Reel Talk - Namita's youth ceiling

Making her presence felt in Tamil films is Namita, the Mumbai lass who's face is familiar for Telugu film buffs. Namita created a good impression with her very first Tamil film, 'Engal Anna', with Vijaykant as her hero. The actress has since bagged more offers like 'Aiye' with Sharat Kumar, and 'Maha Nadigan' with Satyaraj. Grapevine has it that she's done an item number in the Dhanush-Sridevi-starrer 'Devathaiye Kandein'. Namita's only grouse is that while she's been getting the offers, she's yet to pair with the younger crop of heroes.

Good, bad and Kalabhavan

While he does the baddie in Tamil films, he gets to play the protagonist in Malayalam films. And the challenging roles he's done (like the blind street singer) has been re-enacted by top actors like Vikram & Satyaraj in Tamil. Now, Kalabhavan Mani is on to yet another challenging role in Malayalam. He plays a one-legged blacksmith who plots revenge against the man who'd been responsible for his condition. Mani asserts that the film, 'Panchajanyan', would win him accolades. One is sure that it will have heroes of other languages rushing for the remake rights too!

Kutty Radhika waiting

It was a very promising entry that Kutty Radhika made with 'Eiyarkkai' in Tamil. But roles have not exactly been falling in the lap for this Kannada actress. Among the couple of offers she's got, one is with debutant hero Ramana, in the film 'Meesai Madhavan' (a remake of the Dilip-starrer in Malayalam, 'Kabulliwallah').

Pasupathi becomes hero

Playing Kothalathu Devar in 'Virumaandi' brought fame and money for this theatre actor. Pasupathi has since been flooded with offers from Tamil and Telugu film-makers. But all of the negative kind. But now Pasupathi makes the transition to "heroism" in a new Tamil film The actor plays the central role in a new film, a suspense thriller to be directed by Anbu, who earlier worked as an assistant to Kamal Hassan.

Bala not directing Surya

Bala has directed three films, all of them faring well at the box office. He's done two of them - 'Nandha' and 'Pithamagan', with Surya. Now the duo are on to their third teaming-up for a new film. And, reportedly, while Bala will be producing it, this time he will not be wielding the megaphone. The reigns are being handed over to an outside director, who'll script and direct the film. Meanwhile, Bala has set rest to all gossip linking him to his heroine, and tied the knot with Madurai lass Muthmalar.

Kamal's reject

Shahrukh Khan's 'Main Hoon Na' is earning accolades for it's villain Sunil Shetty. But few know that the role was first offered to Kamal Hassan. The Khan had on Kamal's request acted in his 'Hey Ram'. But Kamal, despite his gratitude to Shahrukh, had to decline his offer because the role in the Hindi film was that of a traitor to the country. The actor does have a certain image to keep up!