Preview - Bheema

Bheema - Brawny and brainy

Vikram is thrilled with the completion of his much-awaited Bheema. It has been quite some time since his last film Maja was released.

Undeterred by the yawning gap, Vikram, says, “Bheema will more than make it up. It would be a treat for my fans, an out and out action-packed entertainer. I would rate it as the best films that I have worked so far. The storyline of director Lingusamy is pulsating.”

“It is an action film shot in a stylish manner. Underworld is just a part of the story. It is a mix of action, romance and sentiments. Lingusamy deserves unstinted praise for his hard work. It is a different film and I had to do rigorous workouts for over six hours everyday to do justice to the role”, he says.

Lingusamy, whose last venture Sandai Kozhi is a big success is confident of repeating the show in Bheema.

As the title suggests, the hero is brawny and brainy. He fights for a cause.

“We have shot song sequences in Switzerland, New Zealand and the famous Thirumalai Naicker Mahal in Madurai”, Says Lingusamy and adds, “The song we shot in Swiss would be a real highlight of the movie. The onscreen chemistry between Vikram and Trisha is worth a mention. With Sivaji releasing in May, plans are on to complete the post-production works of Bheema in the coming days to facilitate a release in June”.

Trisha, after Saamy, is back to play Vikram's heroine.

“The movie would be a treat for action-buffs and surely Vikram fans, who had waited for over a year would be thrilled”, adds Lingusamy.

Preview - Kireedom

Kireedom - Ajith comes all guns blazing

Ajith will have his Kireedom release this summer amidst huge expectations. Directed by debutant AL Vijay, the film stars Ajith, Trisha, Vivek, Saranya, Cochin Haneefa and Raj Kiran in significant roles. Inspired by a blockbuster Malayalam film of the late 1980s starring Mohanlal of the same title, Kireedom is an action based family entertainer.

Ajith plays an ordinary young man who loves his family and aspires to become a police officer. Trisha plays his love interest and is a college student. Raj Kiran plays Ajith's father and an upright policeman. He aspires to see his son become a top cop one day. Raj Kiran and Ajith, it is said, shared a tremendous rapport during the shoot of Kireedom. The movie is set in a small town in Tamil Nadu. A tale of father-son sentiments, the movie has Saranya playing Ajith’s mother. Ajay Kumar, a debutant from Hyderabad plays the villain. Vijay has shot the film extensively in Vishakapatinam, Rajahmundry and Chennai. Says Vijay, "It is not really the remake of Malayalam film Kireedom. Just the theme is inspired by the movie."

"Working with a seasoned actor like Ajith for my debut film is a great experience. He was very co-operative and has contributed his best. His dedication and commitment to excel in the role deserves special mention," adds Vijay.

GV Prakash (AR Rahman's nephew) has come up with five catchy songs for the movie. The young music director hogged the limelight after a successful debut in Veyyil. Thiru has cranked the camera, art is by Selva and editing is by Anthony. Kireedom is expected for release on 1 May, 2007 coinciding with Ajith’s birthday.

Preview - Koodal Nagar

Koodal Nagar - A saga of emotions

Koodal Nagar, directed by Seenu Ramasamy, stars Bharath, Bhavana and Sandhya in the lead roles.

Time and society are two important factors or aspects that influence an individual’s life so much so that he is not able to live life the way he wants to. These, the director opines, are the very same factors that led him to come across two significant women. Koodal Nagar is a saga of emotions interspersed in the lives of these two women that he had an opportunity to meet in life.

Bharath’s is a close-knit family. Bhavana as Manimekalai and Sandhya as Tamizhselvi deliver extraordinary performances with an added exuberance as they reflect the real life characters that the director has come across. Bharath’s character is a kaleidoscope of different emotions that oscillate between sensitivity, valour, warmth, sorrow, perfection, dedication, expectation and action.

Ilavarasu plays a prominent role in the film and his wise cracks and witty remarks on topics like the economy of a far-off land, are sure to hit hard at the audience’s thought process.

