Big opened its first cinema in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu

Big Cinemas, part of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group and entertainment
conglomerate Adlabs Films, has opened its first cinema in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu.

This has been done after the transformation of KG Cinema into KG BIG Cinema after architectural and technical renovation.

Big Cinemas had tied up with KG Cinemas in April 2008. The cinema has been non-operational from August due to the refurbishment. With four screens and a total capacity of 2325 seats, the multiplex is designed to assure utmost cinematic comforts and services.

According to Tushar Dhingra, COO of Big Cinemas: “Our focus has been to constantly innovate and provide a world class movie experience. We have received a favourable response from the KG BIG Cinemas’ moviegoers previously and are keen on increasing their enthusiasm.”

The refurbished KG Big Cinemas is now equipped with air-conditioned auditoriums, plush push back seats, floor lights, and hygienic washrooms. KG Big Cinemas will raise the bar of cinematic experience forever in Coimbatore.

While maintaining the original charm of the building, the cinema has also been refurbished with digital sound systems and superior Xenon projection systems in order to provide an international cinematic experience. For easy procurement of tickets, KG Big Cinemas has increased the number of Box Office counters, and also offers for the first time Internet booking options.

“Coimbatore is considered to be the Manchester of South India with a booming textile sector, engineering hub and plans for major IT players to start operations in the city. We are excited to see that our locations have transformed into destinations for guests who want to view movies in the most powerful format. We also see immense potential for this property thanks to its strategic location at Bungalow Road , Race Course,” added Dhingra.

Moviebuzz Shriya's Hollywood dreams go bust , now looking more eagerly at Kollywood.

The Other End Of the Line was the film which Shriya was depending a lot, her debut film in Hollywood. The film produced by Ashok Amritraj which released in US last Friday has bombed miserably at the box-office and the reviews too has been scathing.

The film made on a shoe-string budget of $ 2.5 million (Rs 12.5 crore), could gross only $ 57, 000 (approximately Rs 28 lakhs) from 91 screens in its opening weekend.

A leading US distributor of Tamil films says: "Shriya's Rajnikanth film Sivaji collected almost four times this amount in its opening weekend from lesser number of screens!" The failure of the film has Shriya now looking more eagerly at Kollywood.

She has more or less taken a decision to stick to Tamil cinema and compete with arch rival Nayanthara! A few days back she has signed Vishal’s Thoranam, to be directed by debutant Ayappan. She will be shooting for the film by the end of the month.

Aishwarya Rai and Rajnikanth at world heritage site in Peru for Enthiran Shooting

What happens when super-duper star Rajinikanth and world’s most beautiful woman, Aishwarya Rai dance arm-in-arm? Obviously, an unprecedented visual treat! Yes, recently the awesome-twosome shot an amazing dance sequence for their forthcoming film ‘Robot’. The lady was seen wearing ostrich feathers and her Rajini sir was at his stylish best. The spicy song sequence was shot at the UNESCO declared world famous heritage site - Machu Pichhu in Peru and the film went on to become the first ever shot there. Wow!

‘Robot’, one of the most promising movies of 2008, has been in news for more than one reason. Earlier, Shah Rukh had to star in the film but due to 'creative differences' with dirtector Shankar, he opted out. In walked the ‘baap’ of all superstars – the one and only Rajinikanth. After some hussle and tussle between SRK and director Shankar, the film was renamed as Enthiram. Grapevine also has it that Shankar will be shooting for his film in other exotic locales like South America, too.

The film is to be produced by Ayngaran and Eros International. AR Rahman has been roped in for music. This will be the second film for Ash under Shankar's direction after 'Jeans'.

Earlier, in an interview to a news daily, Aishwarya talked in glowing details about the Tamil superstar, “Rajini Sir is such a wonderful human being. He has been so close to the family, too. I am glad and honoured to be working with him."

When asked about heroines getting sidelined in a Rajini film, Aishwarya refuted the claim, "I don't think it's a fair statement. You can't but be fascinated by this phenomenon called Rajini sir. He is so super-fascinating and intriguing to his audience. I don't think it's a deliberate attempt by any director to sideline any actor/character working along with him."

Hubby Abhishek, do we smell something burning? As for us, we can’t help but wait eagerly to see the fascinating pair onscreen!

Earlier, in an interview to a news daily, Aishwarya Rai talked in glowing details about the Tamil superstar, “Rajini Sir is such a wonderful human being. He has been so close to the family, too. I am glad and honoured to be working with him.”

When asked about heroines getting sidelined in a Rajini film, Aishwarya refuted the claim, “I don’t think it’s a fair statement. You can’t but be fascinated by this phenomenon called Rajini sir. He is so super-fascinating and intriguing to his audience. I don’t think it’s a deliberate attempt by any director to sideline any actor/character working along with him.”

