Mammootty vs Mammootty released

Mammootty, playing an angry, bad-mouthing Inspector Balram in I V Sasi's Aavanazhi in the 80s was such a huge hit that Sasi made another film on the same character -- Inspector Balram.

Even today, though decades have passed, people of Kerala remember Mammootty's Inspector Balram. That could be why Sasi, a super hit filmmaker of yesteryears, has decided to make a third film on the character.

Another memorable character played by Mammootty in that era was that of an underworld don Tharadas, in Athirathram.

So ingenious is I V Sasi that he has decided to make a film with Mammootty enacting both these unforgettable characters -- Inspector Balram and Tharadas -- in a new film. It is possibly the first time a filmmaker has clubbed together two characters from two different films.

Balram vs Tharadas tells the story of a clash between an upright police officer (Yes, Inspector Balram has now become Dy. S.P.) and a criminal with international connections. So, the story of Tharadas, the don, was shot in Dubai, London, etc.

There is no story if the underworld don has no film connection. So, Tharadas is linked with a beautiful actress, and her name is Supriya, played by Katrina Kaif -- her first appearance in a Malayalam film.

The film is said to be one of the costliest made in Malayalam, and is eagerly awaited. After all, it is a double treat for Mammootty fans.

Mohanlal to fight in Kashmir

Mohanlal will be in Kashmir by the end of this month for 20 days to shoot a film titled Keerthi Chakra, a Malayalam and Tamil bilingual.

In the film, the superstar plays the role of Major Javed Hussein, who fights terrorism in Kashmir. The film is directed by a former army officer, Major Ravi, who won the President's Gallantry Award in 1991 and 1992 for his contribution in fighting terrorism in Punjab and Kashmir.

Major Ravi was also a part of the group of officers who worked to capture Sivarasan, the prime suspect in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. Major Ravi was the first officer to burst into the house where Sivarasan was hiding. Major Ravi had earlier directed a film titled Punarjani with Mohanlal's son Pranav as the protagonist. Pranav bagged Kerala State Award's Best Child Artist prize for the film.

'Mahasamudhram' in July

Mohanlal had starred in the biggest hit this Vishu. His 'Rasatantram' with director Sathyan Andhikaat has proved that their combined chemistry is as good now as it was 12 years ago.

Mohanlal's next release is most likely going to be 'Mahasamudhram'. S Janaardhanan, the film's director, had completed two schedules. Before he could begin the third schedule, Mohanlal joined the 'Keerthichakra' crew in Kashmir. 'Mahasamudhram' will have to wait until Mohanlal returns from Kashmir.

The third schedule will begin in the month of June. The director is trying to release the film in July this year. Suresh Kumar is producing the film for Revathy Kalamandir.

Why do we get a feeling that this film will run into legal troubles due to the producer's financial liabilities?

Jackie Shroff in Athishayan

Director Vinayan is always in the news, because every time he comes up with something new and different. This time the hit maker is busy with the making of a science thriller, titled Athishayan, shooting for which is in progress in and around Kochi.

Produced by Gokulam Gopalan under the banner of Sree Gokulam Movies, Athishayan tells the story of a young orphan boy, who is one among the orphans brought up by Maya, a television reporter. And when Maya unveils some controversial scams involving some powerful politicians, she is kidnapped. And then the six-year-old boy sets out to rescue Maya. And in the process, he reaches the laboratory of a noted scientist and happens to drink a potion prepared by him which makes him invisible. And then he sets out to save Maya. He succeeds in his mission, but something untoward happens after that. The effect of the potion cannot be reversed. What all happens eventually forms the plot of Athishayan, in which debutante Master Devdas, who is the son of popular actor Ramu, plays the lead role.

A main attraction of the film is that it has noted Hindi filmstar Jackie Shroff playing a central character, appearing in a Malayalam film for the first time. He plays the role of an eminent scientist named RC Shekhar, who has based himself in the US. He comes to Kerala in connection with the research and develop ment of a drug that could make human beings invisible. A widower, Shekhar’s wife was from Kerala and that is what brings him here. He has a daughter too. He succeeds in discovering the drug, but just then he has to fly back to the US. The medicine, however, is taken in by the hero of the film, a young orphan boy, who eventually becomes invisible. This forms the plot of the film and the character played by Jackie Shroff is no doubt pivotal to the theme.

