Mammootty takes a break to prepare for son's marriage

Malayalam superstar Mammootty is very busy -- but not with movies. He has taken a break from acting to make preparations for the marriage of his actor son Dulquar Salmaan with A. Sufia, an architect.

"Yes, I am busy with the wedding and we are all leaving for Chennai Friday. The marriage is in Chennai on the 22nd of this month," Mammootty told IANS.

He added: "Yes, I have taken a break from my job and there will be a reception here on the 26th December and I will rejoin my work on the new year," said Mammootty known for keeping his family life away from prying eyes of media.

After giving a thought, Salmaan followed his father's footsteps and he has just finished the shoot of his first film "Second Show".

It will not be the usual 'filmy wedding'.

Sufia is the daughter of Syed Nizamuddin, who hails from north India, but is settled in Chennai.

The release of Mammootty's latest film "Venice le Vyappari" got delayed, but it is not expected to hit the theatres on the day of his son's wedding.

Mammootty meets Jayalalitha

Megastar Mammootty met Dr.Jayalalitha yesterday at CM's office at Chennai. The megastar was there to invite the CM to his son Dulqar Salman's wedding, scheduled to take place this 22nd.Mammootty had a few minutes chat with the Tamil Nadu C M. It is not yet clear whether Mammootty has talked about the ongoing Mullaiperiyar issue in between. The megastar has already taken leave from the movie industry to be a part of the final preparation of his only son's wedding.

Mammootty takes a break to prepare for son's marriage

Malayalam superstar Mammootty is very busy -- but not with movies. He has taken a break from acting to make preparations for the marriage of his actor son Dulquar Salmaan with A. Sufia, an architect.

"Yes, I am busy with the wedding and we are all leaving for Chennai Friday. The marriage is in Chennai on the 22nd of this month," Mammootty told IANS.

He added: "Yes, I have taken a break from my job and there will be a reception here on the 26th December and I will rejoin my work on the new year," said Mammootty known for keeping his family life away from prying eyes of media.

After giving a thought, Salmaan followed his father's footsteps and he has just finished the shoot of his first film "Second Show".

It will not be the usual 'filmy wedding'.

Sufia is the daughter of Syed Nizamuddin, who hails from north India, but is settled in Chennai.

The release of Mammootty's latest film "Venice le Vyappari" got delayed, but it is not expected to hit the theatres on the day of his son's wedding.

'Vyapari' may come a week earlier

The recent strikes witnessed by the Mollywood industry has derailed the release prospects of at least a dozen of films including the films by the megastars and superstars. 'Venicile Vyapari' and 'Oru Marubhumukkatha' were thus shifted for Christmas.

Initially it was  reported that 'Oru Marubhoomikatha'  which marks the comeback of the biggest ever commercial director created by Mollywood-Priyadarsan, will arrive a week earlier on the 16th of December while 'Venicile Vyapari' will make it to theatres only by the 23rd of this month. But as per the information from the release centres, both these movies are now charted to take on each other on the same day, that is on the 16th of December. The two movies which are already censored carried good preview reports. And if both the movies can open up with good initial collections, it is sure to bring back the sunny days of Mollywood.

As of now 'Venicile Vyapari' and 'Oru Marubhoomikkatha' will get into eighty plus theatres on the same day, for the final fight of the superstar films, this year.

A parade for release dates

As the strikes are almost over, Mollywood is suddenly left with a multitude of films, getting ready to take a go in the theatres within a few weeks. 'Oru Marubhoomi Kadha' (Mohanlal-Bhavana) 'Venicele Vyapari' (Mammootty-Kavya Madhavan) , 'Beautiful' (Jayasurya-Meghnaraj), 'Asuravithu' (Asif Ali-Samvrutha Sunil) ,'Innanu Aa Kalyanam' (Rajasenan) are movies that will be on theaters in a short while.

The producers who had been waiting with these films in their cans for quite some time has already been inflicted by some losses due to inability to go for a right release at the right dates. Movies like 'Oru Marubhoomikkadha' and 'Venicile Vyapari' has already spent lakhs on their pre-publicity which has already went in vain. Now that if they won't propel a different looking campaign at the time of the release, moviegoers are not likely to get the feel of a fresh release.

Anyhow, the balance sheet of the strike will include the constituting of a Joint Consultation Committee (JCC) with members from the FEFKA, AMMA and KFPA which will meet every fortnight. JCC will conduct a pre-analysis of the commercial viability of a movie, to help the producers who are not familiar with production and distribution aspects.
  
The other important outcome is the shifting of the release of the superstar films originally slated for Bakrid, which is likely to upset the release of many more in the future including the big budget flicks 'Casanova' and 'King and commissioner'. Reports are that they will be pushed to January or even March of 2012.

Rasul to unite Mammootty and Big B

One of the best known technicians of Indian cinema, Resul Pookutty, had always expressed his interest in directing films. In fact he had one project going five years ago which got shelved due to financial reasons. Resul was then planning to make a movie out of the famous novel by Anand- ' Govardhan's Travels' with Mammootty as the hero. It was then planned in three languages, but the last minute crisis led the master technician to concentrate back on his sound engineering business.

But now Resul is taking more active steps to realise his dream. This time he will be bringing in Megastar Mammootty and none other than 'Big B'- Amitabh Batchchan for the first time together for his movie. The flick will tell the emotional story about a father -son relationship and will use the best of the technicians from Bollywood. As there are many more international projects coming his way, Resul will start working on his debut directorial venture only after completing his current assignments.

Mammootty to be 'Kallakaamukan'

• Mammootty, and his romantic hero image in Joshy's 'Kuettettan' cannot be forgotten in a hurry.
  
  Now, years after 'Kuttettan', the Megastar gets ready to play a romantic hero of a different kind in Johny Antony's new film that has been titled 'Kallakaamukan'.
  
