Month: September 2017

Sai Pallavi Joins ‘Maari 2’

BY Silverscreen India Staff On

Sai Pallavi will essay the female lead opposite actor Dhanush in Maari 2. She takes over from Kajal Aggarwal, who played the lead in the original.

Director Balaji Mohan took to social media to announce Sai Pallavi’s inclusion in the film.

The film will be shot simultaneously in Telugu as well as Tamil. Much of the original cast is returning for the sequel, Dhanush told Ananda Vikatan recently. Malayalam star Tovino Thomas, known for his roles in films such as Oru Mexican Aparatha, Godha and Ezra, has been roped in to play the villain in this film.

Last seen in Shekhar Kammula’s Fidaa, Sai Pallavi reportedly has a pivotal role in this project. She is also a part of director Vijay’s Karu.

Sai Pallavi Joins ‘Maari 2’; Oviya Cast In ‘Kanchana 3’

BY Vandhana On

A quick look at everything making news in the world of cinema today!

Sign On

Sai Pallavi will play the female lead in Maari 2

Oviya is one of three heroines in Kanchana 3

Spotlight

Pooja Hegde, last seen in Duvvadha Jagannadham, says that the Southern film industry is very welcoming to outsiders.
“I love the South Industry and have a lot of respect for it. I started from there, they are very welcoming to outsiders and newcomers. It has been treating me really well. My fan base is increasing and more than anything I really enjoy shooting,” Pooja told IANS in an interview.

The actress says that both Bollywood and the southern industry have the same functioning.

“It’s just the language that changes,” she said.

Let them eat cake!

Actors Isha Sharwani, Darshan Jariwala, writer Sachin Ketkar will all turn a year older today!

Rama Leela Review: A Flippant Political Thriller That Stays Loyal To the Lead Actor

BY Aswathy Gopalakrishnan On

A high-profile politician has been murdered, and the police is investigating the case. The suspects, two lower-rank politicians from the slain man’s rival party, are on the run. Look-out notices are everywhere, and the police is under immense pressure to nab the culprits at the earliest. At this crucial juncture, a new website starts uploading videos from the suspects’ hideout, and circulates them among television channels in the state. The videos have visuals of the two men talking to each other about the murder case, claiming to be innocent, and making assumptions and inferences on who could be the real killer. The state’s dutiful police force, parliamentarians, and the public, sit in front of their television, and watch various channels’ telecast of the videos, and cool their feet.

This ‘sting operation’ and the subsequent public reaction, utterly unreasonable by all measures, occupy the entire latter half of director Arun Gopi’s Rama Leela, a political-thriller. Writer Sachy’s script is proudly silly, and is uncannily similar to his previous work, Joshiy’s Run Baby Run, a thriller centered around two journalists wrongly indicted in a political murder. The film proceeds in an old-fashioned style, dealing with the subject of politics the way Joshiy’s Lion did. It is loud and overtly dramatic. Politicians back-stab, threaten each other, and indulge in physical assault.

Rama Leela releases at a time when its lead actor, Dileep, has been lodged in Aluva sub-jail since July this year, accused of conspiring to rape a young actress in February. The film has many a scene and dialogues that resonate with the actor’s humongous fan base in the state that sympathises with him. One of the songs in the film has lyrics that laments the plight of the protagonist (and the actor playing the role) who has to go on an exile for no fault of his, comparing him to Lord Rama. By far, it is on this sympathy wave for the actor that Arun Gopi and producer Tomichan Mulakupadam have built the film.

Ramanunni (Dileep) is a cunning politician with a dubious moral side. Born and brought up in a household of communists, he joins the party at an early age. When we see him, however, he is a changed man. He now calls communism an ‘old bad habit’ that he has foregone. He has changed his affiliations, and has joined the Congress party after a violent tussle with his former party chief. Moreover, he is a candidate in a forthcoming by-election. One step at a time, Ramanunni is learning the tricks of the new trade with the help of a new Man-Friday, Thomas Chacko (Shajon). Things turn dark after he gets embroiled in a murder case that he didn’t commit.

The film’s characters are poorly written caricatures, not the kind a political thriller of gravity would demand. For one, Radhika Sarath Kumar’s mother, a staunch communist, might remind you of the countless mother roles that actresses like Kaviyoor Ponnamma played and got ridiculed for. She pretends to hate her son’s guts, but every night, she waits for him at the dinner table, with a plate of his favourite food. Shajon’s Thomas Chacko is a goofy friend who loves alcohol, and supports the hero in his pursuit of the heroine. There is Prayaga Martin, hamming it up as Helena, a media entrepreneur whom the film wants you to take seriously because she can down a glass of alcohol as if it is water. She is named after a song from Anand Shankar’s Iru Mugan in which Nayanthara played a formidable female protagonist, Prayaga’s Helena is as unimportant and silly as the technical staff in the film’s police force who can’t locate the IP address of a website that is ruining the reputation of the state police.

Compared to Dileep’s filmography over the last few years, his Ramanunni is a tremendous improvement. He is adequately restrained in the role, and the cringe-worthy loudness that has become his signature style is, thankfully, less audible here. However, the slyness in Ramanunni’s nature is jarringly absent in his performance. The actor doesn’t look at ease. His body-language is stiff, and his diction and accent sound put on.

And, there is music director Gopi Sunder’s score which bears an uncanny and unabashed resemblance to Sam CS’ work in the recent Tamil hit, Vikram Vedha. It is this score that keeps the film going in the initial portions which are, otherwise, a cliche-ridden high school skit.

Rama Leela is a forgettable film that toys with the serious subject of a political assassination; and as a crime and investigation drama, it displays no exceptional intelligence.

*****

The Rama Leela review is a Silverscreen original article. It was not paid for or commissioned by anyone associated with the movie. Silverscreen.in and its writers do not have any commercial relationship with movies that are reviewed on the site.

Dileep’s Judicial Remand Extended; His New Film ‘Ramleela’ Releases Tomorrow

BY IANS On

 Even as the judicial custody of arrested superstar Dileep was extended on Thursday till October 12, his latest film Ram Leela was also released and saw fans arriving to watch it at nearly 130 theatres across the state.

