Status update on Sandakozhi 2

Sandakozhi 2 has not been scrapped as it was reported in some sections of the media. A trailer of the movie is being screened during the interavl of Irumbu Thirai.

Both films have Vishal in the lead. The sequel to Sandakozhi is being directed by N Lingusamy, who helmed the original version as well.

“Double Delight Today, #Sandakozhi2Trailer & #IrumbuThirai both releasing today”, wrote Vishal on his official Twitter page.

Keerthy Suresh plays Vishal’s pair in Sandakozhi 2, the film also has Varalakshmi Sarathkumar and Rajkiran playing pivotal characters. If sources are to be believed, Sandakozhi 2 will hit the screens in the third quarter of this year,

Sandakozhi is a 2005 action film written and directed by Linguswamy and produced by Vikram Krishna under the banner of G K Film Corporation.

The film stars Vishal, Meera Jasmine, Rajkiran and Lal in lead roles, whilst Suman Setty, Raja, Shanmugarajan and Ganja Karuppu essay supporting roles.

The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja. The film released on 16 December 2005 to rave reviews and has become one of the huge hits in 2005, running for more than 200 days in theatres.

Sasikala backs TTV, slaps legal notice on brother Dhivakaran

V K Sasikala, close aide of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa, issued a legal notice to her brother V Dhivaharan on Friday evening, warning him for voicing his support to chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam.

Sasikala issued the notice through her advocate, where she charged her sibling with speaking in support of AIADMK leaders, Chief Minister K Palaniswami and his deputy O Panneerselvam, who have fallen out of favour with her.

In the 14-page statement, she disowned her brother Dhivaharan saying that he should not call her sister again in any of his media interaction in future.

The statement also said that the people of the state would not forgive him for having an alliance with the 'betrayers' — Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy CM O Panneerselvam.

According to the notice, Sasikala had been actively involved in party affairs since the lifetime of Jayalalithaa and was now legally fighting the problems created in the party by the “betrayers”.

In such circumstances, it was quite shocking to note that her brother had suddenly begun giving interviews in support of the betrayers, Sasikala said.

Mohanlal in Suriya-K V Anand film

The team of Suriya's next film, directed by K V Anand, has roped in Malayalam superstar Mohanlal to play a crucial role in the film.

According to sources, Mohanlal had met with the filmmaker early this week and agreed to be part of it.

Confirming that Mohanlal would be part of the film, the director tweeted this news. Lyca Productions is producing the project.

Recently Suriya had attended the AMMA Mazhavil awards shows at Thiruvananthapuram. The Tamil hero had stated that he had come for the function, as he was invited by Mohanlal himself.

While it is not known if Mohanlal’s character will be that of the antagonist, it is learnt that Suriya will be playing a character who is protecting something.

The film is likely to go on floors on June 25, and will be shot predominantly in Delhi, Hyderabad and London. Music is by Harris Jayaraj.

9 of a family from Kanchipuram die in road mishap near Perambalur

In a gruesome incident, nine died on the spot including three women and two children from the same family at Chennai - Tiruchi Highway (NH 45) near Perambalur in the wee hours of today.

The accident took place when a car proceeding towards Chennai hit against the road median, careened to opposite carriageway and hit the car proceeding to Kodaikanal.

Eight passengers in the MUV, including a child, died on the spot. One passenger in the other car too died on the spot.

The Perambalur police registered a case. Superintendent of police Disha Mittal inspected the accident spot.

SR Mohan (36), based out of Thirumalai Nagar near Chinna Kanchipuram toll gate in Kanchipuram District, owned a travels agency in his home town.

To enjoy the summer vacation, he had decided to take his family to Kodaikanal. So, a total of nine members including his wife, Lakshmi (32), daughters, Pavithra (14), Nivedha (8), son, Varadharajan (5), brother-in-law, Murali (55), his daughter, Meghala (19), drivers, Narayanan (40) and Bupathi (23) began the journey today morning, which turned fatal.

Bhaskar Oru Rascal postponed

At a time when everyone was expecting the release of Bhaskar Oru Rascal today, the film's release has been postponed to next week.

Even advance bookings were going on for the movie, which were suddenly stopped. "The decision was taken due to some unavoidable reasons," sources said.

After a long theatre strike and unavailability of theatres, Bhaskar Oru Rascal was supposed to be released in a big manner today.

But, at the last minute, the entertainer starring Arvind Swami and Amala Paul was postponed to next week.

A comedy drama film written and directed by Siddique, the movie is a remake of his own Malayalam film Bhaskar the Rascal (2015). The team began production in February 2017.

Produced by Harshini Movies, Bharathan Films, distributor of Suriya’s Thaanaa Serndha Koottam will release the film in Tamil Nadu.

Siddique revealed that he planned to keep the essence of the original Malayalam film, but would incorporate more action scenes for the Tamil version. Comedy actors including Soori, Ramesh Khanna and Robo Shankar were also drafted in to work on the project.a

Chennai traffic police unveil cashless fine payment system

In a bid to improve transparency and eliminate cash transaction, the Chennai city police on Thursday launched a cashless fine payment system for traffic violators, roping in a leading nationalised bank among others for the initiative.

Traffic offenders in the city can transfer the fine via debit or credit card against the issued e-challan. They can even use other online payment mechanisms including Paytm, SBI, QR code issued in the e-challan, go to Chennai corporation e-seva centres or courts and post offices.

Greater Chennai Police Commissioner A.K. Viswanathan inaugurated the new system at an event held in police commissioner office on Thursday. He also handed over the newly updated handheld devices to traffic police personnel.

He said traffic police personnel should not receive cash from traffic violators. If anyone gave cash to police or police received cash from traffic violators, it would be considered bribe and legal action would be taken against both parties.

Police commissioner thanked state crime record bureau additional commissioner of police A Arun and joint commissioner of police R Sudhakar for taking immense efforts to roll out the system.

Around 300 swiping machines will do the rounds in various parts of the city for those offenders who want to pay by credit card. As for debit card users, police reportedly said it will take some time to get the payment mechanism in place.

Ajith invites a special guest to Viswasam sets

Impressed with D Imman’s songs, Ajith invited the music composer to the sets of Viswasam.

Imman uploaded photos of him with director Siva and Ajith on Twitter, and shared the excitement on meeting the 'thala'.

He wrote: "Not so often i get the opportunity to view the visual making of my songs! But today it was pure Bliss to watch the Man of Simplicity to enjoy n dance to my tune in #Viswasam Thanks Ajith Sir for the inviteThanks a ton @directorsiva sir and @SathyaJyothi_ #DImmanForViswasam  PG!”

The team has been shooting the song sequences for the film at Ramoji film city. Interestingly, Viswasam marks Imman's first film with Ajith Kumar, which explains the star inviting the composer to sets.

Meanwhile, Robo Shankar who plays an important role in Viswasam also posted pics of him with Thala Ajith.

"A rural set has been erected and director Siva has planned a 30-day schedule without any break. He wants to catch up the Deepavali deadline and compensate for the working days which were missed due to the recent strike by Tamil Film Producers Council," sources said.

Though recent reports suggested that 'Viswasam' is set in the backdrop of north Chennai with Ajith playing the role of a police officer, the latest update is that the film is a rural entertainer and a village set has been erected at Ramoji Rao Film City.