It will be interesting to watch the good vibes between this fascinating pair on screen when Enthiram hits the theatres.

MGM with Star Den joins in Indian television market

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc (MGM) will be launching the MGM channel in India, the world’s third largest cable market. Carriage of the MGM channel will be handled by Star Den Media Services Pvt Ltd (Star Den), the distribution joint venture between News Corp's Star India, the leading television Network in India, and Den Digital Entertainment Network, one of India's leading cable companies.

The announcement was made by Bruce Tuchman, Executive Vice-President, MGM Networks at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. Star Den will handle distribution of the MGM channel, wholly-owned by MGM, to cable platforms operating in a nation-wide cable market of over 70 million homes. This will significantly increase the reach of the MGM channel, which is currently available in India through Dish TV, the country’s largest direct-to-home satellite platform. In addition, the Star Den carriage agreement will also help the MGM channel secure carriage on new DTH and IPTV platforms that are emerging across the country.

In announcing the deal, Tuchman stated: “Being backed by Star India and Den is the ultimate seal of approval in the eyes of India’s cable operators, and we’re thrilled that we will be distributed as part of Star Den’s unrivaled bouquet of channel offerings. By working with Star Den, MGM will now have a compelling opportunity to extend and accelerate our channel’s reach throughout the widest possible audience in the large and burgeoning Indian television market.”
Commenting on the launch of MGM channel, Gurjeev Singh Kapoor, CEO of Star Den, stated: “MGM with its huge library of compelling Hollywood movies will bring a great value addition to the Star Den bouquet of channels and will indeed compliment the best of English programming it offers to viewers in the country.”

As one of the most powerful brand names in film entertainment, the 24-hour MGM channel offers film lovers in India round-the-clock movies from MGM’s celebrated 4,000 title library, the largest modern film library in the world. Highlights among the channel’s planned movie offerings in the coming year are Woody Allen’s Manhattan, Network, Carrie, A Passage To India, Midnight Cowboy, The Pink Panther Strikes Again, Mystic Pizza, Desperately Seeking Susan, and many others.

Ajith will be paired with Sameera Reddy - FOR Gautam Vasudev Menon Direction

With Aegan set for a Diwali release, Ajith will begin his next project on November 2. The yet-to-titled movie will be directed by Gautam Vasudev Menon and Ajith will be paired with Sameera Reddy.Shooting for this movie, which will be produced by Sivaji Films, is set to begin in Chennai and is expected to continue in Rameshwaram. Despite being an action movie, Ajith will not be a cop in this movie, which will be the first time Gautam teams up with Ajith. The movie will also bring together Gautam and Harris Jayaraj, whose streak of five movies with Gautam, was broken by Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikalam, in which AR Rahman scores the music. The new project will have Nirav Shah as the cinematographer.Meanwhile, Gautam’s Vaaranam Aayiram is finally heading for an audio launch on September 24 at Sathyam Cinemas.

Priya Mani previews in Chennai

On Wednesday night (September 17), Priya Mani held a special show of her controversial Malayalam film Thirakkatha at the Four Frames for her close friends and family members.

In the film based on the life and romantic journey of the late yesteryear actress Srividya, Priyamani is brilliant. The film's writer and director Ranjit too was present for the show.

Kamal - Srividya romance is now a film!

Those who attended the show included Dhanush, Revathy, Seven Arts Vijayakumar and personalities from Malayalam film world. After the show, all the women were seen trying to hold back their tears as the film leaves a lump in your throat.

Revathy in her trade mark off-white salwar-kameez went and hugged Priyamani. Said Priya after the show: “I am extremely fortunate to have bagged this wonderful role at a time when heroines have nothing much to do in mainstream cinema. I am happy to balance my roles in commercial and off-beat films as I enjoy doing both”.

Priya Mani in an all-new gallery

Priyamani who has just completed a song shoot of her Bharath starrer Aarumugham in Hyderabad, flew down to attend the preview show.

Priya Mani pictures:

Kollywood's New Film Production Company

More movies are in the offing for the Tamil film buff as TV networks take to film production. After years of speculation, Sun TV network has finally ventured into film production and distribution.

The Kalanithi Maran controlled media conglomerate which dominates the television market in the south, already has a presence in print media, FM Radio and DTH. They also have the biggest Tamil film library in the world holding the telecast rights of nearly 3000 Tamil films.

According to a recent market study, television channels which have their own film production units will rule, as cinema has far more reach than soaps or reality shows.

