Mankatha audio April release Ajith's Birthday May 1

Ajith's 50th film Mankatha, directed by Venkat Prabhu, recently completed shooting its intro song in Bangkok. Yuvanshankar Raja is the music director while Sakthi Saravanan takes care of the camera. The film also stars Trisha, Premji Amaren, Vaibhav, Neetu Chandra, Lakshmi Rai and Jacqueline Fernandez in prominent roles.

The latest buzz is that the audio of Mankatha will be launched in April and the film will grace theatres on May 1, 2011 (Ajith's birthday).

Lakshmi Rai: Glamour is not the property of any individual actress

Lakshmi Rai says that glamour is not the property of any individual actress. Lakshmi Rai while speaking said,” I feel that I am busy actress after seeing the rumors that are being spread about me.

Even if I congratulate Dhoni if he wins in cricket, it becomes news. If I stay in my own house in Mumbai, there is news I am in search of offers in Bollywood.

I am not worried about all these things. Now also I am acting in a glamour role in the Malayalam film Casanova. The shooting of this film is taking place in Dubai for a month’s time.

Since this film has an international story, I am acting stylishly like a Hollywood heroine. I will be fighting, wearing swim suits and acting in kissing scenes.

Immediately people say that I am acting glamorously like Nayanthara. Glamour roles are not the property of any individual actresses. This is the property of all the beautiful actresses. In Tamil I am pairing with Ajith in Mangaatha.

Lakshmi Rai's concentration on Hindi movie

Lakshmi Rai has only one Tamil film in her hand. That is Kanchana directed by Lawrence Raghavendra. When asked her that whether she is not getting offers, she said,” I am acting in two Malayalam films.

My only concentration these days is to act in Hindi films. That is why I had purchased a house in Mumbai. After completing the films I am acting mow, I will settle in Mumbai. In Bollywood, the audience will like the actresses to be slim.

I am reducing my weight by dieting and exercising. After slimming, I will have a photo shoot session and hunt for roles in Hindi films.”

Lakshmi Rai feels good for MS Dhoni's wedding

Relieved a lot that Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has tied the knot is Lakshmi Rai. The actress, who has been often linked with the cricketer, says she is happy that her “good friend” has entered the wedlock with his childhood friend Sakshi Singh Rawat.

“I knew long back that Dhoni was seeing Sakshi. But I had to keep it under wraps because he did not wish to talk about his relationship at that time. I wish the couple a very happy married life,” Lakshmi Rai says.

“No one believed me when I said that the relationship between me and Dhoni was nothing more than friendship. The truth has come out now. I am now happy and relieved a lot,” the Belgaum beauty adds.

On Sunday, Dhoni’s love for speed was once again on display, as he tied the nuptial knot with Sakshi in a private ceremony attended only by family members and close friends, at a farmhouse near Dehra Dun.

Within a day of the 28-year-old wicket-keeper batsman got engaged to Sakshi, a 23-year-old hotel management student, at a private ceremony on Saturday night, the couple got married at Vishranti Resort, located in Lower Kandoli village, 25 km from Dehra Dun.

Sneha replaces Lakshmi Rai in Shikar movie

Lakshmi Rai could not adjust her dates and has lost out to become Mohanlal’s heroine in Shikar. She has been replaced by Sneha, who has gone out of her way to accommodate the Mohanlal film.

For Sneha it is a dream comes true, as it is for the first time that she is being paired with Mohanlal. Remember Sneha has done three films with the other Malayalam superstar Mammootty- Thuruppu Gulan, Pramani and the soon to be released Vande Matram. Sneha will join the unit of Shikar from June 3 in Ramoji Rao Studios in Hyderabad.

Sneha will play the role of Mohanlal’s wife in the film while Ananya will play his daughter and Maithali of Paleri Manickam is also doing an important role in the film.

Lakshmi Rai and Lawrence dance for a song in Pen Singam

Pen Singam is a film which has story and dialogues by Chief Minister Karunanidhi. Udhay Kiran and Meera Jasmine are in the lead roles.

A dance featuring Lakshmi Rai and Raghav Lawrence for a song Adi Adi Asayum Iduppu was shot recently. The song was penned by Vaali. The music for the song was composed by Deva.

