Southscope September 2012 Second Half Issue



VOL 03 | ISSUE 12

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Behind the Mask:

PREVIEW 24

Puthiya Theerangal Director Sathyan Anthikkad narrates a story set

Yaare Koogadali

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Vishwaroopam

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Varadanayaka

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Thaandavam

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Behind the Mask:

Up Close and Personal with the Mugamoodi Cast and Crew! 



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The tryst with Life: Jiiva gets candid    

“I have been learning through all my experiences so far. I have also been really sincere to my work. The attitude of accepting and accommodating really makes a difference,” Jiiva looks back on the path he has trodden thus far. For the last trwo months, the star has been busy wrapping up Mugamoodi, having shot for a song set in Switzerland, for the audio launch of Mask, the Telugu version of Mugamoodi. Right now, his hands are seriously full with his work on Gautham Menon’s Neethaane En Ponvasantham sets.

Amidst the entire buzz, Jiiva has been does he handle such a jam-packed schedule?

“Now is my time. I am working hard, doing of fame is like a wave. After this crest, some other actor will take over at the helm,” says Jiiva with a philosophical edge. “For Twitter, I keep getting feedback and requests to publicise suggesting a new direction in his career. to suit Indian sensibilities. Playing it on screen

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really demanded the best out of me. I had to persevere, putting up with the discomfort of wearing the costume and accessories,” he recalls.

Jiiva had to wear the unwieldy costume and spasms and developed several skin allergies because of the costume. I used to be quite brazen with my assistants. I would yell at them and wanted them to be right there to remove it when the shot was completed,” he is quite penitent about his temper.

Jiiva does not subscribe to the view that superheroes are spandex-clad idealists or vigilantes set to save the society and its vulnerable citizens. Above all, Mugamoodi’s superhero strikes a similar chord with his western counterparts only in terms of his looks. Deep down, he is as battered by circumstances as we all are. When asked about the preparations he put in to play the role, Jiiva says, “The superhero is from the masses.

The onscreen introduction itself will bust all his stereotypical versions. The best part is everyone will be able to relate to the role,” he breaks the mystery and promises the kindred

“Mugamoodi’s superhero looks a bit like Batman with all his paraphernalia. Otherwise, it will be too heavy if we talk about Gotham his audiences well. Jiiva is quite clear about the impact he would want Mugamoodi to leave in it,” he says, his demeanor uber cool.

Did the crew get trained in martial arts at the Temple is for monks,” he chuckles. “At the most, we would have spent three to four days in the process of learning the stunt techniques with a veteran who had worked with Jackie improvement atop several years of elaborate training with my personal trainer R. Shekhar.

The loyalty with which he attributes his stunt training to his master is humbling and endearing. Despite so much training, though, the performance was hardly easy, leave alone simple. As Jiiva says, “The shots with the stunts gave us the worst grill, more than

Jiiva indulges in fond reminiscences when asked about his experience of working with Mysskin. “I heard a lot of reports about working with Mysskin – and thanks to what I heard, I assumed Mysskin to be a strict task master. But he was the opposite in person. appreciation. Whenever one of us did well during a shot, he would ask everyone else to clap,” he recalls with happiness.“I have become so used to the buoyant atmosphere, that I am expecting the same on the sets of NEP,” he laughs. Jiiva spares no moment in making it known that Mysskin is very caring, as a person. “In an ideal situation it would be a

he accept the offer and get launched in Bollywood? “I have a silly reason not to act in and right now when we go there, nobody recognises me. I would not want to trade that privacy yet,” says Jiiva. Jokes apart, the actor on his shoulders.

Ask him about the best bouquets or brickbats he has earned in his career so far, and he has puts it, “I have received a number of plaudits gung-ho about my performance in Ko. And just the other day, Ram Gopal Varma called amazes me with his sincerity. Perhaps that is why he is a superhero – the qualities that a lot of common men allude to, are his crowning glory.

