16th November

Balayya film sold for 5 crores for Ceded

Balayya's latest flick - which went on to floors yesterday (15th November 2002) - is making news in trade circles now. A distributor from Ceded is said to have offered a whopping 5 crores to Medikonda Murali Krishna and bought this film for Ceded area. B Gopal is directing this venture. Bala Krishna announced that his film Samarasimha Reddy is the first faction film and Chenna Kesava Reddy has taken factionism to new heights. Hence, Balayya categorically announced that he would not do any more faction films. We have to wait and see how B Gopal invents a new trend for Balayya now.

Krishna Vamsi to direct Chiranjeevi?

Krishna Vamsi's latest flick Khadgam is getting ready for the release on 28th of this month. Krishna Vamsi is currently working on two projects. The first one is Anjana Productions Venture with Chiranjeevi and another one is Tammareddy Bharadwaja film with Prabhas as hero. Depending on the market condition and the result of Khadgam, we would come to know if Krishna Vamsi is directing Chiranjeevi or not.

NTR's Naga with 185 prints

NTR's Naga is all set to release for Sankranthi 2003 season with the highest number of prints (185). In Andhra, this film would be releasing with 165 prints and in other states and countries Naga would be released with 20 prints. It would eventually create a release record by becoming the first film to release with 185 prints. Since Cricket World Cup is starting in the end of March, the producer is trying to cash on openings with maximum number of prints. NTR and Sada are paired up in this mass film produced by AM Ratnam in the direction of Tamil debutant director Suresh.

Supreme guy gives EVV a shock

Supreme audio producer Raju Harwani is said to have given a shock treatment to EVV Satya Narayana. It is said that EVV has allegedly made an agreement to sell the audio rights of his latest film Thottigang to Supreme audio for Rs. 25 lakhs. But off late, the supremo of Supreme audio started avoiding EVV. And finally EVV had to release the audio of Thottigang through Aditya audio on his own. EVV Satyanarayana narrated this shocking experience at Thottigang audio function on 16th November 2002.

Bellamkonda comes for a compromise

Bellamkonda Suresh - with the help of ANR, Murali Mohan, Burugapally Sivarama Krishna, KL Narayana - organized a press meet at film chambers on 15th of November 2002 and expressed his regret for giving a paper statement that hurts the sentiments of actors. He said that it was done in a fit of anger. He said that he is now fully aware of the guidelines and strictures of MAA (Movie Artists Association) and hence make sure that he would not repeat it. Incidentally, the timing of the pressmeet comes into speculation as it was organized on the same day when Bala Krishna's new film went on to floors and Chenna Kesava Reddy completed 50 days. Bellamkonda Suresh would be producing a small budget film with new faces very soon.

Another producer absconding after project announcement

It has become a fad for new guys to enter field and announce the projects. When its time to go on floors, the producer absconds due to lack of funds. It happened for the second time in the recent times. It happened for JD Chakri's film that is being directed by Rama Chandra Rao (of Chitram Bhalare Vichitram). Later on the director turned into producer of the film. Now Bheemineni Srinivasa Rao is forced to become producer as the original producer gave a slip to him. Ravi Teja stars in this film. This film is titled as 'Dongodu' It is a remake of Malayalam film.

Radhika turns Telugu Film producer

Radhika is venturing in Telugu films as producer now. She is planning to produce a Telugu film in the direction of Raju P on Radan Media Works banner. Ramana Gogula would provide music. This film is expected to go on floors in the month of January 2003. Debutants would be acting in the main leads in this venture. A talent hunt would be held in local TV channels to select hero and heroine.

14th November

Indra 175 days function in Ananthapur?

According to reliable sources, producer Aswini Dutt is planning to celebrate 175 days function of Indra on grandeur scale at Ananthapur on the night of 31st December 2002. The list of guests includes the names of big stalwarts of Indian film industry. Hero Chiranjeevi would be flying to Bangalore after the function to celebrate New Year in his farmhouse along with the dear ones.

