SRIDEVI-DIVYA BHARATHI

Sridevi ruled the roost in South for three decades (1967-1996) and was active in Bollywood from 1983-1997. She started her film career at the age of four in 1967 through the Tamil film ‘Kandhan Karunai’ and did hundreds of films in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi languages with almost all top heroes in the above mentioned languages. Her first film as heroine was the Tamil film ‘Moondru Mudichu’ in 1976 and her debut film in Hindi was ‘Julie’ (1975) as child artist and ‘Himmatwala’ (1983) as heroine.

Divya Bharati is an Indian actress who entered into films through a Telugu film ‘Bobbili Raja’ (blockbuster) in 1990, acted in about 20 films in Telugu and Hindi and delivered several hits and super hits. She died in a tragic accident after falling from a 5 storey apartment building in 1993.

AISHWARYA RAI BACHCHAN-SNEHA ULLAL

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is former Miss World (1994) and an Indian actress. She started her film career in 1997 with a Tamil film titled ‘Iruvar’ directed by Mani Ratnam featuring opposite Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and appeared in dual roles. She acted in about 40 films in Hindi, Tamil and English languages put together. She won two Filmfare Best Actress Awards-‘Hum Dil De Cheke Sanam’ (1999) and ‘Devdas’ (2002).

The actress has been the most popular face of Indian cinema internationally. She appeared on the cover of TIME magazine, Asia edition in 2003 and the TIME magazine chose her as one of the world’s ‘100 Most Influential People’ in 2004 and again in 2010. This apart, in October 2004 Rai’s was figure was displayed in Madame Tussaud’s wax museum in London. This World’s Most Beautiful Woman became the international brand ambassador of L’Oreal, Andie Macdowell, Eva Longoria and Penelope Cruz in 2005.

Aishwarya Rai dated Salman Khan from 1999-2001 and end the relationship with him. Later she was married to Abhishek Bachchan, who hails from the legendary Bachchan family. Although 2009 was a dull year for her, the year 2010 has brought back her lost glory with two consecutive hits ‘Enthiran/Robot’ and ‘Guzaarish’.

Sneha Ullal is a Mangalorean born in Muscat, Oman and is best known for her role in the Telugu film ‘Ullasamga Utsahamga’. She made her movie debut in 2005 through a Hindi movie ‘Lucky: No Time for Love’ opposite Salman Khan. Since then, she was noted for her physical appearance with Aishwarya Rai.

BHUMIKA CHAWLA-PREETI JHANGIANI

Bhumika Chawla aka Rachna Chawla is an Indian actress who acted in about 30 films in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, Bhojpuri and Punjabi. She made her debut as heroine in the year 2000 through a Telugu film ‘Yuvakudu’ and is best known for her critically acclaimed performances in ‘Kushi’(Telugu), ‘Okkadu’ (Telugu), ‘Missamma’(Telugu), ‘Simhadri’ (Telugu), ‘Tere Naam’ (Hindi), ‘Anasuya’ (Telugu), ‘Naa Autograph’ (Telugu), ‘Satyabhama’ (Telugu), ‘Gandhi, My Father’ (Hindi), etc. Hailing from Punjab, Bhumika married a Yoga teacher Bharat Thakur in 2007. She recently established a production house named ‘Downtown Productions’ and produced a youth oriented film on college backdrop titled ‘Thakita Thakita’.

Preeti Jhangiani is a Mangalorean and an actress cum model. Rajashri Productions introduced her to the film world through their music album ‘Yeh Hai Prem’ opposite the handsome hero Abbas. Later she endorsed Nirma Sandal soap and continued to be the brand ambassador of that product for quite long. Although her 1st film was the Malayalam film ‘Mazhavillu’, the turning point of her film career was in 2000 through a Bollywood flick ‘Mohabbatein’, which became super duper hit film. Over all she acted in about 5 languages-Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Punjabi and Urdu as well. In March, 2008, she got married to Parvin Dabas and now lives in Bandra, Mumbai.

