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Free Malaysia Today
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Free Malaysia Today
Young filmmakers boosting quality of local Tamil movies, says Finas
A scene from the horror-comedy 'Mirugasirisham', which is being lauded for its impressive storytelling, direction and performances. (Five Star Trading pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Young film directors, especially those transitioning from digital platforms to the silver screen, are playing a key role in raising the quality of local Tamil cinema, the National Film Development Corporation of Malaysia (Finas) said recently. According to chief executive officer Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, the new generation of creators has demonstrated an ability to deliver fresh, high-quality stories – a positive development within the local film industry. 'One film I watched recently, 'Mirugasirisham', showcases the kind of quality not often seen in works by first-time filmmakers. These are people who started out creating content for social media and YouTube, and now they're making films – and the results are truly impressive,' he told Bernama. Azmir expressed his admiration for the film's strong storytelling, direction and performances, saying it was all the more noteworthy considering it was produced by newcomers to the industry. He lamented, however, the fact that the movie hadn't been widely promoted. 'Many viewers still believe that watching local films in cinemas isn't worth it. But they should come out and support these screenings, because the quality of our local productions is now truly comparable to Tamil films from India,' he said. He also noted that Finas remains open and inclusive in its support for local film development, regardless of language or genre. 'We don't limit our support; in fact, we regularly engage with the industry, including Tamil filmmakers, to understand current issues and trends,' he said. 'C 4 Cinta' recorded box-office earnings of over RM2.5 million last year, making it the highest-grossing local Tamil film to date. (S Karthik pic) Azmir highlighted that the improvement in the quality and reception of local Tamil films is evident in the success of 'C 4 Cinta', which recorded box-office earnings of over RM2.5 million last year, more than double the earnings of previous local Tamil films. Meanwhile, 'Mirugasirisham' producer Sai Suthan Krishnan said that, despite receiving glowing reviews from critics and audiences across various communities, local Tamil films generally continue to record disappointing box-office figures. 'There are many young and emerging talents in Malaysia who are waiting for the right opportunity to showcase their filmmaking skills and tell stories that reflect our regional and cultural roots. 'Every Malaysian who has watched 'Mirugasirisham', whether Indian or from other communities, has given glowing reviews, particularly for its story and technical aspects. 'It's an engaging and entertaining 2.5 hours well spent in the cinema, appreciating the film's sound and visuals,' he said. He stressed that ultimately, producers and filmmakers rely on strong box-office numbers to inspire confidence among potential investors. 'It encourages them to boldly support the next generation of passionate artistes and filmmakers, helping to realise bigger dreams and create works of international quality,' he concluded.
Khaleej Times
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Tamil movie Phoenix: Actor Vijay Sethupathi apologises at son's debut movie premiere
Indian actor Vijay Sethupathi's son Surya Vijay Sethupathi has made his acting debut with the film Phoenix. The Tamil movie released in theatres on July 4. There was some controversy pertaining to videos of the newcomer, which his father addressed at the movie's premiere. Reports said that the Tamil superstar had pressurised certain individuals to take down online videos related to his son, several Indian media outlets reported. When he was questioned about the matter by reporters at the movie's premiere, Vijay Sethupathi offered a clarification. In a video posted by India Glitz, he is seen addressing the issue in Tamil. "If something like that happened, it might have been done unknowingly or by someone else. I sincerely apologize if anyone was hurt or misunderstood the intention," Vijay Sethupathi said, as quoted by the Indian media. Phoeniz is directed by choreographer-turned-filmmaker Anal Arasu, and stars debutant Surya Vijay Sethupathi alongside Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Devadarshini, and Sampath. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Surya vijaygurunathasethupathi (@suryavijaygurunathasethupathi) Action-drama Phoenix is about a young wrestler and his struggle against power-hungry people. Surya reportedly underwent a dramatic physical transformation for the role. The debutant revealed to Zoom that he weighed around 120 kilograms before the film, and it took him a-year-and-a-half to achieve the required fitness level. He also revealed that he landed his debut movie by chance, when he visited the sets of his father's film Jawan, starring Shah Rukh Khan. Anal Arasu spotted Surya on the sets of Jawan and expressed his wish to cast him in Phoenix.
