News

Teaser released for the crime comedy-drama ‘Soodhu Kavvum 2’ (Photo Credit – IMDb)

In the forthcoming sequel, “Soodhu Kavvum 2,” ‘Mirchi Shiva’ assumes the protagonist’s mantle, complemented by the tagline “Naadum Naatu Makkalum,” under the astute direction of Sj Arjun. Set to grace screens in the summer of 2024, the film’s teaser has recently been disclosed. It is lauded as an authentic extension of Nalan Kumarasamy’s revered cinematic gem, “Soodhu Kavvum,” released in 2013. Co-produced by C V Kumar, who also supported the original, along with Thangaraj, the sequel aims to advance the franchise’s success. Renowned for its quirky characters and unexpected comedic twists, the original film followed the escapades of a petty kidnapper, delivering a delightful blend of humor and chaos.

Cast and crew

The teaser of Soodhu Kavvum 2 hints at an exhilarating journey filled with dark humor featuring a mix of criminals, politicians, and law enforcement. Karthik K Thillai is behind the camera,...

Actress Akansha Ranjan Kapoor, who is known for her roles in ‘Guilty’, ‘Ray’ and ‘Monica, Oh My Darling’, has taken a short break from the filming schedule of her debut Telugu movie ‘Maayaone’ alongside Sundeep Kishan.

The actress has returned to Mumbai after from Hyderabad to ring in the New Year with her friends and family.

‘Maayaone’ is being directed by C.V. Kumar, who is known for films like ‘Iraivi’, ‘Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum’, ‘Soodhu Kavvum’ and ‘Pizza’.

After the celebrations, the actress will resume shooting in Hyderabad.

Talking about her plans, Akansha shared, “I’ve spent most of the months of 2023 in Hyderabad and will be returning there early next year. So I’ve opted for a relaxed time in Mumbai. After the exhaustive month of shooting for ‘Maayaone’, this break feels well-deserved.”

Amid the vibrant atmosphere of Mumbai, Akansha plans to find comfort in the intimacy of her home,...

Mumbai, Dec 26 (Ians) Actress Akansha Ranjan Kapoor, who is known for ‘Guilty’, ‘Ray’ and ‘Monica, Oh My Darling’, has started shooting for her Telugu film ‘MaayaOne’ in Hyderabad.

The film marks her debut in Telugu cinema and also stars Sundeep Kishan.

The film is directed by CV Kumar, who is known for films like ‘Iraivi’, ‘Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum’, ‘Soodhu Kavvum’ and ‘Pizza’.

Akansha said: “I reached Hyderabad one week before the shoot began, to prepare for the film and to also understand the team. Everyone has been extremely humble and sweet. CV Sir and Sundeep have been extremely supportive; it feels like the entire crew is a family.”

“Since it’s my debut film in the Telugu language, I want to give my best. I have started learning Telugu with the help of a tutor. I am hoping to also dub my own lines; it will be a personal victory.

The fans of the 2013 blockbuster Soodhu Kavvum have been eagerly waiting for the sequel of the dark comedy film, which was announced by producer CV Kumar a couple of years back. The sequel, titled Soodhu Kavvum 2, has finally gone on floors on Monday with a pooja ceremony1.

The film stars Mirchi Shiva and Karunakaran in the lead roles, along with Ramesh Thilak, Radha Ravi, Ms Bhaskar, Yog Japee, Aruldoss, Karate Karthi and others. The film is directed by Sj Arjun, who made his debut with the Prabhu Deva starrer Yung Mung Sung2. The cinematography is handled by K Thillai, the music is composed by Nivas K Prasanna and the editing is done by Leo John Paul.

The film is produced by Thirukumaran Entertainment and is expected to release in 2024. The film’s official Twitter handle has been sharing some shoot spot clicks of the most expecting sequel, which has raised the curiosity of the fans.

Fans of the hit Tamil films “Soodhu Kavvum” and “Kadhalum Kadanthu Pogum” are in for a treat, as director Nalan Kumarasamy and actor Vijay Sethupathi are set to team up once again for a new movie. The project will be produced by StudioGreen and is expected to begin filming after Kumarasamy completes his upcoming Karthi-starrer.

In an interview today, producer Ke GnanavelRaja revealed that the upcoming film will feature a “vera level script” and will also include three other exciting stars alongside Sethupathi. While the details of the plot and the cast are still under wraps, fans can expect the film to be a blend of humor, heart, and offbeat sensibilities that made “Soodhu Kavvum” and “Kadhalum Kadanthu Pogum” such popular successes.

The reunion of Kumarasamy and Sethupathi comes at a time when both are at the peak of their careers. Kumarasamy has established himself as one of the...

Actor Karthi, who is currently busy with Raju Murugan’s Japan, has signed his 27th film with director Nalan Kumarasamy. The film, which is tentatively titled Karthi27, will be produced by K.E. Gnanavel Raja under his banner Studio Green.

Nalan Kumarasamy is known for his quirky and dark comedies such as Soodhu Kavvum and Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum. He has also written the screenplay for Super Deluxe, one of the most acclaimed films of 2019. This will be his third directorial venture and his first collaboration with Karthi.

