Telugu Movies

Rating: 3/5 
Cast: Chiranjeevi, Srikanth, Karishma Kotak, Pawan Kalyan, Sada, Dilip Prabhavalkar, Allu Arjun (guest), Ravi Teja (guest), Kanta Rao, Rohit, Shayaji Shinde, Yana Gupta and others.
Dialogue: Paruchoori Brothers
Music: Devi Sri Prasad.
Cinematography: Chota K. Naidu.
Direction: Prabhudeva.

‘Shankardada Zindabad’ has won the first battle as to its story content and scenic division as it is an adaptation of Hindi Original ‘Lageraho Munnabhai’. Even the inclusion of the basic elements of ‘Gandhigiri’ that were there in Sanjay Dutt’s drama ‘Lageraho Munnabhai’ are found in this though not with the same impact. Even that Hindi original was a surprise winner of hearts, for the very reason that it carried the philosophy of ‘Mahatma’ his non-violence and sticking only to Truth. And credit goes to the writer of this original subject.

We in Telugu land would naturally appreciate such a film being remade with a bit of Telugu nativity that too with Mega Star playing the lead.

However, the concentration in Telugu is more on the projection of the hero and his younger brother Pawan Kalyan, that we see right in their characters’ introduction. Care is taken in giving a good finish to the film by designing interesting bits of climatic drama. Good that the artiste (Dilip Prabhawalkar), who played Bapu in the original also takes up the same role in this film.
 
Shankar Dada is already a familiar character to Telugu audiences. If he was an MBBS earlier, he poses as a history professor here. But like in previous film here too he is a Dada – Sankardada. The original name of the character is  Sankar Prasad. This dada is in the bad company of a realtor goonda, Rajalingam, played by Sayaji Shinde. Sankardada’s job is to force the owners of the land out and help his boss occupy it.
 
As this drama was going on, Sankar comes across one Jahnavi (Karishma Kotak), a Radio jockey first falls for the charm of her voice and then to her beauty and intelligence. He introduces himself to her as a Professor in History; like he bluffed he was a Medico in the first film of this sequel. He happens to interact with her in a live show in the radio, as a part of contest, where he was subjected to a series of questions on Mahatma Gandhi, that is Bapu, where he fails. This is  turning point in his life.

He was subjected to some hallucinations about how he was interacting with Mahatma and his ways of life. He replaces his ‘Dadagiri’ with Bapu’s non-violent ‘Gandhigiri’. It so happens that an old age home Lingam wants to grab, belongs to Jahnavi. And this gives him first opportunity to experiment with Gandhism, paving way for him to attract Jahnavi and also reform the realtor. From this point the drama takes another route to experience of greatness of Mahatma and his principles of life.
 
It is a life time character for Chiranjeevi like it was for Sanjay Dutt, who caught the imagination of the entire nation simply playing that powerful message oriented role. But Chiranjeevi’s mega star image subdues a bit of that impact. But he manages it well and tried his best to look different from all the characters he played earlier.

Srikanth’s role is like that of a side kick a la Shankar Dada MBBS. But an actor’s image, he built for himself playing some roles high pitch drama helped him keep to this positive image. He displays good time sense in dialogue delivery. And his role in this film weighs more than what he played in the previous film.

Sayaji Shinde makes his role and dialogue delivery no different from other films.

Others in the cast just managed themselves. Sada too appeared in a brief role. Raviteja, Allu Arjun, Prabhudeva and Nagendra Babu too add to the histrionic line, only to lend star cast glamour to gain at box office. Nagu Babu too lends his part in a brief role, adding credit to the film that all the three brothers and also their nephew Allu Arjun, a hot name these days, together appeared in one film.

Music composer Devisri Prasad makes his presence also felt in the song he composed on Hyderabad ‘Good Morning Hyderabad’.

The musical part has appeal. Prabhudeva’s directorial skills cannot be assessed as he has a screenplay of a film with the same content before him.

Yana Gupta’s half clad sizzling dance for the song ‘Aakaleste Annam Pedatha’ has its own effect on the weak minds.

