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‘Rangasthalam 2’ Is The Real Problem For Sukumar
Every time a star hero okays a new script whilst Sukumar’s film is in the pipeline, there are rumors that the director is getting pressurized with deadlines. Well, the problem seems to be with the creative director and his Rangasthalam 2 ideas, but not with his heroes.
Apparently Mahesh moved to Anil Ravipudi’s film because Sukumar’s script work was not complete by then. At the same time, Allu Arjun looked for a backup plan with Venu Sriram’s Icon, though he announced a movie with Sukumar, just because the script work is not yet complete. If Sukumar delayed further and Allu Arjun had to wait all that time, that ends up as another long gap like he took it after Naa Peru Surya. But, why is Sukku taking ample time to complete the script?
Despite being such a creative director who could chalk scripts in no time, Sukumar is said to be feeling pressure to deliver another Rangasthalam. Though heroes ask him for something bigger, it is heard that Sukumar’s extra care to carve each scene like Rangasthalam, is taking time to complete.
Like rumors say, is Sukumar really trying a make a Rangasthalam 2 instead of something completely different?
Majili Deleted Scene Getting Huge Attention
At the editing table, some scenes have to mercilessly cut out from a film such that the screenplay will not get any hiccups. Many blockbusters like Rangasthalam have a whole sequence (5-6 scenes) featuring big stars like Brahmi cut out. And the same thing happened with Majili too.
Actually, director Siva Nirvana is said to have written many closings for the characters in this movie. For every character played by Rao Ramesh, Posani Krishnarmuali, Subbaraju and others, there is a finishing touch scene, they say. Other day the film’s team has released the edited out scene of Subbaraju, where Naga Chaitanya is seen forgiving him.
Especially the scene revolves around ‘negative feelings’ in life and it has come out well due to Subbaraju’s emotional performance. Definitely, this would have been a great scene if kept inside the movie, but the director has dropped for reasons better known to him.
Like how the deleted scenes of F2: Fun and Frustration have become a rage on the internet after the film’s release, now scenes of Naga Chaitanya and Samantha starrer Majili are getting similar attention.
Colors Swathi re-entry With This Sequel
Colors Swathi is one such talented actress that the Telugu audiences can never forget. Her childlike attitude and sweet smile will always linger in our hearts despite her long break to her film career. Right from her anchoring days, Swathi has perpetually impressed us with her unique spontaneity. She stole many hearts with her cute anchoring, singing, as a dubbing artist, and then, as an actress in movies like Swamy Ra Ra, Ashta Chamma, and Karthikeya.
Post her wedding with Pilot Vikas, Swathi stayed away from the film industry for quite a while. The latest news is that this bubbly actress is now planning to make a grand re-entry into Tollywood with a sequel of her hit film Karthikeya.
The film is said to be having two heroines. However, Swathi’s character has its own prominence. Directed by Chandoo Mondeti, the film is all set to launch soon. This sequel will be produced by TG Viswaprasad under People’s Media Factory banner.
On the other hand, Nikhil, who is currently busy with Arjun Suravaram promotions, is said to be joining the sets of Karthikeya sequel only after his film’s release. Karthikeya (2014), is a mystery-thriller with an engaging concept and this sequel is already generating massive expectations for its already set benchmark.
Pasarlapudi Blowout In Maharshi Movie?
Though it’s being hidden by the makers, it looks like Mahesh Babu is taking quite big when it comes to social responsibility this time. It is being heard that his latest movie will feature a stunning piece from history that has devastated the lives of many in the Godavari region.
Way back in January 1995, East Godavari’s Krishna-Godavari basin has received a shock of their life with gas pipeline blowing out near Pasarlapudi village. This happens to be the biggest ever gas blowout in the history of India. Though there are no casualties, almost 65 villages got smeared with ash and smog, and nearly 1500 people are evacuated in no time.
Now we are coming to know that this blowout sequence is going to form the core of Maharshi’s turning point in the story. As the visual effects of these scenes got delayed actually Maharshi got pushed off from April to May, says a source.
Directed by Vamsi Paidipally, this Mahesh and Pooja Hegde starrer is hitting cinemas on May 9th.
#RRR Doles Out Crores To Introduce NTR & Charan
One of the upcoming big budgeted treat, Rajamouli’s #RRR, is in the news all the time since the movie press meet was held. And now, there is a huge discussion going on about the introduction scenes of this film.
Apparently, Tarak and Charan are playing the roles of Komaram Bheem and Alluri Seetha Rama Raju in this fictitious tale of freedom fight. And these two Patriots will be introduced in a big way in the movie if we have to believe reports. For Tarak’s introduction scene in the movie, Rajamouli is said to be doling out nearly 20+ crores to make sure that the scene comes out pretty well.
