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Showing posts from November, 2007
The prestigious 2008 Spirit Awards, precursor to the Oscars, have been announced. And much to Bollywood’s surprise, among the independent films and their makers from across the world in line for this honour, is our Irrfan Khan. He rubs shoulders in the Best Supporting Actor category with the likes of Steve Zahn, Marcus Carl Franklin and Kene Holliday. Irrfan, incidentally, has been nominated for his performance as Tabu’s silently progressive husband in The Namesake. Now the buzz is that Irrfan will also be nominated for an Oscar. Speaking from New York, Irrfan could barely contain his surprise. “Mira Nair got the Gotham Award and I was there to watch this historic moment. Barely 24 hours later comes this announcement about me. The Spirit Awards to me is every bit as prestigious as the Oscars. But unlike the Oscars, they are totally independent and based entirely on merit rather than lobbying. I’m honoured to be alongside Don Cheadle, Frank Langella and Philip Seymour Hoffman (all nomin

VENKAT PRABHU DIRECTS SAROJA

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(By N.Thyagarajan ) Chennai 28 fame Venkat Prabhu is going to direct a new film Saroja for D.Siva. This is Siva's 14th film.Earlier he produced films like Aravindan,Deivavakku, Chinna Mappilai and Rasaiah. SPB Charan, Premji, Amaran, Siva, Suman and Sambath and in important roles Jayaram and Prakash Raj are acting. Story, Screen Play, dialogues and direction are all handled by Venkat Prabhu.

TARIKAA WITH SARAN RAJ IN KARISAL MUN

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Film and TV serial fame Tarikaa is acting in the G.V.Samy's Karisalmun film. The film is about the Thanjavur District farmers who live in the delta area of the district. The co-producers are Ariyalur M.Pughazhendi and A.K.Arumugam. Saran Raj is the hero of the film. The shootings of the film are scheduled in Thanjavur, Pudhukottai and Keeramangalam.

AARYA FILM ORAM POH RELEASED

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( BY N.THYAGARAJAN ) Oram Poh in which Aarya has acted with Pooja is released today amidst a lot of protests from various quarters.Aarya and the film's producer thank the Producers Council for paving the way for the release of the film.

SUGANYA FREQUENTS TO LONDON

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( BY N.THYAGARAJAN ) Actress Suganya frequents London by flying once in six months and returning back. The reason is very very secretly guarded. Soon the purpose of her visits would make known at a press conference to be held recently.

ARJUN IN DURAI

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(By N.Thyagarajan ) Action King Arjun is going to act in a film Durai, produced by P.L.Thenappan for Rajalakshmi Productions. Arjun is writing the story. The dialogues and screen play of the film are undertaken by A.Venkatesh. Padma Priya is doing the role opposite Arjun. D.Iman does the music direction. The song Raja Rajadhi Rajan in the film Agni Nakshithiram is remixed in the film and was shot in Pollachi with a group of junior artistes.

PARTHIBAN ACTS UNDER MADHUMITHA

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( By Mrs. Karpagam N.Thyagarajan ) Noted writer, producer and a classic actor Parthiban is going to act in the film Vallamai Thaaroya, under the direction of Madhumitha. During the subamuhurat day of the film, Parthiban said that all women were directors, and without them nothing in the world would move. "I feel proud to act under the director" Parthiban said.

GLORIOUS SEVENTY-FIVE-YEARS DVD RELEASE

( BY MRS. kARPAGAM N.THYAGARAJAN) Moserbaer has recently released a DVD titled Glorious Seventy-five-years of the Tamil film industry. The DVD will give all the particulars about the Tamil film industry's growth in the last seventy-five-years. Mainly, the DVD is focussed on the films of Late Shivaji Ganesan and M.G.Ramachandran. The films begin with the year 1953 to 2007 have the details about the hit films.

AJITH NOW ACTS UNDER RAJU SUNDARAM FOR AKBAR

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Ajith after the release of his Billa film CD, has agreed to act in the film Akbar directed by Raju Sundaram. The script is ready and the shooting of the film will commence from January next year and will be released for the Tamil New Year's Day falling in April, 2008.

