Telugu Cinema Etc - Idlebrain.com

Allu Arjun Gangotri details

The team of Gangotri came back to Hyderabad recently after completing a vital schedule at Himalayas, Haridwar etc in North India. The team is expected to leave for beautiful locales in AP like Araku Valley and Visakha Patnam tomorrow (6th November) for the second schedule. In the first schedule at the Himalayas, the team canned a few scenes and two songs. One of those songs is a song penned on the holy river Ganges by Sirivennela. This song comes as backdrop to the titles in the film and comes as patches in the later part of the movie. Faction storywriter Chinni Krishna provides a love story for the first time. K Raghavendra Rao directed this film. Allu Arjun and Aditi Agarwal are making their debut through this film. Keeravani composes music.

Mahesh Babu 'New' to start tomorrow

Muhurat of Mahesh Babu's New is scheduled to be on the 6th of November in Padmalaya studios. New would be directed by SJ Surya and produced by Manjula. New details about 'New' tomorrow!

Pawan Kalyan Johnny's sensation

pawan kalyan Pawan Kalyan's Johnny is creating sensation in trade circles now. It was sold for an unheard amount of 4.41 crores for Ceded area. Gowtam Kumar Reddy group has taken the rights. It is also learnt that a buyer from Uttarandhra bagged the rights for Vizag for a highest amount of Rs. 2.15 crores. The producer is quoting enviable amounts and buyers are vying for the rights with the same enthusiasm. The audio companies are competing for audio rights and it is heard that the producer is aiming at selling the audio rights for 1.75 crores. Recently two songs were picturised in the 4th schedule of Jhonny. One song is a solo song choreographed by Raju Sundaram in the sets erected at Nanakramguda. Another song is a rain song on Pawan and Renu Desai at Nandagiri Hills under the supervision of the dance director Brinda. Johnny is slated for release on the 28th of March 2003. Will it be worth the wait for Pawan's fans?

A boon for Telugu Music Industry

The government has recently passed as GO (Government Orde M.S. No 391/6-9-2002) by stating that recording of all Telugu songs and rerecording of all Telugu films have to be done in Andhra Pradesh only. This GO came into effect from the 1st November 2002. AP Cine musicians association thanked the AP Government for this GO and pledged their unending support.

Nandamuri dynasty's unique record

With the 175 days run of Hari Krishna's Lahiri Lahiri Lahirilo, Nandamuri dynasty has achieved the rare distinction of having four silver jubilee heroes. Only Raj Kapoor family used to have this distinction in the past. NTR, Bala Krishna, Jr. NTR (aadi) and Hari Krishna (L3) joined this league now. The four heroes of Raj Kapoor family who got silver jubilees were Pruthvi Raj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor. Sashi Kapoor also got silver jubilee films, but in all of those films he acted as a side hero beside a hero of bigger stature. In Telugu cinema the milestones of movie run are 50 days, 100 days and 175 days where as in Bollywood it is 100 days, 175 days and 365 days. Virtually, a Telugu movie celebrating silver jubilee in AP is equivalent of a movie celebrating a golden jubilee in Bollywood. In that comparison, the legendary family Nandamuri comes as front-runners in the entire India.

Sravanthi Movies Maghamasam

Sravanthi Movies is going to start its next venture 'Maghamasam' in December in the direction of Ramana (of peruleni cinema fame). Sravanthi Ravi Kishore bought the remake rights of a Bengali film of 80's and is remaking it as Maghamasam. He bought the rights for other three south Indian languages as well. More details later.

Idiot becomes a fad for filmmakers

If a film becomes a hit, our producer take no time in taking cue from hit films and customizing them to their own films. A producer is remaking a Kannada film of Upendra and Keerti Reddy in Telugu. And guess what the title is? Its Stupid (O pichivadi prema katha). Does it not sound like Idiot (O Chantigadi premakatha)?

Bobby on 31st October?

There were rumors floating around the market that Bobby might be postponed to 5th of November. When we called up the producer of Bobby, he denied these rumors and said that everything is going on as per the initial planning. The movie is expected to get censored on 28th of this month. The producer is contemplating on releasing Bobby on 31st of October itself. We have to wait and see if its going to be released on 31st or not.

