Shakti Muhurat

C Aswini Dutt had launched a film titled ‘Sakthi’ with young tiger NTR and Ileana under Mehar Ramesh’s direction. Produced under Vyjayanti Movies banner, the launching ceremony took place today morning at Gachibowli Gold Club in Hyderabad. After the formal pooja, for the muhurat shot Dr Dasari Narayana Rao tapped the clap board while K Raghavendra Rao switched on the camera and Krishnam Raju directed the first shot.

Later at the press meet Producer Aswini Dutt informed, “This banner was launched about 35 years ago in January 1975 by Late Sri Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao garu. And now this film starring his grandson NTR has been launched today. I’m very happy to work with almost all heroes for the past 35 years. We have good rapport with the film journalists from the time we launched this banner. During those days Mohan Kumar was our PRO while BA Raju is our current PRO.” Briefing about the film he said, “We have done the script work for atleast six months. We don’t have any time limit or budget limit for this film. I’m confident that film’s success celebration will be larger than the launching ceremony.”

Director Mehar Ramesh said, “My debut film was with NTR under this banner. I’m very happy to work for this banner once again within the short span of time. I’m sure that this film can be made only by Dutt garu and NTR garu. The first schedule would begin from February 6th. The shootings would be held at Indian places like Jaipur, Kashmir, Delhi, Agra, Hampi, Mysore and at overseas like Egypt and London. This is a unique as well as a prestigious film for NTR.”

While the remaining star cast is yet to be selected, the crew is:

Dialogues: Satyanand; Story Assistance: Yandamuri Veerendranath, JK Bharavi, Thota Prasad, DS Kannan; Lyrics: Veturi Sundarammurthy, Sirivennela Seetarama Sastry, Rama Jogayya Sastry; Music: Mani Sharma; Cinematography: Sameer Reddy; Presented by C Dharma Raju; Producer: C Aswini Dutt; Story, screenplay & direction: Mehar Ramesh.

Ramdev in theaters on Feb 12th

The multi-starrer film ‘Ramdev’ featuring Abbas, Aakash, Sai Kiran, Gracy Singh and Archana in central role is presently progressing with re-recording work. A special song is performance by the actress Tanu Roy which is going to be the main attraction of the film. Other prominent cast includes Sangeeta, Kavitha and Parachuri Gopalakrishna. Musical scores are rendered by Sri Lekha. Directed by Basheed and produced by SK Kareemunisa, ‘Ramdev’ that is happened to be a family entertainer is all set to release on February 12th.

Ram Charan & Trivikram for Pepsi Ad

After the super duper success of ‘Jalsa’, Trivikram Srinivas has been busy with his latest untitled flick starring Prince Mahesh Babu and Anushka. But for the first time Trivikram is going to direct a TV ad. News is that he had signed a contract for a leading advertising agency, ‘Pepsi’ for their new commercial with Ram Charan as its brand ambassador.

Pepsi ad in AP is currently showcasing Ram Charan and Deepika Padukone. And now the company is planning for a new ad with new concept since Ram Charan earned great popularity after the remarkable success of his magnum opus ‘Magadheera’. The ad will be shot in Mumbai by Trivikram shortly and Charan’s fans can expect the ad sometime during February.

Vikram at Pollachi for Raavan

The results of the hardwork of Maniratnam for the past two years will soon be out. The movie that was taken with strict orders of confidentiality in which Abhishek and Aishwarya were subjected to strenuous in training in forests will soon come to a completion with its final few scenes being shot at Pollachi, a town in Tamil Nadu. Well, at Pollachi the shoot is on Vikram and not Abhishek. This dream project of Maniratnam is being simultaneously shot in two languages, Hindi and Tamil but also being dubbed in Telugu. The Hindi version has Abhishek-Aishwarya in lead roles and Vikram in a prominent negative role and in Tamil as Vikram and Aishwarya in lead roles and Prithvi Raj in prominent negative role.

With the project near end, Maniratnam, known for his perfection and clarity appears to be a bit confused with the title of the movie. Though the Hindi version is sure to have the title ‘Raavan’, it is the Tamil version which seems to be undergoing changes probably. It is now an option between ‘Raavan’ and ‘Ashokavanam’ and the later seems to be favourite of Maniratnam. There is also a buzz that the Telugu dubbing of Tamil version will also be released on the same day, the Hindi and Tamil versions hit theaters.

Maya Bazaar to give a new experience – RB Chowdary

The color version of master piece ‘Maya Bazaar’ is all set to hit theaters on January 30, 2010. This is going to be a feast to eyes of audience as they get to see one of the prestigious films in latest technology. RB Chowdary, who has purchased the rights from Vijaya Productions, is releasing this color version under Super Good Films.

Speaking to the media on today he said, “The premiere show of ‘Maya Bazaar’ in color has mesmerized the film fraternity. While NT Rama Rao garu was looking so handsome, Savitri’s looks appeared like a teenager. Children must watch this film and I am sure that they will enjoy SVR’s role.”

Speaking further he said, “Of late we have been producing films under Mega Supergood Films. Whereas we are releasing ‘Maya Bazaar’ under Supergood Films banner only. I’m honored to get this opportunity and it is a wonderful experience to release one such great film under our banner. We are releasing the film with 55 prints. ‘Maya Bazaar’ is sure to give a new experience to people from all walks of life.”

