Who's running the race on Deepavali?

With just a few days to reach Deepavali, it is still not clear as to which movies would hit the screens on the festive day and which are the movies that would step aside from the race.

Ajith starrer ‘Aega’n and director Hari's ‘Seval’ are sure to be on the tracks for the festival. Aegan directed by Raju Sundaram, features Ajith and Nayantara in the lead roles. A remake of Shahrukh starrer ‘Main Hoon Na’, it has musical score by Yuvanshankar Raja.

Seval brings together Bharath, Poonam Bajwa and Simran. Directed by Hari, the movie has music by G V Prakash. A racy entertainer, quite typical of Hari, expectations are high on the film.

Guru En Aalu starring Madhavan, Mamta Mohandoss and Abbas is keen to run the race. A remake of Shahrukh's Yess Boss, the movie is directed by Selvah and produced by KRG. Having been censored, it looks certain that ‘Guru En Aalu’ too would be ready to entertain the audience.

All eyes are now on Goutham menon's ‘Varanam Aayiram’. Starring Surya in a dual role, the anticipated extravaganza is being produced by Aascar Ravochandran. Sharing screen space with Surya are Simran, Divya Spandhana and Samira Reddy. Music is by Harris Jeyaraj. Though sources close to the production house expressed confidence that the movie would hit the screens on Deepavali, a section of the industry men expressed apprehensions on its fate.

Last but not least, Samida, a movie made by an all new cast and crew is on a high confidence level and is ready to run the race with biggies.

Suriya will fight African men

Suriya’s current project Ayan is being shooting in Africa. According to the sources the stunt master Kanal Kannan has collaborates with the local stunt master. Now he has arranged African men to do an action sequence with Suriya.

Gautham Menon’s balancing act

Vaaranam Aayiram is ready to hit the silver screens very soon. According to believable sources, the movie has only 10 days of shooting left and a song that features Simran and Surya.

Quoting Gautham Menon, same sources also mention that the post production work, dubbing and mixing have been simultaneously carried out making sure that the movie is ready to hit the screens right after the shooting is wrapped up.

Surya’s six pack for the movie have become a headline grabbing material ever since he revealed them to a tabloid.

He pumped iron for the movie to get himself into the shoes of a school going boy. Surya is flanked with Sameera Reddy and Simran for Vaaranam Aayiram.

Dashing Suriya's birthday bash

The man known for his charm and willingness to scale heights as a flamboyant actor celebrates his birthday on the 23rd of July. Everything fell in place for this actor who had a rather sedate beginning to his career. His on-screen chemistry with actress Jyothika and the much talked about love affair with the bubbly actress culminated in marriage and the couple is blessed with a beautiful baby daughter Diya. Suriya hit the headlines recently for his macho look sporting a well toned six-pack-ab for the film 'Varanam Aayiram'. His good looks along with the macho appeal have indeed sent many a girl's heart to dizzy heights. The actor is expected to celebrate his birthday with family and friends. It is not yet clear if he is also going to celebrate with his fans. Suriya is also known for being a socially responsible person. So this facet might very well play a big part in his birthday celebrations.

Suriya and Vishal – On collision course

Suriya's 'Varnam Aayiram' directed by Gautham Menon and Vishal's 'Sathyam' directed by Rajshekar are expected to fight for audiences as both films release on Independence Day.

Both films are highly anticipated and are touted to have good storylines. Suriya has turned body builder with this film. His new look with a 'six –pack torso' has stirred enough and more curiosity and Suriya fans can't wait for the film's release. Suriya has been depicted as a young, middle-aged and old man in this film that also stars Divya Spandana and Sameera Reddy. Simran has also been cast in an interesting role.

The combination of Gautham Menon, Harris Jayaraj and Suriya is a highly successful one after its electric appeal in the form of 'Khakka Khakka'. 'Varnam Aayiram' with its technical brilliance and good storyline might just go ahead and recreate the magic once again. Ratnavelu is the cinematographer of the film.

'Sathyam' has been made at a whopping cost of 12 crores and revolves around the life of an Assistant Commissioner of Police. This is the first time Vishal plays a cop. Nayantara has bagged a role most actresses would die to perform. The role of a daring television journalist seems to be tailor-made for her and the character would be a major influence on the storyline. A number of children also perform in this film.

