27th May 2004

Arjun on Mahesh birthday
Mahesh Babu's film 'Arjun' in the direction of Guna Sekhar is all set for a release on 9th August 2004, which also happens to be the birthday of prince Mahesh Babu. This film sports the costliest set ever constructed for a Telugu cinema in the form of 'Madhura Meenakshi Temple' in the outskirts of Hyderabad. Ramesh Babu - elder brother of Mahesh - is producing this film on Krishna Productions banner. Shriya is playing Mahesh's lady love as Keerti Reddy is playing his sister.

Kulasekhar dialogues for Gharshana
Kula Sekhar who made a mark for himself with his lyrical contribution to Telugu cinema would soon be testing his fortunes as dialogue writer. He penned crisp - yet effective - dialogues for Venkatesh's latest film 'Gharshana'. He also penned lyrics for all the songs in Gharshana. Speaking to idlebrain.com, Kula Sekhar said that he worked as journalist before and his experience helped him in writing concise dialogues that suit the subtle nature of dialogues needed for this film.

Ramireddy produces a pop album
Tina Ghai who made news with her Punjabi album 'Dhak Dhak Dil Dhadke' has dubbed her album in Telugu and named it as 'Tuntari Pilla'. Ramireddy (villain and character artist) has produced this album. This album contains seven pop songs. Tina Ghai also composed music and choreography. Aditya Music bought audio rights. This audio was released by Dr. Rama Naidu today evening at hotel Taj Banjara.

26th May 2004

RP Patnaik busy as Music Director
The huge disappointment of 'Seenu Vasanthi Lakshmi' seems to have driven RP Patnaik where he belongs to. That is doing music! By keeping his aspirations of directing an English film aside, RP Patnaik is scoring music these days. He has one film in Telugu with Uday Kiran in the direction of Teja. He has handful of projects in Tamil (3) and Kannada (4).

Arya stampede causes a death
Allu Arjun's latest film 'Arya' turned out to be a runaway blockbuster. To thank the audience for making the film a success, the unit of 'Arya' traveled Nizam yesterday and today. The unit traveled Warangal and Hanmakonda yesterday. Today when they visited Suryapet, a 12-year mega fan Uday expired due to current shock when he tried to get a closer look of the unit. The Arya unit paid respects to the soul of Uday and donated a financial help of Rs. 1 lakh to the family of Uday. They cancelled the Yatra and duly returned to Hyderabad

Meghana Naidu is back
Telugu girl Meghana Naidu acted in skimpy roles in two Telugu films - Vendi Mabbulu and Pruthvi Narayana - earlier. But 'Kaliyon Ka Chaman' music video has changes her fortunes. She made lots of money through innumerous stage shows later. She recently acted in a hot Hindi film titled 'Hawas'. Now she is back in Telugu films as celebrity. She is acting in a film with Vadde Naveen as hero in the direction Arun Prasad. Navneeth Kaul - heroine of Seenu Vasanthi Lakshmi - is doing another heroine. Three women - Bindu Narendran, Anumolu Vijaya Lakshmi and Kakarla Swaroopa Rani - are producing this flick.

25th May 2004

Chiranjeevi back on 29th May
Chiranjeevi is coming back to Hyderabad on 29th of May after completing his month-long holiday in abroad. He would be attendind the triple platinum disc function of Allu Arjun's 'Arya' on 30th of May. He would be participating the shooting of next schedule of 'Shankar Dada MBBS' from 2nd June onwards.

Nauheed with Tarun
Shooting of Tarun's latest film is going on in Switzerland in the direction of Jayant C Paranji. This schedule would continue till the 1st week of June. Bollywood actress Nauheed Cyrusi, who acted in films like Supari, Inteha and Lakeer, is paired up with Tarun in this film. Deenraj provides story. Mani Sharma scores music. Appala Raju and Kumar produce this film on Suryodaya banner.

Kodi to direct Vadde Naveen
Kodi Rama Krishna who delivered a blockbuster 'Pelli' with Vadde Naveen as hero in the past is going to direct Vadde Naveen for another film. We have to wait and see if these too off-season combination pull off the victory again. A new production house would produce this film.

24th May 2004

Dasari gets coal
Dasari Narayana Rao - the veteran Telugu film director who found an entry for him in Guinness Book of World Records by directing more than 140 films - has become Minister of State for Coal and Mines. He is a Rajya Sabha member from Congress. It was UV Krishnam Raju from Telugu film fraternity who found a place for him in central ministry in the last term. Now it's Dasari's turn.

