Last Month in the malayalam film industry the main talk is about Sagar Alias Jacky.Sagar Alias Jacky,the hero of "Irupatham Nootandu" is coming back.The movie "Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded" which will follow the title character of "Irupathaam Nootandu", will have Mohanlal donning a stylish, hi-tech super hero, essentially an underworld don.
In the film Mohanlal is appearing in James Bond look
After the much critically acclaimed debut in ‘Big B’, Young cinematographer turned director Amal Neerad '' will start working for his new film ‘Saagar’ Alias Jacky-reloaded'' by the first of December. The movie which will be shot at many locations including Dubai, Leh, Goa, and Thiruvananthapuram will have plenty of mainstream artists in important roles.
The director Amal, script writer S N swamy and the crew, is in the final phase of polishing the script for the movie which will be one of the most stylish movies ever filmed on Lal.According to the latest news it will be the first malayalam movie which should be taken just like a James Bond movie.The appearance of Mohanlal is very stunnish in the movie.No more details is not available now.

All the Mohanlal fans and the malayalam movie world is looking forward for the movie "Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded".Let us see what more features added in the film.I think it will be the next megahit among the coming malayalam movies.
Tags: Sagar Alias Jacky reloaded,Mohanlal,Mohanlal new films,Amal Neerad,Sagar alias jacky reloaded details,sagar alias jacky photostills,details,reviews,details,Irupathaam Nootrandu,S.N Swamy,Mohanlal in Jammes Bond style,Latest news on malayalam films.

Chat with your Favourite Stars.............

She has a strong and dominating screen persona and when you meet Kavya; her vivacious and sweet mannerisms immediately strike you. She sizzled her way into the hearts of many through her innocent characters. Kavya, who is known for her typical Neeleswaram dialect, has become a part of the filmdom now. She entered in to the tinsel town as a child artist in Pookkalam Varavayi in 1984. Kavya bagged the hearts of filmgoers with her debut heroine role in Chandranudikkunna Dikkil. The down to earth girl has marked her footprints in Kollywood also.

* How does Kavya Madhavan enter into the tinsel town?
My father sent a photograph of mine in response to the advertisement given by the director of Pookkalam Varavayi. But people started noticing me only after the film Azhakiya Ravanan. But the real break came through Chandranudikkunna Dikkil.

* So tell us little more about Kavya Madhavan?
My father Madhavan is a businessman and my mother, a house wife. I have a brother. He is a fashion designing student. Madhu has done the costume designing in some of films like Katha and Nammal Thammil. He is in Australia now.

*About the glorious school days?
I did my entire schooling in Neeleswaram. I first stepped into the world of letters as an LKG student in JCS Nursery. Then it is the GLP School that got an opportunity to tolerate me up to 4th standard. And I joined Rajas High School for my high school education. Rajas School was the first to felicitate me when I got the State Award.

* What are the upcoming projects?
Inspector Garud with Dileep. After that Arunam, in which I am doing a daughter-like character of Manojettan (Manoj K. Jayan).

* Dream role?
I would like to do the role of a dancer.

* Best friends in the industry?
Everyone in the filmdom field is my friend. I have lot of friends from my school. Still we maintain the bond of friendship. Then, from the industry, Bhavana comes to my home now and then.

* What about the fans?
They are not fans. They are my good friends, who are ready to do anything for me. They have been seeing me since I entered the field as a child artist.

* If you were given an opportunity to be born again with specific qualities or features from various people, how would you like to be?
I want to reborn as Kavya Madhavan, in the same family, with same friends and with same looks too. But one thing must be changed. My character needs some alterations. I am a short tempered person.

* Are the wedding bells ready to ring?
This is not the time. It will happen only when it is supposed to.

* Favorites:
• Color: White
• Food: Chicken Curry and Sweets
• Dress: Any thing which is comfortable especially Churidar and Salwar
• Location: As I am able to go home immediately after shooting now I opt for Ernakulam. Otherwise it is Ottappalam.
• Movie: Can’t pinpoint a particular film. But I like Chandrnudikkunna Dikkil. I was only a 9th standard student when assigned to do the role of a married woman in the film.

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* About your schooling and family?
I started off my schooling in Kannur. After 3rd grade we moved to gulf and then onwards completed my schooling there. I graduated in B.Sc from Bangalore and was very much into extra curricular activities from the very beginning itself. I started taking singing lessons from the age of 6 and am trained in Hindustani as well as Karnatic music..

* You have proved your versatility within a short span of time. What do you feel about this?
I feel extremely lucky to have played different roles being a new comer.

* You created a very different image in the movie ‘Lanka’ which led to a lot of controversies. How did you respond to this?
I hope ‘Lanka’ would be the last of its kind in my acting career.

* Dream role?
Nothing in particular.

*Are you a God fearing person?
Yes ,Of course.

* How was your entry into the cine field?
Director Hariharan was looking for a new face and he happened to speak to my father regarding the same.

* Fans?
I’m very excited when I’m surrounded by fans as it encourages me to perform better in my upcoming movies.

* Your ambition and future plans?
Would like to pursue my career in this field for many more years before I ultimately settle in the Middle East..

* Marriage?
It will happen when the right time and right person steps into my life.

Chat with your Favourite Stars........

* Could you please tell us something about your family and schooling?
Father: Sunil into hotel business and my mother Sadhana, house wife. I have a sister Sangutha, +2 student and grandmother.

* How come you entered into this fascinating world of cinema? Your first break?
During my college days at St.Teresas, Lal uncle and Rajeev uncle called me for a screening test at Rasikan’s shooting location, where I got selected and my career started of from there..

* About your character in PothenBava?
It is a film based on music .In this I am a Namboodiri girl named Gayaytri. Mammootty and Gopika are my co-actors in the movie.

* As a new comer what is your opinion about the latest trend in cinema?
Like Tamil and Hindi film industry, Malayalam cinema should also promote new comers.

* Your intimate friend in cine field?
Kavya, Bhavana, Gopika and ……(the list goes on …seems all the girls in this field are friends  )

* Secret of your beautiful silky hair?
Nothing in particular …will keep the hair neat and tidy.

* Which is the favorite role you have played so far?
I really love the role in Achanuranagatha Veedu.

* Do you do your homework before getting into a character?
Eg ; the character in Achanurangatha veedu.
Nothing much…but in Achanurangatha veedu I just practiced the customs and prayers.

* Any dream role?
Uh…roles that done by Manju chechy…

‘Nottam’ was a huge break for you. Could you please share the experience you had at the sets of ‘Nottam’.
I really enjoyed when people identified me as a “pachapanamthatha”

* How do you react to gossips?
Gossips ….I don’t care…

* If you would have not ended up as an actress ,what would have been your choice?
During my studies I didn’t aim for an engineer or doctor…but by God’s grace, now I am here …Its all because of the people who encourage me…I request the same support from all of you.

* About marriage?
Hey man..I am too young to get hooked to someone…(laughs)

* How did you evaluate yourself on the varied roles from a simple village girl in Rasikan to modern girl in Moonamathoral.
I got several offers which are very different from each other…Yes I am lucky to get that….

* According to you what is love?
About Love….. (gave an innocent smile…)

* Your favourite colour,dish , dress..
Color: White, Blue, Black
Food: Ice Cream
Dress: Saree

* Your favourite location.
Location: Peerumedu (Achanurangatha Veedu)

* If you had a rebirth, then who would you like to be?
I love to be Samvrutha itself…

* How will you celebrate onam this year?
This ONAM will celebrated along with 'PothanBava' crew in its location

* Any message to the upcoming stars…
Every field has its own pros & cons, So don't just go back romours. It is a fasinating field where one can get an identity of their own.

Chat with your Favourite Stars.............


* When you started your carrier as an actor?
I started my acting career in 2001, while studying in 9th standard.

*Which was your first film and how you rate yourself?
'Sayahnam' Directed by R. Sharath was the first film. I was fortunate and blessed to have the presence of O Madhavan Sir - the legendary actor in ‘Sayahnam’. Infact Madhavan sir was also apperaring in a movie for the 1st time. It was a film based on socio-political issues and I played a full length character as the grand child of Madhavan sir’s character.

