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The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Silambarasan TR interview: On Kamal Haasan's ‘Thug Life' and making a ‘fanboy sambavam' with Ashwath Marimuthu
One could feel the gravity of the moment when Silambarasan TR made his grand entry at the audio launch of Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan 2 in 2022. It was the star's first major public appearance as 'Ātman,' a new version of Simbu who embraced spirituality and returned to the limelight after a lull phase marked by box office duds, controversies, and fitness concerns. But who expected that at an event featuring the likes of Kamal Haasan, AR Rahman and Vikram, Simbu would get the loudest applause, a clip that went viral on the internet. While naysayers hung their heads in disbelief, his ever-loyal fandom took social media by storm. A new Simbu era had dawned after Maanaadu, with the actor far different from the young man we knew from Manmadhan, and the moment spoke volumes about how Tamil audiences honour their heroes and reasserted that they indeed like a good comeback. On one hand, Simbu doesn't seem too sure about all this attention on his comeback. Citing how legends in every field have braced lull phases, he blames the social media frenzy for blowing this out of proportion. That isn't to say he isn't grateful for this love. He knows he has a very loyal fan base — 'There's a saying about rats leaving a sinking ship; so their loyalty doesn't show who I am, it shows who they are,' he says — but the reception he got at the PS2 event wasn't just from his fans. PS2 wasn't even his film. 'Watching someone get back up instils confidence in people, and that's what I saw there. It felt like the general public was telling me, 'Hey, we respect what you have done, and we want to give back that respect to you.'' To be looked at as this inspirational figure must put a lot of pressure on one's shoulders. 'No, but that gave me confidence, and I realised there's no point looking back at the past. I realised I should do what's required without expecting anything back.' Watching Simbu in flesh and blood for the first time at that event also brought me memories of the time when he had an unshakable hold on youth. Boys got into trouble for wearing the star's signature wire wristband to school, while donning headbands became a popular style statement. Even today, a generation of youngsters continues looking up to him, something he says has only made him more responsible. 'When I was much younger, I wasn't aware of the kind of films I was doing or what those films communicated to younger audiences,' he says, before stressing this responsibility shouldn't interfere with his craft. 'See, broadly, I refrain from excessive use of swear words, violence, and glamour, and I haven't smoked much after Idhu Namma Aalu. But then, if a character needs me to smoke or be violent, I have to do it. That's how it would be if I did a negative role, for instance. All that we can do then is take a call on how much we indulge in those things.' Simbu on his love for Michael Jackson 'Michael Jackson had the biggest influence in my life. From the energy I carried or my style, be it in dancing or singing, it's all influenced by Michael Jackson. I touched alcohol for the very first time when he died. That's how much I adored him.' His role in Mani Ratnam's much-anticipated film Thug Life, headlined by Kamal, seems quite violent from the promo material. Doing Thug Life, Simbu says, satisfies a desire most actors harbour. 'While watching films like Thevar Magan, where two generations of stars would have acted together, any actor would have wished for one such film to happen, and these films also stand the test of time.' That it happened for him in a Kamal Haasan-starrer feels surreal, he adds. 'Right from when I was a child, my father showed Kamal sir as my on-screen guru, so I have always looked up to him. See, even if we need references for, say, a dialect, a walk, or a specific look, we took inspiration from his filmography.' The actor is in awe of how the veteran has stuck to his approach to stardom and craft. 'He doesn't care too much about what doing a certain role might do to his image, but rather thinks about what he brings to the table. It's about doing something interesting, something different and better than the previous film.' At a level where most might get trapped inside echo chambers, Kamal has managed to stay anchored in his journey as an artist. That he calls himself a student of cinema feels validating to Simbu. 