Happy Birthday Aish

The light-eyed diva captured the hearts of young and old with her looks, grace and talents. Aishwarya Rai… the name tells it all. Glamour and glitz, fame and popularity. She won the Miss World crown and since then there was no looking back for Aishwarya. Movies after movies, ads after ads. She went on to rule the screen world and is the most recognised face internationally as well. Ash easily earned the tag of ‘The World's Most Beautiful Woman’.

Aishawarya Rai has worked with most of the eminent filmmakers in the industry, equally illustrious co-stars, brands and well-known organisations. To top it all, she was blessed with innumerable prestigious awards and recognitions. She also enjoys a place in London's Madame Tussaud's wax museum, in the form a wax model.

Recently, the actress was honoured by the People’s Magazine. They have brought a special biography on our Ash. It would cover most of her life insiders and give an overview on her 15 year-long filmy journey.

One can truly call her a lucky babe. After her marriage with Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya became a part of Bollywood’s first family and most popular cine pariwar. The adorable couple had graced the Oprah Winfrey Show sometime back; together for the first time and being the first Indian couple to be on the international show.

Ash and Abhi have not only become the hottest stars but also adorable jodi; on and off screen. People are eagerly waiting for their movie, Raavan, Mani Ratnam’s magnums opus.

This Beauty Queen turns a year older today.

Hey Aish, “In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.”

Venkat Prabhu exposes actress Sneha’s role

As much as Goa is being discussed about, Sneha’s reportedly unconventional role with negative shades has also grabbed public attention. Her role is being kept under wraps from the media eye largely except for the few snapshots of the movie where she’s sporting ultra chic costumes as opposed to her ‘homely’ image.

Goa’s director Venkat Prabhu, in an interview to a tabloid, recently disclosed that there is not a shred of truth about her role. “She will of course look different and ‘delicious’ in the movie. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the role has negative shades,” he was quoted as saying. Well, we have no issues either way, do we?

Urvasi to play the role of Silambarasan’s mom

Urvasi has confirmed that she is going to play mom to Silambarasan in Nic Arts SS Chakravarthy produced Valiban.

It is almost sure that Valiban will be the next film that Simbu acts and directs after he completes Gautham Menon’s Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya.

The shoot of the film will start in January, and Simbu is still in search of a heroine for the film. There are reports that Simbu had met Anushka who wanted 1C to do the film!

Kamal turns politician

Kamal has started to spin around more energetically. Post the success of his ‘Unnaipol Oruvan’ and his golden jubilee celebration, the actor has gained more momentum. One side Kamal has dusted out the script of his ‘Marmayogi’ from the shelf and is busily discussing to shape it up. And on the other hand he has jumped into his next venture with director K S Ravikumar. The grapevine is abuzz that this project will be an out-and-out commercial entertainer. Moreover the film is produced by Kamal’s home banner, Raaj Kamal Internationals. Everyone would be eager to know about the lucky princess who will pair up with our Ulaganayagan, right? Hmmm… then we have a small hint on that. We hear that the film’s team is discussing on Trisha or Tamannah according to sources.

Birdies add that K S Ravikumar is ready with the script and has shaped Kamal’s as a politician. Yeah! You heard it right Politician! We can hear what you think! (Wink)

ILayathalapathy Vijay catches in land deal

The Tamil Nadu Housing Board had allotted 27 cents of vacant land in Chennai to Vijay during the year 2007. Following this, the original owner of the land had filed a petition in the High Court of Madras claiming that an individual can be allotted not more that one ground of land and this allocation is against the law. The petitioner claimed that the land originally belonged to him, but the housing board acquired the land from him to be utilized for building housing board tenements in the year 1969. However, the project did not take off till date and he came to learn through his sources that the said land had been allotted to actor Vijay.

Apart from seeking a stay order against constructing any structure in the disputed land, the petitioner also prayed to have the land reallotted to him.

The latest fan of Asin

Jacqueline Fernandez, the leading lady in Aladin, is not perturbed over the release of London Dreams on the same day that Aladin hits the silver screens. The Sri Lankan beauty, on the other hand, says that being a huge fan of Asin she is very eager to watch the star in action. Vouching for Asin’s acting skills, Jacqueline says that her performance in both the versions of Ghajini was fantastic.

