The Oberoi VI Santosham Film Awards presented today at the HICC (Hyderabad International Conventional Centre), HITEX, Hyderabad. Despite drenching rain, nearly ten thousand people thronged the venue, while most of them stayed out as they were not allowed by the police personnel coupled with the HIICC security. At the entrance of the HITEX, several vehicles were sent back, though they displayed the car passes issued to them. Several old people and children had to walk a distance of about two kilometers inside the sprawling campus to reach the venue, in heavy rain.

Pomp and Gaiety; Baba Sehgal rips
The function was graced by former Union Minister Dr. Dasari Narayana Rao, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Venkatesh, Bhumika, Ileana, Saikumar, Rajendra Prasad, Baba Sehgal, Chakri, Award recipients and their family members. The dull atmosphere was recharged with fun and frolic with the entry of Baba Sehgal, who gave ripping performance with his Jalsa song, besides singing an album number – I am the boss, Andhra ki boss – going through the audience rows followed by his troupe swaying in free style. Another lively number was Akalesthe Annam Pedatha by Kasturi and troupe. The climax performance of Abhinayasree couldn’t cheer the audience and most of them started leaving the hall, while the actress was performing Aa Ante Amalapuram song. Strange! Chakri’s musical night received moderate response. The composer and singer limited himself strictly to his hit numbers.

I follow doctrine of NTR: Balakrishna
Nandamuri Balakrishna, the special guest, remained the centre of attraction. The gathering which saw the actor in a twirled moustache these days got surprised to see him in trimmed moustache. The gathering demanded that Balakrishna should make some dialogue delivery. Balakrishna, presenting Awards to some of the winners addressing the huge gathering: “Generally, we will be busy telling dialogues on the sets. Of late, I did the film Okka Magadu, in which I liked a dialogue very much.” Saying so, Balakrishna rendered the lengthy dialogue (about manly qualities) that was delivered in the film through the character of Okka Magadu. Huge claps and shouts rented the auditorium. Next, he proceeded: “This is my purvajanma sukrutham to have lakhs and lakhs of fans and admirers like you. I am thankful to my father NTR, whom I now consider as my Guruthulyulu. I still remember the suggestion of my father: Don’t imitate others. But, you can follow the best. Then only you can become a good actor. Till date, I try my level best to follow NTR’s doctrine. This place (HICC) reminds of that Vajrothsavams of Tollywood held recently. This Santosham Awards function is also very grand like that. I wish Suresh Kondeti all the best.”

Shame on Modern composers: Dasari
Dasari Narayana Rao, the chief guest of the function, felicitated famed playback singer SP Balasubramanyam, who was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his yeomen service to the film industry, holding a rare credit of singing more than 50,000 songs. Addressing the gathering Dasari said: “Santosham film magazine heralded a very healthy practice by instituting this awards and successfully presenting it for the last six years. The Santosham Awards have achieved a status which is equivalent to the Nandi Awards. I wholeheartedly wish Suresh Kondeti to climb dizzy heights in his career with great achievements further.” Next, he praised SP Balasubramanyam, saying: “SPB is one and the only person who ranks as a versatile person with prolific grace as playback singer, music director and dubbing artiste and also as an actor. He filled the void created by late Ghantasala with commited service to Telugu film industry. He displayed versatility by changing tones suiting the real voice of the actors. Very few know that SPB dubbed for Kamal Hassan in ten different styles suiting the ten different getups in Dasavataram. Music should be like SPB’s score in my film Kanyakumari. If our so-called modern and tech-savvy music directors hear that music in Kanyakumari, they have to hang down their heads in shame. I wish him health, happiness and prosperity.”

I prostrate before audience: SPB
SP Balasubramanyam, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, said: “I thank my parents and my guru Kodandapani for the position which I attained today. I have so far finished my 42 years of journey in the film industry. Still, you (people) like my voice and songs. I should thank you for that. I bow my head and touch your feet for your love and affection for me. Without your support, I would not have achieved any success in my career.” In this context, he sang two bits from the yesteryears hit songs. SPB, emerging onto the stage limping badly, said: “I tried to help an old man from a fall at the airport today. But, I slipped and got sprain in the knee. I shall be getting better soon. That’s why I am limping. I wanted to clarify the doubts in your mind about my limping. So, I did.”

Chintakayala Ravi in October: Venky
Earlier, Venkatesh (Best Actor Award) said: “What is Chintakayala Ravi in front of Samahasimha Reddy and Narasimha Naidu. Balayya alone could say dialogue with hysterical modulation. I thank my director Selva Raghavan for this award. My film Chintakayala Ravi will be releasing in October. I wish all the best to Suresh Kondeti.”

I dedicate Award to my Mom: Saikumar
Saikumar (Best Dubbing) said: “Actually, I stopped dubbing several years ago. But, I happened to see the diary of mom in which she wrote that I should have continued dubbing for Rajasekhar. I regretted the gap. At that time, I got the opportunity to do for Rajasekhar’s Evadaithe Nakenti. I am happy to get this Award. I dedicate this Award to my (late) mother.”

Thank you Andhra Pradesh: Bhumika
Bhumika Chawla (Best Actress) said: “I thank Allari Ravi Babu for this Award. He is the person who pestered me so much for the film, but he got the best output. I am thankful to the people of Andhra Pradesh, who received me as their sister and daughter and one among them. I shall continue to do good films.”

Sekhar Kammula, CC Reddy, C. Kalyan, Rajendra Prasad and several others spoke on this occasion, and appreciated Suresh Kondeti for the successful presentation of the Film Awards every year without fail.

Santosham functions:
• 2008 - Satosham rehearsals
• 2007 - Satosham 5th anniversary & awards function in Sharjah
• 2006 - Satosham 4th anniversary & awards function
• 2005 - Satosham 3rd anniversary & awards function
• 2004 - Satosham 2nd anniversary & awards function
• 2003 - Satosham 1st Anniversary
• 2002 - Satosham film magazine launch
• Chitchat with Kondeti Suresh