The first film of the year 'KALAYANARAMAN' leads the show business in Malayalam today. Barely three days after the release of KALYANARAMAN, Dileep, Kunchako Boban and Navya Nair in the main roles have collected more share than any other film released during this period. It is a pure entertainer. It tells the story of a smart country boy who is indispensable for the villagers especially in marriage ceremonies. He will be there for arrangements right from the Pendal to the preparation of sumptuous marriage feast. Dileep as KALYANARAMAN with his usual humorous numbers is holding on to the position as the dearest actor of the viewers. 'MEESA MADHAVAN' and 'KUNHIKKOOONAN' the two earlier hits of Dileep have been shifted from its releasing centers and have started showing in interior centers. 'YAATRAKKARUDE SRADHAKKU' by Satyan Anthikkadu is collecting good money and gaining good opinion. The performance of Soundarya is commendable. Sreenivasan's dialogue and Johnson's music are the other attractive factors of this film. This film has entered in to its fourth week in more than 20 centers. 'NANDANAM' by Ranjith could not gain commercial success but has high opinion on its artistic qualities. 'NANDANAM' has established Prithviraj in Malayalam cinema as an actor of wide range. The emotional content and its dramatic appeal have caught the attention of filmmakers. 'VAALKKANNADI' a tearjerker drama of Kalabhavan Money is doing good business all over Kerala. The performance of Money and Gheethu Mohan Das is commendable. 'CHATHURANGAM' the Mohanlal - K Madhu film continues to screen in many urban and semi urban centers.
My Films Are Never An Accident: Adoor
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Noted Malayalam filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan said his films were never `an accident', but the culmination of a prolonged process of `revelation and discovery'. "I have never tried to repeat the treatment or pattern of my earlier films. I don't like to get into any mould. I am a person subjected to changes happening around me," he said at a face-to-face programme arranged by the press club in Thiruvananthapuram. Adoor, whose latest film, `NIZHALKKUTHU' (Shadow Kill) was screened for the press, said he had never felt that any of his films could have been made in a better way. "I consider all my films as the best I could make at a given point of time," he remarked. Adoor said he made only such films, which provided him some excitement as an artiste. "There is no Adoorism as such." I want the maximum number of people to watch and enjoy my films. I am not scared of popularity. I like popularity," he said, and cautioned against the audience `assigning' specific roles to commercial and serious film-makers. He said all his films had underlying political statement including `NIZHALKKUTHU', which had already been shown at six international film festivals. The film was about human beings who fall into inescapable traps set by the prevailing system. The protagonist of the film, a hangman, is one who is denied the freedom to think and act on his own. "Even after 50 years of independence, we are still in the trap. We are not being able to liberate ourselves," he said.
A dot COM love and marriage.
Thursday, January 30, 2003
It was a cyber love, an encounter of the web kind. Young actress Jomol came in contact with Chandu alias Chandrasekharan on the corridors of Internet. She used to surf the Internet and went chatting. It was Chandu one evening and she got stuck with the guy. It was love at first click. Then there was no undoing. Jomol narrates the experience. 'Every time the chat came to a close both asked when next. Both did not disclose first. After some months he reveled his identity. He informed that he is a mechanical engineer with the merchant navy placed at Mumbai. "I asked him whether he knew an actress named Jomol. He hardly ever had seen Malayalam films. And the only actress he can identify was Manju Warrier. I just melted," says Jomol. We got into the web of love without knowing each other. Not even name. But to my utter surprise we met at a public function at Trivandrum last year. He came to me and announced that he is Chandu I chat. It was a thrilling experience to me. I kept it secret. I announced the news after we gave notice to get the marriage registered." It was a dot COM love culminated in marriage. The marriage under special marriage act took place in Gudalur and a reception was held at Calicut on 16th January. Actors and celebrities from all walks of life gathered at the hotel to wish the couple a prosperous married life.
'I don't want to work as an agent': Adoor
Thursday, January 30, 2003
"I don't want to work as an agent. They (government) need an obedient chairman. I am afraid I am a bit disobedient," said renowned Malayalam film-maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, who resigned as chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Akademi. Adoor had handed over his resignation letter to the Chief Minister A K Antony following a tiff with the Culture department over alleged interference in the routine affairs of the Akademi. Adoor told reporters that the Chief Minister had told him that the letter would be held in abeyance and he would discuss the issue with Culture minister G Karthikeyan. "It depends. Anyway, I cannot continue in the post in the present circumstances", was his reply when asked whether his decision was final. Adoor said he did not have an experience of this kind while working as chairman of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) for six years. The minister's office here had even nominated members of the jury for film awards, he alleged.
Lal Jose loses a producer.
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Lal Jose loses a producer. See the harm a report did to a project like 'CHEKAVAN'. It was CHEKAVAN that Lal Jose wanted to direct after the great success of MEESA MADHAVAN. He had worked hard on the script. Bharath Gopi's son wrote it. Film buffs were waiting for the film to be launched. But it seems some people did not want the project to take off. They planted news in a magazine that Mr L.J. is getting ready for an art film. They announced Mr L.J. would start shooting his art film in December. Well, 'CHEKAVAN' did not start in December. Not even in January. That's all they wanted. The producer who came forward to finance CHEKAVAN backed off reading the news. He did not trust the director. Rather he believed the report. Now L.J. has to wait till Mammootty gets free from his 'CHRONIC BACHELOR' schedule. Lal Jose also had planned to direct a film with Mammootty when he announced CHEKAVAN. He thought he would finish CHEKAVAN first with new comers and then start the work of Mammootty film. Now he had to wait. He has to prove that MEESA MADHAVAN was not a fluke. But film industry as every one knows is like the monsoon clouds. It may rain heavily or just pass off. Like wise projects might work if come out at the appropriate time. What Lal Jose now loosing is time. Precious time.