The entry of corporates into Kollywood and the launch of new Tamil channels have further intensified the competition between television channels for film content. At a glittering function in Chennai last week, the COO of the company Hansraj Saxena unveiled the logo and announced the setting up of Sun Pictures and also talked about its future moves. As of now, their first release will be Atlantic Cinema’s Kadhalil Vizhundaen, which has the chartbuster Vijay Antony number Nakku Mukka.

The film is to be the launch pad of Boys Nakul as hero. They also have two Jeeva films — Thenavattu and Siva Manasilla Sakthi (SMS) — and Sundar C’s Thee and Narain’s Pookada Ravi.

Hansraj Saxena, popularly known as Sax, is Kalanithi Maran’s right-hand man, the one behind the network and all its channels in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. Sax is on first name terms with most Kollywood stars and producers. He says, “For the last three years, we have been looking to set up our own film production and marketing company. We feel the time is now ripe as Kollywood is booming and small movies made on a reasonable budget are also doing good business. Added to that, we needed to create content for our network, and producing our own films makes good business sense.”
It is a Hollywood style studio management system that is being followed by them. The company funds independent producers who have a decent proposal, after Sax and his team clear the script and the actors. The nitty-gritty of production and daily hassles of shooting and completing the project on time is the responsibility of the line producer.
According to Sax, “At the end of the day, it is the opening a film gets that matters, so we will use all our resources for that.”
Recently, after Junglee Music and the FM channels made the Vijay Antony composed song Nakku Mukka, from Kadhalil Vizhindaen an anthem of sorts, Sun Pictures, who were marketing the film, decided to re-shoot it giving it a rich look.
Now, they will be premiering the song on all television channels, a week before the film’s release later this month. Sax says, “We are gung-ho about Tamil cinema, where new faces and ideas are being accepted.”
Sreedhar Pillai

Business news: Indian Hotels opens Gateway to better branding

Indian Hotels Company Ltd (IHCL), that runs Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces, launched its third brand, The Gateway Hotel (upscale brand), on Thursday in addition to the already existing brands including Taj (luxury) and Ginger (economy). The group will be soon launching a fourth brand as well.

“We plan to have specific brand to cater to a different set of travellers. Some of the properties did not match up to the demand of the customers. Taj kept acquiring properties that were not matching what the Taj stands for and there was a need for positioning the brands in such a manner that the customers get maximum satisfaction,” said Ajoy K Misra, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Indian Hotels Company Ltd.

Under the Gateway brand, Taj group is aiming to have 50 hotels in the next three years. “We will be bringing 16 existing hotel properties under this brand, 10 new properties will be added soon, and 15 properties are under negotiation,” said Misra.

“The Gateway Hotel will be a new brand catering to the emerging set of contemporary travellers. Gateway is a part of the Taj Group’s strategy to have a large footprint across India,” said Raymond N Bickson, managing director, Indian Hotels Company Ltd.

Bickson said that the group is looking at scaling up the brand to a large number of hotels across India. The group is open to both owning and management model for the brand. The brand will be present in all business districts and leisure locations across India.

Currently, the group has about 1,300 rooms already under the Gateway brand, which it plans to double in the next three years. The average room rate of Gateway brand hotels will range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 depending upon the location.

The hotels that will be re-flagged under the Gateway brand are in cities like Agra, Bangalore, Calicut, Chikmagalur, Coonoor, Jaipur, Jaisalmer,Madurai, Mangalore, Nasik, Sasan Gir, Surat, Vadodara, Varanasi, Vijayawada and Vishakhapatnam. While the new locations looked at for the Gateway brand are Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Jullunder, Mysore, Navi Mumbai, Raipur and Gondia.

On investment, Misra said, “Around Rs 40 lakh per room will be invested in the new Gateway hotel project, while investment in existing projects that are being refurbished is much less. The properties under this brand currently have around 100-200 rooms.

Source:financial express.com

Tamil Cinema: A different route for a Tamil film

I DIDN'T know anything about this movie when I went to see it except that it starred popular actors Prakash Raj and and Jayaram (a Malayalam film comedian).

So, it was a surprise to find 2½ hours passing by quickly. These veteran actors were not the main characters in the movie, however, they were five new youngsters.

Saroja is unlike most Tamil movies in that it's a kind of road movie with lots of action and suspense.

Four friends (Vaibhav, S.P. Charan, Premji and Shiva) decide to go on a long-distance trip — from Chennai to Hyderabad — to see a cricket game.
At some point in the journey, they are forced to take a shortcut that takes them through hell. They become involved in a kidnapping of a girl called Saroja (Vega) and have to use their wits to stay alive and also flee from criminals.