The cast and crew details are yet to be announced, but it is confirmed that actor Karunakaran, who has worked with Nalan in Soodhu Kavvum, will be part of the project. He shared a tweet from Studio Green’s official handle, which announced the film’s launch.

The genre and plot of the film are still under wraps, but it is expected to be...

Karthi, the versatile actor who has impressed the audience with his varied roles and genres, is all set to collaborate with director Prem Kumar for his next film. Prem Kumar is the acclaimed filmmaker who made the cult classic 96, starring Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha. The film, which is tentatively titled Karthi 27, is said to be a family drama with emotional elements.

According to sources, Karthi will share screen space with Arvind Swamy, who will play an important character in the film. Arvind Swamy is one of the most popular and talented actors in the industry, who has worked in films like Roja, Bombay, Thani Oruvan, and Bogan. The film will mark the first time that Karthi and Arvind Swamy will work together.

96 Trailer

The film is produced by Karthi’s brother Suriya under his banner 2D Entertainment. Suriya is also a renowned actor and producer, who has delivered some blockbuster films like Singam,...

Viduthalai Part 1, the Tamil crime thriller directed by Vetrimaaran and starring Soori, Vijay Sethupathi and Bhavani Sre, was one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful films of 2023. The film, based on the short story “Thunaivan” by B. Jeyamohan, follows the story of Kumaresan, a police constable who is recruited to capture Perumal “Vaathiyar”, the elusive leader of a separatist group called Makkal Padai. The film ends with a cliffhanger, leaving the audience eager to know what happens next.

The makers of Viduthalai have announced that the shooting for Part 2 has resumed in Sirumalai today, after being halted due to the pandemic. The film is expected to release in early 2024, according to producer Elred Kumar of Rs Infotainment. The sequel will continue the story of Kumaresan and Vaathiyar, and explore their complex relationship and ideologies. The film will also feature Gautham Vasudev Menon, Rajiv Menon and Ilavarasu in supporting roles.

OpinionVijay Sethupathi, in choosing the type of films he did early on in his acting career, managed to break many moulds set by his predecessors. But his recent choice of films have been worrisome.Endearingly called ‘Makkal Selvan’ (son of the people), Vijay Sethupathi has undoubtedly made an unique mark in the Tamil film industry. Without a film background or a mentor to boast of, the actor has won people’s hearts over the years by delivering some fine performances in films such as Soodhu Kavvum, Pizza, Orange Mittai, and Super Deluxe. But in recent times, his choice of films and the trajectory of his career as a lead actor have been worrisome. Throughout his career as an actor, Vijay Sethupathi never followed the conventional path of Tamil male actors who eventually aspire to become ‘stars’ and refuse to play small or experimental characters. Rather, the actor associated with any...

KollywoodNayanthara is among the handful of reigning women stars in south Indian film industries, and Kollywood in particular, who enjoy the same level of idolatry as high-grossing male stars.Saradha UAmazon Prime VIdeoA striking scene from Netrikann (2021) that depicts the film’s lead Nayanthara delivering a strong punchline against victim-shaming and sexism was perhaps the first of its kind in Tamil cinema. “Why do you care whether she is opting for an abortion, dressed ‘inappropriately’, if she is nude, or whether she is a good or bad person? Regardless of what she does, it’s her life. Just because you think she is wrong, do you get to do whatever you want?” questions Nayanthara, who is fondly known as Lady Superstar. In a light-hearted sequence from Soodhu Kavvum (2013), protagonist Pagalavan (Bobby Simha), shown as an ardent fan of actor Nayanthara, gets in trouble for installing a statue for her. What...

KollywoodFrom its inception in 2009 till the latest season in 2019, the show has played a key role in introducing talent like Karthik Subbaraj, Vijay Sethupathi, Alphonse Puthren and others to Kollywood.Saradha Ucommons.wikimedia/ Silverscreen Media Inc/FacebookIn 2012, director Karthik Subbaraj and actor Vijay Sethupathi teamed up for the experimental horror film Pizza, which won critical acclaim and shot them both to fame. But this wasn’t the first time the director-actor duo had collaborated. Both of them had previously worked together in 2009 in the first season of the Tamil reality show, Naalaiya Iyakkunar in which Karthik was a participant. “It was a turning point. I had an interest in filmmaking when I was in college but I never pursued it. Participating in the show gave me the right push I needed to take up filmmaking seriously and if not for it, I might still be a software engineer,” director Karthik Subbaraj,...

KollywoodThe poster confirms that the anthology will release in theatres this February.Digital NativeDirectors Gautham Menon, Venkat Prabhu, Nalan Kumarasamy and Al Vijay are coming together for an anthology titled Kutti Love Story, produced by Ishari K Ganesh under his banner, Vels Film International. On Monday the first look poster of the film was released by its makers. The poster also confirmed that the anthology will get a theatrical release on February 12. The first look poster also revealed the cast of the anthology which includes Gautham Menon, Amala Paul, Amitash, Megha Akash, Varun, Sakshi Aggarwal, Vijay Sethupathi, and Aditi Balan. While Gautham Vasudev Menon will direct and act along with Amala Paul in one segment, Aditi Balan will feature in the short film directed by Nalan Kumarasami co-starring Vijay Sethupathi. Al Vijay's short film will star Megha Akash in the lead role. Venkat Prabhu's episode will star Varun and Sakshi Agarwal.

