36. COVER FEATURE
CONTENTS 05.09 06. EDITOR’S NOTE 08. READERS’ VOICES
22
MOVIE MANIA
36COVER FEATURE
36. LENSMAN CHRONICLES – VENKET RAM’S PERSPECTIVE
22. PEEKABOO
They were nobodies. In just a few years’ time, they become objects of mass adulation and hysteria. Photographer Venket Ram shows us how he has seen the countless people-next-door becom charismatic superstars.
A look at movies ready for release
26. GALATTA TALKIES
Talkworthy movies out in theatres now
30. FIRST CUT
On location with movies in the making
80. POPKORN
Sultan and Quick Gun Murugan
GALA-TTA 33ATIME! 33. SUBSCRIBE! GC at your doorstep? Sign up here!
60. WHAT’S ON G.COM
Hot stuff on Galatta.com this month
2 GALATTA CINEMA |AUG 2009
pg. 104
pg. 96
OF 92ACROSS 10SORBET BORDERS STARS 92. BEYOND SOUTH
10. KICKSTART
94. BRINGING HOLLYWOOD HOME
52. STAR OF THE MONTH
Titbits from the out-of-towners
Hollywood biggies in India Deepika & Megan HOT it up!
104
HEY, GOODLOOKIN’
104. EYE CANDY Priya Anand
72MEMORIES 72. NOSTALGIA
Kamal Haasan’s 50 years of excellence
12JUICY STUFF 98XTRA-G 12. GALATTA GRAPEVINE
98. ONE ON ONE
20. COOL STUFF
102. GALATTA GUEST
All the info, all the goss!
Sriya Reddy is tech-savvy!
32. GAME-TIME
Contests to win in a flash!
Not just for action – Arjun
62. BEHIND THE SCENES First time directors
76. RISING STARS
96. STARRY EYED
pg. 90
Pixie girl Divya Spandana
With Rinku Gupta
Ambitious new kids on the block
& 83ROUND ABOUT 84. MEN IN UNIFORM
Fine actors, handsome hunks: uniformed heartbreakers
86. FREE SPIRITS
Celeb superwomen who make their mark in free India
88. MUSIC’S LOVE FOR THE HOMELAND Young singers on how music makes them patriotic
90TRIBUTE
90. CELEBS MOURN MJ
G. Dhananjayan of Moser Baer continues his discourse on cinema
56. SCENE ABOUT TOWN Tinseltown’s shimmering dos
70. FAST TRACK
Nitin Sathyaa makes his mark
78. STARGAZING
Travel on the zodiac with the stars
106. WRAP UP
Just in, super-fresh news
66NOTE WORTHY 66. IN THE GROOVE
Soundtracks worth your money
69. TOP OF THE CHARTS Songs on the #1 lists
4 GALATTA CINEMA |AUG 2009
pg. 88
pg. 72
Editor’s Note
Free spirits! On the cover: Mamtha Mohandas Photography: G. Venket Ram Picture courtesy: G. Venket Ram & Mamtha Mohandas EDITOR Shakthi Girish EDITING CONSULTANT Ashok L. Rajani
MD & CEO, GALATTA.COM C.R. Venkatesh
WRITERS Padma Iyer, Kaanchan B., Vijayalakshmi S., Baiju N.
PRESIDENT, GALATTA.COM Girish Ramdas
DESIGN CONSULTANT Sharon Suares
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT – AD SALES Balasubramanian S.
CHIEF DESIGNER Logesh M.
MANAGER – AD SALES Sunil Krishnamurthy
DESIGNERS Punitha Vijayakrishnan., Sankaran N.
SENIOR MARKETING COORDINATOR Jayshree G.
MANAGER - NEW MEDIA, & INDUSTRY RELATIONS MANAGER - AD SALES PUBLICITY MANAGER Shailesh Kumaran Seran
MANAGER - CIRCULATION Mohan H.
SPECIAL THANKS TO Mr. C. N. Ramdas IAS (R), Chairman, GNG Group of Companies Mr. C. R. Rajendran, Chairman, Bojaraj Textiles
PRINTING PRESS Rathna Offset Printers
Mrs. Kamalam Rajendran, MD, Bojaraj Textiles Mrs. Nirmala Ramdas, Director, GNG Group of Companies
We also thank those who have helped us put the August 2009 issue together: Mr. Dhananjayan of Moser Baer, Ms. Rinku Gupta, Mr. Kiran Reddy & Mr. Swaroop Reddy of Sathyam Cinemas, Mr. Vijayakumar Radhakrishnan – CTO, Dot Com Infoway Ltd. and Mr. Gnanam. We thank the ENTIRE FILM industry – actors, producers, technicians, stars, supportpersonnel like managers and PROs, behind-the-scenes staff like assistants, designers, secretarial staff and others who have supported us from the start. Eternally thankful to: Mr. G. Venket Ram – One of the best lensmen in the country, he has always given us inspiring support and some of our best shots! Our heartfelt thanks to: Mr. Randor Guy – He is the man who spearheads the Nostalgia section of our magazine. We also thank: Mr. Manoj Subramanian of Tissot Watches for arranging the spectacular pictures of Deepika Padukone at short notice to make this issue more special. To advertise on Galatta Cinema, contact: Balasubramanian S. at +91-98409 11777 Sunil Krishnamurthy at +91-96000 84464 Shailesh Kumaran Seran at +91-97919 01947 For coverage of events and publicity on Galatta, contact: Shailesh Kumaran Seran at +91-97919 01947 Or email us at: ads@galattacinema.com For more info, log onto: www.galattacinema.com Contact us at: Galatta Cinema, Post Box 7166, Chennai – 600 102 Tell us what you like or don’t like about Galatta Cinema Email: editor@galattacinema.com Snail Mail: Galatta Cinema, Post Box No. 7166, Chennai 600 102, Tamilnadu, India
6 GALATTA CINEMA |AUG 2009
N
o, silly, we’re not talking about booze on the house! We are talking about the new age of freedom in India. Yes, it’s August once again; time to remember our struggles for independence and how we are, as a people, both nurturing it and disrespecting it. This is my take on the 62 years we have had to emerge as a strong democratic nation – we are a glorious, sometimes exhilirating, sometimes depressing hotch-potch of successes and failures. We are fabulous learners; but we have trouble teaching. We pride ourselves on “family values” and “culture”, but every day, we flout these values. We call ourselves a free and tolerant race, but can’t speak out for fear of mob retribution and mindless violence. We cherish our villages and their deep-rooted traditions, but they remain the poorest. We worship women as gods, but commit heinous crimes against them. We’ve successfully adapted to pub culture and free-speaking urbanity, but haven’t imbibed as strong a sense of ethics, punctuality or discipline. We are as disparate as we are united. And our latest fashionable statement? We are all “like this wunly” and do we really want to change? Truly, a land of double-meaning, double-edged and multiple-faceted outlook that people can love or hate, but just cannot ignore. This month, Galatta Cinema takes a look at two powerful entities who are the embodiment of where our independence has brought us – women in cinema who are successfully juggling home and career; and music, which has played a huge part in making us who we are. That said, August GC is a content-rich and un-putdownable issue, with a slew of interviews, stories, eye candy and more. Mr. Dhananjayan of Moser Baer continues his discourse on cinema, as journo Rinku Gupta joins the GC Guest space to give us her short takes on young heroes of today. We pay a tribute to the delightful yet sad enigma that was Michael Jackson, the king of pop who left this world – to moonwalk elsewhere, no doubt – last month. We talk snappy with Nitin Sathyaa and svelte Priya Anand, heroine of Vaamanan. We salute Padmashree Kamal Haasan’s 50th year of excellence in cinema as we cast our eyes back to his years in the industry. We love the golden-hearted, gun-toting rascal that is Quick Gun Murugan, so there’s a first look at QGM too (the film releases in the end of August, by the way). When we glimpsed some mind-blowing imagery from Ocher Studios’ Sultan, we JUST had to put in a little bit of that also. Plus, we admire young Naga Chaitanya, who makes his debut with Josh. I am truly saving the best for last. You and I both love movies and movie celebs. Have you ever looked back on the life of someone who is a great star now, but started off as a nobody? How they have grown, how they have changed! We found someone who has seen such change in several of our top celebs’ professional lives. G. Venket Ram – photographer to the stars, top-notch professional in his work and someone who has insight and depth into the industry like few others – real, unbiased and tolerant. His words are pictures in our minds and his pictures, the stuff of dreams. Go on, feel free to ogle and unabashedly enjoy! While you’re doing that, perhaps you could even come a little closer to the stars and understand who they really are... Cheers! (Oh, and don’t forget to take a peek into G3, our new Page 3 supplement, included inside!)
Shakthi Girish
When Sameera acted with Chiranjeevi, she fulfilled her dad’s dream. Chiru is his favourite actor, so he was thrilled that she was acting with the star. And with her going places in Kollywood, it shouldn’t be long before she fulfills her mom’s wish. You see, Mrs. Reddy is a huge fan of (you guessed right!) Superstar Rajinikanth!