A huge set was erected in a big gowdown at Thirumaleesai near Chennai to shoot this song. The song was shot for four days.  Velu Nachiar’s mono acting was also shot for this film. Meera Jasmine donned the role of Velu Nachiar. This was shot in the auditorium of Nadigar Sangam.

A fiery fighting scene featuring Udhay Kiran and Radha Ravi was also recently shot. The song Aha, Veenail Ezhuvathu Venuganama written by Kalaignar Karunanidhi and the song Nee Sonanal written by Vairamuthu are to be shot in Switzerland.

After this shooting of t film will come to an end.  N Jayamurugan and Arumuganeri S P Murugesan are jointly producing this film under the banner J Nandhi Arts. P C Sriram’s assistant Vijay Raghav is handling the camera. Bali Srirangam is directing this film.

Simbhudevan's favorite heroin Lakshmi Rai in Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam

Simbhudevan is awaiting the release of Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam to gauge the audience reaction for a cowboy film. In a recent interview to a magazine he asked about the three heroines in the film – Lakshmi Rai, Padmapriya and Sandhya – and whom he liked the most.

Though the director did not want to disclose his most favorite actress, he finally gave in and said that it was Lakshmi Rai. And, of course, that is not without a reason. He says that Lakshmi Rai was part of many death defying stunts and she was bold enough in all the scenes.

IKMS is releasing this Pongal and has Ragava Lawrence playing the lead role.

Cold war between Lakshmi Rai and Padmapriya

Click here to get Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam Movie image Gallery

It seems there is cold war between Lakshmi Rai and Padmapriya. Both of them had a clash in the sets of Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam with regard to who is talented.

Simbhu Devan who had earlier directed Imsai Arasan which had Vadivelu in the lead is directing this film. Lawrence is doing the lead role. This film is a cowboy story. All the actors and actresses are adorning cowboy costumes.

Padmapriya and Lakshmi Rai are also starring in this film. Both of them were constantly telling that they are the heroines of this film. This statement has led to difference of opinion between them. So, both of them had almost tortured the director by telling him that their role should have more significance.

The director was really in a tough position to compromise them. Padmapriya had remarked, “The whole country who have seen Mirugam, Thavamai Thavamirundhu and Pokkisham knows about my acting skill. Can she act like me?” This remark had reached the ears of Lakshmi Rai.

She got wild and quipped that she was more talented than Padmapriya. But somehow Simbhu Devan was able to keep the situation under control and has successfully completed the shooting. It is also important to note that Sandhya is also one of the heroines in this film.

The cold war between the two was very much felt during the audio launch of this film. Lakshmi Rai use to come in glamorous dress for these kinds of functions. In order to contend with her Padmapriya for the first time came in glamorous attire.

Vairamuthu's praises for Lakshmi Rai

Vairamuthu has out beaten the actors also by praising the actresses. Simbhu Devan who directed Imsai Arasan is currently directing the film titled Irumbu Kottai Murattu  Singam.

The audio launch of this film was held recently in Chennai. Actors Lawrence, Lakshmi Rai, Padmapriya and Sandhya who have acted in this film had participated in this event. Vairamuthu and other film personalities have also participated in this event.

People who spoke on this occasion appreciated Simbhu Devan for directing this 18^th century cowboy story. But Vairamuthu was all in praise for Lakshmi Rai. While speaking Vairamuthu said that Lakshmi Rai had acted in this film riding a horse and the horse is really lucky enough.

All the guests including Lakshmi Rai started laughing on hearing Vairamuthu’s praise for Lakshmi Rai. Vairamuthu who took leave after the function gave a lift for Lakshmi Rai in his car.

Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam's audio launch

Producer Kalpathi S. Aghoram and his director Chimbudevan had a grand audio launch of their ambitious cowboy extravaganza Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam (IKMS) at a popular multiplex in Chennai on Saturday (Dec 26) morning.
IKMS trailer, slick action packed laced with humour was screened with two songs for the invitees. The music of GV Prakash is rocking and looks similar to cowboy film background music of yesteryears.
A mass introductory song with all actors Raja Singam… against the background of a cowboy town was impressive. The second song picturised on Lawrence and Lakshmi Vellaikare Nee, Kolakkaran Njaan…. was a scorcher.
The highlight of the function was the lead artists of IMS- Raghava Lawrence in a saffron dhoti, white shirt, wearing no footwear and spotting a ponytail along with three glam girls Lakshmi Rai, Padmapriya and Sandhya was the cynosure of all eyes.
K Balachandar unveiled the audio with Cheran receiving it. Says KB: “When I first came to Chennai as a 20 year old, I fell in love with Hollywood cowboy movies which were then screened at Eliphinstone and Wellington on Mount Road. After seeing Chimbudevan’s trailer I thought it was picture perfect and would be a treat. Lawrence is the best dancer in the industry today.”
Cheran said Chimbudevan who was one of his former assistants is a hard worker - “He tried to contact Manoj Night Shyamalan through the internet as he wanted to be his assistant.” Balu Mahendra said he loved cowboy films especially films like ‘A few Dollars More’, ‘The good, The bad, The ugly’ etc.
Added Balu Mahendra: “The camera work of Azhagappan in the trailer is mind blowing. He is one of the five best cameramen in the industry.”
The others who spoke on the occasion included lyricist Vairamuthu, Editor Mohan, RB Chowdhary, Ramanarayanan, and the lead artists. Chimbudevan concluded the film would not have been possible without the backing of producer Kalpathi Aghoram and his love for cowboy films of Sergio Leone and John Wayne.

Lakshmi Rai's another love rumor after Dhoni

The Tamil films in which Lakshmi Rai has acted has not succeeded in the box office. She is not in the list of the popular actresses like Nayanthara, Trisha and Shreya.

But she became popular because of the love rumors. Few days back there was news that she was in love with the cricket player Dhoni. It seems they use to speak hours together on the phone and when Dhoni came to Chennai he stayed with her in the same hotel.

Recently there was lot of controversy about her recently purchased B M W car 5. The cost of the car is Rs 50 lakhs. There is news that Dhoni has gifted her car. But when asked Lakshmi Rai about this, she denied saying,” Am I his wife for him to gift me with such a costly car.

My father has purchased this car for me.”  At this point, a new rumor linking Lakshmi Rai with Mammooty is on the air. It is important to note that Lakshmi Rai is acting in Malayalam films.

When asked about this to Lakshmi Rai, she said that she has not heard about this rumor and said there is nothing between her and Mammooty.

Naan Avan Illai -2 gets ‘A’ certificate

What would have made the Censor Board officials to give an ‘A’ certificate to ‘Naan Avan Illai-II’ though the film didn’t undergo so many cuts? It is a handful steamy scenes in which Jeevan romance the five heroines of the movie.

According to reliable sources, there is a couple of smooching scenes too in this sequel to ‘Naan Avan Illai’, which is bound to raise the temperature in cinema halls.

“In the sequel, the serial womaniser (Jeevan) shifts his base from India to abroad countries. His modus operandi is different this time and the end result is steamy scenes involving Jeevan with Sangeetha, Lakshmi Rai, Swetha Menon, Hema Malini and Rachana Maurya," sources add.

Directed by Selva, the movie is produced by Nemichand Jhabak and V Hitesh Jhabak. "The second part is more interesting and racy than the first part," says the director.

Lakshmi Rai peeved about reports

Actress Lakshmi Rai is peeved about the recent rumours of her alleged affair with Prasad, her trainer in a Tamil vernacular.

Says Lakshmi: “I can’t figure out why these people write such baseless reports, when they can clarify it with me or my manager. Prasad is my trainer who is a good friend and a pucca professional. Poor guy is he is engaged and is getting married soon and why should be dragged into such rumours?”

Lakshmi who is already linked with Indian cricket captain M S Dhoni is upset that her name is dragged unnecessarily. The actress who is now settled in Mumbai has also said that she has signed a Hindi film for which she has to shed none kilos and hence she took the help of Prasad who accompanies her on her outdoor locations.

Naan Avan Illai-2 movie audio launched

Hittesh Jhabak had a soft launch of his eagerly awaited Selva directed action spectacle Naan Avan Illai-2 audio without any fanfare. The audio of the film by Sony straight went to the stores on Sunday (November 1).

There are five peppy numbers in the album tuned by D Imman, and all songs are massy. The film has Jeevan in the lead along with five sexy heroines- Sangeetha, Lakshmi Rai, Hema Malini, Shwetha Menon and Rachana Maurya. Those who heard the album say it is Imman’s best in recent times.

The buzz around Naan Avan Illai-2 is positive and it should take an opening when it releases on November 27.