Pa n o r a m a o f s o u t h c i n e m a Vol 1 Issue 1 October 2009 Rs.

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01
01

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intoxicating
ILEANA’s
siddharth’s
signature style
i am a technique
in myself -Balakrishna
story unfolded
Why sizzler
SHRADDHA DAS Follow us on
will never do THAT?
 PANORAMA
OF
SOUTH
CINEMA

Publisher Moorthy Sreenivasulu

Chief Executive Officer Allu Sirish
Executive Director Ramakanth T

Editor- in- Chief Vanaja Banagiri

Assistant Editor Mona Ramavat
Features Editor Karthik Pasupulate
Features Writer Vrinda Prasad

Editorial Coordinators
Tamil Nadu & Kerala Sridevi Sreedhar
Karnataka Aravind G
Mumbai Anil Merani

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Editor : Moorthy Sreenivasulu
 Letter from the PubLisher

Cinema is probably the first love for millions of Indians. But love for cinema assumes
gargantuan proportions in the south of India. Cinema is a way of life for us, a religion
almost. Hand painted cutouts of the superstars going up to 100 feet are a part of the
landscape down south. Talk about hero worship! Obviously, in a land that is obsessed
with cinema, the business of movie making has no choice but to thrive.
But why is it that an industry which produces more than half of the 1000 films that hit
Indian screens in a year not so much in the public eye? When the bulk of gross filmed
entertainment revenues – 50% - is garnered by the South Indian film industry, and 60%
of the country’s cinema houses are in South India even if only 22% of India’s population
lives here, why is the South Indian film industry not so written about?
With enormous talent, path breaking ideas, hallmark discipline and sophisticated
technology on its side, the south Indian film industry is in a state of eternal bloom. It’s
only befitting that its story is taken to the world in a manner as zippy as its nature.
The highpoint of our achievements came in the form of Oscar awards. When AR Rahman,
the music maestro and Resul Pookutty, the editing genius walked the red carpet at the
Academy Awards, the entire world saluted Indian talent and creativity. It took two south
Indians to bring home the much coveted Oscar that remained elusive for generations
despite several films being nominated in the past. On the homeground, south films and
south actors swept the national awards last month. With accolades pouring in from all
quarters, it’s high time we dedicate a magazine that holds a mirror to south cinema.
So here’s presenting southscope. An English-language monthly, focusing on the
happening Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada film industries primarily. Pages will,
of course, also be dedicated to the Bollywood, Hollywood, regional cinema and world
cinema.
With a subtle seductive presentation style, a young and contemporary look, smart and
informative content, southscope aims to be a first-off-the-shelf pick. southscope will be
made widely available at all Indian stands and in USA, Malaysia, Far East, Middle East and
Europe to cater to the vast diaspora of Indians there.
I would like to extend thanks to the people whose long hours and hard work, and frenetic
pace, have made this project possible. The raring-to-go editorial team, the exploding-
with-ideas design team, my dream editor and very many others behind the scenes.
Ultimately what matters most is your long lasting relationship with southscope.
southscope will continue to evolve, recreate and redefine itself in tune with your
expectations. Hope you’ll enjoy the read. All comments and suggestions are welcome.

best

Moorthy Sreenivasulu
Publisher
 OCTOBER 2009
ISSUE01
VOL01

PANORAMA
CONTENTS OF
SOUTH
exclusive CINEMA
36 Back Stage
Get set to meet Ravindra,
the hot shot art director
44
44 Rajadhiraja
The importance of being
Balakrishna

56 Shooting Star
Pooja Gandhi - The hit machine of
Kannada cinema
 Model: ILEANA

FeAtuRes
coveR pictuRe: RAMAKANTH T
MAkeup: MAdHU
hAiR: SUNITA
styling: SAMIRA d’CRUz
pRoduction designeR: dIVyA UdAy
14 Stars on Facebook and
Twitter

31 The highs & lows of

small budget films

58 The DNA of a
blockbuster

26 46
FundA
13 Junk Mail
44
17 Telugu Tinsel,
Kannada Capers 38
38
Who’s doing what, where?

21 Screen Test
Launch pad for aspiring actors
22
22 Loading… Please wait
Films in the making

34 Hi 5 with Krishnudu

62 Kaleidoscope
Events, parties etc...

63 Bioscope
58
Film reviews

66 Star Affair
Horoscope

69 Sing Along
Karaoke of hit songs

70 Flashback
Nostalgia revisited – The timeless
magic of Mayabazaar
CONTENTS Pa n o r a m a o f s o u t h c i n e m a Vol 1 issue 1 october 2009 rs.50

01
01

www.southscope.in

centRe stAge
46 Up close and personal
with Ileana D’cruz
Prabhudeva on Wanted,
nayanthara &
that special someone

the other side of

MuMaith Khan

Suriya vS vijay South SWeePS

ClaSh of the titanS national aWardS

gAlleRiA
26 Siddharth
Siddharth’s Signature Style
+ e-MAgAzine
sep ‘09
VIEW
READ
38 Shraddha Das DOWNLOAD
Sizzler Shraddha Das’s tryst with
the couch
THIS MONTH ON SOUTHSCOPE.IN

pRoFile
54 Prabhas’s powerful e-MAgAzine
oct ‘09
formula VIEW
READ
DOWNLOAD

69
 telugu

13

FUNdA 10 : 09
RIDE ON THE SIDE
You’ve seen them, you love them, you can’t imagine growing up
without them… Now here’s what you didn’t know about them!

legendary director k viswanath’s swathi Muthyam

was India’s official entry to the Oscars in 1986. It was
the first Telugu film and only second south Indian
film to have represented India in the prestigious
competition. No other Telugu film has ever been
chosen to represent India at the Oscars.

Jayamalini is famous for her salacious We all know about the acting caliber of the
item numbers and vamp roles. There was late actress Savitri. Her humanitarian side
a time when there would not be a film is less discussed. Savitri happened to meet
without a Jayamalini number. She went the former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur
on to feature in over 500 Telugu, Tamil, Shastri and came back having donated all
Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi movies. the jewelry she was wearing for the Prime
Minister’s Relief Fund. That’s what you call
a heart of gold!

Mohan Babu has won many

honours both as an actor and a
politician. But few people know
that he was made the Deputy
Member for the International
Parliament for Safety and
peace, u.s.A in due recognition
in his achievements in the field
of Education. International
Parliament for Safety and Peace,
is an international organization
whose stated intention is the
promotion of world safety and
peace.
kAnnAdA

Darshan is the only

kannada actor to own the
fuel-guzzling Hummer
vehicle. The star hardly
uses it these days though,
because of its poor fuel
economy.
Ramya is a book worm.
She has a huge collection
of books, especially short
stories and novels, at
home.

oct 09 13
 FEATURES

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Join the converstion

IS yOUR FACE ON THE BOOK, TwEETy? search sign up now

If stars don’t exist in the cyber world, they haven’t arrived in life discovers Vrinda Prasad

Ram Gopal Varma Mallika Sherawat Meher Ramesh Mickey J Meyer Puri Jagannath Shriya Saran dhanush

Lakshmi Manchu Uday Chopra Satish Kasetty Amrita Rao Reema Sen Nayanthara Priyanka Chopra Katrina Kaif

Lakshmi Manchu loved Inglorious Bastards, cyber world, it’s free for all if not on the
Raja is on a trip, Krishna Vamsi is busy with Facebook, then Twitter.
his work, Suhani Kailta is depressed, Ram
Stars in the tinsel town across the country
Gopal Varma says, “The point of Life is
have been diving into networking sites of late
tht thrs no point to it. So it’s better to live
in a big way. Ah, the beauty and simplicity of
it point by point and point to point.” Celina
micro-blogging! Twitter and Facebook are
Jaitley is watching Balika Vadhu and has
no longer an addiction for the hoi polloi;
become a TV soap addict while Uday Chopra
it’s an absolute hit with the Bollywood,
says “I am setting up my new MacBook Pro
Tollywood and Kollywood fraternity as well!
unibody and 24” cinema display, life couldn’t
be better!!!...I love my mac, proud to be a “Whenever I write something or want to
geek;” Aarthi Agarwal is out of town with update about my projects, I paste it first on
friends and badly needs this break. Mallika Twitter. But I’m not active on Facebook” the
Sherawat is over the moon because “Gosh! reigning Bollywood diva Priyanka Chopra
Ram Gopal Varma called me the Marilyn explains on one of her posts on Twitter.
Monroe of the east… blush blush.”
The latest tweet from Priyanka Chopra
No we’re not gossiping for the heck of it, reads (copied verbatim):
neither have we made typographic errors.
these are quotes straight from the stars’ Dhan ta nan..my first contest only ma
mouths. That’s not all. We managed to tweeple! 50 pesonally autographed
get them all in 10 minutes precisely. Far KAMINEY audio CDs up for grabs! Try it!!
fetched? Would have been a few years ago. http://tinyurl.com/ne4kox
But in this era of social networking in the

