Nandini is the latest to join the list of young women film-makers foraying into Kollywood. She is a gold medalist from Adyar Film Institute. She caught the attention of film critics in 2003 when her short film  Ottam bagged the State award.

A former associate of Kanda Naal Muthal-fame Priya, Nandini says, ‘It will be a light- hearted romantic comedy and the musical score will be by Mani Sharma’. She adds: ‘It is a challenge to do a movie in digital format. I thank my producers for giving me this opportunity.’

The movie features Anjathae- fame Ajmal, Bangalore girl Rupa Manjeri, Mouli and Lakshmi Ramakrishnan in the lead. The lyrics are penned by Yuga Bharathi and Lalith Anand. M S Surya is editing this film.

Thinking differently

Anjathae Prasanna will be playing a key role in Baana, directed by Badri Venkatesh and produced by Sathya Jyothi Films. Prasanna, who is eagerly awaiting the release of Achamundu Achamundu, has played a negative role in Anjathae.

Now he is doing a key role in Baana, which is the debut venture of Atharva, son of veteran actor Murali. Newcomer Samantha plays the heroine.

The film will be shot in Chennai, Ahmedabad and Thailand. The movie is a  entertainer and will be different from run-of-the-mill stuff, says the director.

In a new role

Close on the heels of lyricist Pa Vijay’s venture into acting, his colleague Thabu Shankar has chosen to wield the megaphone for a movie titled Vetkathai Kettal Enna Tharuvai.

Having penned over 50 songs within a short span, Thabu Shankar is keen on making a mark as a director. His film is a romantic entertainer.

The story revolves around three characters and its title was inspired by a Tamil poem’. The movie is to be shot in and around Chennai and it can be watched by a whole family, he adds.

Ramakrishnan, a former associate of director Cheran, plays the lead. He had made his debut as actor with Kunguma Poovum Konjum  Pooravum.  Speaking about his role, he says, ‘ I play a painter in the movie who falls in love with a dancer.’

Newcomer Vennila plays the heroine. Radio jockey Dheena is donning an important role in the film. Also in the cast include director Selvabharathy and actors Kanja Karuppu and Manobala. Plans are on to shoot the movie at one- go and release it soon.

Priyamani on a roll

Actress Priyamani will play  Dileep’s heroine in a Malayalam movie  Master directed by Sandhya Mohan and produced by Radha Krishnan Doha.

This is for the the first time that Priyamani and Dileep get together for a movie. Sibi-Udayan team handles the screenplay.

Master will go to floors soon. Priyamani is currently busy acting in Ninaithale Inikkum, Arumugham  (Tamil), Puthiya Mukham (Malayalam), Raam (Kannada) and Ravan (Tamil/ Hindi).

Prabhudeva producer now

Choreographer - actor - director Prabhu Deva is taking a new avatar now. He will be producing a film with Sidharth in the lead role.

Prabhu Deva made his debut as a director in Telugu through Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana. Siddarth has played the lead role in the movie.

According to Prabhu Deva, the heroine and other members of the crew are yet to be finalised. The film-shoot is expected to begin in November after Prabhu completes his debut Bollywood directorial venture  Wanted: Dead or Alive, a remake of the Tamil superhit Pokkiri with Salman Khan.

Tamannah opposite Jeyam Ravi

Tamannah, who is riding high after the success of Padikathavan and Ayan, has been roped in to play Jeyam Ravi’s heroine in the remake of Kick from Telugu.

To be directed by Raja, the movie will go to floors next month. Raja and Jeyam Ravi  have teamed up in the past to remake several Telugu movies and all of them became blockbusters. Kick is an action-packed entertainer which features Ravi Theja, Illeana and Shaam in key roles.

Voices of Vikram

For the first time, actor Vikram will be dubbing for himself in  Mallanna, a Telugu version of the highly anticipated Tamil movie Kanthaswamy.

Vikram enjoys quite a considerable share of the market in Tollywood after all the dubbed versions of his Tamil movies including Anniyan became huge hits in Telugu.

This film which is directed by Susi Ganesan created a buzz when it was announced that the actor has sung all the songs himself. Shriya Saran is cast opposite Vikram. According to sources, veteran actor Prabhu who plays a vital role in this film is also dubbing for himself in Telugu.

Ekambaram has cranked the camera while Devi Sri Prasad has scored the music. Susi Ganesan says, ‘Kanthaswamy is a movie with a message. I thank my producer and Vikram for that.

The immense work we put in for the project will speak for itself.’ Vikram was all praise for Susi Ganesan. ‘All credit should go to Susi.  He got out the best out of everyone in the movie. It is an out-and-out Susi show’.