Nandanam
Thursday, January 30, 2003
A Simple fantasy. It was a tangential take off from his usual way of conception and writing of scripts. Ranjith has left behind the super human characters and thunderous dialogues and adopted simple stories. Viewers, critics and media had congratulated Ranjith for his changes. Talking about 'NANDANAM' the initial dullness in theaters has disappeared and the film has won appreciation and picked up collection. NANDANAM has contributed a well-balanced director to Malayalam cinema. It is the conception of the story and treatment of 'NANDANAM' that is commendable. It is a simple fantasy. Malayali viewers are not new to celluloid fantasies. One of the finest fantasies came from the master storyteller late Padmarajan 12 years ago. His 'NJAN GANDHARVAN' presented a wonder and delight to the audience. It had lyrical, literary and cinematic qualities. No fantasy surpassed 'NJAN GANDHARVAN' till date. Incidentally this January 24th is his 12th death anniversary. He died while visiting a theater in Calicut, which was showing his last film 'NJAN GANDHARVAN'. 'NANDANAM' by Ranjith does not attempt a film of high concepts. All the same he adopts a technique by which the story reveals the mind of a girl who is in love. A poor girl named Balamani comes as help to an old lady in the famous temple town. All that she wants is the darshan of the deity. She never gets a chance as devotees from far away places throng the temple. Then something unusual happens in her life. From this point the reality is removed and fantasy takes charge. The ordinary viewer is not disturbed by what is shown. His logical mind is taken care of by the scriptwriter. The devotion to the most adored deity is well used by Ranjith. Balamani begins the day with domestic chores. The temple town is also busy. The pooja starts early morning. It goes on till midnight. She hears the bajans from the temple. The voices, the crowd, the music, She is eager to reach the temple. But never makes it. One day in her dream she marries a handsome man of high stature. She thinks this is what the deity has in store for her. But this dream does not come true that easily. It tantalizes the girl and the audiences as well. The young man appears in front of her next day. He is the grand son of the old lady. Each sequence that follows creates an impression of disbelief. The young man and the girl fall in love. But a marriage proposal for the boy from a wealthy family causes an alarm. It fizzles out when the proposed girl elopes. Balamani is relieved. A couple of similar incidents take Balamani to the zenith of desolation. Balamani is disillusioned with the deity. Her only consolation is another boy in the next house. He pacifies her. Whatever he says comes true in the end. Finally her dreams come true. She wants to share her happiness with the boy in the neighborhood. To her surprise when she goes there he is no more the boy whom she used to talk to. She suddenly realizes the boy was none other than the deity. This flipping of the image in one second by the director was a surprise to the heroine as well as the viewer. Sure the audience liked it though it took them to the limits of illogic. The director could establish the whole thing as a light fantasy of the girl and the audience took it in that sense. We rarely see a film that experiments with the sensibilities and habits of the audience. Ranjith succeeded in winning their hearts without disturbing them much. Pritviraj as the handsome boy and Navya Nair as Balamani could win the hearts of Malayali audience through this theme. Navya nair reminded Manju Warrier in her expressions and dialogue delivery. But she has proved she has range in acting. There are seven songs and all them are melodious.
Nandanam wins critics award
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Nandanam, directed by Ranjit, has bagged the best film and best director awards of Kerala Film Critics Association (KFCA) for 2002, while Dileep for his role of a physically deformed youth in KUNHIKOONAN cornered the best actor award. Navya Nair adjudged the best actress for NANDANAM. KFCA general secretary Mannarakkayam Baby and its president Theikkinkad Joseph announced the coveted awards at a press meet. "MEESA MADHAVAN", the blockbuster featuring Dileep and directed by Lal Jose, was adjudged the most popular movie of the year. Veteran actor Gopi was chosen for " Chalachitra Ratnam" honour in view of his outstanding contribution to Malayalam film. M G Sreekumar won the best male singer and Radhika Tilak female singer awards. KFCA members made the selections. Five senior artistes of yesteryears had been honoured as "Chalachitra Prathibha" for their lasting contribution to Malayalam movie. They are: John Sankaramangalam (direction), Bharnikkavu Sivakumar (lyrics), Vilasini (acting), and actor-singer Pappukutty Bahagavathar.
Soundarya, Mammootty, Suresh Gopi in Shaji Kailas Film.
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Soundarya who is at present acting in Priyadarsan's film has been selected to play the lead role in Shaji Kailas new Malayalam film. Her first Malayalam film YATRAKKARUDE SRADHAKKU by Satyan Anthikkadu is running house full all over Kerala. The Shaji Kailas film has Mammootty and Suresh Gopi in the most important roles. The story is by Vinayan and the script is by Unnikrishnan B who wrote scripts for 'COVER STORY' and 'SIVAM'. The pooja and switch on of the film took place on 15, January on the location of the Tamil film Shaji is directing. Not far away the pooja and switch on of the T V Chandran film took place. Noted writer Paul Zechariah switched on the camera.
