'Varanam Aayiram' premiered in 20 plus centers in the USA. This is the first time ever either a Suriya or Gautham Menon film is getting this kind of response.

The distributors for USA, Bharat Creations has declared that as per the instructions from director Goutham, they are going ahead and trimming the film by 12 minutes.

"The movie is now very slick and is sure to attract more audiences' say the distributors.

Moreover, they add that "the exhibitors who purchased the theatrical rights for their respective centers have broken even in the first 2 -3 days. The exhibitors are extremely happy and are looking forward to make profits soon".

Due to the overwhelming response in the USA, Bharat Creations is now planning to bring 3 additional prints to meet the exhibitors' and audience demands.

'STOP THE WAR' and 'GUNS DO NOT HAVE HEARTS. DO YOU?' read the T-shirts worn by various IT employees on Monday when they protested against the killing and inhuman treatment the Lankan Tamils are subject to. The protest was in the form of a human chain and was attended by actors Suriya and his brother Karthi.

The employees formed a human chain to express their solidarity with the Lankan Tamils in front of Tidel Park on Rajiv Gandhi Salai.

Ma Foi's managing director, K Pandia Rajan also participated.

'We will wear these T-shirts wherever we go. We want to spread the message of peace. The Central government should hold talks with the Sri Lankan government to stop the war and the killing of innocent Tamils. The Central government should stop the supply of arms to Sri Lanka', said Prabhu, an IT employee.

'Ayan', AVM's next production after 'Sivaji' is on at a rapid pace. The film, which has Suriya playing the lead is being directed by cinematographer KV Anand. Suriya is happy to star in a film by AVM Productions, after the astounding success of Rajinikanth starrer 'Sivaji'.

Stating that the venture was 'a dream come true', the actor said that he was supposed to have acted in this film earlier but could not do so due to call sheet problems.

'It's another new experience for me. The film's got a nice pace and you can't miss the velvety visuals. With a bigger budget, it's bound to be high on gloss. But it's certainly not a leave-your-brain-behind-and-watch entertainer. It's a smart film which moves along logical lines.'

'I am acting in varied getups for 'Ayan'. The film is a wholesome entertainer for the entire family. The crux of Ayan is about a 23-year-old ambitious guy and the way he attains his goals in life.'

Director K V Anand said an ad film's idea sowed the seeds for Ayan. 'I discussed this story with Suriya and he was impressed with it. That's how 'Ayan' happened,' he said.

Rajinikanth's much-awaited animation movie 'Sultan -The Warrior' will hit the screens on 14th April, 2009. Directed by Rajnikanth's daughter Soundarya, the movie features Rajnikanth as a charming warrior and is loaded with his characteristic punch lines and mannerisms. Soundarya, managing director of Ocher Studios, has teamed up with Adlabs to bring out this animated project.

The film boasts of some big names like music composer A R Rahman, lyricist Vairamuthu and art director Thota Tharani.

Soundarya Rajnikanth, said, 'we are the first in India to venture into a feature length 3D film at this scale on par with any other Pixar or Dreamworks' movies'.
The character modeling, texturing, visual effects, lighting, animation are all being done in-house. It will be released in 12 different languages including Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and English to name a few.

'I am a great fan of Rajinikanth and I love all his films. Sultan The Warrior would appease all his fans. The movie is a dedication to my father for all his contribution to cinema,' she said and added, 'my father initially had apprehensions about my directorial skills. I convinced him thoroughly and he is now happy to be a part of the project'.

Actor Vijay has announced that he would stage a fast on 16 Nov along with his fans in Chennai to protest the killing on innocent Tamils in Sri Lanka.

In a press release, Vijay said, "my fans have been indulging in several social welfare activities. They rendered a great help during the Kargil war, Gujarat earthquake and tsunami sufferings. Now to voice their support for ailing Tamils in Sri Lanka, they would come together to stage a fast on 16 November."

