Monday, December 14, 2009

Its 12 'o' clock!

I usually get to bed quite early. Say around 10.30 pm! There have been only few instances where I stay online for a long time. Otherwise its usually around this time. Though I jump off early and make my bed cozy to 'sleep', I read books or text until I actually fall ASLEEP!

Of late, every night say around 12-1 am, I suddenly wake up and imagine me typing something in my comp! And what am I typing? About unusual concepts or rather concepts that I always wanted to talk about and share it in my blog.

I don't know why! Never have I tried doing that, but yeah still! I should give it a shot!

Cheers!
Sharu:)

Monday, November 02, 2009

interview with karthi :)

"Surya is my inspiration" - Interview with Karthi Sivakumar

It’s always been a dream for every new comer to make their debut film a super hit. Some succeed, some fail, but very few go that extra mile. Some critics compare his debut to that of Sivaji’s Parasakthi. Sivaji Ganesan created magic then, but for now it’s Karthi Sivakumar. Introducing the youngest son of the legendary Sivakumar and brother of actor Surya. Karthi flagged off his career with a sensational debut in Paruthiveeran, a movie that turned the tables in his career.

Attired in a casual jeans and a dark purple shirt, Karthi walks in the room quietly with a pleasant smile. The first thing that you notice when you sit for an interview with him is his killer eyes and the infectious smile. Well, that’s the trick the entire family did to wow us. Will karthi be an exception? Sharanya C.R records...

Karthi was raised like any other normal child. He finished his schooling in St.Bede’s and joined engineering in Crescent Engineering College. He went on to do his masters in the US and finally realized that his heart was with films. So when did the transition happen? “I was earning my scholarship, working 20 hours a week as a graphic designer in the US, when I realized that I never got tired of creative work. I suddenly understood my priorities. Earlier, I never had the clarity or courage to tell dad that I wanted to be in films though I always loved the medium. At that point I decided I wanted to be part of movie-making, the most interesting job ever,” says Karthi.

Later he joined a film institute in New York and did a small time course. But when he decided to come back to India, he was sure that he will work with ace director Mani Ratnam, as his assistant. “When Mani Sir was doing Ayutha Ezhuthu, he wanted a guy who looks like Surya’s brother for the film. Few people recommended my name. However, when he saw me he got a shock of his life. I looked like a hulk! Thanks to the pizza’s and burgers” chuckles the young lad.
Reminiscing about the times spent with Mani, he says, “Working with Mani Ratnam is an unforgettable experience. I always wanted to learn the best from the best people. Interacting with some of the top technicians like Ravi K Chandran, Sabu Cyril and a few others helped me a great deal. I felt I was sitting in a university!”

So when did Paruthiveeran happen? “I worked as an assistant director in both the versions – Ayutha Ezhuthu and Yuva. Later I got offers from many directors. However I wasn’t convinced with the script. Ameer then came with Paruthiveeran. The script was too tempting to say a ‘no’! After all, who wouldn’t reverie of a dream debut with him,” says Karthi.

No one would forget the impressive climax from the movie. Many even said that Karthi was too good for his first film. Winning the Filmfare Best Debut (Male) and the Filmfare Best Actor is something no actor would imagine! “When I did Paruthiveeran, I never bothered about the results. I was focused only on two things. One is delivering the best and the second being satisfying the director. When I saw the film for the first time in Albert theatre, people gave me a standing ovation for the climax. I was happy that my hard work finally paid off” he says with pride.

Son of a veteran actor, brother of a sensational star and brother-in-law of a pretty actress, what was their family’s first reaction when they saw the movie? “It was not just the public; my family too said that I was too good for my debut film. I literally got Goosebumps. I was glad that I made my parents feel proud of me.”

Immediately after the release of Paruthiveeran, the lad rose high winning several accolades for his performance. He was then signed up for Aayirathil Oruvan, a big project with Selvaragavan. The movie almost took a year and a half for completion and is finally releasing this November. Musing about his experience, Karthi says, “I signed the film before Paruthiveeran got released. Selva is such a fantastic director. Initially we decided to do a romantic film, but since Selva was bored of making romantic films, we switched to this. I knew the film would take a longer time to complete and I was thoroughly prepared for it. It’s such a fantastic script and one of a kind. The movie is about adventure and has an epic quality.”

On a question about his co-stars, he chuckles, “One guy stuck with two girls! Very difficult, that too both being weird in different ways. Jokes apart, both of them are lovely. We naturally became friends as the project was on for more than a year. Since AO is adventure genre, we need to travel for long distances no matter how the weather would be. It was pretty hard, as co-stars even Andrea and Reema Sen also travelled without complaining. We share a great rapport and we are still in touch.”

