BANK ON THE LAUGHS-Inspector Garud (R)

20 TIME OUT The Gulf Today / Thursday, February 22, 2007

BANK ON THE LAUGHS
DILEEP AND JOHNNY ANTONY HAVE COME UP WITH ANOTHER ENTERTAINER WITH 'INSPECTOR GARUD,' WRITES KK MOIDU

Starring: Dileep, Kavya
Madhavan, Vijayaraghavan,
Innocent, Salim Kumar,
Cochin Haneefa, Aiswarya,
Suja Karthika, Urmila Unni,
Harisree Ashokan, Anand and
Lalu Alex.
Director: Johnny Antony
Producer: Milan Jaleel
Lyrics: Vayalar Sarathchandra
Varma
Music: Alex Paul
Editing: Ranjan Abraham
Cinematography: P. Sukumar
Story, Screenplay and
Dialogue: Udayakrishna-Sibi
K Thomas.
REVIEW




Director Johnny Antony
and Dileep together
have given superhits
like CID Moosa and
Kochi Raajavu in the
past. Inspector Garudu is the director-
actor duo's third film and as
expected they don't disappoint, that
is if you are not expecting much
more than a routine comedy.
Dileep's career graph has been on
the downswing of late, with movies
like Don and Chakkaramuthu getting
the thumbs down at the box
office. But with this one he seems to
have regained his status as a crowdpulling
star. In this year's hit movie,
Inspector Garud, the actor essays
the role of a corrupt Circle Inspector
Madhavankutty aka Garud.
Madhavankutty (Dileep) joins
the Kerala Police force as a subinspector
through the back door by
paying 1.5 million as bribe. Within
three months of service he is promoted
as Circle Inspector. Moneyminded,
Madhavankutty has an
eagle's eye for opportunities to make
a fast buck. Hence the nickname
Garud meaning eagle.
The plot, typical of Johnny
Antony films, is easy to follow even
for kids. Agang of terrorists based
in Mumbai unloads a cache of
weapons in Cochin, fearing trouble
in Chennai. Karaikudi Arumughan
Palaniappa Chettiyar
(Vijayaraghavan) helps the terrorists
to hide the weapons in a busy market
in Cochin and entrusts Lonappan
(Salim Kumar), a drunkard with the
safe-keeping of the arms cache.
Unfortunately Lonappan misuses
one of the weapons and is nabbed by
the police.
Rajan Joseph, an honest Circle
Inspector (Lalu Alex), suspects that
the rest of the weapons are hidden in
the city. His team carries out a raid
and Chettiyar finds himself in for big
trouble. Market operators resist the
police operation and Chettiyar uses
the opportunity to get the crowd
caned. The raid is halted till the following
morning. Chettiyar seeks a
minister's help to have Circle
Inspector Rajan Joseph suspended.
As per the advice of his manager
Sivan Pillai (Kochu Premen),
Chettiyar gets the scam-tainted
Madhavankutty appointed as circle
inspector of Thevara police station,
which has jurisdiction over the troubled
area. Madhavankutty agrees to
help Chettiyar in shifting the
weapons to a safer place in exchange
for a hefty bribe. Madhavankutty cooperates
in the shifting of weapons
thus earning the trust of the crime
syndicate led by Chettiyar and his
son, Saravanan.
Madhavankutty maintains good
relations with the wealthy criminals
and petty thieves to feather his nest.
Things turn topsy-turvy when
Madhavankutty insults the sub-collector,
Sethulakshmi (Kavya
Madhavan), without realising who
she really is. As a result he has to
apologise to her in front of the
Women's Commission.
Madhavankutty plans revenge by
marrying her. Sethulakshmi's brother
is arrested on drugs charges and
Madhavankutty seizes the opportunity
to carry out his revenge. He
expresses his willingness to marry
Sethulakshmi and promises to
release her brother without charging
a case, if she marries him.
In order to save her brother and
the family from disgrace
Sethulakshmi agrees to marry
Madhavankutty. Though he marries
Sethulakshmi, Madhavankutty is
unable to carry out his plan. When
he demands more money from
Chettiyar he is handed a suspension
by his superiors. Once out of the
force, Madhavankutty realises that
the public was afraid of his position
and not him. This changes him forever
and for the better.
After a change of image in
action-thriller Chess, Dileep returns
to comedy and proves that his comedy
films will attract not only his
innumerable fans but also the larger
audience. Like Chess, for a considerable
part of this film too Dileep
plays a negative role. In Chess he
has a clean-shaven look but in
Inspector Garud he sports a walrus
moustache and thick sideboards.
In the first half, he is impressive
as the funny but corrupt police officer,
however, in the second half
towards climax, specially in the
action scenes, he is unable to
impress.
Kavya gets a break from her
usual village girl roles and has a new
look in place as a mature character
with spectacles and conventional
attire. She is convincing as the subcollector
in her 15th film opposite
Dileep.
Vijayaraghavan is well-cast as
Chettiyar, the uncrowned prince of
Cochin, but Harisree Ashokan and
Salim Kumar leave viewers with the
feeling that they could have been
more funny.
Others from the cast like
Innocent, Aiswarya, Shammy
Thilakan, Kalabhavan Shajon,
Anand etc., are competent.
Johnny Antony once again confirms
that his movies, especially
those with Dileep, are a safe bet for
producers. Johnny give almost
everyone in the cast an opportunity
to crack a joke. The script-writing
duo, Siby and Uday, who have written
the story and screenplay for all
Johnny Antony films, gives a new
look to this movie with a unique
script.
On the technical side, Ranjan
Abraham's editing and cinematography
by P. Sukumar take the film to
great heights. The song Kaanthari
Penne is a Johnny Antony signature
tune by Alex Paul. It reminds one of
the song Theeppori Pamparam in
CID Moosa. Another song from the
film, Kannum Chimmi Chimmi, is an
average treat.
This film is not for those of you,
who like serious movies. But if you
just want to pass your time Inspector
Garud could be the answer.

