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'Lakshyam' beats 'Sivaji' to take top spot

Actor Gopichand shines in "Lakshyam", a revenge drama.The film got an overwhelming response at the ticket window and pushed Rajnikant-starrer "Sivaji - the Boss" one notch down. It is enjoying the top position this fortnight and may rule the charts for sometime.

The top five Telugu films are:

1. "Lakshyam" - A revenge drama complete with the trademark smirk and imposing physique of Gopichand, the film has become an instant hit with the audience. Land disputes, cops and journalists appear to have touched a chord with the masses.
 
Balakrishna talks about NTR's transition
Top Telugu actor Nandamuri Balakrishna says the way his father N.T. Rama Rao identified himself with the poor and downtrodden in the movies helped him to become a better politician.

 
Award winning Telugu film 'Vanaja' opens US run Aug 31
Washington, "Vanaja", the acclaimed Telugu film about the coming-of-age of a teenage girl in rural South India, will be released in the US Aug 31 after
winning 15 awards at over 60 international film festivals.
 
'Lakshyam' poses a challenge to 'Sivaji'
Rajnikant's "Sivaji: The Boss" continues to enjoy its initial lead, made possible by its release in over 300 theatres across Andhra Pradesh, but
the blockbuster faces a real challenge from "Lakshyam".

The top five Telugu films are:

1. "Sivaji": Rajni's charisma extends director Shankar's honeymoon with the audiences. It appears only a matter of time, however, before "Lakshyam" replaces it in the top
slot.

2. "Lakshyam": Only a mass entertainer like this one could have proved a match for 'Sivaji'. Dashing Gopichand enthralls the viewers as the angry young man on a mission
of vengeance, with Jagapati Babu providing just the professional touch the theme demanded. Anuahka adds all the glamour to the flick.
 
Rahman's 'Sivaji' at top spot in Telegu album list

A.R. Rahman has emerged as the clear winner in the in the sale of music albums here this week, leaving behind Mani Sharma, as sales of the "Sivaji" album has soared after the release of the Rajnikant film on June 15.

1. "Sivaji": The popularity of the songs "Style Style" and "Sahara" has been sky-high over the past week or so. But it remains to be seen how long the album stays in this
slot.

Telugu actor faces bigamy charge
A case of bigamy has been filed against Telugu actor Pavan Kalyan in a court in the port city of Visakhapatnam.

Naidu's son engaged to Balakrishna's daughter
Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and Telugu Desam party president N. Chandrababu Naidu's son Nara Lokesh Naidu got engaged to famous Telugu film actor Nandamuri Balakrishna's daughter Brahmani at a ceremony here Sunday.

Rajnikant watches preview of 'Sivaji' with Naidu
Hyderabad, A day before his much-awaited "Sivaji" hits the screens, Tamil superstar Rajnikant Thursday watched a special preview of the film here along with Telugu Desam Party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu - keeping a promise he had made to the politician. Rajnikant, popularly known as Rajni and one of India's highest paid actors, flew to Hyderabad on a special aircraft. He watched the film with Naidu and other senior leaders of the main opposition Telugu Desam Party at Prasad Labs. To a question by newsmen on whether he wanted to be called the king of Indian cinema, he said with humility: "I am the king but Amitabh Bachchan is the emperor." 
The actor said he had promised Naidu during the shooting of the film that he would watch the preview with him. "I had made a similar promise during the making of 'Chandramukhi' but could not fulfil it," he said. When asked about the film, Rajnikant said it was getting good response. The Tamil and Telugu versions of the film, tickets for which have been sold out days ahead creating box office history, will hit theatres Friday. Film distributor Bellakonda Suresh said the Telugu version was being released in 300 theatres in Andhra Pradesh. The film has evoked frenzied response from diehard Rajnikant fans. It is being released in 40 theatres in Hyderabad city alone. Breaking all records, even for the movies of the most popular Telugu stars, "Sivaji" is commanding a whopping Rs.1,500 per ticket in the black market.
  
Telugu film 'Vanaja' picks up 4 more US awards
Washington, Set for release in selected cities across America later this summer, the acclaimed Telegu film "Vanaja" has won four more awards in US as it continues its wildly successful tour of international film festivals.Directed by Rajnesh Domalpalli, the coming-of-age drama about a teenage girl in rural South India, has now won a remarkable 13 awards after playing at over 50 film festivals around the world.Its newest prizes were awarded by the Newport Beach Film Festival, Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival, the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, and the RiverRun International Film Festival in North Carolina."Vanaja" has already won numerous other honours including Best Feature Debut at this year's Berlin International Film Festival, Best Feature at the Memphis International Film Festival, Best Actress and Best International Film at the Sacramento International Film Festival, Best Narrative Feature at the IAAC Film Festival, and the Special International Jury Prize at the Cairo International Children's Film Festival.Set in rural South India, a place where social barriers are built stronger than fort walls, "Vanaja" explores the chasm that divides classes as a young girl struggles to come of age.Vanaja (Mamatha Bhukya) is the 14 year-old daughter of a poor, low caste fisherman, struggling with dwindling catches and mounting debt. When a soothsayer predicts that she will be a great dancer one day, she goes to work in the house of the local landlady, Rama Devi (Urmila Dammannagari), in hopes of learning Kuchipudi dance while earning a keep.She is hired as a farmhand, and her vivacious ways and spunk soon catch the landlady's eye: when she is entrusted with tending the chicken, she's caught, instead, chasing them into a general pandemonium, and lying unabashedly to conceal her pranks.
To keep her out of trouble, Rama Devi promotes her to a kitchen underhand, where she comes up against the old, crusty and extremely loyal Radhamma (Krishnamma Gundimalla) - Rama Devi's cook.It isn't long before Vanaja gets herself invited to play a game of ashta chamma against Rama Devi. Seeing that losing isn't the mistress's forte, Vanaja deliberately gives up her game - a fact that doesn't go unnoticed - and which eventually secures her the landlady's mentorship - first in music, and then in dance.Vanaja excels at the art, and seems to be on a steadily ascending path when Shekhar (Karan Singh), Rama Devi's 23-year old son, handsome, muscular and rather insecure, returns from the US to run for local political elections.Sexual chemistry is ignited between Shekhar and Vanaja (still a minor at 15), as flirtation and innuendo bloom. But, the situation suddenly turns ugly when Vanaja's superior intellect pits her against Shekhar in a public incident, which ultimately humiliates him in front of his mother.Matters escalate, spiralling downwards and she is pitched into a tale of class, family and animus from which there is only one escape.
 
Abbas hurt while shooting fight sequence
Actor Abbas recently injured his left hand while filming a fight sequence in Hyderabad for Telugu film "Rudramani". He was rushed to hospital with a profusely bleeding hand.Originally, the scene in which Abbas had to fight with villain Sathyaprakash, was to be shot with a dummy. But the actor volunteered to do it himself. While attempting a dive Abbas had a nasty fall and injured his left hand badly.
 
Rahman casts spell again with 'Sivaji'
By B. Anuradha,

Hyderabad, Music wizard A.R. Rahmam casts his magic spell again with the Telugu version of "Sivaji". It tops the list this fortnight.

The top five Telugu albums are:

1. "Sivaji" - The songs "Style" and "Sahara" represent the versatility of the renowned composer.

2. "Munna" - Hit composer Harris Jayaraj has delivered another peppy album to enchant Telugu music lovers yet again. "Baaga baga" and "Chamukuro" are particularly
catchy.

3. "Adavari Matalaku Ardhale Verule" - Composer Yuvan Shankar Raja teams up with actor Venkatesh for the first time and has done a good job. "O baby" and "Manasa
manichamma" stand out.

4. "Classmates" - Director Vijayabhaskar and composer Koti, who churned out hits like "Malliswari", joined hands once again for the film. "Gundechatuga" and
"Mounamenduku" are already hit numbers.

5. "Bharani" - Yuvan Shankar Raja's Tamil hit has been received well in Telugu. "Simhadri appanna" and "Sayya sayya" are commendable.
 

 
'Desamuduru' is my best film: Allu Arjun
Hyderabad, The overwhelming success of "Desamuduru" has made hotshot Telugu star Allu Arjun's birthday this year "very special". "Besides its huge success, its definitely the best film of my career," said the actor who stunned everyone with his performance in the action-centric love story. The actor, who turned 24 April 8, wants to cater to family audiences with his next film.
"I have always tried to come up with something new every time. My next film with director Bhaskar of 'Bommarillu' fame will definitely be a family entertainer," Allu Arjun told.

   
Vishal, 'Bharani' victors in Telugu film race
By B. Anuradha,

Hyderabad, Tamil actor Vishal's dream run in Telugu cinema continues with yet another dubbed film of his opening to a great response. "Bharani" tops the list of the fortnight's Telugu films.

The top five Telugu films are:

1. "Bharani" - Unlike in his earlier mass-oriented films, lanky Vishal tries to woo family audience this time. So far, he seems to be succeeding.

2. "Evaidaithe Nakenti" - This surprise hit of this season comfortably crosses the 50-day mark to re-launch action star Rajsekar. The story of an upright home minister mowing down his rivals has enthralled the masses.

3. "Okkadunadu" -Gopichand's action flick has remained an urban hit. Probably the masses elsewhere couldn't digest the rare blood group theory. However, the film has launched Chandrasekar as a star filmmaker.

4. "Madhumasam" - The pairing of Sumanth and Sneha has turned to be a winner for thespian Ramanaidu who found a novel script to stage a comeback.

5. "Desamuduru" - With new releases collapsing, another Allu Arjun hit is back in this list and director Puri Jagannath is laughing all the way to the bank.
 
Harris Jayaraj rules Telugu audio charts
By B. Anuradha,

Hyderabad,  Ace composer Harris Jayaraj is back at the helm of Telugu songs with his album for "Munna".

The top five Telugu albums are:

1. "Munna" - "Khadulu, Khadulu" and "Manasa" are among the hit numbers of this lively album.

2. "Adavari Mattalaku Arthale Verulay" - Venkatesh teams up with Tamil director Raghavan and has extracted good tunes from composer Yuvan Shankar Raj. "Allantha Doorala" and "Cheli Chamaku" are catchy.

3. "Athili Sathibabu" - Director E.V.V. Satyanarayana describes his discovery, composer Srikrishna, as "a promising talent". "Amrutha Varsham La" and "Ra Ra Ante" are interesting.

4. "Jagadam" - With the film failing to impress, the lively album of Devisri Prasad is gradually losing its sheen despite chartbusters like "Violence is a fashion" and "5 feet 8 inches".

5. "Allare Allari" - After sensational hit "Desamuduru", composer Chakri produces catchy tunes like "Jigijigi Sonaa" and "Hello Khiladi" for the comedy film.
 
Gopichand starrer 'Okkadunnadu' reigns Telugu cinema
"Okkadunnadu", the slick action thriller starring promising actor-director Gopichand, stays on the top of the Telugu films list.

The top five Telugu films are:

1. "Okkadunnadu" - Gopichand's new look and director Chandrashekar Yeleti's stylish narration have made the film a big winner.

2. "Jagadam" - Director Sukumar of "Arya" fame would have impressed more with this film had it not been just a rehash of "City of God". It holds the second position on this
list for the time being.
 
