KollywoodVeteran composer Ilaiyaraaja and his son, composer Yuvan Shankar Raja, will be working together for the first time in ‘Maamanithan’.Tnm StaffYouTube/ Screengrab The teaser of actor Vijay Sethupathi’s long-awaited Tamil movie Maamanithan was unveiled on Monday, December 6. Written and directed by Seenu Ramasamy, the film co-stars actor Gayathrie in the lead. The duo have teamed up for Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom earlier. The teaser features actor Vijay Sethupathi as an auto driver who has an identity crisis. Vijay Sethupathi who essays the role of Radha Krishnan, tells his daughter about his goals in life. The film tracks his life and focuses on his relationship with other members of the family. Sharing the teaser, director Seenu Ramasamy wrote: “Unveiling the teaser of #MaaManithan. We've poured soo much love in making this film.” Bankrolled by Yuvan Shankar Raja in association with K Productions, the cast also includes actors Kpac Lalitha,...
- 12/6/2021
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
MollywoodTwo years ago, at a love letter writing competition in her college on Valentines Day, Vismaya wrote a letter to actor Kalidas Jayaram.Tnm StaffFacebook“She would joke that she wanted her love letter to her favorite actor Kalidas Jayaram to become viral. Then Kalidas would read it, call her, meet her and click a selfie with her. But now her dimples are all over the media, alas she has become viral…,” wrote Arunima, a friend of Vismaya V Nair, the 22-year-old woman from Kollam, who was recently found dead in her husband's house. Two years ago, at a love letter writing competition in her college on Valentines Day, Vismaya wrote a letter to actor Kalidas Jayaram and wanted her friend to post it online. “I posted it and when no one shared it, we laughed a lot about it,” Arunima wrote. Arunima’s post was noticed by Kalidas who responded saying,...
- 6/23/2021
- by SaradhaU
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe film is hitting theatres on June 21.Tnm StaffThe makers of Tovino Thomas’s upcoming flick, And the Oskar Goes To, unveiled the teaser of the movie on Thursday. The teaser is a sneak-peek of the two actors from the film introducing the name of the movie to the viewers in a conversation they have in a car. In the 40-second long sequence, Tovino Thomas, who is playing the lead role in the film, is shown to be on a journey along with actor Siddique. As the latter is driving the car, both the actors hum to the tune of an old Hindi classic. Just as they finish, Siddique asks Tovino if he has found a name for the film. The young actor replies in the affirmative, and suggests the name ‘And the Oskar Goes To’. Siddique nods his head in approval and the duo continue their journey. Directed by Salim Ahmed,...
- 6/6/2019
- by Priyankar
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe film stars Tovino Thomas in the lead as a struggling filmmaker.Digital NativeDigital NativeDirector Salim Ahamed, known for directing critically acclaimed films, is wielding the megaphone for the Malayalam film And the Oscar Goes To. The film has Tovino Thomas playing the role of a struggling filmmaker and veteran actor Sreenivasan playing a film star. Anu Sithara plays the woman lead in and the director has also roped in a foreign actor to play the part of another woman lead. And The Oscar Goes To has a very talented technical crew with Bijibal roped in to score the music, Madhu Ambat for cinematography and the Oscar winning sound engineer Resul Pookutty for sound mixing and designing. According to reports, a major portion of the film will be shot in the Us and Canada, and locations have already been earmarked for this. Besides the foreign locations, the shooting will also take place in Mumbai,...
- 12/13/2018
- by Vidya
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe actor plays the role of a struggling filmmaker in the movie, directed by Salim Ahamed.Digital NativeThe first look of Tovino Thomas’s upcoming project And The Oscar Goes To has been released on Facebook by the film’s director Salim Ahamed. In the movie, Tovino Thomas plays the role of a struggling filmmaker. Pairing up with him are Anu Sithara and an actor from abroad, whose name is not known yet. And The Oscar Goes To has a very talented technical crew with Bijibal roped in to score the music, Madhu Ambat for cinematography and Oscar winning sound engineer Resul Pookutty for sound mixing and designing. According to reports, a major portion of the film will be shot in the Us and Canada and the locations have been earmarked for it. Tovino Thomas is extremely busy with his film Theevandi gearing up for release on September 7th. He...
