Aaj Ka India

Mummy and Me - Review

2010-03-10T00:15:00.000-08:00

The second film of the newborn actress Archana Kavi "Mummy and Me" is all set to come out. She plays a role of a degree student. Kunchacko Boban the whole time malayalee hero, has got a very good role in this film. He acts as the senior of Archana Kavi in college. On the go he falls in love with her.

Campus and love are part of the film, but "Mummy and Me" is not a campus film. It tells the story of relationship between a mother and her daughter. The mother's role is acted by Urvasi and the father's role by Mukesh.

The film is directed by Jithu Joseph, the director of Detective. Other main casts of the film are Shaari, Lalu alex, Innocent, Jagathy Sreekumar, Jagadish, Suraj Venjaramood.

The film teaches the new generation, the importance of relationships, says "Jithu Joseph"

However such films give high importance to values. It's up to the viewers whether they like it or not...

Let's hope for the better.

The hot and sweet mallu actress Priyamani

2010-03-09T22:22:00.000-08:00

Here is South's most attractive actress Priyamani. She is a great personality. She had already acted with the top end actors in tamil, telungu, kannada and malayalam. Her pockets are flooded with new projects. Many rumours are spreading over this actress...and expects to be more and more sexy in future.

Sona emerging south beauty

2009-11-11T01:21:00.000-08:00

Kareena kapoor butt back - Saif will we happy

2009-06-07T21:18:00.000-07:00

Once the size zero belle, Kareena Kapoor is back to being her voluptuous self. And of all the flab and curves she has gained, it’s her shapely butt that’s making her beau Saif Ali Khan go gaga over her. Shunning aside the much–eyed size zero figure, the actress, who is a self confessed foodie, is now sporting a curvaceous figure. And it’s all thanks to beau Saif Ali Khan, who seems to have pampered his dainty beauty with a refreshing vacation.

It’s no secret that Bebo was criticised for her diminished size. The actress had to face much flak for sporting the envious figure. But all that seems to passé now as she seems to have got her butt back.

Talking of her new rounded avatar, the stunner told a news daily, “I was shooting for Karan Johar’s ‘Qurbaan’ in New York with Saif, after which we flew to London and Italy for our vacation. And during our holiday I did nothing but eat. We would be strolling the streets of London and I would say, ‘Saifu, let’s go for breakfast.’ Then an hour later I was eating French fries, and two hours later I wanted lunch. Saif couldn’t believe I was the same girl he is dating. I was constantly hungry”.

As for getting her butt back, the lissome babe added, “The best part of our vacation is that I got my butt back. Saif is relieved. He said, ‘Thank God, I’m no longer dating a hanger.’ My size zero definitely bothered him. He thought I was thin enough to hang clothes on”.

Well the vacation seems to have done wonder for Bebo. The actress does not only love her new frame but has also decided to out an end to endless speculation about the ongoing rivalry between her and Deepika.

Talking of Dips role is Saif’s maiden production, she said, “People have been making this big brouhaha about how Saif wanted me and not Deepika in the film. That I can understand. We are in love and Saif and I would like to do as many films together as possible, because we don’t like being separated for 40-50 days at a stretch. It bothers us. However, I’m not in the least bit jealous of Deepika. She is tailor-made for the role and is very good in the film."

Shilpa Shetty to work with Sharukh again

2009-03-04T03:20:00.000-08:00

Sensationally beautiful and internationally renowned actress Shilpa Shetty announced her latest venture Iosis Medispa at an event held in Mumbai. In a bollywoodhungama.com exclusive interview with Faridoon Shahryar Diva Shetty spoke about why she forayed into the world of Spa, why she would like to work with Shahrukh Khan again, the music video that she starts shooting for her IPL team.

Bipasha Basu’s Beauty Secrets

2009-02-28T04:15:00.001-08:00

Athletic beauty Bipasha Basu who has a very good skin and a fit body has recently revealed her beauty secrets. She says,

“I am a kind of person who is completely into workouts. I believe in being healthy and it’s not about just looking good. I always feel that being healthy is the key reason for me. That’s the reason I am so much into fitness”, Says Bipasha.

Bipasha reveals her health and beauty regime. “I drink 10 glasses of water a day. Apply sunscreen with a high SPF every time I step out in the sun. Eat small meals, around six times a day at regular intervals. Involve the proper food items in my diet judiciously which are highly nutritious. Exercising 4 times a week at minimum for an hour a day and minimum 7-8 hours of sleep a day definitely makes one look fit and beautiful.” she signs off.

Delhi 6 songs

2009-02-28T04:09:00.000-08:00

1.Delhi 6 - Bhor Bhaye - (Shreya Ghosal, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Gujri Todi)
2. Masakali - (Mohit Chouhan)
3. Noor - (Amitabh Bachchan)
4. Aarti (Tumre Bhavan Mein) - (Rekha Bharadwaj, Kishori Gowariker, Shraddha Pandit, Sujata Majumdar)
5. Genda Phool - (Rekha Bharadwaj, Shraddha Pandit, Sujata Majumdar)
6. Dil Gira Dafatan - (Ash King, Backing Chinmayee)
7. Hey Kaala Bandar - (Karthik, Naresh, Srinivas, Bony Chakravarthy)
8. Rehna Tu - (A R Rahman, Benny Dayal, Tanvi)
9. (Blaaze, Benny Dayal, Vivinenne Pocha, Tanvi, Claire)
10. Arziyan - (Javed Ali, Kailash Kher)

Indiravizha songs launched

2009-02-26T04:27:00.000-08:00

K. Rajeshwar who had churned out the best films in Kollywood is set to release his forthcoming film ‘Indiravizha’ shortly. Yesterday evening, audio for the film was launched at Four Frames Preview Theatre where the entire cast and crew including Vivek, Nasser, Y.G Mahendran, music director Yatish, cameramen Alex along with the special guests Balu Mahendra and Vairamuthu.