Gopichand savouring success of 'Okkadunnadu'
Hyderabad, Telugu action star Gopichand is on cloud nine ever since his "Okkadunnadu", a film about a rare blood group, got an encouraging opening and impressed the city crowd. "I am doubly happy because it added an urban audience to my existing fan following. Since my earlier hits were primarily meant for the masses, I became their hero. But I was missing the appreciation of city audiences," Gopichand told IANS.After becoming a mass hero with hits like "Yagnam" and "Ranam", the baddie-turned-hero was looking out for a script that could widen his audiences.
"When I heard the novel plot and stylish narration of director Chandrasekhar Yeleti, I knew my dream was going to be fulfilled. With the director making it more interesting on the celluloid than what he narrated to me, I received the predictable response."
 
'Evadaithe...' rules Telugu box office
Hyderabad,  "Evadaithe Nakenti", a remake of the Malayalam hit "Lion", tops the fortnight's list of top Telugu films.

The top five Telugu films are:

1. "Evadaithe Nakenti" - Rajsekar makes a strong comeback with the film, impressing audiences in the role of an upright politician. Director Samudra livens up the proceedings with his taut screenplay and sizzling action sequences.

2. "Madhumasam" - After Rajsekar, it is thespian Ramanaidu's turn to make a comeback with this moderate success. Good performances by Sumanth and Sneha make the film a winner, despite clichés and mediocre comedy.

3. "Lakshmi Kalyanam" - The first-time combination of director Teja and actor Kalyan Ram fails to live up to high expectations, but is still doing fairly well at the box office.
    
Jagapati waiting for the right script
Hyderabad, Telugu star Jagapati Babu, who bounced back into the reckoning with back-to-back hits "Saamaanyudu" and "Pellaina Kottalo", is not in a hurry to cash in on his newfound success.
"I always preferred to wait for the right project. I will wait for the right script, producer and director. Until I find them, let me savour my latest success," Jagapati told .The actor, whose recent releases were made on moderate budgets, says big-budget films cannot guarantee success.
"It's the script that makes the difference. Good plots remain the soul of every successful film and the budgets are secondary." Excerpts from an exclusive chat:Q: How do you feel about delivering back-to-back hits after a string of duds? A: Success is bound to give you happiness and two hits in a row enthralled me. My belief in strong scripts has paid dividends yet again. And my confidence in up-and-coming directors stands vindicated. According to me, after the masses, youth are the most loyal audience you can rely upon. And now I can have them as my audience.
Q: Were the themes of the two films different from each other? A: Yes. "Saamaanyudu" was meant for the masses, while the other one was targeted at the family audience. But both turned out to be all-round hits, impressing all sections of the audience.

 
'Anumanaspadam' may recreate Vamsi-Ilaiyaraja magic
By B. Anuradha,

Hyderabad, Veteran Telugu film director Krishna Vamsi teams up with music maestro Ilaiyaraja after almost 14 years for the murder mystery "Anumanaspadam" that releases in the third week of February. The duo is known for hits like "Sitara", "April Okati Vidhudala", "Anveshana" and "Maharshi". Vamsi's unique shots and lyrical picturisation of Ilaiyaraja's lilting tunes made
winners out of even simple plots. This time Vamsi apparently had a tough time in choosing six out of 100-odd tunes by Ilaiyaraja. Over 16 years ago, the same director enthralled viewers with the suspense thriller "Anveshana". He dabbles in this genre again with youngsters Aryan Rajesh and Nandini in the lead. Debutant producer Satish Tati claims to have accomplished his "long-cherished ambition" of making a Vamsi-Ilaiyaraja film. Vamsi had earlier made a comeback with "Vaallidaru Ishtapadaru" some years ago, but dented his newfound success with a dud like "Dongodu and Party". He has taken a while to choose the plot for his suspense thriller set in and around a forest. The success of "Anumanaspadam" will re-launch the careers of Vamsi, Aryan and, to some extent, even Ilaiyaraja in Telugu.
 
Actor Balakrishna meets Naidu, may join politics
Hyderabad, Telugu film actor Balakrishna, son of late thespian and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N.T. Rama Rao, Sunday met his brother-in-law, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu amid speculation of his entry into politics. The popular actor had recently hinted that he might enter politics. The meeting was significant as it took place hours before TDP launched its statewide membership drive. Naidu, however, denied that they discussed anything about Balakrishna's entry into politics. He said they discussed family matters and not politics. "If he wants to enter politics he will make an announcement," said Naidu. Balakrishna had on Jan 18, the death anniversary of his father, said that he could make a surprise entry into politics, just like his father did in 1982. NTR, as the legendary actor was popularly known, had come to power in the state within nine months of launching the TDP. Naidu had led a revolt against NTR in 1995, a year after he returned to power with a thumping majority. NTR died of a heart attack in 1996.
Balakrishna's elder brother Harikrishna, who had sided with Naidu but later quit TDP, recently returned to the party fold. Balayya, as Balakrishna is fondly called, had allegedly shot at and injured two filmmakers in June 2004. He was acquitted eight months later. His supporters feel that his entry into politics could rejuvenate the TDP, which suffered its worst defeat in the 2004 assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
 
Telugu film industry, India's second biggest, turns 75
By Mohammed Shafeeq

Hyderabad, Jan 26 The Telugu film industry, the second biggest film industry in the country after the Mumbai-based Hindi film industry, better known as Bollywood,
turned 75 Friday.

The platinum jubilee celebrations kicked off here last night with Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy sounding the clapper board at a in the presence of some industry
veterans.

Reddy also released a postal cover brought out by the department of posts marking the milestone reached by the film industry.

While the inaugural ceremony organised by the state government proved a damp squib due to the absence of top actors and actresses, the three-day celebrations, which is
beginning late Friday, is expected to add glamour to the party.

Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayan Rao, the eminent filmmaker who holds the Guinness World Records for directing the highest number of films in the world,
superstars of yesteryears Krishna and actor Mohan Babu, who got the Padma Shri this year, were among a few veterans present on the occasion.
 
NTR Junior makes a grand comeback
Hyderabad, The success of his recently released "Rakhi" has brought Telugu star NTR Junior back into reckoning. It took the contemporary theme of atrocities against women to turn the tide in his favour. "Rakhi" was also a comeback film for director Krishna Vamsi. Detractors had written off the grandson of the legendary NTR when all his action films, including "Ashok", bombed at the box office. "I heard the word "congratulations" after nearly three years! 'Rakhi' has brought me accolades as an actor. My mother praised Vamsi for making a 'great movie' and girls have really responded overwhelmingly," he added. The actor is now looking forward to his much-awaited next film "Yamadonga" with director Rajamouli. I am looking forward to working with senior actor Mohan Babu. I intend to absorb acting nuances from him.

 
Telugu actor held for drunken driving
Hyderabad, Actor Rami Reddy, who has played villain in several Telugu and Hindi films, had to spend a night in the police lock up here on charges of drunken driving. The police caught Reddy while he was driving in the busy Medhipatnam area late Saturday. He was returning home with friends after attending a party.Police officials, who were on a campaign to check drunken driving, asked Reddy to step out because he smelt of liquor when he rolled down the car window. Reddy admitted to have consumed excess liquor at the party.
 

Actress Vijayshanti to fast for Telangana
Hyderabad, Popular Telugu film actress Vijayshanti Thursday announced she will launch an indefinite hunger strike here Jan 8 to press for a separate statehood to Telangana region.
Popularly known as 'lady Amitabh' for her action-oriented Telugu films, she said she would sit on hunger strike at the Indira Park. The announcement came amid mounting demand for a separate Telangana following the recent win of Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) president K.Chandrasekhara Rao with a thumping majority in by-election to the Karimnagar Lok Sabha seat.
Vijashanti, who had quit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2005 over the same issue and floated 'Telangana Talli' party last year, said she had not received any invitation from TRS to join the movement for separate state. Meanwhile, the ruling Congress party Thursday said it was committed to the formation of a second state reorganisation committee (SRC) to look into the demand for separate Telangana. Addressing a conclave of the party, Congress national general secretary and in-charge of the party affairs Digvijay Singh said the party had not deviated from its stand of second SRC. He denied the TRS allegation that the Congress had gone back on its word and said the party had entered into an electoral understanding with TRS in 2004 on the basis of
an agreement to form a second SRC. Singh said it was for the government to decide on the issue. He said had TRS not insisted on formation of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) sub-committee to work for consensus on the issue, the second SRC would have been formed long ago. He asked party cadres not to be disappointed over the defeat in Karimnagar, saying sometime rational and development issues take a back seat due to emotive reasons.
  
Pavan-Gogula combo makes 'Annavaram' a prized album
Hyderabad, The heady combination of actor-composer Pavan Kalyan and Ramana Gogula has worked its magic again in "Annavaram", making it the top Telugu album of the fortnight.

The top five Telugu albums are:

1. "Annavaram" - Gogula has gifted another musical hit for his favourite actor. "Mehabooba" is already a rage among music lovers.

2. "Rakhi" - Young composer Devisri Prasad reasserts his place in the top league with the resounding musical hit "Rakhi". "Zara zara" and "Vasthava vasthava" are topping countdown shows.

3. "Yogi" - After the musical hit "Lakshmi", composer Gogula teams up with director Vinayak to churn out another hit. "Gana gana" and "Gichi gichi" stand out among the youthful tunes.

4. "Maharathi" - Balakrishna's fans have already lapped it up in a big way and heralded the entry of another talented composer, Guru Kiran. The title number "Balakrishna Balakrishna" and "Kamala kucha" are chartbusters.

5. "Sainikudu" - The film's declining collections are affecting the sales of its audio. Despite thumping numbers like "Baila mo" and "Go go adhigo", the Harris Jayaraj album cannot withstand competition.
 

Annavaram Pavan kalyan telugu film
Pavan Kalyan stars in Telugu remake of 'Thirupachi'
Bangalore, After "Bangaram", Pavan Kalyan fans are eagerly waiting for "Annavaram", a Telugu remake of the Tamil superhit "Thirupachi". Like the Vijay starrer "Thirupachi", this remake is also an action film laced with brother-sister sentiment. The film is expected to hit the marquee Dec 29.
"It will be a feast for Pavan fans," says producer R.B. Choudury, a remake specialist who bounced back with smashing hit "Andala Ramudu". "Annavaram" is Pavan's first film to have a rural backdrop. Aasin, who returns to the Telugu screen after a series of successful Tamil films, plays the female lead. Beemaneni Srinivasa Rao, whose earlier film "Suswagatham" with Pavan was a huge success, directs "Annavaram", being touted as the costliest project undertaken by the Mega Supergood Films so far.

Junior NTR's Rakhi Telugu film :

'Rakhi' is ruling Telugu album
Hyderabad, Director-composer duo Krishna Vamsi and Devisri Prasad has delivered a top hit with "Rakhi".  The top five Telugu albums are:

1. "Rakhi" - Added to the main winning combination is the appeal of first time director Devisri Prasad teaming up with NTR Junior.

2. "Khatarnack" - After "Vikramarkudu", top-rung composer M.M. Keeravani seems to have given lanky actor Ravi Teja another musical hit. "Bujji paapa" and "Dhomu kodithe" are reaching their targeted mass listeners.
 

'Sainikudu' tops Telugu films list
Hyderabad,Hotshot actor Mahesh Babu gives an unprecedented opening to "Sainikudu", which tops the Telugu films of the fortnight. The top five Telugu films are:

1. "Sainikudu" - Director Gunasekar delivers a slick action film, which is doing remarkably well at the box office despite its hackneyed theme.

