TELUGU

Ammo! Okatho Thariku

Costliest film of producer Mahendra

Producer Mahendra, the torch-bearer of small-budget films, told Screen that Ammo Okato Thedi would be the costliest film of his banner since he has spent more than double the usual budget he allocates for his films catapulting it into a big-budget extravaganza. Claiming that he was prepared for this, he disclosed that with the trade showing more than the usual interest in the project, he could relax and be at peace.

The fact that EVV is back in the reckoning with two hits Chalu Bagundi and Gopinti Alludu, is another plus point. EVV commenced shooting on July 6 and wrapped up the film recently, pending the picturisation of song sequences on foreign locations. Srikanth, Raasi and Suresh play the main leads with Kota Srinivasa Rao, Bharani and LB Sriram enacting other key roles. EVV’s discovery, comedian LB Sriram, signed more than 25 films after Chalu Bagundi but after watching him perform emotional scenes on the sets of this middle-class saga, he would become a sought-after character actor after the film is released.

Recently, on Rama Naidu Cine Village, the climax sequence was being canned on a court room set on Sriram and his family members. Sriram was seen requesting the judge not to punish him since he could not leave his wife alone because she had struggled with him all through his life in penury. His effortless performance in the heart-wrenching scene impressed everyone present. It is another realistic film from the stable of EVV, who said “If middle-class people follow the solution offered in the film, the middle-class segment could disappear from the society.

This film would stand out as the best among the 36 films I have directed till date and I am proud to say it. All the 25 artistes who have acted in this film would individually claim that this would be a milestone in their career”. Producer Mahendra denied that he was joining the bandwagon of big-budget filmmakers and said “From childhood my son has been a fan of EVV and we commenced this film only to fulfil his wish. I would continue making small- budget films but occasionally I may take up big projects also”.

Rayalaseema Ramana Choudury

Dual role for Mohan Babu

Producer-actor Mohan Babu has been hailed as a comeback specialist since he has bounced back with vengeance many a time before and has always disproved the doomsdayers’ predictions. No wonder, therefore, that all the eyes are now on his next production Rayalaseema Ramana Choudury. Will it resurrect his career, which is going through a lean phase right now?.

It seems that the talented actor has a winner on his hands this time since the script of this film was gifted to him by none-other than Rajnikant. The superstar had worked a script for himself but later, on realising that his close friend was in need of a good script, he asked him to take it up. Rajnikant was present at the muhurat and also participated in the music sittings because he doesn’t want his friend to lose this time.

Finally, he recommended director Suresh Krishna as he felt that Suresh Krishna was the apt director to handle such a powerful subject. Mohan Babu would be playing a dual role with Jayasudha and Priya Gill playing the female leads. Again, he has wrapped up his comeback film within 60 days despite various locations in AP, Pollachi, and now the unit has left for Kuala Lumpur to shoot the song sequences. After completing the post-production work, the film is slated for release in September. It may be recalled that among Mohan Babu’s comeback vehicles are Major Chandrakant, when NTR was down and out, and recently Peddarayudu which set a new record in the annals of Telugu cinema.

After watching his get-up and knowing the mood of the film, it looks like he is having a hit again. “I don’t want to create a hype around the film. The film will speak for itself. The involvement of my friend Rajnikant in the project has evoked a craze. I would like to assure you that we would live up to it. The whole film would revolve around the senior character and it is going to be a major draw of the film. It would be much better than Peddrayudu and I hope it would do far better than my record breaking hit.

Sakutumba Saparivara Samethanga

Family film with a message

Director SV Krishna Reddy is a happy man again since his latest release Sardukupodam Randi has opened to a good response, while he has also wrapped up 75 per cent of the shooting of his next film Sakutumba Saparivara Samethanga starring, legendary actor ANR, Srikanth, new face Jyothilaxmi, Suhasini and Kota Srinivasa Rao in key roles. Reddy said that he was highly privileged to work with ANR, the actor par excellence.

According to him, the film could be watched by the entire family. The film has a family theme in which an evil-intentioned villain tries to break a joint family. Whether he would succeed or not is the crux of the story. Director Reddy claimed that the film would have a strong message. “The emphasis,” he said, “is on the need for unity and understanding between every member of a family since its division may lead to the bifurcation of the country. Families can stay together only on the basis of ‘trust’ and we have stressed this in the film”.

