Unit members of Sombheri, an Ali starrer, today celebrated its platinum disc function at a private guest house in city. Made on Raosan films, it is produced by Yerramalli Venkateswara Rao, with debut direction by lyricist Jonnavittula Ramalingeswara Rao. Mano alias Nagoor Babu, playback singer, too made his debut as music director. Popular music directors MM Keeravani and Chakri graced the function and extended their best wishes to Sombheri team, presenting them the shields. The movie is set for release soon. Madhura Entertainments is marketing the album.

MM Keeravani had a word of praise for Mano. "He is a dedicated playback singer, with extraordinary modulation and perfection in his voice. I heard the audio and was thrilled to find that he showed versatile performance in scoring the music, though it being his debut venture. Mano will surely touch the peaks of fame in his career as musician." Much to the happiness of Mano, Keeravani sang the lyric – Ee Pani Cheyanu .. Cheyalani Anukonu... (originally sung by Mano).

Chakri, calling Mano as his elder brother (annayya), said: "I am a big fan of Mano annayya. Years ago, his songs – Priya Priyathama Raagaloo & Mukkala Mukkablaa – took Andhra Pradesh by storm. He kept himself busy both in Telugu and Tamil. I have no doubt; Mano is going to rock as one of the best music directors in Tollywood." Chakri also regretted that he couldn't attend the audio release function of Sombheri, when AR Rehman arrived there as the chief guest. "Caught in the thick of traffic, I had to return home, but was fortunate to watch the event live."

Mano said: "I am honored to have top music directors Keeravani and Chakri at our function. I thank all those who supported me to become a music director." He also thanked the organizers of the US-based Telugu association APNA, for honoring with the title Gana Samrat. He further recalled the good gesture form Mani Sharma, who did sound mixing for a song in Sombheri album, besides extending liberal cooperation during the songs recording at his Mahati studio. He sought Madhura Entertainments to make available the album copies of Sombheri at various locations in the US, in view of high demand there.

Director Jonnavittula said: "Sombheri is a total comedy film, but it is full of human values. We have not neglected the commercial elements too. The film further deals with two burning problems – plight of our Telugu youth in the Gulf, caught between scorching heat and worst exploitation; and awareness about the dreaded AIDS – through two commercially done songs." He thanked Sankara Mahadevan for giving his voice to the song - Surru Surru Manaku Sureedaa – in the backdrop of Dubai. He claimed that the unit of Sombheri had to put stay for 20 days in Dubai for seeking permission to can a song.

Somberi links:
• Music launch
• Photo Gallery
• Film Muhurat