MGR relative filed nomination against Jaya Sunday, April 30, 2006 | Nayan
P Leelavathy, a close relative of former Chief Minister late M G Ramachandran, attempted to stage fast at his Samadhi on the Marina here, demanding action against those who "kidnapped" her while she was going to file nomination from Andipatti constituency against Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. Police said they had cautioned Leelavathy not to observe fast at the Samadhi as she had no permission to do so and asked her to disperse. Following this, she left the place saying that she would leave for Andipatti to campaign against the AIADMK supremo. Leelavathy had recently alleged that she was kidnapped by some unidentified persons when she was on her way to Theni to file her nomination papers for the Andipatti Assembly constituency. She had donated her kidney to M G Ramachandran in 1984.
Thiruttu Payale Sunday, April 30, 2006 | Nayan
Thiruttu Payale is a family drama movie.His 'Virumbukiren' was set in a rural milieu and was about the love and the conflicts in the life of a fire fighter. 'Five Star' had an urban flavour, and centered on platonic friendship and bonding among five college mates. And now Susi Ganesan is back with his third film, trying out a totally different style and subject from his earlier two films. 'Thiruttu Payale' is a slick, fast paced entertainer with interesting characters and situations novel to Tamil audiences. > Director - Susi Ganesan,Cast - Jeevan, Sonia Agarwal, Malavika, Manoj K.Jayan, Abbas, Susi Ganesan, Vivek.
Film on Narmada consequences presented Sunday, April 30, 2006 | Nayan
NatureQuest presented in association with friends of the Narmada in Chennai, 'Drowned Out'. The film directed by Franny Armstrong.The event taken place at the Bookpoint Auditorium, opposite Spencer Plaza, Anna Salai. Sashi Kumar and G Gautama moderated the discussion following the film. The Narmada dam is in the news again, with Medha Patkar and others launching a hunger strike. Ever wonder what all the fuss is about? Come and find out, and express your solidarity with the 35,000 displaced families ousted from the dam area who are yet to be rehabilitated.Drowned Out tells the true story of one family's inspired stand against the destruction of their land, home and culture. Shot over three years, the film is a portrait of the consequences of ill-conceived development.
Dhanush in Kannada remake "Jogi" Friday, April 28, 2006 | Nayan
Rajnikanth's son in law Dhanush tasted success with half-a-dozen of his releases flopping at the box office. But 'Pudupettai' is to hit the theatres soon and is expected to break the jinx in the actor's career. Dhanush has signed yet another film. This time it's a remake of a hit Kannada film, 'Jogi', which had catapulted Kannada hero Shivrajkumar back to centrestage. The Tamil version is being produced by K R and is to be directed by choreographer Raju Sundaram, who steps into the director's shoes with this film.
Prakashraj "Poi" will hit theatres shortly Friday, April 28, 2006 | Nayan
Tamil and Telugu character actor and producer Prakashraj launches his films with regularity. With 'Poi' completed and to hit theatres shortly,Prakashraj has launched his new venture 'Mozhi'. With Radha Mohan of 'Azhagiya Theeye' fame as director, the film has Jyotika paired with Prithwiraj. Incidentally, Prithwiraj's first Tamil film as hero, 'Parijatham', is yet to be released but the actor is already being flooded with offers.
Maran filed civil suit against Tamil and English dailies Friday, April 28, 2006 | Nayan
Union Minister Dayanidhi Maran filed a civil suit in the Madras High Court against a leading English daily and a Tamil daily for publishing a "defamatory" article, with the intention of tarnishing his image ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Seeking a total amount of Rs 30 lakh as compensation from the newspapers, their editors and publishers and Rs 1 lakh from a TV channel for telecasting the article, Maran also sought a permanent injunction restraining the newspapers and TV channel from further publishing or telecasting the contents of the article. The April 26 articles in the newspapers were titled 'Is Maran arm-twisting Tatas? High stakes power game for DTH deal'. He contended that the newspapers "instigated" by the AIADMK and MDMK had started indulging in "unethical mud-slinging campaign against the plaintiff." This was merely because he was the brother of the chairman-cum-managing director of the Sun TV network. The articles in question in the guise of an investigation had clearly offended journalistic ethics, he claimed. Maran had also sent legal notices to the newspapers seeking an unconditional apology and publication of the same prominently in the newspapers.
