Asin - Dasavatharam

Asin's reaction as Kothai Radha in the12th century Chola kingdom in India when the king orders to tie her husband Rangaraja Nambi (Kamal Haasan), a Vaishnavite with the huge idol of Vishnu to throw in the Indian Ocean and her plea towards her husband to renounce his belief takes us back in the time roller coaster to the 12th century era and cry with her.

Her role as Andal, a granddaughter of a 95-year-old mentally retarded woman Krishnaveni (Kamal Haasan) is really expressive. She does her best in the scene when Govind (Kamal Haasan) tries to escape with the idol and when she tries to stop him as she is worshiping the idol. In the scene when Govind and Andal find out they are being hunted by the police and that they are portrayed negatively in the press, her reaction towards Govind is very lively.

Dasavatharam on June 13 (postponed for a day!)

Finally, producer V Ravichandran of Aaskar Films confirmed the date of Dasavatharam on June 13 (postponed for a day!) and the reservation of tickets will start from June 8 in Chennai and other major centers. According to Ravichandran, the film will hit the screens without any further delay on the day he announced with more than 1000 prints. He further told that in US, South East Asia and UK the film hits the halls a day before i.e., June 12.

Meanwhile, the story of Dasavatharam was leaked by some of the close technicians in the crew to our correspondent. According to them, there is nothing new in the story and it is a mere copy of Late legend MGR's Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban.

"It is the modernized version of Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban. As per the script, Kamal is a great scientist in the US and one day he invents a great thing like the atomic fission.But the baddies lead by another Kamal (a white man) will try to steal that secrete. But the scientist seals the formula and sends it to India. It finally reaches a ninety years old lady (also played by Kamal) and how the baddies capture the formula from the lady is the climax of the movie. In between characters like George Bush (also played by Kamal), Karunanidhi and Jayalalitha also 'appear' in the film to thrill the viewers," a production executive says.

For the first time in the world cinema, Kamal Hassan plays 10 different roles in the film. The cost of production is around 65 crores, which is the second costliest film in Indian Cinema after Superstar Rajinikanth's Rs.80 crore budget film Shivaji.

Source: http://entertainment.oneindia.in/

Bush to watch special screening of Dasavatharam

Kamal Hassan's much talked and hyped film, Dasavatharam, where the versatile actor would be seen playing 10 roles would also be viewed by USA President George W. Bush. The special screening for the president is going to be arranged at the behest of the governor of Louisiana who is of Indian origin. It would be interesting to see how the honourable U.S. president reacts, as one of Kamal Hassan's most anticipated get-ups in the film is going to be that of President George Bush. The film is termed to be one of the costliest Indian movies made at a budget of Rs.1.3 billion. It has been heard that apart from Kamal Hassan the USP of the film is going to be its tremendous special effects to be attempted first time ever in any Indian film. Dasavatharam boasts mostly of an international crew, with action directors, Special visual effect directors and makeup men from all over the world! The film also stars Asin and Mallika Sherawat.

1000 prints of ‘Dasavatharam’ getting ready

Oscar Films of ‘Dasavatharam’ is getting 1000 prints ready for its first run. They will make more prints as the demand increases from theatres. ‘Dasavatharam’ is all set to premiere in three cities. Tamil will be premiered in Chennai, Hindi in Mumbai and Telugu in Hyderabad. The producer Oscar Ravichandran has stated that he would arrange a special screening for Jackie Chan in Hong Kong if the star wanted. The climax of the film would be the 30 minutes of the Tsunami scene. The censorship meetings took place recently in Kamal’s office where he has a classy screening room.

'Dasavatharam' overshoots budget to Rs.1.3 billion

"Friday's much hyped trip of Jackie Chan to Chennai on a chartered flight had cost Rs.100 million to the producer and has added to the total cost that has now gone beyond Rs.1.4 billion, said sources close to producer Oscar Ravichandran.

The producer, however, is not said to be complaining.

"Since top stars from Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini and Mallika Sherawat were present, the worldwide publicity generated has contributed more to the movie's Hindi release than what we actually ended up spending," the source added.

Unfortunately, there was chaos at the film's audio launch function last week in Chennai. Dozens of people, including journalists, were injured when police cane-charged frenzied crowds at the star-studded event.

"Any news is good news. Despite spending all this money, there were no pictures of our shy producer Ravichandran. And there is no mention of his apologising to anyone anywhere," said a publicist associated with the film, referring to the mismanagement of the audio release function.

Source: Indo-Asian News Service

Actresses' shaktiavatar in 'Dasavatharam'

While Kamalhassan's 10 different roles and an equal number of dictions in the much-awaited ‘Dasavatharam’ has been hogging the media limelight all these days, it has now emerged that the female leads are also in for some meaty roles, with heroine Asin playing a double role.

