Yuvatha shoots in Araku

Canning of two songs remained balance for 'Yuvatha' directed by Parasuram and produced by Hari on the banner of Worth Watching Entertainments with Nikhil of 'Happy Days' fame as hero and Aksha as heroine.

Producer Hari says, 'We are planning to can the balance songs in Araku, Bheemili and their surrounding areas from July 10, with which we would wrap up the shooting. We will complete all the formalities by the end of this month. We are making efforts to release the film at any cost in August. The film would reflect the mindset of the present generation audiences.'

Ranadhir, Subhash, MS Narayana, Pruthvi, Jeeva and others are in the cast.

Camera is by Jaswant, additional screenplay is by Dantaluri Chaitanya, while story, dialogues, screenplay and direction are by Parasuram.

Sleepless nights for Shreya Saran

Shreya is finding it hard to sleep after getting back to town on completion of her shooting schedule for Tamil film Kandswami.

I can guess that your thought process is skyrocketing with several points that should be working behind Shreya’s sleeplessness. Firstly, she maybe too excited about her film, secondly maybe the reason that she is anxious about the film and third, which is very obvious with glam babes, she maybe in love.

As normally we associate sleepless nights with love there is no harm in thinking that Shreya must be in the cloud nine with some handsome hunk from south.

But quite unfortunately, the story over hare is little different. Her insomnia isn’t related to falling in love with someone but the reason behind it is shooting in Mexico.

We are all aware of the time difference of 10 hours between India and Mexico. That means when moon is seen in India, people in Mexico are getting ready to start another day.

Returning from 25 days schedule in Mexico poor Shreya is finding it hard to get adjusted with the IST (Indian Standard Time). The schedule has completely changed her bio-clock.

Throughout the night she can’t sleep and on the other hand a rising sun tolls the sleeping bell for this Bolly-babe and she bids goodnight (if allowed) to the entire world.

Shreya says that it would take another couple of days to get adjusted with this natural phenomenon. Until then the actress has no other options than to count the stars looking at the dark sky.

Rajinikanth to sport Pawan Kalyan's attire

When Kamal Haasan portrayed 10 different characters for his recent flick 'Dasavatharam', Rajinikanth is getting ready to appear in 20 different get-ups that too in a single song in 'Kathanayakudu', that was choreographed on Rajinikanth and Nayanatara.

Another surprising point in this song is that most of the get-ups he chose to wear were from his earlier films. Besides that, it is reliably learnt that Rajinikanth is going to appear like Pawan Kalyan in 'Jalsa'.

The film was directed by P Vasu and produced by C Aswanidutt on the banner of Vyjayanthi Movies.

The producer is planning to launch the audio on June 30 and release the film in July.

Hansika opposite Pawan Kalyan?

There were several rumours about who would play the female lead in Power Star Pawan Kalyan's forthcoming Puli. Earlier, Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra were contacted but they expressed their inability to provide dates as they were busy with Hindi films. Now, Hansika’s name is making the rounds in film circles. The latest information is that she had many chances to play heroine opposite Power Star. Hansika, who made her debut appearance opposite Allu Arjun in Telugu with Desamuduru, made her second appearance in Kantri. Now, she has bagged the opportunity to play opposite her debut hero Arjun's uncle in Puli.
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Namitha in Premotsavam

Sriram debuted in Tollywood with Rasool Ellore's Okariki Okaru and now a Tamil film with Sriram as hero is being remade in Telugu as Premotsavam. In this film, he portrays a young corporate executive. The movie was directed by K. Rajeshwar and produced by Ashok K. Kotwani under Yank Movies banner. Sriram has said that he is very ecstatic to be working with a great director like Rajeshawar. The director said, “Right now, the first shooting schedule is going on. For the second schedule, the unit will move to Singapore and Malaysia. Namitha will be the heroine and Mumbai model Hema Malini is debuting as second female lead." The first schedule will wrap up on June 20th.

Priyamani thrilled with National Best Actress Award

Filmmaker Ketan Mehta, whose upcoming film 'Rang Rasiya' is based on legendary painter Raja Ravi Varma's life, says his next project would be on Rani Laxmibai, followed by another on last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar.

