Curious case of Telugu cinema...

It was February, 2010. I wrote a full page article for a newspaper I was working for, on stereotypical films being made in Telugu film industry.I lynched story writers and heroes on lack of creative ideas. In the article, I quoted film producers who suffered massive losses in the past one and a half year.The article won appreciation from friends and colleagues.

Tired of continuous work, I decided to take a break from Tollywood for a week.Me and my friend decided to backpack to Haridwar, Rishikesh and Gangotri. At Delhi, we got on to a Uttarakhand state transport corporation bus to Haridwar.All sorts of people were in this bus.Dhant Manjan sellers, astrologers, second hand electronic goods sellers, baba followers, engineering students,firangs in search of salvation...all headed to Haridwar for the Kumbhmela.

After gazing at each of them for some time for some entertainment, I fell asleep.The bus passed through the dusty roads of Uttarpradesh and Uttarakhand.The fabric of people traveling in this bus started changing from midly violent to aggressively intolerant as the journey progressed.

I woke up at a dusty stop for chai .That small town seemed to have had half of the dust in the world.It had the power to instantly kill an asthma patient. Beyond the dusty road, I could vaguely see a theatre and people lined up.I was curious to see which hero's film did these people line up for.

I got off the bus and walked closer to the theatre.I saw the posters of the movie up for screening.I rubbed my eyes to re read it.I was surprised.It had Junior NTR, Genelia and Shriya Saran on the poster.The title was 'Main Hoon Gambler...' something i vaguely register.It referred to NTR as 'He-man fighter'. I was bowled over.

For the next half of the journey, I saw posters of Mahesh Babu, Jnr NTR, Gopichand, Allu Arjun, Jagapathibabu and Srikanth in several small towns that passed by.The posters had obscure titles.Most of the titles had Khiladi, Chor, Raja, Khatra, Sikandar as common words.

In many seven seater autos I got into at Rishikesh or Haridwar, fellow tourists from Maharashtra and Rajasthan played 'Aakalesthe Annam Pedatha..','Adhara kottu...' 'Aa Ante Amalapuram'...on their music players.

I didn't find a logical answer to why direct and dubbed Telugu films appealed to these people.The reach of our dubbed films was wider than I had imagined.On one hand the industry suffers huge losses and on the other she wins new admirers up north ..I continue to wonder if we are progressing or regressing.


At one of my family functions in Karnataka later last year, 'Ringa..Ringa' was hot favourite.At NIFT campus in Hyderabad dominated by Bihar students , Ringa Ringa is campus anthem. On my journey to Hassan district, I striked a conversation with a waiter in a road side eatery.He and his friends had hired a truck to attend Chiranjeevi's party launch rally in Tirupati two years ago.

In another incident, my colleague's cousin from Kerala travelled all the way to Hyderabad just to see Allu Arjun at a public meeting.

Every time I see Uttarpradesh lining up, Orissa and Rajasthan sway for mass Telugu numbers, Uttarakhand poster up our heroes and Karnataka taken over by Telugu cinema, I feel proud. The cynic in me dies.The victim of bad films in me forgives.The critique of cliche content calms down.


We are an industry of N T Ramarao, ANR, S V Ranga Rao. Of Vittalacharya, LV Prasad, Nagireddy, C Pullaiah. Of Bhanumati, Savitri, Dasari, Shobhan Babu and Krishna. Of Ghantasala, SP Balasubramaniam, Susheela, Janaki and Jikki.Of Bapu, Vamsi, Jandhyala and EVV. Of Chiranjeevi, Nagarjuna, Balaiah and Venkatesh. Of Sharada, Satyanarayana, Rao Gopal Rao, Paruchuri and Bramhanandam. Of RGV, Jayapradha, Jayasudha, Sridevi and Vijayashanti.Filmnagar houses an endless list of brand ambassadors who ventured into newer places and conquered them. She has more market to exploit, more fans to win, more territories to occupy and boundaries to expand.