Jacqueline Fernandez, who is making her debut with Aladin, has Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt sharing the screen space with her.

Tamannaah-The new queen of K'wood!

Tamannaah Bhatia has pulled it off in style. Her Sun Pictures marketed Moser Baer produced Kanden Kadhalai has taken a good opening.

Her performance in the film is being appreciated and critics are unanimous that she is “one good reason to watch the romantic romp”.

According to Blue Ocean Entertainment’s VM Lalitha who held a show of KK for the actors family and friends in Mumbai: “ Tammu has done a difficult task with ease as she has lived up to the role done by Kareena in the original Jab We Met, which itself is fantastic by any yardstick”

The 19-year old soft spoken Sindhi girl from Lokhandwala in Mumbai has zoomed passed her competitors in Tamil and is the clear number one by a mile. She had four releases in 2009- Padikathavan (Super Hit), Anandathandavam (Flop), Ayan (Blockbuster) and now Kanden Kadhalai (early days but can be classified as a hit).

At the moment the actress has Paiyya with Karthi coming up for release for Pongal 2010, Thilalangadi with Jayam Ravi for Valentine day in February, and the biggest of them all Sura Ilayathalapathy’s 50th film for summer.

What more does she need to be crowned as the queen of Kollywood?

Aamir Khan joins Oscar winning director Danny Boyle

Oscar winning director Danny Boyle says that though he had discussed his future project with Aamir Khan, the star has not yet given him a clear cut go ahead. Boyle was reportedly quoted by the PTI as saying, “It’s a fantastic script and we had a very good meeting with Aamir Khan.” There were reports earlier that the film has been titled Bombay Velvet, but Boyle said that like the actor, the title has not been finalized.

Anurag Kashyap, the director of Dev D, will wield the megaphone for this venture. One wonders if Aamir’s thirst for an Oscar be quenched by this venture or not.

New releases of the month November

November is going to be a dry month as far as biggies are concerned.

There are no releases from the top 10 Tamil heroes. Most of the releases are low budget films with comparatively new faces and technicians.

As of now on November 6, the four films have announced their release- Adhe Neram Adhe Idam, Thambiudayan, Sa-bu-thri, Mattu Dhavani.

Nov 13, three films- Pazhassi Raja, Shwetha 5/10 Wellington Road, Vaidehi

Nov 20- Naan Avan Illai- Part 2

Nov 27- Rettai Suzhi

Half a dozen other small movies are also due for release in November, provided they get distributors and theatres to screen.

Divya busy with Kannada and Tamil films in her kitty

Divya Spandana’s foray into the Tamil film industry was with Kuthu. The lady went on to establish herself more firmly with the Dhanush starrer Polladhavan and is now busy with several Kannada and Tamil films in her kitty.

Apart from acting, which she had made as her career, Divya seems to have an avocation that she considers dear. Yes, Divya Spandana is actively involved in social networking. The star, in fact, had selected about 50 fans through the social network to participate at her birthday bash that is to be held on November 29th. Divya also holds several interactive sessions with her fans and conducts quizzes. She is also an active blogger, we hear.

Aarya breaks his love with Nila

Delhi girl Nila, who proclaimed that she has a boy friend even while entering Kollywood through SJ Surya's A..Aaaa was found dating Aarya.

Nila has done Jaganmohini along with Namitha, but the movie was promoted as if the movie of Namitha and Nila's photo or name was never used to promote the movie. This has made Nila to understand her status in Kollywood in terms of comercial value.

As there is no value and opportunity, she decided to marry but Aarya seems to be not showing any interest in the marriage. He just want to have Nila as one of his GF.

So he has decided to go back to Delhi and find a suitable pair there. She here by declares that she want to marry within next six months.

Review-London Dreams

London Dreams, a complete entertainer with comedy, romance, dance, action and drama, had a big release today. Directed by Vipul Shah, starring Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn and South beauty Asin in lead roles, the film is about two best friends Ajay and Salman who go their separate ways. One becomes a musical success while the other is happy in his small village leading a carefree life. Asin completes the love triangle in this Shankar Ehsaan Loy musical. A film to be enjoyed with family and friends, London Dreams is Asin's next big flick after Ghajini.