Controversy 'Such vulgarity is not becoming of Tamil cinema, I condemn this,' he said.Tnm StaffThe teaser of upcoming adult horror-comedy Irandam Kuthu, which is the sequel to the 2018 film Iruttu Arayil Murattu Kuthu, was released on October 7. Taking objection to it in his latest letter, director Bharathiraja has said that it was unbearable for him to watch the film’s promo. “Such vulgarity is not becoming of Tamil cinema, I condemn this. I insist that the government and the Censor Board have a tight grip over such things,” he has said. Santhosh P Jaikumar, who directed the first film, is directing the sequel in addition to making his acting debut as the lead. Actors VJ Sha Ra and Motta Rajendran, who were seen in the first film, will be seen in the sequel too. Joining the cast are actor and TV anchor Akriti Singh, Bigg Boss Tamil fame...

KollywoodThe app will show a selection of new and old films for which tickets can be bought for specific show timings.Anjana ShekarRegal Talkies, an initiative by producer CV Kumar, will be the first pay-per-view service for Tamil content, and is expected to be formally launched this week. The idea behind the initiative is to provide independently made and offbeat Tamil films a platform to reach a wider audience. Producer CV Kumar, known for backing films such as Attakathi, Pizza, Soodhu Kavvum and others, is confident that the model will work if the quality of the content is good. "We are not going for mass commercial films, only offbeat and indie films. Films that can’t position themselves in the theatres. Also, short films and documentaries,” he says. The viewing fee for the films will range between Rs 20 to Rs 100, depending on the film. How will it work? The Regal...

KollywoodHere are some of the stars who were participants on reality television shows before they made their debut on the big screen.Tnm StaffActor Rajinikanth was a conductor in a public transport bus in Karnataka before he became a superstar. Actor Ajith was a racer before he made his way into the film industry, without any backing. Stars have come from humble backgrounds and some from influential families. Actors have done odd jobs and made fleeting cameos before making their breakthroughs. Here are some of the stars who were participants on reality television shows before they made their debut on the big screen. From Sai Pallavi, who appeared first on a reality television show to director Karthik Subbaraj whose first break came on TV, here are some of the celebrities who were reality TV stars before they became stars on the big screen. Sai Pallavi The “Rowdy Baby” star, who...

KollywoodInterestingly, another production house, Thirukumaran Entertainments, had recently confirmed sequel to his first film 'Soodhu Kavvum'.Digital NativeDirector Nalan Kumarasamy has inked a two-film deals with Studio Green, confirm sources. While one will be a commercial action entertainer, the other will be a sports drama. The groundwork for both these projects is on and we can expect an official announcement after the lockdown ends. Incidentally, producer CV Kumar of Thirukumaran Entertainments had confirmed very recently that the script work for Soodhu Kavvum sequel is in the final stages and more details will be revealed soon. It may be noted here that Soodhu Kavvum was directed by Nalan Kumarasamy but with the director busy with two projects for Studio Green, it needs to be seen who would direct the Soodhu Kavvum sequel. Soodhu Kavvum, that released in the year 2013, was a crime comedy film directed by Nalan Kumarasamy. It starred Vijay Sethupathi,...

KollywoodThe producer took to Twitter to reveal that the films will soon see sequels.Digital NativeProducer C V Kumar of Thirukumaran Entertainments conducted a poll on Twitter asking netizens which of the three films - Soodhu Kavvum, Thegidi and Mayavan - should get a sequel and Soodhu Kavvum topped the list by polling 62 percent votes with Thegidi getting the second place with 26 percent and Mayavan 12 percent. After the polls, C V Kumar revealed that all three scripts are in the finishing stages and the details will be updated soon. He tweeted saying,"All the three scripts are in finishing stage . Will update soon with all details . Thx for the participation and overwhelming support Folded hands #Soodhukavvum2 #Thegidi2 #Maayavan2." All the three scripts are in finishing stage . Will update soon with all details . Thx for the participation and overwhelming support #Soodhukavvum2 #Thegidi2 #Maayavan2 https://t.co/Tuh0rgnOst — Thirukumaran Ent., (@ThirukumaranEnt...

EntertainmentShoots have been suspended from March 19 until April 14.Tnm StaffYouTube Screengrab/Tamil TV HouseA lifetime has passed. Shelves have been cleaned, floors reflect faces and the house looks fit for a queen. And yet, by earth hours only a week has passed since complete lockdown began on March 24. While we hope that the coronavirus pandemic that has severely affected human lives beyond imagination will end soon, there’s no harm in still being invested in what's playing on television. When the Film Employees’ Federation of South India (Fefsi) announced that all shoots will be suspended beginning March 19, it meant that daily soaps that depend on everyday shoots will be hard hit. While some filmed as much as they could, with the lockdown expected to last up to April 14, all mega serials are bound to run out of new content. National television channel Doordarshan has brought back Ramanand Sagar’s television...