This budget might include that of grand set design, visual effects and others. But when it comes to Rajamouli’s film, surely everything will pack themselves into a big drama that will strike the hearts of audiences with lots of impacts. So it might be such an impactful sequence that this intro got backed by huge budget.
On the other hand, even Ram Charan’s entry will also feature a similar theme and will be carved with the same kinds of budget.
Indian sentenced in US for call centre-linked fraud
New York: A federal judge in Florida has sentenced an Indian citizen to eight years and six months in prison for his involvement in an India-based call centre scam, according to the US Justice Department.
At his sentencing on Thursday, Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington also ordered Hemalkumar Shah, 27, to pay $80,000.
He had been convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft relating to his participation in the Indian call center scam after he admitted his guilt in January.
According to court documents, Shah participated in the scam to extort money from American residents by impersonating US tax officers between 2014 and 2016.
He and his accomplices in the US and call centres in India misled the victims into believing that they owed taxes and threatened them with arrest if they did not pay the fictitious taxes immediately, according to the court filings.
The fraudsters hired people described as “runners” to collect for them the money from the victims in the form of prepaid cards or through wire transfers, the documents said.
Four others who participated in the scheme have been found guilty after they admitted their crimes in court.
Last month, Nishitkumar Patel was sentenced to eight years and nine months, and Alejandro Juarez was sentenced to 15 months.
Two others are awaiting sentencing.
Maharshi Still Struggling to Gain Hype
Promotions of Mahesh Babu’s “Maharshi” have already begun. Every day, the makers are either releasing a song or a still or a juicy update about the film to generate hype around it.
Somehow, the film is not getting required hype as none of these promotional material is exciting enough.
The film’s budget has gone up Rs 110 Cr and its business has been closed around Rs 130 Cr (inclusive of theatrical, digital, satellite, Hindi dubbing rights). It is one of the expensive movies but there isn’t strong hype in corresponding way.
The team may have to come up with new ideas to generate excitement around it. The pre-release event should be planned in never before manner.
Due to this low hype, “Maharshi” overseas rights were sold for low prices.
Telangana media speculates KCR’s role at Centre
Hyderabad: Confident of a clean sweep in Lok Sabha elections in Telangana, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) could be eyeing a key role in the post-poll scenario at the Centre.
Specifically, this is about a role in government formation post May 23, based on speculation over one of the biggest imponderables in Indian politics — the expected number of seats a political party is likely to win in an election.
With polling for all 17 Lok Sabha seats over in the first phase on April 11, TRS president and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao is busy holding consultations with senior leaders and close aides on the possible scenarios at the Centre and how the party could play a role in national politics.
KCR, as Rao is known among his supporters, is said to be following the trends in various states to evaluate the situation and devise his strategy accordingly.
‘T News’, a Telugu news channel owned by KCR’s close aide and other pro-TRS media say that with 16 seats KCR will bring together other like-minded parties to play a crucial role in cobbling together a non-BJP and non-Congress alliance.
Other Telugu newspapers and television channels predict that KCR will be looking to play a greater role in the shaping the next government at the Centre. They say that in the event of a fractured verdict, KCR would be ready to do business with anybody at the Centre as the state’s interests will be paramount for him.
Telangana is looking for greater allocation of funds for several ambitious projects undertaken by TRS, KCR may back anyone offering better deal for Telangana, says the local media.
The TRS chief remains confident that neither the BJP nor the Congress will be in a position to come to power even with the support of allies. A populist leader, his confidence comes from the self-assurance that his political formula of being liberal with sops is successful.
Last year KCR mooted the idea of a Federal Front as an alternative to the BJP and the Congress. He believes that conditions are conducive for regional parties to form a government at the Centre.
The TRS chief, who also visited various states to call on leaders of non-BJP and non-Congress parties, did not hide his ambition of playing a key role at the Centre. Though during the campaign, he made it clear that he has no wish to become the Prime Minister, his son and TRS working president K. T. Rama Rao did not rule out the possibility of his emerging as the leader.
“Anything is possible,” KTR had told IANS in a recent interview. He claimed that the country needed the intellect of KCR to address the issues, which both the ‘so-called national parties’ failed to solve.
In fact, a fractured mandate could see other southern Indian politicians jousting for a role at the Centre. Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of YSR Congress Party could emerge as one of the big regional players after the polls.
Though the Federal Front has not yet taken a shape, KTR remains optimistic that this will take no time once the results were announced. He pointed that United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was formed and a leader was chosen only after the elections in 2004.
