Sameera likes to act with Ajith again

Source: Dinamani Mar-08-2010

ASAL collection in three days

Source:thatstamil.oneindia

ASAL Movie Review...

The most awaited Movie of Thala Ajith's Movie AASAL released worldwide yesterday, The film has got excellent opening as every film of Ajith did..
Reviews from Leading websites and Some Blogs are given Below..

Galatta  ASAL Movie Rating: 3.5/5

Times of India: 
Verdict:Pop-Corn entertainer
Rating: 3.5/5 

Indiaglitz:
Verdict: ASAL-ATTRACTIVE

loshan-loshan.blogspot 

அசல் - அஜித்தின் அசத்தல்.. 

ethamil.blogspot.com
அசல் - அசத்தலான வெற்றிப்படம்

Ajith appeal to his Fans

Source: Malaimalar

I can decide what I want: Ajith

He might have dropped the ‘Ultimate Star’ tag, but that needn’t stop him from providing ultimate entertainment to his fans.

Known as the Ultimate Star for so long, Ajith recently sought to drop the title. “Sometimes, things are thrust upon you and you have no option but to accept them. But today, I’m at a point where I can decide how things should be,” reasons the star. 

His upcoming movie, Aasal, has proved to be quite an experience for the actor — not just because he was involved in it as an actor, but also as a co-director. He has written scenes and has been credited for his work in the film. “It’ll be quite a package. There are no narcissistic scenes in the film. The film’s not just about me; it’s about others, too,” says Ajith. 
Does the decision to co-direct arise from the fact that director Saran’s previous venture, Modhi Vilayadu, received a lukewarm response at the box office? “I’ve never worked with a director keeping his past records in mind. Most of my directors, like AR Murugadoss and SJ Suryah, were relatively new when I first worked with them,” replies Ajith. 

He hopes that Aasal will be a trendsetter of sorts. “It should dictate the quality of films that’ll hit screens in the next five years,” he says. 

Ajith’s look in Aasal is a hot topic of discussion even now. “We wanted to emphasise that the hero is fashion-conscious,” he says, adding, “Since we shot in Paris — the fashion capital of the world — the look had to match that. 
” 
But what about his latest look, without the mohawk and the ‘different’ moustache? Is it for his upcoming film with Gautham Menon? “No,” he clarifies, “I just went to a barber and asked him to remove both as I was tired of the look. I’m looking forward to working with Gautham, but would rather have the producers make an official announcement.”  

Source: Timesofindia 

PMK requests to post statutory warning in ‘ASAL’

PMK Political party’s executive member Anbumani Ramadoss has been involved in to the social activities of requesting film actors to avoid smoking and drinking sequences over the screens as it leaves a deep impact over his fans.

This morning the PMK party members had protested outside Sangam Cinemas where the poster of Ajith Kumar smoking gauntomero cigars. The members seem to had insisted the producers to remove those sequences from the film.

Nonetheless, producer Ram Kumar of Sivaji Productions has directly spoke to ajithfans.com conveying that it was a request letter from PMK Anbumani Ramadoss to kindly post the messages during smoking sequences that the habit is injurious to health, that he got this morning to our production company.

‘Of course, it’s a good idea so as to ensure that the fans don’t get on with this habit and we are delighted in doing it’ added Ramkumar.

Naturally, our Thala has been so splendidly involved in for the well being of his fans and this one wouldn’t be exclusion of it.

Source: Ajithfans.com

Asal Movie Preview

Starring: Ajith, Sameera Reddy, Bhavana
Direction: Saran
Music: Bharadwaj
Production: Sivaji Productions

If Ajith fans had a quiet Pongal, then now is their time to celebrate. Asal is ready to race. Ajith comes up with his own No.49 and one thinks that there couldn’t have been a better or more stylish run up to No.50. Everything about Asal is big and stylish. Of course, the fact that there is Ajith in the lead automatically raises the style quotient of the film. But, that apart, Asal is loaded with elements that make for a prime spot in the marquee. The Ajith-Saran pair returns after more than 5 years. Hit director-actor pairs do not ensure great films, that is true, but it also has to be accepted that this duo have maintained a rather immaculate record whenever they have come together. Even more weight is added to the undertaking when you consider the fact that the legendary Sivaji banner is behind it. One of the most traditional and haloed production houses of the industry, quality has been their hallmark. This banner is not known to roll out films every year as a routine, they wait for the right opportunities which can be understood from the fact that their last mainstream production in Tamil was Chandramukhi.

