Rj balaji Tamil Movie News

The excitement surrounding Thalapathy 69, which is yet to be announced, is getting bigger by the day among Tamil superstar Vijay's fans everywhere as social media has been abuzz with a lot of chatter about who will direct the film. Vijay, fondly addressed by his fans and followers as 'Thalapathy', announced earlier this month that he will be entering politics full time after he completes his upcoming projects - The Greatest of All Time and a yet-to-be-announced venture, which is being called Thalapathy 69. With the news of Vijay's untitled last film generating a lot of buzz already, several leading Tamil filmmakers are said to be in contention to join hands with Vijay, and actor-director RJ Balaji's name is now doing the rounds on social media after he recently shared on his Naallanaa Murukku podcast on Spotify that he's been busy working on something important, leaving fans excited and speculating whether it could be Thalapathy 69. 

In the podcast episode that was streamed a couple of weeks back on February 19, RJ Balaji revealed that he has been engaged on an extremely important task since late January, while adding that he's also quite nervous even if it's something that he enjoys doing. He further informed that he along with his team have been completely engrossed with the work over the past two weeks. Explaining that he has had to re-review the circle he works with during those two weeks since he usually hangs out with a selected group of people, he shared that his complete focus and energy at present is invested on his latest writing project, which he revealed is being carried out at a place that is nearly 60kms away from his residence in order to not be disturbed by anyone.

#RJBalaji's recent Spotify podcast !!

It seems from the past 1 month, he is focusing on the script work of developing the fully story which was narrated to #ThalapathyVijay🤞#Thalapathy69 pic.twitter.com/MgxbyfuTDq

— AmuthaBharathi (@CinemaWithAB) February 29, 2024

Although no details are revealed for now about Thalapathy 69, there is a likelihood that Vijay could consider collaborating with RJ Balaji for the project since his LKG (2019) was well-received, with the film also turning out to be a big box office success. Whether Vijay is looking to do a political satire along the lines of RJ Balaji's LKG remains to be seen, and only time will tell whether the two beloved Tamil cinema stars will join hands for Thalapathy 69.

RJ Balaji's 2024 has kicked off on a bright note with his latest film, Singapore Saloon, turning out to be big success at the box office. Directed by Gokul of Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara (2013) fame, the family entertainer also stars veteran actors Sathyaraj, Lal, and 'Thalaivasal' Vijay alongside Meenakshi Chaudhary, Ann Sheetal, Kishen Das, John Vijay, Chinni Jayanth and Robo Shankar, among others in key roles, with blockbuster Tamil filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj and actor Jiiva making cameo appearances. With Singapore Saloon already a winner commercially, the makers on Thursday evening, February 1, dropped a surprise behind-the-scenes (BTS) making video giving viewers a glimpse into the fun and frolic on the sets, with RJ Balaji once again providing the big laughs for the cast and the crew. 

Among the major highlights in the Singapore Saloon BTS video are the portions shot featuring Lokesh Kanagaraj and RJ Balaji seen filming a sequence where he has to give the hit Tamil film director a haircut. We also see the duo and the rest of the cast posing for a selfie, while some other visuals show the team, including kids, having an absolute blast on the sets. This latest Singapore Saloon BTS videos also gives a look at Gokul leading the way and coordinating with RJ Balaji, Sathyaraj, Lal, Kishen Das, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Ann Sheetal, and the rest of the cast members during filming, and the triumph of the film at the box office has once again spoken volumes about the Kaashmora director. 

A special success meet for Singapore Saloon was also held in Chennai yesterday, which saw RJ Balaji, Gokul along with the cast and crew members participate and join in on the celebrations. The event also saw the film's producer Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh gift a gold chain to Gokul, while also revealing their plans to collaborate for a new project next. Watch the Singapore Saloon behind-the-scenes making video below: 

Here is the Behind the scene video of @RJ_Balaji's #SingaporeSaloon which is running successfully in theatres !!

Dir by @DirectorGokul, Prod by @VelsFilmIntl @IshariKGanesh

Music By @iamviveksiva @MervinJSolomon @javeddriaz
TN release by @RedGiantMovies_ @MShenbagamoort3… pic.twitter.com/jryMGEjVJM

— Vels Film International (@VelsFilmIntl) February 1, 2024

Actor-filmmaker RJ Balaji's Singapore Saloon directed by Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara fame Gokul has opened in theatres starting today, Thursday, January 25. Amidst much hype and excitement for Singapore Saloon, RJ Balaji recently sat down for a one-on-one conversation with National Award-winning film critic Baradwaj Rangan, the Editor-in-Chief of Galatta Plus, to talk about the the coming-of-age entertainer and opened up on the potential for sequels to his films, LKG (2019) and Mookuthi Amman (2020). 