Sidhu Plus 2 audio launch on October 31st, 2009

The audio launch of director K Bagyaraj’s Sidhu Plus 2, which has his son Shantanu Bagyaraj playing the lead role, is due to be held at the Santham Theatre on October 31st, 2009 at 9:30 am.

Producer AVM Saravanan will grace the occasion as the chief guest. The audio CD will be released by Ilayathalapathi Vijay and Kalaipuli S Dhanu will receive the first copy. Noted film personalities like Abirami Ramanathan, VC Guhanathan, Kalaipuli G Sekaran, KRG and Rama Narayanan along with a host of actors and actresses will attend the function.

Dhanush is ready for another film

Dhanush is ready! for another film with director Jawahar. After having delivered the smash hit Yaaradi Nee Mohini with the director, Dhanush and Jawahar have teamed up and are running with Kutty these days. The new one, as yet untitled, is a remake of the Telugu super hit Ready, which had Ram and Genilia in the lead roles.

The movie is produced by Mohan Appa Rao and Ramesh for Balaji Studios Pvt. Ltd. Interestingly, Ready is also being remade in Kannada (with Priyamani and Puneet Rajkumar) and will soon be remade in Bollywood.

Sun pictures buys Jaggubhai

Sun Pictures has made another prize catch. The film production and distribution arm of the Sun TV Network has acquired the release rights of Sarath Kumar starrer 'Jaggubhai', say sources in the know.

If sources are to be believed, the film will hit the screens soon (however after 'Vettaikkaran', whose rights are also with Sun), powered by non-stop promotional activities on channels and publications owned by Sun Network.

"Sarath plays a top Interpol officer, who goes to Australia on a mission. Shriya is his daughter while Goundamani plays a Tamil living in Australia. Most part of the movie was shot in abroad locales and hence, many foreign Tamils have acted," they add.

Music has been scored by Rafee, a former assistant of AR Rahman. Interestingly, it was Rahman who had recommended Rafee, a talented musician.

Radhika Sarath Kumar's home production company Radaan Mediaworks, along with Zee Motion Pictures, has produced this 'high-voltage action flick', directed by K S Ravikumar

KS Ravi Kumar launches

Salaam Chennai, a magazine that addresses issues on ‘aesthetic and global sense of style’ was launched at a high profile function that was held at the Court Marriot Hotel in Chennai. The first copy of the magazine was handed over by Vicky Kapoor, Director of Salaam Chennai Magazine to acclaimed film director KS Ravi Kumar.

Lauding the efforts of the Salaam Chennai team, KSR said, “I wish team Salaam Chennai the best on its new endeavor. It makes a good read with gamut of topics that it covers on Chennai.”

Vicky Kapoor, Director of Salaam Chennai Magazine, said, “Salaam Chennai will be a monthly that will empower Chennaities with information on prominent people from the city, art, culture and the most happening do’s. The reader will be able to keep abreast with latest events and trends happening in the city. This would also aid in outsiders understanding the city. The magazine will have a free circulation and will be available at key centers across Chennai.”

Films stars Nila and Sriman attended the function.

Famous actress Genelia comes to small screen

Genelia is the next from the tinsel town to step into the television industry. The actress will be soon seen hosting a reality show a popular channel, however in Hindi.

“Yes, I am getting ready for the game. TV is totally new to me. The theme is so interesting. Hence I accepted the offer,” says the actress, who is successful in four languages- Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi.

Revealing her fitness secret, Genelia says, “I am basically an athlete. I was a State level runner and I played for National football team. Hence, I am fit. I don’t stay away from any kind of food. If I like something, I binge onto it. I love biriyani, even if it’s oily,” she says.”

As an actress with experience in four languages, which one do you prefer to act? To this question, the bubbly actress’s answer is: “I enjoy doing films in all languages. Script is the first factor I look into. I don’t mind doing a five-minute role if it’s worth it. Secondly I should have comfort level with director/producer I work with. Language is never the criterion for me.”

Nila disturbed by Jaganmohini

Nila is quite disturbed over the way her character had been portrayed in the film Jaganmohini. The actress rues that when the filmmakers asked her to see the original version before signing her; she believed that her role would be in the same lines. A dejected Nila, soon after seeing the recent version of the film in which she had starred, said that the final outcome of Jaganmohini portrays her as a glorified junior artist.

Jaganmohini starred Namitha in the title role and had Tollywood actor Raja playing the male lead.