TeLuGu HaNgOuT

Prince of Tollywood Mahesh Babu’s most awaited film in combination with Trivikram Srinivas, has arrived on the floors on 25th March. The regular shooting began at Annapurna Studios. Presented by S.Satya Rammurthy, it is the second production of Singanamala Ramesh on Kanakarathna Movies banner.

Mahesh Babu in a talk said “Followed by a hit like ‘Athadu’ in our combination, Trivikram has narrated this storyline to me. The theme has inspired me a lot and we are passionately working on this movie. It is designed with multiple elements on very high standards to amuse the viewers and fans.”

Anushka who made to the top recently with ‘Arundhati’ and much talked about film ‘Billa’ plays the lead lady. Incidentally she has replaced Parvathi Melton from this role. First time working with Mahesh, she is very happy about the film in the direction of Trivikram.

Aiming to create a sensational hit in combination of Mahesh and Trivikram, producer Singanamala Ramesh has decided not to compromise in making.

The first schedule began on 25th March and will continue till the end of June, during which half of the movie will be completed. A special village is built at Gandipet with an expense of two crores for this shooting schedule. Similarly an expensive Rajasthan Temple set is also being constructed.

Shaping up as the most expensive movie in the history of Telugu Cinema, the unit will tour Namibia in South Africa in July, Rajasthan in August for shooting and the locales of Italy in September to film the songs. It is planned to complete post-production works in October and November and get ready for release by December.

Mani Sharma has rendered many chart busters like ‘Rajakumarudu’, ‘Murari’, ‘Okkadu’, ‘Athadu’ and ‘Pokiri’ for Mahesh Babu. He is set to score yet another musical hit for this film.

The supporting stars in this film include Prakashraj, Brahmanandam, Sunil, Venu Madhav, Ali, Nazar, MS Narayana, Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam, Tanikella Bharani, Shafi, Sudha, Sriranjani.

Photography is by Sunil Patel, Art direction is by Ananda Sai, fights designer is Vijayan, Stills by Das. Jasthi Hemambar and Ravi kiran are the associate directors.

Ugadi the Telugu New year marks the beginning of Spring season and also a second season for film industry in AndhraPradesh, followed by Sankranthi. Here is a short account on the most anticipated films queued up for release on this Telugu New Year day (Chaitra Neethana Virodhi Nama Samvathsaram)

‘Aakashamantha’ starring Trisha and Prakashraj, based on the theme of 20 years of endearing relationship between a father and his daughter, is ‘Dil’Raju’s produce, in the direction of Radha Mohan.

‘Manorama’ stars Charmme in the lead, directed by Eeshwar Reddy for Zee Motion Pictures. Touted as a romantic thriller, it is a heroine centric film promising fresh and distinct kind of entertainment.

‘Ananda Thandavam’ starring Thamanna in the lead, is the Telugu version of the Tamil film produced by Aascar Ravichandran in the direction of Gandhi Krishna. The story is an adaptation from a novel, which is heroine centric, and carries a message for those craving to settle outside their homeland.

Sriram and Prithviraj as two sincere police officers ‘Police Police’ is all about their ideologies and approach in dealing with various situations in their profession. The movie is also said to include some real life incidents. Directed by Manmohan it is produced by Chandu.

‘Samrajyam’ starring Srihari in the lead is a love story commingled with factionism. Unlike most of the faction based story this story votes for love over hatred. Muthyala Anjaneyulu is producing it in the direction of Veeru Dwait.

‘Budhimanthudu’ starring Upendra in a variety of looks with five heroines, is dubbing version of ‘Buddhivantha’ made in Kannada, which in turn is a remake of ‘Naan Avanillai’ (Tamil). This biggest hit of 2008 directed by Ramnath, is being brought for Telugu audience by P.Hanumanth Reddy and H. Lakshmikanth Reddy.

This year it seems to be like a big time for Lady Stars, as the big heroes have missed on it keeping themselves busy with upcoming general election campaigns.

Slim and svelte actress Sadha will be taking a dip into a new milieu for the first time in her upcoming film.

She plays the supporting heroine in ‘Aa Aaa Ee Eee’ starring Srikanth and Meera Jasmine, directed by Srinivas Reddy. Boddam Ashok Yadava produces the film.

After donning glamorous roles, Sadaf has opted for a change to try her luck in comedy. She’s all preening about the completely out-of-the-box role that is of a wacky pantomime of a girl who’s in a puzzled mindset. For people who have been used to see her as the shy and romantic heroine, this will be something to watch out for.

