TELUGU CINEMASS

Aug 5, 2008

Aug 4, 2008

Indian Actress REVATHI Interview

REVATHI

‘I like doing something new’

Her’s is a face anybody in the country would recognise, thanks to the films she has either acted in or directed. As an actor this versatile performer displayed a rare combination of innocence, vulnerability and mischief, using her eyes and smile to maximum advantage.

Then as a film director, she made waves with her films ‘Mitr, my friend and ‘Phir Milenge’, dealing with bold themes in such a sensitive manner that she won both critical and popular acclaim. So it was no surprise that she won five Filmfare Best Actress Awards and a National award for Best Director (English). Yet she is still yearning for new forms of artistic expression. That’s where theatre comes in, she tells you.

In unchartered territory, Has she been busy with theatre since 2004 when she made the path-breaking ‘Phir Milenge’? No, theatre is a recent development, she confesses. After ‘Phir Milenge’, she has been busy making the Hindi film ‘Mumbai Cutting’. Unlike her earlier feature films, ‘Mumbai Cutting’ is a string of 11 short stories presented by 11 directors in what will be released this September. Here she is in the company of Sudhir Mishra, Jahnu Barua, Rituparno Ghosh, Anurag Kashyap, Shashank Ghosh, Rahul Dholakia, Ayush Raina, Ruchi Narain, Kundan Shah and Manish Jha to offer a glimpse of life in Mumbai and tries to find a reason why and how the city influences people who come there and survive adversities.

Short films are a natural progression for this creative artist. “I just cannot do the same thing again and again. I always want to do something new; in my film roles, in the themes I make films on, or now in trying to do theatre. I will definitely act in films if the role challenges me and I haven’t made a film in a South Indian language yet simply because I have not found a suitable subject. That’s just the way I am,” she explains.

Theatre, her latest venture

Elaborating on her move to theatre, Revathi says, “I have not been involved in theatre till recently, though I have been watching plays for some time. I met Arundhati Nag a few years back and followed her work through the building of Rangashankara. When she asked me whether I would be interested in acting on stage, I wondered ‘why not’ because theatre is an actor’s ultimate paradise. It is all part of an artist’s growth. But I was aware that theatre is a different experience, that you have to remember all your lines and deliver without retakes.

That’s why I wanted something small.” Which is why Chetan Datar’s original ‘1, Madhav Bagh’ which can actually run for 90 minutes has been abridged to just 35 minutes for her. Since her theatre debut with her solo act for this play in October 97 at Bangalore, Revathi has grown confident enough to consider another theatrical venture, if it excites her. Otherwise she is back on familiar territory, currently working on her next Hindi feature film.

source:timesofindia

[+/-]

Allari Naresh Sleeps Only 4 Hrs A Day

[+/-]

Jagapati Babu to strike hat trick

Aug 3, 2008

[+/-]

Indian Actress RAMYA KRISHNAN Profile

R amya krishnan was born on September 15, 1967, in Chennai is a successful multilingual actress in commercial Indian cinema. She has over 200 films to her credit. She also holds a rare record of acting in five languages, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi. She has played such diverse roles as a glam-doll, a caring wife, a devoted mom, an arrogant vamp and even a goddess.

BIOGRAPHY:

Ramya Krishnan was born on September 15, 1967 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu in a Telugu Brahmin family. She is the niece of Cho Ramaswamy, an actor and outspoken politician. She had initial training in Bharathanatyam and Kuchipudi dance forms and has given many stage performances.

Ramya Krishna started her acting career at the age of 13 and has been in the field for 19+ years. She first played the lead role in Vellai Manasu in Tamil opposite Y.G.Mahendran. She was studying in 8th standard when she acted in her first film.

CAREER:

The south Indian actress has a long career spanning over two decades and 200+ films to her credit. She has portrayed a wide range of roles from that of an innocent village belle to a hip and happening female.

Ramyakrishnan's first Telugu film was Bhalae Mithrulu. Kasinadhuni Viswanath’s master peace Sutradharulu, released in 1987 have given first major break to Ramya as a actress. Under the direction of K.Raghavendra Rao Ramyakrishna established herself as a ‘star’ in Telugu film industry. She worked with all the major heroes of yester years like Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Nandamuri Taraka Ramarao, Krishna (actor), Sobhan Babu and also with the next generation of heroes like Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna Nandamuri, Venkatesh, Akkineni Nagarjuna and Jagapathi Babu. Though a trained Bharatnatyam dancer, she never really got a chance to explore that facet of her.she is currently producing TV soaps for gemini tv.

