Raavan's Release

After months of speculation the word is out on much awaited film from Mani Ratnam, the sources close to the director point to a June release as Mani Ratnam is getting ready for its audio launch in April. Rumor mongers have worked over time in speculating the films title and it is now officially confirmed that the movie will be named “Raavan” and is said to be released in all languages simultaneously as planned earlier in June.

The movie has a stellar star cast including Tamil Super star Vikram, Miss world AIshwarya Rai , Abhishek Bachchan among others. Oscar Nayagan A.R Rahman scores the music, while director Mani Ratnam has written and directed the film.

Pongal Vasool Analysis

By Elvin Raja – Trade Analyst for C & B

AAYIRATHIL ORUVAN LEADS THE PONGAL ONSLAUGHT

It was no surprise that Selvaraghavan’s magnum opus – Aayirathil Oruvan had cinemas jam packed during the pongal weekend throughout the state. However, the film took a drop from day 2 owing to mixed responses from audience and critics alike. But that could not stop the film from raking in a meaty gross of around 11 crores in week 1.

Selvaraghavan’s protégé Dhanush unfurled his “Kutty” to Tamil audiences during the festive season. It could only muster up a gross of around 5 crores. Disappointing considering the film is a remake of Telugu blockbuster Arya, and has had a favorable response from the family audience.

SPB Charan’s Uber cool ‘Naanayam’ and the action headliner ‘Porkalam’ fetched around 1 crore and 60 lakhs gross across the weekend. ‘Naanayam’ - carrying good reports may just have the legs to finish the race as the winner in the coming weeks.

IDIOTS REIGN SUPREME

Aamir Khan’s idiot brigade continues to set the screens on fire as another 30 odd crores were added to the kitty. The distributor share stand at a whopping 90-94 crores and the trade has already declared that the film is a modern day “Sholay”. The Shahid Kapoor – Genelia dance caper ‘Chance Pe Dance’ had a disappointing outing with the film netting 12 crores.

TALES FROM THE TELUGU LAND

Folks in AP decided to celebrate Sankaranthi with a spate of big releases going head on at the box office. The box office was led by Junior NTR starrer ‘Adhurs’ with a superb gross of around 16 crores, followed by Venkatesh’s ‘Namo Venkatesa’ with a gross of around 12 crores, both have been certified hits. The disappointment was provided by Ravi Teja’s nadodigal remake ‘Shambo Shiva Shambo’ which could only muster 5 crores.

NEW AVATAR

Avatar continues to shatter records and is now officially the biggest Hollywood film in India dethroning 2012. The gross receipt stands at a dazzling 103 crores. Avatar is all set to re – write box office history in next couple of weeks as records continue to tumble.

Salman Khan’s hotly anticipated Period - war film ‘Veer’ was only big release on Friday. The initial reports indicate a good opening across the single screens; however the multiplex business has to be seen as the week progresses.

Elvin Raja has been exhibiting and distributing films for the last 3 years. (Figures mentioned are approximate values only)

Kamal releases a book

Meenal Publishing House, Karur has released their first set of publications on January 22nd at the Book Point Auditorium. The books Thorn and Room were released by Kamal Haasan. While Yohei Sasakawa, the Chairman Nippon Foundation, Japan, received the book Thorn from Kamal, Easwaramoorthy IPS, SP, CBI, Chennai received the book Room. Another book Nerkkanal was released by Na. Muthuswamy and received by Chinna-k-Kuthusi.

The translators Latha Ramakrishnan, Shubashree Desikan and designer Santhosh were also honored during the function. Kamal delivered the keynote address.

Earlier, the publisher, Ayyannar, welcomed the gathering.The all rounder in acting is proving is that he is versatile writer too/