- 9/6/2018
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe film with Jayasurya playing a trans woman has been receiving good reviews and lauded by the trans community.Digital NativeNjan Marykutty, the Jayasurya starrer telling the story of a trans woman, has released in the Middle East region, following many positive reviews. The film was released in the UAE and Gcc regions on July 5th. Thirty two screens in the UAE and nine screens in Gcc Oman are screening the movie, directed by Ranjith Sankar. The film was produced by Ranjith and Jayasurya under the banner Dreams and Beyond. Jayasurya had undergone a lot of preparation to play Marykutty, including wearing the Sari for days at home, and shaving himself three times a day. The movie was received well by the trans community in Kerala, many of whom identified with the challenges that Jayasurya as Marykutty goes through. From the society that is reluctant to accept her, to the torture she faces at the hands of the police, many real life incidents from the lives of the trans community in Kerala have been taken to the screen. Ranjith and Jayasurya had spoken to quite a few successful trans to learn their stories and know their difficulties. The film had released in Kerala on June 15 and received good reviews. A week later it was released in other parts of the country. Other actors playing important characters are Jewel Mary, Aju Varghese, Jins Baskar, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Joju George, Innocent, V K Baiju, Shobha Mohan and Malavika Menon. Ranjith Sankar-Jayasurya pair have come together earlier in quite a few films, including Punyalan Agarbattis (2013), Su.. Su... Sudhi Vathmeekam (2015), Pretham (2016) and Punyalan Private Limited (2017). (Content provided by Digital Native) Also read: ‘My Story’ review: Parvathy and Prithviraj shine, but the cliched plot is a let-down...
- 7/6/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
MollywoodSources say that the Ranjith film is expected to be an Onam release. Digital NativeIt is only 27 seconds long, the first teaser of the Mohanlal-Ranjith film Drama. Mohanlal has shared it on his Twitter account. DRAമാ Official Teaser#DramaMovie pic.twitter.com/Q4vH95n89K — Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) June 30, 2018 He is in a suit, walking with a bag, staring at his key. Suddenly he runs towards a car, hurling the bag in first and then throwing himself into the driver's seat. The camera then focuses on his legs, shooting out of the car, the background music turning comical. Director Ranjith has worked with Mohanlal in several films together before, starting from Ravanaprabhu. Drama, mostly shot in the United Kingdom is touted to be a family entertainer. The first look poster of the film was released a few days ago. The film will see Kaniha playing the female lead. Mohanlal and Kaniha had earlier come together in Ranjith's Spirit. Asha Sharath, Arundhathi Nag, Siddique, Subi Suresh, Niranj, Shalin Zoya, Tini Tom, Baiju and Mythili will form the supporting cast for Drama. Reports are that the star cast also has three directors - Dileesh Pothen, Shyama Prasad and Johny Antony - playing pivotal roles.Niranjan, Anu Sithara, and Jewel Mary have also been roped in. Vinu Thomas is scoring the music and Azhagappan is doing the cinematography for the film. Drama is a joint venture by producers Mk Nassar and Maha Subair and it will be produced under their banners Lilypad Motion Pictures and Varnachithra Good Line Productions respectively. Sources say that it is expected to be an Onam release. Mohanlal’s fans are also gearing up for the release of the Ajoy Varma directorial Neerali, on July 12th. (Content provided by Digital Native) Also read: Amma agrees to emergency executive committee meet, but doesn’t set a date...
