Promises aplenty at the box office

For the past couple of months, no film featuring a 'big star' hit the screens, though quite a few were completed and ready for release. The last couple of successful films at the box office were 'Oru Kal Oru Kannadi' starring Udhayanidhi Stalin, Hansika Motwani and Santhananm and 'Kalakalapu', directed by Sundar C. 'Saguni', which released Friday last, is yet to be declared a hit though its makers claim it as a blockbuster.

Now that the IPL and summer are over and students (youngsters are the prime target) are returning to their colleges, obviously there is a mad rush to release big films.

According to industry pundits, over half-a-dozen movies, if put together cost around Rs 300 crore, are set to hit the screens. In the next couple of months, the likes of 'Billa 2', 'Maatraan', 'Viswaroopam', 'Vettai Mannan', 'Mugamoodi', 'Thuppaki' and 'Samar' will see the light of the day.

Movie buffs better prepare themselves, for these films will release one-after-another.

Hopes are high on 'Billa 2' which stars Ajith, Parvathy Omanakuttan in lead roles. Directed by Chakri Toleti, the movie is a prequel to the actor's earlier hit 'Billa'. Made on a huge budget, the movie promises to make an impact at the box office.

'Saguni' is a political thriller starring Karthi, Pranitha and Santhanam. Directed by Shankar Dayal, the film carries huge pre-release hype. Says Karthi, "It's about a man who plays mind games to win over adverse situations and manages to do so in an engaging and entertaining manner.'

'There are many characters played by Nasser, Santhanam, Roja, Radhika, Kiran, Prakash Raj and Kota Srinivasa Rao. Pranitha is my heroine', he adds.

Kamal Haasan's 'Viswaroopam' will release this July, while Suriya's 'Maatran' will hit the screens on Independence Day. 'Viswaroopam' is the ambitious project of Kamal Haasan, written, directed and enacted by him. Pooja Kumar, Rahul Bose, Andrea Jeremiah, Shekhar Kapur and Jaideep Ahlawat are playing prominent roles. Music is composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, with lyrics by Vairamuthu. It is said that the movie harps on a global theme (international terrorism).

'Maatran' brings together Suriya, director K V Anand and music composer Harris Jayaraj after 'Ayan'. Produced by AGS Entertainment, the movie features Kajal Agarwal opposite Suriya.

Coming to Vijay, his much-awaited 'Thuppaki', directed by A R Murugadoss is nearing completion. With Kajal Agarwal playing the female lead, the movie is being shot in Mumbai and sources say it would be released in September.

UTV, a major production house, is off late churning out biggies in Tamil cinema and its spokesperson said that Jiiva starrer 'Mugamoodi', directed by Mysskin may hit the screens in August. Its other major production venture 'Thandavam' which features Vikram, Anushka and Santhanam in key roles will be released after September.

Watch out for Super Star Rajinikanth too. Soundarya, daughter of Rajnikanth, who is directing 'Kochadaiyaan' starring her father, Deepika Padukone, Jackie Shroff and Sarath Kumar in lead roles, is planning for a solo release this Deepavali.

Trade pundits and theatre-owners are hopeful of making some quick buck this summer.