  Udaykrishna and Siby K Thomas would pen the script of 'Kallakaamukan'. The film would be produced by Milan Jaleel.
  
  Johny is currently busy shooting for the Prithviraj film 'Masters'. The shoot of 'Kallakaamukan' would start by mid 2012.

Release of Mammootty and Mohanlal films delayed by a month!

The strike that had brought the entire Malayalam film industry to a standstill is finally drawing to a close.

However, two films - that of Mammootty and Mohanlal - that were expected to be released in November, have been postponed to December, following the strike.

Mammootty's 'Venicile Vyapari' and Mohanlal's 'Arabiyum Ottakavum P Madhavan Nairum' were to reach the theatres by mid November.

However, both these films have been declared as Christmas releases now. 'Arabiyum Ottakavum P Madhavan Nairum' will be released a week before Christmas, while 'Venicile Vyapari' would be released on Dec.23.

Kaniha to be Mammootty's heroine again

• Lal directed Mammootty film 'Cobra' has remained in the news for several reasons, and one of them has been the film's heroines.
  
  At first it was reported that Padmapriya has been cast opposite Lal and that Lekshmi Rai would be Mammootty's pair in the film.
  
  Later Lekshmi Rai was out of the picture, and Sruthi Ramakrishnan, was rumoured to have been roped in instead of Lekshmi.
  
  And now, Lekshmi Rai is back in the film, and would be Lal's heroine. Sruthi Ramakrishnan is not a part of the project, and Kaniha would be seen opposite Mammootty in the film.
  
  Kaniha and Mammootty were seen together earlier in films like 'Pazhassi Raja' and 'Drona 2010'.

I am not a real superstar

Megastar Mammooty has requested all his fans to stop referring  him as a superstar. Mammootty believes that the word, as of now, has turned a little bit offensive, as many accusations are now inflicted upon the superstars. Megastar Mammooty was answering the actor Tini Tom as he referred Mammooty to be the only real superstar of Malayalam film industry.

In the new scenario,superstars seem to be the cause of all the problems in our industry. They are now blamed for dominating the industry, not allowing younger stars to come up. They are also accused for running after younger heroines on screens, who are half of their age. And so Mammootty like himself to be called as an actor, rather than an superstar.

Mammootty is currently in the sets of 'The king and the Commissioner' at Hyderabad, in which he will be sharing the screens with Sureshgopi after a long time.

Mammootty and Kamal Hassan with Mohanlal in 'Randamoozham'

Hariharan's 'Randamoozham' might be one of the biggest of multi starrers ever produced. 

If rumours are to be believed, along with Mohanlal who would be seen in the key role of Bheeman, Mammootty and Kamal Hassan might also be making special appearances in the film.

Mammootty in all probability would don the role of Karnan, while Kamal might appear in the role of Duryodhan.

The film that is based on a script by M T Vasudevan Nair, would be produced by Gokulam Gopalan.

Film industry strike might be called off soon

• The film industry strike that has almost brought the entire cinema business in the state to a stand still might very well be soon called off.
  
  The Exhibitors Association has agreed to release films from the 25th of this month, if producers agree not to wide release their films.
  
  Liberty Basheer, the President of the Exhibitors' Association says that the want a film to be released only in seventy centers. 
  
  The Producers' Associatio meanwhile had decided to restart the shooting of the films that have been stalled due to the strike.

Malayalam movie industry in throes of crisis

Constant tiffs among film organisations and escalating costs have led to a crisis in the Malayalam movie industry, known for classics like "Perumthachan" and "Ajayan" and stalwarts such as Mammootty and Mohanlal.

The industry can boast of making the first 3D film in India, "My Dear Kuttichathan", and the first cinemascope film in southern India titled "Thacholi Ambu". But after scaling great heights in the 1980s and 1990s, it is now going downhill.

In one sentence, if one has to describe the present status of the Malayalam film industry, the answer is "chaotic".

At the heart of this downfall are strikes and conflicts -- for the past four days shootings have come to a grinding halt. The Kerala Film Producers Association has decided to suspend work after its pleas to reduce cost of production fell on deaf ears.

Suresh Kumar, a veteran producer, who has been in this business for the past three decades, said they have no other option because if the industry has to survive, then costs have to be slashed.

"How many of you know that in this calendar year, out of 70 films that have been released, six ended up in the red, and 30 films have had a collection of less than Rs.1 million? This is the sorry state of affairs of producers," said Kumar.

In 1990, there were 1,400 theatres in the state, but today just 470 cinema halls are operational.

Theatre owners are divided into two groups - Film Exhibitors Federation and the Film Exhibitors Association.

The Federation represents about 295 theatres, located in 70 business districts, and these screen all new movies.

The Association basically has theatre owners who have moviehalls in smaller towns and villages which are not allowed to screen new releases and where there is not too much crowd.

From Nov 1, the theatre owners, who are members of the Federation, have been on the war path after the state government threatened to cancel the service charge of Rs.2 on per ticket sold.

Because of this, the Federation is not screening any Malayalam movie, as a result superstars Mammootty's and Mohanlal's new films, which were supposed to come out last month, have been deferred indefinitely.

The situation worsened after the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA), which has 19 organisations under it, including those for drivers and directors, announced they would have to produce films themselves to get rid of the problem.

"We would welcome directors turning producers because it would make them understand the pains of a producer. The crux of the issue is that many established directors prefer to work with first-time producers because then no questions are asked and the new producers act as mere 'cashiers'," said a producer on condition of anonymity.

"I am a producer and I have been in this field for a while and as a producer I question each and every financial transaction."

Incidentally, the industry showed a consensus only when the new Oommen Chandy government assumed office in May and decided to give the film portfolio to actor-turned-politician K.B. Ganesh Kumar.

But Kumar is finding the constant squabbles and ego clashes tiresome.

"We will certainly have a discussion to see how production costs can be cut down and for this I will meet up with the Producers' Association and representatives of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists," said the minister.