There is plenty of humor throughout the movie and, and the songs are mercifully kept to a minimum.

Director Venkat Prabhu's first directorial venture Pacecode Chennai 600028 (also about cricket) proved to be an unexpected hit.

While most scenes have been handled well, a few show up the director's inexperience. For example, the four face death at every turn, but for some strange reason, they don't arm themselves with the knives and guns they seize from the bad guys.

Some scenes look grainy, probably because many of them were filmed at night.

Running the goof-ups at the end of the film's credits seems out of place in an action movie.

Prakash Raj plays Saroja's father while Jayaram is the police officer assigned to rescue her.

Rather than the actors, it is the story (inspired by Hollywood's Judgement Night) and its treatment that is the winner here.

Saroja will satisfy moviegoers looking for a Tamil film with a difference

Simbu’s new heroine is Sarath Kumar's beautiful daughter Varalaxmi in Poda Podi

At the 55th Tiger Balm Filmfare Awards (South), on Saturday evening at the Nehru stadium, the cynosure of all eyes was Sarath Kumar and his beautiful daughter Varalaxmi looking gorgeous in a blue net sari with intricate zardosi work.

It looked like Sarath was officially launching her at Kollywood’s biggest bash, though they came just to attend the function. They got top billing and were invited on stage to present Priyamani with her award.

The grapevine was abuzz with rumours a few weeks ago that Varalaxmi Sarath Kumar was going to play Simbu’s heroine in his next film Poda Podi, a musical love story, to be shot in Toronto by a US-based NRI. Varalaxmi, Sarath’s daughter from his first marriage to Chaya, a designer and social worker, is beautiful, tall and attractive. She is also articulate, has style and élan to be a movie star, and is said to be a good dancer.

Varalaxmi or Varu as she is called at home has done her PhD in microbiology and has an MSc in management from the Edinburgh University in Scotland.

Speaking exclusively to CT, Varu says, “I always wanted to be an actress. I had done some stage shows and was also very impressed by Cats, the Broadway show. I even staged the show in Chennai for my friends and family. I think that must have impressed my dad, who agreed to launch me in movies.” Varu has done a six-month acting course from the prestigious Anupam Kher’s Actor Prepares academy in Mumbai.

When contacted, Sarath Kumar says, “I believe any talent has to be encouraged. Like any father, I wanted her to complete her basic studies and then branch out into acting, which is her passion. Her stage show impressed me a lot. I know she has it in her to make it big in cinema. I will always be there as her guiding force to make her career a success.”

Tamil Latest Movie Subramanyapuram - a quick Review

Debutant director Sasi Kumar tries to present a different show through his much expected Subramanyapuram with the typical eighties backdrop. A former associate of Bala and Ameer, Sasi has come out with a fine watch worthy movie.

The film is the story of four youths growing up in Madurai locality and turn as killers due to unemployment and circumstances. Azhagar (Jai), Paramar (director Sasi Kumar), Kasi (Kanja Garuppu) and a handicapped young man in Subramanyapuram area. They do the odd jobs and working as sincere cadets of local politicians Somu and his brother (Samudrakani). Azhagar, the hero among the four, latter falls in love with the Somu's daughter Thulasi (Swathy). But his gang opposes the love and warns him many occasions.

Meanwhile the councilor's brother uses them to murder a party rival, promising they will be bailed out. Azhagar and Paramar committing the murder and surrender in the court. But nobody comes to bail them out. Later they realize that all are the planned conspiracy of the local politician. Now the gang turns into a revenge mood, which leads to a bloodshed second half.

The way of presentation beats the story but keep the viewers to stay in their seats. The art director and costume designer has worked hard to give that feel and look of the Madurai of the 80's. The camera work is excellent and it gives the feel of eighties in the first half, particularly in that theater scene.

The director is often using Illayaraja's golden hits and BGM in many scenes that give a different colour to the film. At the same time, we must appreciate music director James Vasant for coming out with some retro music.

The only drawback is that the film is too bloody and gory in the second half, particularly in the murder of Azhagar and Paramar's way of revenge for that (He just cut the throat of the villain in a running auto with a knife).

The actors are newcomers but contribute excellently throughout the film. Jai (Chennai-28 fame) as the romantic killer with the typical eighties costume has done a commendable job. The director comes in the role of Paramar also a welcome new face. The handicapped guy, Ganja Garuppu and Samudrakani are simply excellent. The new heroine Swathy is refreshing and her eyes speak a lot than her lips.

Sasi Kumar should be patted back for his hard work to recreate the magic of eighties on the screen with a sincere screenplay. No doubt, Subramanyapuram is a worthy film to list out top 20 Tamil films released in recent years.

