Vijay Sethupathi Calendar The Artist out on stalls

 Internationally acclaimed ace photographer L Ramachandran, habitually picks up a unique theme every year, makes it sparkle through his distinguished approach thus producing astonishingly great collections with a cosmopolitan touch, which he then transforms to monthly calendars. Earlier, L Ramachandran and Vijay Sethupathi had produced collections titled ‘Human’ and ‘Kalaignan’. And, this time as the third consecutive year, L.Ramachandran is on a hat-trick portraying Vijay Sethupathi on a creative pursuit titled ‘The Artist’, the theme for the 2023 calendar.

For this collection, L Ramachandran has shot Makkal Selvan Vijay Sethupathi in absolutely interesting dimensions of a creator such as a Painting Artist, Sculptor, Graffiti Artist, which gets transformed to a colourful calendar for 2023.

To make this a reality, hundreds of creators had put in more than ten days of tireless work bringing out 12 unique sets is certainly noteworthy.

“Art and Imagination has brought forth many social transformations; it has well served as the foundation for several initiatives; and has made many a people happy; ‘The Artist’ is dedicated to each and every such creator”, adds L Ramachandran, who expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Makkal Selvan Vijay Sethupathi for accommodating this unique concept despite his busy and packed schedules.

Among the contemporary actors who act with determination, self-confidence and utmost commitment to their work Vijay Sethupathi stands tall and deserves a special place. For this collection, Vijay Sethupathi spent a lot of his valuable time talking to experts in every craft, to understand its uniqueness and techniques in such a way that he has transformed himself as the character itself, which stands a witness to you all in the very first glance.

Nevertheless, this collection differentiates itself from its earlier years through its distinguished style and shine. It’s beyond doubt that with two pictures a month, thus 24 pictures in all designed into beautiful 2023 calendar with a touch of international elegance, will win your hearts and decorate your homes.

And it is worthy of note that, in 2021 the Covid lockdown collection titled ‘Human’ and 2022 collection titled ‘Kalaignan’ that depicts street artists were well received.

To add, this time ‘The Artist’ collection is on sale.

We are more than excited to share with you that, the sale proceeds of this calendar will be utilised for the social welfare of the people like education & medical needs through KASA Charitable Trust.

‘The Artist’ will colourfully sparkle, but with a humane touch!!
“The Artist” Calendars are on Sale through “store.lramachandran.com”, “Amazon” online stores and through leading Book Stores.

‘Maitri: Female First Collective’ @Maitri’s YouTube page

 Prime Video Releases a New Session of ‘Maitri: Female First Collective’; Dives Further into the Challenges Faced by Women in Entertainment

Features 9 strong women from Indian entertainment; from on-screen talent like Parvathy Thiruvothu and Rima Kallingal, and off-screen achievers like Indhu VS, Ratheena Plathottathil, Elahe Hiptoola, Shreya Dev Dube, Neha Parti Matiyani, to corporate leaders like Aparna Purohit and moderator Smriti Kiran

As the year ends, participants ask the difficult questions and discuss mechanisms to make the industry more inclusive, create more opportunities for women, recognize their contribution and acknowledge their credit

Prime Video also launches a dedicated social community for Maitri, making it easier for women in entertainment to connect, correspond and collaborate with each other. The episodic capsule of the latest session is now available on Maitri’s YouTube page

The collective is an endeavor to help build a community for women from media and entertainment where they can come together to discuss their experiences, challenges and successes, and offer their perspective and advice on how to bring about a positive shift. Graced by nine eminent women professionals from Indian entertainment including producers, directors, creators, talent and corporate leaders, the latest session features discussions on making the industry more inclusive for women by creating more opportunities, recognizing contribution and building a safer work environment.