FilmsVijay Sethupathi, who turns 41 today, has portrayed the kind of diverse characters that some actors take their entire career to play out.Fahir MaithuttyDuring Petta’s audio launch, Rajinikanth spoke about all his co-artists. But he was particularly vocal when he started talking about Vijay Sethupathi. He finished saying, “After a long time, I am having a feeling that I have worked with a very good actor.” It comes off as a surprising comment because the Superstar has acted with the likes of Nana Patekar only very recently. But it is obvious that Rajinikanth, like most of us, is floored by the performer in Vijay Sethupathi. He might have been equally stunned that Vijay Sethupathi decided to do such a small role in Petta despite his current stature in the industry. It goes without saying that what makes Vijay Sethupathi a standout in Tamil cinema today is his selection of scripts and roles.

TollywoodThe shooting of 'Seerum Puli', a biopic on the late Ltte chief, is currently under progress.Digital NativeIt’s the season of biopics in southern cinema. After standalone films on well-known leaders Ysr and Ntr which are gearing up for release soon, a biopic on late Ltte chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, titled Seerum Puli, is in the making. Actor Bobby Simhaa, known for his work in films such as Soodhu Kavvum, Jigarthanda and Saamy Square, plays the role of Prabhakaran in the film and his character’s first look, clad in military uniform, was unveiled on Tuesday on the occasion of the late leader’s birthday. The film was announced almost a year ago and it has taken the team quite some time to finally get things in motion. To be directed by Venkatesh Kumar G, a former student of late filmmaker Balu Mahendra, the project is slated to go on the floors soon.

KollywoodWhile it’s yet to be officially announced who will star in the Telugu version, reports have emerged that Nani has shown strong interest in the film.Digital NativeDigital NativeVijay Sethupathi’s upcoming Tamil romantic-drama 96, which also stars Trisha Krishnan, is all set to be remade in Telugu even before its release. Slated to hit the screens worldwide on October 4, the film’s remake rights have been acquired by Dil Raju, and his PR team has already verified the news. While it’s yet to be officially announced who will star in the Telugu version, reports have emerged that Nani has shown strong interest in the film. Apparently, he was really impressed with the trailer and immediately decided to be part of the remake when he was approached with the offer. 96 director Prem Kumar, confirming that the remake rights have been sold, told Tnm at the film’s press meet...

KollywoodIt was earlier announced that the film would be a romantic flick. Tnm StaffTwitterThe teaser of Vijay Sethupathi-Trisha Krishnan starrer 96, directed by cinematographer-turned-director C Prem Kumar was released on Thursday. Interestingly, the teaser has no dialogues in it. There’s only instrumental music followed by vocals towards the end. The teaser begins with Vijay Sethupathi wandering around with a Dslr, swinging from a tree and clicking pictures in the rain. Another interesting aspect is that Trisha is seen wearing the same outfit throughout the teaser. Vijay Sethupathi, however, is seen in different looks. Trisha looks gorgeous and doesn't seem to have aged at all from her first film! Notably, the names of both actors appear together in the trailer, unlike the usual pattern when the male star's name appears before that of the female lead. It was earlier announced that the film would be a romantic flick. The first look poster was released to coincide with Valentine's Day last year. Vijay Sethupathi and C Prem Kumar have previously worked together in Naduvula Konjam Pakatha Kaanom. Last seen in Malayalam film Hey Jude, Trisha has Mohini, Garjanai, Sadhuranga Vettai 2 and 1818 slated for release. Vijay Sethupathi too has multiple releases including Junga, Seethakathi, Chekka Chivandha Vaanam and Super Deluxe. It was earlier revealed that the film’s title signifies the year 1996. Also, the film will feature Vijay Sethupathi in three different ages of his life - 16, 36 and 96. Vijay already played a 50-plus character in his first production Orange Mittai. In Soodhu Kavvum, too, he played a character quite older than his real self. In a recent media interaction, Vijay opened up about the project and heaped praises on his co-star. According to a Deccan Chronicle report, Vijay said: “Trisha is punctual in coming to the shooting locale every day and is so focused. She gives her best in understanding the needs of the character. She is extremely devoted to the profession.” The film’s music is by Govind Vasantha of 100 days of Love fame. Mahendiran Jeyaraju and N Shanmuga Sundaram have done the film's cinematography while R Govindaraj has edited it. Produced by Nandagopal of Madras Enterprises, the film’s release date is yet to be announced. Watch:...

KollywoodThe duo will be seen together in '96' directed by Prem Kumar. Digital NativeDigital NativeLast seen playing a tribesman in Oru Nalla Naal Paathu Solren, Vijay Sethupathi is gearing up for an exciting line up of films this year. His next release of the year will be Junga, in which he plays a gangster. 96 will be his third release of the year. The film sees him join hands with lensman-turned-director Prem Kumar, who had previously worked with Vijay in Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom. The film marks the first time collaboration of Vijay and Trisha, who are rumoured to be seen playing school as well as college students. In a recent media interaction, Vijay opened up about the project and heaped praises on his co-star. According to a Deccan Chronicle report, Vijay said: “Trisha is punctual in coming to the shooting locale every day and is so focused. She gives her best in understanding the needs of the character. She is extremely devoted to the profession.” According to a source from the film's unit, Vijay really liked the story and felt his character is very important from the story's perspective. He didn't even think twice about playing a really old character. The makers are secretly guarding his look and plan to give audiences a glimpse of it very soon. The film also stars Kaali Venkat, Aadukalam Murugadoss and over 300 junior artistes who are currently part of the Puducherry schedule where huge sets are erected. In the film, Vijay will be seen playing a travel photographer and the story will track stages in the life of his character. The story will focus on Vijay as a 16-year-old, 36-year-old and 96-year-old character. According to director Prem Kumar, 96 is a coming-of-age story of three phases in the life of Vijay Sethupathi. It’s worth mentioning that Vijay already played a 50-plus character in his first production Orange Mittai. In Soodhu Kavvum, too, he played a character quite older than his self. (Content provided by Digital Native) Also Read: Two toddlers and their nanny die after school van falls into pond in Kochi...

