son. Besides, the new entrants who had no knowledge about acting were trained to act in their respective roles for three days. Actor Nazar’s Adavu Foundation gave them coaching. The serial has series of actors in the age group from 17 to 70 years. Soon the channel will start to telecast the serial.

BY N.THYAGARAJAN Our former bureaucrat T.N.Seshan hereafter could be seen in Vijay TV channel’s weekly programme, Naalum Namadhey. He will sit as the Judge of the programme and will select four persons among the 16 persons who were affected in their personal lives. It is a talk-show of the Vijay TV Channels and T.N.Seshan has readily agreed to become the judge of the serial to be telecast on all Sundays in the mornings. There are a very few could who could do the proper judgments in their lives, and Mr Seshan is the right man while he was serving the government and after his retirement. One could realize the capabilities of this retired IAS officer through this Naalum Namadhey.

Actress Anuya, who made her debut in Tamil film industry with Siva Manasula Sakthi, is all set to shake legs for an item number now in Nanjupuram. Well for those, who expect Anuya to be sporting her bootylicious physiques, it’s going to be a letdown. Yeah! It’s something we heard straight from the shoulders of Anuya as she says, “It’s a song that narrates the outline of this movie and there’s nothing to do with glamour here.” Nanjupuram centers on an unexpected upshots occurring in a village that is brimmed with lots and lots of snakes. When the villagers are completely frightened about the deadly snakes, it’s up to protagonist to unravel the mystery behind outlandish events. Raghav takes on the lead role and scores music for this film while Monica stars opposite him in female lead

It's a very well known fact that Shriya Saran was supposed to pair with Dhanush in 'Polladhavan'. Due to last minute changes, the actress couldn't make up for the scheduled dates in spite of receiving a big sum as the advance amount. Although, the film's producers had requested her to payback the respective sum, she never heeded to their call. With no options left in hand, the producers approached Tamil Film Producers' Council to sort out the issue. Finally, they have insisted Shriya Saran to return back the amount with an interest of Rs. 5Lakhs. Previously, even Nayanthara was reported for not paying back the advance amount when director Lingusamy wanted to reduce her remuneration for his film 'Paiyya'. Off late, the issue was settled down at Tamil Film Producers Council.

BY. KARPAGAM THYAGARAJAN After the tremendous success of GHAJINI, AR Murugadoss is all set for his latest project with one of the biggest production houses in the South starring Shruti Haasanand Suriya. Shruti Haasan has been creating waves not only in Bollywood but also in the South. She had composed the music for UNNAIPOL ORUVAN, which garnered her lot of appreciation and is currently working on a Telegu movie. With this new venture, this pretty damsel will be marking her debut in Tamil cinema. When we tried contacting Shruti, she wasn't available for comment. Sources reveal that the music composer for the film is Harris Jayaraj and the cinematographer is Ravi K Chandran. Udhayanidhi Stalin will be producing this Dravidian flick. Suriya, who will soon be making his debut in Bollywood, had worked with Murugadoss on GHAJINI which was a humongous success. Many anticipate the team to deliver another smashing hit on the lines of their previous endeavor. The work on this much awaited f...

BY. KARPAGAM THYAGARAJAN M Raja seems to be the latest addition to the list of directors bitten by the acting bug. The older brother of ‘Jayam’ Ravi, who has four blockbusters to his credit, would don the greasepaint soon, if circles close to him are to be believed. Confirming this, Raja’s father ‘Editor’ Mohan, one of the top producers of Tamil cinema, says, “Raja is very handsome and has all the qualities and skills to become a hero. We are planning to launch him as an actor soon.” He adds: “We are currently listening to scripts from various aspiring filmmakers. And will make an announcement once we find an apt storyline and character which would establish Raja as a good actor.” On his forthcoming ‘Thillalangadi’, which is directed by Raja with Ravi in the lead, he says, “though we are known for remakes, we always wanted to present something different. ‘Thillalangadi’ would live up to Jayam Company’s name.”

