Tollywood recollecting memories with Akkineni Nageswara Rao

Tollywood industry actors and technicians are recollecting their memories with the legendary acor Akkineni Nageswara rao, the one who changed Telugu cinema.

CHIRANJEEVI
My mom was due for delivery when one of ANR's films (Jeevitham) released. She is such a huge fan that despite her pregnancy, she wanted to watch the film. But my dad had his apprehensions, since she was due for delivery in the next few days. In the end, she had her way and started from the house to see the film in Palakollu. En route, however, she met with an accident. When my dad asked her to visit the hospital, she flatly refused and went ahead and saw the film! I was born two days after the incident.

KRISHNA
Films have held my fascination since childhood, and it was the Telugu cinema doyen who inspired me to join the industry. When ANR had completed 60 films, he was being felicitated across the state, and my college was one of the institutions which honoured him. When he entered my college campus, I was stunned to see the crowd that was gathered, just to get a glimpse of the actor! I got to watch him from close quarters and saw the fame an actor would get. That triggered the desire in me to make a career in films. When I heard that the makers of Tene Manasulu were looking for fresh talent, I wasted no time in applying for it. ANR was instrumental in choosing me for my debut film.

RAMANAIDU
It's a great loss to the industry,and since he's also a part of our family, it is personally a huge loss. It's shocking because when I met him recently, he was doing well. He was a man of discipline and would never come late, be it on the sets of movies or marriage. Making a film with ANR was the easiest thing for me, since he hardly gave me any trouble.

DASARI NARAYANA RAO
Telugu cinema had two eyes — NTR and ANR. ANR and I go back a long way in the film industry. I'm the only person who's had the honour of working with him in more than 25 films! He was the man instrumental in bringing the Telugu film industry from Chennai to Hyderabad and was one of the few personalities who dedicated his life to movies. As long as there's Telugu cinema, he'll be remembered...

MOHAN BABU
ANR was like a father figure to me. I worked in several films produced under his banner and have learnt a lot.This is an irreplaceable loss.

MAHESH BABU
The great ANR will remain in our memory forever. He'll stay with us forever in our hearts.

NTR JR
NTR and ANR are film industry's two eyes and we lost the second pillar. It's a black day for Telugu film industry. I'm not eligible to acclaim ANR's accomplishments and feats. I hope he continues to show his blessings on the industry.

RAM CHARAN
I'm deeply saddened to know that ANR garu passed away He'll live forever in our hearts. It's unfortunate that I am out of the country and unable to pay my homage personally to the great man.

source - TOI

Legendary acotr Akkineni Nageswara Rao ( ANR) died

Legendary acotr Akkineni Nageswara Rao ( ANR) died

The Legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao ( ANR), who is suffering from cancer, passed away on Wednesday. He died in the early hours in Hyderabad on Wednesday. He was 91 and the winner of Dada Saheb Phalke Award. The actor had three daughters and two sons.

The 91year-old ANR started his acting career with sitarama Jananam, a Telugu Film in 1944. He acted over in 250 Telugu movies other than working in Tamil movies.

He was followed by his son Akkineni Nagarjuna, daughter-in-law Amala and grandsons in their acting career. He established Annapurna studios. He also honoured with India's second most civilian award Padma Vibhusan and Padma Shri even.

Currently The actor was acting in their family dream project MANAM with his son Akkineni Nagarjuna and grandson Akkineni Naga Chaitanya. 

Karthika tap dancing with Arya

Karthika tap dancing with Arya in Purampokku

It seems that the heroine Karthika is excited to begin shooting for the film Purampokku from this month.

Karthika says, “There’s this interesting tap dancing sequence between Arya and me in the film, and I’ve been learning this dance form for a while now. The choreography is very technical, and this dance sequence will be nothing like that has ever been seen on Tamil cinema before.”

Also she added, “The film has three heros Arya, Vijay Sethupathi and Shaam and one heroine. So, I was sure that I will have a lot to do in it. When the director told me my character sketch, I felt she was more like a hero — bold,carefree and action-packed. In fact, I will have to learn bike riding for a sequence, and perform some stunts, too.”