Colour TV and other promises "election gimmics" : BJP Sunday, April 23, 2006 | Nayan
AIADMK and DMK's poll promises free rice and colour television as "pure political gimmick", BJP Tamil Nadu unit General Secretary H Raja claimed if implemented these could affect development projects in the state. Reeling off statistics, he told reporters here that the "free rice" and "free TV" schemes would cost Rs 1,600 crore to the state exchequer, which could be deterimental to several developmental projects. Announcement of such populist schemes was "a pure political gimmick", Raja, who is contesting the May 8 poll from the city's Alandur constituency, said and sought to know from Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram why the UPA Government at the Centre had not implemented the "Rs 2 a kg rice" scheme of DMK if it was feasible as he claimed.
Arthur's Awards Nite on April 29 in Chennai Sunday, April 23, 2006 | Nayan
Madras Midtown Round Table 42 is organising the first-ever film festival for Round Tablers all over the world titled 'Arthur's Filmfest'.Legend has it that the idea behind the Round Table was such that King Arthur's Knights could meet to tell of their many adventures and good deeds. The Tablers were inspired to name the event after them. Today, these principles are followed in the same way among Tablers with fellowship serving as a medium to enhance service to humanity. Arthur's Filmfest gives an opportunity to showcase the talents of Tablers and to express their concerns in today's social context. The awards nite is to be held at the Taj Ballroom on Saturday, April 29, 2006. The awards will be presented at Arthur's Awards Nite on April 29, 2006, followed by a gala night graced by celebrities at the Taj Coromandel, Chennai.
Actor and politician Vijaykanth, who has floated the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK), contesting the Virddachalam seat in Cuddalore district, has declared assets worth Rs 12.2 crore. This includes an engineering college, a marriage hall in the heart of Chennai besides a lot of land and buildings in several parts of the state. Co-actor and DMK candidate for the Mylapore seat D Napolean has declared assets worth Rs 4 crore, while his AIADMK rival S Ve Sekar has shown his assets as being worth more than Rs 1.2 crore. Many political bigwigs in the state have assets exceeding Rs 1 crore.
A film by Aravind Saturday, April 22, 2006 | Nayan
Cast - Richard, Rajeev Kanakala, Mona Chopra, Ghazal Srinivas, Sara, Madhu Director - Sekhar Suri This is directors movie. The director Sekhar Suri has weaved an engaging script, a story within a story, which never lets go the pace and maintains the suspense till the end. The ending does disappoint and the storyline is thin, but it's with his exciting presentation that the director scores, in this edge-of-the-seat thriller.Winning critical acclaim and audience approval in Andhra Pradesh, the film has been partly dubbed and partly re-shot in Tamil.
Tabu signed for Sharath Kumar film Saturday, April 22, 2006 | Nayan
abu returns to the Tamil screen after a long gap. After going through various names like Shobhana, its Tabu now who's been signed for the Sharath Kumar-starrer directed by Gautham Menon. It's her first pairing with Sharath, she having done Tamil films with the likes of Arjun, Ajith, Abbas and Vinit. For Sharath, too, it is a film of a style and script different from his recent releases, which were more action-oriented. Also, actresses in these movies had less to do.
TN Elections: Sonia campaign on 25th Saturday, April 22, 2006 | Nayan
All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Sonia Gandhi will campaign in Tamil Nadu on April 25 for the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA) for the May 8 Assembly elections.Sonia will arrive here from Kozhikode in Kerala around 9.30 a.m. and leave by helicopter for Pondicherry to address a public meeting in the Union Territory.After lunch, she will return to the city and leave for Madurai by a special flight to address a public meeting there at 3.30 p.m. She will come back to Chennai around 5.30 p.m. to address a public meeting around 6 p.m.Sonia will leave for Delhi around 7 p.m.,TNCC president Krishnasamy tol din press conference.