KollywoodThe actor’s debut Malayalam film ‘Oru Adaar Love’ is all set for release this June.Digital NativeOvernight sensation Priya Prakash Varrier’s debut film Oru Adaar Love is all set for release soon. The actor shot to instant fame for her winking scenes in the single Manikya Malaraya Poovi from the movie and this has raised the expectations for the film. If the industry grapevine is anything to go by, Priya is all set to make her Tamil debut in Soodhu Kavvum fame Nalan Kumarswamy’s next yet-untitled project. While not much is known at the moment regarding the project apart from the fact that Nalan has signed Priya, it is believed that the official announcement will be made in a couple of weeks. It must be mentioned that it was Nalan who introduced Madonna Sebastian in Tamil via his film Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum after being impressed with her work in Premam. When the Manikya Malaraya Poovi song released, within a week Priya Varrier became the most searched female actor on the internet. It was recently learnt that her debut film Oru Adaar Love will release in multiple languages. Directed by Omar Lulu, the film is produced by Ousepachan Vaalakuzhy under the banner Ousepachan Movie House. Reports indicate that it is a campus entertainer that will be a treat for youngsters. The film has a bevy of newbies in pivotal roles, including Roshan Abdul Rahoof, Noorin Shereef, Siyadh Shajahan, Priya Varrier and Michelle Ann Daniel. While the director himself is in charge of the story, the screenplay has been penned by Sarang Jayaprakash and Lijo Panadan. Shaan Rahman has composed the music for this venture with Sinu Sidharth cranking the camera and Achu Vijayan in charge of the editing. Reports say that the film is gearing up for release in June this year and may most probably be an Eid bonanza for film buffs. (Content provided by Digital Native)...

Entertainment The cut-out was erected at Vetri Theatre complex in Chrompet. Digital NativeA giant cut-out has been erected for Vijay Sethupathi at the Vetri Theatre complex in Chrompet and fans performed ‘Paal Abhishekam’ on it recently. The actor, known for his realistic portrayal in films, is currently busy with Seethakathi, directed by Balaji Tharaneetharan. The star’s look, as an old man in the film was out a few weeks ago and it went viral as expected. According to reports, Vijay Sethupathi plays a drama artiste in Seethakathi. Sharing the screen space with him in the film would be Parvathy, Ramya Nambeesan, Gayathrie and veteran director J. Mahendran. The shooting of this film began in April last year and it is expected to grace the theatres this summer. The exact release date will be announced soon, say sources. Directed by Balaji Tharaneetharan, the film is produced by Sudhan Sundaram, Umesh G, Jayaram and Arun Vaidyanathan under the banner Passion Studios. Govind Menon has composed music for this venture with Saraskanth T. K. handling the camera and R Govindaraj editing it. Vijay Sethupathi, a versatile actor in the Tamil film industry, started his career playing small roles. His role in Sundarapandian as villain won him the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain and he played the lead role in Pizza for which he won the Siima Award for Best Actor and Big FM Most Entertaining Actor of the Year. His roles in Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom and Soodhu Kavvum also won him awards and list continues with every film release. Vijay has a slew of films in different stages of production including 96, Super Deluxe, Junga and Chekka Chivantha Vaanam. He has also been signed up to play an important role in the Tollywood flick Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy in which he will be sharing the screen space with Chiranjeevi and Amitabh Bachchan. (Content provided by Digital Native)...

With nearly half a dozen projects in his kitty this year, actor Vijay Sethupathi is easily the busiest actor in Kollywood. He wraps up work on a project quickly and then moves on to the others which explains how he is able to have multiple release in a year.

In 2016, he had six releases and in all probability, he might have more this year. The Soodhu Kavvum actor is currently shooting for an adventure comedy, Oru Nalla Naal Paathu Solren, in which he plays a tribal leader. Apparently, he will be seen sporting eight different looks in the film.

Filmmaker Rohit Shetty made it big in the film industry with the start of his comedy franchise. It has been 10 years since the first Golmaal had released. Well, Rohit Shetty has a treat for all the Golmaal fans. Celebrating 10 amazing years of Golmaal, Rohit Shetty has announced the fourth installment with Golmaal Again. Ajay Devgn will be returning to the franchise and is all set to make the audiences laugh. The superhit duo, Rohit Shetty, and Ajay Devgn who haven't worked together in a while, will team up for the hit franchise. While the film was speculated to be a remake of Tamil black comedy Soodhu Kavvum, Rohit Shetty recently rubbished all those rumours. In fact, the filmmaker was working on the original script post Dilwale. It will be a fresh comedy and action based film. Kareena Kapoor Khan won't be a part of the action-comedy film as she is preparing for motherhood.

