Valentine wallpapers

Wednesday, February 04, 2009 0 Responses

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Mangeera

Wednesday, February 04, 2009 0 Responses
Banner:MMK Arts
Cast:Gowtham, Sridevi, Raghuvarun, Saleem Panda, Ramaraju, Ashok Kumar, Bramhanandam, Jeeva, Bhanuchander, Surya, Dandapani, Silon Manohar, Gopikrishna and others
Direction:Saibhanu
Production:Kella Gopikrishna
Music:Shekar Chandra

On a random pick of the lot, when we watch few films they remind us constantly that we have seen it somewhere earlier. The same nudging feel prevails while watching ‘Manjeera’ produced by the newly floated MMK Arts banner which got released on 31st January. Starring debutant Gautham and Sridevi, debutant Sai Bhanu has directed and Samba Siva Rao produced the film. Here we go through the pros and cons of the movie.

Storyline

The story begins in Vizag when the orphan Vasu (Gautham) in an attempt to save a pregnant woman, loses his ring with small bells (Muvvalu or Manjeeralu) in the spot. The ring was the last gift given to him by his mother in her death bed which goes into the hands of Beebi Nanchari alias Beena, a Muslim girl. She recovers the ring but misses Vasu and her attempts to handover it goes in vain.

Without knowing that Vasu works for a Dada Ansari (Saleem Panda), who’s the right hand for MLA Mudiraj (Dandapani), Beena falls in love with him at first sight. Vasu who works as a thug and hitman for the goon, commits murders and indulges in illegitimate activities. Meanwhile, the proud beauty Beena dreams beyond her reach and waits for the man. On a fateful day, her cousin (Surya) demands her father the debt back. As they were unable to do it, he takes Beena to Hyderabad to sell her off to the Arab Sheiks. Unaware of the impending danger, she follows him to Hyderabad where she encounters Vasu.

In a sale bid, Ansari competes with others even cutting a sheiks hand buys Beena for his own. In a tiring end, Beena at last reveals her love to Vasu.

How will the hero marry Beena as he already works under Ansari and a criminal? Will he be forced to sacrifice his love or will he triumph over bad and marry his girl? Watch it yourself on screen.

Performance of Artists

Right from the word go the character of the protagonist played by debutant Gautham has a baffled look which sticks on to us at times. We can’t deny he got a good build but as an actor, he needs to improvise a lot. Sridevi has done a graceful job as she is kind of experienced in the role. At certain instance, we can’t help but Saleem Panda’s performance mesmerizes us and makes us feel he’s the hero.

Even though, a group of most talented artistes like Raghuvaran, Bhanuchandar, Dandapani, Rama Raju, Jeeva, Venu Madhav, Y.Vijaya are a part of the cast, they were not given much screen space and their acting skills has been underplayed.

Apart from sitting and play chess, Raghuvaran in the role of ring master who controls the Dada has no scope to performance in his last film. His role has clear shades of Sivasena leader Bal Thakre. Near the end, slight remembrance lingers about Bhanu Chandar, in his role of ACP. We have to laugh for the sake of said comedy done by Jeeva, Suman Shetty and Venu Madhav.

Story, Screenplay and Direction

Opportunity once wasted takes a long time to come back. This proverb should be inculcated to director Sai Bhanu by his well wishers because he failed to play the cards properly. The end product depicts he was more keen to go to the sets rather than building a proper script in pre-production stage.

He unnecessarily travels the storyline by moving the heroine to Hyderabad by her cousin, letting the hero slip his ‘Manjeera’ adorned ring, making the villains as senseless humans which results in the only sensible act in the halls, a big yawn from us near the end. Such a script should have a taut screenplay and characters designed after contemplation. While watching, it goes on its own way and is like the scenes were dragged like gum to buy time for the director. In the huge pile of cons, pros are seen in meager amount.

Technical Aspects

Camera cranked by Sathibabu beautifully brings in the scenes and the director has also rendered more concentration on visuals than the script. Young musician Sekhar Chandra has composed some good tunes which is a welcome relief for us. Notably, heroine’s intro song and ‘Siri Vaana’ are good to listen to.