It is heard that so impressed was Jackie Shroff with the character that he agreed to act in a Malayalam film. Anyhow, this is going to be a really big thing for Malayalam film viewers, for Jackie Shroff has alwas been having admirers all across the state of Kerala.

Others in the cast are Kavya Madhavan who plays the young television reporter Maya alongwith Mukesh, Harisri Ashokan, Rajan P Dev, Thilakan, Jagadeesh, Mala Aravindan, Devan, Augustine, Bheeman Reghu, Ramu, Usha and Karthika. Jayasurya also appears in a cameo role.

While the story and screenplay for Athishayan is by Vinayan himself, the dialogue are penned by Sunil K Anand. Lyrics by Vayalar Sharath Chandra Verma and Prabha Verma are set to tune by Alphonse. Rajarathinam, who has been an associate of noted cinematographer Ravi K Chandran and who has recently made his debut as an independent cinematographer in Malayalam with Chinthamani Kolacase, does the cinematography for Athishayan, which also features art-direction by Shaji Pattanam and editing by G Murali. The film, which is currently being shot in Kochi, will later shift on to Thiruvananthapuram. Athishayan will be brought to the theatres by Swargachithra Release.

Prithviraj again in a Padmakumar film

Prithviraj will play the lead in the next film directed by the most promising young director M. Padmakumar. The film tentatively titled as 'Vaasthavam' will be produced by Srichakra films. This film which will be scripted by Babu Janardhanan will also cast Murali, Jagathy Sreekumar, Salimkumar, Jagadeesh, Samvrutha, Sunil and Sindhumenon.

Prithviraj was the hero in the earlier projects of Padmakumar like 'Ammakilikoodu' and 'Vargam' which met with limited success in the box office. Better luck, this time.

Bhavana makes her move

Bhavana is thrilled to play Dileep's heroine in Chess. A busy heroine in Tamil too, she has managed to find dates for Chess for it was her dream to be part of Dileep's movie.

Chess is an action mystery film where a blind man Jayakrishnan (Dileep) against all odds succeeds as four cops like Ashish Vidyarthi, Bheeman Raghu, Vijayaraghavan and Baburaj frame him up. It has music by Beny Ignatius. The film is produced by Mahi.

Bhavana plays the role of a house surgeon, while Dileep plays a blind man.

The film has script by Udaya Krishnan, Siby K Thomas. Benny Sanjeev Shankar wields camera for the film. The film produced by Mahi under the banner of Superstar Films will be brought to the theatres by Manjunath Films.

A three cornered contest

With Suresh Gopi's Chintamani Kola Case not created any big impact at the box-office, the battle is between the big stars -Mammootty, Mohanlal and Dileep this Vishu.

Both Mammootty and Dileep are brimming with joy with a string of success in the recent past. On 12 April, Mammootty's Thuruppu Gulan graces theatres followed by Dileep's Pachakuthira on 14 April directed by Johnny Anthony.

However watch out for Mohanlal as his much awaited Rasatantram directed by Sathya Anthicaud graces theatres. With a few failures behind him, Mohanlal is keen to make amends with Rasatantram.

The coming week would decide the real winner in Malluwood.

Bhavana opposite Dileep

Bhavana has found her going smooth in both Tamil and Malayalam.

The actress after a couple of good hits in Malayalam, witnessed her maiden Tamil venture Chithiram Pesudhadi making it big and hence is flooded with offers in Tamil.

Bhavana, who took a break from acting to complete her higher secondary exams, is back busy shooting.

Meanwhile she has been assigned to act opposite Dileep in a movie titled Chess which would be directed by Babu.

Bhavana would also be acting with Srikanth in Tamil for the actor's home production to be directed by S S Stanley.

Dileep and Meera share the glory

Dileep and Meera Jasmine were adjudged best actor and actress in the Amrita - film fraternity awards announced yesterday. The best film award went to Tanmatra while the best director was awarded to Blessy, again for Tanmatra. Ananthabhadram got seven awards mostly in technical sections.

The only major deviation from the state awards were those conferred to Dileep for his magnificent performance in Chandupottu and to Meera Jasmine in Achuvinte Amma.

Sreenivasan bagged the award for best screenplay for Udhayananu Tharam, while Manoj.K.Jayan and Urvasi were awarded for their best supporting roles in Anandabhadram and Achuvinte Amma respectively.

M.G.Radhakrishnan (best music director), Santhosh sivan ( best cinematography), SunilBabu (best art direction), Pattanam Rasheed (best makeup), S.B. Satheesh (best costumer), R.Raajakrishnan (best audiography) were the awards that went to Anandabhadram.

