I am a regular behindwoods reader.
Yesterday, i have read one article written by die hard vijay fan. I am very surprised and accepted all his thoughts. Its really sad to say this.
Here is the article,
Ilayathalapathy Vijay - When one hears his name, everything involved in a formulaic masala movie comes to one's mind. Impressive dancing skills, bursting comedy, likeable romance, huge dosage of sentiments and mostly mindless action/stunt sequences. A large amount of Indians around the world aged from 6-60 form the huge fan base that he enjoys. But despite all that has been said, done and celebrated about this celebrity, many fail to understand the quality behind his superstardom and it would not be an exaggeration in saying that the actor himself too, does not.
Talking about Vijay, I have to say that I myself am a huge fan of his. His acting and dancing histrionics have taken my breath away. The very fact that a nearly 35 year-old father of two has so much zest, energy and 'youngness' is utterly impressive. But then again, a lot of things must be corrected about this celebrity if his films were to ever reach an international level that is beyond just commercial success within Tamil Nadu.
1. Selection of Scripts/Stories/Screenplay - Look at his movies over the past few years. All were commercial, typical run-of-the-mill masala potboilers. All except ATM and Sachien. And this may not be largely attributed to just Vijay's lack of taste for scripts, but also to his fan’s non-acceptance of him in non-action related roles. Vijay's selection of script is largely in contrast to that of Suriya's. The contrast is Entertainment Vs Quality. This does not mean one should compromise one for the other. Both should be major aspects of a movie’s success, but one should not overpower the other. When Vijay did Sachien, I thought his acting was cute, awesome and natural. Sadly, the movie bombed at the box office. But when he took on the monotonous roles in Thirupachi, Gillie and Pokkiri, they ruled the roost. Of course it is well-known that even his fans could not save him from the immensely ridiculously plotted Kuruvi, Villu and Aadi. So it must be admitted that even his fans give more importance to story than Vijay himself. So he should probably stop making movies that he thinks will and should cater to his fans, and not bank on his star power all the time. Vijay badly needs counseling on selecting the right scripts that are able to show more of acting skills rather than his larger-than-life image. And remakes are not the way to do it. The Vijay that we saw in Thullatha Manamum Thullum, Sachien and Madura needs to come back - and that too badly. Gautham Menon, Shankar, Mani Ratnam are the directors that could probably give his career a saving grace.
2. Looks, Styling, Wardrobe - Vijay's idea of fashion is highly pitiful and lousy. His sense of dressing and unkempt looks are a put off. He needs a hair stylist urgently and that too a good one. He should take dressing tips/lessons from Korean Drama Actors. Honestly, Vijay's lack of style in terms of wardrobe shows him off as anything but a superstar. He looks dirty and messy, a look that he thinks that his fans probably love or accept, but this look is so internationally unfriendly. It simply lacks standards. His dressing in the second half of Villu was stylish, but his unkempt looks cancelled this style out. He tried to put on a playboy image but simply failed to. His Ramarajan colored bellbottom pants were prevalent only in the 80's but he refuses to give them up. The ugly chest-hair and beard are all minus points. Being in Singapore and living with other races, it is hard to show off to my Chinese and Malay friends what my favorite Tamil Hero looks like because although Vijay is so strikingly youth-looking and handsome, his lack of grooming plays him out. Whereas Chinese and Malay heroes are so well-groomed even though they may not be as good-looking. This tells the lack of international standards. The title of Vijay's next movie Vettaikkaran suggests another typical commercial potboiler, with no promise of difference that he promises in every other movie before its release
3. Personality - Being a celebrity, one must be paparazzi friendly. Vijay fails in this aspect. He likes to show himself off as a reserved and quiet personality, which I think should change. Close and friendly interactions with the media are tools to career success and support. The recent video of Vijay blowing his top at a cleaner during a press meet might have sparked some curiosity about his true character - whether he is the type that can accept defeat or not. The incident had occurred because he was being questioned about the flop of Villu. And it amazes me that he, being a big star, could not see this coming because even if not for the story, so many technical aspects of Villu were illogical. The stunt sequences were just beyond belief. Especially one sequence where the speedboat goes underwater. Even three-year old kids wouldn't believe such a phenomenon.
