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Abu Dhabi firm to take up KCR project?
Remember Lu Lu group, a popular construction company based out of Abu Dhabi?Well, it was the company which was a hot favourite of Telugu Desam Party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu till recently.
Naidu had allotted prime land on the beach road of Visakhapatnam to Lu Lu group to construct a massive convention centre and a star hotel on the lines of Hyderabad International Convention Centre and Novotel Hotel in Hitex.
The decision smacked of a massive scam, as it is learnt Naidu’s son Nara Lokesh allegedly had stakes in it.
In any case, the Lu Lu group hasn’t stared the work yet in Vizag and now that the new government headed by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy was formed in AP, the group is unlikely to continue the project.
So, Lu Lu group is now learnt to have set its eyes on Hyderabad.
According to the talk going in social media circles, the group had an understanding with the Telangana government headed by K Chandrasekhar Rao for the construction of new state secretariat complex in place of existing secretariat buildings which are being demolished now.
If KCR likes Lu Lu group’s offer, the contact will be awarded to it. Simultaneously, the group also sought for allocation of prime lands in Hyderabad to construct massive malls and commercial complexes.
Apparently, the local BJP leaders brought the whole issue to the notice of the Centre which is understood to have started enquiring into the whole deal, sources said.
Pawan to join hands with BJP on Amaravati?
Actor-turned-politician and Jana Sena Party president Pawan Kalyan appears to have decided to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party, rather than the Telugu Desam Party, to fight for the farmers of Amaravati capital region.
On Friday and Saturday, Pawan Kalyan had toured several parts of Amaravati region and declared that he would take up the cause of farmers.
In this regard, the Jana Sena chief reportedly expressed view that it would be better to join hands with the BJP in the fight.
“We should not give the impression that we are defending the TDP’s move to construct the capital at Amaravati. But since the project has already started, it cannot be abandoned midway. So, the best way is to fight along with the BJP to highlight the cause of farmers, rather than Amaravati project itself,” a Jana Sena leader said.
Pawan assured the farmers that he would bring the Amaravati capital issue to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah if required.
The people representing 14 different castes have given lands for capital construction and so, it did not belong to any particular community, he pointed out.
He said that he had never opposed the capital being set up in Amaravati. But he had only opposed the forceful land acquisition from farmers.
Jana Sena would not remain a mute spectator if the capital is relocated, he said adding that he would fight for the protection of interests of farmers.
Pawan Kalyan also said that Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy was behaving as YSR Congress leader but not Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
He pointed out that the landowners of Amaravati villages gave their lands for capital construction purpose but not to the TDP. Jagan should recognise the facts and make an announcement on capital city location, he said.
Saaho Kicks Mahesh Babu From Top 5 Club
Every big film these days is displacing some other movies off the grid. Earlier, we used to have one industry hit film standing top on the list for years. But now, the scene has changed, with only Baahubali 2 being that topper and other films shifting their places with each new release.
We are talking about the Top 5 First Day ‘shares’ from Telugu states and how flop films as well as average grossers, are making to this list no matter how the reviews are. Here comes the latest update as Saaho become the second-highest grosser in the “First Day Collections From Telugu States” club.
All these days we have Baahubali 2 (42.87 Cr), Aravindha Sametha (26.6 Cr), Agnyaathavaasi (26.36 Cr), Vinaya Vidheya Rama (26.03 Cr) and Maharshi (24.18 Cr) in the Top 5 first day ‘shares’ club. It is surprising to see names like Angyaathavaasi and Vinaya Vidheya Rama in this club as the two happen to be mega-disasters.
Now that Saaho movie collected 36 crores shares from AP and Nizam, it knocked out Maharshi from the list to the sixth position, thereby making it move out of the Top 5 club. Well we have to see if Mahesh’s film regains place after SSarileru Neekevvaru comes up.
After Baahubali, It’s Saaho In Kerala
After the historic blockbuster Baahubali 2, it’s Saaho time in Kerala. While Baahubali 2 was the first film to enter the Rs 1 crore club in the God’s Own Country, Saaho the later flick to join this elite club on its opening day.