Her Tamil film Padayappa (Narasimha in Telugu) have brought her recognition and fame not only in South India but also internationally in Japan, Singapore, London and Paris. Her role in Padayappa was perhaps the best role of her career and disproved her critics who said that she was a mere glam doll.Recently she gaven performance in some stage shows in New York, Dallas, San Jose, and Cincinnati along with Nagarjuna and Tabu.

She bagged only one prestigious Nandi Awards from the Government of Andhra Pradesh,

Ramya have also enjoyed success in Kannada movies. In fact one of her earliest movie roles was in the Kannada fim Krishna Rukmini with Vishnuvardhan. Her biggest Kannada hits include Gadibidi Ganda and Mangalyam Thanthunanaena with Ravichandran and Raktha Kanneeru with Upendra.

Ramya Krishan had appeared in a game show called Thanga vettai (Gold Hunt) shown in SUN TV.

Ramya has just started a company in the name of her son 'Ritwik'. She is now hosting the entertainment show "Zara Masti Zara Dhoom" by interviewing film personalities. She has plans to do more of these types of shows.

PERSONAL LIFE

The actress married noted Telugu film director Krishna Vamsi on June 12, 2003 and has since then settled in Hyderabad. She gave birth to a boy (named Ritwik) on February 13, 2005.

FILMOGRAPHY:

TELUGU

Movie Co-Star Director Notes

Mr. Girisham Krishna Bhagavaan Comedy Film
Alludu Vara Mullapudi
Aavide Shyamala Prakash Raj
Chandra lekha Nagarjuna Krishna vamsi
Annamaya Nagarjuna K.Raghavendra Rao
Criminal Nagarjuna Mahesh Bhatt eddaru-eddare

nagarjuna k.raghavendrarao
Gharana Bullodu Nagarjuna K.Raghavendra Rao
Hello Brother Nagarjuna E.V.V.Satyanarayana
Iddaru Mitrulu Chiranjeevi K.Raghavendra Rao
English Pellam Eastgodavari Mogudu Sree Kanth E.V.V.Satyanarayana
Maanavudu Daanavudu Krishna Krishna
Adhirindhi Alludu Mohan Babu E.V.V.Satya Narayana
Pellala Rajyam Krishna Mouli
Dharma Chakram Venkatesh Suresh Krishna

Soggadi Pellam Mohan Babu
Sammakka Sarakka Roja Dasari Narayana Rao
Muggurru Monagallu Chiranjeevi K.Raghavendra Rao
Alluda Mazaka Chiranjeevi E.V.V.Satya Narayana
Alludugaru Mohan Babu K.Raghavendra Rao
Aayanaaki Iddaru Jagapathi Babu E.V.V.Satya Narayana
Allari Premikudu Jagapathi Babu K.Raghavendra Rao
Allari Priyudu Raja Sekhar K.Raghavendra Rao
Allari Mogudu Mohan Babu K.Raghavendra Rao
Ammoru Soundarya Kodi Rama Krishna
Love Story 1999 Prabhu Deva, Vadde Naveen K.Raghavendra Rao
Major Chandrakanth Mohan Babu K.Raghavendra Rao
Sutradharulu Bhanu Chander K.Viswanath
Ahwaanam Sree kanth S.V.Krishna Reddy
Brundavanam Rajendra Prasad S.Sreenivasa Rao
Chinnabbaayi Venkatesh K.Viswanath
Bala Rama Krishnulu Raja Sekhar Raviraja Pinisetty
Bangaru Bullodu Nandamuri Bala Krishna Raviraja Pinisetty
Vamsanikokkadu Nandamuri Bala Krishna Sarath
Vamsodharakudu Nandamuri Bala Krishna Sarath
Devudu Nandamuri Bala Krishna Raviraja Pinisetty
Chakravarthy Mohan Babu, Chiranjeevi

TAMIL

* Panchathantiram
* Padikkathavan
* Padayappa
* Vellai Manasu
* Captain Prabhakaran
* Vaa Arugil Vaa
* Panchathantiram
* Budget Padbanaban
* Muthal Vasantham
* Vaanchinathan
* Jaya
* Julie Ganapathi
* Pattali
* Kuththu - Dance
* Rhythm - Dance
* Narashimma - Dance
* Raja Enga Raja
* Asathal
* Kanavu Mei Pada Vendum
* Raja Kali Amman
* Sri Raja Rajeswari
* Amman
* Whistle - Dance
* Kaakha Kaakha - Dance
* Kurumbu - Dance
* Vanamay Ellai
* Sigaram
* Paarai
* Kutrapatthirikkai
* Baba - Guest appearance
* Thambi thanga kambi
* Per Sollum pillai