Guru Kiran's 'Maharathi', Sainikudu, Khatarnak tops Telugu albums
Hyderabad, Kannada composer Guru Kiran has arrived in Telugu cinema with his album for "Maharathi", which tops this list.
 
1. "Maharathi": Luckily for Guru Kiran, he has entered into Telugu film music with a movie that stars Balakrishna, which has assured record-breaking sales for the album. "Mangamma Mangamma' and "Uppu chapa pappu charu" are catchy.

2. "Sainikudu": Composer Harris Jayaraj's peppy album has gained popularity with the younger generation. Director Gunasekar's insistence on fast-paced numbers, however, has shackled the talented musician's creativity. "Bylamo Bylamo" and "Sogasu Chudatharama" are the pick of the lot.

3. "Khatarnak": Ace composer Keeravani comes back with a lively album. After "Vikramarkudu", he seems to have given another hit for actor Ravi Teja. "Bujji Bujji" and "Aa Gaganamlo" are a rage.

Mahesh Babu hunts for 'meaty roles'
Hyderabad, Andhra actor Mahesh Babu, who has bagged state awards for five out of his seven films, is on the lookout for "meaty roles". "I am truly excited (about the award). I heard this news while dubbing for my next film - 'Sainikudu' - and immediately sought the blessings of my father," said Mahesh, who  is veteran actor Krishna's son. He promises that "Sainikudu" will be a full-blown entertainer "with slick action and well-mounted songs".

Mohan babu Yamadonga

Mohan Babu plays Lord of death After a series of duds like "Political Rowdy" and "Game", veteran Telugu actor Mohan Babu will don a different role in the film "Yamadonga".

Telugu movie Maharathi Balakrishna

Will Balakrishna make a comeback with 'Maharathi'? (PREVIEW) : Telugu actor Balakrishna hopes to make a comeback with "Maharathi" after duds like "Allari Pidugu" and "Veerabhadra".
Sneha and Meera Jasmine play Balakrishna's love interests, while veteran actress Jayaprada plays his antagonist in the film, which is set for a Nov 29 release. "The role has all the navarasas (nine emotions)" remarked Balakrishna. According to writer Maruduri Raja, the role is "tailor-made" for the star. He added that he had acknowledged Balakrishna's suggestions and inputs. Director P. Vasu is also returning to the Telugu movie scenario after a long gap. He said Balakrishna's is "a powerful role".

  
Andhra girl enacts 'Sholay' scene
Hyderabad, Taking a leaf from Bollywood, a lovelorn girl in Andhra Pradesh perched on a water tank Sunday, threatening to jump if her paramour did not marry her on the spot. The famous 'suicide' scene from Hindi blockbuster "Sholay" was recreated in Godavarikhani town in Karimnagar district, about 150 km from here, with Dharmendra's role played by local girl Sandhya, 22. Sandhya, who was allegedly ditched by her lover, stood on a 20-metre high water tank and threatened to jump down if Srinivas did not marry her. With one leg dangling from the tank, the girl brought the entire town to a standstill. Police and civil officials came rushing to persuade her to come down. An official even promised to arrange the wedding, but the girl refused to budge.

Mohan Babu moves to supporting roles
After a series of duds like "Political Rowdy" and "Game", veteran Telugu actor Mohan Babu has decided to move over to character roles and has signed NTR Junior's "Yamadonga", in which he will play Lord Yamadharmaraju.The film is a remake of old NTR hit "Yamagola". "Now that the younger generation has rejected his films, Mohan has decided to do supporting roles," said a source close to him.

 
Stale role lets down Sumanth in 'Chinnodu' Review
By B. Anuradha,

Film: "Chinnodu"; Cast: Sumanth, Charmee, Chandramohan, Rahul Dev, Brahmanandam, Ali, Venu, and Ramaraju; Director: Kanmani; Music: Ramana Gogula; Producers: Lokesh and Srikanth; Banner: Paramount Pictures

After impressing as a boy-next-door in "Godavari", Sumanth attempts a larger-than-life role in the Telugu film "Chinnodu" but without notable success.

It is not that Sumanth, nephew of Nagarjuna, lacks histrionic abilities. But his is a beaten-to-death role. The theme of a hero trying to win back the lost sympathy of his foster family is as old as the hills.

Charmee, of course, oozes glamour but her chirpiness does not make up for the poor etching of her character. She needs to look for meaty roles to stay in the reckoning.

Baddie Rahul Dev is menacing while Chandramohan as Sumanth's father is adequate. The band of comedians, including Brahmanandam, Ali and Venu Madhav, evoke some laughs.

Director Kanmani, who showed promise in the psychological drama "Naa Oopiri", proves unequal to the challenge of making a big, star-centred film.

Composer Ramana Gogula, who made a mark in "Laxmi", doesn't quite impress this time. Action director Kanal Kanan is the USP of this mindless 'actioner'.

The story is about orphan Sumanth, brought up by a jailor's family. He is jailed for killing the son of his foster family. He returns from jail but the family rejects him. He stays in a room and neighbour Charmee falls in love with him. His attempts to regain the faith of his family go in vain. Then he stakes his life to save the daughter of his foster family from the hands of baddies. Watch the film to know the rest!

 
Harris Jayaraj rocks audio scene with 'Sainikudu'
By B. Anuradha,

Hyderabad, Nov 4 Composer Harris Jayaraj's latest album "Sainikudu" is a rage and is holding the No.1 position on the chart.

The top five Telugu albums are:

1. "Sainikudu" - Tamil composer Harris Jayaraj arrives in Telugu showbiz with a bang with this terrific album. "Byla bylammo" and "Maayeera' tops the charts. Will it surpass actor Mahesh Babu's previous musical hits?

2. "Stalin" - With collections gradually dipping, Mani Sharma's not so impressive album gets a beating. But it still holds on to the second place. "Parare parare" and "Thobare thoba" are popular.

3. "Bommarillu" - Devisri Prasad's delightful tunes made a simple love story into a big winner. "Kaani ippudu" and "Laalu darwaja" stand out.

4. "Mayabazar" - Promising composer Radhakrishna of "Godavari" fame tries catchy tunes in his new album. "Nadume chittikantha" and "Siri siri muvala" can catapult him into the league of commercial composers.

5. "Aadhi Laxmi" - After "Devdas", composer Chakri comes up with another peppy album. "Jil jil prema" and "Naa celphone nuvve" are catchy.
 

Mahesh Babu set to hit bull's eye with 'Sainikudu'
By B. Anuradha,

Hyderabad, Oct 30 Young Telugu star Mahesh Babu is set to repeat the success story of smashing hit "Pokiri" with action-thriller "Sainikudu", slated for November release.

If the film, which is loosely based on Hollywood hit "Runaway Bride", clicks it will be a hat-trick for Mahesh with director Gunasekar after "Okkadu" and "Arjun".

Gunasekar is also known as a techno-savvy director like Puri Jagannath, who made "Pokiri".

"I am always reluctant to talk about my films, but I am making an exception this time to promise a feast to my fans," said the lanky actor at the audio release function of "Sainikudu".

Mahesh Babu is paired with vivacious Trisha in this full-blown entertainer. She plays a bubbly girl and called it "a cute role".

Producer Aswini Dutt, who introduced Mahesh on the Telugu screen under his banner, described it as "the right film for the festive season."

"Sainikudu" will mark the debut of ace Tamil composer Harris Jayaraj in Telugu though his dubbed work "Gharshana" and "Aparchitudu" was a success.

Apart from Hyderabad, the audio was released simultaneously in Detroit, Sydney and Dubai.

Veteran actor and Mahesh's father Krishna recalled his prediction of success for "Pokiri" and said: "This film has the potential to break the record of "Pokiri".
 

Ileana replaces Mamta in 'Atta'
Hyderabad, Producer M.S. Raju has replaced Mamta with Ileana in his Telugu film "Atta" because of pressure from distributors, say industry insiders.

The distributors apparently cited Ileana's growing popularity, particularly after the release of "KD". She also starred in the blockbuster "Pokiri".

Ileana will team up with Siddharth in "Atta".

Mamta's next release will be the Tamil film "Silappadhikaram", which is named after an ancient epic.
 
'Stalin' is top Telugu film
By B. Anuradha,

Hyderabad, Oct 20  "Stalin", with record collections of Rs.240 million in the first two weeks, is still on top of this list.

The top five Telugu films are:

1. "Stalin" - Chiranjeevi-starrer may not surpass the overall record collections of Rs.400 million set by "Pokiri", with crowds beginning to thin at theatres.

2. "Boss" - The film has opened well. But the appeal of Nagarjuna and Nayantara may not suffice to keep it going at the box office.

3. "Bommarillu" - The Siddharth-Genelia magic and the huge publicity are sustaining the feel-good entertainer.

4. "Pogaru" - After big hit "Pandem Kodi", Vishal draws huge crowds for his latest release "Pogaru" ("Thimiru" in Tamil), heralding his arrival in Telugu filmdom.

5. "Pokiri" - After grossing Rs.420 million, the action thriller is racing towards its silver jubilee.

 
'Stalin' ahead in Telugu audio race
By B. Anuradha,
Hyderabad, Oct 20 The heady Chiranjeevi-Mani Sharma duo has scored another musical hit with "Stalin". It is the top Telugu album of the fortnight.

The top five Telugu albums are:

1. "Stalin" - "Parare parare" and the title number is particularly catchy.

2. "Boss" - Kalyan and Harris have succeeded in dishing out a moderately successful album. "Nachindi chesey" and "Naa kallu vale" are interesting.

3. "Raaraju" - Normally, top composer Mani Sharma reserves his best for the top stars, but this time he makes an exception for Gopichand. "Danimma" and "Bangaru chilaka" are all hits.

4. "Samanyudu" - After a long hiatus, composer Vandemataram Srinivas comes up with a peppy album. This is the first time he is composing for Jagapati Babu. "Maguva premalo" and "Yeh mere dil le" sound promising.

5. "Mayabazaar" - Promising composer Radhakrishnan treats with good tunes in his just released album.
 
The screenplay of 'Yogi' will captivate audiences: Vinayak (INTERVIEW)
By B. Anuradha,

Hyderabad,  After the hugely successful "Laxmi", Telugu director V.V. Vinayak is coming up with another thriller. "Yogi" is about a mother-son relationship and Vinayak is confident that it will "captivate the audience".

The film, starring action star Prabhas and Nayantara in the lead roles, is a remake of the Kannada film "Jogi".

"I was excited when I saw the original Kannada version - 'Jogi' - and worked for eight months on the script to deliver a sure-fire winner. Though 'Yogi' is a remake, I took only its core and then designed my screenplay to suit the tastes of the Telugu audience," Vinayak told IANS.

After "Yogi", the director is planning a film with Nagarjuna.

"I am unable to reveal any details about my next film with Nagarjuna because we are in the process of finalising the script. I want to come up with an exciting script to get his acceptance."

Vinayak catapulted into the big league with a series of hits like "Aadi", "Dill", "Tagore" and "Bunny".

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: How would you describe your next film "Yogi"?

A: This is one of the films I have enjoyed making for its unique narration. We have seen many films revolving round mother-son relations, but our screenplay will captivate the audience. I was excited when I saw the original Kannada version, "Jogi", and worked for eight months on the script to deliver a sure-fire winner.

Q: How was it doing a remake again after "Tagore"? Do you consider remakes as safe bets?

A: Though "Yogi" is a remake, I took only its core and designed my screenplay to suit the tastes of the Telugu audience. I even refused to start another film simultaneously because I wanted to concentrate on this project since we rarely come across such exciting subjects.

