What’s common between Mani Ratnam & Shankar?

Guess what’s so common between ace filmmakers Mani Ratnam and Shankar? Well, they’re one of the most happening filmmakers of South-Asian film industry. Their films always find a great place in the global box office. They’ve been supportive for their protégés and launched them under their home banners.

But the common factor between the two is the ‘heroine’ factors.

These filmmakers have the habit of casting the same actresses in their films at times. Continue Reading >>

Maniratnam’s Raavan in Malshej Ghats

Veteran director Maniratnam is shooting Raavan movie’s final scheduled in Malshej Ghats, a scenic hill station around 140 kilometres from Mumbai.

It stars Vikram, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Govinda & Priyamani. The music of the movie is composed by academy award winner A. R. Rahman.

Mani Ratnam Shooting stopped By Kerala Forest Dept, Violates Rules

Director Mani Ratnam who started the shooting of his Ravan in some beautiful locations inside the forest has been stopped by Kerala Forest & Wildlife Department.

Maniratnam’s forthcoming bilingual movie which stars Vikram, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Priyamani has been named as Ashokavanam in Tamil and Ravan in Hindi and Telugu.

It is believed that Maniratnam team had constructed temporary huts inside the forest in Malayatoor, where film shooting has not been allowed so far since it is prime spot for eco-tourism, 2 hours from Kochi.

It seems that Maniratnam has got about 20 days of special permission to shoot inside the prohibited areas, with some political connections.

Forest Department officials has stopped the filming and unit has been asked to vacate from the forest land once they found the temporary huts on the 5th day, since it violates the agreement with the Kerala Forest Department. As per the rules film unit are not supposed to erect any structures in such areas, film unit explained that it was done to keep their equipment if it rains. But officials canceled the granted agreement since it violates their rules.

Veteran film Director Mani Ratnam was not present when the forest officials visited the site and canceled the agreement.

M.K. Azhagiri to Act in Mani Ratnam Movie

If media reports to be believed then, M.K. Azhagiri, elder son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has been offered a role by director Mani Ratnam in his forthcoming film Ashokavanam.

This role will be of politician with a very positive character for Muthuvel Karunanidhi Azhagiri, generally known as M. K. Azhagiri. He is reportedly said to be thinking about the proposal.

Nothing official, keep watching extramirchi.com for updates !!!

Hariharan Debuts as Music Director

Renowned singer Hariharan is making as a music composer in the Tamil film ‘Modi Vilayadu. Modi Vilayadu is being directed by Saran. Modi Vilayadu is an action film features Vinay and Kajal Agarwal in the lead roles with another debut girl form Mumbai.

In 1992, debutant musci director A.R Rahman introduced Hariharan for the patriotic song ‘Thamizha Thamizha’ in Maniratnam’s ‘Roja. Music composition is not new to Hariharan. He is one of the Colonoial Cousins along with Leslie Lewis.

Mani Ratnam’s next – Sanjay Dutt pairs with Aishwarya Rai

Sanjay Dutt is replacing Vikram in Mani Ratnam’s Next movie, which features star couple Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Mani’s film pairs Sanjay Dutt and Aishwarya, interestingly not Abhishek and Aishwarya, as is widely assumed.

Ace director Maniratnam had first chosen Vikram, but he roped in Sanjay because he wanted a more popular face.