Kerala to start online lottery
Thursday, January 30, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With online lotteries sponsored by other states spiriting away huge sums from Keralites, the UDF government is planning to come out with an online draw. Disclosing this during Question Hour, Finance Minister K Sankaranarayanan said a high power committee, headed by the principal secretary, finance, had been set up to work out the details. The government would also consider banning sale of outside-sponsored lotteries in the state, he said. The soaring popularity of online lotteries among fortune seekers had dented the sale of paper lottery of the Kerala government, he added.
NeST to strengthen Middle East operations
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Kerala-based Network Systems & Technologies (NeST) is all set to strengthen its Middle East operations. The company plans to set up a software development centre at the Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZ) and open two more offices at Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia. NeST currently has a marketing office at Doha and a strategic presence in Dammam, Riyadh and Dubai through channel partners. NeST Technologies MEA (Middle East & Africa) Inc. has been specifically formed to facilitate its Middle East operations, a company release said Wednesday. "Intensifying Middle East operations of NeST is also part of our synergic move to show the world the technical skills of young talents in Kerala are on a par with international standards", said NeST managing director N.Jehangir. NeST has become the 19th company in the world to get the prestigious CMM Level-5 certification and is also fast approaching the 6-Sigma benchmark, a rare distinction of ensuring meagre 3.4 defects in one million operations or, an accuracy of 99.999997. "NeST Technologies MEA Inc. will function as the nodal office for our operations in the Asia-Pacific region as well and will also cater to African markets", said NeST vice president U.M. Shafi. NeST is bidding for a major contract with the Saudi electricity department for power distribution, automation, GIS (geographical information system) mapping and remote metering covering six million plus households in Riyadh. At the just-concluded Global Investors' Meet in Kochi, NeST unveiled plans to invest Rs. 30 billion to provide broadband multimedia content in villages. The company will deploy technologies such as digital subscriber lines (DSL) for the last-mile link to deliver bandwidth up to 10 MB through conventional copper cables.
Gulf-based businessmen may invest in state college
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: Three Middle East-based businessmen from Kerala are keen on investing in the state-owned Thrissur Medical College. Congress legislator T N Prathapan said he had spoken to the three -- Oman-based Galfar Mohammed Ali, Dubai-based Yusuf Ali and Krishnan Menon of Qatar. Private participation in public healthcare was allowed by the Kerala government two months ago. "Now that the government has taken this policy decision, we will set up a plan for the project," said Prathapan. He said the Thrissur Medical College was in a bad state for want of funds and the lack of a development initiative. Often patients from the districts of Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram who use the hospital attached to the college are left high and dry. "As and when the investment decision materialises, we will certainly see that no fleecing of patients happens. The facility would not be run on a commercial basis. A social aspect would also be there and moreover these businessmen all hail from this district," said Prathapan. The issue of opening up public healthcare for private participation was stressed by state Health Minister P. Sankaran in the floor of the house on Tuesday. "The policy decision to this effect has already been made and there would be no privatisation of public healthcare, instead it would only be private participation," said Sankaran in reply to questions raised in the house. The new policy of private participation has become necessary because the government is unable to meet increasing infrastructure needs in the government health sector.
Cochin international airport to be expanded
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Kochi: The international airport at Nedumbassery is proposed to be expanded to meet increased competition from within Kerala and ''Greenfield'' airports coming up in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Goa. The Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), the company which runs the airport, had engaged a competent consultancy firm to recommend what sorts of expansion was required to meet the competition, CIAL outgoing managing director C Babu Rajiv told a media conference at the airport on Wednesday. He said the present international terminal at the airport was too inadequate to handle passengers during peak hours and the company was thinking about having a new terminal or expanding the existing one. CIAL board of directors, which met here recently, had discussed the issue in detail and decided to engage the consultancy firm. A new terminal would cost Rs 175 crore and the setting up of an Air Surveillance Radar (ASR) and a taxiway would cost Rs 25 crore and Rs 15 crore respectively. The consultancy firm would recommend whether the company could implement the project without broadening its equity base or not. Mr Rajiv said he was for construction of a new terminal as any cosmetic change on the present one would do no good to the airport, which now handled 8.5 lakh passengers a year since its commissioning three years ago. Mr. Rajiv said the last CIAL board meeting had not discussed the proposal of the Airports Authority Of India (AAI) to invest Rs 50 crore in the company as the proposal in writing was received late. He felt that the company should closely associate itself with AAI, which handled Air Traffic Control (ATC) and security at the airport. The question of sharing ATC revenue between AAI and CIAL was yet to be decided in the absence of a National policy on the issue. Presently, the entire revenue from route navigation was enjoyed by the AAI, which set up the ATC tower at the airport at a cost of Rs 11 crore. The Nedumbassery airport is the lone ''green field'' airport now being operated in the country with equity participation of any State Government and private individuals, mainly non-resident Keralites. The Kerala Government had an equity stake of 26 per cent matched by the Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), whose loan of Rs 130 crore had been converted into equity, in the company. Mr. Rajiv said the company was going to make a profit of Rs eight crore during the current fiscal ending March 2003. He said Saudi Arabian airlines, Saudia, Qatar Airways and Sri Lanka airlines would commence service from the airport from March next, raising to seven the number of foreign airlines operating from Nedumbassery. Air cargo handling at the airport is expected to rise to 8,000 tonnes from the present 2,000 tonnes by March next.