Since, the film is based on a woman seducing and blackmailing the protagonist many sources have been bounded to conclusion that it’s a remake of Hollywood Movie Disclosure that was based on a novel. However, Director Rajeshwar denies the buzzes saying that though it may sound to be similar there coincidentally, I haven’t copycatted.

Jade Goody married Jack Tweed

2009-02-24T05:16:00.000-08:00

British reality TV star Jade Goody married her 21-year-old sweetheart on Sunday _ and her every tear was captured for the cameras.

The wedding extravaganza for the brash 27-year-old, now dying from cervical cancer, has captivated Britain and helped turn the loud-mouthed Goody from the star everyone loved to hate to the one they can't praise enough.

Goody and Jack Tweed received a standing ovation from 200 guests once they were married at the Down Hall Country House Hotel in eastern England, Goody's spokesman Max Clifford told reporters after the ceremony.

The bride had painkillers stashed inside her designer dress. When she felt unable to stand about half an hour into the 45-minute service, she sat down, her husband-to-be knelt beside her, and her two young sons scrambled onto her lap, the spokesman said.

"It was just a very beautiful, very moving service," Clifford said.

The runup to the wedding received blanket coverage in the British media and pictures of the pair kissing were on most papers' front page Sunday. The overwhelmingly positive coverage marked a turnaround for Goody, who went from being the posterchild for British boorishness to an exemplar of bravery following her cancer diagnosis.

Doctors say Goody only has weeks to live. She decided to film her struggle with cancer and earn as much as possible in the time she has left in order to fund her sons' education.

Now known to most Britons simply as "Jade," Goody was plucked from obscurity to play in "Big Brother," a British reality show, in 2002. Her eye-popping gaffes _ she infamously complained of being "an escape goat" and questioned whether English was spoken in the U.S. _ made her so mocked that her old south London school defended itself by saying she wasn't a typical pupil.

Obama wants to see Slumdog Millionaire

2009-02-24T05:11:00.000-08:00

The US President, Barack Obama, wants to watch ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, the White House has said.
‘Slumdog Millionaire’, the exhilarating rags-to-riches fairy tale set in Mumbai, swept the Oscars with eight awards including the best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay; with A R Rahman becoming the only Indian to bag two Oscars for the best score and original song.

"I don't know if he has seen 'Slumdog Millionaire'. I know he wants to," White House spokesman, Robert Gibbs, told reporters during the course of his daily press briefing.

Gibbs said Obama has watched several movies recently. "I think that a lot of the movies that he has seen recently are movies that might also entertain a seven-and-a-10-year-old girl. Not sure that ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ would be on that list," Gibbs said.

A R Rahman won 2 oscars

2009-02-24T04:28:00.000-08:00

A R Rahman won 2 oscars one for the best song- jai ho and one for best music for Slumdog Millionaire.

In his own words
when he won the first award: he said there is a famous Indian movie dialogue. mere paas maa hai. I have my mom here today. And then he told something in Tamil.

Second Oscar win: I dedicate it to Mumbai . In my life i always had 2 choices, between love and hate. I chose love and i am here today.

Update: Danny Boyle won the best director Oscar.

A R Rahman makes every Indian proud today. we love you.

Ithu Njangalude Lokam

2009-02-20T17:31:00.000-08:00

King of Nagarjuna and 'Ithu Njangalude Lokam' (Kotha Bangaru Lokam) ofVarun Sandesh released in Malayalam on 20/02/09. 'Ithu Njangaludelokam' is a teenage love story.

The story moves around a family. They had a son and both parentshaving friendly relatonship with their only son Balu. They remindedhim that whenever he feels that he is doing something wrong withoutany hesitation he should come and tell his parents. Balu while he wasin his twelfth standard, fell in love with his class mate Swapna TheirPhysics teacher warned them love is just a feeling that erupts duringteenage and that those who are in love should aware that it should beplatonic. Otherwise it is just a timepass. But Balu and Swapna comeinto conclusion that their love is platonic.There are six super hit songs included in the film. Saji Thuravoor andKhader Hassan have penned the lyrics and Chota K.Naidu has wielded thecamera. Under Sreekanth's direction Satheesh Muthukulam has penned thedialogue.Casts include Varun Sandhesh, Swetha PrasadSwetha Prasad , PrakashRaj, Jaya Sudha and others.King of Nagarjuna is a yet another Telugu remake. Nagarjuna acts inthree getups. First he comes as a king who is very much praised andadmired by every one since he fights for the poor people and standagainst goonda's and landlords. Thus he has many enemies around him.As a result he left India and never returns. People thinks that he haslost his life . Next he dons the role of a romantic hero.Eight prominent heroines of south India, Thrisha, Priya Mani, Mamtha,Charmi , Anushka , Janelia, Flora and Poonam are actingin this film. In his thir getup he dons the role of a goonda leader.Under the banner of Kamakshi kala movies Sreenu Vytila is directingthe film. Devi Prasad has scored the music. Dialogues and lyrics ofthe movie by Satheesh Muthukulam and Biju Thuravoor.------------------------

Mohanlal started blog

2009-02-19T22:41:00.000-08:00

The altime malayalam hero lalettan started writing his blog from 19/02/09. He was the second actor(first was Mammooty) from malayalam film industry known to be writing a blog.