I didn’t know much about cinema or acting then. Cinema was never a passion during that age and I didn’t have any plans of making acting my profession. And so there weren’t any sort of analysis or review from my part. During that time I had regular training in dance and music and that alone was my background. Infact I got the opportunity to act in the film through my dance teacher.

I just did whatever the director instructed me. In the very first shot in my career, I had a combination scene with Madhavan Sir. I was really tensed, but first shot first take was ok.

*As a heroine you had been through great times for the past few years, making big names all through the South Indian film industry? What was your experience in other language?

I have done films now in Tamil & Telugu. Cinema is the same every where, but way of film making seems to be different. In other languages, film making is a lengthy process. Minimum 4 to 5 months have to be allocated for a single film. Here in Malayalam films are made in 25 days. Other language films prefer to adapt new technology, spend time, energy and money to make film visually appealing and rich. In a sense approach has an innovative feel.

Malayalam films would always have more of a realistc feel while Telugu is fantasized. Tamil has all sorts of films – realistic, fantasised, technological etc. Each industry has its own identity and market and so is good in its perspective. As far as an actor is concerned, working in these variant atmospheres help to refine ones acting abilities. Malayalam film got its own identity in Indian cinema. Am proud to be a part of Malayalam cinema.

*How do you assess your performance in each film? What improvement you bring to your acting when you took up new project?
Till date I have not been able to perform in such a role which demanded a big home work. I fell sad at times about that, but I think its too early for that. I love to do such a challenging role and is keeping myself prepared for that. Coming to assessment, I have an understanding that I have improved from one to the other. I always try to understand the exact thing expected by the director from me in each shot. I also make a good assessment about the character, so that I can maintain my mannerisms and expressions to suit the mood of the film.

Doing 'Shalabham' was a good learning process. As of now I have full satisfaction in my performance in Shalabham. I had the scope to make a lot of contribution. The film is set against a rural background and I played the character of Meera – a village girl, facing the agonies of life, but seen always with a pleasing character and soothing smile. The film was directed by Suresh Palanchery, scripted by Madambu Kunjikuttan and cinematography by M J Radhakrishnan.

Generally I concentrate much on my mannerisms, expressions, continuity and dialogue delivery. In Malayalam I have started to dub for my characters and now that too is one area where I am trying to keep on improving. I think improving acting would be a never ending process for an actor. An actor should always fall short of his satisfaction limit while making a self analysis.

*Could you tell us your role in ‘Chocolate ’?
Chococlate is a typical campus film. All the flavuors of a mainstream commercial cinema are belnded brilliantly in that film by Shafi Sir. I play a modern girl for the first time in that film. The character ‘Susan’ was widely accepted and I could hear crowd yelling ‘sussammo’ at times of my public appearance. Whenever I see the songs or sequences or stills of Choclate, I get filled with happiness and satisfaction on being part of such a big hit.

Susan was a bubbly and naughty girl, one among a three member gang of a women’s college. It was a bold character and modern in attire, thoughts and language. Chocolate gave an unusal feel. It was as if we were in our college. Shafi sir, Prithviraj, Azhgappan sir, Roma, Samvrutha all teamed up as in a campus

*How was your experience working with Jayaram and Pritviraj?
Even now i get excited when i think about ‘aanachandam’. Jayaram ettan is one person on screen whom i had adored right from my child hood. So acting with him, remain in the back of my mind as a divine dream. He helped me to study the basic aspects of acting like expressions, dialogue delivery etc. He was supportive through out the film, took pain to make me understand things and correct me and that always boosts ones morale.

By the time I joined Choclate, i had fairly good experience in cinema. And being in the company of Roma and Samvrutha, the entire session had a holiday feel. We all developed the same frequency – a thick relation which still remains. Earlier it was heard that Raju was one with a tough in nature, but he is really cool and supportive. Teaming up with him was also a learning process to me. I value him as one of the most genuine guy that I have met. He is a man who is traveling ahead of time.

*Which are the new projects at your hand?
I have completed the Tamil film 'Raman Thediya Seethai’ opposite Cheran and Produced by Moser Bear. Film is directed by Jagan nath. The film got completed in 4 schedules and took almost a year. It is now ready for july release. I lost the opportunity to do few Malayalam films due to this commitment. But i have the satisfaction of being able to do a film with Cheran Sir.

Discussion for the next tamil film are nearing conclusion and most probably it may begin by July mid. I am getting offers from Tamil, Telugu & Kannada, but i prefer to choose only those films suiting the parameters which I have fixed for my characters.

*If not an actress, what would you have become?
No doubt, I would have become a teacher. It was an ambition which i was nurturing since my childhood. I always wanted to be a biology teacher. I chose science form for my plus two studies with an intention to reach my ambition. But some how, i got into acting. Now cinema is my world, it is my passion, it is my profession and it is all to me. Hope i can remain and full fill my present aspirations

*Your Favorate food, color, dress?
Masala Dosa is my favorite and mostly prefers vegetarian food. At times I fall for chinese foods and dishes, but only occasionally. Usually I take homely foods. I love to cook my foods and try new combinations during leisure.

Sky blue, pink & black are my favorites and dressing depend upon the occasion. Usually I am inclined to casual wear. Sari, Salwar, jeans and top are favourites. I always make sure that I am comfortable in my dressing.

Film Review:

Cast: Mohanlal, Sukumari, Jagathy Sreekumar, Manoj K Jayan, Nedumudi Venu, Saikumar, Kochupreman
Direction: Ashok R. Nath
Production: V.R. Das, V. Mohanlal
Music : Dakshinamoorthy


In an era when cinema is all about slapsticks, violence and vulgarity, 'Mizhikal Sakshi' by Ashok R Nath is a good reminder that cinema can be much more. This feel-good movie while raising several pertinent issues lets you walk out the theatre, with something to think about.

The movie tells a tale of a mute mother, who finds it hard to come into terms with the fact that her only son is convicted as a terrorist and is sent to gallows. She, after a long journey in search of her son, finally lands up in a temple premises where food is offered free, everyday. She becomes popular in the area as Kuniyamma, doing necessary cleaning and allied works in the temple environment. But all havoc break loose when someone finds that she is not a Hindu and is the mother of a revolutionary, who is supposed to have planted a bomb on a moving train, killing hundreds. The story does get interesting till the post-interval portions. But the sequence of events then follows the beaten path, till the climax which has its share of appeal.

The narration is simple, yet captivating. The director has used flashbacks to tell the story, using the discussions of an officer on investigation, Aditya Varma, as the tool to move the story ahead. The highlight of the movie is that it's extremely realistic for most of the times and looks straight out of life. And that being the USP of this grim tale, it's also a downer considering that the viewer of today is just not interested in watching a drama that's too realistic.

But as a movie that appeals more too serious audiences, director Ashok has deftly handled the script. He had maintained throughout, a monotonous pace, despite the somewhat predictable plot. Anil Mukhathala, in the scripts have maintained a distinct style and crisp dialogues with reasonable food for serious thought.

'Mizhikal Sakshi', presents Sukumari in the role of a life time. The most experienced actress of our times who had never been exposed to such meaty roles gives in a power house performance through her subtle act, all through the sequences. She emotes through eyes on several occasions- a hallmark of an accomplished actor. It is a difficult to think of any other actress who would've essayed this complex role with such sincerity. Mohanlal aptly supports Sukumari with an effective cameo, for which he can be proud of. Hats off to the star for agreeing to be a part of the movie, or else the film may not have seen the light. Another actor who made it his best is Kochupreman who had been first rate as Chollu Swamy.

Ashok has also been able to bring out the best from his technical crew, be it in much picturesque and emotive cinematography by Ramachandra Babu or in editing by Beena paul. Another highlight of the movie is the musical scores by veteran Dakshinamoorthy in the lyrics of O N V Kurup. Of all the four good songs set by Swamy for the movie, 'Chethiyum' and ‘Thazhampoo' are real gems, which arose nostalgia of our good old film music. Kaithapram Viswanath also ably supports the director with his skillfully done background scores.