TRISHA-BHAVANA

Trisha Krishnan is a famous actress cum model in South India who mainly appears in Tamil and Telugu films. ‘Mounam Pesiyadhe’ (2002) was her first film in lead role which also won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Later Tamil films like ‘Saamy’, ‘Lesa Lesa’, ‘Ghilli’, ‘Enakku 20 Unakku 18’, ‘Thirupaachi’, ‘Kireedam’, ‘Unnakum Ennakum’, ‘Abhiyum Naanum’, ‘Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya’ and Telugu films like ‘Varsham’, ‘Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana’, ‘Athadu’, ‘Aadavari Matalaku Ardhale Verule’, ‘Krishna’, etc., have earned her good name and fame. In 2010, she also made her debut in Bollywood through ‘Khatta Meetha’ opposite Akshay Kumar.

Born to Tamil parents, Trisha ventured into modeling career and appeared in many TV ads like Fanta, Vivel, Tata Indicom, etc. Trisha was thrice the winner of Filmfare Best Telugu Actress Award besides winning the prestigious AP State Nandi Award and various other awards. Right now, the actress is on cloud nine as her forthcoming Tamil flick ‘Manmadha Ambu’ (Manmadha Baanam) is going to hit screens by end of December 2010. She is very excited about this film as she was cast opposite her favourite star Kamal Haasan which was her long time dream. This apart, she is presently shooting a Telugu film opposite Pawan Kalyan, which is a remake of ‘Love Aaj Kal’.

Bhavana, whose real name is Karthika Menon, is a south Indian actress who appeared so far in over 45 films in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada launguages. She made her acting debut through a Malayalam film ‘Nammal in 2002, which also fetched her many honors and critical acclaim. This Keralite is a daughter of assistant cinematographer G Balachandran Menon. She has acted with almost all heroes in Malayalam and won a Filmfare award for the Tamil film ‘Chithiram Pesuthadi’, two Kerala State Film Awards-‘Nammal’ and ‘Daivanamathil’ besides winning several other awards.

MEERA JASMINE-SUJITHA

Meera Jasmine is a south Indian actress who acts in films that includes Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. She made her debut in the Malayalam film ‘Soothradharan’ in 2001 and won Bharathan Award for Best Female Debut Actress. In 2002, she made her debut in a Tamil film ‘Run’ and won Filmfare Best Female Debut award. In 2003, Malayalam film ‘Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilapam’ earned rave reviews and also National Film Award for Best Actress, Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress and Asianet Award for Best Actress. This apart, she won Tamil Nadu State Special Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film ‘Kasthuri Maan’. Her debut film in Telugu was ‘Ammayi Bagundi’ (2004) and in Kannada ‘Maurya’ (2004). Meera Jasmine is said to be one of the finest actress in the generation today who had won several awards without a break right from the beginning of her film career.

Sujitha is a leading South Indian TV serial actress, who acts in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam serials. Besides this she also acted in a few films in Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. She made her debut as child artist through Chiranjeevi starrer ‘Pasivadi Pranam’ and acted in several films as child artist. She also acted in films ‘Katrukkenna Veli’ and ‘Jathi’ as heroine. Besides that, she played sister to heroes like Ajit, Nagarjuna, Balakrishna, etc. But in real she is the sister of director Surya Kiran, who married actress Kalyani. Her best movie in Malayalam was ‘Wanted’ in which she shared the screen with superstar Mohal Lal. Sujitha married ad film maker Dhanush in Pallachi and still continuing her acting career.

KAREENA KAPOOR-ANUSHKA

Kareena Kapoor, born in a first family of Bollywood is an Indian actress, who is noted for her works from contemporary romantic dramas, to comedies, period films to major commercial films. Youngest daughter of Randhir Kapoor and Babitha and sister of Karishma Kapoor (all belonging to Hindi film industry) made her acting debut in 2000 through ‘Refugee’ opposite Abhishek Bachchan who was also a debutant. Her melodrama ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’, her portrayal of a sex worker in ‘Chameli’, her noted performances in critically acclaimed films like ‘Dev’, ‘Omkara’, romantic comedy like ‘Jab We Met’, thriller film like ‘Kurbaan’ and the highest grossing Bolywood film of all time ‘3 Idiots’ all have given her lot of accolades. Altogether she won 5 Filmfare awards of which two were Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance. Kareena is still the hot and happening heroine in Bollywood with three films in her kitty.