School children to be involved in 'litter-free' plan
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: A workshop on garbage disposal, organised by the Indian Medical Association, here today decided to involve school children in the Litter-Free campaign launched by the City Corporation. Inaugurating the workshop, the North MLA, K. Mohankumar, stressed the need for the city to become self-reliant in garbage disposal. Several speakers called for enlisting the support of residents in the effort to keep the city clean. The IMA secretary, Sreejith N. Kumar, said the outbreak of many dreaded diseases like Dengue fever, cholera and rat fever could be traced back to the garbage accumulation in many parts of the city. The District Education Officer, Viswalatha, said the department would take the initiative to organise garbage disposal camps in all schools in the district. The IMA outlined an action plan to improve the garbage disposal in the city. This includes steps to minimise the quantum of waste generated at the household-level and segregation of garbage. Setting up of biogas and composting plants is a component of the programme. In a bid to involve school children in sanitation activities, Scouts and Guides from various schools will be deployed across the city.
GIM follow-up exercise held
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: The first follow-up exercise of the Global Investor Meet was held at the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) here on Wednesday. KSIDC managing director Jiji Thomson and other top officials interacted with the promoters of 15 projects and assured them quick action on their requirements. The KSIDC had signed 27 MoUs with promoters on different projects. Similar exercises would be organised at KSIDC Kochi office in the coming days.
Fishermen groups clash in Thiruvananthapuram
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: Two groups of fishermen clashed over a dispute at the coastal Puthukurissi near Katinamkulam in Thiruvananthapuram. Police fired five rounds in the air and lathicharged the irate fishermen, belonging to two communities, who indulged in arson and torched 13 country boats belonging to both the communities. About 15 fishermen were injured in the clashes, eye-witnesses said. The trouble arose when two groups of fishermen belonging to different communities clashed within minutes after setting out to the seas. On seeing this, the fishermen belonging to both the groups clashed on the shores. A strong contingent of police force has been rushed to the area following the incident. Top police officials and district authorities are also camping there.
Microsoft on the prowl for unlicensed users in Kerala
Thursday, January 30, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: In its drive against copyright infringement, Microsoft has sent undercover legal officials to catch computer resellers in Kerala using unlicensed versions of the software giant's programs. According to industry sources, four computer resellers have already been fined Rs.30,000 each for selling Microsoft products without licences and given a stern warning. "Two people posing as architects arrived at the office of a leading computer reseller and asked for the latest personal computer. After the machine was supplied with unlicensed software, the two architects revealed they were Microsoft officials and took action against the reseller," a reseller here told , requesting anonymity. Sources said four resellers were sent notices and asked to meet the Microsoft attorney at a resort in suburban Thiruvananthapuram. "What we have been told is that they were all fined Rs.30,000 and let off with a warning," said a computer reseller. The Microsoft officials also visited a few computer institutes here and gathered information about the sellers who had supplied machines to them. All Kerala Computer Products and Dealers Association president John Kottara said while Microsoft was within its rights to act against unlicensed users, the industry was not sure how to respond to these undercover checks. "We have not yet decided how to handle this situation," Kottara said. J. Salim, who runs an IT institute here, told reporters: "In the long run, such raids might hamper the prospects of Microsoft." He added, "One way is to go in for Linux. This free operating system is becoming very popular."
5-day week for offices under consideration: Antony
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A proposal to introduce five-day week in government offices in Kerala was under consideration, but a final decision would be taken after examining all aspects of the matter and wider consultations, Chief Minister A K Antony told the state Assembly on Tuesday. The government was examining whether telephone and fuel charges could be reduced by introduction of five-day week. It would also study the experience of the states where five-day week norm had been in vogue, he said in reply to questions. The punching system introduced in selected offices had not yielded the desired results. Before, extending it to other offices the views of service organisations would be taken into account, he said. Cost-cutting measures had helped reduce telephone and vehicle misuse, the savings by way of these steps had often been offset by hike in telephone and petroleum prices, he added.
