Aparna Balamurali joins the cast of Dhanush's Raayan

Actor Aparna Balamurali, who rose to fame with Soorarai Pottru, has joined the star-studded cast of Raayan, the 50th film and third directorial venture of Dhanush. The makers announced the same on their social media handles. Along with Aparna, the film also features a talented ensemble cast, including Kalidas Jayaram, Sundeep Kishan, SJ Suryah, Prakash Raj, Selvaraghavan, and Dushara Vijayan.

It is worth mentioning that Aparna, who won a National Award for her performance in the Suriya- starrer Soorarai Pottru, was last seen in Tamil in Nitham Oru Vaanam alongside Ashok Selvan. This will be the first time Dhanush and Aparna will be sharing screen space together.

The shooting of Raayan was wrapped in December last year and is currently in the post-production stage. The film's technical team comprises music composer A R Rahman, cinematographer Om Prakash and editor Prasanna GK. The film has action choreography done by Peter Hein. 

Vaaya Raasa song from Arimapatti Sakthivel is out 

The makers of the upcoming Tamil film Arimapatti Sakthivel, starring V T M Charle, Pavan K, and Meghana Ellen in the lead roles, released a new song titled Vaaya Raasa on Sunday. Composed by Mani Amuthavan, with lyrics penned by M.Viswanathan, the song has been sung by Thenisai Thendral Deva. 

In an earlier conversation with CE about the film's plot, the director said, "The story is set in a small village near Trichy. This village is predominantly inhabited by a single caste. A man from this village goes on to marry a woman from a different caste, which goes against the traditional belief system of the village. The rest of the film depicts the ensuing chaos in the village just because one man goes against the regressive practices of his village."

Here's the song 

Besides playing the lead role, Pavan K also financed the film and wrote the story and screenplay. JP Man is the cinematographer, while RS Sathish Kumar is the editor.

New poster of Ivana from Kalvan out

The makers of GV Prakash's Kalvan released a new character poster of Ivana from the film, on the occasion of her birthday, on Sunday. The actor is all set to be seen as the character, Balamani, in the upcoming film. 

Kalvan is directed by cinematographer PV Shankar. Axess Film Factory is backing this film which also stars Bharathiraja, Dheena, G Gnanasambandam, Vinoth Munna, Jenson Dhivakar, Prasanna Balachandran and Nivedita. 

It is to be noted that GV Prakash has previously starred alongside Ivana in the Bala directorial Naachiyar. 

Director PV Shankar and Ramesh Aiyappan have jointly scripted Kalvan. Interestingly, the director is handling the film's cinematography as well. Besides playing the lead, GV Prakash has also composed music for the film. Reva has composed the background score for Kalvan. 

A release date for Kalvan is yet to be announced.
 

Yuvan Shankar Raja begins re-recording work for Kavin's Star

On Saturday, the makers of Kavin's Star announced that the film's music director, Yuvan Shankar Raja has begun the re-recording work for the film. Star is written and directed by Elan of Pyaar Prema Kaadhal fame. 

Aaditi Pohankar will be seen as the female lead of Star, which also stars Lal, Preity Mukundhan, and Geetha Kailasam in supporting roles. It is to be noted that the film was initially supposed to star Harish Kalyan in the lead, who was then replaced by Kavin. 

In a previous conversation with CE, Elan said, “I have reworked the script. While Pyaar Prema Kaadhal was a rom-com, Star will have a mix of everything including a college story, romance and family drama.” 

On the technical front, Ezhil Arasu, who also worked on Dada, has cranked the camera for Star, while editing is handled by Pradeep E Ragav. National Award-winner Sujith Sudhakaran is designing costumes and Vinoth Raj Kumar N is the art director.

Thiru Manickam dubbing wrapped

The dubbing for Samuthirkani's upcoming film, Thiru Manickam, has been wrapped. The film was shot in areas such as Kumuli, Thekkady, and Munnar, and all the actors from that area have dubbed in their own voice for their respective characters, by retaining the local slang. 

Thiru Manickam is written and directed by Nandha Periyasamy who has previously helmed Anandham Vilayadum Veedu, and written the screenplay for Rashmi Rocket. Bharathiraja, Thambi Ramaiah, Karunakaran, Chaams, Vadivukarasi, and Ilavarasu, among others, round out the supporting cast of the film. 

GP Ravi Kumar, Chinta Gopala Krishna Reddy and Raja Senthil are backing Thiru Manickam. M Sukumar is the cinematographer for the film, which will feature editing by SP Raja Sethupathi and musical score by Vishal Chandrasekar. A release date for Thiru Manickam is yet to be announced. 

Double Tucker teaser out

The makers of Double Tucker unveiled the film's teaser on Saturday. The film stars Dheeraj, who has previously starred in Bodhai Yeri Budhi Maari. Double Tucker is written and directed by Meera Mahadhi.