Allari Ramudu function at Silpa Kala Vedika

Addala Chanti is going to celebrate the 100 days function of NTR's hit film 'Allari Ramudu' in style at Silpakala Vedika on the evening of 26th of October 2002. He is preparing a big guest list. The one guest who confirmed his presence for the occasion is the father of Jr. NTR - Hari Krishna, that is! More details of the function would follow in due course.

Manmadhudu heroine in Dil

A London NRI girl Anshu is roped in as heroine Nitin's 2nd venture Dil. Anshu is making her debut in Manmadhudu as the second heroine. This film held its muhurat on 11th of this month amidst a major fanfare. VV Vinayak directs this venture. Regular shooting of this film starts from 1st of November 2002. RP Patnaik is going to score seven tunes. This film would be a love story with violent backdrop. Venkateswara Creations who produced Amrutha as their first venture are making their debut straight film - Dil. Sameer Reddy handles camera.

Trivikram turns lyricist

In the audio function of 'Nuvve Nuvve' - Sirivennela jocularly warned Trivikram not to enter lyrics department as a lyricist. If he did so then Sirivennela would be forced to enter dialogues department as dialogue writer. Looks like Sirivennela fears are turning true. Trivikram is now penning lyrics for Ravi Teja's latest film with Usha Kiron movies in the direction of Yogi (the protégé of Ram Gopal Varma). Bhravani changed her screen name back to Namitha and is acting as Namitha in this film. Nivas of 'Allari' fame is penning dialogues. Chakri provides music. The title under consideration for this film is 'Oka Raju - Oka Rani'. Shooting of this film is recently started on 17th of this month at Sanath Nagar.

Teenage girl falls prey to a first-time hero

A teenage girl named Hima Bindu (18) has fallen prey to her Intermediate classmate and the first-time hero Bhupal (hero of Toli Parichayam, a youth film in the making). On 23rd of September 2002, she wentout for a filmy function (when her parents are not there at house). Since then, she is missing. The worried parents searched for that girl in Film Nagar for 20 days before lodging complaint with Kukatpally Police recently. The prime suspect by the parents of that girl is Bhupal (the hero of unreleased film Toli Parichayam).

VN Aditya's commitments

Creative director VN Aditya is going to direct Nagarjuna's next venture after 'Manmadhudu'. Bhupati Raja prepared the story for this film. Pawan Kalyan is said to have asked VN Aditya to direct his venture with Anjana Productions banner. The other banners for which VN Aditya has committed are Geeta Chitra (Siva Raju & Venkat Raju), Sri Balaji Arts (Pulla Rao, Bhagavan & Danayya), Sri Sai Balaji Arts (Katragadda Lokesh) and Jayabheri Arts (Jayabheri Kishore and M Murali Mohan). VN Aditya is also planning to direct and produce a film on Siddardha banner in association with Anandi Arts very soon. The starting of the project depends on when Uday Kiran gives dates to VN Aditya. VN Aditya's immediate venture with Nag as hero would go to floors in the month of January 2003.

Non-bailable warrant against Sonali Bendre

Film actress Sonali Bendre and three other were booked under the changes of indecent exposure (for posing semi nude) on the cover page of an English film magazine 'Showtime'. She was arrested along with the photographer and costumes-designer on 27th march 2001. She is on the bail since then. Today (14th October) a magistrate issued a non-bailable warrant against Sonali Bendre when she failed to appear before court.

Vinod Kambli in Hindi Bachelors

Sana Creations is remaking the light adult comedy 'Bachelors' in Hindi. According to the confirmed sources ex international cricketer Vinod Kambli would be playing the main lead among the four bachelors. The nephew of Hindi film star Govinda is also doing a role.

Murali Mohan elected as MAA president

Murali Mohan is elected unanimously as the president of MAA (Movie Artists Association) for the period of 2002 - 2004. Other details of the elections are as follows.