He has also made it clear that there would be no discussions with theatre owners till they resume film screening.

But theatre owners, who are members of the Federation, are not happy with the minister's decision to charge an additional Rs.3 on every ticket sold to set up a producers' welfare fund.

"He said if this is not done, he will withdraw the Rs.2 service charge that the theatre owners charge on every ticket. We said it would be unfair to burden us and then face the wrath of moviegoers because the price of the ticket would further go up. If we are pressurised, then we would have no other option but to close down theatres," said a theatre owner on condition of anonymity.

Theatres under the Federation will decide whether to go on indefinite strike at a meeting Nov 19.

A R Rahman to compose the music of 'Randamoozham'

Hariharan's magnum opus in the making 'Randamoozham' has hogged all the news headlines of late.

It has been revealed that the film would be the costliest film ever in the history of Malayalam cinema, and would have the best technicians lending support.

And what more could we ask for when the music of the film would be composed by none other than Oscar winner A R Rahman?

With Rahman joining the crew of 'Randamoozham', the anticipations surround the film have gone up even further. Shoot of the film is expected to start by mid 2012.

'Cobra' starts at Chalakkudy

• Mammootty's new film 'Cobra' that would be directed by Lal has commenced its shoot at Chalakkudy.
  
  Though the shoot has started yesterday, Mammootty would be joining the sets of 'Cobra' only after completing 'The King and the Commissioner'.
  
  Lal would also be seen in a parallel role along with Mammootty in the film. Maniyanpillai Raju, Lalu Alex, Salim Kumar and Kunchan would offer support. 
  
  Padmapriya and Sruthi Ramakrishnan would be the heroines.
  
  Lal hopes to regain his box office success record that was tarnished by his last film 'Tournament', with 'Cobra'.

Mammookka, back with student scholarships

Megastar Mammootty is one actor who is ever busy organising charity activities for the people who really wants a support. His 'Care and Share foundation' has in the past organised many such initiatives, helping a lot in distress. Last day, the megastar was seen at Karunyashramam at Thoppe near Kakkanad, offering a scholarship to the nursing student Mamtha, who lives in the poor home. This was the state wide inauguration of Care and Share's 'Vidhyamritham' project aiming to help the students from poorer backgrounds with merit scholarships so that they can achieve heights in academics.

'Vidharymritham' project is devised to help the students who pass plus two with high marks enabling themselves to join the professional courses in merit seats. Every student who has already applied for the scholarship has been considered for the year's economic support. The scholarship amount for others will be delivered in their houses in a short while.

In a very unofficial function that followed, Mammootty himself described the details about the project. He also spent quite some time with the inmates of the 'Karunyasramam'. Care and Share vice chairman Geevarghese Yohannan, Fr. Thomas Kurien marottipuzha, Robert kuriakkose, George Sebastian, and M G M.

Lal and Mammootty for 'Randaamoozham'

The script for the  biggest movie ever to hit the Mollywood screen is almost ready . Yes' the wait for the completion of the scripts of 'Randaamozham' is over as the best screenwriter of our times , M T Vasudevan Nair is giving the final touches to the scripts. And the buzz is that the makers has zeroed in the most versatile actor of our times, Mohanlal to do the lead character of Bheeman, who is always poised to play the second hero in his entire life.
                 
Know who will be appearing in the role of his big opponent Duryodhana?.Yes, in  the biggest casting coup ever, Malayalees personal pride Mammootty will appear as in the role of Duryodhana in the movie which will be produced by Gokulam Gopalan.The movie will be biggest ever production in terms of budgets and technical finesse, for which the makers will engage the best from Indian and  Hollywood. Veteran director Hariharan, who is well versed in treating historical movies will call the shots for the magnum opus film which will start its initial production activities in 2012.
                
We are sure that this news will be stunner for all the proud lovers of  Mollywood who will start eagerly waiting from now on  for that 'Gadha yudhham' between Bheema and Duryodhaha (lal and Mammootty), which will be undoubtedly one of the best climax thrills of the movie.

The king at Delhi

The shoot for the new movie 'The king and the Commissioner' has restarted at Delhi.Featuring Mammootty and Sureshgopi in the title roles, the movie will complete most of the sequences except the climax at Delhi. This second schedule of shoots will go on till the 10th of November, after which director Shaji kailas will plan the climax.Produced by Anto Joseph in the banner of Emperor cinema, 'The king and the commissioner' is all set to become the final big release of the year , greeting the viewers this Christmas.

Megastar MammootT who is currently shooting for the movie at the capital city  found time to pay a visit to the Union Defence minister A K Antony.The meeting between the two most eminent of the  malayalees went on for twenty minutes. Mammootty also invited the minister  for his son's marriage that is scheduled for the last week of December.

Inspire award for Mammootty and Navya

Mammootty was named the bets actor in the second Inspire Award announced yesterday. While his 'Pranchiyettan and the Saint' was selected as the best picture of 2010, Navya Nairbagged the award for the best actress for he performance in the movie 'Sadgamaya' and 'Yugapurushan'.While Harikumar was selected as the best director for 'Sadgamaya',  Late Mohan Raghavan was named the best debutante director for his 'T D Dasan, Std VI B.The other awards announced are listed below Best Script writer: Ranjith (Prachiyettan And The Saint),Second Best Actor: Biju Menon (Meriykkundoru Kunjaadu),Second Best Actress: Shwetha Menon (TD Dasan STD 6 B),Best Comedian: Suraj Venjarummoodu (Various Films),Popular Director: Lal Jose,Popular Film: Elsamma Enna Aankutty,Film with Social Awareness: Soofi Paranja Kadha,Best Lyricist: Rafeeq Ahammed,Best Musician: Berny- Ignatious (Meriykkundoru Kunjaadu),Best Male Singer: Afsal (Kaaryasthan),Best Female Singer: Manjari (Various Films),Best Cinematographer: Pradeep Nair (Cocktail),Best Editor: Mahesh Narayan (Aatmakadha),Special Jury Award: Thalaivasal Vijay,Best Make Up man: Pattanam Rasheed (Kuttysrank),Best Costume Designer: Saji Kunnamkulam (Elsamma Enna Aankutty),Best Art Director: K Krishnankutty (Yugapurushan),Production Controller: Shaji Pattikkara,Best Film Journalist: M S Das Maattumantha,Best Film based TV Programme: Movie Bazar (Amrita TV) Nivin Pauly and Akhila Sasidharan got award for Best debutante artists   The awards will be given away in a colourful function that will be held at Kaloor stadium on the 5th of November.