Balakrishna’s new film

Producer Krishnaprasad, of Sridevi Movies, who made hit films like Aditya 369 and Vamsanikokadu with Balkrishna as the hero, has now again joined hands with this extremely popular hero for his forthcoming untitled film. Young director Arunprasad, who showed promise in his debut film Thamudu, has worked out a commercial theme set against a forest backdrop to satisfy the massive fan- following of NTR’s son, Balkrishna. Shilpa Shetty and Anjala Jhaveri, from Mumbai, play the female leads, while Prakash Raj enacts a pivotal role. Shooting schedules have been planned every month so that the film could be wrapped up by the end of December after a major schedule in the deep forests of Tekkadi in Kerala.

When this correspondent visited the sets at the Banquet Hall at Hotel Deccan Continental, arrangements were being made for the filming of a marriage sequence with more than 10 lead artistes participating. The hall was packed with junior girl artistes in silk sarees and the boys in suits providing the scene a realistic look. Justifying the reason for signing two heroines from Mumbai as against the usual practice of casting one heroine from the south, producer Krishna Prasad said: “We did try for a south Indian actress but since we couldn’t find one, we signed both the actresses from Mumbai. We have under discussion numerous titles for the film but we are yet to finalise one”.

Tenali in Telugu

Ace actor Kamal Hassan’s Tenali would be released in Telugu with the same title by the Kondapani Film Circuit, of playback singer SPB and producer Krishnaprasad. Earlier, they had tasted success with Baba Satyabama (Chachi 420). Tenali would be simultaneously released on the eve of the Deepavali festival on October 26. Jothika plays the female lead with Malayalam actor Jayram in a key role in this hilarious film.

Producer Krishnaprasad said that AR Rahman was composing music for a Kamal Hassan film after Indian and disclosed that the audio would be released in September. Producer Krishnaprasad said: “It is known that Kamal Hassan chooses and dons different roles. In this new film also, he will again appearing in a very different role instead of a conventional hero. Director Ravikumar has a very successful track record and he is known to Telugu audiences as the maker of Snehakosam starring Chiranjeevi. Tenali will be a complete entertainer for all sections of the audiences”.

Antha Mana Manchike

Rathi’s maiden production

Producer Kishore Rathi, who jointly produced four films with Manisha Films, turns independent with his maiden production Antha Mana Manchike in which Rajendrapasad plays the lead opposite Rachana, Yamuna and Asha as the heroines. A master in enacting light roles, Rajendraprasad, who has 200-odd films to his credit, was going through a lean phase until he had a blockbuster in Kshemanga Velli Labanga Randi.

Rajendraprasad reiterated that he would like to do films catering to family audiences which are laced with comedy. He ridiculed the attitude of the industry towards heroes who act in hilarious films or comedies. In order to promote small-budget films, it seems Ramoji Rao has decided to fix a ‘concessional tariff’ for such films enabling their makers to wrap them up with shoots at the various picturesque locales in his film city. It’s a welcome measure since many small-budget filmmakers can afford the price now.

Rajendraprasad’s film is the first film under this scheme and the versatile actor expressed his happiness about it. Director Veeru has already wrapped up the film which is right now in the post-production stage. Director Veeru, who is pinning his hopes on this film to revive his career, said: “The film is about misunderstandings among couples and how even simple things are blown out of proportions. Rachana is blessed with a windfall after her marriage whereupon her perspective towards life gradually changes. This would be narrated in an entertaining way in this family drama”.

Ayodhya Ramaiyah

Srihari in dual role

Action star Srihari had an average grosser in Sivaji after four consecutive hits. His next film Ayodhya Ramaiyah is again an action flick. He was supposed to commence shooting for Karimnagar Yadagiri after Sivaji but later changed his mind for reasons best known to him and filmed the climax and song sequences of Ayodhya Ramaiyah. For the first time in this film, Srihari is playing a ‘dual’ role of father and son. Seasoned actress Bhanupriya is paired opposite the elder Srihari who plays the title role. Srihari said that young director Chandra Mahesh, of Preyasi Raave fame, will prove himself as a director who can cater to the masses, too.

