Telugu Film News 08-06-2007

Photo Feature: Abhishek and Ash at train station

Got my eyes on you: Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai arrive at the York train station, in northern England on Thursday -- ahead of the gala world premiere of The Train.
The couple sure made heads turn at the IIFA but Abhishek can't seem to take his eyes off his pretty wife.

Gossip: Chiru’s Heroine Is Mother Of 2 Children!

The heroine Karishma Kotak who is playing opposite to Mega Star Chiranjeevi in ‘Shankar Dada Zindabad’ may upset his fans. This is not because of her looks or her performance. She has the most disappointing flash back to reveal. She is a married woman with two children.
Chiru’s fans always expect an unwed pretty gal to be on his side. But considerably big remuneration is paid to her. This may be proved to be a colossal waste, some of the producer’s friends apprehend.
Whatever be the reason behind screen, Chiru’s fans are completely down looking at the photographs of Karishma Kotak.

Gossip: Vijayashanti Has Children?

The gossip is that Vijayashanthi is Kumari as per records but she got married to a person by name Prasad. She has two children-one boy and one girl who are in their teens now. They are living in Chennai now. She recently bought a house in Jubilee Hills and staying there. Before that she used to stay in a guest house.

Grapevine says that Vijayashanti made big property with her film career and she has houses in Chennai as well. Vijayashanthi became an actress only with the encouragement of her mother. Her father is not interested much. They used to live just beside Andhra Club in Chennai wherein they got the scope to interact with film directors and producers there.
AM Ratnam was a make up man in those days who worked for Vijayashanthi for a few years and turned a producer slowly with her friendship.

Nikita: 'I'm Not Exposing Only For That Reason'

For those who have been observing the latest slanging match between Daggubati family and Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu, it may appear as if the relationship between both the families have strained beyond repair.
But, strangely that is not true. And it was revealed by none other than Congress MLA Daggubati Venkateshwara Rao himself in an interview to a local television channel) Contrary to the talk going on in the Telugu Desam circles (which has been written in these columns in the past) that Purandareshwari desperately tried to stall the marriage between film star (and her brother) Balakrishna's daughter Brahmani with Chandrababu Naidu's son Lokesh, Daggubati revealed that the marriage has full support from Purandareshwari. In fact, she is actively participating in the preparations for Lokesh-Brahmani marriage by giving them suitable suggestions. What is more, she is helping Brahmani in shopping, particularly in purchase of jewellery (Purandareshwari is an expert gemmologist). She is making calls to Chandrababu's wife Bhuvaneshwari and Balaiah regularly.
Daggubati also revealed that Purandareshwari remembers birthdays of her sisters, brothers, nephews and neices and makes it a point to call them on those days to wish them. "She has made it clear that politics should not come in the way of relationship. So, though my family and Chandrababu's family oppose each other politically and criticise openly, it has not strained our relationship," he said.
So, they have been making the people as well as media fools all these days. What's point then in the Telugu Desam and Congress slinging mud at each other?

Weight Reduction Program Of Our Heroes

All the young heroes are in weight reduction program these days. They might have understood the importance of looking slim. Adding to that, they got motivated looking at their colleagues in the industry who turned slim.

Actor Prabhas recently put on oodles of weight and is now desperately trying to knock it off and get back into shape. Looks like NTR Jr is going to have stiff competition in the weight loss department now. Mohan Babu's sons Vishnu and Manoj are also in the line. You might have observed the photographs of Kalyan Ram in his new film with Vedika, in which he is looking slimmer than before.
So, it's the weight reduction mela that is going on in Tollywood now. Almost all the young heroes are over conscious about their figure now.

Suresh Babu's Saying On Feminine Titles To Venky

D Suresh Babu is asked about the film 'Tulasi' that is under making. Answering to that he said, "The shooting of the film is getting postponed as Venkatesh's leg was injured. The title Tulasi is in air but we haven't given any thought for that so far. We are thinking how far the feminine titles like 'Lakshmi, Tulasi...and all suit Venkatesh in series. Initially we thought to title the film as 'Tulasi Reddy' considering the force in the film. We are yet to decide about the title".