- 7/2/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe film looks at the life of a trans woman beyond her gender.CrisThe opening shot of Njan Marykutty is that of someone writing a letter. We see fingers with long, pointed nails. We don't see the face, we only hear the voice reading out the letter. Jayasurya’s, but slightly different in modulation. The camera shows the back of a person leaving home. Leaving life itself, as Mathukutty. When Jayasurya finally turns to the camera - it's Marykutty we see, a smiling bold woman wearing a beautiful cotton sari, courtesy Saritha Jayasurya. There is no back story. It is stated at the beginning - Marykutty has been trapped in the body of a man and wants to become a woman. The doctors are convinced; there is a surgery and Marykutty starts life once again at a childhood friend’s home, with the friend’s little daughter. For a moment, it seems all too easy. There are so many hassles a trans person goes through to make this happen, to live life in the robes and body of a gender they desire. But then the director – Ranjith Sankar – has done his research, and the troubles in Marykutty’s life are only about to begin. As they probably would for any trans person who has decided to come out and live in a society which has highly restrictive norms. There are the predictable ‘looks’ Marykutty gets, the ‘touches’ in buses, and the random hitting on, that most women and trans women face on the street. Marykutty reacts with irritation and anger, but it seems like she can never stop fighting. Ranjith, who has also scripted the film, has not turned Marykutty into the trans woman stereotype we see in cinema with exaggerated movement and expression. Marykutty walks, runs in a natural fashion; she is athletic. She also does not use a singsong tone to speak. To a lawyer (Siddhartha Siva) who is highly infatuated with her, she explains her identity, demanding that he understands it. However, Ranjith is careful not to reduce Marykutty to her gender identity alone. The film goes beyond this and does not lose sight of the character in establishing the gender politics. Marykutty is presented to us with every feeling, strength and weakness. And ambition. And what is it that Marykutty wants to do? She wishes to join the police force because it is from the police that trans people face the most harassment, she says. A good portion of the film covers her run-ins with a policeman, played by Joju George. The helplessness is all too real, especially when her family wants to distance themselves from her while all she wants to do is impress them. However, this is not a plot written to draw sympathy. Jayasurya does not exaggerate emotions. He appears to do it effortlessly, but that only shows the work that has gone in behind the camera, perhaps for months, learning, unlearning, and learning all over again. Despite the many positives in the script and execution, it needs to be said that Ranjith could have gone a step ahead and cast a transgender person in the role of Marykutty. Once upon a time, men played the roles of women characters on stage because women weren’t allowed to act. A man playing a trans woman is just as sad, especially when trans actors do not get the opportunity to play lead roles. Nevertheless, Jayasurya has definitely pulled a career best here. Ranjith has also made a wise choice in casting Jewel Mary as the friend. She’s done the small bits of conversation all too well, the everyday lines between friends flowing with ease. Joju, as always, excels in villainous roles as he does in comedy. Only Suraj Venjaramoodu, who usually pulls off his serious characters convincingly, has not quite worked as the helpful district collector. The polished talk doesn't work. The ‘aanum pennum kettavar’ (people who are neither male nor female) insult that Suraj uses seems jarring. It is fine when Joju’s character says it - he is the bad cop, after all. But when Suraj, the good collector, uses it, one feels disappointed. Quibbles apart, Njan Marykutty deserves appreciation. The film will definitely convey a lot to many unaware viewers, and perhaps even help remove the myths and prejudices about transgender people to an extent. For that, Ranjith deserves a pat. Jayasurya, two pats. Also read: Mohanlal was the only choice for 'Neerali', says director Disclaimer: This review was not paid for or commissioned by anyone associated with the film. Neither Tnm nor any of its reviewers have any sort of business relationship with the film's producers or any other members of its cast and crew.
