Not even a film old and the spunky young woman has already usurped chunks of media space-but then knowing her lineage is anyone surprised? I was only surprised when much of the southern press made so much fuss about her bikini shot in her debut film in Hindi called Luck.

Controversies apart, there is no second thought when it comes to the fact that Padmapriya is one of the most talented actresses in the film industry these days. The actress has highlighted her immense acting skill with the sheer variation in the roles that she chooses to play.

The King of Pop’s influence left a deep imprint in not just America and Europe but also in many parts of Asia. This was very well illustrated in Gowtham Menon’s Varnam Ayiram in which the hero is shown imitating the MJ hairstyle and moves as an 80’s teenager. If Prabhu Deva is India’s very own Michael Jackson every other nation too can boast the same!

In Naadodigal, Samuthirakani has proven once again that there can be heroes without heroism, villainy without villains and heroines without vulgarity. Beyond the humble facade of the friendly filmmaker is a brilliant mind that understands that his biggest strength is without a doubt his screenplay.

These are some issues that Mahendran and I shared as we got into the topic of discussing his latest TV show. The 28 year old bachelor, brimming with enthusiasm, is the popular host of Astro’s latest in house programme Enggal Tamil Iniya Tamil, which aims to encourage Malaysian Tamil people to try and speak their language with pride.