Dialogue by Paruchuri Brothers is one contribution that makes the film look and sound a bit different from its original, especially in playing up human emotions.

For one who watches theatre productions or films like this, definitely  feels the impact of Mahatma, as a potential source for box office too.  No wonder there were reports in the press as to how people  watched ‘Lageraho Munnabhai’ were adapting ways and means of Mahatma, in real life, in winning  hearts of others. The element of satirical comedy, found in the original, is missing.

The new actress in heroine’s role is not an apt choice. The influence of the earlier ‘Sankardada’ film is also found in this. The second part of the film is quite heavy due to lack of relief. The Telugu film’s screenplay and dialogue needed a little more care.

Film:Toss
Banner: Dev Films
Rating: 2.5/5
Cast: Upendra, Raja, Priyamani, Kamna, Ramya, Suman, Venu Madhav, Ali, Krishna Bhagwan, Abhinayasree, Jeeva etc
Music: Mani Sharma
Producers: Dev Amar, KK Radhamohan
Direction: Priyadarshini Ram
Release Date:14th July 2007

Story:
Neelakanta (Upendra) is the elder brother of Naina (Priyamani). Naina is a blind girl who receives great love for her brother. But Neelakanta is a nightmare for police and other goondas. Neelakanta’s profession itself is unlawful. He remains no evidence after committing crime. So there will be no witness to put him behind bars.

Parasu Ram (Raja) is a young guy who aims at becoming a police officer. But his dreams will not be fulfilled. Nisha (Kamna) is the girl who aspires to become a film heroine and is a close friend of Parasu Ram. She has no big role to play than to entertain. He becomes an alternative police man without uniform and catches the criminals and suppresses crime. Commissioner of Police Nayak (Suman) supports Parasu Ram to carry his mission. He asks him to close the chapter of Neelakanta and promises him of offering a job in Police Department. Parasu Ram starts his mission.

Will Parasu Ram achieves his goal? Who is Parasu Ram? Who is Neelakanta and who is Nayak? What is the relation among all these? The narration takes us to climax.

Performances:
Raja changed his look. He is like a macho man with strong biceps and heavily built chest. His role is totally a mass one.

Upendra’s role is typical brother who cares for his sister. He is given a wild appeal and more graphics are used on him to bring depth.

Priyamani is sensuous with saris in a song but in rest of the film she is with her blindness.

Kamna has shown enough of her curvy assets and tried to imitate Urmila in Rangeela.

Ramya’s rough-lady role with sexposure is for glamour quotient.

Comedy track is very dull. Only Venu Madhav’s performance as NTR brings a few laughs. Krishna Bhagwan is not used properly by the director. He would have given more output if right track was given.

Fights are incredible. It’s again technical faculty that boosted up the adrenaline of audiences. Choreography is normal and music is below average.

Priyadarsini Ram’s direction and screenplay is in its confused state. More focus is kept on graphics but not on the purpose of the film and point of conviction. There are many mistakes in narrations.

‘Head’less and ‘Tail’less Aspects of this ‘Toss’:
1. Raja appears as lawyer in one of the scenes and supports prostitution and alcoholism with reasoning. The purpose of the scene is not understood. The total court scene itself is confused.
2. The fight between Raja and a heavily built goonda recalls the Bheema-Bakasura yudhdham in old Mahabharatha films. It has no conviction at all.
3. Upendra’s childhood artiste quenching the thirst of his sister with blood is wild and crude. It does nauseate as well.
4. Upendra’s ball dance with sister is also far from local tradition.
Winning Aspects in ‘Toss’:
1. Graphics
2. Background Score
3. Glamour Quotient
4. Venu Madhav’s imitation like Mayasabha Duryodhana

Analysis:
The first half and second half runs with same tempo with the blend of action and cooked up comedy. Interval twist is also not so great.

It appears as if we are watching a Kannada film. The concept of Self Employment Tax is a new idea generated with this film.