kkmoidusharjah: Festival Attractions

kkmoidusharjah: Festival Attractions

Fans go ga ga over Rajnikanth’s 100th Tamil film

Fans go ga ga over Rajnikanth’s 100th Tamil film


BY KK MOIDU
SIVAJI The Boss, the 100th Tamil film of legendary actor Rajnikanth, which was released in UAE last week is creating history.
The most expensive Indian film ever made, with a budget of around Indian Rupees one billion is also the most awaited film in the Tamil film industry.
Being screened in the UAE from the first day, hundreds of cinegoers crowded theatres to have a glimpse of their favourite star in hislatest mega movie Sivaji, which is expected to break box office records.
Sivaji was released in Sharjah Concorde cinema on June 14. Eldorado Cinema in Abu Dhabi, Grand Galleria in Dubai and Club Cinema in Al Ain was released on June 15.
Eldorado Cinema I and II in Abu Dhabi has been screening 10 shows daily to packed houses from the day of release.
The sources said the shows are packed for the coming days as well. No Indian films have received this kind of response so far.
Club Cinema in Al Ain is screening the film four times daily. A staff in the theatre said all the shows are running to full houses for the last two days and it has created a Rajni wave. The theatre would screen the movie for at least two more weeks.
There are chances of the shows being scaled down since the theatres have to screen other films scheduled for the coming weeks.
In Grand Galleria, Dubai, the film is running four daily shows to full houses with the entire week fully booked by cinegoers. The sources said the film will run for a minimum of one month.
In Sharjah Concorde Cinema, the film that was released at 7:45pm show on Thursday, a day earlier than its scheduled global launch, now runs five times a day to packed houses.
The tickets for the next few days are fully booked for the night shows. The response for daytime shows on weekdays is less compared to night shows. But many are returning without tickets for the 7:45pm and 11pm shows.
Theatre staff and the viewers said they are highly satisfied with the new film from Thalaivar, the title accorded to the star.
Paneer Selvam, a fan of Rajnikanth, who was fortunate enough to get a ticket to watch his favourite actor's film on the first day, said he is happy about the film, the performance of Rajni, technical perfection of the film, direction of Shankar, AR Rehman's music and especially the theme.
A staff member of the theatre most of the viewers are Indians from the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.
Mohammed Shabeer from Ponnani, Kerala who watched the film from Grand Galleria, Dubai said he had booked the ticket in advance. A fan of Rajni films like Basha, Padayappa, Arunachalam etc. he said he enjoyed Sivaji.
Rajni's last release Chandramukhi was in 2005. His fans were eagerly waiting for the superstar's film. Sivaji does not disappoint. The movie is set to make history by smashing all his previous records.
The film is also expected to re-write the collection record since the past records of Rajni films have been broken only his own new releases.
The film's story is very simple about a man who fights against evil machines and cleans the system. With Rajni's style, veteran craftsman Shankar's master touch and AR Rahman's music, the movie has all the ingredients of a mass entertainer like punch dialogues, romance, comedy, big sets, breathtaking action scenes and the good beats the evil plot.