Mohanlal is now Lieutenant Colonel! The actor joined the civilians’ voluntary army force Territorial Army recently. Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor conferred him with the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Mohanlal will be part of the 122 Infantry Battalion of Kannur Terriers.
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Kiron is in love with a 13-yearold boy! Don’t be shocked. It is not in real life, but in reel life. This curvaceous actress will be soon seen in a Telugu movie that deals with the subject. The movie is based on the critically-acclaimed Italian film Malena, starring Monica Bellucci.
Bhumika is another actress who has loads of support from her husband. She has two movies coming up; Maa in Tamil and Yagam in Telugu, which is her home production. She is also reading a few scripts in Hindi and preparing to release a compilation of her poems as well.
Roma is all set to debut in Tamil through Vanjikottai Vaaliban opposite Sakthi of Thottal Poo Malarum fame. She has already performed in a lot of Malayalam hits alongside front line actors like Prithviraj and Jayasuriya. Her upcoming Tamil film is a romantic entertainer.
When Gopika wed Akhilesh, we thought she had bid adieu to acting. But now she is acting in cameramanturned-director P. Sukumar’s Malayalam film Swa Le (Swantham Lekhakan), thanks to hubby Akhilesh. It was he who heard the script and insisted that she accept the role!
16 GALATTA CINEMA |AUG 2009
i Ravi Teja hit box office gold with Kick. He starred with Ileana and Shaam in this commercial entertainer. And wanting to keep the box office collections ringing, he will be soon seen in the Telugu remake of the Tamil hit Naadodigal. With this film, Ravi Teja is sure to hit the bull’s eye once again. All the best to him!
Aishwarya Rai has already bowled Rajinikanth over with her Tamil skills. While acting in two Tamil films, Mani Ratnam’s Raavan and Shankar’s Enthiran, it is no surprise that she has learnt Tamil so well. And now, she has pleasantly shocked the Enthiran team by doing all her stunts!
The queue to Bollywood seems to be growing longer and longer. Asin, Shriya and Genelia made their mark. Then Trisha followed suit. Mamtha Mohandas too seems to have set her eyes on Bollywood. Very soon we might see Vimala Raman join the bandwagon - she has three offers from Hindi film makers!
GALATTA CINEMA | AUG 2009 17
COVER FEATURE
the lensman
Chronicles G. VENKET RAM “There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer” - Ansel Adams This is the working philosophy of South India’s finest commercial photographer, G. Venket Ram. To him, using his artistry and technical skill is not just his own perspective and sense of art into a picture, but how he can bridge the gap between art and common understanding. Amazing concepts, clear imagery, classic appeal, incredible beauty - he brings these facets into his work, whether he shoots ordinary people, pretty products or mighty celebrities. Speaking of whom, he has shot them all and in each of them, he has a story to tell that has then been woven into his understanding of the industry as a whole. This cover feature has no words from us - they are all his. SHAKTHI GIRISH comes away even more in admiration and awe as Venket shows us his flow of thought and some of his finest work with top Southern celebrities. As he speaks and recounts his various experiences and his working principles, he also shows us how and why some of his best shots are so fabulous. In doing that, he also lets us know that he needs the Southern world to understand just how important it is to enter the subconscious of the common man through visuals and imagery, that at once make a statement of grace, class and sophistication that is also relevant to the masses, whatever their sensibilities may be.
G VENKET RAM The world of photography to me is a riot of colours, swirls of emotions, battling egos and hours of planning and reflection. DOWN MEMORY LANE: Like so many others in different creative professions, I was always interested in visual stimulation but I was not really sure how I was to find that
rAjiniKANTH niche in my career. Photography appealed to me greatly and I can’t believe how many years I have spent in inhaling this art into my system! It has been an amazing travel through life. When I look back at my years of shooting personalities in the film and other industries, I think to myself, what a journey it has been! I feel privileged to be close enough to the movie fraternity; enough to understand mindsets and
working relationships; and far enough in the non-film mainstream of advertising art to comprehend the other half. I have seen some icons of today grow in skill and confidence from early years of
"understated" SUPERSTAR RAJNIKANTH’S HUMILITY REALLY BLEW ME OVER DURING THE SHOOT OF SIVAJI. DESPITE HIS SUPERSTAR STATUS, HE WAS ALWAYS READY TO LEARN AND EXPERIMENT. HE WAS OPEN TO NEW IDEAS AND GAVE US HIS FULL CO-OPERATION... AND ADMITTED HE’D NEVER DONE A PROFESSIONAL SHOOT BEFORE - WHICH IS SO ENDEARING AND HUMBLE FROM ONE AS GREAT AS HIM.
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kamAl Haasan their careers with dreams in their eyes. And then there are some who have been superstars and objects of adoration for decades and yet have always been as humble and enigmatic
PEOPLE MAGIC: Product shoots, landscape photography, tourism, still-life capture, even a bit of moving film - I have done it all and none of it has matched up to the joy and passion of being involved in people photography. It doesn’t matter if the
subject is an ordinary person off the streets or a super model or a famous star - the personality of the individual speaks a language to the camera that no pretty vase or grand sofa set can! Which is why, amidst all my product and location shoots for commercials, I always ensure I take up several involving people too. In fact, I love to put people and their unique personalities spank in the middle of my inanimate shots! What a difference
"MULTI-FACETED"
PADMASHREE KAMAL HAASAN WAS A TREAT TO SHOOT FOR VETTAIYAADU VILAIYAADU. IT’S NOT EVERYDAY DO I GET TO SHOOT SOMEONE WHOSE MOVIES I’VE GROWN UP WATCHING! SINCE IT WAS A CRIMERELATED SHOT, HE GAVE US USEFUL TIPS ON THE EQUIPMENT USED AND INTERESTING IDEAS FOR THE SHOOT. HIS KNOWLEDGE AMAZED ME!
as they were when they started out.
GALATTA CINEMA | AUG 2009 39
G VENKET RAM it has made to the visuals! A WORLD PERSPECTIVE - RIGHT HERE! Photography, for the longest time, was not exactly the most understood or respected of professions. People didn’t quite understand why taking pictures of someone and having to pay for it actually made sense. And
A.R. RAHMAN then the mind of the society grew wider and photography suddenly became something the people looked at and thought, “It is indeed something special, something essential, something artistic.” I am happy that not only am I in a profession I love to be in, but I have also been part of the fraternity that has brought about change in the mindset of this conservative region. Ten years ago, a portfolio
shoot of a model was only perceived as expenditure with no notion of the value of its return but today, it is an embraced fact that the better your portfolio is, the better your chances
ON THE DAY OF OUR SHOOT, WE WERE LOOKING FOR SUITABLE PLACES AND PROPS INSIDE HIS STUDIO AND THERE I SAW AN EXQUISITE PRAYER RUG... AND A FORGOTTEN LAMP WITH CHAINMAIL HELMET SHADE! THE LIGHT STREAMING THROUGH ITS LINKS WAS BEAUTIFUL; AND ARR WAS SO KICKED THAT WE MADE SOMETHING CAST ASIDE AS SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL!
"quiet GENIUS"
SHOBANA this acceptance of this field have also come great challenges and tons of competition, which is actually a fantastic thing. Think of it as art; each person follows it with their unique perspective, philosophy and temperament, resulting in completely individual works. After years of juggling people and commercial
I HAVE BEEN SHOOTING SHOBANA FOR ABOUT 6 YEARS NOW, ON A LOT OF DANCERELATED SHOOTS. SHE IS ONE OF THE FEW TRULY GRACEFUL ARTISTES WHO’S EDGY, WHO EXPERIMENTS, REFUSES TO BE COWED DOWN TO NORMS OR STEREOTYPE AND IS VERY INTERESTING FOR ME, BECAUSE I CAN WORK WITH HER ON A VAST RANGE OF LOOKS, LIGHTING AND FLAMBOYANT MOVEMENT. HER WORK IS SOME OF THE MOST INTERESTING, ARTISTIC AND EXPERIMENTAL AND HAS BEEN WIDELY PUBLISHED.
photography, I too am leaning toward the artistic side of my field and perhaps one day, I will have a library of work that I can give the world as not something that sells a commodity or displays a face, but as something you can hang on your walls and cherish forever. PORTFOLIO - ART MEETS AMBITION: I enjoy shooting portfolios. Be it a fresh face seeking a
"ETHEREAL"
of success. Ten years ago, it was almost unheard of to get special photography done for movie publicity or public events. Today, it is unheard of to NOT go all out for it! With
G VENKET RAM
world of advertising, modelling and films. It is exciting to work with various designers and stylists - they are artists in their own fields too. It is fabulous to get the details right with hair-stylists and make-up artists. It is interesting to work with art directors who put together the shot environment. And it is especially exciting to work with the conceptualisers and brains behind the shoot itself because it is their baby that they have entrusted to me with. STYLE MANTRAS: Styling is a very important ingredient
in any people-oriented shoot. Either a fashion shoot or portfolio or a movie shoot, styling decides the basic feel of the shot. In my early years, we didn’t have many stylists in Chennai and looking back it was a blessing to me! Since I took most of the decisions on clothes and accessories myself, it helped me train my eyes to what works
ajith
"SUAVE"
place in the modelling world or an established personality wanting to showcase a new look, its always interesting to put together the ‘look’ we need for each shot. And I have a major responsibility when it comes to a newcomer’s portfolio, because it is their ticket to get into the big
AJITH AND I GO BACK A LONG WAY, FROM THE EARLY DAYS OF BOTH OUR CAREERS. WHAT REALLY AMAZES ME IS THAT HIS SUPERSTARDOM HAS NEVER STOPPED HIM FROM REMEMBERING WHERE HE CAME FROM AND HE IS VERY COURTEOUS. PLUS, HE IS A PLEASURE TO SHOOT AND LOOKS GREAT , EFFORTLESSLY IN ANY ENSEMBLE WE FIT HIM WITH! YOU CAN SEE THIS, FROM THE TIME OF ATTAGASAM AND NOW, IN ASAL.