She also said that “To be frank, I wasn’t offered anything exciting in Tamil. I was busy with films in other languages and when Jhananathan sir told me about this film, I knew I shouldn’t miss this one.”

Saranya Mohan injured

saranya mohan - Badlapur boys

Saranya Mohan who is busy in her Bollywood debut movie 'Badlapur Boys' shoot looks like injured.The shooting was taking place in Rajasthan. Saranya was unable to tolerate the heat wave and she collapsed when a scene was canned. Director Shailesh,hero Nishan and the team took her to a near by hospital for treatment.

Badlapur Boys is the remake of 'Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu' directed by Susindran. The story line deals with a plot of social family-romantic drama in the backdrop of sports.

Vikram and Bala combo soon...

Director Bala's latest film 'Paradesi' even influenced Chiyaan Vikram. Chiyaan who is busy in Star director Shankar's latest flick 'I' have seen Paradesi and liked very much. He then he met Bala and shared his feelings with the director. He praised the talented director Bala for the movie and expressed his wish to work with him again.

Earlier, both Vikram and Bala worked for 'Sethu' first time which wonn many compliments and 'Pithamagan' was their second movie which National Award.

Now it is expected that the duo is interested to gear up for third time and a hat trick in their career. Fans of both will be happy if the combination start the movie as early as.

First look of Dhanush in Raanjhnaa

firstlook-raanjhanaa-dhanush-sonamkapoor-arrahman-anand-rai

The makers of Dhanush's Bollywood yet to release movie have released First look of the movie. The film unit released a romantic pic of actor Dhanush and actress Sonam Kapoor drenched in Holi colors.

Anand Rai directed the film and the movie is being produced by Eros International and AR Rahman is tuning Raanjhnaa. The music will be launched soon and Ranjhnaa is set to release in this summer. Abhay Deol is playing a caemo role in the movie.

Dhanush who is busy with his other projects Mariyaan,Naiyaandi and his maiden production venture 'Ethir Neechal' starring Priya Anand and Siva KArthikeyan posted a tweet about the First look of Raanjhnaa,"The official first look of Raanjhnaa. A beautiful journey I took against all odds. Happy Holi."

Ajit postponed his new film launch

thala ajith

The launch of Ajith's new film with director Siva and produced by Venkatrama Reddy of Vijaya productions has been postponed to April 5th. An official press statement from the actor says that he will be taking part in Nadigar Sangam's fasting on Sri Lankan issue on April 2.

While Tamannaah has bagged the role of Ajith's leading lady, Santhanam, who has become one of the most in-demand actors in Kollywood has been roped into the film. Initially it was scheduled to be launched on April 1st , but the star Ajith kumar with the mutual consent of the producer has decided to post pone the launch and the subsequent shooting schedule of the untitled film to April 5th in order to avail himself for the fasting agitation declared by the south Indian artistes association on April 2nd.
source - TOI

Gautham Menon - Suriya's combo

Gautham Menon - Suriya's combo

Gautham Menon squashed reports related to rift between Suriya and him and has announced that their combo film will commence shooting soon. He siad that the actor has given dates to the him.

Suriya who is busy in completion of 'Singham 2' getting ready for his next movie with the director Gautham Menon. This duo director and actor already created box office records with Kaakha Kaakha and Vaaranam Aayiram and now expecting hat trick soon.

Till now, there were lot of speculations over Suriya's next film. The director Lingusamy was also in the pipeline but Gutham Menon clarified all speculations simply using a tweet.

The director has tweeted,"I would like to clarify. Suriya has given me dates and we will announce the project very soon. We will start shoot in May." So fans of both the director Gautham Menon and actor Suriya need to wait till the official announcement is done.

Piaa Bajpai going traditional

Piaa Bajpai going traditional-Koottam

"I don't like to be stereotyped" says Piaa Bajpai, who if famous for her bubbly roles.

"I play a girl called Shruti in the film. She's someone I have never portrayed so far. For the first time I will be seen in traditional pavadai dhavani throughout the film. Though it is not the usual bubbly role, the character is humorous and I think humour is my forte." She is playing as a Tamil Brahmin gal in the movie Koottam.

"After Ko, I was offered a lot of roles similar to that role. I am actually bored with the bubbly roles. I was looking for a different story and Kottam is one such script. The film is simultaneously being made in Telugu as Dhalam."