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The Superhero’s Girl 

releasing in Telugu as Mask, a much-

salwar kameez in each scene. The name of

seems to be on the cards. If everything falls

superhero subject, the focus is mainly on the

ask her how excited she is about the size of

very interesting.”Working with such talented

Bollywood debut goes, I feel it is a little too early to talk about it, especially seeing as it is still in the process of fruition. At the moment,

quite serious. Although Idon’t have too many scenes with him, I have heard him share some

think I got a very good break, for this truly is a great opening for an upcoming actor.” But

Besides the conventional action that goes on behind the scenes for the preparation for a role, there is something commendable about Pooja’s

a friend of hers, she bagged the role. “Actually I got many offers before this, but I was never keen on them,” she says. experience for Pooja. “To put it crisply, it was shoot, we had to head to the outskirts of the city. Besides that, I got to do a lot of things Pooja’s experiences on the sets are nothing short of incredible. What does she carry home from the entire rigmarole? “My costumes

learnt to ride a bike in two days, whereas I have never even ridden a cycle in my life. Of course, I can drive a car. But driving a car and riding time she spent may sound like a walk in the meadow to some, Pooja adds that she used to spend three to four hours continuously biking.

“I don’t know how but I picked up speed and balance in one day.” On a lighter vein, she also says that she hasn’t got a two-wheeler license made though. “Because I don’t have to ride a bike anymore. And back home in Mumbai, I

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Chillin’ like a Villain!  

“This character actually came as a surprise to playing the hero but an important villain. Not playing the hero was something that I was not comfortable with. Starting off as a hero and suddenly doing a villain’s role was something I on me? What if, because of this role, a lot of people keep calling me for more villain roles only, if my role is received well? But Mysskin, whom I look upon as a brother (we call each

While getting started with Mugamoodi, Narain had to get trained in martial arts. “The to do whatever best we could. Shekhar from Mahabalipuram used to come over to train us.

It was like going back to school for kids who like going to school, but don’t know what to

towards the end, I got a ligament tear. We undertook training for 6 months and towards

happens, he will announce another project playing a villain in a superherosubject meant the character needed to be strong too. “The

So just before the shooting started, I was in a lot of pain. I have put in a lot of compromise, and a lot of work has gone into my efforts of pursuing shooting with the ligament tear.”

Narain did not even commit himself to any

thoughts about the same.” Narain however also states that he is only keen on playing lead and another titled Ayaalum Njaanum Thammil, Elucidating on his role in Mugamoodi, Narain says, “I play a character called Anguchamy, villain, a very bad man. There is nothing good about him, actually.” Narain’s character is actually very calm and composed, not the typical villain. “I really enjoyed playing that character. I don’t know why, but perhaps the he performs.”

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EMSum Penkuttyum.”

For Narain, his most memorable moments during the shooting of Mugamoodi were the who had come down to train him and Jiiva

A lot of comparisons are being drawn with parallels have been drawn between his role and Joker. Ask Narain if these are fair comparisons,

We’re totally different, in terms of the roles

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The Maker of The Mask  

the day Mugamoodi hit the theatres. In an ideal situation director Mysskin, the man who has created the masterpiece must lie back in

what he wants. Wisdom is meant to be imbibed. It cannot be imparted.” he says with astounding clarity.

unfold on the big screen. But on the contrary, Mysskin feels lonely. Nothing excites the director as much as the energy that transpires on the sets. Mysskin tries to capture his true

that appears on gossip columns in print and

a bit cut off and lonely. I will go back to my world of books and immerse myself in reading.

It is something like a hibernation period.” Is Mugamoodi’s superhero a bandit hero who saves the public? Mysskin is not ready to accept this formula or the comparisons with does he agree with his nocturnal powers and the formula of robbing the rich and helping the poor. “Who is a superhero?” he asks.

“Superheroes are split personalities. They try to impersonate themselves as larger-thanlife people with supernatural power. They are depicted to be caught in a trance-like cloud, in terms of feelings. But they are not

smell, drink, make merry, cry and laugh like others do. There is nothing extraordinary or have hundred other useful things to do than marvelling at their banal feats,” he gushes out. With him being so meticulous how does he react on sets? Is he always on the edge to extract the best work from his actors? “I write the story, scene by scene, visualising each detail but don’t carry anything to the shoot spot. But I know what each scene should be like and what should and should not go into it. The best comes out when all our work synergises, in a culmination of energies. There unfolds the beauty and exclusivity of the production,” he animatedly explains.

goes through several thresholds in his life.

Each one leaves an imprint on him. A death Fu in Mugamoodi. “The actors have tried to constitutes the real drama.”

