జీవనతరంగాలు

యద్దనపూడి నవల జీవనతరంగాలు అప్పట్లో పుస్తకాలు విరివిగా చదివేవారికి బాగా పరిచయం. అది రేడియో లో సీరియల్ గా వచ్చే సమయానికి జనాలు అందరు రేడియో కి అత్తుక్కు పోయేవారు అనడం లో అతిశయోక్తి ఎంతమాత్రం లేదు. దాన్ని రామానాయుడు కొని సినిమాగా తీస్తే చాలా పెద్ద విజయం సాదించింది.

తెలుగు లో మళ్ళా కృష్ణంరాజు దాన్ని టీవీ సీరియల్ గా తీస్తున్నాడు అని తెలిసి చూద్దాం అనుకున్నా. సీరియల్ ని ఎంత నాసిరకం గా తియ్యాలో అంత నాసిరకంగా తీసాడు. విజయ పాత్రకి రాజాశ్రిధర్ అసల పనికిరాడు, అనంత్ పాత్రకి చక్రి పరవాలేదు. ఒక పాత తరం నవలని కాలానుగుణం గా మార్చుకోగలిగితే అది మంచి సీరియల్ గాని చిత్రం అవుతుంది. ఉదాహరణకి bourne identity చిత్రాన్ని నవలలో మూలకథ మార్చకుండా ఇప్పటి కి సరిపోయేలా ఎలా మార్చారో చూడండి. మనవాళ్ళు ఎప్పటికి అలా మార్చి తియ్యగాలరో అన్నది నాకు అంతుచిక్కని సమాధానం,

C.S.I

సి ఎస్ ఐ చూసే వాళ్ళకి Warrick Brown పాత్ర తెలికుండా ఉండదు . గత రెండు మూడు episodes లో ఈ పాత్ర కి ఏదో అయ్యేలా ఉంది అనుకున్నా.. ఈ రోజు నెట్ లో episode లో చివరి నిమషం లో కాల్చేసి shock ఇచ్చాడు . పాపం అనిపించింది CSI : NY లో చివరికి taxi లో తిరుగుతూ హత్యలు చేసేవాడిని పట్టుకున్నారు . ఎంతలేదు అన్నా ఒక అరువారాలు సాగాదీసాడు

Gopichand first Web interview

Gopichand is popularly known as T. Krishna's son before the film jayam released. He was almost written off by then as an actor, because his first film toli valapu was not a hit (though his performance was appreciated). And later came the film nijam where he terrorized the audience with this action. Pokuri Babu Rao announced a film with him as a hero (yaj~nam), and so everyone�s eyes were turned to him again. That too with the director whose debut was a disaster too! The film is an acid test to all those involved � the hero, the producer, and the director. Before yaj~nam was completed, his film varsham released and went on to become a blockbuster this year. So, people�s expectations and curiosity about his yaj~nam increased; many people reserved him and are waiting for the results. I tried to reach him after watching nijam but was unable to get his number. I tried in vain to get an interview with him after watching varsham. When that did not materialize, I got to him through Pokuri Babu Rao gaaru after a recent interview. I talked to him on a few occasions since then, and have been in touch. His yaj~nam hit the theaters and is going to be a good hit. In its second week, the film is running full-house and its collections crossed those of nETi bhaaratam (a hit venture for the same producer) already. Below are the excerpts of an interview with the successful villain who now proved as a hero too!

Sri: Tell me your association with your father T. Krishna gaaru?
Gopi: Very little, anDi! He passed away when I was eight years old. That was too young an age to know anything. Like in any other house, we used to be very calm when he was around, and we stayed in the back room if he was in the front room. It is not that he doesn�t like us or that we don�t like him � he used to love us; it was out of respect that we stayed afar!

Sri: Do you have any sisters or brothers?
Gopi: Yes, I have an elder brother and a sister. My elder brother passed away in a car accident while making the film ammaayi kaapuram in 1994. My sister is a dentist in Hyderabad.

Sri: Sorry about your brother. What made you to join in films?
Gopi: When my elder brother died in the car accident, I was studying in Russia. My father�s ambition was that one of us should be in the film industry, and so I entered the industry then. My brother wanted to direct films, �like my father. But I thought of being an actor. Thus, I became a hero with the film toil valapu.

Sri: Did you joined in any institute before joining into the films?
Gopi: No, I didn�t, but I took voice modulation guidance and some training in acting from Kakarala gaaru and J.V. Ramanamurthy gaaru, and went to dance classes with Kala Master in Madras.

Sri: So, you learnt dance from Sree Kala Krishna Master? But, I feel you still need to get better, �like Jr. N.T.R. and Allu Arjun?
Gopi: Please do not compare with them. Jr. N.T.R. learned dance for fourteen years before he came into films. He is a great dancer and Allu Arjun also dances well. I know only film dances and I am no comparison to them. Yes, I still need to learn a lot in that area, I admit.

Sri: In your first film toil valapu, you acted with Sneha, who already did seven films before then. As a fresher, didn�t you felt nervous acting with her?
Gopi: No, I was not nervous. I was confident and did what I was supposed to do. If we feel nervous, we cannot act properly � that�s what I feel. I always aim to do what the director asks me to do. My problem was only dancing with her. She was pretty fast and it was my first film, but I managed it with her help.

***image3***Sri: You entered as a hero, but then why did you shift to villain roles after that?
Gopi: The film I entered with is a love story �like any other hero, but with a message and real-life situations. Though I was appreciated as an actor, my face and body did not suit the lover boy image needed by the role, according to the audience. I do not have a chocolate face (laughs), and so when I heard Teja is looking for a villain role, I went and approached and I was selected in jayam; everyone noticed me with that film.

Sri: You did a pretty good job in nijam too! Don�t you feel your role was too gory in that film? It was disgusting to see you take a blood bath!
Gopi: That�s the nature of the character! I�d do whatever the director asks me to do, as I said. I will not interfere with what he says. Who am I to say? The director is the captain of the film; he knows better than I do. See, after seeing the film, you are discussing my character, and that�s my success! You noticed that I did a good job, and that gives me lot of satisfaction; that�s enough for me.

Sri: Your character in the film is from Telangana region but you do not speak the local slang! Is there any particular reason? Did you try at all?
Gopi: I did try, but was unable to do complete justice to my accent. As I do not want to do a half-full job, I opted for my regular diction. See, if I am doing an incomplete job, people will comment, but if I use the same diction for the whole film, the audience will get adjusted to that. That was the idea!

Sri: Oh, by the way, did you know that your heroine in nijam got married recently �her car was snatched away by her financiers for nonpayment of dues�
Gopi: Who, Raasi?! I never met her after the shooting. And I do not know anything about her marriage or the financiers. After the film shooting, I am a private person, totally.

