MALAYALAM

Prem Pujari
Hit pair together again

NOTED writer MT Vasudevan Nair sounded the clap for Hariharan's next venture, Prem Pujari, which was launched in Chennai recently. The film is a musical love story with music by Udham Singh. Starring Boban Kunchacko and Shalini in the lead, it also has Mayuri, Vineeth, Thilakan, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Sudish, Jagathy Sreekumar, Captain Raju and Mammukkoya in key roles. Being produced by Bhavani under the banner of Gayatri Cinema Enterprises and distributed by Murali Films in Kerala, the film has cinematography by KP Nambiathri and lyrics by ONV Kurup.

The Boban-Shalini team had earlier met with great success in Nakshathratharattu and Aniyathi Pravu, both of which netted good box office collections. Prem Pujari, likewise raises a lot of expectations from the pair.

FIR
Kailas to direct Suresh Gopi

SHAJI Kailas, whose forte is crime thrillers teams up with Suresh Gopi in FIR.
Gopi, an IPS officer, is in charge of the investigation into the murder of Rahim Haji, a well-known businessman. Narayana Shetty, a mafia don, is linked to the murder but Gopi has no clues to pin him down. An accomplice of the don surrenders before the police as the murderer and Gopi has no option but to present him before the court. Narayana Shetty even appears in court with a mocking smile on his face.

Shooting for this action thriller was in progress at Thiruvananthapuram and later at Chennai locales. Indraja, the Andhra beauty, as well as Rajiv, the character actor from Tamil who plays Narayana Shetty, make their debut in Malayalam. Biju Menon, Raju, Bheeman Raghu, TP Madhavan, Mohan Jose, Azeez and Kumarakom Raghunath form the rest of the cast. Produced by Aroma Mani, the film has cinematography by Anandakuttan and screenplay by Dennis Joseph.

Friends
Siddique-Lal's next

SIDDIQUE-Lal, the hit duo whose directorial venture including the recent Hitler starring Mammootty which went on to be a hit and was remade in Telugu with Chiranjeevi as the comeback vehicle after a gap of three years, are now back with their own production Friends. The film stars Jayaram, Mukesh and Srinivasan in the lead along with Meena and Divya Unni as the leading ladies.

The film is about the friendship of three youths. They grew up together, and were thick friends. Their search for a livelihood and the strains on the friendship form the story. Jagathy, Janardhan, Hanifa, TP Madhavan, Kavitha and Zeenath play supporting roles. Being produced by Lal Creations and directed by Siddique-Lal, the film has music by Illayaraja.

Gandhian
Thilakan plays the title role

SHARVI, a one time associate to IV Sasi, Joshi, Vishvambharan, KS Ravikumar and Durrani, turns director with Gandhian. Starring Thilakan in the key role as Sreedharan Menon, the Gandhian who is now waging a war against the underworld in his town. The gang that is plagued by his Gandhian tactics kills his only daughter but that does not stop his drive against the forces that are out to ruin the society.

Priya Raman, Srividya, Praveena, Swarna, Reena, Chitra, Zeenath, Vijayaraghavan, Biju Menon, Jagathy Sreekumar, Siddique, Sudesh, George and Risa Bava play important roles. Shooting is under way in Alleppey, Kerala.

Now, a nameless wonder!

JOSE Thomas, the director who scored a megahit with a low budget film is now onto another experiment. He is leaving the christening of his new film to the viewers and plans to release the film which is nearing completion without a title. He says that the film will be given the best name which comes from the audience after watching the picture. This is the first experiment of the kind in Malayalam cinema.

The film is a humour-filled love story shot against the backdrop of a city's affluent colony and an adjacent slum. Mukesh and Vijayaraghavan are in the lead roles along with Premkumar, Priyanka, Kanakalatha, Mathu, Jagathy Sreekumar, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, abu and Tony in the cast. Gayathri Menon is the heroine.