The teaser shows Dheeraj to be accompanied by two animated characters, whom he calls Angels, Right and Left. The two seem to sit on Dheeraj's shoulders and guide him with regard to what's right and wrong. The film's teaser promises an entertaining comedy of errors.

Smruthi Venkat is the female lead of Double Tucker which also stars Kovai Sarala, MS Bhaskar, Yashika Anand, Kaali Venkat, Munishkanth, Suniel Reddy, and Sha Ra among others. 

Vidyasagar is composing music for Double Tucker which will also feature cinematography by Gautham and editing by Vetri. Air Flick Productions is bankrolling Double Tucker, which has already completed filming. The film, which is currently in post-production, is slated to hit theatres for Summer.  

'Adi Theni Santhaiyil' song from Idimuzhakkam out

The first single from GV Prakash's Idimuzhakkam, titled 'Adi Theni Santhaiyil' was unveiled by the makers on Saturday.  N R Raghunanthan has composed the song which has vocals by  Anthony Dasan and Meenakshi Elayaraja, and lyrics by La Varadhan. 

Idimuzhakkam is helmed by Seenu Ramasamy. The film, which was wrapped up in September 2021, stars Gayathrie opposite GV Prakash and features Saranya Ponvannan and Aruldoss in pivotal roles. 

Backed by Kalaimagan Mubarak, the action thriller set in a rural backdrop, is based on a story written by acclaimed writer Jeyamohan. 

Filmed in places in and around Theni, Idimuzhakkam has art direction by Prem Kumar, editing by Thamizh, and cinematography by AR Ashok Kumar. A release date for the film is yet to be announced. 

Meanwhile, GV Prakash was last seen in Adiyae. He currently has Kalvan, Rebel, 13 and Dear in various stages of production. Seenu Ramasamy, on the other hand, has wrapped shooting for his next directorial, Kozhi Pannai Chella Durai, and also awaits the release of his debut film as an actor, Equality.

It's a wrap for Karthi 27

The shooting of Karthi's upcoming film directed by Premkumar C, has been wrapped. Suriya-Jyotika's 2D Entertainment produces the yet-to-be-titled film, which is currently referred to as Karthi27 and the news was shared in the production house's official X handle. 

In a rather strange attempt, the makers have shared the film's inaugural video to announce the shooting's completion. Apart from Karthi the film stars Arvindswamy, Rajkiran, Saran Shakthi in important roles and has Sri Divya playing the female lead. Karthi27 was shot in and around Karaikudi and Kumbakonam. The film has music by Govind Vasantha. 

Apart from this film, Karthi has one more film with Nalan Kumarasamy and Sardar 2 with PS Mithran. 

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Dushara Vijayan joins the cast of Dhanush's Raayan

Dushara Vijayan is the latest in the line-up of actors to join the cast of Raayan, which marks Dhanush's 50th film. On Saturday, Sun Pictures, which is bankrolling the project, made the official announcement.

Currently, apart from Dhanush, the cast also features Kalidas Jayaram, Sundeep Kishan, SJ Suryah, Prakash Raj and Selvaraghavan in pivotal roles.

Dushara Vijayan, who made a mark in films like Sarpatta Parambarai and Natchathiram Nagargiradhu, was last seen in Aneethi, which was released last year. This will be the first time Dhanush and Dushara will be sharing screen space together.

A few days ago, the makers had released the first look poster from the film which had Dhanush wearing a blood-stained apron and holding a sharp weapon in his hand. Kalidas Jayaram and Sundeep Kishan were standing behind him with knives that also had blood in them.

The shooting of Raayan was wrapped in December last year and is currently in the post-production stage.

The technical team has music by AR Rahman, cinematography by Om Prakash, editing by Prasanna GK, and action choreography by Peter Hein.

Karunas registers complaint against Bayilvan Ranganathan and Thamizha Pandian for spreading false statements against him

A few days after actor and former MLA Karunas registered a complaint at the Chennai Commissioner's office against ex-AIADMK leader AV Raju for derogatory statements against him and fellow actor Trisha, he has once again written a letter, urging them to take appropriate action against several YouTube channels for spreading false information on him.

In his letter, he mentioned the names of Thamizha Pandian and Bayilvan Ranganathan and said they had spread malicious and disgusting news about him, Trisha and other actors in different interviews and on social media sites.

"They are spreading false news in private press interviews and social media for publicity, which is not true. This has been shared by various parties in the press and social media and is now viral, followed by many YouTube channels," he said.

He further added, "They are tarnishing my name and reputation in the community by spreading false information about me without any proof. I am in pain because of this. So I humbly request you to take legal action against the above-mentioned persons and several YouTube channels and issue an order to remove the video content on the above-mentioned social platforms."
 
Earlier, Trisha filed a defamation case against politician AV Raju after his derogatory statements against her. On her X handle, she reacted to his remarks and said, "It's disgusting to repeatedly see low lives and despicable human beings who will stoop down to any level to gain attention." The Nadigar Sangam a.k.a The South Indian Artistes Association had also strongly condemned the politician for his statements and said they would support all legal proceedings.