Kerala's expressway of hope
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
It is billed as the highway of hope that would bring investment and prosperity to industry-starved Kerala and change the state's economic and urban face. A 507-kilometre expressway connecting Kerala's southern and northern tips and passing through 12 of the state's 14 districts is the biggest-ever infrastructure project that the A K Antony government is getting ready to execute. The proposed north-south super highway, modeled on a similar one built by the Malaysian government, has most Kerala politicians, businessmen and industrialists agreeing in unison that such an express road could drive up the state's economic fortunes. Here are some facts about the proposed expressway that was showcased as the biggest infrastructure project during the recent Global Investor Meet in Kerala. The 504-km expressway from Thiruvananthapuram in southern Kerala to Kasargod in the state's northern tip will cost Rs 6,400 crore (Rs 64 billion). Traveling time between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasargod will be reduced to five hours through the expressway from the current 12 hours. Gas, power supply cables, irrigation canals and even a bullet train would pass through the express highway. As much as three metric tones of rubberised bitumen and 15 metric tones of coir-geo textiles will be used for the expressway's construction. This will boost the agriculture sectors in Kerala. The expressway will have only 19 interchange points for entry and exit of motor vehicles. These interchanges will house development centers for tourism, information technology, biotechnology, marketing and warehousing sectors. There would be 21 major bridges, five railway crossings and an under bridge every one kilometer of the expressway. The expressway would pass through 890 hectares of agricultural land, 2,900 hectares of plantations and 238 hectares of households. While more than 3,000 families will have to be rehabilitated, Rs 1,758 crore (Rs 17.58 billion) would be needed for land acquisition, resettlement and the rehabilitation of the displaced. But will the expressway -- which Chief Minister Antony has termed as the high-speed corridor of Kerala's ultimate development -- become a reality? "It will be a reality. We are on the right track. It is an economically sound project for which there is also total political consensus in the state," Kerala's Public Works Minister M K Muneer told rediff.com. In the last one year, the young minister has been quietly working on the expressway project. "I have been keeping this project close to my heart all these months. I take it with me in my laptop wherever I go," says Muneer. Aiding Muneer in the mammoth task was V J Kurien, an IAS officer, who now heads Kerala's Roads and Bridges Development Corporation. Kurien who single-handedly raised funds from Non-Resident Indians from 30 countries to build India's first ever private airport -- the Cochin International Airport -- in a record five years says the expressway will be developed in three phases. "If everything goes in the right direction, we will complete the project by 2003," he said. Muneer, Kurien and other senior officials held a video presentation of the expressway to Kerala's members of legislative assembly. Most legislators said it is an amazing project that will catapult Kerala as an economic powerhouse. But how? Muneer says Kerala's biggest handicap these days is the lack of good quality roads. "Good infrastructure is a must for good investment. Not only that the expressway will boost the construction industry in the state, it will be the hub of all economic activities, including IT, tourism, et cetera," says the minister. "The north-south highway built in Malaysia tremendously helped the country to develop its economy and tourism. We expect similar growth in Kerala," Muneer said. And is the expressway financially viable? The Antony government says it is. T
BJP wants Akademi chief to quit
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: The BJP’s Kerala unit demanded the resignation of Kendriya Sahitya Akademi secretary and celebrated Malayalam poet K Sachidanandan for “criticising the BJP government at the Centre”, “misusing his official position”. “As Akademi secretary, Sachidanandan is drawing salary from the Central government. He can neither criticise the government nor can he be the spokesperson of an opposing political ideology. He is misusing his official position in the guise of freedom of expression and thereby violating discipline,” unit general secretary Mukundan said in a statement here. He said the autonomy given to Sahitya Akademi was not a certificate for Sachidanandan to act according to his “whims and fancies”. Mukundan said Sachidanandan, who filed a public interest litigation against the Centre before the Supreme Court in connection with the Gujarat violence, should have resigned the government post at that time itself. Instead of quitting the post on his own, the poet was “trying to justify his deeds and campaigning against the Centre”, he added.
Case against 18,000 CITU activists registered
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: Cantonment police have registered a case against 18,000 CITU activists, including Leader of the Opposition V.S.Achuthanandan, in connection with the Secretariat ‘siege’ on Tuesday. According to police, the case was registered for disrupting the functioning of the Secretariat and obstructing the movement of the public. CITU state general secretary P.K.Gurudasan, CPM district secretary M.Vijayakumar and CITU leaders Anathalavattom Anandan, Kadakampally Surendran and Peroorkada Sadasivan were also named in the chargesheet filed in connection with the ‘siege.’
Silk Air introduces one-month Internet fares
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: Silk Air, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines has introduced a special one-month Internet fare of departure from Thiruvananthapuram to Singapore and other exotic destinations in Asia. Promotional fares are applicable from January to March 2003 and the validity of fare for travel was one month for both economy and business class. The online booking allows customers to make their own booking via the Internet. Booking could be made up to five days before departure and purchasing of tickets from the Internet through Visa, MasterCard and American Express Credit cards only. Two easy ticketing options are available for the passenger - Ticket on Departure at Airport (TOD) or Ticket in the city ticket office (TIC), an airlines press release said here.
RSP (B) urges govt to withdraw NOC to Medical Colleges
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: RSP (B) acting secretary A.V.Thamarakshan has asked the state government to withdraw the NOC given to self-financing medical colleges which approached the court against the government decision on admission to these colleges. Thamarakshan told newspersons here on Tuesday that the government decision to make admission to 50 percent of seats in merit quota was taken after consultation with all concerned. He said that the RSP (B) would be forced to start an agitation against the managements of self-financing medical colleges. The party was ready to cooperate with anyone who planned an agitation against the policies of these managements. There were allegations that the present High Court directive was a result of a conspiracy between some in the government and the self-financing colleges. The issue would be raised in the UDF, he said. The government advocates were not pleading cases efficiently as it was evident from the fact that the government was losing cases frequently. The RSP (B) leader also criticised DGP K J Joseph for filing a civil miscellaneous petition in the High Court against the CITU siege. ‘‘CITU is the trade union wing of a recognised political party, the CPM, and the DGP should have shown some restraint while dealing with them’’, he said. He said that the DGP’s action had only resulted in giving publicity to the agitation. Otherwise, the agitation would have gone unnoticed. He said that the party would also bring the attitude of the DGP to the notice of the UDF.
