2009, an year of 'A' certified films in T'wood!!

Once priding itself on its saccharine sweet family flicks, Tollywood is busy treading on dangerous territory now. Getting bolder and wilder than ever, all the big Tollywood movies in 2009 had a generous amount of sleaze and gore, earning themselves an ‘A’ certificate. In fact, the Telugu film industry has created a record of sorts by releasing 30 ‘A’ certified movies in 2009. And surprisingly, all of them were box office successes, be it Arundhati Magadheera, Billa, Ek Niranjan or Aanjaneyulu.

Ask Tollywood filmmakers about their bold, new outlook and they claim that its time for a change. Shyam Prasad Reddy, producer of Arundhati, which got an ‘A’ certificate for it’s violent content, says, “Violence is an emotion and if the story demands it, we have to include it in a balanced manner. What the audiences want are stories with a different treatment. Arundhati wouldn’t have appealed to them without the violent scenes. So, I opted for an ‘A’ certificate instead of chopping those scenes.”
This new breed of filmmakers insist that an adult certification doesn’t affect their ticket sales. Producer Suresh Babu, says, “Many horror films and thrillers released this year and they were a hit. This is a testimony to the fact that the audiences don’t really care about the certifications. At the end of the day, it’s an individual decision.”
In fact, this ‘A’ certification has become a crowd puller of sorts, say film critics.

P. Sarath Kumar, member of censor board, says, “The ‘A’ certificate has become an added advantage. The young audiences expect to see bolder content now. Moreover, the filmmakers put up graphic horardings to publicise the film even before they send it for certification. So, by then the film generates a buzz and an ‘A’ certificate adds to it.

Censor board officials however, claim that adult certification will affect the satellite rights of the film. T.V.K. Reddy, regional director, censor board, says, “TV channels don’t buy ‘A’ certified films because of its violent and explicit content. If the filmmakers want to sell their movies for a better price, they have to delete objectionable scenes to get a ‘U’ rating.”

2009’s ‘A’ certified films:

Arundhati*

Magadheera*

Billa*

Aanjaneyulu*

Drona*

Sankham*

Rechipo*

Ek Niranjan*

Kurradu*

Amaravati*

Siddham*

Kasko

Junior NTR faces T-protests in the city!!

Actor Junior NTR faced protests from TRS activists at Hussaini Alam in Old city when he was shooting at Khursheedja College on Saturday. A few TRS activists reached the college premises at 2 pm and started raising slogans against the actor while he was shooting for his movie 'Brindavanam'.

The movie is being directed by Vamsi Paidipalli and produced by popular filmmaker 'Dil' Raju. Actress Kajal is the heroine in this film. Junior NTR was present in the college while the activists raised slogans against him. Producer Mr 'Dil' Raju said that TRS activists couldn't enter the college premises as local police were guarding the college and they completed shooting without any damage or trouble in the college premises.

"We had a fight sequence to be shot which is why we chose this college. Junior NTR was here for the shoot and we could complete our shoot. Though there were a few activists raising slogans, it was a minor incident and police could manage it." Mr Raju said when contacted.

Police officials said that they have not booked any case against the activists as they left the place after raising slogans against Junior NTR and his family for taking united AP stand. Cops said that since the college premises is huge and the shooting was taking place in a building far away from the main gate, the activists couldn't reach them.

" Today is the first day of this movie's shooting in our area. We knew that the film shooting was happening in the college. Since there were attacks on the other film shootings in the city since the past one week, we provided security for the shooting. The activists raised slogans against the actor and demanded him to support the separate Telangana state cause. We warned the activists and sent them away" said, Manzoor Hussain, SI, Hussaini Alam Police Station. The film unit claimed that they will not shoot in the college for the next few days due to Moharram festival and other disturbances in the city.

Maheshbabu's shooting set burnt by T-activists!!

After Mohanbabu and Allu Arjun, actor Mahesh Babu's shooting set was attacked by Telangana activists in Vikarabad of Rangareddy district. Though the shooting was called off just two days ago, the activists damaged the set and shooting equipment on Thursday. About 20 activists burnt the shooting set completely at around 11 am on Thursday. The movie is being directed by Trivikram Srinivas in which Mahesh Babu and actor Anuskha Shetty areplaying the lead roles.The movie is yet to be titled.

The movie shooting is on in Kirkitpally village in Vikarabad since the past 20 days. Vikarabad Police said that since the shooting was called off a couple ofdays ago fearing attacks on the crew, no one was injured in this attack.