'Sathyam' has been extensively shot abroad and international talent has been used for 'chase' sequences. Harris Jayaraj has composed music and R. T. Rajshekar has cranked the camera. Kanal Kannan and Stunt Siva have worked out the fight sequences.

With both films creating healthy expectations, one will have to wait and see as to which one will make it bigger at the box office.

At this point we can only say….may the better film win!!!!

Surya

‘Varanam Aayiram’ audio from 15 June

Harris Jayaraj and Gautham menon have always delivered their best. From ‘Minnale’ till ‘Pachai Killi Muthusaram’, the two have always come together render chartbusters.

The latest addition to their long list is ‘Varanam Aayiram’.

The much-awaited audio of the movie would be launched on 15 June in Chennai. The movie features Suriya, Simran, Sameera Reddy and Divya in the lead roles.

Harris, Gautham and Suirya have earlier rendered a smashing hit in ‘Khaakha Khaakha’.

Vijay's next venture 'Vilu' has kicked off in Palani

Vijay's next venture 'Vil' has kicked off in Palani and the actor is very keen to get things in order right from the outset. Both Vijay and Prabhu Deva, the director of the film, are very keen to cast Vadivelu in a meaty role. It can be recalled that Vadivelu came up with rib tickling stuff in 'Pokiri' that was appreciated by the masses.

Initially the project was named 'Singam', but then director Hari had copyrighted the name for the movie he's planning to make with Suriya. So the Vijay-Prabhu Deva duo decided on 'Vil'. It was only after that they came to know director S. J. Suryah had the same title for a Telugu film he was making with Pawan Kalyan.

Vijay reportedly convinced S. J. Suryah and had him change the title of the Telugu film title. S. J. Suryah has now decided on the name 'Puli' for his film.

With the name game settled now, the unit is concentrating hard to get the movie in a slick format. Grapevine has it that 'Vil' is the remake of a Hindi film by name 'Soldier'. Asin plays Vijay's leading lady once again.

The movie has cinematography by Ravi Varma, music by Devi Sri Prasad and stunts by Fefsi Vijayan.

‘Vaaranam Aayiram’ budget exceeds to 14 crores!

‘Vaaranam Aayiram’ is directed by Goutham Menon starring Suriya, Sameera Reddy and Divya in the lead roles. The film is produced by Oscar Films, V. Ravichandran. The producer has complained against the director for exceeding the budget for the film. Initially the budget was fixed to 10.5 crores, but after the shooting proceeded Goutham Menon refused to precede the film without an additional 3.5 crores and now the budget has been raised to 14 crores. So the producer has filed a complaint in the Producer’s Council against the director. He said that he is finding it difficult to get 3.5 crores extra demanded by the director. The issue of extra money has been sorted out. The budget has increased because of not getting permission to shoot in various places. Now the shooting will be continued in Delhi, Varanasi and Malaysia.

Surya’s change in ‘Vaaranam Aayiram’

The ‘Vaaranam Aayiram’ team has returned from US after completing almost 70 per cent of the movie. Director Gautham Menon feels that the movie has shaped up well. As the first schedule is over, the team is now ready for its next schedule. It is said that Surya will be appearing in an entirely different get-up. Harris Jeyaraj has scored the music for the movie. The success combination of Gautham Menon and Harris Jeyaraj is expected to rock in this movie also.

Suriya plays the role of military officer!

சூர்யா's ‘Vaaranam Aayiram’ directed by Goutham Menon is shaping up fast. Fifty percent of the project has been completed and the film is expected to be released by August. ‘Vaaranam Aayiram’ stars Suriya, Sameera Reddy and Divya in the lead roles. Suriya plays the role of a military officer in the film. Some of the scenes of the film were shot in USA. Now the shooting is going on in New Delhi.

'Varanam Aayiram' reels go missing

Tension prevailed in the sets of Surya starrer 'Varanam Aayiram' unit in USA after a few reels of the movie shot in America reportedly went missing.

According to reports, director Goutham Menon has shot some scenes of the movie in USA featuring Surya and Sameera Reddy. He reportedly sent those reels to Chennai through his production managers to Chennai to be handed over to post-production managers.

To the surprise of Goutham Menon, the cans containing the reels were fund missing when they reached Chennai airport. Following a complaint, the reels were traced. It is reported that they were left behind at Singapore, where the production managers took a connection flight to Chennai on their way to Chennai from USA.