I am fortunate to play heroine in 'Gnapakam' – Visakha Singh

Directed by Uppalapati Narayana Rao and produced by Kongara Subhashini and Chakradhar Paturi on the banner of German Town Entertainments, 'Gnapakam' with Atluri Venkateswara Rao and Visakha Singh in the lead is all set for release soon.

Speaking on the occasion, heroine Visakha Singh says, 'I am very happy for my introduction as heroine through a Telugu film. Moreover, I was able grab a very good character right in my first movie. It is a matured and responsible character at the same time I could be able to play a bubbly girl character. Of course, I troubled our director Uppalapati Narayana Rao a lot, especially because of language. I don't know Telugu. So he dealt with me very carefully. It remained a memorable incident in my acting career especially in my debut appearance. Everyone would have sweet memories, the director moulded some of such memories on the screen in an effective way. All those who watch the film would deeply involve in the film and identify themselves in one of the charactes. I am very much thankful to the director Rao and producers for giving me such a very good opportunity right in my debut appearance.'

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Krishnavamsi-Kalyan combo by end of April

It is well aware that C Kalyan is producing a film on the banner of Teja Cinema with Navadeep and Siva Balaji as heroes under the direction of Krishnavamsi. It is learnt that the story was ready for the film. The unit is busy in search of heroines for the movie.

It is also learnt that 'Mallepuvvu' is the title under consideration. Jyotika Krishna, who played heroine in 'Laila Majnu' was selected as one of the heroines, while search is on for another heroine. It is surprising that Krishnavamsi has come forward to do a film with relatively small casting, after a big hit like 'Rakhee'.

Previously also, Krishnavamsi brought out 'Khadgam' with less popular stars and made it a blockbuster and this film would repeat history, several open. Navadeep says, 'Every artist is to work with a creative director like Krishnavamsi. I am very lucky for getting one such opportunity now.

I will ensure to make best use of this chance.' The film is most likely to be launched on April 25. In case it was postponed, the film would definitely go to sets for regular shooting from May 1.

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Rajashekar launches new film...

'Evadaithey Naakenthi' has turned out to be a big hit and a blessing for Rajashekar and his badly faltering career in the film industry. After celebrating its success, he is now getting ready for the future.

The actor-director team of Rajashekar and Jeevitha are now searching for a good film to be remade in Telugu. There were initial talks that the two have decided to not work with each other in the future projects, but that dispute now stands resolved. Announcements about the new film are awaited. In all probability you can hear something in May this year.

Meanwhile, Samudhra, the associate director of 'Evadaith....' is now getting ready with his next project. Kalyan Ram is going to be the hero. The film is the Telugu remake of the Vijay hit 'Sivakasi'. AM Rathnam had produced the film in Tamil.

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Kamlini returns to Telugu

For a while it looked as if Kamlini Mukherjee had been avoiding films in Telugu with a vengeance. But our folks were consoling themselves because it isn't unusual for actresses to refuse offers from the language that had made them stars initially.

Now, Kamlini has proved them all wrong.

She has two new projects in Tamil with Prithviraj and director/actor Cheran.

But she has also found time to accept a new film in Telugu.

This one will have Allari Naresh in the lead role. There will be another hero too.

EVV Sathyanarayana is the director. He says that the film is heroine-centric and Kamlini Mukherjee has a strong role to play in it. Acclaimed director and script writer K Bhagyaraj is writing the script for this film.
Source: CineSouth

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Telugu movies top CBFC feature films list

Telugu movies have topped the list of feature films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification during last two years, according to figures available with the ministry of information and broadcasting here.

A total of 245 Telugu films were awarded certificates. This was followed by Hindi films (223) Tamil films (162), Malayalam (77), Bhojpuri (76), Kannada (75) and Marathi 73, according to the official figures.

The CBFC in all issued a total of 10,551 certificates during the year 2006, as against 7,417 during 2005. As many as 3,454 certificates were issued to celluloid films and 7,097 to video films during this period. These consisted of 1091 Indian feature films (celluloid), and 336 foreign feature films (celluloid).

Out of 1636 Indian feature films (celluloid and video) certified during the period, 1130 were granted U certificates, 270 UA certificates, and 236 A certificates. Similarly, of the 1080 foreign feature films certified in the year, 460 were granted U certificates, 269 UA certificates, and 351 A certificates.

The board certified a total of 7,242 Indian short films during the period January to December, 2006, of which 6,717 were granted U certificates, 359 UA certificates, 165 A certificates.

A total of 7097 certificates were issued to video films. Of these, there were 545 Indian feature films, 744 foreign feature films, 5494 Indian short films, 235 foreign short films, 75 Indian and 4 foreign films belonging to the others category, long films other than feature.

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'Desapokiri' with Venumadhav

The shooting of 'Bhukailas' directed by Siva Nageswara Rao and produced by Gopinatha Reddy with Venumadhav, Gowri Munjal, Suhasini and Mumaith Khan as heroines is progress well.

As per the story, Venumadhav has an acre land. He moves around like a vagabond. Such vagabond earns Rs 50 crores for his one acre land in the real estate boom, due to the 'Ring Road'. So Venumadhav moves carelessly as he became a millionaire overnight.

So, film director Ali tells him cock and bull stories and flatters him saying that he is like a hero and made him to launch a film 'Desa Pokiri'. Ali also gives a title to Venumadhav as 5 Star. With the help of Manikyam, Sridevi would be made to play the mother of Venumadhav. Each and every scene was quite entertaining and at the same time, the film has a sentimental touch.