On a whole, while vulgarity in dialogues and tidbits of comedy are mass appealing there is no big element that allures the class audiences. The fate of this film depends on the patronage of mass audiences.

This is the film made by Priyadarsini Ram of ‘Manodu’ fame. He attempted a high dose mass masala flick with action part in domination. Will he get fruits with this? That’s doubtful.

Film: Satyabhama
Rating: 2.5/5
Cast: Sivaji, Bhoomika, Melkote, Sunil, Super Star Krishna, Ravi Babu etc
Lyrics: Bhaskarabhatla
Action: Ramana
Art: Nagendra Prasad
Editing: Nagi Reddy
Music: Chakry
Camera: Joshi
Producers: Bekkem Venu Gopal, Mamidisetty
Story-Screenplay-Direction: Sreehari Nanu
Release Date: 6th July 2007

The film is based on Anterograde Amnesia, a brain disease that is related to memory loss. Although the climax touches the hearts of audiences entire film runs on slow track which may not be comfortable to entertainment seekers.

Story:
Krishna Kumar (Sivaji) is a sand sculptor who gets a contract in Goa. He spends his time in Goa along with two of his friends. He happens to encounter a beautiful lady Satyabhama (Bhoomika) and he introduces her and falls in love. That’s something like Love At First sight. Satyabhama celebrates the birthday of her father (Chandra Mohan) where her brother (Ravi Babu) and grand father (Melkote) also enjoy the feast and Satyabhama’s enthusiasm.

But she celebrates that birthday everyday. She feels everyday is August 22nd. That’s Amnesia caused due to an accident. Psychiatrist (Super Star Krishna) says that the disease is not at all curable. All her family members and close friends cooperate with her and agree that the day is August 22nd. Only the Newspaper dated August 22nd will be kept on the table everyday in her house. Everyday the house will be decorated with flowers and balloons as she feels that the day is her dad’s birthday once she wakes up. Yes, she forgets everything in the night. Her memory stays with her only for one day. Once she sleeps at night and wakes up, she forgets the previous day. But she remembers each and everything that happened before August 22nd 2006. Then what happens? How Krishna Kumar deals with her? What happens in the climax? All that has to be

Performances:
Bhoomika did her part well. But certainly the character is not something great to perform. She performed only a limited set of scenes which are repeated again and again (as per the script)

Sivaji performed well but the dialogues didn’t cooperate him much to make a big mark.

The plot of the film is really good but the execution is erratic. The narration lost the grip which is a crucial one for this kind of subject.

New director Sreehari Nanu should learn to narrate with grip. His first attempt by taking this subject should be laudable.

Errors, Faults and Mistakes:
1. How can Chitram Sreenu, who doesn’t know the meaning of simple English words like ‘Lipstick and ‘motions’ can order for typical food items in hotel?
2. Brahmanadam asks the meaning of chat. Bangalore denizens don’t know the meaning of ‘chat’?
3. There are no laughs generated despite the presence of comedians like Sunil and Brahmananadam

Songs and Music:
1. Background music is dull
2. ‘Hello Madam Satyabhama’ remake is good and nostalgic
3. ‘Yeh Mumbai Meri Jaan’ song made as parody to Goa is impressive.

Analysis:
Already the movies like ‘Ghajini’ and ‘Nandanavanam 120 Km’ dealt with the topics of this sort. Films made on the concept of ‘memory loss disease’, if dealt in mass appealing way like ‘Ghajini’ success can be seen. But when they are made on softer lines, things may be different. Nandanavanam 120 Km is an example for that. Although the director’s capability and ability to think in novel way can be appreciated, the box office may keep a stern face.

First 30 minutes of the film is made dull. Interest of the audiences is dragged only when the twist opens up conveying that the title role is suffering from Amnesia. On a whole, the dialogues are weak in many instances. The screenplay and background music are not up to the mark. Although the attempt is made to make this Amnesia story an entertaining one, the efforts are not completely fruitful. Large part of the film appears to be bore and only climax part boosts up some interest. 