On day one, Saaho’s all the versions together collected over Rs 1.22 crore gross in the cinemas across Kerala. Saaho’s day 1 Kerala share will be close to Rs 58 lakhs which is pretty good. It looks Prabhas visiting Kochi and holding an event along with Mohanlal has helped the film big time.
Despite the average response from the initial shows, Saaho held its feet firm at the ticket windows in Kerala and elsewhere. This reiterates Prabhas’ rock solid fan base which grew beyond boundaries, especially in Kerala, post Baahubali’s success.
Saaho will have a promising first weekend and even Monday on the account of Vinayaka Chavithi. Prabhas’ star power and Saaho’s box office stamina will be under scrutiny starting from Tuesday.
Wild Card: Varun Sandesh’s Ex To Enter BB-3?
The gorgeous Shraddha Das, who impressed Telugu audience with movies like Siddhu from Srikakulam, Arya 2, Adhineta, Darling and many more, is once again on headlines for her speculated entry into Telugu Bigg Boss reality show (season 3). The show is currently in the sixth week and the public is expecting a wild card entry soon. Among many names reported by media, Shraddha’s name is more frequently heard since Varun Sandesh is in the house and both Shradha and Varun have been in a relationship earlier in 2010.
During the film of Maro Charithra, where Varun played the lead actor, he met Shraddha on sets and they both reportedly began dating. However, the relationship did not last for long and the two broke up within a few months. Now that Varun is playing genuinely in the Bigg Boss house along with his wife Vithika Sheru, sending Shraddha into the game will bring more anticipation among viewers. Also, her entry will raise the temperature in the house, fetching impressive TRP ratings.
Earlier, in an interview, Shraddha confirmed that “We (Varun and Shraddha) are over!” She also said that the relationship has ended on a good note and will let people know if she ever falls in love again. During their breakup time, it was rumoured that Varun ditched her and she was heartbroken. Now, it would be really shocking for Varun to see Shraddha if she enters the house as a wild card.
Adivi Sesh Claims Evaru As Career Best, Goodachari Producer Hurt
A couple of weeks ago, Adivi Sesh has come up with the Telugu remake of Spanish movie ‘The Invisible Guest’ where he excelled as a police inspector, while Regina Cassandra pulled off an impressive feat with her acting and glamour treat.
A while ago, the talented actor claimed that this latest movie emerged as his career-best success. “3rd week of #Evaru 🙂 It has crossed #Goodachari in the Telugu states to become my biggest success”, he tweeted, sharing the excitement. But it looks like this tweet has upset the producers of ‘Goodachari’ movie, Abhishek Pictures.
“Adivi Sesh How can it be ??????? Can you share the Boxoffice collection of Evaru ????? #Goodachari is the biggest commercial Hit in Telugu States in your film careers till date”, the official Twitter handle of Abhishek Pictures tweeted, thereby surprising this hero’s fans and other movie lovers.
We have to see if Sesh will share the figures of both the movies and makes his claim legitimate or he leaves it just like that.
Video: Priyadarshi Gets Punished By Trainer
Not just heroes and heroines, everyone in the glamour world are hitting the gyms these days and sweating out themselves to maintain a good physique. But it’s a lot of hard work to be fit and often we see celebs sharing the workout videos so as it would inspire their followers.
Comedian Priyadarshi is no except to list of celebs posting their workout videos on social media. He shared a video of him doing push-ups with weights on his back. The trainer is adding and removing weights through this process. “That’s how @antony.arnoldfitnessgym punished me for skipping Workout for 10days!,” wrote Darshi.
Being busy actor the ‘Pelli Choopulu’ comedian is unable to hit the gym everyday and seems like his trainer forced Darshi to put an ‘EXTRA’ effort for the lost one.
Keep going!
Theft of Creativity: Mahesh’s heroine accuses ‘Saaho’
Remember Mahesh Babu’s ‘Takkari Donga’ heroine Lisa Ray, she accused the makers of ‘Saaho’ of plagiarism and also went on add that this is blatant theft of creativity.
Sharing one of the posters of ‘Saaho’ which had both Prabhas and Shraddha Kapoor and the backdrop had a costly set. This set almost resembles the art work of contemporary artist Shilo Shiv Suleman.
