Kuselan Update

[Pic Courtesy - onlysuperstar.blogspot.com]
Pretty much the only compliment that can be given to director P.Vasu is that he wraps up his films pretty quickly. That's the only part of him being Kuselan's director that gives me atleast a little joy since the movie seems to be progressing pretty fast and seems all set to hit screens as early as August. The above picture is from the shooting of the film's climax in a school in Udumalai. Nice to see thalaivar once again looking young and stylish in his favorite white-and-white dress.

Considering the long wait we had for Sivaji and the upcoming guaranteed wait for Robot, it'll be nice to see thalaivar on the big screen in 2008 and Vasu will make sure that happens. With Kuselan this year, Sultan in 2009 and Robot in 2010(I'll be amazed if it makes it to theaters before then, considering Shankar's leisurely pace of film-making), we're looking at three thalaivar movies in the next 3 years. Its been a long time since we had this kind of situation.

The rights for Kuselan were recently snapped up by Pyramid Samira for Rs. 60 crores. Even considering Sivaji's stupendous success, that's an amazing number. For one, Rajni is just playing a guest role here. Sure its going to be much bigger than Mammootty's role was in the original but its still a guest role in what is definitely not a 'Rajni film'. Also, the film's reach in the Kerala and Hindi markets may not be that strong since the original, Katha Parayumbol, was a blockbuster in Kerala and a Hindi remake, Billo Barber, is currently being made by Priyadarshan, with Shah Rukh Khan playing Rajni's role and Irfan Khan reprising Pasupathi's role. Considering these factors, the price tag for Kuselan simply indicates the value of 'Brand Rajni' after Sivaji. I guess Kuselan has made KB a Kuberan!

The cast of Kuselan seems to be expanding each day. It's already known that Nayanthara is paired with Rajni while Meena plays Pasupathi's wife. Prabhu, Vadivelu, Kushboo and Sneha are also said to be in the cast. Mamta Mohandas, who was the heroine in Sivappadhigaaram, is the latest addition to the film. According to Mamta, Kuselan is the name of Rajni's film inside the film and she plays its director. She also has a fast song with him. But most intriguing was her statement that she has a combination scene with Rajni and another superstar and that the star will play a cameo and come towards the end of the film. Considering that it is KB's production, her comment has me wondering if it could be Kamal. What a casting coup that would be!