Koodal Nagar is a chaste Tamil title. The name immediately brings to mind the picturesque locations and tradition-soaked land of Madurai. Various places that depict the flavour of the city are transformed to scenic locations by the lens and this includes petty shops, lanes, the rustic roads, tea shops and the like.

Indhu, Thennavan and Pithamagan Mahadevan are also part of the cast.

Koodal Nagar has music by Sabesh-Murali, cinematography by MS Prabhu, editing by VT Vijayan and art by Vijay Murugan.

Senthil and Ganesh produce this film on behalf of Annamalai Films. Story, screenplay, dialogues and direction are by Seenu Ramasamy.

Preview - Muni

Muni - A real entertainer

Producer-director Saran, a director of substance, has roped in Lawrence Raghavendra for his home banner, Gemini Productions, to direct this flick, Muni.

Lawrence makes his directorial debut in Tamil with Muni. The movie features Raj Kiran and Lawrence in lead roles. Vethika, Kovai Sarala and Ramesh Kanna are the supporting cast.

Going by the title, one can say that the movie is about super natural powers. Raj Kiran plays a prominent role in the movie. Reports have it that after the huge impact of his character in Thavamai Thavamirundhu, Raj Kiran spurned many offers, not inspired by the script.

Saran said that the presence of Raj Kiran should give a fillip to the movie. Lawrence Raghavendra had directed Telugu movies Mass and Style before. He has also starred in films such as Parthen Rasithaen, Amarkkalam and Parthale Paravasam in Kollywood.

The director said that though the movie's name sounds different, it would cater to all audiences.

Two songs for the movie have been shot in huge sets in Chennai and the remaining were shot in foreign lands.

The famous Muniswaran temple at Burma Colony in Chennai witnessed the coming together of several thousand people named after Muni recently, for the shooting of a song sequence for Muni.

To coincide with the audio launch, Saran had announced a unique contest to gather all those named Muni at the location. They were given special gifts and all of them appeared for a song sequence.

Muni has musical score by Bharadwaj.

Preview - Mozhi

Mozhi - The language of love and music

Music based themes have become a rarity these days. To fill the void, director Radha Mohan is ready with Mozhi.

The movie stars Prithviraj, Jyothika, Prakash Raj and Swarnamalya in the lead roles. This is yet another bold venture from Prakash Raj who has now deservedly earned a good name for backing serious and sensible films.

Having completed the shooting for the movie, director Radha Mohan says “Producers evincing keen interest on movies with good story line are very few in numbers these days. Prakash Raj is a rare exception among the contemporary producers. He had the guts to come forward and produce Mozhi, which is different from the run of the mill offering.”

Prithviraj, who is making a big impact in Tamil, plays a musician and Jyothika plays a challenging role. Their encounters make up the film. Prakash Raj plays an amiable musician and Swarnamalya, a Bharathanatyam dancer.

The movie does not have heroism, crass comedy or double meaning dialogues. “It is a compilation of events that they come across in their daily life,” adds the director.

Heaping laurels on Jyothika, he says, “She has played a tough role in the movie. It was very challenging, but she has done it with grace.”

"A couple of scenes involving her are in fact spoken very highly of. Vidyasagar has come up with seven songs for the movie. All the songs are different from each other and would become chart-busters," he adds.

Prakash Raj, on his part, was appreciative of Radha Mohan's efforts in the movie. “He got the best out of every artiste in the movie. Music plays a prominent part in Mozhi,” he adds.

A couple of songs were shot in Mauritius.

Mozhi will hit the screens this January.

Preview - Unnale Unnale

Unnale Unnale - Blame game

Director-cum-cinematographer Jeeva is ready with the release of Unnalae Unnalae this Christmas.

The movie features a Bangalore model Vinay in the lead role with Bollywood actor Kajol's sister Tanisha playing the heroine along with Sada.

The movie produced by 'Oscar Films' Ravichandran, is supposedly a triangular love story that occurs entirely abroad.

According to Jeeva, “We have shot the entire movie in Melbourne. It is a sequence of events that occur between three youngsters.”

Jeeva's last, Ullam Ketkumae also dealt with romance and won the support of youngsters.