Earlier, the release of Ram Leela, produced at a cost of over Rs 20 crore, was scheduled for July.

But following the unexpected arrest of Dileep in the actress abduction case on July 10, the producer and his well wishers decided to defer the release.

With four bail applications of the actor being turned down and the fifth one’s verdict to come next week, it was decided to go ahead and release the film.

On Thursday, Dileep’s remand period was extended by the trial court near here, through a video conference with the sub-jail near here where the actor has been kept since his arrest.

Ram Leela is Dileep’s first film to be released since his arrest. Across the state, the audience comprised his fans, with his traditional audience – families and women – keeping away for obvious reasons.

In Kerala, all the leading stars in the Malayalam film industry have their own fans association, which ensures that irrespective of what happens, the opening day of the film is a sell out.

‘Solo’ Malayalam Version Gets U Certificate, U/A For Tamil

BY IANS On

 Filmmaker Bejoy Nambiar’s upcoming film Solo, which stars Dulquer Salmaan in the lead, has been cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification with a U certificate. It is slated for release on October 5.

While the Malayalam version of the film has been cleared with a ‘U’ certificate, the Tamil version has been passed with a U/A certificate.

“Here’s a lovely surprise. We get a ‘U’ certificate in Malayalam,” Nambiar tweeted on Thursday.

Tipped to be an anthology, Solo is a story with a mythical touch.

Nambiar had earlier told IANS: “It’s a collection of four different stories on earth, water, fire and wind. I can’t divulge more about the plot.”

He also said Solo is a genuine bilingual.

“We have shot every scene twice. Once in Tamil and the second time in Malayalam. It was like shooting two films at the cost and time of making one film,” he added.

Solo also stars Arthi Venkatesh, Dhansikaa, Dino Morea, Neha Sharma and Sruthi Hariharan.

The film is jointly produced by Getaway Films and Abaam Films.

Weekend Watch: ‘Karuppan’, ‘Spyder’, ‘Judwaa 2’, ‘Tharangam’, ‘Hara Hara Mahadevaki’, ‘Ram Leela’

BY Silverscreen India Staff On

Spyder (Tamil-Telugu Bilingual)

Silverscreen.in Copyrighted Photos

Having released two days before the usual Friday releases, the film marks Telugu actor Mahesh Babu’s debut in the Tamil industry and his first-time collaboration with director AR Murugadoss. Made on a lavish budget of approximately Rs 120 crore, the film is based on bio-terrorism and features actor-filmmaker SJ Suryah as the antagonist. Rakul Preet Singh plays the female lead. Mahesh plays an Intelligence Bureau officer.

The film’s music is composed by Harris Jayaraj.

Read: Silverscreen’s review of Spyder

Karuppan (Tamil)

Karuppan Teaser Starring Vijay Sethupathi and Tanya Ravichandran

Glorifying the Tamil culture, Karuppan, starring Vijay Sethupathi in the lead role, promises a lot of action. It is directed by R Panneerselvam and produced by Shri Sai Raam Creations.

The trailer shows a hero who is the epitome of what Tamil cinema defines as masculinity, and a heroine who doesn’t want to have anything to do with him. Also, a crazed man for a villain. Along with some bulls for company.

Granddaughter of late veteran actor Ravichandran, Tanya was roped in immediately to replace Lakshmi Menon, who was the initial choice. Music is by D Imman and cinematography by Ramji.

Hara Hara Mahadevaki (Tamil)

Hara Hara Mahadevaki

Hara Hara Mahadevaki, starring Gautham Karthik and Nikki Galrani, was scheduled to hit the screens on Deepavali this year. However, it’s releasing earlier than expected.

Bankrolled by Thangam cinemas, this film will be released by Studio Green.

An adult comedy directed by Santosh P Jayakumar, it has Nikki Galrani playing the female lead, with Mottai Rajendran, RK Suresh and Satish in supporting roles. Music is by Balamurali Balu.

Judwaa 2 (Hindi)

Judwaa2

A far cry from what Salman Khan looked like in Judwaa (1997), 20 years later, Raja and Prem return with Varun Dhawan playing the twins this time. Judwaa 2′s trailer has Varun playing Raja and Prem – twins who were separated at birth and who bump into each other much later. The brothers meet, and together, they share their adventures including falling in love (with Jacqueline Fernandez and Taapsee Pannu), and destroying the smuggling nexus to save their family.

Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala’s production house, the film is said to be a family entertainer directed by David Dhawan, who also directed the original 1997 movie.

Tharangam (Malayalam)

Tharangam

Tharangam, The Curious Case of Kallan Pavithran is a black comedy thriller film directed by debutant Dominic Arun. This will be the first Malayalam movie produced by Dhanush.

Lead actor Tovino Thomas plays Padmanathan Pillai, a Sub-Inspector in the Kerala police department. But, he has been suspended along with his subordinate for being a part of an “unauthorised mission leading to the death of a police officer,” according to the poster.

Santhy Balachandran, the lead actress, plays Malu, Padmanathan’s girlfriend and a guest lecturer. In an interview with Silverscreen, Santhy talks about her character in the film.

“The thing that I like about Malu is that she’s not just a love interest, she isn’t in the film just because a hero needs a heroine. She’s actually quite important, and I can say that without her, the film wouldn’t exist. That way, all the characters in the film have a crucial role. It’s a comedy and doesn’t have characters saying things just for the heck of sounding funny. Malu is someone who ends up being funny even without trying.”

Ram Leela (Malayalam)

Ramaleela Teaser Starring Dileep and Directed by Arun Gopi

The film, directed by newcomer Arun Gopi, is releasing a day before the usual Friday release. Dileep, who is currently involved in the controversial abduction case of a Malayalam actress and is facing jail time, stars in this film. Radhikaa Sarathkumar is also a part of the film. Prayaga Martin plays the female lead opposite Dileep.