So, there is Ajith with Saran wielding the megaphone and the Sivaji banner controlling affairs. Things cannot go much wrong from here one would guess. The casting has its star power coming in the form of Ajith, stature and experience in Prabhu and the glamour-beauty quotient in the form of two leading ladies Sameera Reddy and Bhavana. The former is looking to consolidate her hold down south after the success of VA and the latter is making a comeback after a short layoff during which she was busy in Malayalam.

When there is Ajith starring in a movie, it is indeed tough for others to get the attention. In spite of having two extremely elegant women as the female leads, it is surprising that the pre-release promos have had only stills of Ajith. But, it has to be admitted that he does look dashing and retro in a spiked hairdo and handlebar sideburns. The huge cigar and goggles add to the style. Obviously, people would expect a stylish ‘don’ kind of character from Ajith. And going by what Prabhu said in a recent interview it will be a slick and stylish entertainer on the lines of Billa.

Asal will be Saran’s most sophisticated film to date. The director and producers have shot the film on various happening spots around the globe captured in Prashanth D. Misale ‘s camera. Interestingly, the movie’s posters have the name of Ajith Kumar as co-director, are we getting to see another face of the actor. Music by Saran regular Bhardwaj have started picking up and it is reported that a few ‘racy’ action sequences will be the highlight of Asal. And what more, you get to see two Ajiths, yes, he is in a dual role. After Vaali, Villain, Varalaaru and Billa, let’s hope that the dual role luck makes even Asal a huge success. With huge expectations (Ajith’s last release was in 2008) and high stakes, Asal is one to watch out for with ‘interest’ in the next few weeks.

Source: Behindwoods

Ajith has 3 titles in 'ASAL'

Indeed, its a little disappointment for the Ajith fans as our hero has given up the title ‘Ultimate Star’. But then, there’s a triple delight for us all.

Guess what? We’ll witness the title of Ajith Kumar in three different criteria during Title credits of ‘ASAL’.

Of course, the first one will be his name for star-casts while the other credits will appear for ‘Story, Screenplay and Dialogues’ along with the name of Saran and Yugi Sethu. For the third time, it will be ‘Co-Direction’ for the actor.

Naturally, the ultimate actor has been spending day-n-night throughout the course of editing and other post production works so as to ensure perfection.

Let’s wish him that the results in box office too overshadow the year’s best releases…

ASAL Resrvation starts today(31-01-2010)

Source: Dailythanthi 31-01-2010

Spreading cheer - Actor Prabhu

MALATHI RANGARAJAN

Prabhu’s soon-to-be-released Asal is a much-expected film of the year. malathi rangarajan talks to the veteran actor-producer

I f you need lessons in being casual and cautious at the same time, Prabhu is the best pedagogue you can find! Sprinkling the exchange with oodles of cheer he also ensures that he gives away only so much about his family production Asal, which is expected to roll out in the next few days. Nevertheless it’s a joy to interact with the veteran, who has astutely put his days as a successful hero behind him and is now creating a niche for himself as a rewarding character actor.

You don’t sense the anxiety of a producer in his voice as we talk about Sivaji Films’ Asal, one of the biggest projects of the year, which is to see the light of day soon. What keeps him in such good humour always? “Basically I’m a happy person,” he laughs out loud. And on a serious note adds, “We have capable folks handling the production.” Ramkumar, Prabhu’s brother and the brain behind the banner, Prabhu’s son Vikram, Ramkumar’s son Dushyanth, Giri Shanmugam and others in the family are on the job. “And for me life continues to be peaceful with a loving family of wife, children, grandson and a host of well-wishers,” he chortles.

Strangely, even after the stupendous success of Chandramukhi, Sivaji Films’ didn’t go in for a Tamil venture at once. Instead Ramkumar decided to make a Hindi film, and Delhi Heights came about. “Hindi isn’t new to Sivaji Films. We’ve made some great films there in the past. The music of DH was a sell-out. And the film was a small experiment. We now know the market better,” contends Prabhu. All the same, be it the impressive cast, exotic locations or the formidable technical crew, nothing about Asal is small.

For the first time, Ajith Kumar joins hands with the imposing production firm. “It was so easy to work with him. One day when Ajith asked me casually why we weren’t doing a Tamil film, my poser was, ‘Will you work with us?’ That was when Asal began,” he says.

