Mahanati, the much talked about biopic on Savithri, was supposed to release on March 29th. However, the makers postponed the release as the post-production work could not be completed on time.

Finally, after more than a month and a half delay, Mahanati is releasing on May 9th, on Wednesday. Apparently, it was C Ashwini Dutt, senior producer and father of Mahanati’s producers Priyanka and Swapna Dutt, who suggested his daughters to release Mahanati on May 9th.

May 9 is a special date not only for Ashwini Dutt’s Vyjayanthi Movies banner, but to the entire Telugu film industry. It was on the same day, in 1991, that Ashwini Dutt’s Jagadeka Veerudu Athilola Sundari in Megastar Chiranjeevi-KRR-Sridevi combo released and recreated box office records.

Ashwini Dutt felt that May 9th’s lucky sentiment will add to Mahanati’s box office prospects. We will have to wait until May 9th to see if the senior producer’s sentiment pays off and whether Chiranjeevi’s luck factor will work wonders for Mahanati.

In the wake of some of Casting Couch allegations we are hearing these days, few aspiring actresses actually gave a picture that many stars always seek only sex from them. But there is another belief that is strongly hard in Film Nagar.

Actually for any person, if their intention is all about bedding someone, then what else they could focus on? A writer will be not be focusing on writing better scenes, a director won’t come up with the terrific screenplay and a hero cannot do justice to his onscreen characters if he focused only on luring some actress out there.

They say that those who think about sex 24×7 on their mind are not going to shine and reign in the film industry. This is the place for those actors and actresses who focus on good looks by spending hours at the gym and for those creative persons who sharpen their brains all the time to bring out something new from their imagination. So if they keep on thinking about luring someone else into bed, where do they get time for the real work?

That’s why those directors, heroes and some heroines who always focused on ‘bed’ stuff vanished in no time. They say sex appetite will kill careers.

Releasing after two huge money-spinners is taking a toll on Naa Peru Surya Naa Illu India (NSNI). The film’s performance at US box office so far has been very average.After opening to a lukewarm response from Thursday premieres ($207K apprx), it didn’t show much improvement on Friday too.At this rate reaching $1 Million mark will be a huge task for NSNI as the word of mouth and web reviews are not so encouraging.

NSNI needed very good word of mouth as it hit the screens post two $3 Million+ grosser. Filmgoers generally would stay away from theaters for a while unless a movie gets ‘must watch’ reports from initial shows.Coming after Rangasthalam and Bharat Ane Nenu has turned out to be huge disadvantage for Naa Peru Surya especially in the overseas market.

Its first day numbers in domestic circuit were good, but it will face an uphill task from Monday after the initial euphoria dies down.

Actress Shruti Haasan took a long break after Katamarayudu in Telugu and Behen Hogi Teri in Hindi, both of which released in 2017 and ended up as debacles.Shruti Haasan who is allegedly dating London-based theatre artiste Michael Corsale has refused few film offers in the meantime.There were rumors that the actress will marry her boyfriend this year. However, Shruti Haasan condemned the reports and she also refused to talk about her relationship with Michael Corsale.

Finally, Shruti has joined the shoot of her new Bollywood film. She posed for a picture with her mother Sarika on the sets. Hindi actor and film-maker Mahesh Manjrekar who is directing this untitled film can also be seen in the picture.Apparently, Shruti is happy when her mother paid a visit to the set and the contentment can be seen in her eyes.

In the Bollywood film, Shruti Haasan is paired opposite Vidyut Jamwal of Commando fame.Earlier, Shruti Haasan and Vidyut Jamwal acted together in a Hindi film titled Yaara which was never released due to unknown reasons. So, technically, this is the second film for them together.

Writer-folk singer Penchal Das who shot to fame with his maiden song in films- Daari Choodu in Nani’s Krishnarjuna Yuddham is onboard for NTR28 being directed by Trivikram Srinivas.It is known that, NTR28 is based on Rayalaseema backdrop and for a crucial song in the film; director Trivikram suggested the Rayalaseema folk singer Penchal Das’s name to music director SS Thaman.

It’s sure that, this song is going to be chartbuster of the film’s album. Like for his first song Daari Choodu, Penchal Das will pen lyrics and also croon the folk number.Penchal Das was actually introduced to director Merlapaka Gandhi by the director’s father Merlapaka Murali, a prominent Telugu novelist and a contemporary of Yandamuri Veerendranath.