"The crew stopped shooting here two days ago fearing attacks by Telangana activists. About 20 student activists burnt the shooting set completely damaged the equipment shouting Telangana slogans. We have so far not received any complaint from the producer or the crew on the attack." said Mr T Penchalaiah, Inspector, Vikarabad Police station.

Meanwhile, AP Film Chamber of Commerce, Movie artistes association, AP Film employes federation and Telugu film Producer's council has asked all the actors and film makers not to make any statement or declare their stand on the current issue in their individual capacity .

The chamber asked all the actors to keep mum as the issue is sensitive and the industry is being affected due to cancellation of film shootings.

"We are shocked at the attacks on the film shootings in the city. We request the government to provide us security to carry on our film shootings. Film industry has got nothing to do with politics. We request the political parties to control their activists. Lakhs of people are employed in this industry and people from all the regions watch movies. The industry has doesn't differentiate people based on their region. We also ask the actors to refrain from making statements in their individual capacity as it affects the film production" said Mr T Prasanna Kumar, secretary, Telugu film Producer's council.

Mohanbabu to join hands with Chiru for United Andhra Pradesh!!

Actor Mohanbabu said that he will join hands with PRP Chief Chiranjeevi to fight against KCR and to keep the state united. He has hit out at TRS Chief KCR once again and asked him to control his tongue. He expressed dismay at KCR's statement on Tuesday that he would cut his tongue if he says Hyderabad is his city. Mohanbabu doubted if the government exists in the state at all as it is not able to control goons in the city and expressed shock on KCR supporting the attack on his children.

Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam party too is likely to support the proposed 'Shanti Yatra' to be taken out by Mohanbabu provided he gets the permission from the government for the yatra. Interestingly, the two actors were at loggerheads with each other since a few years and had war of words at several film events. Chiranjeevi and Mohanbabu criticised each other during the recent 'Star night' programme organised by Movie artistes association to raise funds for flood victims. However, Mohanbabu said that he is willing to join hands with Chiranjeevi for'united Andhra Pradesh' cause.

"I am happy that Chiranjeevi supported me in united Andhra Pradesh cause and condemned the attack on my children. I am ready to join hands with him to keep the state united. I want all the Telugu people to stay united. I have been living in Hyderabad for the past 20 years andno one can ask me to leave this city. It is not just Chiranjeevi and me, the whole film industry should stand united and fight for this cause"Mohanbabu said.

"KCR should mind his language. He said that he will cut the tongue of anyone who claims Hyderabad to be his. I dare him to come to my house. How many people will he attack? I never asked for separate Rayalaseema though I hail from there. I will continue to fight against separatist elements." the actor added.

Interestingly, KCR made mockery of Mohan babu and his children on Tuesday. Mohanbabu while condemning the attack on 'Varudu' crew, said that there is no unity in the film industry on this issue. Movieartistes association has not even condemned the attack on film shootings in the city. Most of the actors have preferred not to take sides or comment on the current situation in the state.

Allu Arjun's film crew attacked by T-activists

After Mohanbabu's children, it was the turn of Allu Arjun, the nephew of Chiranjeevi to come under the attack of Telangana activists. About 30 ABVP activists on Tuesday attacked the crew of 'Varudu' at Hayatnagar near Ramoji Film City in which Allu Arjun is playing the lead role protesting Chiranjeevi's united Andhra Pradesh stand. ABVP activists who reached the shooting spot at Anajipur village near Indrasagar tank of Hayatnagar raised 'Jai Telangana' slogans and damaged the film shooting equipment. However, Allu Arjun and the heroine were not present on the shooting spot during the attack. The movie is being directed by Gunasekhar.

Activists broke the TV monitors that were present at the shooting spot. Sources said that as the shooting was almost complete and the director packed off for the day, the damage was limited.

"The actors were sent away to Sitara hotel in Ramoji Film city and shooting was called off just a few minutes before the activists reached the shooting spot. They asked us to sto p shooting immediately and damaged a few equipment. Fortunately no one was injured in this incident." said the film manager.Cops claimed that they have received a formal complaint from the shooting supervisor and are investigating the case. Inspector of Hayatnagar Police station said that since the cops knew of the attack just a few minutes before, they informed the crew and asked them to pack off which saved the actors.