Rohit Shetty whose last directorial venture was the Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon starrer Dilwale seems to have been on holiday. However, now we hear that the maverick producer-director is all set on returning to direction with the film Golmaal 4.

Though Rohit will soon be commencing work on the fourth instalment in the hit Golmaal franchise, rumours had it that the film would be a remake of the Tamil film Soodhu Kavvum. However, putting rumours to rest a source close to the film denied there being any similarity between Soodhu Kavvum and Golmaal 4 saying, "Yes Rohit has acquired the rights of the South film, but Golmaal 4 isn't a remake of it. In fact Golmaal 4 has a totally different story."

Golmaal series stars Ajay Devgn in the leading role along with Arshad Warsi and Tusshar Kapoor playing prominent roles.

British journalist Ashanti Omkar of the BBC Asian Network and Indian cinema expert to BBC London and BBC West Midlands, and photographer Akin Aworan flew to the Zurich Film Festival, 10th anniversary, to get the lowdown on the India “New World View” section for Galatta cinema magazine in India and we have some highlights!

The fanfare for the India section began with a Bollywood flash mob, at SihlCity, a vibrant cinema and mall and a deliciously catered Indian party.

For the festival, the World View sections with a spotlight on India, the focus was on independent cinema, as opposed to the “woods” of Indian cinema, like Bollywood and Kollywood. These special selections were curated by Georg Bütler, the senior programmer of the festival. Despite not ever having been to India, Georg was able to find and astutely select 12 of the best films from the subcontinent.

The section showcased India’s Oscar entry,...

Chaitanya Tamhane’s “Court”

Zurich Film Festival will showcase a package of 12 Indian features and six shorts under “New World View” section in its 10th edition that runs from September 25- October 5, 2014. The package includes latest Indian films like Chaitanya Tamhane’s Venice “Lion of the future” winner Court and recent festival favourites like Anand Gandhi’s Ship of Theseus and Kanu Behl’s Titli.

Apart from features, a package of shorts curated by Swiss short film festival Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur will be on display as well. The package has six shorts made by: Anurag Goswami , Varun Chawla , Hossein Mozdgir Roozane , Rodd Rathjen , Payal Kapadia and Gitanjali Rao.

Here is the complete list of feature films to be screened at the festival:-

Court by Chaitanya Tamhane

Fandry by Nagraj Manjule

Gulabi Gang by Nishtha Jain

I.D by Kamal K.M.

Katiyabaaz by Deepti Kakkar and Fahad Mustafa

Liar’s Dice...

Film: "Damaal Dumeel"; Cast: Vaibhav Reddy, Remya Nambeesan, Kota Srinivasa Rao and Sayaji Shinde; Director: Shree Kumar; Rating: ***

Close in the footsteps of dark comedies such as "Soodhu Kavvum" and "Moodar Koodam", comes "Damaal Dumeel", which unlike its contemporaries, may not be exceptional but still has what it takes to be applauded for the effort.

The film is based on a series of accidents that pave the way to humour at regular intervals. Each of these accidents is interconnected and the film explains why one accident leads to another and another and so on until there's one last accident in the climax.

The series of accidents start when a box full of money is wrongly delivered to Moneykandan (our hero who.

Chennai, March 24: Filmmaker Balaji Mohan is among the recent crop of short filmmakers who have turned feature film directors successfully. He says they have been welcomed with open arms, and that justifies that change is evident in Tamil filmdom.

Other directors in the list include Karthik Subbaraj ("Pizza"), Nalan Kumarasamy ("Soodhu Kavvum") and Arun Kumar ("Pannaiyarum Padminiyum").

"I believe the audience has acknowledged us and our films. The change is evident and it's good to see these filmmakers are breaking away from the usual path of filmmaking. They are all headed in the right direction," Balaji told Ians.

He.

Chennai, March 10: Actor Simhaa, who is playing the lead in upcoming Tamil film "Urumeen" after essaying character roles in films such as "Neram" and "Soodhu Kavvum", says he doesn't see any difference in playing a lead or a character in a film. The story is all that he cares about.

"For me, all roles are the same. A lead role means you're going to lead a story from the front and a character role probably not from the front. That's the only difference I see in these kinds of roles. I give prime importance to the story of a film," Simhaa told Ians.

Simhaa rose to prominence after playing a comic villain in last year's Tamil.

Chennai, March 5: Actor Simhaa, who impressed audiences with his performance in films such as "Soodhu Kavvum" and "Neram", says he interacted with real-life rowdies to prepare for his role in forthcoming Tamil gangster-drama "Jigarthanda".

Simhaa plays a Madurai-based gangster in the film, which is directed by "Pizza" fame Karthik Subbaraj.

"As part of the homework to prepare for my role, I met lot of real rowdies from Madurai. I spent time with them discussing and studying their behaviour. It helped me with a lot of inputs which I have incorporated in my role in the film," Simhaa told Ians.

"During my interaction with.