- 6/15/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe actor is playing a trans woman in his upcoming film 'Njan Marykutty'.Tnm StaffFacebook/RanjithShankarMollywood's versatile actor Jayasurya is all set to entertain audience with the most challenging character in his career. He will be seen playing a trans woman in his upcoming film Njan Marykutty. The film will address the issues faced by trans women. Jayasurya’s wife Saritha is a costume designer well known for the outfits she had designed for her husband in films such as Punyalan Agarbathis, Fukri, Su Su Sudhi Valmeekam, and Pretham.She had also designed the costumes for the film film Njan Marykutty, which has been well received by all. Saritha, who runs a boutique in the name Saritha Jayasurya Designer Studio, has used the trans woman getup of her husband from the film to promote her designer studio. Jayasurya, dressed as Marykutty in a saree, is featured on the hoarding in Kochi. The trailer, which was released recently, is impressive and begins with Jayasurya approaching doctors for a sex change surgery and then celebrating the first birthday after it happens. Although the film appears interested in representing trans persons respectfully, the central character is played by a cis man rather than an actual trans woman. Indeed, this has been the general trend in film industries across the world, as trans actors have pointed out. Written and directed by Ranjith Shankar, the film is produced under the banner Dreams and Beyond. The film has Jayasurya playing the lead role with Jewel Mary, Innocent, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Aju Varghese and Joju George in the star cast. Anand Madhusoodanan is the music director of Njan Marykutty while Vishnu Narayanan is the cameraperson and Liju Prabhakar is the digital intermediate. Sajan V has been roped in for editing. The shooting of this film began in Muvattupuzha in March last year and the first look teaser was out on March 10th this year. Njan Marykutty has gone into the post production mode and it will hit the silver screens on June 15th. Director Ranjith Shankar and Jayasurya have worked together in four films - Punyalan Agarbattis, Su.. Su… Sudhi Vathmeekam, Pretham and Punyalan Private Limited – so far and Njan Marykutty is their fifth venture together. This has created a lot of expectations for the film particularly after the trailer was launched. (With inputs from Digital Native) Also read: People think women directors can't do action sequences: 'Kaali' filmmaker Kiruthiga...
- 5/17/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe film's trailer was launched by five eminent trans women at Lulu Fashion Week.Tnm StaffTwitterIn what seems to be a first, the trailer of Jayasurya’s upcoming film, Njan Marykutty, was released on May 13 by five trans women - makeup artist Renju Renjimar, It Professional Zara Sheikh, entrepreneur Thripthy Shetty, social activist Sheethal Shyam and legal advisor Riya, at Lulu Fashion Week held in Lulu Mall, Kochi. The film’s trailer begins with Jayasurya confessing to the doctors, “I was born a male but my gender is female. I want to become a complete woman. Please help me.” Visuals of weighing scales, shoes and running tell us that Jayasurya’s character harbours athletic dreams. We also see her being trained in music. The trailer further shows the character identifying herself as transsexual and not transgender. One hopes that the film has been sensitive in making this choice in language and that the makers are aware of why some choose to identify with the latter term than the former. While the film has chances of widening people’s understanding of the difficulties faced by transgender persons, the choice of having a cis man play the role of a trans woman remains problematic to its cause. This continues to reinforce the idea that trans women are really just men in “makeup and wigs”. As this article written by Jen Richards who is a trans woman actor, points out, a trans woman is often thought of to be a "dude in a wig." Considering the isolation of the minority community, perceptions about trans women are heavily influenced by popular culture. With male actors appropriating the body, gender identity and sexuality of a trans woman, the idea that trans women are really just “men in drag” is strengthened. Directed by Ranjith Shankar who has teamed up with Jayasurya in four other films - Punyalan Agarbattis, Su… Su... Sudhi Vathmeekam, Pretham, and Punyalan Private Limited – Njan Marykutty also stars Jewel Mary, Innocent, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Aju Varghese and Joju George in supporting roles. Director Ranjith has won several awards in his career including the Kerala State Film Awards for Best Screenplay (Television) for the 2003 serial American Dreams and Dubai Amma Awards for Best Socially Committed Movie Director - Passenger and Best Debut Director - Passenger. Njan Marykutty will hit screens on June 15. Watch: Also Read: Trans couple gets married in Kerala: Moments from Ishan and Surya's grand wedding...