With 30 heroes,30 comedians over 1,200 screens and 210 films an year she looks larger than Bollywood.

What I like the most about Telugu film industry is its innocent love for the medium of cinema. After Anaganaga Oo Dheerudu, this industry has not stopped making films. After Veera, they have not gone out of business. After Saleem, they haven't sat home. After Marocharitra the production houses didn't shut down. KSD Appalraju didn't stop distributors from buying films. Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi film industries may be equally or more talented than Telugu cinema in a few ways but can never match her in her entrepreneurial spirit.

However, I have mixed feelings about Telugu film industry's future.When I look at box office collections of superhit films, I am optimistic of Telugu cinema's future.When I think of the monopoly in film exhibiting system in Tollywood, I am pessimistic.Hundreds of theatres are in the hands of five people.Of the 30 heroes, 25 are from film families.Industry unfortunately works on 'Caste'ing rather than on 'Casting'.This monopoly is dangerous for a creative industry.Telugu cinema is a fan driven industry and movies are hero centric as against story centric.We need to graduate to being 'audience' driven industry with story as the hero if we have to uphold the glitz of her golden past.


Every time she is bruised with an utter flop and I am worried of her,Telugu cinema tells me

"Don't worry a Magadheera will soon be born to save me.I will continue my Dhookudu again.... I am Telugu cinema...Neninthe!!


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An Enigma called Pawan Kalyan!!

Months after I stopped blogging thanks to my laziness, I decided to write again.The motivation was Pawan Kalyan's 'Panjaa' audio launch.
Before you could conclude me as Pawan Kalyan fan, let me disclaim:I have been a biggest critique of Pawan until what I saw at the audio launch of his film 'Puli'.
I remember driving down to HICC Convention centre in Madhapur to cover the audio launch.It was a lazy day.I wasn't too excited but was curious to see Pawan Kalyan. A kilometre before HICC, I saw a huge group of youngsters walking.
As I reached closer to HICC, the groups started getting bigger.By the time my car reached the main gate of the venue, the crowd size was unbelievable.I wondered who they were and why they all walked and where to.

The first major shock hit me when a few of them peeped into every car that passed by.A lot of them were not allowed to enter the main gate. Cops pushed them away to make way for cars entering the venue. After the security check, I parked my car and walked towards the main entrance.What I saw then was unforgettable.Thousands of youngsters stood in the line to get into HICC.I boast myself as a journalist who covered hundreds of events.I have never ever seen something like this.

Public relations head Mr.B A Raju spotted me looking at the crowd bewildered.He escorted me in.I was still dazed and wide eyed unwilling to believe that so many people could come for a hero who hasn't had a big hit for a long time.A youngster found press pass in my hand and came up to me.He requested me to give him the pass.I explained that it was no more valid because I am already inside.He said he wants to go back to his hometown Vizianagaram and flaunt it in his village.I asked him if he really came from Vizianagaram for this audio launch.He nodded and there was no need for him to lie to a stranger like me.Bang, second shock!

As I entered the hall, I was in third stage of Power shock.The auditorium was full.A R Rahman had just arrived.When his arrival was announced, the crowd cheered and that sound strolled me back to reality from the shock.The then Chief Minister Rosaiah was to be the chief guest for that event.

Even as the compere was struggling to find space between the screams of the audience to announce something, the LED screens in the hall showed Pawan Kalyan's entry.
What followed then blew my mind off.For the next ten minutes, I could only hear 'Power star... Power star'' and something that sounded like a wave.I looked back at the crowd and found most of them standing on their seats trying their luck to find Pawan Kalyan walking in.
Minutes later Chief Minister Rosaiah came in.After the usual 'oh this is a great movie' lines, CM Rosaiah said, 'I am a fan of Chiranjeevi'.For the next few minutes CM couldn't talk.We only heard a massive wave sound again.This was an experience to experience.I looked at other journalists and raised my eyebrows.