The film also stars Vijaya Raghavan, Sai Kumar, Kalabhavan Shajon, Siddique and Suresh Krishna in pivotal roles. Produced by Tommichan Mulakupadam under the banner Mulakupadam films, the songs are composed by Gopi Sunder.

*****

‘Terminator 6’ Is Set To Release July 2019

BY IANS On

The sixth instalment of Arnold Schwarzenegger-starrer science fiction franchise Terminator has been slated for release on July 26, 2019.

The upcoming film will mark Schwarzenegger’s reunion with Linda Hamilton, who originally played Sarah Connor. Directed by Tim Miller, it is expected to be a sequel to the 1991 movie Terminator 2: Judgement Day, reports aceshowbiz.com.

“This is a continuation of the story from Terminator 1 and Terminator 2,” James Cameron, producer of the film, said.

“And we’re pretending the other films were a bad dream. Or an alternate timeline, which is permissible in our multi-verse. This was really driven more by (Miller) than anybody, surprisingly, because I came in pretty agnostic about where we took it. The only thing I insisted on was that we somehow revamp it and reinvent it for the 21st century,” Cameron added.

Image courtesy: Amazon.com

‘I Didn’t Want Fan Associations In My Name; Cannot Afford To Get Stuck In Petty Fights’: The Tovino Thomas Interview

BY Aswathy Gopalakrishnan On

Tovino Thomas’s acting career had an unceremonious beginning. A software engineer, he quit his job to try his luck in cinema where he always wanted to be. He started off as a model in television commercials, and later, assisted Roopesh Peethambaran in his debut directorial, Theevram (2012). His first major role came in 2013, as a cunning politician in Martin Prakkat’s ABCD (American Born Confused Desi), a film that drew attention mostly for its lead actor, Dulquer Salmaan, who was just one film old then. But, Tovino sure caught the eyes of many, for his spirited performance and conventional good-looks. He played a negative role again in Prithviraj’s 7th Day, and the same year, appeared in Koothara – a dark drama woven around three young friends – directed by Sreenath Rajendran. In 2015, he played a pivotal role in RS Vimal’s Ennu Ninte Moideen.

Five years since his debut, Tovino has his hands full. This year, the actor has had three releases – Ezra, Godha and Oru Mexican Apaaratha – out of which the last two were his solo lead projects. Arun Dominic’s Tharangam (Waves), another movie in which he plays the lead, and which also marks actor Dhanush’s entry to Mollywood as a producer, is up for release tomorrow. He has finished shooting for Abhiyude Kadha Anuvinteyum, a Tamil-Malayalam bilingual directed by BR Vijayalakshmi, and is currently filming Vishnu Narayanan’s Maradona, and Aashiq Abu’s Mayanadhi, which he describes as a ‘beautiful pure romantic drama’.

A day after our conversation, another project of his is announced – Luca, directed by Arun Bose. “I have around eight to 10 projects coming up,” he tells me, promptly adding that the films belong to many genres. “I don’t want to get trapped in a safe zone. That’s not my thing.” The example he cites is the eponymous character, Tovino, from You Too Brutus. He was a goofy gym trainer in the film that came out at a time when he was doing dark shaded roles. “I wanted to do a comedy. You Too Brutus‘s Tovino was a character entirely different from the roles I had been doing at that point of time. I spoke to Roopesh, and together, we shaped the mannerisms of the character.” The character’s forte were his chiselled body and a handsome face, always let down by a lack of intellect, almost like a spoof of macho hero roles.

In 2015, Oru Mexican Apaaratha, an action drama directed by Tom Emmatty, launched him to the top league of actors in Mollywood. He played an underdog who eventually fights back against the physical and emotional harassment he suffers on college campus. “I didn’t take up the role in OMA just because it had the capability to make me a star. It was a great team to work with,” says Tovino. “In every star’s life, it’s a Friday that stirs the change. OMA‘s release Friday gave me my due. I don’t think my stardom happened overnight. I was around for over five years, and that experience helped me play the role convincingly.”

Tovino plays a policeman in Tharangam. The trailer and a song from Tharangam (Waves) are already out on Youtube. “The response is great,” he says. “It is a very interesting comic caper. In fact, its humour reminded me of the vintage Priyadarshan films and Guy Ritchie,” says Tovino. “The slapstick comedy we have used in it is subtle, and unconventional. I found the script very intelligent. Arun’s short film, Mrithyumjayam, was a noir film. I was very impressed with it.” In Abhiyude Kadha Anuvinteyum, Pia Bajpai is his co-star. “I loved the film’s script. It has a twist that you might not have guessed from the trailer. Moreover, it’s BR Vijayalakshmi helming it. The first woman cinematographer from Asia!”

Both Tharangam and Abhiyude Kadha Anuvinteyum mark Tovino’s entry to Tamil cinema. This comes at a time when his contemporaries Fahadh Fazil and Nivin Pauly are also preparing for their Tamil debut. This is the right time, says Tovino. “Now, there is a huge audience for Malayalam films outside Kerala,” he says. “When I travel outside India, I notice that many people identify Indian cinema with Bollywood. Most of them aren’t aware of the fact that there is a huge regional film industry, which is making films as good as Bollywood, or even better than Bollywood. I hope in the future, language barriers will no longer decide a film industry’s fate, and pan Indian films will be possible. That’s how it should be. With subtitles, co-productions, and content that goes beyond a certain region, we will be able to overcome barriers like language and culture,” he says.

*****

Over the years, he has faced many a setback in the form of box-office failures. Films such as Style in which he played a suave villain bit the dust without a trace. But the flop that hit him hard was Guppy – in which he played a bullet-riding engineer who touches many lives in a village. The film received a lukewarm response in theatres at the time of its release, and later, when a copy of the film landed in torrent websites, the audience in Kerala showered praises on it in social media. Tovino’s performance in the film won him a number of awards and accolades.

“I am partly glad that I have had enough flops to keep me grounded. Success can, sometimes, blind you,” he says.