Overall, there is a lot of things that Ilayathalapathy needs to correct about himself and his selection of films. If he is going to continue with the flow of movies with dappanguthu songs, nonsensical fight sequences, punch dialogues, disgusting kuppathu lungi dances that supposedly "SATISFY" his fans, he might not go very far. This article is written solely as my opinion and is not intended at hurting Ilayathalapathy Vijay or his die-hard fans. Nevertheless, I believe that being a celebrity, one should learn to accept criticisms as much as compliments and improve. Internationalism is the need of the hour for Vijay, and it should just not stop with his song and movie scenes that are taken overseas.
Regards,
Endrendrum Vijay's Fan,
Kubaren
kub1990@yahoo.com.sg
Late director Jeeva’s erstwhile assistant Srinath will don the role of a comedian in the flick. Srinath is, however, not new to comedy roles as such.
He has already been featured in almost all of Jeeva’s movies, prominent ones including Dham Dhoom and Unnale Unnale. Srinath is currently directing Muthirai, which features Nithin Sathya, Daniel Balaji and Laksmi Rai.
Photo feature - Vijay's vettaikaran First Look
Tamanna is having a great time in Kollywood. A few films of hers await release and she is busy with the shooting of many more. She has been very lucky in terms of the offers that she has been receiving, starring opposite some of the top heroes of Kollywood like Dhanush and Suriya.
It is in the midst of this that she received an offer to act alongside Vijay in Vettaikaran. But she did not even consider the offer and turned it down. She was so full with commitments that there was no way she could have given her consent to another full fledged heroine role. The actress is said to have stated her disappointment at her inability to star opposite Vijay and is said to have expressed eagerness to do so in the future.
After Villu, Ilaya Thalapathy Vijay has moved on ahead with his next project Vettaikaran. This film is being produced by AVM and directed by Babu Sivan, a former associate of Dharani. Shooting for the film began on March 9th with Vijay’s intro song being canned in Rajamundry with many junior artistes.
After trying many heroines, Arundathi Anoushka was finalized to play the leading lady in Vettaikaran. Music for the film is being scored by Vijay Anthony, who has been creating waves in the industry with his peppy and melody tunes. All in all there would be five songs, out of which one is being shot in Rajamundry. For the rest of the numbers, the crew has plans to go to exotic overseas locales. The unit sources opine that Vijay will be seen in four different get ups in a completely new avatar especially in dance and stunt sequences.
Anushka has suddenly become most wanted in Kollywood. Her only previous film in Tamil was Rendu after which there has been more than a two year gap during which she has been busy in Tollywood. But now, she has been signed up for Vijay's Vettaikaran and Karthi's Siruthai following which her stock in Kollywood has shot up once again and she is now set to join other actresses like Nayanthara, Trisha and Ileana who are wanted in both Tamil and Telugu.
Telugu films of Nayanthara, Trisha and Ileana are in demand for dubbing into Tamil. Their popularity with Tamil audiences is the reason behind this demand. A couple of Trisha's Telugu films have been released and Nayanthara's movies too are awaiting release, albeit low profile. Now, even Anushka's Telugu films are being sought to be dubbed and re-released in Tamil. Looks like many people here are sure about her getting very popular with Tamil audiences.
The first schedule of Vijay’s upcoming Vettaikaran is over at Rajahmundry in coastal Andhra Pradesh.
The grapevine is abuzz that Vijay is spotting a new look for the film, which will not be revealed immediately.
The film produced by A V M Balasubramaniam and directed by Babu Shivam, has Anushka as heroine. The buzz is that the film is an action packed family entertainer laced with comedy and sentiment.
As per sources in the unit, the hero introduction song was picturised in which Vijay’s son Sanjay has danced with his dad against an Ayyanar temple background. Then hero meeting heroine for the first time in a very comic manner was shot in a Railway Station. Added to that some talkie portions were also canned in and around Rajahmundry.
