T-town heartbreakers on what their summer 2010 will be like

Nayanthara : I just took a couple of days break to spend time in Dubai. I am back at work now. I’ll be shooting for three language films this summer. I know the mercury is soaring, but I can’t help it. I’ll take some precautions to avoid sun stroke since I am basically a workaholic.

Ram Charan Tej: There will be no summer holiday for me this time. I’ll have to shoot for two films simultaneously. I’ll also be shuttling between cities to wrap up my work, so there’s going to be precious little ‘me’ time this summer. Last year, I had some time for holidaying, but this year, I don’t think I can afford a break.

Naga Chaitanya : Actually, I am bored because I have just had a two-month break after my last release Ye Maya Chesave. However, I’ve just had my share of fun holidaying in Hampi and Goa. I also spent some time listening to scripts. Now I am craving to be back before the arc lights as soon as possible. No I don’t think I’ll be holidaying anywhere this summer.

Trisha : There’s going to be no summer break for me this year. I have to finish my Hindi film and will need to join the shoot of my new Tamil with Kamal Haasan later this month. I will make up for it by taking short breaks of three or four days.



Rana Daggubati: This summer, I’ll be shooting for my debut Bollywood film Dum Maro Dum and an untitled Tamil film. Usually, summer is family time and we usually head to Kodaikanal. I like to travel, but I prefer cooler regions in summers.

Mamta Mohandass: Actually, I had earmarked June for a longish holiday but I had to give it up since I have just bagged a big Tamil film. I think it’s going be worth missing my hols. I will be shooting abroad so I will do a bit of jet skiing and biking this summer. The early summer has taken its toll on me, so I am looking forward to this overseas shooting stint.

Say hello to cinema’s latest antagonist. Or was that protagonist? Maybe a bit of both ... and a little bit more. Confused? We don’t blame you. With Mani Ratnam’s much talked about trilingual Raavan nearing completion, Vikram has never had it so good.

The dashing actor has his kitty full with not just one, but three Mani Ratnam films. “I play the hero in one version and the villain in the other. Then, we are shooting it in Telugu as well. As the roles I play are diametrically opposite, I feel like I’m doing three Mani Ratnam’s films. Now, that’s a dream come true, wouldn’t you say?”

The film, which will hit theatres sometime in June, has the actor visibly excited and with good reason. “It has been one of my most challenging roles so far. I like my work to speak for itself, so you really must see the film to understand what it’s about. It’s not all just black and white. There are so many shades to my character and that’s what makes it interesting,” he says with a smile.

But it’s not just Raavan that has his pulse racing. It’s also the plethora of films and projects that he has given the green signal to, which are going to keep him busy for a while to come. “I will be working with director Boopathy Pandian, whose Thiruvilayadal Arambam I thoroughly enjoyed. We are planning to do a kick-ass, fun entertainer that will be completely different from what I’ve done in Raavan. That apart, I also have a film with Selvaraghavan and some other projects that should go on floors soon.”


Talking about his long-standing relationship with Selva, Vikram says, “Selva and I go a long way back. He is not satisfied with the normal; he always likes to push the envelope and that is evident from all his films. We have known each other from his Kadhal Kondein days. Selva has come up with a brilliant and complex script. The best part about all the projects that I am doing right now is that they are all completely different from each other. ”

Apart from acting, the star also has his eyes set on production. The actor has joined hands with director Sasikumar, whom he calls the ‘Golden Boy’ of the industry. “When I watched Sasikumar’s Subramaniapuram, I was blown away. The film he is going to make will be a rocker. He is the next big thing to watch out for and for some strange reason, he considers me his lucky mascot,” he says with a laugh.

But, doesn’t he feel that by promoting young and fresh talent, he could well be cutting into his own market? “Absolutely not,” he shoots back, “If not for me, someone else will be promoting them anyway. I’m not insecure or worried about anybody’s presence. There is enough and plenty of work for everybody in this industry.”