NTR is not a factionist leader in the yet to be titled film, but he will be seen as an NRI who happens to visit a village in Rayalaseema. Jagapathi Babu and Nagababu play important roles in the film which is likely to release during Dussehra.

Film industry is known for its sentiments. They believe in vaastu and astrology and one man who is a strong believer is Nandamuri Balakrishna.Apart from having a wide knowledge on the subject, he also has his own set of vaastu and astrology pundits. And it is thanks to him, Chandra Babu Naidu believes in vaastu and astrology.

Since NTR’s biopic has had starting problems, Balayya apparently got a vaastu check done.Right now, NTR biopic office is situated in Prashasan Nagar. The office happens to belong to a producer who had some flops, due to which he leased the upper floor of his building to the unit of NTR biopic.

So, Balayya got vaastu check done for the office and it was found that vaastu was real bad. Now the unit is on the lookout for a new office.

Talk is that the unit has found a new office and that they will be shifting very soon.

Actress Disha Patani, whose “Baaghi 2” has turned out to be a box office winner, says she doesn’t compete with other artistes in the industry and is instead focussed on being a part of movies that leave the audience happy and content.After making her Bollywood debut with “M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story”, Disha’s second film was “Baaghi 2”, which has set the bar higher for her. Does that make her nervous?

“Of course, there are times when I feel nervous. I just want to keep working hard and entertaining audiences. My aim is to ensure that when people come to watch my movie, they should leave feeling happy, entertained and it should be worth their time and money,” Disha told IANS in an email interview.Bollywood has opened gates to a host of new talent on-screen, increasing the competition immensely.

Asked how she tries to remain ahead of the curve, Disha said: “My biggest competition till date has been myself. I am not someone who likes to compete with actors in the industry.”I want everyone to grow and get better at what they do. Having said that, I prefer focusing on myself and my aim is to try and experiment with new and different things every day.”Not paying attention to what people have to say on her fashion quotient also comes easy to Disha.

“I choose to focus on myself and my work,” asserted the actress, who launched European fashion brand ONLY’s ‘Denimize The World’ campaign in Mumbai on Friday.In her understanding of fashion, “comfort is key”.”As an artiste, my work always requires me to be on the move, constantly travelling, exploring or even breaking into a dance… And fashion needs to compliment everything you do.

So, for me, fashion is all about being comfortable in what you wear. Because when you are comfortable, you feel confident and stylish. I love fashion that is not forced and is effortless,” added the “die-hard denimista”.

Denims are her wardrobe staple.

“I love denims in all forms – dresses, jackets, shorts, skirts – just name it… I specially love sporting denim shorts.”

What’s her “only” fashion advice to the youth?

“My core philosophy is aless is more’.A I feel that when I am comfortable, I can do more. So, my only fashion advice to the youth would be to keep it simple

Playing the character of legendary actress Savitri is by no means a simple task for Keerthy Suresh. The film Mahanati, a biopic on Savitri is all set for arrival in theaters on May 9th. Presenting the complete life cycle of Savitri and making it a celebration of cinema from past era is a challenge for entire cast, crew which worked under the guidance of director Nag Ashwin and producers Priyanka, Swapna, Vyjayanthi family.

Keerthy exclusively spoke to share her experience of getting into the skin of Savitri.

Here are the excerpts.

Q. Where you afraid of taking up Mahanati or how you landed up with the opportunity?

A. Initially I was so skeptical on accepting the title role because I was afraid of pulling the character. But producers Swapna, Priyanka and director Nag Ashwin were keen on having me. Then I accepted for narration. Once I heard the whole script, I had many thoughts.

There are lot of things like good, bad and different phases of Savitri garu in the film and her journey towards the end. I was worried and questioning inner self that can I do justice for the film. But Nagi convinced me of presenting the whole film in a beautiful way and he instilled lot of confidence.

Q. How come you looked exactly like Savitri garu on screen?

A. Savitri garu’s face is bigger than me and her facial features are sharper than mine. It’s the makeup, costumes and hair put together played major role in matching up both of us. I tried nearly 120 costumes and applied prosthetics for 100 days of shooting in almost 10 months span of time.

Q. Why Nag Ashwin was so particular in having you for Savitri?

A. Nag watched my film Rail. He really liked the innocence in my looks which he felt would match with Savitri garu’s teenage that covered the major first half.

