Sun TV Kalanithi Maran buys Hyderabad IPL franchise Deccan Chargers

Chennai-based Sun TV Network won the Hyderabad franchise of the Indian Premier League - Deccan Chargers - for an amount of Rs 85.05 crores per year. The IPL Governing Council met here today to open the bids for the new IPL franchise and Sun TV was found to have the highest bid amount and has put an end to the process of finding a new team in the wake of the controversial termination of cash-strapped Deccan Chargers.

In a press release BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale said "SUN TV Network have won the Hyderabad Franchise for an amount of Rs 85.05 crores per year. This Franchise fee represents a premium of over a 100 % above the amount paid by DCHL for the Hyderabad Franchise in 2008".

The Kalanidhi Maran-promoted media group SUN TV Network bid was substantially higher than the second bid of PVP Ventures, which was Rs 69.03 crores. The franchise ownership contract will be for 10 years.

The BCCI had floated the tenders for a new IPL franchise after terminating Deccan Chargers' contract on September 15 but the team owners DCHL had challenged it at the Bombay High Court.

The High Court had ruled in favour of the BCCI after Deccan Chargers Holdings Limited failed to furnish bank guarantee of Rs 100 crore before October 12 5pm deadline. Later, an arbitrator had ordered for status quo but the High Court again ruled in favour of the Board.

DCHL then approached the Supreme Court which, however, declined on October 19 to interfere with the High Court decision which had set aside the status quo order passed by the arbitrator.

Maattrraan Movie Review

'Sometimes the ending will be the beginning,' says the caption of Maattrraan but it has an ending in the beginning! KV Anand's latest flick has rare characters of conjoined twins but has a predictable story and that makes it appear like a second part of Surya's last movie7aum Arivu directed by AR Murugadoss.

Genetic scientist played by Sachin Khedekar does not get due credit for his research works in India nevertheless loses his heart. With his sustained efforts, he becomes a successful businessman owning  an energy drink product. As the company grows, there is a lot of competition and his rivals were working  hard on the formula of the drink, which could make an ordinary man extraordinary.

His wife played by Tara gives birth to conjoined twins - Vimalan and Akhilan played by Surya. The conjoined twins are as different as chalk and cheese. While the former is good at studies and decent in nature, the latter is care-free man and when it comes to studies, he is very poor. Akhilan later realises that there is something fishy about his father-owned company and smells a rat. This costs his life and he is killed. Kajal Aggarwal as Anjali, who was in love with Akhilan, falls for Vimalan and they set to solve the mystery.

The first half of Maattrraan is good and entertaining. Director KV Anand has amazingly shot the conjoined twins portion for nearly 90 minutes. The director has to be really appreciated for showing the rarity in detail. But the second half is too predictable.

However, performance wise, Maattrraan has brought out the best out of Surya. It requires a strong will to take up conjoined twins role considering that a slight error could have made him a laughing stock. The actor has worked hard which is visible on-screen. The kind of energy that he has given to the characters are amazing. Kajal Aggarwal is not merely limited to arm candy role and she has good number of scenes to say in the movie. 

Sounder Rajan's cinematography is remarkable. He has wonderfully captured the best locales of Russia in his lens and his work in fight sequences is appreciable. Harris Jayaraj's music is good but not the very best. 

Maattrraan Rating:

3.0/5

Download Thuppaki songs - Audio Launch on October 10, 2012

Great news for all Vijay fans. It has been officially announced that Thuppaki's Audio launch is scheduled on October 10, 2012.  The upcoming Tamil action thriller film written and directed by A. R. Murugadoss has the soundtrack composed by Harris Jayaraj. Harris is working for the second time with Vijay after the successful album of Nanban and the third time with Murugadoss.

The lyrics were written by Na. Muthukumar, Vivega and Madhan Karky, who had written over 35 pallavis for one of the songs. Reports stating that Senegalese American R&B singer Akon would sing the title song of the film were dismissed later. Vijay and Andrea Jeremiah lent their voices for track titled Google Google, a party number, in the film. Also, Antarctica song brings out a romantic number that expresses one's heart-felt while leading a life at military. Both these songs are penned by Madhan karky.

The film is produced by S. Thanu and cinematography is handled by Santhosh Sivan, who with Thuppakki will introduce the Arri Alexa camera to Indian cinema. The film, which commenced production in December 2011 in Mumbai, is slated for a Diwali 2012 release.Thuppaki satellite rights was bagged by Sun TV for for a record price of 13.75 crores. 