MALAYALAM

* Ore Kadal
* Onnaman (2002)
* Kakkakuyil (2001) ... cameo appearance
* Aryan (1986)
* Aham (1992)
* Maanyanmar
* Kathanayika
* Mahatma
* Neram Pularumbol
* Orkapurathu
* Anuragi

HINDI

* Wajood (1998)
* Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998)
* Chaahat (1996)
* Banarasi Babu (1996)
* Criminal (1995)
* Parampara (1993)
* Khal Nayak (1993)
* Dayavan

KANNADA

* Maangalyam Thanthunanaena
* Snaehaa
* Yare Nee Abhimani
* Krishna Rukmini
* Gadibidi Ganda
* Rajanarasimha
* Raktha Kaneeru
* Ekaangi
* Andhra Hendathi
* Baa Baaro Rasika

[+/-]

Independence Day releases of Telugu Movies

[+/-]

MAHESH BABU, CHARAN TEJ, ALLU ARJUN, VENKATESH, NARJUNA, Reel Heros

It’s a ‘Tolly’ order
Hyderabad Times decodes the ‘success’ ladder behind our on-screen ‘heroes’ — the moolah they make, their USP and why they’re even famous!

MAHESH BABU

Claim to fame – Okkadu and Pokiri. Yes, he did play two different characters though some would contest the degree of difference. He's actor Krishna's son and Namrata Shirodkars's husband. USP –- Considered a rarity in the 'moustache' dominated industry and he can make fighting in the rain look better than, let's say, canoodling with the heroine.
Mirror mirror on the wall, am I the best one of them all?
He's got a complexion that would make any mother-in-law want him as her prospective son-in-law. Salman's reprising Mahesh's character in Pokiri in the Bollywood version of the film. Now that's something, isn't it? (Ok, there's Ghajini and hordes of others too).
Star bucks
He's sitting pretty on the pedestal of charging the highest remuneration after Chiranjeevi – a whopping Rs 8 Crore. Hmmm, didn't Aishwarya Rai Bachchan charge Rs 6 crore for Robot?

CHARAN TEJ

Claim to fame – Offspring of Tollywood's coveted 'megastar' Chiranjeevi. USP – Ditto as his claim to fame reason. Though, without taking any credibility away from him, we're still trying to figure the second reason out.
Mirror mirror on the wall, am I best one of them all?
He's young. Yes, he isn't flirting 50s and romancing 20-something heroines!
He's got the stubble, which FYI is always a hit with the ladies.
Star bucks
One film old and he's already got a price tag worth Rs 3 crore. Wait we hear he's hiking it up to Rs 3.5 crore… producers, good luck (read, tough luck).

Claim to fame – Other than the Ntr suffix, it's got to be his dance moves prior to his weight loss. USP – he knows how to get the masses rooting for him with his 'mass' moves and movies.
Mirror mirror on the wall, am I the best one of them all?
Having bagged a Filmfare award, it sure does say a lot, now doesn't it!
He's shown that he's the biggest loser, no pun intended. After his weight loss, he also seems to have a new air of confidence about him. Moral of the story: size does matter!
Star bucks
Don’t be surprised for it's a whopping Rs 4- 5 crore and counting.

ALLU ARJUN

Claim to fame – Lineage, just as his cousin Charan and he made romancing Hansika (all of 15 at the time) seem convincing and not disgusting, as some might have found it. USP – He’s energetic, though at times it can get to you. He can dance. Glad to know all the clubbing did come to some use after all.
Mirror mirror on the wall, am I best one of them all?
Certainly caters to the ‘mass’ class, though at times undermining their taste (unintentionally, of course). Can change his look dramatically yup, he's got jaws as chiselled as they would be if done with (read under) a knife!)
Star bucks A good Rs 2.5-3 crore. Like they say, good things come in small packages but with a heavy price tag.
*All figures are according to market approximation
TEAM HYDERABAD TIMES STILL GOING STRONG Chiranjeevi
Now that Charan's taken charge, Chiru's planning doing a full-fledged role of a politician, not on reel but in real. Let's see how long that runs for.