VADIVELU KEEN ON THE RELEASE OF INDRALOGATHIL NA.AZHAGAPPAN

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( by Mrs.Karpagam N.Thyagarajan) Vadivelu is only interested nowadays for the release of his film Indralogathil Na.Azhgappan film. He is showing his keen interest in dubbing of his voice for his roles, editing and other post production works. He is very confident that the film would fetch him a good name like his earlier one 23-M Pulikesi.

SANJAY DUTT REACHES HOME

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Actor Sanjay Dutt walked out of the Yerawada Central Jail, along with his friend and fellow convict Yusuf Nulwalla, on Thursday morning. A private chartered plane was waiting for him at Lohegaon airport, about 3 km from the prison. Sporting a well maintained beard, big tika on the forehead and white Pathani shirt and blue jeans, Dutt came out of the heavy prison doors at 9.45 am. Both Dutt and Nulwalla walked down to a van with a Pune registration number which was parked in front of the prison. Barring media persons, no fans of the actor were present near the prison to see him off, unlike the first time when he was brought to the prison on August 2 and later released on August 23. However, the police authorities had stepped up security on the road leading to the prison to avoid any trouble. The actor was released two days after the Supreme Court granted him bail in the case. As he walked down to the entrance of the prison, Dutt looked skyward. He looked relieved and waved to media pers

PYRAMID ACQUIRES 51 PERCENT STAKES OF DIMPLES CINE ADVTG.

Pyramid Saimira has announced a strategic acquisition of Mumbai-based Dimples Cine Advertising Pvt Ltd and Dimples Cine Activations. As per the deals, Pyramid Saimira group has acquired 51 per cent stakes in the company for an undisclosed sum. Pyramid Saimira Theatre Pvt Ltd managing director P S Saminathan said, 'with the acquisition, the company will become a one stop entertainment super market.'

A KANNADA FILM ON CHIEF MINISTER KARNATAKA

Many movies have been made on political families. Now this latest one in Kannada called Mukhyamantri I Love You is based on the private lives of former Prime Minister Deve Gowda's family, and promises to be a pot boiler. Kumaraswamy has been named Kumar. Devegowda's second son Revanna is Devanna and the man himself has been named Tantra Dowda, a take off on Deve Gowda's beliefs in voodoo and tantra mantra. "For an artist costume is a must. The director has asked me to wear this costume so I am wearing it. If it is equivalent to Deve Gowda's costume I cannot help it," said Loknath, who plays Tantra Dowda. In real life, Ex chief minister Kumaraswamy's alleged love for famous film actress Radhika was doing the rounds in media circles for quite a while so in Mukhyamantri I Love You, the celluloid characters of Kumar and Radha play out their parts true to the real life rumours. "It's the story of a family where the Chief Minister's son becomes the

MANI RATHINAM AT THE GOA FILM FEST

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A good story idea and its distinct depiction on screen is more important than filming technique, film director Mani Ratnam has said. ‘When I write and make a movie, it is the story and its lucid depiction that is primary for me than the filming technique as it comes secondary. I believe that audience come to watch a film for its story and not for its look on screen,’ said Mani Ratnam. ‘It is more important for me to tell the story convincingly, backed by good performances from actors. A good story without the support of good acting will have no impact on people. However, story is bigger than stars,’ he said. . A filmmaker has to strive for giving a different angle to a concept by exploring newer ideas borrowed from real life incidents, the director of films like Nayakan, Roja, Bombay, Dil Se, Thalapathi, Anjali,Yuva and Guru said. ‘When I see potential in a concept, there is an urge inside me to take it away from the cliche and give a different treatment, something what others have not

SURIYA IN AVM NEXT FILM

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( by Mrs.Karpagam N.Thyagarajan ) It is after Shivaji, the AVM Productions is planning to produce a new film with Suriya as the hero. Story wise, according to the film's productions, something new and different one. The new film is to be directed by Cinematographer K.V.Anand and the music of the film will be scored by Harris Jeyaraj. The shooting of the film likely to commence in the coming January and will be released in the next Deepavali festival. Producers of the film are M.Saravanan, M.S.Guhan, Aruna Guhan and Aparna Guhan.