According to producer Prakash Reddy, the shooting is almost complete. Recently, in a house at Allwyn Colony, the death scene of elder Srihari was canned with Bhanupriya in a depressing, grief-stricken mood. With a performer like Bhanupriya, the director okayed the shot without taking much time and announced ‘break’. Srihari, sporting a big moustache and a tilak on his forehead, said: “Though it is a dual role, both father and son don’t meet each other.

The theme revolves round and is basically about two upright police officials. The dialogues are hard-hitting and I am confident that Posani would get an award for his dialogues in this film”. Reacting to Srihari’s statement, Posani said: “Many felt that I will get an award for Pillellichesukundam but I didn’t. I don’t want to go into the reasons. I will be a happy if I get the appreciation of the audience without bothering about the awards.

This will be a better film than all the police stories I have penned till now.” Ace actress Bhanupriya who is doing very selective roles said: “I took up the character since it is good and also provides lot of scope for an emotional performance. The character I enact supports the ideals of her husband and follows him”.

BVS Prakash

Veerasimha Reddy

Action-oriented family drama

“You will see a different Vijayakanth in this film,” says producer Raja Rajeswari talking to press persons about Raja Rajeswari Films’ latest venture, Veerasimha Reddy dubbed from the Tamil, Enga Mudalai starring Vijayakanth, Kasturi and Daggupati Raja. Sundararajan plays the modern version of Sakuni with Radha Ravi in a negative role. The presenter of the film, K Shanmukham, who is also at the helm of production affairs, says: “Set against a rural backdrop with village politics involving riots, the central plot of the film revolves round two Reddy communities settled in Tamil Nadu.

So there is a lot of native element for the Telugu audience in this action-oriented family drama. You’ll see Vijayakanth taking on the villains in action sequences ferociously, at the same time expressing feelings of love and sentiment towards his kith. It is a very difficult role with all the shades of emotions. Vijayakanth has proved that he is not only good at action but in emotional sequences, too. Music by Illayaraja is a major asset of the movie. After a gap of four long years, we are returning to filmmaking and we are happy that our comeback to tinseldom is marked by an ace up our sleeve.”

Incidentally, K Shanmukham’s daughter and the producer of the movie, Raja Rajeswari, has turned a singer by rendering three of the four songs in the movie. Lyrics and dialogues by Jayanti, music by Illayaraja, cinematography by Rajarajan, story and screenplay by Panju Arunachalam and direction by Liakath Ali Khan are the major technical credits.

Devatha

About a goddess and her devotee

Veteran director Ramanarayanan’s 105th directorial venture, Devatha (Palayathamman in Tamil) is complete barring some graphic work. Talking to media persons in his office in Chennai, the director had this to say: “This Tamil-Telugu bilingual revolves round the sentimental attachment between a goddess and her devotee. Meena plays the role of a goddess for the first time in her career.

She has fully involved herself in the project and even turned a vegetarian during the shoot. We have shot extensively in Madurai, Periapalayam and Azhagar Koil. Divya Unni is cast in the role of the devotee while Charan Raj plays the power of saturn. His get-up is totally different in the movie with triple x etched at the back of his head. In the climax, the goddess in the form of a dust storm, swallows him. This forms part of the eleven-minute graphics being done at Penta Four. But the highlight is the dance of the goddess in the form of an eight feet iceberg totally created on computer.

Marudu has done this fantastic job. As for the story, we developed it from a real incident that took place in Tamil Nadu”. SA Raj Kumar has scored the music for the five songs. “The music is an added attraction like in all my movies of this genre,” says Ramanarayan whose Mahadevi ran to full houses in Andhra Pradesh. Producer C Balasundaram is offering the Telugu version under the Surya Vision banner with M. Purushotham as the presenter. “Only a week’s work is left which we’ll be completing in the first week of September. We plan to release the movie in the first week of October,” says Purushotham.

Ramki, Vadivelu and Senthil are in the cast. NK Viswanathan wields the camera, Raj Keerthi edits the film. Story, screenplay and direction by Ramanarayanan.

Naresh