IndiaGlitz brings to you a sneak-peek of some of the landmark events and happenings that took the industry by storm or shook them in the year 2011…
Fall & Rise Of The Legend
When ‘Baba’ failed miserably it was buzzed that the film marks the fall of the Superstar and he said in a press meet of his next, ‘Chandramukhi’ that he is like a horse who gets up in a jiffy whenever he falls. Proving his quote right, the legend came back to India safe and sound to the pleasure of millions and millions of fans worldwide who were worried when Rajinikanth fell seriously ill. During the shoot of ‘Rana’ the superstar fell sick and was admitted in a hospital for kidney ailment following which he flew to Singapore for treatment. Prayers were held by fans all over world for their Thalaivar, and when he came back with better health to Chennai, the number of fans who were gathered to catch a glimpse of him at the airport was a touching sight by itself.
Tamil Cinema’s Kolaveri
‘Why This Kolaveri Di…’ from ‘3’ is one song that took the nation, in fact the world by storm! This song is now rated by CNN International as the world’s top song for 2011 and has bagged the Youtube Gold Award, two things that have never happened before for a Tamil song. Initially a rough cut was leaked from the album, which gained overnight popularity and to make the best out of the loss done the makers immediately released this as a single track from the album and the rest, as they say is history. This song went viral will be an understatement for the success it met with, and many versions of remixes from all over the globe poured in including an adorable one from Sonu Nigam’s kid, Neevan. There are also hoardings put up by traffic police urging people to drive without a kolaveri (murderous rage), all over the country. The soup boys have indeed gone too far!
Watch Why This Kolaveri Making
National & International Honours
This was one proud year for Tamil film patrons at the National Awards ceremony, what with the number of awards our tinsel town celebs bagged. Vetrimaran’s ‘Aadukalam’ made us proud by bagging six National Awards for various categories, including best director, best screenplay, best actor, best editing, best choreography and the special jury award! It was also screened at the Toronto Film Festival, Montreal Film Festival and Mumbai International Film Festival. Saranya Ponvannan, who is known for character roles, bagged the Best Actress Award for her performance as a widowed mother in ‘Thenmerku Paruvakattru’. It was a prestigious moment for all associated with the Tamil film industry when KB a.k.a. ‘Iyakunar Sigaram’ was conferred upon the populous Dada Saheb PhalkeAward. Each year, the award is given by the Government of India to veterans in the field who have contributed continuously and worked for the development of the Indian film industry.
IG Presents ‘Sarithiran’ – Rajini Mantra!
As an ode to the Superstar and his special birthday, after recovering from sickness, IndiaGlitz hosted a series of events throughout the month of December as ‘Rajini Mantra’, as part of this, ‘Sarithiran’, a short film produced by IG and directed by Karthik, an assistant of director Venkat Prabhu, was screened for celebs and the legend’s fans at a preview theatre in the city. Along with this, a documentary on Rajinikanth was also screened. One of the highlights of the event was a musical performance by Naresh Iyer and Haricharan, where they sang a song specially composed for Rajini.
Live Audio Launch
A new trend was set by IndiaGlitz as the audio launch of ‘Engaeyum Eppothum’ was exclusively broadcasted live to worldwide audience. The audio was unveiled by Suriya and was gracefully accepted by music composer Harris Jayaraj. Others present at the event were AR Murugadoss and the cast and crew of ‘Engaeyum Eppothum’. The film features Jai, Anjali, Ananya and Sharvanand in the lead roles is directed by debutant Saravanan. It’s one of the biggest blockbusters of the year.
‘Engaeyum Eppothum’ Audio Launch – A Grand Affair
Weddings Galore
The K-town also witnessed some high profile weddings. Ashwin Shekar, son of SV Shekar, entered wedlock with Shruti Venkataramanan. Selvaraghavan tied the knot to Geethanjali on July 3. The dawn of July 3 also marked a very important day in the life of ‘Rocket’ Raja alias Karthi. The day when he married Ranjani from Erode. Yuvan Shankar Raja entered wedlock with girlfriend Shilpa on Thursday. The simple ceremony on the holy Tirumala hills was attended by members from both the families. P Vasu’s son, Shakthi’s reception took place with much fan fare in the presence of Superstar Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijay, Suriya, Karthi, Manobala and many others. Also the Shasti Poorthi of AL Azhagappan, and father of director AL Vijay, was held recently at the Mayor Sri Ramanathan Chettiar Centre. Mamta Mohandas, the ‘Thadayara Thaakka’ girl, entered wedlock with Prajith by the end of 2011.