Radhika’s Raadan pictures seem to be reaping gold in television. The company’s latest offing, the mega serial Chellamey, has successfully crossed 134 episodes in SUN TV. Raadan has announced in a recent press note that the serial will feature interesting twists going forward. The serial has Radhika, Radha Ravi, Delhi Ganesh, Ravikumar, Sonia and Nithya playing prominent roles among others. It is being telecast in the 9.30 slot in SUN TV from Monday through Friday.

BY. KARPAGAM THYAGARAJAN Want the recipes of authentic Tamil cuisines that have long been forgotten? Watch Kaimanam on Makkal TV on Saturday and Sundays at 1pm! Apart from the recipes, Kaimanam also emphasizes on the nutritive value of the recipes. A press note from Makkal TV states, “Dishes like "Kambanchoru", "Ellurundai" are in the array to enthrall the audience with a very tasty and traditional experience on the small screen.” Makkal TV telecasted the Russian film Brother in the Ulaga Thirai Pada Varisai on Sunday 21st, March, 2010.

When the Who's Who of Tamil cinema is listed,Radhika's name will definitely be mentioned. The daughter of veteran actor M R Radha, sister of actors Radharavi and the late Vasu and wife of star Sharad Kumar, Radhika is a much-acclaimed and awarded actress. In her long career as one of the top heroines of Tamil cinema, she has acted with all the top heroes -- including superstars Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. She was one of the few people who could walk into late chief minister M G Ramachandran's house at will. She also enjoys a good personal rapport with current Chief Minister Karunanidhi. Her latest avatar sees her as the successful producer of television serials, so much so that she has often been compared to Ekta Kapoor. She is also the main protagonist in her long-running serials -- Chitthi, Annamalai and Selvi. Our correspondent caught up with her on the sets of her latest serial, Chellamay, which airs on Sun TV. The set was actually a by-lane outside a huge house in Va...

Paiyya (also spelt as Paiya), starring Karthi and Tamannaah, will grace theatres only in April. Paiyya is an urban story that depicts some interesting events happenings in the lives of a pair of lovers. The movie was shot in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai. The music of this Karthi-Tamannaah starrer, released early in November, is already a runaway hit. The movie is directed by Lingusamy, who also assured that Karthi will appear in a never-seen-before look. Initially, the film was supposed to hit screens on Pongal day, but got delayed as Karthi’s Aayirathil Oruvan was being released, then the film was postponed to February, and now again to April. There are also rumours that the delay is due to the financial problems of the producers

For years, Ram Gopal Varma has been working on Raktha Charitra, a story about the life of Paritala Ravi, prime suspect in many murders. At last, the story will be narrated on celluloid. The movie stars Vivek Oberoi, but the sweet news for South Indians is that Suriya has been cast in a pivotal role! The film is a trilingual made simultaneously in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil. Now the latest news is that Tamil superstar Suriya is in Mumbai to shoot for Rakta Charitra. Reportedly the actor is learning Hindi to dub in his own voice> In a leading English daily, he said, “I have an assistant to help with my Hindi dialogue. I like to say my own lines. I did have a teacher in Chennai but that bookish Hindi won’t work in films.” Revealing more on the project, he said, “When he (RGV) narrated this script to me, I thought I must be part of this project. Also there would be Tamil and Telugu versions. So I thought I’d get a chance to simultaneously be on home ground and try something new.” Rakta Cha...

The secret buried under the earth might go undiscovered but the secret inside one's mind will always remain for people to unearth it." That's the intriguing tagline that accompanies Vijay TV's band-new Tamil serial, Yamirukka Bayamaen. Branded a mytho-thriller, the serial stars Vadivukarasi, Master Chanakya, Sasi Anand, Anil and Mahalakshmi. Music is by Srihari Krishna. Writer Indra Soundarrajan has come up with the screenplay whose main plot is developed by directors Naga and Ramji. The fact that Indra Soundarrajan has written the screenplay can only mean good things for the serial. After all, he is the same man who gave us serials like Marmadesam and Vidhatha Karuppu. His novels too such as Rudhra Veenai and Kottaipurathu Veedu deal with subjects ranging from spirituality, reincarnation to lost legends. They are usually supplemented by true stories, which have held the readers' attention for years. In a tete-a-tete with rediff.com, Indra Soundarrajan reveals what...