Ilayaraja performance on April 23 at Chennai Thursday, April 20, 2006 | Nayan
Maestro Ilayaraja will perform live in Chennai on Sunday, April 23, 2006. He will be performed at Wesley Grounds in a tribute to poet Ponnadiya. Ilayaraja will sing and play several music instruments in this programme conducted by Lakshman Sruti orchestra, in association with TVK Cultural Academy.Tickets are available from various outlets in Chennai. The programme will be telecast by Raj TV.
A total 49 nominations have been filed in the Coimbatore district for the May 8 election on the penultimate day today. Prominent among those who filed their papers were former MLA, B Arunkumar of DMK from Mettupalayam, Soundarajan of CPIM from Singanallur and Chinnaraj of BJP from Thondamuthur.Six persons including Susi Kalairasan of Dalit Panthers filed from Valparai, five in Udumalpet, three in Pollachi, three in Tirupur, three in Kinathukadavu, three in Palladam, one in Pongalur, Coimbatore West nine, Coimbatore East two, Perur three, Singanallur five and others in Thondamuthur and Avanashi constituencies.
Coalition depends on the people's verdict: Karunanidhi Thursday, April 20, 2006 | Nayan
DMK president M Karunanidhi said the DMK was not against a coalition government in Tamil Nadu after the Assembly polls, if the situation warranted it. "As per present indications, the chances of DMK forming its own government are bright. But if a coalition government is unavoidable, we are not against it," Karunanidhi, who arrived Tuticorin to start his second round of campaigning for the May 8 Assembly polls, he told.Asked whether the political situation warranted a coalition government, he said, "It all depends on the people's verdict."
Actor Sarath Kumar joined in AIADMK Tuesday, April 18, 2006 | Nayan
Film Actor and Member of Parliament R Sarath Kumar,who had resigned from the DMK last week, and his actress wife Radhika joined the AIADMK in the presence of party supremo Jayalalithaa.He called on Jayalalithaa at a house in Chennai, where she was staying for the past three days, and enrolled himself as a member of the AIADMK. Sarath Kumar resigned from the DMK last week alleging that he was insulted and humiliated by members of party president Karunanidhi's family.Sarath kumar has been nursing a grouse against the DMK as he was not considered for a ministerial berth at the Centre.
Democratic Progressive Alliance dismissed AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa's electoral promise of free supply of 10kg of rice a month to ration card holders as an attempt to hoodwink the people. As a person holding a responsible position as the Chief Minister, she should not announce such "policy decisions" without the approval of the Cabinet, DMK president M Karunanidhi told reporters at Chennai.Union Finance Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram, in a statement, said Jayalalithaa was rattled by DMK's promise and had come out with the new promise. What would be the stand of MDMK chief Vaiko now, who had ridiculed the DMK's promise, he asked.
Chennai Deputy Mayor expelled from AIADMK Friday, April 14, 2006 | Nayan
Deputy Mayor of Chennai Corporation, Karete R Thiyagarajan was expelled from AIADMK for anti-party activities in the midst of reports that he might be arrested in connection with a scam on permitting hoardings illegally in the Chennai.Karete R Thiyagarajan, is to join the Congress in a couple of days.He told reporters at Chennai that he would rejoin Congress in another two days and would campaign for the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Allinace candidates in the May 8 assembly polls.
Bharat looking different in 'Azhagai Irukirai Bhayamai Irukirathu' Friday, April 14, 2006 | Nayan
The 'Azhagai Irukirai Bhayamai Irukirathu' has Bharat as hero and Arun Kumar in a crucial role. Playing the female lead is Mallika Kapoor, a Mubai model who'd played the lead in the Malayalam film 'Albhutha Dweepu'. The supporting cast has Deepu, M S Bhaskar, Renuka, and supergood Lakshamanan. The character of Bharat sports four different looks, and the scene of a dance competition between him and Ganesh Acharay, the bulky dancer-choreographer of Hindi films, is said to be one of the highlights of the film. Music: Yuvanshankar Raja. Producer: Cheran Cinematography: Vijay Miton
Ajith, Sada starrer 'Thirupati' today Friday, April 14, 2006 | Nayan
Ajit's slim look was used to good effect in 'Paramasivan', and how the look is projected here by Perarasu remains to be seen. It's the first teaming up of Ajit and Sada 'Thirupati' with the supporting cast including Riyaz Khan, Livingston, Arun Pandian, Manobala, R. Sunderrajan, Rajalakshmi and singer Harish Raghavendra in a crucial role.Ajit plays a sound engineer who falls for the charms of Sada. The 'Thirupati' is slated as a fast-paced action-oriented family entertainer with romance and glamour in the right proportion. Perararsu's two earlier films 'Thirupachi' and 'Sivakasi', both Vijay-starrers, were big hits at the box office. He sure would be hoping to score a hat trick with this one. And for Ajit it's a hit he badly needs. The film releases a day before New Year.