Sri: Getting back to yaj~nam, why did you choose to work with director Ravi Kumar who gave a disaster film (manasutO�) before?
Gopi: I also gave a flop before. When the producer is willing to make me as a hero again, why not take him as the director? It is basically the producer�s confidence on him; it�s not my decision and so all the credit goes to the producer!

***image1***Sri: Are you happy with him?
Gopi: Yes, I am happy with him! There is no doubt about that.

Sri: What homework did you do for the film?
Gopi: Usually, when a film is offered to me, I will see my character mostly. I try to grasp it and work at home before the shot is called. And, I will work on the set as per the director�s guidance. I am basically a director�s actor.

Sri: Now, the film is a success, and I know that you are getting many offers like Pokuri Babu Rao gaaru told us earlier in a recent interview � that many of the producers are waiting with their hand kerchiefs to book you (smile). What do you feel?
Gopi: There is nothing wrong in that! In this film field, business is with crores of rupees, and so I can understand their point. Everyone cannot be like my uncle Pokuri Babu Rao gaaru. He knows me since I was five years old. So, I am like his son and he does have the courage to make a film with me after a flop. But, other producers cannot do it! I understand their risk; it�s all pretty much okay with me!

Sri: I know there are some prestigious banners too among those offering you films. Do you mind telling which of them you are working on?
Gopi: Nothing is decided yet! Discussions are still going on, and so I cannot say which one I�d be doing. Now, I need to be very careful in selecting the films. At present, I agreed one film with Parachuri Murali for K.L.N. Choudary gaaru.

Sri: All the best and best of luck, Gopi gaarU! Thanks for the interview.
Gopi: Thanks, and you�re welcome!

Acknowledgements: NaChaKi

Rasool first web interview

• From the beginning my objective was very clear that I wanted to be a filmmaker. So I had chosen camera as the first step in the ladder.
• I strongly feel that the story line or the subject line should emanate from the real life experiences that too from the depth of it.
• There are two factors that guide the Industry. Money Vs Capacity or Maker Vs Creator of the film.
  
• The professional liberty leads to quality & creativity, which is directly proportional to success.

Says the young, confident Rasool Ellore directing his debut film okariki okaru starring Sreeram & Arti Chabria which is all set to release this month.

He had already made a mark into Tollywood, Bollywood and Hollywood by his Photographic Excellence through movies like Gayam, Chitram, Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya, Daud and Crocidile-2 respectively.

He started his journey towards film Industry from his native place Rajamundry as back as 1985 and after his successful career as a Photography director in all three languages, now ready with his directorial skills in Okariki Okaru.

He says that story telling is nothing but explaining emotions. When he was asked to comment on his film, he said that audiences are the best judges and the suspense will be only opened in the Silver screen.

So, telugucinema.com wishes the director a pleasant success in his venture.

Some of the excerpts from the interview:

From camera to directorial assignment through the director of photography how do you feel the present task?

The idea behind starting my journey in this Industry film as a cameraman is to lay a strong foundation to my filmmaking career. From the beginning my objective was very clear that I wanted to be a filmmaker. So I had chosen camera as the first step in the ladder.

Do you have any professional training in Photography?

I do not have any professional training, everything I had received on the job. It is my strong desire and effort that helped me to reach the directorial status.

Generally (to be on the safe side) the debut directors choose love stories, are you following the same track?

Love is the most universal subject pertaining to reality. Everybody goes through it or experiences it in their own life at one time or the other in one form or the other. I strongly feel that the story line or the subject line should emanate from the real life experiences that too from the depth of it.

Coming to the subjects such as violence and factionalism may be limited to certain areas, but love is the only phenomenon that has no boundaries or limitations.

That is the specific reason why I had taken this subject-line for my debut film. However, I don�t believe in following the track or trend whatever it may be, so the question of following the trend does not arise.

What type of story line did you choose for your film?

As already mentioned I had chosen the subject pertaining to Love for my film. Another specialty of love is that it is universal as well as individualistic in its nature, as a person who is deeply involved in it feels that his love is unique and the best in this world.

I had worked almost a year in the pre-production so that my story line has a perfect manifestation of the reality in its logical form.

Do you believe in a particular trend in the film industry? If so, what is the present trend?

There is nothing called trend in the Industry, whatever we set is a trend. Infact it term �trend� is a myth. My objective is to make a good film, a clean family entertainer.

Could you please define a good film?

A film, which is Technically: spectacular with no glaring mistakes
Logically: convincing but not stupid,
Entertainment wise: Recreating & relaxing but not boring.

Any specific reason for selecting Sreeram as hero when young heroes like NTR, Uday Kiran, Ravi Teja and Tarun are available in our Tollywood and well suited for the subject line of love stories?

Basically I found him suitable for my story line. He is also a Telugu guy. I was confident that he could deliver the goods in a perfect manner. Moreover, he is also familiar with the Telugu audiences through Roja Poolu (a dubbing film).

Similarly when are industry is importing heroines mostly from the north, can we assume that even you had followed the same line in selecting a Non-Telugu girl for your film?

It was neither deliberate nor following the present practice in selecting Bollywood girl as the heroine, Infact I had waited almost 9 months for a girl from the native background in vain.

So can we expect a Telugu girl as the heroine in your next movie?

Definitely, however it depends on the storyline.

What might be the reason behind the girls from Andhra Pradesh not readily entering into the Industry?

The conventional & traditional fears about the Industry might be the reason, but now the situation has been drastically changed. Comparatively the Industry had become a comfortable place for the girls to enter, as we are witnessing the girls from various backgrounds are making their way into the industry from North.

How far your previous assignment helped you in the present? You mean to say that both are complimentary towards each other?

My association with the Photography is definitely an added knowledge to my directorial assignment. The Present assignment demands to strike a balance between the past & present roles and that is the reason why I handed over the photography department to Mr. Sunil Reddy who received profession training from US.

Do you mean to say that Techniques adopted in the film would make a good film or a hit film?

Techniques are used just as supportive elements to the story line but never should dominate the subject of the movie. There can be a good movie with good story line and bad techniques, but there can never be a good movie with bad story line and wonderful techniques. So, the subject line is the lifeblood for any movie.

Any influence of Telugu literature on you?

Since my child hood I was a voracious reader of books, right from fiction to classics.

Are you influenced by any of the other directors? If so who influenced you most?

When the question of Impact or Influence comes it is consciously no.

I can say that my association with Ramgopal Varma right from Gayam to Satya was wonderful as I was totally left free to deliver the goods in a perfect manner.

So, this professional liberty leads to quality and creativity, which is directly proportional to success.