Pawan Kalyan spoke and there I was armed with pen and notepad scribbling every line he said.His speech had honesty, something I never found in most actors in Tollywood.
I found him genuine and realistic.There was no pretence, no fake words, no arrogance, no deceit, no false praise.It was straight from the heart.For someone who was sick of stereotypical film speeches praising themselves and their unbearable films, his speech came as a pleasant surprise.He left the venue.I walked back to my car and as I drove towards the main gate of HICC, I found people peeping into my car.I realised whom they were looking for.

For most other stars, box office success matters because they are rated on those parameters.For Pawan, it doesn't. Audience like him for something beyond his cinema.I guess it is honesty, sincierity in his eloquence and truth in his voice that most actors lack.He is one of the fewest stars who don't take stardom seriously.This attitude is perhaps a style statement in itself.

Puli came and went.It was a disaster.I ripped it apart. Months passed and then came Theenmaar.I went to Prasads to review the movie on the first day.
Nothing changed.The crowd, the cheers, the screams and the fans from across the state.Though I liked the film, I am told it was an average performer at the box office.Months passed...

And now as I see Pawan Kalyan at the audio launch of Panjaa I flash back to music launch of Puli.Nothing changed.The crowd, the cheer, his speech, the honesty, eloquence...
For me and many more journalists who track the lives of celebrities from close, Pawan Kalyan is and will remain an enigma, a riddle and an unsolved puzzle for long years to come....

As I ready myself to post this on my blog, I can hear Pawan Kalyan's voice.It is my roommate here in Washington DC glued to youtube video of Panjaa's audio launch...An enigma indeed!!

Disastrous debut for Walt Disney in Telugu!!

Review:

Title:Anaganaga Oo Dheerudu

Walt Disney Production.

Starcast:Siddharth, Shruti Haasan, Laxmi Manchu, Tanikella Bharani, Bramhanandam, Ravibabu et al.

Walt Disney's debut production in Telugu, 'Anaganaga Oo Dheerudu' starring Siddharth, Shruti Haasan and Laxmi Manchu was touted as one of the most awaited films of this year.Directed by K Raghavendar Rao's son Prakash Kovelamudi, the trailers of this socio fantasy evoked massive curiosity among the audience.The movie crew went gaga over the film on twitter and promoted the film in every possible way.The magnum opus released with huge expectations all over the state.


Story:

Irendri(Laxmi Manchu) is an evil snake queen who occupies the throne of 'Anga' kin'gdom. Her cruelity known no bounds and tired of her.She casts her evil spell on children in Agarta region of her kingdom.One of the parent suggests that they go in search of a little girl 'Moksha' who is blessed with noble powers which can heal their kids.'Moksha' is in a divine ashram under the protection of 'Yodha'(Siddharth) a blind body guard.A parent comes to the ashram and requests the Guruji(Subbaraya Sarma) to send Moksha to Agarta to heal their kids.Guruji agrees to his requests and sends her with Yodha as her body guard. Enroute, Yodha narrates his story to Moksha on how he became blind.He reveals how much he loved Priya(Sruthi Haasan) a fortune teller, whom he had met at a carnival few months ago.Yodha gets blinded as he tried to protect Priya from a local king(Ravibabu).Meanwhile, Irendri is told by her snake messengers that she needs to give Moksha as a sacrifice in order to attain salvation.The rest of the story is on how Irendri finds Moksha, what is the connection between her and Priya and if Yodha manages to protect Moksha.


Performances:

Siddharth is absolutely not convicing as a warrior.His Telugu has a heavy urban accent which doesn't match his charecter.He is a classic case of wrong casting for the right role.Shruti Haasan is beautiful in every frame of the film.She is potrayed splendidly and is a treat to watch.Shruti did well in her damsel in distress role in this film.The saving grace of this much hyped movie is Laxmi Manchu.She unleashes reservoir of energy hidden in her for years.Her body language, dialogue modulation, expressions and laugh reverberate villainism to the core.Laxmi is dominating and dynamic.Subtract her, and the movie falls flat.She is outstanding and is here to stay.Comedians Bramhanandam and Ali had only one scenes each.Tanikella Bharani's role too is pigmy short .Ravibabu delivers a whistle worthy performance as a comedy villain.