Bhoomika is the only crowd puller in this film and class audiences may make their way to theaters to watch once. It will not be digested to mass film lovers. .

Film: Lakshyam
Rating:3/5
Banner:Lakshmi Narasimha Productions
Cast: Gopichand, Jagapathi Babu, Anushka, Kalyani, Kota Sreenivasaa Rao, Raghubabu, Dharmavarapu, Brahmanandam, Venu Madhav, Yashpal Sharma, Ashish Vidyarthi, Ahuti Prasad, Lakshmi Pathi, Chalapathi Rao, Ravibabu etc
Choreography: Raju Sundaram, Amma Rajasekhar, Suchitra
Cinematography: Seshu V Joseph
Music: Mani Sharma
Art: Vivek
Lyrics: Chandrabose, Ramajogayya Sastry
Producer: Nallamalupu Sreenu
Direction: Sreevasu
Release Date: 5th July 2007

The film has two heroes with equal stand on screen. It’s not just Gopichand but Jagapathi Babu also made his sterling presence as hero. It turned a multi-starrer that way.

Story:
Chandu (Gopichand) is a guy who is daring and dashing at the same time gives values for discipline and ethics. His brother ACP Bose (Jagapathi Babu) is sincere at work and daring at the same time. The father (Kota) of these two guys is a media reporter who works for a channel.

The family lives with peace and mutual love among its members. Indu (Anushka), the daughter of a rich man (Ahuti Prasad) falls in love with Chandu incidentally. The track goes in its style.

On the other side, Section Shankar (Yashpal Sharma), a goonda who lives on land settlements and murders gets perturbed by the sincerity of ACP Bose. Obviously he trouble him and his family. Finally what happens? Section Shankar’s people attack ACP Bose and injure him severely. Chandu attempts to save his brother. But will Bose come out from peril? Or will he die? Or will his whereabouts go unnoticed like that of Subhash Chandra Bose’s? If so, will he return back? That has to be seen on screen.

Performances:
Gopichand improved a lot in dance sequences. His trendy steps enthralled the audiences. Jagapathi Babu’s presence made the film active. He is perfectly apt as police officer on screen.
Anushka is hot and voluptuous. Even she too has shown her skill in dances in the song ‘Evadu..’
Kalyani has nothing big to play as ACP Bose’s wife.
Kota appears in groovy T Shirts and Bermuda pants (20s in 60s)
Brahmanandam and Venu Madhav spilled laughs for some time on screen. Dharmavarapu’s presence has more character than comedy.
Lyrics are below average and music is just average. But dances are composed interestingly in right tune with the body language of Gopichand and Anushka.
Last song shows Anushka in hot costumes. The song ‘Niluvave Vaalu Kanula Daana’ was remade but the picturisation is bad. It couldn’t bring the feel that has to bring.
Director Sreevasu’s attempt should be appreciated and he made it well up to his extent. But the perfection has to be learnt yet.

Analysis:
First half of the film is slow and elastic. The second half also goes that way. While comedy is interspersed in first half, second half runs seriously. Songs disturbed the tempo of narration. Climax is made good. There is some novelty in climax. The fate of this film depends on the patronage of mass audiences. Although the film is being termed as family entertainer, the majority features in this film are mass oriented.

The emotional drama and sentiment is filled in climax. Have you ever watched a ‘sentimental fight’ in recent movies? That is there in this climax.

On a whole, it is a mass oriented film that may run well only with aggressive publicity.

Film: Sivaji
Rating: 4/5 (Commercial)
Banner: AVM
Cast: Rajni Kanth, Shriya, Vibek, Vadivukkarasi, Mani Vannan, Raghuvaran, Suman etc
Dialogue: Sri Ramakrishna
Art: Tota Tharani
Editing: Antony
Camera: KV Anand
Producers: Saravanan, Guhan
Story-Screenplay-Direction: Shankar
Release Date: 15th June 2007

The most expensive film of India boosted up many expectations among the audiences. Has it reached the expectations? Just give a read.

