Comedy legend in sandy Durban
Cracks the nod from audiences Rasdien brings laughter to the city
SOUTH Indian cinema’s latest offering, Vanamagan, has pleased audiences across the globe.
The Tamil film was written and directed by AL Vijay.
It stars Jayam Ravi and Sayyeshaa in the lead roles, and production started in September.
The plot revolves around Ravi, who, with members of his tribe, is being held captive in a remote area. However, he manages to escape at the start of the movie.
In the next half of the movie, viewers find out why and how Ravi and his tribe were being held hostage.
He then meets the character Sayyessha, a rich and spoilt girl, who is celebrating New Year’s Eve with friends.
Actor Jayam Ravi has no lines in the film, but speaks in a language specially created for the movie. Ravi said: “We invented the language.
“It’s not gibberish, but has grammar and a dictionary.
“There’s a simple trick to how we invented this language, which we will reveal once the film hits the big screen.”
Award-winning make-up artist Pattanam Rasheed played a key role by giving Ravi a tribal look. Ravi said: “He wanted me to apply five layers of make-up and chop my hair to get that look. But for my physique, I didn’t want to bulk up, as tribals don’t go to gyms!”
The movie is set in forest, and was shot in locations such as Vietnam and Thailand.
Vijay said a lot of preparation went into the production of the movie, and that the second half was set in Chennai.
He said: “There’s also a huge action sequence that involves a tiger, and it will be the highlight of the film.”
The film is currently showing in South African cinemas nationwide
THE sunshine and sandy beaches of umhlanga is what keeps bringing South African comedy legend Joey Rasdien to Kwazulunatal. It’s also an added bonus that Durban audiences seemingly can’t get enough of Rasdien’s crazy on stage antics.
The big-haired star will be in town next weekend as part of the lineup for the Charous and Bruinous comedy show which takes place at the Bat Centre.
It will be the first time Rasdien will appear in the long running series.
Known for his spontaneous, often improvised, high energy style of comedy, Rasdien says that he is looking forward to stepping on stage, adding that audience members should be prepared for just about anything.
“I don’t even know what I am going to be talking about,” the Johannesburgbased comic said.
Knowledgeable on a wide variety of topics, Rasdien says that he stays relevant as a comedian by being an avid reader.
His areas of expertise include politics and sport. While Rasdien often demonstrates a no holds barred approach to comedy, he believes that comedians should use their platforms responsibly.
Rasdien has appeared on the biggest stages across the country, and the world, during an illustrious career that has spawned numerous solo shows including Mixed DNA and Evolved.
He has also acted in movies such as Bunny Chow and Blitspatrolie. He was also a founding cast member of the famed Pure Monate Show.
In August he will be filming a comedy special for M-net, which will form part of the prestigious Live series, an event he is greatly looking forward to.
Rasdien will no doubt be using next week’s show in Durban as a testing ground for some of the material that will appear in the TV special.
Appearing alongside Rasdien will be local comedy favourites Neville Pillay, Annalakhsmi, Neil Green and Masood Boomgaard.
“It is truly exciting to have a legend like Joey Rasdien perform in Durban as part of the ‘Charous and Bruinos’ comedy series which has been going on for close to ten years,” said Boomgaard. “Rasdien is greatly admired by Durban audiences and comedians, and watching him in action is a real treat. There is so much young comedians here are able to learn from him.”
Charous and Bruinos Comedy takes place at the Bat Centre on 8 July at 8pm.
Tickets are R120 and are available from Computicket and Checkers. Call 0846641015 for more information.