Anushka Shetty, one of the most happening heroines in Tollywood presently, was born in a Bunt family of Bellipady in Mangalore. Interestingly, after completing her education in Bangalore, she was yoga instructor and has trained under yoga guru Bharat Thakur, Bhumika Chawla’s husband. In 2005, Anushka stepped into the glamour world through ‘Super’ opposite Nagarjuna and became familiar with SS Rajamouli;s ‘Vikramarkudu’ opposite the crazy star Ravi Teja. Similarly, ‘Rendu’ costarring Madhavan also fetched her some recognition in Tamil. The right break to her film career came in 2009, when she delivered a block buster hit ‘Arundathi’. She had not only received rave reviews for her performance in this heroine centric film, but also won many awards including the AP state Nandi Award and Filmfare Best Actress Award. From then onwards there was no stopping her. Today, she is the most wanted heroine in Telugu and Tamil as well. She is one actress who is said to be perfectly suitable for any kind of role, be it a glamour role or an off beat role. Two of her films ‘Nagavalli’ and ‘Ragada’ are slated to release in this month only. ‘Nagavalli’ would be yet another challenging role like ‘Arundathi’ for Anushka.

‘Endhiran/Robo/Robot’ is a technological extravaganza gulping about 40Mil USD with the highest paid actor Rajini and the former Miss World, Aishwarya Rai. Its first part was an intelligent entertainment and the second part was a lavish display of the technology one can only dream of. The movie that makes the viewers feel 20 years younger is an out and out entertainer. It sure makes the entire Indian film fraternity proud and a new genius is born in the form of Shankar, the Director of the movie.

Now, giving a break to Rajini’s usual style oriented approach, ‘Endhiran/Robo/Robot’ totally concentrates on capturing the imagination of the director and also the technicians with experience in Hollywood movies. Everyone has reported that it’s a mix of ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘Spider Man’ and certain movies in that genre. No doubt they are expressing their personal experience which even a child will express after watching the film.

The unexpected moves and shapes the Robots take in the climax, still being of the shape of Robots are first of its kind and worth the money paid for. If Shankar advices others not to address the budget of the project and just see what the money poured in has churned out, yes, better to respect his feelings.

Director Shankar, who is being compared with James Cameroon, has now learnt the tricks of using the Hollywood technicians to provide something similar in caliber to the ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘Terminator’ and ‘Avataar’. Stan Winston Studios in the US has its contribution with its latest technologies and instruments in providing SFX support but for which the movie would have been just yet another masala one.

Rajinikanth’s craze fan following had its effect where there are reports of ardent fans spending to a tune of Rs 1500/- per ticket to watch this film. But if any credit has to go to anyone in the film, it is the director Shankar who steals it by leaps and bounds. Shankar in this profession appears to be not settling for anything less than the box office hits. If we are to go through his record so far like ‘Gentleman’ in 1993, followed by ‘Kadhalan’, ‘Indian’, ‘Jeans’, ‘Mudhalvan’, ‘Nayagan’, ‘Boys’, ‘Anniyan’, ‘Shivaji’ and now ‘Endhiran/Robo/Robot’. He is in the industry since 17 years but settled for only 10 films and they are hits. What else can one look for from a director when they pour money like a bottomless pit?

Now in the case of ‘Endhiran/Robo/Robot’, the movie was conceptualized by Shankar about a decade ago and was ultimately planned for production about 5 years back. Kamal Hassan was to be the hero with the then much wanted Preity Zinta. But money was the problem, and then entered Shahrukh Khan whose association also did not firm up. Finally it was Rajini’s daughter Soundarya’s interest that brought the movie on track and it needed the tonic from Sun Pictures who will not now repent with the movie raking in more than expected and the expectation is not less than Rs 500 crores.