All in all, ‘Mizhikal Sakshi’ is a memorable fare, which doesn't disguise itself as a high class entertainer. Have a watch, to witness some of the finest performances from one of our best known actress. The movie may well be remembered, more for Sukumari’s bravura performance than for the experience in totality!

Film Review:

Cast: Prithviraj, Bhama, Mammootty, Thilakan, Jagathy Sreekumar, Salim Kumar, Kalabhavan Mani, Prachot, Jagadish, Suraj Venjaramood, Govindan Kutty, Balachandran Chullikad
Direction: Bipin Prabhakar


Fans associations had been always crucial in ensuring an awesome opening for those movies, which star their favorite on screen demigods. Especially in Mollywood, stars and their fans share an unique and interesting relationship .What director Bibin Prabhakar was trying to explore through his movie ‘One Way Ticket' was this interesting relationship between a superstar and his fan, which ultimately results in the star making some important amendments in the life of his fan. But mishmash in plot points, the culmination to the story and the note on which the film ends mars the impact of the film completely, making it an average fare.

The movie has Prithviraj as Jehangir, the district president of Mammootty fans association. Popularly called by the name Kunjapoo, he is the third rank holder in Plus two examinations. He was forced to become a taxi jeep driver, due to the dismal financial conditions of his family consisting of three sisters and widowed mother, for whom he was the only savior. Kunjappoo had made it a point to harass his uncle Bava Haji, by projecting stories about his love with Bava Haji's daughter Sajira and spreading false stories about his plans to marry her. But Haji is hell bend on bringing up some proposal to keep Kunjappo away from his daughter. His trusted aides broker Sakath Beeran (Salim Kumar) and Kanakkapillai Salahudeen (Jagadheesh) is always up to something in this direction.

Kunjapoo accidentally falls for a girl, who comes for an 'Oppana' dance at one of his friend's marriage. Mislead about her as ‘Rasiya’, he tries to track her whereabouts. This news comes as a big relief to Bava Haji, who immediately reaches Rasiya’s house and officially announce her relation with Kunjapoo and plans for the marriage. But later Kunjappo realizes that it was another girl named Sunanda (Bhama) whom he mistook as Rasiya, while agreeing for the marriage. Kunjappoo turns away from the deal and Bava Haji is now forced to marry off his only son with Rasiya.

Sunanda on the other hand, has her share of problems. His venomous uncle Karunakaran Ezhuttachan (Thilakan) is hatching plans to get her agree to marry his widower son (Nishanth Sagar), and thus seize her huge family fortune. Even though Kunjappoo and Sunanda part ways initially, they cross each other's path at regular intervals, try to find solace in others' arms.

And ultimately Kunjapoo is destined to become the savior of the girl, whose father has already been murdered and her mother, at the verge of another fatal disease. How Kunjaapoo works out plans to save her with the help of the real superstar, whom he admires, forms the plot the film. The film has a freeflow till the half way with rollicking comedy from Jagathy, Salimkumar and Jaffer Idukki. But thereafter the story comes to a screeching halt and starts focusing on the romantic side than the story of fanships and ends up without fireworks as an ordinary fare.

The second hour drags and the climax would've been better, realistic to be precise. The final reels has been extremely pathetic with wayward screenplay coupled with plastic performances .The poor treatment of the script in the final reels, written without any attention to details ruins the chances of an other wise safer movie. A fine-tuned performance from Prithviraj saves the film from becoming a much bigger dud. He plays his part, particularly the lighter comic sequences with amazing timing and ease.

In fact, the actor has graduated to a natural actor to the core, handling the most complex scenes with flourish. The other silver lining in the film is the presence of Mammootty who does an eventful cameo, which couldn't raise the expected applause. Bhama, as the love interest, has some significance in the beginning, but she is totally lost by the end of the film. Thilakan as Bhama's uncle fails to evoke the necessary villainy, with the director trying to dismantle the flashback sequences and present the story only through dialogues. Jagathy Sreekumar essays Radhika's father, Bava Hajyar to perfection. Salim Kumar, Jagadheesh and Jaffer Idukki handle the comic department proficiently

But the technical side remains average with even cinematographer Vipin Mohan’s work, so tailor-made with old fashioned wide shots. The background score by Raja Mani is jarring. Except for a couple of songs including the oppana song, the music by Raahul Raj is not up to mark. Ranjan Abraham also fails to sustain the interest, with the needed sharp cuts in the later half.

‘One Way Ticket’ is too ordinary a ticket for a fare that doesn’t leave any impression whatsoever. On the whole, it meets the expectations partly. At the box-office too, the film will end up as an average earner .See it once, if you have the time and inclination.

FILM NEWS

Another Fruitful year for Malayalam Cinema.

Malayalam cinema has done itself proud by winning not only an enviable number, but also a few of the cream of the 54th National Film Awards which were announced in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Priyanandanan’s ‘Pulijanmam’ is selected as the best feature film.




Priyamani was adjudged as the best female actor for her role in the Tamil film ‘Paruthiveeran,’ it is as much a recognition for Kerala as Malayalam cinema too played a major role in putting her through her paces.


Tilakan was adjusted for Spl.Jury Award.




Nedumudi Venu has been enriching not only the film world, but also the theatre. It is the manner in which he renders dialogues, the pregnant pauses which he makes, the timbre of his voice and the overall mellifluousness of his style which came to the filmgoers mind when his narration (commentary) in the short film ‘Minukku’ was adjudged as the best.


The selection of Major Ravi’s ‘Keerthi Chakra.’ , film as one of the best two on national integration comes as the icing on the cake.

FILM NEWS

Malayalam cinema has done itself proud by winning not only an enviable number, but also a few of the cream of the 54th National Film Awards which were announced in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The selection of Priyanandanan’s ‘Pulijanmam’ as the best feature film is probably the highest honour to come the Malayalam tinsel world’s way this time. Should the director of the best film be adjudged as the best director as well or should another person be selected for that honour has been and still is the subject of a heated debate. Whatever is the outcome of that debate, Malayali film lovers are certain to consider Priyanandanan also as the best director, in addition to Madhur Bhandarkar.

Film fans missed a heart beat when veteran actor Tilakan missed the national best actor award by a whisker. They heaved a sigh of relief only when the jury decided to make a special mention for his acting in ‘Ekantham.’ Madhu Kaithapram, the director of the film, also shared the award for the best debut film maker. M.P. Sukumaran Nair brought in more laurels when his film ‘Drishtantham’ was declared the best Malayalam film.

It was only after Kamal wove a touching story around a Tamil family that the people started taking a closer look at the “Karutha Pakshikal” who can be seen ironing clothes here, collecting discarded items there or doing some other odd job somewhere else. Mammootty had done an excellent piece of acting in the film and there were many who thought that he would get away with the State if not the national award. Many were disappointed when he did not, but the selection of the film as the best one with social content came as a big relief. Mohanlal, the other uncrowned king of Malayalam cinema had given one of his best performances in Major Ravi’s ‘Keerthi Chakra.’ The selection of that film as one of the best two on national integration comes as the icing on the cake.

Nedumudi Venu has been enriching not only the film world, but also the theatre. It is the manner in which he renders dialogues, the pregnant pauses which he makes, the timbre of his voice and the overall mellifluousness of his style which came to the filmgoers mind when his narration (commentary) in the short film ‘Minukku’ was adjudged as the best. Though Priyamani was adjudged as the best female actor for her role in the Tamil film ‘Paruthiveeran,’ it is as much a recognition for Kerala as Malayalam cinema too played a major role in putting her through her paces.

‘Matter of pride’

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan described the national awards won by Malayalam cinema as a matter of pride for all Malayalis. In an official press note, he said that it was a certificate of the quality of Malayalam films. He wanted those concerned to make use of the opportunity to avoid controversies and disputes and come together for promoting good cinema. He congratulated Priyanandanan over phone.