Udayakrishnan and Sibi K Thomas have written the screenplay while Sunny Stephen sets to tune lyrics by Girish Puthencherry. Venugopal is the cinematographer. The film is being made under the banner of Akai Creations.

The Gang
William' crime-thriller

CINEMATOGRAPHER J Williams has directed a film in Malayalam titled The Gang, an investigative thriller set against the backdrop of the popular beach resort, Kovalam. A drug racket run by a foreigner on the beach with the help of locals and a coast guard forms the crux of the film. Vani Viswanath, Suvarna, Steffi and a hoard of villains form the cast of the film.

Being made under the banner of Cochin Films, Baburaj has penned the film.

TELUGU

Panchadrara Chilaka
A campus romance

PRODUCER C Surendra Raju has launched his second venture, Panchadrara Chilaka with a song recording at Kodandapani Audio Lab, Chennai. A host of film luminaries including Dasari Narayana Rao, producers Devi Vara Prasad and S Gopal Reddy attended the muhurat. Being made under the banner of Divya Art Pictures, the film is directed by Kodi Ramakrishna.

This campus love story stars Srikanth, Kausalya, Prithvi, Costume Krishna and Ali in stellar roles. Television actress Renuka, who makes her debut in Telugu films, is playing the heroine's elder sister.

Says Kodi Ramakrishna, "Though it is a romance with a campus backdrop, Srikanth plays a matured role, something he hasn't done till date. As for Prithvi, he is like an atombomb, ready to flare up when ignited. He is such a versatile artiste, I consider him only when a good role crops up. The music, which is the life of the film, will play a 65 per cent share in the film's success. SA Rajkumar gave memorable music in my film Pelli. We hope to repeat the success once more. The shooting will commence from March 15 at Araku Valley and the film will be completed in another major schedule from April 10 at Ramoji Film City."
Rajendra Kumar has written the dialogue.

Samakka Sarakka
Watch out for the music!

DASARI Narayana Rao's 142nd directorial venture, Sammakka Sarakka starring Ramya Krishna and Roja in lead roles and supported by Dasari, Prithvi and Brahmaji, is nearly complete. Made under the banner of Dasari Films International, the film deals with atrocities committed on the downtrodden by the landlords.

At his plush office in Chennai, Dasari Narayana Rao invited the press to a glimpse of the song sequences. All the eight songs set to tune by Vandemataram Srinivas have the makings of high voltage chartbusters. So don't be surprised if the successful Dasari-Vande-mataram combine come up with one more major musical hit with Sammakka Sarakka, after the epoch-making Osey Ravulamma.

Adavi Puli
Fights set to tune!

SRI Venkata Sai Durga Arts' Adavi Puli, dubbed from the Vijayakanth starrer, Veeramu Velizha Mann is ready for release soon. Khushboo and Roja play lead roles opposite Vijaykanth who plays a dual role. The songs from the film were shown to the press at the Devi-Sridevi preview theatre.

Written by debutant Dr Vanamali and Ponduri, the lilting numbers are set to tune by Deva. The highlight of the film, besides the songs is the five daring fight sequences which are choreographed, a novel concept. The film directed by Kasturi Raja is produced by M Siva Prasad, P Sai Jitesh and Smt G Radha Rani, has dialogue by Sai Ramesh and editing by Trinath-Seenu.

Bharata Ratna
Look who's singing!

TO announce the completion of their maiden venture, Bharata Ratna, the producers of Pratima Film Productions organised a press conference at Hotel Naveen International, Chennai, recently.

Starring Vijaya Shanti in a dual role, the film's climax was shot at the international border areas of Jaisalmer. Mumbai's Avinash and Vinod Kumar are cast opposite Vijaya Shanti in this film that spews patriotic fervour.

