Telugu Film News 12-06-2007
A lot of eyes and ears were open curiously, when film star Balakrishna celebrated his 48th birthday at Rajahmundry on Sunday amid speculations that he would make some announcement on his entry into politics. But when it finally happened, there was no euphoria at all. All that Balaiah said was that he would emulate his father and strive for the uplift of the common man. The programme was organised by the Telugu Desam leaders like Ambika Krishna, but they all refrained from making any direct refernce to his political interests. Only Ambika Krishna said the people would see a different Balakrishna in the near future.
Sources in the TD said Balaiah expressed his desire to wait for some more time to enter politics, particulary till the release of his forth coming film "Okka Magadu." If the film becomes a hit and the people start talking about him, he can make an entry into politics. But if the film flops at the box office, he would get a negative talk among the people and it would not be an appropriate time for his political arangetram. He would strive to get a positive response from the people through his social service activities to regain his image before jumping into the fray, sources said.
Trade Talk: ‘Dubai Seenu’ Rocking In USA
The collections of the film 'Dubai Seenu' in USA are rocking and it is recorded to be the first among Ravi Teja's films to bag such range of collections in USA. Total film is getting acclaims from all sections and it is doing better in USA than at home. Despite average reviews for the film, it is bagging huge collections in USA. Overseas audiences are giving huge applause for Sreenu Vaitla’s comedy quotient in his films ‘Dhee’ and ‘Dubai Seenu’.
The film is directed by Sreenu Vaitla and he can consider it to be the next hit after his 'Dhee'. All that he has to do is to make hat trick in near future.
After playing title roles like Missamma and Satyabhama, Bhumika Chawla is all set to do another female oriented film titled Anasuya. This film is directed by Ravi Babu (Allari fame). This film was launched today. Bhumika Chawla plays the role of a TV channel reporter. It is a thriller. Sekhar Chandra composes Music. Abbas and Nikhita are playing other important roles. Paruchuri brothers provide screenplay. Ravi Babu also produces this film. Shooting of Anasuya will be completed by 10 August.
Devadasis are the dancers who dedicated their lives for dancing before Gods in temples. But slowly they were misinterpreted as 'traditional prostitutes' by the society. Now Sangeetha played the role of a Devadasi girl in a film. Sangeetha's powerful portrayal in Dhanam will fetch her national award, says director Siva.
Speaking about the movie, the debutant director says, "Dhanam is a powerful story of a Devadasi, a system that still prevails in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and other parts of the country. Apart from the lead actor Prem, senior actors Kota Srinivasa Rao, Ashish Vidyarthi, Girish Karnad, Manobala and Ramesh Kanna are in the cast.
We have completed a major portion of the movie and the movie has shaped out very well," says Siva. He adds, "Ilayaraja has come up with brilliant music and Sangeetha has given a very strong performance. We shot the movie at a huge set erected at Ramoji studio in Hyderabad."
Jeeva is the cinematographer for the film while B Lenin edits the film for producers Nandhivaram Sampath Kumar and S Kousalyarani.
SV Ranga Rao Was Also Brand Ambassador
Working for commercials like brand Ambassador is not a new thing to note. While Savitri was the model for Lux Soap for some time, SV Ranga Rao was the brand ambassador for Berkeley Cigarettes.
The posters used to appear on walls with SV Ranga Rao holding Berkeley Cigarette between his fingers in 60s-70s.
It's a rare thing to note but that was not prominently noticed in those days by many due to the absence of televisions.
Tollywood gets Rs 7.5-cr ‘Sivaji’ shock
Tamil superstar Rajnikant has taken the fight right into the camp of the Telugu film industry which is firmly opposed to dubbed movies. According to industry sources, the rights for Rajni’s much-hyped ‘Sivaji’ in the Nizam territory went for a whopping Rs 7.5 crore.The huge price commanded by ‘Sivaji’ has shocked Tollywood producers. Both the Tamil and dubbed Telugu version will be released simultaneously this Friday.