The blog was written in his fans association website (http://www.thecompleteactor.com). In the about link of the site a quote like this was seen,

"This space would belong to the star himself, to pen down his thoughts and visions, share his joy and worries to us, his loving fans. Mohanlal treats this as an opportunity to know the feelings and reactions of the public and his fans to various issues which could probably include cinema. Hence forth, we would be enabling a feature for our members to voice out their opinion. He has also agreed to respond to selected queries and comments through TCA"

On his blog the first post was about him and his new blog.
To reed his blog just go to,
http://www.thecompleteactor.com/articles

Naan Kadavul - Review

2009-02-18T23:56:00.000-08:00

Call it breath-taking, stunning or out-of-the-world. Any amount of appreciation would fit well for this film. Bala, considered the maverick director of Tamil cinema believes in quality rather than quantity and has come up with a film that spells both charm as well as fear on you.

Technically rich visuals, soul-stirring songs and splendid re-recording apart from top-notch performances by the artistes make 'Naan Kadavul'.

In the recent past, there were very few films that cast a spell on the audience. Novel themes and innovative storylines virtually dried up in Tamil Cinema. Been in the making for over three years, Bala has come out with a movie that is strikingly different from the rest. Certainly several notches above the rest.

The dark realities of our lives, which we have never bothered to know until now, have been pictured realistically by Bala. The life among 'Agori' Sadhus, the troubled life of blind beggars controlled by the mafia and the lives of mentally-challenged people have been narrated in a way that is new to Tamil Cinema.

Bala, who proved his mettle with films like Sethu, Nandha and Pithamagan, has gone on to greater heights with Naan Kadavul. The lives of saffron clad Sadhus have been poignantly brought out in the first half, while the screen goes red towards the latter part.

Bala, who has chiselled the actor in Vikram and Suriya, has taken all pain and efforts to bring out the real and true actor in Arya. He succeeds in his mission at the very word go.

In a nutshell, the movie is about a father (Azhagam Thamizhmani), who goes in search of his son to Kasi. Several years ago he leaves his son in Kasi for spiritual and astrological amends. The boy grows up in the midst of saadhus.

Called as Rudhran (Arya) grows up to be a rough and tough man, whose life is unique and different from others. After his father's persuasion, he comes back to his native village where he comes across a bad guy Muthalali (Rajendran), who controls a beggar mafia. Muthalali exploits physically-challenged old people and children for this purpose.

A visually-impaired poor girl Amsavalli (Pooja) is forced to join the gang. She along with others is forced to go and beg in many pilgrim centers by the don. Eventually it is up to Rudhran to take cudgels against them and rescue them.

Bala scores straightaway with a poignant and touchy narration in the beginning which slowly picks up momentum to end as carnage. Arya with his frightening looks and immaculate body language brings out an animal before us. His rugged looks complimented by his rustic performance add value to the movie. His performance towards the climax will be remembered for years to come.

Pooja as a blind beggar stuns one with her performance. Hitherto seen as a glam doll, she has come up with loads of expressions and is sure to make the industry look back at her as an actress, who can deliver emotional outbursts at ease.

Equally impressive are Azhagam Thamizhmani and Rajendran. The typical Balaisms are visible in every character in the movie. A whole lot of the cast includes Sadhus and beggars who fit their roles well.

Arthur Wilson's camera is sheer poetry. His capturing on lens the crowded Kasi and the ruthless struggles of Rudhran deserves appreciation. What can be said about maestro Illayaraja. Not just his songs but his extraordinary re-recording brings the right feel to the whole film.

Jayamohan has added strength with his delicate dialogues. Though very few in the film, they are hard-hitting and sensible.

Kudos to producer Sreenivasan for sponsoring such a bold attempt. All said, it is a Bala special loaded with his trademark style and mannerism. Though many scenes are devoid of logic, Bala's magic makes us forget them.

In one word, Naan Kadavul is a movie to cherish and celebrate.

Perumal - Review

2009-02-17T22:42:00.000-08:00

The movie on drug mafia begins on a brisk note, which takes twists and turns only to end on a predictable fare with nothing much to rejoice for film-buffs. It is a thriller which had the potential to become an engrossing flick. Unfortunately, the screenplay and the sequence of events belies the expectations.

Vincent Selvah, who had worked with the likes of Vijay before, has taken a commercial route, lacing elements that would entertain masses in the right mix. You have Namitha oozing glamour and Vivek with his oneliners evoking laughter.

Sundar C's movie set in rural themes (be it director or actor) never fails to strike a chord with the audience. It had an earthy feel that was entertaining. However, ‘Perumal’ seems to be a conscious attempt by Sundar C to try establish himself as a macho-man in Kollywood. He plays a good Samaritan, who fights for the cause of women in distress. He is there literally fighting out a gang of baddies.

Namitha serves the purpose for which she is cast in the movie. She plays a cat stealer, who runs across Sundar C. She in her usual skimpy costumes provides a 'glam show' on screen. Meenakshi plays a young woman in distress. She looks fresh and her character is neatly etched.