What sort of an impact does he want Mugamoodi to make? “I have shown a young man with age-oriented degenerations. I want the audience to experience the turmoil of the character and his persevering journey, a serious endeavour that is throbbing with energy to reach a noble goal.” Mysskin admits that he has not tried to tweak Jiiva’s screen image the introduction scene itself.” But on casting the dynamic youngster in the inspiring role Mysskin has this to say.“I had watched one of after casting him, I feel he has stayed true to new direction in his career for him.” What does Mysskin want for his other actors to take back from his camp? “I would better like them to go as pure as they came into my hands. I don’t believe in bringing about change in any his point. “Tomorrow he is going to dance and

he says with due respect and admiration for the masters who have perfected the art. Mysskin’s Motion Pictures and its spearheading southern chief G Dhananjayan. Mysskin’s association with the production house has left him a happy director, as he states the fact with gusto. “As usual, we started with our share of differences and reached a common ground of best. Our unity has resulted in a good thing. I am happy.”

On Mugamoodi’s Bollywood remake that is on the cards - pat comes the reply. “I don’t know about that. But Bollywood people would want to import our story because of its value.

I won’t be surprised if Mugamoodi travels to Bollywood.” With his pioneering effort in Mugamoodi, Mysskin’s worth is set to live forever in the souls of the stories he creates on screen.

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Lens talks 

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So was Sathya excited to be working in the

Viewing his work and watching a wide

indeed. We didn’t expect it to become this big.

We casually started to work and when we sat down to see the rushes, we realised what we had created. The audio launch took us to an even greater height of delight,” he says with joy. Mysskin, in Sathya’s perspective presents a story in the most unconventional way. And familiarity indeed has bred comfort in his

great deal. “I couldn’t waste even a moment.

Whenever Jiiva was ready with the heavy costume, we had to be on red alert to wrap up the shots as per plan and perfectly too. The actors’ dates were short and it was a thoroughly demanding job,” Sathya says in retrospect.

of reference. But, “I was always prepared to expect the unexpected at the shooting spot.

Mysskin is very encouraging too,” he says, in awe of the director’s clarity of approach. presentation was what challenged me. We had to use multiple cameras and block-shoot the scene. I could not shift the cameras or change the light. But still, I had to cut the documentary feel and inculcate a cinematic feel and ensure there was continuity between shots.” says Kong had been Sathya’s source of guidance.

“Jiiva used to be very serious when at work, but when he was off, he was quite mischievous. Narain, on the other hand with his cinematography knowledge used to brainstorm the shots and even pointed out my back on the climax scene heaving a sigh of relief. “It was a huge one. We did it without any mishaps.”

the port of Karaikal. “We were suspended in a crane at 140 feet above the ground. The entire crew, inclusive of about 100 people found their place in the crane. Food was carried to that height. In fact, after watching the shot portions, the port authorities extended the permission and gave us full access to shoot there.” he does not care about recognition that rarely comes a cinematographer’s way. “All cinematographers know that it is one of the unchanged behaviours in the industry.

Regardless of the recognition, we continue to put in our 200%. Passion for our work carries us ahead,” he remarks.

Mugamoodi is certainly going well with the audiences, he says. “We have done ample justice to the demands of the storyline. Above all, the movie has Mysskin’s imprint,” declares

the spotlight on me. I am very happy to be part of such a big production as Mugamoodi.

It has enriched my career,” he says. Sathya’s most memorable moment was the schedule in

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Anything for music  



For a prodigal musician who had joined his with a successful funk/rock ‘n roll band music signify change in direction? “No,” says K. “I enjoy playing with friends and the heart of the enjoyment lies in live shows – they are a delight, my favourite. I have always been cannot really be termed as a transition. I enjoy both.”

On the other hand, composing for a superhero almost compares it to a roller coaster ride.

“There were several high-energy sequences. bedrock for my music to originate from. That made the job even more challenging,” he tells us.

But there is yet another reason for K to feel blend of action, comedy, romance and humour.

So there was scope for several genres of music,” he says.

K sums up his experience of working with Mysskin thus. “It has been absolutely telling department and is also musically Mugamoodi is a collaborative work.” What he would wake me up and explain his idea.