Moderated by the creator and curator of Maitri, Smriti Kiran, the participants comprised Aparna Purohit, Creator – Maitri & Head of India Originals, Prime Video; Indhu VS, Writer & Director; Ratheena Plathottathil, Writer, Director & Producer; Elahe Hiptoola, Creator & Producer; Parvathy Thiruvothu, Actor & Director; Rima Kallingal, Actor, Producer & Performing Artist; Shreya Dev Dube, Filmmaker & Cinematographer and Neha Parti Matiyani, Cinematographer.

In order to spark conversations and foster meaningful collaborations, Prime Video also launched a social community for Maitri that will enable women in entertainment to share successes and work together towards unblocking challenges even more easily. View Maitri’s social community here: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Watch the latest session of Maitri: Female First Collective here - https://bit.ly/3PPQjmm

Sharing deeply personal stories and experiences, the participants reviewed the progress made so far, and challenges faced by women professionals in the industry, be it in films, streaming, or television – covering aspects such as conscious and unconscious bias, gender stereotyping, safety and much more. The obvious camaraderie among the attendees set the tone for the session as they shared their thoughts, opinions and learnings on handling difficult situations. Through the conversation, they reiterated their commitment to the collective and working together to find potential solutions to create balanced female representation through the powerful medium of modern storytelling. The forum agreed that it is cardinal to have women in decision making roles to ensure that more women are employed, basic logistics of safety and hygiene are taken care of and the narratives are balanced and equitable.  
“With the new session of Maitri, we wanted to take stock of where we stand with respect to diversity, equity and inclusion, understand the challenges ahead, and collaborate to find the right solutions,” said Aparna Purohit, head of India originals, Prime Video. “We are very heartened by the encouragement and support we have received for Maitri: Female First Collective so far. While it is a gradual journey, I am happy to see some change already coming through. To hear things like ‘we have women writers in our writers’ rooms’, or ‘our women characters have agency’ and ‘our content will definitely pass the Bechdel test’, in conversations with creators, for me, is a major step in the right direction. At Prime Video, we remain deeply committed to DEI. As the next step, we want to strive to have at least 30% women HODs across all our productions,” she added.

Smriti Kiran, creator and curator, Maitri said, “Maitri is a space we all wanted but didn’t have. It has been created to connect women working across the vast and varied Indian film industry, have honest conversations about challenges we face, try and find solutions to those problems and build opportunities that lead to a seismic shift in representation. It is that first step one hopes will lead to giant leaps.”

Prime Video is deeply committed towards promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within its content and productions, as well as with its partners in the creative community. With Maitri: Female First Collective, Prime Video aims to raise awareness of the pivotal role women play within the entertainment industry.
 

Aadhar wins best film at Chennai Film Fest

 'Aadhaar' starring actor Karunas, actor Arun Pandian, actress Iniya, actress Ritwika, actor 'Baahubali' Prabhakar has received the award for the best Tamil film production at the 20th Chennai International Film Festival held in Chennai.

The movie 'Aadhaar', directed by Ramnath Palani Kumar, was presented by Mrs. Sasikumar on behalf of Vanilla Creations. This film, which has recorded the real life of ordinary people, was released and received a good reception from critics.

In this case, 12 films including 'Aadhaar' were selected to be screened in the 20th Chennai International Film Festival held in Chennai from December 15th to 22nd in the competition category for Tamil films. In this, the judges and the audience appreciated the movie 'Aadhaar'.

Following this, the producer who produced 'Aadhaar' P. Sasikumar was selected. He was presented with a certificate and honored at the Chennai International Film Festival Awards Ceremony.

With this, the film 'Aadhaar' has been screened at international film festivals and won awards. 

‘Project C – Chapter 2’ - India's First Sophomore Feature Film.on December 23

 PROJECT C CHAPTER 2 – A New-Dimensional Suspense Thriller is gearing up for Worldwide Theatrical Release on December 23rd, 2022

From the banner SHARK FIN STUDIOS, SRI presents ‘Project C – Chapter 2’  - India's First Sophomore Feature Film.

