Chennai, Nov 8 (IANS) Tamil actor Vimal is riding high these days. He is working on two films - 'Ishtam' and 'Anaithukkum Aasaipadu' and has signed two new projects - 'Neerparavaigal' and 'Unmai Sonnal Nesipaya'.

In all the films, Vimal will be seen in different avatars.

'Neerparavaigal' revolves around the lives of fishermen in Nagapattinam district.

'It will be an emotional tale which would speak about their (fishermen) travails on sea and the sand,' said director Seenu Ramasami, whose 'Thenmerku Paruva Katru' had won national awards.

'Unmai Sonnal Nesipaya' is based on a real incident in Erode and revolves around five people.

'I've recorded their narration as well for the movie,' said director Ravi.

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Vijay goes the James Bond way

Vijay, who has signed Gautham Menon's 'Yohan: Adhyayam Ondru', will play a spy a la James Bond in the the movie and it is also said that the actor will be seen in such a role for the first time.

According to sources, 'Yohan...' is a remake of a French movie, 'Largo Winch', and will be shot in New York and Chennai.

'Yohan: Adhyayam Ondru' will see the director and the star teaming up for the first time.

'Though there were talks in the past to work together, they did not materialise for various reasons. Now we have found a right script to turn it into a big treat for the fans,' Goutham said in a recent interview.

The movie is expected to hit the screens in mid-2012.

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Is Dhanush playing lead in 'Maareesan'?

It was reported that actor Simbu will play the lead role in director Simbudevan's 'Maareesan', but the director denied it and now rumours are rife that Dhanush may be signed up for the period fantasy thriller.

Dhanush is currently busy shooting for '3' and 'Mayakkam Enna'.

Regarding roping Simbu, Simbudevan had rubbished it saying: 'No, it's nothing of the sort and I am busy with the 'Maareesan' pre-production work. We'll start work on the shooting after we make an official announcement about the film to the press.'

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No tribute to anyone in 'Nanban'

Director S. Shankar will not pay any tribute to legends like Kamal Haasan and Rajnikanth in his film 'Nanban', a remake of 2009 superhit Hindi film '3 Idiots'.

The director is busy shooting the film with Vijay, Jeeva, Srikanth, Ileana D'Cruz and Sathyaraj.

'There is truth in the reports that there are some get-up changes for Vijay and Ileana - they will come in four get-ups. But there is no tribute to anyone in the film. The looks are going to be new and Shankar has experimented differently once again,' said a source close to the film.