The actor has also starred in the iconic Phir Mile Sur video on national integration and the experience, he says, was phenomenal. “This is the stuff dreams are made of. When I got the call to be part of the video, I was elated because it’s so powerful. I have actually sung the part Dr M Balamuralikrishna sir sang in the earlier video.”

It’s been a long-winding road for Vikram, but the time to end the journey still seems light-years away for this multi-faceted star.



Pet project: Majaa. I loved going on to the sets every day and the entire unit still meets up every few months.

Biggest crush: After watching Salangai Oli, I had the biggest crush on Jayapradha. I don’t think the sari has ever looked so good on someone!

Dream role: Anniyan, Sethu, Pithamagan, Dhil, Dhool, Samy...honestly, I can’t choose.

Musical musings : I can play the guitar, piano, flute, trumpet, trombone and piano.

Biggest compliment : Someone once said I’m like a chameleon because I change with every role and become that character. I hold that compliment very close to my heart.

Says Tollywood hottie Shraddha Das who has just wrapped up her Bollywood debut film...

Your first Bollywood venture is finally ready. Are you excited?
I could never have asked for a better launchpad than Lahore. Actually I had signed this film much before I started my career down south. It took 22 months for us to complete this film. It’s a movie made on a modest budget and the most exciting part is that a big foreign production house is distributing the flick.








You are romantically paired opposite a newcomer in the film...
Well, I’m a newcomer too! I accepted this film because it’s a performance-oriented role. Most of Bollywood’s younger crop of actresses today look the same, have a similar wardrobe and even do the same kind of movies. Now tell me, how many actually get to do performance-oriented roles in their first film? I think I’m very lucky because in my first Hindi movie I’m not dancing around trees (laughs). Thankfully today looking glam is not the only things necessary to being part of B-town. Look at the kind of films that Vidya Balan and Konkona Sen Sharma do.

You worked with the late Nirmal Pandey...
Yes, I did. His death came as a rude shock to all of us. He was one of the sweetest and coolest people I have worked with in my life.

Do you think a Bollywood film will change things for you in the southern film industry?
Absolutely. I think I’ll be in a position to choose better films. I’m fed up of doing all those glamorous roles. There are movies where if you edit my part, it won’t make any difference to the flick. But I had no choice. Now, I have decided not to do any meaningless roles ever.

And do you also expect more zeroes on your paycheque?
Yes, of course. My last Telugu flick Arya 2 did well and after Lahore, things will change.



Aren’t you afraid of being labelled pricey?
The Telugu film industry has given me a lot, for which I am grateful. But I don’t want to do dumb doll roles anymore. I have been taken for a ride quite a bit in the past. After this, I just see good times ahead.

Any Bollywood actors/directors you really want to work with?
Do I really have that choice? I don’t have any godfather in the industry to make my wishes come true. But some very good films are being made and there’s more scope for everyone.

Every time one of her films hits the screen, her star value seems to gradually increase. Her career moves may be slow and steady, but actress Sunaina makes sure that she always delivers her best.

And that’s quite evident in the hard work she puts into each of her projects. Back-to-back shooting schedules have taken a toll on the actress and she is visibly tired. “Yes, I have been shooting endlessly for the past few months. It’s really strenuous and I am dying to take a break,” she begins.

With her third flick Yaadumagi gearing up for release, Sunaina is eagerly hoping for a hat-trick after the success of Kadhalil Vizhunthaen and Maasilamani.

“In the film, I play a village belle named Annam who lives in a dream world. How Annam falls in love with a city-based guy, played by debutant Sachin, forms the crux of the story. It is a heart-warming tale of two people who are radically different. In my first two films, it was the hero who chased me, but in Yaadumagi, I am the one doing all the running! It was a unique experience,” she giggles.