Filmmaker VNO made his directorial debut with the movie ‘Mangai Maanvizhi Ambugal’ in 2018 and is now directing his second outing titled ‘Project C – Chapter 2’. 

The film features SRI, Vasudha Krishnamoorthy, Chaams, Ramji, Balaji Venkatraman and Kovai Gurumoorthy as the titular characters. 

The film, interwoven with thriller elements as in the ‘Rummy’ card game, features 6 characters with unique traits. The story is all about the game of conflict among these 6 individuals that will proceed at a riveting and engaging screenplay, and their unique hard-hitting nature will keep the audience at edge-of-their seats, thereby endowing audiences, with an engrossing experience. 

‘Project C – Chapter 2’ will be a first-of-its-kind suspense thriller in the Tamil film industry that will offer a fresh experience with its screenplay and the character design of titular characters. 

The film made in three parts will have the second installment ‘Project C – Chapter 2’ released first. Usually, movie franchises will have the first part scheduled for initial release followed by the other consecutive installments. In contrast, ‘Project C’ will have the second part hitting screens first. 

Sharing insight about the film, producer-actor SRI says, “Project C – Chapter 2’ is a dramatic suspense thriller. We have crafted and materialized this movie, which will be a first-of-its-kind one in the Tamil film industry. Just like the film’s premise, we wanted the release schedule to be unique and different, thereby scheduling the release of the second part ahead of the First & Third part.  The audience, while watching the second part will have their inquisitiveness spiked up on what actually happened in the first part, and the sequel will be very easy for them to connect and understand.” 

Actress Vasudha Krishnamoorthy, who plays the female lead in this movie, has already acted in an English film titled ‘Sister’, and has won the ‘Best Actress Award’ for her spellbinding performance.” 

This film will not have a prototyped characterization of hero and heroine, but instead, will have equal importance for the 6 leading characters. 

Sibu Sukumaran is composing music for this film. A noteworthy fact is that he has already scored music for 12 Malayalam movies. ‘Project C – Chapter 2’ marks his debut in the Tamil industry. Sathish Anand of Adanga Maru and Annadurai is handling the cinematography and Dinesh Gandhi is taking care of editing. 

Apart from the three songs in the film that have already become great hits, the background score will be appreciated by audiences. 

‘Project C- Chapter 2’ is gearing up for worldwide theatrical release on December 23, 2022, with Action-Reaction Jenish releasing it all over Tamil Nadu.

Madhurkavi narrator- lyrics writer of Vijayanand Tamil film

Madhurkav

i has  written a song for 'Ruthran' starring Raghava Lawrence. Vishal's 'Marc Antony' movie. . Madhurakavi has also written the songs for the recently released film 'Vijayanand'. Especially the dialogues written by him in this dubbed film 'Vijayanand' have been greatly appreciated by the media. 

The film 'Vijayanand' is a biopic film. It is a historical record of a man who lived in flesh and blood and at the same time the character of the characters has not changed. Director Rishika Sharma has made it well.

It can be said that the dialogues of the film have enriched the quality of the film and the character of the characters.

Although he has been active in various platforms for 23 years in cinema, he is still in the fading territory of fame. When I met him recently!

Tell us a little about your background?

Although I am native of Theni, we are in Devarappanpatti village near Vathalakundu.
My name is Shivamurugan. I got absorbed in the poetry of Kalidasa and took my name as Madhurakavi because Kalidasa had a title called Madhurakavi.

I came to Chennai with interest in cinema at an early age. I am basically an assistant director. I have worked in some films. I will participate in story discussions of various movies. I like things related to village soil. I will enrich the story they tell, be it direct films or dubbing films.
I will write verses. I trained in the dubbing industry. I have voiced many roles in films. I helped with the dubbing work. I was always running like this. I like to write stories, verses and poems.
In the year 2006, I have written the dialogues for the short film called Kanaut Phakti and acted as the protagonist.