LIGHTING UP THE FESTIVE SEASON

Lighting up the festive season

Half-a-dozen Tamil films featuring popular heroes will be released for Deepawali, writes KK Moidu

The movies in the race are the Vikram starrer Bheema, Vijay's Azhakiya Tamizh Makan, Ajith Kumar's Billa, Surya's Vel, Polladhavan starring Dhanush and Jeevan's Machakkaaran. Although these films are different, they also have some similarities.
Bheema has already got attention for the reunion of Vikram and Trisha after Samy. Bheema and Billa tells the story of the underworld. Prakash Raj is appearing in important roles in Bheema and Billa.
Vijay is, for the first time, paired with Shriya Saran in Azhakiya Tamizh Makan. Vijay, Surya and Ajith are playing dual roles in their films. Namitha is one of the heroines in Billa and Azhakiya Tamizh Makan. Vel is Surya's second film with director Hari. It is Asin's second film with Surya, their earlier film Ghajini was a superhit. The titles of Billa and Polladhavan are inspired from earlier Rajnikanth films.
Yuvan Shankar Raja, who steals the heart of music lovers with his impressive tunes, has composed the music for Billa, Vel and Machakkaaran. Vel and Bheema will be simultaneously released in Tamil and Telugu.
The song sequences of Bheema and Machakkaaran are picturised in New Zealand.
Bheema
Vikram, who skyrocketed to cult status after the success of superhit Anniyan will return to the silverscreen in the much-awaited Bheema. The actor is doing a hefty role in the film; he put on weight and also attended a special bodybuilding course to match his role. Vikram appears in very fashionable clothes and worked hard to do full justice to the role.
Sparkling Trisha plays the female lead opposite Vikram in Bheema. Prakash Raj also plays an important role in the film. Bheema, directed by Linguswamy is produced by AM Rathnam under the banner of Sri Surya Movies. Lyrics of veteran poet Vairamuthu is tuned by Harris Jayaraj. The song sequences in the film are shot in Switzerland, New Zealand and Madurai.
An action-packed entertainer, Bheema not only tells the story about the tough life of the mafia world, but also has other ingredients like romance and sentiments to magnetise all Vikram fans.
The release of Bheema was delayed for a long time for various reasons. However, Bheema overcame all obstacles and the final court case has been cleared. According to reports, a Travel Agency (Travel Markets), filed a case against the producer for cheques that bounced. Travel Markets demanded an arrangement for the outstanding payment and a stay order for releasing Bheema. The court agreed on the first demand, to pay the Travel Market dues, but declined to stay the release of the film.
Bheema's Telugu version will release on the same day as the Tamil film. Vikram's previous hit Anniyan was released in Telugu as Aparichithudu and ran for more than 100 days in Andhra Pradesh. Pawan Kalyan released the Telugu audio of Bheema in a function attended by Vikram and Linguswamy.
Azhakiya Tamizh Makan (ATM)
Azhakiya Tamizh Makan directed by Bharathan is Vijay's 45th film. Vijay plays a dual role in the film and the two heroines are Shriya Saran and Namitha. Vijay fans are thrilled to see their favourite star's dual appearance and he is for the first time acting with Shriya. After her pairing with Rajnikanth in Sivaji The Boss, the actress reached a new milestone in her career.
Music of ATM is scored by AR Rehman and the big budget film is produced by Swargachithra Appachan.
Vijay, who is delighted with his massive hit Pokiri, hopes that he can repeat his success in ATM and satisfy his huge fan following. Director Bharathan, who proved his aptness as a dialogue writer in Dharani films, has also worked with Vijay in the earlier superhit Ghilli as an assistant director and dialogue writer.
Billa
Another crowd pulling star, Ajith, plays the title role in the lavish and spectacular entertainer Billa. The movie is a remake of the 80s Rajnikanth-Sripriya blockbuster of the same title and that itself was the remake of the Bollywood hit Don, starring Amitabh Bachchan. The latest Billa is made with the essential modifications and the film fully exploits modern technology with special effects. William Ang, who has directed stunts for Jackie Chan films, was roped in for some exclusive fight scenes.
Tamil leading ladies Nayanthara and Namitha play the heroine roles of the film and that has created lot of hype and expectations among cinegoers. Nayan and Nami are the girl friends of the world famous notorious don Billa. Nayanthara is playing Sripriya's role in the Rajnikanth starrer Billa. The film features Nayanthara in a two-piece bikini suit and that already has made headlines. The other heroine Namitha, plays a meaty role. Both the heroines fight scenes are also included in the film.