Director Siva Nageswara Rao says, 'We are planning to release the film in May.'

Source: IndiaGlitz

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Athili Sathibabu LKG - One more laugh riot from EVV's direction

Being groomed in the school of Jandhyala, EVV Satyanarayana had grasped the art of making good comedy films and his films like Appula Appa Rao, Hello Brother and others were proved big hits and remained memorable films.

Very recently he had bagged a hit in the form of 'Kitakitalu' and this year again he chose the same hero again for his latest flick 'Attili Sattibabu'. In fact, the character has become very popular by Rajamouli and Raviteja through their film 'Vikramarkudu'. Right from the day one of shooting, the director cum producer assured that they are giving a total entertainer and they fulfilled their promise.

Attili Sattibabu (Allari Naresh) is the son of a philanthropist respected by all the villagers. He stays with his elder brother (Raghubabu) who is a drunkard, and the other (Sunil) is a gambler who always enjoys playing cards. Though Sattibabu is the youngest, he is intelligent and earns money by lending money to others in Attili but he hardly spends it for his family. He demands interest depending on the necessity of the borrowers. Besides money-lending, he also runs a tent house and a rice mill. His life ambition is to lend money to World Bank and collect interest. Sattibabu also has a sister (Srilata) who is the civic chief and her husband (Krishna Bhagawan) acts as extra constitutional authority and collects bribes.

Ammulu (Vidisha), daughter of a cook (LB Sriram), loves Sattibabu. But the latter wanted to marry a rich girl. When Ammulu reveals her love, Sattibabu refuses her. Meanwhile, Pranati (Kausha) starts a beauty parlour near his shop. Coming to know that Pranati earns Rs 5,000 per day, Sattibabu wants to marry her. When one of his workers (Duvvasi Mohan) gets electric shock, Sattibabu evades medical expenses. Irked over his behaviour, all the workers quite en masse. But Sattibabu did not care them.

After a few days he meets Pranati's her father (Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam), who puts a condition that he could marry Pranati by paying Rs 25 lakhs. Instead of paying dowry, he demands Kanya Sulkam as his daughter earns a lot. Sattibabu gets ready to pay the amount, but meets with an accident. No one comes forward to take him to doctor. But Ammulu admits him to a hospital. Pranati's father visits hospital and tells him that money is not the only thing in life but one should earn the love and affection from the people around him. Realising his foolishness, Sattibabu changes his attitude and starts donating everything he earned. Then Pranati agrees to marry him, but Sattibabu refuses her saying that he would marry Ammulu.

Naresh almost stepped into Rajendraprasad's shoes, who dished out several comedy films. Naresh improved a lot in his body language with perfect comedy timing. Vidisha had performed well, besides filling the glamour slot. Kausha also looked gorgeous. A song picturised in the backdrop of a stage show in Thailand was the highlight of the film. However, the film is quite a time-pass film and some scenes were looked stretched unnecessarily.

Moreover the climax became too short and was wrapped very quickly and hurriedly. The director made good use of present political scenario and other remarks on the construction of Fab City, Singapore Township, International Airport and Ring Road. These issues were highlighted exceptionally. The film is well recommended for view of the entire family only or entertainment

Cast: Allari Naresh, Vidisha, Kausha, Brahmanandam, Raghubabu, Sunil, Krishna Bhagawan, Ali, Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam, Venumadhav, MS Narayana, LB Sriram, Mallikarjuna Rao, Kondavalasa Lakshmana Rao, Duvvasi Mohan, Chalapati Rao, Srinivasa Reddy, Lakshmipati, Raghava, Uttej, Kadambari Kiran, Babu Mohan, Satya Krishnan, Bhargavi, Abhinayasri, Archana and Srilata and others.

Credits: Story – Varma and EVV, Dialogues – Satish, Nagaraju, Balaram, Camera – Jayaram, Music – Srikrishna, Lyrics – Suddala Ashokteja, Jonnavittula, Sai Sriharsha, Screenplay, direction and Producer – EVV Satyanarayana.

Source: IndiaGlitz

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Tollywood Tops Indian Film Industry

For the Indian film industry, 2006 was a watershed year. It produced the largest number of films ever - a staggering 1,091.

Clearly, the film industry is on a roll. “It has been a steady climb,” Supran Sen, secretary of the Film Federation of India (FFI) told the Hindustan Times. In 2005 India produced 1,042 films; in 2004, a little over 900; in 2003, it was 842.

In certain respects some branches of regional cinema even surpassed Hindi films. With 76 films produced in 2006, Bhojpuri films have recorded the fastest growth rate — a 100 per cent increase over 2005. They also account for 7 per cent of the total number of films produced, only marginally behind Malayalam and Kannada films, according to figures released by the Central Board of Film Certification.

“There is a huge market for Bhojpuri movies not only in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, but in Mumbai as well, since the city has a large number of emigrants from those areas,” Sen added. Surprisingly the hub of the Bhojpuri film industry is Mumbai, where 72 of the 76 Bhojpuri films were produced, and where most of the big Bhojpuri film producers also live.

Another surprise: more Telugu films were made last year than Hindi. Against 223 films in Hindi, Telugu banners produced 245 films in 2006. The Tamil industry, which was in first place five years ago, slipped to third with 162 films.
“The diminishing number of dubbed films – just 39 last year – shows a maturing viewers market too,” Sen added.

As expected, Mumbai was the biggest centre for film production accounting for 403 of the 1,091 films produced. Hyderabad followed with 220 titles, while Chennai was a close third with 205 films.

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