"We called and told the crew about the possible attack on them by ABVP activists. We also immediately sent two of our constables to the spot. Since the only way to reach the shooting spot is to walk for about half a kilometre, it was tough for the activists also to attack them. No one was injured in the incident and we are investigating the case based on the complaint given by the film shooting supervisor." said Narasimha Reddy, Inspector, Hayatnagar Police station.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Kishan Reddy said that ABVP has got nothingto do with the attack on Allu Arjun's movie crew. Allu Arjun's father Allu Aravind and actor Mohanbabu condemned the attack on the crew and demanded the government to provide security to the film fraternity to shoot their movies in the city.

Actor Mohan Babu's children attacked by TRS

Telangana Rashtra Samithi activists on Tuesday attacked Telugu actor Mohan Babu's son Manchu Manoj and daughter Lakshmi Prasanna atKompally on a shooting spot. The TRS activists attacked them at the shooting of an untitled film being directed by K Raghavendar Rao in which Manchu Manoj is playing the lead role. The movie which is being produced by Laksmi Prasanna was being shot in a rented building in 'Canton Park' a gated community at Kompally in Pet Basheerabad when about 30 activists barged in at 11 am and started raising 'Jai Telangana' slogans .

The activists demanded Manoj and Lakshmi to leave the place immediately and broke the glass panes of the building.Police reached the shooting spot and sent the actors away safely from the venue. Interestingly, the attack happened two days after KCR hit out at Mohanbabu for supporting united Andhra movement. Actors Bramhanandam, M S Narayana, director K Raghavendar Rao and about 200 film crew were present at the shooting apart from Mohanbabu's kins during the attack. Though none of the actors were injured in this attack, Mohanbabu's family was shocked by the incident .

His daughter Lakshmi Prasanna alleged that the SI of Pet Basheerabad Mahesh Goud was in nexus with the attackers and behaved rudely with her."Our crew formed a human chain from the activists getting into the building. SI Mahesh Goud let the activists in and allowed them to attack ourcrew. The SI was very rude to me.Our still photographer, children and junior artistes were beaten up. Someone held my hand and tried to pull me which is when my brother Manoj pushed him away.Police failed to protect us. We couldn't shoot for the last two days due to this tense situation and now we shelved our shooting for the next four days.I am just doing my work and who are they to ask me to leave the city?" Lakshmi Prasanna said.

Mohanbabu became furious and said that Hyderabad is no one's personal property. He declared that he will continue shooting in the city and asked TRS Chief KCR not to instigate Telangana people. He said that Hyderabad belongs to Muslims and if that if 'outsiders' were to leave,everyone except Muslims should leave the city.

"Hyderabad is no body's ancestral property. This city belongs to everyone. How dare you attack my son and daughter. If you have guts come to my place. Film industry came to Hyderabad from Chennai because the then CM Chenna Reddy requested us to do so. Who are you (KCR) to ask me to leavethis city? There are 33 per cent Muslims in this city and they own this city. If outsiders are to leave this city, then only Muslims will stay in Hyderabad and everyone else should leave the city.I have adopted a village in Mahabubnagar district after the recent floods with the thought that we are all Telugu people. We have the right to work and stay anywhere we want and we will continue to shoot our movie in the city" Mohanbabu told the media personnel at his residence in Film nagar after the incident. He claimed that he has the right to express his views and reside and work anywhere in this country and is also willing to start United AP movement inthe city if one from each family in the city is willing to participate in it .Surprisingly, Pet Basheerabad Police filed cases under section 447, 323 and 427 on Lakshmi and Manoj for attacking the activists and local media.

Police officials said that they were shooting for the movie without their permission and the cases were filed on Mohanbabu's children under charges of attacking people and police."We never behaved rudely with Mohanbabu's daughter.We protected them from TRS activists and sent them away safely. I told Mohanbabu a few days ago not to shoot here as there are a lot of TRS activists residing in that gated community. But they didn't listen to me. Since Lakshmi Prasanna and Manoj beat up a few people there, we filed cases against them" said Mr Srinivas Reddy, Inspector, Pet Basheerabad. Mohanbabu and his children however rubbished the allegations of the cops that they attacked the Police.

RGV supports United Andhra Pradesh!!

Filmmaker Ramgopal Varma has pledged his support to the Vijayawada MP, Mr Lagadapati Rajgopal, who is agitating for a united Andhra Pradesh. Varma, wrote in his blog http://rgvzoomin.com/ that Mr Rajgopal was his junior in Sidhartha College in Vijayawada and that he was a sincere student leader who always helped his fellow students.
Varma said that he and his friends used to help and shield Mr Rajagopal whenever there were fights among student groups.

