From playing a poor father in Rangasthalam to a hyperactive funny dad in Bhale Bhale Magadivoyi; from portraying a simple guy lusting for money in Guntur Talkies to a retired father with aspirations of becoming an actor in Sammohanam, he’s literally carrying few parts of the film on his shoulder. This former hero who is now signing many character roles has now become the most sought after character artist who demands a commendable pay packet too.

We are talking about Naresh Krishna Murthy, simply popular as Naresh, who became a busy comedy hero in the late 80s. Later he turned to character roles and is doing well, but never got a chance to showcase his full potential. But in the recent times, Naresh is at his best, when it comes to running a film on his shoulders.

He stood as the key pillar in the success of films like Bhale Bhale Magadivoyi, Guntur Talkies and A..Aa with his terrific comedy timing. But when people thought he’s only doing comedy, the way he says ‘Cheviti Na Kodaka’ to Ram Charan in Rangasthalam brought that emotional punch out of him. And Satamanam Bhavati is also an added treat where his timed dialogues clicked quite well. At the same time, he literally raised the film’s graph during the pre-climax sequence of Sammohanam with his amazing acting skills in the role of a wannabe actor. Looking at all these performances, one has to say that Naresh is the new backbone of Telugu films like the way Prakash Raj and Kota Srinivasa Rao used to be once.

Frankly speaking, Naresh also fills the vacuum that was created due to lack of Telugu character artists and which saw some former Tamil heroes filling it. Hope that he will be given more such interesting roles in the coming days by Telugu directors such that we get to see more of his acting talents.

The Movie Artistes Association (MAA) headed by Sivaji Raja has called for a meeting to discuss the Tollywood sex racket unearthed in the US. But apart from killing time, there seems to be no tangible benefit which accrues to anyone as a result of this meeting.MAA was a complete failure in handling the Sri Reddy issue. First, they banned Sri Reddy not even knowing the simple fact that it is illegal to ban any artiste.

Then, after Sri Reddy released photographs with Abhiram Daggubati, MAA made a U-turn and revoked her ban, possibly out of fear that she would expose more sordid details or pictures.Apart from appointing a few spokespersons following the ‘casting couch’ issue, no concrete action was taken.When election time arrives for MAA posts arrives, throwing all decorum to the winds, these artistes fight like cats and dogs. Therefore, what sensible action can be expected from such people on serious issues?

MAA is just a coterie controlled by various camps of Tollywood to exercise control over the funds of the organization and that’s why the elections are fought like a general election.When actresses were being harassed in the US by Chennupati, the fact that not a single one of them complained to MAA shows the trust they have in MAA and the credibility of this body.

Was MAA really unaware that these kinds of activities were going in the US?

Sammohanam has been getting rave reviews from every corner but we are yet to see the same magic translating into good box office numbers.

Sudheer babu starrer opens great in USA, rakes in approx a whopping $380k gross till date, only territory performed well for the movie so far.In 3 days of its release, The film collects close to Rs 2cr share across telugu states, worldwide Rs 3.53cr share & approx Rs 6.5cr gross in the opening weekend.

With good word of mouth, collections are expected to grow in the coming days!

Nizam – 77,00,000

Ceded – 25,00,000

Nellore – 6,00,000

Guntur – 15,50,000

Krishna – 20,00,000

West – 14,00,000

East – 16,50,000

Uttharandhra – 24,00,000

Total 3 days AP & TS share 1.98cr

USA – $1,20,00,000

Remaining – 35,00,000 (estimated)

Total 3 days WW share 3.53cr

The legal tussle between PVP and the makers of Mahesh 25 has intensified. In fresh move, producer PVP has moved the Court once again against Mahesh 25 who are all set to start the shoot next week. The court reportedly became serious on Mahesh25 team and directed orders to the makers to stop the film’s shoot since the issue is subjudice.

The makers of Mahesh 25 are yet to respond. Going into details, during the shooting of Brahmotsavam, PVP had planned a film with Mahesh Babu and director Vamshi Paidipalli who earlier did Oopiri with PVP. Vamshi narrated an impressive story and Mahesh readily agreed to do the film under PVP’s production after Brahmotsavam. But the debacle of Brahmotsavam changed the plans. Vamshi Paidipalli and Mahesh collaborated to work for a film with out PVP. This drew the ire of PVP who moved the Court against Vamshi as he had a contract with him after Oopiri.

More details are yet to be known. Makers of Mahesh 25 are yet to respond.

Currently struggling from a time to bring out her latest two films to theatres, mega daughter Niharika Konidela want to do more films in less span from now it looks like. And she started signing some multi-starrers in that process.

After the release of “Oka Manasu” in 2016, the film’s result disappointed Niharika big time and her second movie hasn’t released since then. She has the likes of Happy Wedding and Nanna Koochi to hit cinemas. And today, her latest film where she will be joining hands with none other than hottie Shriya Saran is launched.

To be produced by popular cinematographer Gnanasekhar, the film will have debutant Sujana handling the direction while Shriya and Niharika will be seen as leads. The combination is interesting because one happens to be Megastar’s heroine and other one is Megastar’s daughter. We hear that the film is a thriller about two sisters and Niharika’s character will give goosebumps.

Though the mega daughter is listening to many female-centric scripts, we hear that this story has amazed her due to its thrill factor. And then, Shriya will be seen in a complete glamorous avatar in this film which happens to be her first movie project post marriage.