Kamal Haasan's do's but Kamal Fans(Kamalians) don't

WITH two days left for the release of Kamal Haasan’s Dasavathaaram, a sense of restrained elation grips the 18 lakh registered fans of the Tamizhaga Kamal Haasan Narpani Mandram.

Yet, it seems like the recent spurt of multiplexes, their regulations and strict orders from Haasan, who is president of this association, will keep the celebration of fans a low key affair. Fans will definitely put up over 300 banners of the actor in every theatre in the city. But these will last only a week. “Regulations state that we can put up banners only three days before the release and they can stay only for three days after release,” says R Gunaseelan, administrator of the TKHNM.

“Add to these the regulations governing the recent multiplexes. Abirami used to be one of the hotspots for celebrations on the D-Day. But we’re not allowed to do that anymore because it has become a multiplex,” he adds.

And even in theatres where the movie will be screened, celebrations will be relatively subdued. “No paal abhishekams, arathys and crackers as the actor is against that,” says Gunaseelan.

Hassan fans across the country still have their ways to beat the plethora of curbs. During the release of Mumbai Express, fans in Madurai distributed blouse pieces to all women in the theatre. In Dindigul, fans gave out kumkuma chimizhs to all fans. And in Theni, free crackers were given to all those visiting the theatre.

Guneseelan says complying with the actor’s wish to keep it a narpani mandram, plans are on to take senior citizens for the movie in every district.

Apart from the TKHNM, other Haasan fans are also gearing up for the D-Day. In fact, an Orkut Kamal Haasan group has distributed T-Shirts and held a meeting of Kamalians, as these fans call themselves, in Puducherry. A new thread started there states that a member joins and makes plans for the D-Day every two minutes.

Funny Bunny Jokes - Non Veg Jokes - Comedy Videos

Feeling' Good

(Read this at your own risk)

When asked by their host if she would like another drink, the
attractive blond e bowed her head slightly and said,
"No thank you. My husband limits me to one drink."
"Why is that," the host asked?
Her reply... "Because after one drink I can feel it; after two drinks
...anyone can!"

BAD NEWS

(Read this at your own risk)

A doctor goes to his office one Monday and is shocked to find that it has been ransacked and the files have all been mixed up. He sees the file for Mrs. Smith, but her chart is mixed up with some of the others and he can't tell which is which.

He finally narrows it down to two charts and he decides to call her house. Mr.Smith answers the phone."Mr. Smith, this is Dr. Jenkins. I have bad news. Your wife either has AIDS or Alzheimer's disease, I don't know which.

"Well, what should I do?" asks a distraught Mr. Smith.

"Drop her off at the edge of town," says the doctor, "and if she finds her way back,
DON'T F*** HER!"

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One Early morning a mother went to her sleeping son and woke him up.

MOM: "Wake up, son. It's time to go to school."

SON: "But why, Mama? I don't want to go to school."

MOM: "Give me two reasons why you don't want to go to school."

SON: "One, all the children hate me. Two, all the teachers hate me."

MOM: "Oh! that's not a reason. Come on, you have to go to school."

SON: "Give me two good reasons WHY I *should* go to school?"

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MOM: "One, you are FIFTY-TWO years old. Two, you are the PRINCIPAL of
the school

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The Great Stunt show - A Comedy video

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Some funny pictures

Bollywood to Kollywood - Another remake film

Yet another remake film in Kollywood! Bollywood blockbuster Taxi Number 9211 in which Nana Patekar, John Abraham, Sameera Reddy, Sonali Kulkarni played the lead roles will soon be remade in Tamil. Pasupathy has bagged Nana Patekar's role and Simran will play his wife in the film. May Madham-fame Sonali Kulkarni has also been signed up, while the team is still scouting for another male lead. Sources say that film is for the present is called Taxi, but the title will be changed to benefit from the tax sops. Pasupathy, presently associated with Kuselan and Vedigundu Murugesan, will work on this project once his commitment with Kuselan is over, says sources.
Taxi Number 9211 - Cast

• Nana Patekar
  
• John Abraham
  
• Sonali Kulkarni
  
• Sameera Reddy
  
• Kurush Deboo
  
• Shivaji Satham
  
• Priyanka Chopra
  
• Sanjay Dutt
  

Mercedes Benz demand from cities like Madurai, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi

Buoyed by the rising demand for luxury cars in the Indian market, Mercedes-Benzautomobile maker Mercedes Benz India announced that it aims to sell 3,000 cars across the country within the existing year.