“Some films work, some don’t. I can’t make sure that every decision I take is perfect,” he declares, admitting that the failure of Guppy had a deep impact on him. “I choose a script if I feel I have something good to do, and also, if I find the team interesting. For me, the process of filming is as important as how the film turns out to be. That experience is important. I have worked a lot with youngsters of my age, who are just starting out in the industry. In several films, I have been a part of the project right from the pre-production stage. I ask a lot of questions on the sets. I want to be an actor whose biggest assets are experiences, and not a star whose worth is decided by the number of hits he delivers.”

Nevertheless, Tovino is a celebrated star in the state now. There are fan associations formed in his name, and there is unprecedented hype around his new releases. “I haven’t changed. The people around me have,” says Tovino. “The way they perceive me must have changed, but I am still the person I always was.”

It’s very easy to handle stardom, declares Tovino. “The only difference is that I have become a more recognisable face, and a more bankable actor. I am unaffected by stardom. Time and again, I have been accused of being rude in the public, when I was just being honest. Those are people who don’t know me enough, but make assumptions on my character.” He isn’t very fond of social media for the negative energy that it generates. Fans associations are something he doesn’t like either.

“It is cinema that I love,” Tovino says. “I watch all kinds of films. I go to cinemas and watch even the film that has got the worst review. There is no specific genre that I like. I want to explore new experiences, new cinema, meet new people. I didn’t want fan associations in my name. But I yielded to it later on a condition that it should never become a platform for fan fights and virtual abuses. Watch my films if they are good, I have told fans. I have a long way to go. I can’t afford to get stuck in petty fan fights.”

*****

The Tovino Thomas interview is a Silverscreen exclusive.

Vijay Sethupathi, Sayyeshaa, And ‘Junga’ Team Go To Europe For Shoot

BY IANS On

The team of Vijay Sethupathi-starrer upcoming Tamil romantic drama Junga will leave on Friday for a month-long shooting schedule across exotic locales in Europe.

Shivaay fame Sayyeshaa plays the leading lady. “I’m leaving for Paris on Friday. After shooting a predominant portion of the film in France, we will go to shoot songs and a chase sequence in Bulgaria and Amsterdam. We will return to France and complete the rest of the film,” Sayyeshaa told IANS.

In the film, she plays a bubbly girl who is born and raised in Paris.

Produced by Vijay Sethupathi, the film is directed by Gokul. Vijay Sethupathi plays the role of a local don, and the actor will be seen in a clean shaven avatar in the film.

Playboy Founder Hugh Hefner To Be Buried Next To Marilyn Monroe

BY IANS On

Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner will be buried in a cemetery plot in Los Angeles, next to the first cover girl of his magazine – Marilyn Monroe. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hefner reserved the plot at Westwood Memorial Park here next to the movie icon decades after her death in 1962. He purchased it for $75,000 in 1992, according to dailymail.co.uk.

Hefner died on Tuesday at the age of 91 from natural causes, according to a statement released by Playboy Enterprises. Hefner will join a number of Hollywood celebrities buried at the famous Los Angeles cemetery, including musician Roy Orbison, writer Truman Capote and iconic entertainer Dean Martin.

Hefner was born on April 9, 1926, in Chicago to Glenn Hefner, an accountant, and Grace Hefner, a teacher. Both parents were conservative Protestants from Nebraska.

An editor, journalist, illustrator, producer and entrepreneur, but all of this was overshadowed with his step to transform the adult entertainment industry in the US with Playboy magazine, followed by the one-of-a-kind Playboy mansion and its “bunnies”.

Having pursued his education in psychology, Hefner came out with the first edition of Playboy magazine in 1953 with a nude shot of Monroe.

Apart from running the hugely popular magazine, Hefner — known for his signature silk smoking jacket and velvet slippers — also became both a social justice advocate and a target of the conservative movement while becoming an outspoken defender of civil rights, freedom of speech, gay rights and sexual freedom.

 

Image source: imgur.com

What Exactly Is Kamal Haasan’s Political Stand?

BY Nadika Nadja On

Will Kamal Haasan take the political plunge? What’s playing on his mind? We look back on his tweets and interviews and attempt to decipher the path he might choose

Kamal Haasan usually has a lot to say on matters related to the arts, but is known to tread a safe, bipartisan line when it comes to politics and other matters. Of late, the actor, choreographer, director and producer has thrown caution to the wind and come out guns blazing against the current party in power, announcing that he would launch a party and contest the elections.

This was a bit of a surprise.

If anything, people have been expecting forever that Rajinikanth would start a party of his own. After all, the superstar had sort of flirted with the field before, and was highly influential in the 1996 elections in the State. The Congress party had split in Tamil Nadu, with GK Moopanaar floating the Tamil Maanila Congress. Rajini, perceived as Moopanaar’s friend, came out with a statement that criticised Jayalalithaa. The DMK -TMC alliance won the elections and Karunanidhi became Chief Minister once again.

Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth, two superstars often seen as rivals by their fans though they share a good working relationship, are now, maybe, competing against each other for the popular vote.

But Kamal may possibly need a speech writer, or, at least, a social media manager. His recent statements have been a series of flip flops. In May, when speculation was rife that Rajini would join politics, and, more specifically, align with the BJP, Kamal said that rational people would not join politics. He said, “Given the current political scenario in Tamil Nadu, I would say no one should enter politics. Why single out actors? Any rational person will not do that.”

Soon enough, he announced the start of his political career. In an interview to Quint in early September, he said, “This is the right time for me to come into active politics because everything that can possibly go wrong is going wrong. We need better governance. I am not promising swift remedies. But, I promise to start the process of change. This change may not even happen in my lifetime. Hopefully, there will be others to carry forward the cleansing process.”

His tweets became increasingly critical of the ruling AIADMK, and, as always, cryptic (that’s not doing Kamal justice. ALL of his tweets are usually cryptic)

On September 1, Kamal Haasan took the next step. He described a meeting with Kerala Chief Minister M Pinrayi Vijayan as “learning”. This was, perhaps, expected, for Kamal is known to be sympathetic to the Left, and has espoused Communist ideas in many films, including Varumayin Niram Sivappu and  Anbe Sivam.