Vivek's comedy is entertaining in patches. He is rusty to begin with but gathers pace and momentum as he progresses. It is a typical Kota Sreenivasa Rao in the movie. As a baddie, he moans and groans on screen.

The movie begins in a hospital, where a mafia is involved in adulterating drugs. Unfortunately, a junior doctor (Meenakshi) manages to stumble upon their anti-social act. To safeguard themselves, the gang sets out to wipe out the junior doctor.

She meets Perumal (Sundar C), a petty thief who does the job of recovering loan for an agency. He eventually vows to protect the junior doctor from her distress by putting an end to the gang and their atrocities.

The movie begins on a promising note. But the scenes and narration of events are cliched. Technically, it could have been made more richer too. As usual Srikanth Deva has come up with some racy number and the highlight being the remix number ‘Kadhal Vaibhogame’ sung by Arivunidhi, grandson of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

It is a movie sure to appease action-buffs. Had Vinecent Selvah concentrated more on screenplay and ensured that more suspense elements are attached, this Perumal would have blessed his devotees ardently. Missing the bus this time is Sundar C.

Katha Samvidhanam Kunchacko

2009-02-17T22:32:00.000-08:00

After the successful ‘Makante Achan’, Mollywood viewers will have another Sreenivasan release this month. Curiously titled ‘Katha, Samvidhanam: Kunchacko’, the film will once again bring together South India's evergreen heroine Meena with Sreenivasan, after the immensely successful film ‘Katha Parayumpol’.

Scripted by Dennis Joseph, the movie will have Sreenivasan as the protogonist Kunchacko - a millionaire who reaches the top from his humble beginnings. Though Kunchacko is illiterate he comes from a family with a notorious background. He can speak seven languages including English. Through his shrewd and cunning business deals Kunchacko now owns a college, multiplex, supermarkets and many other private institutions including banks.

Though Kunchacko became a business magnet, he was also infamous for his unpolished maneuvers. He assimilated a lot of fortune for his family members, but never ever allowed them to use them at their will .His immediate family members always tried ways to make him a better man, but they always failed. As a last step, the Bishop suggests a marriage as a remedial measure for Kunchakko's bad habits. And at an age of fifty, Kunchakko is forced to marry, Ann Mary (Meena), a software techie and the daughter of one of his loan defaulters. After marriage Ann Mary tries ways to change Kunchacko, and how far she succeeds forms the plot of the film.

The movie is expected to showcase Sreenivasan in a very interesting character. Also in the cast are Ganesh, Sudheesh, Nedumudi Venu, Sidhiue, Jagathy, Salimkumar, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Indrans, Sureshkrishna, Augiustine, Lakshmi Priya and Sona Nair. Directed by Haridas Kesavan, the majority of the film was shot in Pala, Earattupettah, and Kottayam by cameraman Sajith Menon. M Jayachandran manages the music department with the help of lyrics from Gireesh Puthencherry. G Murali does the editing while Sreeni handles the art department.

Ban on Nayantara lifted

2009-02-16T02:46:00.000-08:00

The ban imposed on Nayantara by the Producers’ Council and the Nadigar Sangam has finally been lifted. According to sources, Nayan has wriggled out of the ban in a clever manner. She had called up scribes and informed them of a ‘conspiracy angle’, not forgetting to mention that it was not “a question of money but a question of honour”. The producers, sources say, have finally given in to Nayan’s tactics.

There’s also a rumour that Nayan had subscribed to the clout of Udhayanidhi Maran (her producer for ‘Aadhavan’) to get out of trouble.

Miscreants attack Shah Rukh's residence

2009-02-16T02:27:00.000-08:00

Unidentified men threw a burning bottle of kerosene inside the bungalow of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan early Friday, the police said. No damage has been reported.

According to an officer of Bandra Police station, two men came to Shah Rukh's bungalow, called Mannat, at Bandra Bandstand, around 2.30 a.m. Friday.

They lit a bottle full of kerosene and flung it over the gates before fleeing the scene. The security guards were caught unawares, the police said.

'The motive behind the attack is not clear. We have registered a case and are trying to trace the culprits,' the officer told.

There was no damage to the property as the flaming missile landed in the garden. It is not known whether Shah Rukh and his family members were present inside the bungalow at the time of the incident, he said.

Red Chillies

2009-02-14T04:09:00.000-08:00

After a gap of around two years Mohanlal is back with one of his favorite directors Shaji Kailash for his first movie of the year 2009. Titled ‘Red Chillies’, the film has been designed as an edge of the seat thriller. A K Saajan has worked on the script.

Essentially a murder mystery, the film will have Mohanlal as OMR, an NRI business magnet who is well settled in the Gulf. He runs business firms all across the Middle East and Singapore. A man with multi-lingual talents and with tremendous interest for music, he also runs an FM station 919.1 - OMR FM, which is based in Kochi.

All the nine leading jockeys (girls) of the FM station are madly in love with this high flying businessman, whom they have never met in person. The jockeys also run a music band with the name ''Nine Chillies'' which is also popular among the masses.

On New Year's Eve, OMR promises his jockeys that he would come over to meet them and reveal his love to one of them. But on the very same day, the car owned by the band meets with an accident and one of them is killed. The girls flee the spot but as the police track the car, the business baron is forced to crash land to his home country to save his staff from a tricky plot.