Since you are associated with all the three "Woods", what is the basic difference between these three?

Hollywood Work culture is highly structured and well planned both in quality and time-wise. It was so comfortable to work with the unit as almost the entire unit was well equipped with the information on the day�s schedule, absolutely there was no confusion, the things went on in a perfect manner without any hindrances.

It is the professionalism that matters in this field, there is no need for an introduction or recommendation letter.

In my case I was asked to show my work as a pre-requisite and immediately that was appreciated and I made my entry into Hollywood through Crocodile-2.

Lack of training is the major drawback for our Indian Film Industry. Almost 500 films are being produced in the Industry annually with almost 2 lakh work force involved in it. Hardly we have two training centers in the entire country.

That is the reason why our Industry is not well structured and planned. To be frank not even 20% of the unit are informed of the days schedule, so that leads to confused state of affairs in the sets and causes unusual delay.

Could you elaborate on the "Creativity" aspect? As you said in an interview that Bollywood lacks creativity rather not conducive to creativity.

What I meant was creativity is the Commercial Creativity. Let me just give a small illustration.

There are only two factors that guide the Industry. Money Vs Capacity or Maker Vs Creator of the film. Here what I meant was there should be a proper coordination and understanding between the maker & creator of the film. In Bollywood I can say that this cordiality aspect is just the minimum. In Tollywood the situation is far better. I am free of myself to strive for Quality.

Definitely Film Industry is a purely commercial media, at the same time the objective is to provide entertainment in a neat way to the possible extent.

Any reason for the lack of original new techniques in the Telugu film industry?

Take it easy attitude and lack of training facilities is the most important reason for the borrowed techniques.

What about your Future ventures?

Right now I am concentrating only on the success of Okariki Okaru, later on I would on the other venture.

How do you feel as the director?

Always a challenging profession, I won�t see the plus points or merits of my movie on the screen, I would concentrate on the left out aspects so that I can improve my self.

Raasi first interview

I met Raasi when she came for shows, which are organized by Vijayshekar Vellanki. That was much before her marriage and she is doing lot of films at that time. Naresh and Aryan are not entered into the cinefield at that time. We spend lot of time roaming around New York and New Jersey This interview was taken in the bus when we are travelling from New York to Washington DC.. This is her first Web interview

Telugucinema.com proudly presents.......
an exclusive INTERVIEW with RAASI.

Raasi started her film career as a child artist. Suddenly she became a heroine with Subhakanshalu. The film was big hit and followed by Gokulam lo sita and Preyasi raave etc., some of the experts from her interview. Here are the experts of an interview by Sri

Name: D.Vijaya Lakshmi
Screen Name: Raasi
Date of Birth: June 29th, 1981
Education: 10th, Now Doing B.A
First Film (Year): Priyam (1996)
First Break: Subhakankshalu
Father: D.Venkatesh
Mother: Nagamani
Brother: D.Vijaya Krishna

How did you came into the field?
My father has lot of friends in the field, so I was introduced as a child artist that time.

You came as a child artist and acted with Rajashekar, Balakrishna and other heroes. Now you are acting with them as a heroine. So you call them Uncle or something else?
(laughs). I don't have problem in calling them. But � (laughs again) No I won't call them like that. I call them as sir, or with garu etc.,

Don't you miss your childhood because you started as a child artist? What are your feelings about it?
Yes I missed it. I feel bad about it. But I am also happy about it. All the children go to school, but only very rarely they become an artist. So I am proud and happy about it.

Don't you miss your friends? Don't you feel lonely?
I don't have any friends from the beginning. I am always like that. so there is no chance of missing them.

Usually you look fat in the movies, but you look so thin now and looks childesh too.
:(laughs) Yes that is because in the screen every one looks little fat then they look really. But I look more because I was a little fat. But for last three months I slimmed a lot and that is the reason I look thin now

Your mother tongue is Telugu, but your screen debut as a heroine is in Tamil with Manjula and Vijaykumar's son
He is Arunkumar

One of the song was a big hit in tamil
dilrubha dilrubha song

Yeah. But that time your name was Mantra. Why so many names. Vijaya, Mantra and Raasi?
Because there are lot of Vijaya's around. Like KR vijaya, Y.Vijaya, Vijay nirmala etc., so they changed my name in tamil. But the director Bhemaneni Srinivas Rao Garu thought the name sounds like a evil character of Ramayana. So he said my future should be prosporus and named me as Raasi.

What is the name in passport
Vijaya

Your film with Pawan Kalyan "gokulamlo sita" was a hit. It was a remake of tamil hit who played the tamil role
Suvalaxmi

That was a turning point to you. After that you did couple of films with Mutyala Subaiah. So how good is your terms with him?
I did five films with him as a child artist. So he is like a family member to me.

Atleast do you call him as Uncle?
(laughs) Yes I do call him as Uncle. He says that seeing me reminds that he is getting old. I call Kodi Ramakrishna and Sarat also as Uncles. I have many uncles now (laughs).

Heard that you are acting with one top hero this year? Who is he?
that is a secret yet. Once it is finalised I will announce it.

You already did with Balakrishna and Venkatesh. It left with Chiranjeevi and Nagarjuna. And my assumption is Chiranjeevi
I will tell once it is finalised.
hmmm. If he is top hero then it should be Rajesh (EVV's son who is sitting near to us and he is 6+ ht)
(laughs) Yes he my top hero. (laughs) no I will tell afterwards please.

How do you feel with the competition with north heroines?
that time we had only top heroines like Jayasuda, Jayapradha and Sreedevi. But now we have a new face with each and every movie.

But do they have knowledge about our language?
That doesn't really matter any more. Because our Jayapradha and Sridevi made top in hindi too. So an artist doesn't have the language barrier. But see if a hindi heroine comes four people will accompany her with flight tickets and five star hotel and good remuneration. And they takes lot of takes while shooting. That is all a craze. That all depends on the producer.

So how you felt the competition?
You should have the competition then only you will shine. You can prove yourself when you compete with others. So I am not worried about it. I have my own roles to perform. So there is no problem at present.

What is your opinion on exposing?
I won't do. In the beginning of career only I specified about it. While making of Gokulam lo Sita it self I made it clear aout it. It also depends on the character you play. For a college student you have to wear pant and shirt.

I don't think so. it depends on the person who is paying the character. If the character is played
by Rambha then she will wear her school dress only for a college dress.
(laughs) no comment. But with me it will be different definitely.