MADHAVAN IN YAVARUM NALAM

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By Mrs Karpagam N.Thyagarajan The young Madhavan is acting in Yavarum Nalam produced by Atlaps Production. The film is simultaneously produced in Hindi version. The heroine of the film Mumbai beauty Neetu Chandra. The story, Screen Play and Direction of the film are all undertaken by Vikram K.Kumar. The producer has made a big set of an apartment at a cost of Rs.45 lakhs in Chennai Egmore. According to the story-line Madhavan and his family occupies the apartment in Chennai. The entire family faces shocking events in the house and how they get rid out of the problems is the basic story. Cinematographer P.C.Sriram handles the camera for the thrilling film. There are three music directors ---- Shankar, Esan and Loy-

HARI AND BHARATH COMBINATION FOR A TAMIL FILM

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(BY Mrs. Karpagam N.Thyagarajan) For the first time Director Hari and Bharath will be joining for a Tamil film produced by famous film distributor M.A.Jinnah. The shooting of the film will start in the coming December and it has been planned to shot the films throughout Tamil Nadu and in the USA or Australia.

Now it is Sandai not Mahamagam

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( Mrs. Karpagam N.Thyagarajan ) Earlier the film was titled as Porukki and was rechristened as Mahamagam. Now it has been changed as Sanda. The film is produced and directed by Shakthi Chidambaram. In the film Nepoleon is acting as an IAS officer. In another film Nepoleon is acting as IPS officer. In both the films Sundar C is the hero.

ABOUT SOME FACTS IN GOA FILM FESTIVALS

It's absolutely Dullsville as far as the presence of delegates is concerned at the 10-day International Film Festival of India currently on its fourth day in Goa. No recognisable face has shown up at the INOX complex, the venue for the fest. Paresh Rawal took a break from his day’s shooting in the city and was looking around for a delegate card when he was besieged by the print and the electronic media. The selection of films, by contrast, has been excellent, particularly from the east European countries. Hollywood continued to boycott the festival for the last five years, as the major studio companies have insisted, as IFFI does not give them any commercial benefits. Also, since film censorship rules continue to be stringent, Hollywood honchos feel no need to get into the film festival spirit here. The attendance at the screenings has picked up. But not many locals are seen at the venue, which is mainly packed with delegates, students and journalists. Incidentally, the media has n

KAVIGNAR PUVIARASU FELICITATED

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BY N.THYAGARAJAN " Kamal Hassan's Narpani Mandram" will always strive for the growth of the Tamil language and honour the people who were interested in the growth of the language", said Kamal Hassan at the felicitations offered to the noted Kavignar Puviarasu on receiving the Sahithya Award for translating the novel Puratchikaran. Kamal Hassan said that he came into contact the Kavignar when he was hardly 21 years. Kamal said it was the Kavignar who certified him that he would become a great actor and instilled faith in him. Kamal underlined and answered the Kavignar's speech that the Tamil scholars, lyricist and writers were not treated properly and respected. Kamal assured that his Narpani Mandram would do all the needful in support of various Tamil scholars who toiled day and night for the upliftment of the language in the society. He also recalled, that when Narpani Mandram was formed, he said that many scholars would participate in the Na

PIRATED CDS & DVDS SEIZED IN MUMBAI

Tightening the noose around the film and music piracy industry, the social service branch of the Mumbai police seized pirated CDs, DVDs and equipment worth Rs 1.6 crore from Parel on Saturday night. This is the biggest crackdown in recent times. The seized material included CDs and DVDs of Hollywood and Bollywood films and equipment such as eight DVD writers, DVD sets, TV sets used to make the pirated copies. The raid yielded about 10,500 such pirated prints in addition to 2,500 blank CDs. Computers and printers used for printing the inlay cards were also seized as part of the raid. Two persons, Swapnil Achrekar (32) Ruchik Gadyagli (32), involved in the business were arrested from Nirvanji chawl near KEM hospital at Parel. “The seized copies were mostly of English movies, there were also some blue films,’’ said DCP Sanjay Mohite. He added that costly master prints, that were used to create duplicates, were also found at the time of the raid. “These cost upto Rs 2,000 each and are copy

VIJAYA T.RAJENDER TO INTRODUCE KURALARASAN

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Next person to act in the film from Vijaya T.Rajender's house is his second son, Kuralarasan. Like Rajender's eldest son Simbhu who has carved a niche for himself in the field of acting, writing and directing films, Kural too will be introduced in films by T.Rajender on the same line of thought. Going back to the history of Vijaya T.Rajender who rose high in the filmdom without anybody's support, but with his only ability in writing good stories, dialogues and direction. Then his stories were well appreciated by many. Now T.Rajender is producing Karuppannan Kadhali. After completing this film he is going to produce another film in which Kuralarasan will be introduced. This film will be like TR's Uiyer Ullavarai Usha, it is said. It is also said that his eldest son Simbhu will appear in a character role.

