Nutan Prasad dies

Veteran artist Nutan Prasad, aged 65, passed away on Wednesday due to a prolonged illness, on his way to the Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad.

Born as Tadivada Varaprasad in Kaikalur on December 12, 1945, Nutan Prasad started his acting career with the play `Naa Vote-u` in Guntur and soon debuted on the silver screen with Bapu'sAndaala Raamudu (1973). Needa Leni Aadadi (1974), and Bapu's Muthyala Muggu (1975) made his position secure. His role as Satan in Bapu's Rajadhiraju(1980) brought him popularity and critical appreciation. 

He soon graduated to key roles that brought him much-deserved recognition, and his voice and vocal modulation set him apart. He won the Nandi Award for Best Supporting Artist through his role in Ushakiron Movies' Sundari-Subbarao (1984). His roles in many movies such as Mogudu Kaavali, Khaidi, Aha Naa Pellanta, Mantrigaari Viyyakandu, Adavi Donga and Muddula Chellulu were quite popular.

An accident during the shooting of Baamma Maata-Bangaaru Baata (1989), when Rajendra Prasad and Nutan Prasad fell to the ground when a crane's cable broke loose while they were in the "super car" floating in the air, caused him severe damage. He continued acting again, with Vijayashanti-starrer Karthavyam (1990). His real life pain was heart wrenchingly depicted through his real-life role in Sarpa Yaagam (1991), Paruchuri brothers' directorial venture starring Sobhan Babu.

Soon, the roles that Nutan Prasad could play became limited as he was confined to a wheel chair. He dubbed for late Gummadi in Aayanakiddaru(1995) as the artiste had issues with his voice at that time. He then moved on to the television with the advent of channels such as the ETV. His dialogues such as "nootokka jillaala andagaadini", " desamlO chaalaa klishta paristhitullO undi. Right nunchi China, Left nunchi Pakistan..." were quite popular and featured in almost all mimicry performances of the times.

Nutan Prasad was awarded the NTR Award for the year 2005. He's survived by a son (Nutan Kumar, who also acted in films) and two daughters.

Sonia's big birthday bash

Sonia celebrated her birthday in style at her swanky apartment in Adyar with her family and close friends.

Initially she had planned to have a big bash at a resort in the outskirts of the city but later shifted the venue to her home, to ensure enough privacy for her friends.

Her mom and brother had flown in from Chandigarh a day before to be with her on her birthday.

Reemma Sen her good friend too came down from Mumbai for the party which also saw many top stars and technicians from the K'wood in full presence to sing Happy Birthday.

The buzz is that her house was decorated with flowers and candles, food was Mughalai and music was foot tapping. 

The party which started early by 8pm went on till the wee hours of the morning and Sonia looked thrilled to bits.

Among all the gifts that she got, Sonia loved the Tag Heuer watch with a black dial and diamonds that her mummy dearest gifted her.

Dhanush and Ash in Mohali

The D-day is here, the big semi-final clash in the world cup between arch rivals India and Pakistan will be held today at Mohali. 

The breaking news is that Kollywood will be represented by its Mappillai  Dhanush and his wife Aishwarya at cricket's biggest match of the decade.
Dhanush and Aishwarya managed to get two tickets for this all important match.

They left Chennai on Tuesday evening for New Delhi, where they will be staying for the night. Early in the morning they will be driving down to Mohali, as they could not get any room in Chandigarh.

Speaking to sify.com Dhanush said: "Actually I'm more of a Tennis fan, but this match is going to be historic and I'm very excited to watch it with Aishu who is a crazy cricket fan."

Aishwarya added: "As the saying goes cricket is a religion and Sachin is the God. All my prayers are with team India, it is going to be Sachin all the way. It is once in a lifetime opportunity to watch a World Cup clash between India and Pakistan and that too in Mohali."

Urumi Censored with 'U' certificate

Santosh Sivan magnum opus Urumi was censored today morning (March 30) by the Thiruvananthapuram Regional censors. The censors have cleared the film with a clean 'U' certificate without any cuts.

Urumi which has Prithviraj, Prabhu Deva, Arya, Genelia, Nithya Menen , Jagathi Sreekumar in the lead and special appearances by Vidya Balan and Tabu.