The luxury car maker sold 2,491 units in India during the last year

Wilfred Aulbur, company's Managing Director and CEO, stated, “Across India there is a significant demand for luxury cars and luxury products. For us this is very encouraging as it indicates that the economic development in the last few years is paying off.”

The company today kicked off its Kerala dealer Rajasree Motors’ new showroom at nearby Maradu.

The company was able to sell 1,300 Mercedes-Benz cars in Kerala during the first four months of this year.

“While Delhi and Mumbai are the two big important markets, down south there is a close race between Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore. There is a growing demand from cities like Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai,” Mr. Aulbur added.

The company has also expressed its interest in the luxury bus segment, and had signed up a deal with Jalandhar-based Sutlej Motors for the creation of the bus body. The launch of the luxury bus is scheduled in the second half of the existing year.

In order to meet up future requirements, Mercedes Benz is also establishing a Rs 350 crore manufacturing plant at Chakan in Pune on a 100 acre area. The plant would have an annual capacity to make 5,000 passenger cars and 1,200 commercial vehicles.

The Mercedes Benz locally makes S Class, E class and C class cars in India, and imports Mercedes Benz S class, M class, CL class and popular SLK class and CLS class as completely built units.

Info about Mercedes-Benz:

• Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of luxury and high-performance automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks owned by Daimler AG. Mercedes-Benz has, over the years, introduced many technological and safety features that have become common in modern vehicles.
• Mercedes-Benz automobiles are available at dealerships in over 130 countries and their work fleet (trucks and commercial vehicles) are available from a group of dealers worldwide as well as the factory-direct. As with several European brand automobiles, Mercedes has offered a European delivery option for purchasing of a Mercedes-Benz automobile for American customers.
• Today Mercedes-Benz has a full range of passenger, light commercial and heavy commercial vehicles. Production is on a Global basis. The Smart brand of city cars has also been part of the Mercedes-Benz Group since 1994.
• Since its inception, Mercedes-Benz had a reputation for quality and durability. Objective measures looking at Passenger vehicles such as J.D. Power surveys demonstrated a downturn in reputation in this area in the late 1990s and early 2000s. By 2005, Mercedes temporarily returned to the industry average for initial quality, according to J.D. Power.[1] In J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study for the first quarter of 2007, Mercedes showed dramatic improvement by climbing to 4th place, surpassing quality leader Toyota and earning several awards for its models

The great Khali coming to Madurai for a Bollywood film

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) star 'The great Khali' is all set to star in a Bollywood film being shot extensively in Madurai. Khali who is in India for a month-long vacation made himself available for the shooting of a Bollywood film 'Khushti' at Aathamkudi in Sivagangai District in Tamil Nadu. At a press conference in Mumbai, Khali expressed his happiness at getting the opportunity to work in a Bollywood film. Khali is playing a character role in 'Khushti'. "The director is very good. He taught me everything very well. I am thankful to the entire crew. I am fortunate to have such a good crew," said Khali. The film made under Venus Films will also star Rajpal Yadav, Asrani, Nargis and Manoj Joshi. "I feel that people like Khali are an inspiration for our country. In spite of reaching tremendous heights, he is extremely humble. I don't think any other superstar is like him," said Rajpal Yadav, Bollywood Actor. Nargis, who is the lead female protagonist and Khali's costar in the movie being directed by director TK Rajeev Kumar is very excited about working with Khali. "I was awestruck and speechless. I had no words. Khali is like a giant with a very gentle heart. He is a very nice person, very grounded, very humble," said Nargis. Nargis had earlier appeared in a Bollywood flick named 'Garam Masala'. The WWE star has already worked in a Hollywood movie 'The longest yard' and now he will act in a Bollywood children's adventure film 'Ramma-The Saviour'. Khali, 35, the tallest WWE wrestler, is 7 feet 3 inches and weighs 190 kilograms. He took to bodybuilding and won the Mr. India title in 1995 and 1996. He worked as a porter before joining the state police in Punjab. He is now a sub-inspector in the police force and is on long leave to continue the fight in WWE.

source: indiatimes.com


The Great Khali Profile

Real Name: Dalip Singh Rana
Best Known As: " The Great Khali " for his professional wrestling career in World Wrestling Entertainment. WWE Management gave him the name after the great GODDESS of Power "KALI", her trait of destroying evil.
Born On: August 27, 1972

Hometown: Dhirana in Himachal Pradesh.
Height: 7'3"
Weight: 420lbs
Hair Color: Black

Eye Color: Black
Dominant Hand: Right
Citizen: Indian
Martial Status: Married
Spouse: Harminder Kaur. On 27 February 2002


Signed with WWE: January 2, 2006.
WWE Debut: April 7, 2006 Friday Night SmackDown Episode.
Trained By: APW Boot Camp. All Pro Wrestling is an independent professional wrestling promotion based in Hayward, California.
Moveset: Khali Vice Grip (Two-handed clawhold), Khali Bomb (Chokebomb), Brain chop
Big boot, Headbutt, Clothesline, Short-arm clothesline, Spin kick, usually to a charging opponent, Delayed scoop slam, Leg drop.
Notable Feuds : The Undertaker, Kane, Batista, John Cena
Career Highlights: World Heavyweight Championship (1 time). by winning a Battle Royal (July 20, 2007).