I used to get up, get dressed and go to the studio to work on it,” K recalls with pleasure.

“The melody aspect is where the both of us concurred,” he remarks adding, “Mysskin likes me a lot.”

K is thoroughly excited for Mugamoodi. “Both the songs and RR are fantastic.” That is exactly why he is not rushing to move on. On the popularity wave that is taking him to the top of the charts he says, “I am happy for the recognition.”

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Producing Magnum Opuses... 

Motion Pictures, Dhananjayan has his sleeves rolled up in anticipation for their current

because every member of the unit needs to have the same energy through the night and we have to manage the public who are awake and crowding around to watch the shooting.

already made their way to his repertoire, but Mugamoodi is a special feather in his cap – for

and hence it became a challenge to make.

us. That the superhero emerges when the need

Karaikal port, where shooting is normally not permitted. So shooting in the night there

liked about the concept is it is realistic and he is not a larger-than-life hero. It is believable as the hero is a Kung-Fu expert and his valour and achievements are relatable to the common audience. According to me, whenever there is a need to help the people, a superhero emerges in every place, i.e. Gandhji or Netaji or Kamaraj or Patel or Aringnar Anna and many others. So I could totally connect with the

line of thought and discretion. “I am not a a creative producer, who can contribute in

Just as The Dark Knight Rises made its impact recently, with people going to watch

who demanded perfection in every shot and immensely challenging one for us.” True to foreign technicians who worked in tandem to

Nolan’s movie. Are these fair comparisons?

“Not at all fair, as we never claimed that our

who developed the super hero costume from

Ours is a simple story of a superhero, who emerges from within and does not have any

Dhananjayan’s penchant for detail has helped him spot the perfect point of uniqueness in the

Kung Fu and hence more than technology, it is

gadgets like in the Batman series. Our aim was not to make a Batman but to portray a superhero who emerges from within when the need arises.”

but with injustice. When a group of robbers go around killing old people and stealing, he emerges from an ordinary group of people and takes them on to bring them to book. It is a tried and tested concept and hence must

Dhananjayan is neither the tough producer nor a director’s dream, but the perfect melange of involvement and creativity. “I am a creative producer, who is involved in the process of production, without interfering in the creation.

My discussions and requests are all made

Dhananjayan offers a glimpse into his world is palpable. “Mugamoodi is entertaining, engaging and connecting with the audience.

The way Kung Fu is used authentically in the

I believed that it will work under the very able director Mysskin and hence we went ahead shooting. At the shooting spot, there is only one captain - the director. But inside the editing wake, a set of challenges and obstacles.

indulge in freewheeling discussions on how

the nights is a challenging task especially

enough to ensure that while his involvement is tangible, it does not trammel on the director’s

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The Mass Effect of Mask



ingredients that will make the Telugu audiences happy. According to the producers, Mask has certainly got all the masala, and the right kind of spice.

Apart from the phenomenal publicity and the enthusiastic response is the protagonist Jiiva. Rangam, the dubbed version of his Tamil superhit Ko, was a big success in Telugu, and that has made him a bankable Raj, the production executive at Supergood Films even goes to say, “When we have a Supergood hero ourselves, why would we not have

do the same. response to the music and the eagerness among audiences to watch a superhero’s tale.

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Puthiya Theerangal

Cast: Nivin Pauly, Namitha Pramod, Nedumudi

Direction: Sathyan Anthikkad Production: Neeta Anto Music: Illayaraja

Malayalam

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As the title suggests, (Puthiya Theerangal Anthikkad, maker of umpteen memorable narrates a story set against the sea and the

who is left all alone at a very young age, after the death of her mother and then her father.

Namitha Pramod makes her debut as heroine playing Thamara, the protagonist.

Nivin Pauly, who has become quite a sensation post Thattathin Marayathu, plays from the coastal village who wants to study Nedumudi Venu plays a key role, that of an aged man whom Thamara gets for company when she is left all alone.

Sathyan Anthikkad says, “I have done lots

on the sea and life in a coastal village�. chose Namitha mainly because she has this innocent look about her, while Nivin Pauly is a talented actor.� the story of a love that happens without the knowledge of the people concerned.

Venu handles cinematography while Benny P Nayarambalam, who is very much at ease writing about coastal areas and the people there, does the script.

Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri pens the lyrics, which will be set to tune by maestro Ilayaraja.

Puthiya Theerangal will hit screens end-September.

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Yaare Koogadali

Cast: Puneeth Rajkumar, Bhavana, Direction: Samuthirakani Production: Poornima Enterprises Music:

Kannada

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Superstar Puneeth Rajkumar has had a very successful tryst with an original story, was a hit, it was nowhere near his other blockbusters. success. Puneeth has once again selected a remake as his next project, Shooting for the movie is already in progress.

of some date hassles, he could not take it up. Now, he is directing the Kannada version of his own project. According to production sources, Samuthirakani is far too good on the sets and has quickly built a rapport with the star cast.

practical jokes on his co-stars. This time the victim of his tricks was

But, Sindhu is tight-lipped and refuses to reveal the events that led her to become the subject of his jocular pranks. will start shortly. The movie is being shot in Karnataka and two songs are being shot in foreign locations. Puneeth’s home production banner

Koogadali from the movie Sampathige Savaal.

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Vishwaroopam

Cast: Bose, Andrea Jeremiah, Jaideep Ahlawat Direction: Production: Music: Story and Screenplay:

Tamil

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A dizzying 150-crore budget and VFX in 1,400 shots - that is the grand standing of Vishwaroopam. The challenge in incorporating the special effects for Vishwaroopam was in blending them seamlessly with the script is said that in visual quality, Vishwaroopam

in Jordan. Beauty queen Pooja Kumar plays the lead role opposite Kamal. Isha Sharvani Vishwaroopam besides Rahul Bose. Kamal has written the story and the script and directed the movie. Bollywood’s famous musician trio the music.

The story of Vishwaroopam revolves around the lives of the couple Vishwanath and Roopa also known as Wiz, and Roopa’s marriage is an arranged marriage. Soon after the wedding, the couple decide to plan their agenda for the next few years. Accordingly, Roopa works to get her Ph D, whereas Wiz sets up a dance into a dull routine. They have nothing to crave for. Roopa is not happy. She feels that they are too complacent for each other and hence chooses to bow out of the wedlock. She tries to frame a reason for her split and so hires a private detective to run a check on Wiz. But unexpectedly tables turn around and all that follows lead her to more knotty situations.

the story for the last seven years. “I will be for half the time,” he has reportedly said.

“It is incredible. Vishwaroopam straddles many genres with ease and panache. I am Acquisition, Fox International.

Buzz has it that the movie touches upon the national and international political scene as well. The present release is going to be the sequel is on the cards too. In fact, 40% of The movie is currently in the post production stage and the exact release date remains unknown.

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AYAALUM NJAANUM THAMMIL Malayalam Cast: Prithviraj, Narain, Rima Kallingal, Samvritha Sunil, Remya Nambeeshan, Prathap Pothan, Kalabhavan Mani and others Direction: Production: Prem Prakash Music: Ouseppachan

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after his very successful ‘Diamond Necklace’. In fact, Prithviraj, Narain and

backdrop of the medical profession. Both Prithviraj and Narain play doctors.

Prem Prakash’ sons Bobby and Sanjay,

named Ayisha.

Thiruvalla and some other Medical

prime location.

Prithviraj plays a doctor named Ravi Tharakan while Narain plays Dr. Vivek.

They are the best of friends and the story revolves around them.

Prathap Pothen’s character Dr. Samuel is central to the plot. The last time we had seen him was in 22 Female Kottayam. his role is of much relevance as regards the development of the plot.

composed by Ouseppachan.

The cast also includes popular actors like Salim Kumar, Anil Murali, Siddharth Siva, Prem Prakash, Surabhi, Ramu, T P Madhavan and others.

- Unni R Nair

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VARADANAYAKA Kannada Cast: Sudeep, Sameera Reddy, Nikesha Patel, Direction: Ayyappa P Sharma Production: Shankare Gowda Music: Arjun Janya

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Varadanayaka is a remake of the hit Telugu making for quite some time. The movie features Sudeep and Sameera Reddy in prominent roles. Shooting for the movie commenced last year, but the movie ran into troubled waters when it faced several hurdles. In the meantime, Sudeep Varadanayaka is ready for release.