South Indian popular actress Meena, who married a software engineer named Vidyasagar, on July 12th, 2009 is facing a mental torture these days According to sources, the actress is not in a position to adjust with her husband and her mother in law and so is thinking for a split soon. According to close sources, Meena wants to continue her acting career and so has a hand full of projects in Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil in coming future. But her mother in law and her husband want her to concentrate on the family leaving movie life. For this reason, Meena has left the house of her husband and is living separately from the past 3 months. Moreover, it is also reported that, Meena also cancelled her Honeymoon Trip with Vidya Sagar, in the month of December for the sake of a film shooting. This issue got intensified and raised the blood pressure of her husband who slapped her on her face. For this reason, Meena asked her elders to intervene in the issue. But thinking wisely, they did not turn...

February 21, 2010 (Calcutta Tube): Followed by the grand success of ‘Eeram’, director Shankar is back with yet another supernatural thriller titled ‘Anantha Purathu Veedu’. The film is directed by Naga, who has earlier made a TV series based on similar genre. It seems that Naga’s narration of the TV series ‘Marmadesam’ has impressed Shankar so much that he decided to sign him on for this film. ‘Anantha Purathu Veedu’ features Nanda and Chaya Singh in lead roles. Nanda had previously performed an antagonistic role in ‘Eeram’ and this time he dons the lead role. Shankar was bowled over by Nanda’s extraordinary performance in ‘Eeram’ and offered him to perform the lead role. The film revolves around a married couple who are returning to their hometown. As they decide to stay in their ancestral house that has been locked for the past 25 years, mysterious things start to happen and the haunting begins… According to sources, shooting is almost complete and the film is slated to hit screens t...

Cast: Ajith Kumar, Sameera Reddy, Bhavana, Suresh, Sampath, Pradeep Ranaut, Kelly Dorej, Yugi Sethu, Prabhu Music Director: Bharatdwaj, Y-Kinz Lyrics: Vairamuthu Director: Saran Producer: Prabhu, Ramkumar Ganesan Ajith plays as a don in the film. Sameera Reddy and Bhavana playing lead roles opposite to Ajith. Asal music was composed by Bharadwaj and Y kinz. Asal story is written by Yugi sethu. Dialogue was taken by Ramakrishana. Screenplay and direction was taken by Saran. Asal film story is closely out of that preliminary ajith who likes Guantanamera cigars will be a don dealing with worldwide smuggling; incidentally, the entire gang was killed. In that position, the other Ajith will appear on the screen to look for the secrecy behind the killing. However, the remaining part of the cinema is kept confidential that second Ajith may be a police official or investigator or a person following vengeance for his beloved ones

BY KARPAGAM THYAGARAJAN After playing a housemaid Thulasi opposite Srinivasan (Dhanush) in the much-acclaimed offbeat Tamil film Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam (2005), National award winning Priyamani will once again team up with director Balu Mahendra in his new Tamil film to be produced by an NRI Sri Lankan. If Balu Mahendra's Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam had Priyamani portraying the role of a girl next door, his new film will have her in a glamorous role, it is heard. This yet-to-be-titled film will introduce a new face as the hero. Cinematography will be handled by Anwar, a gold medalist from the Pune Film Institute. Music is by Balu Mahendra’s favourite Ilayaraja. This film is expected to start rolling in November 2010. Priyamani is currently busy with five films: ace Mani Ratnam's Tamil and Hindi versions of Raavan, Master (Malayalam), Saadhyam (Telugu) and Eno Onthara (Kannada). Her recent releases are Raam (Kannada) and Shambo Shiva Shambo (Telugu).

