Ilaiyaraaja biopic movie Launched

After much anticipation, fans of Maestro Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja can now rejoice as the official launch of his biopic film titled ‘Ilaiyaraaja’ took place this morning in Chennai. Actor Kamal Haasan had the honor of unveiling the poster, which features Dhanush in a captivating retro style, embodying the musical legend Ilaiyaraaja. The film is directed by Arun Matheswaran, renowned for his work in Captain Miller."For a historic moment in cinema, witness the unveiling of a groundbreaking announcement: the retro poster, complemented by the walls adorned with handwritten musical notes by the legendary Ilaiyaraaja.
The film is prersented by Connekkt Media, PK Prime Production and Mercuri Movies. Produced by Sriram Bakthisaran, C.K. Padma Kumar, Varun Mathur, Ilamparithy Gajendrean and Saurbh Mishra. The film features cinematography by Nirav Shah and Production Designing by Muthuraj."The event also saw the presence of the legendary Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, along with directors Vetrimaaran and Thiagarajan Kumararaja, among many other luminaries from the film fraternity."
On the occassion, Actor Dhanush was overwhelmed with emotion as he expressed, "This is truly a moment of fulfilment for me. Since my childhood, I have been captivated by the enchanting melodies of Maestro Ilayaraja Sir. It is often said that our thoughts shape our reality. Life is a magnificent tapestry of manifestation, and when we wholeheartedly devote ourselves to our desires, they do come true. While many find solace in his songs for a peaceful slumber, I, on the other hand, would spend my nights immersed in dreams of one day portraying his extraordinary life on the silver screen. The compositions of Ilayaraja Sir have been an invaluable asset in elevating my performances. From the very beginning of my career until now, whenever I needed to deliver something truly exceptional as an actor, I would immerse myself in his musical scores through my earphones, allowing them to guide me towards the perfect portrayal. Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja has been and will forever remain my guiding light. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to portray his character in this film. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the presence of the esteemed Kamal Haasan Sir, a true admirer of Ilaiyaraaja Sir. I understand that Arun Matheswaran may be feeling the weight of immense responsibility, but I encourage him to savor every moment of materializing this project, for it is a labor of love and artistry.”
Ulaganayagan Kamal Hassan, known for his deep connection with Maestro Ilaiyaraaja spanning over decades, extended his heartfelt wishes to the entire team. He said, “It’s quite evident that the immense responsibility and pressure might be felt by director Arun Matheswaran in bringing this project to life. I suggest that he can relish and present his unique perspective on the Bharat Ratna Recipient "Maestro Ilaiyaraaja". Precisely, a film depicting the life of this legendary icon could have more than 10 interpretations, given the diverse experiences and influences upon many individuals. Hence I request Arun to present his personal narrative about this musical luminary, who stands as a beacon of pride in the music industry.” The actor fondly reminisced about his collaboration with Isaignani Ilayaraja on the iconic song "Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan" from the movie Guna, describing it as a beautiful exchange of love and emotion. Kamal Hassan also expressed his best wishes to actor Dhanush for his potential involvement in portraying the Ilaiyaraaja's biopic with grace and finiesse.For a historic moment in cinema, witness the unveiling of a groundbreaking announcement: the retro poster, complemented by the walls adorned with handwritten musical notes by the legendary Ilaiyaraaja. Presented by none other than Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan.

Happiness should be a lifestyle: Anjali Phougat

The International Day of Happiness is celebrated on March 20 every year. This day is observed to promote the importance of happiness, well-being, and mental health. Speaking on the occasion, designer Anjali Phougat said, “Happiness should be a lifestyle. For me, it encompasses my work, my surroundings, and the activities I truly enjoy. I feel fortunate to pursue a career that aligns with my passions.” Therefore, her happiness is in no way dependent on her career. She said, “I prioritize living in the moment because tomorrow is uncertain. Surrounding myself with people who bring joy into my life and engaging in activities that make me happy are essential to me.”
But she believes that maintaining a work-life balance is the key to happiness. She added, “Time management is a skill, and you really need to balance and prioritize things that hold more value in your life.”For Anjali, there was not one specific day when she felt truly happy. She asserted that every day gives her happiness, and is a celebration for her. “I start my morning with gratitude, and it’s a ritual,” she said.From something as simple as a walk, to eating healthy food, even the smallest of things give her joy.
“Art, walking in nature, consuming healthy foods, and spending time with my family are essential to me. Energy is the most important thing in my life right now, and I am mindful not to drain it or surround myself with people who do. I love immersing myself in nature; fortunately, I have plenty of trees in my yard and a huge backyard. With spring approaching and flowers blooming, I enjoy spending time outdoors. I believe in making every day special and not waiting for a special occasion, as we never know if we'll get to see tomorrow,” Anjali ended.