How is your trip to USA?
The trip was very good. Ok it was tiresome as we are travelling a lot, but I feel very good about it. I am very proud of it. I know many people have dreams of coming here. The girl who stays opposite to my apartment suicide as she was unable to come to America. I saw many people who dreams of coming here. When I went to visa office there are is big line where people are standing from the morning 4.00 am. The person who did his masters in computers his application was rejected. He is before me. I was praying god to get me the visa. When I got the visa I was so thrilled. I saw many people crying outside. I feel so bad about it.

Yhow is the audience response for your shows ?
The response was very good. They really enjoyed the show.
You are working with the new directors like Chandra Mahesh etc., don't you feel the risk in that.
no. see Teja's Chitram. He is new director. It is the subject which gives you the confidence. If the subject is powerful then we can depend on that.

Do your personal problems reflects your professional life?
No it won't. I forget everything once I reach the set. I just concentrates on the work. Nothing else. Even my cell won't be with me. It will be with my brother.

Are you enjoying the stardom now.
Yes I am enjoying. I am very much comfortable now.

Which was the film you expected hit the bulls eye became flop and what are your feelings?
Kalavari Chellalu Kanaka Mahalaxmi. The film was super duper hit in kannada and everyone thought it will be a big hit in telugu too. But was a flop. I was disappointed a lot.

Do you know that was a remake of Rakthasambhandam and old NTR and Savitri starrer.
No I don't know that.

Did you missed any movies because of the dates ?
Yes Samarasimha Reddy. I missed it because of the dates and finally Simran did that role.

shobanbabu gari last interview

Aakash First Interview

Hero Akash, made his mark in Tollywood with the super hit film Anandam is a native of Nellore district. He moved to London along with his father.

After completing his studies, he made an unsuccessful attempt by responding to an advertisement to Maniratnam�s Madras Talkies.

Finally his efforts took a concrete form when he made his first screen debut in Rojavanam produced by Kavitalaya (owned by noted director K.Balachander).

Immediately after that signed the films like Ramma chilakamm and Anandam. Anandam was a big hit, and he also won couple of awards like Vamsi film award for the best new actor, Andhra Cine Awards and NTR film Awards.

I contacted him just before the release of his latest film Anadamandamayee (this interview is taken one day before the film release), he cleared the controversies surrounded on him.

Excerpts from the interview

Sri: What do you feel about he film?

Akash : The film came out very well. The audio is super hit. I am confident on the success of the film. Even Ramojirao garu watched the film and appreciated me. I feel proud of it.

Sri: So how is the heroine?

Aakash : She is great and really done a good job. She is spontaneous and acted well.

Sri : Why so many controversies surrounded you? People complained that the success made you forget everything.

Aakash : That is all wrong andi. I can tell what went wrong. I signed the film Neetone untanu before Anandam. At that time I was new to the Industry and do not know who can complete the film and who cannot.

These were producers unable to complete the film before Anandam. Once Anandam became a big hit, they came back to me to encash on the hit of Anandam. Even I was keen on completing the film, but they do not have funds.

Owing to my sentimental feeling (as it was the first Telugu film to sign), I helped them by giving two lakhs to complete the film. The film was in the making for two years that became stale and flopped.

Sri: What went wrong with Manasuto?

Aakash: Manasuto, when they narrated the story to me they told me that the film heroine of the film will be Sonali bendre.

The cameraman is a very good friend of mine. They told me that it is Two-Hero film and other hero is also a famous actor.

So I agreed. But then they bought Arjoo Gaurikar saying that she is big star in some other language. I cannot say anything as I am still a new comer. The movie is a disaster from the day one.

Sri: Producer of June July said the film was delayed because of you?

Aakash : No sir, I am not responsible for the delay. Mavulayya garu came with his friend for the film and I did the film for a low price as Mavulayya garu is a noted producer.

The film went some financial problems. I am no way related to it. That is one of the good pictures I was banking on. The product was delayed because of the financiers backed in the last minute. And it became stale. But I am no way responsible for it.

Urumanadiraa is also another film which ran into this type of problems, but I am not responsible, what can I do? I cannot finance each and every film.

Sri: Why did you start doing supporting roles, when you entered the Industry as a hero?

Aakash: It is not a supporting role, but just a guest and important role I did it vasantam. I agreed that film because the producer is a very good friend of mine. Venkatesh garu is a gentleman and very co-operative in the sets.

The film was hit and I was appreciated. That is what matters at the end! And Ramma chilakamma I did because of Bhardwaja garu. And I also have a important role in the film.

Sri: But you did the same in Tamil films too, like Rojavanam, Rojakuttam, one Tarun film if I remember correctly?

Aakash: Rojavanam is my debut film and any one will do a small role in Balachandar film. It is great to work with him, who can refuse the role?

Rojakuttam, I played a good role. It is an important role & has no negative shade. Everyone appreciated my role. In the Tarun�s film I did because it is a super good films film. I cannot refuse Choudhary garu. Now Anandam Tamil version is also a hit and I am doing Agstyan sir film which I am doing as hero. So I am happy with that.

Sri: What about your hi-tech students?

Aakash : (laughs) no one remembers that film, that came had com and gone. I signed that film when I just entered the field. It is a mistake. The director of the film is new and immature in handling the script.

Sri: your Pilste palukuta�?

Aakash: The film was hit in small centers andi. When I was approached for the film they told me that I am the hero and heroine is Shamita shetty, and it is a love story with a touch of god elements. But when the film was released, I was shocked to see my face in a stamp size on the wall posters. When I asked them they gave some unreasonable answers andi. Cannot help it.

***image3***

Sri: now back to Anandam Anandamayee. How do you feel working with Chakri?

Aakash : Chakri garu is doing a special role andi. He is nice man. Very co-operative. He is jovial and a great perfectionist. By working with him we learn a lot. I perfectly enjoyeed working with him.

Sri: What are the future projects your are working on?

Aakash: I am doing one Agastyan sir film in Tamil and one Telugu film called Aakash Naidu LLB at present.

Sri: don�t you think that you are traveling in two boats at the same time?

Aakash: I am balancing in both, it is Tamil field who gave me the first break and it is Telugu people who gave me my big hit. So I cannot leave anyone.

Sri: how do you know about our site?

Aakash : When I went to London after Anandam released, people said they saw my photos in Telugucinema.com site and said I looked very good and wants to know more about me. I was surprised that I was known in London before the film is released there. It happened because of your site. Thanks a lot for it.

Though the film is an average at box office Aakash is appreicated for his role in the film. We at Telugucinema.com wishes him best of luck for his forth coming films.

