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The air at Sivaji Productions -- producers of the film -- is festive. The puja for the film at the late Sivaji Ganesan's house Annai Illam was a grand affair. Big names in the Tamil film industry were present, and everyone waited patiently for the film's hero to arrive.
Unlike those who think it goes with the tag, this superstar does not keep others waiting, and is a stickler for punctuality. He arrived on time at 11am, and the puja was performed. After that, Sivaji's wife, Kamalamma, put kumkum on Rajni's forehead. Perhaps as preparation for the film, Rajni had cut his hair and dyed it neat. The trademark white beard has also disappeared.
As the actor was about to leave, Kamal Haasan walked in, much to everyone's excitement.
Great opening for 7 G Rainbow Colony
7 G Rainbow Colony has had an amazing 100 per cent opening, despite not having big names. The only name that could draw the public was Selvaraghavan and his reputation as director of Kaadal Kondein. And to the director's obvious delight, the film is running to packed houses.
Selvaraghavan, who saw the film along with the public in theaters, is very excited about its reception. "This was beyond my expectations. We didn't have any big names yet people came to see the film and went back satisfied. I feel so relieved and happy. What more does a film-maker need?"
Of all the compliments he has been receiving from all quarters, including the film fraternity, critics and the general public, what he cherishes most is a congratulatory call from Mani Ratnam. "I spent an hour or so with him in his office, talking about many things. I cannot say how happy I felt when he said he liked the film immensely. You know, I grew up watching his films, and he is my idol. He advised me to always try to make films better than the earlier ones. Yes, that's what I want to do."
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Meanwhile, Selvararghavan is planning a holiday with the entire crew of 7 G. "I haven't taken a holiday in the last seven years. So, before I start my next film Oru Naal Oru Kanavu with Dhanush and Sonia Agarwal, I want to take a holiday. We are planning to go to Mauritius or some such place where I can go fishing!"
Jaya comes down hard on piracy
A long walk and a meeting with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha by members of the Tamil film industry, headed by actor Vijayakant, has led to the former taking stern action against video piracy.
After the crackdown, there is said to be a visible increase in theatre collections, and all new films have been doing exceedingly well.
Apart from 7 G Rainbow Colony, and the earlier release M Kumaran s/o Mahalakshmy doing exceedingly well, other films such as Srikkant's Bose, Arjun's Giri and Reema Sen's Chellamay are also doing well.
An action hero is born!
Srikkant's action film Bose shows him in the glamorous role of a commando. For the actor, who entered the film industry playing a romantic hero in Rojakkoottam, the success of an action film like Bose was a major victory.
With his soft looks and romantic image, it appeared he would get typecast in soft, romantic roles. His previous action film Jhoot flopped and the general talk was that he looked too soft to be an action hero.
And Srikkant wanted a change badly. "I do not want to be stuck to just one image; I want to be known as a good actor who can do all kinds of roles."
With the success of Bose, he has escaped getting into the rut.
A truce for Meera Jasmine?
That money can be a real spoilsport in human relationships can be seen, yet again, from the Meera Jasmine
Meera has filed suits against her two sisters, Jeni and Jebi, to recover several assets such as her flat in Ernakulam, a house worth Rs 65,00,000, a plot of land, a Tata Safari and an Opel Corsa.
Although the lawyer representing her sisters had promised to give her the original documents on October 23, it was not done. Naturally, Meera refused to withdraw the cases. Though she participated in the talks, her family did not attend the meeting but were represented by their lawyer.