Though "Tagore" was a remake, the audience appreciated my work and I was thrilled when Chiranjeevi included "Tagore" in the 10 top films of his career.

Q: You have mostly worked with big stars. How was it working with Prabhas?

A: I was fortunate to work with the top stars of Telugu cinema and I enjoyed working with them. Probably I was able to exploit their respective images to taste big success, touchwood.

Coming to Prabhas, I can say without exaggeration that this is one of the best roles of his career. It's a tailor-made role for him. Basically, he is a director's actor.

Q: When are your next films with Nagarjuna and other big stars coming out?

A: I am unable to reveal any details about my next film with Nagarjuna because we are in the process of finalising the script. I want to come up with an exciting script to get his acceptance, and the rest will follow.

My script for NTR Junior is almost ready, while the subject for Mahesh has reached the final stages. Similarly, I want to work with Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna and Venkatesh again. Even the producers are ready but I need to discover good plots to suit their larger-than-life images before approaching them. Until then I would be busy giving finishing touches to "Yogi".

Q: Do you intend to go into politics?

A: I have no interest in politics. I have only canvassed for my father in a panchayat election.
 

Mani Sharma scores again, as 'Stalin' rocks
By B. Anuradha,

Hyderabad, Sep 21 Close on the heels of "Pokiri", ace composer Mani Sharma has come out with another musical hit in "Stalin".

The top five Telugu albums are:

1. "Stalin" - The album has already registered record sales. "Siggutho chi chi" and "Thobare thoba" are particularly easy on the ears.

2. "Boss" - Kalyan Mallik, brother of composer Keeravani, joins hands with remix guru Harry Anand to churn out peppy tunes for "Boss". Kalyan impresses with "Yedo
tamashaga", while Harry makes his mark again with "Nachindi chesey".

3. "Nuvvu Nenu Prema" - Despite A.R. Rahman's signature, the album has failed to make it to the top of the list. Though the tunes are not instantly catchy, they are likely to
grow on the listeners. "Jil jillumanna prema" and "Maza maza" stand out.

4. "Premalekha Raasa" - The album claims a place in the list for its sheer quality. Debutant composer Ram Kaushi shows promise in "O Cheli Cheli" and "Rama Rama".

5. "Pokiri" - The album stays on the list, with none turning up to take its place.

To know latest and hot news about Tollywood actors, actress, singers, directors, producers visit our latest cinema tollywood section

 
'Andala Ramudu' tops fortnight's Telugu films
By B. Anuradha,

Hyderabad, Sep 21 Comedian-turned-hero Sunil proves his mettle with "Andala Ramudu", a comic caper that is a runaway hit even in B and C centres.

The top five Telugu films are:

1. "Andala Ramudu" - Actor Sunil's perfect timing and elegant dances make a winner out of the film woven around a realistic plot.

2. "Bommarillu" - Siddharth and Genelia make a strong comeback with this feel-good entertainer. Debutant director Bhaskar has justified the trust producer Dil Raju placed
in him.

3. "Sivapuram" - Lakshmi Ganapati Films have tasted big successes in the past by dubbing Hollywood flicks. "Sivapuram", their dubbed remake of Santosh Sivan's
Malayalam flick "Anantabhadram", too has received a good initial response.

4. "Shiva 2006" - Director Ram Gopal Varma's name spells magic as his new film opened well. But the remake of his debut blockbuster "Shiva" disappoints because it lacks
the soul of the original made 16 years ago.

5."Pokiri": The film owes its sustained run to the poor new releases.
 

Overwhelming response was surprising: Bhaskar (INTERVIEW)
By B. Anuradha,

Hyderabad, Sep 15  An overwhelming response to his first Telugu film about father-son conflict - "Bommarillu" - has surprised director Bhaskar.

"I did anticipate its success, but the overwhelming response has come as a pleasant surprise. I thank producer Raju for giving me this break and the audience for enjoying my style of narration," Bhaskar told IANS.

Critics and industry experts have hailed him as a sensational find and showered praise on his feel-good entertainer starring hot pair Siddartha and Genelia.

Before making his mark with "Bommarillu", the young director struggled for six years. "The maiden success has come as a sweet experience, making up for all the bitter struggles."

He is now making another film for the same producer.

Excerpts from a chat with Bhaskar:

Q: Did you anticipate a huge success for "Bommarillu"?

A: I did anticipate its success but the overwhelming response from the audience has come as a pleasant surprise. I thank producer Raju for giving me this break and audience for enjoying my style of narration.

Many tell me that the film about a father-son relationship has triggered off introspection in many families.

Q: How did you find this story about father-son conflict?

A: I had a rough sketch of the story for a long time, but I was busy preparing other scripts. When I casually narrated this plot to the producer, he readily agreed and I finished the screenplay in no time. We have succeeded because we have presented points of view of both, the father and the son, convincingly.

Q: Don't you think that the part of the film where Genelia stays at a stranger's house is a bit unrealistic?

A: We did everything to make it convincing. The audience verdict gas gone in our favour, I guess.

Q: How do you look back on your run-up to "Bommarillu"?

A: After finishing my diploma in film technology, I had to struggle for six long years before getting this break. However, the maiden success has come as a sweet experience, making up for all the bitter struggles.

Q: Any future projects?

A: I am going to do another film for producer Raju and the script is under preparation. I have not signed any other films because I want to be selective.
 

All eyes set on Chiranjeevi's 'Stalin'
By B. Anuradha,

Hyderabad, Sep 11 After not-so-impressive performance of his film "Jai Chiranjeeva", Telugu Superstar Chiranjeevi's fans are eagerly waiting for his next flick "Stalin"
that is releasing Sep 20.

Chiranjeevi plays a saviour in the film, protects orphans, and describes "Stalin" as "a feast for my fans".

Murugadoss, who made a big splash on the Telugu screen with "Ghazini", directs "Stalin" which has vivacious Trisha in the female lead. The director says that the "socially
relevant theme" will suit the "larger-than-life image" of the actor.

With "Stalin", Chiru, as the superstar is popularly known, is doing a film for his brother Nagendra Babu, producer of the film, after a long gap.

Mani Sharma's tunes for the film are said to be designed to suit the actor's well-known dancing style.

At a recent function to launch the film's music, the superstar invited HIV-infected children on stage and urged people to understand their feelings. They represented the
helpless children for whom he fights in the film.

Chiranjeevi took the opportunity to introduce his son Sai Charan Teja to his fans.

"I hope you all will take care of him," he said.
 
'Stalin' scores a Telugu musical hit
By B. Anuradha,

Hyderabad, Sep 7 (IANS) The heady combination of super-star Chiranjeevi and composer Mani Sharma has produced a chart-topping album in "Stalin".

1. "Stalin": Both the numbers "Go Gova" and "Thobare Thoba" stand out in this album. After the sensational musical hit "Pokiri", Mani Sharma has another winner.

2. "Bommarillu": Composer Devisri Prasad has scored for this youth-oriented cinema. "Padaharu Annala Juliet" and "Laloo Darwaja" are the pick of the lot. The film's big success is yielding dividends for the songs.

3. "Nuvvu Nenu Prema": The Surya-Jyothika-Bhumika bilingual brings in maestro A.R. Rahman after a big gap - and he lives up to the big expectations. "Preminche Premava" and "New York Nagaram" show his class yet again.

4. "Pokiri": Mani Sharma's biggest hit continues to do well with "Dole Dole" and "Devuda", still remaining as sought-after numbers on countdown shows.

5. "Vikramarkudu": Keeravani's tunes share the film's popularity. "Dammare Dam" and "Dooranga" have proved clearly catchy.
  

Telegu director plans movie on 'Vande Mataram'

Chennai, Sep 7 Telugu film director K. Kalyana Chakravarthy would make a cinema entitled "Vande Mataram" roping in top stars from southern India.

"The idea is to trace the history of the song 'Vande Mataram," Chakravarthy told reporters here.

"The song is 130 years old and about 99 different versions have been recorded over 100 years," the director said, disclosing noted Carnatic musician M. Balamuralikrishna, who is the 100th composer and singer of this song may be persuaded to play a role in the film.

He may be playing the part of a saint, the director said.

"I am trying to rope in superstar Rajnikant and matinee idol Chiranjeevi to play the roles of disciples," he added.

The film will be in 10 Indian languages. "We want to complete the movie in 180 call sheets," the director added. The film will be completed in about nine months.

The recording of the song "Vande Mataram" was completed this week.
 

 
Bubbly 'Bommarillu' rules Telugu box office
By B. Anuradha,

Hyderabad, Sep 7 Producer Di Raju's feel-good film 'Bommarillu' is the pick of the fortnight's Telugu fare.

1. "Bommarillu": The bubbly charm of Siddharth and Genelia besides Prakash Raj's touching performance makes the film a winner all the way.

2. "Andala Ramudu": Comedian Sunil arrives as a hero with this smashing comedy hit. His antics and performance, besides Aarti's charm, make the village-centred remake very much worth watching.

3. "Pokiri": The Mahesh Babu-Puri Jagannath hit is still around because of the poor performance of new releases.

4. "Vikramarkudu": Hit-maker Rajamouli's winning streak continues with this film. Ravi Teja re-establishes his action image.

5. "Sita Ramudu": Sivaji dons an action role for the first time but fails to get a good opening for the film.


Chiranjeevi plans to launch son Charan Teja
By B. Anuradha,

Hyderabad, Sep 2 (IANS) Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi says the last 12 months have been "very special" in his personal and professional life.

"I count the last 12 months as very, very special since my daughter got married and I received the Padma Bhushan Award during this period. Also, President (A.P.J.) Abdul Kalam inaugurated the research centre of our blood bank.

"Besides, I am planning the cinematic debut of my son Charan Teja this year, and the film will have a good script," Chiranjeevi told IANS.

Right now, the actor is hogging the limelight calling his next film "Stalin".

"We discussed the title before deciding on it. He was a great social reformer and we knew that even many Indians have named their children after him.

"In this film, I am playing a social reformer who dedicates himself to society. Even veteran writers - Paruchuri brothers, who are known for their love for communism - approved it."

Excerpts from an exclusive chat:

Q: It has been an eventful year for you?

A: That's true. I count the last 12 months as very, very special since my daughter got married and I received Padmabushan award during this period. Also, President Abdul Kalam inaugurated the research centre of our blood bank.

Besides, I am planning the cinematic debut of my son Charan Teja this year, and the film will have a good script.

Q: How do you justify the name of a legendary communist leader as the title of your next release "Stalin"?

A: We discussed the title before deciding on it. He was a great social reformer and we knew that even many Indians have named their children after him.

In this film, I am playing a social reformer who dedicates himself to society. Even veteran writers - Paruchuri brothers who are known for their love for communism - approved it.

Director Murugadoss has come up with fresh plot and a well-knitted screenplay to live up to the big expectations about the film.

Q: Do you agree that big pay packets for stars have enhanced the cost of production?

A: You all know that star remunerations are proportionate to their market value. Coming to the cost of production, we had to spend a lot on technology to lure audiences exposed to world cinema.

Q: Will you guide your son's film career?

A: I have observed qualities in him that would help him develop into a good artist. Some are asking us to introduce him with a "powerful role", while others want him to begin with a "powerful script". So I am still looking around.

I will definitely give him my advice him if he seeks it or I will leave it to him as his generation is quite intelligent.
 