Retrospect : Padamata sandhyaragam

G. Subbarao Presents
Pravasandhra Chitra
***image3***Padamati Sandhyaa Raagam (1987)

Technical:
35 mm
Color
Reels: 14
Duration: 2 hrs 15 minutes
Release Date: April 11, 1987

Cast:
Vijayashanthi ... Sandhya
Tom ... Chris
Sivamani ... Ronald
Gummuluri Sastry ... Adinarayana
Meer Abdulla ... Ramarao
Seshagiri Rao ... Seshagiri Rao (Ice cream shop owner)
Vijay ... Ganapathi
Ashajyothy ... Sudha
Sudheshna Reddy ... Anitha
Sutti Velu ... Natanalayam Manager
Sudha ... Lakshmi
Ravi Chitturi ... Doctor Ravi
Other Cast: Johnson, Godman, Elizabeth, Bindu, Jyothy, Baby Rohini, Vijay Kothari, Bhushan Rao, Rama Sastry, Seetha Sastry, Mrunalini, etc.
Lyrics: S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sadashiva Brahmendra Yogi, Annamacharya, Veturi Sundararamamurthy
Playback: S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki, S.P. Sailaja
Music: S.P. Balasubrahmanyam
Asst. Music Director: Srinivasa Murthy
Asst. Director: B.S. Nishtala
Co-director: U.V. Paani
Camera: Diwakar
Producers: Gummuluri Sastry, Meer Abdulla
Story, Screenplay, Dialogues, and Direction: Jandhyala

Songs:
pibarE raamarasam
Lyrics: Sadashiva Brahmendra Yogi
Playback: S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, S.P. Sailaja
Cast: Gummuluri Sastry, Vijayashanti, Ashajyothy, Tom

Life is shabby without you baby!
Lyrics: S.P. Balasubrahmanyam
Playback: S.P. Balasubrahmanyam
Cast: Sivamani, Vijayashanti

muddu gaarE yaSOda mungiTa mutyamu veeDu...
Lyrics: Annamacharya
Playback: S. Janaki

ee toorupu aa paSchimam...
Lyrics: Veturi Sundararamamurthy
Playback: S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Cast: Tom, Vijayashanti


Story:
Adinarayana and his wife and daughter move to the USA to join the former's younger brother Ramarao who's already in the USA. A Caucasian American, Chris, and an African American, Ronald, both of who live near Adinarayana's house, fall for his daughter Sandhya. Sandhya becomes friends with them both, and when both of them propose to her the same day, she approves Chris's love. Knowing that her dad is too traditional, eccentric, and orthodox to approve their love, Sandhya elopes with Chris and they get married. Adinarayana doesn't have a choice than to silently witness the happenings, but when he has a granddaughter, he takes her back to India and settles there, intending to bring her up in a traditional Indian environment, and away from the foreign lure that snatched away his own daughter. As a grownup, Sandhya's daughter hates her dad Chris, assuming that he was at fault and was thus disapproved by her grandpa. Chris and Sandhya visit India when Adinarayana passes away, and that's when their daughter realizes that her dad was not bad and repents for that ill feelings she bore all those years, thus accompanying them to the USA.

***image2***Gummuluri Sastry speaks...
We invited the 'Sankaraabharanam' unit to the USA when I was the President for a Telugu Association in 1980. When I visited India in 1984, Sandilya suggested that we should do a star nite with the Anandabhairavi team as the movie was a great hit then. But, as the lead artistes like Malavika and Girish Karnad may not attract the people in the USA, I suggested that we could possibly announce the main show to be the musical nite by SPB instead of a star nite, since it was Manju Bhargavi's dance and SPB's songs that attracted people when we brought the Sankaraabharanam team. Thus, we brought them all to the USA, and organized shows in 22 locations in the country, and they were all successful!

...When the idea of making a film came up, Jandhyala gaaru suggested a star cast of Balakrishna, Suhasini, Velu, etc., but we wanted to shoot mostly in the USA and wanted to use NRI artists as much as possible, and we thus dropped that idea, as Jandhyala gaaru joked that even his "baavamaridi" would not watch a movie with such new faces! However, I insisted that I'd produce the movie in his direction only if he chooses local artistes, but I said I'd leave the choice of artistes to him. After mulling over for about a month, this story shaped up. Initially, my role had only one dialogue, but after seeing me in that shot on the very first day of shoot, an impressed Jandhyala gaaru developed my role so much that I became the main artiste in the film! Before acting in this film, I acted in about 15 films (Among them, his screen debut bhakta SiriyaaLa was dubbed into Telugu, and his straight Telugu film was deeksha. The rest were mostly Tamil.) So, I was not new to acting in films, in fact! However, I was only playing serious roles on the stage until this movie happened!

...We all acted well, but the total credit of the success of the movie should go to Jandhyala who handled it all well, and even penned the comedic dialogues!




***image4***Meer Abdulla speaks...
Way back when I was still in the college, I wanted to make a good film. I came to the USA as a student, and I met Gummuluri Sastry gaaru who was already here. ...Eventually, when I met Jandhyala gaaru, it materialized! I was just married at that time, and we were roaming with the troupe as a part of our honeymoon! She got a dependent visa after the film was released.

Though Suhasini was considered for the heroine initially, Vijayashanti bagged the female lead role in the film. I played the role of Babai to Sandhya, and Sudeshna Reddy played my wife. By the way, all these actors were professionals or housewives. Velu was supposed to do an important role in the film, but due visa problems, he was unable to attend the shooting in time, and thus he ended up doing a small role in the flashback.

The film's title was suggested by SPB. Other people suggested titles like Andhra aavakaaya - America pizza, etc. but when SPB suggested the title paDamaTi sandhyaaraagam, everyone liked it instantly! Jandhyala presented SPB with $116 as a token of thanks.

Initially, an upcoming artiste was finalized to do the hero role opposite Vijayashanti. But, at the last minute, he got an offer from Hollywood and he left to Los Angeles. Tom, who was just graduating with a Drama major then, was selected in the last minute. Born on January 19, 1969 in Baltimore, Maryland, he was only 17 years when he signed the film! He later went on to make his own name in the Hollywood, and is a hero even now in movies like Deep Blue Sea (which was also dubbed into Telugu as Mruthyu Sagaram). Famous drummer Sivamani did the role of an African American in the film. Again, it was SPB who suggested Sivamani for the role.

***image1***Jandhayala, and his wife, came to the USA along with the Anandabhairavi film troupe comprising of Sandilya, Siva, Seetha Devi, Mr. and Mrs. Madhavapeddi Suresh, Sailaja, etc.. When they were in USA, some NRIs requested them to make a film and that is how the film's idea was born. Initially, America-Andhra Combines was considered the banner's name, but later "Pravasandhra Chitra" was chosen. After this, they planned to record a song and booked a recording theatre in Washington, D.C.

