Ahhh...After quite a few posts with heroes who don't look like the heroine's dad, I thought I'd depress everyone with pictures of the soon-to-be-released Magizhchi.

The book is one "of the best works in Tamil" and, was written by Neela Padmanabhan. The book's translation to the glorious medium of film is being directed by Gowthaman, who is also playing the hero. He is being joined by his "longtime friend" Seeman.

It's not all bad news, as the film's heroine is the rather lovely Anjali, who is, amongst other things, famous for her appearance on my profile page...

Pix?




Gowthaman & Anjali.

( More under the cut, dudes: Clicky! )




Ok, I like Anjali and, to be honest, if Magizhchi is as awesome a film as it, apparently is as a book, then it probably is worth a look.

Marvelous.


Quotes source: indiaglitz.

Incidently, I went to Neela Padmanabhan.com and, couldn't find the title listed amongst his works. I assume it goes by another name...

Even more marvelous.

It's not often that I buy a DVD because of a guy, nor especially when the damn thing is subtitle-less (is that even a word?) but, having watched Aadhi in Mirugam, I was kinda intrigued to see him in a less annoying role. If you've seen the latter film, Aadhi plays a womaniser, rapist and general idiot but, also played the same guy with aids: A more sensitive, weak and bizarrely sympathetic character.

In Eeram Aadhi plays a cop who investigates a crime scene where a woman has been found dead in her bath. He is shocked to find that it is his college girlfriend and she has apparently committed suicide. Some things just don't add up and Vasu (Aadhi) begins to suspect that Ramya (Sindhu Menon) was murdered. He decides to move into the housing community to check things out himself.

However, right from the first scene, the viewer is led to believe that something supernatural is involved, though, it is ambiguous enough to leave some doubt. If you've ever watched Dark Water, the Japanese horror, you'll know what I mean.

As the title would suggest Eeram ('Dampness), there is an awful lot of water in the film, not just the old 'Mazhai' (rain)...in fact, in many ways, it is another character. Each of the following 3 murders involve water but, the viewer is left wondering who is causing these bizarre events.

While Vasu goes about his policework, the film flashbacks regularly to his relationship with Ramya: how they meet, fall in love and...the problems which lead to their break-up.

It also turns out that Ramya was married, fairly happily too, to a guy called Bala (Nandha) so, Vasu becomes increasingly confused to both motive and murderer. It looks like his personal feelings, that he still has for Ramya, are getting in the way of his reasoning.

I'll be honest, it's only film's like this one, which really show that sometimes you really need to know the language to enjoy a film fully. I know that is a stupidly obvious statement but, those of you who watch Tamil films regularly, especially the masala types, will know that generally, 'little things' like the lack of language comprehension don't usually get in the way of the hero-goes-up-against-don-while-romancing-his-daughter/sister-type film.

The film, as you'd expect from one of Shankar's productions, is fairly stylish with some great, non-cheesy effects and, a top-notch cast. Music is pleasant enough (it includes a song about rain, as you'd expect in a film with water as a theme), though there are only about 3 songs. Whilst there is one fight, you get the feeling that it wasn't thrown in to keep the masses happy and, most importantly, there are no (I repeat) no comedy tracks!

*Gosh*

If the film ever comes out with subtitles (highly unlikely), then I'd recommend it. If you can speak (or, understand) Tamil, or, are completely weird (like me) then it's definitely worth a watch. Given the choice between a subtitled Vijayakanth film and this: then I'd go with Eeram.


Marvelous.

Ah, now then, Vishal, the rather cool dude, who hasn't been so lucky with hit films recently, is to star in Theeratha Villaiyattu Pillai. As you may remember, sugarpop Shriya was supposed to have been confirmed for the project but, it looks like she has moved onto other things.

However, the film does have Neetu Chandra, the rather delectable Tanushree Dutta and, someone I've never heard of (like, what else is new); Sarah Jain.

Picture time!



( Mainly Vishal...suprisingly: Clicky! )



Vishal with the dancers.


Hope this gets da man back on form.

Marvelous.

Oh for God's sake!