Remarks:

The costumes are a visual treat. Shruti Haasan, Siddharth and Laxmi look a million bucks in those splendid and flamboyant outfits. Shruti's naval is seen almost everytime she is on screen and she is superhot.The make up artistes too need a pat on their backs for a good job.Laxmi's make up by Mumbai team adds to her captivating look.Only one song, 'Ninnu Choodani' by Anuj is ear soothing and the rest are yawn inducing.The background score is not upto the mark. Saleem Sulaiman who gave the background score, shamelessly copied 'Chaand Sifarish' music from his own film 'Fanaa' in a couple of scenes. The Arabic background score to Telugu movie don't suit one bit.In many scenes, people around are wearing costumes like belly dancers and Arabians which was funny to the core. Siddharth is a big draw back to the film .He is not serious and no match to the tall villain Laxmi.The story is known to everyone who has ever watched a film and the narration is pathetic.

The visual affects are not upto the mark.A few sets are clearly identifiable.The only good thing about visual effects is those snakes in a rope form that come from Laxmi's hair and talk to her.Barring Ali's one scene comedy, not a single frame in this film has comic scene.The scenes where Irendri's masked men chase little girl Moksha are so badly shot and makes you cringe and frown.The movie is a let down in many ways and is not in commensurate with the hype generated by the director and its twitterati stars.

Verdict:

'AOD' is a predictable story narrated very badly.The visual effects might interest kids. But, go to this film only if you don't get the tickets for 'Mirapakayi'.

And the next big Superstar is.....

In an industry where every second hero is a star kid, Nani carved a niche for himself even without a godfather.An ardent lover of cinema who started off as an assitant director, Nani is now one of the few bankable stars at the box office while the rest of the actors in his league are following the popular formula of four fights and six songs in a movie, this young star defies those rules and is now the most sought after actor for film makers who make cinema with a difference.His latest release 'Ala Modalaindi' which hit the screens this week has evoked huge response from Tollywood reasserting the theory that Nani does movies of a standard.

"In all my movies before, I had to act and emote. In Ala Modalaindi, my charecter is more like me in real life.The film is very different from what I have done before.The director Nandini Reddy is my friend and our comfort level reflects on the screen.She told me the idea and wrote five scenes.She used to share her idea as she was developing the script and I witnessed its evolution.The USP of the film is every youngster connects to the charecter and there is nothing over the top.This is the kind of cinema I would love the watch as audience."




Half a dozen movies old Nani opines that in an attempt to remain safe, a few stars calculate too many factors and second guess what their audience want while chosing their films.He reveals that he always choses scripts that appeal to him irrespective of whether it will work at the box office.

"In an attempt to carefully chose scripts, they calculate too many things. A few actors second guess if the film will work in 'B' and 'C' centres. They brainstorm if the director is bankable, who is the target audience and what content would appeal to that crowd et al. All these calculations don't work and they most often go wrong.Audience come to theatres and they always welcome movies with a difference.The actors must follow their heart and do it if they like it.I always check if the director can handle the subject well and the producer is passionate enough to give the film a decent platform.Beyond that my only checklist is if the film appeals to me or not." Nani quips.

Case in a point is the actor chose to die in the climax of his last film 'Bheemili Kabaddi Jattu', something no hero in Tollywood ever dared to agree to.What made

"In several theatres, women sat weeping even after the curtains went down on that film.Movies are all about made an impact and this film had a huge impact. I want to defy rules because if we follow rules, we will never evolve.I don't believe in rules.In an attempt to break the rules, most of the times, it may go wrong but one day it will work and when it does, it becomes a new 'rule'.Cinema is progressing because someone is breaking the rules and the others are following it.In a true sense, I have done roles of extreme variety. I avoided being typecast.With the versatile films I have done so far, film makers for sure know they can cast me for any kind of role. I would like to be known as an actor than as a hero. I am happy to be where I am today"



This assistant director turned star is debuting in Tamil cinema this year with his film 'Veppam'.The first look of the film has created a sensation of the sorts and is touted as one of the most awaited films this year.Nani says after the first look, directors are approaching him with bi-lingual projects.