President: M Murali Mohan
Executive Vice President: Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao
Vice Presidents: T Sarada, Sivaji Raja
General Secretary: Mallikharjuna Rao
Joint Secretaries: Maharshi Raghava, Raghunadha Reddy
Treasurer: Tanikella Bharani
Executive Committee members: Achyut, Ahuti Prasad, Ali, Anantha Babu, Bhaskar, Delhi Rajeswari, Jackie, Jithmohan Mithra, Kavita, Manik, Navabharat Balaji, Bangalore Padma, Paruchuri Gopala Krishna, Siva Parvathi, Srinivas, Sudhakar, Tarun, Vinod

NT Rathnaa's second film as 'Yuva Ratna'

NT Rathnaa's second film with Rama Krishna Horticulture is titled as 'Yuva Rathna'. NT Rathnaa's character name in this film is 'Rathna', hence the title of this film. Incidentally the title for Bala Krishna is 'Yuva Rathna'. RP Patnaik scored one song and MM Keeravani scored five more songs. Jeevidha is paired up with NT Rathnaa in this film. Uppalapati Narayana Rao directs this film. Shooting part is completed and rerecording is going to be started on 17th of this month. This film is slated for the release in the month of November 2002.

Smita to enter wedlock on 20th Oct

The pop star Smita is going to break a few hearts when she enters the wedlock with Mr. Shashank on 20th October 2002.

Venky stars in another film by Tamil director

Venkatesh's next film would be directed by Vikraman, an ace director from Tamil film industry. Vikraman is simultaneously directing the same story in Tamil also. Shooting of Tamil version has begun recently. And muhurat of Telugu version was held recently.

Mahesh confirmed for Nijam?

According to reliable sources, Mahesh Babu is confirmed as hero in Teja's next venture 'Nijam'. It is going to be a quickie that's going to finish its shooting in just 48 working days. Other details and official announcement from the hero and director is pending.

Bobby to have 22 minutes of graphics

According to the producer of Bobby, this film boasts of 22 minutes of world-class special effects. The shooting part of the entire film is completed. Now the special effects work is going on. Depending on the completion of this special effects work, the film might be releasing either on 24th of October or 1st of November. Mahesh Babu and Arti Agarwal are paired up for the first time. Mani Sharma provided the music. Sobhan directs this venture. K Raghavendra Rao presents Bobby.

Allari Ramudu 100 days in 32 centers

Allari Ramudu is all set to complete its run of 100 days in 32 centers very soon. The producer Chanti Addala informed idlebrain.com that he is planning the 100 days function of Allari Ramudu on 27th of October. Its not yet decided if it is going to be a public function or a private function.

Gang Leader in Kannada

Kannada star Upendra is acting in the Kannada remake of Telugu Chiranjeevi's blockbuster 'Gang Leader' now. It took ten years for the Kannda stars to realize the potential of Gang Leader. Better late than never. What do you say Upendra?

Vandemataram turns producer

Music director Vandemataram Srinivas turned into producer with a film titled 'Ammulu'. This story revolves around a small girl child. Suman and Ravali are playing parents of that girl. Dr. L Srinath, who directed Kubusam, is directing this film. Shooting of this film is going on now. Vandemataram is keeping low profile for this message-oriented film.

Ravi Babu's Ammailu Abbailu

Ravi Babu - the director of Allari - is starting his next directorial venture 'Ammailu Abbailu' on Anandi Art Creations banner. Three heroes and three heroines are going to debut in this film. Chakri provides music. Nivas writes story and dialogues. Loknath handles camera. Marthand Venkatesh edits the film. Regular shooting of this film starts on 10th of October and its expected to release in the second half of January 2003.

Knee injury for Uday Kiran

Uday Kiran suffered a knee injury when he was shooting for 'Nee Sneham' in New Zealand last week. He is limping back to normal now. On the brighter side, Uday Kiran is a happier man as his role model Chiranjeevi too suffered leg injury long back. Later on Chiranjeevi went on to become a Megastar. Since Tollywood is known for its superstitions, the knee injury has become a blessing in disguise for him. He is pinning his hopes on 'Nee Sneham' after delivering three 'hyped-beyond-barrage-collections-just-average' films [Kalusukovalani, Sreeram, Holi] this year

Tarun misses accident by a whisker

Tarun Tarun had a close shave yesterday morning (29th September) when his black Mitsubishi Lancer was hit by an Ambassador car at Narayana Guda, when the star was traveling from his house at Jubilee Hills to the shooting spot at Kachiguda Railway Station. Undeterred by the accident, Tarun took lift in a passer by car to reach the shooting location.