Madurai Flight timings and Air fare details - Updated

Madurai Airport is approximately 13 kilometers from the Madurai Railway station, and currently has connectivity to Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai. International flights from Madurai to Colombo, Singapore and Gulf countries plan to start their service this year.

Did You Know?

• 3 flights per week fly out of Madurai, INDIA connecting to Mumbai, INDIA


• Jet Airways India has 1 one stop flights between Madurai, INDIA and Mumbai, INDIA.


• The largest aircraft operated by Kingfisher Airlines flying between Madurai, INDIA and Mumbai, INDIA is a ATR with 46 seats.


• 3 airlines operate between Madurai, INDIA and Mumbai, INDIA

Madurai to chennai ticket fare and timings - Updated for May 2008

Air Deccan - Rs. 2675

Fares

Departs

Arrives

Airlines

Rs. 2675

8:15 AM

9:25 AM

Deccan [DN-158]

Rs. 2875

8:40 AM

10:05 AM

Jet Airways [9W 3522]

Rs. 3224

8:30 AM

9:30 AM

Paramount [I7402]

Rs. 4200

8:55 PM

10:10 PM

Jet Airways [9W 3520]

Rs. 5174

2:40 PM

3:35 PM

Paramount [I7404]

Rs. 5174

5:20 PM

6:15 PM

Paramount [I7480]

Rs. 5574

8:25 PM

9:25 PM

Paramount [I7458]

Madurai to Bangalore ticket fares and timings - Updated for May 2008

Fares

Departs

Arrives

Airlines

Rs. 2675

7:55 AM

9:10 AM

Deccan [DN-160]

Rs. 2675

7:55 PM

9:00 PM

Deccan [DN-106]

Rs. 3754

8:30 AM

10:40 AM

Paramount [I7402]

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Madurai - Mumbai Flight timings last updated - May 2008

Departure (Madurai)	Airlines	Days	Arrival (Mumbai)	Flight Num
13:40	Indian	Daily	16:55	IC672

Jet airways details

8:40 am Depart Madurai Arrive Mumbai 1:45 pm

Sat 17-May Duration: 5hr 5mn

Jet Airways (India) 3522 / 335 Connect in Chennai (Madras) (MAA)

8:40 am Depart Madurai Arrive Mumbai 4:05 pm

Sat 17-May Duration: 7hr 25mn

Jet Airways (India) 3522 / 488 Connect in Chennai (Madras) (MAA)

8:55 pm Depart Madurai Arrive Mumbai 8:45 pm +1 day

Sat 17-May Duration: 23hr 50mn

Jet Airways (India) 3520

Inquiry Numbers for Airdeccan, Jetairways and Indian airlines:

Jet airways contact Details:

Dial our multi-purpose call centre number - 3989 3333 - across Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore & Kolkata, and access all the information under one roof.

For any queries related to international flights, please call 1800 22 55 22. This number can be dialled only within India and can be reachable from BSNL and MTNL lines.

Chennai
Jet Airways 855 5353, 234 6557
Sahara India 826 3661, 233 0056

To receive instant flight information, SMS Jet "FlightNumber" to 56388.

source: jetairways.com

Air Deccan Contact Details

Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya & Tripura			18004257008
Andhra Pradesh	9849677008	Maharashtra	9890477008
Delhi	9818177008	Mumbai	9892577008
Gujarat	9898377008	Tamil Nadu	9894477008
Karnataka	9845777008	Chennai	9840377008
Kolkata	9831677008

Bangalore

No. 35 / 2, Cunningham Road,
Opposite Canara Bank,
Bangalore -560 052.

