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Time of India
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Raavanan Koottam' producer Kannan Ravi donates Rs 5 lakhs to late director Vikram Sugumaran's family
The Tamil film industry was struck with grief following the sudden demise of director , who passed away recently due to a heart attack. Known for his powerful directorial debut 'Madha Yaanai Koottam,' Vikram brought to screen the harsh realities of caste-based issues in southern Tamil Nadu. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Despite the film's strong message and realistic portrayal, it did not receive commercial success, which unfortunately affected his filmmaking journey. Years later, he returned with 'Raavanan Koottam' starring Shanthanu Bhagyaraj, a film that met with mixed responses. Producer Kannan Ravi donates ₹5 lakh to support the grieving family In the wake of his unexpected passing, producer Kannan Ravi, who backed 'Raavanan Koottam,' extended a kind and timely gesture to Vikram Sugumaran's grieving family. As a mark of respect and support, he donated ₹5 lakh to assist them during this difficult period. The contribution was handed over to the director's mother by Kannan Ravi's son, Deepak Ravi. The occasion was witnessed by several industry figures including actor Shanthanu Bhagyaraj, Amma Creations' , and FEFSI president and filmmaker R.K. Selvamani. Industry veterans witness the touching gesture during the cheque handover Producer Kannan Ravi expressed his deep sorrow at the loss of Vikram Sugumaran, calling him a filmmaker filled with both passion and promise. 'It's unfortunate that the industry lost such a talented director before he could fully show the extent of his creative abilities. His sudden demise is a loss we feel deeply,' he said, offering prayers for Vikram Sugumaran's soul to rest in peace. 'His family is like our own,' says Kannan Ravi as he pays tribute Speaking to the press and media, Kannan Ravi also added that Vikram Sugumaran's family is like his own, and that the 'Raavanan Koottam' team shares a bond that goes beyond just cinema. His thoughtful gesture has been widely appreciated, highlighting the solidarity and compassion that still exists in the Tamil film fraternity during times of loss.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Ravana Kootam' producer Kannan Ravi donates Rs 5 lakh to late director Vikram Sugumaran's family
Kannan Ravi, the producer of director Vikram Sugumaran 's last released film 'Ravana Kootam', has now presented a cheque for Rs five lakh to the family members of the late director. Filmmaker Vikram Sugumaran, best known for his critically acclaimed directorial debut 'Madha Yaanai Kootam', passed away on Monday in Chennai following a cardiac arrest. He was 47. Sugumaran was on his way back from Madurai after narrating a new script to a producer when he experienced severe chest pain. Though he was rushed to a nearby hospital, doctors were unable to resuscitate him. 04:25 Kamal Haasan Faces Ban in Karnataka Over Kannada Language Row, Minister Demands Apology | Thug Life The Tamil film industry was left in deep shock following the sudden and unexpected demise of director Vikram Sugumaran, known for his distinct voice and storytelling. It is under these circumstances that producer Kannan Ravi, who had produced Vikram Sugumaran's last film 'Raavana Kottam', donated a sum of Rs Five lakhs to the late filmmaker's family as a token of support during this time of irreparable loss. The cheque was handed over to Vikram Sugumaran's mother. The Ravana Kootam team also offered their condolences and expressed solidarity with the grieving family. The cheque was presented in the presence of notable industry figures including actor Shanthanu Bhagyaraj, Amma Creations T. Siva, and FEFSI President Director R.K. Selvamani. Speaking about Vikram Sugumaran's loss, producer Kannan Ravi said, "It's deeply disheartening for us to process the sudden loss of director Vikram Sugumaran. He was a remarkably talented and passionate filmmaker, whose ideas and vision stood out. It's truly unfortunate that the industry has lost him before we could see the full extent of his brilliance. My prayers go out to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace. The Raavana Kottam team will always consider his family as our own." Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Choreographer Dinesh accused of misusing ₹35 lakh; he refutes the allegations
Dinesh is allegedly said to have been resorting to violence when members of the Cine Dancers and Dance Directors Association (TANTTNNIS) confronted him regarding the non-payment of dues. Choreographer Dinesh has been accused of misconduct and embezzlement of 35 lakh. The amount, in particular, was reportedly promised for freelance dancers who worked with him in the song Naa Ready from Vijay's Leo. Dinesh is allegedly said to have been resorting to violence when members of the Cine Dancers and Dance Directors Association (TANTTNNIS) confronted him regarding the non-payment of dues. It is also being reported that Dinesh assaulted a member of the union. What happened? The non-payment issue is said to have come to light when a dancer approached Leo 's production house and claimed that they weren't paid, months after the song was shot. The studio clarified that the payment had been routed through the dancers' union. Shortly after, president of Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI), RK Selvamani stated that the dues had been cleared. Dinesh reportedly hired over 1,000 additional freelancers for the shoot since TANTTNNIS only had 600 registered members. Reportedly, the production company disbursed ₹94.60 lakh to the union dancers, and the freelancers were earmarked a sum of ₹10,500 each, which, they say, hasn't reached them. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Dinesh's clarification… Addressing the media, Dinesh clarified, 'FEFSI and Producers' Council together fixed an amount to pay those who aren't part of the dancers union. We gave the (freelance) dancers' bank account list to producers, who directly credited the amount to their account. I don't know what went wrong after that.' ' Leo came out in 2023 and, in every (dancers) union election, this has been brought up,' said Dinesh, who holds an official post in the union. Acknowledging that an altercation did indeed happen, Dinesh added, 'A Canadian choreographer used to send me voice notes in WhatsApp stating that I'm an unfit president of the union. It affected me because I think I'm fit for this position.' He added that the video of his altercation that's doing the rounds on social media is sped up and heavily edited. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce thanks TN CM for reducing Local Body Entertainment Tax
The South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday expressed its heartfelt gratitude to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin for accepting its request to reduce the Local Body Entertainment Tax on films from eight per cent to four per cent. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In a statement that it issued on Tuesday, the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce said that reduction of the Local Body had long been a consistent plea from the Tamil film industry and that it took the initiative to bring this matter to the attention of the government. Pointing out that Chief Minister had now reduced the tax from 8 per cent to four per cent, the SIFCC said that it sincerely thanked Chief Minister M K Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister , and Minister for Information and Publicity M.P. Saminathan. "This decision by the Tamil Nadu Government stands as a great boon to the Tamil film industry. There is no doubt that this move will further the growth and strengthen the position of Tamil cinema. Therefore, once again, on behalf of the entire Tamil film industry, we extend our sincere thanks to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu," it said. Debate: Bollywood extravaganza in a huge fix The decision to slash the Local Body Entertainment Tax, which comes in response to long-standing appeals from the film fraternity, has been widely welcomed by producers, distributors, and industry bodies. Each year, more than 1,000 films are released across Tamil Nadu, and the eight per cent entertainment tax - added on top of the GST- was often cited as a burden, especially for small and medium-budget films. Members of the industry have repeatedly pointed out that the high tax structure was adversely affecting their ability to recover production and distribution costs, particularly in the case of low-budget ventures. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Now, the state government's move to halve the tax is being hailed as a timely relief. The Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) expressed its heartfelt gratitude to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for heeding the industry's plea. In a statement, FEFSI said that the reduction would help revive the struggling sector and provide much-needed encouragement to smaller filmmakers. However, theatre owners have expressed a more measured response. Tirupur Subramaniam, a leading distributor, theatre owner, and former president of the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners and Exhibitors' Association, welcomed the government's intent but clarified that the reduction in entertainment tax would not lead to any cut in ticket price.
India Today
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Movie ticket prices to reduce in Tamil Nadu ahead of Thug Life release. Here's how
The Tamil Nadu government slashed the Local Bodies Entertainment Tax (LBET) from 8.6 per cent to 4 per cent. This move comes after Kamal Haasan appealed to the government, emphasising the struggles that the Tamil film industry is going through. This order will come to fruition ahead of the release of 'Thug Life', which will hit theatres on June Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) thanked and expressed their gratitude to MK Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. They also thanked Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Minister for Tamil Development and Information Thiru MP actor-producer Kamal Haasan appealed to the Tamil Nadu government to cut down on the tax, while stressing the financial struggles faced by the Tamil film industry in recent times, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. The revised order, which was issued under the Tamil Nadu Local Authorities Entertainments Tax Act, 2017, will be reflected in the ticket pricing. Earlier, local body tax was priced at 8.6 per move is expected to increase footfall in theatres and reduce the pressure that producers and exhibitors have been facing. The film industry has been struggling financially due to rising production producers and distributors welcomed this decision and expressed their relief. This move will help Kamal Haasan's upcoming film, 'Thug Life,' directed by Mani Ratnam and upcoming movies in the state.