So how does he differentiate Ameer and Selvaragavan? “Both are brilliant directors. Ameer is a kind of director where he expects the actor to act like him. But Selva is more relaxed. He enacts the scene but allows the actor to use their imagination and act” says the actor.

The one-film old Karthi is excited about his next romantic flick, Paiyya directed by Lingusamy which has Tamanah in the female lead. “Paiyya is a very urban film. It’s my first romantic film and I am really excited about it. The outline of the movie is about a guy and girl who travel from Bangalore to Mumbai in a car. Well, the rest is a hush-hush” he winks.

Ask him about his favorite co-star, he blushes, “I got along with everyone. Be it Priyamani, Andrea, Reema Sen or Tamanah everyone were sweet with me.” Probe him more about this, he laughs, “I love them all.”

Finally any case of sibling rivalry in the Sivakumar household, “There have been comparisons between my brother and me. I don’t think its fare; he has come a long way and achieved a lot of things. I am just three films old. Moreover, I don’t see him as a competition. He is more of an inspiration to me. He has just crossed the same road ahead of me. So whenever I face a problem, one shout is all I need to do and I know for the fact that he is there beside to support me” he ends with a million dollar smile.

Quick FIVE

Surya as a brother or Surya as a Actor?
Both! Can we differentiate them?

Jyothika...
My best buddy

Best Compliment...
From Bharathiraja, “Dei enna da panna? Nee namba ooru paiyan da.”

Favorite Director?
Mani Ratnam

Upcoming Films ?
Paiyya, Nan Mahaan Alla and Siruthai

Post Script:
This is interview was for my journal! We went to his ghar, he has a separate office for himself. Gee, one of those heros who can speak good english! But yes, he does have an attitude problem !!

*sharanya cr*





Tuesday, July 14, 2009

In awe!

My dad always used to say, “There is an art of doing things. If you do it that way, it will be perfect.” I somehow second his thought. Though I don’t do things in order, after seeing something, I completely agree to his point.

Sowmya was shifting to Bangalore. They had called ‘packers and movers’ to pack all their stuff. One would easily notice the room being dusty, the place being noisy and people moving here and there. But if you look close, you can actually sense how creative the packing guys are!

While we were chatting, we noticed how creatively this man was packing the computer table and the computer itself. He simply attached a pillow to the monitor and plastered it around so that the screen escapes from scratches.

What an idea! I mean, when we are under work pressure, we usually end up doing something stupid. These men have a deadline, like say, finish it within few hours, but they still do it perfectly. They had bought so many rolls of carton sheets and they used them perfectly without wasting it.

Every work requires an art. When people used to question me why I didn’t take up engineering, I simply said I am not interested. There are 'still' few people whom I know personally who don’t consider other courses ‘respectable’ as engineering or mbbs! [Don’t know what ‘respectable’ in their dictionary means].

There are other few good gentlemen whom I know said, “Sharanya every course and job has a value.” I so got reminded of this while typing! They are true. Can we sit and pack all our belongings in such a nice way with minimum of time? No, right! It’s time people respect the work of others and never underestimate them by their work nature.

Signing off, shara

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Meet the strangers

My meetings with strangers always have a story and this one is not an exception!

It was Saturday night. Say about 8.30 pm.

I was walking in MG road, on my way to Shivaji Nagar bus stop.

Usually I leave early from office, but that day work kept me busy until 8! So me and another friend of mine were literally running to the bus stop. It was quite a distance though.

We were walking in the road exactly opposite to Manipal Center. It's usually quite. That day, even worse. Much quieter and dark too. With breezy weather, one tends to enjoy such a walk!

Just then I unusually saw two women dressed in a bizarre way. One lady, quite huge, was wearing a saree with plunging neck line. The other was wearing a normal salwar but that was also quite revealing! Both were standing in the corner of the platform, smiling at all the male drivers in the cars which passed by.

It took me about a minute to sense that they were prostitutes! Honestly, I was scared. I had to pass by them. The lady in the saree gave me a cold stare. I was looking down and ran as fast as I could!

Finally reached the bus stop. Got a seat and phoned my sister and all I had to talk was about her! It's quiet strange, the way they lead their lives!


*signing off*
Shar :)

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

I is bored!

I is bored

-Not much work to do

I is feeling sleepy

-Yeah, I wake up early

I is hungry also

- It's 1.20 pm!

Monday, May 11, 2009

That was one helluva party!!

I always hated parties.

