Gautham Menon on 'Thala55' and tiff with Suriya

There's a lot of buzz about the upcoming Ajith-Gautham Menon film. Pretty much everything about the film is being kept under wraps. We nail the elusive Gautham for a chat, and get him talking about this film, Ajith, Suriya and more. Gautham maintains, "I cannot reveal anything about Ajith's role, because the treatment of the film is such that during the first 45 minutes, the audience will be guessing who the man is. It's a character-driven film and Ajith's character, Sathyadev, is also a good sketch for a sequel. And if things go well, I can even come up one." But he gets candid about everything else. Excerpts...

Finally, a film with Ajith. How did it happen?
I wanted Ajith to act in Kaakha Khaakha and had approached him first. Then, it went to Vikram and then, finally Suriya. I was also supposed to do a film with Ajith when he was about to start Asal, then again, during Mankatha. We discussed a project, but couldn't start it. I don't have any reason as to why it didn't happen, it just didn't. Now, when the Suriya project was shelved and I was wondering what's next, Ajith's film came my way.

When Suriya released a statement saying he was walking out Dhruvva Natchathiram, why didn't you react?
He'd stated that I didn't tell him the script. But the question is, whether I didn't tell him the script at all, or didn't tell him the one he'd like to hear. I was disappointed, but only for three hours. After that, I just moved on. That night itself we started the Simbu film. The next week we started filming with Ajith. Since then things have only got better, so I thought why even talk about it.

Will you work with Suriya again?
Right now, I don't see that happening. Somewhere two people have to connect. Whenever I write a script, Trisha has been my first choice for lead because we have a good connect - like I feel with Ajith and the comfort level that I always feel with Simbu... till I feel that connect with somebody, I am not looking to work with that person.

Have you gone out of your comfort zone and added commercial elements for a mass hero?
When we sat and discussed the project, Ajith told me, 'let's make a film that you are comfortable with'. Even if I try to infuse extra commercial elements just for him, he usually says no to it. And also, I don't know how to commercialise anything, I have never done that. There is absolutely no pressure on me from any side.

Romance is your forte. Can we get to see a romantic Ajith?
Yes, absolutely. The audience will get to see a romantic Ajith in this film. We've shot a romantic song, Mazhai Varapoguthey, recently with Ajith and he has done it beautifully.

You haven't announced a title for this film, yet.
We have a title, but we want to wait before announcing it. There is so much buzz around it and this is exactly what a hero's film is all about. We are planning to release the film this December and the audio launch in November - we're planning to announce the title around this time.

We've heard that Ajith doesn't want his character's name highlighted in the title...
What you have heard is true...

When will you start working on the Simbu film again?
I have got just 30 days' shoot left for that film. I will re-start it as soon as I finish the current one. I know there are rumours that it has been shelved, but as I said earlier, I should be either rich or weird to drop this film. I am neither, so I will definitely start that film in December.

Ilayathalapathy Vijay wishes Ajith for Veeram success

Ilayathalapathy Vijay and Team Jilla are basking in the amazing run of their film in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and key overseas circuits like Malaysia,Australia,US and UK.

Vijay in a nice gesture shown to his co-star and friend Ajith had wished Thala success for his Pongal release Veeram at a success meet held recently in the city to celebrate the success of Jilla and also conveyed his thanks to all his fans who had queued up right on the release day to watch Jilla.

Vijay also added that he was happy to hear about the successful run of Veeram too which he opined is good for the cine industry and all the stakeholders involved.

Ajith shoots despite fever

Thala Ajith is known for his professionalism. The actor proved that yet again on the sets of director Vishnuvardhan's film, where he shot for the film in Kullu Manali despite being nursing high temperature and back spasms.

Ajith, is also known for his love for biking and driving. We hear that the actor drove himself from Delhi to Manali for the shoot, which is roughly about 550 km. The terrain is said to be a tricky one for drivers, but at the same time the drive through the long way offers many scenic views. We hear that Ajith took approximately around 9 and half hours to reach the destination and that this may have led to Ajith's back pains on arrival. Nonetheless, the shooting took place as planned.

Vijay - ARM movie to begin Pongal 2014

After their successful super-hit film 'Thuppakki', Vijay and A R Murugadoss are expected to come together once again as early as January 2014 for their next flick. The buzz earlier was that the director would soon be joining hands with Thala Ajith for his next, but looks like the director has teamed with Ilayathalapathy Vijay for the flick.

With Thalaivaa completely wrapped up and Jilla proceeding at brisk pace, Vijay is set to join with his Thuppakki director in January. Meanwhile A R Murugadoss who is currently busy shooting Thuppakki in Hindi with Akshay Kumar seems to be simultaneously working with his assistant Directors in tightening the script for Vijay.

It is widely believed that this is the same script that was originally developed for Ajith to act in a double role. We will have to wait and watch whether Vijay will play dual roles in this upcoming project. Vijay has tentatively agreed and cleared his dates for this movie starting in 2014.

Taapsee excited to shoot with Ajith!

Taapsee Pannu who is a part of Ajith's next flick directed by Vishnuvardhan which also has Nayanthara and Arya in the lead is excited about working the star. The young pretty actress is with the team for the final leg of shooting of the film that is happening in Kulu Manali.

Taapsee who made her Kollywood debut with 'Aadukalam' had tweeted "Sorry for delaying this for so long but had to wait till the teaser launch. This 1 is for all thala fans. Day 3 of this action packed climax. N I have started hating mountainous regions more all thanks to the nausic travel through them. Yikes!"

"Off 2 shoot in chill. Hope some nice action shots help to keep the blood flowing else m ready to offer a bloody ice candy," she posted yesterday.

