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Arvind Swamy, Vadivelu, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Simbu (STR these days) and Nayanthara. Trend-setters and top personalities of the Tamil film industry, who have not been in action in the recent past. But things are gradually changing, as they are making comebacks with promising projects.
Chocolate boy of the 1990s, Swamy, one of the talked-about discoveries of Mani Ratnam, stayed out of action for more than a decade, before he resurfaced by playing a key role in Kadal last year. The film, directed by his mentor, had Swamy in a character role that put him back in the spotlight. The actor is now busy with a string of projects, including a Hindi-Tamil bilingual with Mahesh Manjrekar. For one of his Tamil films, he is developing a macho look.
Just for laughs
Actor Vadivelu, who ruled the roost as the top comedian of Tamil cinema, went out of radar after his political stint. Since then, filmmakers have been hesitant to cast him. However, the vaigai puyal (as he is called by his fans) is now back with a film titled Jagajjala Pujabala Thenaliraman.
He is playing the lead role in this period flick, which is helmed by Yuvaraj of Poda Podi fame. “It is true that I did not do any film for the past some years. But the people of Tamil Nadu still see me as a member of their family. I am sure they will welcome me back with Jagajjala Pujabala Thenaliraman. It is an interesting story, which will make the audience not just laugh, but also think.”
Although his last film Neethane En Ponvasantham did not go as expected and he had to drop his proposed project with Suriya, Gautham Vasudev Menon, the big daddy of love and crime thrillers, is now back with two films. Even as he is shooting for a romantic-action story with STR, the filmmaker is also busy with the pre-production works of Ajith’s 55th film, which is touted as an action adventure. Gautham says, “These two movies will be different from each other. I have been wanting to work with Ajith for a long time, but things didn’t work out due to various reasons. This time, Ajith himself called me and asked me to do this movie.”
Anticipating hits
Meanwhile, STR hasn’t had a good run after Poda Podi in 2012. And his much-hyped films Vaalu and Vettai Mannan have also been in the pipeline for a very long time. However, the young star is now working with National Award winning director Pandiraj and Gautham. “We are shooting for Pandiraj and Gautham films on fast track. I am happy to work with Gautham after Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya. And it is a pleasure to work with Pandiraj as well,” the actor says.
Interestingly, Vaalu and Vettai Mannan have STR’s present girlfriend Hansika Motwani as the heroine, while Idhu Namma Aaalu with Pandiraj has his former love interest Nayanthara as the heroine. Ask him about this, he says, “I don’t mix work with my personal life.”
Nayanthara officially declared that she would not do movies henceforth. But personal issues forced her to make a comeback, and her second innings in Kollywood started with Raja Rani and Arrambam last year. Now, the actress is busy doing a string of projects in Tamil and Telugu.
Interestingly, one of her films is being made simultaneously in both the languages. Directed by Sekhar Kammula, it is titled Nee Enge En Anbey in Tamil and Anamika in Telugu. A remake of the Hindi hit Kahani, the telugu film is fast nearing completion. “People call this as my second innings. But I feel I am back to my work after a short break and things are going strong and steady. I am thankful for the love and affection my fans shower on me. I am also grateful to directors and my other colleagues for the confidence they have in me,” the actress says.