Speculation then began that Kamal’s possible party would align with the Left. But, he quickly added:  “I am not going to do business with any of them. I will go alone.”

Later, Kamal said that Rajini’s religious beliefs made him a better ally for the BJP, which has been peddling a hard-line Hindutva policy that has only got stronger since its win in the 2014 national elections.

After his meeting with Pinrayi Vijayan, Kamal said that his colour was not saffron – a reference to the BJP’s party flag and policies. “My colour has obviously seen the 40 years I have worked in cinema, but it’s definitely not saffron,” he said. The actor, who professes to to be an atheist and a rationalist, is also seen by many as friends of the DMK party and its leader, M Karunanidhi, himself an atheist. But Kamal also said, “I want to be in the middle of things and do not want to lean to any side.”

In July, Kamal said in an interview to Thanthi TV, “The current state of politics is such that only a person well-versed in statecraft can do some amount of good to the people. I am probably the best choice to run a film school. I am not equipped enough to take on a career in politics. I am the sort of person who thinks that corruption should not be a part of public life. That does not automatically make me a good choice of leader.”

Kamal met Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which came to power on an anti-corruption platform, on September 21. He said: “I am honoured that the Chief Minister of Delhi decided to visit my abode. This house has been political since my father’s time, and I was the one who got into it late. We got together for a purpose.”

At the end of his meeting with Kejriwal, Kamal said it was time for an alliance of people fighting communalism and corruption.

Finally, Kamal Haasan seemed to suggest that he might, after all, work with the BJP. “Nothing is untouchable in politics,” he said. “I may have to make some adjustments and come to the Centre.” He added: “The BJP is going deep right and that distresses me. But, if there is a common minimum programme that will benefit people, I am okay with joining hands (with the BJP).”

For someone who’s adopted a rational, anti-religion stand for most of his public life, and someone who’s current gripe with the party in power is its anti-people activities, Kamal Haasan’s stand, and his statements are too ephemeral for analysts to sense where he’s headed.

*****

Timeline of Kamal Haasan’s public statements about politics.

May: Says no rational person will join politics.

June: Increasingly critical of the current AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu

July: Says that, perhaps, it is time for him to join politics.

July: Says anti-corruption alone cannot be a political stand.

Late July – August: Uses his platform on Bigg Boss and other (non-political?) events to make political comments. More criticism of the State Government.

September 1: Meets Pinrayi Vijayan, says saffron is not his colour.

September 20: Meets Arvind Kejriwal, says time for anti-corruption, anti-communalism forces to come together.

September 25: Says is willing to work with the BJP if there’s some good outcome for the State.

*****

‘Julie 2’ Release Stalled; Pahlaj Nihalani Rues Last Minute Delay

BY Janani Karthik On

Julie 2, starring Lakshmi Rai, will not release on October 6. The release has been stalled as producer NR Pachisia has sued the team for copyright infringement. Pachisia holds the copyright for Neha Dhupia starrer Julie, which was released in 2004. Ex-CBFC chief  Pahlaj Nihalani, who is presenting the film, said:

“NR Pachisia claims the title ‘Julie’ is his just because he produced film with the same title 13 years ago. Our film ‘Julie’ has nothing to do with his film; our movie is about an aspiring star. Since the coming weekend is a long one, there is no time to get the matter sorted,” Nihalani told Deccan Chronicle.

“I am also determined to teach producers like Mr Pachisia a lesson for harassing on-release films by taking them to court just weeks and days before release. This is nothing but a form of extortion,” he added.

American Made Review: Visually Rustic And Mildly Thrilling

BY IANS On

Director Dough Liman’s American Made is a good example of greed and the epic culture of corruption in the US. Based on a true story, it reveals the thrilling life of an opportunist.

Narrated in a non-linear manner with archived video footage, the plot unveils how during the height of the Cold War, in the mid-1970s, Barry Seal (Tom Cruise) the youngest pilot for the commercial airline TWA got into a crazy mess.

Barry explains how he was enticed by Monty Schafer, a CIA agent, to fly clandestine reconnaissance missions over South America using a small plane with cameras installed to snap photos of warring insurgents on behalf of the US government.

But, what starts with taking photos of insurgent groups in the jungles of Central America quickly morphs into a courier service between the CIA and General Noriega in Panama. And this soon leads to him using his CIA-provided twin-engine plane to transport drugs into Louisiana from Colombia. The Medellin Cartel kingpins Jorge Ochoa (Alejandro Edda), Carlos Ledher (Fredy Yate Escobar) and Pablo Escobar (Mauricio Mejia) make him an offer he cannot refuse.

Being a CIA mission aircraft, the CIA turns a blind eye to the drug smuggling, but the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) tracks him down. Schafer warns Seal of the consequences and protects him from the DEA by moving him to a remote town in Arkansas called Mena and in reciprocation, forces him to transport guns to the Contras.

Realising that the Contras are not serious about the guns, Barry starts delivering the guns to the Cartel. Apart from this, on the behest of the CIA, he transports the Contras to the US and sets up a military training base for them near his home town. The militants, however, escape from the training programme, making the CIA shut the programme down.

In the meanwhile, Barry surfaces on the radar of the FBI, DEA and other law enforcement agencies and with the CIA abandoning him, how he dodges the agencies and brokers a deal with the White House, which eventually leads to crossing and double crossing forms the crux of this tale.

While the actual story of Barry Seal is exciting, the facts and figures in the narrative don’t make an impact. But it definitely hits the right spot for a fact-based, journalism inspiring story about flamboyant figures who were a part of an even bigger, crazier story of the Cold War era.

Visually, the film is rustic and simple. The period is captured by the agitated style and fusing palette of the Uruguayan cinematographer Cesar Charlone. His frames are banal and yet arresting.

Director Liman does his best to keep this top-heavy narrative in constant motion without approaching the technical or structural inventiveness of his previous films. The storytelling is both so distracted and distracting that there is barely time to consider what it all adds up to.

The editing by Andrew Mondshein is somewhat haphazard. Some scenes do end abruptly.

