Mani Rathnam

We've been keeping an eye on the growing number of assistant directors now making the leap into independence. Here is one more in that number -- Ganeshan, who has understudied Mani Rathnam in Bombay, Iruvar and Uyire (the last named familiar to Bollywood fans as Dil Se) is now branching out as an independent director.

Word is that he had an idea for a film, which he took to producer Satyajyoti Thiagarajan (wife of actor-producer Thiagarajan, and mother of Prashanth of Jeans fame). The lady was so impressed by the idea that she promptly decided to back it. Thus, Ganeshan will debut as director with Thithikkum Thee, with Murali in the lead.

Satyajyoti made one proviso before putting down her money. So impressed was she by Ganeshan that she said it had to be double or nothing -- thus, besides the above film, Ganeshan is also bound to do another one, with Prashanth in the lead.

The name of the film? Hold your breath -- it's Pepsi Generation Next!

And since Mani Rathnam's name has come up anyway, an aside -- remember it was here that you first read about Mani's latest? We had told you that the ace director, now through with his terrorism-trilogy, was working on the story and script for a film that will be loosely based on the Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky affair, that came within a toucher of bringing the US president to his knees. That script is now ready for production, under Mani's direction -- and rather appropriately, he has chosen to name it, simply, Scandal.

Rai comment

Prakash Rai

Prakash Rai is making rapid strides as one of the most sought after villains on the southside circuit.

But the tall, swarthy star who made his debut in the Prabhu-Ramesh Arvind-Meenakshi Seshadri starrer Duet, has played the good guy in a few films, and been well received.

That reception appears to have encouraged him to set up his own production house -- named Duet, after the film he made his celluloid bow in. And he is now set to produce a cops and robbers thriller, Stalin, starring himself in the eponymous role.

Stalin, to most people, is a name with a Russian connotation -- but in Tamil Nadu, there is only one person you associate with the name, and that is the son of Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi, who is leader of of the ruling DMK's youth wing, and mayor of Madras.

Interestingly, in Mani Rathnam's Iruvar, Rai had played a character loosely based on Karunanidhi. And now he is going to be Stalin. Knowing that discretion is the better part of political wisdom, Rai made sure to call on the mayor, and ask his permission before using his name as title for the under-production film.

A go at Guinness

Meanwhile, stand by for a world record. For the first time ever, an attempt is being made to can an entire, full-length, feature film in just 24 hours.

Giridharilal, head of L S Movies and the man behind the idea, said he had been sitting on it for a good 14 years. "It is even more relevant now," Giridharlal told the media at a press briefing. "With cinema acquiring industry status, it has become even more important that we become time and cost effective, and that is why I thought of doing an entire film in 24 hours."

Swayamvaram could well turn into a logistical nightmare before it is safely in the cans, for it features no less than 12 heroes, 10 heroines, and 8 comedians/villains. It will be shot simultaneously by 15 film units, at over 10 sets, with a total of 11 directors (each having his own camera crew and editor) working on the film at the same time. Five music directors have been roped in, and they will work in separate studios, to can the songs and score on the same day the film is being shot.

"The goal is to finish every stage of film-making within the stipulated 24 hour period," says Giridharlal. "Shooting, developing rushes, editing, dubbing, re-recording and final mixing for the master copy will all be done in that time. The script is being divided into 11 parts, and one director will shoot one part, all of them working on the same day, at different sets and venues.

Giridharilal, who has penned the story for the film, is a veteran of 30 years standing, with 13-odd films on his curriculum vitae. His earlier films were under the Hem Nag banner, in partnership with his brother Ramkishan L Nagpal and Giridharlal has been involved, in one way or another, in the production of over a hundred films.

"When we finish this film on deadline," says the ambitious producer, "we would have given the world a maxim -- 'If you can imagine it, you can do it!' "

Chakki to hit Hollywood