Behind Screen Khaleja

F ive years ago, Yugandhar Tammareddy was a creative artist than an entrepreneur. Now, he is strengthening the business arm of his venture, Pixelloid, besides keeping an eye on creative frontiers. Thirty one-year-old Yugandhar is among the seven Indian entrepreneurs to win the Young Creative Entrepreneur (YCE) award by the British Council. “My wife came across an announcement for the contest and registered my name and sent the details,” says an ecstatic Yugandhar, as his staff is absorbed in visual effects for Mahesh Babu's Khaleja and Ram Charan Teja's Orange. Yugandhar won the YCE award in the Screen category for floating Pixelloid, which recently completed five years.

( Yugandhar Tammareddy)

After working on visual effects and animation for 40 Telugu films and a few Hollywood projects, Yugandhar wants to diversify. He and his team are developing content for television and feature films. “In the next five years, we hope to make a Hollywood film,” he says with a smile. He grew up on a diet of international cinema and wants to explore new genres. Lofty dreams? May not seem so when you hear his own story of turning entrepreneur by chance.

“My friends and I were artists working for different companies. I started as a trainee animator and editor at Padmalaya Studios after studying BFA at SV College. I then moved to Rhythm and Hues in Mumbai and in less than six months realised I wasn't getting enough creative work. I returned to Padmalaya and worked on a few projects before starting Pixelloid,” he says.

As a freelancer, he worked on Nijam. Pixelloid was then born with an initial capital of Rs. 25 lakh, partly pooled in by him and his friends partly sourced through loans. With time, his team proved that Telugu film-makers needn't make a beeline to studios in Chennai to get cutting edge visual effects. The feather in the cap was the Nandi Award for the company's work in Sainikudu. “A Chennai firm did a lot of work for the film and we got to do a small portion. Yet, the quality of the work stood out,” he says.

Visual effects in Telugu films have evolved from jarring to aesthetic and even help producers cut cost. “For Nenu Meeku Telusa, the two-seater Mercedes car crash was done with special effects. A real Merc crash would cost nearly a crore,” points out Yugandhar. For the same film, his team changed five background sets for a song, saving the production team the cost of setting up elaborate sets. “For Brindavanam, we are changing the background of many portions to make it appear that the film was shot in a hill station. The shooting was done in Hyderabad,” he shares.

Five directors for 'Parama Veera Chakra'

Five directors are set to act in director Dasari Narayana Rao’s grand movie, Parama Veera Chakra. Kodi Ramakrishna, Srinu Vytla, B.Gopal, Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and N Shankar are playing roles in his 150th movie that is under progress. There is reason for these directors acting in the movie, as the film requires some big known directors to do the roles of movie captains. As per the script, Balakrishna, who is playing dual role in it, works with these directors as he is playing a role of movie hero. While one character he does is that of an army major, the other one is movie hero. So all these directors are acting their respective real life characters.

The movie has completed 50 per cent of the shooting and currently it is being progressed at Manali. C Kalyan is producing it.

SRK's copying Rajnikanth

An action sequence on a speeding train in Shah Rukh Khan's superhero flick RA.One is said to be identical to the one in the Rajnikanth blockbuster, Robot.

A source says, "The two sequences have many special effects and boast of the hero's never-before-seen stunts on top of a train."

But the question is how did two films made in different cities by two separate teams of technicians end up with such striking similarities?

Says a source close to the project, "Shah Rukh has always been a big fan of celebrated chase sequences on top of speeding trains in films, like the one in Sholay. He wanted to mix that sense of thrill with special effects and stunts in RA.One.

How was he to know that director Shankar had the same thing in mind for Rajnikanth?"

Efforts are on to re-edit the train sequence in RA.One so that not a single frame resembles the chase in Robot.

Resul Pookutty doesn't deny the similarities either and says, "There are lavish train-top action sequences in both films. We are looking at how to keep it (RA.One) completely different from the earlier one (Robot)."

The buzz is that Shah Rukh doesn't want his RA.One audience to call the scene a direct copy of the one in Robot.

Neither does he want to do away with the sequence. By the way, the scene cost him close to Rs 3 crore!

Rajinikanth to promote Robot

For the first time in his career, superstar Rajinikanth is aggressively promoting his film. Taking a leaf out of Bollywood stars like Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and other actors, Rajinikanth, is currently in Mumbai to promote Robot and also hold a special screening for the Bachchan family and for Dev Anand.