Ram – Lakshman have always choreographed new style of stunts every time for their films and in ‘Manjeera’ we need not reiterate about their working style. Fight scenes are far above the range for a debut star which is a deliberate mistake done by the director who tried to elevate the newcomers image to a mass hero at the first movie itself.

Criticism

‘Manjeera’ is one more new arrival in the list of Hindu – Muslim love stories. Usually, our filmmakers have been getting inspired by world cinema and Hollywood flicks in the recent past. But, director Sai Bhanu seems to have been mesmerized by 'Two Town Rowdy', 'Okkadu' and 'Varsham'. While watching this film we do can guess randomly that the director might have watched those above said movies atleast ten or more times before coming up with this one.

A question to the filmmaker, won’t an average audience understand the meaning that Manjeera means bell, unless they speak French. What’s the motive to show the small bell on screen often (often irritates) to show the story is being spun around it. Keeping the director’s work aside, albeit the producer’s expenditure to bring out the film ‘Manjeera’, even without turning a deaf ear, we cannot hear the sound of the bell. Bad luck, we don’t get saved by the bell here.


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Chakri interview

Wednesday, February 04, 2009 0 Responses
Chakri is the one of the young music directors of present times in Tollywood who made it to the top with arduous effort. He has the rare distinction of composing music for 18 films in one year, the only one to achieve it next to late Chakravarthy.

His first composition was a patriotic song made for his college cultural. Later, he gathered a few friends who shared interest in music and created an orchestra team, and started practising music everyday. I breath music says this ardent music fan, who debuted with ''Bachi'' (2000) in to film industry as a composer.

‘Itlu Sravani Subrahmanyam’, ‘Shivamani’ , ‘Amma Nana O Tamil Ammai’ , ‘Idiot’, ‘Chakram’, ‘Devadasu’, ‘Desmuduru’, ‘Dhee’, and the latest ‘Maska’ are some of the notable films for which he composed original musical score.
How did you get the opportunity for MS Raju's 'Maska'?

I awaited a long time to do a film for this banner. One day, MS Raju garu called me on phone and confirmed that I am going to score the music for their next film.

We heard that the tunes you made initially were not okayed for three months. Was it true?

Yes, I had played most of the tunes I had with me to MS Raju garu. For three months, he did not accept a single tune from the collection. Later, I composed some tunes and played, insisting to select at least one from them to energize me. Then, he chose one track from them.

Which was that first tune picked up by MS Raju?

It was the tune of 'Gunde Godarila…' song. But, the first one re-recorded was 'Kalaganna kalaganna…' track, followed by 'Maro Maska Maro…' song.

Which was the track in 'Maska', in to which you had to put in a lot of effort?

The title song 'Maska.. Maro…Maro…'. I had really worked a lot to bring out this number.

This is the first single card film for lyricist Kandikonda. How did that help for the music?

Yes, you are right, and also he is working for the first time in MS Raju's film. Earlier, we together gave many hits like 'Chupultho Guchi guchi.. champake…' in Idiot and again in 'Itlu Sravani Subrahmanyam'. Kandikonda has given a variety of songs for 'Maska'. The audio is already a hit. The songs have come very well on screen too.

Who choose the singers; it is you or MS Raju?

Singers' choice was entirely mine. MS Raju garu has never interfered in this issue.

How was the experience working with MS Raju?

He has a very cool attitude, he gave me all I wanted for songs and got what he needed from me. There is a point to be noticed here, all earlier films that are made on this banner are musical hits, and one prime reason to this is MS Raju garu who has a wonderful taste for music. I am very happy that my long cherished dream to work for this banner has became true with 'Maska'.

What are the precautions you have taken while re-recording for 'Maska'?

We have done all the songs very carefully, and we are posing even more care for the re-recording. Specially, for this we have also used assistance from technicians of Mumbai. It took us 15 days to complete this work.

This is the first time you worked with director B.Gopal. How is his working style?

'Gunde Godarila…' song was the first number he liked. Later, I played it to him with full orchestration and then he confirmed it. B.Gopal garu has a good taste for music. It is evident from the films earlier directed by him. He has extracted tunes from me that are equally outstanding as his earlier tracks. Very cool going man. It is a wonderful experience working with him.

This is your second film with Ram, right?