Remya wants to work with Ajith and Vijay

Remya Nambeesan, who was last seen in the super hit Pizza, says that she wants to act with Ajith and Vijay. At the same time, the actress maintained that the story was of prime importance to her and that if the story impressed her, the lead actor wouldn't matter.

The actress says that this is the primary reason she bagged a film like Pizza that had newcomers. Remya is now busy with her upcoming film Rendavadhu Padam, which is directed by CS Amudhan, as well.

When quizzed the actress if she would like to work in the other industries, she said that she would like to follow her contemporaries Amala Paul and Asin, who made a mark in Tamil, before venturing into other industries.

Ajith 53 teaser hits online space!

The teaser of Ajith's next flick directed by Vishnuvardhan also starring Arya, Nayanthara and Tapsee hit the internet yesterday and has been creating waves in the online space. The 40 second teaser seems to been a gift to Thala Ajith's fans as the star celebrates his birthday today.

In the film Ajith is rumoured to have played the role of a stylish IT hacker. Actor Kishore, who is known for his sleek performance, andRana Daggubati are the latest to join the cast list of this multi starrer.

While the film has been tentaively titled as 'Valai' by the media and fans, the producer of the film AM Ratnam has said that the title Valai is not finalised. They are still looking at other titles and will take a call soon on the title. Every tiny detail of Ajith's 53rd film has been kept under wraps ever since the project started.

Check out the trailer:

Ajith confident about his upcoming film

We all know that Vishnuvardhan is one of Ajith's favourite directors. The duo has known each other for more than a decade now and their relationship dates to Ashoka days, when Vishnu had assisted Santosh Sivan.The film had Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Ajith playing the lead.

Vishnu then teamed up with Ajith in Billa in 2007 and the film went on to become a huge hit at the Box Office. The duo is once again working on a highly anticipated film, which is nearing completion. Ajith had recently said that his relationship with Vishnu had got stronger because of the film. Ajith is confident that the good vibes he shares with Vishnu will help the film as well.

Thala-Vishnu film’s teaser ready?

There is news from the Ajith-Vishnuvardhan camp. Thala fans, who have been waiting to see a teaser of his upcoming film may take a breather as we hear that the teaser is almost ready and that it will be released on Thala Ajith's birthday on May 1.

The film has been in production for almost a year now but almost every important detail of the film has been kept under wraps. Finally, his fans can be happy as the composer of the film, Yuvan Shankar Raja has posted on his micro-blogging site that he recently worked on an awesome new teaser for this film, which is popularly called Thala 53. Vishnu's brother, actor Krishna, has also tweeted about the same.

Ajith to celebrate his birthday in Jaisalmer!

On May 1, World Labour day, Thala Ajith will be celebrating his 42nd birthday. As usual, there will not be any fanfare associated with his birthday.  However, Thala will be on work on his birthday.

The star himself is busy shooting for his Vishnuvardhan-directed untitled film popularly referred to as Thala 53. Ajith and the rest of the crew of this action entertainer will be shooting the last schedule in the heat of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.

And with this Jaisalmer shoot, the entire talkie portion of the film will be complete. The AM Ratnam produced Ajith film has music by Yuvan Shankar Raja and also has Nayanthara, Arya and Taapsee in the cast.

Taapsee and Arya watch cricket

While Shruti Haasan was spotted cheering for Team Chennai, Taapsee and Arya who were shooting for Vishnuvardhan's untitled film, which has Ajith in the lead, dropped in at the stadium to watch the match. The duo had got a special invitation from the owners of Team Rajasthan, Shilpa Shetty's husband Raj Kundra.

Taapsee had posted on her micro-blogging site, "Saw my first ever cricket match in stadium. What a thrill, thanks to Raj Kundra for being an amazing host. Not an ardent cricket fan in a country where cricket and cinema are two religions, I chose cinema but amazing energy in the stadium. Adrenaline rush as we shouted whistle todu!! (break the whistle)."

Ajith gets a grand introduction

Composer Yuvan Shankar Raja had recently posted on his micro-blogging site that he has completed three songs for the Ajith - Vishnuvardhan untitled movie. The composer also informed that there is a grand intro song in the film, sung by Shankar Mahadevan. The singer has already sung for the actor in his previous films- Kireedom and Thirupathi.

Ajith in a never-seen-before role!

Thala Ajith who has been doing action oriented role for quite sometime has also been a slice of comic scenes her and there in each movie. The star would be seen in a never-seen-before role in his upcoming flick with Siruthai Siva. It is believed that Ajith will be seen in more number of comedy scenes and this will certainly have his fans go in splits of laughter.

Ajith's comedy in 'Mankatha' was the talk of the tinsel town but Siruthai Siva's film will set a new benchmark in the star's career, it is said. While Tamannaah has bagged the role of Ajith's leading lady, Santhanam, who has become one of the most in-demand actors in Kollywood has been roped in for Ajith's flick with Siva. The fans are in for a treat with Ajith and Santhanam teaming up in comic scenes.

The music of the film would be by Devi Sri Prasad and he seems to have been very happy with the story of the film. The movie is touted to be a mass entertainer and the production house is expected to go all out in promoting the film.

Ajith-Vishnuvardhan film is not 'Valai'

Ajith-Vishnuvardhan film has been in the making for a while and the title of the film has also been under wraps. The media and fans have been tentaively calling Ajith's 53rd film as 'Valai', but the director has confirmed that the film is not titled 'Valai'.

Tamannah pair Ajith?

Tamannah, who recently had a Bollywood release, will be soon seen on screen as Ajith's love interest in the film, which will be directed by Siruthai Siva. The shoot for the Ajith-starrer is all set to begin in Hyderabad on April 5.