TeLuGu HaNgOuT

There’s a good reason to have a déjà vu feel reading the title and getting into a conclusion that it’s just another flick set to begin.

But, in a reality check it’s literally a deceiving statement about Priyamani. For, she’s not going to be paired up with actor Ram for a Telugu film. But, ‘Ram’ is a Kannada film that will debut Priyamani pitted against Puneeth Rajkumar in the lead.

The Kerala born star dwelled in Bangalore all along and is a fluent Kannada speaker. When she turned a model, director Bharathi Raja gave her the first break in Tamil. After becoming a popular actress in Telugu and Tamil, Priyamani still had the longing to act in a Kannada film and attain fame in the industry.

The dates never fell in place until Aditya Babu managed to set things right and bought Priyamani into Sandalwood. Her ongoing work includes ‘Mithrudu’ with Balakrishna and Mani Ratnam’s ‘Ravana’.

‘Ram’ will go to the floors once she’s done with the committed schedules.

The production house of super hit films ‘KrishnaVeni’, ‘Bhakta Kannappa’, ‘Amara Deepam’, ‘Bobbili Brahmanna’ and ‘Tandra Paparayudu’, Gopi Krishna Movies pvt ltd is making a comeback with the stylish extravaganza ‘Billa’.

Starring Prabhas, Anushka and Namitha in the lead, Krishnam Raju in a prominent role, Meher Ramesh had directed the film produced by Narendra and Prabodh.

Saving two songs, the shooting is complete and the makers have announced that the audio launch function will be held before the end of March.

In the recent press meet, director Ramesh said, “All along my career, I had the rare opportunity to direct the younger generation of popular superstars. I directed Puneeth Rajkumar in Kannada for my first and second film, who happens to be the son of Rajkumar. I did ‘Kanthir’ with Jr. NTR, son of NTR and now, I am working with Prabhas, son of Krishnam Raju for ‘Billa’ made on GopiKrishna Movies. I am fortunate to work with these people and do some big budget flicks.”

‘The stylish film is the story of a mafia don for which we have used the latest technology including a 35mm camera. The shooting has been carried out in captivating locations of Malyasia. Fast paced car chases and thrilling stunt scenes will be a treat for film lovers’.

“Prabhas’s look and body language has been done on par with audience’s expectations. With meticulous efforts, we have designed his costumes and style on-screen. Prabhas is the first star in the South to have worked out to shape an eight pack abs for this role. Anushka will rivet with her looks while Namitha will sheen in her part. Hansika’s special cameo in a song is just another thing to look out for. For the demanding role of a police officer, we have bought in Krishnam Raju and he had done his best,” concluded the maker.

Producer Adithya Ram began a film factory and the first film of Adithya Ram Movies banner in this new venture will be in Prabhas - Puri Jagannath combo.

The shooting of this film will begin on 18th March and the other proposed films will follow in suit. Puri Jagannath in his style of hit flicks has churned out yet another stylish and action oriented script to suit the body language of Prabhas. In the line of hits like ‘Sandade Sandadi’, ‘Khushi Khushiga’, ‘Swagatham’, Adithya Ram has begun his ‘Production No – 4’.

Adithya Ram arranged a press meet to reveal the news and said, “This big budget movie will have all the flavor of romance, action, sentiment and comedy to entertain one and all. Puri Jagannath have worked hard to envisage this script and we are sure this will be a hit film produced by the film factory. Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut has been roped in to play the heroine while the supporting star cast is to be decided. Puri and Prabhas will put in their best efforts to bring out a blockbuster hit.”

Director Puri said that the commercial entertainer will be tailor made for Prabhas and will most probably hit screens by August.

Puri Jagannath churned out ‘Neninthe’ lastly and Prabhas is busy with ‘Billa’ directed by Meher Ramesh which is in the last leg of production.

Meher Ramesh’s ‘Billa’ starring Prabhas, Anushka and Namitha in the cast will hit screens on March 20th.

Meher Ramesh’s earlier hit ‘Kanthri’ bought him fame and ‘Billa’ will be his upcoming stylish, action flick. Senior star Krishnam Raju will be seen in a meaty role of a police officer. The crew camped in Malaysia to film spectacular stunt scenes and talkie portions. Meher has also beckoned glamour girl Hansika for a song in the film.