"The dynamics are different between Tamil and Telugu cinema.The content of a few films don't suit the sensibilities of our audience. But whenever there are scripts that Telugu and Tamil audience can relate to, I will do a bi-lingual. I didn't chose to do a Tamil film with an intention to expand my market.I liked the subject and hence went ahead with it. Infact I always loved Tamil films for the 'raw' cinema they make.I appreciate the technical standards they apply in making their films.Ever since the first look of Veppam is out, I am being approached for bilinguals.If I am offered a typical commercial movie in Telugu and a script that appeals to me from Tamil, I will always chose the latter as job-satisifaction matters the most to me" the star boldly declares.





Many actors envy Nani for bagging the lead role in ace director S S Rajamouli's project 'Eega'.The actor has raised quit a few eyebrows as he bagged a project with the hit machine director.

"There were rumours that I was doing a Rajamouli film even before I was approached for the project. One day, I was told that he was trying to reach me on a project.He was down to earth and narrated the script to me. Despite being number one director, he described the story in detail and I was very impressed on how grounded he was.I immediately agreed to do it.It is a nice oppurtunity for me to prove myself as an actor and since it is his film, a lot more people will watch my performance as Rajamouli has a huge fan base too.This movie is going to be one of his best films and he is all set to start a new trend in Tollywood" Nani says with confidence.


Apart from his movies, Nani is a hot topic online and for tabloids which hooked him to actor Swati earlier and now to his co-star Nitya Menon.The actor takes these link-ups with a pinch of salt .

"If I was linked up with Swati or Nitya Menon it only means our onscreen chemistry is good.It works well for my movie. Both of them are my good friends. I am not seeing either of them and all these rumours are baseless" he clarifies.

"Making people laugh is the toughest task"

His name has become synonymous with success.Tollywood's hit machine who makes more movies than any other star, Ravi Teja is on a high.Of all the releases this Sankranti, Raviteja's 'Mirapakayi' is doing exceptionally well at the box office.Despite competition from an A-lister hero Balakrishna's Paramaveera Chakra and socio fantasy film Anaganaga Oo Dheerudu, Mirapakayi emerged box office winner.A confident Raviteja says he released it because he was sure it will work this season.


" I am happy it is doing very well.Audience will watch the film if it is good no matter how many release at the same time.In my career, there were four releases for Sankranti festival and this is one of the most successful of them.I never planned conciously to release my film for Sankranti but it is just coincidence. I am overwhelmed with the response" he says with a glint in his eyes.


Overtly shy, Raviteja who entered the film industry with no godfather, today is one of the highly paid stars who is branded as 'minimum guarentee' by the producers. Popular perception is his movies either do exceptionally well or get the money back.Given his 'Akshay Kumar' histrionics blended with slapstick comedy body language, he was recently conferred the ephithet 'Mass Maharaja'. Is he happy with such titles?

"I don't believe in taglines and titles. I don't like them. But my directors and producers call me so.People watch some movie and then compare me with Akshay Kumar or someother actor. I don't believe in number games. Such comparisons keep popping up in media and distribution circles but I don't take them seriously. I would like to be called just Raviteja and nothing else" says the actor who is now giving established A-lister stars a run for their money.

Raviteja's films are a type with trademark comedy.The actor admits that his comedy timing draws crowds and that 'entertainment' is his first priority.

"I like people to laugh and enjoy when they come to watch me in theatres. There is so much drama and pain in everyone's lives. I don't like to replay them in my movies. My films are for those who want to forget their troubles and relax for two and a half hours. Entertainment is my priority.I don't like tragic films and so I believe in making people laugh watching my films" he claims.


