Telugu Film News 07-06-2007

Snippet: Aishwarya’s endless honeymoon!

Everyone hopes that their honeymoon lasts forever. For the new Mrs Bachchan, her glorious honeymoon seems to go on and on.

Now she’s in France for the semi-finals of the French Open tennis tournament, but not because she’s a die-hard fan of the game. Ash is the brand ambassador of a designer brand of watches which is one of the official sponsors of the tournament.

Of course, she enjoys watching the sport and would love to stay on for the finals, but she has to attend a Bollywood awards event in Yorkshire. And now that she’s an official Bachchan she will be there with the Big Family. After all it’s all about loving your family, and not so much the game!

Srikanth: 'Don’t link politics with cinema'

Actor Srikanth reacts to allegations that Operation Dhuryodhana portrays anti-Telangana sentiments.

After Posani Krishnamurali’s latest movie Operation Dhuryodhana rubbed Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) the wrong way, the director seems to be in the dock.

Even before the audience could warm up to the film, the police seized its copies, after the TRS raised concerns that it portrayed anti-Telangana sentiments. While he is busy answering cops and apologising to the public, the man in his film’s lead role, Srikanth, doesn’t appreciate the turn of events. He tells media, “I was shocked to find that the movie was pulled off the screen, for not carrying the cuts suggested by the Censor Board. I am an artiste and am least bothered about political issues. While doing the film, we were extremely careful not to hurt anybody’s sentiments.

I never expected such things to happen. It’s true, though, that some dialogues in the film criticise political leaders who aren’t sincere to the Telengana movement. But the movement isn’t the movie’s central theme. We never intended it to be so, either. People with vested interests might be fomenting such controversies,” says the actor.

“I was banking on the film to give a boost to my career. It’s disappointing that it has run into rough weather,” says the dejected actor. “I don’t understand why someone should link politics with cinema,” he says in exasperation .

Buzz: Sneha's Rate Is Only Rs 18 Lakh!

Grapevine comes out differently but the fact remains same. Many say that Sneha claims Rs 35 lakhs for film. But her rate card is not that big. Recently EVV Satyanarayana approached her and she claimed Rs 18 lakhs with Car expenses.

The unit returned back and hired Kamalini for the role. She is now taking Rs 13 lakhs only. That way there is a saving of Rs 5 lakhs.

The figures come out in big way to create hype for the heroines. But in actual sense there wouldn't be such big price for them.

Censor Board wants cops to police films

Hyderabad: Police in the city may be in for a new role: Watchguards of newly released films. Under this role they would have to view the films and ensure that the cuts sought by the censor board are implemented by the filmmakers.

But this may not exactly be music to the ears of senior police officers.

As per a letter from the regional officer of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), T Vijay Kumar Reddy to senior police officials on Wednesday, newly-released movies in theatres will have to be monitored by the cops.

Senior police officials, however, do not seem to be too pleased with the idea. “Don’t our men have enough work on hand? Asking them to go and regularly watch movies is something that can never happen,” a senior police official said.

“At the most, we can take action only when someone brings it to our notice that theatres are violating censor norms. And in any case, how are we to know what cuts have been suggested for a film?” asked Ranga Reddy district SP A S Gurappa.

Gurappa said that it was not a practical thing for the police to act ‘suo motu’ and watch films as they there are other issues which need their attention.

The censor board begs to differ. According to the censors, it is the responsibility of the police to check if exhibitors are violating rules and book them. But, the only time that the police act is when they get to learn that films with vulgar scenes are being screened at any theatre.

“Under the Cinematography Act, 1952, it is the police who have the power to seize the film reel. We have written to senior officials of the state police to book theatres which violate the rules,” Reddy added.

A police official of Cyberabad said that a few months ago, a theatre at Rajendranagar was booked for screening a movie with interpolations. “There were obscene scenes in the film and had no censor clearance,” the police official said.

After what happened with the newly released movie ‘Operation Duryodhana’ which was being exhibited at Sandhya 35 mm in the city with some of the suggested cuts still featuring in the film, Vijay Kumar Reddy said a letter would once again be addressed to senior police officials to direct the local police everywhere to watch newly released movies in theatres to see if the cuts were being implemented.

Screen Talk: Looks matter for Vikram!

Last Saturday, Vikram completed the shoot of the Lingusamy-directed “Bheema”, with the picturisation of the last song along with Trisha. Vikram has been working on the film for the past 18 months; it got delayed due to various reasons. The film is said to have shaped out well with foot-tapping numbers by Harris Jayaraj. Now Vikram is all set to change the bearded “Bheema” look for his new film.

He is one of the few actors in the country, who believes in changing his looks and doing different characters in every film.

Gossip: Brahmanandam Goes Very Arrogant Of All

Film Nagar circles say that Brahmanandam is the most arrogant of all comedians but still producers run behind him for the well-being of their films.

Recently Brahmanandam was playing cards in the shot gap of a film shooting. When the Associate director came to Brahmanandam and said, "Shot is ready", Brahmanandam replied, "It's not enough if shot is ready. I should be ready. Ask director to wait until I come".

Brahmanandam said this in his typical style. Had he said this for fun or he really meant that. When observed he really took 5 minutes to complete the round in the card-game at that time. He joined the shot only after that. That irritated director to some extent but he didn't let his feelings out.

Brahmanandam really recalls SV Ranga Rao of past generation, say a few senior producers. Even SV Ranga Rao was known for his arrogance and rough nature. But he is wanted by all for his unbeatable talent.

Venu Madhav: Bhukailas collected 1.56 crore

The unit members of the recently released Bhukailas met the media on Wednesday at FNCC to talk about the success of the film.

On this occasion lead actor Venu Madhav said, “This has been a big and pleasant surprise. I never expected my film to run to packed houses. I couldn’t believe that my combination with Sivanageswara Rao would attract good openings.

“Bhukailas collected 1.56 crore in the first week of its release.” Director Siva Nageswara Rao said that he had witnessed the craze for Venu Madhav when the unit toured various parts of Andhra recently.

Actressess Suhasini, Devi and produced Gurunadha Reddy also attended the meet.

Behind The Scene: Daggubati's revenge politics!

With the family members of Telugu Desam founder-president N T Rama Rao rallying behind former Chief Minister and present TD president N Chandrababu Naidu firmly, the Congress leadership is desperately trying to engineer a split in the family to outwit Naidu.

For that, there is no better option than using Daggubati family to instigate the family members. While NTR's eldest daughter Purandareshwari, presently Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development, was made to dash off a letter to Chandrababu Naidu, questioning his moral right to use the name of her father in the Telugu Desam politics, her husband Daggubati Venkateshwar Rao, now a Congress MLA, is trying to provoke NTR's sons against Naidu. He suggests that NTR's sons – Harikrishna and Balakrishna and grandson Jr NTR, who displayed "Rayalaseema Pourusham" in their films, should display the same revengeful character and take vengeance against Chandrababu Naidu, who had backstabbed NTR. In order to provoke them, Daggubati also released audio cassettes released by NTR after August 1995 coup, criticising Naidu in choicest words.

However, what Daggubati has forgotten is that NTR's sons lack the spine to put up a fight againt a master-manipulator like Chandrababu Naidu. They may play ferocious roles in films, but in real life, they are very timid and inadventurous. For that matter, even Daggubati is not as adventurous as Chandrababu Naidu and always played safe in protecting his political interests. So, even if Daggubati and his wife try to provoke NTR's sons and grandson, they cannot take any risks. Since they have no place in the Congress, they are looking up to Telugu Desam. It is as simple as that!!