Major crisis brewing!

The Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) has called for a meeting of producers, artists and technicians of two Pongal releases Aalwar and Pokiri on Sunday, Dec 31 in Chennai. The meeting has been called to sort out the vexing issues of distributors demanding a price cut, after the state government ordered a slash in admission rates from Jan 1, 2007.

The distributors are demanding at least a 30 percent reduction in the price of these two films.
So, Ajit, VXXXX, Asin, Vivek, Vadivelu and technicians like Prabhu Deva, Srikanth Deva, Mani Sharma, Nirav Shah who were paid in Lakhs will have to come for the meeting. And even more bizarre is the request that they will have to make a reimbursement of a percentage of the salaries that they have received from producers Mohan Natrajan and Ramesh Babu.
Mohan Natrajan is said to be in deficit while financier and producer Ramesh Babu may go ahead and release PXXXXXX on his own throughout the state after returning back the money paid by distributors who brought the film!
A crisis is brewing in Kollywood as artists may even refuse to attend the meeting and ask Nadigar Sangam to take up the issue!

Happy and a Prosperous New Year to Thala and Thala fans

Filtering the bad, giving us the good
Raising our glory by correcting our mistakes
Making us success by defeating the failure
Giving us friends and masking the enemies
Sprinkling the fragrance of love
Made us happy and joy every moment!
Think of all the things god gave us and
Thank the year 2006 for everything,
Let us all celebrate the rise of 2007
With joy and smiles!

King of Opening - From Rediff.com

For some time, he chose to race cars and not chase heroines in films. People do not hero-worship a man who races cars, they prefer a hero who lives in a make-believe world. Actor Ajith realised the truth only when he found that he was neither on the racing track nor in the studios. This Diwali he faced a litmus test when his most delayed film Varalaaru (earlier titled Godfather) hit the theatres after many hiccups.
And what an opening the film had! No wonder trade calls him the King of Opening, a king who is placed next only to Rajnikanth. The film went on to become a super hit. And Ajith's triple role, as father, wayward son and an effeminate dancer won him a lot of accolades. Among his career-best performances, and the second best in 2006.

Thanks : Rediff.com

New Billa

Billa (2007) is a forthcoming high budget Tamil film directed by Vishnuvardhan. The film is produced by L.Suresh , son of Balaji. His father produced the film, Billa which this is a remake of the Rajinikanth starrer Billa which was a remake of the Hindi film, Don. Yuvan Shankar Raja is set to compose the music for this film and a couple of old numbers are going to be remixed. The film is set for release in late 2007 or early 2008. Shooting will start after Ajith Kumar's next projects, Aalwar and Kireedom are completed and when Vishnuvardhan's Sarvam has been completed .

Plot Synopsis

In 2007, the drug trade is booming. The Malaysian Intelligence and Anti-Narcotic Department are called upon for assistance by their Indian counterparts. There are rumours that a drug gang has recently moved their headquarters to Kuala Lumpur.
Billa (Ajith Kumar) is the leader of an underworld gang until the police commissioner tracks him down and kills him. Then police commissioner tracks down a lookalike of Billa who impersonates Billa to take down the rest of Billa's gang while the police commissioner promises him that he will give a proper education to the children that he is looking after. But in an unexpected turn of events the police commissioner dies.

The old 'Billa' Rajinikanth with the new 'Billa' Ajith Kumar
The police commissioner is the only one who knows the truth about our impersonator who now finds himself in a life-threatening situation - hunted by both the cops and the real Billa's henchmen and to make matters worse, he then finds out that Interpol Officer is a crook and has taken the place of the real person. He is the one responsible for the police commissioner's murder. It's now a race to retrieve a the police commissioner's diary in which the police commissioner has documented his substitution of the real Billa

