Don't like to give messages - Director Mani Ratnam

Mani Ratnam has been talked about in the past few days because his magnum opus, Nayagan (Nayakudu in Telugu), is 25-years-old.  Coincidentally, it is occasioned by the release of the noted film critic Bharadwaj Rangan's Conversations With Mani Ratnam. An excerpt from this new release reveals that Mani never wanted to become a film maker.  'I was interested in cinema only as a viewer. I never thought I'd take it up as a career. I never thought I would sit and write and actually direct films,' Mani said. 'I don't make movies to give messages. Films are about sharing an experience or sharing your angst or your concerns about something with a larger group of people,' he said.

Ajith New Muscular Look

We have been exposed to Ajith's beefed-up muscular look for his current Vishnuvardhan project. This look has pleased his fans and some of his directors too. 

Venkat Prabhu, his Mankatha director was in awe of this physique when he saw Ajith recently. He commented to the star that he wished Ajith had maintained a similar physique for Mankatha too.

To this Ajith replied that in their next association, he would look even more muscular and trim. This thrilled Venkat Prabhu as expected and now fans must be wondering if the Ajith-Venkat Prabhu would team up soon. 

Ajith has the Siva project after his Vishnuvardhan film while Venkat is busy with Biriyani. Will the Mankatha pair join hands after these assignments? And if they join, will it be for Mankatha 2?

TAMIL MOVIE PIZZA REVIEW

If the success of a thriller lies in bringing the film-goer to the edge of the seat, 'Pizza' does it. With right toppings in the form of a taut screenplay, deft camera work, eerie sound effects and nice background score, the movie manages to leave a mark.

Vijay Sethupathy is having a gala time in Tamil cinema, one can say. After a comical role in 'Naduvula Konjam Pakkathai Kanom', a role with negative shades in 'Sundarapandian', now he plays a role that combines all in one.

Ramya Nambeesan plays her part well. She gives right expressions and adds pep to the proceedings. Also in the cast are Naren, Pooja, Jaykumar and Veera Sethuraman.

It is a simple story and what sustains the interest is the way it has been narrated. Loaded with enough suspense elements, the movie is a sure a worthy watch with a pack of popcorn.

Michael (Vijay Sethupathy) is a pizza delivery boy, who stays with Anu (Ramya Nambeesan). The later has a passion to pen a story on spirits and ghosts.

In the meantime, unexpected pregnancy of Anu forces Michael to marry her. When things go smooth, Michael's life takes a turn when he goes to deliver pizza at a posh bungalow. There he gets struck in the house and comes across creepy moments. The rest is all but a chain of events that leads to an unexpected climax.One of the high points of the movie is splendid background score by Santosh Narayanan.

There are scenes that sends chill down the spine- especially the one at the bedroom in the house where Michael goes after delivering the pizza. The encounters between Michael and the inmates of the haunted house are sure to make you bite your nails.

Thankfully, a couple of songs in the form of mobile ring tones are situation-based, which don't affect the flow of the movie.

Producer C V Kumar deserves a pat for coming up with a quality product in such a modest budget. Perhaps emboldened by the success of his earlier venture 'Attakathi'.

But at the same time, 'Pizza' could also end up as a multiplex move.

K Balachander blunted Rajinikanth and my ego: Kamal Hassan

Kamal Hassan has said that there is a competition between him and superstar Rajinikanth. In an interview with NDTV, the actor has also claimed that their mentor K Balachander blunted their egos in their initial days.

Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan acted together in over 15 movies. Starting from Apoorva Raagangal, which was Kamal's debut film as hero, they worked together in a series of K Balachander's films.

They acted in Moondru Mudichu, Aval Appadithaan, Pathinaru Vayathinile, Avargal, Aadu Puli Atham, Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu, Thayillamal Nannilai, Ninaithale Inikkum, Alavuddinum Athbutha Vilakkum, Thillu Mullu, Agni Sakshi, etc.

"Our egos were blunted by our mentor K Balachander. However, there is great level of competition and we will both not let go off our stand," said Kamal Hassan in the interview. When asked about their decision to split after delivering so many hits, he claimed, "We decided we'll not do film together without making noise."

"The reason being is our remunerations were divided into two. But when we split, the success and the credit went to each deserving person and our price were doubled. This was a practical decision and it was right. We were businessmen for that moment."