CITU siege hits Govt. machinery
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
In a massive display of working-class resistance, thousands of CITU workers and their families laid siege to the State Secretariat and district collectorates , asking the UDF Government to roll back policies that resulted in loss of wages and employment, particularly in plantation and traditional industrial sectors. Reflecting the mood outside, the Opposition LDF members staged a walk-out in the Assembly. Hundreds of workers and their family members created a human wall around the State Secretariat early in the morning in an emphatic articulation of workers' ire against the Antony Government's liberalisation policies. The siege was formally inaugurated later by the Leader of the Opposition, V. S. Achuthanandan, who arrived before the Secretariat after leading the Opposition LDF members out of the Assembly to protest against the Government's refusal to allow a discussion on the issues that the CITU sought to highlight through its agitation. The siege was inaugurated in Kollam by the CITU national president, E. Balanandan, in Kochi by the CITU general secretary, M. K. Pandhe, in Kozhikode by the CPI (M) State secretary, Pinarayi Vijayan, in Thrissur by the former Chief Minister, E. K. Nayanar, in Kannur by the CITU State president, K. N. Ravindranath, in Alappuzha by the CITU State secretary, P. K. Gurudasan, and in Palakkad by the LDF convener, Paloli Mohammed Kutty. The siege passed off peacefully both here and in the districts. At all the places, the police was out in full battle gear, but they did not have to exert themselves much as the CITU leadership and workers seemed keen to ensure that the assurance given to the Kerala High Court to maintain peace, was honoured to the last letter. The only instance of alleged intimidation of Government employees by the CITU workers was reported from Kottayam where the police took 140 persons into custody. The siege continued till evening rendering the seats of administration both in the capital and in the districts dysfunctional for the entire day. Unlike in the past, there was not much dislocation in vehicular traffic on account of the siege. In the Assembly, the Opposition tried in vain to force adjournment of the proceedings to facilitate a discussion on the issue. However, the Speaker, Vakkom Purushothaman, turned down the Opposition demand. Opposing the adjournment motion, sought to be moved by the CPI(M) deputy leader, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the Chief Minister, A. K. Antony, admitted that there were problems in both the sectors and workers were having a tough time. He, however, contended that the agitations of the kind being staged by the CITU would not help solve the problems. Mr. Antony said the Government's attempt to nurse the State's finances to health had begun to bear fruit and the situation in the farm sector had begun to look up with prices of commodities such as rubber and cardamom showing an uptrend. The crisis in industries such as coir, cashew, handloom and beedi still remained intractable. The Government had succeeded in getting factories of CAPEX reopened and efforts were on to save the other industries, he said. In a statement, issued late this evening, Mr. Gurudasan claimed that five lakh workers and their family members had taken part in the siege. He termed the `success' of the stir a warning against the `arrogance' of the Chief Minister and the Director General of Police.
Stop weir construction, Centre tells Kerala
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests today asked Kerala to stop construction of a weir across the Bhavani. In a telegram addressed to Principal Secretary and Kerala's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, the Assistant Inspector-General of Forests in the Union Ministry, J. P. Mishra, said, ``the clearance issued by the Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF), Bangalore, dated 22 October 1999, for construction of the weir and leading channel from the stream near the Mukkali forest station to Panthantod in Agali Panchayat, Mannarkad Forest division, is kept in abeyance till further orders. Please stop the work forthwith.'' The Ministry was acting on a complaint on felling of trees. In a separate letter to the Kerala Forest Secretary, Mr. Mishra said the Ministry had received a representation from the Bhavani River Water Protection All-Party Committee of Coimbatore - Erode districts. The representation said large numbers of big trees were being felled. This might lead to soil erosion. Further, the Bhavani was an inter-State river and construction of the weir might harm the interests of Tamil Nadu farmers. The Tamil Nadu Government had raised this issue with the Union Ministry of Water Resources, saying the construction required the consent of other basin States. (Work across the Bhavani is being taken up in a forest area. The Kerala Government intends diverting 0.718 tmcft of water, after the construction of the weir, to Mannarkad taluk, where water sources have been drying up fast owing to a combination of bad practices and an unconcerned administration. But there is an apprehension that once the weir is completed, Kerala will stake claim to 2.5 tmcft provided for in the agreement between the two States.) Mr.Mishra's letter says: ``Enquiry reveals that the Regional Chief Conservator of Forests approved diversion of 0.93 hectares of forest land for construction of the weir and leading channel. Also, ````the matter was considered by this Ministry and it has been decided to keep in abeyance the clearance granted by the RCCF, until the matter is enquired into by a team of experts from this Ministry.'' The Forest Secretary was asked to ensure that the construction was ``stopped forthwith.'' Earlier in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, said she was not averse to meeting her Kerala counterpart, A.K. Antony, to prevent the construction of the weir. Denying that there was any delay on the part of the Government in reacting to the developments on the Bhavani issue, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the State was consulting legal experts before deciding to hold talks with Kerala. Intervening during the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor's address, she said that as the State had already approached the Cauvery River Water Disputes Tribunal on the issue, it wanted to be clear that talks with Kerala would not hamper the efforts at finding a solution through the tribunal. At this, the DMK deputy leader, Durai Murugan, said the Government should solve the issue through direct talks with Kerala rather than through the tribunal, as the latter course would take a long time. Ms. Jayalalithaa said she had written to the Kerala Chief Minister on the issue, but a reply was delayed.