On the performance front, Tom Cruise is every inch Barry Seal. He punches his emotions with apt precision, be it the thrills, the insanity and “patriotic duty” he delivers it all with a straight face with barely a trace of irony or repentance.

Sarah Wright as his wife Lucy Seal has nothing much to offer except for initially screaming, “Daddy’s lost his mind,” in her effort to comfort their small children on the night of the hasty “we’ve got to leave town” moment.

All supporting characters playing the contras and the drug lords along with Caleb Landry Jones as Seal’s idiotic brother-in-law and Jesse Plemons as the local Sheriff add colour and flavour to the narrative.

Overall, while the details are dazzling, the final effects of the film are mildly thrilling but yet far from tame.

‘Govt. Dignitaries Not Attending Sivaji’s Memorial Event’: Prabhu Writes To I&B Ministry

BY Silverscreen India Staff On

Actor Prabhu is incensed at the lack of respect shown by the State Government towards his late father. A memorial to the legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan is all set to be inaugurated on October 1, to mark the birth anniversary of the actor.

“Usually an event of this scale should be attended by the CM and high-ranking dignitaries. But I heard that not even the Deputy CM is attending. This is a disgrace and is a severe insult to the name and fame of my father. He did a lot for Tamil language and culture. Is this the way we treat great artists?”

Prabhu is of the opinion that things would have been different had Jayalalitha been alive. “She wouldn’t have allowed things to go on like this. She would have made this a huge event and invited dignitaries from all over,” Prabhu said.

To this end, Prabhu has written to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

“This memorial was very close to late CM Jayalalitha’s heart. We request the State Government and I&B Ministry to help make this event a grand success,” Prabhu said.

Amitabh And Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Respond To Enforcement Directorate’s Notices In The Panama Papers Case

BY Silverscreen India Staff On

Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan and his daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan have reportedly responded to the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) notices with respect to their names being mentioned in the Panama Papers case. According to a PTI report, the actors responded to the notices issued under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

The report says that the actors might be summoned by the ED soon, as part of the probe. Thus far, the Income tax department has launched 33 prosecutions linked to the names revealed in the Panama Papers and is probing others.

When the leaks surfaced, records of the Panamanian law firm showed that Amitabh Bachchan served as director of four offshore shipping companies between 1993 and 1997.

In the past, the actor has denied any wrongdoing, and has said that his remittances overseas were in line with Indian regulations.

The Panama Papers leak in April last year included the names of a number of Bollywood celebrities, including the Bachchans. The leak also revealed a list of individuals who had paid Mossack Fonseca, a law firm in Panama known for its “factory-like production” of offshore companies for wealthy individuals and others who sought a loophole in paying taxes.

Jr NTR’s Jai Lava Kusa Collects Over Rs 100 Crore At The Box Office

BY IANS On

 Actor Jr. NTR starrer Telugu action-drama Jai Lava Kusa has grossed over Rs 100 crore in five days since its global release, according to the makers.

In an official poster, the makers have announced that the film has breached into the Rs 100 crore club.

Directed by Bobby, Jai Lava Kusa features NTR in a triple role.

In the film, NTR plays triplet brothers. As one of the character Jai, he was seen in a negative shade and he spoke with a stutter.

Thrilled with the response, NTR tweeted last week:

Produced by NTR’s brother Kalyanram, the film also stars Nivetha Thomas, Raashi Khanna and Ronit Roy among others.

‘Kurangu Bommai’ Telugu Rights Sold

BY Vandhana On

The Telugu film rights of Vidharth-starrer Kurangu Bommai have been bagged by S Studios. The film’s director Nithilan confirmed the news in an interview with Deccan Chronicle. 

“S Studios, which is currently bankrolling GV Prakash-starrer Kupathu Raja, will be taking the film to the Telugu audiences,” he said.

Nithilan may not get to direct the Telugu version. A suitable cast and crew for the remake will be announced by the Telugu version’s production team.

“I might not be directing the Telugu version. I think the production house will take care of the cast and crew of the upcoming movie,” added Nithilan.

Starring Bharathiraja, Elango Kumaravel, Delna Davis in pivotal roles, Kurangu Bommai released earlier this year to much acclaim.

Hugh Hefner Was A True Legend: Celebrities Mourn Playboy Founder’s Death

BY IANS On

Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner took his last breath at his Playboy Mansion near Beverly Hills, California and Hollywood celebrities like Ryan Seacrest and Kim Kardashian shared their respect and love for the departed soul on social media.

Hefner’s death was announced by Playboy Enterprises via Twitter on Wednesday night. He was 91.

Many celebrities took to social media to show their respect, reports people.com.


Feature Image: The Sun

Director Puri Jagannadh To Launch His Son, Akash Puri, In His Next

BY IANS On

Filmmaker Puri Jagannadh on Thursday said he was all set to launch his son Akash Puri with upcoming Telugu film Mehbooba, an intense love story set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

Jagannadh shared the first look poster of the film along with a brief note via his Twitter page on Thursday.


In the note, he wrote: “After finishing Mehbooba script, I realised that I’m doing a highly intense and passionate love story for the first time ever which is completely out of repertoire of ideas. It’s a soulful love story in the backdrop of 1971 Indo-Pakistan war.”

He further wrote that irrespective of the blood relation he shares with his son Akash Puri; “it’s his love towards cinema that’s making me do this film with him”.

Mangalore-based Neha Shetty has been roped in to play the leading lady. Sandeep Chowta will compose the music and the shooting starts from October.

Mehbooba will be shot in picturesque locales of Himachal Pradesh and will continue in Punjab and Rajasthan as well.

‘Lag Jaa Gale’: The Lata Mangeshkar Song That Doesn’t Rust With Age

BY Sanjana Chakraborty On

Singer Lata Mangeshkar turns 88 today, and not a day goes by without talking about her contribution to Indian music.

Hailing from a family of theatre artists, Lata always had music in her mind, even on her first day in school.