Q. Any homework done before arriving on sets?

A. The minute I signed Mahanati, director Nagi gave me a pen drive filled with video clips of Savitri garu. He divided the clips into emotional, drama, romance and all other parts. More than that, I already watched many of Savitri garu films. As there is a bigger chunk of our film with Maya Bazar portions, I watched it fully again.

In recreating moments like Maya Bazar or Neevu Leka Veena song, I need to be so particular about mannerisms or the way she walks, talks, smiles to cope up with the role.

About Savitri garu’s on screen character, I had many inputs but about her off screen behavior, it is Vijaya Chamundeshwari garu (Savitri daughter) provided me four to five pages of information about her behavior at home. Her hobbies, playing cricket, driving cars, swimming… we both had many coincidences.

Q. How is Mahanati divided content wise?

A. Yes, Mahanati content has two divisions. While 80 percent is about Savitri garu’s off the screen character, the life behind an actress and remaining 20 percent is regarding the recreation of interesting scenes which she has done before. Both needed lots of research.

Q. Have you learnt anything from Savitri garu’s life cycle?

A. Acting wise, she was a true legend and real inspiration. Nuances like minute expressions, natural carrying of character with balance, body language… there is so much to learn. Off the screen, Savitri garu’s generosity is something we can take forward.

Q. How about the big casting team?

A. Samantha, Vijay Deverakonda, Dulquer and so many artists. Everyone has got amazing characterization. Without any of these characters, you cannot drive the narrative forward when dealing with a full life cycle of a legendary actress. When there are so many people and most of them seniors, I got a chance to learn many things. We had great chemistry to maintain the mood and taste of subject. It was a pleasure for being a part of Mahanati. I am so happy that Vyjayanthi banner looked after everything making everyone comfortable on sets.

Q. About director Nag Ashwin?

A. He is such a chill out personality who never feels the stress. He never plans the things but loves spontaneity and betters his views on sets. He never forces artists for one particular expression. He encourages the realistic approach to bring honesty into performances. So, he makes every artist super comfortable which enhances the final output too.

For the love and professional satisfaction each one of us had towards this movie, I certainly rate Mahanati with 5 out of 5 stars.

Q. In simple, what is the USP of Mahanati?

A. This is the proper life of a legendary actress. Everybody knows Savitri garu. I am sure that lot of people will watch the film just for her.

Even for the present generation audience who knows Savitri garu by name and did not watch much of her movies, even for them also this is a fresh movie which connects emotionally.

For the kind of effort our team has put in, audience of all sections have to watch it.

Q. Mahanati in Tamil?

A. Mahanati is a pure Telugu film. For Tamil, there will be only a dubbed version to be released both in Tamil Nadu, Kerala.

Q. Any future commitments?

A. Telugu, I haven’t signed any new. In Tamil, I have three like Saamy 2, Pandem Kodi 2 and Thalapathy 62…. Keerthy signs off with that heartwarming smile.

If Kiara Advani, who waded through a period of uncertainty in Bollywood, has found success in Telugu cinema, it is because of Namrata Shirodkar, the wife of her first Telugu starrer Bharat Ane Nenu’s lead, Mahesh Babu.Sources close to the film reveal that it was Namrata who strongly recommended Kiara for the film.

“They were thinking of several big names from AP, but Namrata saw pictures of Kiara and was immediately convinced that the actress had it in her. Namrata recommended her to the director and producer and even contacted Kiara on their behalf,” says the source.

Kiara was reluctant to go South.

“She thought once she moves out of Bollywood, she’d be branded as a regional actress. Namrata convinced her that such demarcation between Bollywood and non-Bollywood cinema was rapidly disintegrating. She also made sure Kiara was paid handsomely,” says the source.Even before Bharat Ane Nenu released, Kiara had signed her second Telugu film, this time with superstar Ram Charan Tej — once again courtesy Namrata.

Apparently, Namrata introduced Kiara to Ram Charan and his team. Now that Kiara’s career has taken off, she is being considered for several other major Telugu films.Kiara says, “Namrata has been too kind. She and Mahesh Babu have been like family. This feeling is inexplicable. I’m extremely overwhelmed and thankful to the Telugu audience for giving me such a warm welcome.“A big thank you to my director Siva sir, and Mahesh sir, for reposing so much faith in me. The response has motivated me to work harder, so I can continue to do better.

“I have already shot for a day for my next film with Boyapati sir, and Ramcharan and the energy on the sets is infectious. I can’t wait to get back!”