Padmapriya in 'kobra'

After a few years from their last hit together, Padmapriya will one again unite with Mammootty for a the new movie. The latest reports suggests that Padmapriya will play the female lead together with Lekshmy Rai for the new movie 'Kobara' which will have Lal and Mammootty doing the heroes. Directed and produced by Lal, 'Kobra will have Mammootty as Raja while Lal will appear as kari and the movie will tell the intense bonding between there two.  A comedy action thriller in the scripts of Lal, 'Kobara' will be jointly produced by Playhouse and Lal movies.

Rafi and Mecartin get a script ready for Sunil Babu

• Directors Rafi and Mecartin, whose last film with Mammootty 'Love in Singapore' had earned much flak, would soon be scripting another film for the Megastar.
  
  This film too would have the trademark Rafi Mecartin comic stamp all over it.
  
  It would be directed by newcomer Sunil Babu. This film is expected to be one of Mammootty's major projects in 2012.
  
  The film would be produced by Rajan Thaliparambu under the banner of Horizon Entertainment.

Mammootty-Shaji Kailas- A K Saajan to team up

Though their last two films, 'Drona' and 'August15 ended up as big disasters,Megastar  Mammootty still  seems to love the company of director Shaji Kailas. Both of them are currently shooting for their latest multistarrer 'The King and the commissioner ' at Delhi.

Anyhow, the latest reports are that 2012 will feature one more film of Mammootty with Shaji Kailas, this time in the scripts of A K Saajan. This project is expected to be funded by actor Vijayakumar.A K Saajan who is currently completing his third film as director- 'Asuravithu' with Aasif Ali as the hero will soon start writing for this new movie.

Meanwhile, the initials suggestions are that the scripts of  ' The King and the Commissioner' holds enough mettle to create a fair success at the B O. Let us wait and see whether the movie will end the loosing streak of its lead actor and director.

'Kobra' starts this November

Megastar Mammootty had been a successful ally to director Renjith for quite some years, the union which resulted in some great movies including 'Pranchiyettan...' and 'Kaiyoppu' that came out in the last few years. But with no more immediate Renjith projects and due to a very dry season in the Box Office, the megastar is looking for fresher options to continue with his ruling streak in the Mollywood Business. And the latest news is that he has found a new business pal in actor, producer and director Lal. Together they are going to produce the new movie 'Kobra' which is all set to kick of the shoot by the fifth of this November.Mammootty's Playhouse will be the production associate of this movie together with Lal creations. Lal himself will script and direct Mammooty in this movie and will also appear in the role of the second hero in this humorous thriller. The duo were excellent in the previous hit movies together -'Thommanum Makkalum' and 'Best Actor'.

Lal and Mammootty has almost confirmed Lakshmi Rai and Mamtha Mohandas as the heroines of this movie, which is expected to be on theatres by the month of February.

Mammootty steps in for a remix

In the season of remixes, megastar Mammootty has also joint the bandwagon and has stepped in to be on one. The actor was seen a couple of days ago in Oooty, lending his lips for the remix version of the famous Jayan and Seema song from 'Angaadi' starting 'Kannum Kannum', 'Thammil Thammil'. Director Shafi was calling the shots for this song for his new movie 'Venicile Vyapari' destined to be on theaters as a Bakrid release on the fourth of November. The movie which tells a story based on the eighties, also have the megastar in a similar dress code with Blue bell bottom pants and jackets with long pointed collars.

Mammootty explains that it was the desire of the director Shafi to use a super hit song of the eighties in a dream scene of the film. And later they zeroed in on the song than going on for a heavy beat track.

'Venicile Vyaapari' which is almost complete is produced by Madhavan Nair of Murali films.

Actor Mohanlal under Indian Army scanner for uniform misuse

• Two years after feting him with honorary Lieutenant Colonel's rank, the Territorial Army has taken serious note of reports that Malayalam movie star Mohanlal had allegedly misused his uniform for commercial purposes in Kerala government advertisements to promote tourism. The actor has denied the allegation.
  
  Officers at the Army Headquarters here said they have received reports that Mohanlal, considered to be one of Kerala's topmost film actor, had passed off as a war hero in a television advertisement aired in December 2010 and January 2011 during the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival promoted by the state's tourism department.
  
  This, the officers said, was against the rules under which he was conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2009. The honorary rank conferment rules stipulate that the uniform be worn only on ceremonial occasions, while on training with his Territorial Army unit, and at official functions.
  
  The honorary rank is conferred by the army on achievers to have them as role models and inspire the country's youth to join the armed forces.
  
  The army has in the recent years also conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel on India's leading sportspersons, including 1983 World Cup winning Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev, 2011 World Cup winning cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medallist shooter Abhinav Bindra.
  
  The reports had suggested that Mohanlal had in a series of advertisements presented himself in army uniform, claiming to be a 1971 war hero, a National Security Guard (NSG) commando, a gallantry medal winner and a recipient of the army chief's commendation card.
  
  He was reportedly paid Rs.50 lakh for the advertisement shot by his own production house, Ashirwad Films.
  