Shaji Kailas as usual is expected to come up with great visuals for this thriller that'll have Mohanlal playing yet another stylish role. The film is expected to be rich with twists, suspense and punches. The story would further be spiced up by four young officers (Siddhique, Biju Menon, Ganesh and Vijayaraghavan) who start the investigation process.

The movie will see veteran actor Padmashree Thilakan sharing screen space with Mohanlal after a long time. Popular singer Renjini Jose will be seen playing the charater of Anna Beella, the lead singer of the band run by the jockeys. Vinoo Abrham is in charge of the background score. A few songs also feature in the film.

The movie has been completed in three schedules and was cinematographed using the Super 35 Cameras by Shaji. 'Red Chillies' which had its postproduction recently (including the Digital Intermediary Technology) has been edited by Samjith MHD.

Produced by Rejaputhra Movies and distributed by Vaishakha films, ‘Red Chillies’ will grace theatres across Kerala on Valentines' Day.

Colors – Review

2009-02-12T00:26:00.000-08:00

Comedian-turned-hero Dileep once again teams up with director Raj Babu in Sunitha Productions' latest film Colours, starring Vinu Mohan, Roma and Bhama in major roles. Though promoted as a Dileep flick, the entire show essentially belongs to Roma, as the lead actor appears on the scene only a few seconds before the interval, i.e., exactly an hour after the film starts.

Set in the backdrop of Coonoor military camp near Ooty, Colours revolves around a military doctor Lt. Colonal Dr. Rajalakshmi (Sharanya), her two daughters Pooja (Bhama) and Pinky (Roma) and her father-in-law, Pushkaran Pillai (Innocent). Pooja, a typical coy girl and her mother's pet, is a school teacher. On the other hand, Pinky is a tomboyish girl who always roams around with a group of village guys and is mostly busy shooting for her TV show Colours with her constant companion and cameraman Rahul, who is already in love with her. Adventurous and bold Pinky shares a very special relation with Pooja and her grandpa.

Rajalakshmi detects a financial fraud in her military hospital in the purchase of costly medicines. She is intent on bringing the culprits before the law and consequently earns some enemies. At this juncture, Navy officer Lt. Commander Sanjaynath (Dileep), arrives, locking horns with Pinky from their first meeting. Every one feels he is the right person to control Pinky's naughtiness, which gradually leads them into falling in love. From there, the plot develops.

Though the basic plot seems interesting, the film becomes a total bore due to the feeble screenplay by V.C. Ashok. The film could still have been made enjoyable if the director had improved the weak points of the script.

Roma, who can be considered the main player of the movie, is good at some places, but terribly bad at others. She should stop repeating her roles. Sharanya's performance as Rajalakshmi is average; Bhama as Pooja has nothing much to do; Dileep, who makes his entry just before the interval as Sanjaynath, seems rather uncomfortable with the undemanding; Innocent as Pushkaran Pillai is his usual self. Though the technical sides are not weak, a pointless script and uninventive direction spoil the entire show. The film has nothing new to offer and the presentation lacks freshness. Suresh Peters' songs 'Kanmaniye' and 'Pookkalam' are the only relief in Colours, which is dull rather than colourful.

Hailesa - Review

2009-02-12T00:07:00.000-08:00

'Hailesa' is the rhythmic chant that is meant to encourage workers when they are indulged in heavy tiresome work. Ironically in the theatre featuring the movie with the same title, it is the viewers who were regularly shouting this slogan, without having nerves of steel to bear this film. This latest movie from 'Hailesa' is definitely a waste of time, money and off course, the raw stock and fitting contribution to the year's Mollywood industry which is creating with a vengeance, duds after duds, to keep away the last of the regular viewer from the halls.

The movie modeled like the comedy hits of the nineties has Suresh Gopi in the leads as Unnikrishanan, an orphan, reared by his foster father Madhavan who run a fertilizer plant. Due to some local scuffle, he is forced to leave the village and to take up a job as an assistant to Ganapathy Iyer (Lalu Alex), a handicapped millionaire. Unnikrishnan, who is a school dropout, is ready to engage in fisticuffs whenever situation demands. He with his friend Ulpalaakshan (Suraj Venjaaramoodu) gives word to Aiyer that they will find him, his wife and child who went missing years ago. And when they find it difficult to accomplish, they present a girl Shalini (Muktha) before Aiyer as his estranged daughter. Quite happy with the developments, Aiyer immediately plans to marry off Shalini his friend's son settled in the U.S. Thereafter, the old mistaken identity game is placed to ensure every associated chaos, till the end.

In this weird storyline, the capricious screenplay turns this intended comedy to be a tragedy for the hapless viewers. The buffoonery is accentuated by the presence of an idiotic police officer (Cochin Haneefa, as you expected), and his out of the world observations.

The direction is bad with all the actors screaming their lungs out. After such duds like 'Kichamani MBA', 'Suresh Gopi has once again proved that comedy is definitely not his forte. His macho mannerism is hardly vulnerable to play such lighter roles. Muktha appear weak and uncomfortable, to be in the company of lead man. Suraj venjaaramoodu and Bheeman Raghu manage to create some sparkles of quality wits at times but the majority of their attempts go in vain to shake the funny bone. Even those who may applaud for most of the crap will feel an immediate urge to hurry to the exit, witnessing the proceedings in the hospital towards the climax.

We don't feel this type of moviemaking without a body or soul will prove any good to the industry. It's high time we get encouraged by the changing trends for quality creations that have now become a regular practice with our neighbors in Kollywood or even in Bollywood.

