Ardharathri
A spooky horror movie
ANNAI Arts’ Ardharathri was launched with a recording muhurat at Karthik Garden Recording Theatre, Chennai, recently. Says producer-director Vijayakrishna, “The regular shoots commence from February 10 at Tirupati, Madanapalle and Harsley Hills. We have recorded a song rendered by Radhika and Surendra under the baton of music director Rajapriyan.”

The story revolves around a vendetta theme — four villains gang-rape a woman and kill her. She reappears as a ghost and plans to kill the baddies. But before she does that, some one kills each of them. How she ultimately unites with her husband forms the central plot of the horror mystery. The shoots will be completed in a single schedule. Director Vijayakrishna had earlier made such movies as Pelli Kani Pillalu and Naga Kanya.

Arvind, Amuda, Rathnam, Prasad Raju, Bonda Babu and Royal Srinivas are in the cast. Camera by Jeevi and stunts by Jaguar Thangam are the major technical credits. Story, screenplay, dialogue and lyrics are by director Vijayakrishna. G Venugopal is the presenter.
Naresh

Sabhash
A new-look Sumanth
Youngster Sumanth, grandson of ANR and nephew of Nagarjuna, seems to be going in for a change of image to attract masses. He plays an upright cop in his new film Sabhash being produced by Jayakrishna under the banner of JK Cinema. Kannada actress Chandini of A fame makes her debut in Telugu with Tamil actor Vijaykumar playing a key role. Maestro Illayaraja seems to be willing to do few Telugu films and this is his second project this year. Director Hanumantha Reddy, erstwhile assistant of Kodandarami Reddy for 12 years, makes his debut with this love story of a vibrant police officer. Shooting has already commenced and it is slated for release on March 20.

Sumanth said, “Reddy narrated this story to me more than six months ago and I was readily impressed with the script. We were planning to produce it on our own. Later, Jayakrishna showed interest in the project, so now we are all in it!. The film is a good love story laced with action.”


Chandini said, “I have a well-etched out character and I look forward to playing it.”


Jackpot
A laugh-riot
KANNADA actor and director Kasinath makes his debut in Telugu with Jackpot, which was recently launched at Ramoji Film City. Producer PN Ramachandra Rao who is also a notable director claimed that after seeing his films Anubhavam and Aparachitulu he wanted to make a film with Kasinath and it has materialised only now with this laugh-riot. New girl Naveena makes her debut with this romantic comedy.

Producer PN Rao claimed he is planning this low-budget film now because there is a boom for theme-based films in Telugu. Kasinath told Screen that he worked the script around two incidents: a story that appeared in a women’s magazine and a real-life psychiatric case and added other elements to make it an entertainer.

Kasinath expressed happiness about his maiden Telugu film and said, “After the success of my dubbed films I was thinking of doing a straight Telugu film and I was in touch with Rao. I wrote the script around a peculiar psychiatric case, basically a fun film. It’s meant specially for the Telugu audience and if necessary I may remake it later in Kannada.”

Srinivasa Rao’s next
PRODUCER Srinivasa Rao of Prathima Film Productions, after tasting success with the big-budget patriotic film, Bharatratna, has now embarked on a low-budget theme-based untitled film. Executive producer Prakash claimed the film would live up to the expectations of their banner since it has a subtle message woven in.

Debutant director Maniraj who earlier worked with directors like Kodandarami Reddy and Kadir for 12 years turns director with this film revolving around a couple who are both working and also around their family. Newfaces Akaash, Rutika and Swapna play the main lead in the film which is progressing briskly at Hyderabad.

Director Maniraj said, “The five songs will be situational and not romantic, and all of them jell with the proceedings. Only love and affection can keep a couple and their family together overriding all the minor squabbles between family members. We are trying to be different from the regular family dramas. Our film will entertain every section of the audience.”

Producer Prakash said “After gaining good recognition with Bharatratna we were waiting for a good subject and we instantly approved this project since it definitely sounded different.”
BVS Prakash