So, has she chased someone in real life? “Not really! There was one guy whom I really liked during my wonderful school days, but that was just an infatuation,” she smiles.
The actress seems to have gone for an image makeover in Yaadumagi. “This is the first time that the audience will see me in a pavadai-dhavani. It was good fun shooting in the interiors of Tamil Nadu, wearing a pavadai-dhavani and speaking local Tamil. In fact, I have fallen in love with the sari and half-sari after working in the film. I find them graceful and guess what, I can now wear traditional village attire on my own.
”

Yaadumagi is a film that’s close to Sunaina’s heart. “The character that I play in the film is exactly how I am in real life. I am shy and get tongue-tied when it comes to expressing my feelings. I feel uncomfortable when people stare at me and I dream a lot,” she states and adds, “Yaadumagi is a woman-centric film and hence, I dedicate it to all the women who have played an important role in my life. Women will love it.”

The actress is now busy romancing Arulnidhi (Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s grandson) for a yet-to-be titled film, in Pudukottai. “I cannot reveal much now. I play a village girl again and there is a lot of scope for experimentation. Also, I’ve tried my hand at comedy,” she laughs.


With shoot for Kathirvel and Tiruthani also underway, the actress seems to have her platter full. “I’ve also got an offer for a Kannada project opposite Golden Star Ganesh,” she winds up with a grin.

Simbu is suddenly the most-wanted actor in Kollywood. His Gautham Menon film Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (VTV) released on Friday and has taken an awesome opening worldwide.

With the movie, the actor has made a total transition from a finger-wagging, punch-line spewing mass hero to a class act. Today, everybody wants to work with him and girls who earlier found him a little crass, now say he is the hottest poster boy in the industry.



What does VTV mean to you?
It has given me a new image, thanks to that magician of movies, Gautham Vasudev Menon. It’s an honest, straight-from-the-heart movie; a young man’s account of his first love. The film has taken me to the next level, and has given me an elite audience.

With your makeover in VTV, you have turned from a mass hero catering to B & C centers to a class multiplex hero.
I saw VTV alone for the first time at a preview theatre a week before its release. I watched it purely as a Gautham Menon fan. It hit me in the same way that my character in the film Karthik explains how he got hit by love at first sight, as he says, ‘Ennai Adichadhu Andha Kadhal (that love hit me).’

Your on-screen chemistry with Trisha is crackling. Are you in love with her?
The chemistry worked big time because we have known each other for a very long time and she is a good friend. But I am still single and ready to mingle. (Laughs)

Women are going weak in the knees over your character in the film.
Honestly, VTV has given me a new image among girls. A girl from Singapore wrote to me on my social networking page that she was so moved by my performance that she wants to marry her ex-lover whom she ditched some months back!

What are your impressions on working with a class director like Gautham Menon?
GM, as I call him, is the most phenomenal talent in Kollywood. The first time he narrated the story to me, I was bowled over by his love for filmmaking. He never thrusts anything on his actors. He gives respect to his artistes and receives the same. The kind of exposure he has to life, music, performances and nuances is awesome. Right from the day I saw Minnale (first-day, first-show on my birthday, February 3) as a 16-year-old who bunked school to watch it, I have been hooked to his films. Ten years later, I watched VTV in the same theatre. It made me nostalgic.


Some say that you are making a mistake by tinkering with your mass image by doing films like VTV.
My fans love me in VTV and the feedback I’m getting is very positive. They feel I’ve done something different and made them proud. I want to break the formula. In future, I will do films that I want to and try to balance between mass and class.


Are you doing your next film with Mani Ratnam?
No comments. But, who would not like to do a film with Mani sir?
source

Actor Prabhu celebrated his birthday recently on the sets of his upcoming film Thambikkottai, starring Naren, Poonam Bajwa, Sangitha and Meena and directed by Ammu Ramesh.

The actor said, “I’m sentimental about shooting on the first day of a new year. I believe that I will be busy the entire year then. Even though I’m turning older by the day, I feel young at heart, all thanks to my grandkids. I have more than four films ready for release this year and I hope I get to work on a lot more soon.”

Ajith can finally heave a sigh of relief. The actor, who had run into troubled waters after making a controversial speech at a function organised to felicitate the Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, can now sit back and relax. Reason?

