Tollywood blamed for piracy

The call to shut down the Telugu film industry by actors, filmmakers, script writers and technicians pledging to fight video piracy, has highlighted their demand that the government pass stricter laws to fight a menace eating into their profit. But city movie buffs say that the main cause of video piracy is the high cost of movie tickets and late release of DVDs in the market.Actors Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, NTR, Bhumika Chawla, Navdeep, Ram, Allu Arjun, Naga Chaitanya have pledged their support to producer Yalamanchili Ravichand who is on a hunger strike. They have demanded the government clamp down on piracy.

Fans, however, say the film industry should do its bit to address the real cause for piracy.“I don’t support piracy at all and prefer to watch the movie in a theatre. But the onus on the industry is to reduce the cost of watching a movie in the theatre. Many people can’t afford to watch a film in theatres given the ticket price. If they reduce the price, people will not buy pirated CDs anymore says Siddharth Manohar, a movie buff and working professional.

Surpiya Jagarlamudi, a student of mass communication, says it is amusing to watch stars like NTR and Nagarjuna fight to ‘save the film industry’ while charging sky high remunerations. “These actors make one movie once every two or three years charging hefty amounts. They don’t compromise on that. They should fight to reduce movie ticket prices,” she says.However, film personalities say it is not viable for theatres to slash ticket prices.

“The ticket prices in theatres were Rs 20 a decade ago. Now the highest price in stand-alone theatres is Rs 50. The average income has gone up at least four times in the last decade but theatres only doubled the prices. The cost of producing a film has increased and ticket prices are reasonable given increasing maintenance cost,” defends Thammareddy Bharadwaja, member Telugu film producers’ council. He says nothing can justify piracy. “We provide entertainment at the most reasonable price.”

However, filmmakers acknowledge releasing DVDs earlier and at a lower cost could reduce piracy. Suresh Babu, a senior producer who runs several theatres in the state, says filmmakers are keen to release movie DVDs early at a lower cost. “But pirated CDs are released at even lower costs. We have a list of pirated CD makers and sellers in the city against whom several cases are booked,” he said. If the government arrests them immediately, filmmakers could release movie DVDs by the third or fourth week after movies hit the screen, says Suresh.

"Tollywood will remain my priority" Samantha

In an industry where directors try and launch a fresh face with every new film, 22-year-old Samantha’s impressive debut, Yem Maya Chesave has already garnered her an enthusiastic fan following and two film deals. But, she knows sustaining her success will be a challenge.

“I don’t plan for the future. I am very pessimistic and don’t want to be disappointed if my plans don’t materialise. For now my career is fine and I’m getting meaty roles. I plan to sign only those films that offer me a character I can relate to,” asserts the actress who recently signed a film with NTR Jr. and Mahesh Babu after her critically acclaimed act in YMC.
Samantha wants to meticulously craft a career that ensures a long on-screen innings in Tollywood.

She reportedly turned down an offer to act with Ram Charan Tej citing lack of dates. While most heroines are confined to glam-doll roles, she has a ‘checklist’ before she green lights a project — the script, the director’s potential, her character and the scope for performance. “It is the director who makes superstars. I didn’t even know how to carry off a sari. Gautam Menon gave me that confidence. The director’s potential is of key importance.”
But acting was never the first choice for this B.Com graduate from Chennai. “I always wanted to get into business and was interested in shares and stocks.” It was the chance to meet her favourite director that got her hurtling on the path to stardom, “I am a fan of Gautam Menon. I went for the audition just to see him. I never thought I’d be selected.”

Despite her Tamil debut, Banakathadi slated to release, Samantha is clear that Tollywood will always be her priority, “Telugu audiences have liked me. I owe a lot to these fans and it is my responsibility to act in this industry. Besides, Tollywood here is more chilled out and professional compared to the workaholic Tamil industry. I have fallen in love with Hyderabad. T’wood will be my priority.”

From the girl-next-door to overnight stardom, it’s been a daunting leap and Samantha frowns on rumours of her diva behaviour, “Since the success of my film YMC, there are a lot of expectations from me to sustain that success. Personally, I have not changed after I’ve become a star but I find it difficult to understand the things that come with stardom. Some people judge me, write things, twist words and change the meaning of what I’ve said. I am yet to understand why,” says the rising star who relies on her friends to keep her grounded.

