Getting offers
She made her appearance in ‘Shri’ with Surya as her pair. But she wasn’t exactly flooded with offers. Then K Balachander signed her for his home production ‘Album’ with Shanker’s assistant Vasantha Balan directing it. This film too flopped, but Shrutika was noticed. This light-eyed actress with her big eyes, sensuous lips and uninhibited dress sense, is on the upward move now. Offers are pouring in, like the new film directed by debutant Sudha Narasimman, son of Chitralaya Gopu. And on the anvil is a Malayalam film with Suresh Gopi and Kunchacko Boban titled ‘Swapnam Kondoru Thulabharam’, too. She is the granddaughter of the popular character actor of yesteryear, the late Thengai Srinivasan.
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Character roles
Who can forget ‘Pattaalathar’, Vijayan? The actor was introduced by Bharatiraja in ‘Kizhakke Pogum Rayil’. Subsequently, he did some films as a hero with directors like Mahendran and Bharatiraja. Steadily shifted to character roles, and then took a long sabbatical from Tamil films. Vijayan kept himself busy writing and acting in Malayalam films. Then one heard of the health problems he suffered from. But now Vijayan has bounced back with a vengeance. He got meaty roles in ‘Run’, ‘Five Star’ and ‘Villan’. If there’s a character of an unscrupulous businessman or a don, it’s Vijayan film-makers are making a beeline to!
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In-house hero
In his 50th film producer R B Choudary of Supergood Films has introduced his son Jeeva (aka Amar) all of 19 years, as the hero. The film titled ‘Aasai Aasayai’ has Sharmilee (hostess for the Kaasu Mele’ show on Jaya TV) as his leading lady. The film is directed by debutant Ravi Mariya who had apprenticed with director S J Surya. Says Choudary, “Ravi Mariya who was looking out for a hero, happened to see my son in my office. He asked him if he would like to act. Amar, who was planning to go to Canada to do a course in Computer Graphics, replied in the affirmative. “I was a bit apprehensive about whether he would be able to act, told them that I would give my final verdict after seeing the rushes. But the scenes came out well, much better than I expected!” Choudary has an in-house hero now!
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In the slot!
Upcoming heroines like Meera Jasmine, Sandhya and the rest are a bit apprehensive about acting with senior heroes. They candidly admit that they would like to act with the likes of Ajit, Vijay, Vikram, Madhavan or Shaam. Not that they have anything against the older heroes. It’s only that they are quite familiar with the industry’s rules! Once you get into the bracket as a senior actor’s heroine, it’s really difficult to come out of it, and be paired with the younger heroes, the image of ‘seniority’ passing on to the young heroines too. Abhirami can stand witness to it. The teenage actress made her debut with an Arjun film, and subsequently went on to do films with Prabhu, and Sharat Kumar. Slotted with the senior lot, Abhirami has no films with any of the younger heroes today. And realisation came a bit too late for the actress!
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Mango Studio
Cinematographer-turned-director Jeeva ('12B' and the yet to release ‘Pepsi’) has a health Studio opened for fitness freaks. Called ‘Mango Studio’, the club located at Anna Nagar, offers training in Yoga, Tai Chi, Kalari, Silambam, Kick Boxing and general fitness. The training faculty includes dancer Jeffrey, who teaches Latin American, Ballroom and contemporary dances; George Kuriyan who instructs on martial arts; Chaitanya Rao who teaches diet-regime, art of make-up and cat-walking to aspirant models. Jeeva has a tie-up with Reebok for the fitness programmes. Training is also being given for voice modulation. Children between the age groups of 6-12 years can attend workshops in acting, singing and story-telling during the week-ends. As for its name? The interiors are a blend of orange and green! So all you wannabe models, actors make a fast trip there. For Jeeva is a director too, and can well take you into the magical world of cinema!
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Back to the fore
Since he has spruced up his act, Karthik has bagged quite a few films. One of his new launches is 'Manathai Thottu' where he is paired with new face Ramya. Produced by K. Bhaskerraj and M. Sounderrajan for Venba Movies, the film is directed by debutant Shanmugha Pugazhendi. Playing the second hero is Sriram, a Karate master from Canada. Also playing a crucial role is another popular karate exponent Rajaguru.
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