FILM NEWS

This Thursday was marked with frenzied drama in Mollywood circles. The story all started with a popular channel flashing news about the new ban on popular star Dileep, initiated by MACTA, The Malayalam Cine Technicians Association. Within some hours, some other channels also followed suit and mobile phones of the association members began to start ringing without breaks, as all media were after them to enquire about the reasons.

It was then finalized by all trade members that the issue, if real, will initiate the skirmishes between the stars and director's associations and soon will restart the fight between AMMA and MACTA, particularly due to the fact that Dileep is one of the most active member of AMMA and is even in charge of their maiden movie production, ‘Twenty Twenty'.

Within some hours in the late evening, Vinayan, the veteran director and the chairman of MACTA has made it clear that MACTA has only taken up a complaint against superstar Dileep, and has not banned his films. The association has forwarded a complaint from director Thulasidas, to the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) which alleges that Dileep has backed out from a film even after taking payment of Rs.4 million, four years back.

AMMA president Innocent confirmed said that the MACTA has written to it about this issue. "We will look into the matter and will reply in another two days' time'' said Innocent. Dileep remained silent on the issue and prefers to wait, till a reply from AMMA is out.

The MACTA, registered under the trade unions comprises 18 different sections of Malayalam film industry workers.

FILM NEWS

“It’s like being part of a celebration like Thrissur Pooram,” says actor-producer Dileep on the making of the film ‘Twenty Twenty,’ which will have almost every actor in Mollywood acting in the film. The shoot of the film, directed by Joshiy, is nearing completion and is scheduled for a June-end release.
Fund raiser

Innocent, president of Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), explains that the initiative was launched to raise funds for the organisation. “Although arranging stage shows would have been an easier option, the majority was in favour of a film. We decided to give the responsibility of producing the film to some one who would give the association a fixed amount. Dileep came forward and the project was on,” he says.

However, Innocent points out that creating a story that would give the same importance to all the main heroes was never on the agenda.

“A good story was developed and the members are wholeheartedly supporting the film,” he adds. Echoing Innocent’s sentiments, Dileep says that the decision to make a film involving as many members of AMMA as possible was taken three years back and the shoot started last December.

“It’s a big budget movie and regardless of the fate of the movie at the box office, AMMA will be paid Rs. One crore. I don’t think there has been such an attempt ever in the history of cinema anywhere,” he says.

Director Joshiy agrees that the film is being made on a big canvas. “But for me, it’s the characters that matter more than the star status of those who are performing in the film, as I have worked with most of the actors. It was quite a task to choose a suitable subject. Once that was decided, things started happening more easily and quickly. Since the project involves a lot of actors, it is often difficult to arrange the schedules,” he says.

While Joshiy is a veteran director of many multi-star casts, scenarists Siby K. Thomas and Udayakrishnan find it hard to believe they are part of a team that is going to be a milestone in the history of Malayalam cinema.
“We believe that it’s the closest to winning the Oscar,” gush the scenarists.

“It is history in the making and perhaps the only attempt of its kind. We became conscious of the challenge we had accepted only when we actually started thinking about a possible subject involving all the big names in the Malayalam film industry. We are aware that everything will be put under the scanner – the characters, their place in the storyline and the punch lines in the dialogues.

“So, we decided to opt for a story that would do justice to the actors. At the same time, it is has a gripping and entertaining plot,” say the duo who refuse to divulge anything further.
“The suspense is reserved for the screen,” they chorus.
Mood of celebration

Although the film has no connection with cricket, the title ‘Twenty Twenty,’ like the shorter and exciting version of the game, signifies the pace with which things happen in life. “There is a mood of celebration,” say the scenarists.

‘Twenty Twenty’ has had its own share of surprises and upsets as well, with actors like Nayantara making a comeback of sorts, after a brief hiatus, to Malayalam cinema while reigning actor Meera Jasmine found it difficult to find the required dates for the project.

“Meera was originally paired opposite Dileep and had to shoot for just under a week, but she could not give the dates for the shoot,” says Siby and Udayakrishnan. Innocent, however, refused to comment on the issue.

Quiz the director about the genre of the film and Joshiy smiles: “All I can say now is that ‘Twenty Twenty’ is being packaged to attract every section of the audience. Let them decide on its pluses and minuses once it reaches the screen.”

AMMA Production-Twenty:20, the multi-star cinema is reportedly being planned for a mega-release, in 118 centres, breaking all previous records in Mollywood.

FIlm Review:

Banner: Aascar Films
Cast: Kamal Haasan, Asin, Mallika Sherawath, Jayapradha, Rekha, K R Vijaya, Nagesh, Nepolean, Santhana Bharathi, M S Bhaskar, P Vasu, R Sundarrajan, Ramesh Khanna, Erode Sounder, Pandu
Direction: K S Ravikumar
Production: V Ravichandran
Music: Himesh Reshammiya & Devi Sri Prasad


One striking feature that hits you in the face once you have watched ‘Dasavatharam’ is Kamal Haasan's passion for filmmaking. All the ten roles he has essayed have been meticulously planned right from the body language to dialogue delivery. Be it the American president George Bush, the Vaishnavite priest of the 12th century or Fletcher, the American baddie.

The eyes are considered the most effective tools in creating the right kind of attitude for any actor and Kamal Haasan is a master at that. There are many a time in the film when the audience would have to force themselves to believe that it is the same actor who is the good guy as well as the bad guy.

The expressive and determined eyes of the priest, the mushy and yet funny countenance of Balaram Naidu, the hilarious CBI officer and the peaceful martial artist eyes of the Japanese character have all shaped up to fit into any acting text book. Hats off to Kamal Haasan on the acting front!!

Based loosely on Chaos theory, the narration of the film promises a lot of excitement and as the story unfolds, somewhere down the line there are a few missing links that have been forcefully stitched together. Govind, the bio-scientist in the United States of America has been wronged by his boss who has intentions of selling his invention to wrong hands. The determined scientist doesn't give up. He sneaks it away and after a few accidents the invention lands in India. The hunt and race against time especially with Fletcher, the ex-CIA baddie sniffing at his neck with murderous intent culminates into Govind meeting an irrationally sentimental and at times sweet Andal (Asin). The baddie with sizzling Mallika Sherawat for company proceeds along the vulnerable Indian security system and shows up at the right places at the right time.

The narration then makes sure most of the characters played by Kamal get into close proximity in terms of geography. The stunt sequences are quite professional with its share of thrilling moments, but then there are too many coincidences consistently. The protagonist and his slowly, but surely falling-in-love lady companion seem to be jumping off just about everything. Soft landing seems to be a predictable option at most times.

When it comes to action and stunt scenes, ‘Dasavatharam’ is head and shoulders above most Indian films. The music element in the film is passable with some breathtaking re-recording bits in patches.

Cinematography has been simply awesome. The heavy compositing and trick shots have not dampened Ravi Varman's innate talent at creating the right kind of mood the film depicts.

‘Dasavatharam's’ review can never be complete without talking about the makeup part. Apart from the desired result one can guess the kind of effort and hard work Kamal Haasan would have had to go through just to get them on and that too on a daily basis. Makeup has been good overall except for a few shots that show off a kind of plastic look.

Computer Generated Imagery plays a huge role in the film. When the same actor plays seven feet plus youth and an old woman who is barely five feet, one can imagine the kind of intensive scaling and image manipulation by the CG team. Recreation of the 2004 Tsunami is impressive and the action part weaves the intensity of the story.

The direction has been apt sticking to the script in the true sense of the term. K. S. Ravikumar known for his simple style of narration has not been himself with ‘Dasavatharam’, but has shown sparks of ingenuity.

Kamal Haasan has stuck to his favorite subject of the 'no God' debate in this film too and has glorified himself probably for the first time on screen with a dialogue directed at him as being the 'Ulaga Nayagan'.

With Kamal Haasan playing ten roles, all other actors have been completely overshadowed.


This is a movie that has highlighted a highly talented and passionate actor in his entire splendor. At the end of the film one tends to ask….has Kamal Haasan been so spectacular that he has overshadowed the script and story this time?