Crew

Director: Vishnuvardhan
Screenplay: Vishnuvardhan
Story: Salim Khan, Javed Akhtar
Dialogue: Vishnuvardhan
Script: Vishnuvardhan
Producer: L.Suresh
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Choreography: Raju Sundaram
Visual Effects: Red Chillies VFX
Editor: A. Sreekar Prasad
Director of Photography: Nirav Shah
Line Producer Malaysia: Khabir Bhatia
Production Manager Malaysia: Shasha Mohd Yusof
Location Manager Malaysia: Shaiful Azwira Abdul Jabbar
Talent Coordinator Malaysia: Norafizah Jaja

Music

The film has songs composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, two of which have been re-mixed from the original film, which had M. S. Viswanathan as the music composer:
"My Name is Billa" - S. P. Balasubramaniam
"Vethialaya Pottendy" - Malaysia Vasudevan

Always the No. 1

Aalwar - Desktop Wallpapers

for more : http://www.ultimatestarajith.com/desktopwallpapers.asp

AJITH KUMAR'S TOP 20 MOVIES

MOVIE NAME/
DIRECTOR

1
VAALI (5/5) MUST SEE!
S.J.Surya
2
VARALARU - THE HISTORY OF GODFATHER (4/5) MUST SEE!
K.S.Ravikumar
3
VILLAN (5/5) MUST SEE!
K.S.Ravikumar
4
DHEENA (5/5) MUST SEE!
Murudadoss
5
AMARKALAM (5/5) MUST SEE!
Saran
6
ATTAGASAM (5/5) MUST SEE!
Saran
7
KATHAL MANNAN (5/5) MUST SEE!
Saran
8
AASAI (5/5) MUST SEE!
Vasanth
9
KATHAL KOTTAI (5/5) MUST SEE!
Agathiyan
10
CITIZEN (5/5) MUST SEE!
Saravana Subbiah
11
MUGHAVARI (5/5) MUST SEE!
Durai
12
KANDUKONDAIN KANDUKONDAIN (5/5) MUST SEE!
Rajeev Menon
13
JI (4/5) MUST SEE!
Lingusamy
14
POOVELLAM UN VASAM (3.5/5)
S.Ezhil
15
ULLASAM (3/5)
J.D.Jerry
16
ANANTHA POONGATRE (2.5/5)
Rajkapoor
17
RED (3/5)
Ram Sathya
18
UNNAI THEDI (3.5/5)
Sundar.C
19
THIRUPATHY (3.5/5)
Perarasu
20
RAASI (3/5)
Murali Abbas

Pongal 2007

Ajit was the clear winner in the Pongal 2006 battle. His Paramasivan was a bigger hit than VXXXX’s Aathi. Now all eyes are on the traditional rivals as they meet once again at the Pongal 2007 battle field. Pongal 2007 has Ajit’s Aalwar pitched in an eyeball to eyeball confrontation with VXXXX’s PXXXXX. Ajit fans are saying that he has an advantage as it is releasing after that super hit Varalaaru. At the same time, VXXXX fans who were in deep slumber for an year after the failure of Aathi have geared up to promote PXXXXX which they feel will break all existing records!However, the trade is not very happy as they feel that Ajit will not be having his famous “Opening”. After the government slashed admission rates and also stopped hike in ticket rates during the opening weekend, it has become a level playing field. For example Ajit’s movies could be sold at Rs 100 plus during the opening weekend, while VXXXX mass movies were always kept at a standard rate to attract the common man. Now VXXXX’s PXXXXX will open at the huge Devi in Chennai, while Ajit’s Aalwar is scheduled to open at the big Sathyam. The net collections at both the theatres which have the same seating capacity will be almost the same as ticket rates will be at Rs 50 and Rs 45! So the winner will be the film which has more number of prints and shows in the opening week. Later the film which has better content will be the ultimate winner.

Aalwar audios doing brisk business

It's Srikanth Deva versus Mani Sharma now. The former has come up with a mix of peppy beats and melody in Ajith's Aalwar, the movie is ready to hit the screens this Pongal.
Says Srikanth Deva, "I am really thrilled now. Ajith's fans are happy with my output in Aalwar. I wanted to come up with mass songs. Thankfully, it worked out well."
the audio is doing brisk sales and fans of Ajith are awaiting the D-day, for the film to hit the screens.