Popular TV anchor-turned-actress Swathi, who shot to fame withSubramaniapuram (for which she was nominated for the Filmfare Best Tamil Actress Award), followed by Ashta Chamma (for which she won the Filmfare Best Telugu Actress Award and Nandi Award for the Best Actress), is all set to make her debut in Kannada. Swathi will reportedly be seen opposite Shivrajkumar in director Chandru's untitled Kannada film. The director has confirmed that he has approached Swathi. "I have approached Swathi. But the dates are yet to be finalized. Since Swathi is now doing a Tamil film with Vikram, she does not want a clash of dates. But I am confident this issue can be sorted out," he added. Sources say this film, tentatively titled Mylari, will be produced by Kananapura Sreenivas, who had earlier made successful films like Yuvaraja and Santha with Shivarajkumar. Guru Kiran is the music director.

Nirosha and Ramki seem to be in deep trouble with their properties being brought to public auction by Indian Overseas Bank. The couple had pledged their properties located in the posh Gemini Parsn Complex in Chennai to avail loan for their business. Having incurred heavy losses in the business, the couple was unable to pay off their debts even after repeated reminders from the bank. This has led to the bank calling an auction to realize the amount due to them. The auction is scheduled to take place on March 10, 2010 at the Indian Overseas bank branch where the couple had availed the loan

B. Sattenna, 35, a popular Telugu assistant director who recently made news by lodging a complaint against Ram Charan Teja'sMagadheera director S.S. Rajamouli for allegedly stealing his 'rebirth' concept in the flick, committed suicide in his house at Friends Colony in Puppalguda on Friday. His body was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his rented house. A suicide note purportedly written by him stated that he regretted writing the ‘rebirth story’. “I don’t know if I should feel proud or bad for writing the story,” the note said. He is survived by his wife Deepa Rani. Deepa claimed her husband had plans to carry out a legal battle seeking justice about his story being used to make Magadheera. However, she stated she did not have specific details about the case. Sattenna was the assistant director in Bhadrachalam, Chinnodu and Encounter.

Raj TV, the Tamil Nadu based general entertainment channel (GEC), has revamped its programming lineup and has launched a slew of fiction and non-fiction shows during its primetime band, starting February. The channel, in a bid to strengthen its programming lineup, has introduced four new shows that include a mix of fiction and non-fiction offerings for its 7:30-10 pm slot. For its 7:30-8 pm slot in the daily offering from Monday to Friday, the GEC has a new show called Karnamanjari. It is a fiction show which revolves around a not so well off family. The channel has also introduced a new leg of the 30-minute daily mythological offering, titled Jai Shri Krishna, where the protagonist, Krishna, will now be a teenager. The show, Jai Shri Krishna, is picked from Colors as a part of the syndication deal signed between the two GECs. For the 8 pm slot, the channel has brought forward Raj New Bulletin, the daily news capsule, by 30 minutes. The channel has upped its reality content and has l...

BY Karpagam Thyagarajan Actress Ramya Krishnan who has carved a niche for herself through Rajini starrer Padaiyappa and in Arumugam is once again making her expedition with a meaty role in film Kamban with the new face Sathya. Though the actress is busy with her schedules of Tv serials, she has accepted the offer from the film’s director N.Muralisamy. It is the story of an innocent who comes to Chennai for his profession faces a lot of difficulties at various situations. Sathya Bhaskar who produces the film on behalf of Sathyalaya Film International. T.P.Gajendaran, Haniffa castings for other actors are in full swing, according to sources from the production company. The shooting for the film commences in Chennai on January 30 and it is likely the film will be shot from Hyderabad and Madurai, the sources added.

BY KARPAGAM THYAGARAJAN Well-known film director Gautham Menon is quite excited that his film “Varanam Aayiram” has bagged the National award for the best regional Tamil film. “Though I have done several films, this is my first award. And to get a prestigious award as your first award is something to cheer about. I am very happy that the National Award jury recognised the merits of the film and selected it for the honour,” Menon, 34 told, IANS. He is considered as one of the top most Tamil film director and has proved his mettle by directing tasteful films like “Khakka Khakka”, “Minnale” and “Vettaiyaadu Vizhaiyaadu”. All these films have combined aesthetics with commercial values and proved to be hugely successful at the box office. Compared to his previous films, “Varanam Aayiram” was an average success. But the film was critically acclaimed for its brilliant screenplay, top class performance from the lead actor Surya and high-class technical values. “Many people associated with my f...