  The advertisements were noticed by a retired army Brigadier, who is reported to have lodged a complaint with the army in this regard.
  
  Mohanlal, speaking to IANS, said the costume used in the advertisement for the Kerala tourism department was the one he had worn for his role in the Malayalam film "Kandahar". 
  
  "It's just like any film hoarding and it has got nothing to do with the Lt. Col. uniform in the Territorial Army. You should also see that the advertisement mentions my character in the film. In fact, I did this for the Kerala government and I have not collected any professional fees for it," said Mohanlal.

Mammootty unveils CCL jersey

In a colourful function held at Taj Malabar, megastar Mammootty unveiled the team jersey of 'Kerala Strikers'- the Mollywood team which will take part in the current edition of CCL scheduled to start on the 21st of January, 2012. Mammootty handed over the jersey to the vice captain of the team, actor Indrajith in the absence of its captain Super star Mohanlal who couldn't make it to the function due to viral fever.

The others of the 20 member team participating in the years Celebrity Cricket League includes Kunchako Boban, Prithviraj, Nivin Poly, Munna, Bineesh kodiyeri, Riyas Ahammed, Vivek Gopan, Saiju Kurup,Manikuttan, Unni Mukundan, Vinoo Mohan, Bala, Rejith Menon, Kalabhavan Prajod, and Asif Ali. 'Kerala Strickers' will have Lakshmi Rai and Bhavana as the team ambassadors while Mohanlal, Lissy Priyadarshan and Shaji are the joint owners of team, who have already spend two crores on them. Their coach is Pankaj Chandrasenan Nair while the team manager is Idavela Babu. The first match of Kerala team is at Bangalore on 2012 January 21 against Hyderabad.

Talking on the occasion, state minister and a member of film fraternity, K B Ganeshkumar said that this  CCL will provide a platform for Kerala actors to get into closer relations with members of other film industries. He also added that the state government will provide all possible support for the event. Indrajith who also spoke on the occasion said that it is a dream come true for himself and his team members to play cricket on the international stadiums, which featured ever green cricket matches won by the National team. As  he will be free on the entire month, he looks forward to play every match as a wicket keeper batsman. The captain of the team, Mohanlal will also bat though he will be noted more as a bowler.

Priyadarshan, Radhika Sharathkumar, Sohail Khan, Lissy Priyadharshan and Boney Kapoor also attended the function which was followed by the presentation of the team members in their Jerseys accompanied in the ramp by leading models.

Arabi Vs Vyaapari

fter a dull Onam for the reigning superstars of Mollywood, Mohanlal and Mammootty will go on for a direct duel at the Box Office with their new movies for this Bakrid season. Mammootty's 'Venicle Vyapari' and Mohanlal's 'Arabeem Ottakavum P Madhavan Niarum' which is alternatively titled as 'Oru Marubhhomikatha' will be the two movies which are almost confirmed to grace the theatres on the same day, that is the fourth of November.

'Venile Vyapari' coming from the director of super hits Shafi, has Mammootty in triple getups and the star is said  to have done a dificult role for the movie which is based on a story of the eighties by James Alber. While 'Arabeem......' will have Mohanlal once again uniting with his favourite director Priyadharsan after a gap of seven years. With lot of expectations on both the movies, the Box Office is sure to find a reasonably big fight for the ultimate winner of the season.

Mammootty's charity to sponsors 250 more heart patients

Mammootty is not only a superb actor, he is also into charitable activities and the latest is that he will sponsor another 250 heart patients by joining hands with the NIMS Hospital here.

Speaking to IANS, the superstar said that he will visit the hospital Thursday to spend some time with those who underwent heart surgeries.

"Along with NIMS Hospital two years back we had announced that 100 poor patients would be given totally free treatment, including by-pass surgeries. We did that and now we have decided to carry forward the scheme for another 250 more poor patients," said Mammootty.

The veteran superstar, who turned 58 this month, does charity work through his Fans Association and apart from sponsoring heart surgeries, he is also involved in providing free cataract surgeries.

Faizal Khan, managing director of NIMS Hospital, said that they are happy that Mammootty has decided to sponsor another 250 patients.

"The patients are identified by his Fans Association through medical camps. The financial position of the selected patients are thoroughly examined by them and the poorest of the poor people are selected. Once they get admitted to our hospital, then we take over till the time the patient leaves the hospital by providing free treatment," said Khan.

Mammootty in Pothys ad

As plans are on to film a movie on the life and times of Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, the erstwhile King of Travancore, with Mammotty donning the historic character, the Megastar has already appeared in a advertisement with similar dress codes and backdrops of the famed Raja. Mammootty is in the lead of the ads for the Pothys textiles which is getting ready to start its first outlet in the capital city of kerala. The advertisement in the scripts of 'Urumi' fame Shankar Ramakrishnan is directed by Jetty Jerry who had earlier directed Tamil films like Ullasam.

It is learned that as the outlet is in Thiruvananthapuram. with the  famed Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple now becoming the cynosure of all eyes, the directors of Pothy's were keen to create an ad with a Travancore Raja in the frames. Malayalam star Jagathi Sreekumar and 'Dev D' fame Mahie Gille also share the screen time with Mammooty in this bug budget ad.

Mammootty in 'Kannum Kannum'

The practice of using the remix of a evergreen songs has already become a habit with the new film makers. And interestingly many new films are now remembered more for the remixed songs than the film itself. The same is the case of films like 'Thejabhai and family' and few others whose biggest highlight were its remixed songs.

Continuing with the tradition is the new Mammootty film 'Venicile Vyapari' which will feature the remixed version of the evergreen song 'Kannum Kannum'. The new song will have the megastar and Poonam Bajwa lypsyncing the song which in the original 'Angadi' was shot on Jayan and Seema.

'Kannum Kannuum' is remixed by young music director Bijipal for this 'Venicile Vayapaari', which tells a plot centred around the eighties. Mammootty and his costars appear in the dress codes and hairdo of the decade in this movie which is directed by Shafi in the scripts of James Albert.