Here is a list of 5 songs.Click on the songs to download.

1. Antarctica
2. Google Google
3. Kutti Puli Kootam
4. Poi Varavaa
5. Vennilave
6. Alaikaa

McLaren sign Sergio Perez for Lewis Hamilton

McLaren have confirmed they are signing Sergio Pérez on a multi-year deal from next season as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, who is on his way to Mercedes.

McLaren have trumped an announcement from Mercedes regarding Hamilton's switch with their own statement regarding the 22-year-old Mexican, who will leave Sauber at the end of this year to drive alongside Jenson Button in the 2013 season.

The McLaren team principal, Martin Whitmarsh, said: "We've been monitoring his progress carefully for some months. It was a string of giantkilling performances, a trio of podiums and a brilliant fastest lap in this year's Monaco Grand Prix that showed us that Sergio lacks nothing in terms of speed and commitment.

"Uniting Sergio alongside Jenson will give us a very broad base of driver ability. While Sergio is still developing his palette of skills, we're convinced that he's not only talented and quick, but also that he's willing and eager to learn.

"He's perfectly poised to develop into a world championship challenger. His addition to the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team provides us with the perfect two-pronged driver line-up for the new season." Pérez added: "I'm thrilled and delighted to have become a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver.

"The McLaren name is one of the greatest in the history of Formula One. For more than 40 years, McLaren has been a team that every racing driver has aspired to drive for - I was brought up on the great stories of Ayrton Senna's many world championship triumphs for McLaren – and I'm truly honoured that they've chosen me to partner Jenson from 2013 onwards."

Hamilton has decided to end his 14-year association with McLaren at the end of the season and join Mercedes on a three-year deal worth a reported £15m a year. Hamilton said: "It is now time for me to take on a fresh challenge and I am very excited to begin a new chapter racing for the Mercedes Formula One Team.

"Mercedes-Benz has such an incredible heritage in motorsport, along with a passion for winning, which I share. "Together, we can grow and rise to this new challenge. I believe that I can help steer the Silver Arrows to the top and achieve our joint ambitions of winning the world championships."

Whitmarsh paid tribute to the 27-year-old, who won the 2008 drivers' title with the Woking-based team. "It's entirely appropriate I should take this opportunity to pass on our thanks to Lewis," said Whitmarsh. "He wrote a huge chapter of his life and career with us, and was, and always will be, a fine member of an exclusive club – the McLaren world champions' club.

"It goes without saying we all wish him well for the future, just as it also goes without saying we hope and believe Sergio, too, will become a member of that exclusive club before too long." Hamilton will partner his close friend Nico Rosberg at Mercedes, with the veteran former champion Michael Schumacher moving aside and possibly to stay on as a brand ambassador for the team.

Lewis Hamilton joins Mercedes for 3 year deal leaving Mclaren

2008 F1 Champion Lewis Hamilton is all set to leave McLaren for Mercedes in a three-year deal worth $100 million, British and German media reports said on Friday. The agreement, expected to be announced later Friday, could spell the end of the Formula One career of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, who is out of contract at Mercedes at the end of the year.

Sources told DPA Mercedes would not be extending Schumacher’s contract, although it is unclear whether the German will go back into retirement or seek a new team. British newspapers said an announcement could come later on Friday after the Mercedes board had signed a new commercial agreement binding the team to the sport.

The Telegraph said the three-year deal could be worth as huge as $100 million. Both teams were expected to hold news conferences later in the day. The decision by Hamilton to leave McLaren will be a major blow to the British team, which had offered their driver a new deal.

Hamilton had been with the team since he was 13 years old and won the world championship in 2008. The 27-year-old has reportedly been told by Mercedes he will be the number one driver, partnering the German Nico Rosberg.

A possible move by Schumacher to another team “is “not an issue today,” his manager Sabine Kehm told DPA. Schumacher returned to Formula One in 2010 after a three-year absence, but has registered only a single podium place with Mercedes since then.

On Thursday, Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn told the BBC that Schumacher had “been a huge asset to the team, he’s really taken us forward.” He added: “I do think Michael contributes an awful lot, so I think the decision for Michael to stay or not continue is a difficult one.

“Obviously he’s very involved in that decision, and discussions are ongoing at the moment.”