"First lip-lock embarrassed me"

High expectations and preconceived notions about his acting may have nixed his debut film Josh, but Naga Chaitanya’s second chance at fame, Yem Maya Chesave, might just be his redemption. Hailing from a family of actors and bearing the additional pressure of being Nagarjuna’s son did not win him an easy ride into the film industry, says this 22-year-old.

“There were too many expectations resting on my first movie. The audience perhaps expected Josh to be a typical commercial cinema and I didn’t give them that, which is why it didn’t do well,” reflects Naga Chaitanya, who also blames his “subtle” acting for the flop.
“I underplayed in a lot of scenes in my first movie and it looks like I have no expressions. I realise now that we need to be more expressive in South Indian cinema. Critics tell me that I have improved my acting to a great extent with Yem Maya Chesave. I will have to be a more energetic actor in my next film.”

While he can’t avoid the comparisons, Chaitanya says he cannot complain about the pressure that comes with being the son of an established actor and grandson of a veteran performer. “It comes with the turf. I look at the expectations from my dad’s fans as an advantage. It keeps me on my toes and helps me perform better.”
Wary of being typecast as a lover-boy, Chaitanya is gearing up to act in an action thriller next. And while making career moves of this kind, he says he does take his father’s opinion, not because it is mandatory, but since he trusts his experience and judgement. “My dad gives me complete freedom to decide on the script and the kind of cinema I should do. Nevertheless, I make sure he is a part of every script listening session, because he has great experience in the industry. He doesn’t interfere in my movies, but throws in a few suggestions and tips on acting. He never comes to the sets and I am given a lot of independence in crafting my career,” he says.

Ask him about actor Raja’s recent allegations that star kids have an edge over actors like him with no god fathers in the industry and Chaitanya says, “I can’t help it if my family has been in the film industry for over 60 years. It might have given me an easy debut and I may get more films, despite my failures. But the audience today is demanding. They don’t care which family the actor comes from. All the audience wants is performance. If the actor can’t prove himself, they will reject him completely,” believes Chaitanya, who is already making headlines for his numerous lip-lock scenes with actress Samantha in his latest release.
“The first lip-lock was shot in New York where no one really cared. Honestly, I was embarrassed at first, but before we knew it, the shot was over. The scenes look natural,” he quipped.

Ram's personal website was hacked

Ram, who recently started his website http://www.heroram.com/ to keep in touch with his fans, was rudely shocked when this site was hacked two days ago. The website, which has had more than 75,000 hits, was launched with the intention of getting rid of fake profiles on social networking websites. Ram used to constantly update it with news of his events and business decisions. However, when the website was hacked, Ram’s blog was deleted by the hacker.

“When I tried to log into the website, the system crashed. I later realised that the hacker had deleted important posts in my blog,” says Ram, who is planning to take up the case with the cyber cops in a bid to nab the hacker. After this incident, Ram updated the security of his website to prevent further such incidents

Exams and IPL make it an off-season for T'wood releases

The industry normally releases at least two big budget movies each month, but this time around most movie makers are unwilling to release films as they believe footfalls will be low. Producers are planning a mid-summer release after the IPL mania has died down and exams are done with.

“I went to a theatre in the city yesterday and there was only one ticket sold. It is shocking but the reality is that parents don’t turn up in theatres as their kids have exams. Youngsters obviously don’t turn up because of exams and IPL matches. It doesn’t make business sense releasing movies until the end of this month,” says Sreedhar Reddy, director of Snehageetham, who has completed filming and will release the movie next month.

More than eight lakh students are appearing for their intermediate and Class X exams this month and IPL’s third season hits the screens this week. With most movie scripts centred around youngsters, producers see little sense in releasing films now.
Allu Arjun’s Varudu and Varun Sandesh starrer Maro Charitra have completed shooting schedules, but the films will grace the screens only this month-end.

Movies such as Sontha vooru, Malli Malli and Manorama starring Charmee, which released last year during the IPL season had bombed at the box office. So this time around, the IPL has been labelled ‘off-season’ for film releases by the Telugu film industry.

“IPL and exams are two big factors for sure. Our movie has a lot of youth content and we don’t think it is a good idea to release it when youngsters are busy with something else. We also have to take the opinion of distributors, check the availability of theatres and then take the final decision,” says RK who produced Andari Bandhuvaya starring Sharwananad and Padmapriya.