Mammootty vows to avoid liquor in films

• Malayalam superstar Mammootty has produced a documentary that asks people to avoid liquor in Kerala, which has recorded the highest alcohol consumption in the country. He also said he would do his best to avoid liquor and not act in film sequences featuring alcohol.
  
  Mammotty's 40-second film with a message - Say No to Liquor and Say No to Drugs - was unveiled Thursday by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
  
  "I always try to avoid such scenes but at times it becomes imperative to do it because the situation demands it. I assure everyone that from now on I will do my best to avoid such scenes which depict liquor or liquor imposed scenes," said Mammootty, who has been the numero one actor of the Malayalam film industry for two decades, at the event.
  
  Pointing to director Priyadarshan, who was present at the event, Mammootty said: "You have to ask people like him (Priyadarshan) because they ask us to do this and that. But let me tell you, I will do my best to do away with such scenes."
  
  Chandy said that people should make an edeavour to rid Kerala of the tag of being the top liquor consuming state.
  
  "Not long ago, Kerala was known for the huge strides it had made in literacy and its health status. But of late, it has taken a back seat and we are now known as the top liquor consuming state. This has to change and we all hope that the promotional material like this (Mammootty's documentary) will do us a world of good," the chief minister said.
  
  Excise Minister K. Babu said that the video will be shown in theatres and will be aired on television, besides being screened in educational institutions.
  
  "The young minds have to be taught the evils of liquor and drugs - our target group is schoolchildren," said Babu.
  
  According to a report, liquor sales touched an all time high of Rs.6,730.30 crore 2010-11 from Rs.5,539.85 crore in 2009-10.
  
  The government earned Rs.5,239 crore from liquor sales during the last fiscal year, while it was Rs.4,260 crore in 2009-10.
  

D Salman in Anwar Rasheed movie

As a star prodigy, Dulkar Salmam, son of megastar Mammootty is natural to have taken his career moves in films with real caution. Yes, after kicking off his acting career with a debutante director and after experimenting with his acting proves before real camera, D. Salman is ready to take the rightest steps. He is  now getting ready to go for a bigger project, the new movie with popular director Anwar Rasheed.

Listle Stephen, the young producer of  'Traffic' , will produce the movie while Anjali Menon famous for his award winning films like 'Happy journey'  will script the yet to be titled flick. Gopi Sundar is the music director while Lokanathan is the cinematographer.

Planned to stat the shoot by the month of November, the movie will be shot at Dubai, Kozhikkod and Kochy. D Salman is presently in the sets of his debut film 'Second Show' by debutante director Sreenath Rajendran. A new girl Dr Avantika is the heroine of the film which has music by Kaithapram and the Avial band.

Mammookka's car damaged

Megastar Mammotty had been part of many real road accidents, the last being the one that happened during the shoot of his 'Palunku'. Now the actor who is busy shooting for Shafi's "Venicile Vyappari" again got into a small accident. The car in which he was travelling  was slightly damaged as a private bus dashed into it near  Ernakulam.

The bus driver who realised the star inside immediately came out and apologised to Mammootty, who has asked the police not to file any case on the incident. 

Mammootty in Idukki Gold?

When the team behind the recent super hit 'Salt 'N Pepper' announced their plans to go for the next titled as 'Idukki Gold', they haven't announced their lead actor. But now reports says that megastar Mammootty who is much impressed with the role, will take up the assignment. The lead role of 'Idukki gold' pend by Santhosh Echikkanam is of a former ATS officer, who returns to his village to find his old friends and to lead a normal life away from tensions. And for that he gives a news paper advertisement and wait for his friends who were with him from School. After a couple of days, one person arrives with the story of their old friendship. What follows is the tussle between this ATS man and the new comers who is actually a well nourished thief.

While Shyam Pushakaran and Dileesh Nair  writes the screenplay and dialogues, the same team that created hit music in salt N Pepper will do the same for this 'Idukki Gold'. Watch this space to know whether Mammootty is ready to give priority dates for this movie project by Aashiq Abu.

'Kobra' from October

Megastar Mammootty will kick start the shoot of his new movie 'Kobra' with director lal from the mid of October. The movie which is also produced by Lal also feature him in a prominent role with  megastar. Mammootty will be going for a continuous shooting schedule of 45 days for this movie.

Mammootty, who is currently in the sets of Shafi's 'Venicile Vyaapari' will complete some portions of 'King and the Commissioner' before joining the sets of 'The Kobr'.

TEJA BHAI MY REVIEW

Deepu karunakarans 3rd project after crazy gopalan and winter was expected to be comedy thriller but it ended up as a logicless if felt entertainer.the story is about a underworld don(prithviraj) falling in love with a girl(akhila) whose father is a disciple of a swamy(suraj)and gives prime importance to family.teja who doesnt have a good family background is trying to convince the girls father by showcasing some duplicate drama.first half which gives in some entertainment with the jokes cracked by suraj.Prithvirajs dance have seemed to be improved a lot for the movie.The music by deepak dev suits the occassion. But the bgm's are just the copy of 2008 mammoottys movie roudram.there were some technical mistakes in the movie like akilas father shot at the chest and having bandage on his hands.the director took the climax scenes in such a way that he dint have a clear picture of where to stop the movie.performance wise suraj venjaramood was the show steeler.

