Shanthnoo Bhagyaraj alias Shanthanu acted as a child artist in his father’s film Vettiya Madichu Kattu (1998). He worked as an assistant director in his sister, Saranya Bhagyaraj's debut, Parijatham. Later he made his debut in Tamil with Sakkarakatti (2008). Sakkarakatti’s Songs, Taxi Taxi and Marudaani, created great expectations among youth as the songs were superbly composed by A.R.Rehman. Except songs, there was nothing special in the film and it was a mega flop. Hugely disappointed by the failure of his son’s debut film, Bhagyaraj launched the Tamil-Telugu bilingual film with the title “Pudhiya Vaarpugal” in an earnest attempt towards making Shanthanu a saleable hero, but he had to change the title (Sithu?) due to reports that it would be a remake of his eighties blockbuster with the same name. The film is likely to release in August. His next two movies, Sare Nee Istam (Telugu) and Angel John (Malayalam) with Mohanlal are under filming now.Sandhya who made her debut with the super-duper hit Kaadhal in 2004 gave a moderate hit with her second movie Dishyum in 2006. Then she became slightly obese and looked plump and so she was struggling for good opportunities. But after P.Vasu booking her for Aaptha Rakshaka (Kannada), she bagged handful of films viz. Nootrukku Nooru, Manjal Veiyil, Odipolaama and Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam. She sang two songs in her own voice for Manjal Veiyil. Though the film Manjal Veiyil did not fare well in box office, the unique behaviour of Sandhya in its premiere aroused a hot gossip that Sandhya and Shanthanu Bhagyaraj are in love.
During the premiere of Manjal Veiyil, everybody including producer, director, actors and chief guests were present but Sandhya requested the producer and director to delay the screening of the film as she is expecting a personal guest. She assented to start the show only after the arrival of Shanthanu belatedly. A leading evening Tamil daily says that they are quite frequently seen together late nights in Star hotels and they spend their time there joyfully till sunrise. They have not acted together in any movie. How love blossomed between them is still a surprise for everyone! French dramatist Georges Feydeau said “Just as there is no smoke without fire...there is no fire without ignition” ://
“Glamourous Lakshmi Rai now wants 'homely girl' image” - When I read this news in a leading English daily I really astonished because I read two different stories about her in a Tamil Weekly Magazine recently. One story tells that Lakshmi Rai, Namitha, Nayanthara, Meera Jasmine, Navya Nair and Vijayalakshmi enjoy gossips that spread about them. Other one is Lakshmi Rai is seriously trying through a most influential person in Bollywood to give a mega entry in Hindi Cinema.Those two stories did not surprise me as it correlates with her natural behaviour of being always under limelight. But she said she wants to get rid of the glamour girl tag and is keen to do meaty roles to prove her acting prowess. She also said "I haven't got the right breaks at the right time. I'd like to do films with the likes of S.Shankar and A.R.Murugadoss and would also like to star opposite superstar Rajnikanth. I have proved that I can act besides looking glamorous. I hope that in the near future, the glamour girl tag would give way for a 'homely girl' image" Yes, she proved her acting skill in Dhaam Dhoom in an Advocate character. In Vamanan, she acted as a model and appeared in bikini. But she perfectly portrayed her tiny role of becoming aware of a political murder and her struggle to convey about the murder to the Police and in that effort she dies. Belgaum Beauty Lakshmi Rai says her role in Naan Avanillai 2, which has five heroines including her, is quite significant. She said “When the film releases, my stand would be vindicated" Her latest decision to get rid of glamour girl tag is due to the Malayalam films, in which she portrayed non-glamourous performance oriented roles, that yielded her good name. There is nothing wrong in trying homely roles but you should not leave the quality that makes you survive till now. Hungarian-born U.S. psychiatrist Thomas Szasz rightly said “The proverb warns that, 'You should not bite the hand that feeds you.' But maybe you should, if it prevents you from feeding yourself”
‘Naan Kadavul’ fame Pooja alias Pooja Gautami Umashankar was born on 25th June 1981 in Sri Lanka of a Sri Lankan Sinhalese mother and a Kannadiga father. She did her schooling and college in Bangalore and has a Masters Degree in Business & Management. She can speak Kannada, Tamil, Sinhalese and English. Her debut film was Ullam Ketkume in Tamil opposite Shaam but it was released as her third film in 2005 after the release of Jay Jay and Attagasam in 2003 and 2004 respectively. She became a sensation in Sri Lankan film industry and a household name after the success of Anjalika (2005) and Asai Man Piyambanna (2007). This also yielded her the role of broadband ambassador for Sri Lanka Telecom. She was also a part of Mani Ratnam's stage show, Netru, Indru, Naalai. She has been in the panel of the judges in the popular reality dance shows on Kalaignar TV.Though her performance was notable in Pattiyal and Thambi, her later releases Thagappansamy, Pori, Oram Po did not yield her good name. At this juncture, she bagged female lead role in Bala's Naan Kadavul by replacing Bhavana and Karthika. She proved her great talent in the blind beggar character and she was appreciated by the critics for her fantastic performance. Pouring accolades on Pooja for her extra-ordinary performance in Naan Kadavul, Rajnikanth said that she has proved herself to be a talented actress. After winning rave reviews for Naan Kadavul, Pooja expected that lot of good offers would knock her door but it did not happen. She was booked for Soundarya Rajni’s own production ‘Goa’ as one of the two heroines replacing a Hollywood actress. But Pooja quitted from the Goa project too due to non-availability of her date. Her only Tamil film ‘Drohi’ is under filming now. But she is getting offers from Malayalam film industry after the success of her film ‘Bhramaram’ opposite Mohan Lal.In the meantime, Pooja’s parents started searching a good bridegroom for her. But Pooja strictly told her parents that she will marry only after achieving something in film industry. I think Pooja has taken right decision because French novelist Gustave Flaubert said “Passions fade when one removes them from their usual surroundings”