Apart from this he also shared a few things about the industry and developments. When he was asked about Shivaji he said, "Chandramukhi's sale excepting Satellite rights was gone at whopping price of about Rs 10 Crore 50 Lakhs. Now we heard that Shivaji rights have gone at Rs 22 Crore. That's really a big stride of Telugu film industry".

Nagarjuna's 'Don' Hits On Tamil Screen

The shooting of the film Don with Nagarjuna, Priyamani and Anushka is being made in the direction of Lawrence. Lawrence is also scoring music for this film and debuting as music director as well. The fresh news is that the film is also going to be made in Tamil with Vijay in lead role.

It is said that Vijay had already listened to the story of the film and showing interest to work for it.
So as soon as the completion of the shooting of Telugu Don, there are chances for Lawrence to direct in Tamil as well. As of now Lawrence is equally popular in Telugu and Tamil.

Trade Talk: Many Flops But No Thumping Successes

Poasani Krishna Murali has once again made a confused film after 'Sravana Masam'. But the present flick 'Operation Duryodhana' is a bit better than that. Still, the focus in the film is completely lacking. The posters of the film are pulling crowds to theaters and hence the openings are also good. The controversy that is in vogue with the film had pumped up the craze on it among the people who haven't watched this film.
Raja faced another flop with 'Veduka' and it is failing to attract any set of audiences. The dreams of Poonam Bajwa to find break with this film also went vain.
New film with new faces, 'Laila Majnu' also failed to pull crowds.
Shiva Nageshwara Rao's 'Bhukailas' made considerable collections in the second week as well. Shivaji's 'Nee Navve Chaalu' proved to be a flop.
The new film 'Dubai Seenu' that was released yesterday bagged big openings with average talk and its trade status will be known only after a week.
'AMAV' proved to be one of the best hits in 2007 and is still running in housefuls at some centers.

Abhishek only trusts Ash’s agents!

A little birdie informs us that Abhishek Bachchan created quite a ruckus at Yorkshire, where the International Indian Film Awards (IIFA) will be held this weekend.

Big B is the show’s ambassador, so beta Abhishek and bahu Ash will also be present.
However, AB’s baby insisted that only Ash’s phirang agent draft his contract for a performance at the awards.
As a result, the Wizcraft guys (the organisers of the awards) had no option but to toe his line!
Phew! Talk about attitude! (And for what, may we ask? Hovering around Ash like the trophy husband at international dos where nobody knows or cares who you are? Sigh. Some boys will just never learn.)

Chandrababu gets US visa for 10 yrs

Former chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday attended a personal interview to obtain a visa to go to the US. The interview lasted five minutes. The consulate officials had a brief talk with Mr Naidu, his close aide said. They even informed Mr Naidu that his visa was cleared and it would be valid for a period of 10 years. Mr Naidu’s visit to Chennai was delayed by an hour due to delay in departure of the Chennai bound flight. Mr Naidu flew back to Hyderabad on Thursday.

Impression: Venu Madhav Is Too Busy To Trouble

Venu Madhav is the busiest comedian in Tollywood and his life style will be hectic everyday. He slotted the time for sleep only in his van while traveling. Rest of the time he will be busy in shootings.

There were several impressions on him earlier that he troubles the producers and unit members with big demands like fruit juices from a particular star hotel or an AC Caravan to relax.
But now as he will be roaming to different sets everyday he will not have time to trouble the unit members or the producer with his starry airs. He simply comes, does his work and rushes out.
That's really a happy thing for everyone. Right now Venu Madhav is being paid Rs 75,000 per day.

Telugus in Gulf commit suicide in large numbers!