Results of AP Film Producers Counsel election

AP film producers consel Elections of AP Film Producers Counsel were held on 29th September 2002 in Jubilee Hills. GA Adi Seshagiri Rao is elected as president unanimously. Aswini Dutt and D Suresh Babu were elected as vice presidents unanimously. Shyam Prasad Reddy is elected as treasurer unanimously. Three producers - Tammudu Satyam, Sekhar Babu and K Jagadeeswara Reddy - vied for the post of General secretaries and the first two were elected. Three producers - C Kalyan, Supriya and K Jagadeeswara Reddy - vied for the post of Joint secretaries and the first two were elected. Three producers - Medikonda Murali Krishna, and Bellamkonda Suresh - vied for the post of executive committee and Medikonda Murali Krishna is elected. Other members who elected for executive commettee includes K Ashok Kumar, Sangisetty Dasaratha, P Kiran, M Subramanyeswara Rao, M Arjuna Raju, Tammareddy Bharadwaja, Mahendra, Burugapally Siva Rama Krishna, KL Narayana.

Nuvvu Naaku Nachav in Tamil

Magunta Sudakar Reddy (the brother of deceased MP Magunta Subbirami Reddy) is remaking Venkatesh's blockbuster 'Nuvvu Naaku Nachav' in Tamil with Vijay as hero. Sneha is paired up with Vijay in Tamil version. SA Raj Kumar provides music. The film is going to can the railway station scene at Kachiguda Railway station in the month of October.

Anji film not before 9th January 2003

Chiranjeevi's Anji's graphic work is going on at present in Digitalia, UK under the supervision of Chris. According to the producer Shyam Prasad Reddy - Anji would be releasing on 9th of January 2003 depending on when the graphic work is completed. The movie might get delayed if graphic work takes more time than expected. According to the reliable sources, Anji's total budget has been 35 crores (if we include the interest rates and other expenses as it is being made for so many years). The movie has to become a bigger hit than Indra to recover money. Hence, being the perfectionist he is, Shyam Prasad Reddy is making sure that every thing is perfect with Anji. Namrata Sirodkar is acting as heroine. Mani Sharma provides music. Shyam K Naidu handles photography. Kodi Rama Krishna directs this ambitious project.

Four scriptwriters - Paruchuri Brothers, Posani Krishna Murali, Hanumantha Rao, Raja&Vikaram (Tamil) - are roped in to make the high level script for Balayya's film with Medikonda Murali Krishna in the direction of B Gopal. The script by any team is not finalized by B Gopal. Medikonda Murali Krishna is spending lots of amount on story sittings and is offering high remuneration. The film is expected to start from 1st of October and release for Sankranthi of year 2003. The other details of the film are awaited.

Sirivennela has penned a song on holy river of Ganga for the film Gangotri. Aswini Dutt, who has a song each on Kaasi (Indra) and Calcutta (Choodalani Vundi) is trying to repeat the magic by having a song on Ganga in Gangotri film. Keeravani has recorded the song. The team has gone to Gangotri, Himalayas and the shooting of this Ganga song started on 25th of this month in the direction of K Raghavendra Rao. Keeravani is providing 12 songs for this film. Chinni Krishna penned story. Chota K Naidu handles cinematography. Ashok does art direction. Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao edits this film. This film is being made on 'United Producers' banner with Aswini Dutt, Allu Arvind and K Raghavendra Rao at the helm. Allu Arjun and Aditi Agrawal are making their debut as lead pair in 'Gangotri'.

Talking to idlebrain.com, the executive producer of RK Associates informed that Baabee is expected to release on 18th of October 2002. The talkie part of the film is completed and postproduction work is on progress. Shooting of the two songs is pending. These songs would be canned on lead pair in sets erected at Hyderabad from 6th of October onwards. The producers are deliberately keeping low profile for this lavish love story that is being directed by Sobhan. Sobhan also writes dialogues for this film. Arti Agrawal is paired up with Mahesh Babu. Comedy star Sunil did a guest role in this film. Initially, Sunil was supposed to do a lengthy role. But Sunil kept on postponing his acceptance due to dates' problem. After three failed attempts, the producer has decided to cast Mehar Ramesh - the co director of the film - in that role. Mehar Ramesh looks like Sunil in terms of personality and skin complexion. Recently, the producer requested Sunil to play a cameo and Sunil obliged. Audio of this film is expected by this month's end.