14 oct 09

A source close to Katrina
said, “There is someone who
is impersonating Katrina
Kaif and talking to people
pretending to be Katrina
Kaif. Katrina got a call from
a famous director asking
how was the script which he
discussed on Twitter, to this
Katrina was shocked and
explained to the director that
she doesn’t use networking
sites at all. Another incident
happened when Katrina got
a call from a famous studio
head about another project,
as discussed on Twitter. To
which Katrina was stunned
and replied that she never
uses Twitter to talk to any
one. On Twitter the person
pretending to be Katrina
has been telling people how
the Rajniti shoot is going on
in Bhopal. Seems like this
impersonation is reading a
lot of material that has been
published and hence has so
much information on the
same.”
Features
Many of these stars feel that it’s a great
platform to be in touch with their fans.
And with social networking going mobile,
it becomes easier for stars who are always
on the move to update their status or post
a message. Actress Shriya Saran is hugely
impressed with the mobile network. “I
update Facebook mostly over my phone.
It’s so convenient now. I have not tried
Twitter so far, as Facebook is friendly
and I can’t handle both. You have to be
an intelligent user and I am extremely
careful about adding friends and my list
is just about 50 people. My fear is that my
personal pictures may get leaked or some
stranger may read my status,” avers
Shriya. Simbu (Silambarasan) agrees, “I
find updating over my phone much easier
as I do it even while I’m watching a movie
or at a party. I love to write something on
my wall everyday and some days when
I don’t have anything I scribble some
nonsense. Isn’t that weird? That’s why I
call myself a Facebook addict.” Most of
them have the same opinion about being
on Facebook or Twitter. Music Director
Twitter’s popularity amongst Bollywood
Mickey J Meyer feels, “Facebook is celebrities is a definite indication of how
more useful to find lost friends and also significant social networking sites can be.
easier to keep friends updated about my “Considering the influence that celebrities
whereabouts.” have on Indian consumers and Twitter
becoming twilmy I’m wondering if the next
trend will be celebrities endorsing brands
on Twitter or promoting services amongst
their followers. You don’t have to sit and
respond to fans or accept any request.
Makes things simpler,” quoted a star on
terms of anonymity.
Bollywood damsel Amrita Rao joined the
Facebook bandwagon recently. This is
what she says, “Although I am a gadget
freak and quiet technology friendly, I
never felt the need for being present on
social networking sites such as Facebook
and Orkut until recently. I joined Facebook
recently as I understand the importance
of staying connected in a net savvy world.
I make sure I accept friend requests only
From updates to promotions, Bollywood from people I know and not fakes. And
celebrities have wisened up to all the yes, the world should know that Amrita
right tactics to engage and interact with Rao is outgoing.”
fans of this generation. “In a country
like India where Bollywood is as good as Be it updating status or passing time by
religion and celebrities no less than idols, playing games between shots, it’s totally
Oct 09 15
FEATURES

an addiction. Shraddha Das’s page Though many are happy about

on Facebook gives away her craze being there, a few like director
for playing games there. “I’m Meher Ramesh and nayanthara
totally into poker, thought it’s not don’t enjoy networking much.
a great game to play but now can’t There were two fake ids of
stop myself from playing poker Nayanthara on Facebook when
even for a day.” queried if that was hers she
replies, “I am a very private person
Actor ‘Color’ Swati is exasperated
The actor is peeved, and love to remain so. So next time
that somebody who you log on to any social network
seems to know him was sites, please remember that it’s
trying to impersonate not me”. And Meher Ramesh
him on Facebook. feels, “It’s like opening up your
Says Dhanush: “My personal life to people and I’m
identity has been not happy about it”. While some of
the celebrities want to bond with
stolen by someone in
their colleagues or friends, for a
virtual space and I am
few others it’s a means to capture
not going to take it
new talent. Director Satish Kasetty
lightly after realizing I am not a Facebook
that almost 4000 addict like many of my
people mostly my fans friends and they keep
across the globe are complaining about it.
interacting with this i do interact with my
person thinking that friends and update
it’s me!” The problem my status regularly.
is that this particular twitter is new and
because, “It gets too much for
person who has I have not tried it. I
celebrities to manage their
opened an account in authentic online profiles.” think FB is the best
the name of dhanush shraddha agrees with swati interactive media and
Kasthuri Raja has been and chips in, “It’s very tough for I like to interact with
connecting with people celebrities because fans keep my fans through FB
and posing as if he posting messages. It’s annoying as it does not involve
is the real Dhanush. but nothing can be done about it”. the risk of giving out
This is a clear case of my phone number
impersonation as well or address. i enjoy
as cheating, as many updating and seeing
adore the actor. Adds personal pics of my
Dhanush: “This person of Hope and Kalavaramaye Madilo close friends. I have
has been connecting fame put up a status “calling not tried updating
with my fans who for people who are interested in my profile and status
don’t know that the cracking a comedy script” and through my phone as I
ID is fake. I want to being a part of his team. am more comfortable
nip this problem in with my laptop.
It took just 140 characters to
its bud”. The actor is
change the way our celebrities talk
worried that someone to us. You no longer need Page 3 - reema sen
might end up using his to know who Mallika Sherawat
name to con people is flirting with or what Puri
and thereby tarnish Jagannath’s next project is. Just
his image and brand login and stay in the loop.
name.

- Dhanush

16 oct 09
 TELUGU TINSEL

17

FUNdA 10 : 09

wonder why we do not get to see charmi in

Hyderabad these days. Nope, she is not on vacation,
but busy shooting for a Malayalam film, which
doesn’t happen to be her first by the way. She had
a rather forgettable debut with Kattuchembakam,
way back in 2002. Charmi has been signed up to play
the lead in director Dileep’s upcoming Malayalam
film touted to be a comic thriller. Well Charmi has
not had a great time of late in Telugu films. Perhaps
a change in place might do her some good?

CharM’ing
MalayalaM
V

Anushka
rising!
It’s amazing what one film can do an actor’s career.
Since the record breaking success of Arundhati,
Anushka has been the hottest property of Tollywood!
She has a slew of big budget Telugu films lined up
for her. But she’s got as many offers from Tamil
as well! We hear a lot of top Tamil stars have a
preference for her these days. Having completed
the shoot for Vettaikaran which stars vijay in the
male lead, Anushka has begun shooting for Suriya’s
next film titled singam. Looks like everybody wants
to pair with Anushka at the moment, but she’s
making her choices very carefully. Way to go girl!

The name
isRANA
Be it politics or cinema, it seems to be the season of successions in
Andhra Pradesh. We will leave the politics to the newsrooms, and
focus on cinema instead. After naga chaitanya set off on the arduous
task of taking the Akineni legacy ahead with a confident debut in
Josh, the stage is being readied for the launch of Rana, the grandson
of movie moghul Ramanaidu and son of ace producer Suresh Babu.
Rana is playing the lead in the Shekhar Kammula directed film,
leader, which is all set to release this month. Make way for the new
brigade, folks!

oct 09 17
TELUGU TINSEL

18

10 : 09 FUNdA

Unfair
Life can be unfair and Karthika seems to have had a
first hand taste of the strange ways of showbiz. Just
in case you are wondering Karthika, who? Let us tell

share you that she is the pretty young miss who played
the lead opposite Naga Chaitanya in Josh. The film
was always going to be about Nagarjuna’s son, but
Karthika did a pretty decent job too. With that girl-
next-door kind of appeal, she did manage to flutter
hearts. And what sets her apart is her sultry dusky
complexion, from the regular fair skinned imports
from Mumbai. But why is it that down here we like
‘em fair and lovely? We wonder…

A film
on YSR
Ace director Puri Jagannath is known to
be the god of commercial entertainers.
But looks like he’s now keen on trying
something else. Well, politics for
instance? No he is not entering politics,
but will soon direct a film on the late
chief minister of Andhra pradesh, ys
Rajashekhara Reddy. His namesake Dr
Rajasekhar, is playing the lead in the
film. He is also co-producing the movie.
However, the director is not disclosing
anything much yet. He has been meeting
various aides of YSR learning about his
life. It has already created quite a buzz
both in the industry and the political
circles. Puri certainly has got quite a
task on his hand
After Magadheera became a super hit,
producer Allu Arvind has been flooded Calling
with congratulatory messages, naturally.
But besides those, he’s also being
a spade!
a spade!
bombarded with a whole lot of stuff that
he’s been pretty amused with. Recently
somebody asked him, something to the
effect, “what message have you tried to
give through Magadheera?” We’re told,
he replied, “Message? Well if I have to
send a message, I would use SMS or
email! I make movies to entertain, not to
send messages!” How cool is that!