Piaa who is busy in promoting her latest Telugu release in Hyderabad has recently signed on a couple of Tollywood projects as well. She said, "Right now I am doing well in Tollywood with a few prominent films. There are a couple of projects in Tamil but it is too early to say anything about them."

Mouna Guru screened in HAF

Mouna Guru screened in HAF

Along with two other India films Gangs of Wasseypur and Gulaab Gang Mouna Guru is the third film selected for screening at 37th Hong Kong Internation Film Festival. The movie was directed by Santha Kumar.

As per the sources, the director of the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), saw the film at the 10th Chennai International Film Festival where it won a special mention, and invited the filmmakers to participate in the Hong Kong film festival, which is being held from March 17 to April 2.

Arunlnidhi and Ineya palyed lead roles in Mouna Guru directed by Santha Kumar and was released in 2011. Right now, the director Santha Kumar is busy in script works which will be directed for K E Gnanavel Raja's production house.

Rajesh's new tunes clicked...

Rajesh Murugesan-Pistah-music director

Rajesh Murugesan who is making his debut with the Tamil-Malayalam bilingual movie Neram starring Nivin Pauly and Nazriya Nazim.

The promo song which he composed for the movie Pistah, the run anthem has gobe as viral and hit nearly three lakh views including celebraties tweets like of Shruti Haasan.

"The success shows that people are accepting new ideas in music. Even if the song has meaningless words as lyrics, they are able to get the pulse of the song," said Rajesh.

He worked for short films and ads before bagging up of this dream project.He told,"I was the composer for Pizza director Karthik Subbaraj's short films for Naalaya Iyakkunar. It was through the show that I landed the offer to compose for Neram."

Gautham’s letter hurt Elred

Gautham Meno - Elred in legal conflict 

The legal war between the director Gautham Menon and producer Elred Kumar took a new twist when Gautham releasd a written plea to the media and Kollywood recently.
Sorces says, Elred who produced several movies of Gautham, filed a case over several issues including repayment of financial losses around 20 crore.

As per the sources, Elred said,"I cannot reveal details of the court case as the matter is subjudice as advised by my lawyer. All I can tell you is that I am hurt — I am hurt by the fact that Gautham alleges I am harassing him because I took the legal route. How can seeking relief through the court of law be termed harassment? I have never even had a verbal argument with him in all the time we have worked together."

Elred ecev said,"I was advised not to prevent Gautham from continuing to direct and hinder his work and I have not done that. As for attaching his house, we have not done any such thing. There is a property he bought recently and we are seeking to attach that only. Why will we try to attach his house?"

The producer finally left by saying "We have all the evidence required for the cases filed and I am very confident that the judgment will be in our favour and we will win the case. The truth will come out."

It came to know that the director is trying to create sympathy with the media and Kollywood.He owes many producers money but a large amount to the producer Elred.

Siddharth's marriage will not be rumour

Siddharth and Samantha visited the Kalahasti temple on Saturday with their parents and performed the Rahu-Ketu puja sparking off a fresh round of rumours of an impending wedding.

As per the sources the actor denied any marriage plans. "I think it's irresponsible to use words like 'wedding' when no such plans have been made. People's families are involved in such rumours and that's not fair. When I decide to get married, it will not be a rumour. It will be done the right way," said Siddharth.

But on the other hand, when sources asked Temple authority about their visit they told, "Both Siddharth and Samantha's families arrived at the temple together at 10 am. They stayed in our temple guest house and after quick refreshments, Samantha and Siddharth attended the puja. They booked 2,500 VIP ticket for the Rahu-Ketu puja. They spent an hour at the premises performing the puja after which they headed to Tirupati for the darshan."

Only time will decide whether these are rumours or real.

Mani Ratnam sues Mannan for 5 crores

Distributor Mannan who bought distribution rights for Mani Ratna's Kadal filed a complaint with the commissioner of Polics demanding repayment from him for Kadal's distribution loss.

