Cine News Digest: 26 Jan 2025

An emotional Illaiyaraja speaks to his fans and colleagues

In a video showing an uncharacteristic display of public emotion, Illaiyaraja has spoken about the pain of the death of his daughter, Bhavatharini, saying that his entire life had revolved around music and this had taken away some of the time he could have spent with her. He expressed a desire to pay tribute to her by bringing several artists on stage on 12 February this year.

Interesting scenario for Sivakarthikeyan’s 25^th film

Sivakarthikeyan’s 25^th film has been titled Parasakthi. Earlier, when the project had been planned with Suriya in the lead role, director Sudha Kongara had given it the title Purananooru.

The period film reportedly deals with the Anti-Hindi imposition movement that gained momentum in Tamil Nadu in 1965. This raises some interesting questions about Sudha Kongara is going to handle this project. On the one hand, she is obvious aware of the high expectations of a Sivakarthikeyan starrer after the success of Amaran. On the other hand, she needs the film to be accessible and acceptable to a Pan-Indian audience: Will she dilute the intensity of the anti-Hindi imposition sentiment because of her Pan-Indian audience, or will she be true to her craft and present an unadulterated account of this important period in Tamil Nadu and Indian history?

Manikandan set to direct Vijay Sethupathy

The multi-talented Manikandan, whose latest film Kudumbasthan has taken a positive opening at the box-office, is set to direct a film with Vijay Sethupathi in the lead role.

The former radio RJ has dubbed for numerous actors because of his mimicry skills. He made his debut as a screen writer in Pizza 2: The Villa and has also written the script for the Madhavan-Vijay Sethupathi starrer, Vikram Vedha, Ajith Kumar’s Viswasam and Karthi’s Thambi.

In 2016 he made his directorial debut with the short film titled Narai Ezhuthum Suyasaritham – better known by its English title Endless – which starred Delhi Ganesh in the lead role, supported by Manikandan.The film enjoyed a positive response at the Benguluru International Film Festival and was one of four films selected for screening at the 16^th New York Indian Film Festival.

The official announcement of his film with Vijay Sethupathi will be made once all discussions have been finalised. Speaking in a recent interview, Manikandan spoke about how he had first met Vijay Sethupathi during the filming of Kadhalum Kadanthu Pogum and that they had developed a close bond. Vijay Sethupathi had contributed financially for a medical procedure for Manikandan’s sister and had also given Manikandan 3 lakhs for his sister’s wedding.

Release date for Veera Dheera Sooran set

SU Arunkumar, the director of Siddharth’s Chiththa is also set to release the long-delayed Vikram-Dushara Vijayan starrer, Veera Dheera Sooran Part 2 on 27 March 2025. The film is so titled to prepare audiences for a prequel later this year. The film also stars SJ Surya and Malayalam actor and National award winner, Suraj Venjaramoodu. GV Prakashkumar scores the music.