Earlier, for the first time, the star promoted his film on a Tamil television channel and also attended the premiere of the film in Chennai. This is widely discussed in Kollywood circles as the elusive 'king of Kollywood' has never done any road shows or promoted any of his films till the release of his latest flick Endhiran. All these years, the superstar had a 'mysterious halo' around him and used to disappear from Chennai at the time of his films release, with his PR managers stating in hushed tones that "the superstar had left for the Himalayas"!


Says Sudhangan, noted television host and writer who has been tracking Rajinikanth for years, "I'm shocked that Rajinikanth is promoting his films like other ordinary stars. I always believed that that the name itself is a brand (like the punchline Oru Thadavu Sonna Nooru Tharava Sonnamaathiri...) and is a super saleable commodity (Pera Kettale Chuma Athiruthulla...). I feel the magic of Rajini works because he is larger than life and needs no television promotion to sell his films."


But Sudhangan is part of a minority segment as some experts think otherwise. A Chennai-based marketing executive said, "Today, all major brands need recall value. I feel Rajinikanth is doing exactly what the market demands. Even at this age, he has been able to connect with the upmarket savvy audiences with his disarming ways and frank talk. I hope people are aware that Robot, a dubbed version of a Tamil film and not a straight Hindi film, stood very well against the might of Bollywood's new youth icon Ranbir Kapoor's Anjaana Anjaani that released on the same day. Hats off to Rajini sir as he has taken on Bollywood stars who are born marketing gurus."


According to a Mumbai-based source in a television rating agency, " The build up to Rajinikanth's Robot release and all the hype and hoopla associated with it on its release day in Chennai surpassed the viewership of other major breaking stories like the Ayodhya judgment or the CWG coverage. Even Bollywood heroes have not got this kind of coverage on our news channels! Rajinikanth is truly a pan-Indian phenomenon."


Read more: Rajinikanth to promote Robot - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Rajinikanth-to-promote-Robot/articleshow/6683833.cms#ixzz11USpsLGb

‘Mahesh Khaaleja’ gets U/A certificate

The censor board today reviewed Mahesh Babu’s film ‘Mahesh Khaaleja’. After completely watching the movie, the board gave it a ‘U/A’ certificate. Also the board advised the producers to make three audio cuts.

According to the Central Board for Film Certification the U/A certificate is for movies which might need parental discretion required for children below 12 years.
With the final process now complete, the stage is all set for ‘Mahesh Khaaleja’ to be released on October 7th, 2010. A Mahesh Babu film after three years, has got the right mix of elements needed for a Telugu feature film like – Alluringly beautiful Anushka; comedy of Sunil, Brahmanandam and Dharmavarpu; Manisharma’s hit music; S.Bhat’s stunning cinematography and importantly Trivikram’s super script.
All these elements and Mahesh Babu should make ‘Mahesh Khaaleja’ a thoroughly entertaining experience. Watch out!

Dil Raju announces: 'Brindavanam' on 14th

Producer Dil Raju today (October 2, 2010) made an official statement about the postponement of NTR’s Brindavanam. “We are releasing it on August 14th as first copy of the film has not yet been readied. Considering all the technical aspects, we have decided to postpone the film for one week from earlier announced date of October 8th,” he told the media.

Although NTR’s fans are not happy with the decision, the star is said to have agreed after Dil Raju explaining the ‘situation’.

Frenzied fans flock to see Rajinikanth’s 'ROBOT'

The multi—crore Rajinikant—starrer ’Enthiran’ (Robot) opened to a frenzied response in over 1000 theatres across Tamil Nadu on Friday.

The tri-lingual film, directed by Shankar, opened to a “superb” response, industry sources said adding tickets had been sold out for the next 10 days.

Celebrating their icon’s latest release, die-hard Rajni fans performed poojas to his giant cut-outs outside theatres and burst crackers, as they had been eagerly awaiting the release of the film, which was two years in the making.

Starring Aishwarya Rai and Danny Denzongpa among others, the film is touted to be one of the most expensive ventures in Indian cinema.

Shankar expressed relief at the positive opening of the film and said that the crew had done a lot of hard work to deliver the sci-fi which sees Rajni in a new avatar as a robot.

Enthiran is Shankar’s second venture with the superstar after the blockbuster “Sivaji - the boss”.