And the surprise package could well be Bollywood damsel, Mallika Sherawat, who is playing the role of a CIA agent in the movie, according to a press release.

Mallika, making her first direct entry into Kollywood, "dons an altogether different cap in the movie," the release said. Asin, who has been delivering quite a number of hits, pairing top Tamil and Telugu heroes, would for the first time play a double role.

The other Bollywood connection to the film comes by way of singer Himesh Reshammiya, who also makes his debut in Tamil cinema. However, it is not clear whether he will render one of his own numbers in Tamil. The release further said that the audio rights of the movie have been bagged by Sony BMG, which makes its foray into the regional music market through the Kamal-Asin starrer.

The release quoted Shridhar Subramaniam, Managing Director Sony BMG India as saying it was "privilege for us to enter the Tamil music market with a project as grand and special as 'Dasavathram'.

Earlier slated for a Pongal (January 15) release, post production delay ensured that the producer, Oscar V Ravichandran rescheduled the dates for June 6.

The successful duo of director K S Ravikumar and Kamalhassan had earlier come out with the rib-ticklers, 'Avvai Shanmugi' and 'Panchathantiram'.

Karunanidhi, Jayalalitha in Kamal’s Dasavatharam

'Dasavatharam' is produced by Oscar Ravichandran and directed by K.S. Ravikumar. The movie has actor Kamal Hassan playing ten different roles. He is believed to have roped in the CM and the former CM to make guest appearances in the film.

The way both the politicians have been roped in is amazing. Everyone knows that a scientist’s role is among the ten roles donned by Kamal. The scientist introduces his new invention to the world and there is a meeting to felicitate the scientist. The meeting is attended by US President George W. Bush (enacted by Kamal).

Kamal and Ravikumar wanted to make it look credible and hence they decided to request the CM to act in the felicitation scene. Kamal met the CM and explained him the scene. The CM willingly accepted and the scene was shot immediately in a secret manner.

Likewise, Kamal also met former CM Jayalalitha to request her to appear in the film. The scene involving Jayalalitha shows her accompanying the scientist in a helicopter.

'Dasavatharam' also has DPI leader Thirumavalavan delivering a spirited lecture in a public meeting.

Dasavatharam in big trouble

The Madras High Court has ordered to send notice to producer Oscar Ravichandran, script writer cum hero of the film Kamal Hassan and director Ravikumar on a writ petition filed by a Hindu Religious Organization.

The petition also seeks a direction to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to remove scenes, which hurt the sentiments of Hindus in the Tamil film Dasavatharam while issuing the Censorship Certificate.

In its petition, the International Sri Vaishnava Dharma Samrakshanaa Society, represented by its president, Swami Govinda Ramanuja Dasa, said the title Dasavatharam was a sign of insulting Hinduism.

He also pointed out that the trailer of the film contains some offensive scenes such as clash between Saivites and Vaishnavites. In a scene, they picturised one of the characters put his leg on God's idol and it is certainly an insult to the religious sentiments.

The petitioner submitted that his grievance was restricted to the role played by the actor as Sri Ramanujar and the connected scenes of violence.

Since the release date is nearing, Oscar Ravi is making efforts to calm down the situation.

-- oneindia.in

Dasavatharam is my best yet - Asin

Asin, the Dasavatharam heroine admitted that Dasavatharam is the most important film in her career. In a short telephonic interview to our Chennai correspondent today, the top actress spoke about her Bollywood experience and forthcoming big Tamil release Dasavatharam and Gajini in Hindi.

How was your Bollywood experience?
It went well and the experience was better than I expected. It showed me the other world and dimension of film making.

Tell me something about your forthcoming release Ghajini?
Just a couple of days back, I'm completed the last schedule of Ghajini in Hyderabad. Now I'm eagerly waiting for the film's release. I am nervous and keep biting my nails like a plus two student (with her brand laugh).

Have you seen the trailer of Dasavatharam?
Oh...no... I'm yet to watch the trailer but I'm very eager to see it. I will come to Chennai a few hours before the audio launch and planned to share my experience with media friends, if my schedule allows. I hope the film will be a milestone in the history of Indian Cinema.

Please tell me a few words about your role in Dasavatharam...
It was really a wonderful experience. I have dual roles through out the film . It was a great learning experience to work with a legendary actor like Kamal Hassan. For me, the film is very important one in my career.

Your next Tamil project...
Actually I'm not in the position to giving my dates to any South Indian movies right now. At present, I'm just waiting for the release of Dasavatharam and Gajini. I will decide my next Tamil project in a couple of months.