In my dictionary parties, discs and pubs are one reason for all the men in this world to touch women unnecessarily! I mean they go about touching women all over and they just don't realize how irritating it can get![I know few wannabes do enjoy]

Loud music that can tear apart my ear drum, the area filled with smoke and dancing or rather falling on each other is something I just don't prefer. That's one of the reasons why I avoid going to parties! The other being me not a part of this 'Oh so, wannabe gang'! [Oh God, Thankfully]

When my editor asked me to cover this party last night, I was shocked and surprised. I mean, they sort of know I am not this party material who would jump and grab the invitation! But still, they chose me! I had no choice but to go. They gave me an offer of taking friends along. Thankfully, I had guru. She has always been there when I needed her the most. Be it studying together, shopping or during times of emergency, like this one!

Me and guru decided to leave to Fuga [Supposedly, one of the hottest taverns in Blore] and be there at about 8.30 pm! We met there and was denied entry! LOL... We had to tell them that we are from the press and behave like this 'I am -very- interested -to -cover- ur- party' sorts!

Yay, they finally let us in! I went in to find a world by itself. You walk in the red lit glass floor and almost feel like stepping inside a place that never existed before! Fuga is awesome. Has about two floors, a pretty moderately sized dance floor and a pretty decent lounge bar!

Ok, now this is completely new to me! Seeing girls in uneasy outfits, weird men nodding their heads in a weird way, scary crowd, men and women tumbling all over the place and what not!

Guru and me got a drink for ourselves and set to the first floor! Since its been long since we met, we had loads to speak. But with loud music hitting our ear drum, we barely heard each other!

We spent quite some time gazing at those hot men and yeah a few women also ;-) and headed to the dance floor. I saw Nikhil Chinnapa, DJ Ivan and DJ Markus Schutz playing feet tapping music that made the crowd dance like never before! The place was chock-a-blocked with young chaps going boogie woogie!

We decided to move out after sometime. Silence is what I get! Moving out from a noisy, busy and boisterous place to the world 'I' belong to!

Oh, Freaking Lord, whatte party it was!!


*Jigging quietly*
Shar!

Post Script:
I don't know now if I like or dislike parties. All I can advice you is, please take someone with you while partying! NEVER go alone unless you hate people! If your a spectator, have a drink, sit quietly and move out like how I did! :P

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Louing eett!!

Yes, am louing it! But louing what ?

My internship in Bangalore! I must say it's going in great guns! Never had a internship like this before. When compared to the last one I did in ANI, this one is rocking!

Just imagine you write all day and keep filing stories! And write what ? Features all day! Write on topics that you always don't talk much about and keep tickling your mind always to get new ideas! Isn't that lovely ?

A cubicle for an intern, a nice cute comp, no dress code (It doesn't matter anyways, am more of a kurta person!), a nice boss (unlike my previous boss! Gawd, how much I hated him! :P), a nice team of colleagues who don't throw attitude... wah wah... my dream work environment. Am sure GOD is making a note of it!

Hope it goes in great guns till this month end!
Cya all later! Will post soon!
Ore the loues,
Shar! :)

Thursday, March 05, 2009

*BOWS* to RAHMAN!

A. R. RAHMAN >>>>>>>>>>> The genius,.... My GOD,..... the person who re-defined music has won the Oscar!!!

My gawd, I just cannot believe it! Two Oscars, not a joke man! :) :)

My heartiest congratulations to him! :)

He has brought the Oscars to our nation, that we were trying to get for 81 years!

KUDOS! I congratulate Pookuty too :)

*Happily* Signing off,
shara!

KICK START!

I just can't believe that this is my first post in 2009! Don't know what made me hold for the past two months! I was working...rather slogging to finish my projects, seminars, campaign and crap. It's typical for our college to give these crap at the last minute! God knows when they'll understand us!?!

I'll cut the crap now!

I had a great start! New year was so much fun with Vidya, Prabhu and Taarika. No matter how many ever new years come, I've silently made a promise to myself that I will celebrate only with them...and only in Bangalore! They are the most enthusistic couple that I've met so far! For all the food and drinks, the deserve a *hug*.. And bangalore is -the-place, I say!

I have to mention the street where Vidya stays! People are so so nice... enthu pataniiss!! I sometimes envy her. I think one should be lucky enough to get neighbors like that - very nice people, enthusiasts, fun loving and make great neighbors!!

My birthday was also fun! Appa & Amma surprised me with a cake and so did my School & College friends!! :) :) *hugs again*

After that, my life was screwed! With so many deadlines to meet, I went M.A.D! I am still M.A.D!

But blogging after a really really long time, feels great! :) :) Wil promise to post often!

Smiles :)
Shara