Mohanlal as Samudrakani Film from January

Tamil actor-director Samudrakani's debut Malayalam directorial venture, starring Mohanlal in the lead, is expected to commence shooting by January 2012. It is learned that the film would be a social satire with plenty of humour and loads of sentiments.

Samudrakani is currently busy shooting his Tamil film Poraali, starring Sasikumar, and he will start his untitled Mohanlal starrer once Poraali

Mohanlal will turn fifty one

One of the best of the actors who had ever graced the film industry in our country, Mohanlal will turn fifty one today. This living legend and Mollywood icon will have the celebration as a private affair, though his fans have been demanding a very big celebration at Thiruvananthapuram, his home city.

Lalettan, as he is affectionately known among millions of Malayalees all over the globe, was

Vidya Balan opposite Mohanlal

Kerala born Bollywood actress Vidya Balan, who is set to mark her Malayalam debut with cinematographer-turned-filmmaker Santosh Sivan's forthcoming Urumi, has signed her second Malayalam film.

This time, she joins hands with leading commercial director Priyadarshan to play superstar Mohanlal's heroine in Arabiyum, Ottakavum, Madhavan Nairum, a comedy thriller based on the Indian diaspora living