Roles of substance

He’s now working with Narain in Thambi Kottai and is entering Telugu with the Prabhas-Kajal Agarwal film, Darling. Prabhu chooses characters with care, and manages to zero in on roles with substance. But nearly all of them have him portraying characters from a bucolic background. So we’ve been seeing him clad in dhotis most of the time (may be the Ayan look was different). “With my convent schooling and English fluency, I should be able to do enough justice to modern characters. Somehow after the success of films such as Unakkum Enakkum… I was offered roles on those lines,” he smiles. But Asal should change all that — stills from the film that show a hip and happening Prabhu are doing the rounds. And don’t miss his accessories in them! “Ha! Ha, I should give my son Vikram and nephew Dushyanth the credit for their tips on the latest trends,” he replies.

What made the producers take director Saran on board for Asal? “Saran has potential and he and Ajith have made hits together. If you are referring to the earlier piece of news that Gautham Menon or for that matter Harris Jayaraj was to be part of a Sivaji Films’ project, I’d like to clarify that they are wonderful technicians and our production house will work with them one day. Things didn’t work out only because of the dates.” Anyway Saran and Prabhu have known each other from the time the actor played hero in K. Balachander’s Duet. Saran was KB’s associate then. Later, Saran wielded the megaphone for Vasool Raja MBBS in which Prabhu donned the role played by Arshad Warsi in Munnabhai…

Asal’s heroine line-up of Bhavna and Sameera Reddy should be an added lure. “As I told you, we have an interesting cast that includes Suresh, Pradeep Rawat, Rajeev Krishna, Kelly Dorgi and Sampath. And both the girls are wonderful, very professional,” he certifies. What kind of roles do they play? “I know only mine,” he laughs cryptically. “But I can assure you that Asal will be a cool, stylish actioner like Billa. A real entertainer! Bhavna is making a comeback with the film and Asal should augur well for her.”

But who is he paired with in the film? “Ah! I won’t tell you that,” he chuckles. The ever-smiling, tight-lipped conversationalist is at it again! (Paradox intended!)

Source: The Hindu (Dated: 29-1-2010)

Ajith: I have good understand with Saran

Click on the images to view Larger

Source: Ajithfans.com

Producers Officially Confirmed Asal's Release date as Feb 5th

Atlast, to put an end to all the rumours about the release date of Asal, Mr.Dushyanth, from Sivaji Productions' officially confirmed that the movie will be released on Feb 5th, 2010.

Many websites and papers are confusing Ajith fans by putting news that Asal has been postponed to Feb 12th as many movies are releasing on Jan 29th. Producers of Asal strongly deny the news that the movie is postponed. They informed us that the movie will hit the screens surely on Feb 5th without any doubt. This is the first time, producers have confirmed the release date officially.

Promos are expected to be aired from tomorrow.

Source: Starajith.com

ASAL trailer from tomorrow (24-01-2010) onwards..

For the yearning ones for Ajith Kumar’s ‘ASAL’, there’s something you can delight with. With the film’s release slated for Valentine’s Day weekend, the producers have planned to air the trailers from tomorrow (Sunday).

Since Kalainyar TV has acquired the satellite rights of this film, the channel is set to air the trailer vigorously round the clock from tomorrow.

The film’s audio was witnessed record breaking sales throughout the state, especially in Madurai where around 9,000 CDs were sold out on the day of audio launch itself…

Ten reasons to watch ASAL- S magazine

Source:Ajithfans.com

ASAL songs- S magazine pick of the album

Source: Ajithfans.com

Shocking Demise Of Ajith Kumar's Demise

Sometimes, things cannot be as horrendous as this. Actor Ajith Kumar is unable to overcome the direful scenario of witnessing the death of a person who performed his dupe in ‘ASAL’. The entire crew had shot an important stunt sequence across the seas of Malaysia.

The pictured scene was all about Ajith Kumar spotted on the edge while the Chinese swimmer will have to jump into waters as the dupe. The first shot was accomplished with an ease and so was the next one. But unexpectedly, the person missed the timing of getting to the rope’s grip and fell straight into seas.

Sooner, the entire crew and rescue team jump-started into the waterbed and couldn’t find his whereabouts. Three days later, his body was found on the surface and Ajith Kumar couldn’t withstand the gruesome death. Apparently, his eyes were soaked in tears as the family members cried pathetically. The actor took part in the final funeral rites and personally met the family members offering them some financial aid.

Closer sources have revealed that the actor isn’t back to the normalcy even after many days have passed by.

Dinakaran Vasantham : ASAl Special

 

 

 

Source: Dinakaran, Ajithfans.com

Meet the boss of Sivaji Productions - Ramkumar

‘For us, the star comes first’

Shobha Warrior in Chennai

The boss at Sivaji productions is legendary Sivaji Ganesan’s eldest son, Ramkumar.