Selvaraghavan Wedding Reception
Karthi – Ranjani Wedding Reception
Demises
Happiness and sadness are two sides of the same coin and co-exist. The year 2011 witnessed some heart rending demises. Just a day before Chithirai Kani (April 14, 2011) ‘Chinna Kuyil’ Chitra’s lil’ daughter Nandana passed away at Dubai. The little one’s body was flown back to Chennai where she was laid to rest. Jeeva, wife of Isaignani Ilayaraja, passed away on October 31, 2011. She died of a cardiac arrest. On September 9, Veteran actress Gandhimadhi attained heavenly abode. The death of art director Sameer Chandra came as a rude shock to many in the film industry. He passed away due to a massive heart attack. Actor-musician Malaysia Vasudevan left the materialistic world from a private hospital in Chennai on February 20, 2011. He was 66 and suffering from cardiac ailments.
Jeeva Illayaraja Death Ceremony
B-Town Came Down
Chennai saw the biggies of B-town descending in to the state for the audio and trailer launch event of ‘Ra.One’ s Tamil version. Shahrukh Khan himself pretty much compeered the event and engaged the gathered. Director Mani Ratnam, Suhasini Maniratnam, Santhosh Sivan, Soundarya Rajinikanth and Abirami Ramanathan graced the dais during the event. If it was SRK who took to the centre stage for the launch of the Tamil version of Ra.One, Salman was not the one to be left lagging behind. The actor was in attendance along with many of his K-town counterparts for the audio launch of ‘Markandeyan.’
Salman, Vijay & Shriya @ ‘Markandeyan’ Audio Launch
When Celebs Met Their Fans
Various tinsel town celebrities including Ilayathalapathy Vijay met their fans through IndiaGlitz. Post ‘Velayudham’s super success Vijay met his fans and celebrated his special moment with them. Director Jayam Raja, the man behind ‘Velayudham’ also met audience for an interaction at a leading city eatery. Apart from this ‘Deiva Thirumagal’s premiere show was held for fans following which Chiyaan Vikram, Sara and the others from the team battled the questions from audience. Similarly, ‘Mayakkam Enna’ was screened for IG contest winners who met Dhanush, Selvaraghavan, Richa, Gitanjali and Ramji for an interaction post the screening. Vikram, Deeksha Seth and Suseenthiran had a lively interaction with fans on ‘Rajapattai’.
Vikram, Deeksha & Suseenthiran Meet IG Winners
Vikram & Team Deiva Thirumagal Meet Fans
Dhanush & Team ‘Mayakkam Enna’ Meet IG Contest Winners
100 Day Victory
With many Tamil films racing ahead and faring well at the box office some movies went off to cross the 100-day mark. KV Anand’s ‘Ko’ with Jiiva, Ajith’s ‘Mankatha’ directed by Venkat Prabhu and Lawrence’s ‘Kanchana’ were blockbusters. Karthi’s ‘Siruthai,’ Simbu’s ‘Vaanam,’ Vikram’s ‘Deivathirumagal,’ Vijay’s ‘Kaavalan’ and Dhanush’s ‘Aadukalam’ saw a 100 day run as well. Apparently, Powerstar Seenivasan’s ‘Lathika’ saw a 225-day plus run in screens, need we say any more?
Harris On The Edge
Harris Jayaraj kick started a series of his concerts that has become very popular, especially among the young and music lovers. The show is directed by AL Vijay of ‘Madrasapattinam’ and ‘Deiva Thirumagal’ fame and produced by MS Muralidharan of Tech Front. During one of his concerts the audio of the much awaited Vijay starrer, ‘Nanban’ was unveiled amidst thousands of fans.
Simbu goes global
Simbu aka STR has gone global this year by joining hands with Akon and Rihanna! Simbu had earlier announced to his fans that he is taking a step, a stride and an attempt towards peace and harmony to fans that kept them wondering on what it was all about, and when the news was officially announced it came as a pleasant surprise to them. The songs has lyrics from over 96 languages across the globe and he’ll soon be shooting it the full track. The teaser trailer showcasing the suave STR crooning the song has become a chartbuster and quite a rage.
2012 Calendar Launch
Photographer Venket Ram launched a calendar last year featuring the top-notch South Indian actors which became a hit. This year, he has launched a calendar featuring twelve gorgeous ladies including Samantha, Genelia, Trisha, Richa Gangopadhyay, Shriya Saran, Sameera Reddy, Priya Anand, Deeksha Seth, Amy Jackson, Amala Paul, Mamta Mohandas and Kajal Aggarwal. The calendar was launched by Suriya and received by Sameera Reddy in the presence of KS Ravikumar.
Smokin’ Hot 2012 Calendar Girls
CCL
March of 2011 saw the Celebrity Cricket League which brought together top stars from across the nation to wield the willow. The event was glamorous what with the beauties of South India being present on the pavilion and cheering for their favorite teams. Salman Khan, Venkatesh, Priyamani, Genelia, Shriya Saran, Sonia Agarwal were all present to add glitz and glamour to the matches. Even in the Celebrity Cricket League, the Chennai Rhinos won home the winners’ trophy, with Abbas as the team’s proud skipper. As a forerunner into the coming year’s CCL a calendar with the best faces in the South Indian film industry has been launched, which after launch has been getting popular every passing day.
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