Mohanlal had been overexposed -Priyan
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
Priyadarshan is on a mission to save the sagging career of his buddy Mohanlal through his new film Kochu Kilichundan Mambazham. In an industry where friendship never lasts due to fragile egos, the Priyan-Lal bonding has withstood the test of the times. Says Priyan: “Mohanlal had been overexposed in recent times doing silly roles of larger-than-life cardboard characters. What he needs right now is a down-to-earth simple character, which will work at the box-office”. Priyadarshan has re-written his Kochu Kilichundan Mambazham to resurrect the old magic of Mohanlal and Sreenivasan’s one-man-upmanship games. Set in a Muslim milieu, Kochu Kilichundan Mambazham is about Abdul Khader (Mohanlal) who walks around with a pickaxe and rope, wearing colourful handkerchief around his neck, and at times a Muslim skullcap (see pic). Moosa Kutty Haji (Sreenivasan), a local strongman gets married for the third time to Mymoona (Soundarya). Said Priyadarshan with a grin: “Abdul gets obsessed with Mymoona and he wants to run away with her, which raises a lot of hilarious situations and leads to an emotional twist in the climax”. Transport Minister Ganesh Kumar plays the role of Mymoona’s brother. The film will be entirely shot in Mallapuram district and will have the central characters speaking in the `Maplah` accent. Added to that Vidyasagar’s music will be in the Hindustani mould mixed with old Muslim songs of Malabar. Mohanlal was so obsessed with the script that he readily agreed to slash his fees for the film.
Meera Turns Arty
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
Meera Jasmine is being torn to bits by the Tamil press for charging the moon and they claim that the Run success has gone into her head. But she has already been signed by superstar Vijay in his latest film Geetai, where she plays Sushi, a modern girl. But back home in Malayalam she is still the girl-next-door willing to work at a low rate. The latest news is that she is doing an art film with the award winning director T.V.Chandran titled Padom Onnu- Oru Vilapam almost free. There are strong rumours that she has signed Chandran’s project only after getting a green signal from Lohithadas, her mentor and Godfather. Meanwhile this noted scriptwriter and director have confessed in press that Meera is the most talented girl in the industry who is more versatile than Manju Warrier!
Jeyaram on a good wicket
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
Veteran Jeyaram has once again proved it’s tough to write him off. His Christmas release, Yatrakkarude Sradhakku, directed by the seasoned Sathyan Anthikad, also features the sweet Soundarya as the female lead. Though Yatrakkarude Sradhakku is yet to be classified as a hit, trade reports say that it along with Dileep's Kalyanaraman has been off to an encouraging start. Yatrakkarude Sradhakku is a typical Sathyan film which explores on human emotions and their relationships. Jeyaram has, as is his wont, put in a consummate performance. With Sathyan, he is always on familiar territory. The duo's association and understanding date back to several years. In fact, if Mohanlal is seen as Priyadarshan's man, Jeyaram is Sathyan's. "There is a natural bonding between us. He brings out the best in me," says Jeyaram about Sathyan. Coming back to Yatrakkarude Sradhakku, Jeyaram has not surprisingly got a director-backed role in that. "My character in the film is very well etched. It has nice nuances about it," says the soft-spoken actor. However, he isn’t ready to rejoice over the film. "Let us see," he says on the fate of the film. Trade reports indicate that it is between Kalyanaraman and Yatrakkarude Sradhakku at the box office stakes. "I will be happy if the film becomes a hit," he says. Jeyaram's co-star Soundarya also feels that Yatrakkarude Sradhakku would surely be appreciated by the masses. "It is a clean entertainer," she says. Clean entertainer --- that’s what Jeyaram is.
Joemol Weds
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
Joemol tied the knot with Chandrasekhar, her online friend turned lover, Chandrasekhar on January 13 at the groom’s house in Gudalur in Tamilnadu. There was a wedding reception at Hotel High Sun in Kozhikode that was attended her friends in the film industry like Suresh Gopi, Kunchakko Boban, Sudheesh, Samyuktha Varma, Divya Unni and Nandana. The pretty actress fell in love with Chandrasekhar, a mechanical engineer in Merchant Navy a year back as they used to chat for hours over the net. They had met each other only once for a common friend's wedding in Thiruvananthapuram and then it was ‘love at first sight’! When asked what attracted her to Chandrasekhar, Joemol confessed: “I was impressed by his frankness and sincerity”. In lighter vein the tall and handsome Chandrasekhar said: “I don’t mind Joe acting in films provided I too get a role”. We at Sify.com wish the couple a happy married life.
Laila woos Chronic Bachelor for the big break
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
Malayalam mega star Mammootty hopes to resurrect his career with Chronic Bachelor. Somebody else too is banking on the same movie for a good break in Malayalam. It is none other than Laila, the heroine of the film. Laila was roped in to play the lead by the director Siddique at the last moment, a good few weeks after the film went into shoot. It was a case of better late than never for Laila. Launched with great fanfare in Tamil, the sweet-smiling actress's career has not zoomed as expected. Though she has done films in all South Indian films including Malayalam, Laila's film career never took off. Apart from Chronic Bachelor, the only film she has in her hand is a Tamil film named Pithamahan. In the event, she is happy to be shooting for Siddique. This is her third Malayalam film after Captain Raju's Ithu Oru Sneha Gatha and the now shelved War and Love by Vinayan. Laila is over the moon for being chosen to play the lead in such an important film. "Even in the best of times, I would have considered a privilege to act alongside Mammooty," Laila says with matter-of-fact earnestness. Chronic Bachelor, as the title itself suggessts, sets much store on humour. Apart from Mammooty and Laila, the movie boasts of a huge star cast. There are also many promising youngsters in the film. The film's shooting has been progressing very fast near Kochi and also in Kannur. The film is expected to reach the theatres for Vishu. Laila knows the importance of Chronic Bachelor to her career. "I hope to get a good break in Malayalam through this. I hope I will succeed," she says.
