మైఖేల్ జాక్సన్ చిరంజీవి - సితార

మైఖేల్ జాక్సన్ కి నివాళి

"నువ్వు లేవు నీ పాట ఉంది
ఇంటి ముందు జూకామల్లె తీగల్లో అల్లుకుని
లాంతరు సన్నని వెలుతురులో క్రమ్ముకుని
నా గుండెల్లో చుట్టుకుని
గాలిలో ఆకాశంలో నక్షత్రం చివరి మెరుపులో
దాక్కుని నీరసంగా, నిజంగా ఉంది
జాలిగా హాయిగా వినపడుతూ వుంది
శిశిర వసంతాల మధ్య వచ్చే మార్పుని గుర్తుకి తెస్తోంది"
(దేవరకొండ బాలగంగాధర తిలక్ వ్రాసిన "అమృతం కురిసిన రాత్రి" నుండి)

మైఖేల్ జాక్సన్ పోయారు అనగానే ఒక్కసారిగా మాటలు కరువయ్యాయి... ఎప్పుడూ మనం కలవని వ్యక్తే కావచ్చు కానీ మనకు బాగా తెలిసిన వ్యక్తి పోయారు అన్న భావన... మన జీవితాల్లో మనకి తెలియకుండా వచ్చేసి మనతో ఉన్న వ్యక్తి అలా హఠాత్తుగా వెళ్ళిపోయిన భావన... ఏదో చెప్పలేని బాధ, గుండెల్లో బరువు, గొంతు నిండా వ్యథ, తెలియకుండానే చెమర్చిన కళ్ళు, జ్ఞాపకాల పొరల్లోంచి "జాక్సన్ ఒక్కసారి చీల్చుకుని వచ్చేసారు...

అప్పట్లో ఇంకా VCD, DVD లాంటివి రాలేదు, VHS tapes మాత్రమే దిక్కు "వీడియో"కి. ఇప్పటి తరాలకి తెలియకపోవచ్చు కానీ అప్పట్లో జాక్సన్ వీడియోలకి మంచి గిరాకీ ఉండేది. పంజాగుట్టలో రాము నడిపే shop లో ఎప్పుడూ ఒకటే గొడవ మనకి "మంచి prints తెప్పించ"మని. ఆ shop నడిపే అతనిది మరో రకం గొడవ: "మొన్ననే తెచ్చాను. అప్పుడే tape అరిగిపోయింది. నన్నేం చెయ్యమంటారు!?" అని. నిజమే మరి, tape అన్నాక ఎక్కువ సార్లు rewind చేసి play చేస్తే ఎన్ని సార్లు తట్టుకుని ఉంటుంది గనక! వాటిని అద్దెకి తీసుకునే ప్రతి వాడూ rewind చేసి మళ్ళీ మళ్ళీ చూడటమే పని మరి!

...ఇంటి పక్కనే ఉండే జగ్గూ జాక్సన్ లాగా leather jacket వేసుకుంటే మహా కుళ్ళుగా ఉండేది. హైదరాబాద్ వాతావరణానికి ఆ "జాకెట్" వేసుకుని తిరుగుతుంటే పట్టే చెమట మనకి కనబడేది కాదు ఆ వయసులో. "జాక్సన్ జాకెట్" చూపించుకోవటానికి జగ్గూ గాడు ఇంటి ముందు నుంచి పది సార్లు ఇటూ అటూ తిరిగేవాడు. ఇలా కాదని ఇంట్లో శతవిధాల పోరి, తిండి మానేసి అలిగి 400 రూపాయలు పెట్టి మైఖేల్ జాక్సన్ వేసుకునే లాంటి shoes కొనుక్కుని జగ్గూకి "ఝలక్" ఇవ్వటం ఎలా మరచిపోతాం! ("మరణ మృదంగం" సినిమాలో చిరంజీవి అలాంటి shoes వేసుకుంటాడు... కానీ, నేను కొనే సరికి ఆ సినిమా ఇంకా రాలేదు. ఆ సినిమా వచ్చే సరికి ఇక చూసుకోండి మన హంగామా! మన లెవెల్ ఎంత పెరిగిపోయుంటుందో ఊహించుకోవటం కష్టం కాదు మరి! అంతా జాక్సన్ మహిమ!) మైఖేల్ జాక్సన్ ఇండియా వస్తున్నాడని విని తిండి మానేసి, ఇంట్లో పోట్లాడి మరీ టికెట్ కొనటం, తీరా ఆ టూర్ ప్రోగ్రాం రద్దైతే బెంగ పడి మళ్ళీ తిండి మానెయ్యటం ఎలా మరచిపోతాం!

వేసవి సెలవులకి ఊరికి వెళ్తే అక్కడ మా పశువులు మేపే కుర్రాడికి తెల్ల t-shirt ఇస్తే వాడి కళ్ళల్లో జాక్సన్ కనిపించాడు అంటే మైఖేల్ జాక్సన్ మన జీవితాల్లోకి ఎంతటి స్థాయిలో చొచ్చుకుపోయాడో ఆలోచించండి! స్కూల్లోనూ, కాలేజీల్లోనూ స్టేజ్ ఎక్కి డ్యాన్స్ చేసే ఎవరైనా సరే...మైఖేల్ జాక్సన్ ప్రవేశ పెట్టిన moonwalking step తప్పని సరి!