Explaining his plans, RJ Balaji said, "Yes, these are all interesting characters. If it's Mookuthi Amman, it's a film about Amman. It's not like I first made a film about Amman, which has been there for a long time. With LKG, that character was interesting. Both LKG and Mookuthi Amman were social satires. With LKG, that character was an interesting person. He's not a typical hero, who's like a person doing good things . He'll do anything and is why he's interesting. But, in my mind, it's a proper pre-election film. It's about, 'Why make a sequel at a random time?' At the same time, when there's a gap of five years between two elections, you accumulate a lot of content." 

RJ Balaji continued, "Since 2019 to date, I have accumulated and consumed a lot of content related to politics in terms of what's happening. If I have to make fun or show anything, I need to know what's happening. So, I constantly follow a lot of political developments just for the sake of that film. It's not because I have an interest or curiosity, but I get many ideas for the film from what they speak and do. However, it's a film that's to be made before an election. With a Mookuthi Amman kind of a film, it's something I like a lot and I feel that I can explore so much. I have an idea for that, but I don't [want to do that now]. After LKG, everyone asked me, 'What next? Will it be UKG then?' And, with Mookuthi Amman, I was asked, 'When is part 2 going to be made?' I don't want to do it at a time that's obvious. There needs to be a space between one film and the other." 

Revealing that he has ideas for the next Mookuthi Amman film, RJ Balaji said, "It's not like a part 2, per se, but it's along the lines of a spiritual sequel. And, also like when we want to take a break or need to go out from the film that we're writing, we'll explore those ideas. In that light, I have stories for about 30 pages. But, I don't want to [make it for] business. What I'm saying is, 'I want to sell this just because it's marketable.' I don't want to do that. I should be in my zone to actually do that film. Otherwise, it can easily be made into a business. We can sell it to OTT or they'll buy it for theatres since its a devotional and commercial film. I don't want to do that for that purpose. I'll play close to my chest whenever needed and then speak about it outside. But, I am writing such a film too." 

Watch RJ Balaji in conversation with Baradwaj Rangan in the video below:

Actor-filmmaker RJ Balaji's next big film, Singapore Saloon, directed by Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara fame Gokul is all set for a grand release in theatres starting January 25. In that light, RJ Balaji sat down for a candid conversation with National Award-winning film critic Baradwaj Rangan, the Editor-in-Chief of Galatta Plus, to talk about the much-awaited film, while also explaining why he feels leading Tamil actor Dhanush is his choice to play him in his biopic. 

Rj Balaji, who had in an earlier interview mentioned that he preferred two-time National Award-winning actor Dhanush to act in his biopic, said, "I'm not going to research what I said. The success of Dhanush or probably the acceptance and [why] the people like him so much [is] because he's like not that 'hero' hero they have seen. And, to me, I consider myself as a very ordinary and normal boy. Even today there's a relevance and I recently went to IIT Saarang where I had a spotlight event. I was in a closed room with 700 young kids between the ages 17, 18, and 19, and I was so happy during those one and a half hours because the energy, the connect that I had with the audience back in 2006, 2007, 2010, and 2012, it happened once again in 2024. So, if I want to have that connect, I have to be myself. I can't pretend that I changed everything suddenly. I like being like this. So, as a normal boy, I can only see him and when you told me that I mentioned his name [to act as me], I said so because he's the only person who you can relate to any character." 

Talking further about Dhanush, RJ Balaji further stated, "You can watch him play VIP or Thiruchitrambalam. All these really good Dhanush films are films that you think that boy is someone that you know or that boy is you. And, as far as I know, he's fluid on the screen. I earlier told you about learning what I'm receiving now. He's received so much over the years. I'm saying as a craft during the time when his film Devathaiyai Kanden came out, I've seen the Dhanush who would get angry. Even in Pudhupettai, in fact, he would angrily shout. As an actor, he entered the industry at the time and he's getting groomed. But, you watch the Dhanush getting angry now, you'll see a [change] in his craft." 

RJ Balaji added, "In my next film, I've done a scene which requires me to be extremely angry and so I suddenly shout. For me, if I have to emote angrily, it's got to be me yelling. So, from that place, someone has traveled so much and yet he's vulnerable on the screen. I can relate to him as someone that I know or someone that is like me. So, I think he'll perform in not only my role, but any role that comes his way, and if it's going to be my biopic, I'll be the one who writes it because I know all the darkest things and the right things to say." 