This time the entire India is looking at it as an Indian film rather than a Tamil film. When it comes to Shankar’s tastes, there is no one in the industry to match his abilities to give a feast to eyes. It was in 1998, he went on a world tour to capture all the wonders for his film ‘Jeans’. And there are many heritage sites and picturesque locations, where it was Shankar who set his foot first before anyone in the industry even came to know of it. So Claudia Bruckmann, a historic place at Machu Picchu in Peru and an exotic, dazzling place, known as Lencois Maranhenses in Brazil (where desert of clear and fine sand filled by oasis with lagoons of blue and crystalline water) is being introduced this time in ‘Endhiran/Robo/Robot’ by him.

Like AR Rahman has brought laurels for the entire Indians in world level, now yet another person from same soil, Shankar has just begun his journey. Talent unlimited!!!

Film: Endhiran/Robo/Robot
Cast: Rajnikanth, Aishwarya Rai, Danny Denzongpa and others
Music: A R Rahman
Producer: Kalanithi Maran
Banner: Sun Pictures
Cinematography: Ratnavelu
Choreography: Prabhu Deva, Raju Sundaram, Remo, Dinesh
Action: Peter Heins
Art: Sabu Cyril
Editor: Anthony
Sound: Resul Pookutty
Costumes: Manish Malhotra
Story & Direction: S Shankar
Release Date: Oct 1, 2010
CBFC Rating: U

Age, 60, 180 movies, innumerable block busters and still counting with a style statement as well as crazy fan following. It is Superstar Rajinikanth.

Special prayers in temples, a festive like situation in every part of Tamil Nadu, the theaters renovated and painted new all at the own cost of the fans is something only Rajini can boast of.

Enthiran – The Robot, is a technological extravaganza gulping about 40Mil USD with the highest paid actor Rajini and the former Miss World, Aishwarya Rai. Its first part was an intelligent entertainment and the second part was a lavish display of the technology one can only dream of. The movie that makes the viewers feel 20 years younger is an out and out entertainer. It sure makes the entire film fraternity proud and a new genius is born in the form of Shankar, the Director of the movie. The outcome was as expected and that has made the fan folks go berserk with all kinds of acts from them to prove their loyalty to their beloved Demigod.

If you haven’t come across a fan who could wake up at 2am to watch the first show at 4 in the early morning, then stand corrected. Yes, it is not just one but scores of people who reached the theaters a night before, to watch the first show, the first day at 4, the next morning. It is not just in India, but in Dubai too.

If you want to know the first ever Indian film that has been screened in Sweden, browse the net, you will be surprised at the magical word Endhiran – The Robot. This movie is claimed to be by the Highest paid male lead in India and of course everyone knows who Aishwarya Rai is. The micro-blogging FACEBOOK appears to have created wonders in propagating the legacies of this film creating interest in anyone and everyone who know even a bit on India.

What if we say the Coliseum theatre in the US opted to screen this movie a first time in its history, will you be surprised?

The Oscar winner A.R.Rahman has also made his presence felt. ‘Kilimanjaro’ is a hit and so is the record sale of music on I tunes.

The Indian audience is used to seeing the English movies getting dubbed in their languages and now they are eagerly waiting to see whether this movie would create history by getting dubbed in English. Another first is that the movie is the first one to be released in three languages on the same day. This time the entire India is looking at it as an Indian film rather than a Tamil film.

Cinematographer Ratnavel, who came to limelight with the success in Vikram’s ‘Sethu’ has a very long list of success stories there after. His handwork in ‘Endhiran – The Robot’ is no doubt spectacular which is further enhanced with the able support from Randy, the lensman who had to give up more than 5 movies during the shooting of ‘Endhiran’. His success is when the audience wholeheartedly spelt out that they desire to see this movie only on Silver screen, rather than a CD.

What everyone remembers is the negative character played by Rajini than the main lead. It is the ROBOT that remains in everyone’s mind. The action packed technological extravaganza from an internationally renowned team is what the movie is all about.

When it comes to Shankar’s tastes, there is no one in the industry to match his abilities to give a feast to eyes. There are many heritage sites and picturesque locations, where it was Shankar who set his foot first before anyone in the industry even came to know of it. So Claudia Bruckmann, a historic place at Machu Picchu in Peru and an exotic and dazzling place, known as Lencois Maranhenses in Brazil (where desert of clear and fine sand filled by oasis with lagoons of blue and crystalline water) is being introduced this time in ‘Endhiran/Robo/Robot’ by him.

