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By:
JBR
About 7 films are being released for Pongal. The number is subject to revision at the last minute. Some films are being released on 12th itself. But these could be considered Pongal releases.
Vijay in 'Pokkiri,' Ajith in 'Azhwar,' 'Ameer's 'Paruthiveeran,' 'Hari's 'Thamirabarani,' TR's 'Veerasamy,' Karthik's 'Kalakkura Chandru' and Mani Ratnam's 'Guru' are the Pongal releases.
As usual, the expectancy is great for a film featuring Vijay or Ajith. Vijay's film 'Pokkiri' is a remake of the original Telugu version of 'Pokkiri' starring Mahesh Babu. This is Prabhu Deva's first directorial venture in Tamil. Vijay is a police officer whose quest is to arrest the mafia. So he also becomes one of the mafia. The delectable Asin is an aerobics instructor in the film. Prakashraj plays the villain. Napoleon and Nasser play lively roles. Since this is a Prabhu Deva film, Vijay has worked harder in the song sequences. Music is by Mani Sarma. Out of the 7 songs, one is a re-mix. Kapilan's lyrics "aadungada suthi, naan ayyanaaru vettu kathi..." is a raging favorite on FM radio. Ramesh Babu is producing the film for Kanakaratna Movies.
Ultimate star's 'Azhwar' is direct competition for Vijay's 'Pokkiri.' The industry talk is that this quietly made film is sure to create fireworks. Directed by S Chella, an assistant to SJ Suryah. It is produced by Mohan Natarajan's Sri Rajakaliyamman Super Films. Lyrics are by Vali and music by Srikant Deva. As far is audio is concerned, it is on a slow pickup. Ajith plays a ward boy character, who punishes the wrong doers behind newspaper news. Asin is the pretty belle who comes from the village to the city. Vivek is in charge of the mortuary. Manorama also is part of the cast. Ramesh G wields the camera for 'Azhwar.' Stunts are by Super Subbarayan. Looking as fabulous as he did in 'Vali,' Ajith is the major plus point of the film. Lal is the main villain in the film. Others are Vincent Asokan and Aryan. Maybe it will be six sixers in 6 balls for Ajith!
Hari is one director who will not let go his penchant for bloodthirsty films. 'Thamirabarani' also follows that genre. Though it is supposed to be a film about 2 families, it is said there is too much of blood and gore. Even as the director says that Vishal's well-built physique has been used well in the film, one can smell the blood. Hari introduced Nayantara in 'Iyya' and in a similar fashion, he introduces Bhanu in 'Thamirabarani.' Prabhu and Nadia have good, weighty roles. Hari's favorite cinematographer Priyan wields camera for this film too. Stunts are by Rocky Ramesh, editing by VT Vijayan. Songs composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja to Na Muthukumar's lyrics are already a hit. The film is produced by G Venkatrama Reddy's Vijaya Productions.
Ameer's 'Paruthiveeran' is giving equal competition to films of top heroes. The story is based on the life of a young man who lived in the Madurai area and died in doing good to the people. The role of the angry young man Paruthi is played by Karthi - Sivakumar's son and actor Surya's younger brother. Priya Mani plays his love interest. Camera is by Ramji. Lyrics are by Snehan and music by Yuvan Shankar Raja. The film has been shot in Madurai and its surroundings. Since Ameer of 'Ram' fame is the director, it is a big plus point for the film. Produced by Ameer's Teamwork Production House, the stunts are by Rajasekhar. 'Paruthiveeran' is an out and out rural story, very apt for Pongal.
Posing as good a competition for Ajith and Vijay is Vijaya T Rajender with his 'Veerasamy.' He plays a lawyer who argues for love. Mumtaz is his leading lady. He has put up grand sets and even performed milk abhishekam for Mumtaz in the film. Ajees and Meghana Naidu are another couple in the film. As usual, story, screenplay, dialogue, direction, camera, music and acting are by TR.
'Kalakkura Chandru' is like a child that gets lost in the festive crowd. This is one of the films of Karthik that never got released. Pandiarajan and Anu co-star in the film. Direction is by Raviraja. Music is by dup Anil A Xavier and Pradeep Ravi. P Sampoornam produces this for Sri Ashtalakshmi Combines.
More than all these films, Mani Ratnam's 'Guru' tops in expectations. Made in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, and slated for release on 12th, this is not a direct Tamil film. Produced by Mani Ratnam's Madras Talkies, the film is dubbed from Hindi. Guru Kant Desai is born in a small village in Gujarat. His dream is to stun India with his achievements. How he realises his dream step by step, is shown in various time frames by Mani Ratnam. Abhishek Bachchan plays the role of Guru and Aishwarya Rai acts as his wife Sujatha. Mithun Chakravarthy plays a magazine editor. Madhavan is a scribe working under him and Vidya Balan is his wife. AR Rehman has composed the music and also sung a duet song. Vairamuthu has written the lyrics for all songs. Camera is by Rajiv Menon. They have created Mumbai of the 50s in front of your eyes. One source says the story is based on Dhirubhai Amabani's life while some others opine it is about his elder son Mukesh Ambani. With so much speculation, people are eagerly waiting for 'Guru.'
'Guru' has been eagerly awaited on national and international levels, so we could say 'Guru' lends an international flavor to Pongal this year!
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-13.01.2007
