CELEBS FACTORY

Mani Ratnam's next film has been entitled Kadal and will feature, Karthik's son Gautham and Radha's younger daughter, Thulasi. It will be remembered by Tamil cinema fans that Karthik and Radha made their debut with Bharathiraja's beloved film, Alaigal Oyvadillai and now their children will be making their entry into films together.

Mani also considered Akshara Haasan and R. Parthiepan's daughter, Keerthana who worked with Mani in Kannathil Muthamital. But finally it has been confirmed that Thulasi will be Mani's heroine. Arjun has also been roped in for this film.

By now we all know that veteran director Bharathiraja is back in the village atmosphere, doing what he does best!

Bharathiraja is all set to begin his ambitious project Annakodiyum Kodiveeranum with actor Parthiban playing the lead role.

The film will have two leading ladies with one being Priyamani and Parvathy (of Poo fame) as another. However the latest buzz is that Priyamani has opted out of the project due to date hassles and newcomer Iniya (who made a dream debut in Vaagai Sooda Vaa) has been roped to play the lead.

Set in Madurai, Annakodiyum Kodiveeranum is a period film which runs through four decades: 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. The film will have Parthiban in a dual role with different get ups.

The director has also roped in young composer G.V. Prakash as the music director for the project. Since music plays an important role and has to reflect the respective periods.

G.V. Prakash is currently doing research on the kind of folk rural music in these four decades.

Interestingly, G.V. Prakash's uncle A.R. Rahman teamed up with the veteran director for Kizhakku Cheemayilae in 1993.

Radha is apparently the brains behind daughter Karthika's smart career moves.

All thanks to Karthika's mother actress Radha that the daughter had dream launches both in Telugu and Tamil with super hits, Josh and Ko respectively.

The latest buzz was that Radha wanted to launch her second daughter Thulasi as well.

It was reported that Thulasi would be making her debut with Karthik's son, Gautam in a Mani Rathnam film.

It will be remembered that Radha herself made her debut with Karthik in Bharathiraja's famous film, Alaigal Oyvathilai. However, Radha has said that the reports were false and that her second daughter is too young to enter films. So for now she will focus on Karthika's career in addition to her hotel business.

Mani Rathnam meanwhile is still searching for a suitable heroine for Gautam.