Vineeth Sreenivasan and K.S. Chithra bagged the awards for best singers, while Vayalar Sarathchandravarma got the awards for best lyricist. Adbhutadweep also got 3 awards in technical sections.

The awards were announced by Shyamaprasd (C.E.O., Amritha channel) and the office bearers of film fraternity, T.K. Rajeevkumar, Shaji Kailas, Kireedom Unni, and Sureshkumar yesterday. The awards will be distributed at Cochin Ambedkar stadium on the April 9th

Chess - the July 4 film of Dileep

Chess, set to background of the underworld, will be the July 4 release of Dileep this year.

The hero who believes in the luck of July 4 has been able to release films in this date every year and to convert them into great successes. Meesa Madhavan, Ee Parakkum Thalika, Vettom, Pandipada, CID Moosa, ..were all July 4 releases which turned out as biggest grocers.

After completing Pachakuthira Dileep will join fast track, a film by Jaya Surya which has got a final schedule of a week for its completion. Fast track, a story revolving around youth and sports is planned as a May 3 release.

Dileep in Sathyan Anthikad film

Dileep is playing the hero in an Sathyan Anthikad film. It's the first time Dileep has got an opportunity to play the lead in Sathyan's film which always portraits the next door situations and chores of Kerala household.

Sathyan Anthikad, one of the most loved family film maker, is presently engaged in the final touches of the Mohanlal starrer 'Rasathanthram', slated for a April 7 release. The film also features Mukesh, Meera Jasmine and other regular Sathyan casts. The shooting dates of Dileep starrer is not yet fixed but it is likely to start by next September. The film will be produced by Hamza.

tight shedule - mohanlal

Busy bee in Malayalam is Mohanlal. The State Film Award for his excellent role in Tanmatra has set the ball rolling for the actor.

As soon as he completes Rasatantram, Mohanlal will start working in Mahasamudram. Other projects on his hand for this year includes one with Rafi-Mecartin. Meanwhile, he would begin shooting for a bi-lingual (Tamil and Malayalam simultaneously) Keerthi Chakra.

Gopika and Mamta Mohandas are his heroines. And next year he would be conducting a star show in USA with director Priyadarshan.

Rasathantram-Chemistry of love

Rasathantram is the forthcoming movie of Mohanlal after Thanmatra; in Rasathantram, Mohanlal has teamed up with Sathyan Anthikad after 12 years. They say that Rasathantram is about carpenter (Mohanlal), his encounter with a Tamil girl (Meera Jasmine) in the interior hilly areas of Kerala, their interactions, understanding each other, developing an affinity in spite of differences, etc. Rasathantram, they say, has all the masala in the right proportions to ensure that the public will enjoy it, making the movie a sure success, unlike Thanmatra, which won critical acclaim but limped at the box-office.

Rasathantram has Alagappan as the cameraman; Ilayaraja composes music, and Rasathantram s scheduled for a Vishu release.

Directors turn actors in Pachakuthira

Popular filmmakers of Malayalam film industry including director, Fazil are making appearance in Kamal's Pachakuthira. The story is told on the background of film creation. Fazil who had earlier also made appearances in many a films will be playing the role of a director in Pachakuthira. Other well known directors like Jayaraj, Viji Thampy and youngster Roshan Andrews are also said to enact similar roles in the film. The film is due for Vishu release.

Mohanlal in Rafi Mecartin's film

Mohanlal will play the lead role in Rafi Mecartin's new film produced by Joy Thomas Shaktikulangara for Jithin Arts. The shooting of the film will begin in January and will be a Vishu release. Rafi Mecartin is at present busy with Mammootty's film produced by Shafi. After completing this Mammotty film, the script for Mohanlal's film will be ready. Rafi – Mercartin had directed Thenkasipattanam with Suresh Gopi and Lal. This was remade in Tamil with Sarath Kumar and Napoleon.

Mohanlal plus two babes

Mohanlal is to act with two pretty heroines, Mamta Mohandas and Gopika in Keerthi Chakra, earlier named Kargil. Major Ravi is the story-writer and director of Keerthi Chakra which is about the life of an army man. Shooting will take place at Kashmir and Kargil by the end of March. Mohanlal is currently working on Sathyan Andhikkad's new film and also Dr Janaardhanan’s Mahasamudhram. Keerthi Chakra will start once he completes these films.