Keywords: Enthiran, Rajinikanth

Somewhere the line's got to be drawn. And we are doing it here. It shouldn't really matter to anybody but themselves and the people they are currently involved with, whether Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif are together or not.


But what matters, certainly, is that both actors show a rare maturity and extend professional respect to each other when together. Like they did when shooting for Farah Khan's Tees Maar Khan at Film City last week.
According to a source on the sets, Salman and Kat had a blast on camera and off. And joining them was Bollywood's original prankster, Khiladi Akshay Kumar, the lead star of the film.


A close friend of the two revealed, "Salman and Katrina had always been discreet about their relationship. And all speculation about how awkward they would be when they bump into each other again, went for a toss on the sets of Tees Maar Khan. It wasn't a shoot for a few hours, but for days, and the two showed that they remain friends."


Salman was roped in by his close friend Farah Khan to shoot for the qawwali dance number Wallah Re Wallah in the film. She had told him that Katrina and Akshay were featuring in the song but Salman did not hesitate to shoot with Kat. He chatted with her on the sets and even bonded with Akshay. Both actors were thick sets and kept pulling Katrina's leg all the time."


Farah too said, "Salman and Katrina are professionals and I couldn't see uncertainty or discomfort on their faces while working with each other. They bonded really well. Salman even cooked food one day and Katrina and Akshay ate it. We were like a family out there." Does that give the impression that the two actors are back as a jodi? Does it really matter?




Read more: Sallu, Kat are back again - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Sallu-Kat-are-back-again/articleshow/6643149.cms#ixzz10yAip17f

SRK, Salman to join hands

Akshay Kumar, who is the brand ambassador of Special Olympics Bharat, has embarked upon a novel and ambitious project that might see him achieve a coup of sorts in Tinseltown.


Akki is leaving no stone unturned to make sure that the cause and the games for the differently-abled people is a huge success, and for this he is approaching all the big guns of the film fraternity to join hands with him to spread the word. It is in this context that the Khiladi is slated to bring the two warring Khans — Shah Rukh and Salman — under the same roof for the first time after their industry dividing rift.


Akshay has also managed to get Amitabh Bachchan on board who will be voicing his concerns about disability among the children of the country.


A source close to the development says, "Akshay has been very close to Salman for a long time now and very recently he buried differences with Shah Rukh. Akki has walked for Salman for his Being Human initiative and it is unlikely that Salman won't help his friend. Akki and SRK has been bonding big time recently and their wives are also very thick. SRK has also silently supported many causes and he is expected to give his nod to this too."


The informer adds, "With them giving a confirmation to Akki, it would mean that for the first time after their quarrel and fall-out they would be involved in a project together. That itself is a big achievement for Akshay as it looks unlikely that SRK and Salman would ever share silver screen space again." When contacted, Akshay confirms, "It is too early to give out who all have confirmed for the cause. I will be approaching everyone to join me. I'm hoping they won't say no to participate in a cause that is helping some really needy people so that they can shape their own future by excelling with the skills that they have."

AB puts SRK on the hot seat

Shah Rukh Khan has reportedly been approached by Kaun Banega Crorepati to sit on the hot seat and be quizzed by Amitabh Bachchan.

The show, which goes on air on the Big B's 68th birthday (October 11), had SRK as its host in the third edition. It was widely reported that though the edition was a success, it could not emulate the massive fan frenzy that Amitabh had managed to garner in the first two seasons. After this, the show went off air and then Big B was taken back to be the face of KBC again.

"The channel is very keen to have an episode that would have the two hosts of KBC face to face. They have approached SRK to be a celebrity contestant who will be quizzed by Amitabh. The channel knows that this is what will give them a huge buzz. SRK is undecided. He has good relations with the channel as well as the makers of the show, so it is hugely being anticipated that he might give a nod for this special episode. Everyone has their fingers crossed," says a highly placed source close to the developments of the show.

The informer adds, "Big B's recent conversation about the show with SRK on a social networking site has also garnered interest level in the industry. It was widely said that SRK and Amitabh became close friends a couple of years back thereby rubbishing rumours of their ego clashes that had made headlines for years. So, this cordial relation with Bachchan might as well be the lubricant for SRK to also say a yes to the format. It will get the channel the TRP that it cannot imagine."

Officials of the channel, on conditions of anonymity, confirmed that SRK has indeed been approached for KBC and that they are awaiting a response from him soon.