Venky's future projects details

Venky is currently working for Vasantham with Arti Agarwal as heroine in the direction of Vikraman. The next project lined up for Venky is Vyjayanthi banner film in the direction of storywriter Chinni Krishna. Then he has another film with Raasi Films banner (Narasimha Rao) in the direction of VV Vinayak Director Vijaya Bhaskar is going to direct another film with Venkatesh as hero. Producers Sivaraju and Venkat Raju are planning another movie for Venky in the direction of Guna Sekhar.

Nagarjuna next project details

As Nagarjuna's last film Santosham and his currently under production film Manmadhudu are soft love stories [mainly class films], he is planning to satiate the masses with a story that has some mass elements. Based on the requirements, three directors have prepared stories. VN Aditya prepared a story to be produced by D Siva Prasad Reddy. Poori Jagannath prepared another story to be produced by Balaji Arts (Bhagavan Das, Danayya & Pulla Rao). Jayanth C Paranji prepared another story to be produced by Jaya Bheri banner. We have to wait and see which story inspires Nag to accept his next venture.

SV Krishna Reddy acts in Dasarath's film

Director SV Krishna Reddy is acting in an interesting role in Dasarath's film under production with Nitin as hero. Ankita is said to have been cast as the heroine in that film. The titles under consideration for this film are Sambaram, Sikharam and O Prema Katha. Director Dasarath was so enamoured by a canteen in Ooty, where he shot his debut film Santosham, that he conceptualized the love story around that canteen. As Dasarath did not find such a cozy canteen anywhere near Hyderabad, he is supposed to have convinced the producer to shoot the film in Ooty for the right feel. Chitram movies is producing this film.

1 crore publicity of Thottigang

EVV Satyanarayana surely knows how to treat/use media to glorify/hype the product. This film For Thottigang, EVV has set aside one crore for the promotion of the film featuring his home hero Allari Naresh. This film also sports Prabhudeva and Sunil as main leads. Thottigang is getting ready for 6th December releae.

Laya makes way to Raasi

Medikonda Murali Krishna is producing a straight Kannada film in the direction of Muthyala Subbayya. This film was started with Laya and Ravi Chandran in the main leads long back. But it was stalled in between as they found Laya to be too lean for the role. Hence, they replaced Laya with Raasi for that 'meaty' role and started the shooting afresh.

10th November

Mahesh Babu and Gopichand in Nijam

Teja for the first time announced officially that Mahesh Babu is going to act as hero in Nijam that is slated for the release on 11th of April 2003 (he made 11th April as release date because Mahesh Babu's Okkadu that is going to be released on 1st of January 2003 would be completing 100 days by 10th of April). Gopichand is cast as villain for this film. Gopichand is growing hair and beard for this role. The entire technical team of Jayam of being repeated for Nijam. This news was announced at Hexa platinum disc function of Jayam on 10th November 2003. As per a local English newspaper Rakshita (Idiot fame) and Raasi are going to be paired up with Mahesh Babu. Bollywood diva Rekha and Rebel star Krishna have been approached to play the parents of hero in this film. Nijam would go on floors on 11th of December 2003.

Tricolor background for Khadgam

Krishna Vamsi - known for his creativity - is said to have used some symbolism in his forthcoming film Khadgam. As per the internal reports, Krishna Vamsi seems to have made sure that tricolor (Green, white and saffron colors) is symbolically represented in each and every frame of Khadgam film. This film has three heroes and four heroines. Prakash Raj's character in this film as a Muslim auto driver is a crucial one. Ravi Teja's role takes a dig at the babu culture in film industry. Srikanth plays a super cop in this film. Sonali Bendre acted as the beau of Srikanth who dies in the film towards the climax. Sunkara Madhu Murali produces this film on Karthikeya banner. Devi Sri Prasad provided music. This film is likely to release on 21st of November 2002.

Odd time and odd day for Eeswar

The lanky producer-actor K Ashok Kumar is a strict religious follower. His sternness in sticking to auspicious time is such that he does not mind even releasing in on an add day of Monday and odd time of 2:30 pm. A per the strict instructions given by the producer, the film should open in the theaters on 11th of November at 2:30 pm. Strange - is not it? Made in 45 workings days, this film Eeswar introduces Prabhas (cine heir of Krishnam Raju) and Sridevi (third daughter of oldtime actress Manjula). Jayant C Paranji, who worked with big heroes so far, is attempting a small budget film this time. Would the producer's belief in auspicious time pay off for him? Checkout idlebrain.com during the night of 11th of November!