'See, I can say that I am a student because I have a long way to go, but if Kamal sir still feels like a student, it means I am too on the right path.' Even the opportunity to be part of Thug Life, he adds, is a validation, 'for all the effort I have put in for 40 years since I was a child artist. Because so for Mani Ratnam sir to write such a character, to look at me as a good fit for it, and for Kamal sir to accept his decision…It's all a bit surreal, to say the least.' Simbu's role in Thug Life, he says, balances 'mass' and 'class.' 'I am a peculiar hero with audiences who like both these schools of acting. You can't call me an out-and-out classy actor, nor am I just after mass. I can do both, it's great to do roles that balance these schools. In Thug Life, you will find a classy, performance-oriented Simbu and a raw and stylish Simbu.' STR is also returning to a Mani Ratnam set, almost seven years after Chekka Chivantha Vaanam, a film during which the star realised that he was struggling to perform well due to his then poor physical form. He had previously revealed he broke down after shooting an action scene in that film and that the experience ushered him towards a transformative journey. Thug Life, too, is loaded with action, and Mani Ratnam was happy with how STR now moves and dances, says the star. 'He would enjoy watching me perform and say, 'You are looking good. Superb.' So I realised going through that weight-loss journey is adding more to what we're doing.' You might be surprised to hear Simbu say that, while the way he was body-shamed back then wasn't right, there's some truth to it since 'being an actor and losing your fitness like that is a minus.' But isn't reducing weight and bulking up for roles almost a routine in places like Hollywood? Perhaps this toxicity points to something deeply embedded in how Indian audiences see their stars. Simbu doesn't think so; he says it's just the case of a jealous few pouncing upon finding a reason to troll. 'My weight gain was also initially for a film, and if needed, I could have brought myself back to shape. But by then, I had already given a window of opportunity to those who were also desperately looking for a reason to pull me down. But I realised I couldn't keep complaining about it, and that's where this fitness journey began.' It's not just his fitness; anything and everything about Simbu gets put under the media scanner. After facing immense criticism and battling numerous controversies, Simbu began following the Buddhist principle that goes, 'When you receive something (here, criticism) from someone, then it becomes yours. But if you reject it, it stays with them.' But surely that odd negative review for a film or a comment on his acting must break his defences, right? 'Earlier, the results of my films affected me, but I used to find ways to channel that into what I do next. But I have realised we can't seek validation from successes and failures. Many suffer because they seek validation externally and let others control their happiness. You need to take control of yourself and find validation from within.' Simbu on Artificial Intelligence: 'I am waiting to see how AI changes our lives. Everything's going to change, from the way we use mobile phones to how we interact. Someone's going to be digitally present for us all the time, someone with much higher intelligence. I foresee drastic changes soon, and I am eager to see how we adapt to them, how AI influences filmmaking, and how it would influence our spirituality.' Simbu has, over the years, also been criticised as an actor who doesn't push himself enough, as a star who is sleeping on his talents. The actor believes this is because he has yet to find solid scripts that could bring the best out of him. 'There's no space to give your full potential in a script that any actor can pull off'. Simbu has pinned his hopes on his upcoming film with director Desingh Periyasamy to do that. 'But see, even to get that on the floors, we have been waiting for two years now. Look at Kamal sir; he would have done about ten such films, like Avvai Shanmugi or Dasavatharam, but there's a longer list of films that he couldn't materialise.' The star has no qualms saying that every time he wishes to do a project like that, he finds that his market then cannot sustain the scale of that project. 'So when more people watch my movies, and the more they perform well at the box office, the more it allows me to give my best.' Of late, many A-list Tamil stars have come out with films — like Petta, Vikram and Good Bad Ugly — that are dubbed as fanboy sambavams; these films feature aspects that appease the die-hard fans of those stars, like cameos and callbacks to the stars' previous films. Simbu's upcoming film with Ashwath Marimuthu also hints at being one such film; the first look poster featured the star, wearing wire bands, bracelets and the check mark tattoo from Dum, throwing his iconic 'box' sign. 'Yes, it is a fanboy sambavam, but it wouldn't just be a film for the fans. It will become a film that even those who don't know me would enjoy. Fanboy sambavams should be like Vikram — it shouldn't just appease the star's fans but be celebrated unanimously by all.' Will we also see more of STR as a singer? 'Yes, there's a lot of that coming up in my next few films,' he signs off. Thug Life releases in theatres on June 5