"Vijaya Shanti plays an army officer and pickpokecteer. Perhaps this is the first time on Indian screen that a lady is playing the role of an army officer who fights enemy forces on the border. After Kartavyam, Vijaya Shanti has a powerful role to match. We shot a few pivotal scenes at two degrees celsius at Kulu and Manali. She has participated in the shoot, without winter wear to beat the chilly weather. She wore the army uniform in the climax scenes and a song unmindful of the snowfall, inspiring the other unit members. We are grateful to her for her co-operation. We even shot during the nights of three days in heavy snowfall as the subject demanded it. Vinod Kumar plays a police officer and Avinash, a pickpocketeer. We are introducing a new villain, Nawab from Mumbai. A unique feature of the film is that Vijaya Shanti has rendered a song with Udit Narayan. Penned by Seetharama Sastry, the song was set to tune by Vandemataram Srinivas," disclosed executive producer Ram Mohan Rao.

Slated for release in the last week of March, the film is directed by Kodi Ramakrishna and produced by B Srinivasa Rao.

Goodhachari 001
Good news for Vandamme fans

CHICAGO-based medic, Dr Nagabhushanam Koneru has encouraged his brother Koneru Venkateswara Rao to take up distribution of English movies in India. It is almost a decade since the brothers offered their first Hollywood blockbuster to the action-thirsty Indian audience.

Some of their 45-odd releases include Sir Richard Attenborough's Chorus Line, Silvester Stallone's Over The Top and King Kong-2. It is Koneru Films that imported the first Vandamme starrer Blood Sport to India. Their association with the action hero's movies continued with Double Impact, Kick Boxer and Lion Heart. The Quest is their latest offering.

Now Koneru Films is coming up with one more Jean Claude Vandamme's blockbuster that is breaking records in the US of A, Knock Off. "We have acquired the rights to distribute the movie in India and Sri Lanka. The good news for Hindi and Telugu viewers is, we are dubbing the movie in these languages. The Hindi version is titled, Main Hoon Baazigar and the Telugu version, Goodhachari 001. Mohan Nair wrote the Hindi dialogue and Suryadevara SR, the Telugu version's dialogue.

The film deals with the assassination plot against a US President who is scheduled to attend the celebration of handing over of Hong Kong to the Chinese. How the hero thwarts the terrorists' attempt forms the main theme. It is an out and out action thriller which will provide edge-of-the-seat entertainment for 90 minutes," said Venkateswara Rao. The film is due soon..

KANNADA

Kaanuru Heggadathi
Girish Karnad's next

JNANPEETH award-winner, playwright, actor and film director, Girish Karnad is now busy directing a Kannada film, Kaanuru Heggadathi based on a great novel by another Jnanpeeth celebrity, the late Ku Vem Pu (Dr KV Puttappa). He is also making a serial for Doordarshan from the same novel.

He is shooting for this film in the picturesque surroundings of Malnad — Tirthahalli and Magaravalli in vast houses built more than 70 years ago to lend a touch of authenticity to the story.

The cast also comprising himself and actress Tara, features several faces from the amateur stage, mostly NSD graduates. The film is expected to be complete by April.

The film and the TV serial are being picturised simultaneously. BV Karanth has scored the music, while S Ramachandra is the cinematographer. A local professor, Shivappa has written the Kannada dialogue.

For Tara, who has worked in more than 100 films, the role is a turning point in her career. "I hope the role will fetch me a state award, if not the national," said Tara.

Suryavamsham in Kannada

SURYAVAMSHAM, the hit film both in Tamil and Telugu is now remade in Kannada, with Vishnuvardhan, appearing in the lead roles — as father and son. The film, under the banner of Chinnambika Films, is produced by Anitha Kumaraswamy.

Seven songs were recorded for the film recently at Chamun-deswari and Prasard Recording Studios. Launched on February 28, it is likely to be completed in a single schedule of 41 days.

Newfind Isha Koppikar, Lakshmi, Mukhyamanthri Chandru, Doddanna, Sivaram, Bank Janardhan and Master Chandan are also in the cast.