surIya and what doesn’t, Now when I work with a stylist, it so much easier to put across my thoughts! The fashion industry has grown so much in Chennai and now there are so many incredible fashion designers who are absolute pleasure to work with. How India has changed. To
"intense" SURIYA AMAZES ME WITH HIS INVOLVEMENT IN EACH SHOOT. HE’S ALWAYS WILLING TO EXPERIMENT. BE IT THE SERIOUS, PENSIVE LOOK WE NEEDED FOR GHAJINI, OR THE INTENSE COP IN KAAKA KAAKA, OR MORE RECENTLY, THE SLICK, URBAN GUY IN AYAN OR IN AAWDHAVAN, HE IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM HIS OTHERWISE SOFT-SPOKEN SELF!
tell a client that if they need a shoot done for a person or a product, they need to also hire a stylist was an exercise in itself. How do you convince someone that to shoot a beautiful person, they also need to hire someone who will put the clothing and accessories and look together? Until a while ago, they would just ask me, Venket, why can’t YOU do it, since it is your shoot anyway! Today, things are different. When I meet my clients from ad agencies and retailers, they come in with the complete knowledge that there
is a list of line items, including stylists, that is an essential part of a shoot and they are willing to pay for it. More so, they trust me to advise them correctly on what is required and what I can cut back on, based on their requirements. It helps me pick and choose people in my team that I work well with and as a result,
vikram
G VENKET RAM the shoot is a success! MOVIES vs. ADS vs. PEOPLE: They each have their own appeal for me. I enjoy working with people and shooting people. I enjoy working on cut-above-the-rest concepts. I relish the challenge of creating a look for a movie that perhaps even its creators
may not have envisioned and like it enough to adapt it for the entire film! That is what happened with Paruthiveeran, for example. When we slaved through the heat of Theni near Madurai, we created a muted, earthy look that director Ameer hadn’t had in his idea of what the movie should look like. But he liked it so much, that he adapted it into the entire movie thereafter! So nowadays,
sometimes even the cinematographer comes for my shoots or shoot discussions - who knows, maybe we could meld the look of the movie from publicity to end credits! As for people
"versatile"
VIKRAM IS EVER OPEN TO NEW IDEAS AND IS A PHOTOGRAPHER’S DREAM - FULLY COOPERATIVE. HE WORKED EXTRA-HARD ON THE SHOTS FOR KANTHASAMY. I THINK IT’S EASILY THE MOST DIFFERENT LOOKS WE DID FOR ONE PERSON FOR ONE MOVIE; FROM NEON FACE-PAINT TO A BEJEWELLED WOMAN TO AN OLD MAN TO A SUPERHERO. SOMETIMES, WE WOULDN’T RECOGNISE HIM WHEN HE WALKED UP WITH HIS MAKEUP ON! BE IT FROM THE TIME OF SAMURAI OR NOW, KANTHASWAMY, HIS SENSE OF HUMOUR AND HOW HE KEEPS US IN SPLITS HASN’T CHANGED!
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VIJAY and their portfolios, I thoroughly enjoy that too. It does not matter to me whether the person in front of my lens is an ordinary person like the rest of us, an accomplished member of the society or a star. Each has their
own silent statements to make with their personality, body language and philosophy of life. I remember, one of my most memorable shoots was for Sister Edith Tomory from Stella Maris College in Chennai. She was 80+ in age, surely, and could only walk with difficulty. And yet, there she was, brimming with enthusiasm and raring to shoot, 15 minutes earlier than scheduled time! Even when her aides advised
her not to climb a set of spiral stairs (I mentioned how lovely the perspective and lighting would be), she simply brushed them aside and slowly hobbled up. That picture, taken about 15 years ago, came out fantastic and still hangs on the wall of the college. This is what
"SILENT KILLER" VIJAY IS FULL OF SURPRISES. HE’S SO INTROVERTED AND SILENT OFF THE CAMERA, BUT ONCE HE’S IN FRONT OF IT, ITS LIKE WATCHING A TOTALLY DIFFERENT PERSON. HIS FACE COMES ALIVE WITH EMOTIONS! FROM AN ANGRY YOUNG MAN IN MADUREY TO A SOFT LOVERBOY IN SACHIEN, I’VE SEEN A GAMUT OF EXPRESSIONS AT PLAY IN HIS FACE.
G VENKET RAM I mean by saying that everyday people can be as interesting or photogenic as models and celebrities because what I try to bring out of them is their own quirky personality and not something superficial. When doing a movie shoot, it’s a challenge for me either in delivering a perfect shoot with what the director wants, if our mindsets
TRISHA are the same; or working around getting the director’s ideas on the look, adding my own sense of aesthetics and convincing them that THAT is what will set the shots apart from others. When doing an ad shoot, the urban sensibility that a lot of creative directors from ad agencies bring in helps in putting the look together really fast - they know what they want, the kind of styling, the kind of make-
up and location, etc. Here too, they look for input from me, perhaps I can suggest a better shot, a better place, sometimes even a model right off the street if that’s what will make that
"BOLd+BEAUTIFUL" I HAVE WATCHED TRISHA GROW INTO A CONFIDENT ACTRESS FOR A LONG TIME, FROM HER SCHOOL AND MODELLING DAYS. THE ONE THING THAT HASN’T CHANGED IS HER BOLDNESS IN DOING WHAT SHE IS COMFORTABLE DOING AND CRITIQUE FROM OUTSIDE DOESN’T FAZE HER. EVEN IN HER LATE TWENTIES, TODAY, SHE LOOKS AS FRESH AND YOUNG AS WHEN SHE STARTED OUT. YOU CAN SEE THAT IN HER DEWY SHOTS FROM LAYSA LAYSA OR BUBBLY ONES FROM BHEEMAA OR NOW, IN VINNAITHANDI VARUVAYA. FRESH!
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madhavan
"effervescent"
shoot perfect. For retailers with smaller budgets, I help them with hiring local stylists and other professionals and put together a shoot that’s easy on THEIR pockets. For people
- whether it is portfolios or portraits - it is a different kind of pleasure where I can hand-hold them through the entire process, ease their fears, show them what works for their face and personality best. The one thing that I absolutely don’t do is differentiate between these different types of shoots. Whether I am shooting for a multi-crore product or a famous film star or movie or a young aspiring model, the shoot itself is more important to me than anything else. Each one has
a different angle and treatment and not only is a challenge to deal to with totally different types of people; it is also a challenge to make each shoot have its own unique excellence and perspective. With
MADDY IS A CHAMELEON. LIVELY, FUN TO BE WITH AND FULL OF IDEAS, AND VERY QUICK WITH ON-CAMERA MOVEMENT. HE HAS A RANGE OF EXPRESSIONS, POSES AND HE LOVES THE CAMERA. HE IS A GOOD BALANCE - MINDSET AND LOOK-WISE BETWEEN ‘SOUTH INDIAN’ AND ‘BOLLYWOOD’. A JACK OF MANY TRADES, I HAVE SEEN WHAT HE CAN DO FROM HIS URBAN & STYLISH MAGAZINE SHOOTS TO MOVIES LIKE AYUTHA EZHUTHU.
G VENKET RAM a movie, I know that the publicity shoot is going to be splashed all over the place and people will get an image of the movie itself from these pictures. With a new model portfolio, I am in a way, entrusted with the task of kick-starting an aspirant’s career so he or she has to look her best. With someone from
Asin the mainstream society, I have to bring out their inner beauty and personality and show them that even they are loved by the camera. With an ad shoot, I have to make the visuals appealing enough for people to look at the imagery - be it on hoardings or in publication - and be impacted. The reason I do a lot of movie shoots is because there is a lot of role-play involved and this is one area where
I can experiment with different looks, characteristics and lighting. Suriya is a jock for his personal portfolio. In just a few months’ time, he is a suavely dressed hero of a
ASIN IS TOTALLY FOCUSSED ON THE DETAILS AND PERFECTION OF EACH SHOT, WHETHER IT IS FOR A FILM LIKE GHAJINI OR AN AD. SHE TAKES CARE THAT EVERY CLICK IS PERFECT - FROM THE WAY SHE LOOKS, HER EXPRESSIONS, EVERY STRAND OF HAIR IN PLACE, THE FITTING OF HER CLOTHES... IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SHORTLIST IMAGES AFTER AN ASIN SHOOT BECAUSE SHE TAKES EVERY SHOT AS IF IT IS ‘THE’ SHOT, SO THERE IS LITTLE NEED FOR TOUCH-UPS, REWORK OR EVEN DISCARDING A SHOT FOR A BETTER ONE!