Shivangi Verma: Happiness is a feeling, it’s a state of mind for me

The International Day of Happiness is celebrated on March 20 every year. This day is observed to promote the importance of happiness, well-being, and mental health. Speaking on the occasion, Shivangi Verma, who was last seen in Control Room, said, “I think every day should be a happiness day. Why is there one particular day to celebrate happiness. Happiness is a feeling, it’s a state of mind for me.”
“Everything falls into place when you keep yourself happy. Small things make me happy, like going to Delhi. Delhi is my happy place. It’s my home. It gives me immense joy because my parents live there, my friends are there in Delhi, and I love spending my time with them. As a foodie, I love eating, and Delhi is the hub for chaats. I love gol gappe, aloo tikki, and all kinds of chaats. And spending time with myself makes me the happiest, so these things make me happy,” she added.
Shivangi is a family girl, and her world revolves around her family. Sharing the occasion where she felt over the moon, she said, “When I got my first salary from my first job and I handed that first paycheque to my parents, the smile and the feeling of pride in their eyes for me was a very happy moment for me. See your parents happy, and the feeling of pride in them is what I feel we all live for.”
In fact, her day is made if she talks to her parents. Talking about things that give her instant happiness, she said, “Talking to my parents gives me instant happiness because I think they are my problem solvers. Whenever I am in a problem or dilemma, the only people I go to are my parents, and when something extraordinary or something very nice happens at that time, I also go to them because I know they are the only ones who will be the happiest at my best, and that will give me instant happiness.”
Speaking on the work front, she doesn’t agree that her happiness is dependent on her career. She said, “I mean, it does somewhere, but not 100%, because I feel if the personal aspect of your life is not going well on track, the professional aspect can never go well on track. It is very important to strike a balance between the two.”
She also stressed that it’s important to strike a balance between one’s personal and professional lives, adding, “Because if one thing goes wrong, everything goes wrong. Time management is very important, setting boundaries is very important, setting priorities in both professional and personal life is very crucial. And most important is maturity and the bandwidth to understand that one has to maintain all the above. That’s how I maintain balance between the two aspects of my life.”

Yashashri Masurkar: I don’t need much to be happy

For actress Yashashri Masurkar, happiness is all about the small things in life. She says that she tries to find joy in everything that she does. “I don’t need much to be happy! I have learnt to see joy in the simplest things in life, so a wild flower on the side of road or the innocent smile of a small child is enough to find happiness,” she says.Talking about how her happiness depends on her career as well, she says, “Well, yes, some of it depends on my career of course! My career is my passion. If I don’t get to play the kind of parts I want to, or sometimes I don’t get scenes that are challenging or satisfying; can be quite disappointing.”
She adds, “When you find happiness in small moments, its easy and no-one feels happy all the time. We are humans, we go through many emotions but your entire outlook towards life has to be happy.”Talking about a recent event that made her very happy, she says, “Recently, the cat on our set died and I found out 2-3 days later that she was pregnant and had given birth to kittens. So, all of us on set tried to search for the babies and we found them. I was so happy, that I cried! But the babies didn’t survive and I was sad. But the important part was that we tried to save them, and that gives me joy.” She adds, “Other things that make me happy instantly are like watching a good film, captivating a good moment on camera, favourite songs, chocolates and chai!”