The sweet and sexy damsel of ‘Kotha Bangaru Lokam’, Swetha Basu Prasad is a constant chatter box and debates with ease. In a sheer miss, it seems she became an actress instead of an advocate.

She is so jubilant and lit up all the time as her hands are full with three films in production this season.

She stars one of the heroines in the multi-star ‘Raid’, churned by Ramesh Varma and produced by Bellamkonda Suresh. She shares screen space with Nani, Tanish and Aksha in the lead cast.

Director G. Nageswara Reddy has roped in Swetha to play the lead opposite Vaibhav in his film produced by popular director A. Kodandarami Reddy on K Films banner. Another new film by Ratna Celluloids banner went to the floors under the direction of Balaji N Sai has her as the female lead.

All said, now for everyone who thinks heroines ardently stick to their diet chart and never gorge, think again. For, Swetha Prasad is a complete foodie. The Bengali girl’s all-time favorite is rice and fish. She also doesn’t mind relishing street savories like Rajma Chawal, Butter Chicken, Chinese Cuisine, Vada Pav, Pav Baji, Sev Puri and Pani Puri.

Daughter of a Hindi father and a Bengali mother, Swetha nods sideways for dieting. When you wonder how she’s all fit after going through the mega list of food items, she just eats as per wish and later works out to compensate

The curly haired dusky lass Sonia shot to fame as Shrav’s in ‘Happy Days’. After the debut film, ‘Vinayakudu’, the runaway hit that featured her in the lead cast moved her to near stardom.

With two consecutives in her bag, it’s no wonder when offers queued up for the actress. With a distinct approach to script selection, Sonia didn’t sign up every other one but only selected the best.

She has checked in for a new film set to begin under the direction of Jonnalagadda Srinivasa Rao.

If she succeeds again, it will be a hat-trick for the newcomer who’s making it big already in tinsel town. We can rub off any more doubts and be sure she will be the future star in Tollywood.

The release date of ‘Kick’ directed by Surender Reddy of ‘Athanokkade’ fame is slated on 7th May.

Starring Ravi Teja and Ileana in the lead cast, producer Venkat is making the film on RR Movies Makers banner. Tamil actor Shyam and Ashmika are playing the supporting lead cast.

With the talkie portions done, the crew is busy touring Malaysia now to film the songs. The shooting will wind-up by 20th this month, as reported. Casting Ravi Teja as a betting master, ‘Kick’ is touted to be a mass entertainer made to appease all classes of audience.

Other important artists in the film include Brahmanandam, Sunil, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam, Sayahi Shinde, Jayaprakash Reddy, Ali, Rahgubabu and Jeeva.

Ramcharan is one busy star in Tollywood with projects lining up his way. Even before his second film got over under the direction of SS Rajamouli, he has signed up for a new flick to be directed by ‘Bommarillu’ Bhaskar.

The home production house Anjana productions will make the film that will probably go to the floors this month.

A trained professional cinematographer, Kiran Reddy from USA has been roped in to be the director of photography for this Ramcharan’s third film.

The debutant cinematographer of the thriller flick ‘Ms. Goldman’ (2004), K. Kiran Reddy is said to have co-directed by ‘Naach’ besides Ram Gopal Varma. He got a wide recognition for his fresh and appealing cinematography in the film.

With talented crew coming together, Ram Charan’s third is also expected to be a box office hit.

Big time producer Allu Arvind is producing ‘Magadheera’ starring Ram Charan Teja and Kajal Agarwal on Geetha Arts banner. Director of super hits SS Rajamouli is making this action packed entertainer which is all set to treat fans this summer.

Following blockbuster hits ‘Jalsa’ and ‘Ghajini’, ‘Magadheera’ is next in the line that is slated for worldwide release on 9th April. The movie is in the last lap of production with just a month to go.

The distribution rights for the Non- U.S. countries including UK- Ireland, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore has been obtained by Krishna Productions.

Krishna productions will release the movie in all these centers on the same date as in India.

Starring Rajasekhar and Bhumika, under G. Ram Prasad’s direction ‘Naa Style Veru’ is fast shaping up and had entered the last shooting schedule today on 10th March.

The versatile star Rajasekhar is once again donning a unique role in this film which is said to be one of the best in his career. The crew camped at Munnar situated in god’s own country Kerala recently and pictured a song featuring the female lead Bhumika in the beautiful scenario.

The final schedule will be comprised of two songs ad some action scenes that will be canned within a period of ten days without any break-up. After it ends, post production work will begin in earnest, to release the film in April.

Looks like Vikram has been persistently spelling his dazzling talents on the course of filming ‘Kanthaswamy’. Uh-huh! The first one to turn spotlights on him was his astounding performance of bullfight that was filmed on the real grounds of Mexico.

