Veteran actress Sowcar Janaki turns 94
Sankaramanchi Janaki was born on 12 December 1931. She made her acting debut in 1950 in the Telugu film Shavukaru. She was thereafter known as “Sowcar” Janaki. She made her debut to the Tamil screen in 1952 through the T.R. Sundaram directorial, Vallaiyapathi which was penned by the famous poet and writer, Bharathidasan. She went […]
Rajinikanth – Caught in a Conundrum
It was a triple celebration for fans of Superstar Rajinikanth this weekend that marked three momentous events: Rajinikanth’s 50th year in the film industry (completed on 15 August this year), his 75th birthday and the re-release of his iconic own production, Padayappa. For Rajinikanth, it was a painfully slow climb to stardom and then superstardom […]
Remembering the Legendary Gemini Ganesan
Ramasamy Ganesan was born in Pudhukottai on 17 November 1920. He got a job as an assistant in Gemini studios and soon became known as Gemini Ganesan. The name stayed with him after his introduction to films through the film Miss Malini. He was one of the few graduates to enter the film industry at […]
“Thenisai Thendral” Deva – The man who overcame all odds to achieve success.
The introduction of AR Rahman in 1992 took the music world by storm and his debut album, Roja, was a runaway hit but Roja was not the number 1 selling album for 1992, nor was its background score much talked about – Both these accolades belong to music composer Deva for his work on Rajinikanth’s […]
The Legendary P Susheela turned 90 today
Veteran playback singer has more than 50 000 songs to her credit in all South Indian languages, and her prolific renditions have earned her a place in the Guinness Books of Records as well as the Asia Book of Records. She has won five national awards and numerous state awards from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh […]
Celebrating Kamal Haasan’s 65 years in the Film Industry on his 71st Birthday.
Born in 1954, Kamal Haasan this year celebrates 65 years in the film industry. What is remarkable, however, is not the time period he has been active in the industry, but the level of contribution and influence he has on the Indian film industry at large. Kamal Haasan began his career as a child artist […]
Sivakumar – the Gentleman of Tamil Cinema – turns 84
Palanisamy, better known as Sivakumar, was born on 27 October 1941. He made his acting debut in the 1965 film, Kaakkum Karangall and soon co-starred with MGR and Sivaji Ganesan in multiple films before becoming a lead actor. He won the state award for Best actor for Avan Aval Athu in 1979 and again for […]
Singer Mano turns 60 today
Nagoor Babu was given the name Mano by Isai Nyaani Illaiyaraja who introduced him in the film Poovizhi Vaasaliley. After being criticized for trying to imitate SPB, Mano was persuaded by Illaiyaraja to change his voice for the song Vedhaalam Vandharikkudhu from Soora Samhaaram – a style that he used again to sing the hit […]
Actor, Director, Writer and Politician, Ramarajan, turned 65 today.
Ramarajan began his film career with numerous uncredited roles before making his debut as a director in the 1985 film, Mannuketha Ponnu. His growing friendship with lyricist and music composer, Gangaiamaren led to his first signing as a lead actor in the film Nammu Ooru Nalla Ooru in 1986. Ramarajan’s biggest hit of his career […]
Jyothika – Creating a Legacy
Jyothika made her debut to Tamil films in a small cameo in SJ Suryya’s Ajithkumar-Simran starrer, Vaali. The film won Jyothika her first Filmfare award for Best Female Debut and she soon clinched the Filmfare award for Best Actress for her role in Kushi – also directed by SJ Surya. Jyothika won the Tamil Nadu […]