Devisri regains top slot with 'Bommarillu'
By B. Anuradha, Indo-Asian News Service

Hyderabad, Aug 25 (IANS) Talented composer Devisri Prasad regains the top slot after a long time with the success of the "Bommarillu" album.

1. "Bommarillu": "Bommani Geesthe" and "Lalodarwaja' are the pick of the lot in this lively album.

2. "Pokiri": With new albums sinking without a trace, Mani Sharma's musical hit is still lingering in the ears of Andhraites. "Dole Dole" and "Devuda" are topping the charts.

3. "Andala Ramudu": The combination of Supergood Films and composer S.A. Rajkumar disappoints with an average album. "Cheliya Cheliya" and "Naa Chitti Thalli" sound
good.

4. "Vikramarkudu": Close on the heels of devotional hit "Sri Ramadasu", Keeravani delivers a typically mass-oriented album which relies more on beat than on melody.
"Dooranga" and "Jim Jim Maaya" are popular songs.

5. "Ashok": This remains on the list purely for the lack of good new albums. It could go down as one of the few uninspiring works of Mani Sharma.
 
'Bommarillu' on top among Telugu films
By B. Anuradha, Indo-Asian News Service

Hyderabad, Aug 25 (IANS) Feel-good entertainer "Bommarillu", where Siddharth and Genelia stage a comeback, is the Telugu film of the fortnight.

1. "Bommarillu": The film combines a clash of ideas between father and son along with a tender love story. That makes it a good family entertainer.

2. "Pokiri": After a record-breaking 100 days, the action flick is slowly sliding down. But it remains the biggest hit of the year so far.

3. "Andala Ramudu": Leading comedian Sunil turns hero with this remake of Tamil hit "Sundarapurushan". The film on rustic love brings cheer to Supergood Films after a big
gap.

4. "Ashok": With new releases bombing, the cliché-ridden action film of NTR Junior finds a place in this list.

5. "Vikramarkudu": Ravi Teja's antics make a winner out of a beaten-to-death plot. Director Rajamouli fails to come up with a strong storyline this time but his racy
screenplay makes up for it.
 

'Pokiri' sets new Telugu cinema record
Hyderabad, Young Telugu star Mahesh Babu has set a new record with his latest hit "Pokiri", which has crossed the 50-day mark in 299 centres. 

The top five Telugu films are:

1. "Pokiri" - Apart from good action and music, the magnetism of the Mahesh-Illeana pair has made this a sought-after movie.

2. "Vikramarkudu" - Director Rajamouli has teamed up with action star Ravi Teja for the film that drew a huge opening. But the routine cop story has received flak from critics.

4. "Kitakitalu" - E.V.V. Satyanarayana's lewd comedy has paid dividends at the box office. Slapstick humour and cost effective production have him laugh all the way to the bank. The film also launches the career of actor Naresh. 
 
'Ashok' is number one Telugu album
Hyderabad, Ace composer Mani Sharma is still on the top slot with another hit Telugu album "Ashok". 

The top five Telugu albums are:

1. "Ashok" - Mani Sharma has belted out foot-tapping numbers, including "Nuvvasalu" and "Okka chinni", for NTR Junior and Samira. The album is expected to do better than the recent musical hit "Pokiri".

2. "Vikramarkudu" - The heady combination of director Rajamouli and composer Keeravani seems to have scored yet another hit with "Vikramarkudu". "Damare damma" and "Dooranga" stand out. After reaching a musical peak with "Sri Ramadasu", the award-winning composer produces a purely commercial album, proving his versatility.

3. "Pokiri" - The album is a revelation from Mani Sharma. "Dole dole" and "Devudu" top all the countdown shows. 

4. "Asthram" - After a gap, composer S.A. Rajkumar has composed music for a typical mass film but still manages to deliver a notable album. "Padahare" and "Sakhiya" are catchy numbers. 
 

NTR Junior's career hinges on 'Ashok'
Hyderabad, After giving duds like "Andhrawala" and "Narasimhudu", NTR Junior is banking on his next release "Ashok" to make a strong come back and silence his critics. He has teamed up with successful director S.S. Rajamouli to score a hat-trick - they have given runaway hits "Student No.1" and "Simhadri" in the past. The young actor, who co-stars with Sameera Reddy in the film, promises "mind-blowing dances". Sameera describes her part as "pivotal" and thanks NTR Junior and the director for giving her the "multifaceted role". "I am bombarded with calls from the fans of NTR Junior and I have assured them a delightful film." The film is likely to be released in the first week of July.
            
I hope to get awards for 'Hamari Beti': Naidu (INTERVIEW)
Hyderabad, Well-known Telugu producer Rama Naidu is coming up with a comedy titled "Sri Krishna 2006" and says it will entertain all sections of society. "It's a full-blown comedy aimed at all sections. I have been laughing from the day I heard the script and Vijendraprasad has ably transformed it on celluloid." But his expectations are high from the Hindi film "Hamari Beti", which has an atypical story. "It is a sensitive film revolving around a dumb and deaf girl who becomes an Odissi dancer after many struggles." 
Excerpts: 
Q: How do you describe "Sri Krishna 2006"?
A: It's a full-blown comedy aimed at all sections. It will be on the lines of my blockbuster "Aha Naa Pellanta". I have been laughing from the day I heard the script and Vijendraprasad has ably transformed it on celluloid. 

Srikanth and Venu have done a good job and actress Gauri Munjal is promising.
Q: You seem to be fascinated with art films and your next, "Hamari Beti", is ready for release?

Ravi Teja to 'fight' in Chambal
Hyderabad, After smashing hits "Simhadri", "Sye", and "Chatrapati", hat-trick director Rajamouli has teamed up with action star Ravi Teja to deliver an anger-driven film in "Vikramarkudu".
"Ravi plays a dual role - one character is designed to my taste while the other one would be in typical Ravi style," says the director, who is choosy about his backdrops.After Kerala in "Simhadri" and Sri Lanka in "Chatrapati", Rajamouli now sets his story in Chambal Valley. The film tells the tale of a young man who sets out to the valley in search of his brother and problems he encounters thereafter.The story has been penned by director's father and famed writer Vijayendraprasad. The author claims that his story is tailor-made for Ravi and will not disappoint his fans.

'Pokiri' tops the fortnight's Telugu films
Hyderabad, The new team of Mahesh Babu and director Puri Jagannath has delivered a record-breaking hit with "Pokiri".

The top five Telugu films are:

1. "Pokiri" - A novel plot and Mani Sharma's lilting music have made the film a money-spinner.

2. "Godavari" - Director Shekhar Kammula of "Anand" fame has dished out another love story set on a cruise from Rajahmundry to Bhadrachalam. And the attempt is a commercial success. 

3. "Dhoolpet" - Tamil star Dhanush's "Dhoolpet" has opened well because of huge publicity. Though he impresses as a dejected lover, an overdose of action could mar the film's chances at the box office. Unlike last year, Telugu audiences are yet to give their verdict in favour of a dubbed film. 

5. "Kithakithalu" - E.V.V. Satyanarayana's slapstick comedy has found an appreciative audience. Loosely inspired by "Sati Leelavati", the stage play kind of comedy has paid off.
 
'Pokiri' - a Mahesh-Mani musical hit
Hyderabad, The heady combination of actor Mahesh Babu and composer Mani Sharma has resulted in another sensational music hit with "Pokiri".

The top five Telugu albums are:

1. "Pokiri" - Director Puri Jagannath's stylish picturisation enhances the tunes of this album. "Dole dole" and "Devuda devuda" are creating waves.

2. "Godavari" - After "Anand", director Shekhar Kammula and composer Radhakrishna deliver another hit dominated by classical melodies. Vetturi's lyrics enhance it and the two songs, "Manasa Gelupu" and "Manasavacha", stand out. 

3. "Brahmastram" - A team of three composers has come up with a notable album. Director Surya Kiron, who extracted good music from Chakri for "Satyam", has drawn soulful tunes from debutant composers. "Om Hare Rama" and the title song impress instantly.

5. "Astram" - Tamil composer S.A. Rajkumar and director Suresh Krishna promised wonderful melodies. The audio has just been released and it has to be seen whether the promise has been kept.

NTR's son Harikrishna rejoins Telugu Desam
Hyderabad, Nandamuri Harikrishna, son of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N.T. Rama Rao, Monday rejoined the Telugu Desam Party.

Harikrishna, a film actor and producer, returned to the party founded by his late father in the early 1980s and now headed by his brother-in-law N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Harikrishna, who had sided with Naidu when the latter had revolted against the party founder in 1995 but had resigned from the party a few months later, reached Naidu's residence and rejoined the party.

Talking to newsmen, he said he would work to carry forward the ideals of his father and denied that there were any differences with Naidu.

When asked about his sister Daggubati Purandareswari who joined Congress party in 2004 and became a central minister, Harikrishna said she had become a daughter-in-law of another house long ago.

Harikrishna had served as minister in Naidu's cabinet for a brief period in 1995-1996. Differences had cropped up between the two when Naidu tried to sideline him.

Claiming to be the real inheritor of his father's legacy, Harikrishna had founded an Anna Telugu Desam Party just before 1999 assembly elections but drew a blank. He then distanced himself from politics.

Naidu, who was chief minister of the state from 1995 to 2004, hoped that his return would strengthen the party. He also appealed to all those who had left the TDP for various reasons to return to the party fold.

Harikrishna is the second member of Naidu's family to make a comeback this month. Naidu's brother Ramamurthy, who had quit the party before the 2004 elections, returned a few days ago.

N.T. Rama Rao, the famous Telugu film actor popularly known as NTR, founded the TDP in 1982 and created a record of sorts by winning a landslide majority and forming the government in nine months.

Differences had cropped up in his family after he married for the second time in 1993. His son-in-law Chandrababu Naidu, a minister in his cabinet, led a revolt in 1995 and replaced him as the chief minister. NTR died in January 1996.
 

Mahesh's 'Pokiri' may break 'Okadu' record
Hyderabad, After "Athadu", Mahesh delivers another resounding hit with "Pokiri", which tops the fortnight's list of Telugu films.

The top five Telugu films are:

1. "Pokiri": Mahesh's confidence in director Puri Jaganath stands vindicated. It is to be seen if the film's run surpasses Mahesh's record-breaking hit "Okkadu".

2. "Bangaram": The film opened to a terrific response and is doing fairly well, even if Pavan Kalyan fans are disappointed with the hackneyed fare. 

3. "Veerabhadra": Yet again, Balakrishna registers a good opening for his film, but it may not sustain its showing with the contrived storyline and young director Ravi Kumar's disjointed screenplay.

4. "Mayajalam": Director S.V. Krishna Reddy's comic caper can break his jinx.

5. "Evandoi Srivaru": The film is included in this list not for its collection record, but for the good comedy from director Sathibabu, which is going unnoticed. The interesting plot and hilarious narration have failed to turn it into a huge hit. 
 
'Pokiri' is bestselling Telugu album
Hyderabad, The new combination of director Puri and composer Mani Sharma seems to be working wonders with their "Pokiri" album selling like hot cakes. 

The top five Telugu albums are:

1. "Pokiri": "Noppi Noppi" and "Dole Dole' are the catchiest tunes of the chartbusting album. 

2. "Bangaram": Composer Vidyasagar displays his capacity to produce mass-oriented tunes, but the film's declining collections could affect the audio's market. Still, "Ra Ra Bangaram" and "Egire Chilakamma" are aired on every countdown show. 