“After college I lost touch with him as I moved into the Mumbai film industry and except occasionally bumping into him at some function I never really met him. But today when I see him on TV in the eye of the political storm raging across Andhra Pradesh in the context of the Samaikhyandhra movement, I see exactly the same Rajgopal who I used to move around with 25 years ago,” Varma has written in his blog.
The ace director also narrated a few incidents about their college days which showed Mr Rajagopal as a leader. He claimed that though he doesn’t know anything about the current unrest in the state, he believes in a united Andhra Pradesh because Mr Rajgopal believes in it.

“I am neither into politics nor do I have any understanding of what the Samaikhya Andhra or the Telangana movement is really all about, but one thing Iwant to say now for sure is that if Rajgopal believes that Samaikhyandhra is good for Andhra Pradesh then I also believe in it because I believe in his sincerity and capability which I witnessed firsthand and I believe there can be no better sincere leader than Rajgopal.”

Telangana Film Chamber bans 'Saleem' and 'Arya2'

Nearly 200 movie theatres in the Telangana region have been screening Arya 2 starring Allu Arjun and Saleem starring Manchu Vishnu despite the “ban” imposed by the Telangana activists.



It was to express their outrage at the pro-united state stance taken by the Praja Rajyam chief, Mr K. Chiranjeevi, and actor Mohan Babu that films starring their kin were banned by the activists. Angry Telangana agitators have now asked these theatres also to stop screening the films or face the consequences.
Following this, Telangana film distributors and exhibitors on Monday formally decided not to screen Arya 2 and Saleem and about 500 theatres in the region also pledged not to screen the movie of any actor who supports the united state cause.
The decision came a day after the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, issued a statement against Telugu film actors who are supporting the ongoing united AP movement.


The Telangana Film Chamber of commerce decided not to screen films of these actors till the situation gets normal. “Telangana people are upset with Chiranjeevi and Mohan Babu,” said Mr Vijandar Reddy, president of Telangana Film Chamber of Commerce. “So the agitators have been attacking theatres. We will screen other movies in the place of these two films.”


Further, the chamber warned film-makers that they will not screen any movie which has an anti-Telangana tone or has derogatory dialogues agai-nst people from this region. It seems that until things simmer down, film lovers of the region will have to be content with English, Hindi and dubbed movies. Producers have already decided to stop all the movie releases this month.

Year long shootings, a trend in Tollywood now!!

Once known for its quick and efficient shooting schedules that wrapped up in less than two months, Tollywood is now heading the Bollywood way. Directors, in a bid to play safe, are stretching their shooting schedules for as long as two years, just so that they can release a “better product”.

And if this year’s top grossers are anything to go by, Tollywood is fast bidding goodbye to the quick, shoot-can-pack up method. While Arundhati and Magadheera were under production for more than two years, the more recent Arya2, Saleem, Aa Aaa Ee Eee and Leader boast of shooting schedules that extend up to a year and a half.

Daggubati Rana who is awaiting the release of his movie Leader, which was shot for over 18 months says, “A lot of attention is being paid to every minute detail. Earlier a project could be wrapped up in just 30 days. But now, the first schedule of a film itself goes on for a month. Everyone wants to offer quality films, so it is bound to take this long.”

Apart from this quest for quality, stars’ choc-a-block schedules also play a major factor in these delays, admit directors. Most of the films that are being shot over long periods of time boast of big names who have multiple films in their kitty.

Sukumar, who directed Arya2, explains that since Telugu films are high on action sequences, apart from songs and emotional drama, it takes time to shoot them.“It took us 140 days to shoot Arya2. The main reason for the prolonged shooting schedule is the fact that the film has a lot of masala. Besides, as directors we need a break between scenes since there is a lot of emotional variance in them,” Sukumar says. Actor Manchu Vishnu, who is gearing up for his much-delayed film Saleem, says that the film’s extended schedule could be attributed to the break he took for his wedding and his co-star Illeana’s injury.