A well started movie ended up witjh a poor second half along with a ordinary blunder climax

http://malayalamnet.webs.com/apps/blog/show/8303415-teja-bhai-review

teja bhai and family review

http://malayalamnet.webs.com/apps/blog/show/8178668-mammootty-with-dileep-coimbatore-brothers

Deepu karunakarans 3rd project after crazy gopalan and winter was expected to be comedy thriller but it ended up as a logicless if felt entertainer.the story is about a underworld don(prithviraj) falling in love with a girl(akhila) whose father is a disciple of a swamy(suraj)and gives prime importance to family.teja who doesnt have a good family background is trying to convince the girls father by showcasing some duplicate drama.first half which gives in some entertainment with the jokes cracked by suraj.Prithvirajs dance have seemed to be improved a lot for the movie.The music by deepak dev suits the occassion. But the bgm's are just the copy of 2008 mammoottys movie roudram.there were some technical mistakes in the movie like akilas father shot at the chest and having bandage on his hands.the director took the climax scenes in such a way that he dint have a clear picture of where to stop the movie.performance wise suraj venjaramood was the show steeler.

A well started movie ended up witjh a poor second half along with a ordinary blunder climax

Amal Neerad's 'Arivaal Chuttika Nakshatram' to start soon NR [ Sat, Aug 20, 2011 ]

• The shoot of Amal Neerad's new film 'Arivaal Chuttika Nakshatram is expected to start by November.
  
  The title of the film has given rise to much speculation that the film is a political thriller. However, insiders claim that the film does not deal with politics at all.
  
  The film that is being scripted by Shankar Ramakrishnan is more of a period drama that is set in the period post-independence but before the birth of Kerala state.
  
  The politics that prevailed the scene then would become part of the film as well. Nothing more, nothing less.
  
  The film has Mammootty and Prithviraj in the lead roles, and would be produced by August Cinema.

Deepan and Mammootty to come together for 'Newsmaker'

Mammootty would be doing a film titled 'Newsmaker', to be directed by Deepan. Deepan had delivered one of the biggest hits of last year 'Puthiya Mukham'.

'Newsmaker' would be produced by George, Mammootty's personal assistant. The film would be produced under the banner of Cincil Celluloid.

Deepan would also be directing Prithviraj in the film 'Hero'. 'Newsmaker' would commence only after 'Hero's is complete, and would be Mammootty's Onam release in 2012.

Amal opts for "Arrivaal, Chuttika Nakshatram"

First it was the triumphant 'Big B', and then 'Saagar Alias Jacky' and 'Anwar'....Director Amal Neerad, who has already built a young fans group for himself, with his differently styled movies, has been in the lookout for a different but effective name for his new movie. Now the director seems to have finalised his title of the fourth movie, featuring Megastar Mammootty and Prithviraj as 'Arrivaal, Chuttika Nakshtram'.('Hammer, Sickle and star', the election symbol of   CPI(M), the biggest political party of the state)

While hearing this title, many of the fellow students of Maharajahs college will remember the political leniency of the director Amal and writer Shankar Ramakrishnan in their college days. But don't expect the new movie to a political flick. Infact 'Arrivaal, Chuttika Nakshatram' will be a thriller with subtle political back grounding of the forties and fifties, when the country was passing through the independence days. Naturally the movie will have references about the party spirits and revolts that marked the season.

'Arrivaal, chuttika nakshatram' will also feature another big artist from the south as the heroine. The writer of the movie Shankar Ramakrishnan, who devised a stunner with 'Urumi' is said to have almost completed the scripts. The makers of the movie are now fixing the final cast and crew of the movie, expected  to start its shoot by the end of November.

Mammootty in three roles for Venicile Vyapari

• Mammootty would appear in three roles in his latest film 'Venicile Vyapari' being directed by Shafi.
  
  The actor would be seen in the role of a policeman in the eighties, as a coir merchant and in a third role as well, that has been kept a suspense.
  
  Kavya Madhavan is the heroine of the film that is being scripted by James Albert.
  
  Shafi has been on a royal ride this year with both his films 'Marykkundoru Kunjadu' and 'Makeup Man' turing out to be hits.
  
  Meanwhile the megastar who is on a lean phase this year with all his major films turning out to be disappointments at the box office, is hoping for a shift in luck with this Shafi film.

Mammootty in three roles for Venicile Vyapari

• Mammootty would appear in three roles in his latest film 'Venicile Vyapari' being directed by Shafi.
  
  The actor would be seen in the role of a policeman in the eighties, as a coir merchant and in a third role as well, that has been kept a suspense.
  
  Kavya Madhavan is the heroine of the film that is being scripted by James Albert.
  
  Shafi has been on a royal ride this year with both his films 'Marykkundoru Kunjadu' and 'Makeup Man' turing out to be hits.
  
  Meanwhile the megastar who is on a lean phase this year with all his major films turning out to be disappointments at the box office, is hoping for a shift in luck with this Shafi film.

Jayaprada to do a cameo in 'The King and the Commissioner'

Bollywood actress Jayaprada who had just completed Blessy's 'Pranayam' with Mohanlal and Anupan Kher would be now seen in a Mammootty film.

The actress would be doing a cameo in the Shaji Kailas film 'The King and the Commissioner' that marks the coming together of Mammootty and Suresh Gopi after a long time. 

Jayaprada has always been open to good acting offers from Malayalam. She was also seen in 'Devadoothan' with Mohanlal several years back. She had shared screen space with Mammootty in the Hindi film 'Dhartiputra' as well.

Mammookka's son to debut

As the Megastar is on with his plans of his son's marriage Dulkar Salman, the young man is also planning to officially start his career as a movie actor in a short while. The new project titled 'Second Show' to be directed by Sreenath Rajendran, an associate to Jayaraj, will have Dulkar Salman debuting as the hero. Expected to be on sets in a week at Kozhikkod, the movie will have him as an underworld don. Salman had been to the rehearsal camp of the movie for the last one month and it is reported that the scripts written by debutante Vini Vishwalal for the movie is top class.

The makers behind 'Second Show' are close friends of Dulkar Salman including the cinematographer Pappu, who had been an assistant to Rajeev Ravi. The Mumbai based  A.O.P.L. will produce this movie which will also feature debutante Avanthika as the heroine. Baburaj and Salimkumar are also in the cast of the flick which will have music by Avial band.