"Perfectionist"
SHRIYA movie; and perhaps again, a charming village bumpkin. The versatility of a movie shoot is mindboggling. LIGHTING, MY LOVE: I don’t know whether
"feminine"
SHRIYA IS NOT AFRAID TO USE HER BODY FOR A SHOT. SHE IS GUTSY, GIVES VERY DANCELIKE GRACE AND FLOWING MOVEMENT AND IS NEVER STATIONARY! THE CAMERA LOVES HER AND SHE IS ALWAYS WILLING TO EXPERIMENT. YOU CAN SEE HER RANGE, BE IN JAGGUBHAI OR KANTHASWAMY...
to call it my forte or my obsession with it that translates into my work, but I have been fascinated by the sun and light ever since I wanted to be a photographer. It just boggles my mind that light can create moods and looks that, if channelled well, ensure that very little post-production or tone adjustment work is required. I have spent years studying light, not in a scientific but a most practical manner. At what time of the day, at what place is the sun at which angle. What streaks or ambience of light do we have at that
point? How do I capture that light into my camera? How will it look against a person’s face and body? Look at those golden rays streaming through trees. Look at the natural sepia light at a suddenly cloudy twilight hour. The one
G VENKET RAM thing I have worked at and learnt over the years is to use light to enhance every shot of mine. To me, the sun and its properties are more important than even my camera and high-tech equipment! Today, I can re-create a particular light effect inside a studio and you will not know that the shot has been taken inside. I have learnt exactly where to place what kind of lighting to create a particular ambience. With all due respect to the sun, there are times when we have even created perfectly super-sunny outdoors inside a set on a rainy day! Right after light, comes my love for faces and bodies. It is amazing how different people can be made to look. How it is possible to add a dash of enigma to even those who staunchly feel they have no personality worthy of being on camera. Actually, I am thinking, I would love to do this in a while, when I make a little more time for myself... shoot people and places for art and publish my work. There is a whole realm of beauty and artistry outside the commercial world and I want to capture it all. CREATING COMPETITION: Hahaha! Yes, I have had several aspiring photographers as my assistants in so many years. Some have left with great satisfaction at having worked with me and learnt from my work. Yes, they DO learn from me and not just camera skills, but also people and technical skills. But you must understand I have also learnt a lot from my assistants. We are artists and an artist cannot be boxed into any single age group
or mindset. We must be open to the pulse of the world around us and adapt our work to it. As I get older, I enjoy listening to my assistants - who are from their early- to late-twenties talk about THEIR kind of music, art, principles in life, priorities, loves, heartbreak... and I imbibe artistry from that. I am 40 years old, I can’t think like a 22-year old naturally. So my assistants show me what it is like to be in the 20s. Perhaps that is what separates the artists of the west from here. We slot ourselves - oh, he’s this old, how can he do this or wear that. There, you’ll find a 60+ guy disco dancing or going on hiking trips. They are younger than their age and that’s why their work evolves ever-fresh, all the time. My work has versatility because I don’t sit tight and comfortable in one realm and try to imbibe ideas from everywhere. I don’t read just photography books, I flip through art or cookery or homemaking books. It’s surprising how many ideas one can find in the most unconnected things! MY VISION: I don’t have a 5-year plan. I believe that if I treat every single project I have in hand as my ultimate project, my next 5 years will be automatically set when my work speaks for itself. I want to shoot, shoot,
shoot. I want to work with people from different platforms. I want to work more with people than products (even if it means having people IN products!). I want to publish my private work. I want my studio to be filled with young talent always - it keeps my thinking young too. But right now, I want to spend the day in the difficult task of choosing my best shots for this article - they’re ALL close to me and it is going to be a nightmare having to pick out just a few!! G C
MAMTHA MOHANDAS
"GO-GETTER"
SHE IS DEFINITELY ON THE A-LIST OF THE NEW BREED OF DETERMINED, CONFIDENT YOUNG ACTRESSES. SHE HAS A COMBINATION OF SEX APPEAL, FRESHNESS, GREAT SKIN TONE AND A FIT BODY. BUT HER MOST APPEALING FEATURES ARE HER BEAUTIFUL EYES AND SMILE.
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THE
PATRIOT
STAR OF THE MONTH
ARJUN
The pioneer of the six pack abs, he’s pretty much always been the hero with taut muscles, ready for some som action. He’s been around in cinema for 2 25 years, yet he has not aged a day! “I’ve alw always been very health-conscious. From eating healthy food to working out regularly, I’m quite disciplined. And on top of that, I try not to worry about things too much,” he asserts. a And with looks to vouch for it, you ca can’t question his methods! He’s sobered down now, but back in the days when he was still a novice, trying to find his footing in th this highly competitive field, he was quite th the angry young man. Though he
FAITHFUL DUTIFUL
“WHEN I STARTED OUT, I WAS IN MY LATE TEENS. I WAS FRESH OUT OF KARATE CLASS. I USED TO JESTINGLY SMACK ASSOCIATES ON THE SET. WHEN I TOLD MY FATHER I WANTED TO TRY MY LUCK IN TAMIL, HE MADE ME PROMISE I WOULD NOT HIT ANYBODY.”
DEDICATED
Action King Arjun is one such lucky person, which sort of explains why most of his movies, albeit action flicks, have social messa messages to convey. (He even has a fantastic tattoo of the Indian flag on his hand!) He’s played the honest cop and saved th the nation from a whole host of villains and conspiring terrorists. He’s been the revolutio revolutionary Chief Minister and even a Robin Hood of sorts. Arjun is always on top of the action action, always on the good side, always ready with a message to his fellow citizens to respect and rrevere their motherland.
is from Karnataka and started his career in Kannada (his debut film was Male Bantu Male), he found success in Tamil and Telugu films. “When I started out, I was in my late teens. I was fresh out of Karate class and thought I could bring down anyone. I used to jestingly smack associates on the set. So when I told my father (renowned Kannada actor, Shakti Prasad) I wanted to try my luck in Tamil, he made me promise I would not hit anybody,” he laughs. But ironically, and in spite of himself, action was and
CHARISMATIC
Astrologers say your date of birth has great significance in your character and destiny. So obviously for an Indefining you dian, being b born on 15th August just binds him inextricably country! It’s a matter of pride to be born on the same to the countr day that free freedom came to one’s country.
FAITHFUL DUTIFUL DEDICATED CHARISMATIC
continues to be his forte, hence the birth of Action King! “It makes me feel very macho when I’m called the Action King of Kollywood. However, it comes with much risk. But as always, there’s no gain without pain,” he smiles, and we can’t help but sense him flexing his muscles! Arjun’s movies with the flavour of patriotism started way back where he would play the protagonist (cop or not) who would risk his own life to save the nation from the evil of terrorism, Jai Hind for instance. “I’m proud to be an Indian. I love my country, and that’s not only because I was born on 15th August. I believe that one should always keep the greater good in mind. The greater good being the welfare of one’s homeland,” he says with great fervour. Adding, “Today’s youngsters are not selfish, but are too busy competing in their chosen fields, so they do not see what’s happening around them. They need to be constantly reminded about their responsibility to their country and the great leaders who won us our freedom. I have no political inclination, but my concern for my country and my fellow citizens is what is reflected in my movies.” The actor has often said that he holds his role in director Shankar’s Mudhalvan very close to his heart, primarily because of the hard-hitting decisions he made as the one day Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. “I don’t have any political aspirations. But I am concerned about the happenings in the country just like anyone else,” he insists. Adding, “To run a country or state, one requires vast knowledge. If an actor has it in him, then why not?” Besides his obvious loyalty to the country, another aspect about Arjun worth mentioning is his humility. He is very grounded – no airs, no pomp, no show. “Even today, I am struggling to survive as an actor. It’s a fact that I have been here for a long time. I started my career in 1984 and I’m still updating myself. Directing films is so creative and satisfying. I’m very content the way things are shaping up and am looking forward to accomplishing the many goals I set for myself,” says this actor, who has acted in movies in every South Indian language and Hindi too. No matter what he says, Arjun is amongst the few actors of his generation who give stiff competition (and inferiority complexes) to the new kids on the block. He still has a huge fan following and the Action King crown sits firmly on his head. “I do feel nice about this adulation. But there are so many others who are far better looking and talented,” he insists with all humility. And it’s this streak of humility that is intrinsic to actors of his talent and stature. An important facet of Arjun the actor is – his bubbling sense of humour. Along with Vadivelu and Goundamani, he has given some really unforgettable comic moments. “I may have the action tag on me, but what I love most is comedy. I enjoy watching and
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SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY AS DIRECTOR RELEASED: Sevagan Prathap Jai Hind Thaayin Manikodi Vedham Ezhumalai Parasuram Madrasi UPCOMING: He is working on a Hindi film AS ACTOR RELEASED: Gentleman Karna (in dual role) Jai Hind Kurudhipunal (Kamal Haasan did his make up for this movie) Kannodu Kanbathellam Mudhalvan (his biggest hit) Sudhandhiram Rhythm Vedham Hanuman Junction Marudhamalai (showed his comic side) Durai Bommalaattam UPCOMING: Maasi Aruvadai (titled Vande Mataram in Malayalam, his debut) Mei Kaan
“I HATE WORRYING ABOUT THINGS. I LIKE TO TAKE THINGS AS THEY COME. WHEN I’M AT WORK I GIVE IT MY BEST. I’M VERY SERIOUS ABOUT THAT, BUT I PREFER TO TAKE LIFE LIGHT-HEARTEDLY.”