KUSHBOO URGES ON WOMEN FILM DIRECTORS

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Actress Kushboo urged the need for more women as film directors in the Tamil film industry.By coming forward to direct films would instil them a self-confidence in them. She also pointed out that there were veru few women directors like Suhasini Manirathinam and B.R.Vijayalakshmi who had been directing the films behind the curtains and appealed that more and more women should take up the assignment in directing the films. She also pointed out that the films in which women were directors need not the stories based in support of women and hence they could go in for directing films based with good messages.The woman directors would become successful was proved through the film Kannamoochi Enada, Kushboo underlined the success of the film. Kushboo was addressing her speech in support of women directors at the Vallamai Thaaroyo film subumuhurat function held in Chennai recently. Parthiban and Chaya act in the film. The film is directed by Madhu Midha who is an Assistant to Gautam Menon and

" I AM PREPARED TO ACT AS MGR “ SAYS SATHYARAJ

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By N.Thyagarajan "I am prepared to act as MGR if any one produces the film" said Sathyaraj to a group of newsmen recently. The actor recalled that his appearance as the DK leader E.V.Ramasamy Naicker, had fetched him a good name, and if he act as MGR in a film, depicting the life history of the late actor, he would set a imprint in the history of MGR. He said, he would not accept money for acting as MGR. He said that Poo Mazhai song of the MGR's Ninathathai Mudippavan was remixed for the film Thangam in which he appeared in MGR's get up would bring him a good name. When a reporter asked him about his acting in commercial films, he said, he wanted to act in commercial films too. This he narrated with an illustration. Shivaji Ganesan acted in Vietnam Veedu in the old man get up, but his next film was Sumathy En Sundari. He acted in Thiruvarut Chelvar and the next film he acted in was Galatta Kalyanam. Sathyaraj wanted to follow the very same idea of the late actor who

BILLA AUDIO RELEASE IN RAJINI'S HOUSE

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The audio release function of the Billa film in which Ajith had acted took place in the Super Star Rajinikanth's house. There were a very few invitee who attended the function. The video shops in Tamil Nadu soon expect that the audio might bring them good sales, but to their disappointment not even a single CD of the film distributed in big shops.

SRUTHI TO ACT WITH MADHAVAN

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By N.Thyagarajan Kamal Hassan's daughter Sruthi making her debut as an actress will act opposite Madhavan for the film produced by Gnanam Films Productions new film. Nishi Kanth Kamath is going to direct the film and the shooting of the film will commence in January next year, according to informations reaching here. Following the foot steps of her father Kamal Hassan, Sruthi had given nod to act in the film, according to information from sources, however, when a reporter contacted the young Sruthi she never talked about her acting in films. Any way let us wait till January 2008 ! Kamal Hassan his brother Charu Hassan and his daughters Suhashini Mani Rathinam and Anu Hassan were all actors is now adding one more feather to their acting family with the introduction of Sruthi.

SENDHIL BECOMES HERO

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Following the comedians Vadivelu, Vivek, Santhanam, Kanja Karuppu who have acted as heroes, Sendhil too have decided to become hero through the film Adhivassiyum Asiapesiyum, directed by Malan. Sendhil in this film appears as a tribe who is the hero of the film finds a cell on the road-side. The cell phone disturbs his routine job and gives him a lot of trouble. This is outline of the story. The film is to be shot in the forests of Malaysia and South Africa, according to the director Malan. There is a proposal to produce the film in the Japanese language also.