Anyway, for those interested, the photo is from a show given by Manepally Jewellers & Sri Krishna Silks at Arya Vysya Abhyudaya Sangam in Secunderabad today.

There's a whole gallery of images from said event at ragalahari.


Marvelous!

What?! Don't panic, it's just time for a song or two...or three or...

I've actually posted 3 of these songs before but, as they disappeared when I deleted the bulk of my blog, the chances are you may not have seen them first time around. Even if you did, it's all good stuff (honestly!).




Don't you just hate it when the DVD you bought freezes whilst playing? Well, thats happened with the Telugu film, 143, I Miss You, just as this song, the reason why I bought the damn thing, began to play.

Anyway, it's Sairam Shankar with Asha Saini/Asha Shaini/Flora/Mayuri/Whats-her-face. The song is Naa Vantilona Vedi Putti and is slightly out of sync with the video. That's no excuse to not turn it up.

Next up, two songs from Nitin's Hero. First up, it's the opening song of the film, with Nitin looking cool, followed by a rather lovely duet with Bhavana. It kind of loses me after the bit from about the 50 second mark but, it's still rather pleasant.







Now, for Aira Mitsuki. This is Plastic Doll from her Plastic album from earlier this year. Oh, and you may want to turn the volume down for now...





Let's finish with another Telugu song and, another from way back. It's that nice NTR bloke with Priyamani from Yamadonga. The song is called Rabbaru Gajulu written by good ol' MM Keervani or, MM Kreem, the name you maybe more familiar with from his Hindi songs.






Marvelous.

I thought, for once, that I'd review a deeply spiritual film, one that explores the nuances of the Man-God relationship and, examines the methods that elevate the practitioner into the realm of mystic being.

Then I thought, Naaah, I'll do the one with that hot chick, Shweta Menon.

Here Ms. Menon plays a woman plagued by bad dreams who is conveniently named Shweta. The dreams involve a photographer who goes missing and, the apparent drowning of her brother Abhay (Hafeez), who disappeared 3 years ago.

Her boyfriend Kiran(Aravindar), a journalist, feels that a visit to the Tantric sage Suryadharma (Siddhique) in Kerala will solve her problem and, will allow him to complete his dream project, a documentary about Tanthra.

So, off they go, with two blokes who seem to serve no apparent purpose, to Kerala. First up, they visit the family home, where they are told by a woman who must stand by her door all day, about how Suryadharma has ruined the family name. Then, to the graveyard where Suryadharma lives with his wife Vedhavathi (Aishwarya) and his followers.

Shweta feels like she has been here before, especially the guest-house, where she and Kiran spend the night. During a brief meeting on the day of their arrival, Shweta is convinced that Swami-ji knows what has happened to her brother, while Kiran is invited to stay at the Ashram to begin training in the Tantric Arts. However, Shweta is prevented from leaving by her possession by a rather randy ghost, who, it transpires during a ritual, will not leave until he has been satisfied. Suryadharma agrees to help the spirit and, then promptly nails the piece of wood the spirit has entered into, onto a shrine of souls. (Are you taking this all in?)

However, it seems that the spirit is not the only one with designs on Shweta, as Swami-ji secretly informs her to be trained in the Tantric Arts by Vedhavathi. The latter is suprised but does not find it suspicious, until Swami-ji sneaks out of her room to perform a ritual with Shweta in the middle of the night and is chosen over Vedhavathi to go on a pilgrimage.

Kiran is as unhappy as Vedhavathi, who decides to help him with his documentary and, tells him of something that transpired during her communication with the spirit who had possessed Shweta. It turns out that Shweta is essentially being blackmailed, for the suspected murder of Suryadharma's blood-relative, Ramanan (Kannan Pattambi) the photographer in her dream and, the son of the spooky woman in the family home.

When Kiran, hears of this, he makes up with Shweta and is glad to hear that she is allowed to go home. Due to a promise made to Vedhavathi, Kiran remains to perform a ritual, that will get rid of the spirit of Ramanan once and for all but, it all goes badly wrong when the deceived spirit possesses Kiran.