Everything has to change - Venky
A scribe has asked Venkatesh about his opinion on recent elections where Congress made it the most as Venkatesh campaigned for his father Dr. Rama Naidu who represented Telugu Desam Party, he said in his philosophical style that 'everything has to change'. Venky definitely know how to take losses in his stride.

Puri Jagan's 'Film Tools'
Puri Jagan has recently started a company called 'Film Tools' that rent equipment for shooting. As the first step, he bought the latest ARRI 435 camera by spending approximately Rs. 1.25 crores. It may be known to visitors of idlebrain.com that Puri Jagan is the most prolific Telugu film director who directs at least 2 films an year on his own banner. In stead of renting a camera from others and spend lakhs over it, he thought that it would be better to have one. Puri Jagan is currently directing a film that debuts his brother Sai as hero. He has a multi-starrer coming up with Nagarjuna and Ravi Teja. Puri Jagan is surely a savvy businessman.

22nd May 2004

Arya 100 days function in Seema
Producer Raju is planning to celebrate the 100 days function of Allu Arjun's runaway blockbuster 'Arya' in Rayalaseema area. The exact location of function is yet to be decided. YS Raja Sekhara Reddy (CM of Andhra Pradesh) is expected to grace the function as chief guest. Chiranjeevi would be another distinguished invitee. The producer is planning to hold triple platinum disc function of 'Arya' in the next week for which Chiranjeevi would be coming.

Netanya Singh with Mohan Babu
Hot heroine of 'Tum' fame - Netanya Singh - is doing the second heroine role in Mohan Babu's 'Shiva Shankar', in which he is doing the role of Boudha Bikshuvu. Shooting of the climax is currently going on. Music of this film would be released in the month of June. 'Shiva Shankar' would be releasing in the month of July 2004. Kapuganti Rajendra directs this film. Deceased actress Soundarya played the main heroine in 'Shiva Shankar'. Maestro Ilayaraja scored music.

Smita Masaka Masaka VCD released
The Masaka Masaka VCD of Telugu pop star Smita was released a couple of days ago by Aditya Music. This VCD contains 4 videos of Smita (Hai Rabba, Hai Rama, Koilamma and Masaka Masaka. This VCD is priced at Rs. 75. Smita has another interesting project coming up in a month's time.

19th May 2004

Double duty for Jayant
Jayant is currently in Europe to shoot songs for his film with Tarun as hero. It is learnt that he would stay in Europe after shooting of Tarun's songs to catch up with the shooting of songs for Chiranjeevi's Shankar Dada MBBS. Shooting of Tarun's film is getting delayed because of jayant's keen indulgence with Chiranjeevi's project Shankar Dada MBBS.

SV Krishna Reddy's Letha Manasulu
SV Krishna Reddy's latest film with Srikanth as hero is titled as 'Letha Manasulu'. Kalyani and Gopika ('Autograph' fame) are doing the female leads. 50% of the shooting is over. This film is a remake of a Tamil hit film. Anant Varma is producing this flick. Keeravani scores music.

Suman & Sai Kumar dinner with Vajpayee
Telugu cinema heroes Suman and Sai Kumar had an opportunity to dine with ex prime minister Atal B Vajpayee. The ex prime minister is said to have invited these two actors for dinner after the election campaigning is over. Sai Kumar campaigned extensively in Karnataka. Suman campaigned in AP and Mumbai.

16th May 2004

Chiru and MS Raju tops in donations
Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao said that Chiranjeevi proved that he is the most charitable hero by donating the huge amount of Rs. 5 lakhs to Paruchuri Raghu Babu Trust. MS Raju donated Rs. 3 lakhs after the hit of 'Varsham'. Madhu (producer of Tagore) donated Rs. 2 lakhs. Dr. Rama Naidu has been providing annadanam on that auspicious day every year for the past 14 years.

Sukumar-Raju combo again
Sukumar who made splashes with his debut film 'Arya' is going to direct another flick to his producer Raju. This film is a big budget film with a big hero. This film would be officially launched in the month of October 2004.

Allare Allari by Siri Media
Siri Media Arts - the banner that produced runaway blockbuster Pellam Voorelithe - is producing production no.2. The title under consideration for this film is 'Allare Allari'. This film stars Srikanth, Prabhu Deva and Arti Chabria in the main leads. P Vasu is directing this flick. Allu Arvind and C Aswini Dutt are the producers.