The suicide numbers among Indian expatriates are increasing year by year. In 2004 there were 70 cases, in 2005 it increased to 84 and in 2006 it is 100 and in 2007 it will be more because the cost of living is increasing very high but earning has not increased.

A majority of them are from Andhra Pradesh. About five lakh workers are Telugu-speaking and they live in horrible conditions.
The major cause of the suicide cases is financial crisis and related depression. Social organisations have noticed the pathetic condition of expatriate Indians who returned back to India after decades of service abroad, who can not look after the family, can not maintain the house they build, children are not in the right track and they are not getting love and affection from the families for whom they sacrificed their life in Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
When they are in GCC countries the families keep on demand for the money from the Indian expatriates without considering the very bad living conditions and hard work. After this bad experience, at last they are trying to return back to GCC countries to work again without considering bad health conditions. And this is leading to suicides or deaths due to ill-health.

Spotlight: 'Mana Jagananna Janam Kosame'

"Oka Kiranam Udayenche Ee Nelaloona, Yuva Tharunam Vikasinche Ee Nelaloona, Adigo Y.S.R Thanayudu…Adigo Y.S. Jagan" a song inviting, Mr. Y. S. Jagan, son of Chief Minister, Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy into politics has enraptured the crowd contemplating to do it.
The song written by Mr. P. Satya Reddy, one of the producer of the audio CD and member of Jagananna Yuvasena organized a public gathering at Telugu Lalitha Kala Thoranam, here on Thursday, calling Y.S Jagan to enter into politics to help the aggrieved.
As part of the programme, Kadapa Mayor, Mr. Ravindranath Reddy, who is also the uncle of Y.S Jagan, and former Film Chamber Chairman, Mr. B. V. Reddy have jointly released the audio CD "Mana Jagananna Janam Kosame".
The other producer of the CD is V. Radha Krishna Reddy.
Jahnavi Audio company compilled the CD. It has eight songs. Prem and Devender have scored the music. Some of the songs include, 'Raguluthunna Yuvatharam', 'Pulivendula Gaddameda', 'Neethimanthudu Neevae' etc.
The audio release programme was witnessed by dance master Nani, who has choreographed all the songs.
Later, addressing, Ravindranath Reddy extolled Y S. Jagan as a decent and serene personality. He said that Jagan would create ample employment opportunities in Kadapa district by opening various types of industries.
He said that the proposed steel factory in Kadapa does not belong to Y. S. Jagan, infact it belongs to his friend, Janardhan Reddy.
Earlier, hundreds of well wishers of Jagan participated in a mass rally. The rally was taken out from Gandhi Bhavan to Lalitha Kala Thoranam.

Purandareshwari shopping for Brahmani!

For those who have been observing the latest slanging match between Daggubati family and Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu, it may appear as if the relationship between both the families have strained beyond repair.
But, strangely that is not true. And it was revealed by none other than Congress MLA Daggubati Venkateshwara Rao himself in an interview to a local television channel) Contrary to the talk going on in the Telugu Desam circles (which has been written in these columns in the past) that Purandareshwari desperately tried to stall the marriage between film star (and her brother) Balakrishna's daughter Brahmani with Chandrababu Naidu's son Lokesh, Daggubati revealed that the marriage has full support from Purandareshwari. In fact, she is actively participating in the preparations for Lokesh-Brahmani marriage by giving them suitable suggestions. What is more, she is helping Brahmani in shopping, particularly in purchase of jewellery (Purandareshwari is an expert gemmologist). She is making calls to Chandrababu's wife Bhuvaneshwari and Balaiah regularly.
Daggubati also revealed that Purandareshwari remembers birthdays of her sisters, brothers, nephews and neices and makes it a point to call them on those days to wish them. "She has made it clear that politics should not come in the way of relationship. So, though my family and Chandrababu's family oppose each other politically and criticise openly, it has not strained our relationship," he said.
So, they have been making the people as well as media fools all these days. What's point then in the Telugu Desam and Congress slinging mud at each other?