On Unnalae Unnalae, Jeeva says, “It is not a routine Tamil film that centers around a hero or the heroine. All the three characters in my film have equal importance. It is basically a sequence of events that follows a blame game.”

Harris Jeyaraj and Jeeva come together after 12B and Ullam Ketkumae.

“Harris is a tremendous composer with gifted talents. He has come up with half-a-dozen songs which are sure to rock cinema halls,” Jeeva adds.

On casting Tanisha, Jeeva says, “I happened to see her photographs. Since I felt that she would fit the character well, I approached her and narrated the role to Tanisha. She was highly impressed and readily agreed to do the film.”

“Post production works are almost over and we are hopeful of releasing the movie this Christmas,” he adds.

Equally thrilled is Sada. After Anniyan, Sada is hopeful that Unnalae Unnalae would give a fresh impetus to her career in Tamil. After Anniyan, this is the biggest film for her.

Preview - Madhumasam

Madhumasam - Cool and warm

Madhumasam, the very word, conjures up images that are redolent of all the right things in life. It is comfortably warm and cosily cool.

In a sense, the film Madhumasam hopes to reflect what the title quintessentially symbolises.

With Sumanth, looking ever so cute with Sneha, Madhumasam promises to be just the right treat around the Valentine’s Day time.

Coming as it does from the prestigious Suresh Productions of D Rama Naidu, Madhumasam is directed by Chandra Siddhardha.

The director wants to keep the story under wraps. Understandably so. The story is a romantic one with a difference, is what he would divulge.

Producer D Rama Naidu is far more forthcoming. "Madhumasam would be a family entertainer like Kalisundam Raa.," he says and adds that the story would try to unravel the emotions behind human relationships.

The story of this film is based on Balabhadrapatruni Ramani’s novel Neeku Naaku Madhya.

The director has tried to give vision to the producer’s ideas.

Sumanth himself is happy to have got such a meaty role. "The various interplay of emotions is very interesting." he points out.

Sumanth was also happy with the fact that he is acting in Suresh Banner.

A feeling that is shared by the director too. "I am happy to be working with a top-notch banner at the beginning of my career."

For Sneha, this is a romp. She has thoroughly enjoyed this cutie-pie character. This movie will ensure that she has more films in the future.

Parvathi Melton, looking for a big break, is hoping that Madhusmasam would provide her that.

Satyanand is penning the dialogues.

Mani Sharma’s music fills the ears beautifully and the songs are simply resonant.

All told, Madhumasam seems a harbinger for the spring of good times.

Preview - Yogi

Yogi - Mother, son and emotions

The mother-son sentiment has a unique attraction to our audience. They never fail to hold sway over the masses. That is why we keep getting weep-a-minute sentimental treacles.

But Yogi is no mawkish or maudlin tear-jerker. It is a honest and a moving tale on the bond between a woman and her son. In the bargain, the story, also implicitly, makes a gritty commentary on how heartless our cities are.

Yogi, a remake of Kannada blockbuster Yogi, is among the high profile releases of this month.

Starring Prabhas and Nayantara, it has a lot of anticipation riding on it. Not the least for Prabhas, who wants to erase the bad memories of Pournami fiasco. Sarada plays his mother.

The story revolves around Prabhas and Sarada as they live in a small village. The hero comes to the town in search of a job and later the mother follows in search of her son. She stays in the house of a jourrnalist (Nayantara). What happens after that? Does she meet her son? Is the son well settled in a job, and what is his work? You will find the answers. But there is a poignant twist to it all.

Directed by VV Vinayak and produced by Kadapa Mayor K Ravindranath Reddy on the banner of 'Eswari Films', Yogi promises a full-fledged package of homely entertainment.

Ramana Gogula has scored the music while Guru Kiran, a popular Kannada music director, is scoring background score.

Prabhas had taken great pains to get himself fit for the character. He grew his hair long and had taken lot of efforts to look the part of the role that has interesting shades.

Director V V Vinayak's last Sankranthi release Lakshmi. So he would be hoping for an encore.

"The film has all the ingredients of a commercial cinema. Prabhas' emotional sequences and Mumaith Khan’s item song are the highlight of the film," he says.