Keerthy on the move

Keerthy Chawla, the up-and-coming actress in Kollywood, is a very happy girl these days. After a mediocre beginning to her career in Aanai opposite Arjun, the girl has managed to turn things around. She has half-a-dozen films in her kitty including Ajit's Aalwar.
Says Keerthy, 'I play a meaty role in Aalwar. It is a big movie in my career.'
According to sources, the film revolves around friendship between Ajit and Keerthy. Keerthy, says, 'it was an extremely enriching experience (to act with Ajit). Initially I was tensed to act with such a big hero. However he made feel at ease.'
'I am not very fluent in Tamil. I had to struggle with the pronunciation. He would patiently for me, untill I get my shots correct.' Keerthy Chawla is acting Piragu, 1999, Vettai, Kadhalar Kadhai and an untitled Telugu film now. She will also be seen in a Bollywood film to be directed by her brother Abhishek.
According to the actress, 'Ajit adviced me to choose movies based on the script. I was really moved by his care and concern for his co-artistes. ' Will she do glamour roles? 'Yes' is her instant reply. ' I am not averse to do such roles but they should be within limits'.
A great fan of veteran Bollywood actress Madhbala, Keerthy Chawla said, 'I grew up watching Tamil movies. Today, though I get offers from various languages, I want to consolidate my place in Kollywood for now.'

The hidden heroine of Aalwar

Shooting for Ajith’s Aalwar is going on at a steady pace. It was announced that this film will have two heroines viz. Asin and Keerthi Chawla. But in all the promos and publicity material, it is only the pictures of Asin that are being flashed. There is no trace of the other heroine Keerthi Chawla anywhere. If this were to be the case in the stills the condition can be extrapolated to the movie too.
The reason for this kind of ‘black out’ of Keerthi Chawla is not known. Perhaps it may be a directive from Asin that is being followed. It is not clear if director has given specific instructions to showcase only Asin as she is a known face all over Tamilnadu. When Keerthi was contacted for her comment, she forwarded the query to director Chella.

Ajith's sensational costume in 'Azhwar'

The fans of a hero give prodigious build-ups to the hero and the film. "As soon as Thalaivar appears on screen, one can be assured of a 100 days run."

One can say that is true in the case of Ajith too. And this is reiterated by Mohan Natarajan, the producer of 'Azhwar.' "Those who have seen the stills of Ajith praying in the film's pooja function poster are all full of praise. I was convinced immediately that 'Azhwar' would be a hit."
As it is, Ajith is good looking. The producer has been generous with Ajith's costumes, especially more for the song picturisations. For the song that was shot in Switzerland, costumes worth 7 lakhs were bought for Ajith and Asin. Usually the ladie's costumes cost more, but in this case, 4 lakhs were spent on Ajith!
Ajith is eager to gauge the pulse of the audience after the audio release of 'Azhwar' There's no doubt that the pulse is positive!

Billa

Ajith boosts Film Company

The producer of the upcoming Ajith starrer Alwar is Raja Kaliamman pictures who are in cloud nine these days and they have good reasons to feel so. Alwar has already been sold to a good price in all the areas. This has changed the fate of this production company drastically. They have been in severe debt all along and were finding it difficult to be in the race.
Alwar has changed it all and now the company has settled all their previous dues and are turning themselves into a profitable firm. It is also said that they have been recovering their land and other assets which have been pledged all along. Anyway, this is good news for film companies who are struggling to keep themselves going.