Story:
The film starts with Sivaji (Rajni) returning to India where his parents (Mani Vannan and Vadivukkarasi) and mama (Vivek) receive him at the Airport. Everything rolls on screen with typical Rajni style. He falls in love with Shriya who looks in traditional get up.

Shivaji’s motive is to spend his Rs 250 Cr for people and charity by setting up educational institutions. But Adiseshan (Suman) the owner of other engineering college group hinders Sivaji’s attempts. His fear is that he may lose his business if Sivaji starts free education for people. But Sivaji goes ahead ignoring Adiseshan and starts building the college and hospital. When the work is amidst and when almost all the amount was spent on that, Adiseshan uses his political influence and demolishes Sivaji’s dream. He brings him on roads. He drops a Re 1 coin in his hand and asks him to live with begging.

But Sivaji stands bold and uses his brain and brawn to get back his lost earning from Adiseshan. When he wins in that plan he uses the same with every rich man in the state. By unearthing black money he will do social service for all. In the process he wins the hearts of everyone. Adiseshan comes to roads with Sivaji’s strategy. Then he conspires to kill him.

What happens next? That has to be watched on screen.

Performances:
Rajni Kanth is at his best and the make up man and costume designer must be given all the credit. And the spark, spirit and driving force in Rajni Kanth are at his superlative degree and nothing waned even a little with his age. His buzz word in the film is ‘Cool’. His unique style in the film is throwing chewing gum into his mouth. He imitated NTR for the song ‘Aku Chaatu Pinde Tadise…’ Wah! What a perfection! Similarly his dance for the song ‘Abba Nee Tiyyani Debba..’ shows how able Rajni is in imitating other stars.

Shriya looted the hearts and senses with her spellbound beauty. Her body and body language are perfectly in tune with the commercial aura of the film. She is beautiful in traditional half saris, saris as well as in songs. Like a romantic madrigal, like an embodiment of feminine beauty, like a bright fair Venus she made her presence felt in this film. She looked perfectly pretty like Sridevi in the bit songs ‘Aku Chaatu Pinde Tadise’ and ‘Abba Nee Tiyyani Debba’. She made it impressive while enacting emotions and pathos as well.

Suman is to be lauded. His image definitely strides up with this film. He is given a typical facial look with projected teeth. His hefty built body and traditional Madrasi costume aptly suited his body language.

Vivek, Mani Vannan, Vadi Vukkarasi and others have justified their roles.

Shankar appears in the song ‘Ballelakka…’ where audiences shout in excitement and delight.

AR Rehman’s music is wonderful with international standards where some songs are pictured with the standards to take place in international chartbusters.

Ballelakka… is quite traditional on screen with dancing troupe starring slim and sexy Nayantara and Rajni Kanth. Oka Bandi Sunlight… is quite contemporary that shows Rajni Kanth with fair skin. In fact it’s a song on Rajni’s complexion. Sahana… is melodious to ears, peaceful to hearts, romantic to senses and elegant to eye balls. The highly splendid set erected for this song cannot be forgotten. Wah! Ji Wah! Ji Raraje Naa Sivaji… is grand and stupendous. The most expensive set used in the song stands on par or beyond Hollywood standards.

Other song… is pictured on par with the standards of Michael Jackson’s song. The graphics used in it are tremendous.

Dialogues:
1. Rajni: Vachchinadaani kante Nachchina daanni chesukovadamloney santhosham untundhi
2. Rajni: Amma! Nannu Nallaga enduku kannavamma
Vadivukkarasi: Tellaga kante maasipothaav nayana
3. Vivek: Six tarvata seven…Sivaji tarvata evadraa?
4. Vivek: BOSS-Bachelor of Social Service
5. Rajni: Nenu puttakathone karulo puttledu. Chinnavayasulo cheppullekunda tirigaa..’bussullo’ prayanincha.

Analysis:
The film is opened with crazy collections with Rajni factor and runs with the same. The story of the film is apt for the star image of Rajni. To say with critical outlook and common sense, the process to unearth the black money that’s shown in this film is completely impractical. But still Rajni mania and the hype that it created makes the film run marathon.