KRR charity through Gangotri profits

K Raghavendra Rao is planning to donate 50 lakhs from the profits kitty of Gangotri to the workers of AP Film Federation. K Raghavendra Rao is currently directing his 100th venture as director with debutants Allu Arjun and Aditi Agarwal as the lead pair. The unit is currently working on its second schedule in Araku valley. This film is a love story having a backdrop and purity of love like the Ganges river. Announcing the share in profits during the production stage is risky! Is not it?

Stars Cricket and Night in Feb 2003

In a bid to help the economically poor artists of Telugu cinema, the MAA (Movie Artists Association) is planning to have Ranjee Cricket match on 1st of February 2003. 4 teams would play the matches. Senior heroes - Chiranjeevi, Bala Krishna, Nagarjuna and Venkatesh - would act as captain for each team. There would be a star night on 2nd February 2003 to raise some more money. The economically strong artists are planning donate some money as well. All this money would be formed as capital and the economically poor artists would be helped using the interest formed by the capital.

One thread and 3 films

Prakash Raj played the pampering dad who hates the hero with whom his daughter falls in love with. But these heroes come to Prakash Raj and dare him about heroine. In the end, Prakash Raj realizes the power of hero's love and gives his daughter to hero. This has come not in one or two films. But this point has been the backbone of three love stories that are released in a span of 90 days. These three films are Idiot, Nuvve Nuvve and Bobby. Idiot has become a stupendous success. Nuvve Nuvve has become an average fare and Bobby has become a blooper.

Ruthless moneymakers - Teja and Bellamkonda

The two filmy guys who minted maximum money in this year so far have been Teja and Bellamkonda Suresh in that order. Teja made Jayam on a shoestring budget and garnered a fortune through it. Bellamkonda reaped maximum profits for Aadi (post release) and Chenna Kesava Reddy (prerelease table profit). As these guys were branded as the top two ruthless money minters in the industry this year, the established producers and big production houses failed to even break even in few ventures. Bellamkonda Suresh was almost an unknown entity till last year and nobody predicted that Teja would become a force to reckon with. Most of the big studios and production houses failed to tap the market and mass pulse and all these companies are now showing losses in their balance sheets for their movie production.

Anandi Arts promote Hollywood kind of filmmaking

Nuvve Kavali has done a world of good to Telugu film industry. It has not only become a big blockbuster, but also promoted the corporate kind of filmmaking in Telugu industry. Taking cue from its success, Anandi Arts made 'Avunu Valliddaru Ista Paddaru' in association with Maharshi Cinema. Though this film had the stuff, the intensive promotion on Gemini TV helped AVI to reach more people. The proposition of Anandi Art movies goes like this. Anandi Arts takes care of 50% of the investment and leaves the entire onus of filmmaking to the banner that has approached them. Once movie is all set for the release, Anandi Arts comes in to play again by promoting the film aggressively on Gemini TV. Currently Anandi Arts has two such projects on floors. One is 'Ammailu Abbailu' by Ravi Babu and another one is 'Evare Athagadu' with Vallabha as hero. Cameraman Rasool is also turning director in a future venture of Anandi Arts. The best part of the whole exercise is that the investment is minimum for these low budget films and the producer does not lose much if that film fails, but he would be minting money if it becomes a hit.

Chandra Babu Naidu watches L3 after 175 days

Andhra Chief Minister watched the special premiere show of YVS Chowdary's L3 (Lahiri Lahiri Lahirilo) on 4th of November 2002 on the eve of Diwali at 10:30 am. Hari Krishna is said to have requested the CM to watch his latest flick L3 during the 100 days function of Allari Ramudu. Chandra Babu Naidu is in all praises for L3 film. He told that L3 is a film that projected love among four different genres with a difference and he seems to have liked the film immensely. Hari Krishna and YVS Chowdary also attended this special show that was arrange at the preview theater of AP Film Chamber. YVS Chowdary is currently at Tirupati doing music sittings for his next venture Seetayya along with MM Keeravani.

Teja announces Nijam release date