U.S. poet, short-story writer and essayist Raymond Carver said “She had money and she had connections. Connections were more important than money. But money and connections both—that was unbeatable” Sizzling Busty Sona is known for her glamourous appearances both in silver screen and in press interviews. Glamour Bomb Sona quite frequently grabs the attention of the media by starting any new business or by announcing movie production or by her latest glamourous stills and news. She started UniQ Boutique Shop in Chennai in January 2009. In April 2009, she announced production of Tamil film ‘Odu Machi Odu’ with two heroines viz. German Model-cum-Pop Singer Gladia and Mumbai Model Swetha. But that project was dropped due to clash between Sona and the director. But Sona knows “Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall” Sona recently announced that she is going to open a Modern Pub with international standards in Chennai and the project is awaiting approval from the TN Government officials. The latest news about Sona is she fainted and fell down while shooting a song sequence in Manamadurai for the film ‘Veera Chozhan’. She is acting as a guava fruit seller in the film. It was first told that she danced with empty stomach for the song. Later we came to know that she is in strict diet control recent times to reduce the weight of her chubby body. She drinks only fruit juices while dancing and avoids food. So, while shooting the song on the banks of river Vaigai under hot conditions, she fainted and fell down. Doctor confirmed that the dizziness is caused by hunger only. Then she relaxed and finished the song. Annoyed by the happening, Sona argued with the hospital which prescribed her the diet system after returning to Chennai.
Roman Emperor and Philosopher Marcus Aurelius said “Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul” I remembered this quote when I read the interview of Sivaji fame Shriya Saran in a popular Tamil weekly regarding her visit to Isha Yoga Centre near Coimbatore for a 3 days yoga program.
Though Shriya already learnt yoga in her Mumbai house privately employing a yoga teacher, she describes her visit to Isha Centre as “a journey in search of myself” She cheerfully spent her 3 days there eating together, participating in forest trekking with co-participants. She also enquired about ‘Isha Vidhya’ a home for orphans and planned to adopt/sponsor a child there soon. She shares her Isha Centre experiences this way “I was not so happy ever before; I would like this to continue. A good guru and spiritual journey is essential for everyone to guide their life in the right direction. I learned to think Who am I, my purpose of existence, what I am going to do, which is genuine relationship, how to lead better life in stressful environment, etc. This is the right age to search for everything. Youngsters should come to spiritual path. Yoga gave me beautiful life style, taught me how to use opportunities in right way and I am now feeling like a child. Sadhguru has returned me my childhood happiness like life without worries. As an actress yoga helps me to balance myself, fully concentrate on my profession and accomplish it happily”
When asked what her name denotes “Shriya means nothing; no meaning. After visiting Isha Centre, I believe that it will definitely give a meaning to my name as well as my life.” She discloses as to how she is maintaining her zero size this way “I am doing meditation and yoga at a particular time daily and playing whenever I find time. I always keep myself away from mental strain and stress” In reply to the question asking her is there any chance of drifting into spiritual path in future she raises her hands up towards the sky like Rajnikanth. U.S. author Nancy Kline rightly said “To take time to think is to gain time to live”
Here is what Namitha said enthusiastically about her role in Indira Vizha “It’s an unusual character who goes from bubbly to bitter due to her circumstances. You are going to see my potential as an actress in it. A lot of people were shocked at my performance” Not just that, she even watched a lot of movies featuring Demi Moore and Sharon Stone to get the right body language. But what I learned from the reviews after release is Namitha has been swindled by director Rajeshwar who convinced her about exemplary role, which eventually turned out to be a ludicrous show.Indra Vizha is about Kamini (Namitha) who meets Sridhar (Srikanth) during one of her modeling assignments. She joins a TV channel with the help of Srikanth. Both of them fall in love, but Namitha is not satisfied with what she has and she marries Nasser who is the head of the TV channel. Now Kamini wants the best of both Worlds, the money that Nasser has and her old love Srikanth. But Sridhar is a man of ideals and he does not fall prey to her intentions. A spurned Kamini accuses Sridhar of sexual harassment and files a case against him. How Sridhar defends himself forms the climax of the story. The character of Namitha in Indira Vizha is of the outlook that ‘one can succeed even at the cost of one’s ideals’ Indira Vizha is a sleazier version of Barry Levinson’s Michael Douglas-Demi Moore Disclosure (1994).Namitha seems to be assuming herself that she has done something better. But the film is made purely to titillate and is full of half naked females in the form of Namitha, who has exposed the maximum along with Ragasiya, new girl Hema Malini and a pole dancer in a bar! Forget the sexual content of the movie, what irritates you the most is the half a dozen songs inside night clubs, that comes at regular intervals. The movie seems to be constructed exclusively around vulgar glamour and it has been made with the sole intent of making full use of Namitha’s oomph factor. Namitha is all about glamour gone overboard and nothing else. Titillation doesn’t end with just Namitha or her costumes, there are loads of explicit stuff in the name of dialogues and double entendres appear in every other frame. No surprises as to why this film was given an A certificate. Overall the movie is mainly focused on Namitha’s glamour and will be a treat only to her fans.