Against to this, Mani Ratnam's lawyer Abudu Kumar said, "We have sued Mannan for the defamatory remarks and case he has made against Mani Ratnam. We have filed a suit claiming five crore rupees for the damages that he has caused to the director's reputation. A restraining order was also passed by the Madras High Court and notice has been issued restraining Mannan from entering Mani Ratnam's office or residence."

He even told,  "Mani Ratnam has sold the worldwide rights of the film to another company during the first schedule of the film itself. Mani Ratnam or his company cannot be held for the distributor's loss."

Poorna to play woman-centric roles

Poorna 

Poorna who had done title role in Chattakkari is now bagged another woman centric role in a multi starrer film Aaru Sundarikula Kadha and Poomathai Ponnamma, scripted by Palerimanikyam, Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Kadha writer T P Rajeevan. In this film, she gonna play as a bold woman fighting for her rights in a mail dominated society.

"The film is centred on a story happening 200 years ago and I'll take on a rustic look for my role. Unlike Chattakkari, in which I played the Anglo-Indian girl Julie who was clad in short dresses, this folklore singer will have me in an entirely different avatar. Actor Suresh Krishna will also appear in a very different look in the film," Poorna says, "The shoot is scheduled to start in March."

Rajshri happy with deglam roles

Model and actress Rajshri Ponnappa surprised Mollywood with her debut in the industry as a nun in Parishuddhathmavinum,Pithavinum, Puthranum. And in Aram directing by Reji Nair, she again goona paly deglam role. Aram is coming as a Tamil-Malayalam bilingual movie.

Rajshri states, "It's not like only doing deglam works in Mollywood; it hasn't been a conscious decision. You can always do the running around trees kind of roles; but movies as these don't come your way every now and then."

She played as a nun in her debut movie and deglam avatar in Aram. She said,"We're halfway through the shoot and the second schedule will begin in March. These films have given me performance-oriented roles and have challenged the actress in me. They were emotionally draining too, for both these roles are as intense as can be."

Rajshri who is awaiting for Tamil debut is now busy in Paro,Wife of Devdas - a Kannada movie. She said, "Interestingly, I play a gutsy village belle in the film, which has me opposite actor Vikranth. These days, we have a lot of films that have rooted-to-reality themes that people can relate to. It feels good to be part of such films."

VATHIKUCHI - Tamil film teaser trailer HD

VATHIKUCHI - Tamil film teaser trailer HD

Vishal' Double Dhamaka

Vishal Krishna

Vishal's 'Madha Gaja Raja' is out few days back and he is ready to entertain his fans and audience with his second yet to release movie 'Samar'.

Madha Gaja Raja is an entertainer migled with comedy film directed by Sundar C  where as Samar is completely action movie directing by Thiru.

The director Thiru posted on microblog as, "Two more long days to go for trailer launch, waiting for your verdict. We will announce the audio launch date in the same day as well."

Anjali and Varalakshmi along with Arya and Santhanam are sharing screen in Madha Gaja Raja.
Trisha and Sunaina are playing other lead roles in Samar.

Ajith met with an accident

Thala Ajith who is well recognised for attempting dare and dashing stunts is injured while doing a dare devil stunt in Mumbai.

Ajith is busy in shooting of VishnuVardhan's current project in Mumbai. Action scenes are in progress and while performing a stunt Ajith got injured while jumping from one car to another. His right leg strucked in the tyre of the car while jumping.

By the grace, Ajith had only minor bruises and the daring Ajith continued with the shoot.

Though it is a bad news for the Unit and fans, still they are happy for being escaped the Veteran actor with minor injuries.

This time Ajith is playing a hacker role in the movie and Rana Daggubati will be seen in caemo role.
VishnuVardhan is directing the not yet titled movie and Nayantara, Tapsee are sharing on screen along with Thala Ajith. Yuvan shankar Raja is composing music while AM Ratnam is producing the movie.

Like father Like Son...

Surya and Jyothika with family

Surya who turned to father few years ago is happy with with his career as well as family relations. Even he is happy for his brother Karthi enjoying success.  And now Surya who is busy in Tuticorin shoot, planning to spend more time with  his kids Diya and Dev in breaks and after each movie schedule complete.

His father SivaKumar a veteran actor used to do the same. He used to spend time with his children Surya, Karthi and Brinda by taking leave for a number of days.