Southern Spice: Tamannah goes to Bollywood

It’s the ultimate dream for every Indian actor, the Bollywood destination.

Tamannah Bhatia, popular actress in the south, bagged the lead role in Sajid Khan’s upcoming film Himmatwala.

Starring Ajay Devgn, it is a remake of the 1983 Sridevi-starrer.

Bhatia in a phone interview from Hyderabad, where she is shooting for a Telegu film, said, “I am delighted and thank Sajid Khan for having immense faith in me.”

Talking about stepping into Sridevi’s shoes, the actress said, “This role carries a responsibility and I hope to do full justice to the character.”

This is however not Bhatia’s first film in Hindi. She was still in school when she shot her first film, ‘Chand Sa Roshan Chehra.’

Modelling was the next stop and it brought offers for Telegu films. She made her debut in Sekhar Kammula’s Happy Days.

She impressed with her performance in Tamil film Kalloori. She has acted with leading stars including Dhanush, Surya, Naga Chaitanya and Ram Charan Teja.

She is currently working on Puri Jagannadh’s Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu and Telegu film Rebel, opposite Prabhas.

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Midhunam features Balasubramanyam and Lakshmi

With young Indians moving abroad leaving behind their elderly parents, one often hears the aged complaining of negligence and loneliness. But Appadasu and Bucchi Lakshmi when confronted with the empty nest syndrome, decide to rediscover their life and love for each other. Upcoming Telegu film, ‘Midhunam,’ directed by Telegu actor-turned-playwright Tanikella Bharani is all about finding joy and love once again.

Based on a Telegu short story written by Sri Ramana, Midhunam is Bharani’s debut film.

Playing the senior couple are singer SPB (S.P. Balasubramanyam) and Lakshmi. The film was shot in 26 days in a remote village of Srikakulam.

Bharani says, “This is a poignant story on a universal subject and will touch a chord with viewers.”

Deadpoint- a glimpse into Iraq

Milad Latoof’s short film, Deadpoint, offers a glimpse into Saddam Hussain’s regime in Iraq. Produced by Alena Burova this Arabic film has Syrian actor/model, Saeed Farhat, playing the lead role and supporting cast includes Indian actor, Anu Hasan, Ahmad Hashimi and Harold Salakianathan. Released this May in London, ‘Deadpoint,’ has been screened at various film festivals including Abu Dhabi Film Festival.

Set in the backdrop of the Iraqi government when young university graduates were conscripted into the military, the film is about 22-year-old Anwar, who lives with his widowed mother. His father was killed in war in Kurdistan. Anwar is not willing to leave his mother behind to join the army. Torn between his love for his country and his mother, he decides that the only way out of this is to become disabled.

In an e-mail interview from London, the Iraqi directortalks about her debut film Deadpoint.

Q. How did the idea come up?

A. My family was among the thousands who had to leave the country to survive. I have lost cousins and friends in the wars in Iraq. Film was the best opportunity for me to express my pain and sadness towards my country. As a director, it was essential to deliver the strength, bravery and fear that soldiers were going through. I chose to focus on these emotions through different techniques revealing individuals point of view.

Q. Is it a political film?

A. I have only shown an image of Iraq, of a typical Iraqi house and how people used to be scared of the government and the President rather than loving it. Saddam Hussain’s appearance in the film several times, his pictures framed and hung up on the army office walls and in homes was a symbol of power and egotism. I wanted to be fair by portraying my country in the right way. I did not even mention Iran in the film, which was the country Iraq was fighting against. I don’t think I have been political in any way.

Q. What made you cast Anu Hasan to play the widowed mother of Anwar?

A. During the audition for the role of a mother, I encountered problems finding an actress from the Middle East. While searching online, I found Anu’s profile and I felt she had the looks of a middle-aged Iraqi mother. Despite being an experienced actress, she gave me and my crew the chance to work with her and learn from her. There are people who look down on others because they think they are better than them, but with Anu it was awesome.