KCR did not contest the Lok Sabha elections and TRS leaders say his next move would depend on the post-poll scenario. He along with his daughter K. Kavitha and close aide B. Vinod Kumar will be the key figures in national politics. Kavitha and Vinod Kumar are seeking re-election from Nizamabad and Karimnagar Lok Sabha constituencies.
In the event of KCR moving to Delhi, his son KTR will be his successor as chief minister. The TRS chief dropped clear hints by appointing him as the TRS working president soon after the party won second term in power with a landslide victory.
Even in KCR’s first cabinet, KTR was seen as Number 2. The young leader held several key portfolios, including industry and information technology, and was the face of the government at key national and international events.
KCR did not induct KTR and his nephew and key party leader Harish Rao in the cabinet this time, apparently waiting for a clear picture to emerge at the Centre. He has not allotted key portfolios like finance, industry, agriculture and irrigation.
Harish Rao, who was the irrigation minister in the previous cabinet, may be part of the cabinet headed by KTR — though there have been reports of differences between KTR and Harish but they publicly denied it.
During the campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, TRS urged people to give it all 16 seats (leaving Hyderabad for its ally All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen) so that the party can decide who should form the government in New Delhi and who should be the Prime Minister.
‘Silent voting’ for Jana Sena, TDP, YSRCP tensed!
A week after polling for Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in AP, it is slowly emerging that there has been a ‘silent voting’ in favour of Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena.
This was revealed not just in Jana Sena surveys, even the ground reports obtained by TDP and YSRCP indicated that, there was ‘silent voting’ for Jana Sena, especially in North Andhra and Godavari districts.
Though there are divergent views on whether this silent voting will benefit Jana Sena or not in bagging few Assembly seats, there is a unanimity that Jana Sena is sure to damage the prospects of either TDP or YSRCP, which will be known only when Assembly results will be announced on May 23.
No one is sure whether Jana Sena will damage TDP’s prospects or YSRCP’s prospects.
The surveys revealed that Jana Sena alone garnered 10 per cent to 30 per cent votes in several constituencies in North Andhra and Godavari districts, while its allies Left parties and BSP also secured over 10 per cent votes in several constituencies.
With TDP and YSRCP fighting a neck-to-neck battle in AP Assembly polls, it is believed that a one per cent swing in votes will make or mar the prospects of either TDP or YSRCP.
With reports of Jana Sena and its allies splitting 10 to 30 per cent votes in several constituencies, which is significantly higher, both TDP and YSRCP candidates are tensed over who will be hit on account of ‘silent voting’ for Jana Sena.
The Jana Sena on the other hand is confident of bagging few Assembly seats in AP on the bank of ‘silent voting’ despite all the surveys predicting either zero or one seat for Jana Sena saying that Pawan Kalyan may win with much difficulty in one of the two seats he contested.
‘Jersey’ Review: Hits the Ball Out of the Park
Nani’s “Jersey” has generated lot of interest ever since its first look was released. The movie’s trailer received unanimous positive response further spiking up expectations. Has the movie lived up to expectations?
Let’s analyse.
Story:
Arjun (Nani) quits cricket at the age of 26 though he scores many centuries and wins matches. He tells wife Sarah (Shraddha Srinath) that he wants to do regular job and joins as a manager in FCI. However, he loses this job on wrong charges and he’s struggling to make ends meet though his wife works in a hotel.
Set in 1996, the story then narrates how Arjun, now 36-year-old wants to play for Ranji matches again, to fulfil his young son’s wish.
Will he succeed at this age that normally is considered retirement stage in professional sports? What is the real secret behind Arjun quitting from the game at 26?
Artistes’ Performances:
Nani, without a doubt, has given his best performance. Matured acting this is. The internal turmoil of a failed cricketer, the helplessness of a penniless father, and the struggle with all the problems… Nani has portrayed them with perfection. He is also quite believable in the jersey of a cricketer. He has carried the mood from start to finish.
Besides cricket and sentiments, this is also performances driven movie and Nani leads from the front.
Shraddha Srinath as his wife has also given competent performance. Hers is not a glamorous role. She has pulled it off well.
Sathya Raj as Nani’s coach is excellent. After Nani, Sathya Raj gets more role. The kid Ronit is cute and gives touching expressions. Sampath as coach is neat.
Technical Excellence:
Anirudh Ravichander’s tunes are not so catchy but his work in the BG department is huge asset. Cinematography by Shanu is top-class. He has filmed cricket matches in a realistic way.
Art work and production values are superb. Dialogues are fantastic. Screenplay writing is excellent.
Highlights:
Story
Nani’s performance
Emotional scenes
Background score
Cinematography
Drawback:
Runtime
Excessive cricket footage
Analysis
Very rarely we get to see movies based on cricket in Tollywood. “Jersey” is totally different in terms of plot, genre and narration. This is not a regular Tollywood movie.