The CM himself has come out in support of Ajith and has asked the film fraternity to go easy on the star. Karunanidhi referred to Ajith as ‘Thumbai Poo’ (Lily), a flower known for its whiteness, and used as an acronym for good people in Tamil.

Karunanidhi said that some vested interests were trying to misconstrue his words and create a rift within the industry. The CM added that Ajith had visited him at his home and had clarified about his speech and in no way did the actor’s speech show any disrespect towards him. He also requested the organisers of the function not to precipitate matters and to let things settle down. After the CM’s statement, the film organisations have called off their anti-Ajith tirade. Finally, all izz well for Ajith!

For the first time ever, two of India’s hottest dream boats share a drink in a TV commercial, making it eminently droolworthy.

After sharing screen space with the gorgeous Deepika Padukone for a cola commercial, T-town superstar Ram Charan Tej will now swig a cola with Team India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni in a brand new ad campaign. The three-day cola commercial was shot in Mumbai and directed by Telugu filmmaker Trivikram Srinivas. It is learnt that the teen heartthrobs shot separately first, and then came together to create some very fizzy moments in the 60 second television commercial (TVC).

“Both of them had a good time together and seemed to have a lot of common interests. Cherry (Ram Charan’s pet name) used to be a cricketing buff once and had stopped watching the game until Mahi’s captaincy revived his interest in the same,” says a close friend of the actor.
MSD on the other hand isn’t a typical movie buff and had little knowledge about Tollywood films. However, it seems that Dhoni was briefed about Charan and he enquired about regional films.

“We had a wonderful time working together. It was great interacting with MSD,” says Charan, who was reluctant to reveal more. The light-hearted TVC has smart one-liners and that’s why Srinivas who has a flair for comedy was roped in to direct it. “He was our best choice,” adds the young actor, who’s now keen to work with Srinivas in a feature film, “provided everything falls in place.”

Malayalam actor will be donning for the first time a 'double' role in Kinavalli to be directed by T V Chandran, the shooting of which will begin in a couple of months.

Speaking to mediapersons here today, Chandran said story revolves around two brothers, one a fashion photographer and the other a school teacher in a village in Northern Kerala. Chandran said this was his 14th film and it was produced by Rameez Raja and K S Shyju.

Besides Jayasurya, Meera Nandan, Rema Kallungal, Suraj Venjaramood, Lalu Alex, Sudheesh, Bijukuttan, Indrans, Kochupreman, Ambika, Rosilin, Sivaji Guruvayur, Manikandan and Narayanan Nair would be acting in the film.

The shooting of the film will start next month. Jayasurya said acting in a film directed by Chandran was 'a dream come true' for him, while Meera said she was fortunate to be a part of the film.

Chandran's previous films included award winning feature film Pondanmada staring Mammotty.

After Chiranjeevi and Nagarjuna's sons, who made their debut in Tollywood in the last two years, now it is the turn of superstar Venkatesh's nephew to go 70mm.

The only difference: instead of a teenybopper love story, Daggubati Rana has chosen a political drama titled Leader as his launch vehicle.

Perhaps apt in these times of political trouble in Andhra Pradesh. Leader releases this Friday.

With Andhra Pradesh rocked by political turmoil for the last two and a half months, it comes as little surprise that a political drama is the latest offering from the Telugu film industry.

"The idea of the story was born because of the political turmoil that was here, where all of us are looking for a leader," said Daggubati Rana, actor.

"Once we agreed that this will be my first film, we discussed at home and there were certain sort of body language that we spoke about, certain way of speech because this film is more about acting, body language and drama," said Daggubati Rana.

The film had its share of political trouble with pro-Telangana activists when they forced Rana to raise "Jai Telangana" slogans in Khammam.

Leader will give Rana the chance to explain what kind of leadership mantra Andhra Pradesh today needs.

After Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, Tamil star Surya has given his nod to act in the Malayalam film Kandahar, based on the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight to Afghanistan in 1999, along with Mohanlal.