The film has screenplay, dialogue and direction by S Narayan, cinematography by M Rajendra and music by V Manohar.

Naanenu Maadlila
Re-enter Sudharani

SUDHARANI, the talented young artiste who has been away from Kannada films for a couple of years, following her marriage with a US-based doctor, is staging a comeback with Naanenu Maadlilla.

This is the tenth film as music director for lyricist K Kalyan, also Dinesh Babu's tenth as director. Four songs were recorded for this film on February 19 and 20 at Chamundeswari Studios. Shooting commenced on February 26 at Mysore.

Produced under the banner of Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Combines by BN Sudheendra and R Srinivas, the film has story and screenplay by director Dinesh Babu, cinematography by PKH Dass, stunts by Palaniraj and choreography by Sujatha Babu. Sudha Rani, Anant Nag, Shilpa, Ramkrishna, Jaijagadish, Sunder Raj, Shivaram, Umasri, Keerthi and Padmakumta are in the cast.

Habba
Multi-starrer complete

THE big-budget multi-starrer, Habba produced by Jayasri Devi under the banner of Chinnichitra is complete. Its post-production is in progress.

Vishnuvardhan, Ambarish, Devaraj, Sasikumar, Ramkumar, Jayaprada, Urvasi, Kasturi, Vijayalakshmi, Charulatha, Leelavathi, Ravi, Ravi Babu, Sriraksha, Padma Vasanti, Pavitra Lokesh, Suresh and Negro Jani are in the cast.

It has story by GK Bhairavi, dialogue by BA Madhu, cinematography by PKH Dass, choreography by Raghuram, stunts by Horse Babu, lyrics and music by Hamsalekha, and screenplay and direction by D Rajendra Babu.

Naanu Nanna Hendthiyaru
Schedule in Thailand

NAANU Nanna Hendthiyaru produced by Rockline Venkatesh, under the banner of Rockline Productions has completed its first schedule at Bangalore and the unit has left for Thailand for a 20-day shoot. For the first time, Ravichandran composing the music.

Ravichandran, Soundarya, Prema, Kasi, Mandya Ramesh, Doddanna and S Chandru play lead roles in the film which has dialogue by K Nanjunda, and screenplay and direction by VS Reddy.

Channappa Channegowda
Talkie portions canned

CHANNAPPA Channegowda produced by editor N Prasad, SP Manjunath and Anand P Raju under the banner of Sri Karumayimma Pictures has completed the talkie portions. The film, directed by Anand P Raju is set against a rural backdrop.

BC Patil, Ruchita Prasad, Aravind, Gurukiran, Sadhu Kokila, Srilalita, Krishne Gowda and Mysore Siva are in the cast. The film has dialogue by Mysore Harish, cinematography by Jaydev, choreography by Sathish and lyrics and music by Hamsalekha.

Saddam Hussain
Second schedule
progresses

"THE film's narrative will be as daring and different as the title," promise VM Raju and R Venkatesh, who are producing Saddam Hussain under the banner of VM Productions. The film has completed its first schedule and the second commenced on March 1.

Jaggesh, Ambika and Sabita are in the lead roles in the film which has story, dialogue and songs by R Prakash Trishuli, cinematography by Sundernath Suvarna, music by Hamsalekha, stunts by KD Venkatesh, choreography by Prasad and screenplay and direction by Kumar.

Upendra
Action time in Bangalore

THE unit of Upendra, which has completed its first schedule in Mangalore and other places, has returned to Bangalore, where the second schedule is in progress.

Upendra, Raveena Tandon, Prema, Daamini and Arun Govil are in the cast. Produced by HC Srinivas under the banner of Srinivasa Productions, the film has story, screenplay, dialogue and direction by Upendra, music by Gurukiran and action by Koti Surya.

An important press conference conducted by Raveena Tandon, has been picturised for the film, as a part of its shooting.