Films can bring countries together: Farhan Akhtar

Director-actor Farhan Akhtar, whose last film 'Don 2' was not only shot in Germany but was co-produced by a German company says such collborations can bring countries together.
The 38-year-old filmmaker said that the film which has been co-produced by Mathias Schwerbrock, is the first actual co-production in Bollywood.
"It is the first time that a foreign national has directly been associated with an Indian motion puicture. It is a first of it's kind. Films that are shot in foreign location not only add up to the story but also helps in strengthening ties between two countries. 'Don 2' is a product from two major film producing countries," Farhan said.

'Don 2' will be screened at Berlin International Film Festival, on the third day of the 11 day event and is also scheduled to release in German cinemas on Febraury 16.
"It feels great that the film will be screened in Berlin. The whole cast and crew had a wonderful time shooting there. The local crew did open the doors for us. Once we were together on making the film, they proved to be extremely helpful," he said.
The director also said that he zeroed down Berlin as the location for the film because he wanted the city to be on the Bollywood screens.
"When I came to Berlin on holiday in 2007 I was amazed and overwhelmed by the spirit of the city and most excited to see the mix of architecture, politics, music, cinema and all the signs of a healthy cultural life. Just like my character, 'Don', this city is avante garde and cutting edge. Two reasons for me coming here - Berlin is the right location for my film and Berlin has to be on the Bollywood screens," he said.

MohanLAL-"THE RISK TAKER"

While shooting for Naran lal jumped in to the Hogenakkal river,which had deep undercurrents & also the threat of crocodile attacks.For the film Mahasamudram lal had travelled miles in to deep see & stayed there in the boat for hours together for shooting a climax fight sequence which is the highlight of the film.Dear fans,The risk taking attitude of lal is another albutham

Mohan lal {The actor who gave an Different face to Malayalam&Indian Films}

Mohanlal, the action king once again shows his dedication by taking breathless action sequence without dupe for a 20 floor building to building jump in his latest malayalam movie casanovva. We bet you, there is none other Superstar in Indian film industry to take such risks other than our dearest lalettan.

We are very proud sir to have a wonderful actor like you and you have once again proved that why you are standing still in Indian Film Industry without any replacement.

Mohanlal fans not amused by Saroj Kumar

Fans of Megastar Mohanlal are not at all amused by Sreenivasan's latest film Padmasree Bharath Dr. Saroj Kumar.

Though Sreenivasan says that his character is neither modeled on Mammootty or Mohanlal, it cannot be denied that Saroj Kumar has an uncanny resemblance to Mohanlal.

The actor is shown trying hard to grab a lieutenant colonel post, and the income tax officials find bull horns in his house during a raid, that the media on the actor's insistence transform into elephant tusks.

So many are these coincidences that coming from Sreenivasan's pen, they do look very surprising. No wonder admirers of Mohanlal find very little to laugh in this film.

Malayalam actor denies his film mocks superstar Mohanlal

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Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 22 (IANS) Malayalam actor-cum-script writer Sreenivasan has refuted media reports that his latest film "Padmasree Bharath Dr Saroj Kumar" shows superstar Mohanlal in poor light.

Sreenivasan plays the lead role in the film. Since the film's release a week back, he has time and again said that it told a tale in simple humour.

"This film is not at all a second part or a sequel of the block buster 'Udayanannu Tharam' that strarred Mohanlal. In the present film, there is no character of Udayabhanu (essayed by Mohanlal in 'Udayanannu Tharam') and his wife," he told reporters.

The film is different from 'Udayanannu Tharam' as the story line is different because Udayabhanu's story ended in the first film itself, Sreenivasan told reporters.

The latest film directed by debutant Sajin Raghavan takes a dig at the never ending feuds between the numerous film-based organisations in the Malayalam film industry.

Antony Perumbavoor, Mohanlal's business associate in all film-related business ventures, came out against "Udayanannu Tharam" and called up the film's cinematographer S. Kumar.

S. Kumar told reporters that he got a call from Antony and he was not happy with the manner in which the film allegedly took on Mohanlal.

"He told me that at least I should have not allowed these veiled barbs against Mohanlal. I asked him why he is saying all this to me because I am only a cameraman," Antony said.

"I told him to speak to the producer or director or others who are behind the film," said Kumar.

Director Major Ravi, whose films 'Keerthi Chakra' and 'Kurukshetra' that starred Mohanlal in a character wearing army uniform, termed the events as sad.

