Award-winning filmmaker Mani Ratnam had originally planned to make his hit Tamil film 'Alai Payuthey' with Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, but had to drop the idea due to an unresolved climax. The film was later remade in Hindi as 'Saathiya', with Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukerji in the lead roles. Ratnam revealed that he finally cracked the ending of 'Alai Payuthey' while making another film with Shah Rukh, 'Dil Se'.
Award-winning filmmaker Mani Ratnam is known for his groundbreaking work in the Indian film industry. One of his most iconic films, "Alai Payuthey," holds a special place in the hearts of cinema lovers. Initially conceived as a Bollywood project, the film's journey took an unexpected turn.
Ratnam's original vision for "Alai Payuthey" featured Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in the lead roles. The duo had previously collaborated on the blockbuster "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge" and had become synonymous with on-screen chemistry.
Despite the promising casting, Ratnam faced a major hurdle in developing the film's climax. The ending he had in mind proved elusive, and he struggled to find a satisfying resolution to the story.
With the unresolved climax looming, Ratnam made the bold decision to scrap the Bollywood version and focus on making the film in his native Tamil language. He cast Madhavan and Shalini in the lead roles, and the film was retitled "Alai Payuthey."
Released in 2000, "Alai Payuthey" became one of the most celebrated Tamil films of all time. The chemistry between Madhavan and Shalini was electric, and the film's realistic portrayal of relationships resonated with audiences.
In 2002, Ratnam returned to his original Bollywood vision for "Alai Payuthey" by remaking it as "Saathiya." This time, he cast Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukerji in the lead roles. "Saathiya" was also a critical and commercial success, proving the enduring appeal of the story.
Q: Why did Ratnam change the climax of Alai Payuthey? A: Ratnam struggled to find a satisfying resolution to the story's original climax.
Q: Was Alai Payuthey a Bollywood or Tamil film? A: Originally conceived as a Bollywood film, it was later made in Tamil.
Q: Who played the lead roles in Alai Payuthey and Saathiya? A: Madhavan and Shalini in Alai Payuthey; Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukerji in Saathiya.
Q: What is the significance of Dil Se in this story? A: Ratnam revealed that he finally cracked the ending of Alai Payuthey while making Dil Se with Shah Rukh Khan.
Q: Is Alai Payuthey and Saathiya the same film? A: They are different films with the same story, but one is in Tamil and the other is in Hindi.
Lauren Sanchez Bezos, wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, turned heads at Demna’s final Balenciaga show with a standout accessory that sparked plenty of buzz. In hand, she carried Balenciaga’s quirky and ultra-luxurious 9 AM Clutch, a designer piece cleverly crafted to mimic a classic takeaway coffee cup. The clutch, originally introduced in 2022, retails for $5,750 and is a part of Balenciaga’s artistic take on consumer culture and throwaway packaging. Lauren’s custom version with her name emblazoned on the side and her sleek ensemble added to the wow factor at the star-studded event.
The video of Ishaan Khatter dancing to BTS’s hit track ‘Mic Drop’ at the Miss World 2025 finale in Hyderabad has taken the internet by storm. Fans are thrilled to see the Bollywood actor’s energetic dance moves and his unexpected connection to the popular K-pop group. While many praised his performance, some were unimpressed and criticized his choreography. Meanwhile, Ishaan continues to shine in his career, with recent success at the Cannes Film Festival for his film 'Homebound'.
In a candid segment on SBS Maejomgayo, BTS member j-hope shared his bandmates' food preferences and gave insightful commentary on their tastes. His playful label of "baby taste" for Jimin, V, and RM's love for Korean staples stood out to fans, who found it relatable. When appearing on the show, j-hope also joked about his own age, showing his playful and down-to-earth personality.
On Sunday, at the age of 83, veteran Telugu actor Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away at his residence in Filmnagar, Hyderabad after a prolonged illness. With over 750 films to his credit, Rao was a towering presence in Telugu cinema and his unique style and unmatched flair captured the hearts of audiences. Fellow actor Megastar Chiranjeevi paid tribute to him, reflecting on their shared beginnings and highlighting Rao's versatility and irreplaceable presence in the industry.
After being found guilty in a 2001-2006 rape case, self-proclaimed 'godman' Asaram has been sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000. This is the second such conviction for the 81-year-old who is already serving a life sentence for a 2013 Rajasthan minor girl rape case. Asaram, who had amassed a Rs 10,000 crore empire with over 400 ashrams, rose to fame as a religious preacher with a large following of politicians and businessmen, but his spiritual quest eventually led him down a path of disgrace.
Veteran Telugu actor Kota Srinivasa Rao, known for his versatility and powerful presence, has passed away at the age of 83. With over 750 films in a career spanning more than four decades, Rao was one of the respected actors in the industry. He was also honoured with India's fourth-highest civilian honour, Padma Shri, for his contribution to Indian cinema. The Telugu film industry is in mourning over the loss of this iconic actor.
The film industry and cinephiles are mourning the loss of Veteran Telugu actor Kota Srinivasa Rao, who passed away in Hyderabad at the age of 83. With a career spanning over five decades and over 750 films across multiple languages, he has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema. His colleagues and fans, including Chiranjeevi and SS Rajamouli, have paid heartfelt tributes to the versatile actor.
In a big blow for Indian cricket team, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant will not take the gloves on Day 2 of the Lord's Test after failing to completely recover from a hit he took to his left index finger. Though he continued to play briefly before leaving the field, Pant's injury was clearly visible as he winced in pain while receiving treatment from physios. With Pant's absence, Dhruv Jurel will continue to keep wickets, as confirmed by BCCI, adding pressure for the young player to perform on his debut in an already crucial match. India will hope the injury is not serious and Pant, who was in great form in the first two Tests, will return to the field and strengthen their batting line up.
India's cricket captain Shubman Gill got involved in a heated argument with England's opening batsmen Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley during their test match at Lord's. The tension flared up on the third day's play when England seemed to be trying to waste time to avoid facing more than 1 over before Stumps. The incident happened as Gill's team wanted their fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah to get a chance to bowl before the end of the day. Gill didn't hold back from showing his displeasure and confronted the English openers, with other Indian players also joining in on the argument. The day ended with England at 2/0, giving them a two-run lead, and the incident is surely going to add more spice to an already intense series.
The trailer for Rohit Padaki's film Ekka, starring Yuva Rajkumar, was released on July 11 and has since received a lot of love and appreciation from netizens. The trailer showcases the journey of Yuva's character Muthu from a simple life in his village to the underworld of Bengaluru. Fans have praised the stylish visuals and the improved performance of Yuva compared to his debut film. Some have expressed concern about the familiar plot, but overall, the trailer has generated a lot of hype and excitement for the film's release on July 18. Fans are even requesting early morning shows for the film, making it a highly anticipated entertainment option for Sandalwood fans.