Diwali releases - A curtain raiser

Source: Galatta       04/11/04

Diwali has traditionally been a symbol of hope for filmmakers. The biggest films of the year get released during this period and have always performed well at the box-office. With only a few days ahead for Diwali, Tamil Film industry people are holding their breath and having their fingers crossed.
Attagasam: Much is expected of this flick. With director Saran and Ajith joining hands once again the viewers are hoping to see something different. And once again Bharadwaj’s music has created lot of interest. Ajith does dual role. Pooja acts opposite to him. Sujatha, Karunas, Vaiyapuri are the other major cast. Karthikeyan produces on behalf of Vijayam Cine Combines. Apart from wielding the megaphone, Saran writes the story, screenplay and dialogues.
Nerenja Manasu: Vijayakant’s biggest blockbusters have always been subjects set to the rural backdrop. Now for Diwali Vijayakant does a soft family man role in Nerenja Manasu. This is the second film for director Samudrakani, the first one being Unnai Saranadaindhean . Says the director, “ The film deals with human emotions in every days life. You will see a captain as a normal village man whom you come across in day to day life. Till 50 minutes from the start here are no fights. Vijayakanth sir was on a special diet and has reduced 10 kilos and you will witness a youthful Vijayakant in this film”. Susan is the heroine of the film. Other cast includes Vinu Chakravarthi, Manorama, Nasser, Senthil, Ilavarasu and Venkat Prabhu. Sampathkumar has been introduced as the villain. Story and dialogues are by Balasubramanian. Prathap is the cinematographer. Karthik Raja is the music director. Rocky Rajesh is the stunt choreographer. The film is produced by V.Gnanavel and V.Jayaprakash on behalf of G.J.Combines.
Manmadhan: Silambarasan who is known for playing roles packed with stunts and dances, much to the delight of front-benchers has taken up a romantic youth role in Manmadhan. For the first time he is trying his hands in writing. He is penning the story and screenplay of the movie. Jothika has been paired with him for the first time. “The script demanded an artiste like Jo”, claims Simbhu. The movie is about a youth traumatized by women and how he avenges them. Mandira Bedi, the Max magic girl, is playing the role of a psychiatrist in the movie. Model-turned actress Yana Gupta appears in an ‘item number’ in the movie. Interestingly, 12 models from Mumbai are also acting in this romantic flick. Yuvan Shankar Raja has scored some jazzy numbers. A.J.A.Murugan directs the film. S.K.Krishnakanth produces the film for Indian Theatre Productions.
Chatrapathy : Chatrapathi shows 'Super Hero' Sarathkumar in a different and intriguing role. The film is produced under the banner JJ Good Films and is directed by debutante Srimahesh. Sarath, who has an insatiable thirst to do different roles does the role of a college bus driver. Srimahesh says "Fans can see Sarath in a completely new role. His mannerisms and style used in this film is something different and the audience is going to lap it up. Nikitha of Kurumbu fame is playing Sarath's love interest. Rambha is appearing for an item number. There are five villains in Chatrapathi and Lambart makes his debut. Pithamagan fame Mahadevan appears in an important role. Vadivelu, Vasu Vikram, Rajesh, Pyramid Natarajan, Pooja, Saranya, Sabitha Anand among others are cast in this film. Apart from directing the film, Srimahesh has written the story, screenplay and dialogues. Karthikraja cranks the camera and S.A. Rajkumar scores the music. The movie is produced by Baburaja for JJ Good Films.
Dreams: Dhanush is looking forward a lot in his forthcoming Diwali release Dreams. Dhanush appears as Shakthi, a college student and the experiences, dreams, romance and failures he undergoes form the crux of the story. Dhanush has two heroines for company. Dhiya (of Kurumbhu) plays a modern girl and Paru, a debutant plays the homely character. Kasthuri Raja who was churning village subjects so far, for the first time is directing a city subject with his son. After Vasool Raja’s sensational music, there is lot of expectations for Bharadwaj’s music in this film. Pyramid Natrajan, Rajesh and Ramesh Khanna are the others in the cast. Kicchas is the cinematographer. The film is produced by Saraswathy Srikanth for Akshay Films.
Girivalam: A remake of Hamraaz, the film has Richard who plays Giri and the story revolves around him. Roshni (Tanushree) who plays his wife has a secret in her life which Richard wants to conceal. Shaam who discovers the truth wants to bring it out. The tussle between the three forms the story. Shivraj who earlier gave Adithadi directs this film. Deva does the music.
Meesai Madhavan: The Tamil version of Meesai Madhavan is actually the remake of the Malayalam Kabuliwalla, which was made about a decade ago. Actor Vijay Babu's son Ramana who is already busy in Telugu films, makes his debut as hero. He will have 'Kutty' Radhika for company. 'This is my second film after Jore. But I play a baddie in Jore. I hope people would accept me as a hero too 'says Ramana. The director, S.Ramu enters the fray with hands on experience as S.A. Chandrasekhar's assistant. Anada Raj, Thanga Raj, Illavarasu , Manivannan, Rajiv, Pandu, Thiagu, Sabita Anand, Saranya are the major cast in the movie. Ravisankar cranks the camera. Bharani scores the music. Yuvasri Creations produces the film.
Jananam: It’s a story about an unemployed youth. Arunkumar, after a long time playing an interesting character and he is confident that the film would be a turning point in his career. Priyanka Trivedi acts opposite Arun. Ramesh, a film institute student makes his debut in direction. Bharadwaj scores music. Balakumaran pens the dialogues. The flick is produced by Dream World Productions.