Arjun is a passionate person – passionate about life, about his country, about his movies and about his family. He lost his brother recently and it his strength and grit that has kept the whole family together. Not one to be bogged down by failure or loss, he always jumps back into action. Unlike others, he’s not fighting for the top spot. He has his own kingdom, his own castle and his own loyal subjects; everything else is a bonus that he takes with a bow. “I’ve always been content with what I’ve had and never craved for material wealth of any kind. That’s why I’ve never felt frustrated. My talent and discipline are my assets. The few times I had to struggle initially, God had more than supported me. So there are no complaints from life whatsoever,” he says with a subtle smile. Did we hear you say ‘Long live the Action King’? We heartily concur. - Kaanchan B. For more news, interviews and interesting information about such talents who have made cinematic history with their body of work, simply log on to www.galatta.com
FAITHFUL DUTIFUL DEDICATED
While his career is dominated by action movies, one movie that stands out and apart is Vedham. Touching upon relationships, it was far removed from his usual style. “People often ask why I don’t do more realistic cinema. Well, I’ve tried. Vedham is about the trials and tribulations of a husband and wife. Commercially, that movie was a flop. But I have been told that the message of the movie has helped several couples get through a rough patch. In that sense, the movie was successful. But the point is that people come to the theatre to watch me fight. When someone else is investing in my movie, I want them to make some money. Action and stunts is what will do that. But the next movie I make with my own money will be like Vedham for sure,” he says. In fact, we hear that he is working on a similar script for a Bollywood movie.
CHARISMATIC
acting in hilarious sequences. And when the combination works out, there’s nothing like it,” he says! Flashes of his comedy combo with Vadivelu in Marudhamalai can put anyone in splits. And it’s not only when the camera starts rolling that Arjun can crack a joke. He may have those menacing biceps and menacing look from under his sweating eyebrows, but when he chooses, he displays a fine blend of wit and intelligent jokes. There’s always a child-like smile ready to peep out and a belly laughter waiting to erupt. “I hate worrying about things. I like to take things as they come. When I’m at work I give it my best. I’m very serious about that, but I prefer to take life light-heartedly,” he says.
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It’s a season of fresh faces. Debutante directors with medium budget movies starring a new set of actors – that’s the trend that’s got a firm, hold of cinema. But it can’t be quite that simple to get heard or seen, now can it?
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These upcoming makers of celluloid magic get chatty with Kaanchan B., eager to share their experiences with cinema.
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Jeevan for GNABAGANGAL Talking to Jeevan, the director-cum-cinematographer of the bitter sweet drama Gnabagangal, one can sense the anxiety of a debutante. More so because Gnabagangal is not his first movie. Jeevan has completed the movie Mayil for Duet Movies, and waits with bated breath for his baby to see the light of day. “Gnabagangal is not my brainchild. The story is not mine, but nevertheless, I put in immense effort to make the movie. But audiences and even I, will know my true worth only when Mayil releases,” he says. For Jeevan more difficult than getting a producer is marketing one’s movie or making some business with it. “Nothing is easy about cinema. It might seem easy to make a film, but it does not end there. The really hardship is marketing it. Releasing it,” and he should know. But that does not put him off. He has ideas abrew in his head, and can’t wait to get started. “Realistic cinema is the trend now. In fact it’s always been makers of realistic stories who have been lauded. I will follow in that path,” he asserts and we hope that he meets success along the way, and not at the end.
Srinath for MUTTHIRAI Even before he went behind the camera, Srinath has landed himself a space in tinselville. As associate to the late Jeeva, Srinath not only helped off screen, but also played comedy parts in all of Jeeva’s movies. He loves acting, but direction has always been his dream. While most new directors remember how they struggled to get their first break, for Srinath the opportunity came knocking! “I was getting a number of acting offer! I think I passed up five acting offers to work on Mutthirai, because I knew that ultimately, direction was my passion,” he says. Mutthirai is a pacey action flick, with a bunch of twists. But now is the season of rustic movies and realistic stories. “I’m through and through a city-bred boy. I don’t think I will make a movie set in a village. I want to make a city-based movie with a very realistic story – one which everyone can connect with. No build ups. Nice normal story which plays with emotions,” he says. Like his mentor he too would love to introduce new faces. “If the script demands it, I would use fresh talent. One of the main things about new faces, is they have no baggage. I can write my script and choose characters that fit the story. But if I want to direct Ajith of Vijay, I will have to create a story around them.” Village stories aside, another big thing in cinema today is remaking a movie. Srinath does not see this as detrimental to the standard of cinema, at least for as long as not every movie that is made is a remake. “If hundred films are made and twenty of them are remakes, there is no need for worry. If 90 of those hundred were remakes, then one can worry that creativity had stagnated. Even when one remakes a movie, there is an element of originality in it. It’s all about taking something and making it your own. Giving it your own ideas,” he opines. But for now Srinath is focussing on squeezing his brains dry and coming up with original scripts. In fact he has at hand a commercial flick and a lovely romance, and is wondering which to shoot first! Lots of new film makers, each vying to make a difference and each aching to rise above the rest. Let them do the thinking, while you and I just sit back and enjoy! Bring it on champs!
Anitha Udeep for KULIR 1000 It’s often believed that for a woman to make a mark, behind the camera, the odds are piled up against her. Not for Anita Udheep, director of Kulir. “If you ask me, I’d say it’s all in the mind. Cinema is a gamble, irrespective of your sex,” she says. Anita has a Masters in film making from LA and even worked with Stephen Spielberg, so what is she doing in Kollywood? “This is where I grew up. This is what I relate to. Since I’ve produced my movie, my biggest difficulty was coming here and tuning into the pulse of the audience. It was not a difficulty, but more like ground work,” she explains. And how far did that pay off with Kulir? “I did a lot of research for Kulir. It’s a completely original script. It’s my thought. And what I’ve seen is that there are those who absolutely loved it. And those who just did not! You’ve just got to take both and move on. I feel like I’ve established myself as a director with promise and that’s a good place to start with,” she asserts. Anita’s next movie is a rural subject, a contrast to what she’s done till now. “It’s not just for the sake of being different. But trying new things is what excites me, and it’s that which motivates me,” she adds.
Pandiraj for PASANGA What would you do if you had a story that was rejected by 12 different people over the course of three tedious years? Pack your bags and head back home, right? Well, not director Pandiraj! How does one take rejection in his stride? “Getting a break in cinema is a long wait for many. I am one of that lot. What kept me going was the confidence in my story. When I narrated the story of Pasanga to a bunch of kids in my home town, they enjoyed it. They laughed and had fun, and that was enough for me to believe in my story. Whenever a producer rejected my story, I would think, he did not understand my story and move on,” he says quite calmly. “I am happy with the success of my movie. But like any creative person I have a few regrets. I wish we had toned down some of the commercial elements,” he adds after a moment’s thought. Pandiraj is not one to go tipsy over his success. On the contrary he is now more cautious than before. “When Pasanga was awaiting release, nobody knew me. There was not much pressure and little hype. But now that my movie was a success, I feel the pressure of it. When my next movie is ready for release people will want to see what I have done this time. It’s a little scary,” he admits. But that’s not the only impact success has had on him. He’s already got two completed scripts in hand, that if made into movies, he is rock sure will be super hits. But the success of Pasanga has made him rethink. “Pasanga has proved to me that you don’t need a popular star cast to taste success. You need a good story, properly packaged and delivered to the audience. The audience are willing to support a well made film, irrespective of the size of the budget or the star value. This is a lesson I will never forget,” he asserts. In his next movie he will take us back to the village and tell us a moving story, he promises, and we sure hope he sticks to it!
Rajamohan for KPKP Directing was not his dream, but his late brother’s. When he passed away, Rajamohan decided to pick up from where my brother left off. This is not exactly the story you hear from a director. We always have them tell us how passionate they were about cinema that they left their small town for the big bad city, and about the struggle that ensued. Rajamohan had the struggle and has the passion, but it was bequeathed by his brother. “I came here to fulfill my brother’s dream. And the passion for cinema naturally took over. After years of working as an associate director, I was ready to make my own movie, but nobody was willing to invest in me,” he reflects. But S.P. Charan, looking for some fresh blood, was more than willing to listen. “I am greatly indebted to S.P. Charan. At a time when nobody cared to listen, nobody took me seriously, he was ready to produce my movie. That alone was enough to give me confidence,” he adds. And while KPKP met with lukewarm response at the box office, Rajamohan is not letting that weigh him down. “Cinema is a risky business. You just have to take the risk to find where you stand,” are his wise words.