Beginning 40s to present times, it’s almost difficult to timeline all her songs considering she’s been singing (and thriving) for over seven decades. From the age of 13, to well into her 70s, Lata’s voice never lost its magical quality. She doesn’t sing much these days, but of all the songs she’s ever sung, one that continues to be hailed as one of her best is ‘Lag Jaa Gale’ from the 1964 film Woh Kaun Thi.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFr6G5zveS8

Starring Manoj Kumar and Sadhana, the song, in black and white, captures intimate moments between a couple. The woman, pining for her lover, implores him to embrace her now, for who knows when such a beautiful night might return?

Sensing a possible separation, she further says that the night, which could well be their last, may not return in this lifetime – the lyrics penned by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan keeps up with the film’s tale of confusion and longing, and infuses sensuous moments between the visibly estranged couple.

Lata, who was in her 30s then, is at her mellifluous best. In the video, there is music in the woman’s desperation, and more than anything sexual, there’s poetry in her words.

Lata sang four songs in this film, and three of them featured just her voice. Talking about this song in 2014, on its 50th anniversary, she said that the beauty of this song is that it can never rust with age.

True to her words, in recent times, there have been several renditions of this song. The most recent one for the film Meri Pyaari Bindu, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Parineeti Chopra – a film that heavily relied on retro Hindi songs. The song is used in the form of a memory that Parineeti’s Bindu has when thinking of her mother who dies early on in the film. With tears streaming down her eyes, she sings it on stage with her mother in mind, the lyrics echoing with her sentiments.

Singers like Sunidhi Chauhan, Shreya Ghoshal, Jonita Gandhi and even Arijit Singh have sung their versions of the song. Needless to say, social media thinks ‘Lag Ja Gale‘ is best sung by Lata herself.

*****

Pic: Radiocity.in

Dileep Offered Rs 3 Crore For Abducting Actress, Prosecution Tells Kerala HC

BY IANS On

The prosecution in the actress abduction case on Wednesday informed the Kerala High Court that arrested Malayalam actor Dileep had offered Rs 3 crore for abduction of the actress in February this year.

The prosecution informed that Dileep offered Pulsar Suni Rs 1.50 crore for carrying out the abduction, and in case he gets caught in the act by the police, the compensation would be doubled.

The actress was abducted while on way by road from Thrissur to Kochi.

The High Court was hearing the bail plea of Dileep, for the third time at the High Court, and the fifth overall, since his arrest on July 10 in the case.

The court posted the verdict on this for a later date.

The prosecution also got permission from the court to take a statement before a magistrate from popular singer, TV and film artiste Rimy Tomy and three others.

Meanwhile, Dileep’s counsel told the court that they are prepared to satisfy any condition for the bail.

Dileep was arrested on July 10 for alleged involvement in the conspiracy behind the kidnapping of the actress.

She was taken around in the vehicle for about two hours and allegedly molested before being dumped near actor-director Lal’s home.

SPYder Review: A Film That Attempts To Be Novel, But Fails

BY Vandhana On

SPYder‘s trailer does little justice to SJ Suryah’s Bhairavaa. Barely onscreen for a second, the actor-director comes off like your garden-variety unhinged maniac. The trailer chooses to focus on Mahesh Babu… the Telugu superstar who personifies his moniker – Prince.

Effete, soft-spoken, and with the kind of build that lends itself well to the metro-sexual male roles he often plays, Mahesh Babu is an unusual star. Nothing ruffles that calm demeanour. He’s the sort of chap one can lean on in times of trouble.

With a job that allows him the ability to literally see and hear all, it’s no wonder that he’s named Shiva.

For AR Murugadoss, this film is an interesting exercise. He turns to mythology to supplement the film’s lack of a solid narrative. So, the hero is Shiva. The villain is the demonic Bhairavaa.

The heroine is perhaps the sole aberration as far as the theme goes. She’s Charlie (Rakul Preet Singh) – to reflect her modern attitude about love and relationship. She says she’s only up for a ‘friends with benefits’ relationship with Shiva. He’s nonplussed. Imagine a character called Parvati mouthing those lines. Just wouldn’t hold.

*****

The film SJ Suryah’s Bhairavaa as its mainstay. It revolves around him. The rest, including Mahesh’s Shiva, exist and attain importance because Bhairavaa does.

Murugadoss needs to be appreciated for creating a villain who kills because he can. There’s no sad backstory…no motive to feed his killing spree. He feeds off grief. And when there isn’t enough to satisfy him, he creates situations that cause grief. It’s a kickass role and SJ Suryah revels in it. The constant comparisons to Dark Knight aside, here’s a mainstream film that is unabashed in its celebration of pure evil.

In contrast, Mahesh Babu and that constant halo that follows him around seem almost boring. Much of this actor’s talents are subtle, so you never get the sort of powerful performance SJ Suryah churns out.

*****

There’s been a lot of hype around this film, and in many ways, it feels like the film had been set up to fail. The promotions and fiery interviews promised more than the film and its director could deliver. Murugadoss doesn’t know when to stop his imagination running riot. And so, we get giant boulders, housewives as action stars,
so on and so forth.

Eventually, it stops being a film and becomes an exercise in novelty. Santosh Sivan, Sreekar Prasad and even Harris Jayaraj are value additions to this project. Despite their combined efforts, the film fails to come together. It’s a mish-mash of ideas and ideologies. It wants to glorify its villain while maintaining the superstar image of its male lead. It wants to show a new type of heroine and usher in that rare mainstream film that makes use of the mythology bestowed upon us by our forebears. It’s a tall order.

Amusing and entertaining in parts, SPYder is a film that desperately wants to be slick, polished and even meaningful. But, it fails on all these fronts.

*****

The SPYder review is a Silverscreen original article. It was not paid for or commissioned by anyone associated with the movie. Silverscreen.in and its writers do not have any commercial relationship with movies that are reviewed on the site.

Pankaj Tripathi: ” In Our Country Actors Are Not Actors, They Are Products; They Are Brands”

BY IANS On

Critically acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi is currently in the limelight for his film Newton, India’s official entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category for Oscars 2018. However, the National School of Drama alumnus, who has worked in films like Omkara, Gangs of Wasseypur, Masaan and Bareilly Ki Barfi, says that in India, actors are not actors but are more like products and brands.