S.P.B, who was already in the USA with the troupe, was chosen the music director and the song they recorded in Washington was pibarE raamarasam... The interesting thing about this song was that S.P.B used Steve Wonders' "I want to say I love you" song beat on piano for the lead and then goes on to the violin. The song was already very popular as Mangalampalli rendered it previously, and a few "cinematic" changes were made to his version.

About the songs...

pibarE raamarasam... was rehearsed at Ashajyothy's place. (Even some scenes in the film were shot at her house). Incidentally, this was the first Telugu song to be recorded in the USA. Hiring an orchestra troupe would be very expensive, they thought, and thus used the same people who came for the tour: Srinivas Murthy (music director for Maa Aavida Meedottu Mee Aavida Chala Manchidi, now assistant to A.R. Rahman) was the violin arranger, Sivamani (drummer), Suryanarayana (flute), Madhavapeddi Suresh (acoustic piano keyboard), Prasad (tabla) Raja (rhythm box), Saluri Vasu Rao (bass guitar), Joseph (guitar), etc. played the orchestra. They completed the song in flat three hours and it costed around $1000 (Madhavapeddi Suresh was highest paid in the troupe, at about $200 back then). According to Madhavapeddi Suresh, it is the best song of SPB under his own music direction in Jandhyala's combination. Though they planned to record the rest of the songs also in USA, they moved base to India as it would be more easy on finances.

Life is shabby without you baby... requires a special mention as a song that was written and appreciably sung by by SPB with an Americanized accent. (It is the second English song written by a music director, after P. Adinarayana Rao's Happy New Year... in Alluri Seetarama Raju.)

muddu gaarE yaSOda... was shot in St. Louis Botanical Gardens and Hare Krishna Temple in Wheeling. Jandhyala saw this cute kid and wanted to dress him like Krishna, but the kid was very naughty and used to throw the flutes and never used to cooperate to the shots, a couple of hundreds of celluloid was shot on him testing the patience of the crew. Jandhyala thought creatively and let the kid do what he wanted, shot all his antics, and edited the shots to match the lyrics, which came out perfectly.

ee toorupu aa paSchimam..., Balu's personal favorite, was shot near the St. Louis Arch, Pittsburgh Temple and downtown, Washington Memorial Park, and on roads of USA. After watching the songs, Bapu gaaru complimented Jandhayala gaaru.

Dubbing:
Sutti Veerabhadra Rao dubbed for Gummuluri Sastry, though Sastry had a good voice and suitable modulation, he didn't get a leave in the last minute as he already used his vacation time for the shooting. Jandhyala himself dubbed for Meer Abdulla's character, while Potti Prasad dubbed for Seshagiri Rao, Subhalekha Sudhakar dubbed for Vijay, and Dubbing Janaki spoke for Ashajyothy. Yesteryear heroine Saritha dubbed for Vijayashanti.

Shooting:
A 16-member crew came from India. The film's shooting started on August 3, 1986 and continued for next 45 days in Chicago, Washington D.C., St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Niagara, Wheeling, New Jersey, etc. Some shots were done at NASA Space Center also with much difficulty. Plans to shoot in Disneyland were dropped as it was impossible to get permission in the last minute. While shooting near the Merlin University, the local cops thought that the unit was trying to convert people into Hinduism! The unit had hard time convincing them. Many people commented about the shooting in USA, but that was inevitable as the film revolves around the love story of a girl settled in the USA! Almost all the crew worked in all departments. There were some glitches with people's inexperience showing up as they took several takes for each shot, some female artistes wanting to wear silk sarees only in the film, etc., they were all trivial ones. Most of the film was shot in a friend's house to reduce the cost. Also, we had a few cooks exclusively in order to reduce costs. The film costed around 25 lakhs and was released on April 11, 1987. The film was not just a great commercial success, but it also gave a lot of name and fame and critical acclaim. In fact, we got 50% return of investment even before the first print was done! Also, the distributor in Ceded zone (Rayalaseema), who bought the movie for 3 lakhs, made 30 lakhs with his film! The film is played every now and then in Telugu TV channels such as ETV even now.

Highlights:
This is the first film that was shot 99 percent in the USA. Also, other then Vijayashanti and Sivamani, the rest of the cast was completely people who lived in USA then, which was also first time in Telugu. Another first is that an American actor played the hero role in the film. Jandhyala received the Best Story Writer award for that year. (Adivishnu helped him in script and his name appears as special title card with thanks.)

Awards:
Nandi Award from Andhra Pradesh Government for Best Story (1987)
Filmfare Best Film Award (1987)
Seven Awards from 'Kalasagar'
A lot of other awards from local organizations big and small, and praises from all section of cinegoers

Article by Sri
Compiled and Edited by NaChaKi
Acknowledgments: Meer Abdulla, Gummuluri Sastry, and Pulagam Chinanaranayana

Interview : Bhanupriya

BhanuPriya.
Those who saw the films of Sitara, Anveshana, Swarnakamalam, Peoples encounter can never forget this dusky beauty from south. She got success with her first film and never turned back. Recently when I got to know that she is in LA I tried various ways to locate her. And finally I spoke to her. The way she spoke to me is amazing. She is very down to earth and agreed to speak to me with a short notice. I am really surprised with her great down to earth attitude. And my respect to her increased more after our interview. Even though I unsettled her with my questions she replied them with much patience. Here are the experts from the interview.

Sri: Can you tell me something about your childhood. As I know you came from Madras. Are you a Telugu girl or a Tamil girl?
Bhanupriya: I am a Telugu girl. Born in Rajamundry and at the age of two my mother moved to Madras. So I was brought up in Madras. Learned dance at Sundaram master.

Sri: So who your came into films with a no connections to the film land.
Bhanupriya: When I was in school Bhagyaraja garu once came to the school to select a girl for his movie. He wants someone good at dance and to do a role of teenage girl. I was selected and then after a photo shoot he said I was too young for the role and may be one year he has to wait for me for that film. I was devastated. I already said to all my friends I am acting in films. So I never went back the school again. Seeing that photo Bharatiraja garu gave me chance in man Pasiyadu a Tamil film. The film�s meaning is talk slowly. When I was doing that film I got chance in vamsy gari film �sitara� and also chadarangam with naresh. But it is sitara which released first and it went on to became a big hit and got me a many awards including best regional film in national level. After that film I acted with almost all hero�s except with NTR.

Sri: Is that is your real name or you changed for the screen?
Bhanupriya: My actual name was Bhanu. As it is simple they changed to Bhanupriya according the star and other things.

Sri: So how is your working with the Vamsi garu. We are maintaining a site called www.vamsy.net. So if you can tell about your experience with his films it would be good.
Bhanupriya: He is a perfectionist. I did four films with him and all are very good films. When I initially joined films I am not aware of the angles nor the movements or anything on the expression side. I know only the dance expressions. He taught me that dance expressions are different from acting expressions. And he was very patient with me on that.

