Roundup of 2011 indian films

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lets recap

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South dominates kollywood

South Indian cinema proved to be the lucky charm this year for Bollywood. Movies, actors and songs like ‘Kolaveri di‘ left a mark on the Hindi film industry like never before.

Riding high on the trend was actor Salman Khan, who seems to be keen on making a Hindi remake of every hit movie from the South. He started with Wanted and kept the cash registers ringing by starring in Ready and Bodyguard, which were also remakes of movies from the South.

Image from ibnlive.com

Salman’s second hit of the year Bodyguard, opposite Kareena Kapoor, was a remake of a Malayalam film of the same name. It was directed by Siddique, who also directed the original.

The actor is starring in another remake Kick, which will be directed by Shirish Kunder and hit theatres next year.

Ajay Devgn and John Abhraham were quick to follow suit, starring in Singham and Force, which predictably did well at the box office.

It was not only Devgn’s action sequences which kept the audience glued. Actor Prakash Raj’s one liners were an instant hit.

Force, another action thriller film starring John Abraham and Genelia Dsouza, was a remake of Gautham Menon’s successful 2003 Tamil film, Kaakha Kaakha. John was seen in an action role in the movie after a long time.

Southern remakes have been a part of Bollywood since the 90′s with films like Judwaa, Nayak, Khushi, Shakti, Mr and Mrs Khiladi, Sunday, Ghajini and Wanted, but the trend had been missing for a while. The year 2011 saw the return of the ‘Southern touch’ in the industry.

It wasn’t just Southern remakes which created a rage. Tamil-English song ‘Kolaveri Di‘, sung by Rajinikanth’s son-in-law Dhanush took the industry by storm.

‘Why This Kolaveri Di’ which means ‘Why this murderous rage, girl?’, a funny take on heartbreak, became an online craze and attracted fans like Amitabh Bachchan. Dhanush also tweaked his song as ‘Kolaveri B’ in honour of Big B.

Akshay Kumar has reportedly bought the rights to the song and plans to make a Hindi version of it. Thanks to its popularity, Dhanush is also said to be planning his debut in Hindi cinema.

The year came to a close with Vidya Balan’s dare-bare act in The Dirty Picture, a story inspired by Southern sex siren Silk Smitha. Through her acting, Vidya gave a depth to the tragic star, forcing audiences to sympathise with Silk.

The year also saw some of the biggies from south making their Bollywood debut.

Southern superstar Prakash Raj redefined the bad man in Bollywood with films like Wanted and Singham. The national award winning actor, who has made hits like Iruvar, Kanchivaram, Nuvve, Tagore and Sivakasi down
South, will reportedly also be seen in Sunny Deol starer Ghayal returns, a sequel to Deol’s 1990 film Ghayal.

A new face that made a debut in the industry was Kajal Agarwal with the film Singham. Actor Rana Daggubati also tasted success with his debut in Dum Maaro Dum opposite Bipasha Basu. He has also bagged his second movie role in Ram Gopal Varma’s Department. Last year, Tamil superstar Suriya made his Bollywood debut with Rakta Charitra.

http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/from-kolaveri-to-wanted-south-dominates-bollywood-in-2011-163055.html

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Six Super Toppers - Kannada Cinema 2011 - Part 1

As the year 2011 is slowly coming to an end the track record of Kannada films for the year 2011 has been pathetic once again. Nearly 120 films got releases as on 23rd December the success rate is just around 15 percent. The biggest hit of the year is challenging star Darshan starring ‘Sarathi’ and apparently Darshan was also in the hit list of controversy in 2011.

The six toppers made in a budget ranging from 30 to 35 crores made a business of Rs.85 to 90 crores in the year 2011.

www.supergoodmovies.com is giving a series on the 2011 ‘Kannada Cinema’. As a part of the first in the series we are furnishing the six tops with images of the films.

The series of 2011 Kannada cinema starts from today. You will find misses, best hero, heroine of 2011, films released, developments, awards and honors, controversies, those who left us, best cameramen, best music directors, newbie of 2011, best songs etc.

