Gopal Reddy’s magnum opus
Ace producer S Gopal Reddy’s magnum opus with hero Balakrishna commenced from January 31 at a specially erected set at Ramakrishna Cine Studios. The teaming up of Balakrishna-Gopal Reddy and director Kodi Ramakrishna has resulted in a series of blockbusters including Mangamagri Manavudu. After more than seven years, they are joining hands to make this big-budget folklore drama. Already expectations are very high in the trade since it is touted as one of the costliest films of this decade as there are plans to shoot at palaces in Jodhpur and Rajasthan to give it an authentic touch.

Maestro Illayaraja has already composed six tunes. He is to compose the background score in Hungary to get the right ambience for the film. The producer has also roped in state and national award-winning costume designer Satish who made his mark in the Malayalam films Guru and Daya to design modern costumes in this folklore which has model Lisa Ray and Hindi film actress Pooja Batra opposite Balakrishna.

Reddy reasoning as to why he chose a folklore theme said, “Despite browsing through various social themes, nothing impressed me. Since we wanted to make a very different film with our combination we opted for this love story. It will be a modernised folklore drama including modern day costumes with huge palaces laced with good music and romance”.

Murari
Winner gets a car
After the euphoria o Sankranti releases, subsided the Telugu filmdom will be witnessing another set of new releases in the month of February. Among them, teen sensation Mahesh’s Murari is being looked forward too since it has been procured for hefty prices by the buyers purely on the strength of the combination of Mahesh and director Krishna Vamsi. Producer Ramalingeswar Rao has spent lavishly to live up to the expectations and he has also roped in Hindi actress Sonali Bendre to be paired opposite Mahesh.

The audio has been received very well and again numero uno Manisharma has composed some youthful numbers besides few melodies and even the teaser trailers are interesting. Producer alongwith Supreme Audio would be presenting a fancy car to the winner of the draw of the coupons in audio cassettes and Mahesh would be giving the key to winner on the day of the release.

Producer Rao claimed that the film set against village backdrop would be for all sections of the audience and also expressed happiness about good audio sales.

Kushi
Release during Ugadi
With five consecutive hits, Pavan Kalyan is the new superstar in the Telugu film horizon. His fans are anxiously waiting for his next release Kushi. Producer AM Ratnam who is synonymous with big budget extravaganzas like Indian is now remaking the Tamil superhit film Kushi with few changes to suit the Telugu audience. Surya who directed the original version is helming this youthful entertainer with cinematographer PC Sriram cranking the camera.

Initially titled Chepalani Undi, it has now been changed to Kushi since it reflects the youthful mood of the film aptly. Mumbai model Bhumika who made her debut in Telugu with Yuvakudu is paired opposite Kalyan in this light-hearted entertainer.

Recently many scenes and a song were completed in a ten-day schedule. When Screen visited the sets at Annapoorna studios, it wore a festive look with colourful banners. Stunt master Vijay was canning action sequences with Kalyan and few fighters.

Producer Ratnam who is also making the Hindi film Nayak said, “We took time on the film as we didn’t want to compromise on its quality. Now after shooting song sequences at virgin foreign locales we will release the film during the Ugadi Festival”.

Family Circus
Teja makes a comedy
Director Teja was flooded with offers after his sensational debut Chitram but he belied the high expectations with his second film Subavela for which has penned the script. His next film Family Circus, starring Jagapati Babu, Rajendraprasad and Roja in lead, was launched recently.

The film revolves around two families. The hilarious family drama is being produced under the banner of Melody Film Makers by Sunkara Madhumurali and Thamudu Satyam. Leading comedians Brahmmandam, MS Narayana and Kota are also in the cast.

Jagapati Babu said, “I feel the title is apt as it is about the pranks of five kids and how it affects the lives of their parents. I signed the film without listening to the entire story since I liked the briefing itself”.

Director Teja said, “It will have natural comedy like my earlier film Chitramm. It is a easy going film for all members of a family”.

Preminchu
Naidu sure of bagging award
Upcoming actress Laaya is pinning lot of hopes on her next film, Suresh Production’s Preminchu, since she has an author-backed role in it.
Dr Rama Naidu, the doyen of Telugu filmdom, after seeing the rushes claimed with confidence that the film would bag a national award. He claimed that he was making this film despite it being a risky project since it has a very relevant message. Despite being an off-beat theme, Naidu is sparing no cost to attract all sections of audience by padding the film with richly mounted songs shot at Ooty and Amsterdam.

Dr Naidu said, “When my fellow MPs appreciated the storyline, it gave me additional confidence of bagging bot, awards and commercial success, for this film. I got carried away with the story of a blind girl making it big in life after crossing many hurdles. So I am producing it though my son Suresh is against making small films.”

Upcoming actor Saikiran who is paired opposite Laaya, said, “It is like a dream come true for me to get an opportunity from Suresh Productions. Long back before my debut release Nuvve Kaavali, Suresh had promised to give me a good break. He stuck to his word this time.”

While Rupa makes her debut, the film also has seasoned artistes like Laxmi and Kota Srinivasa Rao to provide support.

People’s Bharatakka
Revolutionary theme
Producer-director and actor Ravibabu are attempting a ‘red’ film People’s Barathakka since other filmmakers of their ilk have given up. Ravibabu who plays a ferocious naxalite due to police atrocities and the five songs screened for a selected gathering are hard-hitting, detailing the various issues to be taken by the government to improve the living conditions of poor and downtrodden. It is also a story of a woman who becomes a naxalite after her husband and child are killed by a feudal lord.

Sajni plays the woman scorned while Raghunatha Reddy and Vinod play the evil landlord and police official respectively. Due to unforeseen reasons, the film got delayed but now it is slated for release soon.

Ravibabu said, “The film revolves around an IAS officer-turned-naxalite and another wronged woman. How political gang wars are eliminating good workers who have dedicated themselves for upliftment of poor forms the crux of the story. We took up a revolutionary theme to be different and the script is a fusion of realistic incidents and fiction”.
BVS Prakash

Sweatchaa
Mandolin Srinivas’s debut film
‘Mandolin’ Srinivas makes his debut into film music with Murugan Film Makers maiden venture, Sweatchaa. Presented by veteran actor Charuhasan, the film was launched with a recording of a song at Kodandapani Audio Lab, Chennai on December 15.

According to Charuhasan, “Many a times Srinivas was approached to compose music for films. But he shunned them. Now the Internationally renowned mandolin vidwan has agreed to compose music for our film amidst the busy music season in Chennai. His music will sound different and has fresh notations to it. And just because I am associated with the film, please do not conclude that it is an art film. I do not differentiate between art and commercial cinema. There are only good and bad films. This is a good commercial entertainer with a message.”

Srinivas, on his part said, that he is composing a tune for the title music, a devotional on the launch day. “There are five songs in the film and I will try my best to give mellifluous music”. Director of the film, Vijayasekhar Reddy, is from the South Indian Film Institute, from where legendary figures as Rajnikant and Chiranjeevi also emerged. Reddy, who had earlier acted in a couple of films in Telugu and Tamil, said, “Sweatchaa is the name of the heroine. The film has two heroes who are misled a lot. Ultimately in the jail they are reformed. It is the story of the present day youth to learn and enjoy with the entire family. The lead roles will be played by newcomers while Charuhasan plays a retired judge. Another major actor will don the role of the Jailor. The shooting of the film commenced from January 27 at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad and will be completed in a single schedule. We are introducing writer Pratima who shares the honours for the dialogue with Dr KV Krishna Kumari”.

N