3. "Godavari": After the hugely successful "Anand", director Sekar and composer Radhakrishna team up to deliver another classical-based album. It is like a breath of fresh air if you overlook the similarities with "Anand". "Manasa Gelupu" and "Manasavacha" stand out. 

4. "Pandem Kodi": After "Happy", the Tamil composer's "Pandem Kodi" (remake of Tamil "Sandai Kozhi") album sounds interesting. "Gumthalakadi Gabba" and "Ooni Vesina Deepavali" stand apart. The film's success could enhance the audio's sales. 

5. "Mayajalam": After a long gap, director-composer S.V. Krishna Reddy comes up with an album of hummable tunes. Its success will depend on the film. "Hot Summer" and "Teeyaga" are peppy numbers.
 
Sekar Kammula's 'Godavari' disappoints
Hyderabad, After the success of "Anand", Telugu director Sekar Kammula's latest venture "Godavari" is a wee bit disappointing. 

The disjointed screenplay and ambience has not gone down well with the audiences and therefore the film has failed to become an instant hit. 

Sumanth, who is star actor Nagarjuna's nephew, plays a non-heroic role but his efforts to salvage an ill-defined character go in vain. While the protagonist aspires to be a politician to serve the people, he forgets his goal after falling in love. 

Kamilini Mukerjee, the lead actress finds another role with a lot of attitude after "Anand". However, her character too needed more definition as she sounds more egoistic and confused, rather than sensible and confident. 

The whole storyline takes shape during a ferry ride from Rajahmundry to Bhadrachalam in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. The director tells his story through the travellers, including a dog. 

Actor Bharani is adequate as the captain while many new faces including a poor kid give their best shot. Narasimha plays Kamilini's father convincingly. 

Composer Radhakrishna, who showed great promise in "Anand" has unfortunately ended up rehashing his own tunes for "Godavari". Cinematographer Vijaykumar, nevertheless, displays traces of brilliance.

Producer G.V.G. Raju, who has not come up with a hit after "Tholiprema", could have done better than to pick a plot that puts the ordinary viewer to sleep. 
 

'Pokiri' the pick of current Telugu films
Hyderabad, After delivering smashing hit "Athadu", actor Mahesh draws huge audiences again with "Pokiri". The film stays on the top of the fortnight's list of Telugu films.

The top five Telugu films are:

1. "Pokiri" - The film has proved to be a typical mass entertainer. Mahesh plays a mafia goon and Illeana provides oomph to the hit flick. Director Puri Jaganath seems to have made a big comeback with it.

2. "Veerabhadra" - The much-hyped Balakrishna's film has opened well despite director Ravi Kumar's disappointing and disjointed screenplay.

3. "Pournami" - Hit-maker M.S. Raju's period film has had a good opening. The hotshot pair, Prabhas and Trisha, however, fails to recreate the magic of "Varsham".
 
'Pokiri' music is creating waves
Hyderabad, The combination of director Puri Jagannath and composer Mani Sharma, who teamed up for the first time for the film, has worked wonders for the album of "Pokiri", topping the fortnight's charts.

The top five Telugu albums are:

1. "Pokiri" - "Devuda" and "Ippatikinka na vayasu' are already a rage among youth. Film's success will boost up its craze among audience.

2. "Bangaram" - Composer Vidyasagar seems to have reserved his best for Pavan Kalyan. Though most of the tunes are catchy but "Ra ra bangaram" and "Egire chilakamma" stand out. 

3. "Veerabhadra" - Mani Sharma produces just an above-average album. The chartbusters include "Mayavundi pillo" and "Sirimalli nelaku andam".

4. "Godavari" - Though the tunes sound similar to those of "Anand", upcoming composer Radhakrishna again relies on Carnatic music. "Andamgalena" and "Manasavacha" come as a breath of fresh air.
 

I won't mind working with newcomers: Nayantara (INTERVIEW)
Hyderabad, With "Laxmi" turning out to be a roaring hit, beautiful Nayantara has become one of the busiest actresses in Telugu filmdom. But she still has no qualms about working with newcomers. "If I get a good role with a newcomer, I would definitely consider it. Though I have worked with big stars, I have been treated respectfully," she said in an interview. 

She is doing a film with top star Nagarjuna and another with hotshot Prabhas. She is also excited about working with Venkatesh in Suresh Productions' next film. They were seen together in the hit flick "Laxmi". "I am eagerly looking forward to working with Venkatesh again. He is very professional and down to earth." Some more hits and the dusky actress may give the Trishas and Charmys a run for their money in Telugu cinema. 

Excerpts: 

Q: Are you playing a routine lover girl in Nagarjuna's next film? 

A: Not at all! It is a multi-dimensional role showcasing the varied moods of a person. It is a lively role with scope for performance since I need to exhibit contrasting emotions. It was great working with Nagarjuna since he is a wonderful co-star. 

Q: What about your role in the remake of Kannada hit "Jogi" opposite Prabhas? 

A: I am glad to get this challenging role and excited about working with Prabhas and director Vinayak after "Laxmi". After the success of "Gajini" and "Laxmi" in Telugu, I have been offered plum roles. I am just cherishing this glowing phase. Rarely do upcoming actors get such good roles, so I am lucky. 

Q: After "Laxmi", you have been signed opposite Venkatesh yet again? 

Megastar Chiranjeevi felicitated at gala function
Hyderabad, Telugu megastar Chiranjeevi was felicitated by Indian cinema icon Amitabh Bachchan at a glittering function organised by the Telugu film industry here.

Almost the entire Telugu film industry as well as stars from other southern states and Bollywood were on hand late Sunday at the tribute to Chiranjeevi, who recently won the Padma Bhushan award, at the packed Gacchibowli stadium here.

Many fans of the actor, whose fan following can only be compared with the late N.T. Rama Rao, had to turn away disappointed as they failed to get in. 

Amongst those present were his many co-stars like Sridevi, Jaya Prada, Suhasini and Rambha.

"You have shown that one can sustain success," Bachchan told the 52-year-old actor amid thunderous applause by the gathering, which included well-known film producers D. Rama Naidu and Dasari Narayana Rao.

Expressing his best wishes for the continuing success of the Telugu actor, who has remained on top for more than two decades, Bachchan said: "May he grow further in stature and may he win the coveted Bharat Ratna."

Chiranjeevi was visibly moved by the praise showered on him and merely said: "All I can say is thanks." 

The colourful event was interspersed with songs and dances, presented by actresses Sakshi Shivanand and Reema Sen, from Chiranjeevi's films.

'Pokiri' hottest Telugu audio
Hyderabad, "Pokiri" is the hottest-selling Telugu album now and the new combination of composer Mani Sharma and director Puri Jagannath is working its magic too. 

The top five Telugu albums are:

1. "Pokiri" - "Dole dole" and "Ipatikinda na vayasu" stand out in this racy album. 

2. "Pournami" - After musical hits like "Varsham" and "NVNV", the heady duo of M.S. Raju and Devisri Prasad comes up again with a soulful album. "Muvala navakala" and "Koyo koyo" sound different.

3. "Bangaram" - Composer Vidyasagar and director A.M. Rathnam deliver another mass-oriented album. "Ra ra bangaram" and "Chidu gudu ante bayam" are the pick of the lot. The film's success is expected to boost the audio sales.
 
5. "Veerabhadra" - After record-breaking initial sales, Mani Sharma's album loaded with fast-paced numbers has stagnated due to new releases. "Abbabba pedavi poojaku" and "Mayavundi pillo" enthral Balakrishna's fans. 

'Pournami' will take me closer to fans: Prabhas (INTERVIEW)
Hyderabad, Close on the heels of the roaring hit "Chhatrapathi" comes Telugu action star Prabhas' much-hyped "Pournami" that releases this month. "It will remain in the audience's hearts for a long, long time," the Telugu star promises. However, Prabhas is not trying to cash in on his new-found star status and has become choosy. "I have not analysed my position but I want to be choosy since I want to sustain this new status. I have rejected many scripts because I want to pick solid plots," Prabhas told IANS. 
He is thrilled about the slick action film "Munna" and is also looking forward to working with V.V. Vinayak in the Telugu remake of the Kannada hit "Jogi". 
Excerpts:
Q: At last, you will be working with your uncle, actor-politician Krishnam Raju?

A: I was thrilled when Rajamouli announced that he intends to make a film with my uncle and me at the 100-day function of "Chhatrapathi". We have been looking around for strong scripts for quite some time but couldn't find one that would suit both of us. But now we will go ahead with Rajamouli's script and I hope he churns out another memorable film. 

Q: How come you went against your practice of staying away from functions?

A: Though personally, I like to stay away from functions, I broke the rule to satisfy my fan following. I wanted to see smiles on their faces since they came from all over just to attend the function. It was a memorable event.

Q: Which is close to your heart - "Varsham" or "Chhatrapathi"?

A: It is difficult to choose between the two as both are close to my heart. But characterisation in "Chhatrapathi" was well etched and the film can go down as a milestone in my career. 

Q: After "Varsham", you are teaming up with M.S. Raju. How would you describe "Pournami"?

'Veerabhadra' - a feast for Balakrishna fans?
Hyderabad, After delivering a dud like "Allari Pidugu", Balakrishna is coming up with another anger-driven film titled "Veerabhadra" and describes it as a "feast" for his fans."After 'Samarsimha Reddy' and 'Narasimha Naidu', I am again playing a powerful role," Balakrishna said while addressing his fans at the audio release function of "Veerabhadra" recently. After reciting some powerful dialogues from the film, he promised many more "such punch-lines". Talking about the film's plot, he said it is packed with "action and sentiment" and claimed the "well-knit script" will hold the audiences till the end. Son of legendary 'NTR', Balakrishna also said Mani Sharma's music "will touch your heats". Ravi of "Yagnam" fame has directed the film and said he was "a great fan" of Balakrishna and assured that it is going to be "a sure-fire winner" at the box office. 
Writer Pushpanand, who penned scripts of the hits like "Lorry Driver" and "Rowdy Inspector" starring Balakrishna, hopes to score a hat trick with his favourite star. 

'Veerabhadra' wins Telugu audio race
Hyderabad, The heady combination of Balakrishna and Mani Sharma has delivered yet another musical hit "Veerabhadra", making it the Telugu album of the fortnight. 

The top five Telugu albums are:

1. "Veerabhadra" - "Jagam kosam suryudu" and "Abba abba pedavi" have become extremely popular songs. 

2. "Bangaram" - After "Chandramukhi", Tamil composer Vidyasagar seems to have another winner on hand. Racy number "Ra ra bangaram" and folk tune "Chidu gudu" have proved to be catchy numbers. 

3. "Pournami" - After hits like "Varsham", producer M.S. Raju teams up with his protégé and composer Devisri Prasad and produces a lively album. "Koyo koyo" and "Muvvala navvakala" stand out. For the first time Prasad shows his flair for classical music.

Devotional 'Sri Ramadasu' biggest Telugu draw
Hyderabad, The devotional film "Sri Ramadasu" starring Nagarjuna is drawing huge crowds in theatres across the state. 

The top five Telugu films are:

1. "Sri Ramadasu" - Veteran director K. Raghavendra Rao shows how to hold the audiences with a gripping screenplay. M.M. Keeravani's music has enhanced the film's appeal manifold. 

2. "Ranam" - Action hero Gopichand joins the big league with the film. Despite playing a light-hearted hero, in contrast to his intense roles, he has made the film a winner. 