“Moreover, the fact that we didn’t want to compromise on quality added to the delay. Since the stakes are high, we cannot afford to make blunders. We selected the best locations and shot shot the film for 85 days in Europe,” he adds

Thriller season in Telugu cinema

Tollywood is busy breaking the mould right now. Ditching family movie clichés, tried and tested love stories and run-of-the-mill action flicks, the Telugu film industry is now experimenting with whodunits. From Bhumika’s Amaravati to Genelia’s Katha, edge-of-the-seat thrillers have flooded the multiplexes this season.

Ravi Babu, director of Amaravati, who also directed another thriller, Anasuya, claims that he wanted to give the audience a break from the love stories that have become a staple in Tollywood.

“Suspense flicks have an edge over mainstream movies as they keep the audience guessing. Moreover, it gives you the licence to treat the plot in an unusual manner. Thrillers are also commercial viable as the audience who are tired of masala flicks will find them refreshing.”

The box office numbers is testimony to this. All the thriller flicks that are playing in theatres now are faring much better than their commercial counterparts. Katha, starring Genelia is running to full houses in theaters now, even as the much-hyped glossy flick, Saleem, bombed at the box office.

What’s more, with the genre just getting popular, the scope for evolution is great, feels Srinivas Raga, the director and story writer of Katha. “The Telugu film industry has not experimented much with suspense flicks. With apt casting and a gripping plot, thrillers can make for great movie-watching experiences.”

In fact, to make these relatively low-budget films more commercially viable, filmmakers are introducing that extra something to draw the audiences to the theatres. “Add a comedy track and a bit of family drama and the movie is sure to become a hit,” adds Srinivas.
Actors are only happy to exercise their histrionics in these films. Sindhura Gadde, who acted in the thriller Amaravati, will soon be seen in Killer.
“You get to prove your versatility through these films as they demand you to use a completely different set of expressions. It was a great experience acting in suspense flicks. Moreover, the younger audience enjoys thrillers too.,” says the actress.

Hollywood gets Telugu Avatar

If you thought English flicks dubbed in Telugu made for a hilarious movie watching experience, here’s a joke — Tollywood distributors who have bagged the dubbing rights for Hollywood movies are actually laughing their way to the bank. Surprisingly, the dubbed version of the blockbuster, 2012 which released in the state as 2012 Yugantham, grossed the second highest box office collections this year, next only to Magadheera!

2012 Yugantham raked in about Rs 3 crore in the Nizam area alone and is still running successfully across the state. While a few attribute its success to the buzz created around doomsday, many feel that films dubbed in Telugu are successful, thanks to the visual effects.

Vijandar Reddy, distributor and member of AP Film Chamber of Commerce, says,

“The mutliplex crowd may watch the English version, but youngsters in ‘B’ and ‘C’ centres will want to watch the Telugu version. Moreover, the hype surrounding the doomsday prophesy of 2012 had everyone curious.”

In fact, after the resounding success of 2012 Yugantham, there is a mad rush among Telugu film distributors to buy the dubbing rights of all big Hollywood films. New Moon from the Twilight series is releasing as Amavasya and Avatar released in Telugu with the same name. Tagore Madhu from Geetha Film distributors, who bought the dubbing rights for Avatar, claims that big budget English movies make great business here as local movie buffs enjoy the visual treat and the grandeur of these films.

“We are releasing Avatar in Telugu in about 125 theatres across the state. James Cameroon spent about Rs 2,400 crore on this film while here the costliest movie remains Magadheera, made with Rs 40 crore. Telugu movies cannot offer such special effects. I am sure we will make profits in less than a week.”

Local distributors buy the dubbing rights of English, Chinese and films from other languages for anywhere between Rs 4 lakh to Rs 4 crore, depending on the hype surrounding the movie. Producers consider investing in these movies a safer bet than putting their money in local films. Film critic P. Sarath Kumar attributes this craze for dubbed films to the lack of creativity in Telugu movies. “Most of our movies are remakes of English flicks. No wonder then that audiences prefer watching the original dubbed in Telugu rather than watching copies. Telugu film makers need to offer something new to draw people to the theatres,” he adds.

"Marriage has not affected my career" says Bhumika

In Tollywood, which is a hallmark for hero worship, Bhumika Chawla has managed to bag quite a number of 'female oriented roles' and movies that have stories revolving around her charecter. From 'Missama' to 'Anasuya' and now Amaravati, she is perhaps the only actress in the industry who manages to bag roles in heroine oriented films. While she considers herself lucky to have got such roles, Bhumika claims that the attitude of heroes is also changing and there is a growing acceptance among them to act in heroine oriented movies.

