Simran to sue producer for portraying her as an Aids victim in new Malayalam film

Thiruvananthapuram • Tamil star Simran, who had rejected many offers for being unglamorous, plans to sue the producer of her debut Malayalam film, Heartbeats, for casting her as an Aids patient.

Simran should curse the stars because she is no more the rage of Tamil filmdom. But she still has a toehold in the industry though her abortive love affair and subsequent marriage to a “somebody”, from Delhi had dented her prospects.

The film, though released a few days ago, was taken out of all releasing centres after a gap of just three days. The film protagonist is Simran, who plays the role of a woman who happens to land in the middle of a group of house-surgeons in a Medical College.

Indrajit, who plays the role of a house-surgeon, falls in love with her and in the end she dies of Aids.

The news about Simran acting in a Malayalam film was received with great fanfare in the Malluwood as Simran had said “No” to many similar offers from the Malayalam film industry.

However, the actress now says that she has been shocked to find that her character `Thankam George’ in the film, Heartbeats, has been portrayed as an Aids patient who succumbs to the deadly disease in the end.

According to Simran, the producer-director of the film had at no point of time told her about her role as an Aids patient.

“I am going to sue the producer and the director for Rs 200 million. I’ve the full script and other details they had given me before I gave them my call sheet. If they dare to cheat an experienced artiste like me, what wouldn’t they do to newcomers’?” she asks.

According to Simran, the story and her character, as explained by the director and producer of the movie, was different from what they had portrayed in the film.

Simran’s anguish at being painted as an Aids victim is nothing new to the industry. Reigning superstars wouldn’t even essay a role that cast them in an unglamorous light.

But, outside filmdom, the theme evokes pathos: Why should a gifted actor shun a poignant character. Recently, a Tamil actress had died of Aids. Does the disease ring alarm bells for the industry?

A R Rahman is thrilled to score music for the animated movie Sultan The Warrior

A R Rahman is thrilled to score music for the animated movie Sultan The Warrior that would feature Rajnikanth.

Says Rahman, ' composing music for an animated movie is no easy joke. It is very demanding. Everything is artificial in an animated film, but the music plays a prominent film.Music is no doubt a character in such movies. I am excited to work in the project that features Rajnikanth'.

Rahman has been assigned to work for Golden Age, an English film, to be directed by Sheker Kapur. 'I know Shekher for over 10 years. We had worked for a advertisement commercial before. To be part of his movie is a great joy,' says Rahman. Grammy award- winner Craig Armstrong is also working with Rahman for the movie.

Kamal & Meera Jasmine will act together?

Though Logidadas is an established director in the Malayalam film industry, in Kollywood circles he is known as someone who is associated with actress Meera Jasmine. There were many rumors linking up this director-actress duo and he is said to be a reason for Meera’s non-cordial relationship with her family.

Meera always referred Logidadas as her mentor and guide but distanced herself from him for some time and did not feature in his films. Now the scenario is changed and Meera is said to appear in a Malayalam film to be directed by Logidadas.

In a recent press meet the talented director state, “Naivedhyam is a Malayalam film which I directed is being remade in Tamil. I always discuss affection, love and the finer aspects of relationships in my films”. He also reported that everything between him and Meera Jasmine is fine and she will be seen in his next film Chembat, the story of which is based on Tamil epic Silapathigaram. While discussing popular Tamil heroes, Logidadas said that he is planning to direct Kamal very soon. Of course, there are no confirmations on this from Kamal’s side till now. We will keep you informed.

SJ Suryah and Bhavana in Vil

Director turned actor S J Suryah’s next film is Vil which will be directed by Prabhakar where he plays the role of a physically challenged man. Though initially skeptical about featuring in this movie, S J Suryah eventually agreed after watching the way the trailer of Vil was shot by the talented director.

As regards the heroine, many ladies were considered but the director was keen to have Bhavana as the leading actress and approached her. However, she had also declined the offer at the outset but the director had goaded her to see the trailer of the film and then to make her decision later. Heeding to him, Bhavana watched the trailer and as expected by Prabhakar, has instantly accepted the offer to feature as S J Suryah’s heroine in Vil. So, this magical trailer has certainly helped Prabhakar to tilt the balance in his favor.

Vijayakanth stops Bheema

Of late issues relating to settlement of dues has been rearing its ugly head in Kollywood too. With Ameer dragging the Sivakumars to the court, it looks like Vijayakanth will also follow suit quite soon. Meanwhile, he has lodged a formal complaint at the Producers’ Council and the Nadigar Sangam against producer A.M. Rathnam for settlement of dues amounting to Rs. 85 lakhs.

According to Vijayakanth’s sources, the producer had promised the actor to pay the amount after the release of the movie Dharmapuri in which he had acted.

However, the producer moved on to his next project Bheema, starring Vikram, without keeping his promise. Perturbed by this, the actor has sought action against the producer and has requested Rama Narayanan, president of the Producers’ Council to intervene and stop the release of Bheema until his dues are settled. Vikram’s fans, who had been waiting to see their star on screen after a long time are sure to be disappointed by these developments.

Naan Kadavul for Deepavali

Director Bala is a busy bee now. He is working tirelessly to get his long-pending Naan Kadavul starring Arya completed and release it for Deepavali.

Karthiga has replaced Bhavana in Naan Kadavul. She plays the role of a blind beggar.

After much delay, Bala recommenced shooting for the film at interior areas of southern Tamilnadu. The movie is shaping up fast. The second schedule is now shot in Periyakulam and Kumbakarai.

Buzz is that Bala is planning for release this Deepavali. Movies like Kamal Haasan's Dasavatharam and Vijay's Azhagiya Tamil Magan are getting ready for Deepavali.

3-D Tamil serial nominated for Korean award

CHENNAI: G.V.Films’ 3-dimensional television serial ‘Mayavi’ has been nominated for the Global TV Drama Awards at Seoul, South Korea in the special prize category.

Leading production houses from Sweden, Russia, Jordan, Philippines and Sri Lanka are among other nominees. ‘Mayavi’ was a weekly serial that was telecast for 26 weeks on Jaya TV.

It was also taken to Kerala through Kairali Television.

In other languages

The serial is slated to go on air on a Telugu channel this October and negotiations are on for telecasting the serial in other languages such as Marathi, Gujarathi, Rajasthani, Bengali and Hindi.

Special participant

Apart from being nominated for the Global TV Drama Awards at Seoul, GV Films has also been invited by the Korean Broadcasters Association to be a special participant at the Broadcast World Wide (BCWW) to be held at Korea between August 29 and 31.

GV Films is one of the six global media companies invited for the event.