Tollywood gets back on track with No 2 Pos

Telugu film industry has finally regained its second spot when it comes to the total number of feature films produced in the country. Tollywood has sealed the second spot surpassing Kollywood and standing only next to the Bollywood.

According to the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) annual report, about 206 films were produced in Hindi, 192 films in Telugu and 185 films in Tamil for the year 2011.

When compared to 2010, while the number of Telugu films (+11) has increased, both Hindi (-9) and Tamil films (-17) showed a clear decline. In 2010, about 215 films were produced in Hindi, 202 films in Tamil and 181 films in Telugu.

CBFC report for the year 2011: Hindi - 206 films, Telugu - 192 films, Tamil - 185 films, Kannada - 138 films, Bengali - 122 films, Marathi - 107 films, Malayalam - 95 films, Oriya - 38 films and English - 6 films.

The censor's scissors have worked more for Tamil films (4843 metres of film was chopped), for  Telugu films it was 3211 metres and for Hindi films it was 2535.

SVSC Shooting at Ramoji Film City

Mahesh Babu, Venkatesh’s multi-starrer Seetamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu is currently progressing at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad, where few scenes are being shot on Mahesh, Venkatesh and other lead cast of the movie. Next schedule of the movie will commence soon in Ahmadabad.

Dil Raju is producing SVSC film on a grand scale. It is the first notable multi-starrer of this era and the buzz around this film is huge. Samantha and Anjali are signed in as the female leads. Mickey J Meyer is scoring the music. K V Guhan is the cinematographer.

SVSC is a film which speaks about the family values and Telugu traditions. Srikanth Addala of Kotha Bangaralau Lokam fame is directing it. Dil Raju is aiming to release this movie in second half of this year.

Thaman Music for Nagarjuna's Next Movie

Thaman who is going at good pace with good offers in his hand has got an another opportunity, Thaman is giving music for King Nagarjuna for a movie produced by Kamakshi movies and directed by Dasarath. This is the second time that Thaman scoring music for Nagarjuna after Ragada.

The music sittings are said to be done at Hyderabad as of now and this would be the movie Nagarjuna will be doing after 'Shiridi Sai'. Nayanthara is playing the female lead in this film. Nayanthara was paired up with Nagarjuna in Boss earlier. Keep watching this space for more details about this movie.

'Good Morning' is A love story like first kiss

Uday, Prakruti, ARC Babu, Manipatruni DV Hema, Sangeeta and Ananth Babu are featuring as main leads in the movie 'Good Morning' has completed its shooting and currently under post production work. "A love story like first kiss' is the subtitle for this movie. Murali Gandarva is directing this movie.

Under the banner Bodapati visuals Bodapati China Yogayya is producing this movie. Good morning is a romantic love story under the backdrop of Mist. The movie was shot around Araku and Vizag. For this movie Camera by Ramana Mahesh, Music by Ravi kalyan, Mouna sri mallik is penning the lyrics, Story, screenplay, Dialogues and direction by Murali Gandarva.

Tollywood Star Heroes have 'Zero' knowledge: Director

Director Teja ('Chitram', 'Nuvvu Nenu', Jayam' fame) always speaks his mind and never minces the words. He launched an attack on the star heroes in the Industry for not attempting new stories and instead blaming the directors.

When asked him to react on 'Stars blaming directors for failing to come up innovative ideas, though they are ready to experiment', Teja replied,"If a director approaches the heroes with 100 punch dialogues, then the film will be okayed instantly. Our Heroes aren't having that much knowledge on the stories. In Telugu, no star is attempting a new story. If someone approaches them with a new story, they will not listen to it. For example: If we say that the delivery of a baby will be done using a vacuum cleaner in the climax, our heroes will walk away from the story sitting. 3 Idiots was done will the same concept and the film turned out superhit. I can't understand, what's the meaning of new story".

"Our heroes will say that they are open for new ideas, but they don't listen to them when a director approaches them. We are living in the comparitive terms. If films like 'Magadheera' and 'Businessman' turned superhit and got record collections last Friday, then heroes will ask the directors to tell similar stories. If someone tells a new story, they are apprehensive to do it," he added.

Aishwarya's comeback film in south !

It has been a while since the gorgeous green eyed beauty Aishwarya Bachchan has been off the radar as she was busy doing the role of a mother in real life. Now it is heard that her daughter Aaradhya Bachchan is fast growing up and Aish has begun to make plans for her comeback.