3. "Laxmi" - After comfortably crossing the 50-day mark, the film faces a challenge from new releases. Director Vinayak has made a contrived plot work at the box office. 

Keeravani's Sri ramadasu kirtans ahead of other Telugu albums
Hyderabad,Composer Keeravani's spell over Telugu listeners continues, with devotional album "Sri Ramadasu" selling like hot cakes even weeks after the film's release. The top five Telugu albums are:

1. "Sri Ramadasu" - "Idhigo idhigidigo" and "Sri Rama Rama" are the pick of this fortnight among the 17 kirtans in the album.

2. "Ranam" - Mani Sharma's fast-paced numbers keep up with the tempo of the comedy-action combo. "Ye chinna" and "Daga daga" are very popular with the masses. 

3. "Ram" - After "Happy", Tamil composer Yuvan Shankar Raja comes up with another peppy album to suit the youth-oriented caper. "Made in Hyderabad" and "Kurbani" are ahead of other compositions. 
 
'Lakshmi' the winner among Telugu films
Hyderabad, "Lakshmi", which has crossed the 50-day mark in more than 200 centres, tops the fortnight's list of top Telugu films. 

1. "Lakshmi" - The film's success promises to revive star-studded movie culture. Venkatesh's sympathetic role has drawn appreciation especially from female audiences. Director Vinayak's winning streak continues.

2. "Ranam" - Though the title suggests action, this latest offering from Eetharam Films is a comedy and action star Gopichand copes well with it. Choreographer-turned-director Rajsekar begins his filmmaking journey with a hit.

3. "Style" - The aggressive promotion campaign by producer Sridhar, who holds a media conference every other day, has kept cash counters ringing. With this film, actor-director Lawrence has proved that he is hero material. 

Keeravani scores super-hit with 'Sri Ramadasu'
Hyderabad, Award-winning music director Keeravani continues to mesmerise Telugu music buffs with the enchanting album "Sri Ramadasu", which is still entrenched in the top position. 

The top five Telugu albums are:

1. "Sri Ramadasu" - Besides soulful 'kirtans' like "Nannubrovamani", the album also has romantic numbers namely "Chalu chalu". After "Annamayya", this is another masterpiece from the ace composer.

2. "Lakshmi" - Ramana Gogula makes a strong comeback even though he hasn't signed any new films yet. Fast-paced "Lakshmi baba" and "Dhaga dhaga" are front-runners in the countdown shows on TV channels.

3. "Ranam" - After "Style", well-known composer Mani Sharma comes up with another fast-paced album to suit a mass-oriented film. "Daga daga aaadara" is a very popular song.

'Lakshmi' stays ahead in Telugu film race
Hyderabad, Despite new releases, "Lakshmi" stays ahead at the box office because of the large number of theatres in which it is running. 

The top five Telugu films are:

1. "Lakshmi" - This is a hit for actor Venkatesh and director Vinayak. The presence of big stars and good publicity has helped the film, notwithstanding the awkward blend of action and melodrama in it.

2. "Ranam" - The film is doing brisk business and macho actor Gopichand has joined the exclusive club of action stars. The success of "Ranam" sustains Eethram Films' good track record.

4. "Happy" - The Allu Arjun starrer is not doing well despite hectic promotion by his father Allu Arvind, who has produced the film. Flop director Karunakaran should be content with an average grosser. 

5. "Rajababu" - Director Siva fails to make a successful remake of the Malayalam hit "Balettan" and actor Rajsekar's comeback plans go awry due to the contrived plot.

I like Karan Johar's movies, says Ileana
Hyderabad, Filmmaker Y.V.S. Choudary's discovery Ileana is going places after receiving a good response for her performance in her debut film "Devadasu". 

Though it was not a big hit, the pretty girl was noticed and bagged films with top Telugu stars like Mahesh and Prabhas. 

She intends to explore all kinds of roles instead of limiting herself to glamorous ones. The actress says she plans to settle down in Telugu cinema as she likes the professional approach here - and may just give Bhoomika and Trisa run for their money.

She says: "I dislike to be slotted. I want to establish myself as an all-rounder by doing all kinds of roles."

The actress is a big fan of Bollywood director Karan Johar and also likes watching Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan on screen.

Excerpts from an interview:
 
'Asadhyudu': Kalyan loses as larger-than-life hero - Review
Film: "Asadhyudu"; Cast: Kalyan Ram, Divya, Ravi Kale, Vinayagan, Charan Raj, Chalapathi Rao, Kavitha; Director: Anil Krishna

After a poor start in duds like "Abhimanyu", Telegu star Kalyan Ram rose to stardom with the smash hit "Athanokkade". But his next release "Asadhyudu" dents his newfound and hard-won stardom.

He plays a larger-than-life role, but it takes some time for any actor to acquire the image that makes unbelievable feats believable. The role of a guy who takes on the might of a dreaded don ideally suits a big star, and Kalyan is clearly miscast.

Debutant director Anil Krishna announced the film as his "dream project", but with so poor a screenplay, pedestrian jokes and a contrived plot, the dream is unlikely to come true.

Debutant actress Divya fails to impress with either her looks or her acting.

'Ranam' rules Telugu film charts
Hyderabad, After "Andhrudu", action star Gopichand proves to be a crowd-puller once again with "Ranam".

The top five Telugu films are:

1. "Ranam" - The anger-driven film is doing so well at the box office that trade circles wonder whether it will beat Gopi-Baburao's "Yagnani".

2. "Lakshmi" - Venkatesh has restored Telugu actors' place and pride with this film. Director Vinayak's winning streak continues though critics may criticise his fusion of action and family drama. 

3. "Shock" - The film occupies this place because of Ravi Teja's reputation. However, the rehash of flop flick "Manoharam" is not going to be a high point of his career or producer Ram Gopal Varma's either. 
 
'Sri Ramadasu' stays on top of Telugu audio charts
Hyderabad, After a string of routine potboilers, music director M.M. Keeravani is back in his element with the devotional album "Sri Ramadasu". 

The top five Telugu albums are:

1. "Sri Ramadasu" - "Antha Ramamayam" and "Adigadigo Badragiri" are extremely popular songs. The audio may surpass the market record of "Annamayya". 

2. "Asadhyudu" - After churning out back-to-back musical hits "Chukallo Chandrudu" and "Devadasu", young composer Chakri does it again with this album. His latest creation for Kalyan Ram is a clutch of mass numbers with a touch of melody. "Kalisina samayana" and "Rum rum ramude" stand out.

No surprise in Telugu rehash 'Shock' Review
Film: "Shock"; Cast: Ravi Teja, Jyothika, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Tabu, Subbaraju, Nagendra Babu, Raja and Brahmanandam; Director: Harish Shankar; Producer: Ram Gopal Varma and Suresh 

Ram Gopal Varma's much-hyped Telugu production "Shock" is a huge disappointment. It turns out be nothing more than a rehash of the flop film "Manoharam" with a few mandatory changes. 

Normally, filmmakers get inspired only by hits, but director Harish is the exception who chose to remake a rejected plot about two cops framing an innocent man to save their jobs. 

Action star Ravi Teja, who regained his stardom with "Bhadra", chose a contrived plot to put himself in trouble again. It is a surprise how he agreed to do this twice-rejected theme.

Jyothika, who proved her calibre in "Chandramukhi", boasted about her role in this thriller. But now it looks as if she was only hyping the film. She even announced that she would remake it in Tamil with Surya, but the latter (her would-be husband) may reject the idea for her own sake. 

It is a pity to see the talented Tabu wasted in the clichéd role of a journalist. 

Venkatesh returns as a star with 'Lakshmi'
Hyderabad, Venkatesh-starrer "Lakshmi" is the pick of the pack among the fortnight's Telugu films. 

The top five Telugu films are:

1. "Lakshmi" - With its record-breaking opening, the film has revived the star-centric genre of Telugu cinema. Director Vinayak's winning streak continues.

2. "Style" - The huge promotion by producer Lagapati Sridhar is helping the film. Director Lawrence's creation, featuring Prabhu Deva, has the audiences tapping their feet to catchy dance sequences. 

3. "Happy" - The Allu Arjun and Karunakaran starrer has had a good opening, but it is not certain if it can sustain its box office collections. The contrived plot mars the film's prospects while Yuvan  Raja's music keeps it going. 
 
Dizzy success for devotional Telugu album
Hyderabad, After bagging a National Award for "Annamayya", Keeravani comes up with another devotional album for "Sri Ramadasu", which tops among the fortnight's Telugu audios. 

The top five Telugu albums are:

1. "Sri Ramadasu" - "Ishwaku Kula" and "Sudha Brahma" take listeners to a different world. Will music director Keeravani bag another award?

2. "Lakshmi" - Ramaga Gogula has risen like a phoenix from what appeared to be the ashes of his career to deliver a lively album for his favourite actor Venkatesh. "Dagga dagga" and "Hey Satyabamma" stand out. 

3. "Happy" - Tamil music composer Yuvan Shankar Raja produces a peppy album to suit the youth-centric caper. "Chal chal re" and the title number have launched the composer in a big way in Telugu cinema. 

4. "Style" - Mani Sharma scores for a dance-centric film but fails to utilise the opportunity with fast-beat numbers. 

5. "Asadhyudu" - Kalyan Ram, who delivered a musical hit with "Athonokade", now teams up with Chakri for a lively album. The composer, on a comeback spree, belts out interesting tunes, including "Kalisina samayana" and "Rakasi koralu".
   

'Style' - a cliché-ridden melodrama
Film: "Style"; Producer: Lagadapati Sridhar; Director: Lawrence; Music Director: Mani Sharma; Cast: Lawrence, Prabhu Deva, Charmi, Raja, Samir, Kovai Sarala, Dharmavarapu and others.

"Style", the much-hyped creation of choreographer-turned-director Lawrence, can be watched for electrifying dance numbers. But the self-pitying protagonist, played by Lawrence himself, makes it a cliché-ridden melodrama.

Unnecessary sub-plots like Prabhu Deva's career, Charmi's love track and the overdone 'mother' sentiment combine to make it an even more stretched-out affair. 
 
Padma Bhushan is a special award: Chiranjeevi
Hyderabad, Megastar Chiranjeevi has dedicated his Padma Bhushan award to his fans and termed it as a recognition for the entire Telugu film industry.

Though the man who has ruled the southern film industry for over two decades has been conferred many awards, the Padma Bhushan is a special honour for him.

"I am glad that the central government has recognised my services to the industry and conferred this prestigious award on me," he said.

"I dedicate this award to my fans," said Chiranjeevi, 51, whose fan following can only be compared with that of the late thespian-turned-politician N.T. Rama Rao.
 
Nagarjuna to play devotee in 'Sri Ramadasu'
Hyderabad, After an award-winning performance in "Annamayya", Nagarjuna's next is a historical film, "Sri Ramadasu", where he plays a devotee of Lord Ram. 

If Nag, as his fans know him, penned hymns addressed to Lord Venkateswara in the former, he ends up in jail for building a Ram temple at Bhadrachalam in "Sri Ramadasu". 

He said he hasn't done any homework for the film and prefers to visit the sets often and rely on spontaneity. 

He is all praise for veteran director Raghavendra Rao and scriptwriter J.K. Bharavi for coming up with an interesting screenplay. 

"The duo made a winner out of 'Annamayya' and they are again working to make an entertainer of this real-life story," said Nagarjuna.
 