జాక్సన్ Thriller, Beat It, Bad, Dangerous లాంటి పాటలు అర్థం కాకపోయినా తెగ పాడేసేవాళ్ళం! చిరంజీవి "దొంగ" సినిమాలో "కాష్మోరా కౌగిలిస్తే ఏం చేస్తావో..." అన్న పాట జాక్సన్ పుణ్యమా అని మనకు వచ్చినదే. (ఈ తెలుగు పాట Halloween's Top 10"గా నిలిచి ఎంతో మంది విదేశీయులకి కూడా నచ్చింది. Youtubeలో ఈ పాటకి ఏకంగా subtitles పెట్టి మరీ upload చేసిన వాళ్ళు పదుల సంఖ్యలో ఉంటారు. అందరికీ ఈ పాట ఎలా "ఎక్కేసిందా" అంటే... అందరికీ ఇది "Indian Michael Jackson's Thriller"గా తెలుసు.) తెలుగు సినిమాల్లో break danceకి భాష్యం చెప్పిన చిరంజీవి మాత్రమే కాదు "ముద్దుల మామయ్య"లో బాలకృష్ణ (నే రాజా, విలాసం నాది...), "గూఢచారి 117"లో చిన్నప్పటి మహేశ్ బాబు, సూపర్ స్టార్ కృష్ణ, ఆఖరికి బాబూమోహన్‌తో సహా అందరి పాటల్లోనూ, డ్యాన్సుల్లోనూ జాక్సన్ గురించిన ఏదో ఒక భంగిమో, స్టెప్పో, కనీసం జాక్సన్ నామస్మరణమో కనిపించిందంటే మన మీద జాక్సన్ ప్రభావం ఎంతో ఆలోచించండి!

ప్రభుదేవా లాంటి డ్యాన్స్ మాస్టర్‌లకు "Indian Michael Jackson" అన్నది ఒక అవార్డ్ లాగానూ, ఒక prestigious title లాగానూ కనిపిస్తుందంటేనే ఆ ప్రభావం తెలిసిపోతుంది. Smooth Criminal నుంచి "పెదవిని చూడు, పెరపెర చూడు..." (భలే దొంగ), "They don't really care about us..." నుంచి Magic of the music... (ఉగాది) వంటి పాటలు ఏకంగా తెలుగు వేషంలో చొచ్చుకుని వచ్చేసాయి. తానే ముఖ్యపాత్రధారిగా, తన సంగీతనాట్యాలే ప్రాణంగా అద్భుతంగా తయారైన Michael Jackson's Moonwalker అన్న video game కూడా (జాక్సన్ సొంత నిర్మాణంలో రూపొందించినది) పిల్లలుగా కొందరైనా ఆడి తామే మైఖేల్ జాక్సన్ అయినట్టు సరదా తీర్చుకుని ఉంటారు 1990వ దశకంలో. "గాయం" సినిమాలో కోట డైలాగ్ గుర్తుందిగా? "ఎవడ్రా ఈడు... స్ప్రింగ్ గిట్ట ఏమన్న మింగిండా?" అని ఆశ్చర్యపోవటం... మైఖేల్ జాక్సన్‌ని చూసి ప్రపంచమే ముక్కున వేలేసుకుని అన్న మాట అది.

"...అవి కాళ్ళేనా?!" అనిపించేట్టుగా మెరుపులా కదులుతూ అబ్బురపరిచే "Dance Magician" మరి రాడు ఈ ప్రపంచంలో! వచ్చినా మైఖేల్ జాక్సన్ గుర్తు రావలసిందే కానీ అంత కన్నా మరో బిరుదు ఉండదు అలాంటి కళాకారుడికి. అంతలా అందరనీ సమ్మోహితులను చేసాడు జాక్సన్! అలాంటి మైఖేల్ జాక్సన్ జీవించి లేడంటే నమ్మబుద్ధి కాదు నాకు ఎప్పటికీ... తన పాట, తన నాట్యం మాత్రం జీవించే ఉంటాయి కలకాలం, నేను కూడా పోయిన తరువాత కూడా!

ఇటీవలే తన అనారోగ్యం గురించి వచ్చిన కొన్ని పుకార్లను పటాపంచలు చేసేలా వచ్చే నెల ఇంగ్లాండ్‌లో చేస్తున్న పెద్ద టూర్-తో మళ్ళీ King of Pop గా వస్తాడు అని ప్రపంచమంతా ఆశగా ఎదురు చూస్తుండగా అనుకోని విధంగా ఈ అశనిపాతం ఎందరినో హతాశులను చేసిందనటం అవాస్తవం కాబోదు! కేవలం Prince లేదా King కాదు... పాశ్చాత్య నృత్యరంగంలోనే కాక ఒకసారి చూస్తే ఎటువంటి వారి దృష్టిలోనైనా "రారాజు"గా మిగిలిపోయే మహాకళాసంపన్నుడు మైఖేల్ జాక్సన్.

తెలుగు సినిమా ప్రపంచానికి స్వతహాగా తనతో సంబంధం లేదన్నది నిజమే అయినా అది వాస్తవంలా అనిపించదు. అంతగా ప్రతి జీవితాన్నీ పెనవేసుకుని...పోయిన మైఖేల్ జాక్సన్ కళారంగంలో చిరస్థాయిగా నిలచిపోయే ధ్రువతార అవుతాడనటం అతిశయోక్తి కాదు.

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.