The Nizam territory, in film parlance, comprises Hyderabad and Telangana districts and is sold for up to Rs 7 crore for movies of top Telugu heroes. But with a price of Rs 7.5 crore, it’s a dubbed movie which has breached that ceiling. At an estimated Rs 85 crore, the movie may be the costliest ever made in India.
And what is a record of sorts for dubbed movies, ‘Sivaji’ is set for release in 100 theatres in the territory, including 40 in the twin cities. This has never happened for a dubbed film though movies with top Telugu heroes do get released in several theatres. The movie relates the tale of a businessman who loses all, but fights back to regain everything.
Stunned Telugu film producers in the forefront of the battle against dubbed films are now trying to figure a way out. “Our stand is clear. We will not cooperate with producers who release dubbed films. The rights of ‘Sivaji’ and some more dubbed films released recently were committed to be bought by producers before our decision of non-cooperation last year. So we are technically not against Rajnikant’s movie,” Telugu Film Producers Council secretary T V D Prasad told media.
‘Sivaji’ may also hit hard Telugu movies currently running at theatres. Movie pundits aver that Rajni’s presence may reduces audiences in Telugu films such as the Srikanth-starrer ‘Operation Duryodhana’, Ravi Teja’s ‘Dubai Seenu’, Venkatesh’s ‘Adavari Maatalaku Arthaleverule’ and Prabhas-starrer ‘Munna’ and ‘Aata’. “Apart from the fact that Rajnikant stars in the movie, there is a lot of craze for director Shankar’s films in Andhra Pradesh. It made business sense for us to buy the Nizam territory rights for the film,” said P Rammohan Rao, COO, Pyramid Saimira Theatre Limited, Andhra Pradesh.
It’s speculated that the Telugu rights for ‘Sivaji’ were bought by producer Bellamkonda Suresh for a whopping Rs 14 crore. According to sources, the advance booking for ‘Sivaji’ will begin from Tuesday in some theatres but movie-buffs will have to pay 30 per cent extra on their ticket because of the flexible ticket rate policy for new films. Though the SC recently said the entertainment tax would be the same for all language films, this may not be implemented in Andhra Pradesh for now.
JD Chakravarthy Showing Jagapathi As Arnold!
JD Chakravarthy is now making a film with Jagapathy Babu in lead role and that is known for all. It is said that JD asked Jagapathi to build the body in order to suit to the role he is intending to make. Already, Jagapathy Babu's body is known for its athletic nature. But JD asked him to build that like Arnold Schwarzenegger. After knowing the success of Desa Muduru, JD must be thinking that the macho man look for hero would bring in positive results for the film at box office.
Well if these assumptions are right; it will be good for Jagapathy Babu to build up the body.
Spy Report: Of eggs, fish and elections!
Come elections, one can notice various funny ways of campaigning by candidates to win over the voters. And they hit the headlines to catch the attention of the people all over the State and the country.
Take for instance, the ongoing cooperative elections in Tirupati. Some of the candidates are amusing the voters by distributing fish and eggs, which are their symbols in the election. Eat egg and vote for me is the slogan of Rajendra, who was allotted Egg symbol. Though eggs are being sold at the all time high rate of Rs 3 each, Rajendra distributing large quantities of eggs after purchasing them in the market.
Ketari Radhakrishna, who was allotted fish symbol, is not lagging behind in the campaign either. Like Rajendra he too distributing fish to the voters with a slogan – eat fish and vote for fish. However, in some areas, he had to face the ire of the voters. They pulled him up for distributing fish on Monday instead of Sunday, the day when non-vegetarian dish is a must for majority of the population. Some of them are examining the quality of the fish before accepting and demanding sea fish also.
A contestant who was allotted camel symbol gone one step ahead his rivals. He managed to hire two camels for his campaign. Besides going around in the temple with the camels for publicity, he is also arranging free rides to the children of the voters to garner votes. Some of the voters seen enquiring about the allotments of symbols like sheep and chicken hoping that they can get the mutton and chicken also at free of cost at least till the election!
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