This star is one of the few actors in Tollywood who has an image. Though he has done a few thought provoking films like 'Shambho Siva Shambo' and 'Naa Autograph Sweet Memories' in between, offlate he is typecast as an action and comedy hero.The hero opines that though he likes to do scripts that merit critical acclaim, it is not commercially viable.

"I would like to do movies that can win critical acclaim but audience won't watch. People want entertainment.If we make 'different' cinema, the results also will be different.Going by the history, such films didn't do well at the box office.Audience who watch such critically acclaimed movies are very few and we can't keep making films only keeping them in mind.Only musical entertainers with some action have gone on to become hits.Serious films get awards but not money" he says.


"The trick is to try and blend both.For instance in my film 'Vikramarkudu', I play a serious charecter and a comic one and both compliment each other.However, not every script can accomodate both serious and comic charecters.It is rare."Ravi adds.


His comedy timing is earning rave reviews and his movies don't need too many comedians as he makes up for all of them.Ravi reveals that he watches the films of superstars Rajinikanth, Chiranjeevi, Mohanlal, Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda for inspiration.Ravi defends his 'comic' action and declares that making people laugh is one of the toughest thing.

"I observe people outside and their expressioTns.Most of my emotions are picked up from observing people in real life. Besides, I am an avid follower of Amitabh Bachchan, Govinda, Rajinikanth,Chiranjeevi and Mohanlal. All of them are masters in blending comedy with action.Their comedy timing is splendid and are absolute entertainers.These five are commercial mass actors and are popular because they did 'entertaining' films.Making people laugh is one of the toughest things because the timing is very important." he says.


Hit or flop, he has always been consistent in doing films. He does over three films an year and currently he has 'Veera' a film directed by Ramesh Varma and another untitled film in kitty.Despite his superstar status, Ravi maintains very low profile outside cinema world.He is never seen in social dos or partying with the city's who's who.

"I love to keep a low profile in my personal life. I eat, breathe and live cinema. I don't know anything beyond showbusiness.This is my favourite world and I would like to confine myself to it"


"I don't have future plans and ambitions in life.I love to work round the year. I don't have a fixed rule that I should do these many movies an year. I would like to remain an actor and keep working in cinema until I die" he ends in a typical filmi style.

(Published in Times of India on 18-01-2011)

Taapsee rejects Amitabh's film offer!

Taapsee who is now on a high with two films ready to release in Telugu and a couple in Tamil is on a rejection spree. Sources confirm that this Punjabi girl from Delhi was approached by Puri Jagannath for his upcoming film starring Amitabh Bachchan in Hindi.The movie is titled 'Budda'.

Deeksha Seth and Taapsee were to play roles in this film but Taapsee is believed to have rejected it. The reason-she is not going to act with Amitabh but will be paired next to Sonu Sood.

"She is busy and her dates are crammed now.She will do a film in Hindi only if it is a great script and a seasoned director.In this film, her role is next to Sonu Sood and her rejection has got nothing to do with Amitabh Bachchan" a close aide of the actress informed.

Pawan Kalyan in 'Dabangg' remake

Powerstar Pawan Kalyan is all set to redo what Salman Khan did last year in Dabanngg. Sources from Tollywood confirm the news that Pawan will do the remake of Dabangg in Telugu.Whats more, he is all set to produce this film on house Pawan Kalyan creative works. The project has been titled 'Gabbar Singh'.Director Harish Shankar who directed 'Mirapakayi' with Ravi Teja this Sankranti, will direct this project.

A little birdie tells us that Pawan Kalyan was supposed to do 'Mirapakayi' earlier but it went to Raviteja at the end.The heroine of this film is yet to be finalised. We hear that 'Gabbar Singh' will be shot and released this year itself.

Pawan Kalyan is currently doing three films. One with Jayant Paranjipe which is 'Love Aaj Kal' remake, the other on Jesus Christ and an untitled film. At this rate, Pawan is all set to have four releases in 2011.

(Published in Times of India on 23-1-2011)