SIX SUPER HITS OF 2011

1. KEMPE GOWDA – A remake of ‘Singham’ Tamil film starring Sudeep and Ragini Dwivedi. As against Rs.4 crore investments the film collected a gross of Rs.12 crores in 50 days. Sudeep directed this film. Arjun Janya has scored music and S Krishna is cameraman.

2. SANJU WEDS GEETHA – The musical hit film starring Srinagara Kitty and Ramya directed by Nagashekar made is Rs.4 crores earned over 10 crores gross. Jaassie gift has done the music and Sathya Hegde handled the camera.

3. HUDUGARU - A remake film of Nadodigal in Kannada made in Rs.5 crores budget earned Rs.15 crores. Power star Puneeth Rajakumar, Radhika Pandit, Srinagara Kitty and Yogish was directed by Madesh. V Harikrishna is music director and Sathya Hegde is cameraman.

4. SARATHI – This is the biggest hit of the year. For Rs. 7 crores investment the film earned Rs.25 crores. Deepa Sannidhi was the heroine. Dinakar Toogudeepa directed this film of producer KV Sathyaprakash. Krishnamumar is cameraman and V Harikrishns is music director.

5. PARAMATHMA – A biggest expectation did not happen. But it did not fail to make profits. For Rs.7 crores investment the film earned 15 crores in 50 days of screening. Power star Puneeth Rajakumar, Deepa Sannidhi and Aindrita Ray played lead roles in the direction of Yogaraj Bhat. Jayanna and Bogendra are the producers of this film. Cinematography by Santosh Rai Pathaje, music direction by V Harikrishna.

6. VISHNUVARDHANA – Another film of Sudeep to make tremendous collection is ‘Vishnuvardhana’ by producer Dwarakish. P Kumar directed this film. As against Rs.5 crores investment the film ‘Vishnuvardhana’ collected more than Rs.10 crores. Cinematography by Rajarathna, music direction by V Harikrishna.
http://www.supergoodmovies.com/35308/sandalwood/six-super-toppers-kannada-cinema-2011-part-1-news-details

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10 Films Average in Profits - Kannada Cinema 2011 - Part 2
Like in the previous years the films of average hits are also small in numbers in 2011. The films that have got back investment and made profits up to Rs.2 crores not a mean task. There is an exceptional case of film reaching popularity but not making money in this report. The film like ‘Olave Mandhara’ ran for 100 days and producer Govindaraju has not yet got the investment made on his debutant son Srikanth. It has given impetus for all them to venture for next project. Considering the investment and returns they are at the comfort zone.

The films mentioned below besides box office profits have got satellite rights that are an additional boon to the producers and put them in very comfortable situation. The films mentioned in this part have got satellite rights ranging from Rs.50 lakhs to Rs.2 crores.

Among ten films that made average profit the striking personalities in the direction department are Jayatheertha from Olave Mandhara as director, Ravikumar Sana as cameraman, actors Srikanth and Akanksha, Pawan Kumar from the direction of ‘Lifu Ishtene’, two heroines Samyuktha and Sindhu, director Nutan Umesh from ‘Krishnan Marriage Story’ – all of them are part of the original Kannada films.

Although the film ‘Jogayya’ is considered as a flop (you will read in part 3) the film has returned money for the producers Rakshitha and Prem. But distributors collapsed in the box office.

As second part of the Kannada cinema 2011 – we give you the list of films that were not in the intensive care unit of box office.

1. BOSS - Challenging star Darshan, Navya Nayar, Prabhu (Tamil films son of Shivaji Ganeshan) and Rekha starring has made wonderful initial collection and in the long range the investment was recovered for producer Ramesh Yadav. It was directed by Raghuraj. V Harikrishna as music director and Krishna Kumar as cameraman the film was made in Rs.5 crores budget. In the first week the collection was Rs.3.5 crores. It made a marginal profit of Rs.2 crores.