Speaking about the present projects under Mega Supergood Films banner RB Chowdary informed that ‘Bhimili – Kabbadi Jattu’ and ‘Manchivadu’ are in the final leg of preparations. This apart, he said that he is planning to dub his son Jeeva’s Tamil film ‘Kachcheri Aarambham’ in Telugu very soon.

Brahmanandam on Adhurs

Comedy King Dr Brahmanandam has been ruling the roost for the past two decades. Even today he still holds the No. 1 position in Telugu film industry. Such is his power. His performance in the recently released ‘Adhurs’ is earning lot of laurels.

He spoke to the media on Thursday and shared his experience in the film ‘Adhurs’. He said, “No viewer will walk out of the theater without laughing in the theater. Not only had the audience in theaters, even the crew used to burst into laughter during the time of shootings. I’ve performed many a times the role of purohit in the past, but the role Bhattacharya in ‘Adhurs’ is getting good response. VV Vinayak took lot of care right from dressing to food habits of the character. My punch dialogues in ‘Adhurs’ has lot of humor in it. One of my dialogues “Thellarlu….” with NTR in a scene was shot in 22 takes because the moment I start the dialogue, someone or other used to laugh aloud. Such was the situation on sets and we all really enjoyed a lot while shooting the film. Likewise my scenes involving the heroine started with ‘Pokiri’.” He concluded by saying that the viewers are accepting and enjoying such roles.

Mahesh Babu Craze Coming Down?

Prince Mahesh Babu has often been hailed as the rightful successor for the throne of Tollywood ever since megastar Chiranjeevi has left it. However, all that hype seems to be slowing down gradually and the reason for that has been the long absence of Mahesh. It is heard that the craze for him has been coming down due to the long gap and as it is, Mahesh’s last film ‘Athidhi’ was a bomb at the box office. Now, if he fails to score a hit in his comeback venture then whatever little doubts are remaining, even they would go for a toss. Some fans say that it is about time Mahesh begins to get into the race and proves his mettle. When big stars like NTR jr, Ramcharan Teja among the new brigade have decided to go in for more than one movie in a year, Mahesh must come with an extra one to prove that he is still the best, they add. Is prince reading this???

It's Official: Jr NTR to marry Chandrababu’s relative

Popular Telugu film actor Junior NTR will marry Narne Pranita, daughter of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu’s niece Narne Mallika.

The former chief minister Thursday confirmed that the young actor would soon enter into wedlock with Pranita, whose father Narne Srinivas is a businessman and owns Telugu news channel Studio N.

Junior NTR, 27, is the grandson of thespian, TDP founder and former chief minister N.T. Rama Rao, who was popularly known as NTR. Naidu is the son-in-law of NTR.

Junior NTR, son of N. Harikrishna, is one of the leading actors of Telugu cinema and has churned several hit movies since he made his debut in 2001.

He had campaigned for TDP in few districts in the last year’s elections but a road accident forced him to cut short his election tour.

TDP sources said the alliance would help Chandrababu Naidu to further cement his ties with the NTR family. In 2007, the former chief minister’s only son N. Lokesh had married Brahmani, daughter of popular actor N. Balakrishna, son of NTR.

Balakrishna too had campaigned for the TDP in 2004 elections while Junior NTR’s father Harikrishna is already a leader of TDP and member of the Rajya Sabha.

Naidu had led revolt against his father-in-law NTR in August 1995 with the support of Harikrishna and other family members. NTR, who had accused Naidu of back-stabbing him, died in 1996.

Ramanaidu Studios Is Tollywood's Tirumala?!

Ever since the Telugu film industry has begun to grow, there is also another family that grew with it. This is the noted Daggubati family and the key person behind that happens to be the movie mogul D Ramanaidu. He has spread his arms across various sectors and now it is being handled ably by his son. Apparently, the Ramanaidu studio is said to be in every aspect of the movie chain starting from the recording theatre to the dubbing theatre to the distribution and exhibition as well. In one line, anything that happens in film industry, there is the Daggubati family hand in all. The film nagar folks and many senior personalities say that Daggugati Suresh Babu has got a title and that is ‘Edukondalavadu’. Every movie that releases in Tollywood knowingly or unknowingly drops a few notes in his hundi. Given the fact that he has been running an empire with a keen vision for the future and an objective of dedication, the Ramanaidu studios is being called as Tollywood’s Tirumala.

SP Balu To Become DSP In 2010?

When it comes to some of the best playback singers in India, the name of S P Balasubramanyam stands first on the list. It is not only his seniority but his versatile talent that has been proved time and again. True to his efforts and contribution, a new buzz has begun making rounds. It is talked among many that the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award must be conferred to S P Balu for his works. A source reveals that his name is going to be forwarded for conferring the award in 2010. He has sung more than 40000 songs and his association with the industry is more than four decades. He crooned in various languages and no one has been able to beat that record. Balu is also known as ‘Sahasra Kantha Gaana Gandharva’ and many have nick-names his initials SP as Saraswathi Putrudu. Despite his age and experience, his energy levels have never gone down when he sings a song and it has the same pitch and melody that used to continue before. It is indeed genuine to confer SP Balu with DSP Award.