Earlier it was reported that Dulkar Salman will debut into filmdom through the film directed by Linguswamy. But now, Mammooty and his wife Sulfath seems to be much impressed by the scripts of the film that they have given the green signal for heir son to go for 'Secoind Show'.

Meanwhile, Dulkar Salman is also expected to get married by the 22nd of this December at Chennai.

Mammootty's next for November

Megastar Mammootty will have his next release of the year only by the mid of November. As the shoot of his original Ramzan release 'The king and the Commissioner' has been called off due to the illness of Sureshgopi, Mammootty's next release will be 'Venicile Vyapaari' which will get to theatres by the 14th of November. The movie produced by Murali films is directed by hit maker Shafi.

'The King and the Commisioner' will now become the Christmas release from the Megastar, which will be followed by a 'Kobra'  in the lat January, directed and produced by Lal.

Shikari may delay

As the much expected Mammootty movie for the Onam season' The king and the Commissioner' got delayed, the fans of Mammootty was finding solace in the reports that the star's bilingual 'Shikkari' will be promoted for the season. But as per the latest reports, the star's first Kannada movie Shikari, may also get delayed. If that is the case , Mammootty may not have any release for the biggest festival season of Kerala.

Mammootty's son to Marry

Megastar Mammootty's son Salman Dulkar is all set to marry in a short while. The youngster who is planning to enter movies in the coming years, will marry Chennai based Amaal. The  engagement function was held last Thursday at Taj Coromandel hotel, Chennai, which was attended by very few close relatives of the bride and groom.

Mammootty with his crew of his latest movie on production 'The king and the Commissioner' attended the function, taking leave from the sets of the movie.

Mohanlal should be stripped of honorary Lt.Colonel rank:Azhikode

Veteran Malayalam writer Sukumar Azhikode feels that Mohanlal should be stripped of the honorary Lt.Colonel rank following the ongoing Income Tax (IT) raid at the Malayalam superstar's residences and offices.

Azhikode has asked Defence Minister A.K. Antony to recommend to President Pratibha Patil to strip Mohanlal of the honorary commission in the Territorial Army.

"It is really a shame that superstars are involved in evading tax and they are doing it by exploiting their innocent fans," Azhikode told reporters here Friday a few hours after the IT raids began at Mohanlal's residences and offices in various cities.

The IT department sprang a surprise and arrived at the homes and offices of superstars Mohanlal and Mammootty early Friday morning and the searches for hidden wealth and undeclared income were still going on by Friday afternoon.

Mohanlal was given an honorary commission in the Territorial Army for his various roles in Malayalam films which portrayed him as a defence officer.

Mohanlal and Azhikode have been engaged in a war of words since last year when the superstar called the writer a mentally deranged person.

Azhikode filed a defamation case against Mohanlal for making the comment and a legal notice was served to Mohanlal asking him to either apologise or face legal action.

Last month Mohanlal had secured bail in the case.

The tiff started after Azhikode supported thespian Thilakan, who was served a show cause notice by Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) and was subsequently booted out of the actors' body on grounds of indiscipline.

Last year, Azhikode lashed out at Mohanlal and said that he has become old and should limit himself to roles matching his age and figure. He also added that Mohanlal should stop selling the recognition and popularity that he enjoyed and that he should stop making money endorsing jewellery brands.

Mohanlal hit back a few days later, saying that Azhikode must be having some "hallucinations" and that he considered his statements as some "aged uncle's joke". He also said that whether he should stop acting or not is none of Azhikode's concern.

Azhikode retired as Pro-Vice Chancellor of Calicut University in 1986 and has since then kept himself busy as an orator.

Mammootty to sell Coir now

Mammootty would be seen in the role of a Coir vendor in his new film 'Venicile Vyapari'.

'Venicile Vyapari' would be directed by hit maker Shafi. The film would be scripted by James Albert. This is the first time Mammootty would be acting in a film scripted by James Albert.

Kavya Madhavan is the heroine. She would play a village girl by the name of Ammu in the film.

Suraj Venjarammoodu, Jagathy, Salim Kumar, Vijayaraghavan, Janardhanan and Sreeraman would lend support.

Shooting of the film being produced by Murali Nair under the banner of Murali Films would start by the end of July.

'Arakkallan Mukkalkallan' to start shortly

• It has been some time since a project titled 'Arakkallan Mukkalkallan' has been announced. To be directed by Siby K Thomas and Uday Krishna, this film was expected to bring the two titans of Malayalam cinema - Mammootty and Mohanlal - together on screen again.
  
  Also the script writers were expected to make their directorial debut through the film.
  
  However, Siby K Thomas and Uday Krishna have remained busy with several other projects, and their dream project has been stalled for quite a while now.
  
  Its now learned that the shooting of 'Arakkallan Mukkalkallan' would start shortly, after the shooting of 'My Name is Avarachan', that has been scripted by the Siby-Uday team and directed by Jose Thomas and starring Dileep. 
  
  It should be remembered that Dileep would also be playing a major role in the film. 'Arakkallan Mukkalkallan' would be produced by Mammootty under the banner of Playhouse.

Mammootty not to have a Ramzan release?

In a shocking turn of events for the fans of Mammootty, the Megastar is most likely to have no releases for this Ramzan season. Earlier it was reported that 'The king and the Commissioner' will make it to theatres for the biggest festival season of Kerala. But as per the current circumstances, the movie is not likely to get completed by the said time. Though the shoot is progressing in a good pace, the schedules are not kept as expected earlier.

The movie scripted by Renji Panikkar and directed by Shaji Kailas will be postponed to a further date. The news is coming up as a big shock for Mammookka's fans who were expecting this big movie with Sureshgopi to become a winner of the season. 

Now the rest of the prominent releases would be  Dileep's Mr Marumakan and Prithviraj's Teja Bhai & Family.