Kollywood news

TOP BUCKS FOR HOT GALS IN KOLLYWOOD


They are now catching up with the top heroes when it comes to big earnings. Movies checks out which southern actresses are raking in the most moolah.
Ileana D'cruz

The 18-year-old Goan may be a recent entry, but she's already being projected as the next big thing in the Telugu industry. Ileana shot to fame with her second film, Pokkiri, opposite Mahesh Babu. And the bubbly, fun-loving image from the film has stuck - it's a trademark in all her films. Apparently, that's Ileana's off-screen persona too; she's media-shy and remains elusive for interviews, compensating with her spectacular performances on screen.

Rumoured price:

Rs 60 lakh.

Coming up:

Indrajit Lankesh's next movie (untitled).

Expert take:

"Ileana is extremely photogenic and looks ravishing on screen," says Kala. "She's got an innocent face, but a beautiful body, which makes a great combo. Of course, she's a good actor too."

Shriya Saran

She's the Sivaji girl - that's what everyone's calling her these days. Shriya's also currently one of the most-searched among southern sirens on the Net. The actress is popular for her perfect 10 body, her doe eyes and dancing skills. Shriya's being asset is her ability to effortlessly switch from playing the desi kudi in Awarapan to a modern babe matching moves with Rajnikanth in Sivaji. No wonder that Shriya Saran is on every filmmaker's must-have list these days.

Rumoured price:

Rs 50 lakh.

Coming up:

Azhagiya Thamizh Magan with Vijay, Kandasaamy with Vikram, and Sangeet Sivan's Ek.

Expert comment:

Kala says Shriya is one of her faves. "She's extremely talented , dedicated and is very graceful. Shriya's a trained Kathak dancer, so it's a pleasure watching her dance. She'll go a long way."




Nayanthara

If she'd pursued her ambition of becoming a chartered accountant, she'd have been the best-looking CA around! And now Diana Kurien aka Nayanthara rocks the glam world of southern films. The actress has come a long way from playing pavadaisporting village belle to uber chic gal. She's one of the first contemporary heroines to star alongside Rajnikanth and do two films, Chandramukhi and Sivaji, with the superstar. Ghajini propelled her into a different league and upped her market value. Nayanthara had the most releases among southern heroines in 2006 and she commands big openings for her films.

Rumoured price:

Rs 45 lakh.

Coming up:

Yaaradi Nee Mohini with Dhanush, Billa with Ajit and another one with Nagarjuna.

Expert speak:

Chandru, trade expert and film publicist , says Nayanthara has great screen presence . "She's very good-looking and has a fantastic body. She's also a very good dancer; she is the first heroine to star in a Rajnikanth opening song."


Trisha


She's one heroine who's acted with all the top heroes in both Tamil and Telugu industries - from Vijay and Vikram to Venkatesh and Chiranjeevi. Trisha's also one of the few heroines who starred in a Mani Ratnam film in the early stages of her career. A former model, she's been reigning in both Tamil and Telugu for the past few years.

Rumoured price:

Rs 40 lakh.

Coming up:

Bheema with Vikram and another Prakash Raj production.

Expert take:

"She's a hard worker and a great dancer," says Kala Master, choreographer and stylist, "Trisha's a natural and slips into a character effortlessly."



Asin

She's been signed for the Hindi remake of Ghajini opposite Aamir Khan. Aamir apparently even ousted Ayesha Takia from the film to cast Asin, who also starred in the Tamil original. The actress, who debuted in Malayalam and is also a top star in Tamil, is well on her way to becoming a sensation in Bollywood now. After all, it's not every day that Aamir Khan insists he wants a southern heroine in his film!

Rumoured price:

Rs 40 lakh.

Coming up:

Ghajini with Aamir, Vel with Surya and Dasavatharam with Kamal Haasan.

Expert take:

Kala finds Asin extremely hardworking. "She's a perfectionist and even dubs for herself, which is rare among heroines. She had a great voice and is an excellent artiste."

Genelia

It's not just the fairness cream ad that put her in the spotlight; the girl-nextdoor tag suits Genelia perfectly. Not surprisingly, this girl is the first choice when it comes to playing teenage heroines. Genelia's popular for her 'cute and lively' image - it fetched the actress her debut, Boys, which made waves at the box-office . All her successive films have seen the actress playing the college-goer in love and they've all been hits. Her acting's very subtle. That coupled with her casual style and attitude is what makes up Genelia's allure.

Rumoured price:

Rs 35 lakh.