‘Billa’ is a remake of the Tamil film and the script is being made on global standards to Hollywood films. Excluding three songs, the shooting is complete and the release date is expected to be as planned

Priyamani’s bikini act in the forthcoming Nithin’s ‘Drona’ is the hottest topic in tinsel town. The heroine debuted to Tollywood with ‘Evare Athadu’ sharing screen space with Vallabhaneni, son of KS Rama Rao, directed by Bhanu Shankar.

The Tamil girl had a bad opening with the dud and again made a comeback with Madan’s ‘Pellaina Kothalo’ starring Jagapathi Babu. The movie gave her a big break in Telugu cinema followed by the super hit ‘Yamadonga’ (NTR) directed by SS Rajamouli.

‘Drona’ is the latest which will hit screens tomorrow on 20th February. Nithin is near starvation for a hit and is troubled by his previous duds. Even though, the movie has a good script, screenplay and action stunts, the film makers seem to be betting high on the glamour part. Riveting stills of Priyamani’s rain dance was a trail for her main bikini act in the movie.

Will Priyamani’s bikini drive Nithin towards the road to ‘El Dorado’? Just wait for a day and watch out for the review on ‘Drona’ to see if Priyamani saved Nithin!

Puri Jagannath, after completing 'Neninthe', which received mixed reviews starring Ravi Teja, is working for a new film starring Prabhas in the lead. 'Bujjigadu' (2007) was the last film in Prabhas – Puri combination and this will be the duo's comeback movie. The film is a part of the film factory initiated by Adithya Ram on Aditya Movies banner and presented by Puri Jagannath.

Kangana Ranaut, the budding bollywood star and size zero girl, will be playing the heroine for the first time in Telugu. She stepped into Hindi with 'Gangster' directed by Mahesh Bhatt. The critically acclaimed film gave her a big break in her career also winning her the Filmfare award for Best Female Debutante. She enacted in some of the best scripted films like 'Woh Lamhe', 'Life in a Metro' and 'Fashion'.

She forayed into Tamil cinema with 'Dhaam Dhoom' directed by late Jeeva. Now, its time for the riveting actress to adorn Telugu screens and Jagannath had taken up the job of bringing her to Tollywood.

The Kannada super hit film ‘Bindas’ starring Puneeth Rajkumar and Hansika of ‘Maska’, is being dubbed in Telugu under the title ‘Pandugadu’. Rajendra Babu has directed the film produced by J. Balaraju on Santhosh Productions banner and presented by Smt. J. Bhavani.

The audio launch function was held on 9th February evening at Film Nagar Cultural Club. Supreme Music distributes and holds the music rights. Dr. D. Ramanaidu unveiled the CD and presented it to DVS Raju. KS Rama Rao inaugurated the cassettes and Kaja Suryanarayana received the same.

After the function, producer Balaraju spoke to the press about the film.

Based on a gripping plot, the story is about the encounter between the police and a mafia gang. Popular Kannada star and son of superstar Rajkumar, Puneeth plays the lead role and this film will bring him recognition among Telugu audience. Hansika is a known hero in Tollywood and her glamour will woo the youngsters. All the songs were canned in international locations. Suma Raganath is in a prominent character and the climax filmed for 20 days at Golconda Fort in Hyderabad will be enthralling.

Music director Guru Kiran has set the tunes for the lyrics penned by Ananth Sriram, Rajendra and RamMurthy. Ravi Varma, Praveen, Vandematharam Srinivas and Said Sivani have voiced the songs. DTS mixing has been carried out in Rama Naidu Studios. Once we complete the censor works, the film will get released by the end of February.

Other important cast of the film includes Suman, Nazar, Rahul Dev, Vanitha, Suma Ranganath and others

The maker of blockbusters hits with Chiranjeevi, popular director A. Kodandarami Reddy is presently making the film ‘Punnami Nagu’. Starring Rajiv Kanakala and Mumaith Khan, G.Vijaykumar Goud is producing the film which is in postproduction.

Although the title 'Punnami Nagu' reminds us of earlier Chiranjeevi's film, this film is a new plot different from the classic movie. Riveting actress Mumaith Khan’s dance and looks will bring in the audience, according to the makers.

Other important cast includes MS Narayana, Nalini, Suhasini, Vinod Kumar, Nilalgal Ravi and Adithya Om. Yendamuri Veerendranath has written the story and G. Maheshwar Reddy presents the film. Dialogues are by Veligonda Srinivas and music is composed by SA Rajkumar.

At present, the dubbing along with editing and re-recording is being carried out in the studio. Audio will be launched soon and the movie will be released in the month of March.