Aalwar

It is the only film which has completed its post production work. The first copy will be ready by Dec 29 and the film has been sold out all areas thanks to Ajit’s new found star status. 189 theatres across Tamilnadu (likely to touch 230) has already given MG and the film is slated for January 12, Friday

Aalwar Poster

Aalwar Poster

Coming Soon

Number 1 In Behindwoods

Who is the Numero Uno? It is none other than Ajith. Ajith? The guy who had no hits last year? The guy was only hibernating as it were. Paramasivan, the only Pongal hit sends out a clear signal that Ajith is a sleeping giant. No papa to prop him up, no cinema Godfather to help him out, this man made his way himself. Maybe, his mind was distracted by car racing, but then, he is back with redoubled verve and fervour. Expectations are great of his Godfather and Tirupathi. If these turn out big hits, Ajith is here to stay and rule.

Many factors have gone into this rating. The situation in the field is fluid and sensitive to even small changes. Who will be at the top and who will be at the bottom in the near future cannot be categorically said. We wish all the ten players all the best for a successful 2006.

Aalwar - All out war

Back on track is Ajith. Keen to continue the good run what with the astounding success of Varalaru, he is now going big with Aalwar.
This Pongal, Aalwar starring Ajith and Asin would hit the screens. This will be the second project that the couple come together for, after the blockbuster Varalaru.
Chella, a former associate of director S J Suryah makes his debut as director with Aalwar. Says Chella, “I know Ajith since the days of Vaali. When I narrated the story of Aalwar to him, he suggested a few changes in the script and agreed to be part of it. We hit the floors on August, 2006 and now the film is ready for release.”
"Aalwar symbolizes a man without fear. He is someone who cares for the society and the people around him," says Chella.
Ajith plays an angry young-man, who fights evils in the society. He is a man who likes to mind his own business. He has a friend (Vivek), who works as a ward boy in the hospital.
Ajith gets to know about the various atrocities that are happening in the hospital. An enraged Ajith resolves to put an end to all atrocities. He joins the hospital staff as a ward boy.
The sequence of events that follow and the inevitable action are the main attractions of the movie. Asin plays a college student, who romances Ajith.
Malayalam actor Lal plays the villain. Srikanth Deva has scored the music for the movie. “Not just power-packed performances, there is humor and romance too in the right mix in Aalwar,” says Chella.
“It was a dream come true experience for me to direct a big star like Ajith. He was friendly and co-operative in the sets,” adds Chella.
Asin who is now among the top heroines in Tamil, is also happy to team up with Ajith for the second time in a row. Ajith is full of energy and commitment.
Now that he is on the bounce, Ajith wants to make it big. Srikanth Deva’s music is a mix of rhythms and melody. He is now proving to be a master of mass movies.
“Aalwar has no pretensions to be a movie of artistic expressions. We assure you of complete mass entertainment,” says the director.
And that is what the audience also seem to prefer.

Movie of the Year 2006

Aalwar Gallary

For more Look at
http://www.ayngaran.com/GalleryMovieDetail.jsp?id=alwar

Ajith is like the Eiffel Tower

Promoting France as a filming destination

CHENNAI: France has the Indian film industry all figured out.

They know that every director worth his curry can't resist a picturesque lake by the mountains. And, if those mountains in the background are capped with snow, even better!
Co-production treaty

That's why Franck Priot, Deputy Director of Film France, France's national film commission, found himself talking to the film industry gathered in Goa for the International Film Festival of India, 2006.

His mission was to promote France as a filming destination to Indian producers, and remind people about the co-production treaty signed in 1985 between the two countries.
Under this, films that will be considered French in France and Indian in India will be produced, said Mr. Priot.

The last such co-production was `One Dollar Curry', a low profile release in both countries.
He said he hopes that in future, there will be more mainstream, big budget films.
Mr. Priot was in Chennai to talk to some Tamil film producers about shooting in France.
He expressed amazement at the star status Tamil film stars enjoy, and how their presence alone in a film was enough to draw an audience. "They are icons. Ajith is like the Eiffel Tower," he exclaimed at one point, and expressed an eagerness to meet `Chiyaan' Vikram.
"In Paris, there's a lot of interest in Hindi movies. This even though most Indians there are Tamilians. They have not yet discovered Tamil films," he said.
Strange, he observed, since Tamil films are a lot easier for the French people to relate to.
"Tamil films span so many genres: there is romance, comedy, song and dance and also action," he said. Vikram starrer `Dhool' is an interesting mix of commentary on corruption and politics; it has situation comedy, and follows the scheme of a buddy movie (with the female lead).
"And, it all happens against a reality-based background. It is so much closer to French movies than Hindi films," he said.