“In no world, is this acceptable. The production did not contact the creator, asking her permission or offer to collaborate or offering a credit. Nothing. This is not right,” wrote Lisa Ray. Lastly, she added that the producers should be held responsible for this.
The production design of ‘Saaho’ is done by Sabu Cyril who also did for ‘Baahubali’ and he is a national award winner. It is yet to be known whether this is plagiarism or coincidence.
Already ‘Saaho’ is hit with full of negative reviews and this plagiarism claim may further trouble the film.
Critic Reviews For Saaho
The much hyped spy-thriller, Saaho starring Prabhas, Shraddha Kapoor, Chunky Panday, Neil Nitin Mukesh and Jackie Shroff released in theatres yesterday.
Despite the huge hype going around the film before its release, the film got mixed reviews from critics and even fans.
Firstpost
[A]n over-indulgent, over-stylised film in which looks have been prioritised over substance, swagger over script.
Rating: 1/5
Hindustan Times
Prabhas’s Saaho is so ambitious in its scale that it almost fools you into believing it’s a great film. Unfortunately, it doesn’t even come close to being great and just manages to emerge as a decent watch.
Rating: 2/5
Filmfare
Go for it if you’re a die-hard Prabhas fan and like leave-your-brains-behind kind of action. Otherwise avoid.
Rating: 2.5/5
The Times of India
Saaho is quite the potboiler that fires in all directions in an attempt to entertain the audience. But with a weak storyline, too many twists and juvenile execution, it ends up being a missed opportunity.
Rating: 2.5/5
India Today
Saaho is a classic example of how empty vessels make the maximum noise. It’s a stunning – but absolutely soulless and exhausting – visual spectacle with endless action sequences and numerous twists and turns that just make you roll your eyes to the back of your head.
Rating: 1.5/5
TimesNow
Saaho surely delivers well as an action extravaganza with a climax that compensates for its many flaws. The film’s second half picks pace but is marred by a weak narrative that requires constant suspension of disbelief. Also, the special effects and CGI often lack the finesse that a film mounted on such a grand scale deserved.
KHALEEJ TIMES
Prabhas no doubt has the charisma and the swagger to make Saaho likeable. He plays it with enough gravitas to make us want to believe in him, but the script and action sequences are tailored to elicit jeers (or looks of horror/disbelief). At this point we need to acknowledge that certain sections of the audience were having a ball, cheering on their superstar and whistling and applauding his every move. Such fandom indeed is the only redeeming factor that can salvage this movie. Prabhas owes his fans big time if Saaho ends up creating any sort of record at the box office.
The Hindu
Saaho was an opportunity to follow up on Baahubali, which had both scale and imagination, and blur the boundaries between regional and national cinema once again. Sadly, it ends up as a missed opportunity. The last scene hints at a sequel. If it happens, it will need a better story and screenplay.
The film has been produced by V Vamsi Krishna Reddy, Pramod Uppalapati and Bhushan Kumar. The movie is being shot simultaneously in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu languages.
The big-budget actioner stars Jackie Shroff, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Vennela Kishore, Murli Sharma, Arun Vijay, Prakash Belavadi, Evelyn Sharma and Chunky Pandey to name a few.
Trolls Now Targeting Lokesh on Saaho Tweet
“Saaho” has taken huge collections on its first day nationwide proving that Prabhas has established his position as a Pan India star firmly. He is bigger than all South-Indian top stars in terms of popularity across the nation.
At the same time, the film is also getting negative word-of-mouth from all those who have watched. The film has not lived up to all the hype is the unanimous verdict.
Strangely, online trolls are now targeting TDP leader and former Minister Nara Lokesh for his old tweet.
Dismissing a news report published in GreatAndhra.com, Nara Lokesh tweeted that he, in fact, is looking forward to watching Prabhas’s “Saaho” and also urged all Telugu Desam Party workers to watch the movie and make it a huge hit.
It was the most positive tweet about the movie from the young TDP leader. This innocuous tweet has become a subject for the trolling.
Summary of the troll is that Nara Lokesh has made his party got reduced to zero in Telangana and 23 seats to Andhra Pradesh.
With his tweet, his bad fortunes have also rubbed onto the ‘Saaho’ as well, the trollers are writing.