Rohan for PATTALAM Many young dreamers these days hope for a chance to make movies that break the mould - they don’t want to get slotted. Rohan is most certainly one such young dreamer. His debut film Pattalam fulfilled his dream, but not quite in the way he had imagined. “I was looking for an opportunity to direct. Then Vijay TV’s Kanakaanum Kaalangal came my way. Director Lingusamy was impressed with it and suggested I make a movie about school kids,” he says. In retrospect, does he think it was the wrong debut? “Not at all. I am disappointed for two reasons. One, we had expected a bigger opening. People have seen my movie, but not in theatres. That’s what caused the poor showing. Reason two, I’m overly critical of myself. When director Lingusamy saw the movie, he congratulated me. But I quite frankly told him there was much about it that I was disappointed about,” he admits. But Rohan has a lot of faith in himself and in the changing scene in Tamil cinema. “In Hollywood, one can make a movie on any subject. It does not have to be a mainstream movie to be a hit. And now, with the success of low budget movies in Tamil, the opportunity for innovation is immense. I strongly believe that people have opened their minds to out-of-the-box ideas. And with corporate and foreign production houses coming on the scene, there is a lot of scope for fresh talent like me,” he says with a happy ring in his voice. “I’m working overtime on a script that will have all the elements of entertainment and a proper element of suspense, that’s going to hold audience attention. It will be something completely different,” he promises. We’ll take his word on that! To be continued...
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CELEBRATING
A LIVING
LEGEND KAMAL HAASAN by RANDOR GUY GALATTA CINEMA | AUG 2009 73
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No other actor can claim to have such a wide variety of roles as Padmashree Kamal Haasan. Galatta Cinema salutes the versatile actor who completes 50 years in the film industry this month. Starting at the age of 4, Kamal Haasan has etched a name for himself as one of the best actors in India today. A peek into some of his on screen roles.
AVVAI SHANMUGI
WITH MADHAVAN IN ANBE SIVAM
NAYAGAN
WITH KAMALINEE IN VETTAIYAADU VILAYAADU
AALAVANDHAAN
A NEW DAWN IN TAMIL CINEMA
WITH SIVAJI GANESAN IN THEVAR MAGAN
MUMBAI EXPRESS
DASAVATHAARAM
WITH YUGISETHU,JAYARAM, SRIMAN AND RAMESH ARAVIND IN PANCHATHANTHIRAM
During August 1960, a historic event took place in Tamil cinema with the release of Kalathur Kannamma. Produced by Av. Meiyappan, M. Kumaran and Arun Veerappan, and directed by successful filmmaker A. Bhim Singh, it was written by Javert Seetharaman, adapting an English play which dealt with husband-wife relations and the plight of their child. Playing the kid’s role, a new star rose on the movie horizon, a cherubic handsome little boy named Kamala Hasan who stole the hearts of all who saw the movie or even heard about it. This was the debut of the soon-to-blossom forth multilingual multi-talented movie personality who renamed himself Kamal Haasan. He played the role of a boy who grows up in an orphanage; ‘Ammavum neeye, appavum neeye’, a prayer song filmed on him (music: R. Sudharsanam; voice: well-known ‘baby voice’ playback singer M.R. Rajeswari. She is the daughter of a noted yesteryears actress T.V. Rajasundari Bai.) The song, with much meaning, captivating melody, and the manner in which it was picturised, evoked sympathy and elevated the newcomer to overnight fame and name. Not surprisingly, the film ran for 100 days, thanks to the newcomer. Reviewing it in the now sadly defunct movie magazine Movieland, its editor K. Vasudevan wrote in glorious terms about the debut of the charismatic boy, glowingly predicting a great future, which came true soon after. Besides KH, the film also had Gemini Ganesh, Savithri, Devika, T.S. Balaiah, Asokan, S.V. Subbaiah, L. Vijayalakshmi and Manorama, but folks remember only Kamala Hasan whose name has become inseparably associated with Kalathur Kannamma. (Not many are aware that Kamal was introduced in this film by T. Prakasha Rao, famed multi-lingual moviemaker [Padagotti. Utthamaputhran. Maathar Kula Manickam. Engalalum Mudiyum (written by this writer) Charanadasi (Telugu)., Sasural (Hindi)], who also directed a good part of Kalathur Kannamma. For some reasons, he opted out of the film after more than half was completed and Bhim Singh took over. (Prakasha Rao told this writer that in a magnanimous gesture, Bhim Singh offered to put his name (Rao) in the credits, but Prakasha Rao refused and of course, Bhim Singh’s name appeared in the credits.) He played another little boy’s role in an MGR-Devika starrer Anandajyothi directed by A.S.A. Sami and V.N. Reddi. As he grew into a handsome young man, he played the role of a teenager in a controversial movie Unarchigal, in which he was featured with Srividya. The story of a naïve but sexually mature boy contracting STD, this film ran into Censor problems, and few remember it today. He came with a bang in K. Balachandar’s Arangetram (1973) and it will be no exaggeration to say that he never looked back. Indeed, he went on to conquer new peaks of success in Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi cinema. Some of his unforgettable films in these languages are Maro Charitra, Ek Duje Ke Liye, Sagara Sangamam, Vishnu Vijayam and many more. Nayagan, inspired by The Godfather, elevated him even higher. Besides acting, he learnt the ropes of screen writing, choreography, direction and production and displayed his expertise in all these fields in movies which are too numerous to mention. In spite of his success, some critics and well-wishers feel that he has not yet tapped the enormous potential still brimming inside him. He is still young and may be the ensuing years will witness fresh blossoming and more talents.
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SURIYA Salute the brave hero who risked his life to save the nation he pledged his life and loyalties to when he pinned on the badge and the stars... There’s more to a soldier’s uniform than the grade and the stars. Agreed, a man in uniform has an element of sex appeal, but that’s not the only point. There are the obvious traits of courage, selflessness, dedication and above all patriotism – which are way more powerful and attractive than the bulge in his trousers. And when it comes to cinema, a portrayal of the honest policeman or the disciplined army officer is always idealistic. He loves his family, but loves his country more. He will not think twice before walking into the line of fire if it would give his countrymen a chance at survival, not stopping for a moment to think about the waiting wife, praying mother and innocent children back home. Once you take the pledge, you are no more a family man; you are bound for life to the welfare of your country. Some of our favourite actors became popular thanks to their bold and honest portrayals of officers serving the country, be it the cop in a police station or the brave soldier at the border. Some actors for whom the police uniform has
SARATH KUMAR
MOHANLAL become a second skin include Arjun, Sarathkumar and Vijaykanth. They’ve played the righteous and non-corrupt cop so often and so well, that in reality too they are expected to exhibit such heroic traits. It’s not that they are expected to jump off a jet, hop from roof to roof, follow and capture the baddies. But the public does expect them to be good honest people in real life; anything else would be hypocrisy. How many times have we watched Arjun create a snare to trap some vile terrorists? Do we ever tire of the angry cop in Sarathkumar ready to burst through iron doors to get his hands on conniving crooks? Don’t we enjoy seeing Vijaykanth attacking the adversaries of peace, knocking them over with his punch dialogues and heavy blows? The Hrithik starrer Krrish was NOT the first ever ‘super hero’ movie in India. Our celluloid cops and soldiers are cape-less super heroes. There is no bomb that can blast them, no bullet that can penetrate their bodies. Though these super heroic traits are often criticized for being non-realistic, the truth is – this is acceptable in Indian films where logic goes on a holiday. So what if Narasimha is electrocuted? He still survives! Good has to triumph, at least in cinema! And these actors live the role. If there are two careers that everyone idolizes and wishes to follow at some point of his life, it is being an actor and being a cop. So when you’re an actor and asked to play a cop, that’s a double bonus! When Arjun pumps bullets at the villain, we don’t count the bullets (or wonder why he did not run out of bullets); for those few minutes, we forget he’s our dear Action King enacting a role – we empathize with the brave hero!
VISHAL
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In recent cinema, there have been three cops who have made a strong impact on audiences. They are ACP Anbuchelvan, Aarusaami and Raghavan. Anubuchelvan is every distressed damsel’s knight in shining armour, even though he could not save his own. He brought uber-cool to the cine cop. His style, his attitude, his personality and his ability – all too good to be true, indeed! Aarusaami is not exactly your ideal cop; he’s the seasoned and experienced fellow, who has mastered the art of tricking the trickster – he knows the acts the baddie could pull, and pulls one over him instead! “I’m not a cop. I’m a rogue,” he announced and had everyone enraptured from there on. Then there is Raghavan. He’s a ladies’ man, but the baddies better watch out. Raghavan also has the killer instinct; he knows when you’ve been bad and he knows where you are. The Raghavan instinct, remember?