18 oct 09
 KANNAdA CAPERS

19

FUNdA 10 : 09

Prakash Raj
directs
his first
Kannada movie
Prakash Raj, who is known by his original name Prakash Rai
in Karnataka, is all set to direct his first movie in Kannada.
It will be a remake of his recent successful Tamil film
Abhiyum Naanum. Prakash has selected the golden girl of
the Kannada film industry, Ramya to play the lead role in this
movie. He will be playing Ramya’s father in the film. We too
are looking forward to this one!

Stars don’t show

interest in KPL

Ganesh
back with his home
production
Golden Star Ganesh who has been maintaining a low profile for
six months now, after three of his movies bombed at the box
office, is making a comeback with his maiden home production
Maleyali Jotheyali. Produced by his wife Shilpa under the banner
Golden Movies, this film will see a lean and trim Ganesh. It’s
being directed by Ganesh’s childhood friend Preetam Gubbi, who
scripted Ganesh’s blockbuster Mungaru Male. Welcome back
Ganesh!
The Karnataka Premier League, the state version of the
Indian Premier League, failed to attract the attention of
Kannada film stars. Initially, it was said that a number
of artistes like Ramya and Upendra would buy teams.
Eventually, most of the teams were lapped up by real
estate companies and politicians. The lack of glamour
in KPL forced some of the team owners to approach
the Kannada film stars for the role of “ambassadors”.
Apparently, unhappy with the poor fee offered, all the film
stars backed out. What a pity!

oct 09 19
KANNAdA CAPERS

20

10 : 09 FUNdA

what has upset upendra

Darshan? back in
Remake Star Darshan, we hear is
really upset with Ramesh Yadav, the action...
producer of his latest film, Boss.
Apparently, Ramesh has not yet paid
anyone including the rest of the crew.
Direction
A very miffed Darshan has boycotted Upendra is back to directing
shooting and the rest of the cast have movies, we hear. The last movie
followed suit. The matter is yet to Uppi directed was Upendra a
reach the Karnataka Film Chamber decade ago in which he also
of Commerce. In the meanwhile, the played the lead role. Now, he has
producer announced that he would surprised everybody by announcing
release close to 100 prints of the movie his return direction. with this not
although it’s not yet completed. What’s yet titled film, he’s doing a repeat
going on, really… performance. He’s producing,
directing and playing the lead role
all over again after ten years! His
movies usually have unique titles
which sometimes have symbols
too. For this film, he’s chosen the
hasta mudra (thumb and fore finger
forming a circle). According to the
actor, it could mean anything you
Priyamani please. The movie will be made in
finally does a Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.
sounds good…
Kannada film
National-award winning actress
Priyamani hails from Bangalore
and speaks Kannada, but she’s
never acted in a single Kannada
movie so far! Her argument is
that she has not found the right
offer. After being around in the film
industry for so long, she’s finally
debuting in Kannada with Raam
and what’s more, she’s paired with
Power Star Puneet Rajkumar. Good
beginning, we think!

That’s what we call a role-reversal!

Comedian-turned-hero Jaggesh’s younger brother Komal Kumar, is hot
property in Kannada cinema these days. And this thanks to two back to
back hits. His first movie as a lead actor, Mr garagasa, loosely based on the
Hindi film Bheja Fry, was a big hit and so was his second, Chamkaaisi Chindi
udaaisi. A few years ago, Komal went around knocking the doors of every
director and producer for a role. But now it’s the other way round. He’s already
got four more comedy films lined up. What fun!

20 oct 09
 SCREEN TEST

PRIYA
A movie buff, Priya grew up on
a staple diet of Telugu films.

She modelled for a TV

commercial for Manepally
jewelers and print ads for MBS,
Brisah and La celebre.

This lass doesn’t prefer being

on beauty pageants to get into
movies. She wants to be a
great performer and impress
audience with her talent.

When she is hit by boredom

she watches movies and tries to
learn the nitty-gritty to improve
her acting skills.

She is a trained western dancer.

Weill she, won’t she?

Let’s see.

By Vrinda Prasad...
photogRApheR: RAMAKANTH T

Southscope invites aspiring actors to send in their

portfolio pictures to vrinda@southscope.in
telugu

Cast Jr NTR, Nayanthara, Sheela

AduRs Director
Producer
Music Director
V V Vinayak
Vallabhaneni Vamsi Mohan
Devi Sri Prasad

Jr. NTR is playing a dual role

in this one, which promises
to have all the elements of a
masala entertainment. He plays a
brahmin, which is rather comical
and the other role is also quite
dramatic. nayanthara, who did a
bikini act in the Ajith starrer Billa
(Tamil), is supposedly doing it all
over again for Adurs.

22 oct 09
 telugu

Touted to be an out-and-out commercial movie, Ek

niranjan is packed with romance, action, fun and
emotion. Prabhas plays this rough and tough guy
who’s also a loner. Kangana Ranaut, who is making
her debut in Tollywood plays the role of a guitar
teacher.
The film was shot in a massive set of eight acres in
Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad and the estimated cost of
this gigantic set, designed by art director Chinna, is
said to be a whopping three crores.
Prabhas also spent time in Chanchalguda jail for
this film since Puri Jagannath preferred shooting
a climax scene in real jail premises instead of a
created jail set.

Cast Prabhas, Kangana Ranaut,

ek niRAnJAn
Sonu Sood, Mukul Dev
director puri Jagannadh
producer Aditya Ram
Music director Mani sharma

oct 09 23
kAnnAdA

ullAsA
cast ganesh, yami gautam
Director Devaraja Palan

utsAhA Producer
Music Director
B P Thyagaraj
G V Prakash

Ullasa Utsaha is the remake of Telugu film

Ullasanga Utsahanga. Ullasa Utsaha is a
romantic film that explores love and friendship
from a different perspective. Filled with all
that is young and fresh, the film is a peppy
celebration of youth.

24 oct 09
 kAnnAdA

Cast Sri Murali,

Pooja Gandhi, Radhika Gandhi
sRi
Director
producer
Dayal Padmanabhan
s A chinne gowda and n kumar hARikAthe
Sri Harikathe is being talked about quite
a bit because sisters Pooja and Radhika
gandhi are starring together in this one.
It’s a psychological thriller based on split
personalities.

oct 09 25
26
oct 09
Brought to you By AsmitA mArwA…

Style
 concePt And styling: AsmitA mArwA

Here’s a splasH of siddHartH in an

interesting blend of His personality and
asmita’s style!
AsmitA stArted her cAreer As A stylist
in coolie no: 1 And PremA Ante idherA And
moved on to BlockBusters like ghArshAnA,
sAnthosAm, AthAdu And Pokiri over the
yeArs.
nAgArjunA once told her, “creAte A style
thAt the mAsses cAn identify with And will
eventuAlly follow,” And thAt hAs Been her
mAntrA ever since. some of her creAtions
for the screen like the ‘mAnmAdhudu kurtA’
PhotogrAPher: rAngAnAth

were A rAge Being retAiled not only here

But As fAr As ludhiAnA!

le
“Well siddharth, a power house of talent and a very successful
pan-indian star is also quite a stylish dude. the challenge for
me was that he had never worked with a stylist for any of his
films. In fact, he has been styling himself very successfully.
but i was not sure how we would work together….both of
us perfectionists, sticklers for detail and control freaks….
quite a combination which could work only if one trusted
the other. i must hand it to siddharth for being an absolute
scArves: AsmitA mArwA

professional and having faith in me and giving me the freedom

to experiment with his clothes and look. i created seven
different looks for him – from cool and smart casual to preppy,
to formal , to a la brando, from on the Waterfront. the looks
were conceptualized keeping in mind siddharth’s personality
and his lover boy image.

siddharth was a wonderful model and never complained

about the very humid weather that day or the lousy lunch that
i subjected him to. it was threatening to rain and was hot as
hell, yet he went through all the seven changes and gave us
clothes: Benetton

some amazing moments to capture. on wrapping up the shoot

the rain gods smiled on us with the first monsoon shower.
i think we “blew it out of the water” as siddharth would have
put it…”

- asmita marwa

oct 09 27
 Two hot to handle!

