South ShowbiZ

Dancing King Shammi Kapoor's death early Sunday morning has shocked many Kannada film personalities who were close to the flamboyant star who changed the course of film entertainment in his heyday.

Director S.V.Rajendra Singh Babu, who helmed three Hindi films featuring Shammi Kapoor, was the first to express his shock about his favourite actor's death.

"Yes, I know Shammi sahab was suffering from illness from a long time. And he had led a full life for 79 years and showed his individuality in his performance. But I have been quite uneasy since I heard the news of his death," Babu told IANS.

"I had known Shammi Saab intimately and through me, many of his big fans in the Kannada film industry like legendary actor Dr. Vishnuvardhan and Ambareesh became very close to the stylish actor," he added.

Stressing on Shammi's unique style, the director called him a "fantastic actor".

"He packaged his performances with his signature style of acting with his profound talents. Teen aged girls use to like him so much that they were his biggest fans," added Babu.

Babu directed Shammi Kapoor in films like "Aaj Ka Dariya" in which Dilip Kumar and Rekha also played important roles, "Sharara" and "Ek Se Bhale Do".

"Some of these films were shot in studios in Bangalore and Ootacamund. Ater finishing his shoot, Shammi sahab would have some regular visitors that included lot of fans from the Kannada film industry," Babu recalled.

Renowned Kannada director, Puttanna Kanagal, who had directed Kannada film "Sakshathkara" with Shammi's father Prithviraj Kapoor and Hindi film "Zahreela Insaan" with the actor's nephew Rishi Kapoor was another great friend of Shammi Kapoor, Babu said.

In the early 1980s, Shammi had spent a whole evening in the home of Dr. Vishnuvardhan where he interacted with many of his fans in the industry.

Ambareesh, who even today is a great fan of Shammi Kapoor, remembered many occasions where he had opportunity to spend time with him.

"I would personally tell him how I sued to like his dances and style. Many times I mimicked some of his mannerisms in front of him," Ambareesh told IANS.

Even young actors like Ajay Rao said Shammi remained an all time entertainer of the Indian film industry.

"He was the real rebel in the industry who created his own style in films which became so popular that his fan base kept increasing. I had never seen Shammi Saab, but have seen many of his films. I can say that most of the young actors in our industry have been overawed by the hyperactive energy displayed by this great actor in his films," he said.

Marriage not anywhere close, says Anushka

Clearing all rumors about her marriage, Anushka said I'm not getting married any time soon now. In fact, not even in the next two to three years. I have two promising projects lined up and I want to concentrate on them for the time being.

"I am there in a Tamil film which has Karthi Sivakumar in the lead role. Also, I will be part of Selvaraghavan forthcoming venture, an official announcement on which is expected at the earliest. And in Tollywood, apart from films I'm currently part of, I've also signed a film opposite Nagarjuna, she says.

Saying that 'Arundhathi' is so close to her heart among the films she has acted so far, Anushka
explains, "My parents enjoyed the movie a lot. They normally don't watch a film more than once. But they watched Arundhathi twice.

It seems like no marriage bells for this beauty at the earliest!

Busy Girl- Kajal Agarwal

After tremendous success of Singham, Kajal Agarwal has gone places, especially in Bollywood. The actress is on the verge of signing yet another mega project in Hindi, while one more interesting offer is also on the line, say the sources. If all is well, Puri Jagannath who is now all set to direct a film with Abhishek Bachchan plans to rope in Kajal in the film, since the actress is already playing the female lead in the movie's Telugu version.

In the meantime, 'Nan Mahan Alla', Kajal's Tamil film, is expected to be remade in Hindi soon. Few top producers are competing with each other to acquire the remake rights and both of them have Kajal in mind to reprise the role.

In Tamil, she is all set to act in 'Maatraan', a Suriya starrer directed by K V Anand. "I have a meaty role to play in Maatraan. Happy to work with Suriya and Anand," she says.

'In the silver lining,' says Khushboo

This is an extremely important year for Khushboo. It's been 25 glorious years since the actress entered the south Indian film industry.

"I'm so happy and feel blessed to have survived in this industry for such a long time. Exactly 25 years ago, on August 14, my first Telugu film as an actress, 'Kaliyuga Pandavalu', released. Since then, there has been no looking back for me," says an elated Khushboo.

So, will she be throwing a party to celebrate the silver jubilee? "No, I'm not a party person and prefer the company of my loved ones on such important occassions," she smiles. The actress is currently busy with her Mollywood film, 'Mr Marumakan', in which she is paired with Bhagyaraj.

'Ceylon' will be Santhosh Sivan's next flick

Ace cinematographer - director Santosh Sivan is a busy man these days. While he is working hard to release his 'Urumi' in several languages, including Tamil, reports have started floating in the industry about his next project.

According to sources, Santosh Sivan is all set to start work on his next flick, which has been titled 'Ceylon'. Talking to a section of the media, Santhosh said that 'Ceylon' is his dream project, and will be about the lives of three men. He has also clarified that the film will have nothing to do with the LTTE.

A source close to Santosh confirms that the director has started work on the script of the film. "However, the film will not go on floors any time soon. Santosh's only priority now is 'Urumi's release. While the Malayam version hit screens a few months ago, he's gearing up to release the Tamil and Telugu versions now," the source adds.