Canadian-born U.S. film actor Donald Sutherland said “When you're working for a good director, you become subjective and submissive. You become his concubine. All that you seek is his pleasure” This saying is about the contribution of an actress in bringing out a good film by delivering her best as conceived by the director. But Nayanthara misunderstood the saying and her affair with Prabhu Deva has now become an open secret. The latest news is Nayanthara negotiated with Prabhu Deva’s wife Ramlath in the hopes of reaching a mutually satisfying agreement. Nayanthara personally met Ramlath and assured her that there won’t be any trouble from her side and Ramlath need not resort to the divorce idea. And both of them would amicably live with Prabhu Deva. Ramlath quietly listened to the decision of Nayanthara as she had no other go. Taking the silence of Ramlath as her concurrence to the decision, Nayanthara introduced Prabhu Deva to his brother in Dubai. She revealed this fact to a website recently. When asked about when she is getting married or is it already over, she dodged. But she told that she will definitely invite everybody and publicly announce her marriage.Nayanthara should have given a thought to the following anonymous sayings “A wife is sought for her virtue, a concubine for her beauty” and “The first wife is matrimony, the second company, the third heresy” Prabhu Deva was gossiped with every heroine he paired when he was a busy hero because of his playboy activities. He knows how to trap heroines and least bothers about morality. This compromise idea initiated by Nayanthara reveals that she considered the advice of Rajnikanth to some extent and tried to behave morally. U.S. Writer Ernest Hemingway said “What is moral is what you feel good after, and what is immoral is what you feel bad after”
Does anybody teach young fishes to swim? There is no wonder in a daughter having traits similar to his father upon reaching adolescence. Yes. I am talking about Shruthi Kamal Hassan’s recent statement on wearing bikini dress and acting in lip lock scenes.Shruthi has acted as heroine in Hindi movie ‘Luck’ which is scheduled to release worldwide on 24th of this month. Ameer Khan’s relative Imran Khan is the hero of this film. Shruthi has sung a song also for this film. In a press meet she said “I welcome acting in bikini dress. There is nothing wrong. Because a girl can reveal her beauty absolutely in bikini dress alone. I would love to act with bikini dress. There is a scene in my forthcoming film ‘Luck’ in which I have acted with bikini dress. I don’t like my father’s presence while shooting intimate romance scenes. I have no hesitation in acting with bikini dress when my father is absent in the set” Besides acting, she is composing music for Kamal Hassan’s upcoming film ‘Unnaippol Oruvan’ She says there will be lots of surprises for the audience in the soundtrack of Unnaippol Oruvan.Kamal Hassan is the trend-setter of Lip Lock scenes in Tamil Cinema. He has the obsession of exhibiting his bare body to the audience (You can recall here the ‘Aalavandan’ Still of Kamal with skin dress). The statement of Shruthi Kamal Hassan will surprise only those who don’t know this anonymous saying “The law of heredity is that all undesirable traits come from the parent”
English Poet Richard Alison described Beauty as “There is a garden in her face, Where roses and white lilies grow” I remembered this quote when I saw the face of Miss beautiful eyes and busty Hemamalini in the stills of ‘Indravizha’ and ‘Naan Avanillai Part II’.There is no wonder director Shakthi Chidambaram selecting Hemamalini as heroine for his next movie ‘Guru Sishyan’. The director’s favorite heroine is the hot and sexy Namitha. Sizzling Siren Namitha became the Sex Diva of the Kollywood through his films only as he was continuously giving her opportunity. But Namitha has been established as glamourous actress in the minds of the audience rather than a homely actress. But Hemamalini is capable of handling both homely characters and also glamorous roles as she is not only curvaceous but also having very cute face that can deliver emotions. She acted as Srikanth’s wife in ‘Indravizha’ which is slated to release on 10th of this month. ‘Naan Avanillai Part II’ is under filming now. After release of these films, Hemamalini will give a tough competition to Namitha and it is a welcome one because Competition is a performance stimulant.It is because of her talent Hemamalini is booked for third movie before release of her first two films. ‘Guru Sishyan’ has created great expectations among movie buffs as it is for the first time ‘Comedy Kings’ Satyaraj, Sundar.C and Vadivelu are acting together in this film. Surely Hemamalini will add spices to the film. So, the film will be an out-and-out entertainer as Shakthi Chidambaram knows “Success is having the right stuff in the right place at the right time — and neither too much nor too little of it”