Poor Lokesh, he gets trolled for even good luck tweets.
Never wanted to be a hero’s sidekick, says Actress
She has been variously tagged the “Queen” of Bollywood, “box-office dynamo” and “one woman army”, and habitually takes on Bollywood’s bigwigs. Three-time National Award winning actress Kangana Ranaut makes no bones about ruling the industry with her craft, and says she always wanted to be somebody who is not a hero’s sidekick.
Kangana ventured into the sparkling world of cinema as a teenager with filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt’s “Gangster” in 2006. Years later she would feature in movies that she has carried on her shoulders, such as “Queen”, the “Tanu Weds Manu” franchise and “Manikarnika: The Queen Of Jhansi”.
Do the labels pressurise Kangana?
“I don’t think so. When you finally get what you seek and what you long for, you shouldn’t take it as a liability, isn’t it? I have always wanted to be somebody who is not the hero’s sidekick because when there is a big hero in the film you are just a sidekick. So, now that the time has come, I don’t see it as a liability,” Kangana told IANS.
In her 13 years in the industry, she has done films that are as different as chalk and cheese. Despite being a success story in Bollywood as an actress, her career is not defined by the quintessential masala entertainer with song-and-dance sequences.
“Well, there is nothing wrong in singing and dancing. But if the other gender is ridiculed and made to look like a lesser being or an accessory to make you look good, then it is a problem because you are the one who is being enhanced,” said the actress, who will soon be seen in a female-centric actioner titled “Dhaakad”.
The 32-year-old star, who has often been called controversy’s favourite child, finds gender inequality in singing and dancing around the trees.
“There is a lot of gender inequality even in singing and dancing around the trees. I wouldn’t mind doing a musical and I have done a film like ‘Rangoon’, where a lot of singing and dancing was involved but I was not just in the frame to make someone look good with my frock or my flying hair I don’t like that kind of inequality,” she said.
Kangana’s last release was “JudgeMentall Hai Kya”, where she played the role of an obsessive girl named Bobby Grewal.
Talking about resonating with her character in the film, Kangana had called herself obsessive.
“I get obsessed with an idea or a plan or if I am in a relationship I get obsessed. I am a very obsessive person,” she added.
Sujeeth: ‘The Audience Is Loving Saaho’
Saaho director Sujeeth is in a daze. While Saaho his 2-year labour of love, has opened to packed houses across the country, critics in one voice have savaged the film.
“I don’t read reviews. And I don’t know what to say about the criticism. Everyone has a right to an opinion. Prabhas Sir and I worked very hard to make this a complete entertainer. It is a different cinema from what we are used to. The stunts and the imaging are not familiar to our audience. Maybe that’s why Saaho is being criticized. As long as the audience is loving Saaho I’ve nothing to fear. The producers have put a great deal of faith in me. I don’t the producers, Prabhas Sir and my mother to feel let down.”
Right now Sujeeth has no time to process or comprehend the criticism.
He doesn’t know how to handle the comparisons with S S Rajamouli and Baahubali.
“The only thing in common between us is Prabhas Sir. Otherwise Rajamouli is is UP THERE where I can’t even see properly,” says Sujeeth nervous about the damage the Baahubali comparisons can do to Saaho.
“Saaho is not Baahubali by any stretch of the imagination. In fact that’s what Prabhas Sir wanted, a complete departure from what he had done in Baahubali. He can’t keep doing Baahubali over and over again,” says Sujeeth.
Sujeeth says he can’t dream of comparing himself with Rajamouli.
“Except for the fact that like him, I’d also like to make a big film and then a smaller one. One can’t be doing the big widescreen spectacle uninterrupted. It will wear out the filmmaker.”
What about future plans?
Sujeeth says he can’t think beyond Saaho. “Right now all I want is for Saaho to be out and to know the public’s verdict. Too much depends on the film’s success. I don’t know what I’ll do next. But it will not be something on the scale of Saaho.”
This is where Sujeeth would like to be like Rajamouli. “Raja Sir makes one very big film and then a relatively small one. I’d like to follow that model. But right now I am too inexperienced to make policy decisions on my career.”