Coming up:

Santosh Subramanyam with Jeyam Ravi and Satya in Love with Shivrajkumar.

Expert take:

"She's such a naughty girl and that's translates on screen too," says Kala. "Genelia's very chilled out and laid-back and enjoys her work. She's an extremely good artiste and human being."

Asin in dual role

Everyone knows that Kamal Haasan dons 10 different roles in Dasavatharam. But what is kept as top-most secret is that Asin playing a dual role in it.

Asin, who is pairing with Kamal Haasan in Dasavatharam is reportedly playing a double role. Sources close to the film unit say Asin plays the role of twin sisters in it.

The movie is directed by K S Ravikumar and has musical score by Himesh Reshammiya.

Produced by Oscar Ravichandran, Dasavatharam will be released for Deepavali.

Ajith looks forward to parenthood

Ajith is happy at the prospect of becoming a dad. Shalini is expected to deliver the baby coming January. The doctors have reportedly told Ajith that the 'new entrant' will arrive home tentatively by the second week of January. Says Ajith, “When I was in Malaysia for the shoot of Billa for more than a month, I visited Chennai for about 18 times to see Shalini. Such is my excitement in welcoming the new member to our family. I am eagerly waiting for that moment”. When asked about Billa, Ajith said, “The film is coming out in a grand way. The new version will be technically sleek and will be our dedication to 'Superstar' Rajnikanth who immediately granted us the permission to remake the movie. Get ready for the fireworks”

Suriya becomes father

Suriya, who became a proud father on Friday10 august, is happy at the arrival of a new member in his family. His wife Jyothika delivered a girl baby on Friday last.

The first-time father was beside his wife when the couple’s first child arrived.

The entire Siva Kumar household immediately went into paroxysm of joy after the new one was duly delivered. It also showed how close-knit the family ties were.

It is just as well then that Suriya next film stresses the need for a strong family structure.

“We have highlighted the need for the joint family system that is on the decline today. Our culture and values are lost due to the emergence of nuclear families”, says the actor about his latest film Vel.

Suriya said, “I play a dual role in Vel, directed by Hari. The movie has come out really well. Asin is the heroine. Also in the floors include Varanam Aayiram. The movie is unique for it has a powerful storyline. Director Goutham Menon is wielding the megaphone”.

“My father (Siva Kumar) is appreciative of my performance and encourages me to do more. Hope I live up to his expectations”, Suriya says and adds, “My brother Karthi has successfully established himself as an actor. I don’t see him as my competitor in the industry. I am happy to see my brother rendering engrossing performance on the screen”.

Now it is the turn of MEENA

A lot of rumors were in the air last week about the alleged marriage of actress Meera Jasmine with the brother of a young Mandolin maestro. Meera who is in Calcutta now, as usual walked past the brooding news pieces and emerged safe. But this week it seems that it is the turn of Meena to answer similar queries.

There were rumors for a long time that Meena had got married to a leading Kannada actor. The rumor continued till the actor himself denied the reports.

But this week the new rumors are that Meena had got married to an NRI. This time around, the actress was upset as her friends and well-wishers began calling her up over the phone to congratulate her.

”This is the second time that I'm hearing such rumors. I have no enmity with anybody and so I don't understand why anyone would want to spread such malicious rumors about me".

The actress then assured everyone that she has no intentions what so ever of getting married secretly.




Meera jasmine denies reports of marriage

Meera Jasmine has denied reports appeared in a section of vernacular media that she has entered wedlock with Mandolin player U Rajesh (brother of Mandolin U Shrinivas) in Tirupati recently.
A section of media had carried reports that the actress married Rajesh in Tirupati Venkatachalapathy temple.
Shooting in Kolkata, Meera Jasmine said, “I deny the reports. They are baseless rumors. I am shattered”.
It may be recalled that Meera Jasmine was spotted at a concert rendered by U Rajesh in Chennai recently. Rumors have been part and parcel of Meera's career.



Music album release function of U Rajesh in chennai- all rumors started from here
Music Today and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd in association with Taj Connemara unveiled 'Into the Light', a world music extravaganza, by well-known mandolin player, U Rajesh. This presentation showcases the maestro's ease to adapt Carnatic classical melodies and fusing them into an Indo-Western platform. The launch was followed by a performance by Rajesh, accompanied by Anil Srinivasan (piano), Murugaboopathy (mridangam) and Muralikrishnan (drums).

The album presents a mystifying musical journey from the heart of darkness to light, that particular stage in life when one attains enlightenment.