'Several thousand Tamils are suffering without food and shelter in the neighboring nation. So, we are going to hold a fast between 8 and 4 pm on 16 November to condemn the ill-fate deployed on our fellow tamils'.

In all district headquarters, the Vijay Fans Association's office-bearers will preside over the fast. They have been beseeched to be dressed in black and exhibit their protest in the Gandhian way.

The days of silver screen stardom is now prevailing equally in the soap opera of recent times. It is no wonder that, popular artists have ventured in to the small screen and made it big with their elegant performance. Kushboo is one prominent person among them who enacts in the serials and gained the popularity that she got from the movies.

She is now to start off her next soap ‘Rudra’, playing the title role of a humble housewife; who is also a daring advocate who fights for welfare of the public. The season is to be relayed from October 13th in the prime time on Zee Tamil. The makers of ‘Rudra’ has etched catchy lines for the serial which states that Rudra will bring delight in your life and serve as an orifice for your sorrows. It is being said the script has been made in a fresh manner with a mix of emotions.

Rudra is one more soap opera that is gearing up to evoke tears even from the dry-eyed!!

The music album for the Ravikrishna starrer 'Kadhalna Summa Illai' was released at Hotel Le Royal Meridian in Chennai on Sunday.

The film is produced by Raj Television Network. Among those who took part in the function included directors Shankar, Dharani, Perarasu, R K Selvamani, Manobala, producers KRG, Ibrahim Rowther, A M Rathnam and A L Alagappan.

The film is yet another instance of popular Television Networks indulging in feature film production and distribution. The recently released 'Kadhalil Vizhundaen' and the yet to be released 'Thenavettu' are from the stable of Sun Pictures while the highly anticipated 'Vaaranam Ayiram' has been bought by Cloud Nine Pictures, an ally of Kalaigner TV. Director Bala's 'Naan Kadavul' has been acquired by Zee Television Network.

After playing roles that permeated with the girl-next-door appeal, Sneha will be seen in khaki playing the role of a police officer in the film 'Bhavani'. The film seems to be inspired by 'Vyjayanthi IPS'.

Sneha reportedly will have a slimmer look to suit the character. Also she is learning to perform stunts as she has to do three stunt sequences in the film.

The actress is also practicing bike racing for the 'chase' scenes. Kota Srinivasa Rao, Sampath and Manoj K. Jayan are the three villains.

The others in the cast are Ilavarasu, Manobala, Rajkapur, Delhi Ganesh and Vivek. Screenplay, dialogue and direction are by Arthi Kumar. Dhina is the music director

Just as reports are coming in about preparations for Vijay's 50th film (to be directed by Siddique), his arch screen-rival Ajith also seems to be planning big for his 49th film.

The media was abuzz for quite sometime about the association of Gautham Menon with Ajith for a thriller of sorts, but then things seem to have fallen out of place and Dharani who delivered the smash hit 'Gilli' with Vijay has been reportedly roped in.

Though Vijay's rise to absolute stardom seemed inevitable, 'Gilli' made sure that the actor had transcended to a different league altogether when compared with his contemporaries. Though the remake of a Telugu super hit, 'Gilli' had all the ingredients to propel Vijay to that of a macho young man with a tender heart. Dharani was credited with this Himalayan success. The duo came together again for 'Kuruvi', the first production venture of Udhayanidhi Stalin. The film was nowhere near the quality of 'Gilli' and yet managed a 150-day run.

With Dharani teaming up with Ajith, one can expect heroism to run riot on screen, which probably would be loved by 'thala' fans. The film would be produced by Sivaji Productions.

With Gautham reportedly not in Ajith's good books anymore 'for not coming up with the script on time and not meeting the star on a regular basis' the 'Khakka Khakka' director found himself out of favor with Vijay as well in the past. The director had reportedly turned down Vijay's suggestion to incorporate some of his trademark elements such as template-style action, dance and sentiment scenes for a film.

'Gilli' director Dharani to direct Ajith's 49th film??….sounds very interesting.