Business Upturn
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
OTT and movie releases of this week that shouldn't be missed
By Banisitti Pratibha Published on April 25, 2023, 22:23 IST The last week of April is going to be amazing for the movie lovers as some of the amazing series are lined up for release. Citadel starring Desi girl Priyanka Chopra and Richard Madden which is arriving on April 28 to Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan 2 is all set to release this week. Let's have a look on the much awaited releases of this week 1 . Citadel Created by- David Weil Cast- Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Richard Madden, Stanley Tucci, Lesley Manville Executive Producers- The Russo Brothers Date of Release- 28th April, 2023 2. Ponniyin Selvan 2 Director- Mani Ratnam Cast- Vikram, Karthi, Jayam Ravi and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Date of Release- 28th April, 2023 3. The Song of Scorpions Director- Anup Singh Cast- Golshifteh Farahani, late actor Irfan Khan, Waheeda Rehman and Shashank Arora Date of Release- 28th April, 2023 in theatres 4. Love After Music Directors- Felipe Gomez Aparicio, Gonzalo Tobal Cast- Ivan Hochman, Micaela Riera, Nahuel Monasterio Date of Release- 26th April, 2023 on Netflix 5. The Good Bad Mother Director- Shim Na-yeon Cast- Ra Mi-ran, Lee Do-Hyun, Eun- Jin Ahn, In- soo Yoo, Kim Won- Hae, Cho Jin- woong Date of Release- 26th April on Netflix 6. Beau Is Afraid Director- Ari Aster Cast- Joaquin Phoenix, Nathan Lane, Patti LuPone, Amy Ryan, Parker Posey, Kylie Rogers, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Hayley Squires, Michael Gandolfini, Zoe Lister Jones, Richard Kind. Date of Release- 28th April, 2023 in theatres 7. U-Turn Director- Arif Khan Cast- Alaya F, Priyanshu Painyuli, Rajesh Sharma, Manu Rishi Chadha, Aashim Gulat Date of Release- 28th April, 2023 on ZEE5 Banisitti Pratibha is currently pursuing master's in English Literature. She is a media enthusiast with strong communication and content writing skills. Banisitti Pratibha is currently working as a journalist at
India.com
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan turns heads at Cannes with her ‘sindoor bhari maang' look in white saree, confirms she is with Abhishek Bachchan amid divorce rumours
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan proved why she is hailed as a queen! The diva walked the red carpet at Cannes Film Festival 2025 and oh boy! She made heads turn with her regal look in a white saree. This year, the actress captivated Indian as well as international audiences with her look. Aish was draped in an ivory Banarasi saree designed by Manish Malhotra, which added the perfect touch of royalty and elegance. The cherry on top was Aishwarya flaunting her sindoor, putting a full stop to all the divorce rumours swirling around her and Abhishek Bachchan. Aishwarya's outfit was a tribute to all the Indian handloom craftsmanship. She wore a handwoven Kadwa ivory Banarasi saree, paired with a sheer white tissue dupatta delicately bordered with intricate real gold and silver zardozi embroidery. Take a look here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by VOGUE India (@vogueindia) For accessories, Aishwarya added heirloom jewellery from Manish Malhotra. Aishwarya's jwellery had over 500 carats of Mozambique rubies. It also had uncut diamonds set in 18k gold. Aishwarya's ruby statement rings stole the show and added a regal touch. For makeup, Aish went with her signature staright hair look and to add more drama she opted for a red bold lips. She posed gracefully for paps with her signature wave. As soon as Aish's look hit the internet, it sent fans into a frenzy and comment sections were spammed with love and appreciation. On Aishwarya Rai's work front, she was last seen in Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan 2 alongside Jayam Ravi, Sobhita Dhulipala, and Aishwarya Lekshmi.
India.com
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
When Simi Garewal made a BIG statement on Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's..., 'People don't know...'