30-year-old Actress Flora alias Asha Saini alias Mayuri, accused of being involved in a US Visa racket, has recently grabbed attention of the media and movie buffs with her extremely sexy stills for the film ‘Uchakattam’. This is a comeback movie for Flora as she is doing the lead role after a long time and she strongly believes that this film will give her a re-entry. So, she has exhibited upmost glamour in this film and her appearance in every scene will be a feast for the audience. Besides glamour, she has also acted in a lip lock scene with Gemini, hero of the film. It is said that Flora had no hesitation in performing the lip lock and she performed it aesthetically. But that single lip lock scene took 10 takes because the hero was slightly nervous. ‘Uchakattam’ is a ghost-centric thriller in which Miss Bangalore Swathi is doing the ghost role. The movie is produced by Gopal, producer of ‘Thagappansamy’, who is also portraying main villain role in this film. Life does not come with any guarantees and you have to go with the flow. It seems Flora is trying to give her best for her re-entry emulating her predecessors’ way. She knows the meaning of this proverb “If you fall off a cliff, you might as well try to fly. After all, you got nothing to lose”
Austrian-born German Political and Military Leader Adolf Hitler said “The world belongs to the man with guts! God helps him!” I think Meenakshi misunderstood that saying. She has been adopting some disagreeable qualities and shameful audacity.After seeing her performance in Karuppasamy Kuthagaitharar, everybody thought that she is one another homely and modest girl after Devayani, Sneha, Bhavana, etc. But her glamourous appearance in Taxi No.4777 and Rajathi Raja utterly astonished everyone. Especially Ragava Lawrence measuring her chest size and oil massaging her tummy revealed how bold she has become in flaunting her assets. The latest news is a hotel in Vadapazhani, where Meenakshi usually stays, has refused to allot room for Meenakshi because she and her lover, Anjathe and Taxi fame Ajmal, are creating unwanted scenes in the hotel after taking drinks in the Bar. They both are openly sharing their intimacy in front of other visitors of the hotel. Though it is common among actors behaving like this, hotel admin asked Meenakshi to vacate. She is getting same type of ‘vacate please’ requests from other hotels also and hence she keeps on changing her hotels.Meenakshi may say “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone” and she could continue her unabashed behaviour. But it is good for her to change her attitude because “Ability can take you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there”
U.S. film actor Marilyn Monroe said “Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul”. Following Bollywood, Kollywood directors have been conceiving lip lock scenes for their films just to gain publicity and pull youth to the theatres without considering its relevance to the core of the film story. But when I read cutie Tamannaah has given green signal for lip lock with Bharath for the film ‘Kanden Kadhalai’, I am not surprised because the story needs it.As you all know ‘Kanden Kadhalai’ is a Tamil remake of Hindi super-hit film ‘Jab We Met’ in which Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor performed the lead roles. The story is Kareena Kapoor runs away from her home to marry her lover. She meets Shahid Kapoor during this journey who likes her juvenile behaviour and helps her to reach to her lover. But her lover refuses to accept her ridiculing her childish and hasty decision and asks her to go back to her home. Shahid convinces both of them and takes them to Kareena Kapoor’s home to arrange marriage. But Kareena’s family misunderstands that Shahid is the lover of Kareena. While brainstorming for executing the marriage, Kareena understands the true love of Shahid and she kisses Shahid in front of her lover to convey that she is going to marry Shahid. That one lip lock scene avoids all lengthy dialogues and picturised in a humourous way as to how a childlike girl behaves when she finds her true love.The performance of both Shahid and Kareena was outstanding in ‘Jab We Met’ and the chemistry between them was excellent. Tamannaah and Bharath have already proved that they are good performers. Whether they could emulate and deliver the performance and chemistry of Shahid and Kareena is a question for which we have to wait till ‘Kanden Kadhalai’ hits the silver screen!