What you see is what you tend to believe but then there are many things that happen behind the normal sight and these are stuff we cannot even comprehend. Since the last few years, there has been a significant rise in cine celebrities being put on a sticky wicket because they are the softest targets. Given their popularity and reputation at stake, it is tough for them to take an aggressive stand.

The situation is more complex when it involves a non-film person. Here is a classic example to that. One leading hero of the Telugu Film Industry is right now in soup. He had few hits at the start of his career and right now he is struggling. He is a well known young actor and the film industry’s big person is also his close relative.

As such, the hero is not married and it is natural that he would hobnob with few beautiful ladies. As part of those encounters, he got into an affair with a lady. She took their pictures and videos during their heydays of romance which was two years ago.

However, the Sri Reddy issue has triggered some crooked thoughts in few women and the list included even those who were seeking some publicity. Thanks to this, that lady is blackmailing the young hero now bringing out the past pictures and videos. The hero is now in complete fear and has been giving money to her for her maintenance expenditure. Only time will reveal how this is going to end.

Becoming a hero is not just about having the right kind of looks, the right background or the right aura, it is also about having the right confidence and the passion to prove oneself above all. The Telugu audience has always been welcoming towards talented artists and the focus is more on those who come with a certain profile.

The name Kalyaan Dhev was unknown to many for a long time till he became the son-in-law of Megastar Chiranjeevi. Within no time, he expressed his desire to act in films and the handsome lad is now preparing to arrive with his debut flick ‘Vijetha’. The posters are out and Kalyaan has already grabbed attention.

A positive vibe has struck the cine buffs and the film is expected to work at the box office. Meanwhile, details about Kalyaan’s next movie are already in the pipeline and here is an inside scoop. Sources reveal ‘Varaprasad Gari Alludu’ is the title of the film. This is because Sivasankar Varaprasad happens to be Chiru’s real name.

This is touted to be a family oriented entertainer and the script is currently in discussion. Stuff like director and casting, producer is not known as it is being kept under tight wraps. It is also not sure whether the title has been kept just to get the attention quotient high or whether there is a link to the plot as well. Overall, it is clear that Kalyaan is not trying to be ambitious and he is taking it nice and steady with more focus on script and content than heroism. If he can get those one or two odd hits he can cement his position for sure.

Despite the fact that she has stunned everyone with her glamorous looks in “Rangasthalam”, a film she has done post her engagement, top siren Samantha is now looking for roles beyond that. Cutting out the glamour part, she wants to walk along a new path it seems.

After enthralling audiences with glamour roles and non-stop teasing, Nayantara has seen a big downfall in her career. That’s when she has decided to take up female-centric films and scored a brownie with them. And other day she received a Filmfare trophy as Best Actress for Aramm movie. Looks like Samantha is inspired by these happenings.

Recently wrapping her work on “U-Turn” Telugu remake, Samantha is all set to move to another female-centric film if reports are to be believed. An associate of director Sandeep Vanga of “Arjun Reddy” fame, Girisayya, is said to have narrated a female-centric story to Samantha and the actress got floored by it. She might work on the film very soon, says a source.

Probably after Vijayasanthi, no other actress has taken female-centric films seriously and we have to see if Samantha will click big time.

Though there is some initial disappointment about the choice of contestants, Big Boss 2 is living up to the expectations with many of them indulging in politics, fights and arguments inside the house. The masala is simply getting spicier and bigger every day.

Last night, the first ever elimination is done and the one to face the axe is none other than model Sanjana Anne, who entered the show as a commoner. A model and Miss Hyderabad contestant who hailed from Vijayawada, she has shot to fame after inmates have sent her to jail right after 10 minutes post her entry into the house. Since then, she has vent fumes on many other inmates and also slipped into heated arguments with the likes of Tejaswi Madivada.

With others like RJ Ganesh, Kireeti Damireddy, Nuthan Naidu, Deepthi Sunaina and Kaushal who are in the elimination zone, many didn’t expect that Sanjana will be shown doors as she’s adding spicy masala with her talks and acts. Also, she got dressed in a sexy saree and took a shower as well to sell a ‘soap’ to inmates as she was given that task during her journey of contesting for captaincy.

And then a new girl named Nandini Rai, who happens to be the heroine of films like Sudheer Babu’s Mosgallaku Mosagadu and Neelakanta’s Maaya has entered the show as a wildcard entrant. She has won Miss Andhra Pradesh title in 2010. Actually, she has to enter the show on Day 1 only but an accident prevented her from doing so it seems. Let’s see what will she bring to the house now.

It’s known that recently Jr NTR was blessed with a baby boy for the second time. After kick-starting his new journey on social media, wherein he also appeared on Instagram, the star hero is making the place more interesting by sharing many updates related to his life.

Today he shared an adorable picture where his elder son Abhay is seen holding the infant in his lap by sitting on a chair. While NTR is seen clicking the picture, he’s clicked in return by wife Lakshmi Pranathi. “Welcoming the new #brat into the #bratpack ..photo courtesy #innocentmom. probably has no idea what’s coming her way”, wrote NTR, sharing the excitement with fans.

We have to say that Jr NTR is in pretty happy space right now with his family life in its golden journey. And coming to films, he’s wrapping Trivikram’s Aravinda Sametha, after which he will join hand with Ram Charan for Rajamouli’s #RRR.