"Its just destiny and I am happy to get to act in movies with the story revolving around my charecter.There is now growing acceptance among heroes towards such films. It will take some more time for it that reluctance to fade completely" says Chawla who is busy shooting for another female oriented movie 'Kotha Bandham' and five other movies in her kitty. The actress who has been doing about two films an year in Telugu claims that it is just coincidence that she is acting in so many films all of a sudden.

"I am now doing about five films in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi. It is not a concious deciscion to act in so many films at the same time. It is just that all the things happened at the same time and we are shooting for them" the actress says who is eagerly awaiting the release of 'Naam' in Hindi where she starred with Ajay Devagan. Bhumika who created buzz in Bollywood with her blockbuster 'Tere Naam' with Salman hasn't had a similar hit in North ever since.

While she says she didn't get too many exciting roles from Mumbai ever since, she vows never to leave Tollywood for any other industry."I did seven films in Hindi after Tere Naam. Most of them didn't click much may be also because the media judges the movie pre release. I didn't get too many exciting roles there and a few contracts didn't work out too. You don't get superhits every day. I have no regrets. As long as I act, I will continue doing films in Tollywood.I am living out of Mumbai and Hyderabad. I won't treat Tollywood audience like stepping stones and move on. Tollywood audience loved me and I will never stop acting in Telugu" claims Chawla who is one of the few actresses in the industry with fan base at par with heroes.

Bhumika claims that her choice of 'non-exposing' roles as an actress pre-marriage has helped her continue her acting career even after the marriage. She also continues to give tough fight for younger actresses in the industry and attributes 'live life for today and calm' attitude to her looks.

"Marriage is not a hinderance to my acting career. My husband Bharat Thakur never interferes in my work. When I have to take a deciscion, I discuss it with him and I take the final deciscion.He has been very supportive.I don't think marraige makes a difference in acting career these days. Kajol and Juhi continue to act even today. I don't have a problem because I have not done roles which need revealing clothes or exposing.So, my marriage hasn't affected my choice of roles and films"she declares.Infact she plays a perfect wife to her husband and supports him in his every venture.

Though her husband's 'Mayanagar' magazine closed its operations recently, she says she is still proud of him."My husband is spiritual yoga guru and a businessman. He started the newspaper and it didn't do well. Sometimes in life, things work out really well and a few don't. I am still proud of him and I as a wife support him in whatever he does" she says in the garb of a wife.

" My body is a temple and I worship it "

Tollywood's favourite bubbly girl Genelia D'Souza has raised quite a few eyebrows with her latest film 'Katha', an intense supense thriller inwhich she played the role of a 'traumatised girl'. Genny who is known for her bubbly girl image claims that she is proud to have acted in this film and admits that she had to come out of her 'comfort zone' to play this role.


"I was initally scared to play this role as it had so many emotions in this film. I play the role of a traumatised girl who lost her parents.I had to behave like pyschological ill patient and it had me in a charecter never seen before. I have been getting rave reviews for my performance on twitter too. Actors can't get such roles even if they plead and beg for it. I am fortunate to have bagged this role and I am proud that I did this charecter" Genny says.


Infact, she shared the screen space with a debutant actor Arun in this film who plays the hero.While most actresses in the industry are particular about whom they are going to be cast with and throw starry tantrums, Genelia says its nice that she still suits well when being paired with freshers.
"I have done movies with senior actors. For me story matters the most. It doesn't matter whom I am being cast with as long as the script is strong and I have a full length role to play.Its infact a compliment to be able to pair well with any actor and that I suit " says Genelia who is acting with Ram Charan Teja in her next movie.While her Tollywood fanbase and acting career is intact, she is also doing well for herself in Bollywood. Genelia is keeping her fingers crossed for 'Chance Pe dance' with Shahid Kapoor. Though the actress didn't have a major hit to her credit in North after her 'Aditi' role in Jane Tu, she says she is fine with it as long as she doesn't vanish completely from the industry.


"Charecters and hits like 'Adithi' in 'Jane Tu ' and Hasini in Bommarillu don't come often. Getting that kind of success always is impossible. My movies are doing farely well and as long as I don't collapse completely and people hate me, I am fine with the way my career is going now.For now, I am eagerly awaiting the release of Chance Pe Dance and people loved our pairing where I play the role of a woman behind a successful man." she explains.

For an industry where the on screen life span of actresses is not more than three years, Genelia has consolidated her position as one of the most sought after actress since the past 5 years.

