Less sparkling Diwali for Tamil film lovers

Chennai, Oct 20 (IANS) It promises to be an entertaining Diwali for Tamil film-lovers this time, with as many as eight releases scheduled for the festival day - Oct 21. However, the festival of lights may seem less sparkling, with none of these films featuring top stars.

No film starring either Rajnikanth or Kamal Haasan will hit the screen on the day. It will be a disappointing Diwali also for the fans of Vijay, Vikram and Surya.

Vijayakanth, Sarath Kumar, and Ajith are the only stars to shine on the occasion.

Vijayakanth, 'Captain' to his admirers, whose "Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam" (DMDK) has just put up a creditable performance in Tamil Nadu's polls, will address a political message again with the film.

He is playing the saviour of the oppressed in "Dharmapuri" directed by Perarasu and produced by Sri Surya movies. Lakshmi Rai plays the female lead in it.

There will be political undertones in a film starring Sharath Kumar, who, defected from the DMK to the AIADMK on the eve of the last assembly elections and has now been elected president of the South Indian Film Artists' Association.

In "Thalaimagan", produced by Radaan Media (a family enterprise), Sarath, who has directed the film himself, plays a journalist fighting for social justice. Nayantara plays the heroine and Seema Biswas of "Bandit Queen" fame will feature in a negative role in the film.

Ajith, who returned to cinema recently from car racing, teams up with glamorous Asin in "Varalaru". Producer S.S. Chakravarty renamed the film, abandoning the original title "Godfather", to get tax concessions available to films with Tamil titles.

Ajith plays three roles in the film, which is directed by K.S. Ravikumar. One of these is that of an effeminate dancer.

Three of the Diwali releases will have younger heroes. Simbu will share the screen with Nayantara, Rima Sen and Sandhya in "Vallavan". Jeeva and Nayantara will be the lead pair in "E", directed by R.P. Choudhary. Arya will play an underground gunrunner in "Vattaram".

The Diwali releases will introduce five debutants on Tamil screens.

Keerat and Adisaya make a triangle with Arya in "Vattaram". Yoga and Purneeta play the lead pair in "Marandein Mein Marandein" made by Footstep Productions. Akshaya features opposite newcomer Abhay in "Manasukkulley", directed by Sri Guru.