Film Review:

Cast: Jayaram, Meena, Divya Unni, Rasika,
Direction: Haridas
Music: Ouseppachan

Jayaram seems to be in a deep turmoil where he just can't hope for a magical movie to give a fresh life to his career. His latest, to add to the list of non starters will be ‘Magic Lamp', the movie which was waiting in the cans for the last seven years. And as expected, this identical individuals' tale definitely give that depressing, silly air of the nineties. This logic-defying, light-hearted comedy (intended) movie seems to be caught in a time warp, which never ever will manage to entertain the viewers of the new millennium.

‘Magic Lamp’ also reminds us that nonsensical film like this, used to be made with unerring frequency in the early nineties, when audiences know exactly what to expect from them. The movie opens with Anupama (Meena), a rich and spoilt girl living in Bangalore, landing up on a photo of a young man, when she happens to drive by. On seeing the photo her two friends identifies the man as two different persons. Anupama who aspires to become an airhostess has just finished her interview and is waiting for her appointment letter. But her rich aristocratic family in Kerala is very much against the decision, as they consider the job below their status.

Having lost her parents at a very early stage, Anupama is take care by an aged grand father (Oduvil Unnikrishanan). Her two uncles always have an eye on her wealth, and they want their respective sons to marry her. The sons Mohana Krishnan (Baiju) a Veterinary doctor and Omana Kuttan (Kottayam Nazeer) an Ayurvedic doctor are also competing with each other for her attention. To escape from marriage she weaves stories, one after another, about her fictitious lover whom she had seen in the photo. Later with the help of Adv Lalan, another lover who is also after her, Anupama keeps unwanted marriage alliances at bay, by another cooked up story about herself as a victim who was molested by the same man at Goa! A search for 'the man' by different persons of the family leads to Sunny Kuruvila (Jayaram), a coach in a women’s College about to be betrothed to Alphonsa (Rasika), to Dr. Nandakumar (Jayaram), married to Viji (Divya Unni) and to Chandrasenan, a macho guy with the twirled up moustache from Peruvannapuram. With this alleged relation with Anupama, each of their families faces unexpected problems.Now Chandrasensn who is toughest one among the three decides to unearth the real problem maker and the reality behind the stories which brings him face to face with Anupama.

Ranjith who is credited with the story has a done to death premise of brothers at war for wealth. The screenplay and dialogues also never rise above the ordinary. And as you watch the drama unfold on the screen, there is this feeling of deja vu in almost every scene, making you remember the likes of Rajasenan’s movies of the nineties.

The first half an hour is really a torture where the director has apparently forgot what quality comedy is all about and made a crass concoction abundantly supplied with plenty of uncomplimentary hints, double entendres and songs. Jayaram tries hard to give a different look and pattern of accents to each of the characters, while Jagathy runs all through the movie, enters every scene with his characteristic demeanor, as he used to be in the films of the nineties.Meena as Anupama is in his usual self, while Rasika and Divya Unni make eye candy appearances in a few scenes.

In delivering a below-par product, director Haridas appears confused throughout, dealing with the different characterizations of mismatched identities, all played of Jayaram. He also has also failed to extract the best out of his technicians. Music by Ouseppachan is average while more atrocious is its BG scores by S SP Venkatesh. The camera work by Vipin Mohan never rises above the pedestrian and the costumes and sets are tasteless and outdated.

Film Review:

Director : Akbar Jose
Producer : Cinema Company
Cast : Kalabhavan Mani, Sindhu Menon,Jagathy, Anand, Boban Alummoodan, Salim Kumar,
Machan Varghese, Narayanankutty, Subair, Irshad, Jose, Bijukuttan, Ponnamma
Babu, Kulapulli Leela, Seema G. Nair
Lyrics : Kaithapram, Bappu Veliparambu
Cinematography : Vipin Mohan
Music: Alex Paul


‘Aandavan' is a regular Kalabhavan Mani affair -yet another take which glorify one-man vigilant justice. And as usual with his films, this too remains unsurprising and predictable to the core. In an obvious attempt at making a formulaic masala movie, the creators come up with another that turns out far from satisfactory.

The movie has Mani as Murugan, who is more popular as 'Aandavan', a demi god in his slum, a savior robin hood who steals money from the rich to help the poor. The peculiarity with him is that he is a specialist who repeatedly steals from only one man-Parameshwara Panikkar, his sworn enemy, the local tycoon and moneylender who is there into every unlawful business, from illicit liquor to massage centers.

Panikkar had destroyed Murugan's family, years ago, getting him and his father arrested and assaulted on false claims.

Panikkar's own son Sadasivan, who is now the Circle Inspector of Police couldn't resist the brainy protagonist thief from continuing with his follies in his father's house. Murugan, who is also a childhood enemy of Sadasivan, execute the most daring and ingenuous of heists, looting the big share of money that Panikkar earns through his unlawful means. Murugan is even more particular to leave any money left after his charity activities, into the local police station, without revealing himself.

The new female Sub-Inspector, Sreelekha (Sindhu Menon) who is put into the charge of the related investigations takes up residence on the ground floor of house in which Murugan hides on nights. On recognizing Sreerekha’s paralized father, Murugan realizes Sreerekha as one of his childhood playmates.

Unaware of this friend in the attic, Sreerekha hatches plans to grab Murugan.

Meanwhile Sreerekha has to confront with Sadasivan who helps his father in his shady activities, which ultimately results in Sreerekha getting suspended from service. But, by now she has fallen for her childhood friend, realising the facts that made him a thief. Murugan has now got a lot of things to accomplish. To take on his final revenge against Panikkar and his sons and to reinstate Sreerekha into the service. How he accomplish this forms the rest of the plot.

The biggest drawback of the film is that it is highly predictable. It ends up in a much contrived climax. The last reels of the film looks like a product made in a hurry, with little attention to details, logic or story continuity.

K Gireeshkumar in the scripts has reworked a story that seems to be as old as the Stone Age, failing to give anything unique to the story lines, that the audience can take back.

Kalabhavan Mani as Murugan has nothing more to do than be in his usual self. Sindhu Menon is passable as Sreerekha, while Jagathy Sreekumar as Parameswara Panicker and Anand as Sadasivan are in their regular outings. Bijukuttan as the small-time ganja dealer Bhaskaran and Salim Kumar as the iron-man Mayankutty bring in some chuckles. Seema G. Nair is remarkable as the local streetwalker Sarasu.

In the technical side, everything is in tune with the theme. M Bawa in art direction has done an exceptional job in creating the slums, look natural. Vipin Mohan has opted for not much experimentation while Renjan Abraham in editing also is ordinary, employing innumerable white flashes..The action sequences are well-orchestrated and act as a catalyst to hold on the narratives.

The songs by Alex Paul are hummable of which, "Poonnila punchiri thookum..." rendered by Vineeth Sreenivasan has the potential to enter the charts. There is also the mandatory Mani song, which is also crisply visualized with good choreography, thankfully without an item girl.

Film Review:

Banner: Kamalam Films
Cast: Jayasurya, Kalabhavan Mani, Bhama, Jagathy, Salimkumar, Suraj Venjaaramoodu, Rajan
P Dev, Siddhique, Anoop Chandran
Direction: Shaiju - Shaji

We usually go to the movies to laugh, cry and get entertained. Reinforcing this faith in movies, without any pretensions is the new film 'Shakesphere M A Malayalam', from the debutante duo Shaiju-Shaji. Count among the high points of the movie - the whole team of comedians from Malayalam coming together in tandem, a refreshingly engaging plot lines that induce continuous laughs, good technical support, background scores and winsome dialogues. Yes, this is a film with no larger than life heroes, no loud villains or no punchlines...what you can see here is only a feel good comic escapade, presented with the needed spirits.

"The entire world is a stage and all the men and women merely players" -The plotlines of the movie follows Pavithran who follows this Shakespearean quote in its fullest. He is the award winning play wright of Jayabharathi theatres, who writes on people around him and about those he knows personally. This habit of representing real-life characters on stage earned him the nickname 'Shakespeare Pavithran.'