'Orange' audio on Oct 6

Shooting of Ram Charan’s Orange has come near to end. It is in the last leg of shooting and the final schedule starts in two days to wrap up all the remaining portion of scenes in Hyderabad. Harris Jayaraj’s music would be out in the first week of October. Directed by ‘Bommarillu’ Bhaskar, Orange has Genelia as main heroine. Producer Nagababu informs that he is planning to release the movie in November (either on Nov 5th or Nov 11).

 Keywords : Orange, Ram Charan.

Kaleja Audio Special

1. OM NAMO SIVA RUDRAYA

Lyric : Rama Jogaiah Sastri
Singers : Hema Chandara , Ramesh
Choreography : Raju Sundaram

2.BOOMSHAKNAKA BHOOTA SUNDARI

Lyric : Rama Jogaiah Sastri
Singers: Ranjith
Choreography : Ahamad khan

3.PILICHE PEDAVULA PAINA

Lyric : Rama Jogaiah Sastri
Hema Chandar ,Swetha
Choreography : Raju Sundaram

4. MAKTHIKA MACHINRA

Lyric : Rama Jogaiah Sastri
Singers : Karthik, Saindhavi
Chereography : Prem Raksith

6.SUNDAY MONDAY

Lyric : Rama Jogaiah Sastri

Singer : HEMA CHANDRA

Chereography : Ahamad khan

7. ANNA EE ROAD NEE BABU GADI SOMMA

Introduction song in the movie

Lyric : Rama Jogaiah Sastri

Singer: Ranjith

Choreography : Prem Rakshit

We do not stream any of these Songs. We are only linking to existing songs  from andhrafunda. We are not responsible for the accuracy, compliance, copyright, legality,decency, or any other aspect of the content of other linked sites.

Ravi Teja in Vamsi’s sequel to Ladies Tailor!

Vamsi might be directing Ravi Teja again. Although Ravi Teja agreed for Vamsi’s proposal of doing sequel to Ladies Tailor last year itself, the movie didn’t take off. Now the project seems to be revived. According to sources, Ravi Teja recently called up Vamsi and asked the senior director to work on the sequel. Released in 1985, Ladies Tailor is sort of trendsetter in comedy movies and the film strengthened Vamsi’s status as new wave director in 80’s. He has been planning to make a sequel to this blockbuster with a title Fashion Designer for over two years but hurdles keep coming for it to really take off. Finally Ravi Teja seems to have okayed the movie.

But it can only go to the sets next year as Ravi Teja is currently tied up with two films - Mirapakaya that is under progress and Veera that goes to the sets in November. 

Keywords : Ravi Teja, Ladies Tailor.

'Brindavanam' is on Oct 8th

NTR’s Brindavanam releases on October 8th. Producer Dil Raju today (Monday, September 20, 2010) officially announced the date. As the film has already had its music launch, Dil Raju is planning a big release to cash in on Dussera holiday season. At the same time, Khaleja will be releasing on October 7th. But Mahesh’s Khaleja may got delayed further as its music has not yet released and there is no official announcement from the producer or hero except Mahesh announcing it through twitter. Industry trade pundits say the film may be delayed further. Even then it is a big fight between three of the biggest stars of South Indian cinema in the month of October - with Rajnikant’s Robo t releasing on massive level on October 1st, Brindavanam coming on Oct 8th and Khaleja 7th (tentative date).

Other release dates

* Baava – November 5th

* Gaganam – November 1st week

* Nagavalli (Chandramukhi –2 ) – November 5th.

Keywords : Brindavanam, N T R.

Komaram Puli First Week Share 15 CR

Film Puli (previously titled Komaram Puli) starring Pawan Kalyan and Nikesha Patel, released on 10th September, gained grand openings. Excited over the success of the film, producer Singanamala Ramesh Babu said that the response for the film 'Puli' in which Pawan Kalyan's performance is the pivotal segment, is magnificent. He added saying that the openings were astonishing. The film distributing firm 'Geetha Film Distributors' claim that the film enjoys huge flow of revenue beside the point of the word of mouth. It was informed that the share of the film in the first week of its release in Andhra Pradesh is Rs. 15,08,46,000. The break-up is as follows: Nizam - Rs. 4,76,60,000, Ceded - Rs. 3,27,43,000, Vizag - Rs. 1,51,15,000, East - Rs. 1,03,84,000, West - Rs. 1,05,22,000, Krishna - Rs. 1,10,07,000, Guntur - Rs. 1,58,10,000 and Nellore - Rs. 76,05,000.

click on the image below to see original picture

Keywords :  Komaram Puli, Pawan Kalyan.