As the latest Tamil movie from the production house, Aasal directed by Saran starring Ajith, Sameera Reddy and Bhavana gets ready for release, Ramkumar speaks exclusively to rediff.com’s Shobha Warrior about the movie and movie making.

Do you feel Sivaji productions has changed after the success of Chandramukhi (based on the Malayalam film, Manichitrathazhu)?

No, we are the same production house, which is a pop-and-mum retail shop. It has been 34 years and I am still here. There haven’t been that much changes. The only change we feel is that Sivaji is not with us. Many of us thought we would have the goodwill only when he was alive but we managed to retain the goodwill even after him.

Why is it that in interviews, you refer to your father as Sivaji or Mr Sivaji Ganesan and not as father or Appa?

We have seen him introduce himself as Sivaji Ganesan. He didn’t expect everyone to know him. We talk of him as a cinema personality and not as our father. When I refer to him as father, I don’t want anyone to ask, who are you talking about. That is why I always refer to him as Sivaji.

What are the things you look for before producing a film?

Like I said, we are still the old pop-and-mum shop. We are still a star oriented company. We have not made many small budget films. We made a film with Prabhu (Ramkumar’s younger brother) only five years after he became a star. We only go for a star who will get a good opening and minimum guarantee.

Does that mean story and director come only after the star?

Yes, first I get a star’s date and only after that comes the story and the director.

Won’t the story suffer then?

This has been the practice from the time of Sivaji and MGR. Writers write stories with them in mind. Many writers had stories for them then, and now they have stories for Ajith, Vijay, Surya, the Super Star (Rajnikanth) or Kamal (Haasan). When I say I am going to make a film with Rajni sir or Ajith, many people come with their stories written with them in mind.

This time, before Billa released, we got Ajith’s dates. We had some other director then.

Gowtham Menon was to direct him then for Sivaji Productions. What happened?

We had Ajith’s dates but the script was not getting ready and we were waiting for it. He was busy with some other film. Then, we decided to part ways and work together some other time.

Was it a friendly parting of ways?

We have been in the industry for a very long time. It is because of this goodwill that we are still making films. I don’t know how others feel about it, but yes, we parted ways amicably.

Then again, we thought of a couple of people before booking Saran as he had given a few hits with Ajith. There was agreement on the subject also.

Your son and Prabhu’s son are looking after the production ofAasal now. Have you passed on the baton?

Yes, partly. The youngsters have come in and I want them to learn. They are taking over the creative side as their style of thinking suits today’s audience. For the first time in 35 years, I didn’t go to the shooting spot except once when they shot in Chennai. Vikram and Dushyanth take care of everything.

I also feel Ajith might feel more free if the youngsters are there. When I go there, he will stand up and call me ’sir’. He is a very decent man, very respectful.

Aren’t you part of the creative discussions at all?

It is not that I have left completely. If not for anything, we have been in the industry for so long and made a few hit films.

Do you feel the taste of today’s film watching audience has changed?

The tastes of the city audience might have changed but if you take the state as a whole, there are not that many changes. Ladies, the B and C audience are still the same. When you are making a big budget movie, you cannot think of multiplexes alone; you have to think of the whole state. Only then can you recover the money.

What is the revenue share from the A centre?

You get 50-60 per cent from A centres because you have big theatres and the ticket rates are high. Now, what has happened is most of the B and C centres have become A centres. We might even get 70 per cent of our collections from A centres. But the crowd mentality has not changed much. It may be less melodramatic but a little tug at the heart is what they need.

You say you want to cater to the entire state. From the producer’s point of view, how do you make a balance between different kinds of audience, from the urban to the real rural?

You have to create a balance between all the centres. We have movies where heroes fight the villains. Good stunts attract all tyeps of people. We have beautiful songs, good looking girls, good clothes, dramatic scenes. We tried to strike a balance in Chandramukhi. But who thought the film would run for 2-3 years?

Aasal is one of the most modern looking films in the history of Tamil cinema. 70 per cent of the film was shot outside India.  So, the whole look of the film is different but we have an Indian story and an Indian guy.

Tell us something more about Aasal?

Aasal is real or original. It is about Shiva, played by Ajith, who is not getting his due and it is his fight to get that. From childhood, he has been fighting to get his due. It is also about the interesting people he meets on the way. It is an action filled adventure.