As Pavithran is combating a creative block, with little time to spare for setting up their drama for the new season, Kottayan Gopalan, the lead actor ,director and owner of Jayabharathi theatres convinces Pavithran go to a remote village of Kakkathuruthu. He is accompanied by a group of actors like Sugunan (Salim Kumar), and Sarasan (Anoopchandran), who are dying to take the stage by a storm and to support Pavithran to battle over his temporary slump in writing. While Pavithran waits for days without any promising themes, he comes across Alli, a young country girl, loaded with her share of grave problems. Pavithran impressed by Alli, as a gullible character who can be interestingly transformed to stage, began to scribble on her the new drama - 'Prakasham Parathunna Penkutty'. He starts to ponder over her woes and difficult situations and guides her as if he write the growing sequences of his characters on stage. But what Pavithran is heading to, is the most unexpected piece of drama that his life has never ever witnessed.


The movie has a refreshingly different plot by Rajesh K Raman, scripted by the director duo Shaiju -Shaji with support from Jiju Ashok. The movie does have clichéd characters and the typical masalas associated with Mollywood packaging. But the intrinsic humour in the writing and the immensely likeable characters wins over us, especially in the first half. The later half is a little drag, but don't takes off the liveliness of the movie, even though the intended surprise in the climax is not so promising.

With a revolting, sugary sense of comedy, the movie appears disjointed at times, also due to intense pace in the proceedings. Like the rags - turn - riches sequences in the later half, which happens in a matter of few days. But as a comedy film it is above par, with a mixed bag of hilarity, leaving us hooked up almost through the entire proceedings.

Jayasuriya is once again at the familiar territory easing through the light hearted narratives. Roma also dons a different role as Alli with spontaneity. It is also heartening to see Kalabahavan Mani, back to a humorous role after a couple of years. But 'Shakesphere M A Malayalam' really banks on the host of real stars of the movie - the comedy artists with their impeccable timing, be it in the incredible Jagathy Sreekumar as Thoothukudy Thulaseedas to the obligatory Suraj venjaramoodu as junior ONV and Salim Kumar in a hilarious role of an actor longing for animated embraces from his female leads. Anoop Chandran as Sarasan, a School of Drama product excited by the riddles of every encounters in life, is one of the best roles that he has ever essayed.

Film Review:

Banner: Fabulance Entertainments
Cast: Jayasuriya, Sooraj, Saikumar, Manikuttan, Jagathy, T G Ravi, Augustine, Maala, Bindu-
Panikkar
Direction: V K Prakash
Music: Vayalar Sharth- Alex Paul


Now it's a trend in the industry to make films on plots of friendship .Even a lot of other language films like 'Happy Days' raked in big profits from Kerala while dealing with such plots. Following this propensity for youthfulness in style and narratives, filmmaker V K Prakash has accomplished another movie made on the tender alliance of friendship and love.

As a director who has been constantly dumped down by weaker scripts, this new movie ‘Positive' also is not a big exception. But this time due credit should be given to V K P (as he is popularly called in ad circles), for coming up with a clean film sans any coarseness. Only if the screenplay were a bit well knitted, the film would have been even better.

The highlights of 'Positive' is not only the high spirit of camaraderie but also the absorbing planting of a investigative thriller module amidst the life of a group of teens, who continues with their musical band even after their studies. The action mainly gyrates around Raju (Suraj) a software engineer and his three bosom pals essayed onscreen by Vani, Manikuttan and Remesh Pisharody. Raju who plays the key board and is into vocals is supported in his every endevours by progressive boisterous Winnie (Vani Kishore), Udayan-the drummer of the band with long tresses and a 'designer beard' (Manikuttan) and Cherry (Ramesh Pisharody). Winnie's mother tries to marry her off to a Police Officer named Aniyan, but his off hand remarks on their friendship group spoils the event.

On a way back from Bangalore, Raju accidentally encounters Jyothi (Ayilya G Nair) in a bus, which leads to a transitory romance. On the day when Raju plans to introduce Jyothy to his friends of the troupe and his family, she disappears from the hostel without leaving a trace about her whereabouts. Raju is totally heartbroken following the incident.

The film which starts off blissfully cheeky with lively proceedings in the first half, songs and humor, gets more and more serious as it goes along, and suddenly changes over to an investigative thriller. This constant, changes of direction to the story, at every given opportunity spoils much of this slickly made sequences and its stylish visuals. The story has all the vital ingredients of a commercial potboiler like romance, family sentiments, suspense and action. But the scripts by S N Swamy fails to split the proverbial beans with élan, leaving us desperate to figure how the filmmaker will reach that loopy ending, after the completely unrelated first few reels. Despite its strong technical content and brilliant performances, V K Prakash finds its hard to carry the juggling act successfully with this many layered story.

All the key artists in the movie have come up with brilliant performances. But Jayasuriya as a police officer seems to be a miscast in the film, with his shallow physical appearances. It is not easy being an emerging star in Malayalam cinema because most characters you play has a benchmark set by a veteran actor. So when Jayasuriya plays a warm, non indulgent police officer, we are immediately reminded of the veteran superstar's powerful police roles. Suraj, Manikuttan and Remesh Pishadory seem perfect and natural in their roles. Saikumar is in his usual self while Jagathy who often appears from nowhere is wasted in the movie.

The female leads, Ayilya and Vani with good screen presence, do their parts surprisingly convincingly, though their characters could have been etched out more sharply.

Technically, the film offers some of the best visuals seen in Malayalam cinema in recent times. Cinematographer R Ganesh captures the spirit of the youth in every frame. Mahesh Narayanan also deserves applause for the zest full cuts that announces the landing of another talented technician to Mollywood.

Film Review:

Banner: Revathy Kalamandhir
Cast: Sreenivasan, Padmapriya, Lalu Alex, Lal, Nassar, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Bijukuttan,
Sukumari, Sona Nair
Direction: Leo Thaddhevoos
Production: G Sureshkumar
Music: Alphonse Joseph

At times, you go to movies with the great expectations. Particularly when a new director shows up with a film, in his own title below story, screenplay and dialogues, and that too directing the veterans like Sreenivasan and immensely talented Padmapriya, you have all the reasons to expect a winner. After watching such an attempt by the debutante director and script writer Leo Thaddhevoos, an erstwhile associate to ace director Bhadran, in the new flick ‘Pachamarathanalil' you are not all together knocked out by its narratives, but will feel an urge to appreciate it as a well made movie.

The film tells the story of Sachi alias Sachidanandan (Sreenivasan), a renowned cartoonist who is much popular as the creator of 'Poompatta Princess', a very popular cartoon character in a children's magazine. Sachi leads a peaceful life with his beautiful wife Anu (Padmapriya) a government employee who is much obsessed with their 5 year old daughter's studies. Their daughter Sneha, who is the cynosure of all eyes and attracts attention wherever she goes, is also the inspiration behind the creation of the cartoon character 'Poompatta'

Following a dance performance in her school, Teny, an Advertisement film maker happens to notice Sneha and invites her to play the lead in his new advertisement film which is to be shot in Chennai. Sneha accepts the offer grace fully and seems enjoying and easy going like a professional actress in the entire sets, sometimes fooling around her father who is also accompanying the child. After a couple of days, the shoot crew makes a shift to Pollachi. But on the way to the new location, the entire shooting crew finds the child virtually vanished into thin air, that too on the highways from a speeding bus! Sachidandandan, shocked at missing his daughter, tries ways to find her, but with little clues to the happening.

The drama at the highways takes a curious turn when C I Venkitachal Aiyer (Nazar) reaches the scene to investigate the case. Within a short time, he claims that Sneha is not the daughter of Sachidandandan. The film goes on to tell what is the actually behind her missing and how they unearth ways to find her.

The basic premise of the story seems to be more interesting in paper than on screen, as usual with the recent Mollywood movies. The film holds a curious resemblance to Maniratnam's classic 'Kannathil Mutthamittal' in its plot lines, even though the director Leo has tried ways to present it different. The first half of the movie is rather pacy but the second half is a tad slow with some lengthy flashbacks.