Sri: Then how about your Tamil films? I think you also did some Tamil films like gokulathali sita etc.
Bhanupriya: yes I did many films in Tamil also. I think I almost did 40 Tamil films. I did with almost all top heroes there.

Sri: When you are going well in Telugu and Tamil why you did not want to go to Hindi?
Bhanupriya: How do we know if we won�t try. See every one wants to make it big. It is a national level recognition if we act in North. I tried and did some good movies like bhabhi etc. but the timing might have not worked for me there. I did with good actors at that time. But it didn�t worked due to various reasons.

Sri: I think you earlier used dubbing for some of the films later you started doing your own dubbing.
Bhanupriya: Initially laxmi garu, saritha garu dubbed me for couple of films. But with anveshana I started dubbing my own voice for my films.

Sri: But I think your voice was dubbed for the film peoples encounter.
Bhanupriya: That time I had problems with dates, as I was doing films in Hindi and the film release date was announced so the producers went with sarita gari voice for that film.

Sri: How is your sister Nishanti doing. I think she is married to Shantaram gari grand son.
Bhanupriya: She is fine. Yes she married to him and has two sons. She sometimes comes to madras and visits us often.

Sri: I remember she also changed her name for the screen.
Bhanupriya: Yes her name is shanthi. Then named as nishanti in one film. Later as it doesn't sound good they changed as shanthipriya. While doing a Hindi film she fell in love with him and got married and settled.

Sri: I think saugandh the first film of akshay is also her first film in Hindi.
Bhanupriya: yes. Later she did some more in Hindi. But never really tried in the field. So she married.

Sri: How did your marriage happen? Is it a love marriage? Heard Sri Adarsh parents are against your marriage initially?
Bhanupriya: They are looking for matches to me. So through a common friend we met in Madras. We liked each other. Then there are talks on phones, as he is in USA and I am in Madras. Once I came here and we understood each other then I agreed for marriage. My parents are little against to this as he is in USA. But my in-laws are good and never objected for the marriage.

Sri: So how did your life changed after the marriage?
Bhanupriya: Life definitely changed a lot. But it is inevitable isn�t it. And I am happy with my life. At certain point of life you need to get settled and like to have a life of you own and that is what I got. So I am happy with it.

Sri: No I mean the life here is different from the life in India. As you have to do all your work not depending on others like we do in India.
Bhanupriya: My mother bought up is in a down to earth attitude. We never had any hang-ups. So I am pretty much normal here as well as in India. No there is much of a difference in that. I am doing my duties as wife and daughter-in-law as I am supposed to do in a normal life. I never had that I am star attitude. I am an actor and that is one profession.

Sri: so after getting married and getting settled down why did you want to start you second innings.
Bhanupriya: I never said I will quit acting after the marriage. It is my profession like any other profession. I just took some break after marriage and pregnancy. Now I have a beautiful daughter and after some time I will acting again may not be right now as she needs my care at present. I will never leave it.

Sri: Isn�t it hard that you being there in Madras and he being in USA. How can you manage both?
Bhanupriya: Yes it is sometimes. But we need to adjust. Some times he comes to Madras, depending on his vacation. And some times I come here depending on my shootings and other schedules. But we cannot get all in the life. We need the adjustments.

Sri: You did some awful movies in your second innings. Like Feb 14th necklace road. Why?
Bhanupriya: I did some awe full movies before also. This particular film I did for the Suman garu. He is my first Telugu hero and once he requested me I did a special appearance role for him. Even amitab garu also does the guest roles sometimes. So what is wrong in that.
Yes I agree we did some films of no importance. But I cannot get a swarnakamalam or sitara every day. If I want only those films I might have done may be four or five films in my carrier. I need to survive in the industry. And also meanwhile I need to make some money in that process. So I did many commercial films. You cannot get swarnakamalam all the time.
People still remember me with that film for long time. That is the definitely one of my best films.

Sri: Recently I saw peoples encounter your action in the climax is good.
Bhanupriya: That is directed by Mohan Gandhi garu. That is good film. He is a good director. We did the shooting in front of the assembly at that time. But now a days we are not doing such films, as people are not seeing. Those days are gone. Though Soundarya tried in some films which are not commercial hits. The trend has changed now.

Sri: We saw recently your lahiri lahiri lo. That is a good hit film. As it is announced as all Andhra film (Achatenugu chitram) but Udit and Shankar singing the songs, how is it justified?
Bhanupriya: Ask chowdhury garu that. Not me. You can express your views to him. He is talented and good nature person. You can talk to him. They are the hit singers. So what is the problem.

Sri: Problem is the guys who are singing don�t know the meaning and pronunciations of the language and which makes us wonder what they are up. They are killing the music of the films.
Bhanupriya: If you feel that way you should talk to the directors of the films and music directors who can take extra care so that it will be good for the film. There are a lot of talented young artists coming now a days.

Sri: So what you think of the current trend.
Bhanupriya: There is nothing like a trend. If the film is good and entertaining people will love it. It is a circle. Some times action films click and some time's family films. It all depends on the director who can handle the film with the right ingredients.

Sri: How many dance directors are there in the Swarnakamalam?
Bhanupriya: six dance directors for that film.

Sri: Did you worked with Sharon loven also for the dance sequence.
Bhanupriya: She is a great dancer. We didn�t work much on the dance part. Her dance was shot entirely on her. I don�t have any part of that.

Sri: So how is working with the viswhanath garu?
Bhanupriya: Till today every one talks about that movie. So you can imagine what will be my experience. He is a perfectionist and never gets compromised. He acts and shows what he wants from the artist. Never gets angry with any one. He is having lot of patience. He is so best I cannot tell�.

Sri: I heard that you did some serials in Telugu/tamil in TV.
Bhanupriya: I have not done any Telugu serials. I did only two Tamil serials. And they are being dubbed in Telugu. They are good hits in Tamil. So they dubbed in Telugu.

Sri: I think you worked with Jandhyala garu on your 100th film shh.gupchup. What is your experience with him? (She also worked with him earlier on Mogudu pellalu)
Bhanupriya: Working with Jandhyala garu is wonderful. He never used to make me feel that he is a big director, like he was never strict. And always used to joke around and make us that shooting was a picnic and not some strict rules. It is sad that he died at so young age. His comedy was very healthy and natural. He never used any double meaning dialogues. I felt very bad when I heard about his heart attack. He has two twin daughters. They are very small. I feel very sorry for them.