2. OLAVE MANDHARA - The debut film of Govindaraju tastefully made by debutant director Jayatheertha for debutant hero Srikanth and Akanksha. Deva the music magician has scored lovely tunes. The cameraman Ravikumar Sana also made a beginning. This is made at a cost of Rs.3.5 crores ran for 100 days. From the Telugu and Tamil remake and dubbing rights I am able to reach breakeven says producer Govindaraju.

3. KAL MANJA - The home banner film of famous comedy hero Komalkumar has been quite good in the box office. Komal Kumar hade easily Rs.1 crore profit for Rs.2.5 crore investments. Producer Smt Anasooya Komalkumar, Direction – Ramesh Prabhakaran, Music – Emil, Cinematography – Kaviyarasu, Cast – Komalkumar, Udayatara, Aishwarya Nag, Thriller Manju, Guruprasad, Srinivasamurthy, Ramesh Bhat, Killer Venkatesh and others.

4. JOHNY MERE NAAAM - The first combination of action hero Vijay and Ramya ran for 100 days. For Rs.4 crores investment the film made Rs.2 crores profit. The song in this film Don’t you know I am very sexy for Ramya was superb in response. Banner - Jayanna combines, Producers - Jayanna and Bogendra, Direction Preetham Gubbi, Music V Harikrishna, Cinematography S Krishna, Cast - Vijay, Ramya, Rangayana Raghu, Sharan, Achyuthkumar, Dattanna, Sadhu Kokila and others

5. KIRATAKA - This film a remake of Tamil film ‘Kalaivani’ reached the break even in 50 days for investment of Rs.2.5 crores on the project starring Yash and Ovia. Running to 50 days at the biggest theatre Kapali theatre was quite impressive. Banner – Amigo Indrajaal Movies, Producers – Sharavana Murthy, Shantha Kumari, Direction – Pradeep Raj, Music – V Manohar, Cinematography – R Selva, Cast – Yash, Ovia, Thara, TS Nagabharana, Daniel George, Sanketh Kashi and others.

6. KRISHNAN MARRIAGE STORY - A debutant clicking from this film was a good sign. The film succeeded in the box office for the investment of Rs.3 crores. It made a profit of Rs.1.5 crores. Banner – Deeksha Productions Producer – Vijayakumar, Story, screenplay, Direction – Nutan Umesh, Music – Sridhar Sambram, Cinematography – Shekar Chandru, Cast – Ajai Rao, Nidhi Subbaiah, Vinayaprasad, Jai Jagdish, Nagendra Shah, Suresh Mangalore, Balaraj, Sangeetha, Sri, Sundarasri, Bhargavi Narayan and others.

7. 90 - This film by comedy hero as producer Sadhu Kokila was surprise hit of the year. Sadhu Kokila invested Rs.2 crores and made a profit of Rs.1.5 crore. Banner – Surag Enterprises, Producer – Sadhu Kokila, Direction – Lucky Shanker, Music – Sadhu Kokila and Manu, Cinematography – Krishnakumar, Cast – Sadhu Kokila, Raju Thalikote, Rangayana Raghu, Doddanna, Bullet Prakash, Mithra, Biradar, Kuri Pratap, Shakeela, Lakshya, Pragna and others.

8. BHADRA - A remake of Telugu film ‘Rana’ earned good response for hero Prajwal Devaraj. Producer MN Kumar back in production line reached the breakeven in 50 days and later made profit of Rs.1 crore for his Rs.2 crore investment. Banner – MNK Movies, Producer – MN Kumar, Screenplay, direction – Mahesh Rao, Music – Sri Guru, Camera – Jai Anand, Cast –Prajwal Devaraj, Daisy Shah, Ramesh Bhat, Mico Nagaraj, Sampath, Bullet Prakash, Shanker and others.

9. LIFU ISHTENE - Another debutant director Pawan Kumar has got good beginning as director. The film starring Diganth and two debutant heroines received well by the youths. Rs.2 crore investment got Rs.2 crore profit. One of the most popular song Yarighelona Namma Problemmu…is from this film. Banner – SS and KK movies, Producers – Manjunath, Syed Salam, Upendra Shetty, Direction – Pawan Kumar, Music – Mano Murthy, Cinematography – Sugnan, Cast – Diganth, Sindhu, Samyuktha, Achyuth Rao, Veena Sunder, Sudha Belawadi, Satya, Cherry, Raju Thalikote, Ramya Barne and others.