The second schedule of the film is to start in Chennai in the second week of April, and it will be shot mostly at AVM studio including a set song. Vijay Antony is composing the second song likely to be a duet
Vettaikaran has a special cameo appearance from Vijay’s family. If the buzz is to be believed, Vijay’s son Sanjay shook his leg with his quicksilver-legged dad for his upcoming flick Vettaikaran, produced by AVM. Vijay junior appeared in a song scored by Vijay Antony (for the first time in a Vijay movie) penned by Kabilan, which is reportedly Vijay’s introductory song in the movie. The shooting of this song has been going on in Rajamundhry since the 9th of the month; this is the first schedule of the movie’s shooting. The song has been shot lavishly with 90 junior artistes and dancers being used.
Vettaikaran is directed by Babu Sivan and has Anushka in the lead. The movie also has Vivek in a significant role.
Vijay’s Vettaikaran began rolling at Rajamundhry on Monday the 9th of March. The first schedule is devoted entirely to the shooting of Vijay’s introduction song in the movie. Reports from the sets are that the song is being shot on a grand scale with 90 support dancers (45 boys and 45 girls), the choreography is by Shoby. The song will be shot until the 18th of the month after which the crew will move onto the next location. The introduction song is being touted as one of the best of Vijay Anthony’s character. |  |
Now, one wonders whether you have noticed the ‘nine’ sentiment running throughout this schedule. Ninety dancers - 45 girls and 45 boys - all multiples of nine. Shooting began on the 9th and will go on up till the 18th; again multiples of nine. Now, this is not an idiosyncrasy that we generally associate with the present day cinema. But this is something that has come to the notice of some keen observers. Let’s see whether this sentiment works well for the movie.
Vettaikaran is being directed by Babu Sivan, will have Anushka opposite Vijay for the first time and is being produced by AVM Balasubramaniam.
Vettaikkaran (Tamil: வேட்டைக்காரன்) is a forthcoming Tamil film being directed by Babu Sivan, who directs his first feature film. The film is produced by M. Balasubramanian and B. Gurunath Meiyappan and will be distributed by AVM Productions. The film will star Ilaya thalapathy Vijay and Anushka Shetty in the lead roles. The film's background score and soundtrack will be composed by Vijay Antony while Gopinath will be the film's main cinematographer and V. T. Vijayan as the film's editor. The film was launched in February 2009 and the shooting for the film started simultaneously. Umaraj will be dancing with Vijay in a blockbuster song with Chi Chi.
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The casting and finalizing of crew members for Vijay’s Vettaikaran has officially commenced recently. Earlier, Ravi Varman was said to have been roped in for the cinematography, however, recent reports aver that he has been replaced by Gopinath -without any apparent reason being quoted for the replacement.
Although speculations are abuzz about the cause behind the change, Ravi Varman’s current commitment with Moscovin Kauvery is widely believed to be the main reason. More updates are awaited.
For unknown reasons music director of the film also changed. Vijay Antony replaces Yuvan shankar Raja.
Actor Vijay's Vettaikaran Pooja Photos
Vettaikkaaran was formally launched the next month at the Vinayagar Temple, a privatized Hindu temple located in one of the studios of AVM Productions.
Vettaikkaaran was formally launched the next month at the Vinayagar Temple, a privatized Hindu temple located in one of the studios of AVM Productions.
The film's director Babu Sivan, producers M. Balasubramaniam and B. Gurunath Meyyappan, Vijay and his wife, Vijay Antony, S. A. Chandrasekhar and director Dharani were present at the film's inaugration.
Vettaikaran is the title of an old MGR film. It is Vijay’s 49th film and is said to be an action adventure film. Anushka the hot and happening girl is being paired for the first time with Vijay in the film.
The film was also regarded to have a storyline similar to Vijay's previous film Thirupaachi directed by Perarasu.
Hi friends, Warm welcome to all vijay fans. Our thalapathy started his 49th film Vettaikaran successfully.
So Lets start our interative blog for our Ilaya Thalapathy's Promotional Blog .
It will be updated with all news about making of Vettaikaran movie.