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It is not difficult to find out who will be the winner of this X Mas season in box office race. With all the four films released in the season creating very different reviews and opinions, Sreenivasan - Mammootty starrer 'Kadha Parayumbhol' has clearly emerged as the frontrunner. The film is registering ninety percent collections in every center and is expected to continue this for another two weeks. The biggest letdown of the season was definitely Mohanlal's 'Flash', which has already started crumbling. If intensely marketed, the movie may draw the audience for at least the end of the vacation season. The other two films, Dileep's 'Romeo' and Prithviraaj’s 'Kangaru' may survive the season to become average earners. In fact 'Kangaru', directed by Rajbabu can even become a hit, if properly trimmed and marketed.
Mammooty has been encouraging new talents in the film world by giving his dates to new filmmakers. These young filmmakers have in turn given him many hits to him like 'Samrrajyam', 'Ou Maravathoor Kanavu' and 'Rajamanikyam'. Even his recent hit movies 'Big B' and 'Kadha Parayumbhol' were directed by young and new filmmakers. The veteran actor, who has been instrumental in the success of new faces, is all set to work with another set of debutants like K K Rajeev, Thomas Sebastian and Asshik Abu in the coming year. Apart from these new talents, Mamootty has again given dates to another new comer-Gireesh, who is the associate of Shyamaprasad. He has also worked as an assistant director in many of Laljose’s movies. Mammootty who heard the one-liner of the new movie, instantly agreed to become the lead character. The film which is planned to shoot in and around Bangalore will be a musical action thriller. The director himself will pen the scripts for this film which is yet to be titled. Gireesh has the experience of making many popular commercials and documentaries.
Ilayaraja has started composing for the new Sathyan Anthikkad film, which is planned to kick off by the third week of January. This is seventh film is a row that Ilayaraja is doing the music for Sathyan Anthikkad. All their previous ventures from Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal, to the latest 'Vinodayathra' were success stories both musically and commercially. In this new film which is not yet titled Gireesh Puthencherry pens the lyrics for the four sons set to music by Raja saab. This new film produced by Antony Perumbavor in the banner of Aashirwaad films, is the Vishu release of Mohanlal. The film which relates to the family chores faced by a mediocre family is scripted by the director himself, who is repeating Meera Jasmine, as the heroine, fourth time in a row.
'Cycle' the new film featuring youngsters by the super hit director Johny Antony will have its final schedule shot at Germany. The director and his crew will shortly move on to Germany to shoot the remaining parts of the movie. The film which features Vineeth Sreenivasan, for the first time in celluloid as a hero also have Vinoo Mohan, Sandhya and 'Nivedhyam' fame Bhama in the other important leads. Scripted by James Albert after the super hit 'Classmates', the film tells the youthful story about a few youngsters who are destined to do anything to catch in with their dreams. Some part of this film was shot in Mumbai for the last couple of days. The film which will hit the release centers by March, is giving all great expectations as it combines the super hit director with the super hit scriptwriter in fresh story lines.
The success of Billa 2007 has created a new trend in Kollywood. The industry seems to be reeling under the fever of remaking superstar Rajinikanth’s old films. Quite a few filmmakers have registered many titles of Rajini’s old hits with the Producers’ Council. Around 30 such titles have been registered so far. With Billa continuing its good run at box office, the fever is expected to get intensified further. However, it is not an easy job to catch up the producers of Rajini’s earlier film and get the rights to remake. But, as of now, Kollywood, which is driven by sentiment rules, is busy registering the titles.
Director Seeman’s forthcoming film 'Vaazhthugal' starring Madhavan and Bhavana introduces many celebrities from different fields. Everyone knows the contribution of Tamil Theatre group Koothu-P-Pattarai to the Tamil film world. It has given many amazingly talented actors like Pasupathi and Kalairaani. Actors like Jeeva and Vishal have also been trained by Koothu-P-Pattarai. Now, Na. Muthusamy, one of the founders of Koothu-P-Pattarai, makes his debut in an important role in 'Vaazhthugal'. Muthuswamy, who had already established himself as an important short story writer in Tamil, wrote the first modern play in Tamil. The veteran theatre person, who has given a new face to Tamil theatre scenario, has trained and created many talented actors. He has staged many meaningful and powerful plays successfully through Koothu-P-Pattarai. Likewise, Trotsky Marudu, a leading artist, too makes an appearance in the film. Marudu has earlier done animation works to many Tamil films and this is the first time he appears on screen. He dons the role of the father of Madhavan. To add more variety to the venture, Seeman has roped in more personalities into the film. Panrutti MLA Velmurugan acts as the uncle of Bhavana. Actor Prithviraj’s mother Mallika Sukumaran too makes her entry into films by acting as the mother of Madhavan. Chennai 6000028 fame Venkat Prabhu does a small but important role in Vaazhthugal'. The movie that revolves around a joint family and a pleasant love story is all set to enthrall with a horde of talented persons in its cast.
A few weeks back Ghazal king Jagjit Singh was hospitalized. He was suffering from low blood circulation in the brain. Though there were rumors around him suffering from paralytic attack, they thankfully turned out to be untrue. He is now pretty much fit and back with a 'ghazal' show YAADEIN. Jagjit Singh would be coming up with 'YAADEIN - A Journey through timeless classics', which is hosted by Spastics society "AADI". The event was held at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi on 25th December.
With a historic opening, not only has the Indian Films-Studio 18 mega release, Welcome outstripped competition and emerged the final winner at the box-office, but the numbers in the overseas have also surpassed those of all erstwhile solo Akshay Kumar titles, creating a new record for the superstar! In the UK, the preview and opening weekend gross was a smashing £370,000 (approx) from 40 locations. In the UAE, just the 5-day business of Welcome was nearly as much as the lifetime gross of Kumar’s earlier hits. The business to date is AED 1.8 million from 29 locations. In the US, the first two days grossed $100,000 only from the mainstream theatres (independents excluded), extremely impressive considering the biggest grosses will start from December 26. In almost every mainstream location, Welcome out-grossed even the major Hollywood openers like Charlie Wilson's War, P.S. I Love You and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. Remarks Akshay Kumar of breaking his record, “Three previous hits and now WELCOME creating records, 2007 has been a year of box-office fortune! I’m glad that I’m ending 2007 on a high (literally) with Welcome, my highest overseas opener.”

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