Orkkuka Vallapozhum - Review

2009-02-11T23:54:00.000-08:00

Veteran actor Thilakan appears again in a powerful role in debutant director Sohanlal's offbeat Orkkuka Vallapozhum. Although not a pure commercial film, it is an appreciable attempt to highlight one's sense of loss through the life and memories of 75-year-old Sethumadhavan (Thilakan). Film-lovers will surely appreciate Orkkuka Vallapozhum for its artistic value.

Produced by Vinu Y.S. under the banner of God's Own Movies, Orkkuka Vallappozhum begins with Sethumadhavan's journey to a hill station where he had spent his childhood and early years. His wife had died after giving birth to his only son, who is now settled in the US. Sethumadhavan is today all alone in a flat in the city. Knowing that his end is near, Sethumadhavan now wants to visit his old bungalow, where he had lived with his parents and childhood friends.

When Sethumadhavan reaches the hill station, he finds that their old bungalow is now owned by a person named Kashi. Surprisingly, he happens to meet a girl there called Devayani, a look-alike of Paru, with whom Sethumadhavan had a very romantic relationship in his youth. From there, his memories start travelling back to the good old days of his childhood and adolescence.

The main highlight of the film is Thilakan's excellent performance, which might have been even better under the direction of a more experienced director. Debutante Shilpa Bala, who plays Paru, is good, though her performance is weak in some sequences, which is excusable for a debutante. Jagadeesh as Kashi is his usual self. Rejith Menon is just average as young Sethumadhavan, while Vinu.Y.S. and Meera Vasudev, who play young Sethumadhavan's parents in the flashback sequences, have nothing much to perform or impress. Chali Pala appears in a meaty role as Paru's stepfather and singer-actor Krishnachandran appears in just a couple of scenes.

Award winning cameraman M.J. Radhakrishnan's excellent cinematography is another highlight of the film. The songs, penned by P. Bhaskaran-Gireesh Puthencherry team and music by M. Jayachandran, are hummable and also worthy of praise. Director Sohanlal, who is also the script-writer, tends to be excessively romantic in some places, which may not go along with today's tastes. However, he should be appreciated for putting extra efforts in blending the past and the present in a convincing, single frame. All in all, Orkkuka Vallappozhum, the first Malayalam release in 2009, is indeed an appreciable venture, but could have been even better. Let's hope the young director with an exceedingly promising first effort will come up with a better film next time!

Makante Achan - Review

2009-02-09T22:22:00.000-08:00

‘Makante Achan' is the movie that invited interests mostly due to the casting coup made in the form of immensely talented Sreenivasan and his son Vineeth Sreenivasan, that too in the company of ever fabulous Suhasini Maniratnam. The movie echoes the irony and aftermath of unfair prejudices held by keralite parents who always believes that securing high ranks in various entrance tests hold the key to their children's success. A well intentioned film, the thought is put against two diametrically opposite persons, a strict upright father and his son who loves to make big as a singer.

Starting out as a well made film, not pulling many punches as it gives you a heavily simplified look, 'Makante Achan' is all about a simple couple, Viswanathan a principled, incorruptible village officer and his wife Rema, who are living happily with their two children. Viswanathan always dreams to make his son an engineer and is taking all pains to make him successful in the entrance tests. His son Manu who is more interested in becoming a singer finds the continuous coaxing for studies from his father, too unbearable. They often mocks each other but once it goes overboard and Manu walks out of the house to prove himself, before his father .Into this tense atmosphere is the arrival of Himavalchaithaya, a fake Swamy who has his own intentions in the town.

The movie unfolds in a leisurely pace according to the strict grammar of a family flick and does not offer heavy twists or shifts, apart from the Swamy episode. All the characters in the movie support the corresponding actor’s cliched screen images, in such graciousness that we can very well predict what all can happen to each of them. And thus Sreenivasan is here again with a wit and barbed tongue while Suhasini, as expected is as the typical Kerala house wife, often smiling and weeping with elan. Vineeth is as usual, an adventurous, funloving son while Jagathy, once again proves his versatility and makes a cake walk as a crooked swamy. Salimkumar after a long time has something to do in this movie, than being the hero'es man Friday, all the way.

The true brilliant part of the movie is its dialogues by Samjad Narayanan which is crisp and cleverly articulated .While the down point of the movie is the climax portions which are cliched and melodramatic. They are shown to their fullest languorously, demanding you to ask for the end credit role to come up at the earliest .Though the reality show sequences towards the end appear plastic, devoid of sprightliness and associated tensions, V M Vinu in direction and Manoj Pillai’s cinematography has almost succeeded to make the movie an above average affair.

Don't expect any miracle when you step into theatres for ‘Makante Achan', but at least reaching near to the expectations is itself a big bonus for a present day Molly wood movie. And that is what this movie on generation gap offers, largely depending upon the witticism of the famous father -son duo.

Billu Barber - Review

2009-02-09T22:02:00.000-08:00

‘Billu Barber’ is a remake of the Malayalam film ‘Kadha Parayumbol’, this comic movie has been produced by SRK’s Red Chillies Entertainment. It stars Shah Rukh Khan, Irrfan Khan, Lara Dutta, Om Puri, Rajpal Yadav and Asrani as its main characters. The news is abuzz that Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone will also be seen in the movie, in guest appearances.