- 5/14/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
MollywoodDirected by Ranjith Shankar, the film also stars Jewel Mary, Innocent, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Aju Varghese and Joju George in supporting roles.Digital NativeDigital NativeThe most awaited film starring Jayasurya happens to be Njan Marykutty. Expectations on this film are way too high as Jayasurya will be seen in a different getup in it. For the first time in his career, the star will be seen playing a transgender person and his makeover for the role has awed his fans in a big way. Speculations are also rife that Njan Marykutty will address the issues faced by transgender persons. The film, bankrolled by Jayasurya under his banner Dreams N Beyond, is all set for release on June 15 and the actor himself confirmed it recently via a Facebook post in Malayalam. Directed by Ranjith Shankar, the film also stars Jewel Mary, Innocent, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Aju Varghese and Joju George in supporting roles. This is not the first time director Ranjith Shankar and Jayasurya are teaming up, as they have worked together on hit movies such as Punyalan Agarbathis, Susu Sudhi Vathmeekam, Pretham and Punyalan Private Limited. With both of them sharing a good rapport and coming out with hits in the past, movie buffs anticipate that they will come up with something different and awesome this time too. The technical crew of Njan Marykutty comprises Anand Madhusoodanan for music, Vishnu Narayanan for cinematography, Liju Prabhakar for digital intermediate and Sajan V for editing. The shooting of Njan Marykutty began a couple of months ago at Muvattupuzha in Kerala and is progressing in full swing. The first look teaser was released on March 10. With the release date now revealed to be June 15, the team is racing against time to wrap up the shooting and start the post-production. Jayasurya’s last film release was Captain, a biopic on the Indian national football captain VP Sathyan. Directed by Prajesh Sen, Captain hit the silver screens on February 16 this year. Also read: ‘Iruttu Araiyil Murattu Kuththu’ review: The joke’s on you in this sleazy horror comedy (Content provided by Digital Native)...
- 5/4/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
MollywoodTitled 'Bilathi Katha', the star cast also includes Niranjan, Anu Sithara, Jewel Mary and Kaniha.Digital NativeDigital NativeThe Mohanlal starrer Neerali went on to the floors early this year and director Ajoy Varma had wrapped it up quickly so as to ensure its release in mid-2018. With the film into the post-production mode, actor Mohanlal hopped back on to the sets of Odiyan which he had been working on since last year and the shooting was completed just a few days ago. Odiyan, a fantasy thriller directed by Va Shrikumar Menon, is touted to hit the silver screens for Onam this year. Mohanlal has done a lot of homework including shedding weight to fit into the role he plays in the film. With these two films lined up for release in quick succession this year, Mohanlal has inked the deal to star in a Ranjith directorial titled as Bilathi Katha. The shooting of this film will commence next month and plans are on to shoot a major portion of it in England. The film will be bankrolled by Subair Np and Nk Nasser under their respective banners Lilipad Motion Pictures and Varnachitra Goodline Productions. While Mohanlal will be playing the main lead in it, the star cast also includes Niranjan in a pivotal role. The film has three heroines Anu Sithara, Jewel Mary and Kaniha sharing the screen space with Mohanlal. The others in supporting roles include Dileesh Pothen, Johny Antony, Syama Prasad, Kalabhavan Shajon and Shalin Soya. Prasanth Raveendran has been roped in to score music for this venture. Ranjith, who had last directed Mohanlal in Loham, which released in 2015, will be teaming up with the star for Bilathi Katha after three years. The director’s last film release was Puthan Panam which had Mammootty playing the lead role. The film was a Vishu release this year that was out at the theatres on April 12. Lalettan recently wrapped up Kayamkulam Kochunni, where he will be seen in an extended cameo. The film which is based on the life of the Robin Hood-style Highwayman who lived in the early 19th century in the Central Travancore region has been scripted by the National Award winning duo Sanjay and Bobby. He will be playing the character Ithikara Pakki in the upcoming film. (Content provided by Digital Native)...