Sri: what are your future plans?
Bhanupriya: I will definitely will continue with my profession. There is no doubt about that. Right now it is our baby who needs care. So I am looking at her now. Once she is little older and when I think I can manage my profession with her then I will return to my acting profession. Until then she is my priority.

Sri: Won�t it be difficult?
Bhanupriya: If you think something is difficult it will always be difficult. You should have will power to do that then it will be easy. See there are so many working mothers who are doing this. Why it is different to me. It will be the same. And I can do that.

Kalayan Ram interview

• Home is the best place in my life, there is no place of interest or source of joy than �my home� in the entire world


• Life is very short just like an ice cream, enjoy it before it melts.


• Tollywood is the best of all the WOODS


• In Abimanyu, the hero being cornered from all the sides, and comes out successfully in an interesting & unique manner


• My dream role is similar to that of tatagaru�s role in Kanyasulkam a totally hilarious role an out right comedy


• Marriage should be based on understanding but never a compromise.
  says Nandamuri Kalyan Ram the young software engineer-turned actor of tollywood, whose second film Abimanyu scheduled to release on 12th November.

The traditionalist star totally untouched by the western culture expressed some of his views to Telugu cinema.com in an interview on this occasion.
Some of the excerpts from the interview:

Could you just brief your academic background?
Studied in Hyderabad till my seventh standard in St. Pauls High School, after that in Vijaywada and Guntur upto my plus two. In BITS Pilani (for a very short period) B.Tech computers in Coimbatore. MS in Computer science in IIT (Illinois Institute of Technology) in Chicago (2000-20002). A four-week Crash Course in New York Film Academy.

What made your entry into films?
Naturally my family background. I was interested in films since my childhood.

Your association with the legendary NTR?
I was just a kid and in respect of my association with tata garu. I was always an admirer of the legandary�s films especially the black and whites.

There is a general notion that Rama Rao garu used to be very strict towards his sons, did you experience the same thing with Harikrishna garu?

No, not at all, Naana garu was never strict, he just use to tell us that we have to always remember our family prestige. He left us absolutely free, and of course we are always in our limits. Even now Naana garu is my guide & philosopher.

Your first entry into the industry?
As a child Artiste I had enjoyed acting in Balagopaludu. Infact babai (Balakrishna) encouraged me to act in that movie. It is an unforgettable experience. I can never forget the affection showed by him at the time of shooting.

Then why there is such a long gap in your film career?
Yes, there is a long gap. I did not act after Balagopaludu. Nanna garu and other family members wanted me to pursue my studies and I went on with my studies to complete my Masters in computers.

Being the first Postgraduate from the Nandamuri family what are your feelings on your academic life?
Happy indeed, as education is very important in one�s life and if we observe, each & every individual is first identified by his academic excellence rather than his wealth and other material matters.

How about your life in US?
Different from the Indian life in respect of culture, here we include even our neighborhood as our family members.
Where as in US such bondage is missing, however in certain families surprisingly even in United States the affections & family bondage prevails just like us.
Let me illustrate this, I felt extremely happy & moved when one of my American colleagues took an off for to receive his mother who came to Chicago and spent with her the entire day showing all the important places in the city. Though the affections are universal, our culture has more space in this particular aspect.
Life in US is not at all a bed of roses, as people here generally think, the life is so hard and one has to struggle to cope with the life.

How far the course in New York film Academy helped you in your Tollywood performance?
My association with the New York film Academy definitely helped me in enhancing my knowledge. The entire course in just practical oriented, and I wish every body who is really interested in acting should undergo that course.
That was really an excellent training ground for my film career, the course was framed to bring out the hidden talents within one self. Not just action skills, but also the hardships faced by the technicians in the industry were explained to give an over all grip (understanding) over the film industry.

Any information regarding Abimanyu?
The Film Abimanyu has been completed within 63 days. It is totally a different movie from my first film Tholichoopulonee.
Some of the highlights of the movie are:
The Hero being cornered from all the sides, and comes out successfully in an interesting & unique manner.
The mother sentiment has been pictured in an excellent manner.
Heroine Spandana worked hard to give her own dubbing.
Your comment on the present trend of importing non-telugu speaking girls as heroines?
It would be always better If we have telugu speaking girls as heroines as the communication and action will become easier.
But our traditional & conventional outlook is blocking their entry into the industry.

How do you explain Tollywood?
Tollywood is the best of all the WOODS.
This is the most successful wood of all the woods even than Hollywood. Since 1996 the activity of Telugu films in US moved very fast and now since 2002 direct releases made the Industry more popular and extended it into international market.
But coming to the functioning of the industry it has its own minus points, the industry is not well organised. Especially when it comes to the aspect of punctuality.
It is a real sorry state of affairs that one has to wait for the shot to be started even after two hours of the scheduled time sometimes.

How do you rate your position in Tollywood?
I am just in my first step of the career. A very very long way to go to achieve the goal.

Who is your favorite Director?
I have favorite films from different directors rather than a favorite director in particular
Maniratnam: Gharshana & Dalapathi
Krishna Vamsi;NennePelladataa & Gulabi
VV Vinayak: Adi & Chenna Kesava Reddy
Vijaya Bhaskar : Nuvvu Naaku Nachhavu
Special credit to Raghavendra rao garu who made the latest film like gangotri even in this trend.

Who is your favourate actor/actress?
Actors: Each & every hero has his own style of performing.
Actress: Savitri garu. In the present trend it is very difficult to judge because we hardly see the same heroine for the next film.

What type of movies do you like?
Basically family entertainers, so that one can forget all the worries at least two hrs in the theatre. Violence, too much of sentiments make the audience disinterested in films.

What about Multi-starers?
Multi-starers is definitely a welcome feature but not that practical in the Tollywood with very strong associations of fans.

What about your next venture? Do you have any dream role?
My next venture is almost ready and to be announced with in a week�s time.
My dream role is similar to that of tatagaru�s role in Kanyasulkam a totally hilarious role an out right comedy.

After achieving the academic success and now started your film career, what are your plans of your personal life?
Marriage should be based on understanding but never a compromise. If it starts with a compromise it will not last long. Mutual understanding makes marriage successful.

Your concept of life?
Life is very short just like an ice cream, enjoy it before it melts. One should always have a positive outlook in life.

Your favorite picnic spot?
My daily routine is from 4.30 to 8.30. The schedule will not be disturbed except when I have my movie schedules. I will have dinner with the family members and go to sleep by 8.30.
No late night pubs at all. That is why some of my friends make fun of me, but Home is the best place in my life, there is no place of interest or source of joy than �my home� in the entire world. My Home is everything for me.

So, telugucinema.com wishes the star all success in achieving his dream success in his career & life.

This was Kalyanram's first interview on web. The interview was taken before the release of his first film Abumanyu

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