Mehta has earlier made a number of movies on historical personalities like 'Sardar', a biopic of freedom fighter Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and 'Mangal Pandey', which had Aamir Khan in the title role.

'Actually 'Mangal Pandey' was a three-part series. It was designed as a trilogy. It starts with Mangal Pandey followed by Rani Laxmibai, ending with Bahadur Shah Zafar,' Mehta told IANS.

So when is he starting the other two projects?

'Once 'Rang Rasiya' is released, I will start with the Rani Laxmibai project and once I am through with it I will start the next one because I can do only one project at a time,' he said.

And who will play Rani Laxmibai, the queen of Jhansi who fought bravely against British rule?

'Nothing is finalised yet ... talks are on with Aishwarya Rai. A lot of international cast will also be seen in the film,' Mehta revealed.

'It will be a big project with international finance and co-producers. The script is ready and shooting will start as soon as other formalities are over,' he added.

The film on Ravi Varma, set for a July release, is a bilingual, 'Rang Rasiya' in Hindi and 'Colours of Passion' in English.

The movie was showcased at the recently held Cannes Film Festival, where Mehta was also honoured as an Officer Of The Order Of Arts And Literature - a recognition by the French government to people who have contributed to the enrichment of art and literature. The award will be presented in August.

'The film got an overwhelming response at Cannes. As a result, it has been invited to various film festivals across the globe,' Mehta said.

Actor Randeep Hooda, who has earlier starred in 'D', plays the lead role in 'Rang Rasiya', while Nandana Sen plays Sugandha - Ravi Varma'a muse.

'Though Randeep is known for his action image, he is an incredible actor. I met Randeep and saw his acting skills that made me sign him. He is one of the finest actors of the present times,' Mehta said.

The film is an adaptation of the novel titled 'Raja Ravi Varma' by Marathi novelist Ranjit Desai.

'Though the book was written after an extensive research on the painter's life, some cinematic liberty has been taken to make the film,' the filmmaker said.

Mehta added that he was truly fascinated by Ravi Varma's work, which holds a special place in the history of Indian art.

He said half of India prays before images of gods and goddesses derived from Ravi Varma's paintings.

Mehta had actually wanted to make 'Mangal Pandey' 17 years ago. If it had materialised, whom would he have liked to cast in the lead role?

'Every film creates or acquires its own life at any particular point of time and we look for the best person available to suit the character. We had talked to Amitabh Bachchan for the role back then.'

Three Telugu movies bag National Film Awards

The 54th National Film Awards ceremony, the nation’s most prestigious awards, was held on June 10, 2008, in New Delhi. Tollywood had a prominent presence with three Telugu movies bagging awards. The Telugu movie Hope received the award for Best Feature Film on social issues. The Telugu film industry, famed for larger-than-life movies has come up with the Telugu animation film, Kittu that bagged the Best Animation Film Award. The award for Best Feature Film in Telugu went to Kamli. Priyamani, who is rising fast in Tollywood with her glam doll act, bagged the Best Actor Award (female) for her outstanding role in Ameer Sulthan's Tamil movie Paruthiveeran, in which she has acted as very simple village girl in love with the village rogue. The members of three juries for Feature and Non Feature Films, namely Buddhadeb Dasgupta, K. Bikram Singh and Ms. Madhu Jain selected the recipients of the 54th National Film Awards by submitting their recommendations to the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, P.R. Dasmunsi.

Asin in London Dreams

Asin will play the lead role in London Dreams. Vipul Shah is the producer; Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan are the heroes; Katrina Kaif was the original choice but is now replaced with Asin.Asin's big film Dasavathaaram, also spelt Dasavatharam, is now ready for release. She is also acting with Aamir Khan in the Hindi Ghajini.

Ileana’s back with YVS

After the release of Jalsa, Ileana took off to Goa to bask in the sun and unwind. Jalsa is still running to full houses and the question in everyone’s minds was – why hasn’t Ileana cashed in on her success and signed more movies.

Speculations were rife with some even claiming that she was trying her luck in Hindi Films. But she has now proved all her detractors wrong by signing not one but four films out of which one is in Tamil opposite Chiyaan vikram

She has signed one film with her very first director YVS Choudhary opposite a young hero, while the second film is with director Surender Reddy starring ravi teja the third film is produced by BVSN Prasad.