Versatile Prakash Raj will play the role of Major Sundar Rajan and Prabhu is playing an influential role in the film.
The movie was extensively filmed in Malaysia including the Petronas Tower, Langkawi Island and the 'Little India' of Kuala Lumpur (Jalan Masjid India area).
Billa is directed by Vishnuvardhan for which he did the script, screenplay and dialogue.
Yuvan Shankar Raja tunes the music for the film. According to reports, the song My Name is Billa is remixed and an item number done by Mumaith Khan Vethalayai Potendi is retuned. Both the songs are shot in Kuala Lumpur with choreographer Raju Sundaram.
The makers of the film hope that it will become not only a hit in Tamil Nadu but also in neighbouring Kerala like the original Billa.
Vel
Surya plays a double role after Perazhagan in the big budget film Vel, directed by Hari. He appears in one role as a masculine, angry young villager and settles disputes in his own style. His second role is a secret and the maker's only know that he is a hero or a villain. His undisclosed second character is the most important link in the story which makes it more interesting.
This is Surya's second film with director Hari. Their earlier film was Aaru. Asin is doing a fun-loving girl role in the movie and her character name is Miranda Meenakshi, a TV anchor. She appears with a new look by wearing traditional costumes and eyeglasses. Music for the film is scored by Yuvan Shankar Raja. The song of the film Kobakkara Kiliye is pictured in Munnar and has become a hit.
Vel, produced by M Chinthamani under the banner of Raja Kaliamman Media works, will be noticed for its good crafted script. The film has all the essentials of a superhit. Other artistes are Vadivelu, Nasser, Kalabhavan Mani and Charan Raj.
Surya's last film was Sillunu Oru Kadhal released last year. After completing Vel, the actor will start working in the forthcoming film Varanam Aayiram which will be released in 2008.
According to reports, S Panduranga Rao and KVV Sathyanarayanan are dubbing Vel in Telugu as Deva under the banner of Aishwarya Cine Creations. Bellamonda Suresh presents the film in Telugu for the Deepawali release.
Polladhavan
Young and thin hero Dhanush, the son- in-law of Rajnikanth, is paired with Ramya in Polladhavan. Dhanush created hysteria among the youth with his films, especially the song Manmada Rasa. His latest Polladhavan is a romantic entertainer and the story appeals to people of all ages.
Dhanush plays a young boy's role in the film with dreams to come up in life. The setbacks faced by him in reaching his mission is told in a romantic way. The film also give importance to action and humour and it is edited by VT Vijayan.
Polladhavan is the maiden directorial venture of Vettrimaran, who was an associate cinematographer of director Balu Mahendra. GV Prakash Kumar has been roped in to score the music and has come up with half-a-dozen peppy songs for the film produced by Kathiresan.
The cinematographer of the film is Velraj and it was mainly filmed in Chennai.
Although the title of the film is inspired from the yesteryears Rajnikanth superhit, it will not influence Rajnikanth's Polladhavan.
Machakkaaran
Although Jeevan signed Machakkaaran much before Naan Avanillai, the latter was released first. Jeevan made his debut in University, the film bombed at the box office and his efforts went unnoticed. He achieved success in Kaaka Kaaka but vanished for three years. Jeevan surprised everybody with superhits Thiruttu Payale and Naan Avanillai. His previous hits encouraged him to compete with biggies on the occasion of Deepawali.
Jeevan, who always played heroic roles with a negative touch, has succeeded in winning audience sympathy in the climax. In the lively entertainer Machakkaaran, his love interest is Kamna Jethmalani. She is the grand-daughter of veteran lawyer and politician Ram Jethmalani. Kamna made her Tamil debut in Idhayathirudan directed by Saran.
She is playing a charming role in the film and Malavika appears in a song scene.
Machakkaaran is directed by Tamilvannan and the music is composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja. A song shot in New Zealand under the choreography of Raju Sundaram is the major highlight of the film. Cinematography is by Venkatesh and production is by Madras Entertainment.
All these films, featuring favourite heroes, will compete with each other to attract movie buffs during the festive season.

AIMING HIGH-Bala Chandra Menon

CINEMA

AIMING HIGH

BEST ACTOR NATIONAL AWARD WINNER
PADMABHUSHAN BALA CHANDRA MENON IS BACK TO DIRECTING FILMS WITH DHE INGOTTU NOKKIYE, AFTER AN INTERVAL OF FIVE YEARS. KK MOIDU WRITES

Bala Chandra Menon is one of the most
renowned names for direction in Malayalam
cinema in the past. According to reports, his comeback vehicle, Dhe Ingottu Nokkiye,
includes Bhavana in the cast and sends a message against suicides.
The film, produced by AVA Anoop, will be distributed by Vaisakha movies who have been riding high on the success of Hallo and Chocolates. Bichu Thirumala and M Jayachandran score the music.
Menon, ‘the one man entertainment team’ in Malayalam cinema, is planning to present some new faces in his latest venture. He is an
expert in introducing new artistes.
He has contributed many newcomers
to the Malayalam film industry like Shobana in April 18, Parvathi in Vivahithare Ithile, Maniyan Pilla Raju in Maniyan Pilla Athava
Maniyan Pilla, Karthika in Manicheppu Thurannappol, Annie in Ammayane Sathyam and Nandini aka Kausalya in April 19.
As a director, Menon’s last film was Krishna Gopalakrishna, but he couldn’t repeat his earlier success in the film. He played the title role in the film and also produced it. He
wrote the story, did the editing and
sung a song in it as well. No other film personality has served the industry like Bala Chandra Menon by handling almost all the departments, especially in a film he has
produced.
After the flop of Krishna Gopalakrishna, he didn’t direct films but he wrote the script for
Varum Varunnu Vannu directed by Ramadas. Menon also played the lead role in the film but the film bombed at the box office.
Menon, who excels as an actor and director, was not directing films for the last couple of years. He is energetic, but the fifty-plus actor
has not tried to play heroic roles.
Instead, he concentrated on acting
in mature roles as well as act and direct TV serials.
He featured in a mature role playing a 75-year-old barrister Sankaran Nambiar in Saphalam. He played the college professor role in Malayalam cinema’s biggest box
office hit Classmates, a campus love story directed by Lal Jose. He also acted in a prominent role in the Mammootty-starrer Rappakal directed by Kamal. He continued
his presence in Malayalam films by acting in the recently released Pranayakalam.
Menon will appear on the silver screen with superstar Mohanlal after a sabbatical of about a decade in the forthcoming campus film College Kumaran directed by
Thulasidas. According to reports, the film will have six heroines in prominent roles.
The ace actor-director Bala Chandra Menon has completed more than three decades in filmdom. He was born in 1954, the son
of Sivasankaran Pilla and Lalitha Devi. Menon’s wife is Varadha and he has two sons Akhil and Vinayak and a daughter Bhavana.
Bala Chandra Menon’s father was a railway station master and retired as commercial controller. His father wished his only son
would be a doctor or join the Indian
Administrative Service. But Menon
always dreamed about acting and he proved his talent as a speaker, actor and singer in his college days in Kollam Fatima Matha College.
In order to fulfill his dream to become a film personality, Menon didn’t miss films that came to his town and even skipped classes to
watch matinee shows. He continued
his acting interest in University college,
Thiruvanathapuram, but forayed
into politics and was the university
union chairman of the college.
After completing his graduation
in BSc (Geology) and earning a degree in journalism, Menon started his career as a reporter in the popular Malayalam film magazine Nana.
Menon learnt his first lesson in film making from Madras. Being a reporter, he got freedom to move freely on the filmsets. He closely watched the happenings in the
