ON THE SETS

Auto Driver
Nagarjuna-Simran song filmed
THE seven-acre land belonging to the Annapoorna Studios at Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, has become a hotspot for shootings. For some time, there was a controversy and the government headed by the late NTR had even taken over the site. But the court gave a verdict in Akkineni Nageswara Rao’s favour and since then, it has become just as busy as the main Annapoorna Studios.

For Nagarjuna’s successful Telugu film, Ninne Pelladutha, two special house sets were erected and they are still being used for many films. Now, they have put up an impressive street set with a clock tower, a row of shops selling popular brands of textiles, footwear et al. There is also a street square with a flag post.

Director Suresh Krishna is busy filming a song, fights and a few scenes on this set with Nagarjuna, Simran and a number of junior artistes for Auto Driver. “We are planning to release the film in mid-March,” says Nagarjuna. He plays the role of an auto driver and there are two girls in his life — Simran and Deepti Bhatnagar. “It’s a romance-cum-action film and it is being made purely to entertain,” says Suresh.

Recently a song was filmed with Nagarjuna, Simran and about 30 dancers participating. The highlight of the song is that it marks Dara Singh’s entry in the film, and we are told, he plays Nagarjuna’s father in the film. Dara Singh, who is one of the recent entrants into politics, is a much sought-after person for election campaigns in the North, was able to make it to the shoot just for a day.

Written by Bhoopathi Raja, the lyrics for the film are penned by Bhuvana Chandra and Chandra Bose and Deva, Suresh Krishna’s favourite, is the music director while Saravanan is the cinematographer. Others in the cast include Sudhakar, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Brahmandam, Vijayakumar and Sujatha.

Prema Pallaki
Suresh, Vineeth, Roja teamed
The Sana Creations banner, which has recently come out with above average hits like Pittala Dora and Jai Bajrangbali, both of which were comedies, has now launched its new venture, this time a triangular romance, Prema Pallaki. Suresh, Vineet and Roja are the main stars. While Vineet plays a ‘soft’ character, Suresh plays the aggressive one.

The film was launched with much fanfare at the Prasad Labs recently with home minister, A Madhava Reddy, taking time off from his hectic poll campaigning to be present on the occasion. “It is a film with a deep sentiment, laced with entertainment,” says director Saana Yadi Reddy.

Vineet and Suresh faced the camera for the first shot with Vineet telling Suresh, “Our combination is different,” and Suresh replying “Let’s take it as a challenge”. Surprisingly, heroine Roja was nowhere to be seen.

Many new technicians are being introduced in the film and the director deserves a pat on the back for this bold step in this his third venture.

The lyricists, apart from Veturi, include three new faces - Krishna, Yadagiri and Vinod Verma. Two young men, Krishna and Neeraj make their debut as music directors. C Vijayakumar is the cinematographer. The film is being produced by S Bhagyalakshmi and the cast also includes Tanikella Bharani, Babu Mohan, AVS, Ali, Raghunatha Reddy and Kavitha.