The story takes place in France and later moves to Mumbai. We shot most of the film in France and the Mumbai portions were shot in KL as Mumbai was flooded at that time. Film France website mentioned about Aasal as the Indian movie that had the longest shoot there. When we were shooting there, Clint Eastwood was shooting next to us.

Prasant Misale, an assistant to Nirav Shah, who shot the Dhoom series and Billa has shot the film. Some of the aerial shots taken in France are breathtaking.

When you are shooting in France with artists walking in clothes that suit the place, the whole look of the film changes.

How was Ajith as the hero of a Sivaji production?

He was extremely co-operative. He was there when the story was discussed. He is part of the post production work too.  Sameera Reddy and Bhavana were also fantastic.

Do you like an actor interfering in the technical aspects of the film?

I don’t find it interfering. I call it contribution. We are also a family of actors. Even Sivaji sir was part of story discussions. He used to listen to the songs before going for shoots. Why are they super stars? Because they make the right choices. So, their contribution will always help and add value to the film.

But I am the boss here. Even the director is the captain of the ship but I own the ship [laughs]. But I am a very lenient, broad minded and a supportive boss. I still want discipline. If there is no discipline, I will ask the captain to move away.

Source: Rediff

ASAL Movie Preview...

Cast: Ajith Kumar, Prabhu, Sameera Reddy, Bhavana, Suhasini Mani Ratnam
Director: Saran
Producer: Ramkumar Ganesan, Prabhu Ganesan
Music Director: Bharadwaj
Banner: Sivaji Productions

In true Ajith style, no one is talking about this movie called Aasal. Just snippets of eagerly-lapped up info on how the script is an action-thriller never done before, how the locations all over the world are breathtaking, how there are two lovely leading ladies in the movie who are not mere eye-candy and how the sex-appeal of the villains – five of them at least – match any hero’s! Perhaps that’s why Thala has been chosen to fill the large superstar’s shoes…

Talking to director Saran, as Aasal stands on the verge of release, one can observe the same calm he displayed just before shooting commenced. He knows what anticipation his partnership with Ajith creates, but is completely untouched by its pressure. Call it confidence or call it professionalism? “There are two important things about Aasal that we did take into consideration. What Ajith fans expect from a Ajith-Saran combo and what they expect when that combo combines with Sivaji Productions, a production house that has given the super hit Chandramukhi. We had to fulfill these expectations, but at the same time, we drew a boundary for ourselves as well. While we have taken utmost efforts to satisfy Ajith’s diehard fans, we have also made sure that the movie will suit the rest of the audience as well. While the fan is sure to feel the movie was made entirely for him, the rest of the audience will not feel left out either,” reveals the director, who has his finger on the pulse of the Ultimate Star’s loyal fans.

“Ajith is undeniably a mass hero. He knows exactly what his fans would like to see on the screen. That’s why it has been a pleasure to have him contribute towards the dialogues and screenplay,” he adds. Yugi Sethu, the screenwriter, confirms the same, saying, “His part in the script and dialogues has been invaluable. Ajith is fully in sync with the cravings of his fans, while Saran is great at improvising things on the spot. The three of us worked on the script together. I believe this is the first time Ajith’s name will appear in the writers’ category, and that makes us writers all the more proud of our craft. If it were not an important facet of the movie, why would he associate himself with it?”

“We have taken utmost care to give the movie a very stylish look. Billa set a standard of putting out an urban, stylish movie that also appealed to the general masses and we are not just living up to it, but we have given our best effort to better it,” asserts Saran. “Watching Aasal being made and looking at the rushes, I had a feeling of coming of age. Tamil cinema has moved on to another level . There must be no turning back. The only way is forward,” sums up Yugi.

Thus muses Ajith: “There are so many stories that crop up all around a movie when the rumour mill doesn’t have any info to churn out! ‘Aasal is a remake of Payback’ Or, ‘Ajith wanted a prequel to Billa and this is what Aasal is all about’ or whatever else. Perhaps they believe it builds more anticipation. Or perhaps they just want to be the stars of their dinner-table conversations with scoop that is perhaps just a smidgen of an idea built into a tale. Never mind - they can all have their fun. I, on the other hand, still believe in keeping things mysterious and something to await eagerly in the dark. The movie experience should, after all, be fresh and a revelation!’’

Source: Galatta

Ajith's ASAL postponed to Feb 12

Till now, there has been sort of discombobulating buzz about the film’s release and now it has been finalized for February 12, couple of days prior to Valentine’s Day.

The film will be released with more prints as the talks across the tinsel town have been commendably exceeding their expectations.

Source: Ajithfans.com