Khaleej Times
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Vijay Sethupathi, Nithya Menen's rom-com 'Thalaivan Thalaivi' gets a release date
The versatile actors Vijay Sethupathi and Nithya Menen are back, and this time it's a rom-com in Tamil. Thalaivan Thalaivi, which pairs the actors on screen for the second time, after the Malayalam drama 19(1)(a), will release in theatres on July 25, its makers said. Welcome you all to Hotel Raghavardhini ð�«¶ Thalaivan Thalaivii worldwide from July 25 ð��¥ @VijaySethuOffl @MenenNithya @SathyaJyothi @pandiraaj_dir @iYogiBabu @Music_Santhosh @Lyricist_Vivek @thinkmusicindia @studio9_suresh @Roshni_offl @kaaliactor — Sathya Jyothi Films (@SathyaJyothi) June 29, 2025 Produced by Sathya Jyothi Films and directed by Pandiraj, Thalaivan Thalaivi features a bevy of leading actors, including the veteran Malayalam star Chemban Vinod Jose, Yogi Babu, Kaali Venkat, RK Suresh, Mynaa Nandhini, Arul Doss. The makers released a mini-trailer more than a month ago, giving a glimpse into the movie. Akaashaveeran (Sethupathi) runs a restaurant, exchanging banter with his wife Perarasi (Menen) that becomes an argument as they cook a kothu parotta. Sethupathi, according to media reports, trained with parotta "masters", as they're known in restaurants in Tamil Nadu, to get into character. Pandiraj, known for his movies set in rural Tamil Nadu, last directed the Suriya starrer Etharkkum Thunindavan. Santhosh Narayanan, who had composed the music for many of Sethupathi's initial hits, including Pizza, Soodhu Kavvum and Kadhalum Kadandhu Pogum, returns as the music director for Thalaivan Thalaivi, while its cinematography is handled by M Sukumar. The talented Yogi Babu, going by the teaser, plays a prominent role in the Thalaivan Thalaivi. He and Sethupathi had acted together in the critically acclaimed Aandavan Kattalai and Kadaisi Vivasayi and the action drama Ace. Sethupathi had last starred in Ace and Maharaja, which won him praise for his impactful performance as a father protecting his daughter. Menen was last seen in the rom-com Kadhalikka Neramillai opposite Ravi Mohan.
Khaleej Times
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Vijay Antony plays a cop in search of an elusive killer in ‘Maargan'
Composer-turned-actor Vijay Antony, who has played the cop multiple times on-screen, dons the khaki once again in the Tamil crime thriller Maargan. The trailer of the movie, which released in UAE cinemas on June 27, sees him facing off against an ever-elusive killer who stalks his victims and injects a mysterious chemical, killing them instatnly. Antony, who plays a senior police official based in Mumbai, gets transferred to Chennai to track down the killer in the movie directed by Leo John Paul, who debuts behind the camera. Antony also scores the music for the movie, which stars veteran Tamil-Telugu actor P Samuthirakani, Brigida Saga, Ajay Dishan and Mahanadi Shankar. Antony made his debut as a music director for Sukran (2005), best known for Ilayathalapathy Vijay's cameo. He went on to compose hit numbers for movies such as Kadhalil Vizunthen, TN09 AL4777, and Vettaikaaran. He transitioned to acting in 2010, with the critically acclaimed thriller Naan. The hits followed, such as Salim, Pichaikkaaran, the romantic comedy India-Pakistan, and Kolaigaaran, reportedly loosely based on the Japanese novel The Devotion of Suspect X. Movies in which Antony played the cop include the hits Tamilarasan, Thimiru Pudichavan and Kolaigaaran. John Paul worked as editor for many Tamil movies, including the slice-of-life drama Atta Kaththi, the mystery thriller Pizza, the comic caper Settai, the dark comedy flick Soodhu Kavvum and the detective mysytery Thegidi.
Khaleej Times
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Tamil actor Srikanth arrested after probe reveals substance abuse
Tamil actor Srikanth Krishnamachari, better known by his on-screen name Srikanth, was arrested late on June 23 by the Nungambakkam police in Chennai for buying narcotics and other illegal substances from a cartel. The actor's involvement, The News Minute reported citing Sun News, came to light when two former functionaries of the Tamil Nadu-based political party, the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, were involved in a bar fight and later arrested. An interrogation of the duo, Prasad and Ajay Vandayar, led to the arrest of Pradeep Kumar, a narcotics dealer. Prasad, according to The Hindu, had bought the substances from Pradeep and supplied them to Srikanth, best known for his lead roles in hits such as Roja Kootam, Parthiban Kanavu, April Maadathil, Nanban, a remake of the Bollywood hit 3 Idiots, and the Telugu hit Adavari Matalaku Ardhalu Verule. Srikanth had procured the substances repeatedly at an upscale bar in Chennai a month ago. The actor was produced before a magistrate late on June 23 and remanded to judicial custody until July 7. Srikanth is yet to release a statement. The police searched the actor's residence in the Nungambakkam Lake Area, where illegal substances in small quantities were seized, The Hindu reported. He was subsequently detained for questioning and then arrested after his blood test came back positive for narcotics. Srikanth had procured one gram of narcotics for Rs 12,000 (Dh511.45) 40 times, investigations revealed. The actor had made digital payments amounting to around Rs 472,00 to dealers using Google Pay. The Chennai police's Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit is now looking into the involvement of other actors, and the supplier network that spans countries. Srikanth made his acting debut with the TV show Jannal - Marabu Kavithaigal directed by K Balachander, who launched the careers of Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Prakash Raj and Jayaprada, in 1999. Srikanth's other notable roles came in Okariku Okaru, Bose, Coffee with Kadhal and Oru Naal Oru Kanavu.