A number of films which have theatre actors in them are relatable and enjoyable; yet they rarely smash the box office. What does he think is the reason for this trend?

“Currently our country is going through the trend called ‘image-making’. Sadly, theatre actors don’t have this knack for marketing. Theatre itself doesn’t know how to market itself. Which is a huge reason why the actors associated with the medium cannot solely depend on theatre for their livelihood,” he said.

“So, if you take a theatre actor, the acting part is taken care of because we are trained for that, but we cannot sell because we don’t know (how to market ourselves). I have been in the profession for so long; It took me 12 years to reach here; I can act well, but I am not salable. Why? Because in our country actors are not actors, they are products; they are brands,” he said.

Pankaj, who worked with actor Rajkummar Rao in Bareilly Ki Barfi before Newton, said Indians are mostly star-struck, be it in any field.

“We want a star everywhere, be it in politics, cricket or cinema. It is a star-struck society. Theatre actors are not stars. They keep looking for truth and how they can bring truth to their lives. They concentrate on how their work can be more entertaining and attract more people,” said Pankaj, who essayed the role of principal Srivastava in Nil Battey Sannata.

Talking about the art of selling and marketing, Pankaj drew a comparison between his films Newton and Gurgaon.

“You need support for your film to sell, like Netwon has (distributors) Eros International (production company) Drishyam Films. We therefore got a good release. On the other hand, some time back my film Gurgaon came. It was an independent film, did not get a good release and not many people came to know about it – though it got some of the best reviews,” said Pankaj, who will next be seen in Fukrey Returns, Munna Michael and a web series he is not yet ready to talk about.

Pankaj, however, says the market is changing, but slowly. Hailing digital platforms like Netflix and YouTube, Pankaj believes that easy access to cinema the world over has changed minds or is in the process of bringing about change.

“It is picking up, things are changing, hopefully it will get better. Digital mediums like Netflix and similar apps or websites have turned things around. People have access to world cinema and so they know what is good cinema and good acting,” he said.

Hailing Newton as a film which needs the audiences to put on their thinking caps and not consider it a “time-pass”, Pankaj took indirect pot shots at films devoid of content.

“Newton is a brilliant film. It entertains you and delivers a message too. ‘Par dimag leke aao’ (Don’t leave your brains at home). This is not a time-pass film. In our country, people have a lot of time on their hands for things which do not need time — which is why time-pass films were in excess at one time,” he said.

 

Image courtesy: Hindustan Times

Lata Mangeshkar Turns 88; Says She Does Not Feel Her Age At All

BY IANS On

Lata Mangeshkar, who turns 88 today, says age doesn’t dampen her spirit and that she has always lived with a hope for a better tomorrow.

“Bahut ho gaya… Aapko kaisa lagta hai… Aap gaati kyun nahin hain… Aapke favourite naye singers kaun hai… Aap apni behen (Asha Bhosle) se kyun nahin milti… Arrey bhai, sab ho chuka hai (It’s enough… How do you feel? Why don’t you sing? Who are your favourite new singers? Why don’t you meet your sister? I have answered all this enough). Let’s talk about the fun times,” she suggested as though she were 18 rather than 88.

Giggling, Mangeshkar said: “Should I tell you the truth? I don’t feel my age at all. I still feel young. I’ve never been weighed down by my troubles. Everyone has her share of problems in life. Even when I was young and struggling, and I was happy hopping from studio to studio bumping into other strugglers like Kishore da and Mukesh bhaiyya. Those were fun times even when I had to go hungry for the entire day. There was no money in my purse. But there was only hope in my heart. And the belief that no matter how tough the future looked there was always hope for a better tomorrow.”

Once during one such hot sweltering day, she had fainted during recording.

She sets the record straight about the incident: “It has wrongly been presumed over the years that I fainted while recording a song with Salil da (Chowdhary). It’s nothing like that. Of course his songs were very complex. So were those composed by my brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar. But because of my father’s blessings, I was always up to any challenge in the recording studio.”

“No, that incident where I fainted did not happen with Salilda. It happened with Naushad saab. We we recording a song on a long hot summer afternoon. You know how Mumbai gets in summer. During those days, there was no air conditioning in the recording studios. And even the ceiling fan was switched off during the final recording. I just fainted.”

She laughed at that remembrance, and said: “I had some really fun times. I remember I was recording a duet with Uma Devi who later became the comedienne Tun Tun. Uma Devi was as ‘khati-peeti‘ (well-fed) back then as a singer as she was later as an actress. So there we were, the two of us singing into the same mike. Back then, duets were recorded on one mike. Me, a frail reed-like pint-sized girl, she quite formidable in her physical presence. I was given a stool to stand on, as I had a problem reaching the mic. I sang my lines and then when Uma Devi moved forward to sing into the mike and nudged my shoulder, I fell right to the ground.”

So whom did she enjoy recording with the most? “Kishore da. Recording with him was like one whole session of fun and games. He would make me laugh so much , I could barely sing. I had to stop him. Kishor da, pehle gana phir masti (first song, and then fun)’. It was especially problematic when we were singing sad duets. Instead of tears of grief, my eyes would be tearful with laughter.”

Speaking of her grief-stricken songs, it is said that the whole congregation at the recording wept when she sang Madan Mohan’s ‘Heer’ in Heer Ranjha and Sachin Dev Burman’s ‘Tum mujhse dur chale jana na‘ in Ishq Par Zor Nahin‘.

“Except for me, they were all crying. I’ve never been a weeper even when singing the most somber songs. I’ve always preferred laughter to tears. God has always been kind. I’ve never been given any reason for tears. I think I cried the most when I lost my father and my mother.”

On thoughts on her birthday, she said: “I can’t thank the listeners enough for bearing with me for 70 years. I didn’t even how the time flew by. Waqt kaise nikal gaya pataa hi nahin chala (I don’t know how time flew by). If I had a chance to live it all again I wouldn’t change a thing. Not even that fall from the stool while singing with Uma Devi,” she quipped.

 

Feature Image: Wikipedia