Sudeep’s role of ‘Varada’ in one of his hit

The producer of Varadanayaka, Shankare Gowda, a close friend of Sudeep’s, decided to name the movie after the character that Sudeep portrayed. The project was announced after Sudeep-Shankare Gowda combo’s Kempe Gowda became a blockbuster last year.

Initially, it was believed that Ragini Dwivedi would play the female lead of Varadanayaka. But owing to a busy schedule and a host of other projects, coupled with the fact that Varadanayaka was delayed severely, the producer kept the hunt for heroine on until the last minute.

Sameera Reddy’s participation in the movie was kept under wraps for a long project. Sameera has simply sizzled in one to become a chartbuster.

The producer, according to sources, burnt a hole in his pockets, by investing huge Sarja, nephew of Tamil actor Arjun, Varadanayaka is a very important movie.

been signed for any new project so far, so it remains to be seen what Varadanayaka will do for him. For Nikesha Patel, though, this Sudeep is going through one of the greatest popularity has reached an all-time high. All blockbusters. Obviously, he is not giving room for any lapses in Varadanayaka, as he wants this movie to become a hit as well.

- Aravind G Shivakamal

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REBEL Telugu Cast: Prabhas, Tamannaah, Deeksha Seth, Krishnam Raju Direction: Production: J Bhagawan and J Pulla Rao Music: Thaman

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the longest duration for shooting and post production work in recent times, it will have to be Prabhas’ upcoming project Rebel. The movie, which went on the be ready for release this month. According to reliable sources, the producers have and hope to recover it.

Apparently, choreographer-turned-director Prabhas to project him as a mass hero.

Discussions started in 2010 and by the end of that year, Rebel was announced. Nihal Konda wrote the story, which was further

female lead of the movie and she even turned up on the sets for shooting. Deeksha Seth was the second female lead of the was delayed, Anushka, who had committed to other projects, walked out of Rebel upsetting the makers’ plans. Fortunately, Tamannaah agreed to step in as the replacement. The shooting for Rebel had to The makers insist that Prabhas is being has supposedly undergone a complete transformation to appeal to the audiences as a mass hero. It is said that the character also On a professional front, Prabhas is on a roll with two back-to-back hits. This is the Prabhas. Tamannaah too is enjoying a streak of success in Telugu cinema. If Rebel clicks, then Tamannaah will be a serious contender for the No. 1 slot in Telugu movies. For Deeksha Seth, it is important that Rebel enjoys BO success Ravi Teja, failed to meet expectations.

- Aravind G Shivakamal

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THAANDAVAM Tamil Cast: Vikram, Jagapathi Babu, Anushka Shetty, Saranya Ponvannan, Thambi Ramaiah, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Sayaji Shinde, M.S. Bhaskar, Delhi Ganesh, Sujita and many others Direction: Music: GV Prakash Lyrics: Na. Muthukumar Banner: Camera: Nirav Shah Editing: Antony

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Thaandavam, the forthcoming magnum opus directed

a visually challenged person who navigates using the

Deivathirumagal, we are happy we could produce their as well. Thaandavam is a wholesome entertainer with a lot of action-comedy and an innovative plot and we are Is Thaandavam an inspired production? Explains Dhananjayan, “Thaandavam is an original subject

will have original content, developed by the writerdirectors in South Indian languages.”

budget and onscreen grandeur be a game changer for Thaandavam? Dhananjayan is quite upbeat about the venture. Grand contributions have gone into the making

which is expensive to shoot on an everyday basis.” cut costs? “No,” explains Dhananjayan. “Originally we

the process was taking longer than we expected. Vikram and Anushka’s dates could not be wasted, so we shifted

Thaandavam has a proud repertoire. Vikram’s two different appearances, particularly as the visually challenged person, the superb combination of GV Prakash’s music with Na. Muthukumar’s lyrics and the innovative, entertaining, engaging and emotionally connecting screenplay are considered to be the biggest Dhananjayan is quite excited about the Vikram-VijayGVP combination too. “GV Prakash has brought out one of the best albums in Deivathirumagal and the magic has is one of the best in their careers and all the 7 songs are highly appreciated for their quality and mass appeal across FM stations and mobile downloads. Not just the were done beautifully by Vijay with Vikram and the rest of the cast and I am sure it is going to be a treat to watch and listen.”

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