Slumdog's Tamil version to hit cinemas Friday

Chennai, Feb 26 : 'Naanum Kodeeshwaran', the Tamil version of multiple-Oscar-winner movie 'Slumdog Millionaire', is scheduled to hit the screens Friday.

The film will open in the state with 100 prints, said its distributors Falcon Films in a press statement Thursday.

The Tamil version of the movie will be screened for the benefit of prisoners before Saturday, according to Director General of Police (Prisons) R. Natraj.

"We also expect Rahman to pay the high security Puzhal Prison a visit to inspire the underprivileged section of society," Natraj told IANS.

Actors Silambarasan, Radha Ravi and ace singer-actor S.P. Balasubramanian have lent their voices to the characters played by Dev Patel, Irrfan Khan and Anil Kapoor respectively, the press statement added.

"I can proudly say that I contributed in a small way to the career of Rahman in the beginning of his Odyssey when he played the keyboard for my films. I knew even then that he was a genius. Now, my son (Silambarasan) has dubbed for the film and it is a trip down memory lane for us," said actor-turned-director-turned-politician T. Rajendherr.

Falcon Films have not disclosed the sum at which the rights were bought, but the industry sources said at least Rs.5 million was paid as advance royalty.

Rahman will be felicitated by the Cine Musicians' Union here on March 1 and presented with a 3kg silver globe as a token of the south Indian film industry's appreciation.

--IANS