28 Oct 09
Fashionably broody!

Oct 09 29
 Driving us crazy...

30 Oct 09

small is clearly turning out to be the new
big! Allu Sirish explores the economics
and appeal of making small budget films
in telugu cinema.
GettinG hiGh on loW buDGet moVies
Using the 80:20 principle – we can
safely say that the big-budget films
form the industry’s backbone as
most of the commerce is through
these films. It’s understood and
acknowledged that ‘small budget’
films are equally essential to the
industry. Many classics of Telugu
cinema were ‘small’ when they
released. Many of the biggest names
in the industry today – technicians
and actor got their ‘big break’ from
this form of filmmaking. This article
is more about the economics of these
films, rather than their creative
importance. Until recently, for many
years small budget movies – the ones
made under a budget of 2 crores -
have not achieved major success.
While there were hits, none of them
was ground-breaking.
FEATURES
The early years: In 2000, Chitram
by Teja was made on a shoe-string
budget of about 50 lakh and went on
to collect 8 crores as ‘net revenues’.
Bettering that was 2001’s Nuvve Kavali
which was made on a meager budget
of less than 2 crores, and went on to
gross over 20 crores – making it one of
the most profitable films if one had to
calculate RoI (return on investment).
6 Teens was another low-budget sex
comedy which had super hit music,
youngsters with raging hormones
and eye candy that went on to gross
over 5 crores. This set off a trend of
‘youth movies’ in Telugu films – where
filmmakers constantly dished out
movies with similar storylines hoping
to the cash in on the success of such
films. Some succeeded, while most
failed and a point came when the
audience was fed up of it and the genre
was sidelined completely.
There were many small movies
between 2002 and 2007 in Telugu
cinema that tasted success, such as
Show, missamma, Aithe, Anand, A
film by Arvind, Vennela and Pellaina
Kotthalo. And then there were the
mid-budget films such as Jayam,
Pellam Vurelithe, Manasantha Nuvve,
Itlu Sravani Subramanyam, Dongodu,
Kabaddi Kabaddi, Nuvve Nuvve which
steadily supplied the industry with
hits. But none of them could repeat the
magic of Nuvve Kavali.
oct 09 31
FEATURES
The Happy days effect: But one film that
totally changed the scenario, making
everybody sit up and notice small budget
films was happy Days. Suddenly, small
came into vogue. Everybody now is making
such films. Technically, the movie was
made for a little above two crores, but that
could be discounted. It had an unknown
cast, new music director, abused theme
of campus romance and a director who
was only moderately successful. But that
film went on to become one of the biggest
hits of 2007 making instant stars out of all
the people associated with the film – the
huge ensemble of actors right from the
lead to the character artistes, the music
director Mickey J Meyer and director
Shekhar Kammula who is now a brand in
himself.
The movie got industry counterparts
in Chennai and Mumbai also talking
about it. It’s now being considered to be
remade in Tamil and Hindi. But one feat
only happy Days can boast of amongst
all small movies is its blockbuster run
in the overseas box office. It crossed the
collections of super hits of A-list stars
such as Chiranjeevi, Mahesh Babu and
Pawan Kalyan! Yes, it did. happy Days may
not be the mother of small budget films,
but it sure did revive people’s interests
in making such films. And its success
is used as a benchmark to measure the
success of other films of this league.
Unlike the last time luckily, the industry
this time seems to have learnt its lesson.
They’re not churning out happy Days
clones, but testing subjects from different
genres such as thriller, horror, comedy
and romance of course.
32 oct 09
Small films are the next big thing: Today Satellite rights: This is the lifeline of
most people in the industry – big and all small-budget movies today. Many
small - want to make a ’small budget of these films have recovered their
film’ with a sub two crore budget. It’s not money from satellite rights alone. With
the challenge of telling an interesting 5 channels competing for rights, prices
story with minimum resources that have increased due to demand. And in
excites most of these filmmakers, but the Andhra, it’s always film-based programs
economics behind it. that draw the maximum TRPs. Perpetual
satellite rights of these films get sold
The inflation in production cost from 2000
even before the film’s release – at times
to now is marginal, while revenues have
even acting as a source of finance. A
increased multiple-fold. The inflation
small-to-mid budget movie can fetch
is again due to external factors such as
anywhere between Rs. 60 lakhs -1.5 crore
higher labour wages, rise in real estate,
today, whereas big-budget films fetched
petrol etc., But pure production material
up to 6 crores if they are block busters in
such as raw stock, studio rent, equipment
recent times!
etc have remained in the same price
bracket. Raw stock still costs Rs 10,000
for 1000 feet (which equals 10 minutes
footage). A small film uses about 40-
50,000 feet of raw stock. The cost for a
single print is still about Rs 50,000 for a
150 minutes film. Rents for studios are
between Rs. 7,000 per day to Rs. 20,000
depending on the location and sound-
stage size. Shooting permissions in
municipal places such as roads, parks
remain almost the same as before. The
same is the case with rents for real-life
houses, offices, colleges to be used in One film that totally
films. Likewise, a lot of other costs have
remained in the same price range as changed the scenario,
before. making everybody sit up
Filmmakers who have shot their film and notice small budget
completely on digital, i.e. : HD camera films was happy Days.
such as Viper, Sony Cine Alta or Red
One have cut down their costs by a half
by shifting from film. Kamal Haasan’s
Eenadu is the first film in Telugu to use
Red one. The whole process of scanning
the footage for editing, dubbing, scoring
background, sound effects, mixing and
then printing back onto film becomes
simplified if a film is shot on HD. Unlike
bigger films, a small budget unit size is
smaller – where people handle multiple
functions which help cut costs further.
Films like Cell, Grahanam, and Black
& White were completed under Rs. 50
lakh budgets with a minimum crew and
less than 40 days of shooting. Films like
Chitram, Allari, Premiste (dubbed from
Tamil) were completed in a budget of less
than a crore. The recent box office super
hit – Ashta Chamma was completed
within Rs 1.5 crore. The movie recovered
its total production cost even before
release by ‘pre-selling’ its television
rights and ancillary. So, all the money
made from box office goes straight into
the producer’s pockets.
There are three major factors that
contributed to the increase in revenues
of small budget films - Satellite rights,
Hyderabad city box office, Ancillary
revenues.

Hyderabad box office: Hyderabad had a
population of about 40 lakhs in the late
nineties. But today the greater Hyderabad
metropolitan area has nearly a crore
inhabitants. So, it’s understood that
the box office too grew likewise in size.
For big-budget films, about 20% of the
domestic box office revenues come from
Hyderabad alone. But for many small
budget hits, that ratio is as high as 35%.
Today Hyderabad is home to 6 multiplexes
and more are in the making. With more
coming up, it’s only going to get better.
Unlike in single screens, the difference
in collections between a small budget hit
and a ‘star cast film’ isn’t very wide if the
movie is a hit – as the urban audiences
are more willing to experiment.
FEATURES
Ancillary rights: Earlier, the only
source of revenue for a movie was the
box office. With the advent of cable in
the 90s, television rights became a new
source. But now there are newer sources
of income streams such as home video
rights, which fetch upto 50 lakhs for a
big-budget blockbuster and Rs 25 lakhs
for a smaller film. While the sale of
cassettes has fallen, it’s compensated by
the increase in CD sales, mp3 downloads Vinayakudu, Yuvatha and
(legitimate through sales), FM royalties
and the biggest of them all – ring tones. Aakashamantha were the
only recent small budget
hits grossing over 5 crores
at the box office. Most of the
other films failed to repeat
the success.

