After a long time, Mohanlal simply rocks in Shaji Kailas directed Red Chillies. When it comes to stylish visuals, there are not many who can match director Shaji Kailas' technical finesse, in Malayalam. With quirky cuts, immaculate close-ups, hard hitting punch lines and sizzling effects, it's nothing less than a visual treat. The hero, OMR (Mohanlal) is a high flying businessman and owns a radio station in Kerala. But still, no one has a clue about him or his whereabouts! OMR talks tough, acts tougher, drives swanky cars and lives life, king size. The film begins when 'Red Chillies', the popular gang of radio jockeys working for OMR's Radio Station in Kochi, runs into big trouble. On a New Year eve, they are accused of killing a hunk, after a gang rape. Worse still, they are also indicted in the hit-and-run issue on the same fateful night, where a group of agitating workers, led by Comrade Mani Varghese (Thilakan) is brutally crushed to death under the wheels of their car. Mani's son, Stalin (Biju Menon) an IPS officer and Commissioner Vyasan (Siddique) start investigating into the crime. Soon, OMR comes to Kerala, to save the gals in trouble. But sadly, picture-perfect frames cannot keep you hooked on to the screen for more than two hours. You also need a tight and gripping screenplay and that is exactly where the film begins to falter. On simpler terms, is all style but lacks substance, at least to a great extent! Shaji's camera keeps the suspense thriller moving at a rapid pace, though it is a bit too long at 2 hours 35 minutes. A.K Sajan's script has been inspired from Morgan Freeman- Ashley Judd starrer Kiss the Girls (1997). Mohanlal, sporting a bearded look and flashy outfits, looks absolutely convincing as OMR. The way he delivers the Kidilan punch line, Onnum Marakkilla Rama is a treat to watch. The rest of the cast Biju Menon, Siddique and Thilakan do their parts pretty well. There are too many loose ends that looms large in the script but such aspects are better left out, as the whole storyline is perhaps not meant to be taken too seriously.

Red Chillies would have been a better film if the makers had spent more time on the basics, meaning the story and the script, rather than at the editing and computer-graphics. Still it is a edge-of-the seat crime thriller with gritty performance by Mohanlal that keep the mercury rising.

Lekha Washington, the former Chennai based television anchor who had done Tamil films like Jayam Kondan has joined the Bollywood bound bandwagon of Asin, Genelia, Sada and others. She is playing the lead role opposite Rajeev Khandelwal, the blue-eyed boy of small screen who was sensational in Aamir, in Peter Gaya Kaam Se , being produced by UTV's Spotboy productions. The film is directed by John Owens, who is a British filmmaker based in India. Lekha told from Mumbai: “I am super excited about this film where I have a very interesting role. Right now, I am getting trained in martial arts, bike training and kick boxing as I play an undercover agent”.

ayam Ravi the most eligible bachelor in Kollywood has finally been hooked. He has fallen in love with Aarthi a Chennai based girl and elder daughter of Sujatha Vijayakumar noted Television producer who had made Veerappu with Sundar C.For the last few days, Kollywood grapevine was abuzz with rumours about the affair between Ravi and Aarthi and that they had tied the knot on Valentine Day. But director M. Raja, brother of Ravi clarified that : “Ravi is shooting for the last schedule of Peranmai in Talakona forest near Tirupati. Once the film releases, the date of the marriage will be announced by the family”. Raja also added that Aarthi is an MBA graduate from UK and the family will be supporting the decision of Ravi. There have been rumours that Ravi’s dad the noted Editor Mohan was not in favour of the alliance. We wish the couple all the best for the future...........

Mohanlal's new Blessy film Bhramaram has been launched. The 'pooja' ceremony of this film took place at Hotel Highway Garden in Kochi. Mons Joseph, Minister for Public Works in Kerala Government, lit the traditional lamp in the ceremony. The film is being produced by Raju Malliath and Zulfikar under the banner of Yuvan Entertainments. The film will be Blessy's first attempt at creating a thriller. Says Blessy, the director of the film: " The film is about the journey from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu to Marayoor in Idukki District of Kerala of Mohanlal who plays a lorry driver who meets diverse and different sort of people during this journey. Bhoomika plays heroine, others in the cast include Suresh Menon, Murali Krishna, Baby Niveditha and Tamil actor Madan Babu."

The most eagerly awaited Vishu release Dileep- Nayanthara starrer Bodyguard directed by hit maker Siddique has been postponed. The film which was to be completed in 55 days, is taking time to be wrapped up. Added to that Nayanthara who had given bulk dates, has now to go and shoot her Telugu and Tamil films. Taking all this into consideration the producers Johnny Sagarika has informed the theatres that it is unlikely to make it for Vishu.Another 25 days shoot is to take place from end March, and then a month's post production means the film will be ready only May end for release.

Taking forward his well-known legacy of taking off his shirt, Bollywood star Salman Khan has done it again - this time on Zee TV's reality show Lux Dance India Dance. When one of the contestants requested Salman to take his shirt off, he said: "Main har bar shirt utaarta hoon. Abhi shirt utaarte utaarte main thhak gaya hoon. Abhi main pant utarta hoon. (I always take off my shirt. I'm tired of doing it. Now I want to take off my pants)." However, Salman ultimately obliged his fans and took off his shirt to show off his well-toned body. He has been working out aggressively for his upcoming historical drama Veer.

Sanjay Kapoor says Working in Zoya Akhtar's Luck By Chance had brought back fond memories of his former co-star Juhi Chawla. "Shooting with Juhi, who is my co-star in Luck By Chance, instantly took me back to the days when we did Kartavya together. Juhi was my leading lady. Divya Bharti was the original heroine of the film. But she had to be replaced with Juhi because of her untimely demise. "Sanjay said that he had a great time since he was familiar with most people on the sets.