Ileana has proved once again that she’s very serious about her work and is still committed

Bhoomika to cheer Vizagites

The State Government’s Nandi Awards will be held on June 7th at R.K. beach, Vizag. The presentation function will be made even more glamorous by the presence of Bhoomika as the special guest. More than 2000 members of the cream of the Vizag social scene have been invited to this prestigious event. S.P. Balasubramaniam and Vandemataram Srinvias will be providing the musical entertainment for the evening.

Vizag has become the venue for the Nandi Awards function for the first time and R.K. beach was thought to be ideal for accomodating more persons, said an official.

Hansika to hold a Painting Exhibition??!!

Young actress Hansika, who is set all to be make people laugh in her next Bollywood film Money Hai Toh Honey Hai opposite Govinda is not just a talented actress we hear...the youngster is also a closet painter having painting since the mere age of 3!!

Hansika has been regularly painting and teaching art as well to students in her college as well as an NGO next to her house and has such a huge collection of watercolor canvases that we hear her mother wants to hold an exhibition soon!!

Says Hansika jokingly, "Yeah my mother tells me it would be a good source of income for a rainy day aha! But jokes apart I really love painting...it makes me very happy and relieves all my stress...I love teaching it too!"

Priya Mani celebrates her birthday

Priya Mani who began her Tollywood innings with Bharathi Raja’s Kangalal Kaidu Sei established herself as a talented actress in Paruthiveeran.

She started getting many offers post Paruthiveeran and her Malaikottai with Vishal was much talked about for her glamorous costumes.

Today Priya Mani is celebrating her 25th birthday.

movies-cafe wishes her a very Happy Birth Day and success in all he

Tamanna says NO to S J Suryah

Tamanna is on a roll these days having bagged many good projects. After the success of Kalloori, she went on to sign Ayan with Surya, a project directed by cinematographer K V Anand which is a much expected one.

She is also working in Anandha Thandavam with debutant Siddharth, a film based on writer Sujatha’s Pirivom Sandippom. Further more, she will be seen with Dhanush in Padikkadavan.

In Telugu she is certainly on an impressive and enviable track having bagged a film each with M S Raju’s son, Allu Arjun and Siddharth.

Hence when an offer to act in S J Suryah’s Puli came her way, the slim lass had no other option but to say NO to his film. She is desirous of completing these projects in hand first and then to accept other offers.

Mexico delayed, Vikram embarks on a fight!

Kanthaswamy team’s Mexico trip hasn’t materialized yet. The crew of the Vikram starrer that is supposed to have traveled to Mexico for the next leg of the shooting is still in Chennai since Visas of few of the technicians did not come through.

The unannounced delay hasn’t, however, deferred the crew and director Susi Ganesan from working in Chennai.

Susi is busy calling the shots at the Binny Mills in the city where a few stunt sequences are being canned. Binny Mills has of late become a favorite haunt for directors who are on the look out for a huge abandoned workshop for a perfect stunt shoot. The most famous movies in the recent past that featured Binny Mills are Sivaji and Pokkiri.

Produced by Kalaipuli Dhanu, Kanthaswamy will have Shriya playing Vikram’s lead lady marking their first time onscreen association.

Kajol to be Kamal’s next heroine?

Is the beard that Kamal is growing for his character in Marma Yogi? It’s quite possible.

We’ve already reported that this next blockbuster venture will feature Hema Malini as its villain (and what a luscious villain too) and will be produced in association with Walt Disney.

Now some reliable sources in Koddambakam tell us that Kajol could be Marma Yogi’s heroine! If this is true, then this will be the first time Kajol and Kamal will pair up.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this happens.

Super star meets luminaries of film world

Shooting spot of Kuselan has been shifted to the backwaters of Alleppey, Kerala where a song involving Rajini and Nayan were being shot recently. Hearing the news that the Boss is in town, many of the local residents tuned up to have a glimpse of him.

Meanwhile, dignitaries from Malayalam film world had paid a visit to the shooting venue and met Rajinikanth.

Srinivasan who did Pasupathy’s role in the Malayalam original had come along with Dileep and Kunjaakko and had a chat with super star. On seeing his old friend Srinivasan, an emotional Rajini rushed to his side and embraced him and the duo was seen talking with each other for more than an hour.

