In the photo, with Santiago (AMS), Patrick (AMS), Frank y Hans.
With so many rumours flying around about whether the Simbu-Varalaxmi Sarathkumar-starrer Podi Podi has been shelved, Simbu himself finally announced that it has NOT been struck off his projects list. The movie has been put on the back burner for a while, though, as Simbu is focussed on completing Vinnathaandi Varuvaayaa with Gautham and then Valiban; only then will he move on to Poda Podi.
When asked if Varalaxmi is peeved at her very first project facing such a delay, Simbu said that understandably the debutante must be upset about this, but also understands that the movie WILL happen soon and meanwhile, she could also consider other scripts.
Thalaivan LSS Silambarasan and his fans are shocked to hear that MJ is No more.
Bollywood - or better still, Kollywood - has come to Malta for the first time and could set the ball rolling for other Indian cinema productions to be shot on the island.
"We're not exactly Bollywood," specifies director, scriptwriter and producer Gautham Vasudev Menon. "The Tamil film industry in the south of India actually makes more films than Bollywood in Bombay." And India has the largest film industry in the world.
Best known for his action films, Mr Vasudev Menon has just shot parts of his latest, Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya, in Malta, breaking the mould in terms of locations for Indian movies. In fact, even before filming in Malta started, his unprecedented move to Malta attracted the Chennei media, where the director comes from, generating publicity.
Many articles were published, asking whether it would open up a new location for other producers, who always go to Switzerland and New Zealand and whether it would be their next stop, he said.
The Chennai Times of India reported "the fierce competition among Kollywood directors to shoot in never-seen-before locations". Mr Vasudev Menon was reported to have "discovered the beautiful islands", making the headlines as the "first director from South India to shoot a film in Malta".
Mr Vasudev Menon believes other directors are likely to follow suit. He too plans to return in December to shoot an entire action feature film, complete with water chases.
"I have wanted to come to Malta for the past five years. When I shot my second movie, we wanted to film a song against a background of lots of water and old buildings but, at the time, we did not have the budget."
A Maltese friend, married to an Indian, kept on encouraging the director and, this time round, being the producer, he had the money...
"I've shot extensively in the US, Durban and Dubai, so this landscape and these colours are totally different," he said, explaining why he chose to shoot two out of six songs - a vital element of Indian movies, together with dance sequences - in Malta.
"We needed lots of churches, water and caves, so what better place to go than Malta?
"It has been quite an experience... except for the weather, which is too similar to Chennai in terms of heat. We expected it to be cooler. "But the locations are fantastic. Wherever you turn, there's a frame!"
The movie was shot everywhere, including Valletta, Mdina, Gozo and Comino, in lanes and alleys, about eight churches and even at a village feast, taking Maltese tradition to India.
"The girl in the movie, traditionally referred to as the heroine, is a Christian, and the boy, the hero, a Hindu. Where I come from, people love these inter-caste sorts of stories," he explained.
The romantic comedy, in the Tamil language, is "another feel-good love story, which is big in Chennai. The only difference is I am working more on the fun element of the screenplay".
Mr Vasudev Menon brought a 26-strong crew over, assisted by 10 locals, and the production company, Producer's Creative Partnership.
Although PCP has come across many attempts from illegal immigrants to obtain entry visas to Europe by posing as film makers, it quickly established the legitimacy of the production and expressed its gratitude towards the Malta Film Commission and the Malta High Commission in New Delhi, who helped process the required documents.
Shot over 10 days, the movie is estimated to have spent about €90,000 in Malta and featured renowned Indian actors, who were asked for autographs by Indian tourists while in Malta.
Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya is being scored by Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman of Slumdog Millionaire fame. "Thanks to this movie, the world is noticing Indian film makers. A.R. Rahman has been around for 15 years and we all knew he was capable of good stuff. Now, suddenly, he is recognised by the world!
"But that is the only way it has helped us. It has not portrayed the India we know. Yes, that India exists in pockets, but there is also a very urban, modern and scientifically-advanced India."
At 37, Mr Vasudev Menon already has eight movies under his belt, having started at 29. It has been quite a journey, he says, pointing out that it was the first time he was also producing a movie.
"Malta has so much to offer, lots more than we could do in 10 days. If I am thinking of shooting an entire feature film here, that means there is loads more!"
In fact, he has extended his stay and flown his wife and three little boys over. "We've been driving around," he said, wearing the hat of the relaxing tourist but keeping his director's eye and continuing to view Malta through an imaginary camera lens nonetheless.
Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya should be released in India in September and later also to international audiences, with the possibility of making it to Malta too.
The first Indian "Bollywood" cinema production ever to film in Malta completed shooting last weekend. The musical dance sequences of this romantic story, titled "Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya" (Will you come from the Sky?), were filmed in various localities in Malta and Gozo, namely Mdina, Valletta, Ghaxaq, Floriana, Kalkara, Birgu, San Lawrenz, Salina, Msida, Ghar Lapsi, Comino, Anchor’s Bay, Mellieha and Dingli.
Bollywood productions are movies produced out of India and are typical for their love stories mixed with dance sequences with a unique Bollywood style. India statistically has the largest film industry in the world and Indians are known to flock in large numbers to watch their love stories and romantic songs being danced in their signature way.