15th May 2004

Uday Kiran returns to Teja
RP Patnaik, Uday Kiran, Teja and Sadaf seem to have realized the importance of the age-old adage 'Kalasi Vunte Kaladu Sukham'. And the credit of uniting these four people goes to the veteran producer Atluri PurnaChandra Rao. Teja is going to direct 'Avunanna .. Kaadanna' (Nuvvante Naakistam) with Uday Kiran and Sadaf in the main leads. This film is a rural love story. Teja's regulars like Kula Sekhar, Sameer Reddy, Shankar and Thota Tharani are working for this film. As per the grapevine, Teja is doing this film on profit sharing basis without considering the remuneration.

S Rajeswara Rao's grandson as MD
Saluri Rajeswara Rao's grandson Rohit Raj would be making debut as music director with Siva Nageswara Rao's film with Sivaji and Laila in the main leads. Atluri Purna Chandra Rao is producing 'Mr and Mrs Sailaja Krishna Murthy' (Vallakinka Pelli Kaaledu). This film is going to be an entertaining love story with social awareness attached to it. Gopi and Mohan provide dialogues. Regular shooting starts in June 2004 and this film would be released in the month of October.

Taraka Rathna says NO
Taraka Rathna is coming up with a film of interesting title 'NO'. Pappu is making his debut as director with this NO. Pappu also provides music and dialogues. Chaya Singh is testing her fortunes as heroine against Taraka Rathna in NO. The producers of Srirama Chandrudu who produced moderately successful 'Sriramachandrulu' are producing NO. NO is coming as Dussera 2004 gift to Telugu film lovers.

13th May 2004

Venky in 'Gharshana'
Title of Mani Rathnam's 90's classic 'Gharshana' is reused for Venkatesh's remake of Tamil blockbuster 'Khaka Khaka' in Telugu. Venky is playing stylish cop, who is an encounter specialist. Asin is playing school teacher. Gowtam is directing this film. Siva Raju and Venkata Raju are producing 'Gharshana' on Sri Geeta Chitra International banner. This film is expected to be released in the last week of June.

NTR as 'Pedodu'
NTR is going to act as 'Pedodu' in a film to be produced by KL Narayana on Sri Durga Arts banner. This film deal about how a millionaire NRI who lives in USA starts living as a poor man (Pedodu). This film would be shot in USA for 20 days. S Gopal Reddy presents this film. Sobhan - of Varsham fame - is being considered as director for this flick.

Prabhas in 'Chakram'
'Chakram' is the title under consideration for Krishna Vamsi's film starring Prabhas. Siva Raju and Venkata Raju would be producing this film on Geeta Chitra Internationals banner. Regular shooting of this film would start from 22nd of this month. Prabhas's character is said to have lots of different shades in this film. For the first time, Krishna Vamsi is going to use the services of Keeravani as music director. Satyanand is providing story.

12th May 2004

Chiru on a holiday
Chiranjeevi is off to abroad to have a holiday with his family members on 8th May 2004. His son Ram Charan Teja is looking forward to do a quick course in acting while enjoying the holiday. The efforts on to club the shooting of songs of Chiranjeevi's film (either Shankardada MBBS or Geetha Arts film) with this holiday. Chiranjeevi is expected to be back by this month end.

Sri starts a studio
Music director Sri has shifted his base to Hyderabad last year. He is busy with handful of assignments in films. He started his own music studio called 'Sri Chakra' - titled after him and his father Chakravarthy - in Sri Nagar Colony recently. Each and every music director - Mani Sharma, Koti, Vandemataram, RP Patnaik and Chakri - has his own music studio these days.

Director changed for Ravi Teja's film
Director Mehar Ramesh was replaced by Sobhan for Ravi Teja's film to be produced by Kishore (son of KC Sekhara Babu) on Vijayabala Productions banner. Charmi is paired up with Ravi Teja in this film. Sri provides music. Sobhan provides story, screenplay, dialogues and direction for this film. This film would go to floors in the month of June 2004. Raja Ravindra - actor and manager to Ravi Teja - would be acting as executive producer for this film.

10th May 2004

Sri Anjaneyam audio on 13th May
Audio of Sri Anjaneyam would be released on 13th of this month at the largest Hanuman idol, Kanchikacharla. The audio would be available in market by 14th May. Maruthi music is entering into audio market through this album. Nitin and Charmi are playing main leads. Mani Sharma provided Indian-based (no westernization) for this film. Krishna Vamsi directs this film on his home banner 'Karthikeya Creations'.