All are eagerly waiting to see the collection this movie makes. The fair estimate by the public is a mind boggling 500 Crores Indian Rupees ( ….million USD).

The forts of Indian film, particularly that of Rajni, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, USA, England and Japan have already proved beyond doubt about the success of the film and now, Sweden too has joined the list.

None of the 2500 screens where the movie was released disappointed its owners and there are now people waiting with tickets to see the same second and third time.

Costumes by Mary Watt are worth mentioning who has not only made the ROBOT a success model, but also made the audience remember Aiswarya Rai for her appearance.

Visionary director Shankar, Superstar Rajni, Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai, Oscar winners AR Rahman, Resul Pookutty, art director Sabu Cyril, action master Peter Heins, cinematographer Ratnavel, lensman Randy, choreographers Prabhu Deva, Raju Sundaram, Remo, Dinesh, editor Anthony and above all the wealthy businessman Kalanidhi Maran of Sun Pictures, all have made this movie proud with their untiring 2 years of hard work and in turn this movie has made India proud.

The Indian festival Deepavali has come one month in advance.

Images Copyrights: Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Details of Raavan:
Banner: Madras Talkies & Reliance Big Pictures
Release Date: June 18, 2010
Raavan in Hindi & Villain in Telugu
Producer & Director: Mani Ratnam
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Chiyaan Vikram, Govinda, Nikhil Dwivedi, Manisha Koirala, Priyamani, Ravi Kissen, Bipasha Basu
Music Director: AR Rahman

Ravaan in Telugu Trailers
Villain Trailer 1

Villain Trailer 2

Robot Film Details
Endhiran (Tamil: எந்திரன், English translation: Robot) is a forthcoming science-fiction Tamil–language film being directed by S. Shankar, who with Endhiran, directs his tenth feature film. Despite several rumours regarding the lead actors, Rajinikanth and Aishwarya Rai have been formally announced to portray the lead roles. The film is expected to cost 165 crores, one of the highest ever film budgets of the Indian film industry.

Initially titled and referred to as Robot, the project was launched by Shankar and producer C. Karunamoorthy, chief executive of Ayngaran International who were set to distribute the film along with Eros Labs. However, in December 2008, both production companies backed off, amidst filming schedules, due to financial problems led by the currently ongoing global market recession. Production rights have now been sold to the Chennai-based Sun Pictures. [Wikipedia]

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (born Aishwarya Rai, and sometimes known simply as Ash or Aish, Tulu: ಐಶ್ವರ್ಯಾ ರೈ; 1 November 1973) is an Indian actress and former Miss World. Before starting her acting career, she worked as a model and gained fame after winning the Miss World title in 1994. [Wikipedia]

Avatar is a 2009 American-British epic 3-D science fiction film written and directed by James Cameron, starring Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang. The film was produced by Lightstorm Entertainment and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It premiered in London on December 10, 2009, and was released in the United Kingdom on December 17, 2009, one day prior to its theatrical release in the United States. [Text: Wikipedia]

Sankalp restaurant holds the Guiness record of making the world’s largest dosa measuring 25 ft long in March 1997 and in February 2006, they broke their own record by making 30 ft long dosa. Now, the same team once again broke the record by 2.5 ft, i.e., by making 32.5 ft long dosa on Wednesday, the 19th August, 2009.

The largest dosa was named after the film’s title ‘Quick Gun Murugan’, as the film is based on the theme of vegetarianism. QGM deals with vegetarian food and the hero’s character is the South Indian cowboy who fights against non-vegetarianism. The concept and story of ‘Quick Gun Murugan’ is by Rajesh Devraj and the film is directed by Sashank Ghosh.

‘Quick Gun Murugan’ is all set to hit worldwide screens on August 28th, 2009 in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu as well. Fox Star Studios is bringing this flick for the global audience in English that was already screened in many International Film Festivals in New York, Los Angles and London.

Image Source: Reuters

Image Source: PTI Photo