These sources of revenue have now increased manifold. But, growth in revenue is flat from the older streams – box office collections
from coastal Andhra towns and ‘districts’ of Telangana. But on the whole, the size of the industry has increased. I have purposefully
avoided ‘overseas market’ as it’s almost non-existent for small films due to various reasons. Any income from this can be termed as
a ‘windfall gain.’ happy Days being the only exception, as Mr. Kammula is a brand name there.
Frankly, even I am smitten by this ‘indie style’ of filmmaking and wish to test the waters for two reasons. The first – creative
restrictions are lesser in this form of filmmaking. The best form of creativity usually comes when resources are limited (read:
budget). Also, the producer has better say in creative and managerial decisions. And at least amongst avid film goers, the producer
will earn a name for having bet on new talent and pulled off a hit.
Secondly, like for a lot of other people – the sheer economics behind making a small budget film. If one calculates the RoI (return
on investment), big-budget films typically can fetch only 20-25% returns if they’re a hit. But small budget films have fetched returns
of 200-300% in the recent past.
The ‘high risk’ of small films: Here comes the pitfall. The people working in the two biggest film processing laboratories in Hyderabad
– Prasad’s and Ramanaidu Studios - tell me that nearly 50-70 such small budget films are “lying in cans” in each of their studios. The
value of 100-120 odd films lying in these studios without being released could be over 200 crores. These films have either stopped
shooting mid-way as they’ve run out of money or couldn’t clear the lab’s bills.
Some of the films are completed, but did not return the money to the financier who has to submit the ‘clearance letter’ allowing the
lab to print the film for release. Typically, these films are made by small-time producers who lack a source of finance. They invest
very little from their own pockets and borrow heavily from private financiers at a ridiculous rate of 3% per month or 36% annually!
This is three times more than nationalized bank charges. Banks lend money only to producers with a track record, hence financiers
are the only option. Also, unlike big-ticket films, distributors don’t buy the rights of these movies in advance. For big star-cast films,
the advances paid by distributors against the rights are a major source of finance. And it comes interest-free to the producer as the
distributors become investors in the project. The producers of these films screen their film for distributors. But rarely does any one
take the risk and bet their money on an unknown film.
So, it’s a death-spiral from here onwards for a lot of producers. Their personal money is locked in the project. They take loans from
financiers mortgaging their properties. Non-payment means the property can be liquidated. Distributors mostly don’t buy the rights
in advance, hence that source of finance is not available. Now, they don’t have money to shoot further or repay the loan. As time
lapses interest piles on. To cut it short, it takes a lot of financial and production planning to execute a small-budget film successfully.
The filmmaker should be able to secure a source of funding, where they would not fall into these pitfalls, yet be a part of the profits of
the film. So it is a huge risk. But as the maxim goes, higher the risk, higher the reward. But one thing is for sure – we’re going to see
more number of small budget films in the years to come. In fact Vinayakudu, Yuvatha and Aakashamantha were the only recent small
budget hits grossing over 5 crores at the box office. Most of the other films failed to repeat the success. Yet this doesn’t dissuade
aspiring film makers from making an attempt.

PS: One of the best ways for smaller filmmakers to secure funding is to approach a known producer to become a partner.
He can guide in the managerial process and be a source of finance. If you’re good enough to handle production, a corporate
company rich on funds or an HNI (high net worth individual) like a real estate baron, or NRI friend can be a good option.

oct 09 33
 One You are fast turning out to be a star of the new wave of small budget
cinema. Ever thought you will end up doing lead roles? Every actor starts off with
trying to get some role, and the first one is not necessarily a lead role. I always knew
I wanted to be an actor and not a hero. I am passionate about cinema and I have
always been determined. So, here I am.

TwoWould you ever prefer a glamorous co-star and what’s your fantasy
woman like? Of course I would want to work with a glamorous co-star! Do you even
have to ask? (Wink wink!) Someone like Trisha, would be great. About my fantasy
woman, well, she would be simple and independent. Somebody like Kajol .(Are the
girls listening?)

34 Oct 09
H e’s big. And getting bigger, we can safely add! Krishnam Raju or Krishnudu, like he’s known, has gone ahead and broken the myth that
the leading man in a film has to be your quintessential fitness freak with a penchant for six packs. After the success of Vinayakudu,
in which he played the lead, some stereotypes were definitely broken. But things weren’t as easy as that for Krishnudu who lived off bit
roles in the beginning. In Happy Days, when everyone saw him as this adorable fatso who was not a laughing stock – like these characters
usually are - Krishnudu’s happy days actually began! His career was finally put on the fast track after this film and is now pretty popular.
Although he’s got at least two projects coming up with him in the lead, he still enjoys playing cameos too. Actually, anything, that’s sort of
challenging, like what he played in Oy. His next film, Village lo Vinayakudu is set to release later this month. And for Amayakudu, which will
come in after that, Krishnudu’s shedding kilos, changing his image and who knows what surprises might be in store. He seems to be full
of them anyway. Just in case you didn’t know, he’s also a fashion photographer and an aspiring film director. Vrinda Prasad indulges
in a yakathon with the offbeat actor whose size has become a big deal…

threeIs being obese a deterrent to being in showbiz?The perception has changed now. The fact that people accepted my role in Vinayakudu and
the offers that I’m getting now proves that being heavy doesn’t matter. Initially, it was a deterrent for me. So, I did cameo roles in Manodu, Pokiri and
Okkadu unnaadu before finally being noticed in Shekhar’s Happy Days. And, that’s when Sai Kiran’s Vinayakudu happened which gave a 360 degree
turn to my life.
FOURLet’s imagine you were back to the 1970s…What would be different about you?
At least I’d have more hair on my head then.

FIVE Did you ever regret being obese and what is your fitness philosophy?Well, I’m fat. But so what and I don’t have a fitness philosophy yet. If I
have to choose between the momentary joy of eating a biryani or a lifetime of restrain for a slimmer me, it’s usually the former! Until I finish the projects
in hand I will have to remain the way I am. Post that, you would certainly see me slimming down.

Oct 09 35
Exclusive

From painting posters to heading production design of a Hollywood film, Ravinder has sure
come a long way. Karthik Pasupulate digs into the art director’s notes for more.

photographer: G Praveen

36 Oct 09

Going international
ravinder has just completed work on his first international
project, a prayer For rain. dealing with the Bhopal gas
tragedy, the movie’s star cast includes martin sheen, mischa
Barton and Karl penn.
“creative designer selvin liked my work. initially, i was
supposed to assist him but as it turned out i ended up being
the production designer myself. it has been an incredible
experience,” shares ravinder.
selecting a location to raise the set of the union carbide
pesticide plant was not an easy job. But by some strange
quirk of coincidence it turned out to be hyderabad. “the
factory in Bhopal is located in an industrial area and we
needed a similar backdrop. we considered many locations
before zeroing in on the two-acre plot in Bolarum. it shares
an uncanny resemblance to the location in Bhopal,” he says.
however, reconstructing the plant as it looked in 1984 was
the biggest challenge. as the production designer it was
ravinder’s job to capture the ambience of the pesticide plant
as it was 25 years ago. “i visited the factory almost 20 times to
study every minute detail. From the slum that stood outside the
factory to the plant itself, pipes, switch boards, the controls…
everything had to look exactly the same,” states ravinder
explaining the work that had gone into erecting the set.
set design can be a thankless job. when the list of credits rolls up after a movie, rarely do we wait for the line that
reads art director. But Ravinder is one of those artists in southern cinema whose work speaks louder than any
credit line. the blockbuster Magadheera is proof enough. he is now all set to make a mark on the world stage.
Fame is another game
the post production work for the film is on at the moment. it
will be ready for release in a few months. until then ravinder
will be known as the art director of the first ever south indian
magnum opus, Magadheera. however, ravinder does not
seem to think much about this newfound fame. “it’s just that
i have had to give more interviews in the recent past. yeah,
a lot of people call to say we want you in our next film, but
nothing much has changed otherwise,” he says with a rather
impish grin.
then what gets him going? “art work can contribute
significantly to the visual appeal of the film. i get my kicks
when i can contribute to the success of the film with my work,”
he confesses.
“Besides, i got over 50 thank you calls from the helpers and
artisans who worked with me on magadheera. that was most
satisfying.”
ExCLUSIVE
Sound of inspiration
interestingly enough, ravinder is not a big movie buff. he
seems to derive his inspiration from the sound of music among
other things. “i am a big fan of ilayaraja and Keeravani. it is
amazing how they can convey so much emotion through their
melodies. i attempt to do the same with my sets,” he explains
“Keeravani garu has suggested a list of films i must watch to
get some ideas. haven’t really got around to doing that,” he
jests.
well, how does it matter what inspires you as long as you
are inspired! the biggest source of inspiration for any artist
is life itself. a native of nellore, his father was a government
employee and was required to travel around the state quite
a bit. “we lived in villages like udayagiri and Basineri palli
where there was no power. even a gas stove was a luxury then.
the images of the trees, the culture and the water have been a
big influence from back then,” he says.
Self made
painting was something that came naturally to ravinder but
until his class 12 he aspired to be a doctor. But when he could
not secure a seat in the medical entrance he chose to follow his
heart. after completing his BFa (Bachelors in fine arts) at Jntu
(Jawaharlal nehru technological university) he completed his
m des course from iit delhi..
driven by a zeal to be independent, ravinder did every job
he could lay his hands on to make some extra money in his
adolescent years. From selling mango ripening chemical,
painting hoardings, marking plots, dropping milk packets
in the wee hours of the morning and working in battery
manufacturing unit he has done it all. “i think i learnt about life
doing these odd jobs and i guess it is reflected in my work,”
he says thoughtfully.
But his first brush with films is rather interesting. “i was always
good with sketching. i specialized in making movie cutouts. i
was a big fan of chiru. if i had an order to make a 70 ft cut out
i would make it 90 ft long!” he smiles, recollecting.
oct 09 37
SouthSpread

Been there, not done that!

Outspoken, straightforward and someone who totally believes in doing her own thing. That’s
Shraddha Das for you in one line. Can cry without glycerine, bonds with her kid brother over
board games and breaks into a song every now and again for no reason. That’s her too! She
ran away from home once, prefers an arranged marriage and hated her first Telugu release.
She looks up to her mother and Sushmita Sen is her hero. She’s done this and she’s done that
and then there’s stuff she’s not done…despite having been there. Mona Ramavat indulges her
in girl talk that boys would die to eavesdrop on!

photographer: Niloy kumar de

stylist: rima melwani
Makeup: virendra r narvekar
Hair: jaya
coordinated by: anil merani

38 Oct 09
Lights...

Guess what, Shraddha joined the list of Mumbai bred aspiring actors with south calling, as
recently as last year. So here’s what the fuss is all about. She already has six Telugu films to brag
home about, especially her roles in the recently released Adhineta and Diary, though they weren’t
box office hits. But what everyone’s looking forward to is Arya 2 releasing soon. Cast with Allu
Arjun and Kajal Aggarwal, Shraddha is expected to climb a high rung up the ladder after this
one. What’s more, she confesses she aspires to be “the number one heroine in Telugu cinema
in five years!” Then there’s Lahore, a Bollywood film that’s releasing sometime soon, based on
Indo-Pak relations. It was adjudged the best film in the Houston film festival and happens to be
the only one ever to be viewed together by the Indian and Pakistani consul generals.

Siddhu From Srikakulam, her first Telugu release is perhaps Shraddha’s only grouse against
Tollywood, but otherwise, she’d rather stick here than head to Bollywood. With Siddhu… the
issue was that her actual performance in the film turned out to be completely different from what
was in the script. She minces no words here. “There was hardly any scope for performance and
I had to wear clothes that were not one bit me. I hated the whole experience and the only reason
I didn’t quit midway was because I didn’t want to be unprofessional!”

Oct 09 39
SouthSpread

Camera...

But she’s not the sort to give up, you know. What with a huge number of auditions in Bollywood and still
persevering! She’s decided not to do more auditions there and only take up a project if something she’s
comfortable with comes her way. Is the casting couch an issue here? “Sometimes, yes. I’m not the sort
who will give up on my values for a role in a film. I’d rather earn lesser money and struggle my way up
than do something that I’d be ashamed of. If you’re a star kid, it helps. If you’re willing to sleep, you stand
a better chance. And you know what, not just sleep once but for a full month! Even then, you may or may
not make it. Sometimes even after a contract is signed, there’s a chance that the actor might be thrown
out of the project. I don’t want to mention names but you wouldn’t believe me when I say that a couple of
popular producers literally pounced on me during auditions! That’s how it is. It’s not that bad in the south.
Over here, merit is respected, which is why I have found grounding in Telugu cinema.” Whew, that was
some confession! And she was mostly unfazed all through this. Time for some deep breathing folks…

40 Oct 09
Action...

We promised adventure, so here it is: When Shraddha was in college, one day
she and a friend (female) decided to go away from home. Just for the thrill of
it, that is. Her parents thought she was at her friend’s place and the friend’s
parents assumed their daughter was at Shraddha’s home. “We made sure it
was that way. And then, we simply boarded a flight from Mumbai and took off.
Yes we had fun, but didn’t know how to get back. No money, no flight tickets.
And each cost about eleven thousand bucks. So what do two girls with no
money and crying on the beach do? They find a casino, talk their way in and
earn their tickets to go back home!” Since then, she loves casinos. And sure
loves action, of any sort.
Shraddha is trained in various martial arts including taekwondo, kick boxing,
karate and is now learning fencing. That’s her idea of relaxation. Sure, we
can’t imagine Shraddha meditating! She wonders aloud if she can do a Mr and
Mrs Smith kind of film in Telugu or Kill bill. Yep, that will be deadly!

Oct 09 41
SouthSpread

Pack up...

After such a roller coaster, Shraddha volunteers she’s not seeing anyone at the
moment. Nor will she ever, since she’s made up her mind that nobody in the
industry could be good enough to have a relationship with. “I’m giving up acting
after I get married. And guess I will marry in about ten years and it’s going to be
someone my parents look out for me.” Old school, eh? “Totally. But that’s how I’d
like it to be. And yeah, I will also take up cooking classes when I get married, just
in case you were wondering!” No we are not. By now we know better, or do we…

42 oct 09
 Showman
xclusive

speaks Balakrishna on being NTR’s son, his own man and more.
Karthik Pasupulate meets the showman of Telugu cinema

A ‘Balakrishna movie’ is an exercise in showmanship. You’ll know exactly what we are talking about if you’ve seen even one of them.
For the benefit of those who never got to see Balakrishna do his thing in 70mm, here’s a little something. In the words of the legendary
French philosopher, Jean Paul Sartre, “Acting is a question of absorbing other people’s personalities and adding some of your own
experience.” But acting assumes a whole new definition when you are talking about Nandamuri Balakrishna. In his case, like his
father - acting is just a matter of being! It’s what he has been doing for the last 35 years.

Tall legacy
Being the son of a great man is never easy
and more so when the father happens to
be NTR, one of the greatest legends of
Telugu cinema. Ever since Balakrishna
first burst on the scene as a 14-year-old
in the film, Thathamma Kala, way back in
1974, the shadow of his father has always
loomed large on his career. We wonder if
he ever ponders about what his life would
have been had he not been the son of NTR.
“I’ve never thought about it. My father has
been my greatest inspiration in life. He is
my favourite actor, role model, icon…my
Alma mater. Everything I am, is because
of him. Can’t imagine life any other way,”
he shares. While he is still in the mood
for total recall, we decided to ask him
what it was to grow up in the Nandamuri
household. “My father was a dictator! A
strict disciplinarian, he would never spare
any misdemeanor. He instilled in us a
strong sense of discipline and dedication
to work.”
Acting, what else?
There were never two ways about taking
up acting for Balakrishna. “I have always
dreamt about becoming an actor and
emulating my father,” he says. But he was
able to get this far on his own steam. “The
tag of being the son of NTR might have
helped open doors for me but I have had to
take it from there on. I had to prove myself
as an actor like any other.” Prove himself,
he did and how! Whatever the genre
– action, drama, folklore, mythology,
historical, faction, comedy, fantasy, social
drama…he has done it all. Only more.
Movies like Annadammulla Anubandham,
Bramharshi Viswamitra, Madvirat
Pothuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy,
Muddula Mavayya, Narinari Naduma
Murari, Lorry Driver, Rowdy Inspector,
Aditya 369 (the first science-fiction
attempt in Telugu), Bhairava Dweepam
(folk lore), Peddannaya, Samarasimha
Reddy, Narasimha Naidu have all been
milestones in Telugu cinema.
My own man
However, the credit for his success are his
fans, he says. “You know, I have always done
films that I believed in and just followed
my heart. I can proudly say that only the
Telugu cinema audience can appreciate
such experimentation,” he states humbly.
There sure must be something about
him and his acting that has earned him
the undying adulation of millions. What
is the secret of his success? “My father
was an acting technique all by himself.
He could mesmerize the audience with
his acting and dictated camera angles
to the director. Similarly, Balakrishna is
an acting technique in himself he says
matter-of-factly.
Emotion drives me
Unwilling to be tied down to a particular
image, Balakrishna has probably tried
his hand at more genres than any of
his contemporaries. We wonder what
keeps him going. “Passion for cinema
is something that flows in my veins. I
thrive on that emotion to perform. It is
something that flows in the Nandamuri
family,” he tells us. Perhaps it is that
undying self belief that made him
comeback stronger every time he was
written off as a spent force. After a slew of
flops in the late eighties, many nay sayers
predicted Balakrishna was over. But then