Jeeva enters restaurant business

Jeeva is one actor who truly believes that variety is the spice of life. Be it taking on different characters in film or taking the initiative to turn producer, the man has never hesitated to experiment.

And now, Jeeva has taken his 'quest for spice' to another level by getting ready to set up a restaurant in the city. Says a thrilled Jeeva, "I'm a foodie and setting up a good restaurant has been on my agenda for a while. But, before taking on something big, my friend and I decided to begin by starting with a chaat place. So, the two of us took off to Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai among other places to check out the street food there. We went around by foot and tasted everything from pani puri to kulfi. We will open our chaat centre sometime next month. We've even zeroed in on the location and work is on in full swing to refurnish the place and make it look swanky."

On the film front, he's awaiting the completion of 'Nanban'. "My portions are almost over in the film. I will start work with Gautham Menon from August 15. Also, Arya's production company and my production house, will come together to produce a film soon, to be directed by Rajesh. Arya and I will star in the lead," he informs.

Rahman and Gautham team up again

Ilaya thalapathy Vijay will join hands with director Gautham Vasudev Menon for a film titled 'Yohan: Adhyayam Ondru', in 2012. And the big news is that Oscar winner A R Rahman will provide the soundtrack for the film!

The movie will mark the return of the Gautham-Rahman combination post the superhit musical 'Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa'. When contacted Rahman about the kind of music he'll be composing for this one, he simply said, "Can't talk now. It is for the next year." Meanwhile, the composer is said to be currently working on Rajinikanth's 'Rana'. It is reliably learnt that Rahman has already composed four songs for the film. Interestingly, one song from the film - a duet sung by Srinivas and Chinmayi - has already been filmed with the female lead of the film, Deepika Padukone.

While speaking about the film director Gautham said, ''It seems very early to talk about the film. We have planned to start the shooting by January 2012. An official announcement will be made soon.''

Nithya Menon in 'Tatsmayam Oru Penkutti'

Young actress Nithya Menon would do the lead role in T K Rajeev Kumar's new film.

The film that has been titled 'Tatsmayam Oru Penkutti' would have Nithya playing the role of a TV reporter.

Sharrath has composed the musical score of the film. The composing was completed last week.

Rajeev Kumar had recently directed 'Rathinirvedam' that starred Swetha Menon and Sreejith.

Nayanthara goes to Bhadrachalam

The grapevine was abuzz that Nayanthara’s speedy conversion to Hinduism is her impending marriage to Prabhu Deva.
But sources close to the actress swear that she has been a regular temple goer, long before she met Prabhu.
However, certain temples in south India especially in Kerala like the famous Sree Krishna temple in Guruvayoor and Sree Seetha Ramachandra Swamy temple at Bhadrachalam, does not allow entry of non-Hindus to the temple.
Nayanthara swan song,is likely to be the Telugu mythological Sri Rama Rajayamdirected by veteran Bapu.

In the film, Balakrishna plays the lead role as Lord Rama with Nayanthara as Seetha. The audio of the film is to be launched today (August 15) evening at Bhadrachalam.
The Sree Seetha Ramachandra Swamy shrine at Bhadrachalam, around 400 kilometres from Hyderabad is the most famous temple in the country dedicated to Lord Rama.

Rama Rajyam team is holding a special pooja at the temple where only Hindus are allowed entry and later audio will be released in a nearby stadium.
Bala Krishna, Nayanthara, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, maestro Ilayaraja and Srikanth would be taken in a chartered helicopter from Hyderabad to Bhadrachalam for the event.

The actress who is playing the all-important role of Seeta in the film is overjoyed that she can pray at the temple.

Remember that the actress who hardly makes any public appearances or attends audio launch even if it is her own films is going to be the cynosure of all eyes at the event.

Amala Paul signs film with Ram Gopal Verma

Looks like Malayaali actress Amala Paul is on the right way to stardom. After a whopping performance in the Tamil film 'Maina', Amala has gone ahead and signed her first Telugu film.

And what's more, this Telugu film would be directed by none other than Ram Gopal Verma!

Amama who had made her debut in films through a small role in Lal Jose's 'Neelathamara' had shot to fame through her films 'Sindhu Samaveli' and 'Maina'. She was also seen alongside Vikram in the film 'Deivathirumagal'.

Amala's first film is an RGV production titled 'Bejavala Rowdilu'. It would be directed by Vivek Krishna, who has been an associate director with Ram Gopal Verma for a long time.

Salt 'n Pepper to be remade in Hindi?

This year's surprise super hit 'Salt 'n Pepper' has wowed audiences outside the state as well. From the looks of it, it seems that Salt 'n Pepper is all set to be remade in Hindi.

It's learned that director Priyadarshan would direct the film in Hindi. The cast and crew of the Hindi version are still being finalised.

Priyan is currently busy with two films - 'Tez' in Hindi that stars Mohanlal, as well as another Malayalam film 'Arabiyum Ottakavaum P.Madhavan Nairum' that stars Mohanlal again.

The director would start the shoot of the Salt 'n Pepper remake, once these two films are ready for release.