Film: "Thegidi"; Director: P. Ramesh; Cast: Ashok Selvan, Chakrapani, Govardhan, Janani Iyer, Jayakumar, Jayaprakash, Kaali, Kamalakannan, Madhavan and Pradeep Nair; Rating: ***1/2 - a mastermind.

According to a line from "Thegidi", "the core concentration of a detective's job is shadowing and surveillance".

It's after you hear this line and understand what it means completely, you realize how brilliantly the entire story of the film is built on this single line. With films like "Pizza" and "Soodhu Kavvum" proving to be successful with wacky content and offbeat presentation, "Thegidi" conveniently falls in that list of.

Chennai, Feb 17: Short and crisp narratives such as "Pizza" and "Soodhu Kavvum" are having an edge over biggies like "Thalaivaa" and "Alex Pandian" down south, say trade pundits, adding that shorter attention span of viewers is a growing concern for the stakeholders of lengthy movies.

Legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock had once said "The length of a film should directly be related to the endurance of human bladder". It seems apt for today's time.

Actor-filmmaker Lakshmy Ramakrishnan, who directed 90-minute-long Tamil drama "Aarohanam", feels lengthy stories lose their charm.

"When a film is unnecessarily stretched,.

Chennai, Feb 17: The Tamil remake of critically and commercially successful Kannada blockbuster "Lucia" will have a few changes to suit the sensibilities of the local audience, says its director Prasad Marar.

The yet-untitled remake features southern actor Siddharth in the lead.

"We have already started shooting. The film will undergo minor changes for the local audience. I loved 'Lucia' and therefore, I have a bigger responsibility of doing justice to it (its remake). We plan to complete the film in one long schedule," Prasad told Ians.

Producer C.V. Kumar, known for movies such as "Soodhu Kavvum" and "Pizza", is producing.

Chennai, Feb 4: After back-to-back blockbusters like "Pizza", "Soodhu Kavvum" and "Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara", actor Vijay Sethupathi's latest Tamil release "Rummy" has opened to mixed reviews, but he says it has not disappointed him.

Directed by Gokul, "Rummy" is a love story set against the backdrop of 1980s. It released Jan 31 and failed to rake in the moolah.

"I had signed 'Rummy' soon after 'Pizza'. It was a very dear project and I did it for my good friend Prabhakaran (co-star in the film). I'm happy with the response to the film and I'm not upset with the mixed reviews. You can't expect the same result from.

Chennai, Jan 8: Tamil actor Vijay Sethupathi, who tasted success in the film industry last year, says he has turned producer with upcoming Tamil film "Aaranju Mittai" because of its impressive storyline.

"I chose to become a producer because of the film's good story. There are no other reasons that forced me to take this step. I really liked the script and therefore decided to produce it on my own. I also plan to produce another Tamil film soon," Vijay told Ians.

In 2013, Vijay scored two back-to-back blockbusters with films "Soodhu Kavvum" and "Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara".

"I just wish to continue.

Chennai, Dec 31: Along with an interesting line up of films featuring superstars such as Rajinikanth's "Kochadaiiyaan", Kamal Haasan's "Vishwaroopam 2" and Mahesh Babu's "1: Nenokkadine" for next year, works of a new breed of actors and filmmakers will also rule the roost in the New Year.

In Tamil filmdom, 2013 was a great year for recent newcomers such as Sivakarthikeyan and Vijay Sethupathi, who managed to score a hit with every release of theirs. While the former scored three blockbusters - "Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga", "Ethir Neechal" and "Varutha Padatha Valibar Sangam", the latter delivered hits in "Soodhu Kavvum" and "Idharkuthane.

Chennai, Dec 10: Tamil cinema's overnight poster boy Vijay Sethupathi, who has scored multiple hits with films such as "Pizza", "Soodhu Kavvum" and "Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom" with debut directors, has signed thriller "Mellisai" with another first-time director.

"Mellisai" is being directed by debutant Ranjith.

"I'm more interested in the story than the person who will direct it. Luckily, most of my projects so far have been with debutants because I was impressed with their stories. I don't do any and every film by a debutant that comes my way. I have also turned down a few projects," Vijay told Ians.

The actor is currently busy juggling between four projects, but still he went ahead and signed "Mellisai".

"I.

Still from Kanyaka Talkies

The Chennai International Film Festival 2013, to be held from December 12-19, has announced the complete lineup of films.

The festival will host Country Focus on Iran and Taiwan along with a section on contemporary films from Turkey.

The Indian Panorama section will have a mix of regional-language films like Ajanata Batas by Anjan Das (Bengali), Tapaal by Laxman Utekar (Marathi), Baga Beach by Laxmikant Shetgaonkar (Konkani), Ko:Yad by Manju Borah (Assamese), Ship of Theseus by Anand Gandhi (English-Hindi), Kanyaka Talkies by K R Manoj (Malayalam) and Lucia by Pawan Kumar (Kannada).

The festival will host retrospectives of three eminent filmmakers: French director Claire Denis (S’en Fout La Mort, Beau Travail, Trouble Every Day, L’intrus and 35 Rhums); Hungarian director István Szabó (The Door, Sweet Emma, Dear Bobe and Budapest Tales); Serbian filmmaker Goran Paskaljevic (Beach Guard in Wintertime, Special Treatment, How Harry Became a Tree,...