Watch RJ Balaji in conversation with Baradwaj Rangan in the video below: 

RJ Balaji will be kicking off 2024 with the much-awaited Singapore Saloon releasing in theatres on January 25. Directed by Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara (2013) fame Gokul, there were reports sometime back during the production of the film that problems cropped up between the filmmaker and the LKG star, who has now in an exclusive interview with Galatta debunked those claims. Speaking about his conflict with director Gokul on the sets of Singapore Saloon, RJ Balaji said, "It's a film I went in only as an actor. So, as an actor in the film, when a director tells you to do this and that suddenly, it's a little difficult to adapt. You can't adapt immediately and I couldn't do what was required of me then and there, and I wasn't able to process it in my mind instantly. So, when I expressed myself, it might seem incorrect to him sometimes, but this has happened in all the films I've worked in. This has happened with actors in the films I directed and between an actor and a director in which I acted in." 

During the interview, RJ Balaji also highlights his conversation with Singapore Saloon's director Gokul in comparison to filmmaker Jiyen Krishnakumar, who directed his previous film, Run Baby Run (2023). The Veetla Vishesham star stated, "He (Gokul) has written a story with a lot of passion and I have directed two films myself, and am now completely stepping into another person's zone. Initially, in those moments, it will be tense for the both of us, but after a certain point, we both knew that we're talking for the same film. We both came into this for a collaborative process and it took time to strike a balance. I think we had a smooth ride after we found that balance." 

Watch RJ Balaji talk about Singapore Saloon in the video below: 

RJ Balaji is all set to be seen once again on the big screens in the much-awaited Singapore Saloon releasing in cinemas on January 25. Directed by Gokul of Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara (2013) fame, the upcoming film also stars Sathyaraj, Lal, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Ann Sheetal, Kishen Das, John Vijay, and Robo Shankar in key roles, while blockbuster Tamil filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj will be seen making a cameo appearance. 

Speaking about the decision to cast Lokesh Kanagaraj in Singapore Saloon, RJ Balaji in an exclusive interview with Galatta said, "The reason for bringing him onboard the film has more to do with who would come if I called. Friendship to me is not because we work together. Actually, I don't want friendship with the people I work with. I want a working relationship with the people I work with." He added, "After watching Maanagaram, I met him for the first time and Uriyadi Vijay Kumar joined us for dinner. Since that day, we've often met outside and he too calls me up at random times." 

Explaining how Lokesh Kanagaraj came onboard Singapore Saloon, RJ Balaji said, "When I asked him to come for the shooting for a couple of days, he said no. But, Lokesh knew director Gokul quite well and a year back he sent me a story. It was director Gokul's story and he (Lokesh Kanagaraj) was supposed to produce it. But, after the narration, I told him that the story wasn't suitable for me." He further stated, "Later, when Singapore Saloon came my way, even though Lokesh was hesitant in the beginning about acting, he eventually agreed because he knew director Gokul and also because I'm his friend. We told him that he was needed during the shooting for only a couple of hours, but he had to come twice or thrice to the sets." 

Informing that it won't be something Lokesh Kanagaraj would do regularly, RJ Balaji stated that the Leo director acted in Singapore Saloon as a mark of respect towards their friendship adding that he doubts whether he would do the same for anyone ever again. He said, "I met him recently during a function and he asked me whether his portions were still in the film. I told him that they are still there. In response, he asked me, 'You didn't remove them?' So, he doesn't have an interest in acting." 

Watch RJ Balaji talk about Lokesh Kanagaraj in the video below: 

Radio jockey turned actor-filmmaker RJ Balaji penned a heartfelt statement to his wife Divya on the occasion of her birthday on Sunday. Sharing a photo of themselves from their younger days for the first time ever, including one from a recent event, the actor reminisced how they both were completely in love with each other, while also thanking her for believing in him over the last 20 years since they first got to know each other. RJ Balaji wrote on Instagram, "2003 to 2023, Its been 20 years…! We can proudly say that we have come a long way, yet I feel, we are still the same teenagers, who were hopelessly in love 😍 Thank you for sharing my life, thank you for not giving up on me, thank you for giving me a second/third/76th/473rd chance…! Thank you for being the bestest friend, crazy lover, strict wife and a super mom..! Happy Birthday Auchu ..!!! ❤️ P.S. I Love You @divibalaji ❤️". Below is the post: 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by RJ Balaji (@irjbalaji)

RJ Balaji is said to have tied the knot at the age of 21 and is parents with Divya to two sons. The actor, who was seen earlier this year in Run Baby Run, had introduced his son Mahanth to the world during the film's promotions, with their rapport being well-liked by fans. Balaji's performance in the "edgy thriller" received a largely positive feedback, which was a step away from his usual comic roles, with the film directed by debutant Jiyen Krishnakumar under S Lakshman Kumar's blockbuster banner Prince Pictures turning out to be a success. 

As for his upcoming projects, RJ Balaji will be seen in the much-awaited Singapore Saloon under the direction of Gokul, who is best known for films like Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara, Kaashmora, Junga, and Anbirkiniyal. The film is expected to a fun-filled family entertainer and has been produced by leading Tamil producer Dr. Ishari S. Ganesh's Vels Film International banner, with an announcement for the release date now being awaited. 