Jayalalithaa not fulfilled its "promises 2001":Ramadoss Tuesday, April 11, 2006 | Nayan
PMK founder-leader S Ramadoss pointed out that the Jayalalithaa government had released full page advertisements in newspapers on July 5, 2002, stating that wastelands would be developed and given to the poor. However, nothing had come of it. The AIADMK had also not fulfilled its promise made in the 2001 election manifesto that panchayat unions would be developed by starting new factories, he said. He also said that statistics showed that agricultural production had come down in 2002.
Jayalalithaa is trying to confuse the people :Ramadoss Monday, April 10, 2006 | Nayan
PMK founder-leader S Ramadoss accused AIADMK supremo and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa of trying to gain sympathy by making wild allegations that the opposition parties were planning to instigate violence with the intention of postponing the Assembly elections.Ramadoss alleged that the AIADMK was behind the pre-election survey results published by a magazine and claimed that the Democratic Progressive Alliance would win more than 200 seats in the elections. "Jayalalithaa won the 1991 Assembly elections also due to sympathy wave created by the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The AIADMK leader was trying to gain sympathy of the people in the May 8 Assembly elections also, the PMK founder charged" he said.
Organic painting form exhinition started Friday, April 7, 2006 | Nayan
His colours have a language... It spokes... The charismatic artist has won accolades for his exquisite art form, where the human face takes a translucent journey cascading one's imagination and thinking with its chiselled and eloquent features. K K Raghava had exhibited his paintings across the world. His celebrated water colours spring from his instinctive abilities which are ably illustrated through the canvas. Artist K K Raghava's paintings exhibited came alive with soulful rendition of 'chanda' (Kerala drums). The venue was Taj Coromandel. Raghava, an exponent of organic painting form (painting with hands and legs rather than with brushes and palettes) almost blushed as a galaxy of Chennai celebs congratulated him on his efforts. Leading the pack were actors Kamal Haasan, Gauthami. The art exhibition was co-presented by actor Gauthami and supported by Taj Coromandel.
Vijaykant poll promise: 15 KG free rice Friday, April 7, 2006 | Nayan
The DMDK floated by actor Vijaykanth said it would provide 15 kg of rice free of cost to poor families, if voted to power in Tamil Nadu. The party's manifesto, released by Vijaykanth at a public meeting at Virudhachalam, said the party would give priority to link all rivers in the state to attain self-sufficiency in water. Making a departure from the known stands of Dravidian parties in the state that they would stick to the two-language formula, the DMDK said it would introduce a three-language formula Tamil, English and any Indian language of the student's choice. It also promised to build a "modern state capital" near Chennai to reduce congestion in the city. Pledging corruption-free governance in the state, the party said it would appoint a committee, headed by a High Court judge, to go into corruption charges against officials and seize property acquired by them through corrupt practices.
Actor and director Bhagyaran joins DMK Wednesday, April 5, 2006 | Nayan
Popular Tamil film actor and director K Bhagyaraj, met DMK president M Karunanidhi at and decided to join the DMK. They pledged to campaign for the DMK-led DPA in the coming Assembly elections as AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa had "sidelined MGR loyalists". Bhagyaraj is quite popular in the western and southern belts of Tamil Nadu and both his movies and TV shows have been well received, particularly by women. The DMK move to rope in Bhagyaraj is aimed at making a dent in the AIADMK vote-bank and wean away MGR loyalists, most of whom have been ignored in the ticket distribution for the Assembly elections. Though Bhagyaraj is seen more as a director these days, he continues to have his own sphere of influence as one of the best exponents of screenplay in the Indian film industry.