Over a week later, Shweta returns with a friend, to find that Kiran is apparently mad and, a very angry Suryadharma. He eventually agrees to help her release Kiran, on condition that she helps him in the puja, which she does. While Kiran is released, Suryadharma realises that Shweta has been dishonest with him and plans her murder for the ominously named "Death-Puja."

Can Kiran and his friend save her in time? Dah-Dah-Daaaah!



The movie is brought to you by the word Puja.


Tanthra is more a spooky-thriller, than erotic, though Shweta, 10 years on from her Item-Number in Ishq is still, how can I put it? Pretty hot. Aravindar, despite wearing some odd pyjamas, was a capable leading man. Siddhique lent an aura of nobility to the lecherous Swami, while Aishwarya was without her normal raspy voice.

I'll be honest, I'm still unsure what was happening at the end or, even whether Ramanan was just the victim of Suryadharma's soul-transference techniques. Come to think of it, why would Suryadharma be at all interested in Ramanan's fate at all, as he and Vedhavathi had been kicked out of the family home for some undisclosed actions. Yet, this was before they had even been instructed in the Tantic Arts! *Scratches head*

As far as violence goes, there are two attempted rapes, one of which results in the drowning of Ramanan and, the other, when the ghost of the latter disrupts the puja of Kiran and Vedhavathi. Both are thankfully cut short but, bear that in mind before you watch it. There's a bit of Kiran being thrown around at the end and whacked over the head with a stick by Shweta in her possessed state earlier on in the film.

It's only about 2 hours long, so, even if you lose the plot (I did a couple of times), there's enough going on to keep you occupied. The film only has 2 songs (or, was it three), which are pleasant enough and are played in the background.



( This way to the screencaps: Clicky! )



Marvelous.

The great, good and, a few people who probably only came in to ask for directions, descended on a theatre in Tamil Nadu for the Premiere of 2012. Not bad, considering it's still two years away (at the time of writing).

Tejasree and Keerthi Chawla, who actually star in the damn thing attended, with peeps like Jeeva, Sangeeta, Khushboo, Shantanu Bhagaraj, Arun Vijay and a whole load of other dudes/dudettes whose names escape me.

Having watched Rajadhi Raja recently, it was good to see Mumtaj, who must have had good fun playing the gangsta chick in the film, at the event. Ditto with Monica, who I haven't heard of for a while.

Pix please!



While the film Rajadhi Raja was panned by the critics, Mumtaj was actually praised for her role!

( Hmmm...let me guess: Clicky! )

Mumtaj is off to Kerala for her next film, which stars Kalabhavan Mani. Filming starts in December at Palakkad.

Marvelous.

Er...anyway, the film stars Manoj, son of veteran actor, Mohan Babu and, is directed by the Big-Bearded-Dude himself: K Raghavendra Rao.

It's produced by Mohan Babu's daughter, Lakshmi Prasanna (the one to the left of the guy doing a 'Bugs Bunny' impression).

Yeah! It was Mamatha's birthday yesterday, so, I thought I'd waste more bandwidth in honour of the gal/singer/actress.

I've posted pix from the recent audio release of Saleem and, a few random pix in between.



( What?! More pix?: Clicky! )



I've posted this one before but...what the hell.


I still have no idea how to spell her transliterated name, by the way...

Marvelous.


P.S. I was supposed to have posted this yesterday but...hey! It's me!! :)

P.P.S. I have no idea what the black dots are doing on the recent pix of Mamatha at the function.

P.P.P.S. Nothing else...


Marvelous...again.

Pointless fact: I was briefly an anagarika in a Buddhist Monastery called Amaravathi. No, really!

I think I'll end the post here.

What? Oh, alright then...

Amaravathi is a new Telugu film, directed and starring Ravi Babu, with Taraka Ratna (nope, I haven't a clue) and, of course Sneha and Bhumika.

As you know, I'm pretty rubbish at things like useful facts, dates and plot-lines so, lets get straight into the pix:



Sneha holds all calls.

( Nothing to get hung up about: Clicky! )

I would assume the film is some kind of thriller, with lots of death, telephone calls and Sneha smiling.

Class.

Marvelous.