Ramana
Youthful venture
Director Siva Nageswar Rao known for his light-hearted films like Money and Patukondi Chudam, this time has taken up a slightly serious subject scripted by journalist-turned-script writer Ravi Kolikapudi. After working as a film scribe for more than 14 years, a chance discussion with Siva Nageswar Rao prompted him to come up with a story line and with the encouragement of producer Venkatesawarao, the love story Ramana was launched with great fanfare with Nagarjuna and EVV Satyanarayana sounding the clap and switch on the camera respectively. New faces Rajendrababu and Mahi make their debut in a film which showcases the other side of a joyful youth.

The director said, “I was impressed with the novelty in the script and Ravi has shaped the subject very well. It would be a blend of good story and entertainment”. Ravi said “Unlike other films where the youth is shown wasting time at tea shops, here we are focussing on the serious side of every youth. It’s about the ambition of a youth and the hurdles he faces before accomplishing it forms the main plot’.

Pasupu Roja
Roja in a negative role
In 80’s Tamil filmmaker Aabavanan brought pride to Adyar Film Institute by churning out technically polished films like Sendurapoove and Uzhavan Magan. Few more hits paved the way for many institute-trained students to turn into directors. Action star Vijayakant encouraged Aabavanan and many other trained technicians by making films with them and the combination helped both the maker and the actor to reach dizzy heights. Aabavanan gained popularity even in Telugu since most of his films were dubbed in Telugu and became super hits. He went into oblivion after the disaster of Karupu Roja, the first DTS film in India, but now he is back into production with the Tamil-Telugu bilingual Pasupu Roja which is progressing at Ramoji Film City.

Ramki and Khushboo play a married couple while dusky actress Roja plays a negative role. She becomes a thorn in the lives of this lovable family. Another actress Sanghavi is in a key role. According to novelist-turned-script writer Indumathi, the film is not an adaptation from any of her 100-odd novels and branded it has a ‘thrilling family drama’. Director ST Saba of VIP fame is directing this comeback film of Aabavanan who also dabbled in TV.

Producer Aabavaan said now the audience would witness two kinds of films from him. “My first innings was marked with slam-bang action films and now I would like to explore thematic films revolving around human emotions. I did miss this genre earlier now I would do more of such films since I realised it after the success of the TV serial Ganga Jamuna .... If I made my presence felt with good sound affects in the 80’s, this time I am treading a new path and if it succeeds it would open new gates for other filmmakers to step in”. Roja who is enacting a typical baddy role said, “If not now, when can I try my hand at varied roles?”.

Gopichand makes his debut
Late director T Krishna was a trendsetting filmmaker in Telugu and his thought-provoking films like Repati Pourulu and Pratighatana attained him an enviable position as a filmmaker with social conscious. Unfortunately he passed away when he was hailed as path-breaking filmmaker and later producer Nageswar Rao took up the mantle of producing similar kind of films under T Krishna Memorial Films. Now Rao is introducing the late director’s son Gopichand as a hero in his forthcoming, untitled film. Seasoned director Muthyala Subbiah who belongs to the school of T Krishna is helming the launch vehicle of his mentor’s son by picking up a tailor-made script for the young boy. Tamil actress Sneha is paired opposite him in this love story laced with good sentiment.

Muthyala Subbiah, praising the debutant, said, “He has lot of ease particularly in action sequences and we have fused a good family drama to his youthful love story with a novel point. We have taken up an ‘universal’ problem”. Producer Rao claimed that the theme will enhance the image of their banner and said “apart from the social point, it will be an hero-oriented film and definitely the costliest film from our banner”. Debutant Gopichand considers Subbiah as his godfather and expressed happiness for doing a film under him.

Simharasi
Rajsekar in an emotional role
Producer RB Chowdhury’s tale of a simplistic man in the Tamil film Maayi is being remade in Telugu with Dr Rajsekar in the lead. Dr Rajsekar claimed that he has never played such a character before and he even pumped iron to fit into the character aptly.

“It’s a rare blend of softness and anger” claims the actor who plays the role enacted by Sarath Kumar in the Tamil version. Debutant director Samudra, who assisted many including AM Ratnam, makes his debut with this emotional melodrama. Chowdhury claimed that it would be wrapped up in a single schedule and disclosed that it would be a very different film for Rajsekar. The film has music by SA Rajkumar.

Tarun’s new film
Child artiste-turned-hero Tarun gained instant stardom with the blockbuster Nuvve Kaavali which is still drawing crowds while his next two releases Uncle and Priyamainaniku failed to live up the expectations. Now producer GVG Raju who made the massive hit Tholi Prema has signed Tarun for his love story. It was launched recently at a temple in Srinagar Colony. The producer claimed that it would reflect the feelings of the youth like his earlier film Tholi Prema. He is introducing a new director Sriram Balaji with this youthful entertainer.
Tarun said, “After working with big banners like Usha Kiron and Supergood Films, I felt happy when Raju offered me this film. Both the content and form are interesting”.

Lagna Patrika
Producer Subbaraju turns director
Producer Subbaraju who produced more than 24 films including Snehabandam and Bharyabharthala Saval turns director with his next film Lagna Patrika which was launched recently at Jubilee Hills. He has roped in Prithvi and Sanghavi to play the young lovers in this love story penned by Phani Rajkumar. After a very long time, Raj, of famed music duo Raj-Koti, is composing music after their split.

Subbaraju disclosed that the film would be wrapped in two schedules held in March and April. He said, “Though I had interest in direction, I didn’t take it up since I was busy with production on a regular basis. This time I thought it was a good story to turn director. Phani has penned some realistic dialogues to attract all sections of viewers”. Writer Phani said “It’s a tale of two adolescent lovers and the problems they encounter when they come together”.

Nuvvu Nenu
More about love
Producer Kiran, who owns Gemini TV, made a critically-acclaimed film Anthapuram long back. He is now making a youthful love story Nuvvu Nenu. Director Teja, who shot to fame with Chitram, had a setback with Subavela and now he seems to find his moorings back with another love story with Uday Kiron and Anitha playing the young lovers. Teja has roped in his dependable team of cinematographer Rasool and composer Patnaik to disprove his detractors that his first hit was not a flash in the pan.

Teja said, “Though it is a love story, it has no similarities with Chitram since it will explore love from a new angle. The romantic film will have eight songs and we are trying to make a pleasant love story this time”. The producer said, “We shot few songs in the first schedule and our next schedule would commence soon.”

BVS Prakash
(Photos by A Mallikarjun Yadav)