"These two people have been in films and they act together. Doing like this is not good," he said.

Mohanlal in a Shankar movie

Yes, this is big news...Superstar Mohanlal is all set to play the lead in the new movie by the biggest showman of south, Shankar, the director who has plenty of fans in the state. The more surprising fact is that this will be Shankar's first movie in Malayalam. This movie to be made by Aascar films Ravichandran will be simultaneously made in Tamil and Telugu also.

The Tamil version is already titled as 'Thalaivan Irukkindran' and will feature Universal star Kamal Hassan in the lead. The Telugu version will have Prabhas as the hero. As per the early reports Kathrina Kaif will play the female lead in all the three versions.

Another highlight of the movie will be that Hollywood star Jackie Chan will also become a part of these three versions. Watch this space to know more details about the movie which will have A R Rahman as the music director.

Casanovva-Its Stylish

A man who flies across countries with deadly vibes that can arrest any women.... A man who heads an international flower trading company rightly named 'Eternal spring', who is often received by loads of pretty women from many cultures and colours shamelessly holding the placards and breathlessly waiting at airports to have him.... A womaniser who knows every number of the book to bring any beauty to his adoring servitude....Playing to the immortal title is Roshan Andrews 'Casanovva', one of the most stylish films ever to hit Mollywood screens.

The movie opens with the arrival of this rich and flamboyant Casanova, whose original name is never ever spelt on screen. As he comments, this name had been cast on him, which he decided to make his own by playing to its demands. 'Casanovva' with his gang of young girls who are also his employees, always following the leader in their swanky cards, is now at Dubai to attend the marriage of a millionaire's daughter.

In the other track is four young hi-tech, 'hi-flying 'robbers with acrobatic skills (Abhisekh, Shamsi, Arjun and Vikram)who had been the executors of some huge heists of high selling antiques and money, which helped them to earn huge cash. After a big heist in a monastery, the foursome are plotting plans to make some more from the rich men' attending the marriage, but the Interpol' is also in the close heels to locate them. They now pretend as the gang men of 'Casanova' and join the functions. But the brainy 'Casanova', who easily identifies them, has got other plans for the bad boys. And as he starts playing the cards to unsettle these youngsters with pranks of love, with the aid of rich Hanna (Lakshmi Rai) and Ann Mary (Roma) and a TV show named 'Fall in love' ,we are also reminded of the old scores that the playboy has got to settle with them.

The biggest highlight of the movie is the scale in which it is made, with the plush cars, number of choppers , great locales, chartered planes and beautiful ladies all contributing to the finest looks ever in Mollywood, that may match the league to visual stunners of Bollywood. Yes, this is an invitation from Mollywood that contest the big league of commercial players of India. The technical sides are top notch with Jim Ganesh contributing some finest visuals to the journey. Slick editing by Mahesh Narayanan also elevates the movie. But this cannot be told about the story lines, which indeed appear good in the initial reels. The first half pretty matches the expectations from the biggie, but in the later half while dealing with the lead man's original love with a salsa dancer named Sameera (Shriya Saran) who transforms him to a romantic than a womanizer, 'Casanovva' looks sulky and strained a bit. And since it is the first movie to appear in Mollywood with a totally distant thread and shot entirely in foreign locales, the movie does not pay heed to traditional meticulous demand of on lookers for logic, in each and every scene. Some of the dialogues penned by Sanjay-Bobby looks inviting enough as it matches the off screen image that the lead star propagates all through. The songs by three music directors just fit the bill, though the 'Alphonse track' Hey manohara theerame...' is a foot tapping material. The BG scores and theme score by Gopi sundar are also impressive.

Mohanlal is in his stylish best in the movie, though his acting capabilities are not put into test anywhere. He makes an easy walk through the role and play safe in many thrilling scenes too. Shreya Sharan and Riyas Khan has got a role to remember while Jagathy Sreekumar, Sankar, and Roma are in passable roles. The actors donning the roles of four robbers and Lakshmi Rai are in stylish attires and fill the little space that doesn't have Mohanlal on screen.

'Casanovva' is one film that may satisfy the fans of the star and those who like technically sound, slickly made films. With those entire fine chases, action and thrills, the movie is hopefully prescribed for a one time watch for all the new generation viewers. And for others, there may be criticisms for giving importance to style over substance.