A very Happy Prasanth!.. and why would he not be?.. With "Jeans," "Kannedhiray ThondrinaaL," and "Kaadhal Kavidhai," all scoring hugely in the box office, Prasanth is happy beyond belief. 1999 promises to bring a few more feathers in his cap including R.B. Choudhri's (Super Good Films) new production: "Poomagal Oorvalam" with Manivannan, Vivek and Halwa Vasu (No news on the heroine yet!). The other film raising quite a few eyebrows is yet another production by Pyramid Natarajan (besides "Sangamam," "Rhythm," and Vijay-Simran-T.N.Seshan starrer "Udhaya") titled "En Iniya Kaadhalargalae" starring Prasanth, newcomer Shivani, Nasar & Raghuvaran with music by Deva and Story, Screenplay, Dialogue, Direction by Cheran (his last being the unexpected flop, Desiya Geetham.)

Adding to Prasanth's glee, is Dr. Murali Manohar's two productions, for one of which titled "Azhagu" has Prasanth playing the lead. Colonial Cousins (Leslie Lewis & Hariharan) have been signed to compose the music with Balaji, Director Shankar's Assistant making his directorial debut. The other big budget flick from Metro Film Corporation is currently untitled with A.R.Rahman's music and Praveen Gandhi's (Rakshakan) direction.

Despite the 'few lakhs' loss that he incurred from the production, of "Desiya Geetham," Dharamchand Lugat has not lost hope yet. He currently produces a new film titled "Vaattakudi Iranian" about a young man with communist beliefs striving to change the world to believe in him. Murali, Meena, Raghuvaran, Ranjeeth, Vadivelu, Balasingh, KarikaLan, Delhi Ganesh, Rajasekhar, Ajay Ratnam star, with music by Deva, Dialogues by R. Selvaraj and Screenplay and Direction by Vincent Selva ("Priyamudan"). 25 horses were transported to Karaikkudi in early December where 20 days of shooting will take place, alongside a 10 day stint in Dhindukal. Vaattakudi Iranian is a short-term project scheduled to hit theaters in February '99.

"Time"-ukku neram illai!.. "Time" director, Geethakrishna had to run all over the place to find a hero for his film. Prasanth was initially announced as the hero in the film as early as November '97 when the padap poojai took place. Due to call sheet troubles, Prasanth backed out. The shooting never got off the ground, as Ajeethkumar also jagaah vaangi-fied due to lack of "time." Now enters Prabhudeva. The hero who has been tremendously quiet ever since "Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar," and "Kaadhalaa Kaadhalaa" earlier in '98. Seems PrabhuD not only has plenty of TIME but also plenty of good TIMES ahead, or so it seems. Prabhudeva, who supposedly burst out saying the "Raasaiyaah" was a flop only because of Illaiyaraja's music and Rahman was was the only one adept at scoring music to showcase his dancing capabilities, now finds himself (after a long time) acting in TIME with music by Illaiyaraja. Meanwhile, Raja thinari adichchu-fied Geethakrishna with a whopping 30 tunes after a soothing trip to the Mauritius, courtesy, Geethakrishna. The longer in Mauritius, the more, the better the tunes. Isai Gnaani-kku NERAM dhaan!..

All the big banner production companies and big name directors are after Karthik currently. After the distinct success of "Harichandra," and "Pooveli," Karthik has signed a whole truck load of films, including "uLamellaam Unakkaaga" by Ganga Gowri Productions (uLaththai aLiththaa, Mettukkudi), with a new face heroine. R.V. Kannan, who directed Raasaiyaah and who also happens to be Dialogue writer R. Selvaraj's younger brother, directs the film. "Unnai Paarththa Pinbu Dhaan" with a heroine search going on, co-stars Ranjeeth, Manivannan, Charlie, Vaiyapuri and others. Mother Movie Makers ("Dhinamdhorum") produce the film, as the story, screenplay, dialogues and direction are by K. Selvabharathi ("Ninaiththaen Vandhaai") The other two films are special as Karthik stars in double hero films in the "Unnidaththil Ennai Koduththen" trend: "Anandha Poongaatre" with Ajeethkumar, Meena, another undecided heroine, Manivannan and Vadivelu. The film is produced by Roja Combines ("Porkkaalam"), with direction by Raj Kapoor ("Aval VaruvaaLaa?") Ramki joins hands with Karthik for the first time in "Nilave Mugam Kaattu" with Devayani, Manivannan, Vadivelu, Saratbabu, Radhika and others as Mu. Kalangiyam ("Poonthottam") directs the film. Abdhul Rahman is in charge of the cinematography as Illaiyaraja composes music. My sources: Cinema Express & Anandha Vikatan.