Director Fazil was one of the directors who met Rajinikanth at Alleppey. Tamil actor Napoleon who was holidaying near Alleppey with his wife visited Rajinikanth.

Siddharth - Tamanna in a dam

Guess it all started with Kaaka Kaaka or rather that was the film that popularized the idea of a lake house. This was later replicated in many films but was used mainly for song sequences that had no bearing in the story of the film.

Director Gandhi Krishna has also come up with a similar idea. His previous film Chellame was a hit, the director is now back with Anandha Thandavam, featuring debutant Siddharth and Tamanna of Kalloori fame.

This film has music scored by G.V. Prakash and cinematography by Shankar. Anandha Thandavam’s shooting has been going on at full pace in and around courtallam. The director felt the need to erect a floating house and it was done at the cost of Rs.20 lakhs on the banks of the Papanaasam dam, which is now almost full due to good monsoon.

A song sequence is being shot there with Siddharth and Tamanna for the past two days. About 100 workers from nearby localities were employed for a week to build this house using 150 drums to keep it afloat. Hope he gives us another romantic thriller ala Chellame and after the success of Kalloori fans of Tamanna can’t wait to see her again on screen.

Chiru's SPARC sessions in Canada and US successful

SPARC made its successful landing in Canada with its first session organised in the country on 31st May 2008. Pro Telugu Org. simultaneously organised two other SPARC sessions in US cities. All three sessions started at the same time with live speech from Dr. A. P Vithal.addressing the NRIs. Speaking from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India on a Telecon Bridge Dr. A.P Vithal spoke on Socio-economic, education and healthcare issues and solutions. He later responded to several interactive questions posed by NRIs over the bridge. Pro Telugu Org. Fouonder and General Secretary Mr. Ram Tatineni thanked the Guest speaker and the NRIs who attended the sessions. Video recordings from Dr. Mithra, Dr. K Nageswar and Mr. Nagendra Babu were shown in the session.

NRIs actively participated in the SPARC brainstorming session at Chicago in which issues on education, Healthcare, Womens role, agriculture, law and order and prices were discussed. The debate went past the allotted time with Ram Dondapati, Pavan Dasam, Satya Gopalam, Suman, Venkat, Sree Basabathina, Raja Sridhar, Geetha, Siritha, Swetha, Rekha, Sangeetha, Srikanth Kondapalli and others debated on several ongoing problems in Andhra Pradesh and the how they can be tackled with proper approach.

In another session held in Columbus, Ohio Dr. Siddartha Anneboina spoke on Health and Insurance aspect being implemented in US and India. Kidari Madari spoke on role of Parents in children's education. Kavitha Reddy Vennapusa, Surya Gundubogula, Arun Bandari and Naga Srinivas discussed on several ongoing issues in Andhra Pradesh. Later megastar Chiranjeevi's "Stalin" movie was screened for those attended the session.

Suresh Somisetty, Ram Shyam Dande, Venkat Beeram participated in the SPARC session held at Windsor Canada.

Consolidating the SPARC sessions held in Canada and US, in a press statement released to the media, Rao Siddam told that NRIs strongly expressed the need of Dr. Chiranjeevi taking up the leadership position for the better and bright future of our state. He also added that there are plans to conduct the Chiru's SPARC sessions in Malaysia and UK shortly.

New film of NTR to start shooting in June

It has been announced that the film directed by V.V.Vinayak having NTR as the hero will start the shooting towards the end of June to be released during December.

The film will be shot in a very grand manner and although the person to compose the music has not been fixed, Yuvan Shankar Raja is the man likely to handle the duties as per the grapevine.

The heroine also has not been decided for the film produced by Kodali Naani and Vamsi.

As the shooting will commence this soon, the uncompleted work on the script is being finished up fast by the director V.V.Vinayak

Vikram to sing in Mallanna

National award winning actor Vikram will be trying his hand at singing with his latest film. Music director Devi Sri Prasad has persuaded Vikram to lend his voice for one of his compositions for the Sushi Ganesh directed action flick Mallanna. The film is a bilingual and will be released simultaneously in Tamil and Telugu.