Even though it touches on the aspects of husband-wife differences, father-son sentiment, this is more about making your dreams come true overcoming all obstacles.
As a journalist writes a book on Arjun’s life (played by Nani), it stresses the point that “it’s never too late to dream”.
36-year-old Arjun aiming to get a place in the national team is the basic point. But director Gowtam Tinnanuri has layered many elements to tell it in a compelling manner. To hold the sports drama till the end, one needs emotional pitch. This is where Gowtam has succeeded.
Why does Arjun dream to join the cricket team at the age of 36 after quitting at 26 voluntarily? Because he wants to remain as a hero in son’s eyes forever. This point is the core element of “Jersey” and this has given the required emotional touch to the sports drama.
Director Gowtam Tinnanuri has begun the movie by going back and forth from 1986 to 1996, from revealing his current life of wife and kid and his early romance with his future wife.
After establishing these, he comes to the main point, his son asking for an Indian Cricket team’s Jersey and Arjun aiming for it and from here, the director narrates the story in a straight forward manner. He doesn’t forcibly include any twists.
Everything happens as one can easily guess, still it is engaging enough, and it unfolds without pretence. And he brings a good twist in end that makes the film complete.
It is quite interesting from start to finish. The first half builds on characters and their problems and the second half goes on emotional pitch.
The director has also dealt the wife-husband’s gap in a matured way. The father-son sequences are endearing. The Railway station scene is a wonderful moment.
Nani’s performance is brilliant that make the movie even more engaging.
On the downside, the film runs on slow pace and has taken plenty of time to come to the main point. Also the cricket matches become repetitive after a time. The film needs trimming.
All in all, “Jersey” is an inspirational sports movie that tells the triumph of the common man and teaches you to never give up. Aided by natural performance of Nani and heart-warming moments, “Jersey” is a winner. This will appeal to audiences who like classy movies.
Bottom-line: Right Pitch
Reel Buzz: Sukumar Gets Snubbed Again!
If the buzz from film circles is true, then Sukumar is in for another humiliation. The genius director wasn’t able to come up with a bound script post Rangasthalam.
In spite of having ample time, the Rangasthalam director couldn’t finish the script and get an approval from the Superstar. Finally, Mahesh moved on and announced that his film with Sukumar is not happening.
Sukumar then landed in Allu Arjun’s compound and got an instant approval from him. However, Sukumar has no script on hands to start the filming.
Now Sukumar is under severe pressure as Allu Arjun has okayed a bound script narrated by MCA fame Sriram Venu. The young director is willing to start the filming anytime based upon the availability of Allu Arjun.
Dil Raju is making plans to launch Sriram Venu’s Icon with Allu Arjun. If Sukumar fails to get the script ready by the time Bunny is done with Trivikram’s film, then Icon will go to floors before Sukku’s film.
It is a strange situation for Sukumar to be in after delivering a Non-Baahubali highest grossing Telugu film of all time.
Can’t Naidu Continue To Act Like CM?
Soon after the Election Commission of India announces schedule for any elections in the state, the model code of conduct comes into force.
As such, the chief minister and his council of ministers cease to exercise their powers in their official capacity.
The model code of conduct says the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues are not supposed to take part in any official programmes except those like attending to relief and rescue operations during natural calamities or major accidents.
They are not expected to take up any programmes that concern with release of money from the contingency fund.
So, when Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu started attending to official programmes like review of progress of works in Polavaram major irrigation project and works in Amaravati state capital, the YSR Congress party raised a serious objection.
According to them, Naidu ceases to be the chief minister and he or his cabinet colleagues are not supposed to conduct any official meetings. So, the meetings on Polavaram and Amaravati amount to violation of model code of conduct, they argued.
The EC, too, is understood have written to Naidu not to do any official reviews as it amounts to violation of poll code.
But the chief minister has a different argument. He says the elections were held on April 11 and there was no way he could take any decisions that would influence the voters now.
Secondly, he is only reviewing the progress of works of Polavaram and Amaravati and asking the officials to speed up the works to complete the projects as per schedule.
“The government is not making any financial commitments to anybody. How can it amount to violation of poll code?” Naidu asked.
But as per the EC rules, poll code will be in force till the results are declared. So, Naidu is only a caretaker CM without any powers.
Interestingly, the same EC has been keeping silent despite complaints by the opposition in the case of Telangana chief minister who is regularly conducting review meetings at Pragati Bhavan on Kaleshwaram irrigation project, restructuring of revenue department, changes to be made in municipal act, roads and buildings etc.
So, why different rules in different states?