10. KALLA MALLA SULLA - This remake film of ‘No Entry’ Hindi film a multi star cast film comforted producer K Manju for his Rs.3.5 crore investments. K Manju made profit of over Rs.1.5 crore from this film. Producer – K Manju, Direction – Udayaprakash, Music – Alex Paul, Cinematography – GSV Seetharam, Cast – V Ravichandran, Ramesh Aravind, Vijay Raghavendra, Monica, Ragini, Yajna Shetty, Rishika Singh, Sihikahi Chandru, Mandya Ramesh, Sadhu Kokila and others.
http://www.supergoodmovies.com/35400/sandalwood/10-films-average-in-profits-kannada-cinema-2011-part-2-news-details

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Malayalam films

The waning charisma of superstars, a drought at the box office and dearth of new faces...it was another bad year for the Malayalam film industry.

Despite several releases, the three ageing Malayalam superstars - Mammootty, 60, Suresh Gopi, 54, and Mohanlal, 51, - seen as the saviours of the filmdom, failed to bail out the industry that was reeling under flops.

Looking back on their hugely successful three decades, 2011 has not been a pleasant year for the trio.

Mammootty had five releases - August 15, Doubles, The Train, Bombay March 12 and Venicile Vyapari; Mohanlal had Christian Brothers, China Town, Pranayam, Snehaveedu and Arabiyum Ottakom P Madhavan Nairum; and Suresh Gopi had four releases - Christian Brothers, Melvilasam, Collector and Ven Shanku Pol.

Although their films kept landing at the box office and even created a flutter ahead of their releases, there were no fireworks at the ticket windows.

For Gopi, it was the worst year as his three films went unnoticed and if not for Christian Brothers, in which he teamed up with Mohanlal and Dileep, it would have been a complete washout for the once angry young man of the Malayalam film industry. On the other hand Mammootty's and Mohanlal's latest releases - Venicile Vyapari and Arabiyum Ottakom P. Madhavan Nairum respectively - made some noise.

And making a film with these biggies is a costly affair. Award- winning director Majid Gulistan says an average Malayalam film with no superstars costs around Rs1 crore, but when the superstars' names get attached to a project, the budgets shoots up to Rs.3 crore.

If these biggies failed, other stars such as Jayaram, Dileep and Prithviraj couldn't set the cash registers ringing either.

While Jayaram had six releases, Dileep had just three, including Christian Brothers, Prithviraj had five, of which Indian Rupee managed to keep his flag flying high, but it was director Renjith who earned plaudits for the film's success.

"In all, it could be assumed that not less than Rs.150 crore has been spent on film production in 2011," said Gulistan who is readying for his next venture in the New Year.

In 2001, over 87 films hit the screens and it is difficult to pick and choose box office successes from among them.

According to an industry source, less than a dozen films can be described as commercial success, including Traffic and Salt N' Pepper, while Adaminte Makan Abu brought some sunshine by winning several National Awards.

Another drawback was no new face was launched on the marquee or in other creative fields.

The year also bid adieu to notable personalities like actress Aranmula Ponamma, grandmother of Gopi's wife; National Award winning composer Johnson; cinematographer-turned-director Vipin Das; director Chintha Ravi; and character artist Machan Varghese.

http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?section=Movies&Id=ENTEN20110190579&keyword=regional&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&nid=159697

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some hindi top 10 hits

rediff http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-best-songs-of-this-year/20111214.htm
apunka choice http://www.apunkachoice.com/content/slide_show/sid100007557-slideshow_bollywoods_sizzling_hit_songs_of_2011/
divanee http://divanee.com/2011/12/16/the-sound-of-music-top-10-bollywood-songs-of-2011/

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top 10 mollywood movies

http://english.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=10651978&channelId=-1073865028&catId=-165742