Director’s crafty move avoids clash of stars
WISE DECISION
KARAN Johar has made a wise decision. The Gori Tere Pyar Mein producer confirmed that the Imraan Khan and Kareena Kapoor starrer will not be released on the same day as Shahid Kapoor’s Rambo Rajkumar featuring Sonakshi Sinha. Johar claimed there was work outstanding on his project but insiders insist he was not keen on having the film clash with that of Kareena’s ex, Shahid. FRIENDSHIP
A GREAT friendship blossomed on the set of Gori Tere Pyar Mein between Esha Gupta and Kareena Kapoor, who recommended Gupta as the leading lady opposite husband Saif Ali Khan in his new movie, to be directed by Sajid Khan. SEQUEL
AFTER being declared a hit at the box office, 2007’s Welcome has a sequel on the cards. Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar will retain their original roles but John Abraham has been added to the cast and Akshay Kumar will not be included.
Amitabh Bachchan will head the cast in a role originally played by the late Feroz Khan. There’s also talk that Sunny Leone has landed a leading role. Sonakshi Sinha has dropped out. MAGIC
ANURAG Basu and Ranbir Kapoor are hoping to recreate the magic of Barfi. There are hot rumours that Basu has signed Kapoor for a movie titled Jagga Jasoos that will have him playing the role of a detective. Kapoor, who is basking in the amazing success of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, is working on Besharam . SA SCREENING
EXCITING news for local film fans is that Surya’s much-hyped and eagerly awaited Singam 2 will be screened in South Africa. Singam was a huge hit and was remade in Hindi, prompting director Hari and Surya to come together again for a sequel that is reportedly bigger, faster and better.
Filmed partially on location in South Africa, this action thriller has British actor Danny Sapani playing the main villain. The supporting cast includes Anushka Shetty, Hansika Motwani, Vivek and Santhaanam. BACK ON TRACK
FOR unexplained reasons, Studio Green dropped Aadhalaal Kaadhal Seyveer shortly after the first distribution schedule had been released. After almost a year, Red Giants Films has resurrected the project. The film is being directed by award winner Suseendran and stars newcomer Santhosh Ramesh opposite Manisha Yadav ( Vazhakku Enn 18/9). Yuvanshanker Raja did the soundtrack, released last year. LEGAL ISSUES
JAI’S Sarasvathi Sabadham is set to be released but the legal issues surrounding the film remain like an ominous cloud. First was a protest from fans of Sivaji Ganesan over the use of the title — Sarasvathi Sabadham was a 1966 box-office hit with Ganesan in the lead role.
Then came complaints about alcohol advertising at the screenings. There was a call to change the title as protestors claimed it showed disrespect to the Hindu deity Sarasvathi.
Director R Chandhru refuted the allegations, saying it is a fun film designed to entertain and not to offend. Jai, Niveda Thomas, Ganesh and Manobala head the cast. REMAKE THE remake craze continues in Kodambakkam with the announcement last week that Kamalhassan’s Manmadha Leelai will soon follow the trend. Badhri — whose remake of K Balachander’s Thillu Mullu has been declared a hit — said he was anxious to rejuvenate another of Balachander’s classics. He said Manmadha Leelai had a timelessness about it that lent itself to a modern adaptation. The cast and crew will soon be announced. RETURN
AFTER an absence of five years, yesteryear comedian SVSekar is to make a return to films through a major role in Win . Sekar has been busy with politics and stage productions. FAILURE
SAKTHI, the son of director P Vasu, has not been able to find a hit film to establish himself as an actor of note. After a series of films that failed at the box office, Sakthi now admits that his script selection was partly to blame. Sakthi will soon be seen in Padam Pesum, in what he described as a “life-changing role”.
The film will be directed by Telugu director Raagava and Poorna will play the female lead.