He added that he enjoyed the interaction with Tamil filmmakers, as they are very comfortable with the idea of shooting abroad and that of all of us being part of one world.
Role of Film France

He explained the role of the French film commission. "Films are not seen as products. They are considered art. The 37 commission representatives across the country serve as free location managers," said Mr. Priot.

They also give filmmakers an orientation course in the French way and help with the visa process, all for free.
The website filmfrance.net has `The Sangam Zone' especially for Indian producers.
It gives one France at a glance, snow-capped French Alps, white beaches and all.
It even suggests locations for a song sequence — `Romance in the bay of the Somme', `A French island in the Indian Ocean', and `The heart of Paris'.

Thanks - The Hindu

Thala Rocks

Ajith’s explanation for Prashant’s divorce

Prashant’s marriage is said to be heading for a divorce. In connection with this, a vernacular weekly has reported that the split was due to a relationship between Ajith’s brother and Prashant’s wife Grihalakshmi. This in fact came as a shocking and puzzling news to all the movie buffs. As far as Ajith’s family is concerned, they never share the lime light that is being shed on Ajith. Prasanth & wifeWhen Behindwoods got in touch with Ajith, his assistant gave an explanation refuting this unwarranted report. He further added that Prashant’s father Thyagarajan had spoken to Ajith and explained to him that they were never a party to such a slanderous rumour and it was a concocted story by the weekly. According to Ajith’s assistant, Thyagarajan was willing to go to the press and deny such a rumour. When it comes to the life of a woman, the press should be extra careful before publishing any news.

Thanks - Behindwoods

Ajith and Vishnuvardhan unite in a Rajini film

The re-make of Rajini's film makes it possible for Ajith and Vishnuvardhan to come together. Vishnuvardhan is directing the film 'Sarvam'. Madhavan is the hero of the film. Following this, Vishnuvardhan is starting a new film. Most likely Ajith who is very busy in the film 'Kridam' may act in that film.Balaji produced the film 'Billa' in Tamil with Rajini, a remake of Amitabh Bachchan starrer 'Don'. The Tamil re-make also provided to be a big hit. After many years 'Don' was again re-made in Hindi. This Shah Rukh Khan starrer was received well.Following 'Don', the effort to remake 'Billa' in Tamil is moving in full speed. Titled as 'Billa 2007', Vishnuvardhan would be directing this film. Initial talks are taking place with Ajith to act in this film. Commenting on this, Vishnuvardhan said 'we can talk about the re-make of 'Billa' only after completion of the film 'Sarvam'.

Billa producer meets Rajinikanth

Anandha Suresh, who is producing the remake of Rajinikanth' s yesteryear classic Billa, called on 'Super Star' Rajinikanth at his residence and discussed with him about the movie.
An elated Rajinikanth gave him few suggestions and encouraged him to come up with a movie with technological innovations.
Directed by Vishnuvardhan, the new version of Billa would feature Ajith in Rajinikanth’s role.
The Super Star, who recently gave a lunch for Ajith for his excellent performance in Varalaru, invited Ajith to his residence this week. He discussed with Ajith about his experiences working for Billa and also gave him few suggestions.
Ajith, who is thrilled at the new-found success in Kollywood, is in great joy.