Joining the Filmi Police Academy quite recently was Puratchi Thalapathy Vishal. Forget how the movie fared at the box office; let’s focus on Vishal as ACP Satyam. He’s everything his predecessors were: honest, brave and determined to get the bad guys. But the most impressive part of his portrayal was the immense effort he put in, even chiselling his body to perfection. We’ve all seen real cops, and then we saw Vishal. Satyam was one mean machine, built to kill! The six pack abs, the close hair cut, the bold gait and the angry glare all came together in him. If only he was a real cop!! Arjun almost was! Did you know that Arjun was quite determined to join the Police? He even went through Police training! Wow! Well, these celluloid cops are idealistic representations of the real deal. In an ideal world, every man in the force could be any one of the above heroes. Our stars are sending out a message: This is how we expect the protectors of law and order to be. Do they get it, though? Female stars are not far behind; dressed to kill in Police uniforms, they have uniformly kicked, killed and maimed baddies. Look forward to an article on these killer ladies coming soon in another issue of Galatta Cinema. - Kaanchan B.
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FREE SPIRITS
RADIKAA
She is truly a queen. Mother, wife, producer, actor, socialite, social worker, politician and complete woman, Radikaa Sarath Kumar has been there, done that and is a force to reckon with. People around her are either terrified of her or nervous, at least, of her sharp mind and sharper tongue. Some consider her haughty and some consider her dominating. But the fact of the matter is, she has always been a bold and confident person and in this difficult industry, it takes one such woman to make it to the top. She is an excellent actress. She is a dedicated boss. She takes risks that others use as a learning medium for their own success. She is a good mother, a patient and supportive wife and age or “image” no bar, she has jumped headlong into the field of politics and social service. Her credentials are not what we want to talk about - long and awe-inspiring though they are - but her personality, her strength and determination to rise above negativity is truly admirable. From simple everyday traits (she returns calls promptly, is very clear with her words and commitments and works as hard as you or I at her shoot or in her office) to having the confidence to make calculated business risks to having the courage to learn from failures to juggling work- and mommy duties, Radikaa is quite something else. Behind that veneer or arched eyebrows and wide force field is a woman who has seen her share of failed relationships, gutted projects and frequent sexism. She doesn’t let these stop her from being a fine human being. She is a premier face of the free Indian woman. b
If there’s someone who can match Radikaa in sharpness of mind and tongue, it is Sripriya. From a fabulous, sexy actress of the yesteryears, who has even started the television soap cult with Chinna Paapa Periya Paapa, Sripriya has never settled for mediocrity or oblivion. No fading away into the backdrop after marriage - she is still a socialite and public figure. No spoilt children - her children are loved AND disciplined. And certainly, no putting a fullstop to her creativity or wellspring of ideas. Today, Sripriya is not only an eloquent speaker in multiple languages, she is a budding artist and her own creative manner, an entrepreneur.
KHUSHBU like Khushbu. A shy, pretty girl from up North entered There are few quite lik the Southern world and even today continues to take the industry by storm. Temples have been built for her and the masses adore her eternal beauty even today. But she didn’t turn into the traditional stay-at-home mom. She, inspired by her daughters whom she dotes upon, started a production house for movies and television programmes, groomed herself into as lovely a human being as she is a businesswoman and has made a name for herself few men can beat! And even today, she is still the regular mom who attends her kids’ school functions and gets hands-on in raising them as independent young women.
SRIPRIYA
In this country of contrasts, where goddesses inhabit prayer areas but ordinary women are discriminated against, it would not be just if we spoke of our state of independence in the 21st century but didn’t speak of women who swam against strong currents and proved - in big or small ways - that they too are capable, fabulous multi-taskers and still have the power and determination to chase dreams and even catch some of them! Since our niche is movies, let’s look at some wonderful icons of this industry and what makes them examples of strong, dignified and graceful women...
LISSY PRIYADARSHAN
She may be married to a hot-shot director who has worked with the top stars of South Indian and Hindi cinema, but Lissy Priyadarshan is a vivacious force of her own. Ultimate socialite, fabulous mom, great fun-lover and under all that bubbling enthusiasm and dry wit, she is a good friend and wall of support to those who need it. What we love about Lissy is that, after her years as an actress, she did not lose her love for life and people after donning mantle of wife and mother. She is even more enjoyable to be with than several youngsters of today and armed with the extra confidence of experience and age, even a few minutes with Lissy is definitely a memorable experience. Her bubbly spirit does not prevent her from fighting for what she believes in and it is heartening to see that her long battle with the controversy around an establishment that she and her husband have toiled for, has finally been won and justice prevailed on her side of truth. A charming hostess, a flamboyant socialite, a great friend, a compassionate human being, a beautiful lady, an incorrigible woman and in every sense of the word, a free spirit.
Perhaps, in this lifetime or the next, we may not be able to find a woman as worthy of obeisance and admiration like Dr. Vijayanthi Mala Bali. Grace, wisdom and indomitable spirit has always been part of her life and her austerity, far from being a barrier, has only increased the god-like aura she carries around her. She has been a top actress of her time. A time when the movie profession was looked down upon as immoral. She is an exponent of ancient Bharatnatyam and is a traditionalist with this art form - again, from the time such an art from was considered immoral. Then, she disciplined herself to put her all into being a wonderful wife and mother and then, continued to excel at this art that has always been her true passion. With discipline, elegance, determination and the philosophy that with dance, she was that much closer to God. No mediocrity for this grand lady - international awards, accolades and admiration follow her work doggedly. No hiding behind her age or experience - even today, she practices from the break of dawn until whenever her spirit is satisfied for a performance. No letting herself go to luxuries of the world her eating habits are strict and austere. No adopting foreign conveniences - she is still very much traditional South Indian women. Truly, this is a goddess.
VIJAYANTHI MALA BALI
GAUTHAMI
She is the picture of grace and sophistication. Gauthami, to her friends, is an intelligent, compassionate and steadfast companion who instils calm and quiet confidence into any situation. She has seen a broken marriage. She is breaking the norms to follow her relationship with her heart. She has grown from being an actress to a management expert with her film productions. She supports art and humanitarian projects. Through all this, she strives to raise her daughters with principles like hers - elegance, grace, compassion and nobility. She says it has come from her family, who didn’t try to push her into boxes of what society would like a woman to be, but to follow her heart as long as her heart made her and others around her happy. If it is good to yourself, if it is good to even a few people around you and if it doesn’t hurt anyone, don’t worry about norms and prejudices - follow your heart, they said to her. And so she did. Like an ocean of calm around a swirling vortex of sensationalism and tabloidism, she continues to lead her life and be and example to the young women in her life - Shruthi Haasan included by showing them the path of principles, truth, discretion and dignity.
DOM
FR EE
Madhushree’s fave patriotic song is closer to her heart because – she has sung it! Padma Bhushan Sardar Anjum’s lyrics have been set to tune by Robby Badal, who also composed tracks for her earlier album Lagi Lagaan. And Madhushree joins Sukhwinder Singh for a patriotically inclined single titled ‘Jaago re’. Releasing on August 15th, 2009, with the aim of creating national awareness, Madhu and team hope this song will soon be the fave of all who listen to it!
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HRE HUS D A M H REA AND Andreah Jeremiah simply says, “Until a few years ago, the restless young didn’t find patriotism and nationalism ‘cool’. Then along came people like Bharatbala and A.R. Rahman, who suddenly turned an old tune like ‘Vande Mataram’ into something larger than life, something to feel the power from within. And India became as fabulous a place to live in, with opportunities and enough commercialism for the young, and slowly, no one wanted to LEAVE India!”
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CHINMAYI KRISH
Chimayi does not need to give the subject too much thought; she has her picks on her fingertips. “I simply love A.R. Rahman’s ‘Vande Mataram’. When the album released, the song became a cult hit. ARR must be credited with having brought our national song to the notice of everybody. I’m sure everyone who has heard the song enjoys it and feels a sense of pride. Another song I think very inspiring is ‘Vaishnava Jayathu’. I sure hope I will get a chance to sing a truly patriotic number.”
For Krish, the pick is pretty easy. “Well, like many others I too love A.R. Rahman’s ‘Vande Mataram’. But my all-time favourite patriotic song is our very own national anthem. Every time I sing it, my chest swells with pride. I don’t know when I learnt it but I know it by heart and every time it needs to be sung, I sing it with absolute zeal!”
NARESH IYER
Naresh Iyer goes for an old Hindi number sung by Hemant Kumar. “It goes ‘Aye Mere Pyare Watan, Aye Mere Bichchade Chaman, Tujhpe Dil Qurban’. Thinking of the song alone gives me goosebumps. It’s a wonderful song with great lyrics and rendered very well. It inspires you, makes you stop and think about your country and what you’re doing for it.”
“On a scale of 1 to 10, I score 11 when it comes to patriotism,” quips Suchitra. “And that’s why it’s quite hard for a so-called patriotic number to move me. The one song that truly moves me is the theme song of Swades composed by A.R. Rahman. The simplicity, honesty and purity in the lyrics never fail to bring a tear to my eye whenever I listen to it.”
TO MY
COUNTRY There are songs that sing to your heart, some that stir your soul, but a very few that inspire you to be a better person, to respect your motherland and revere the leaders whose struggle brought freedom to the nation. What tracks have inspired the crop of young singers in tinselville? - Kaanchan B.