VENKATESH

‘Victory’ Venkatesh is still raring to go and we do like his sense of comedy especially when directed to himself !
Pawan Kalyan
If he's not busy sorting his marital issues, then he's busy flexing muscles around foes. And if it isn't either of them, he's filming movies, like his last venture, which surprisingly did fare well at the BO.

NAGARJUNA

He popularised the cycle chain ( remember Shiva?)as cost-free and efficient weapon. His urban centric films made the moustache look a tad bit classy. Mind you, only a tad bit.

source:timesofindia

Aug 2, 2008

[+/-]

Telugu Actress MADHU SHALINI Interview

‘Name one actress who doesn’t show skin’
Hard, soft, candid and at times uncomfortable – questions, that is. Madhu Shalini is a tough ball

You'd be mistaken if you thought she was down and out after her rather forgettable foray into tinsel town and for courting controversies all along. Here's Madhu Shalini, who affirms her no-regret attitude and marches on towards becoming a successful Telugu-speaking actress in Tollywood!

How's the journey from Miss Andhra to acting been like?
It's definitely been great, since I've started from the scratch literally.
You say 'great,' but most of your films have been forgettable and are remembered more for your skin show.
Some things (read movies) are best left in the past but let me tell you two things – one, name one actress who doesn't show skin, whatever be the pretext to it, and two, people who are ruling this industry are also doing 'the skin show,' so why the big fuss?

Hmmm…would you call it an unfair industry?
It's our choice if we want to be labelled as a 'sex bomb' or anything else.
Talking about 'unfair,' why is it that we see actresses from the north having so much patronage in Tollywood, making it harder for native actresses like you?
Yes, most of these actresses don't even know Telugu and yet they are given prominence. I think it's because directors and producers have this false notion of not good actors not being there in Hyderabad. Also, they assume that girls from the South have inhibitions about playing most of these 'glamourous' roles, which FYI, isn't true.

One would argue that most actresses in Tollywood look alike. Do you feel the same?
That's because they all do! With all due respect to them, most directors still prefer a fair-skinned girl to a dusky one. They go to Bombay to scout for actresses. Everywhere else I get compliments for my dusky tone while here it's the other way round. You always want what you don't have. Profound. Now moving on, tell us about your upcoming ventures.
I have Happy Journey with Vishwa Teja under Sabhapathi's direction. It's based on today's hectic lifestyles and how we end up jeopardising our personal relationships as a result of it.
Talking about personal relationships…anyone special in your life? And don't give the quotidian 'no time for relationship' reply.

(She says rather candidly) I am happy to be single because that way I'll get to know more boys! Relationships don't work out for me so yes I'm single and very much ready to mingle. CANDID CORNER On casting couch – “Exists here and everywhere else!” On acting with 50 yr old actors – “We make them look younger!” Her lesser-known skill – “I sketch” On Allu Arjun – “He rocks!” On Shriya – “Hot” On Poonam Kaur – “Now she's friendly!”

[+/-]

Rajini yet again apologises to Kannadigas

As Rajini yet again apologises to Kannadigas for his statements made at a rally, some are shocked how his business interests eclipse his statesmanship

Iwill never commit such mistakes again," said superstar Rajinikanth at a multiplex in Hyderabad going back on the statements he had made against Kannadiga activists, saying they were 'regional fanatics,' at a rally in Chennai for Hogenakal project, besides urging KFCC to lift the ban on his new film Kuselan. It is not the first time that he has backtracked on his comments for his business interest, leading many to believe that there's a big contradiction between his reel-image and his real-life persona since he fights for truth with conviction in films but in real life he succumbs to threats and bans and meekly withdraws without even a semblance of a fight.

The actor always thanks Tamilians for patronising him and voices his views in support of Tamil interests on few inter-state issues. But whenever he has opposed the state of Karnataka, he has run into trouble. But as soon as Kannadigas retaliate, he apologies unmindful of denting his idealistic image among his huge following. Kannadigas have brought him on his knees once again and will allow the release of Kuselan only after exposing him as a pseudo- statesman.

Tamil star Sarath Kumar who is the also the president of South Indian Film Artistes Association was shocked with Rajini's apology. "Post rally, he did apologise for a few derogatory remarks he made in the heat of the moment, but now, as he goes overboard with an unconditional apology, we begin to doubt his commitment towards Tamilians’ cause. Does he really feel sorry for uttering a few harsh words or for supporting the Tamil cause per se?" Sarath Kumar further describes it as a selfish move where Rajini places his business interest over those of parched districts in Tamil Nadu going dry due to shortage of water.

