New Tamil films, more non-releases for Pongal

Chennai, Jan 14 (IANS) Tamil Nadu's harvest festival Pongal ushers in several new films but it will also see many that missed the release date.

While seven films are hitting the screens during the festival, as many as 10 have turned out to be non-releases.

A Bollywood hero stars in the best publicised of the seven films. "Guru", with Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai as the lead pair, is drawing attention here mainly for its director Mani Ratnam. Trade pundits are waiting to see whether the magic of Ratnam and music director A.R. Rahman works for the film in Tamil Nadu, where regional actors are the largest crowd pullers.

Actor Vijay plays the lead role in "Pokkiri", a remake of Telugu hit of the same name by Mahesh Babu. Dancing sensation Prabhu Deva has directed the film.

Ajith plays an unusual role for a hero in "Azhwar". Chella directs the film, which is about a hospital attendant taking on big-time criminals. Asin lends her glamorous touch to the action thriller.

Another action flick is "Thamiraparani", with Vishal as the vanquisher of villains. Newcomer Bhanu is the female lead in the film directed by Venkatram Reddy.

T. Rajender dons the lawyer's black coat in "Veerasamy", which is scripted and directed by him too. Debutant Ajees and Meghna Naidu play the lead pair.

Karthik plays a lawyer in "Kalakkura Chanduru" with Anu as his love interest under Ravi Raja's direction.

Suriya's younger brother Karthi makes his debut as hero in "Paruthiveeran". Priyamani is cast opposite him in the film directed by Amir. Yuvan Shakar Raja has provided the music score.

The 10 films that failed to make it as Pongal releases are:

"Pachchaikkili Mutthuchcharam", "Unnale Unnale", "Oram Po", "Deepavali", "Sabari", "Kuppi", "Ninaithale", "Latchiyam Oru Thayin Asai", "Thullura Vayasu", and "Adavadi".

The Tamil Film Producers' Association attributes this to the insufficient number of cinema halls.

Many in the industry, however, say that films of second-string actors like 'Jayam' Ravi and Arya often face such odds.