‘Aappu’ will have two lead pairs acting alongside Parthiban.

The movie is about three friends who are happy go lucky guys till they finish college. When they are about to take off in business, a ghastly incident turns their life topsy-turvy! “There is a message to the society,” says the director.

But since she fell sick and cancelled the last two days of the schedule, the set had to be dismantled, as the unit did not have permission at the venue.

A technician from the film confirmed to DC that the actress indeed fell prey to food poisoning while shooting and flew down to Hyderabad to recoup.

Sources said that Ileana was down with stomach infection and could not join her Telugu film’s (with Allu Arjun) first day shoot.

Now, it seems that ‘all iz is well’ with the actress and she is expected to join the Barfee shooting for the next schedule, which starts on February 16 at Darjeeling.

Trisha and STR’s pair in Vinnaithandi Varuvaya was much talked about, so was Sneha-Prasanna’s chemistry in the movie Achamundu Achamundu. Directors observe that the reason mostly has to do with the fact that most of the actors in the industry come under category of being below 30 years of age.

Says director Pushkar, who is currently working on completing the script of a film, “Legendary actors are still acceptable in the role of a protagonist since they have already established themselves. So the age never seems to matter.”

Actress Sneha says, “As far as actresses are concerned, age never usually matters, only the script does. But the director and actor have a set of factors that are thoroughly scrutinized. This is one of them.”

The target audience also plays an important role. Pushkar adds, “Most of the audience that go to the theatres to watch a movie belong to the age group of 15-30 years, and they can relate to the scenario. As far as I have noticed, actors never commit on the age factor while signing a film so as long as their role is justified.”

It’s not unheard of that actors are being paired with heroines who may be a few years older. And those in the film fraternity seem to have matured with changing times. Says actor Ganesh Venkatram, “Casting is not an actor’s worry.

I believe in going by whatever the director decides with regard to this. Even if the actress is 10 years older, if I know that she’s going to essay the role perfectly, I have no qualms acting with her. What matters is the outcome.”

Film producers and other staff are at loggerheads over the wage revision agreement.

Even some directors such as Cheran were highly critical of the demands made by FEFSI.

In a recent meeting, Cheran said the films that could be completed in Rs 50 lakh were costing more than Rs 1 crore because of stringent conditions put forth by FEFSI.

Sources say that since the Tamil Film Producers Council is planning to relax the diktat of releasing big budget films only on five festive occasions and not eight, 3 in all probability will release by the first half of March.

A close source adds that 3 has shaped up extremely well and will showcase Dhanush in B’town in a great perspective since the National award winner is making his debut in Hindi films with Raanjhnaa, which is directed by Aanand L. Rai.

The Vettai star reveals that he was initially apprehensive about working with Selva. “Many people told me that Selva is a very serious person.

Trust me, after working with him for the first schedule of IU in Hyderabad, I realised he is extremely jovial and also has a great sense of humour. He never loses his temper with artistes.

He is so particular that his artistes are comfortable on the sets.” The unit of IU will be leaving for Goa for the second schedule and then to Brazil to complete a major chunk of shooting.

Selva and cinematographer Ramjhi have already flown to Brazil to hunt for locations. And if all works well, IU produced by P.V.P. Cinemas will be the first ever-Tamil movie to be shot in Brazil.

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