Sources from Mumbai reveal that every week a dozen scripts are landing at Aish's door and she has been going through them. However, the other update is that she has been appealed by one script from the south. Sources say it is a women centric film and has a powerful character for Aish.

However, it is not clear whether the project is from Telugu or Tamil. While many producers in Bollywood are throwing their kerchiefs with heavy cash bags to book Aish's dates if she really comes to south for her comeback film then it would be an interesting move.

Racha record 5 days share in AP

Mega Powerstar Ram Charan's Racha has been recording mind boggling figures all over. The first five days share in AP has set a new record.

Racha collected a share of Rs 2 crore in Karnataka for just 5 days. The film has been getting good response in Overseas as well. There could be slight changes in the above mentioned figures. Producers are yet to release the collections break up for five days. Despite average content, Ram Charan's action entertainer is doing wonders at the Box Office. It has set a new benchmark in opening week collections and is still going strong with more than 80% collections all over AP.

DC Defeat Gives Relief To Tollywood

Right from the announcement of IPL5, Tollywood started crying that matinee and first show will lose their audiences. However, Deccan Chargers' sleazy performance in their opening game has give a sigh of relief for them.

Deccan Chargers, owned by Hyderabad business people, witnessed a rather worst defeat in their opening match. In reply to Chennai's huge total of 195, Hyderabad succumbed to a defeat after getting all out for 119 runs. DC's worst performance will have its affect on Telugu audiences, say Cine observers. It is felt earlier that IPL matches will reduce the number of audiences visiting theatres in this quality holiday season. In the whole year, Summer season will give a business that is double than the rest of the year, states a noted producer.

'If DC continues their poor form as predicted by surveys, people may not show interest in IPL matches', he feels. Not a strong batting line-up in the Hyderabad team is not raising expectations bar for cricket lovers making our producers happy.

Ex-Lover Shuts Door On Nayan's Face

After breaking up with ace choreographer Prabhudeva, this sexy heroine is heard knocking many old doors to find solace. But one ex-lover has cleared the air that he is not ready to welcome her.

Right from parting ways with Prabhu, curvaceous siren Nayan is heard doing hulchul in Kolly circuits again. Rumors have erupted that she is seeing ex-lover Simbu once again. Before changing boyfriends, Nayantara shared a sexy rapport with Simbu. Their lip locking pictures circulating on internet can best describe their chemistry.

To keep a full stop those pounding gossips, Simbu opened in the media that he is not interested in her anymore as they have parted ways long back. Like Rajnikanth's Baba, he says 'Gatam Gataha'. Insiders say that Simbu has shut doors on Nayan face though she is interested to revive the lost flare once again as part of revenge drama. They say even she had shut doors on his face in the same way long back.

'Racha' blessed with 'L' factor

The summer season is on and many were eagerly expecting to see the biggies of this season. The first one has arrived and it is 'Racha'. Starring mega powerstar Ram Charan Tej along with the milky white beauty Tamannah, the film came in with lot of expectations and as expected it took a thunderous opening at the box office.

The film is entertaining masses and mega fans and has broken first day record in collections. Being the solo release Racha is blessed with 'Luck' factor too. Moreover this is a long weekend which will ensure good collections in the first week. Upcoming releases 'Adhinayakudu' or 'Neeku Naaku Dash Dash' have not got that steam or hype, will help Racha to have a strong second week.

The producers made table profit on the film and now the buyers despite buying for huge prices are putting up smiling faces with the terrific response from the masses. Racha is creating Racha at Tollywood box office and in the process few records are being smashed and washed off.

Rachcha Movie Review

Movie : Racha
Rating: 3/5
Cast : Ram Charan, Tamanna, Mukesh Rushi, Ajmal, Brahmanandam, Ali and others
Director : Sampath Nandi
Producer : Paras Jain, NV Prasa
Banner : Mega Supergood Films
Music : Mani Sharma
Release Date : 2012-04-05

                 Mega Power Star Ram Charan has done only one film after mighty Magadheera. That was Orange, which didn't go well with the mass audience as they expected a mass masala treat from the star. Now Charan offered them what they wanted with Racha. This film is an out and out paisa vasool commercial entertainer from Ram Charan. This is the first film in which Charan has done a complete mass character. Did he live up to the fans expectations as a mass hero? Is Racha good enough to earn him another hit?