- 4/27/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
KollywoodThe project, to be directed by Ganesha, a former associate of SS Rajamouli, will start rolling from next week.Digital NativeIt is believed that a leading hero truly attains stardom when he plays a cop on screen. If it was Kaakha Kaakha and the Singam franchise for Suriya, it was Dil and Saamy for Vikram. After playing dual roles in last year’s Annadurai, actor-composer Vijay Antony is all set to don khaki for the first time in his upcoming film Thimiru Pudichavan. The news was officially announced with a poster earlier this week. The project, to be directed by Ganesha, a former associate of SS Rajamouli, will start rolling from next week. To be produced by Fatima Vijay Antony under the banner of Vijay Antony Film Corporation, Richard M Nathan will crank the camera. The female lead and the rest of the cast and crew are yet to be officially announced. Antony will compose music and is also expected to edit the film. Annadurai, which released on November 30 last year, was a debacle and sank without a trace at the box office. Touted as an action family drama, the film was directed by G. Srinivasan, and starred debutant Diana Champika and Malayalam actress Jewel Mary as the female leads. Antony is now betting big on his next two releases – Kaali and Thimiru Pudichavan. In Kaali, directed by Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi, Antony plays four roles. Reports indicate that it’s the story of four sons in search of their long-lost mother. Getting ready to hit the screens on March 30, Anjali, Amritha, Shilpa Manjunath and Sunaina play the leading ladies in Kaali, which will be dubbed and released in Telugu as well. For Thimiru Pudichavan, Antony will shed a few kilos and be seen sporting a twirled moustache in the role of an upright police officer. According to sources, it is expected to be a high-octane action entertainer. The film will also have a Telugu dubbed version. Content provided by Digital Native.
- 2/4/2018
- by Editor
- The News Minute
MollywoodReports are that Ranjith had narrated a script to the star and there is a possibility of them announcing a project together anytime soonDigital NativeDigital NativeDirector Ranjith and Mohanlal share a good rapport having worked together in movies such as Ravanaprabhu, Aaram Thampuran, Devasuram, Spirit and Loham. And now, we hear from sources, that the two had met recently raising speculations that they may team up again. Reports are that Ranjith had narrated a script to the star and there is a possibility of them announcing a project together anytime soon. If things work out, Ranjith and Mohanlal may go ahead with the shooting later this year or early next. Meanwhile, Ranjith is busy wielding the megaphone for Oru Bilathi Katha which has Mammootty playing a cameo role. The film has Maniyanpilla Raju's son Niranjan playing the lead role with Ramante Edenthottam fame heroine Anu Sithara as his lead pair. While Niranjan will be seen playing an illegal immigrant in the UK, Anu Sithara will be playing his love interest employed there. Sethu has penned the script for this Ranjith directorial which has a bevy of actors in the cast including Jewel Mary, Kaniha, Dileesh Pothan, Kalabhavan Shajon, Suresh Krishna and director V M Vinu. It may be noted here that Ranjith’s last release was Puthan Panam that had Mammootty playing the lead role. The film, which hit the silver screens last year, dealt with the socially relevant issue which is about demonetization and black money. While Ranjith is busy directing Oru Bilathi Katha, Mohanlal is on the verge of completing the Va Shrikumar directorial Odiyan, touted to be a fantasy thriller. Apart from this, he had also committed to the Ajoy Varma directorial that has not been titled yet. With reports about Ranjith and Mohanlal planning to team up for a movie, film buffs are eager to know about the genre and other details. However, to know more, we need to wait until they are done with their respective assignments.
- 1/13/2018
- by Editor
- The News Minute
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