As a matter of fact, the real matadors were indeed stunned with this speculative show. Later, it was about Vikram crooning for all 4 songs for both the versions in Tamil and Telugu. Precisely, Vikram happens to be the only actor who has crooned for his songs, say around 60 years followed by Tamil Cinema’s ever-cherishing Superstar Thyagaraja Bhagavathar who rendered the voice for his own films. And above all this, here’s something more exciting for Vikram’s fans. The actor would be taking on with more mimicry in this magnum opus ‘Kanthaswamy’.

Well, dubbing for various actors including Prabhu Deva and Abbas in various films has made him sharper in intonating his vocalisms to extents. It’s more implying that it would be a film out and most a complete show of Vikram’s brilliant prospects.

The latest bustle in tinsel town is that Trisha was roped in by the Congress party to campaign for the upcoming elections.

Cinema and politics are working hand-in-hand in Andhra Pradesh with every party in town having at least one top star to flaunt with. But, the role of heroines in the scenario is bit underplayed same as that of movies. Out of the few, yesteryear stars Jayasudha, Vijayashanthi and Roja have actively engaged themselves in politics.

Will Trisha be the newbie to step in from the list of young heroines?

No, absolutely not – was Trisha’s answer to media and she elucidated that it’s just a rumor that has been spread by some back-bitters with a motive to defame her rising stardom. No party or anyone had approached her with such an offer.

What we know is the political party did approach Trisha to support them but she politely refused saying that she’s dedicated to cinema and also too young to be in the political scene.

Maybe, Trisha just needs some time to grow up before making such big moves. As of now, she’s got her hands full in Tamil and busy acting in three films simultaneously.

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.

Shankar’s ‘Yanthram’ is shaping up in fantabulous style with the filmmaker crafting and etching every nuance of the piece of work to perfection.

Superstar Rajinikanth is the man and machine, with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as the lead lady to be romanced by both these characters; AR Rahman has composed a spectacular signature tune for the film.

With directors busy in discussing the storyboard for the film, Shankar sticks to his habit of preparing a storyboard for the songs too! During the time, the crew including art director, cinematographer, music director and lyricist will sit in to discuss apt musical style, breathtaking sets, junior artists’ costumes to match the backdrop, props and so on…

‘Boom Boom’ in ‘Boys’, ‘Randaka’ in ‘Aparchithadu’ and ‘Vaaji’ in ‘Sivaji’ are some of his master piece signature songs in the past. Rahman has composed a similar song for ‘Yenthram’ sung by Madhushree, who crooned for ‘Vaaji’ which will be canned in grand sets erected at Hyderabad film city. Under the direction of art director Sabu Cyril, the magnificently grand prop has been custom-built.

More than a 1000 junior artistes clad in silver robot costumes will be featured in the number. Sounds quite grand, indeed! True Shankar style…

Nagarjuna’s super hit ‘King’ starring Trisha and Mamatha Mohandas will soon be dubbed and released for the Tamil audience. Sreenu Vaitla directed the cocktail commercial flick with elements of action, romance and comedy which is expected to enthrall the Tamil viewers too.

Producer Siva Prasad Reddy made the announcement and said, “Nag’s captivating three roles will sure be a highlight for the film. Nagarjuna and Trisha’s on screen presence will lure the people towards the cinema halls. We are confident that the special song featuring eight lead heroines will rock.”

Nagarjuna’s ‘Mass’ and some other films dubbed in Tamil had a good response in the past. ‘King’ with a perfect blend to entertain every strata of film goers is likely to become a hit.

Starring Bindu Madhavi of ‘Avakai Biryani’ director Raju Rajendra Prasad of ‘Konchem Kothaga’ is set to make a film. V. Nageder is producing the film on Prakash V Productions banner. Actor and director Ravi Babu is entrusted with a heavy role that carries the plot forward.

The story is based on the real life incidents that happen to the characters on screen in contemporary modern society. Bindhu Madhavi and Ravi Babu play key roles that carry a lot of weightage in the script. The girl who gave a graceful performance in her debut film itself, Bindhu will have abundant scope to act in this movie, says the director.

Makers have made plans to the launch the film by this week. Other cast includes Jaiprakash Reddy, MS Narayana and Chalapathi Rao.

Cinematography is by PS Vamsikrishna, editing by Anirudra and art direction is handled by Ramakrishna.

Apart from this film, Bindhu Madhavi will soon share screen space with Sai Ram Shankar in a movie to be directed by Puri Jagannath.