industry and learned the techniques
and tricks of the business. He polished
his writing skills and talked with actors and technicians.
Menon entered in the film industry
after he failed to obtain an admission to the Madras Film Institute. He has begun his career as an actor in film but he also wrote
and directed many films. He acted
in a succession of comedy-laced
family dramas, and created in the process a style of his own. His films stories were based on his experiences in society and personal life.
Bala Chandra Menon made his directorial debut in Uthradarathri in 1978 and he won the Kerala State Award for best story writer.
Menon presented different styles of films and that turned out to be the biggest hits. His typical style of acting also captured the interest of the audience. He selects compelling themes and catchy titles for his
films like Ente Ammu Ninte Thulasi Avarude Chakki, Ithiri Neram Othiri Karyam etc.
Menon has directed more than three dozen films but his masterpiece is Samantharangal. He shared the best actor National Award with
Suresh Gopi (Kaliyattam) for his
acclaimed performance as a railway
station master.
Although Menon’s first love is direction, he worked hard as a filmmaker. He was compelled to do the station master role in
Samantharangal. Veteran actor Thilakan, who had agreed to do the role, was busy with his schedule.
Menon, who wanted to make a film
based on the railways for nearly a decade, decided to go ahead with the project.
The producer was doubtful about Menon’s ability to perform as an old Muslim man in the film, so he backed out. Menon himself produced the film, his advantage was
his intimate knowledge of the railway
station, being the son of a railway
station master. He played the lead role in Samantharangal and succeeded in his mission. He shared the Best Actor National Award of the year, but the award kept away
the audience, like other art movies,
and the film lost the identity of a Bala Chandra Menon film.
Samantharangal was entirely different from Menon’s other films. In his earlier films, he played the younger hero roles but after
Samantharangal he started appearing
in serious roles in films and serials.
Bala Chandra Menon, with his different style and presentation and signature head-scarf, created strings of hits in the 80s and early 90s. His movies were based on the unusual
relationships of the ordinary community.
Menon was a favourite for the family audience and his style of acting captured the interest of women audience. He created comedy hits like Chiriyo Chiri and Karyam Nisaram. His other biggest hits are Prashnam Gurutharam, Oru Painkilikatha, April 18,
Ammayane Sathyam etc.
Critics and audience unanimously
consider the period between 1986-90 as the golden age of Malayalam cinema. Bala
Chandra Menon’s films were running
in packed theatres by competing
with many talented director’s
films. The speciality of Malayalam
films at the time were detailed screenplays dealing with day-today life of the people with a touch of humour. The films were also
supported by brilliant cinematography.
Most of the films like Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha released during this period slendered the gap between art and commercial cinema. Other prominent directors like Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Sibi
Malayil, Bharathan, Kamal and
Hariharan also directed commercial
films without loosing its artistic
value.
Ace director’s like Priyadarshan, Sathyan Anthikkad, Siddique-Lal also created movies
with good humour during this period.
Although Bala Chandra Menon has not been directing films for the last five years, he is aware of the pulse of the Malayalam film industry.
Everybody hopes that his new film Dhe Ingottu Nokkiye will pull back his family audience and Menon will repeat his directorial success.