When I came to Chennai, I had two conditions in front of me. One was to stand firm on our principles and keep my family in trouble until my film dream came true.

Another is to grab the rope of opportunity available in cinema and make way for income. Thus keeping the family intact.
I chose the latter and started traveling that way.

I have seen many people in this screen world. Many talented people are living in poverty. They are having a lot of trouble with their stubborn nature. So I chose the second option.

So I have never lived in poverty since I entered the film industry till today. Never embarrassed my family.
Never faced economic crisis. I am also saving a huge family. Cinema has fascinated me ever since; Providing facilities.

Do you regret not being able to focus on one field?

I wrote story discussions, dialogues for movies, and songs whenever possible.

Even though I am not able to work actively in the same field, I continue to work.

I have written over a hundred solo album songs. I have been dubbing. I have been busy in many different industries as this is an art that has come to me. So I never thought about going into a field. But it has been 23 years since I entered the film industry. There was never a day of financial problems. If he had been in the same field for so many years, he might have succeeded or failed, but I don't know if he would have had a guaranteed income.

I have grasped the opportunities given by the film industry and used them. I have been useful to many people. I am keeping my family happy without disturbing them. I have that one joy.

There are two possibilities in film industry, we have to use ten people or we have to use ten people.

I took the first chance at this.

II think hard work is the first qualification.
I got experiences from it and I got some growth points from it.

Films worked so far?

So far I have written about 100 private albums. I have written subtitles for about 20 films. I have written songs for 35 films. I have worked in many films as background dialogue and sound recording. I have also worked in TV serials. I have also directed a weekly TV series.I have also worked and directed commercials. But they will give me due respect and salary.
In the film KGF-1 I wrote the songs and worked with the narrator Ashok on the lyrics.
I voiced some characters. I also had my contribution in KGF-2.

How about 'Vijayanand' film opportunity?

I have worked not only in Tamil films but also in foreign languages ​​especially Pan India films.
When the opportunity came for this film to be dubbed in Tamil, director Rishika Sharma wanted to create it in such a way that the entire essence of the story and the character of the characters would be transferred to Tamil instead of dubbing something.
Movies that are dubbed into other languages ​​don't get so much attention. But pan India film makers think that it should be right only for Tamil language. To that extent, they consider our Tamil language as important. Accordingly, I worked in this. Many appreciate that all the verses in it are located with typical vernacular cases suited to the respective scenes and characters. The director provided the space for it.

I like the song 'Kalidasan Sakuntala' written by me in it. Many people appreciate it. Especially the Kannada film world loved it. Even the heroine of the film appreciated it. Even those who don't know Tamil know its essence and appreciate it.

People in Kannada respect Tamil language very much. They really enjoy the depth of the Tamil language. I helped to make the dialogues as good as they are in Tamil by keeping people for it.

Favorite lines you wrote in 'Vijayanand'?

"May Lakshmi dwell in the middle of the house with the one who works with the ring of the middle spinal cord!"

"What a great businessman
He is a beggar who sits idle!"

"I climb mountains for the sake of this world.
What a sight this world is not for!”

"A turning point in history
I remember
Amazing success
It is a big failure.
but
And luckily
We also cooperate with a good guide
A few steps up though
If you want to climb the peak
All it takes is honesty and hard work".


What is the role of narrator in cinema today?

It has been a long time since the verses were spoken. Our field needs creative and experienced people to fill those voids. Even today we need narrators who can write the story, characters and language.

What would you say is a basic qualification for a speaker?

People should enrich their minds by being naturally realistic and weeding out good and bad.
Mainly social concern.
Whether the story is about God or Godless,
People need to talk face to face.

How did  opportunities come in the film industry?

Jeevan is the person who laid the foundation for me in the music industry. I have worked in the directorial field with directors like Vell Suresh, Ethan Suresh, Balki, Saravanan, Vijaya Shekhar, Kumarappa, A. Karuppaiah. I will give it my best effort. I will give my advice in other fields as much as I can. I will help make things easier. For example, in Vijayanand's film, I had recorded and recorded a soundtrack for those who came to dub roles. For those who came to talk about dubbing after listening to it, the job has become very easy.