Chennai

No. 47, Deshbandhu Plaza,
Whites Road, Royapettah, (Near Satyam Theatre),
Chennai 600 -014.

source: www.airdeccan.net/

Indian airlines contact details

STATION	Main Booking Office
Delhi	Safdarjung Airport, Aurbindo Marg, New Delhi-110 003 (0700-2300)Malhotra Building Connaught Place (Mon-Sat) (1000-1700)
Mumbai	1st floor ,Air India Building.Nairaman Point, 218,Backbay Reclamation,Mumbai-400 021
Kolkata	Airlines House ,39,Chittaranjan Avenue,Kolkata-700 012
Chennai	19,Rukmini Lakshmipathi Salai, Egmore ,Chennai-600 008
Bangalore	Cauvery Bhavan, Kempegowda Road,Bangalore-560 009
Hyderabad	HACA Bhavan,5-10-193,Hill Fort Road,Saifabad,Hyderabad-500 0041

Madurai Indian Airlines:
Reservation:2341234 / 2341236
Flight Info: 2690433

source: www.indianairlines.in

Madurai Airport expansion - Land acquision sanctioned - New terminal at Madurai airport by 2009

The Tamil Nadu government had given administrative sanction to acquire 614.33 acres of land to expand the Madurai airport, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said, laying the foundation stone for a terminal building here on Saturday.

The government had requested the Civil Aviation Ministry to share the cost of Rs 110 crore for the acquisition. Cost-sharing was not a pre-condition, but the government expected the Ministry to extend “50 per cent cooperation for the project.”

Stating that the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project could have become a reality by last year but for hindrance created by certain forces, the Chief Minister said similar obstacles could crop up for the airport also. “People would try to stall this also in the interest of the poor and farmers,” he said with a tinge of sarcasm.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the government were ready to go all out, even by laying down lives, to aid farmers. Mr. Karunanidhi said the country required necessary infrastructure to face global competition in future.

On the country’s development under the United Progressive Alliance regime, he said: “The sun [the DMK] is giving light for the world and the ‘hand’ [the Congress] has lit it.” He sought support from the “hammer and sickle” [the Left parties] too.

Praful Patel, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, promised that the Madurai airport would become an international one. “The day the terminal is inaugurated an international flight will land here.” Stating that Tamil Nadu was the only State to get three airports out of 35 non-metro airports that were being upgraded or modernised, he attributed it to the efforts of the Chief Minister.

Airports Authority of India Chairman K. Ramalingam said the groundwork for the expansion of the Chennai airport had begun; work would start soon.

The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for two information technology parks that would come up at Ilanthaikulam and Vadapalanji on the city’s outskirts. The Union government has accorded special economic zone status for both.

The park at Ilandaikulam is to be on 28.91 acres and the one at Vadapalanji on 239.58 acres. ELCOT will develop an IT building with an area of one million square feet in 10 acres of land at a cost of Rs. 300 crore on public-private partnership basis. It will develop common infrastructure at a cost of Rs. 30 crore.


Chief minister M Karunanidhi on Saturday laid the foundation stone for a new integrated terminal building at the Madurai airport, a facility that would handle 500 passengers at a time.

Airport officials said the integrated terminal building would be ready by March 2009. Constructed at a cost of Rs 130 crore, it would have state-of-the-art facilities and amenities, including aerobridges, flight information display system and centralised air-conditioning.

The present terminal has the capacity to handle only 200 passengers.

Laying the foundation stone, Karunanidhi said the airport was being modernised, as promised by the DMK in its election manifesto.

Responding to a demand by Dindigul MP N S V Chittan that the state government should provide land required for the airport’s expansion free of cost, the chief minister announced that the government had already accorded administrative sanction for acquisition of 616 acres.

However, he wanted the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to bear half of the land’s cost.

Karunanidhi said all airports in the state would be pieces of architectural excellence and match world class airports.

Union minister of state for civil aviation Praful Patel promised that international flights would be operated once the integrated terminal was ready in 2009. The modernized airport would boost economic activity and growth in the region, he said.

Karunanidhi also laid the foundation stones for IT parks developed by Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu at Ilandaikulam and Vadapalanji in Madurai.

Super star's fans condsuct special poojas

In an unique way to bring Tamil film superstar Rajinikanth to politics, some of his fans sacrificed goats to a local deity and offered special poojas, here Sunday.

Members of the Rajinikanth Fans Association took out a procession from Munichalai area to the local temple and sacrificed three goats to the deity and performed special poojas in order to please the almighty to bring Rajinikanth to the politics. Later, they offered anna dhanam (free food) to the poor people in that area.

Talking to mediamen, Elango, a functionary of the association, said after MGR, it is only Rajinikanth who will be the successful person from the tinsel world to enter politics. We want him not only to give hit movies but also to enter politics, he added. It may be recalled that few years ago, Rajinikanth wanted to enter into politics during the AIADMK regime in Tamil Nadu, after his blockbuster movie Badsha. But, later he hesitated to enter into the political world and said that he was concentrating more on movies stating entering into politics is only in the hands of God and it will happen only as God wishes.