I haven't been covering a whole lot of Tamil films here lately, mostly because nothing really interesting has crossed my path. However, when a performer gets such unanimous praise as Vijay Sethupathi over a series of surprise box office hits, it's probably best to keep an ear out. Sethupathi's latest triumphs were the all-in-one-night horror comedy Pizza, and the kidnapping black comedy, Soodhu Kavvum, a film about which I heard fantastic things but was unable to review due to the lack of advertised subtitles at my local theater. However, the film held a screen in suburban Dallas for about a month, which is a feat normally reserved for big budget blockbusters. His latest is Rummy, and if this trailer is any indication, he may continue...

[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...

Chennai, Oct 28: Southern actress Sanchita Shetty, who rose to stardom with her performance in Tamil crime-comedy "Soodhu Kavvum", wants to star in the remake of the film in other southern languages as well.

The remake rights of "Soodhu Kavvum" have already been bought and it is being remade in Telugu and Kannada.

"If given an opportunity, I would love to star in the remakes. It's one of the films I can never disassociate myself from. I have already been approached by the producer of its Telugu remake, but I'm more interested in Kannada version as it's my mother tongue," Sanchita told Ians.

Sanchita's imaginary.

Chennai, Oct 27: If Sanchita Shetty dolled up for her role in Tamil crime-comedy "Soodhu Kavvum", she has shunned make-up for her upcoming Tamil horror-thriller "Pizza 2: Villa".

"Since I played an imaginary character in 'Soodhu Kavvum', I got to wear a lot of colourful costumes and make up. However, it's the exact opposite in 'Pizza 2: Villa', in which I play a very responsible character and I'm mostly seen in salwar-kameez with no make-up," Sanchita told Ians.

Sanchita essayed Shalu, a manifestation of the hero's imagination in "Soodhu Kavvum".

In Deepan Chakravarthy-directed "Pizza 2: Villa", she is paired.

Chennai, Oct 12: Filmmaker Rohit Shetty will team up with Imran Khan for the Hindi remake of recent Tamil crime-comedy drama "Soodhu Kavvum". The film is expected to go on the floors soon and Shraddha Kapoor is being considered as the female lead.

"The necessary formalities took place in Mumbai. Imran Khan will play the lead while Shraddha Kapoor is likely to be paired opposite him," read a statement from Rockline Productions which acquired the remake rights of the original.

"The (Hindi) remake will be jointly produced by Rohit Shetty's home banner, in association with A&P Groups and Rockline Productions," added the statement.

Actor Vijay Sethupathi played the lead in "Soodhu Kavvum" which is a story of four.

Chennai, Oct 8: Ashok Selvan, set to enthrall audiences as a lead actor for the first time in upcoming Tamil horror-thriller "Pizza 2: Villa", says he worked with a young team in the movie, which was both challenging and inspiring.

Ashok made his cinematic debut as one of the leads in the recent Tamil blockbuster "Soodhu Kavvum".

"Our film features a very young team. We encountered so many challenges as a team but we always stuck together. One of our biggest challenges was to shoot in a 200-year-old villa. We were chasing a deadline and were left with several scenes to be completed but we still didn't give up," Ashok told Ians.

"We shot non-stop for a few days and managed to complete the remaining portion of the.

Chennai, Oct 5: Tamil actor Ashok Selvan, who has worked with three debutant directors in back-to-back films such as "Soodhu Kavvum", "Pizza 2: Villa" and "Thegidi", says he finds a winning attitude in them.

"I haven't worked with experienced directors yet, and therefore, I can't compare them with newcomers. But one thing that I have noticed in first time directors is their urge to win. They work with a winning attitude and I admire it," Ashok told Ians.

"They are always up for interaction and suggestions. I have just started my career but I don't have to think twice to start a conversation with them. I guess it's not the same with experienced directors," he added.

While Ashok worked with debutant Nalan Kumarasamy.

Film: "Moodar Koodam"; Cast: Naveen, Sentrayan, Kuberan, Rajaj, Jayaprakash, Anupama Kumar, Oviya and Sindhu Reddy; Director: Naveen; Rating: ***1/2

The success of films such as "Soodhu Kavvum", "Pizza", "Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom" and "Neram" has proved that Tamil cinema doesn't rely anymore on hero-worshipping, big ticket films.

Debutant Naveen's "Moodar Koodam" (Mk), which revolves around four unemployed wastrels, is the latest addition to that list of Tamil films that have managed to impress cinemagoers even with an unknown lead cast.

The premise of Mk is based on the line - 'It's better well to travel well than to arrive' - by Gautham Buddha.

Circumstances force four strangers Naveen, Vellaisamy,.

Chennai, Sep 3: Actor Ashwin Kakumanu, who has teamed up with Vijay Sethupathi in upcoming Tamil comedy "Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara" (Iab), says he didn't sign the film to cash in on Vijay's popularity but because of what the role had to offer him.

Vijay Sethupathi is the most sought after actor of contemporary Tamil cinema after delivering back-to-back hits such as "Pizza", "Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom" and "Soodhu Kavvum".

"I chose to work based on what the role had to offer to me as an actor. The very thought that I might be piggybacking on Vijay's popularity never even crossed my mind. Moreover, I.