Embracing happiness: Jason Tham's perspective on International Day of Happiness

March 20th marks a day dedicated to one of life's most precious treasures: happiness. As the world celebrates International Day of Happiness, we delve into the thoughts and reflections of the charismatic actor, Jason Tham who is known for films like Happy New Year, Happy Bhag Jayegi and Rocket Boys is all set to debut in the web series Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond and Swaraj , on what happiness truly means to him.
"Happiness is very subjective for everybody; it can be career, materialism, relationships, etc. For me, happiness comes from simple things," Jason shares, offering a glimpse into his personal philosophy. "As small as calling a friend who makes time for you, calling up your parents and they are there. When your partner surprises you with good food. When you know you’re emotionally protected by the people around you, that’s happiness for me."
For Jason, happiness isn't confined to grand gestures or monumental achievements. It's found in the everyday moments of connection, love, and gratitude. Whether it's sharing laughter with friends, enjoying a home-cooked meal with family, or feeling supported by loved ones, these are the experiences that truly light up his life. Jason is known for his magnetic smile and positive disposition.
While Jason's career as an actor undoubtedly brings him joy, he acknowledges that true happiness extends beyond professional success. "Remember, happiness is not a destination to reach but a journey to embrace. Find joy in the present moment," he ends.

Mani Shankar and Anjali Joshi created ‘Timeless footsteps’

India’s first Cinematic 3D Projection Mapping Extravaganza at the ongoing Global Spirituality Mahotsav unveiled by President of India.Renowned filmmaker and Vedantic scholar, Mani Shankar, and designer Anjali Joshi, executed the groundbreaking debut of India's inaugural cinematic 3D projection mapping extravaganza, unveiled by President Draupadi Murmu, at the on going prestigious Global Spirituality Mahotsav in Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad. In the presence of Daaji the Spiritual head of the Heartfulness movement.
Delving deep into the annals of Indian Spiritualism, the narrative gracefully travelled over 5000 years, captivating hearts and minds alike. Mani Shankar's multifaceted talent shines yet again, bridging the worlds of Bollywood direction and profound Vedantic scholarship.Anjali Joshi, as Director of AI design, created a new metaphor of visual expression that was stunning to behold.
This visionary creation, 250 feet in width and 70 feet in height, has an immersive impact.The applause of over 75000 strong crowd resounded at the end of the show. This landmark achievement reaffirms Mani Shankar's unparalleled ability to transcend boundaries, weaving together technologies, artistic innovation and spiritual enlightenment to captivate audiences on a global scale.
*Mani Shankar shares*, _‘My challenge was to deliver 5000 years of Indian spiritualism in 12 minutes and still do justice to the great masters. I decided to stun the audience into silence by a combination of amazing visuals, soul stirring music, the authentic vibrations of ancient chants and well chosen word’.
Anjali Joshi comments s,"My experience in holography, film making, projection mapping and design helped me to arrive at a visual palatte that communicated the ‘antarim Shanti’ that the maha-gurus radiated. A challenging and humbling experience.’

Rajesh Khera shines as Mahatma Gandhi in "Swatantrya Veer Savarkar"

In the upcoming cinematic masterpiece "Swatantrya Veer Savarkar," acclaimed actor Rajesh Khera steps into the iconic role of Mahatma Gandhi, portraying the Father of the Nation in a compelling narrative that delves deep into the ideological clashes of India's freedom struggle.The recently launched promo video, titled "The Clash Of Ideologies," unveils a pivotal moment in the film, showcasing the riveting clash between Mahatma Gandhi's advocacy of non-violent resistance and Veer Savarkar's belief in armed revolutions as the catalyst for India's liberation.Rajesh Khera's portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi resonates with authenticity and depth, capturing the essence of the leader's unwavering commitment to non-violence and civil disobedience. Through his nuanced performance, Khera brings to life Gandhi's vision of "Ram Rajya," achieved through peaceful sacrifices and unwavering perseverance.
As the promo unfolds, Gandhi played by Khera stands firm in his conviction, asserting that the path to "Ram Rajya" lies in non-violent means, inspiring audiences with his message of hope and resilience. In contrast, Veer Savarkar, portrayed with conviction by Randeep Hooda, champions armed revolutions as the key to India's freedom. His character presents a compelling argument, emphasizing the necessity of defeating oppression through decisive action.

The biopic-epic "Swatantrya Veer Savarkar" is poised to make its cinematic debut worldwide on March 22nd, 2024, a day preceding Martyr’s Day, paying homage to the valiant heroes who sacrificed their lives for India's independence. Produced by Zee Studios, Anand Pandit, Sandeep Singh, Yogesh Rahar and Randeep Hooda, and co-produced by Roopa Pandit, Sam Khan, Anwar Ali, and Panchali Chakraborty, the film features an ensemble cast including Randeep Hooda, Ankita Lokhande, and Amit Sial.