The impact of the story has been crippled by a casual narrative approach at some points. An attempt is made to make it an edge-of-the-seat thriller with the missing- child mystery and its associated suspense, maintained through out with the aid from spooky sound effects. As the story progresses the suspense element decreases, the film starts to drag a bit till the climax, where it is again back to predictable lines, offering least genuine tensions. The characters are all well etched, but the narration lacks feeling and maturity, particularly in the later sequences.

Coming to performances, Sreenivasan as Sachi is at home, presenting another character with ease and commendable restrain. He is particularly good, even though not at his best, in the timing of his witty one-liners and sounds natural all through. Padmapriya as Anu is cut out for the role, giving justice to every sequence. It is amazing the way she handles the role with needed intensity, and manages to connect with the audience. Suraj Venjaramoodu and Biju Kuttan provide the needed comic relief, playing the production controller Urakathu Jose and his manager Shivadasan.

Film Review:

Banner: Jyotirgamaya
Cast: Kalabahavan Mani, Praveena, Murali, Valsala Menon, Jagathy Sreekumar,
Kozhikode Narayanan Nair, Indrans, U C K Thangal, Chertala Lalitha, Vijayan Peringod,
Soniya
Direction: Venugopan
Production: Soman Pallat
Music: Mohan Sitar


Finally Kalabhavan Mani is back to a role, which has him in his elements, affably displaying his acting potential in 'Swarnam'. The fourth movie by Venugopan is of course, the best from the director. Based on a solid script from S.Sureshbabu, 'Swarnam' weaves a story around men enmeshed in hatred, greed and prurience. The movie reminds you of some of the oldies of the Bharthan-Padmarajan era, particularly in the plot lines and in the deft touches and tonal intricacies.Of course, this is a movie that you can definitely be with for its fine craft, directorial control over the proceedings, and stupendous performance from a talented cast.

The movie tells the story of inhabitants of Chumrampathy- a small village along the banks of the Shiruvani River, who believes in the legend of a golden treasure that lies somewhere buried under water. From the time of Aachiyamma (Valsala Menon), the oldest of the clan, many have enterprises risking their lives into the Chavukayam in search of the gold, but in vain.

Divakaran (Kalabhavan Mani) grandson of Aachiyamma, a harsh man, never believed in the mythful fable, but tried other ways to make money. Being insensitive to other's woes and needs, he was not even ready to look after his orphaned niece and wife Radha, but garnered money, penny by penny, to fulfill his objectives like buying a lorry for himself.

One day, Divakaran finds himself bare handed with all his money robbed off. This leads him to trying his luck once in the Chavukayam for gold. Even after trying for eighteen days, he couldn't fetch a mentionable amount of fortune. In this juncture arrives a black magician who demands a five year old child as a 'bali' in exchange for loads of gold that is soon to be discovered on the river banks. Divakaran's dislike to his niece, suddenly goes on a change, following this divination .Now his obsessions to wealth is set to lead him along a path, which will make him identify the locus of the original gold.

The highlight of the movie is definitely, the unassuming package of script lines, which avoids the normal pit holes, in its entire ride. In this straight forward narration of events, Sureshbabu has gracefully avoided the formula stuff, except in the finale. The director Venugopan stays clear off the regular gimmicks but showcases his skills in steering the viewer's emotions as desired.

The film has its flaws. It sometimes tries too hard to be philosophical and piousful in its dialogues and some tear jerking sequences especially with the child (Baby Nayantara) ends up sounding bogus. The logic also goes for a toss in some sequences in the later half. The film’s pace slackens at intervals, mainly due to a lesser degree of lighter moments, as the focus is more on emotional content. And the continuous onslaught of sorrow and hopelessness may sometimes exasperate you.

The film's substantial emotional impact depends largely on the performances. The smallest of cast member seems to know the job on hand. Kalabhavan Mani excels playing the hero and villain of the movie ‘Swarnam’ has created enough sequences that give a platform for his performance.

Praveena in her comeback incredibly depicts the various shades of the character with amazing ease. Her calm face with plethora of emotions, sans make-up looks up at you with frankness and honesty -- the perfect foil to the hero unidimensional hero.

Saloo George once again proved to be one of the best behind the camera, maintaining a singular dark tone throughout, suiting the mood of the movie. Mohan Sithara also proves effective particularly in the background scoring that sets the mood of the movie. No unnecessary fast-paced songs mar the tempo. Out of the five songs, there are a couple of hummable tunes.

Software giant Microsoft and veteran Malayalam superstar Mammootty are planning to launch an e-literacy programme in Kerala.

Mammootty told that he is in discussions with Microsoft for the launch of the statewide education project.

He is also the brand ambassador of the state-sponsored Akshaya IT programme.

Mammootty said he wants to launch the project to help make all sections of the society IT literate.

Mohanlal is for the first time writing a story for a movie, starring himself in the lead.

The film titled 'Swapnamaalika' to be directed by K B Devaraj will feature the story written by the superstar, in which he will appear as Dr.Appu Nair who is working on a research project in an American University.

Elina, a english women will appear as the heroine playing Radha Karmel in the movie.

The movie was earlier planned with Prithviraj, donning an important role with Lal.

But now the movie has rescheduled its narratives, based on a fresh story by Lal which will not feature Prithviraj in the casts.

'Swapnamaalika' will also present ace singer M G Sreekumar as the music director.

The film will feature four songs written by Aparna Karimbil, set to music by Sreekumar.

The movie will be shot in locales at Varanasi, Allahabad, Delhi and Ottappalam.

The movie titled 'Kargil' which had been announced a few months before, will also be an army story based on the first hand experiences of the director, who had been a real life 'Major in the Indian Army'.

'Kargil', a big budgeted flick based on the kagil wars will be produced by Santhosh Damodaran under the banner of Damor Films.

Mohanlal will start the work on this film after completing his projects like 'Maadambi', 'Swapnamalika' and 'Twenty Twenty' which are in the list releases till Onam.

'Kargil' will be Major Ravi's third film, after 'Keerthi Chakra' and 'Mission 90 Days'.

Major is also planning to bring together Kamal Haasan and Mohanlal together for another film 'Kandahaar' which will be one of his much challenging projects after 'Kargil'.

What is your opinion about Mohanlal being selected to play 'Che Guevara', the charismatic revolutionary Latin American leader and Fidel Castro's right hand.

No space for a debate here as Lal is selected to play a Che Guevara, but not the one about whom we have studied in the revolutionary texts.

He will be enacting on screen a Che Guevara, a Keralite with the name, who is having the same spirits of unwavering dedication to his revolutionary doctrines and aims to serve the poverty ridden public and eradicating the socio economic inequalities of the people.

Ace scriptwriter A K Sajan , after his recent super hits like 'Nadhiya Kollapeta Rathri' and 'Chinthamani Kola Case' is shaping up this character of Che Guevara for Mohanlal, for the new movie 'Karnan' to be directed by Joshy.

The movie will start it shoot, once Mohanlal completes his climax part in 'Twenty Twenty' and 'Madambi'.

Renji Panikkar has been reasonably successful in placing Mammootty back in Police uniform for the

movie 'Raudram'. The film's tremendous opening was primarily due to the strength of the police

character that the superstar performed to perfection.

Now after the success of 'Raudram’ Renji Panikkar will once again call the shots for Mammootty for

a new film. Planned for the December of 2008, the film is tentatively titled as 'Kaduvakkunnil

Kuruvachan'. The other details about are cast and crew are awaited.

With the new film that she is doing in Tamil, Nayantara will become the highest paid actress in South India.

According the filmi reports, Nayantara will be paid a solid one crore for appearing in the female lead opposite Vijay in the new film directed by Prabhu Deva.

This untitled movie will be second film directed by Prabhu Deva in Tamil after the super hit of last year 'Pokkiri'.

Nayantara will thus become the highest paid Malayalee actress, ever to have recorded in Indian film history.

Meanwhile her latest release in Tamil ‘Yaradi Nee Mohini' has always climbed the charts of audience approval and is the chart topper in Kollywood box office.