Surya will don a commando's role in the film, said its Director Major Ravi.

It would take another 3-4 months for the shooting to begin.

'I am still in the process of getting permission from the Army and selection of locations etc. The spade work is going on', he said.

Bachchan, who will be playing the role of the father of a hijack victim, will be making his appearance in the second half of the film. Major Ravi denied that Bachchan's role was only a guest appearance.

The story line was narrated to the Big B during his visit to Kerala earlier this month and he liked it and readily gave his nod.

Resul Pookutty, who won the Oscar in Slumdog Millionaire, is likely to mix the sound for the film.

The female lead has not yet been decided, Ravi said.

Major Ravi, a former commando himself in the Indian Army, who led the mission to capture the suspects in the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination case in Bangalore, has three of his films which have a military background.

Kurukshetra, on the Kargil war, has Mohanlal essaying the role of Colonel Mahadevan, Keertichakra is based on Kashmir militancy also with Mohanlal and 'Mission 90 days' with Mammootty in the lead role was based on his experience in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

Asked about the budget of the new film, which is being made in three languages - Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi and with a big star cast, Major Ravi said he was confident of completing the film within Rs 10-12 crore.

Surya, son of veteran Tamil actor Sivakumar, had made his debut in Tamil film Nerrukku Ner in 1997 and has emerged one of the succesful young stars.

Among his hit films are Kakka Kakka, Pitha Magan and Ghajini.

Breaking his silence over the controversy sparked by Malayalam cine actor Thilakan,superstar Mammootty today said mainstream artistes were eager to settle the issue through a dialogue within the framework of the actors' body, Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA).

"We don't have any quarrel or animus against Thilakan. We have not imposed any ban or ever said we will not co-operate with him," Mammootty told a press meet here.

Striking a conciliatory note towards Thilakan, who triggered the feud by fulminating against "superstar domination" in Malayalam filmdom, Mammootty said AMMA's position was that all
issues should be settled through dialogue.

"AMMA is an organisation of artistes. Whatever issues are there, they should be resolved through a dialogue," the national award winning actor said.

Mammootty, who declined to take questions from reporters, said AMMA would no longer indulge in any public debate on the issue through the media.

The long smouldering frictions in Malayalam cinema flared up two months back with Thilakan alleging he had been dropped from a film after being offered a role in it, under pressure from a 'superstar'.

He went on to allege that Malayalam filmdom was now dominated by a 'mafia' controlled by superstars, an apparent reference to Mammootty and Mohanlal.

Mammootty took a dig at literateur Sukumar Azheekode who had joined the issue supporting Thilakan.


"Azheekode is a great writer... I have respect for him. But he should have understood all the facts before taking sides," the actor said.

On Azheekode's comment about Mohanlal and Mammootty doing romantic roles regardless of their age, he said this was a matter of performance and acting by artistes.

Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan had done the role of a grandson and Kamal Hasaan, the role of a woman in a movie, he said.

There were veteran Kathakali artistes who continued to essay charming and romantic roles even when they were quite old.

"We will no longer be indulging in a public debate on these issues through media. We want Thilakan also to remain part of AMMA and help resolve all issues", Mammootty added.

Who would have thought that something like this would come to pass? Namitha, the undisputed sex bomb of the south in whose name fans have even built a temple, finding few takers for her upcoming film ‘Azhagana Ponnuthan’ in the Tamil Nadu belt.

We hear that after the not-so-impressive run of her previous films ‘Thee’, ‘Perumal’, ‘1977’, ‘Indira Vizha’, Jaganmohini and ‘Nil Gavani Ennai Kaadhali’, the distributors in TN are hesitant to pick up her next film for fear of burning a hole in their pockets yet again.

This is all the more surprising since ‘Azhagana Ponnuthan’ is based on romance between a woman and a younger guy. It’s a theme that has sold like hot cakes at Tamil Nadu box office in the past.