The secret she claims is "Girls need to look glamorous in the movies. But I don't over do it andI don't do roles that have vulgarity in it. Body is a temple and I believein worshipping it. People come to theatres to watch actors and they should be able to relate to the actor. More so female audience want to be like the heroine. I strike the right balance between glamour, fashion and reality which is why I could sustain for five years and am still getting the best roles" she says the actor who attributes eight hours sleep, enough food and ever lasting smile to her young look.

Telangana stir stops T'wood releases

Telugu film industry is contemplating to stop all the movie releases this month due to the political unrest in the state.Telugu film industry producer's council which met on Wednesday following the attack on theatres screening Allu Arjun's Arya-2, RamCharan Teja's Magadheera and Manchu Mohan Babu and his sonVishnu's film ' Saleem' by Telangana agitators, has discussed the possibility of postponing all the movie releases to next month.


The Producers council will hold a meeting with exhibitors, distributors and other stake holders on Thursday to take a final decision on postponingthe movie releases.'Adurs' starring Junior NTR and 'Leader' starring Daggubati Rana aretwo big films slated to release this month. About 10 other smaller films are also ready for release before the end of this month. Sources confirmed that actor Mohan Babu who declared his support to 'United Andhra Pradesh' following which there have been attacks on theatres screening his film' Saleem' wants to stop screening the film too.

Theatres are expected to screen old popular movies, small budget and non Telugu films in theatres across the state till the end of this month.
"There is political unrest in the state and people are not coming to theatres to watch films. The collections have dropped drastically and it doesn't make sense to release movies in such turbulent times. Producers met today and decided not to release any films this month. There is yet another meeting with exhibitors and distributors on Thursday tofinalise the details" said Mr Vijandar Reddy, member, AP Film Chamber of commerce.


"This is a very sensitive issue. We haven't taken a final decision onpostponing the movie releases as yet. Its a business that involves crores of rupees and lots of efforts. A few producers have brought up the idea of postponing the releases as the situation in the state is tense. We will take the final decision on Thursday" said Mr Shyam Prasad Reddy, President, AP Film Producer's Council.


Meanwhile, actor Mohanbabu who pledged his support to United Andhra Pradesh has declared that he will go on hunger strike at Tirupati against the separation of the state."The attacks on theatres is the handiwork of some miscreants. I am for United Andhra Pradesh. I want the state to stay united. Attacks on theatres cause loss to a lot of people from all the regions in the state. I am now not with any political party and am going to sit on hunger strike at Tirupati for the United state cause" said Mohan Babu.

While many actors refused to comment on the attack on theatres fearing backlash from Telangana agitators, senior film makers claimed that they will not shift their base from Hyderabad though Telangana state isformed.
" It is foolish for agitators to attack the films of family members of Chiranjeevi and Mohanbabu just because they declared their stand. We are here to entertain people. We are not doing any anti social activity. Our movies are regional and I don't think anyone should have a problem with it. We will continue to operate from Hyderabad despite the formation of a separate state" said Mr Thammareddy Bharadwaja, senior Film maker.

"I wore bikini to show my otherside"

Soon after her national award winning performance in Tamil blockbuster 'Paruthiveeran', Priyamani set the screen ablaze in bikini in 'Drona' starring Nitin, demonstrating the versatile roles she has played.The actress who is perhaps one of the busiest stars in the industry now,is the most sought after star for performance oriented roles.Priyamani says, she has certainly become more cautious after bagging the national award.


"I am very choosy with my subjects and I am not on a signing spree. People certainly expect something exciting from me after I bagged the national award. I have to live upto that name as a national award winner and not let my directors and fans down. I am also carefullly choosing my roles and trying to strike a balance between commercial movies and performance oriented roles now. I am yet to come across a script that is as heavy and performance oriented as Paruthiveeran" says this 25 year old actress.


She may be winning critical acclaim for her performance but she hasn'thad a box office blockbuster in Telugu after 'Yamadonga' in 2007. While admitting that her movies were a flop, she says the success of the film is beyong her control.
"I give my 100 per cent to every film I do. When the director narrates the script it sounds great. But the end result may not be as good as it is explained by the director. Things could go wrong in editing or anywhere. There are so many factors for the failure of a film. All films can'tbe blockbusters. All I can do is to put in my best efforts. I don't have the control on the end result of the film. I am now doing two films 'Sambho Shiva Sambho' with Ravi Teja and 'Sadhyam'. I am sure, they will resurrect my position in the industry as I look totally different in these films" hopes this actress who has worked in all the South Indian industries and claims Tollywood to be 'richer' than anyother industry, thanks to its bigger market.