Young Rebel Star Prabhas to 'Rebel'

Handsome hunk Prabhas is fondly called as ‘Young Rebel Star’ by fans as Pedananna Krishnam Raju was known as ‘Rebel Star’ in 80’s. So true to his image, the young rebel star is all set to do an out and out angry young man character in new film. And ‘Rebel’ is the title is being considered for it. Director Lawrence has confirmed this development. He is directing the movie. Earlier 'Power' was considered for it, but 'Rebel' as the title gives more value if it stars Prabhas. So on commercial parameters, Lawrence has opted for this title. It will soon go to the sets.

Keywords : Prabhas, Young Rebel Star.

Rana and Ileana in Nenu Naa Rakshasi

Nenu..Naa Raakshasi is the title for Puri Jagannadh’s current film starring Ileana and Rana as the lead pair. The film’s regular shoot commenced from Tuesday morning in Hyderabad. Produced by Bujji, the film is a love story with different twist. Rana has developed muscles for this film to look different from his first film Leader.

Keywords : Rana, Ileana, Puri Jagannadh’s.

'Khaleja' is planned for October 2nd week

Although producers of Khaleja recently announced that the movie would be out on Sep 30, sources told Telugucinema.com that it won’t be releasing this month. “As the film is still has not finished its final shoot, the movie’s actual release date would be confirmed later this week. As of now C Kalyan and Singanamala Ramesh are planning to release either on October 6th or 8th,” unit members of the film told this website. Manisharma’s music will be launched in a week’s time.

Keywords : Kaleja, Mahesh Kaleja, Prince Mahesh.

‘Robo’ to hit the screens on October 1st

Rajnikant’s Robot (written as just ‘Robo’ in Telugu) is set to release on October 1st. The film’s theatrical trailer was launched on Monday evening at Taj Deccan in Hyderabad. Tota Kanna Rao who bagged the movie’s distribution rights for Andhra Pradesh for a whopping Rs 27 Crores conducted the press meet and came in front of the media for the first time. Sun TV Pictures’ COO Hansraj Saxena said that the movie would be hitting the screens on October 1st with record number of prints. “For Tamil and Hindi versions, we are planning more than 2000 prints. For Telugu version, we are yet to get the final call from Tota Kannarao but I am sure we would release in Telugu with highest number of prints,” he said.

'Komaram Puli' heroine Nikisha Patel, senior actor and producer Murali Mohan, several other top producers Dil Raju, N V Prasad, Bellamkonda Suresh, Ashwini Dutt, Maganti Babu, Prasanna and director Meher Ramesh attended the press meet.

Keywords : Robo, Robo Release, Rajani.

Yes, I am in love with Nayan: Prabhu Deva

Prabhu Deva finally opens up about his love affair with actress Nayanathara. Telugucinema.com earlier reported that he would be marrying her in December this year. He admits now. In an interview, he talks about his love life.

The media has been writing in detail about your affair with Nayanthara. But you have so far refused to talk about it or acknowledge the relationship. Why?

Throughout my career the media has been writing a lot of things about me, but I have never bothered to react or call a press meet to clarify or issue a denial. As far as Nayanthara is concerned she is special. Yes I am in love with Nayanthara and we will be getting married soon. It’s a personal decision and I don’t like to talk about it to the media. Basically I’m not comfortable opening my heart out to the media.

The grapevine has it that Nayan has quit acting to settle down with you. Please comment?

She’s very contrary to the glam image that you see. She’s a home bird, very simple. Any man who is in love would like to spend more time with his woman. I am no different and there is no meaning in both of us being busy and having no time for each other. She had a beautiful innings and I know very well that she is a top actress who is much in demand.

What is that one defining change that Nayan has brought in you?

(Smiles) It’s not one, there are many. She has stood by me in my difficult times and her support was like an oasis in the desert. Earlier I was a short-tempered person but now my assistants and friends say that I have mellowed down a lot (Smiles). She is a very strong person and has made me like her. She has taught me how to love each other unconditionally and how to carry myself in public. She is a wonderful human being and I find everything about her lovable.

(Courtesy: Sify.com)

Keywords : Nayanatara, Prabhu deva