The film has been appreciated by the censors.

The film opens on March 31 in 70 screens in Kerala, and is expected to take an earth shattering opening

My Malayalam films are gifts for my parents : Vidya Balan

Actress Vidya Balan, who is one of the busiest artistes in Bollywood has taken a special interest in Malayalam films.

The actress had recently done a cameo in 'Urumi', directed by Santhosh Sivan.

Vidya would also be doing a key role in the Mohanlal - Priyadarshan film 'Arabiyum, Ottakavum, P Madhavan Nairum'.

Vidya was originally supposed top make her debut in films through Lohithadas' 'Chakram', in which she was paired with Mohanlal, Unfoprtunately the film was shelved.

Vidya says that she is all excited about doing Malayalam films. Hailing from Palakkad, she is a Malayali. "My Malayalam films are gifts for my parents'" the actress says with a smile.

Bangkok reminded me of Kerala: Asin

The pretty Asin is back in Mumbai after a lengthy spell of shooting in Bangkok forReady.

She's happy to be back home after so long. But she never missed Mumbai in Bangkok.

"Not that I was allowed to miss home. Salman and the crew were so much fun," she said. "But more than that the topography in Bangkok resembled my native place Kerala so much. In fact, the greenery that I carry with me wherever I go was manifested in both the long outdoors for Ready - first Sri Lanka and then Bangkok. It was like taking my home to the shooting."

In fact, Asin felt so much at home in Bangkok that her Blackberry status-message described the greenery and the scenery with the pride of ownership.

Laughs Asin, "My friends who read it thought I was in Kerala. That's how much at home I felt in Bangkok."

Making Asin feel even more at home was Salman, who made sure she was well looked after in her parents' absence.

Salman looked out for Asin throughout the long schedule in Bangkok.

"I think it was the ambience. We were working like one big family," said Asin. "I had gone without my parents. But I didn't feel lonely for even a second."

Ra.One's first look is pretty confusing

Shah Rukh Khan and director Anubhav Sinha finally shared a glimpse of the much-awaited superhero flick Ra.One.

And, frankly, we were a little disappointed.

Not only did the 10-second clip give us a headache just trying to keep up with what was happening, several of the stunts reminded us of Krrish andMatrix.

And here we were expecting something totally new. Or at least a tad bit different!

The second one - the 30-second clip - however, gave us a little more time to appreciate the stunts: a buff SRK defy gravity and cartwheel up a building, an armour-clad SRK break the floor as he lands on it, a Magneto-like SRK flip cars like frisbees, and an intense SRK, all aglow in blue, receive the tender ministrations of a woman.

The jury is still out on this one. 

Though the look and feel of the film is slick, and a lot of attention has been paid to the stunts and the special effects, there is a sense of deja vu.

We just hope SRK - who looks better in Ra.One than he's done in quite some time - has a surprise up his lycra sleeves!

Dhanush's 'Maappillai' getting ready for release

Kalanidhi Maran will be presenting his next entertainer 'Maappillai', under his banner Sun Pictures. As for now, the crew is busy in the post production works and the film is likely to be released in a couple of weeks.

While speaking about the film, director Suraaj said, "I have only taken the crux of the Rajni starrer 'Maappillai' and have modified this film to suit the present trend. It's all about the ego clashes between the mother-in-law and her son-in-law. Dhanush plays 'Saravanan', whose mischief and romance scenes are very bubbly. Hansika Motwani is the heroine. Ashish Vidyarthi does the villain perfectly. Vivek is acting as 'Child Chinna', whose ambition is to somehow pass the 10th examination. How he tries to do this has been narrated in a very funny way. Apart from this, I should say about Mani Sharma. He has composed five songs and each one will be of a different genre. We have shot a song in a festival set erected at the cost of Rs 1 Crore. Satish, of 'Peranmai' fame has handled the camera. After this film, Dhanush will become the son-in-law of the whole Tamil Nadu." 

Hollywood stunt master for Vijay

For the first time, a Hollywood stunt master is working with actor Vijay in his upcoming flick 'Velaayudham'. After the super hit 'Kaavalan', 'Ilaya thalapathy' Vijay now has a bunch of films in his hands including 'Velaayudham' with Jayam Raja, 'Nanban' with Shankar and 'Pagalavan' with Seeman.