However, in Kerala, Namitha’s magic is still unabated. According to reports, the demand for Namitha is at an all-time high particularly in the Malabar area of the state.

Well, you gain some, lose some.

Thrilled about her upcoming romantic film, southern beauty Trisha is expecting ‘Vinnaithandi Varuvaya’ to be a superhit. So, how was it shooting the kissing scenes with superstar Silambarasan in the film?

Well, the girl is at complete ease tackling such questions. She says she was comfortable with those kissing scenes as her director Goutham Menon handled them very aesthetically. The actress is on cloud nine as the movie has already created a lot of buzz prior to its release on February 26.

In the movie she plays a Malayalee Christian girl Jessie who falls in love with Karthik played by Silambarasan. ‘VTV’ is a romantic saga of the couple. So, were the lip locks part of the script?

“Scenes blend with the story so perfectly that you won’t feel any thing else,” the actress is quoted as saying.

It seems southern babes are ready to shed their inhibitions.

Here are the some of the newest and hottest pictures of Namitha and get new ideas that makes you looks like your favorite Celebrity Namitha .See Namitha hot pics Photo Gallery and her latest pictures, Hot pics and Wallpapers.











namitha latest hot pictures

It looks like Priyadarshan happens to be one director who is well known for introducing more actresses in tinsel town.

Of course, he was the one who introduced Jyothika in Bollywood with 'Doli Saja Ke Rakhna'. Also, he offered a substantial debut for Trisha in his 'Lesa Lesa' and now introduces her in Bollywood's 'Khatta Meeta' with Akshay Kumar as well.

Now, it's the turn of Reema Sen as she has bagged a big offer from Priyadarshan. It seems that the filmmaker was spellbound over Reema's stunning performance in 'Aayirathil Oruvan'.

Soon after watching the film, Priyadarshan had immediately ringed up Reema and congratulated her for an awe-inspiring performance. Also, he invited Reema Sen to his house for signing her for one of his upcoming projects.

Reema Sen is on cloud nine with this big offer; it's worth mentioning here that one of the top producers of Kollywood has already signed her for a big ticket now.




















Reema sen in Pink saree

Reema Sen in Black

Reema Sen's cute smile

Reema Sen showing something

Reema Sen

Reema Sen in traditional dress

Hot Reema Sen posing for photoshot

Reema Sen's Long layered Hairstyle

Reema Sen's hot lips

Reema Sen in white and love wavy hairstyle

Reema Sen

Reema Sen's jewelry

Reema Sen hot

She might have spent two years of her career for the magnum opus Aayirathil Oruvan (AO) but that hasn’t deterred her spirits. “Come on, one cannot do more than this. I have given my best to the film and it should appeal to the audience. I was a little anxious all this while, but now, I am confident and relaxed.”
Reema sen is quite upbeat about the fact that her costumes in the film have come in for praise. “I have two different looks in the film. I worked really hard to tone my body and the whole credit goes to Selvaraghavan. He is adorable and our relationship is more than that of a director and an actress. ”

Talking about her experience of working with Karthi, Reema sen gushes, “It’s been such a long time that I forgot when we met for the first time. We have been friends for ages now. We had a blast on the sets.”
If there’s one thing the actress has learnt in these two years, it’s patience. “Earlier, I would lose my temper in a jiffy. I have mellowed down now. Patience was one virtue I was not gifted with and I am glad that I have learnt it.”
This sexy siren may give people a run for their money, when it comes to glitz and glamour, but Reema sen considers herself to be a down-to-earth person. “I am a private person and I like keeping things to myself. Of course, I do party but I make sure that I don’t get into any controversies.”


At a time when there is cut-throat competition among actresses, what’s Reema sen’s opinion on the numero uno position? “ To be an actress and to survive in the industry for such a long time is a big task by itself,”is all she says.

This Bong beauty might hail from the empire of art house cinema, but Reema sen surprises us when she says that art films don’t interest her. “I love commercial potboilers. Somehow, art cinema has never interested me and I am really happy doing commercial masala films.”