KANNA WITHOUT ANY VIOLENCE AND SEX

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No fights. No viloence. No place for 'A' scenes in the Cosmic Film Entertainment Company's Kanna directed by Anand. Prakash Raj who heard the film's story with brief narration and his character has accepted immediately to act in the film. Telugu film Raja is the hero and Shella is the heroine of the film. Ranjith Barod is the music director of the film. Talking about the background of the story, that there is a thin line divides between love and sex, and a 16-year-old girl understands where she stands with her own self realisation. A father of family having responsibilities looking back himself. The family in the film is exhibited as a holy one and everyone eye on the family like each and every individual in the present day life expects that there family would be like that of the family shown in Kanna. The film is entirely filmed in the area having green vegetation like Ooty and Coimbatore.

BHARATHI IN NENJATHAI KILLADHEY

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By N.Thyagarajan Ammuvaagiya Naan Bharathi who is acting in Nenjathai Killadhey film expects good actress awards for the film Ammuvaagiya Naan which has been selected as the award winning film. During the shooting of Nenjathai Killadhey with Vikranth in Chennai she said that she had given her life to do the weighty role in Ammuvaagiya Naan. When the film's shootings were going on, she refused many offers that came to her. But the offer to her had been increased after the film was released and she had chosen Nenjathai Killadhey. She also hoped that her present film, Nenjathai Killadhey would bring her good name after its release. The film is directed by Kadhal Kottai fame Agathiyan. " I saw the film Kadhal Kottai very recently and I liked the direction of Agathiyan" says Bharathi.

THANGAR BACHAN WANTS TO IDENTIFY TAMIL CULTURE

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Thangar Bachan, the director of the Onbadhu Rupa Notu, speaking at the cassette release of the function said, that many claimed that they were superstars. Actually, the real super star was Vijay who showed the identity of the Tamils through many of his films. Now the identity of the Tamils should be traced out and it was time for all to unite together, to bring out the Tamils' culture to outer world. Speaking about his film, Thangar said, "I have made the lives of my father and mother and their way of life in the film. The dialogues of the film were entirely spoken by my parents when they lived with flesh and blood". He criticised, that the present-day economy helps out only the people who lived on the highest rung of their lives. To cite, that even in cine theaters the seating arrangements were made only to help out rich. But, there was none to give a life to the people who live and sleep on platforms, Thangar said. No one thought about the problems of the Tamils, Thang

Actor Bharath Interview

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By N.Thyagarajan The young and budding actor Bharath who came to acting through the film Boys simultaneously did his excellent performances Chellame, Four Students, Kadhal and Koodal Nagar. Now he is acting in Nepali and Pazhani a film likely to be released in the near future. Question : Please tell about Pazhani film in which you are acting ? Answer : Shakthi Chidambaram is the producer and Perarasu is directing the film. The entire story-line is new to me and it is purely commercial. Normally, Lingusamy, A.R.Murugadoss films will have commercial with story. But this Pazhani is having a lot of commercials. Q: Tell story about Pazhani ? A : I act in the film as Pazhani who is a driver in Kushboo's house. I see a lot of problems while I work and how I manage to surmount the situations. Q: Tell about Nepali... A: In Nepali I appear in three different roles. I have reduced my weight for a character of the film. I have different hair-style and act with Meera Jasmine. Q : Do you

SMALL SCREEN VS BIG SCREEN

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By Mrs. Karpagam N.Thyagarajan Coming summer in Chennai the artistes of small-screen and big-screen will doff their shooting make-up and stop acting before cameras for a day to participate in a Test Cricket match to be played in the Chennai Chepauk Stadium. The talks between the Small Screen team and the big-screen is taking place and will arrive the exact date when the match will take place, sources said. The small-screen cricket team "Play Boys" consisitng of more than 15 players, with P.K. Kamalesh as captain played earlier 16 matches with various corporate companies and banks. Play Boys so far won in 12 matches and aftermath the team did not participate in any matches due to busy schedules of their shootings.Their recent trip for a month to the USA and UK for some cultrual programmes for the Tamils living in those countries had brought them laurels and gave confidence that they too could make out programmes with a huge crowd pulling. When asked about the Play Boy cri

GERMAN FILM FESTIVAL IN CHENNAI

The Madras Film Society will organize a four-day German Film Festival commencing from November 12. It has been decided to screen ten films in the festival will be shown to important invitees around 6.15 PM every day at the Chennai Film Chamber.