SUCHITRA Benny Dayal, with a very melodic lilt in his voice says, without a moment’s thought, that his favourite song is the national song, Vande Mataram. “I love the original song, free of flounces but crammed with feeling. And I love what A.R. Rahman converted it to. Patriotism is not just for the oldies who were around when India won her freedom. Rahman’s Vande Mataram made even the so-called uncaring youngsters take notice,” he says.
BENNY DAYAL
ODE
Harish Raghavendra, whose big break came in the Tamil biopic Bharathi, picks his favourite patriotic song from the same movie. “The rendition of ‘Vande Mataram’ in Bharathi is my favourite song. We’ve all heard ‘Vande Mataram’ and even sung it at some point. But what is quite moving about this particular version is the voice and the picturization. I like watching the video with Bharathiyar rebelling against the English in his own way, through cartoons. It’s quite an innovative way of putting it.”
HARISH RAGHAVENDRA
TRIBUTE
T
he world is yet to come to terms with the demise of Michael Jackson. It’s hard to believe that the King of Pop is no more. He may have lived in a shell for the last few years of his life, but for his fans, there was always hope he would come out and rock their world again. And that almost happened, with his final stage show only days from happening. But Fate closed in on him, leaving a void in the hearts of millions across the world. When he heard the tragic news, Prabhu Deva (fondly called the Michael Jackson of India) said, “Michael Jackson was my mentor. When I watched his Thriller video, I was mesmerized by his moves. That song made me want to be a dancer. I grew up watching his dance and copying his steps. Even today, when I choreograph for songs or when I am just dancing at home, without my knowledge, MJ’s steps seep in. It’s really heart-breaking to think that my hero is no more.” A.R. Rahman, who met MJ soon after receiving his Oscars, found it hard to find words to express his shock and sorrow. “I am shocked at the untimely passing away of Michael Jackson, one of the greatest musicians of our time. For most of our generation, MJ was an icon who made uncompromising music. He pushed the Pop music genre to unbelievable levels through the 80s and 90s. I am yet to find an artist with that energy, perfection and vision,” he said. Adding, “I hope all of us value people’s existence more and respect them when they are alive. LIFE IS SHORT...! Artists and their art live forever. We love you for your music, regardless of all the controversies!”
MOURNING
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Actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi, who is considered one of the best dancers in Tollywood, admits that he too was greatly inspired by MJ and grief stricken when he heard of Michael’s passing. “I was shocked to know about his sudden demise though I knew he was ill. I was amazed when I saw his intricate moves in Beat It. Later, I was inspired by Thriller. I incorporated the steps in some of my Telugu films. Though it took a lot of time to imitate his movements, the outcome was great. I kept track of his albums and tried to incorporate some of his movements in my dances... His death is a great loss to the music world.” While controversies continue to shroud him, he has moved on to a better place. May his soul rest in peace and his music live on, forever!
A.R. RAHMAN PIC COURTESY: AKIN AWORAN
PRABHU DEVA
CHIRANJEEVI
STARRY EYED
BREATH DEEPIKA PADUKONE
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his Mangalorean babe who was born in Copenhagen and grew up in Bangalore is now ruling the roost in Mumbai! That’s the way with life; you never know what lies in store! Being the daughter of international badminton player Prakash Padukone, she probably believed that a sports career was her destiny. But the spotlight has its way of finding some of the prettiest faces and the best talents, even where nobody is looking! Deepika went from being a state level badminton champ to an aspiring model and then a hot favourite in Bollywood. She even starred in a Himesh Reshammiya music video. Her acting debut was a Kannada movie opposite Upendra, but it was in the Shahrukh Khan starrer Om Shanti Om that she was truly discovered. The entire nation took notice of this tall, tanned beauty with a killer smile and a lot of promise. Look at her here in her designer garb and with a Tissot Generosi-T adorning her wrist, who wouldn’t want a piece of her? What we know about her is what we see of her on screen. “I’m a shy person. I contradict my own profession, because I’m an introvert. I guess I’ve got a lot of values from my parents. It’s a dream world of interviews, travelling, meeting people – I’m loving it all. When I’m not working, I chill out with friends or fly home to my parents in Bangalore. It calms me.” But for a shy girl, Deepika is pretty honest about her personal life. She wears her heart on her sleeve, and has no issues showing the world her affection for Ranbir Kapoor, her co-star in Bachna Ae Haseeno. In spite of the constant media speculation about her relationship and her alleged possessiveness, Deepika always smiles when asked about her romantic life. “Initially, whenever Ranbir and I met, the media would have something to say. After some time, we drifted apart because we both got busy with work. But soon, we realized that we are compatible and in love,” she revealed in an interview. And like her personal life, her professional side is also seeing smooth sailing. With her choice of movies, she’s now considered a force to reckon with in Bollywood. Her most recent offering, Love Aaj Kal opposite Saif Ali Khan, has taken her one step further to the top spot and she’s not complaining one bit! Nor are we! PIC COURTESY: TISSOT WATCHES
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TAKERS MEGAN FOX
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he is super sexy, completely comfortable with her sexitude, yet totally grounded. And she has no qualms about speaking her mind. Megan has always had her heart set on Hollywood. She took an acting course at age 5! But that does not mean she had it easy – not even with a body like hers! “When I moved to LA, I had no money. Even the most ordinary things were a luxury for me!” she recalls. Then in 2001, Megan finally made it. She debuted in Holiday in the Sun. “I grew up craving the spotlight and once it happened, I immediately recoiled. As a child, you think everyone who’s famous is wealthy and powerful. I thought I would be this really confident person. And I’m not,” she says, which is quite hard to believe. Small roles here and there, a few TV series to her credit, and Megan was making steady progress. But landing the lead in Michael Bay’s Transformers – transformed her. Megan has often caught the attention of the media for the many tattoos she sports – interesting to look at, interestingly placed! She has eight tattoos in all. A five pointed star and crescent moon on her right ankle, the Chinese word for strength on her neck, her ex-boyfriend’s name on her hip, Marilyn Monroe’s face on her right forearm, ‘We will all laugh at gilded butterflies’ a line adapted from Shakespeare’s play King Lear on her right shoulder, a yin and yang on her left inner wrist and a poem on the left side of her rib cage that reads ‘There once was a little girl who never knew love until a boy broke her heart.’ She plans to get one more! What we love most about her is that she is fully aware of who she is and refuses to be anyone else. “If your idea of a role model is somebody who’s gonna preach to your kids that sex before marriage is wrong and cursing is wrong and women should be this and be that, then I’m not a role model. But if you want your girls to feel strong and intelligent and be outspoken and fight for what they think is right, then I want to be that type of role model, yeah,” she says. Now that’s what we call a powerful woman! Log on to www.galatta.com to download the hottest and most sizzling stills and wallpapers of Bollywood and Bollywood actresses.
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NE CO R Hollywood star and heartthrob of millions around the world, Matt Damon was in Chennai recently! The actor was on a goodwill tour to India and was in Chennai to take part in a water project. Matt Damon is part of several causes, one of them being the H2O Africa Foundation, which is engaged in providing clean water to interior regions of Africa. He plans to start something similar to the H2O initiative in India. He said he was happy to be a part of this project and excited to be in India.
PIC COURTESY: AKIN AWORAN
Two Oscars and the world has started to see in A.R. Rahman what we saw more than a decade ago. The Middlesex University, London conferred ARR with an honorary doctorate. The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Michael Driscoll presented the doctorate. But that was not all. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Rahman’s KM Music Conservatory in Chennai and the University, which focuses on educational collaboration between India and the UK. “It is an enormous honour to belong to this great seat of learning. My journey as a musician started at age nine and I see music as a way to connect to spirituality and embrace it. Music touches people and breaks down barriers, creating harmony in troubled times. This has always been my philosophy,” Rahman said while receiving the honour.
AS AL
Ajith’s magnum opus has made headlines even before it’s release. In the latest agreement signed between the Indo-Russian Chanber of Commerce and Industries and Russian Union of Cinematography, South Indian films will be dubbed in Russian and be screened in Russia. Asal is the first film that will release simultaneously in Russia! Ajith and the entire team of Asal are truly upbeat and very excited about it. This agreement will bring together artists from both the countries and encourage mutual understanding of each other’s culture. Ajith is now busy shooting for Asal, directed by Saran, in Malaysia.
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Vaaranam Aayiram, Ayan, soon Adhavan and later Singam. Suriya is on a success wave with not only big projects but also challenging and variety of roles. He has also taken the Bollywood plunge with Ram Gopal Varma’s film Raktha Charithra. But the talk of the town is the news that Suriya may team up with director Murugadoss once again. The duo along with Harris Jayaraj gave the superhit Ghajini that inspired even Aamir Khan to remake it in Hindi and it turned out to be one of the biggest hits in the history of Indian cinema. So if the news is true, it would indeed be wonderful to see the Suriya-Harris-Murugadoss magic once again.
Published by T.S.P. Shanmuga Raja on behalf of Dot Com Infoway Limited from “GNG House”, K-48, Anna Nagar East, Chennai – 600 102 and printed by B. Ashok Kumar at Rathna Offset Printers, 40, Peters Road, Royapettah, Chennai – 600 014. Editor – Shakthi Girish RNI No.TNENG/200721243, Postal Registration No. TN/CCN/310/07-09
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