IN THE RIGHTGROOVE-Charmi

IN THE RIGHTGROOVE

TELUGU LEADING LADY CHARMI IS BACK IN TAMIL FILMS AFTER A HIATUS OF FOUR
YEARS, STARRING IN THE PRABHUSOLOMON DIRECTED FILM LAADAM, WRITES KK MOIDU


Charmi, the most happening
heroine of Telugu cinema, has
created hits with front-line
Telugu heroes. Her re-entry to Tamil
films will not only fill the acute
shortage of glamour girls in the
industry, but it will also be a threat to
other top heroines.
According to reports, Charmi is
doing a heroine-oriented role as a
female gangster in her comeback
vehicle Laadam. The male lead of the
film is debutante Aravindhan.
Aravindhan, an assistant of the
prominent director Mani Ratnam, is
facing the camera for the first time.
Kota Srinivasa Rao, Dheeraj Kher
and Babu Antony, top villains of
South Indian films, will terrorise the
audience in the gangster-oriented
thriller.
The film, produced by
Ponnurangam under the banner of
Chola Creations, has music scored by
Dharan. The movie also exploits new
technical equipments like Tripov
camera, probe lens etc.
Gave Mick Harry, who has
worked with veteran cameramen like
PC Sriram and Ravi K Chandran, is
the cinematographer of the film.
Charmi was brought
back to the Tamil film
industry by director
Prabhu Solomon of
Tamil hits Kokki and
Lee fame. She plays a
female gang member
in the film and hopes
her role will be a
milestone in her
career. She has done
a lot of preparation
for the film; this
vivacious girl has
become
astonishingly slim
and pretty in her
new look.
The lively
Punjabi girl,
Charmy, was born
on May 17, 1987, in
Vasai, Mumbai, in a
very orthodox family.
Her real name is
Charmy Kaur and she
spells her first name as
‘Charmme’. She won the
hearts of filmgoers with her
performances in decent roles as
well as sparkling and vexatious
roles in Telugu films like Laxmi, Style etc.
Director Krishna Vamsi projected her as a
hot actress in the Telugu film industry. Even
after doing a great role in the Telugu film
Anukokunda Oka Roju, Charmi was forced to do
provocative roles in films. Her item numbers
became a craze for the young fans. Because of
this, she was approached to do an item song in
Stalin, but declined due to her commitment to
other films. Anushka Shetty later did the part.
Although Charmi had an
ominous beginning with
half-a-dozen consecutive
flops, the chubby actress
overcame all hurdles with
her positive thinking,
easy adaptation of
changes, bright smile and
the support of her parents.
Buxom Charmi made
her debut at the early age
of 14 in the Telugu film
Neethodu Kavali with
Deepak in 2002. The film
bombed at the box office
but she gained the attention
of the south Indian film
industry with her noticeable
performance. She used to get
her cheques in the names of
her parents. Her father looked
after her shooting schedules
while her mother always
accompanied her on the sets.
Charmi’s Tamil debut in
Vijaya T Rajendher’s Kadhal
Azhivathillai opposite
Silambarasan was also a box
office disaster. Her insignificant
role in the Tamil films Aha
Ethanai Azhagu and Kadhal
Kisu Kisu failed too. She also
tried her luck in Malayalam
films with Kaattu Chempagam,
but failed in the industry which
always welcomes heroines from
other states. Finally, she struck
gold in the Telugu film industry.
Charmi shifted her base to the
neighbouring Telugu industry and
appeared in Sri Anjaneyam,
directed by Krishna Vamsi. The
ace director projected her as a ‘hot
girl’ in his film where she exposed
a lot in short and wet dresses. But
the film failed miserably at the box
office. Her pairing with Ravi Teja in
Chanti added one more flop to her
career.
Although success was elusive, it
was Gowri that put Charmy on the
Telugu film industry scene nearly
two years after her debut. She was the
leading lady of Sumanth in the film
and its success gave her career a
boost. Her stupendous success in
Mass with Nagarjuna strengthened
her position in Telugu films.
Chakram, opposite Prabhas,
released with big expectations, but it
didn’t make any impact on the
audience and turned out to be a box
office disaster. However, the turning
point of Charmy’s career was her
critically acclaimed performance in the