"He could’ve approached the government or the court to sort out the problems over the film, but his meek surrender is a shame to the people of Tamil Nadu who made him a superstar," concludes the fire-brand actor who reminds that it's for umpteenth time that Rajini has retracted his statements.

source:timesofindia

Aug 1, 2008

[+/-]

Telugu Movie KATHANAYAKUDU Review

Cast: Rajni Kanth, Jagapathi Babu, Meena, Nayanatara, Prabhu, Suneel, Brahmanandam, Dharmavarapu Subramanyam, MS Narayana, Kondavalasa, Duvvasi Mohan and Others.
Action: Dalapathi Dinesh.
Story: Srinivasan.
Dialogues: Marudhuri Raja.
Cinematography: Arvind Krishna.
Editing: Saravana.
Art: Thota Tharani.
Lyrics: Vennelakanti.
Music: GV Prakash Kumar.
Screenplay & Direction : P.Vasu
Producer(s): C. Aswani Dutt-Vijay Kumar.
Banner: Vyjayanthi Movies.
Release Date: 1st August, 2008.

It's the modern take on the Krishna-Sudama story, with an obvious twist. Kuchelan in Tamil and Katha Nayakudu in Telugu starring Rajnikanth and Jagapathi Babu is an old fable with new elements. It could have been a simple and unsophisticated storyline with a touching theme of friendship. But what it ends up being is raw, loud and missing all the little make-break moments to substitute unnecessary skin show or sentiment that doesn't do anything. Even the feeble attempts at humor go amiss.

Jagapathi Babu and Meena Plot Balakrishna a.k.a. Balu has a rickety little saloon with a chair that's about to break and no prospects. His competitor across the road has cut-throat business techniques, and Balu's business is bad. The sleepy village has a surprise-super star Ashok Kumar's movie is going to be shot there, with top level security and the whole village thirsty for a glimpse of the icon. Balu's wife reveals that he and the star were classmates in school and college, but the mild-mannered barber cannot manage to contact the star and the village and his own children lose faith in him. Will the star recognize him after all these years or is Balu lying-is what the rest of the plot deals with.

Story, Screenplay and Direction The original Malayalam version didn't have the aura of Rajnikanth dominating it's every frame. It cannot be compared to this one. At this point, it's difficult for him to be just an actor and not let his stardom come in the way. So a lot of the dialogues seem to be written purely for him, directed at his fan base and written for the applause and adoration of the first day crowds. So to tell a simple story with a huge star in it's midst playing almost himself…doesn't work.

But Rajnikanth and Jagapathi Babu's tracks run well. It's the other characters that come across as irksome. Sunil and his wife's track is just so 1980s and you wonder if they've borrowed from some Malayalam 18 and above movie when it starts off. Sunil is obnoxiously loud, not just the actor, but the character too lacks realness. Dharmavarapu's character is more believable that way, the rich guy of the village thinking he'll get to make a movie soon. Then the school's management in-charge who throws his attitude in front of the star. These two characters stand out.

The shooting absolutely lacks believability, and the makers look in to pull off some extra gags. So you have all those hit movies of Rajni, only this time its part 2. But it could have been consistent, like just stick to one movie and not 2 or 3 of them. The editing is patchy.

Rajni Kanth Performances It's not just about style for Rajni this time. He cries, he complains, he laughs-not the Shivaji-bookish laugh, a real laugh for now. That way it's refreshing, and though his Chandramukhi part 2 and Narasimha part 2 are passable in the humor department, it just goes to show that the actor can still laugh at his histrionics and doesn't take himself too seriously. Jagapathi Babu is a severely underrated actor who stands his own in a movie dominated by Rajni's multi-lingual presence. Meena is suitable as his wife; his kids do a good job. Sunil is LOUD. Nayanatara sizzles in one song. The whole village crowd, even the seasoned actors, perform like they are in the middle of a local stage play.

Song and Dance The rain song with Nayanatara, Rajni's intro song ‘Cinema cinema' and the happy family songs are good. Background is not imposing.

Last Word This movie had all the potential to be beautiful and tell a story that one always knew in a new way. Perfect casting, mediocre writing, passable direction. Let's hope for SRK's sake his Billoo Barber turns out to be a more entertaining watch.

source:cinegoer.com

[+/-]