Even though she can have a crore for a film, Nayantara was humble enough to appear free of cost for the new Malayalam film 'Twenty Twenty' produced by AMMA.

The actress is said to have appeared without taking a penny for the songs sequences in the film which also features all the other younger stars of Mollywood like Prithviraj, Kunchacko Boban, Indrajith and Manikkuttan.

The Chennai Super Kings has announced that Nayantara is no longer their brand ambassador.

But why? Because her tight schedule in cinema makes her unable to meet her commitments of regular match appearances.

A terse press release from the Chennai Super Kings team states that the team has decided to go with a single star ambassador, Ilayathalapathy Vijay, who received much applause from the audience during the inaugural match in Chennai.

He will continue to participate in all ground promotions and match appearances.

At present, Nayantara has an extremely tight shooting schedule, since she is simultaneously doing four movies in Kollywood, Mollywood and Tollywood – Vishal's Sathyam by Rajesekhar, superstar Rajinikanth 's Kuselan by P. Vasu, Ajith's Aegan by Raju Sundaram and Twenty:20 by AMMA.

Two more movies – Vijay's Singam by Prabhu Deva and Vikram's Raja by Boopathy Pandian – will also have ravishing Nayan as the leading lady.

Nayantara was supposed to be the star attraction at the IPL match on Wednesday, but she fainted while shooting in Hyderabad for the Rajinikanth starrer Kuselan, was hospitalized, and was hence unable to come to the cricket match.


Earlier also, Nayantara did not attend the Chennai Super Kings' formal inaugural function in which star Vijay and K. Srikanth (former Indian skipper) were present.

Biju Menon, stepped to Kollywood a few years ago, when the opportunities in Malayalam became lean.

The handsome actor who was popular in Mollywood playing heroes in hit films like 'Mazha', 'Madhuranombarakaatu', ‘Meghamalhar’, ‘Sivam' and 'Achanayaananikku Ishtam' was in Tamil, offered more roles which had negatives shades.

Biju Menon didn't complained but did the best to make his over pitched roles in films like ‘Agaram’, ‘Thampi’, ‘Majaa’ and ’June R’, look natural.

The actor, who had just completed another villainous role in ‘Arasangam’, is now offered a big role in the new film directed by Prabhadeva after the super hit ‘Pokkiri’.

Biju Menon will take on Illayathalapathy Vijay in this new film tiled 'Singam'. The movie produced by Ayngaran international will start its shoot by June.

Biju Menon who appeared in a family friendly role in the recent Malayalam release ’Mulla' is now getting busier in Mollywood.

He has a number of films lined up as the lead hero including ‘Pathikar’, ‘Parayaan Marannathu’ and ‘Vilaapangalkkappuram’.

He will also be on a pivotal role in AMMA's 'Twenty Twenty'.

Karthika has got some good offers in Kollywood.

One of her recent projects includes the remake of Sreenivasan's 'Vadakkunokki Yanthram'.

Comedy actor Karunaas will appear in the lead role as Dindigal. Sarathy, the same role that Sreenivasan has done in the name ‘Thalathil Dineshan'.

Karthika will appear as the wife of the lead character in this untitled movie.

Karthika is presently acting in M A Nishad's 'Aayudham', which is being canned in and around the capital city.

She has also completed her shoot for the character in AMMA's ‘Twenty Twenty’, again as the heroine to Suresh Gopi.

The young action hero Dhanush is currently busy with the discussions of Padikadhavan, which will start its shooting soon.

And he has already earmarked dates for another unnamed movie to be directed by Vettri Maran.

Thus, Dhanush, who recently revealed in an interview that he would prefer to take one movie at a time, may find a clash between dates if he accepts yet another movie.

At the same time, Dhanush may take this offer if the script is irresistible.
The movie to be made with a script by James Albert will be the story of a village which has acute scarcity of water.

Lal Jose is planning to shoot the movie at Kovilpatti, near Thoothukudi.

Other details about the cast and crew are awaited.
But Lal Jose has other options too. He had earlier stated that his forthcoming new Tamil movie would feature a bunch of newcomers.

Other conflicting reports say that Lal would like to take some of the biggest names from South Indian cinema for his debut in Kollywood.

If Dhanush finds it difficult to give the required dates, Lal Jose may then proceed with some other hero.
After completing his Tamil venture, Lal Jose will team up with Mohanlal for the first time for his next movie in Malayalam. Scripted by Iqbal Kuttipuram, the movie is titled Cousins.

Vimala Raman was the only actress in Mollywood who had been signed for five projects even before the release of her first film.

She was even lucky enough to appear with every superstar in Malayalam in a span of ten months.

Starting with Suresh Gopi in ‘Time', she was seen with Mammootty in ‘Nasrani’, and with Jayaram in ‘Sooriyan’. She was the heroine of Mohanlal in ‘College Kumaran’.

Vimala definitely did her best to liven up the characters and was quite natural in almost all the roles that she did.

But the fate of her films definitely had a say in her Mollywood career and in no time she was left with very little offers.
But now Vimala seems to be planning a comeback with the new film 'Apoorva'.

Apart from her, the movie will feature Jagathy, Innocent and Tamil star Senthil in Key roles.

To be directed by debutant Nidhin Parthasarathy, the movie will kick of its shoot by the end of this month, at Palakkad.

Thiruvananthapuram, April 23 Malayalam film superstar Mohanlal finally gave in to pressure from several quarters and Wednesday decided to call off his proposed stunt scheduled Sunday here.

Mohanlal was to perform the act called 'Burning Illusion' ahead of a four-day international magicians meet, beginning in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram May 1.

The superstar, who is shooting for his latest film in Palakkad, is reported to have got several calls urging him to withdraw because of the risks involved. He was also taken aback when some of his overenthusiastic fans threatened to commit suicide if he decided to go ahead with the stunt.

Speaking to IANS, M.B. Sanil Kumar, a close aide of the superstar, said the final decision has been taken. "Since the programme also involved the state tourism department, an official announcement will be made soon," said Kumar.

Mohanlal has been training for the stunt under the guidance of Gopinath Muthukad, the head of the Magic Academy here, for the last 18 months and says he is doing it to motivate the Kerala youth.

Muthukad called the decision unfortunate as months of hard work has gone waste.

"This happened due to the enormous pressure from various quarters. A scare was raised but it was nothing but a mere entertainment programme. Mohanlal, doing rehearsals, had done it (the stunt) well and there was no risk involved as it was being propagated," said Muthukad.

Earlier, president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) and veteran film actor Innocent told reporters that Mohanlal's well wishers, his family, friends and fellow artistes are worried about his safety.

"I spoke to him and he said if he withdraws now it would be considered as an act of cowardice. There is certainly an element of risk in this (act). As the president (of the association) and in my personal opinion, ,he should withdraw. If not, we will take action against him," said Innocent.

Meanwhile, Mohanlal Fans Association representatives also urged the actor not to perform the stunt as it could be risky.

The actor's decision to perform the stunt has also split the magician community here. A well- known magician, Samrat, was arrested Tuesday when he began a hunger strike to dissuade Mohanlal from performing.

Chennai, April 23 (IANS) South Indian actress Nayanthara, who was to be a star attraction at the Indian Premier League match between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians here, has been hospitalised and will not perform at the event Wednesday.

The actress fainted while shooting in Hyderabad for Rajnikanth starrer "Kuselan" due to exhaustion and fever Tuesday, film industry sources said.

Doctors suspect she might have caught a viral infection while doing a dance number in artificial rain during a five-day shooting schedule for Telugu film "Sathyam", sources close to Nayanthara said via telephone from Hyderabad.

Tamil superstar Vijay, ace drummer Sivamani and singer Hariharan are set to entertain the crowd during the two matches to be played at the M. A. Chidambaram stadium here Wednesday and Saturday.

Sources at the stadium told IANS that with over 35,000 tickets sold so far, they expect the stadium to be full during both the ties.

Police Commissioner Naanjil Kumaran told reporters that 700 policemen would be deployed at the match venue