Yes, our first film was 'Devadas'. For that film all my tunes were approved in a single sitting. But, for 'Maska' I had to put in a lot of effort.

Did you score the tunes to suit Ram’s style?

The title song and the 'Maro…Maro… Maska' were the two songs I composed to suit Ram’s style. My wish to create fast beat tunes has been realized with 'Maska'. The vigor, with which I have made the tunes for 'Maska', is equally displayed by Ram’s dance steps. Really, the songs and dance have come out exceptionally well.

Are you expecting a Sankrathi hit from 'Maska'?

Sankranthi hit is not a new experience for me. Earlier, 'Satyam', 'Devadas', 'Deshamuduru' and 'Krishna' are all Sankranthi hits for me.

MS Raju is already called as a Sankrathi Raju. Now, can we call you as Pongal Chakri?

May be I might be addressed that way (chuckles).

Tell us about your ongoing projects.

Right now, I am doing 'Sare Nee Ishtam' for Chandra Mahesh, 'Bablu' with a debutant director and hero, and also with Vamsi garu for 'Gopi Gopika Godavari'


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Shriya’s costly affair

Wednesday, February 04, 2009 0 Responses

The leading damsel in South Indian cinema Shriya Saran plays the female lead in the extravagantly made ‘Mallanna’ starring Vikram. Directed by Susi Ganesan, Kalapuli S. Dhanu is producing the film on a high budget.

Based on a fantasy plot, Vikram plays the Indian superhero and Shriya’s role is yet to be out. After spending about two years in the making, the crew is now busy filming the songs in exquisite foreign locations. For rendering the songs a grandiose effect, the makers are thriving for every aspect including the main lead’s costumes.

The costume designers after lengthy discussions decided upon a costume worth 30 lakhs and jewelry worth 6 crores for Shriya which they felt will be apt (!) to bring in the desired effect. With the producers consent, the costumes were made ready and the jewel set was rented for an amount of 5 lakhs on a daily basis. The song was canned in Italy and the estimated budget for the single song itself is one and a half crores, says Reuters.

If one song costs this much, one can imagine what the total budget might be…


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Nayantara does it yet again

Wednesday, February 04, 2009 0 Responses

http://image1.indiaglitz.com/telugu/news/Nayan040209_1c.jpg

Surprising film goers, the coveted naïve girl of ‘Thulasi’ later became a sexy vixen by donning glamorous roles clad in revealing outfits. A milestone for Nayantara is the Tamil film ‘Billa’ starring Ajith in which she appeared in a bikini. For the Telugu audience, she will be reiterating her bikini act.

Nayantara is the female lead in the film directed by VV Vinayak starring NTR. Produced by Vamsi Mohan on a high budget, the film is a trademark NTR entertainer filled with action, drama and emotions. She has consented to be clad in the costume which costs her a lot.

For being in such revealing outfits, one need a taut structure and Nayanthara has been going on a crash diet filled with only protein food stuff. The actress has reportedly swooned in the sets of this film due to low blood pressure. But, the actress denies it saying that it’s only a rumor and she is in good health condition. This is not the first time she has fainted in the sets for she was admitted for a check up after one such incident earlier for the same reason.

Is it worthy to undergo such hardships for glamour, only Nayanthara could answer this question.


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Varun Sandesh’s ‘Bike’ crosses first lap

Wednesday, February 04, 2009 0 Responses

The happiest guy in Tollywood now could be Varun Sandesh as he is constantly busy acting in films produced by renowned banners and directed by young filmmakers. Following the popular hits, ‘Happy Days’ and ‘Kotha Bangaru Lokam’, he completed ‘Evaraina Epudaina’ produced by AVM productions.

Now, he’s in the sets of the tentatively titled ‘Bike’ which is a remake of the Tamil hit ‘Polladhavan’ starring Dhanush produced by Anandi Arts banner in Telugu.

Famous star of ‘Chirutha’, Neha Sharma plays his heroine and the film went to the floors earlier. The first shooting schedule has been completed and the second will be starting shortly.

Son of Gunnam Gangaraju, Gunnam Sandeep debuts as a director with this film which is an inspired adaptation of the yesteryear Hollywood movie ‘Bicycle Thieves’ released in 1948.


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