'Happy' a success sans big stars
Film: "Happy"; Cast: Allu Arjun, Genelia, Bharani, Manoj Bajpai, Ratnam, Rama Prabha, Brahmanandam, Venu, Shetty and others; Director: Karunakaran; Producer: Allu Arvind; Music Director: Yuvan Shankar Raja. 

After the disastrous "Balu", young director Karunakaran redeems himself a little with this wholesome entertainer. 

After hits like "Arya" and "Bunny", Allu Arjun again plays to the gallery as a no-holds-barred prankster though it's also a bit of a self-pitying role. His dancing is the film's USP.

 
'Lakshmi' proves a big crowd-puller
Hyderabad, Among Sankranthi releases, "Lakshmi" has had the biggest opening. In spite of the death of a fan in a stampede in one of the theatres, the film is going places. 

The top five Telugu films are:

1. "Lakshmi": Director Vinayak has rehashed "Peddanaiyya" to present this Venkatesh-starrer to the festival audience. The sentimental appeal of the film has ensured its success. 

2. "Style": Choreographer-turned-director Lawrence offers this dance-based film and producer Sridhar should be lauded for betting money on a rare theme.

3. "Devadasu": Though it may not have raked in huge collections, director Y.V.S. Choudury's musical love story, which has 11 songs, has caught attention. Whether its appeal will outlast Sankranthi holidays remains to be seen.

4. "Jai Chiranjeeva": Chiranjeevi's comic caper is losing ground gradually because of a contrived plot. 
 
Gogula bounces back with 'Lakshmi' audio
Hyderabad, Music composer Ramana Gogula, once written off, bounces back and grabs the top slot with a soul-stirring album "Lakshmi".

The top five Telugu albums are:

1. "Lakshmi": "Dhaga dhaga" and "Hey satyabhama" stand out in this action film. The audiences are waiting for the actor-composer to deliver another musical sensation.

2. "Happy": Composer Yuvan Shankar Raja delivers a youthful album. Director Karunakaran draws from him peppy tunes like "Chal chal re" and "Happy" to suit his youth-oriented film. 

3. "Style": If the dance-based film wins at box office, Mani Sharma's racy album is also bound to pick up. The composer could have fused some melody into fast-beats to make it a musical like "Disco Dancer". 

4. "Chukkalo Chandrudu": Publicity has helped the music of Chakri to sell initially but now everything rests on film's box office performance. "Prema paravasam" and "Dholna dholna" have caught on.

5. "Kokila": Composer Madhukar delivers a good album, but it cannot be compared with Ilayaraja's score in "Kokila" of over a decade ago. "Veeri veeri" and "Snehama" are catchy. 
 

NTR's family, TDP offer to revive award
Hyderabad, The revival of an award instituted in memory of late Andhra Pradesh chief minister N.T. Rama Rao is caught in a controversy as both his family and the party he founded offered to fund the prize while exchanging allegations on the thespian's tenth death anniversary Wednesday.
  
Kalyan plans film with his father under NTR banner
Hyderabad, After his roaring hit "Athanokkade", young actor Kalyan Ram is one big star today. He is hopeful that his next release "Asadyudu" will be equally successful and promises an "exciting film" with his father Harikrishna soon.

'Mahanandi' may overtake 'Jai Chiranjeeva'
Hyderabad, The huge opening of "Jai Chiranjeeva", thanks to Chiranjeevi's mass appeal, makes it the top Telugu film of the fortnight. But "Mahanandi" and "Vennela" may steal a march over it. 
The top five films are:
1. "Jai Chiranjeeva": The much-hyped comedy has not really matched the expectations of the numero uno star Chiranjeevi.
2. "Mahanandi": Young actor Sumanth bounces back with this film and audiences have accepted him in his maiden action role. 
3. "Vennela": Handsome Raja delivers a hit to launch another director, Deva. The American backdrop enhances the film's appeal.
 
'Lakshmi' is album of the fortnight
Hyderabad, Composer Ramana Gogula bounces back with "Lakshmi", undoubtedly the album of the fortnight.
The top five Telugu albums are:
1. "Lakshmi": "Tara taluku tara" and "Hey satyabamma" are outstanding songs. The music suits the film, a family drama laced with action.
2. "Chukkalo Chandrudu": Composer Chakri is back in his elements in this peppy album. "Dholna dholna" and "Edalo eppudo" sound like chartbusters.
3. "Style": Director Lawrence surprised many by signing Mani Sharma for his dance-based film, but the composer has proved all critics wrong with this notable album. "Style sytle" and "Merupisagara" are catchy. 

Venkatesh to try action role in 'Lakshmi'
Hyderabad, After playing a trigger-happy cop in "Gharshana", a loving brother in "Sankranthi" and a patriot in "Subhas Chandra Bose", Venkatesh plays an action hero in "Lakshmi" slated for release on Jan 13. Pretty Nayantara and Charmi play the female leads. The latter described hers as "a cute role".

More punch lines than punches in 'Jai Chiranjeeva'
Film: "Jai Chiranjeeva"; Director: Vijayabhaskar; Producer: Aswini Dutt; Cast: Chiranjeevi, Samira Reddy, Bhoomika, Arbaz Khan, Brahmanandam

'Jai Chiranjeeva' tops Telugu audios
Hyderabad, The actor-composer duo of Chiranjeevi and Mani Sharma spells magic again in the audio of 'Jai Chiranjeeva'. 

1. "Jai Chiranjeeva": The audio is selling like hot cakes. "Jai Ganesha" and "Thillana" are chartbusters.

2. "Mahanandi": The big success of the film has boosted the audio sales, launching Kamalakar as commercial composer. Melodious "Yemyna" and fast-paced "Champakamala" are catchy numbers.

3. "Devadasu": Director Y.V.S. Chowdary leaves his favourite composer Keeravani and signs Chakri this time, and the young composer delivers a good album despite its similarities with old hits. "Kshaminchu" and "Nuvvante Nakishtam" are popular songs.


Sumanth and 'Mahanandi' steal the show
Hyderabad, The first among the top five Telugu films of the fortnight is "Mahanandi" where Sumanth makes a strong comeback. 

The top five films are:

1. "Mahanandi": Well-etched performances by Sumanth and Srihari, helped by a well-knit screenplay make the film a sure winner.

2. "Vennela": Director Deva's comic caper keeps the turnstiles working. Raja is impressive again, but it is the pranks of four friends that keep drawing the crowds.

3. "Aaru": Surya's performance has given the film a good opening. The wafer-thin plot and its poor treatment, however, may cut short its appeal. 

I have learnt a lot from Chiranjeevi: Vijayabhaskar
Hyderabad, Telugu director Vijayabhaskar, who signed Chiranjeevi for his film "Jai Chiranjeeva", says it will be a landmark film in the actor's illustrious career. 

'Vennela' wins the Telugu film race
Hyderabad, Telugu film "Vennela", a love story interspersed with comedy starring Raja of "Anand" fame, takes the top slot this fortnight. 
1. "Vennela": Director Deva Katta's film may even surpass the box-office success of "Anand".
2. "Ghajini": After Vikram, it's now Tamil star Surya's turn to savour success in Telugu as his dubbed action film is doing very well. His next Tamil release "Aaru' is getting good publicity too.
 
New talents shine in Telugu music
Hyderabad, Debutant and up-and-coming Telugu music composers are keeping music-lovers enthralled this fortnight, with Mani Sharma's "Jai Chiranjeeva" in top position. The best five songs are:
1. "Jai Chiranjeeva": Mani Sharma is back at the top with his successful number "Jai jai ganesha".
2. "Sree": Hindi composer Sandeep Choutha shows his class yet again with this album. "Holi holi" and "Em pilla" stand out. 
3. "Vennela": Composer Mahesh Shankar's fast-paced "Busy life" and unconventional "Chestara lovu" are catchy numbers. 

 
'Meenakshi' could halt Kamalinee's march to stardom - Review
Film: "Meenakshi"; Cast: Rajiv Kanakala, Kamalinee Mukherjee, Amith, Sivakrishna, Ali, Rajitha and Kavitha; Music: Madhu; Director: Prabhakar; Producer: Vedavathi and Reddy; Banner: Easwari Art Pictures

Telugu actor Mohan Babu to launch political party
Hyderabad, Popular Telugu actor Mohan Babu, who completed 30 years in his film career Tuesday, announced he would launch his own political party.

 
'Jai Chiranjeeva' audio a smashing hit
Hyderabad, Another Chiranjeevi film, "Jai Chiranjeeva", has set an audio record. The top five Telugu film audio albums of the fortnight are: 1. "Jai Chiranjeeva": The cassettes were sold like hot cakes on the day of release itself. "Jai Jai Ganesh" and "Maha Muddu" are extremely popular numbers.

 
'Paandu' proves to be damp squib
Film: "Paandu"; Banner: Keerthi Creations; Producer: M.L. Kumar Choudury; Music Director: Devisri Prasad; Director: Deviprasad; Cast: Jagapathi Babu, Sneha, Sayaji Shinde, Venu Madhav, Krishna Bhagwan, Dharmavarapu.After a dud like "Jagapati", popular actor Jagapati Babu teamed up with young director Deviprasad for "Paandu" but this too has turned out to be a damp squib.

  
Vidyasagar scores again with 'Mazaa'
Hyderabad, "Mazaa", another musical hit by Vidyasagar after "Chandramukhi", is the fortnight's leader among Telugu audios. The top five albums are:  1. "Mazaa": The album has succeeded because it presents a good mix. "Allukonava" and "Ayya Retu' are hits. 2. "Ghajini": Harris Jayaraj has belted out another lively album to captivate youth in particular. "Tirige Kallu" and "Rahatulla" sound like sure-fire hits. 3. "Pandu": After a brief hiatus, Devisri Prasad makes a comeback with a love story. "Nagamani" and "Jabilipaina" sound interesting. The composer of mass-oriented numbers is looking to try out something different.

'Danger' tops among Telugu films
Hyderabad, "Danger" has opened to a good response and tops the fortnight's Telugu films. Here goes the list : 1. "Danger": The visually pleasing film on a hide-and-seek game is an experimental effort. 2. "Chhatrapathi": Local 'Stallone' Prabhas keeps up the film's tempo with his action episodes while Rajamouli's deft screenplay holds audience interest. 3. "Bhagiratha": Director Rasool's maiden hit comes with a film that relies more on brains than on brawn.

  
After 'Chhatrapathi', Prabhas ready for new roles
Hyderabad, Action man Prabhas, who is back in the reckoning with roaring hit "Chhatrapathi", is ready for new roles. Despite being hailed as a mass hero, he intends to try varied roles besides regular potboilers.With his next project "Pournami" in the safe hands of Midas-touch filmmaker M.S. Raju, the actor is on the roll again.After the fairly successful "Varsham", disasters like "Aadavi Ramudu" and "Chakram" severely dented his stardom. Then came the blockbuster "Chhatrapathi" from director Rajamouli. Prabhas flexed his muscles in this macho film and proved himself as an action star yet again. 

Krishna Vamsi experiments with 'Danger'

Teja puts 'Bhagiratha' on top

Action flick 'Chhatrapathi' a musical hit too

'Mogudu Pellam' an entertaining experiment - Review

'Allari Pidugu' lets down Balakrishna and fans - Review

'Allari Pidugu' may set audio record

'Chatrapathi' wins fortnight's crown

Balakrishna banking on 'Allari Pidugu'

'Allari Bullodu', another dud from a veteran director

'Allari Pidugu' top Telugu audio 

'Athadu' continues top position

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