While the lyrics for ‘Billoo Barber’ have been written by Gulzar, Pritam is the music director for this humorous movie. It is for the first time that Shahrukh and Irrfan will be sharing screen space. With the likes of Om Puri, Rajpal Yadav and Asrani in the movie, rest assured that you are going to have a fine taste of comedy. The film is a tale of two friends, a modern adaptation of the platonic relationship shared by Krishna and Sudama. Priyadarshan is expecting to strike diamond with this movie, as it would mark his 75th film as a director.

In the movie, Irrfan Khan plays the title role of Billu Barber (present-day Sudama); Shahrukh will be seen as Sahil Khan (present-day Krishna). The movie revolves around the life of Billu Barber, his wife (Lara Dutta) and their two kids. Billu is a village barber experiencing a slow down in his business, primarily because he fails to adapt to the changing fashion trends. It is during this time that a film unit comes to his village, with superstar Sahil Khan as the hero. Billu tells everyone in the village that Sahil is his old friend. Instantly, the villagers take a keen liking to Billu.

All the villagers want to meet the Sahil Khan and believe Billu to be the perfect person, who can help arrange a rendezvous with him. Now, Billu tries to meet the actor, but is unsuccessful in the attempt. This makes everyone suspicious about his claim. Not only the villagers, but even his family members believe that he was lying about his friendship with Sahil. What will Billu do now? Will he be able to meet his friend? Will Sahil recognize Billu? Will Billu's family members and villagers believe him again? The answers are for the viewers to unveil as the movie hits the theaters in 2009.

Villu - Review

2009-02-09T00:56:00.000-08:00

The movie opens highlighting Hero Pugazh (Vijay) who helps everyone who are in need and punishes those who get into some evil acts. The movie brings in the shades of Vijay’s previous hit Pokkiri in some frame or the other.

Pugazh gets appointed as a secret agent for the Police department and this offer is given to him by Police Officer Manoj Khan. He gives a new name to Pugazh and tags him as Villu (Arrow).

Police cop Manoj makes Villu (Vijay) reveal the underworld to a large extent and as a benevolent secret agent, Villu follows the path of truth to punish the people of the underworld. Villu prefers to reveal the deeds and faces of the underworld dons and wants to see them behind bars.

Meanwhile, the love quotient is added by the director. Villu (Vijay) falls in love with Jhanvi (Nayantara). She is young, beautiful and falls in love with the hero in no time. Villu later on finds that she is none other than the only daughter of the main dons which is the character played by actor Prakash Raj.

Then suddenly due to some incidents, Pugazh real back ground is revealed. He is a son of a military officer whose only aim is to protect his country from the traitors. But unfortunately he gets killed by Prakash raj and his co villains.

They prove that Vijay’s father is a traitor of the country and even does not allow the village to perform his last rites. Vijay’s Mother (Ranjani) is also called as a wife of a traitor and to ward off this tag, Vijay resolute to revel the truth and decides to prove his father as a perfect patriotic soldier of the country.

Then after some flow of the reel, the movie ends well on a happy note with the bad punished by the good.

Vijay as usual has given his best and his acting, dancing and expressive skills are awesome. His previous hit Pokkiri stunts and expressions are mimicked in some frames to ignite the film with high voltage of action.

Nayntara is adds glam to the movie. But she looks awesome in churidhars and modern costumes.

Prakash Raj is the main villain in this film and leads the pack with his evil deeds. The previous combination of Vijay and Prakash Raj locking their horns was seen in Pokkiri and the same is seen in Villu.

Vadivellu adds zing to Villu and succeeds in churning out some comedy.

The music by Devi Sri Prasad is good and melodious. Mass and class crowds will be happy with the music outcome. But all the tunes are copied from tollywood.

Prabhu Deva needs a description. In order to add the action thrill to the film, he added the POKKIRI scenes and costumes which make some scenes bore some. But still his screen play is applaudable. Nothing much is there to reveal his story writing skills.

On the whole, this movie is strictly aimed for the sake of Vijay’s fans and so Villu may not appeal to the class of family crowds.

Padikkathavan - Review

2009-02-09T00:48:00.000-08:00

Radhakrishnan (Dhanush) is a boy in his family who is less qualified in studies and is renamed as Padikathavan (Illiterate) by his family members. The reason is that because Radhakrishnan’s family has all double degree holders, while the hero is not even a graduate. He just manages to reach the mark of 10th standard.

Radhakrishnan is a go easy guy and takes on evil which happens in front of him. He names his name as Rocky in short and bashes the goons who cross his path in the society. Kasi anandhan (Atul Kulkarni) is a mafia dons who rules the society around him on account his power, gang and financial resources. He rules the entire Thirunelveli and also makes it to shatter the whole state. But unfortunately the villain’s brother is killed by a mysterious person and so Kasi is after the culprit.

Radhakrishnan incidentally meets Gayatri (Tamannah) who is pursuing her aeronautical sciences in a college in the near by place and happens to meet Rocky. Rocky falls in love with the angel faced Tamannah who after 10 seconds of reel flow reciprocates his love and a duet is rolled on.

Then enters the batch of villains, rather the beats into the film in the disguise of Samara Simha Reddy (Suman) who is an enemy of Rami reddy (Sayaji Shindi) and then the action sequences pile up before the audiences.

Ramakrishnan (Prathap Pothan) is the father of the rocky who always pesters his child for not being well versed in studies and is vexed up with Rocky’s daily deeds.