"I can't compare one industry with the other.They are different and got to play good charecters in all the languages. Telugu is certainly richer industry than that of others as it has huge market. But I am comfortable doing films in all the languages" she says diplomatically. Priyamani says she is 'content' with the charecters she got to play in Telugu an industry which is known to include actresses in the movies only to run around trees.
"The roles I have played have been good enough and I got to do fair amount of performance oriented roles.Fortunately my charecters werenot one of those running around trees types. I got equal amount of screen space as that of heroes. I will take up a project only if my charecter has significance in the story

"Is her bikini act in 'Drona' an attempt to silence the critics who slot heras an actor fit to perform only a particual genre of films?
"When my director insisted that I wear bikini for 'Drona', I was a little hesitant. But he told me that it would be shot stylishly like Kareena in Tashan.I also wanted to show my other side to the audience and readily agreed. It created sensation of the sorts and whenever I came to Hyderabad those days, I got to see it being played on TV in airport. It was very funny and I got mixed reactions from the audience for wearing bikini. I took the feedback positively and I proved myself fit to look glamorous too"


This Palakkad girl has also raised many eyebrows for bagging a role in Maniratnam's much talked about 'Raavan'.Many observes claim this to be her gateway to Bollywood. But the actress says she prefers to take it as it comes. "If Raavan clicks and I get good scripts to act in Bollywood, I will take it up. For me it is just another industry with wide range of audience and bigger market.If the roles are exciting only then I will take them up. Otherwise, I am fine with our South Indian industry

"Infact Bollywood diva Vidya Balan is the cousin of Priyamani. The actress says though she has never spoken to Vidya, she is 'proud' of her.

"Vidya is a fabulous actor and I am proud of her. Her grandfather was my grandpa's brother. Her dad keeps in touch with my dad. But we haven't spoken as yet. I am proud of her performance" quips the actor who has evaded rumours of her link ups with her strategic silence."I have had fair share of rumours of affairs with co-stars and directors.In this industry, we are bound to be written about and I take it with a pinch of salt.The more you try to explain about it, the worse it gets. I don't comment or respond to such rumours and just neglect them"she signs off.

Manchu Vishnu-most honest actor I have ever met.

Call it the afterglow of marital bliss or his need to re-establish himself after a spate of flops, but Vishnu Manchu is geared up to to wow audiences with an all new look and a new perspective to match. Back on the big screen after a hiatus of one year, the actor is treading cautiously now.



“After Dee went on to become a super hit, I thought my next film, Krishnarjuna, will strengthen my position in Tollywood, but it bombed. Now I’ve become choosy. The audience doesn’t give you too many chances,” says Vishnu, who is busy showing off his fit look in his film Saleem.

“I put on a lot of weight as my earlier characters demanded it. But everyone started calling me fat and I decided to prove them wrong. Now I’m back in shape,” he quips.Vishnu has more than one reason to be excited about his comeback. In Saleem, he will be seen fighting against his dad, Mohan Babu, who plays a baddie.


“It is tough to act with a man of his stature. I had to constantly fight for my screen presence and I knew that we’d inevitably be compared every time we are in the same frame. I learnt a lot too. My dad is punctual and disciplined, even though he’s a prankster,” says Vishnu.

It doesn’t take long for the actor to veer away from all subjects related to his work and start talking about his wife, Viranica. Touted to be the ‘Abhi-Ash’ of Tollywood, the very-much-in love couple who have been married for a year now, are spotted at every event together.
“For three years when we were seeing each other, I had to hide Vinni from the world. I used to steal time in between my schedules to meet her. But after we got married, I wanted to give her all my time,” says Vishnu. In fact, Viranica has taken an active interest in his professional life too.

“The credit for my new look goes to Vinni, who designs costumes for me. She has good taste and ever since she has been styling for me, I’ve been receiving many compliments,” says the proud husband. Vishnu is quite the proud sibling too. His younger brother Manoj, is considered more successful of the two. Vishnu however, claims there is no bad blood between them,

“The audience will compare us, but the industry is a large one and every one can have their share here. Manoj is a brilliant actor and I regard him as my only competition in the industry.”