When Simi Garewal made a BIG statement on Amitabh Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's..., 'People don't know... Rumours seem to never fade regarding Amitabh Bachchan's household, especially concerning his daughter-in-law and actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Eagle-eyed fans have noticed that Big B often shares posts about his daughter Shweta Bachchan, son Abhishek Bachchan, and even grandchildren Navya Naveli Nanda and Agastya Nanda, but consciously avoid posting about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan or Aaradhya Bachchan. This noticeable absence has sparked rumoured rift between Amitabh and Aishwarya. Moreover, the speculations escalated when an Instagram page Jagruk Jantaa uploaded a video, accusing Amitabh Bachchan over his ignorant behaviour with Aishwarya Rai. The video went viral and sparked widespread discussion among viewers on Reddit. However, what truly caught everyone's attention was the unexpected comment by veteran actress Simi Garewal, who came out in strong defence of the Bachchan family. She wrote, 'You people don't know ANYTHING. Stop it.' Seems like the outspoken commentary didn't settle well with Simi, as she issued a sharp response to that. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jagruk Jantaa (@jagruk_jantaa) Simi G 's comment on reel discussing double standards for Beti and Bahu of Bachchan family 🤔👀 byu/Longjumping-Post-228 inBollyBlindsNGossip Meanwhile, many speculated that something is not fine between Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, as rumours about their divorce constantly created a lot of buzz. However, Aishwarya's recent post on Abhishek's birthday added fuel to the gossip fire. Moreover, during the Paris Fashion Week, she was confident seen sporting her wedding ring. Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai got married on April 20, 2007, in a grand ceremony. They have a daughter named Aaradhya Bachchan. On the work front, Aishwarya last collaborated with veteran director Mani Ratnam for Ponniyin Selvan 2 . Meanwhile, Abhishek Bachchan's Housefull 5 is all set for a theatrical release on 6 June 2025. He is also expected to begin shooting for Siddharth Anand's King , starring Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and others.
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Delhi HC stays interim order against A.R. Rahman in song copyright case
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday (May 6, 2025) stayed an interim order against music composer A.R. Rahman and the makers of the film Ponniyin Selvan 2 over an alleged copyright infringement case related to the song 'Veera Raja Veera' featured in the 2023 film. A Bench of Justice C. Hari Shankar and Justice Ajay Digpaul, however, directed Mr. Rahman and the makers of the film to deposit within 10 days ₹2 crore with its registry, as directed by the Single Judge Bench April 25 order. The court posted Mr. Rahman's stay application and the appeal challenging the single judge's order on May 23. Also read | AR Rahman on Abhijeet Bhattacharya's criticism for 'overusing' technology: 'It's nice to blame me for everything' The Single Judge Bench's order came on a lawsuit by classical vocalist and Padma Shri awardee Ustad Faiyaz Wasifuddin Dagar, who accused Mr. Rahman and the film's production houses - Madras Talkies and Lyca Productions - of unauthorised use of a classical composition titled 'Shiva Stuti', originally composed by the Junior Dagar Brothers, Late Ustad N. Faiyazuddin Dagar and Late Ustad Zahiruddin Dagar. Justice Prathiba M. Singh had held that the 'Veera Raja Veera' song is 'not merely based on or inspired from the suit composition - Shiva Stuti but is, in fact, identical to the suit composition with mere change in lyrics'. Additionally, Justice Singh had awarded ₹2 lakh as costs to Mr. Dagar, to be paid by Mr. Rahman and other defendants within four weeks. Created in 1970s According to Mr. Dagar, the 'Shiva Stuti' composition was created by his father and uncle, also known as the Junior Dagar Brothers, sometime in the 1970s. He claimed that following his father and uncle's demise in 1989 and 1994, respectively, the copyright passed to him through an oral family settlement among the legal heirs. Mr. Dagar had claimed that the composition was shared with Mr. Rahman without his knowledge or authorisation and was subsequently used in the film's soundtrack without appropriate credit.
