As soon as the shooting of Shankar's Anniyan got over, Tamil actor Vikram moved on to his next project, a remake of a recent Malayalam hit Thommanum Makkalum (Thomman and sons), a Mammootty film.

Rajan P Dev, who mostly plays the villain, played Thomman. Mammootty and producer-cum-actor Lal played his sons. Shafi directed the action-packed comedy.

Thommanum Makkalum is the story of a father and his two sons, all thieves. This huge hit was Mammootty's third straight success at the box-office. It also showcased him in a different mould, as that of an actor who could dance and do comedy too, which were not considered to be his domain.

It was after going through many scripts, including another Mammootty blockbuster, Kazhcha, that Vikram finally chose Thommanum Makkalum as his next.

There was no place for a strong heroine in Thommanum but in Tamil, it is essential to have a top heroine for the top hero. The news that went around initially was that Trisha would be Vikram's heroine but she was busy with Telugu films.

Then, the choice was between the two popular Malayali girls, Nayanthara and Asin. Finally, Asin bagged the role.

Asin, who debuted in Tamil as Jeyam Ravi's heroine in M Kumaran, s/o Mahalakshmi is one of the hottest Tamil heroines now. She has starred opposite all the top heroes, including Vijay, Ajit and Surya.

Thommanum is titled Maja in Tamil, but there's talk that it may change. Shafi is at the helm of the Tamil remake too.

Maja is being planned as a Diwali release.

Courtesy and thanks to rediff.com

Chat with Asin
Post M.Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi, the ‘Malabar’ girl Asin has become a sought after actress in Tamil. Currently she has teamed up with Ajith in God Father in K.S.Ravikumar direction. She is also doing a bubbly college role in Ghajini with Surya. Taking time off from her busy schedule, Asin was there at galatta.com to chat with her fans on 12th February, 2005.

Actress Asin acting opposite to Ajith

Actor Ajith is now pinning his hopes on Godfather. Director K S Ravikumar and actor Ajith, who got together to render a big hit in Villain about a couple of years ago, now team up again for Godfather.

The movie stars Ajith in three roles with actress Asin acting opposite him.

Actor Ajith, who has hit a low in his film career following successive defeats now hopes Godfather will pull him through.

Godfather went to floors a few months ago and was expected to be released on Tamil New year's Day along with the likes of Chandramukhi, Mumbai Xpress and Sachien, but did not make it.

The movie has been completed and is expected for release by next month. The highlight of the movie is its music. After New, A R Rehman now takes up the task of scoring music for Godfather. Besides composing tunes, Rehman has sung a number for the film. Godfather stars Ajith in three roles, an old man, a eunuch and a youthful do-gooder.

According to Ajith, the movie has come out well so far and it has ingredients to appease his fans. No doubt the movie would make it big, he says. Asked about his next project, he says, 'following Godfather, I will be doing a movie to be directed and produced by Bala. The movie titled Naan Kadavul will go to floors very soon'.

Actress Asin, who is on song in Kollywood acting along with Suryah, Vijay and Vikram, has teamed up with Ajith for the movie.

Asin's longing for small things

Click to enlarge photo

Right now, she's the one actress who has roles opposite today's top heroes Ajith, Surya, Vikram and Vijay.

How did you get so lucky?

'Jyotika and Trisha have become very busy with Telugu films. So, I ended up becoming number one in Tamil films," says a laughing Asin, cool as a cucumber.

Do you know what her small expectations in life are? You'll be surprised. When we asked her what she looks for in the man she will eventually marry, Asin replied, "Let's say that my husband and I are standing on top of a misty mountain and the weather is biting cold. But there's only one sweater. My husband should be someone who will give that one sweater to me."

Then?

"We are in a desert and thirsting for water. When we find that one vital drop, he, being a good husband, should give it to me."

Any one of you prepared to sacrifice a sweater or drop of water, can contact Asin!

Asin on her own

Gamine Asin is making waves in Kollywood now.

Once branded a jinxed actress as her debut Tamil venture Ullam Ketkumae could not make it to box-office and her next opposite Ajith was temporarily shelved.

However, the success of M Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi has changed it all.

"It has proved my critics wrong and I have been able to make an impression here," she says with a sparkling smile.

She is today acting opposite popular actors including Surya (Gajini), Vijay (Sivakasi) and Ajith (Godfather).

For Asin, acting in Tamil movies is a priority though she has a lot of offers in Telugu film industry.

She says "I would like to give more importance to Tamil films now, because Tamil fans give more respect.

They admire and adore film personalities. I would like to remind you how Tamil film buffs had raised a temple for actress Kushboo some time back"

To the criticism that she is trying to imitate Simran, Actress Asin says a firm 'no'. "I want to have a separate place for myself here in Tamil cinema and want to do many films for a long period.

For it, I should have a style of my own. I will not sign movies that has emphasize on glamour".

Let's see whether she sticks to this credo.

Asin the cute homely girl in M Kumaran s/o Mahalaxmi has many offers from Tamil films.She started out in Malayalam and struck big time in Telugu. After Kumaran she has signed a film opposite Ajit and a film with Surya. She speaks about her career moves.

Coming from a rich family what was the reason for you to enter films? In studies I am a top ranker. I wanted to take the civil services exam. From childhood I picked up interest in business. At the age of 14 yrs. I bagged ‘best young entrepreneur’ award. My photos in the press got me modeling offers. I did 60 ads. I first got an offer from Malayalam industry from director Kamal when I was in 9th std. for the film Niram. But I could not take it up due to exams. My first film was in Malayalam. It was Narendran Maghan Jaykanthan with Boban and directed by Sathyan Anthicaud’s Boban. That film ran for 100 days.In Tamil director Jeeva introduced me with in his film Ullam Ketkume. Are you satisfied with your role in M Kumaran... My role is very pivotal in the film. I bagged the Filmfare Award for original Telugu version Amma Nanna O’ Tamila Ammayi. There it’s a Tamil speaking girl.Here as a malayali girl the role became even more better. Jeyam movies unit were all friendly in short an enriching experience with the whole unit. We all moved like a family due to which I never felt I am new to this industry. Director Raja is methodical and planned.In fact his suggestion that I dub in my own voice since I am a malayali girl speaking Tamil went down well with the audience. You are branded an unlucky heroine.. I am not bothered about it. My first film Ullam Ketkumae is stuck not due to me. After kumaran I think all this should have changed. Tamil heroines have to expose .. No problem about that. I will be glamourous but will not do vulgar scenes or say double meaning dialogues. You smoked a beedi in Kumaran. Do you smoke in real life? I hate smoking and smokers.

Full Name	Asin
Height	5'4
Weight	53 Kg
Status	Single
First Film	M.Kumaran S/o Mahalakshmi
City of Birth	Hydrabad
Mother Tongue	Malayalam
Profile
After creating a lasting impression in Telugu, Asin has stormed Kollywood with a hit film M.Kumaran S/o Mahalakshmi. Having faced initial hiccups with her debut movie Ullam Ketkumae still lying in the cans and her Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikalam with Surya stalled, Asin has proved her critics wrong that she is an unlucky actress. Before Asin could even realize it she is flooded with offers in Tamil making her a strong contender for the top slot.