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.”