The film is expected to release on January 10.

Preview - Maya Bazaar

Maya Bazaar - Old title, new variation

Make no mistake, Maya Bazaar of 2006 has no similarities with the legendary film of the same name. But wait, there maybe one important link ---- this one also hopes to be as big as the previous one was.

And there are enough portents for that.

There is the director Mohana Krishna Indraganti. This award-winning director is one of the real talents in Telugu cinema today. He knows how to mix arty excellence with commercial entertainment --- mix that is the secret to all success.

Of course, there is also the lead pair Raja and Bhoomika --- as cute and beautiful as they come. They are also hugely talented and have appeal all across the spectrum.

Satyanarayana, who produced Missamma, is handling this one too. So full backing from the producer is assured. An NRI, Raj Kishore Khaware is the other producer.

Then there is the talented K M Radhakrishnan as the musician. His ear for soft melodies is well known.

By every one’s reckoning, Maya Bazaar has something for everyone. Though this is a cliched description, when it comes from Mohana Krishna, there is lot of conviction in it.

Mohana Krishna says that Maya Bazaar would be totally different from his first film Grahanam.

He feels that its theme and narrative are unique.

Actor Raja, who was such a hot property just a year ago, is now going through a dry period. Maya Bazaar comes at the right moment for him.

Bhoomika has been busy in Bollywood that she had to be away from Telugu. But this talented and beautiful actress is back. Maya Bazaar has given her the right impetus. It has also given her good reason to continue in Telugu.

None in the team wants to discuss the story. ‘It will be a great one. I don’t want to say anything more,’ says every one.

Radhakrishnan’s music is being talked of very highly. In fact, his music is the backbone of the film. It is very realistic and full of melodies.

The style of filmmaking is international and there is plenty of stylized touches, says the team. The director speaks very highly of Jaya Kumar’s story. ‘It is unique’.

Bhumika says she Okayed the film the moment it was narrated to her nearly one year back.

The film will be released in October.

Preview - Bommarillu

Bommarillu - Of human bondage

Bommarillu is the hottest film on the circuit. When you have the hottest team, the film will be just that. Well, Siddharth, the film’s hero, is an all India hero now. Genelia, the heroine, is very busy and is a hit among the urban youth. Devi Sri Prasad, the music director, has come up with some sensational tunes. Dil Raju, the producer, had a hat trick of hits (Dil, Arya and Bhadra). Bhaskar, the new director, is being spoken of very highly.

In the event, there is no doubt Bommarillu has generated so much expectation.

Bommarillu has brought together again Siddharth and Genelia after the debut venture Boys.

Siddharth, after Rang de Bsanti, is on a career high. He is slowly becoming a star in his own right. Though his last Telugu film Chukkalo Chandrudu did not do well, the success of NVNV earlier still stands him in good stead.

Siddharth, who is a man with convictions, does films that are sensible. He has gained a reputation for that. And that adds to expectations on Bommarillu. Siddharth has also sung a song in the movie, showing his keen commitment.

The movie, on the face of it is a candyfloss romantic story. But as Dil Raju says: ‘The film is about human values and the characters in it can be found in every home. The joy and love members of a family have for one another bind it’.

It throws light on the bonding between parents and children in an urban setting. It is a typical healthy family entertainer, says the director Bhaskar.

Though the story is about a youthful romance, the script intelligently focuses on the family. It speaks about the tensions that are part of any family. Just as love is universal, the pressures and tensions of family life too are. This gets highlighted in the movie, says the director.

It is about relationship between parents and children in a fast changing society, points out by the producer Dil Raju.

Prakash Raj and Jayasudha play Siddharth’s rich parents.

Genelia plays a college student and Kota Srinivasa Rao is her father.

The film’s tag line is Love makes Life Beautiful. It is what Siddharth’s character is about.

Devi Sri Prasad has composed the music. The songs are already rocking.

The whole team is full of confidence and presents a picture of one happy family (which in a sense is the theme of the movie).

The film is set for release in August.

If the first half of the year saw action hits, the second half of 2006 may see love hits. Bommarillu may set the trend for it.