Pokkiri Raja beats T:20 record!

Mammootty and Prithviraj’s mass masala entertainerPokkiri Raja, has created box-office history by collecting a distributors share of Rs 2 crore 21 lakhs in its opening week from 110 screens in India (90 of them are in Kerala).

As per trade sources: “Pokkiri Raja has scored at the box-office by beating the existing record ofTwenty:20, which did Rs 2.03 crore in the first week. The single biggest share is from Kozhikode Apsara (Rs 8.75 lakh), followed by Kavita, Ernakulam (Rs 7.67 lakh).

The critics may not like the film, but masses are freaking out on it. However the trade is not willing to give Mammootty full credit for the film. Says a theatre owner from Malabar area of the state where the film is doing extraordinary business: “ Mammooka appears only towards the interval point of the film. It is Prithviraj who carries the show. I would give the younger actor 55 percent for the success of the film.” Says a prominent theatre owner from Thiruvananthapuram district: “Both Mammookka and Prithviraj fans worked in tandem for the success of the film.” Any which way you lookPokkiri Raja, is surely the biggest hit of the year so far.

Mammootty is the most popular Malayali

Megastar Mammootty has been selected as the most popular Malayali in the world in a poll conducted by the Asian Television Awards.

The poll was conducted by Asian Television Awards 2010, which were held in Dubai on Friday (May 14).

Mammootty beat Mohanlal and Resul Pookutty to clinch the Most Popular Malayali title in a world-wide gallop poll. Mammootty, who turned up at the event said: "This award proves that it has not affected the Malayalis' judgment. This award proves that no outside force was able to displace the icons in their mind.”

Later in his acceptance speech the actor said: "I am incredibly happy and thankful to all those Malayalis 
who chose me as their dearest star and I am proud of each and every Malayali in the Gulf, Kerala and the world over.”

‘Pokkiri Raja is a complete entertainer’

First time director Vyshakh gets talking about Pokkiri Raja, the most anticipated Malayalam film of this year

How did Pokkiri Raja happen?

It all began when I was working, as an associate, for Twenty-20, the action thriller film. I discussed the story idea with scriptwriters Udayakrishna and Sibi K. Thomas. Gradually, we developed the story and focussed on the character of Raja, to be played by Mammootty. Simultaneously, Surya’s character was also developed. And when we narrated the story to Mammootty, it was he who suggested Raju (Prithviraj) for the role. I discussed the story with Raju while we worked together in Robinhood. He was quite impressed. That’s how the film happened.

What is the film about?

It’s an entertainer. I’d like to point out that the film will stand out because of its high-energy level. Being a youngster myself, I wanted to make a film that was youthful in spirit and had high energy. I’m sure it will leave the audience spellbound.

The film will also make an impact with its script. Sibi and Udayakrishna have delivered their best. The film’s script is quite fast and racy like Twenty-20.

What about the budget?

It’s definitely a big-budget film. The presence of the most sought-after stars along with 55 prominent artistes and the huge canvas makes it a big-budget film. In fact, at the outset itself, we had told the producers that it would be a big film. They assured us that there wouldn’t be any kind of budget constraints. I’d thank my producer for having given me uncompromising support.

How did Shriya Saran come in?

With Mammootty and Prithviraj doing key roles, we wanted the heroine to be one of the top actresses. This was how Shriya came in.

How do you feel after making your directorial debut with such a big film?

After being associated with directors like Johnny Antony and Joshiy, I have been trained to think big. I wanted to make a film on a big canvas.

thanks to Unni R. Nair

Alexander devastated by Pokkiri Raja

Last Friday Mollywood saw the grand opening of two films by the two superstars of the industry Mammootty and Mohanlal. It was Pokkiri Raja Vs Alexander The Great. After a long dispute among the producers and the theater owners, it was finally decided that films will be screened in theaters from May 7. And the opening war was between Pokkiri and Alexander.

Reports claim that Alexander has been devastated by Pokkiri Raja. Starring Mammootty and Prithviraj, Pokkiri Raja is a mass masala entertainer. The movie also marks the entry of South hottie Shreya Saran in Malayalam industry. It tells the story of two brothers Raja and Surya. The movie already has got rave reviews and is running successfully in all the released theaters. Mammootty and Prithviraj are seen together in a film for the first time.

By the time Alexander The Great has become a failure. Mohanlal plays the role of a genius in the film and is an illegitimate son of Prathapa Varma, played by Saikumar. The movie has nothing much interesting in it. Mean time Jayaram- Mamta starred Katha Thudarunnu is moving in a slow and steady pace and is sure to win the family audience.

PokkiriRaja Theater List

• Trivandrum-New,Dhanya,Remya
• Ernakulam-Kavitha
• Kollam-Dhanya
• Attingal-Ganga
• Banglore-PVR
• Kottayam--Anupama
• Changanassery-Apsara
• Pala-Maharani
• Thalayolaparambu-Prabhus
• Kajirappally-GrandOpera
• Mundakayam-Mundakayam Theater
• Mavelikara-Santhosh & Sandra
• Thrissur-Girija
• Calicut-Apasara
• Palakkad-Priyadarsini Complex
• Shornur-Suma
• Cherppulassery-Plaza
• Peringottukara-DEVA
• Chalakkudy-Surabhi
• Alappuzha-Pankaj
• Perumbavoor-EVM
• Nedumangad-Rani
• Thalasserry-Liberty Paradise
• Karunagappally-Tharangam

Pazhassi Raja on DVD, record sales!

Gokulam Gopalan’s, Hariharan- Mammootty classic period masterpiece Pazhassi Raja, a blockbuster has been launched on Home Video by Moser Baer Home Entertainment on May 1.

In three days the CD-DVD has broken all records in Malayalam home video by selling over two lakh units. Says Moser Baer Home Entertainment CEO, G Dhananjayan : “We have already touched sales of 200,000 units of VCDs and DVDs of Pazhassi Raja, which is the highest in the Home Videos of Malayalam so far for any title”.

Moser Baer Home Entertainment went for aggressive marketing which has resulted in record sales. Added Dhananjayan: “The retailers in Kerala have put up a massive display of the title thus creating huge excitement among the customers who visit the outlets and all the stocks launched by us has been sold out”.

T A Razak to turn director

Scriptwriter T A Razak is all set to turn director. After penning a number of successful scripts, he will be donning the director’s hat. If everything goes as he has planned, his debut directorial venture will star Mammootty in the lead role.

Razak wants Mammootty to have a unique character but wants it to be a family story. At present, he is busy scripting the Prithviraj starrer film Pakaram Vanna Raajavu. Razak hopes he can start the shoot of his film by the end of the year.

In the past, Razak has scripted several successful films like Perumazhakalam, Uthaman, Kaanakinavu, Vesham, Parunthu, Ayirathil Oruvan, Bus Conductor and Raapakal.

Though there have been many scriptwriters who have turned directors in the past as well, it is seen that they do not make good directors and remain better writers. It is yet to be seen if Razak can try and be an exception to this.