SA Indian film awards a hot, slick affair
★ GALA LAUNCH
DURBAN was abuzz last week with the gala launch of the South Africa Indian Film Television Awards (Saifta), which took place at the International Convention Centre. It was the perfect opportunity to get Farah Khan to talk about her new production, Happy New Year.
The vibrant filmmaker confirmed that Shahrukh Khan will head the cast with Abhishek Bachchan, but denied news that Siddharth Malhotra had joined the team. When prodded about the leading lady, Khan said the search was still on, denying reports that it was Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. The movie is planned for release mid-2014.
Farah Khan was a delight. Some of the other names at Saifta included Jacqueline Fernandez, Dia Mirza, Raveena Tandon, Geeta Kapoor and Shilpa Shirodkar.
Fernandez — a former Miss Sri Lanka who recently enjoyed success with Race 2 — was a bundle of joy. Mirza recalled fond memories of her first shoot in Durban with
Deewanapan.
I frantically searched for Shirodkar and was later informed she has put on oodles of weight. Tandon was a firm favourite among the crowds, who seemed to fondly remember her romance with Akshay Kumar.
Overall, Saifta was a slick and professional affair that highlighted talent from South Africa and India. Among the local talent that made an appearance were designer Haroun Hansrot, Mr South Africa Andrew
Govender and movie mogul AB Moosa. The big Saifta Awards are scheduled to take place early in September.
★ NASTY TURN
SANJAY Dutt’s tryst with the law took a nasty turn last week when the Supreme Court of India sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment for his involvement in the 1993 terrorist attacks. The Bollywood fraternity has offered their support, claiming Dutt has suffered enough, and major players such as Jaya Bachchan have promised to fight for the actor. Projects that could be affected include Raj Kumar Hirani’s PK, Karan Johar’s Ungli and the new Munnabhai movie.
★ PERFECT TIMING
PARADESI is in its third day of screening on the local circuit. With the school and public holidays on at the moment, the timing is perfect. This is the first time that a Tamil film of this genre is being screened and it is hoped that nonTamilians and non-Indians will get the opportunity to see the standard that is achieved by Kodambakkam.
★ ACTION
DIRECTOR Seenu Ramasamy ( Neer Parravai) will direct an action film with Vimal ( Kalakalappu and Kalavani ) and Vijay Sethpathi ( Pizza and Naduvula Konjum Pakkathu
Kaanom ) in the lead roles. Based on a story by popular writer S Ramakrishnan, the as-yet untitled film will have music by NR Raghunanthan. This is his third consecutive film for Ramasamy.
★ UNRESOLVED ISSUES
DESPITE the unresolved personal issues surrounding his last film, Neethane En Ponvasantham, producer Elred Kumar will release the first stills of his next film later today. Titled Yaan , the film stars Jiiva opposite Thullasi Nair and marks the directorial debut of cinematographer Praveen K Chandhran. It will feature the music of Harris Jayaraj.
★ NO SHOW
AADHI ( Mirugam, Eeram and Aravaan ) has greatly disappointed producer Lakshmi Manchu, the producer of Aadhi’s latest film,
Marathen Manithen. Manchu had convinced composer Ilaiyaraaja to attend the audio launch and
requested his entire cast to be there but Aaadhi, despite numerous telephone messages promising that he would attend, simply did not pitch. Aadhi clearly did not see the need to promote his own film.
★ AMBITIOUS
MAANGA will be Premgi’s most ambitious film to date — and that’s not because he will play his first dual role. Apart from playing the male leads, he will don many and varied looks in the film. Premgi will score the music and the film will be directed by newcomer RS Raja. Powerstar Srinivasan will an important role.