Then starts the action track which is a pure treat to the action lovers and the audiences are left to see Dhanush fighting with the batch of Villains.

What happens next is a must watch climax which has to be seen on the silver screen. But all ends well finally.

Love in Singapore - Review

2009-02-07T03:41:00.000-08:00

The film is about 'Machu' (Mammootty), who rose to financial heights after starting his life as a scrap dealer. He lives in a posh house in a posh locality. One day, he sees a beautiful girl in a soap and talcum powder commercial and falls in love with her. To fulfill his dream to marry her, Machu follows the advice of his neighbour, business man Andrews Pereira (Nedumudi Venu), who gently persuades Machu to invest his earnings in stocks. Next, Pereira vanishes to Singapore with Machu's money. Left with no other options, Machu leaves for Singapore in hot pursuit of his lost money. When he confronts Pereira there, Machu proposes to marry Pereira's daughter Diana (Navneet Kaur) as compensation for his financial loss. The second half of the film is all about Machu's tricks to win Diana over.

Mammootty has tried his level best to save the show, but in vain. The script is illogical with a lot of ambiguities and incredible twists. For instance, the film gives no convincing explanation why villain Nedumudi Venu cheats Machu and escapes to Singapore. Perhaps shooting in Singapore is a reason for the director duo, which also produces the film.

The majority of the sequences are contrived and solely for cooking up some 'funny moments' with the clichéd dialects of comedians Suraj Venjaramoodu, Salimkumar and Bijukuttan. Debutante heroine Navneet Kour as Diana has nothing to offer with a very weak character development. The only relief comes from some foot-tapping numbers by music director Suresh Peters, but even those songs fail to put the movie on track. The other technical crew members, including Sanjeev Sankar (camera) and Boban (art) have done their routine jobs. All in all, we can undoubtedly say Love in Singapore is one of the avoidable efforts by the director duo in recent times.

Chandni Chowk to China

2009-02-07T03:31:00.000-08:00

Chandni Chowk to China is one of the most significant films to emerge from India in some time. The reasons for this are partly economic: it's being distributed by Warner Brothers, whose execs are hoping to make inroads into the vast market for Bollywood movies across the world.

The film is culturally important, too: its subject matter, albeit candied up with many gags, pratfalls and whizzy CGI effects, is India's relationship with China.

As with the equally energetic and euphoric Slumdog Millionaire, it's hard to resist the charms of this never-knowingly understated singing, dancing and karate-chopping affair.

The Chandni Chowk of the title is a district of Old Delhi. One of its residents is a cook named Sidhu (Akshay Kumar), a hapless dreamer, who thinks he was a mosquito in a previous life, such is his bad luck.

Things change when two visitors from China decide that he's the reincarnation of an ancient warrior and manage to get him to relocate to their village to take on a bowler-hatted kung fu criminal (Gordon Liu).

If the story sounds familiar that's because it is. Director Nikhil Advani and screenwriter Shridhar Raghivan draw (perhaps unconsciously) on Kung Fu Panda and Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle, and very knowingly on Kill Bill and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, even going so far as to use the talents of the latter two films' stunt co-ordinator Huen Chiu-Ku.

Akshay Kumar, coming on like a less bipolar Adam Sandler, is an agreeable lead whose flair for physical comedy is stronger than his chemistry with his female co-star (Deepika Padukone).

But the scene in which they use a red umbrella as a parachute while flying over present-day Shanghai is worth the ticket cost alone.

Mammootty Starts Online Blog

2009-02-07T02:21:00.000-08:00

According to Galatta.com,

Blogs and networking sites like Facebook and YouTube are trendy platforms filmmakers harness today to promote their films using Internet. Recently, Tamil director Arun Vaidyanathan started a blog for his film Achchamundu! Achchamundu! The blog was regularly updated by the director, who was keen on sharing his production experiences with like-minded persons. Bollywood actors like Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and Amitabh Bachchan already publish blogs which are widely read.

Following this trend is Mammootty, the first Malayalam actor to start his blog (http://i-am-mammootty.blogspot.com/) which will be active from 01.01.09.

The blog will reportedly air Mammootty's views on socio-political activities which he is interested in. He is already famous for expressing his unbiased views on many socio-political activities in Kerala.

Kavya Madhavan marries Nischal

2009-02-07T01:43:00.000-08:00

Kavya Madhavan, who starred in Kasi (Vikram), Sadhu Miranda (Prasanna) and En Mana Vaanil, is getting married to Nishchal, a famous Malayalam actor who also worked as a software consultant for top investment firms of Wall Street. It is also said that she got engaged to him in September. This marriage was arranged by their parents.

Both Kavya and Nischal started their film careers as child artists. While Kavya determinedly stuck to her film career and went on to act in 25 Malayalam films, Nishcal quit films in 1998 to pursue his higher studies in computer engineering in USA. Following that, he had an illustrious career as a consultant for Wall Street’s biggies. When Jayraj made For the People, he approached Nischal who accepted the role and also went on to act in its sequel By the People.

Kavya, a very famous actress in Mollywood, debuted in Pookkalam Varavaayi as a child artist. After that she acted in famous films like Bhootakkannadi, Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal, Chandranudikkunna Dikkil, Anandabhadram, Classmates, Perumazhaikkalam, and is now acting in Twenty:20. She won Kerala’s Best Actress award in 2004 for her performance in Perumazhaikkalam.