Ajit has the guts to step into Rajini’s shoes

Remaking old classics is the latest trend in Indian cinema Amitabh Bachchan’s Hindi film ‘Don’ has been remade with Shahrukh Khan in the lead and it is doing really well. Another evergreen film ‘Sholay’ is also to be remade soon. Now, Kollywood is also set to keep in pace with the trend. Gutsy Ajit is going to act in the remake of Rajnikanth’s action classic of 1980 titled ‘Billa’. Veteran distributor L.Suresh of Ananda pictures has bought the remake rights of the film from its original producer K.Balaji and Vishnuvardhan is going to direct the new version. Coincidentally, ‘Billa’ is a remake of ‘Don’. The director has been thinking of remaking it much before Farhan Akhtar but no superstar had the gut to take it up, as they think it would be too hard to face the comparison. However, Ajit has taken up the challenge to act in it and is raring to go. It was ‘Billa’ that made Rajini a superstar. It was directed by R.Krishnamoorthy and featured actors like Sri Priya, Thengai Srinivasan, Major Sounderrajan and Helen. Now, the very thought of acting in this classic has made Ajit really excited and so too is the director. Ajit is said to have even approached Rajini regarding the film and the megastar has given him the nod. So, the shooting of the new version of ‘Billa’ would begin once Ajit completes his current film ‘Kireedom’. The director is currently busy preparing the script of the film though he is retaining the story of the original. Nirav Shah, who shot the scenes of the hit ‘Dhoom-2’ is going to take care of the camera of this film. Yuvan Shankar Raja is the music director and Sreekar Prasad is the editor. The makers of the film are planning to come out with the remix version of two songs from the original with lyrics written by Kannadasan and music composed by M.S.Viswanathan. However, Rajnikanth’s introductory song “My name is Billa” sung by SPB and “Vethialaya Pottendy” sung by Malaysia Vasudevan will be retained in the new version too. It is expected to start rolling in March next year. With the new version of ‘Don’ doing well at the theatres, expectations on ‘Billa’ also will be very high. Wait and watch what will come out of Ajit’s reserves!

Varalaru celebrates 50th day

Varalaru celebrates 50th day this week in estimated 165 screens throughout TN (including 11 screens in Chennai district). This blockbuster released in 300 screens throughout TN (including 23 screens in Chennai district).

2006 Week 48

[1] Varalaru - 44 shows daily - 11 screens (7th weekend)
[2] E - 37 shows daily - 12 screens (7th weekend)
[3] Rendu - 32 shows daily - 10 screens (2nd weekend)
[4] Mummy 4 - 31 shows daily - 9 screens (re-release)
[5] Sivappadhigaram - 27 shows daily - 8 screens (2nd weekend)
[6] Casino Royale - 26 shows daily - 11 screens (3rd weekend)
[7] Dhoom 2 - 22 shows daily - 6 screens (2nd weekend)
[8] Idhu Kadhal Varum Paruvam - 20 shows daily - 6 screens (opening)
[9] Vaathiyar - 18 shows daily - 6 screens (3rd weekend)
[10] Nenjil - 14 shows daily - 6 screens (opening)
[11] Sainikudu - 11 shows daily - 3 screens (opening)
[12] Ilavattam - 11 shows daily - 3 screens (re-release)
[13] Vattaram - 10 shows daily - 4 screens (7th weekend)

Thanks - chennaionline. com

Ajith to do Billa remake

Don, the Bollywood blockbuster of the 80s, was remade with contemporary idioms recently in Bollywood.

The original Don was remade in Tamil in the 80s as Billa.

Billa is now being remade and reinvented in Tamil.
Getting into the act will be Ajith. And directing it will be Vishnuvardhan, the modern Tamil director.

L.Suresh of Ananda Pictures will produce this film. Nirav Shah will handle the camera. Yuvan Shankar Raja will score the music.
Shahrukh’s Don is a big hit. In fact, such remakes are now the norm in Bollywood.
Kollywood is also getting into the act with right earnest.
Vishnuvardhan, sources claim, had been toying with this idea for long.
But it will be on Ajith that all the eyes will be on.
To make a Rajini movie as a remake takes guts and strength of character. And Ajith has shown that he has it in him.

Ajith has also got the go-ahead from Rajini.
So the coast is clear for him.

The film will begin rolling in March 2007.