"Vinnai Thandi Varuvaya” is directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, best known for his numerous successfull action films. Two of his last eight movies have been shot in the United States. The music score is by Oscar winning music director A.R.Rahman ("Slumdog Millionaire"). The film-makers The film stars two of the most sought after Indian actors in South India, Trisha Krishnan and Tesingu Rajendar Silambarasan. In Indian cinema the stars are traditionally referred as the “heroine” and “hero”. During their work in Malta they were often asked for autographs by Indian tourists who immediately recognized their "heros". The film shooting in Malta had hardly started when the Indian press began generating substantial publicity about Malta. The Chennai Times The Times of India reported about how Indian producers are desperately trying to get visas for their team to travel to exotic The PCP, representing the Indian film-makers, showed appreciation towards the Malta Film Commission and the Malta High Commission in New Delhi who have helped tremendously in processing the visas in a speedy manner. The decision to film in Malta was made barely 10 days prior and the short-notice was mainly due to the availability of the two main stars. The director therefore made a very rough pre-selection of Maltese locations using photographs sent via The producers’ initial reaction upon landing in Malta was that the island was too small to offer the variety of locations they were after, but a recce around Malta and Gozo immediately convinced them not only to forego the consideration of including other countries in their shoot, but to extend their original filming schedule on the island by three days. In total the crew filmed for eight days. Picturesque locations have been chosen for the song sequences and great efforts have been made to showcase Malta and Gozo in a very recognizable manner. The film will be released in India this September and will later also reach international audiences in various countries with large Indian communities. Dancers and choreographer were brought in from London and although there was no time for local casting two Maltese dancers were found at very short notice. Maltese dancer Melvin Monreal was highly praised by the British film choreographers. Director Gautham intends to return to Malta next year to shoot entirely his upcoming Action film. The producers and the PCP would like to publicly thank the following entities for making the last minute preparations of this filming possible. The Armed Forces of Malta for providing a helicopter at short notice for filming high screen-value shots over Comino. The Malta High Commission in New Delhi and the Malta Film Commission for their processing of all visas and related permissions. The various councils of Malta and Gozo, particularly the mayors of Valletta and Mdina who have shown their 100% unconditional support to very extensive filming in their localities. Thanks : Times of Malta.
are based in Southern India where the "Bollywood" slang is actually dubbed as "Kollywood". The company specializes in slick Tamil movies with an international flair, giving a lot of importance to technical excellence.
of India reported about “the fierce competition amongst Kollywood directors to shoot in never-seen-before locations”. Getting entry visas is often a problem but director Gautham Menon is reported to have “discovered a new location – the beautiful islands of Malta”. Gautham has now made headlines in India movie news as the “first director from South India to shoot a film in Malta”.
the internet. 
When we got to the hospital the patient was already anesthetised and the session started. I did two operations and we mantained a very interesting conversation with the attendees in the other two hospitals. I was really impressed with the organisation Dr. Pico put in the workshop.
The following day continued with the transmission of four operations that were very demostrtive, and I had the opportunity to discuss in depth all the technical details with Dr. Gustavo Pico.
Then we went to the Hospital Metropolitano, with Dr. Alexis Costa and Dr. Cornejo, and we did two operations. They already had a lot of experience, with more than 100 operations, so I decided to show them advanced techniques, as how to localize the prostate capsule and enuclation plane. Everything was uneventful, but I had to rush to the airport again, as I had to fly to Guayaquil. That same evening we had to perform some operations.
This was a wonderful surgical session, in the company of new friends.
I departed to Lima early monday morning. I had planned to leave on Sunday, but the Air Comet flight was delayed. It was a very special trip, as the pilot was my brother Enrique. He invited me to see the take off from the cockpit. I learned a lot about planes and I was impressed to see how it is full of technology and how they follow strict protocols and constant verification in contact with air controllers from nearby airports. It was a great experience and I felt very proud to see my little brother piloting an aeroplane with such mastery.
He is passionate about planes since he was little and he fought hard to become a pilot. He is a champion!! I admire him deeply, he did a perfect landing!
Once in Lima, I went to the Marriot Hotel and then we drove to the Hospital El Golf, where we did two operations with Dr. Elvis Sueldo and Dr. César Quincot. Both were uneventful and they had a good chance to get hands on experience with the technique.
After we finished the operations, we went to the headquarters of the Peruvian Urological Association, where I gave a talk on photoselective vaporization of the prostate with the Greenlight HPS laser in front of a numerous group of Peruvian Urologists, who were very interested in the technology.
Then we had a tipical dinner, a "piqueo criollo" with local refreshments. In Perú they dring Inca-Cola, a very nice soda that sells much more than Coke over here.
The following morning started early, we went back to the Hospital El Golf to do a third case and then we went to another Hospital, Santa Teresa, where we did two operations with Dr. Jorge Saldaña. He is a young urologist with an impressive spirit.
He really believes in pushing technology forward and has decided, like me, to write a blog to narrate his experiences.
Everything was uneventful without problems, although one of the prostates was very big and took a while to complete.
Then we went out for dinner to celebrate the success of the surgical sessions and I try the famous Peruvian Ceviche, with Pisco Sour, a local drink that Peruvians claim they make better than the Chilenians. They I went to sleep, as the time change is quite tough and I had to fly to Ecuador. I left Perú happy after the experience and grateful to these three wonderful urologists!!
A very interesting session, as other centers presented very solid data supporting the use of this laser in public hospitals in Spain.
Then I went to have luch by the Malvarrosa beach, a wonderful paella. After that I drove back to Madrid, there was a horrible traffic jam, so I got home rather late. Tomorrow I wake up early because I depart to Lima, for a week of surgery in different hospitals in Perú and Ecuador.