Ramya Krishna charges 81 lakhs
Ramya Krishna charged an astonishing amount of 81 lakhs for her 'Atha' role in NTR's film 'Alludu', which is meant to be a compensatory film for buyers who lost heavily on 'Andhrawala'. When the press asked Kodali Nani about justifying giving 81 lakhs to a character actress for a film that is being made to compensate buyers, he justified that it costs a lot to get a quality product. He categorically said that he can't make an inferior product with low budget to make it another disappointment. Hence they are paying a handsome amount to Ramya Krishna.

Legend NTR in Bhadradi Ramudu
It is learnt that legend NTR is playing the role of grandfather to Taraka Rathna in 'Bhadradi Ramudu' film. When asked about how it is possible to make legend actor NTR act in a film when he is no more. The moviemakers said that one has to watch the film to know it. Audio of Bhadradi Ramudu is releasing on 14th May. The film is expected to release on 28th of May.

7th May 2004

Vishnu as Suryam
Muhurat of Manchu Vishnu Vardham Babu's latest film 'Suryam' was held at Annapurna studios today morning. Celina Jaitley - former Miss India - is making her debut in Telugu by pairing up with Vishnu. Veda (of Nenu fame) is acting as another heroine. Samudra is directing this flick. Dasari Narayana Rao, EVV Satyanarayana and B Gopal did the honors. Story and dialogues are provided by Seetaram. Chakri provides music. Jayaram handles camera. Mohan Babu produces this film on Sri Lakshmi Prasanna pictures banner. Shooting of this film would start in the month of June and would be completed by September. 'Suryam' is going to release in the month of October 2004.

Hari Krishna in 'Driver Ramudu' get-up
Nandamuri Hari Krishna has finished shooting an item song with Asha Saini for his film under production 'Swamy' recently. This song has Hari Krishna in the famous NTR's Adavi Ramudu get up. He said to have done youth steps for this song. The observers told idlebrain.com that the steps are so good that they would make the youth heroes run for their money. Meena is paired up with Hari Krishna in this film. 'Swamy' is all set for the release in July/August 2004.

Adavi Ramudu on 21st May
The release of Prabhas's latest film 'Adavi Ramudu is pushed to 21st of May from 14th May. The delay in post production activities seems to have caused this delay. B Gopal directs this film. Arti Agarwal plays the female lead. Mani Sharma scored the music. Chanti Addala produces this film on 'Friendly Creations' banner. Incidentally Mani Rathnam's Yuva is also releasing on 21st May.

6th May 2004

Chiru's new film starts in June
Chiranjeevi's next film with Geetha Arts is going to floors in the month of June. Seenu Vytla - fresh from the runaway success of his latest film Venky - is joining the league of directors of big heroes. Shooting of this film would start with shooting of songs in Austria on Chiranjeevi and Jyothika.

Ankita again with NTR
Ankita - the 'cheema' girl of Simhadri - is all set to act with NTR again. She is going to play one among the four heroines in NTR's latest film in the direction of B Gopal. Chengala Venkata Rao produces this film on Satyanarayanamma banner. Amisha Patel is doing the main heroine role. Two more heroines are yet to be selected. Bollywood villain Amrish Puri is playing another important role. Another Hindi villain Rahul Dev is playing a vital role.

Sivaji and Laila pair up
Comedy specialist Siva Nageswara Rao is going to direct a film with Sivaji and Laila in the main leads. Sivaji came to limelight with his magnificent performance in 'Missamma'. Laila recently glittered in 'Pithamagan' (Siva Putrudu). Atluri Purna Chandra Rao - producer of 'venky' - is going to produce this film on Lakshmi Productions banner. This film would have muhurat on 14th May 2004.

Kalyan Ram Nandamuri as 'Nanda'
Kalyan Ram is going to act as 'Nanda'. Muhurat of this film would be held at Annapurna studios on 6th May. Anuradha Mehta (heroine of 'Arya') is paired up with Kalyan Ram in this film. VSR Swamy handles camera. RV Uday Kumar - who directed Taraka Ramudu in the past - directs this film. M Sudhakar produces this film on Sri Mahaganapathy films banner.

