Manju Warrier returning to Big Screen via Mohanlal-Ranjith project ?

Manju Warrier returning to Big Screen with Mohanlal Ranjith project

Manju Warrier is one of the most loved actress that Malayalam cinema has ever seen. Even though she did only few films before leaving film field after getting married to Dileep, she could create a huge fan base, without age or mass-class difference.

The return of Manju has been in the news for more than a year now. Hiring a professional team as PR each and every step of her 'return' was made news. The photo shoot with a magazine, website and social media launches, AD shoot etc created enough hype among people. Every body knew that the news of 'return to big screen' was just around the corner.  There were all kinds of rumors spreading around the cyber space regarding her comeback project. She got linked to each and every new film getting announced.

Finally it has been announced, once again via news channels, that she is indeed coming back to big screen. The film which she reportedly picked is the upcoming Ranjith - Mohanlal flick. The news is beleived to be given to all news channels by her PR. According to them the film will be produced by Mohanlal's 'right hand' Antony Perumbavoor under the banner 'Aashirvaad Cinemas', distributed by his own Max Laab cinemas. Like all his previous films Director Ranjith himself  is expected to pen the script and dialogues. Filming is believed to begin some time in December after Lal completes his Jeetu Joseph project 'Drishyam'. If all goes according to plan, Film will hit the theaters in May/June 2014.

Stay tuned for more updates......

'Gangster' to finally start rolling - Aashiq Abu, Mammootty

The much awaited and long delayed Aashiq Abu - Mammootty project is finally going to start rolling by December this year according to the director. The Director himsel broke the news via his social media page. The film is being planned as a Vishu (April) 2014 release. Pre Production is in its final stage. Ahmad Siddique who acted in Salt N' Pepper & Thattathin Marayathu along with 22FK, Da Thadiya writer Abhilash Kumar [Actress Lena's husband] will be penning the script. Madhu Neelakandan will wield the camera, while Deepak Dev will handle the Music department. 'Gangster' will be the first big screen venture of Open Your Mouth Cinemas' (OPM) founded by Aashiq Abu. Aashiq is presently busy with his film titled 'Idukki Gold'.

Magadheera, Eega Director SS Rajamouli goes Digital for his next 'Baahubali'

Format wars, Film vs Digital, even though not even a topic of discussion here in India, its a hot topic back in Hollywood. Many claims the death of 'film' is Imminent. Even documentaries has been made on the topic with views of world's top directors. Christopher Nolan is one the prominent supporter of film format [He hates 3D too, prefers Imax instead]. According to him

“For the last 10 years, I’ve felt increasing pressure to stop shooting film and start shooting video, but I’ve never understood why. It’s cheaper to work on film, it’s far better looking, it’s the technology that’s been known and understood for a hundred years, and it’s extremely reliable. I think, truthfully, it boils down to the economic interest of manufacturers and [a production] industry that makes more money through change rather than through maintaining the status quo. We save a lot of money shooting on film and projecting film and not doing digital intermediates. In fact, I’ve never done a digital intermediate. Photochemically, you can time film with a good timer in three or four passes, which takes about 12 to 14 hours as opposed to seven or eight weeks in a DI suite. That’s the way everyone was doing it 10 years ago, and I’ve just carried on making films in the way that works best and waiting until there’s a good reason to change. But I haven’t seen that reason yet.”

 The director with 100%, not just hit but blokbuster, record SS Rajamouli, regarded as Indian Nolan was also a supporter of Film format till recently. All his films were shot entirely [except bits & pieces] in the 'pure' format even though most others migrated to digital. Now for his latest project 'Baahubali' he has opted Digital for filming, making his entry into the format of the future. SSR clarified few things via twitter

Lots of rumours regarding #Baahubali being shot on IMAX cameras. No. We are not!!! We are using arri alexa XT. using digital cameras for the first time. Though shot in Tamil and telugu #baahubali will release in Hindi and Malayalam too. Also in other foreign languages. The first schedule will be shot for a week, in different outdoor locations in and around Hyderabad.. Imax is very expensive.There are only 6 IMAX cameras that are manufactured and heavy competition for their booking..I shot very few shots with digital cameras in eega. But yes, #Baahubali will be my first fully digitally shot film. Nothing to do with Vfx. The latest digital cameras are better than conventional film cameras in many aspects. Am not a fan of 3D technology. It is cumbersome & restrictive to shoot with the rig. Very few theatres. All these factors deter me from 3D

Shooting of 'Baahubali'' has already commenced, the reported budget of the film is 100crores. The film will star Prabhas, Anushka Shetty, Sathyaraj, Rana Dagubbati etc.Eventhough the plot has been kept under tight wraps Reportedly Baahubali is a war movie in the likes of '300' in which Prabhas will be playing the role of Rajput King Prithviraj Chauhan, Anushka playing his love interes Sanyogita . The film is set in the time period 1000 AD. The film will be releasing sometime late next year.

'Lucifer' - Mohanlal, Rajesh Pillai, Murali Gopy Project - Exclusive Details !!

The much awaited Malayalam project 'Lucifer' has been officially flagged off, according to Script writer Murali Gopi. The film will star Superstar Mohanlal and will be directed by 'Traffic' fame Rajesh Pillai. The film is beleived to be a thriller. Shooting might be beginning early next year aiming a Vishu 2014 release. More details are awaited.

Murali Gopy
The first look poster of 'LUCIFER' (2014) will be launched in a couple of weeks' time; please watch this space for the same. Content-wise and milieu-wise, we are expecting this movie to be totally different from 'EAK', 'LRL' and 'TRAFFIC'. Mohanlalism, for sure..!