Eros Music to release 'Kaththi' audio

Eros has announced its music label, Eros Music's foray into Tamil music with the release its first Tamil album, Vijay starrer Kaththi, directed by AR Murugadoss with music by Anirudh Ravichander. Eros Music will release the sound track of this upcoming action thriller, one of the most anticipated Tamil films of 2014 on 18th September.

The soundtrack of Kaththi consists of an eclectic mix of singers and six tracks - soulful melodies to folk songs with Vijay himself lending his voice to one of the tracks - 'Selfie pulla'.

Speaking on the announcement, Soundarya A Rajinikanth, Director - Creative & Head Eros Digital for south India said, "We are very excited to associate with the Kaththi team to release the music of this much awaited film. This move marks Eros' debut in the Tamil music market and what can be more auspicious than joining hands with the stalwarts of Tamil cinema - Murugadoss, Vijay sir and youth icon Anirudh. With this move, we are looking forward to leveraging our strength in exclusively exploiting Tamil music content across all formats".

Atlee engaged to actress Priya; Wedding in November this year

Director Atlee of Raja Rani fame is now engaged to Priya. The director got hitched yesterday at a ceremony held at a five-star hotel in the city. Priya, a popular television personality, is also an actress, who is known for her role in Singam. We hear it is a love marriage, which has now been arranged by both the families.

Confirming the news, Atlee says, "Yes, I have found my real rani, Priya. We are friends, but of late, we fell in love and now, here we are, engaged. I've known her for the last eight years. We got engaged with the wishes and blessings of our close friends and family members. Our wedding will take place in November this year."

Udhayanidhi demands his 40 lakhs from Kajal

Producer-turned-actor Udhayanidhi Stalin has filed a complaint at the Tamil Film Producers' Council (TFPC) against Kajal Agarwal for refusing to return back the 40 lakhs he had paid her as advance amount for starring in 'Nanbenda'. 

While Kajal was initially signed to act opposite Udhayanidhi in 'Nanbenda', the pretty actress was by Nayanthara who had earlier worked with Udhayanidhi 'Ithu Kathirvelan Kadhal'.

Udhayanidhi's production house, Red Giant Movies, had requested Kajal to return back Rs. 40 lakhs, which was paid to her as advance. The Tamil Film Producers' Council is investigating into this issue.

Bharat Bala, Simhaa to team up for a dark thriller

Actor Simhaa has caught the attention of Kollywood after his performance as a gangster in Jigarthanda. While he is turning hero with Urumeen, the latest is that Maryan director Bharat Bala is planning to cast the actor as the lead in his next project.

Confirming the news, Simhaa says that the director had expressed interest in working with him even before the release of Jigarthanda. "He called me after the teaser of Jigarthanda was released and told me that he had seen Soodhu Kavvum and Neram, and told me that my performance in those films had impressed him. He started talking about working together and now, things have fallen into place."

The film, Simhaa reveals, will be a dark thriller. He says that while he is yet to sign on the dotted line, his involvement is very much finalized. Also, Bharat Bala had recently tweeted that he is giving the finishing touches to his script and had uploaded a picture with Simhaa on his micro-blogging page.

Shankar to release his assistant’s film

 Director Shankar, who had put his production plan on hold for sometime, is now going to release the upcoming film Kappal under his banner.

Talking about this development, the film's director Karthik says, "I have worked as an assistant with Shankar in Sivaji and Endhiran. I had earlier played to him the songs from the film and he said they were catchy. Once the film was complete, I screened it to him as he is my guru. He was in splits while watching the film. After the screening he told me that he had enjoyed the film very much and asked us what our release plans were. When we mentioned that we were planning to sell the film to an interested buyer, he surprised us and he offered to buy the film himself and release it under his own banner."

Kappal is a full-length comedy film and has Vaibhav, Sonam and Karunakaran in its cast. Shankar is planning to release the film in either October or November.

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.

Khushbu's advice that Hansika won't forget

 

Hansika, who is referred to as 'chinna Khushbu' in Kollywood, reveals that she shares a warm rapport with the actress. Currently, Sunder C's Aranmanai features Hansika in a pivotal role. Working on the film, Hansika says, gave her the opportunity to get to know Khushbu personally.

Says Hansika, "Khushbu mam and I talk very often, because I worked with her husband — in fact, this is my third film with Sundar sir. The first time she called me was after Engeyum Kaadhal. I didn't know she was such a big actress back then. She told me, 'Hi Hansika, this is Khushbu. I have seen your film and I hope you choose your films very carefully...' At that time I was just overwhelmed that someone as legendary as her was calling me. Then people started comparing me to Khushbu mam. They are a sweet family."

Hansika admits that Khushbu in fact, has given her a bit of advice that she will never forget. "She told me, 'Hansu, people may compare you and me. But, whoever they compare you to, you are your own person because you are way better than me. You need to carve your own identity'. I don't agree to that, she is always the best. She messaged me when she saw Aranmanai and that she was taken aback by my performance."

Suriya plays a stylish gangster in his next film, ‘Anjaan’

Suriya’s next film with director Lingusamy is titled  ’Anjaan’.

UTV Motion Pictures had announced their association with Director N. Lingusamy’s Thirrupathi Brothers to co-produce their next mega budget film starring South Superstar Suriya titled Anjaan (Fearless) along with a great ensemble cast which includes Vidyut Jamwal, Samantha, Manoj Bajpai, Dalip Tahil, Brahmanandam with other leading artistes.

Writer-director N. Lingusamy said the film is being produced on a mega budget in never-seen-before locations with huge sets and an ensemble of top artistes. The film is going to be a total mass entertainer with a new theme and said he is confident it will greatly appeal to the audience when it releases in August 2014.