There are many notable scenes in the film those entertain and here are a few:

1. Chandramukhi scene between Shriya, Rajni and police officer
2. Shankar’s appearance in Ballelakka song
3. Rajni as NTR and Chiranjeevi
4. Shriya as a perfect replica of Sridevi

Illogical scenes:
1. Sivaji hires gundas to batter rich people to unearth black money. He follows same formula everywhere and becomes successful. That sounds illogical. It would have been shown intellectually without using cheap muscle trick (well. It’s for masses. So we have to compromise)
2. Stunts are hard to believe (again, it’s for masses and the hero is Rajni. So again we have to compromise)
3. MMS Episode- Why Sivaji sends that to doctor Raghuvaran? Why doesn’t he send it to media so that he can be protected easily and Adi Seshan will be arrested? (No No! by doing so, the film comes to End 40 minutes earlier).

To sum up, it’s a film with grand extravaganza that appeals for mass film lovers, Rajni fans and the ones who are habituated to watch routine masala flicks. As a thought provoking idea is discussed in the film to excavate black money, it will be a point of discussion among class audiences. Stunts, Rajni style and songs are for young ones. Sivaji’s love for villages and Shriya’s get up off the songs appeal B, C centers. That way the film targeted all the audiences. The result is obvious!

Bottom Line: Watch It!

It was during his debut that folks compared him with a Bollywood actor given his looks and he got to rub shoulders with one of the top most stars in the circuit. But from then on till date, there is not a single movie that has clicked at the box office from him and folks say that even the actor has not been putting enough efforts on his skills to actually make it big.

Meanwhile, here is a strong buzz that is coming from sources close to him, this flop hero has got an aunt who is a beautician but more than that, she is specializing in arranging private massages to high profile clientele. There is also the reliable gossip that she is into escort services as well.

While this young actor may or may not be directly involved in it but then given the news that has been spreading like wildfire, one tends to get the impression that somewhere even he might just be useful to his aunt. Such stories have become quite normal in the film industry so that is the flip side of entertainment arena folks.

With ideas running out in the film industry and the lack of quality and original writers missing from time to time, the trend related movies have become quite popular. If one theme gets a good response then immediately a trend is created with a volley of films till it is completely drained out.

Now, one such trend that is said to be the in thing is the concept of heroes appearing as drivers and this will soon be seen in the film ‘Avakaya biryani’ where the hero is an auto driver and then there is news that even ‘Prince’ Mahesh Babu will be seen as a driver in his forthcoming venture.

While all this is still a suspense that is still trying to be uncovered, the real truth will be out once the movies hit the screens but till such time this is some food for thought folks.

Bhavana has been the darling of many young hearts in Tamilnadu and Kerala with her homely appearances and romantic looks. She never has shown her part below navel and cleavages as well. She always preferred a sari or a salwar that covers her bosoms.
 
But now she appeared little hot with thigh show on Malayalam screen with actor Dileep there. She is now in the process of image make over as per the inside sources. It is in fact the saga of any heroine that come with conservative idea on to screen but goes glamorous to meet the requirements.
 
So Bhavana also has fallen into that segment probably.

She is known as the slender beauty loaded with immense singing talent and mesmerizing looks and barely few films she is today the hottest actress in the tinsel town. Sharing her thoughts and her future plans, Mamta got to speak about her co-stars and of course her contemporaries.

While her thoughts on male stars like Nag, Venky and NTR has been quite positive and honest, folks were keen on knowing what she thinks about the petite beauty Trisha since Mamta is rubbing shoulders with her in the forthcoming venture ‘King’. Mamta openly said that it will take at least another four or five years to reach the position that Trisha is in. she also added that at this point she is no position to compete with her.

She also dropped curtains on any gossips or buzz about cat fights and said that she knows Trisha since her first movie. They share a lot of things and interests and jealousy or enmity has never been an issue. Well, we sure appreciate the honesty of this hot girl and let us hope she reaches her goals soon, for now, Trisha you are safe…