Interestingly, 'Velaayudham' is the 52nd film for Vijay. The film directed by Jayam Raja and produced by Auscar Ravichandran, has Genelia and Hansika Motwani in the lead. Saranya Mohan is donning the role of Vijay's sister in the film. Moreover, this is an action film filled with humor and Vijay Anthony composed some memorable tunes. At this moment, the stunt sequences in the film have been orchestrated by Hollywood stunt master Tom Delmar. The film is likely to hit the screens on Vijay's birthday. 

A. R. Rahman is to compose for TV series

Double Oscar winner A. R Rahman has been so dedicated that he makes it a point of giving same priority to anything he takes up. Be it a Hollywood movie or a track for sports, he exerts his herculean efforts to give the best. And the latest news is that the 'Mozart of Madras' forays into small screen.

Yes, director Gautham Vasudev Menon has decided to venture into small screen with a crime TV series that revolves around a detective (played by actor Parthipan) solving murder mystery. Each week will have a murder mystery solved. The grapevine is that Gautham has roped in Rahman to compose the music for his series. And Rahman too accepted his invite and he will compose the music for this TV series with a title song like 'X Files' and background score. Initially, the series was to be telecasted on 'Kalaingar Television', but now it will telecast on Vijay TV. 

Nayanthara- Woman in love

She is as slippery as an eel, when it comes to the media.

With a doting boyfriend and five consecutive hits in all the four south Indian languages, Nayanthara who is on a self-imposed hiatus, is in her own world.

Producers are desperately trying to call her up but the actress remains inaccessible and is refusing all the lucrative offers that are coming her way.

So why is Nayan who has slowly but surely blossomed as an actress of substance refusing films?

The buzz is that she is keeping a low profile till her impending marriage to ace choreographer-director Prabhu Deva.

People close to her say that Prabhu makes her world go round and she is keeping herself occupied by spending quality time with her parents, learning cooking and doing up her new home in Kochi.

Nayan who is yet to complete work on her Telugu film Rama Rajyam, will join the sets for the last schedule sometime in April in Hyderabad.  

She seems to be happy and perhaps there couldn't be more that she could ask for.

Joshy announces his new film

Veteran Director Joshy is a happy man after the super opening of Christian Brothers. The film is slowly turning out to be  a hit at the box-ffice

And now Joshy has announced his next project.

The director who is a master in making multistarrers like Twenty Twenty andChristian Brothers is taking a different route this time.

He is using young talents for his foot ball based entertainer titled Sevens.

Kunjakko Boban Asif Ali, Vineeth Kumar and Nivin Polly are playing the lead roles in the movie.

Films shoot will start at Kozhikode by April 5th. Movie is produced by Santhosh Pavithram.

Screenplay is by Iqbal Kuttipuram and music is by Bijipal. Sevens is expected to  release in the month of July.

Jyothirmayi files for divorce

One time top Malayalam and Tamil actress Jyothirmayi has filed her divorce petition today (March 23) at the Ernakulam Family court. She had married in 2003 her childhood lover Nishanth, a software engineer working in the gulf.

Last two years the marriage was on the rocks, as
Jyothirmayi wanted to more films.

Jyothirmayi's claim to fame was singing the super hit song Chingamaasam Vannuchernnal  with Dileep in Meesa Madhavan. The song and her dancing became a sensation. Later she did films like Kalyanaraman Ishtam, Pattalam, Hariharan Pillai Happyanu, Ente Veedum Appuvinteum, Janakan etc.

Jyothirmayi also had a decent innings in Kollywood with hit films like Thalai Nagaram, where she played Sundar C's heroine, Idhaya Thirudan, Periyar where she played the role of Nagamma,  Sabari, Naan Avanillai, Arrai Enn 305 il Kadavul and her last release was Vedigundu Murugesan with Pasupathy as her hero.

Her performance in Satish Menon's Bhavum proved that she is an actress of substance and  won her a Kerala State Award and the special mention of the jury in the National Film Awards. She was known in Malayalam cinema as a "thinking man's heroine" while in Tamil cinema, it was her "oomph factor" that worked at the box-office.