44 Oct 09
came Muddula Mavayya in 1989 which ran
for 175 days in 21 theatres, a record then.
Yet again after a lean patch in the mid-
nineties, Balakrishna, critics said was
a thing of the past. He came back with
samara simha Reddy that ran for 175
days in 32 centers doing better than
Maine pyar kiya’s run in 27 theatres.
He then followed it up with narasimha
naidu which was highest grosser ever in
Tollywood then.

Never say never

Balayya has not had a hit worthy of his
stature in a while and his critics are
up in arms once again. Now they say
Balakrishna is living in a time warp as
most of his films seem outdated. But the
man has seen it all a few times over by
now. “I am my own god. I have always
worked in the films that I have believed in
and will continue to do so no matter what
people have to say about it,” he shrugs
it off.

oct 09 45
46
Centre Stage

production designer: divya uday

Hair: sunita
Makeup: madhu
Stylist: Samira d’cruz
photographer: ramakanth t

Oct 09
When her parents chose her name, inspired from Helen of Troy,
they knew, probably, that she was made for things finer than the
everyday. Like most actors of late, she never planned on becoming
one. But here she is, and how! From a self confessed clumsy kid to
a superstar of Telugu cinema, Ileana D’Cruz goes back and forth
on her journey so far.

Mona Ramavat tunes

in for this and that …
 01
She’s cheery, she’s naughty
and can’t stop talking
once she starts!
Centre Stage

Jumping off a cliff in stilettos would But of course, I’m just not
have seemed less unthinkable than complaining,” Ileana smiles, rather
acting in a movie. A Telugu movie grins, like she usually does. She’s
at that! But when life intervenes, cheery, she’s naughty and can’t stop
well life just decides to take over. talking once she starts. So we took
Ileana’s isn’t a story that rags to off from there and everything that
riches chroniclers would be excited followed was stuff that joyrides are
about. But the drama is no less, made of.
from a completely unnoticeable
Goan by origin and Mumbai bred,
girl to the glam queen that she
Ileana was just too happy being
metamorphosed into with just
the most unladylike of three sisters
one film. Sample this: At 12, she
and a mother who without any
would wear her hair only in a pony
formal training is now her stylist.
tail, at 14, her wardrobe was filled
“You know, my elder sister Farrah
with the most boring of grunge
was this hoity toity little lady with
clothes, till 15 she didn’t own a
a napkin always on her lap. And
single skirt. By 16, she knew she
me, in contrast was this extremely
was probably pretty but was too
clumsy accident prone sort of a girl,
diffident to use eyeliner. At 18, she
who somehow never got anything
sizzled on the screen as the female
right. My folks used to call me
lead for Devadas, her debut film,
‘butterfingers,’ because I would
and walked away with the Filmfare
drop everything from my hands and
(south) best female debut! Now
keep falling down like every now
at 22, she competes with the most
and again. In fact for the first shot
highly paid male actors of Telugu
of Devadas, I had to come walking
cinema after films like Pokiri, Jalsa,
towards the camera calling out
Kick became box office super hits.
“Sometimes, when I think back, it
feels funny how things turned out.

48 Oct 09
‘Daddy…’ Everything was fine till
the director said ‘action.’ I wasn’t
even nervous. As instructed, I came
walking down screaming ‘Daddy…’
and the next thing I knew I was
on the floor with an embarrassing
thud!” But of course, those who
saw the film only saw this new
girl on the block with a hot bod
that Telugu cinema needed rather
badly. Interestingly, she’s one of
the very slender Telugu actors to be
around and become so popular. Else,
Tollywood movie buffs like their
girls well, err, should we say rather
buxom!
She did end up gaining some weight,
but has also shed it off for her rather
glam packed role in Saleem, her
forthcoming Telugu film. “I am a
total foodie, you know and it was
difficult to be on a diet. I am not so
much of a gym person, nor can I do
yoga after a wrist injury, I have to
watch what I eat. Otherwise, I totally
love my Goan curries and of course,
biryani when I’m in Hyderabad,”
she adds with a touch of unmissed
guilt.
She peps up the room, suddenly
breaking into a song and a little
something that looks like a jig. She
sings beautifully and she hasn’t
formally trained in music, we are
told. “I was always part of the church
choir and that’s where I picked up an
interest for music.” So will she ever
sing professionally? “Who knows?
Maybe, one day I will.” Oh and did
you know that Ileana never goes
anywhere without her sketchbook?
“Yep, it’s the first thing I pack when
I’m going somewhere. I’ve always
enjoyed sketching and these days
I’m somehow just too caught up with
the idea of mystery (maybe because
I’m reading The Secret) and love
drawing Arab women. They never
fail to fascinate me. I think they are
the most mysterious of them all.”
Oct 09 49
CENTRE STAGE

Talking of women then, we asked her if she is bothered

by competition. “Not anymore. I know I am on the
path I want to be on and I work hard. I don’t need to
be hassled about anything. But I must confess, when
I started off, I was pretty jealous of other girls who
would act well or dance well. But one day I thought
about it and realised I need to channelise my energies
into learning from them rather than comparing.” So no
friends in the industry? “Well, I share a good vibe with
lots of people, but my friends really are those who I
can go out in my pajamas and hang out with. Those
kind of friendships I haven’t yet found in the industry.
Besides, most often it is the media that creates conflicts
between people, which sometimes makes it difficult to
make friends.
Her dogs at home, she says are her best friends instead.
She loves playing with them and that’s something she
looks forward to going home for. “I haven’t been home
for over four months now and miss my darlings so
much!” she rues.
And now for Ileana’s beachy side! Nope, that wasn’t a
typographical error. We mean, she loves beaches and
especially the exotic ones back home in Goa. “I just
can’t get enough of the sea. It’s almost nirvana to feel
the breeze in your hair while you walk barefoot on the
wet sands. When I’m stressed or generally want some
instant relaxation, I simply close my eyes and imagine
the waves lapping around my ankles, the wind cutting
out every sound and a glorious sunset for company…”
she drifts off, eyes closed with a smile meant only for
fantasies.
Time for more confessions then: Ileana tells us about
these two crushes she had in her teens, both of who
were these young dudes, very nervous to talk to her.
But later she discovered they were trying to approach
her so she could introduce them to her sister, instead!
“I am a hopeless romantic, you know. I was pretty
heartbroken then, but we laugh our heads off now,” she
shares breaking into that kind of laughter. “So when
I was in college, I liked this guy and I knew he liked
me too and very much wanted him to come over to me
and confess. When he did, I finally had the pleasure of
turning down a guy!” she breaks into a guffaw again.
But bubbly as she is, she is also an extremely sensitive
person. “When I was about 19, during the shoot of
one of my films, I was shouted at for something that
wasn’t my fault. I made a real hue and cry about it
and just wouldn’t stop sobbing right there on the sets.
Over the years, of course, I have learnt to hold my
composure even when something goes wrong, but I
somehow, never developed that business attitude that’s
so necessary in showbiz.”
She’s looking forward to her Bollywood debut and was
all set to make it with a film starring Shiney Ahuja. But

02
that project is stalled now and she refuses to comment
further. But she’s waiting for a good opportunity to
come her way. “It’s worth the wait, I would say. Don’t
want to rush into anything.” She had done a couple of
Tamil films too, but those didn’t turn out to be anything “I am a hopeless
great. Since then, she chooses carefully. romantic”
“Know what, this choreographer, Suchitra, once told
me ‘Don’t change for people. Let them get used to
you.’ It’s not arrogance. It’s something so positive that
it left a mark on me.” We couldn’t agree more.