Vignesh Shivan is one of the notable directors of the Tamil film industry who has made four hit film so far. He made his debut with the film Podaa Podi and his second film was Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. Thaana Serndha Koottam was his third film which was the remake of a hit Hindi film titled Special 26 and had Suriya as the lead. The film had a huge star cast that includes Keerthy Suresh, Ramya Krishnan, RJ Balaji, Karthik, Senthil and Suresh Chandra in important roles. His recent film Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal was released last year. He is also a well-known lyricist who has penned lyrics for multiple hit songs featuring many top heroes.

Galatta Media, known for organising astounding events, organised a fans Festival for the director Vignesh Shivan. In a special segment, where scenes from his films were played and he shared some detail and making of the scenes and the movie. When a scene from Thaana Serndha Koottam where RJ Balaji would be interviewed by Suriya's team was played. “That was all just him babbling…" said the director jokingly. He then said “We discussed and made it ready. I don’t think I can write something this deep on my own. When RJ Balaji and I discussed we came up with that and linked it with that second chance. After that, when we discussed, it was what he developed. He has that knowledge. So, it's a collaborative effort. We have to give the credit to RJ Balaji also.” said the director

RJ Balaji also played an important role in the film Naanum Rowdy Dhaan as a close friend of Vijay Sethupathi’s character in the film. RJ Balaji has revealed about his friendship with Vignesh Shivan and his role in the film. In Thaana Serndha Koottam, he played a different character as a nerdy, educated person who wants to join the CBI.

Vels Film International founded by Ishari K Ganesh is a production house that has made many interesting and entertaining projects in the Tamil film industry. They first produced Devi starring Prabhu Deva as lead and bankroll multiple hit projects like Bogan, Junga, LKG, Comali, Mookuthi Amman and so on. They have also introduced some promising talents to industry like director Pradeep Ranganathan. They released and produced the film recently Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu starring Silamabarasan TR in the lead role. It was one of the blockbuster hits of last year and was directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon.

The production house Vels Film International rang the bell announcing their shares were listed on the National Stock Exchange on Tuesday. They a star-studded event to celebrate the milestone. At the event, the founder of the production house Ishari K Ganesh met the press and revealed some interesting insights about their upcoming films. The producer said “Today, Vels Film International has five films ready for release, five in production and other five films in the pre-production stage. So, within 2024,15 films can be expected from Vels Film International. All are big films. For the first time, we are making a big-budget film starring Jayam Ravi with AR Rahman music. After that, we have signed with RJ Balaji, Jiiva, Arjun and others".

The producer Ishari K Ganesh then revealed that “not only production we are also going to acquire theatres and distribution and that's why we went public. There is an adventure park and studio ready in Bengaluru titled Jollywood that will be inaugurated in June." The producer also said that "Jollywood will be the best theme park of India." When asked if the production house will be associated with Vijay or Ajith, He answered “A big film will be announced in 2024." Watch the full video here:

Radio jockey turned actor-filmmaker RJ Balaji is gearing up for the release of the much-awaited Run Baby Run hitting theatres on February 3 and will see him sharing screen space with leading Tamil actress Aishwarya Rajesh. There is quite a lot of buzz surrounding the film as it is billed to be an "edgy thriller" and is the first time RJ Balaji will see in the said genre after predominantly taking up roles that revolve extensively around comedy even as a lead actor. Apart from Run Baby Run, RJ Balaji also has Singapore Saloon in his lineup, with the film's first look unveiled last year by blockbuster filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj, about whom the actor has now opened up during an exclusive interview with Galatta. 

Speaking about how he and Lokesh Kanagaraj first got acquainted, RJ Balaji said, "It was around the time of Maanagaram's release and I was at the heights of popularity as a radio jockey back then and I also began acting in films. Many people would ask me to watch their films and I watched Maanagaram at Sangam Theatres. I loved the film as it was extremely well-written as each character had great importance to the story. It had come around the time when I was doing friend roles and was vexed that nobody wrote a relatable character as he did. Toward the end, Munishkanth would look like a hero. I think Lokesh had come to Big FM at the time and I told him about how much I liked the film." 

The Mookuthi Amman actor-director further stated, "After he finished Maanagaram, I knew that he was doing Kaithi. I liked Kaithi and lot and am very proud as a friend. The reason I like him a lot is that apart from being friends, he's an inspiration to so many people these days. He's always kind not only to his friends, his team, or the people above him but also to those who work below him. He does his work sincerely. When we spent time together in Mumbai, we discussed each others' projects and I feel he's sorted out for the next 7-10 years. He has plenty of ideas and his LCU (Lokesh Cinematic Universe) will only get bigger and better." 

Watch RJ Balaji in the video below: