Saturday, December 5, 2009

Tabu taking a break from work


Though the reticent Tabu is known not to take too many film assignments, she believes in taking a break from work whenever she feels like it. Currently, the actor has gone on a month-long vacation to Los Angeles.


A source close to the actor says, “Tabu left for LA in the last week of November. Many of her relatives live in America and it has been long since she took a break. She will be spending time with family and friends.”


Apparently, Tabu has been planning a vacation for a while now. The source adds, “She had wrapped up the shooting of Ravi Chopra’s Bandah Yeh Bindaas Hai and Taurani’s Toh Baat Pakki, and had a lot of time on hand. She will be returning to Mumbai in the first week of January.”

Shriya Saran moves to Mollywood

Shriya Saran has turned a strategist. In a move that is being looked upon as a carefully planned one, the actress has chosen to do a big Malayalam film.


She will play the lead along with megastar Mammootty and Prithviraj in Pokkiri Raja, an action-packed masala entertainer directed by Vysakh. Mammootty and Prithviraj play brothers pitted against each other in the film.


Confirming the news, Shriya said, “Yes, I’m doing the film in Malayalam with Mammootty and Prithviraj. My role is the pivot around which the film revolves and it is meaty. I can’t wish for a better launch in Malayalam.” The actress has given dates from January 10 to February 15 for the film which will be shot in Kochi and Pollachi. Pokkiri Raja, which has already triggered huge expectations, is expected to release on Vishu, which falls on April 14, 2010. The grapevine has it that she is being paid a whopping amount to do the Malayalam film, the highest ever paid to an actress in Kerala.


Meanwhile, Shriya has rubbished reports that she is doing a Tamil film with Srikanth. Says Shriya, “I haven’t signed any new films in Tamil. At the moment, I have Jaggubhai and Kutty, which are ready for release in January. I have to complete Chikku Bukku with Arya.” Meanwhile, the buzz is that she is in talks with a popular production house to do a film with Jeeva, which is to be directed by debutant Gokul.

Politic is the second half of my real life movie: Chiru


Addressing a huge gathering of students and youths in a programme organised by the Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) in Tirupathi on Thursday to mark the World Disabled Day, mega star-turned politician Chiranjeevi described his present political stint as the second half in the movie of his ‘real life’. "In the first half of my life’s movie, I donned enough roles and won the hearts of all. I am now in the second half," he said.


The actor alleged that the State Government failed to safeguard the interests of the disabled. He said not even 3% of the budget outlay was allocated for the disabled welfare. There was a huge backlog of posts reserved for the disabled in various government departments.


"The ruling Congress, which is claiming credit for increasing the pension for the disabled from Rs. 200 to Rs. 500, seems to be unaware of the disabled welfare programmes being implemented in other States. Puducherry is paying a monthly pension of Rs. 1,250 to the disabled. The Congress Government has limited itself to comparing its welfare initiatives with the TDP regime," the PRP president said.

A.R. Rahman to act in a Hollywood film


Oscar winner A.R. Rahman (SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE) for the first time will be seen in front of the camera in upcoming film SON OF A PREACHER MAN, about the life and times of Grammy winning singer-songwriter-producer PJ Morton.


Besides Rahman, other cast includes American Gospel musician Kirk Franklin (NORBIT), Grammy nominated American Idol Winner Ruben Studdard (LIFE ON A STICK), and producer Warryn Campbell (STOMP THE YARD). Shot in Atlanta and New Orleans in USA and London in United Kingdom, it will be released in 2010. Michael Akwesi Djaba (REASONABLE EXCUSE) is the director. Rahman and Morton collaborated on Sajna song in recent Hollywood comedy COUPLES RETREAT.


Rahman, who has reportedly recorded sales of over 300 million, was called "Mozart of Madras’’ by Time magazine. Rahman sees music "as a way to connect to spirituality and embrace it" and for "creating harmony in troubled times".

Friday, December 4, 2009

Pravarakyudu Movie Review


Jagapati Babu and Priyamani are playing the lead roles Pravarakhyudu directed by Madan and produced by Ganesh Indukuri, under the banner of Tolly2Holly Films. This is slated to be a fun filled romantic entertainer mixed with sentiment as well. Music composed by Keeravani for this film and got a good responce.


What it’s all about?

The film Pravarakhyudu is a story about the love and hate relationship between college students Jagapathi Babu and Priyamani. They go their separate ways after a misunderstanding only to meet again after 10 years. How they clear their misunderstandings and come together is the story.


The story is set in a college. Sailaja (Priyamani) and Sasi (Jagapathi Babu) are classmates. While Sailaja is wooed by most of the college students Sasi justs laught over it. When Sailaja says ‘I Love You’ to Sasi, he takes it lightly. Sasi says that he does not believe in love but is ready to marry her if she is ready.


This angers Sailaja and she and Sasi part ways. Ten years pass by. Now Sasi is a professor in Harvard. Sailaja is a principal. Sailaja cannot forget Sasi and so she does not marry. Sasi comes to India in search of a suitable girl. He still cannot forget Sailaja and so starts enquiring about her. When he learns that she is still unmarried and working as a principal. Sasi joins the same college as a lecturer.


The intention of Sasi is very clear. His only task is to try and woo Sailaja and marry her. Will Sailaja fall to the charms of Sasi? If so, how and why? Watch this as it unfolds on the screen.


The actors:

The film is a Jagapathi Babu show all the way. He hogs the screen presence for a major part and does a neat job. Jagapathi Babu is really impressive as a lecturer. The way he goes about wooing Priyamani s charming and interesting.


Priyamani looks ravishingly beautiful. She also makes a good mark as the principal. Sunil plays Jagapathi Babu’s friend while Brahmanandam plays a college lecturer.


Ali makes a brief appearance in the get up of a tribesman in Africa. He manages to raise a few laughs. The rest from Chalapathi Rao to Rajyalakshmi and Dharmavarapu are okay.


The bottom line:

The music is okay and the story and screenplay quite interesting. Director Manages to weave an interesting love story. He handles the adult relationships quite well. The film is a bit slow and dull in the first half but picks up pace and interest in the second half.


Pravarakhyudu may not offer anything new but it still manages to hold your interest for a couple of hours. Okay for a one time watch.

Old on.. it's SRK!


If Shah Rukh Khan’s portrayal of an old man in the movie Veer Zaara left you wanting for more, then here’s something to look out for.


In an upcoming ad for Dish TV, SRK has donned an avatar of a 75-year-old man who romances his wife behind closed doors by dancing with her. Anurag Basu, of Kites fame, who’s directed this ad says, “The story is very cute. Tanvi Azmi is playing Shah Rukh’s wife. They’re hiding inside their room and are dancing.” Anurag, together with adman Prasoon Joshi, the brain behind the concept, planned the look and the ad. “We didn’t know if SRK will agree to the idea. I didn’t want to make him Veer Zaara kinda old. It had to be different. So, pehle Shah Rukh ko buddha banaya humne pictures mein, and then showed it to him. He was very sporting and loved the idea,” says Anurag.


While his contemporaries are playing college-students in movies, isn’t it a leap of faith for SRK to add 30 years to his real age? Prasoon says, “He liked the script a lot. Probably he never got a script like that before. His first reaction was, ‘Well, I love it!’ He probably he trusted my work. He didn’t take time to say yes.”


Prasoon adds, “Everybody has been going wow over the ad. He has emoted really well. There is a beautiful chemistry between him and Tanvi Azmi.” The bald look in the ad, says Shah Rukh, was something he was excited about since he’s very sure that he’d never lose hair in real life! When asked how his wife, Gauri Khan, reacted to the way he looked, Anurag responded, “Shah Rukh called his make-up guy and gave him the brief on how to do his look. After the whole get-up was done, he did something very cute.


He clicked a picture of himself and sent it to Gauri on the phone, asking, ‘Will you still love me when I am old and look like this?’ I am sure he will look much more handsome when he is old!”

Rahman nominated Twice at Grammy Awards!


One year after 'Slumdog Millionaire' hit theatres are created a frenzy at the Oscars the buzz still hasn't died - music maestro AR Rahman has now been nominated for two Grammy Awards for hsi work on 'Slumdog'.


The ubiquitous 'Jai Ho' has been nominated in the category of 'Best Song written for Motion Picture, Television or Other visual media'. The songs has already won Rahman two Academy awards and a Golden Globe award. Rahman has also been nominated in the category of 'Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other visual Media' for 'Slumdog Millionaire'.


The 44-year0old has been nominated for the very first time at the Grammys. Bruce Springsteen's title track for 'The Wrestler', 'Once in a Lifetime' from film 'Cadillac Records', 'Decode' from 'Twilight' and 'The Client' from 'Hannah Montana: The Movie' will battle against Rahman's 'Jai Ho' for the big award. Moreover, the soundtrack album of 'Slumdog' will be up against biggies the likes of Quentin Tarantino's 'Inglourious Basterds', Beyonce starrer 'Cadillac Records', HBO's vampire series 'True Blood' and Robert Pattinson starrer Vampire-romance 'Twilight'.


Incidentally, 'Jai Ho' was re-recorded in 2009 by the Pussycat Dolls with English lyrics, a different key signature with all vocals from Nicole Scherzinger, produced in collaboration with Rahman and Ron Fair, and mixed by Peter Mokran. The original song was actually composed for 'Yuvvraaj', but was turned down by director Subhash Ghai who thought the song was not suitable for actor Zayed Khan to perform onscreen. 'Jai Ho' won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, beating out WALL-E's "Down to Earth" by Peter Gabriel, and "O…Saya", also of Slumdog Millionaire and by A. R. Rahman and M.I.A.

Lata Mangeshkar honoured


The grand dame of Indian music, Lata Mangeshkar, who has been honoured with France’s highest civilian award, the Insignia of ’Officier de la Legion d’Honneur’ (Officer of the Legion of Honour), says she continues to grow young with age.


"I turned 81 in September. But I am very young at heart. So I have reversed the order of the figure. I feel like an 18-year-old," Lata said while accepting the honour here last evening at a function organised by the French government.

"France and India have always stood for values like fraternity, equality and liberty. I thank the French Government for bestowing this highly prestigious honour on me," Lata said.


The ’Legion d’Honneur (Legion of Honour) is the highest distinction that can be conferred by the French Republic on a French citizen as well as on a foreigner. Showering praise on France, which she says is a regular on her travel itinerary, Lata said, "France is the land of brave hearts as well as beauty. So are its perfumes, wine and champagne famous world over. I am a great fan of France."


"Besides other things, I found peace, which I am looking for, in a church there," said Lata, who was clad in her trademark simple saree. Lata, famous as the ’Nightingale of India’ also thanked her family and film industry.


"It is because of them, what I am today. I consider myself to be very lucky," she said. Jerrome Bonnafont, French Ambassador in India, bestowed the medal, a glittering broach, on Lata.

But it proved to be quite a tongue twister for Bonnafont when he tried to mentioned two particular songs of the singer — Aaayega aane wala…. and Ae Mere watan ke Logon….


"It is this love in myriad forms, from personal to patriotic, that binds France with India," he said.


The function was attended by filmmaker Yash Chopra, Madhur Bhandarkar, Annu Mallik, and entire Mangeshkar family, except Asha Bhosale, who gave a miss to the event. Other famous personalities who have been awarded this honour include Steven Spielberg and actor Gerard Depardieu.


The legendary singer who first broke onto the music scene with Aayega Aanewaala in Mahal (1949), is considered the greatest playback singer in Indian cinema having sung more than 30,000 songs in a career spanning six decades.

Amaravathi Movie Review


Cast:: Tarakaratna, Sneha, Bhoomika and Others

Music Director :: Sekhar Chandra

Editing : Shankar

Cinematography: Sudhakar Reddy

Director:: Ravi Babu

Producer : Anand Prasad


“Amaravathi” starring Bhumika and Sneha in the lead roles is a suspense thriller directed by Ravi Babu, the director of “Anasuya” and “Nachavule.” The film is produced by Anand Prasad under Bhavya Creations banner.


Story Plot

The Flick starts in 1995 in the small village of Muthyala Revu between the three children Ammu, Srinu and Dattu. Ammu that is Amaravathi is the daughter of drunkard landlord while Srinu is the son of a maid servant. Friendship between Ammu and Srinu is hated by Ammu’s father. On a fine day, unable to bear the intimacy between the two, Ammu’s father cuts the throat of Srinu and throws him away in the river and even kills Srinu’s mother who comes to rescue.


Story again shifts back to present 2009 where Venkat (Ravi Babu), Special Task Force Officer is living with his pregnant wife Latha (Sneha). Suddenly a series of incidents in the city where few pregnant women are attacked in their ninth month of pregnancy and baby inside the womb is stolen without killing the pregnant mother takes everybody by shock. Special Task Force team headed by Venkat and Kiran (Gadde Sindhura) take up the task to solve the mystery. In this sequence they catch hold of grown up Srinu (Tarakarathna) and start their investigation.


Srinu after being thrown away into the river is saved by Dr. Sebastian (Kota) and learns the skill of Hypnosis (Vaseekaranam) from him. Now Srinu is on the task to meet grown up Amaravathi (Bhumika) who is already married and pregnant. Srinu unable to bear the news kill Amaravathi’s father and husband. Looking these deaths Amaravathi goes mad and is on the verge of loosing the pregnancy. Srinu to make Amaravathi happy threatens Doctor Bhavani Shankar (Latha) and illegally implants the chromosomes of Amaravathi’s embryo into pregnancies of ten women (Surrogate Mother), as Amaravathi always likes the number ten and one among them is Latha. Very soon Doctor and her husband are killed. Now Srinu is up to the task of removing the ten grown up babies from the wombs of ten women.


Venkat and his team work hard to crack the mystery. When everything is going as per the plan, Srinu hypnotizes the Police personnel including Venakt and remove nine babies. The last one is of Latha…Did he succeed in it? Was Venkat able to save her wife Latha? Who are others that are helping Srinu? is all to be seen as the climax.


Positive and Negative Points :

Main and core element of the film deals with Hypnosis and touches aspects like “Self Hypnois, Subjective Hypnosis, Regression Therapy” and of course some science related points like Surrogate Motherhood.Ravi Babu always picks up the odd subjects and makes them entertaining. Direction looked of Hollywood touch with different lighting and camera angles. Script work was fine and how the whole story is said with half a dozen flash blacks make patrons to stick tight to their seats in the theatre. Music by Shekhar Chandra was good with special frightening sounds added by Ethiraj very well. Photography by Sudhakar Reddy lives up the story highlighting the major thrilling scenes. Editing by Marthand K Venkatesh is crisp as whole ofthe film spans just less than 2 hours. Doddi Srinivas has stolen few scenes with just his makeup and especially Tarakarathna looked never as handsome and frightening as in this film. Production values of Ananda Prasad and Bhavya Creations are rich while Dilaogues by Nivas are upto the mark.


Coming to the casting part, Ravi Babu can be considered as solo hero for Amaravathi because Tarakarathna enters late in the first half and Bhumika enters only in the second half.Ravi Babu looked perfect as Special Task Force officer and his name on the screen is applauded by whistles and claps in the theatre. Sneha as his better half looked romantic. The real show stealer will be none other than Tarakarathna with his impeccable mannerisms and impressive dialogue delivery. Bhumika has done only a short role and was good as usual. Gadde Sindhura as an assistant toRavi Babu looked glamorous.


Movie has although some shades and script in line with “Anasuya”, Ravi Babu maintained something different in Story line. Touching aspects like Hypnosis and Surrogate Motherhood may be odd ones among regular films, but needs to be appreciated. To drain out all the doubts about Hypnosis, Ravi Babu made use of Paruchuri Gopalakrishna as a Professor in the film and speaks at length about Hypnosis and its positive and negative sides on society. First half goes with little entertainment and some lengthy scenes boring here and there with Interval card seen just with in 50 Minutes after the start. The real twists and turns only take place in the second half. Although the story moves only on your expected lines, but you still get on to your nerves with background and direction. The real twist which comes at the end revealing thatRavi Babu himself got hypnotized by Tarakarathna is taken well by audience. The amount of confidence which the success of “Anasuya” gave Ravi Babu to take up this brave venture is clearly visible in the film . Here and there, you may find big blunders in re-recording and confusing elements on Hypnosis, but can be taken it for granted when dealing with new and untouched concepts.


Karomasti Verdict of “Amaravathi”: For all those who look the film like laymen may find “Amaravathi” as an average to above average farer, while some one who look for technicalities and difference may rate this two hour drive with “Amaravathi” as above average to good farer. In the end it’s a thriller with known and expected story but unknown and new technical terms.


Simple Say : Just watch it for fun and its a good timepass and suspense thriller …

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Ben Kingsley and Aishwarya Rai in 'Taj'


It was reported today that contrary to the rumours, Aishwarya Rai will be paired opposite Ben Kingsley and not her husband Abhishek Bachchan in the Hollywood film 'Taj Mahal'. Kingsley's wife Daniela Barbosa de Carneiro would play Shah Jahan first wife.


'Taj Mahal' will be financed by Kingsley's production company SBK Pictures, and the flick is to be shot in Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. The Taj Mahal will be used for shoots as well. Confirming the news, Kingsley said "It’s a project on the building of the Taj Mahal. Aishwarya and I spoke about it while we were shooting `The Last Legion` last year. She very generously agreed to do the project with me. I and Aishwarya will be playing Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. My production company is right now working with a screenwriter. I`ve clear ideas about my approach to this subject. The romance will also include Shah Jahan`s abject isolation for years in a prison cell."


Recently Kingsley was the star guest of the International Film Festival of India, he walked out of the function because he had a tiff with the Entertainment Society of Goa. Reportedly, Kingsley was made to sit on a chair which sported the name of some other guest. The actor walked out and his wife followed.


Kingsley won the academy award for best actor for the film 'Gandhi' back in 1982. Since then Kingsley has appeared in mostly independent and offbeat films, save for Schindler's List and Sexy Beast. Also, Kinglsey will be seen opposite Amitabh Bachchan in the upcoming 'Teen Patti' which releases later this year. Kingsley will be attending the premiere of Amitabh Bachchan starrer 'Paa' on December 3 in Mumbai. Incidentally, Aishwarya Rai had earlier worked with Kingsley in the Hollywood flop 'The Last Legion'.

Spicy actress getting daily three offers


Shriya has worked with some big names earlier -- superstar Rajinikanth, actors Vikram and Vijay. Now there are unconfirmed reports that the actress has signed a movie with Sri Ram of Okarikokaru, a move which has raised eyebrows.


Reportedly when the producers, Gemini Films, approached her, Shriya who doesn't hesitate to accept roles that inspire her, agreed to do the film with the young actor. Sources close to the actress, however, denied the news but admitted that she was approached for the project. "Every day she gets at least three to four film offers. This one also came her way but she has not signed it," clarified the source.

Rambha rubbishes rumours of marriage


South Indian hottie Rambha, who recently made a great comeback to films with veteran Telugu actor Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s comedy drama Quick Gun Murugan winning her much appreciation and many offers in tinsel town, has denied media reports that she would soon tie the knot with Canada-based businessman Indhiran Padmanathan.


It was earlier heard that the duo would marry on December 27 at Tirumala. Rambha clarified that Indhiran has proposed to her, but she hasn't yet given him a green signal.


"We’re still discussing things, but I haven’t made my decision yet. As one of my cousins is getting married in December, we got a marriage hall booked which led to rumours that it was for my marriage," she clarified.


Currently, Rambha is busy with Prathi Kshanam in Telugu, being produced by her brother. She also accepted to do the sequel to Quick Gun Murugan.

Kat's lost without mom


After a spate of hits, Katrina Kaif may be riding high on her career front but that is in no way a compensation for leading a lonely life without family in Mumbai. Considering that the Mumbai film industry can get awfully cold for an out-of-town girl and the constant work-related travel in recent times, Katrina had begun to feel the absence of a strong support system in Mumbai.


Living alone also took its toll on her health when last month the actress was diagnosed with jaundice and a low hemoglobin count.


A close friend of the actress said, “To be alone in Mumbai where no one asks about your health seriously and neighbours don’t even know your name, is bad enough. But for a celebrity like Katrina it’s even worse. People around her presumed she wanted to be left alone when in fact she needed comfort and company during her illness.”


That’s when Katrina made up her mind to call her mother Suzanne Turquotte to Mumbai to be with her. “It wasn’t an overnight decision. She didn’t want to pull her mother away from her social work in Chennai, but being alone was getting to Katrina. Being successful is fine but unlike other actresses her age, she had no one to return home to,” added the friend.


Earlier this week, Katrina’s mom joined the actress in Mumbai. The change in her mood, attitude and lifestyle was almost immediate. She’s now eating well and runs off to work every morning knowing someone is waiting for her back home. “Yeah, my mom is with me,” said Katrina happily from the Mumbai airport yesterday morning before she headed to Dubai for a brief appearance at a live performance. “If I feel strong enough to make this trip, it’s because my mother is at home. I know I have her to go back to. I admit it can get terribly lonely in Mumbai.”