They automatically understood what the tone of speech should be and finished speaking on their own without having to buy a retake. It is my habit to make any task easy like this.
So they won't let me go. I am always a straight thinker.
I speak with confidence to those who are discouraged and pessimists. It has shown me good ways. They say that if you talk to me, you will get faith.
There is nothing superstitious about it. When you do something naturally with confidence you will get success in it. I have got a good name from Madhurakavi that if given a responsibility he will do well. Hundreds of people who understand me like this are my friends in the film industry. Through them, opportunities come to me one by one.

Are you still a faceless person after doing so much?

I don't even think about it. I don't have time to think about it because work is work without rest. Continuing my journey. I believe that hard work pays off. I am not always a believer.

He believes in hard work and not luck. Accordingly my life path is going on. Hopefully I will get a recognition when my time comes. Gopi Nayanar was my earliest friend. He was probably 60 when he made Aram. Wasn't he talked about after that..? Even though it is late, I hope that one day the time will come when I will be able to stand alone. Because faith is life? on two new Tamil films.

Why no ban on online Rummy asks Raj Kiran

 OPEN Letter from Actor Raj Kiran 

Card game" is gambling at its worst.

-There are many families who have come to the street because of the card game...

The frenzy and drug-like intoxication caused by playing cards never leaves the person who is addicted to it... People who are addicted to it do not hesitate to go to any low level for the money they need to play cards...

In order to create awareness about this, I took a picture saying "Allame En Rasa Than"...

Playing cards was a crime in those days. There was also the fear that "if the police department arrests you, it will be ugly". But now that the card game has gone digital and everyone can play it in the name of "online rummy" without fear of the police, celebrities and common people are calling out for this social disorder.
There are

So far 37 lives have been lost in our Tamil Nadu alone... 37 families are suffering. The Tamil Nadu government has enacted a law to prevent this destructive, life-playing game, but unable to implement it, roadblocks are being put up...

There are reports that judicial bodies who are supposed to take up this issue on their own initiative and ban this game of death and protect the public, why not take it as a skill development game, otherwise prove that it is just a game based on luck and cheating people...

The First Look of ‘Kaliyugam' – A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller is out now!!!

 The first look of the Post-Apocalyptic thriller 'Kaliyugam', featuring actors Shraddha Srinath and Kishore in the lead, has now been released.

Produced by Prime Cinemas proprietor KS Ramakrishna under the banner RK International Inc., the film has been directed by Pramodh Sundar. Actress Shraddha Srinath, consistently garnering phenomenal reception for her spellbinding performances in all her movies is playing the lead role in this movie. Actor Kishore plays a pivotal role in the film, which has cinematography by K Ramcharan.

Nimz (Editing), Sakthee Venkatraj M  (Art), G.N. Murugan (Action), Dawn Vincent (Music & Sound Designing), Tapas Nayak (Sound Mixing), Praveen Raja (Costume Stylist) and S Raghunath Varma (Colorist) are the others in the technical crew.

The intriguing first look poster was designed by Sivakumar (Sivadigital Art), which encapsules the movie’s mood and theme with lot of intricate detailing.

Director Pramodh sheds light on the film saying, “'Kaliyugam' will deal with issues that people might face after World War III. The screenplay addresses several contemporary crises including the after-effects of the war and the loss that many countries across the globe are going to suffer as a consequence."

With the Post-production work proceeding briskly, this first look gives a picture-perfect scenario of the film’s gist. It’s noteworthy that audiences are instilled with huge expectations ever since the fact was revealed that Kaliyugam will be a Post-Apocalyptic Thriller.

The official announcement regarding the film’s trailer and worldwide theatrical release will be made soon.