KANNA MOOCHI ENADA – REVIEW

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Kanna Moochi Enada is a family subject release for this Deepavali with Sathyaraj as police officer and Radhika as his wife. His daughter Sandhya falls in love with Prithvee Raj when she studies in Malaysia. Prithvee Raj is brought up by his maternal uncle Radha Ravi. When he comes to know about the love of Prithvee Raj he just sends him out of his house and both come to India and settle down in Sandhaya’s house. The whole family welcomes the love of Sandhya-Prithvee Raj love, but Sathyaraj does not trust the love and the boy. Is the marriage takes place between Sandhya and Prithvee Raj? The film has to be appreciated for Sathyaraj’s different get up. His usual lollu could not be seen there. He shows his acting excellence in showing different love for his wife and for his daughter. Radhika as the head of the family and mother of Sandhya appears to be very calm and humble. Radhika shows ways to other mother characters how they should act for the role. Hero Prithvee Raj’s role in the film

THOOVANAM – FILM REVIEW

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The film opens as a flashback, where Karthik hearing of Anu’s accident, comes down to see her, and reminisces about his past roller coaster relationship with her.The plot may offer nothing new. But it’s in their presentation that the debutant director-duo of Haricharan and Newton try to give a different feel.What is appreciable is the effort to give an entertainer sans overt glamour, mindless comedy and the frenzied fights that are so much an integral part of a regular formula flick. The earlier scenes depict the encounters between Karthi, an interior designer and Anu, a foreign returned lass, she striking an easy friendship with him and his friends.The narration steady for the most part, tends to lag a little here with a bit of a monotony setting in. The antics of Anu’s father is a bit overdone, the character a stereotype of the foreign returned guys we get to see in films.But thankfully the actors playing Karthi’s friends, Maurya, Tushara, Ponnumani and Suraj Krishna are naturals, an

APARNA BOYCOTTS FILM FEST

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In a major jolt to West Bengal CM, internationally acclaimed city-based filmmaker Aparna Sen on Thursday boycotted the 13th Kolkata Film Festival organised by the state government to lodge her protest against violence in Nandigram. "She has boycotted the festival to protest the continuing violence in Nandigram. This is a kind of self-censorship as we artistes are taking our own decision driven by our own conscience," noted playwright and actor Kaushik Sen told IANS. "Aparna Sen is a big name and her move matters of all persons. So it sends a strong message to the government," Kaushik Sen said. Aparna Sen and several others are part of the Artists, Cultural Activists and Intellectuals' Forum (ACAIF), which is spearheading a civil society movement against the ongoing political violence in Nandigram constituency. While Aparna Sen has boycotted the inauguration of the festival on Nov 10, she declined to inaugurate the film market of the festival Thursday. "Apar

ACTRESS SHERIN ONE-WORD INTERVIEW

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What is the meaning of Sherin? Sweet. Your Education? Studying B.A. of Bangalore University First Film Acted ? Thulluvadho Ilamai Total No of Films acted? Nine films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada First Salary ? Rs.10,000 from a fashion show for showing my excellence acting. Which actor do you like most ? Sharukh Khan Actress? Kajol Director ? Mani Rathinam and Sanjay Leela Bansali Which City you like? Venice City Your Close friend? Isha Your Plus Point? My broad eyes. Your Minus Point? Short temper. The word you don't like? Seeking pardon after doing wrong things. If you are not an actor then what is your position? Sherin MBBS Which film do you like most? Diwala Dulhaniya Le Javonge

UDAYA TARA ONE WORD ANSWERS

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Is it your original name? Mother's name first letter is Sibi. Father's name first letter Jo. My original name is Sijo Verghese. But for films my name is Udya Thara. First cinema chance? Kannum Kannum Q:Actor you like most? Shivaji Ganesan. Actress? A:Shobana Director? Mudhalvan Shankar Attracted film? Fazil's Mani Chithra Thaazh. The place you visited and enjoyed? Nayagara Falls and in Tamil Nadu Kuttralam. Your Plus Point? My beautiful cheeks, eyes and smile Minus point? A: Fear over imaginations. Secret of your beauty? A: My innocence Song you like and hums always? En Paer Solla Asaidhaan First film? A: Kannum Kannum Q: The lady you like most? Mother Tereasa. About Love? A: It is the test of God to all.