The buzz in film circles in Kochi is that Jyothirmayi had given interviews in which she had stated that her husband had no problem in seeing her in glamour roles on screen. In Naan Avanillai she did very glamorous song with Tamil actor Jeevan, which ultimately led to problems in her marriage. Now the big question being asked is whether Jyothirmayi would return to the big screen?

August 15 - Movie Review

Director Shaji Kailas has taken the character of the likeable cop Perumal from the 1988 film August 1 (directed by Siby Malayil) and has made the thriller, August 15.


While the earlier film (inspired from the 1973 movie The Day of the Jackal) was full of lively and powerful characters, including a tough looking professional killer played by Captain Raju, the new version is a letdown, without a credible storyline or a worthy script.

A feel of the earlier movie is intentionally maintained all along, but it turns out to be a meek looking misadventure.

Chief Minister Vasudevan (Nedumudi Venu) is in a critical condition in the hospital following a stroke and the top brass of the police is shocked to learn that actually he had been poisoned by someone.

The search for the culprit begins soon and the investigation is entrusted with Perumal (Mammootty).

The killer and the main persons who plot against the chief minister are revealed pretty early and then, it is the investigation process that should be a gripping one. Sadly, it doesn’t happen so and the unraveling of the mystery is a boring affair here.

With an old narrative style, the film appears to be a never ending affair for the viewers, though the length is about two and a half hours. S N Swami’s script is too old fashioned and is based on a rather flimsy plot. The visuals by Pradeep Nair are okay.

In a role where his heroism is celebrated in virtually every frame, Mammootty looks handsome and has done the role in a devoted way. But all the efforts are not enough to salvage a poorly written film. Of course, there is enough for the gallery, as he takes on even the fiery criminals all alone, in style with his sunglasses intact and often without a gun!

Meghna Raj and Swetha Menon, the female leads as per the posters, have nothing much to do. Lalu Alex, as a silly ADGP, does manage to tickle the funny bone at times. Now, it is certainly not fair to compare a character in a film with one in the earlier version, but the professional killer played by Siddique is nowhere near the one made famous by Captain Raju.

You’ve to admit it,August 15 which is meant to be a thriller, fails to do so. Even if you are a hardcore fan of Mammootty, it won’t entertain you much.



for more visit, 
http://mammoottyspecial.blogspot.com

Nafisa Ali in an ad film by Lal Jose

Director Lal Jose is doing an ad film.

The director who is an expert in visualising nice songs is entering into the big world of ad films for the first time.

His former associate director Rathish Ambatt is the man behind Lal Jose's entry into directing an ad film.

Rathish had many ad films including Vikram's Josco jewellery campaign. His favourite music director Vidyasagar and art director Gokuldas is also joining him in the ad film.

Bollywood actress turned social worker Nafisa Ali is the model.

Hope Malayalee fans remember her after she played the loving mother in BiG B.

The ad was was shot recently in Hill Palace Thripunithura last week.

Urumi Audio Launched

The much talked about Urumi audio launch fizzled out.

The audio of the film went straight to the stores without any fanfare. 

However, television channels in Malayalam started showing songs from the film.
Santhosh Sivan has shown the magic of song picturisation in Urumi with his brilliant camerawork.  The Prithviraj, Prabhudeva, Tabu song sequence Arane Arane composed by Deepak Dev was shown on the
channels.
The song sequence shot in Malsej Ghat is truly eye catching. The beautiful song sequence has hyped the expectations about the movie which is releasing in 70 screens in  Kerala on March 31. 

The film produced jointly by Shaji Natesan, Prithviraj and Santhosh Sivan is said to be one of the the costliest film ever made.

Suryathejasode Amma - Stage show Photo Gallery

PHOTO GALLERY OF AMMA STAGE SHOW - SURYATHEJASODE AMMA, THE STAR STUDDED EVENING AT CALICUT. MAMMOOTTY,MOHANLAL,PRITHVIRAJ,JAYARAM, BHAVANA,MAMTA AND ALL STARS IN ONE SHOW.CHECK OUT THE GALLERY OF THE EVENT

FOR MORE PHOTOS, CLICK  HERE
HTTP://CINEGALLERIA.BLOGSPOT.COM