Dileep
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
In the early nineties, Dileep alias Gopalakrishnan entered into Kalabhavan, the then famous mimicry troupe, as a substitute for Jayaram. Now, in the initial years of 2000, we are witnessing the rise of Dileep into the tiara of superstardom, that too as a replacement for Jayaram. It may be a coincidence. But coincidences are part of his life. In 1993, Dileep was with Kamal, the ace director, as an assistant. Now in 2003, many directors are at his doorsteps for a date. Variety is the key for this actor. Be it Sallapam or Kunjikoonan, he had cared only for characters, not for directors. That's why the whole of Kerala is now going gaga about this actor. The lone guaranteed actor, in terms of profit to the producers in the present Malayalam moviedom, Dileep, opened his heart in an exclusive chat with Sify. Has success gone into your head? Hey, who told you? I don't believe this as my success. This is the result of teamwork. Do you mean that you don't have any satisfaction over it? Oh, no, I didn't mean like that. I am really satisfied and quiet happy about my growth in the Malayalam film industry. But I am also a bit nervous about it. When my films become a hit, my responsibility towards my fans and audience increases. I am well aware of the consequences if I fail to rise to the expectations of my fans. This thought alone gives me nervousness. I am a firm believer of the phrase - "Nothing is constant except change". Are you indebted to anyone in particular for your present status? I am indebted mostly to my audience. Among the other lot, I consider the scriptwriters as responsible for my growth. They were the ones who tailored those challenging roles for me. I am also thankful to all my producers, directors, and my colleagues. It seems that you have some anxiety over the rise of the newcomers? Hay, I am only happy about it. No one can survive in this industry for a long time. Moreover I believe that we get what we deserved. Compared with other languages the emergence of newcomers is comparatively low in the Malayalam industry for the past years. So I advocate strongly for the promotion and support for the newcomers. What about the new offers? Many new offers are coming. But I am pukka selective. Moreover I can only work with those directors with whom I feel comfortable. Otherwise the ego clash will be a hindrance for the smooth progress of the film. Why did you reject the offer to act in the Tamil remake of your Kunjikoonan? Kunjikoonan is a phenomenon. It can happen only once in a lifetime. If I repeat the role in Tamil it will be like a fancy dress. Moreover I like to put my feet firm in Malayalam. So you are aversed with other regional movies? Oh you, I don't take it in that sense. Now I have plenty of roles in Malayalam. How can I ignore those and shift to another language? It will be cheating from my part to those Malayalee directors, isn't it? (Dileep asked in his unique style). What's your latest venture? It is Jayaraj's Thilakkam, an entertainer in which I am acting as a mentally retarded person. What are your dreams? I have no big dreams. My only desire is that my audience should say that I could do any challenging role. I hate becoming type-cast. Any note to your fans? They are the real strength behind my success. Without their support and love, I couldn't have reached anywhere. I am grateful to them and I request their support in the coming days too.
Leader In Trouble?
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
Many years back I.S.Johar started the trend of making films with doubles of popular stars. In Bollywood then they made films with a look-alike of Laloo Prasad Yadav as the villainous character. The latest we hear is that a Narendra Modi look-alike is the villain in a forthcoming Hindi film. But down south except in Malayalam nobody had the guts to make a film with the look-alikes of popular politicians. Leader, directed by debutant Deepan, a film based on political turmoils in the state congress party has run into trouble. Jayaram, who is a spitting image of the popular congress leader K.Karunakaran, is the hero (Villain?) in Leader. The film alleged to be based on the life and times of the leader has also other artistes who are look-alikes of politicians including Chief Minister A.K.Antony. But the film has run into trouble as its producer Aluva Savad was brutally attacked and most of the theatres in Kerala have refused to screen the film, which is yet to be censored!
Sparkling Act!
Wednesday, January 29, 2003
Jayaraj, the director who used to propagate low budget cinema, has made some memorable off-beat films like Desadanam, Santham and Kannagi. So it came as a surprise to many when the same director managed to get the elusive dates of a commercial star like Dileep and make a film titled Thilakkam. However Dileep after reading the initial script told the award-winning director to rewrite and make it commercially viable. The buzz is that the script is inspired from Robert Zemeckis’ Forrest Gump, for which Tom Hanks bagged an Oscar, playing a dimwit. In Thilakkam, too Unnikrishnan is a man with a low IQ and set in a village milieu. The villagers call him ‘Vattan’ Unni and Dileep is said to have come out with an outstanding performance playing the central character which will make you laugh but leave a lump in a your throat. Nedumudi Venu and K.P.A.C Lalitha play Dileep’s parents who understand and sympathise with him. Kavya Madhavan plays Ammu, his lover who tries to bring him out of his predicaments. The film is due for Vishu release and is sure to get critical acclaim and may be an award for Dileep?