lead role of the heroine-oriented thriller
Anukokunda Oka Roju. She won the
Santosham best actress award for her
role as Sahasra in the film. Charmi was the third
winner of the prestigious award, which started
in 2003. Earlier, it was won by leading ladies
Asin Thottumkal for Shivamani 9848022338
and Trisha Krishnan for Varsham.
Although Chrmi’s movies were doing well,
producers were offering her bewitching roles
and she acted in a bunch of
films like Political Rowdy and
Allari Pidugu. In Political
Rowdy, she played a naughty
college girl who grabs the
attention of a thug and makes
him fall in love with her for a
fun. The gangster proposes to her
and she cannot say no
to him out of fear.
Mohan Babu was the producer and the male
lead in the film. He played the double role of
two brothers; as Giri, a village Romeo and the
other as Ranjith, an ACP. Charmy was their
cousin and the love interest of Giri while
Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif was the other
heroine.
Charmi’s three Telugu films Laxmi, Style and
Chukkallo Chandrudu were released in a period
of three days in January 2006.
In Laxmi with Venkatesh, Charmi crosses all
limitations and the movie did moderate business
at the box office.
The second directorial venture of Raghava
Lawrence, Style turned out to be a biggest hit of
the year. Lawrence also played the hero, the
other heroine was Kamalinee Mukherjee.
Charmi’s role as Sandhya in the triangular love
drama Chukkallo Chandrudu proved to be a funfilled
entertainer. Sidharth Narayan played the
male lead of the film. There were three heroines
in the film, Charmi played one of the love
interests of the hero, Saloni Aswani and Sadha
were the other heroines. The movie was directed
by Mani Ratnam’s associate, Siva Kumar.
Charmi’s Pournami released last year with
lot of expectations because of the huge cast. Her
performance in the film was much appreciated,
but that could not save the movie from being a
box office disaster. Charmi did not learn South
Indian classical dance but she surprised the
audience with her ‘Bharatha Natyam’ and
‘Kuchipudi’ dances. The film, directed by
choreographer-turned director Prabhu Deva, had
Prabhas in the male lead.
Charmi’s last year’s release Chinnodu,
written and directed by Kanmani, was a moneyspinner
at the box office. Sumanth was her male
lead; he played a rugged man’s role as the
protector of a cycle stand owner who gives him
shelter. Charmi loves the hero, assuming that he
is a chocolate boy.
Rakhi, directed by Krishna Vamsi with Jr
NTR in the lead role, gave her one more hit last
year.
In the forthcoming Telugu thriller Manthra,
directed by Tulasiram, Charmi plays the title
role. The movie goes deep into the tension of
a modern girl, who lives a happy life. Manthra
is also the story of various events that
occurred in the life of a girl and some scenes
will thrill the audience. The theme of the
suspense thriller is ‘every belief may not be
true’. Charmi hopes the role will be an
immemorial one in her career.
Manthra is jointly produced by Kalyanram
and Raviprakash under the banner of Generation
Next. The hero of the film is V Raviprakash and
the choreography is by Prem Rakshit. The
highlight of the movie is its artwork and
locations. The makers hope that the film will
run beyond the expectations of the audience.
Although Charmi has acted in about twodozen
films in a variety of roles, mainly in
Telugu, she has only a few hits to her credit.
Even then, she is getting offers from front-line
directors and big banners of Telugu films
because of her good looks and acting talent.
In her five-year career, Charmi has played
the lead opposite front-line Telugu heroes like
Venkatesh, Nagarjuna, Prabhas, Sidharth, Ravi
Teja, Sumanth, Jr NTR etc.
To fulfill her desire to act in Tamil films, she
accepted the role in Laadam without thinking
twice. If the movie is a success at the box
office, she will prove to be a tough competitor
to other Tamil heroines.
Charmy can fill the shortage of heroines by
taking on glossy and non-glamorous roles —
because she can handle both with equal ease.

kkmoidusharjah: Winning Smile - Trisha

kkmoidusharjah: Winning Smile - Trisha