What is it about?

Betting Raj (Ram Charan), who makes a living out of betting, takes up the biggest challenge of his life to save his dying father. As per the bet he will have to make Chaitra (Tamanna), a medico to fall in his love within thirty days. Chaitra's father Ballari (Mukesh Rushi) will be the biggest threat to Raj in doing so. Will Raj win the bet? What will Ballari do? Is there any other angle to this story? All these questions will be answered in the second half of the film.
                    
Performances:                                                                                                                                

Ram Charan has done a terrific job as the lead man in Racha. Although this character has over the top dialogues and excessive build up, Ram Charan did it as if it was a cake walk for him. He is a bundle of energy and inherited the confidence of his father. He has immense confidence in himself and fantastic screen presence. Director utilized it to the maximum and the output was awesome. Charan fans will be completely impressed with his 'show'. His dances and fights are a treat to watch. Charan can deliver many blockbusters if the directors make use of his capabilities.

Tamanna did well as an actress. She added the glamour factor to the movie and that will draw repeat audiences for sure. Watch out for her sizzling dance moves in the song Vaana vaana. Mukesh Rushi is fine as the villain. Partheepan is good in a small role. Ajmal delivered a neat performance. Brahmanandam provided the comic relief and Ali was hilarious in his brief role.

On the Technical Front:

Mani Sharma's music is good. He scored mass frenzy tunes as per the requirement of the script. Songs are well shot too. Dillaku Dilla and Vaana Vaana are striking on screen. Background score is an asset to Racha. Mani Sharma's experience came in handy for the director. Sameer Reddy's cinematography is very good. The climax sequence is well shot. Editing by Gowtam Raju is right on the mark.

Paruchuri Brothers excelled as dialogue writers after a long time. Despite writing few outdated dialogues, they have done a decent job in making this film a mass masala fare. Director Sampath Nandi surprises one and all with his efforts. He has it in him to handle a big film and a big star. Making the audience involved into the film without boring them with a routine formulaic script itself is a success for the director.

Analysis:                                                                                   

Racha is a film made for the mass audience. The director and the writers never tried to be street smart or creative at any instance. They have set their target and aimed at it without any diversions. Did they hit the target? They have almost hit the bull's eye! Making a commercial formulaic film is the biggest challenge these days.

Why because it will be hard to please the audience of this age with routine stuff. But when you get your basics and formula right, it is not a big deal. The writers and director have succeeded in getting the little things and right and they have created a big impact on screen.

Racha is not for intelligent audience who yearns for variety and freshness. It is a film made for mass audience and they will be pleased with the film. Racha has its weaknesses and strengths. We have to see if this is enough to shake the box office this summer.

Odds are in favor of Racha and the initial talk from the B and C centers is encouraging. Let's see if this positive buzz converts into record breaking collections and ends the drought period of Mega heroes that has been haunting them post Magadheera.

Mass and action film lovers could happily visit Racha theaters. And other so called class audience can wait until they find their Oasis in Tollywood desert.

Samantha turns a big fan of Mahesh Babu

Not many heroines got the chance to romance Mahesh Babu for the second time. Only Trisha has done a couple of films with Mahesh in the past. Samantha got an opportunity to pair up with Prince for the second time.

Samantha is playing the heroine role in Seetamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu. This is her second film with Mahesh after Dookudu. Sam is in awe of Mahesh Babu’s simplicity and down to earth nature. She says that there is no change in him despite all the success.

If SVSC too hits bull’s eye, then we can surely witness this ‘hit pair’ in many more films to come. Samantha is currently very busy with half a dozen projects on her hand.

Anushka in ‘Brindavanamlo Nanda Kumarudu’

Anushka is currently busy with her Tamil film ‘Irandam Ulagam’, which is being directed by Selva Raghavan. Arya is playing the lead role in this movie. Selva Raghavan is planning to release this film in Telugu simultaneously.

He told that the film is titled ‘Brindavanamlo Nanda Kumarudu’ in Telugu. Selva Raghavan is a very popular director in Tollywood. His last straight Telugu film Adavari Matalaku Ardhale Verule did very well at the box office.

Selva Raghavan’s dubbed movies from Tamil also did good business here. We can expect BNK to draw the attention of Telugu audience in big way due to Anushka’s presence.