Though a few small budget as well as some B and C grade films will release this month, they are doing so as they fear theatres may not release their films later due to stiff competition from big flicks after the exams and IPL. Vijandar Reddy, member of AP Film chamber of commerce, confirms,

“Only small budget movies like Tejam and Sneham will release this season. These movies would otherwise not find takers at multiplexes.” Industry sources say filmmakers who have already announced their film’s release at the month-end, may postpone the date if the Deccan Chargers fare well in the IPL series.

Smart producers have timed the release of their films in the last week of March immediately after the examinations as most students head straight for the movies after their exams. “To an extent, exams and IPL affect collections. So we are releasing the film right after the last day of the exams and we are sure it will keep us in a comfortable position,” says N.M. Pasha, creative producer of Maro Charitra.

Post-IPL releases
* Varudu starring Allu Arjun,

* Maro Charitra starring Varun Sandesh

* Simha starring Balakrishna

* Darling with Prabhas in the lead.

T-men disrupt Balayya's film shooting

A group of Telangana activists disrupted the shooting of actor Balakrishna’s film at Kesara in Ranga Reddy district on Monday.

The Telangana Rashtra Samiti activists raised “Jai Telangana” slogans and disrupted the shooting at about 11 am at Rampallidayara village. The movie titled Simha, featuring Balakrishna and Sneha Ullal, is slated to hit the screens next month. Both Balakrishna and Sneha were not present on the sets when the activists raised slogans.

The TRS activists said they will not allow Balakrishna to shoot in the Telangana region if he did not pledge his support to the demand for Telangana state.
“After the shooting of the film had ended, we needed a village backdrop for some scenes. Hence, we had chosen a nearby village. However, the TRS workers came here and began shouting slogans. We had to call off the shooting,” said Mr Boyapati Sreenu, the director.
Meanwhile, police said that the film unit did not take permission for the shooting.

“The film unit did not inform us or take our permission. However, when we got to know of the incident, we got there and dispersed the activists,” said Mr Bhadreshwar, inspector.

"I am a shy guy" says Mickey

A two time Nandi award winner in his six year career as a music director, Mickey J Meyer is all gearing up to recreate his magic combination with Shekhar Kammula in the upcoming movie 'Leader'. Mickey's music for Shekhar'a Happydays remained one of the biggest chartbusters in Telugu film industry.

About half a dozen movie albums old Mickey who is 'elated' working with Shekhar yet again says he doesn't mind being branded as a music director of a particular camp as long as he is being associated with top director. "Best of my music came from Shekhar Kammula's film.He hardly interfers in the music and only gives his final verdict on my compositions. He trusts my judgement and gives me the freedom. He is willing to sacrifice his liking for a certain kind of music if I feel my composition will work in the movie. With Shekhar, I am the boss.I don't mind if people say I am from a particular camp as long as I get to work with talented and top directors." Mickey quips. This 28 year old Hyderabadi who will debut in Bollywood soon with the Hindi remake of Happydays this year maintains a distance from publicity and media unlike other music composers who are even debuting as actors in movies.

Critics claim that his 'low profile' is a deterrant in bagging big offers. Mickey however says he is basically a shy guy and will let his music speak on his behalf. "I am a shy guy and it is natural for me to stay away from public appearances and publicity.There are music directors who can dance and sing on the stage for hours.It is not bad to market oneself by dancing and singing on the stage but it doesn't come naturally to me.I will allow my music to speak for itself" says Meyer who is gearing up to give stage shows soon aka A R Rahman.

Mickey who just finished composing music for 'Maro Charitra' in Telugu, is banking on Happydays remake for his entry into Bollywood, says he will compose music for the movies only if there is scope for it in the script."I will sign a movie only if the script has scope for music. Music should be able to carry the script along and there should be purpose for songs in movies. Otherwise having songs for the heck of it doesn't make sense to me" he declares. There is a serious allegation on the Tollywood music directors that they give better music to films they are paid more for.

Does he agree with that?"It is not true that we give better music to films that pay us more.It is just a matter of timing and creativity.For instance, the best of A R Rahman came with Maniratnam. So, the quality of music depends on the director and the script, but not on the money"

This young music composer from Trinity college of music attributes 'second guessing' attitude of Tollywood directors to lacklustre music in Telugu movies. "Most often directors here are bound by certain rules and second guess what audience like.Thankfully, I have done low key movies and had the flexibility to give my compositions without interferences.If it is a big star's movie, it would have been a problem. Directors here should not stick to their notions and start making music for the audience" Meyer opines.