2 more comedies from EVV
EVV Satyanaraya took a short break after the disappointment of 'Aaruguru Pativratalu'. He is preparing two comedy scripts - one each for Naresh and Rajendra Prasad. His last film with Naresh and Rajendra Prasad 'Maa Alludu Very Good' turned out to be a minimum guarantee film. EVV is now banking on his strength of making comedies than going for experiments.

4th May 2004

Dasari to make 'Chintamani'
Veteran director Dasari is planning to make popular stage play 'Chintamani' as movie with Simran playing the title role. Vadde Ramesh would produce this film. Shooting of this film would start in the second half of 2004. Dasari has attempted to make this film in the past, but refrained from it after facing strong protest from a particular community. Dasari has ironed out all problems and planning to make 'Chitamani' in a non-controversial way.

Arya film with 99 prints
Allu Arjun's second film 'Arya' is all set for 7th may release with 99 prints. Raju (producer of Dil) is doing Arya as his second project. The music by Devi Sri Prasad is already on the rage. Audio of Arya topped the music world's chartbusters this week. Allu Arjun is looking to get close to youth and hip crowds with this film 'Arya'. Debutant director Sukumar directed 'Arya' (feel my love).

Nani with 60 prints in Nizam
Sandhya distributors are making their debut in film distribution with Mahesh Babu's Nani in Nizam area. They have bought the movie rights by paying a handsome amount. Sandhya distributors are releasing Nani in Nizam with 60 prints. The number of release theaters for Nizam are expected to 80 plus. This is the biggest release for Mahesh Babu so far in Nizam. Mahesh Babu created Nizam record with his Sankranthi 2003 film 'Okkadu'. With that confidence, Sandhya distributors are expected to cash in a moolah this time with Nani release.

3rd May 2004

Rajnikant as 'Jaggu Bhai'
AM Ratnam is producing a film with Tamil superstar Rajnikant as hero. This film titled as 'Jaggu Bhai'. KS Ravi Kumar directs this film on Sri Surya Movies banner. AR Rehman scores the music. Jeeva handles photography. Sabu Cyril does the artwork. This movie would be going to floors in the month of July 2004. An advertisement was issued today in major Telugu newspapers which show Rajnikanth in Arab militant dress. This film would have simultaneous release during Deepavali 2004 in Telugu and Tamil.

MAA star night in August
MAA (Movie Artists Association) in association with Malaysia Cultural Foundation is going to organize star night for Telugu film lovers in Malaysia on 7th and 8th of August 2004. Malaysia Cultural Foundation would confer special titles on Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Dr. D Rama Naidu and Chiranjeevi. Murali Mohan is also planning to request the producers to declare holiday for these two days so that the artists could participate in this event.

Renovation for Allu Arjun's film
It may be learnt that Saptagiri 70mm theater in RTC crossroads was renovated for Allu Arjun's debut film 'Gangotri'. Gangotri went on to become a blockbuster. Now Sudarshan 35mm was fully renovated for the release of Allu Arjun's 2nd film 'Arya'. Though it looks pretty coincidental, the penchant of filmywalla's for this kind of sentiment might not be ruled out. Can we expect renovated theatrical releases for Allu Arjun's further films as well?

1st May 2004

Sye on 9th July
Producer Giri told idlebrain.com that his film with Nitin and Genelia in the main leads in the direction of SS Raja Mouli 'Sye' is all set for the release on 9th July 2004. Incidentally SS Raja Mouli's latest film 'Simhadri' was also released on the same day. It went on to become a big blockbuster. Incidentally, SS Rajamouli kept titles starting with 'S' for all his three films (Student No.1, Simhadri and Sye).

Sandali debut in Telugu
Sandali Sinha - the Pepsi model who made her debut in Bollywood with 'Tum Bin' - is going to make her debut in a Telugu direct film to be directed SV Krishna Reddy. Vaartha's Gireesh Sanghi is going to produce this film on Gireesh Pictures banner. Bollywood music director Anand Raaj Anand would score music. Sachin - who acted in a couple of Telugu films in the past - is the hero. Opening of this film is going to be held at Sanghi Temple tomorrow. Chiranjeevi, Devender Goud and Ramya Krishna would do muhurat honors.

Sivaji's 'Ammai Bagundi'
Sivaji's film with Meera Jasmine as heroine is titled as 'Ammai Bagundi'. 90% of the talkie park is completed so far. This film is remake of a Tamil blockbuster. Srilekha provides music. The unit is going to Austria to can songs. Balasekharan - who directed Priyamaina Neeku - in the past is directing this film.

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