The team of Gangotri is left by today (20th September) morning's train to New Delhi from where they would travel to Himalayas. Gangotri is going to be the 100th film of veteran director K Raghavendra Rao. He decided that the opening shot and few vital scenes of the film should be taken at the Gangotri - the holy river in Himalayas. Aditi Agrawal is pairing up with Allu Arjun (second son of Allu Arvind) in this film. Aswini Dutt, K Raghavendra Rao and Allu Arvind are jointly producing this film. MM Keeravani would provide the music. Producers are keeping low profile on the film and are not providing information about this film to the press. Other details of the film are awaited.

The film Chenna Kesava Reddy is going for censoring today (20th September 2002). The unit is expected to shoot 'Telupu Telupu' song from tomorrow. According to highly placed sources, the producer is planning to release CKR on 25th with only 5 songs (sans Telupu Telupu song) on 25th of this month. This song, which is going to be canned at RFC, is expected start on 21st of this month. It has been a sentiment for Balayya to shoot the last song of his latest films (since Samara Simha Reddy) in Ramoji Film City. In the past too, Balayya's film Bangaru Bullodu was released without one song and that particular song was added after a couple of days.

According to the reliable sources 70,000 pirated CDs of Indra are released from Bangalore and they flooded the market all over Andhra Pradesh. The pirates and sellers are openly selling the CDs. The producer of Indra has personally raided the market and made sure that they are not sold in the past. We have to wait and see if they show the same interest in curbing piracy as movie has crossed 50-day mark. There is a clear 20% drop in movie collections due to pirated CDs for the last two days. In centers like Bellarty, the collections per day have decreased from 48,000 to 36000 (incidentally Indra is going to created Karnataka record in gross and share among Telugu films). A couple of sellers like Gangadhar and Raghu are openly distributing and selling CDs through Om CD club, Swaty Video and Raghu Tele Communications in Bellary. The producer is meeting with his anti piracy team at 10 am today to discuss strategies to work it out.

The childhood buddies and now the famous celebrities Sunil (comedy star) and Trivikram (Star Writer) are going to have joint wedding on 11th of October 2002 in Hyderabad. One marriage is going happen at Jaya gardens and another one is going to take place at Cyber Gardens. Incidentally, Trivikram's debut directorial venture 'Nuvve.. Nuvve…' is releasing on 10th October. We have to wait and see if the lady luck smiles on the success of Nuvve Nuvve for Triviktram.

Annapurna Studios is planning to release the film Manmadhudu on 19th of December with a 'surprise' (watchout for the surprise from horse mouth itself) attached to it. The unit has completed the current schedule on 17th of this month. Unit would be moving to abroad on 24th of this month to shoot a part of the film and its expected back by the end of 1st week of October. Then follows by a continuous schedule at Hyderabad. Talkie part of the film would be completed by October end. Audio is expected in the second week of November. Nagarjuna is acting as 'Manmadhudu' (he hates women). Sonali Bendre is acting as the woman hated by Nagarjuna. Ace dialogue writer Trivikram pens story and dialogues. The silent moviemaker Vijaya Bhaskar is directing this film after two sensational hits 'Nuvve Kavali' and 'Nuvvu Naaku Nachav'.

According to unconfirmed reliable sources, Sumanth - the nephew of Nagarjuna - is going to be re-launched soon as hero on Annapurna banner. Suresh - a Tamil director (who did not direct any film in any language so far) - is going to make his debut through this film. Trivikram is roped in as the dialogue writer. The tentative starting month of the film is November 2002. This film is expected for summer 2003 release (May 2003). The official announcement of the same news is awaited.

Speaking to idlebrain.com, Chanti Addala informed that he is working on a script for a historical film in which NTR is going to play the role of Duryodhana. A bigtime director would direct this ambitious project that starts in the next year. Chanti is currently working on a film to be directed by Raja Mouli of 'Student No.1' fame. Prabhas is the hero under consideration for that film. Chanti has another film on cards for Mahesh Babu as hero. Poori Jagannath would direct this Mahesh Babu film. There is another film in planning with Balakrishna as hero.