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