Anushka with Mahesh Babu in Mani Ratnam's new film!

Anushka, currently south India's number one heroine, has signed up to play the all-important female lead in the mani ratnam's next film.

A source close to Anushka confirmed the news and said, "Yes, Sweety (as she is known) has signed Mani sir's epic classic and is thrilled to do it. She has allotted bulk dates for the project. She has to complete two Telugu projects in the next four to five months, and then join Ponniyin Selvan, where she will sport an all-new look."

Initially, there was talk that Vikram, Vijay and Suriya would do the project, but that fell through. A source close to the development said, "Even Mani sir found it difficult to bring them together for a joint narration to hear the script, leave alone doing a full-fledged film! As of now, Vijay, Arya and Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu have agreed to do the film." The grapevine has it that while Vijay will play the courageous warrior Vallavarayan Vandiyatheyan, Mahesh Babu is likely to play King Aditha Karikalan. The role of Arulmozhi Varman (who later becomes Raja Raja Chozha), which was initially slated to be done by Vikram, will now be played by Arya.

Manirathnam coming up with a Multistarrer

Ace director Manirathnam who gave many super hits is coming up with another enthralling film. This time he is doing a multi starrer with Hero Vikram and Tollywood’s prince Mahesh Babu.

The story is based on the famous Tamil historical novel “Ponnian Selvam”. Ponnian Selvam”is widely known as the greatest novel ever written in Tamil. It deals with the fortunes of the Chola empire during the 10th century. This going to b a historical, romantic, spy thriller film.

If the buzz is true Vikram will be doing the role of Raja Raja Chola, while prince Mahesh Babu will be acting in the role of the Pallava king. The dialogue writer of this film Jayamohan is being paid a huge amount or Rs. 2 crores for penning the dialogues. For the ever first time in Indian cinema that a dialogue writer is receiving such huge amount as remuneration.

This flick is produced by Kalnidhi Maran under Sun Pictures banner.

Super Star Mahesh Babu With Mani Rathnam

Mahesh Babu is going to act in the direction of Manirathnam. It is said that Vikram is also acting along with Mahesh Babu in the film. The movie is going to be produced by Sun Pictures with hugest budget. It is going to be made both in Telugu and Tamil.

It is known that Manirathnam recently made the movie ‘Raavan’ with Abhishek and Vikram and that went as a flop.

Now we have to see what wonder does Manirathnam do.

‘Villan’ cinematography nominated for Asia Pacific Screen Awards

Villan cameramen Santosh Sivan and V. Manikandan together nominated for Best Cinematography Award at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, which will be held in Australia on December 2^nd.

India had received three nominations, including three Marathi films for the fourth annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Though the film is disaster at the box office, Cinematography of Santosh Sivan and V. Manikandan was admired even by all the critics.

Marathi film Vihir, which is produced by Amitabh Bachchan was also competing in the same category with Villan

Queensland government, Australia initiated Asia Pacific Screen Awards in collaboration with UNESCO and International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations.

‘Bommarillu’ Bhaskar Gets his Chance to direct Vikram in his next!

The ace director ‘Bommarillu’ Bhaskar who is currently busy with Ram Charan Teja’s ‘Orange’ will direct Vikram in his next which is said to be a bilingual film. It will be produced by BVSN Prasad of Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra India Pvt. Ltd. Who has earlier produced films like ‘Chatrapathi’, ‘Katarnak’, ‘Darling’, etc

Sources say that as Vikram has a decent fan following right from his ‘Sivaputrudu’ film to his block buster film ‘Aparichitudu’, he accepted to do the film. It is said he might be do this new project straight away in Telugu and it might mostly happen in Tamil also.

Vikram's Next Movie '24'

Only two films (‘Bheema’ and ‘Mallanna’) in five years has made Vikram to rework on his working

style. As per the new decision, the actor will act in two movies simultaneously, as against his earlier trend of doing only one film at a time.“Mani Ratnam’s ‘Raavan’ is almost over except some patchwork. Hence, I am now concentrating in two more projects, one by Vikram Kumar titled ‘24’ and the other by Selvaragavan.

I have recently completed a three-week schedule in Ladakh for Selva’s film,” he says.Though Vikram is yet to start working for ‘24’ (the film will go on floors next week), he is clear that the film would hit the screens before ghavan’s venture. “Selva’s film will take some more time. ‘24’ will be released first,” he says.
On his much expected production venture directed by Sasikumar, Vkram says, “Sasi is the innovative filmmaker in Tamil cinema in recent times. Hence I asked him to direct my first production venture. The script is fantastic and is set in Chennai.”