Samarthudu, the new film starring Rebel star Krishnamraju and Raja in the lead roles, is launched today at Annapoorna Studios, Hyderabad. Made on Devika Productions and Orange Frames jointly, this action and message oriented film is being directed by debutant Arjun, while producers are Akula Suresh Patel and M. Venkatrami Reddy. Hero Prabhas clapped the muhurt shot on Krishnamraju and Raja with heroine Sanjana in between them. Vinaykumar switched on the camera, while first shot direction is rendered by senior filmmaker PC Reddy. The muhurt shot was that: Krishnam Raju looking straight into Raja’s eyes says – “I give my life to the people.” Immediately, Raja responds: “I can kill people for money.” Heroine Sanjana looked at the duo, perturbed. A big group of fans of Krishnamraju and Prabhas arrived at the function venue and profusely shouted slogans, garlanded and showered petals on them.

Respect to director is must: Krishnamraju
Speaking on this occasion, Krishnam Raju said: “I am doing the role of an MLA. If any politician wants to serve the people, he need not necessarily belong to any political party. He can either be with the ruling party or in the opposition. When director Arjun came to me and narrated the story, at first I didn’t show any interest, but later the script started creating curiosity within me. This is going to be a completely the director’s film. I also want each and everybody on the sets – cast and crew – to respect the director, because he is the captain of the ship. When NT Rama Rao with name and fame walking before him used to stand from his chair on the approach of the director.”

First commercial film in career: Raja
Raja said: “I can’t believe my own eyes that I am co-starring a legend like Krishnamraju garu. From childhood onwards, I saw almost all of his films. I can’t really count how many times I had watched his blockbuster Trisoolam. This is going to be the first commercial film in my career, that too doing a mass role. It’s my luck to be coming in the direction of Arjun, who holds on-hands experience in this department, having worked with senior directors. For each and every character he deals with he prefers storyboard. This the clarity factor in his direction.”

Smt. Shayamala Devi, Krishnam Raju’s wife, said: “I appreciate the perseverance of producer Akula Suresh for inspiring Krishnam Raju garu with such a wonderful script. Just like the title Samarthudu, so also is the story with apt elements of entertainment. I hope this film also get a very good name to Hero Raja. I wish everybody all the best.”

Everybody wants girlfriend like Sanjana
Director Arjun said: “I am thankful to directors EVV Satyanarayana, PC Reddy and B.Gopal who encouraged me a lot when I came to the film industry. I am extremely thankful to Krishnamraju garu for his benevolent gesture of acting in the film. This is going to bring a change in the image of hero Raja. Sanjana’s character is bubbly in the film. After watching the film, the youth will definitely feel that they should have a girl friend like her.”

Today’s directors are selfish
PC Reddy, guest at the function, said: “It really pinches my heart that today’s directors are more worried about their career and are ignoring the welfare of the artistes and his colleagues on the project. They are so selfish that they are forgetting their duties and responsibilities. A director should have command over all the 24 crafts of the industry. Arjun is one such technician. I hope this film will become a big hit.”

Producer Akula Suresh said: “The first schedule will commence from today and continue till 26th. The second schedule is planned form September 1st to 15, followed by the next schedule from October 1 to 15. Canning of songs will be in foreign locations.”

The Cast includes: Vinod Kumar, Brahmanandam, Venu Madhav, Jayaprakash Reddy, Jeeva, Krishna Bhagwan, Dandapani, Benerjee, Vizag Prasad, Panda, Bojo, Jaya Singh, Sekhar, Sana, Hema, Surekha Vani and Kalyani.

Crew: Dialogues – Srinivas Malkari; Lyrics – Sahiti, Kandikonda, Chirravuri Vijaykumar, Abhinaya Srinivas; Choreography – Amma Rajsekhar, Brinda, Pradeep Antony, Prem Rakshit, Noble and Ramana; Music – V. Rajasekhar; Cinematography – Dattu; Stunts – Ram Lakshman; and story, screenplay & direction – Arjun.