Surya ready to become junior artiste for Shankar

Director and actor SJ Surya's respect for ace filmmaker Shankar was witnessed by Coimbatore audience at the audio launch function of forthcoming Tamil movie Nanban, as he claimed that he was ready to become a junior artiste for the Endhiran creator.

Praising Shankar to heavens, SJ Surya, who has done a cameo in the upcoming Tamil movie, said that the Nanban director should be adored for his work ethics. He also spoke high about the Anniyan director's ability to deliver hit after hit. Surya concludes on the note that the forthcoming Tamil movie would be a blockbuster.

SJ Surya will be seen in two scenes in Nanban. The movie, which is releasing for Sankranthi, also features Vijay, Jeeva, Srikanth, Ileana and Sathyaraj in the key roles.

Will Shah Rukh ring in New Year aboard QE2

Shah Rukh Khan plans to let his hair down with family and usher in the New Year in Dubai this time round.

The overworked (and overpaid too, some might say) Badshah Khan of Bollywood has been working non-stop as he has had back-to-back releases after ages, and has confirmed that he will be in the emirate during New Year’s eve.

At an event, SRK revealed: “I have been working round-the-clock. It’s time I shave my beard, cut my hair, spend time with the kids… I will be off to Dubai with family for 4-5 days, a short break. After which, I will be back to shoot for Yashji’s romantic film. We might start the shoot by January 8, 2012.”

It should be noted that Dubai is the favourite party place for Bollywood’s leading actors, including SRK, who spent the last New Year’s Eve in Dubai too.

Khan has an abode on the man-made Palm Jumeirah, but he reportedly celebrated his 45th birthday with a lavish three-day event at the Grand Hyatt Dubai. So can his fans expect to see him party with his family and friends on the QE2 on New Year’s Eve? He’s not saying so, but speculation is rife about the venue of his party.

The only thing we’re sure about is that well-known workaholic will be in the emirate with his family for four to five days on a short break from his hectic schedule.
His fans usually do not get to watch him in more than one film per year.

SRK’s much-hyped Ra.One released in October and the second edition of Don released last week.

And is his New Year bash the reason why Shah Rukh Khan and the team of Don 2 chose to ignore Dubai for its global premiere and instead decide to go to Patna (an eastern Indian city) to promote the film?

Was SRK’s publicist worried that Dubai might get an overdose of King Khan? After all, SRK was in Dubai earlier in November to promote Don 2 during Dubai International Film Festival with the film's director Farhan Akhtar and Priyanka Chopra.

Given the not-so-lustrous performance of his films at the box office, his PR team might be looking for ways to provide a much-needed shot in the arm.

Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor to turn friends again?

Bollywood's one of the most talked about cat fights between Priyanka Chopra and Kareena Kapoor might see its end very soon. The eyewitnesses in an event were surprised to see the arch rivals hugging each other warmly that definitely leads to certain possibility of friendship between the duo.

During an Entertainment awards event in Andheri, Priyanka made the first shocking move to give Kareena a warm hug. The Kapoor girl taken unawares was forced to extend a warm hug too. Well, this was a publicity stunt or real reconciliation, is still a mystery to us.

Priyanka and Kareena are the two Bollywood actresses who have been rival since their days of Aitraaz. The Bebo-PC fight started when Priyanka's outstanding performance in Aitraaz overshadowed Kareena's presence in the film. The on-screen enmity soon turned personal when Shahid Kapur became the love interest of both the ladies.

It seems Priyanka is now on her way to mend all her strained relationships. In fact Piggy Chops recently did a same jadu ki jhappi act to end her fight with Salman Khan.

Ban on Malayalam films in Tamil Nadu

The Mullaiperiyar conflict is burgeoning into a bigger issue than before and on the entertainment front too, there seems to be some trouble. There are some rumors floating around the entertainment industry in both these states that Tamil Nadu might issue a ban on Malayalam films releasing in the state.

Though nothing official regarding this has been issued yet, there are talks that Malayalam films might not see a release in TN if a solution for the Mullaiperiyar issue is not met with.

There are a handful of Malayalam films ready for release. One is a Mohanlal film under the direction of Priyadarshan. This film is titled 'Arabiyum Ottakam P Madhavan Nairum In Oru Marubhoomikatha.' Then there is also a Mammootty movie titled Venicile Vyapari', which will also see a release soon. Mohanlal and Mammootty films see a good run in Tamil Nadu because of a good crowd from Kerala that has made Tamil Nadu as its home.

Also Superstar, Kamal, Vijay, Ajith and Suriya films have a good fan following in Kerala. Film folks have remained silent in both states regarding the Mullaiperiyar issue. Now with the rumors floating about a ban on Malayalam films in TN it remains to be seen how Kerala will react to this situation if it is true.

ninth Chennai International Film Festival naugurated

Globally celebrated filmmaker Shekhar Kapur was all praise for south Indian cinema on Wednesday, when he said even commercial movies in these parts come with a touch of reality. "But films are so generic in Mumbai," he said.

Speaking at the inauguration of the ninth Chennai International Film Festival (CIFF) at Woodlands theatre in Chennai, Shekhar Kapur said he admires southern movies. He said he was happy to take part in such an event, which celebrates cinema.

The event saw a large turn out of celebrities, film institute students, critics and movie buffs. There are 133 international films from 53 countries that are being screened between December 14 and 22.

There are 12 Tamil films in the competition section while there are nine Indian panorama movies. The inaugural event was attended by Tamil Nadu Information Minister K T Rajenthira Balaji and president of the South Indian Film Artistes' Association, R Sarathkumar.