50 oct 09
oct 09 51
Profile

54 Oct 09
TowerIng
Inferno
In a relatively short span of time Prabhas has managed to carve a niche for
himself in Tollywood. Karthik Pasupulate finds out what sets him apart from
the rest.
Some actors can light up the screen
just by the force of their persona.
Prabhas is one such actor. A 6ft 2
inch specimen of unadulterated
south Indian manhood, his presence
can fill up a frame.
Let’s face it, cinema is essentially
a visual medium and it sure helps
to be good looking. But Prabhas is
a talented actor as well and has
proven his acting prowess with
some powerhouse performances in
films like Chatrapathi, Varsham and
Raghavendra.
In seven years since he made his
debut with Eshwar, Prabhas has
managed to create quite a niche
for himself in the Industry. A big
favourite with the feminine gender,
Prabhas though has had to earn his
success.
His first two films, Eshwar and
Raghavendra turned out to be
average at best. Though he was
getting good reviews it was not
translating into box office success.
The tag of being the nephew of rebel
star Krishnam Raju did not help
matters either as the comparisons
with his famous uncle would never industry. Set in the dockyards of
end and the naysayers were having Vizag, Chatrapathi is a Tollywood
a field day. classic. Prabhas excelled in the role
of a raging young man who inspires
It turned out to be a case of third
awe and fright in equal measures
time lucky for Prabhas. Director
as the protector of the helpless.
Sobhan’s Varsham, went on to be
a smashing success and Prabhas Movies like Pournami, Yogi, Munna
had arrived. He had shown he and Bujjigadu followed since but
was more than just a poster boy in none really set the box office on
Tollywood, making his critics eat fire. Prabhas made the transition
their own words. from rustic to suave in this year
with Billa, the Telugu version of the
Buoyed by this success he tried to
hugely successful SRK starrer Don.
break away from the action hero
Prabhas’s stylish act stood out in
mould with the Krishna Vamsi
the chic cocktail of babes, guns
directed Chakram in which he
and cars. There is quite a buzz
essayed the role of a US returned
surrounding his next venture, Ek
doctor who is diagnosed with
Niranjan, directed by ace director
cancer. His subdued performance
Puri Jagannath.
was appreciated but the film did not
do much for his career. It will be interesting to see what the
promising actor has in store for us
He soon got back to doing what he
this time around.
does best – playing the hot blooded
action hero. Maverick director
Rajamouli brought the best out of
Prabhas in the high voltage action
drama, Chatrapathi. The film set
the cash registers ringing and
established Prabhas once and for
all as a force to reckon with in the
oct 09 55
CENTRE STAGE

age Pooja
Advant Gandhi
In three years, she is already
signing her 25th Kannada
film, has transformed from
Pooja to Sanjana and back
to Pooja and turned into
some kind of a hot sought
inamorata of Kannada
cinema. Over to Aravind G
for more on Pooja Gandhi…

56 oct 09

I
t’s not so much about how
long you’ve been around,
but more about what you’ve
done while you were around.
Right? Right. So, if that is
something to go by, Pooja
Gandhi has already come a
long way and from the looks of it, only
going in directions many would want to
but only a few get to.
She’s Punjabi by birth but Bangalore
is her home now, and Kannada, the
language she perhaps uses the most.
Her first Kannada film, Mungaru Male
in 2003 was a big hit at the box office
and propelled her to eventually climb
the top position. And held that place,
despite stiff competition from the locals
in the industry and many new comers.
Pooja recently signed her 25th Kannada
film, which is commendable in itself,
considering that actresses do not have
a long run in the male-dominated
Kannada film industry.
What’s more? She’s become a lucky
charm with the producers here, since
everyone now believes that if Pooja is in
a film, it sure will become a hit! Thanks
to her hit films like Krishna and Iniya
and Minugu, more recently.
Some compare her to the legendary
Malashree who ruled the Kannada
films for more than a decade. To this,
Pooja’s humble response, “Malashree
is a living legend. I still have a long
way to go. Malashree excelled in a
wide variety of roles. I am just three
years old in Kannada cinema.” But like
Malashree, Shilpa, Ambika, Pooja too
was an outsider who went on to become
a leading star. Kannada cinema pundits
often quip that every now and again an
outsider comes in and takes everyone
by storm. It’s been happening for the
last two decades at least.
Pooja owes her success to hard work
and a very careful selection of projects
and of course, “the adulation that I have
been receiving from my fans”.
Only a couple of her films have bombed
at the box office so far, otherwise,
filmmakers and top male stars in
Kannada prefer having Pooja in their
films, thanks to a number of hits
she’s churned out. She has acted with
leading male stars like Powerstar
Puneet Rajkumar, Ramesh Aravind,
Ravichandran and Upendra.
But despite being established as a
distinct brand in Kannada cinema,
she is not averse to acting with new-
comers. “It is the film that matters, not
the stars,” she contends. Her list of co-
stars who are new entrants is also as
long - Tarun, Ajay, Prashanth, Kitty,
Balu, Vishal Hegde and Sunil Raoh.
So what is it that makes her a pleasure
to work with? Those who have directed
her before share that she settles into
the role quite easily. She played a
romantic heroine in Krishna with as
much conviction as the toughie in
Anu, or a mentally challenged girl in
Huchchi. She’s been getting a whole lot
of heroine-centric roles of late, thanks
to the ease with which she adapts every
character. With four releases lined up
for this year, she sure has her hands
full. She’s also making her Bollywood
debut with Abhimanyu, an off-beat film
being directed by Onir of My Brother
Nikhil fame. The movie is about of
the exploitation of children and child
abuse. The movie also features Radhika
Apte, Sanjay Suri and Rahul Bose.
Abhimanyu is a short film and sixth of
a series.
Besides acting, Pooja has
taken to singing these days.
She lent her voice to a track
V
She’s become a lucky
charm with the producers,
since everyone now
believes that if Pooja is in
a film, it sure will become
a hit!
k
in her film, Minugu. But she’s clear she
doesn’t want to turn singer full time,
which is because she thinks of herself
an “average singer. I did my best to
croon this number for Minugu. It is
somewhat like Madhuri Dixit’s track in
Devdas,” she explains.
Also, she’s lost oodles of weight
recently, since she follows a rigorous
schedule of two hours of work out and
yoga. That’s body. And soul? “I am
inspired by this guru (can’t name) who
is no more. I read his books. It helps me
take important decisions in life.”
Last year, she launched her younger
sister Radhika Gandhi into the industry
and they are together appearing in
Sriharikathe, slated for release later
this year.
Her next big dream is to produce and
direct a romantic movie. “Guess I’ll be
around for another
five years at least.
By then, I would
have firmed up my
plans.” Who knows,
sooner even…
oct 09 57
 xclusive

58
Oct 09
Here comes
the
Box Office
Monster...
 Once in every 2-3 years, the Andhra Pradesh box office witnesses a blockbuster that
breaks all the records to emerge as the highest grossing film. Southscope analyses the
phenomenon…
We may indulge in textual analysis, critical commentary,
attribute it to publicity and promotional tie-ups, when a film
becomes a super hit. But if a movie maker finds a definite
formula to churn out a hit after a hit, he may as well have
found God. While a small budget film with unknown star
cast may overtake big banner films stunning people who
have made them, a mega budget movie featuring top stars,
shot in the most exotic locales may sink without a trace. The
enigma of movie making is hard, if not impossible, to hack.
That said, once in a way comes a massive budget movie
starring budding actors that hits the bull’s eye bang on. That
too, right in the first few weeks, surpassing every other film
in the category, much to the delight of the audiences and
the people involved in making it. That’s when the industry
watchers sit up and gape in awe. The year 2009 was the
chosen one to have one such Telugu film in its calendar. But
before we present that picture here’s a lowdown on high
grossers of recent times:
In 2000, Nuvve Kavali, a small-budget film emerged as
the biggest hit by grossing 25 crores, taking everybody by
surprise. In 2001, Pawan Kalyan’s Kushi beat that margin
by grossing 28 crores. And in 2002, Indra upped the ante
by grossing 38 crores. Okkadu which released in January
2003, matched that by grossing 35 crores. By September
2003, Chiranjeevi’s Tagore ended up as the first film to gross
40 crores in Telugu cinema. The zeitgeist of this time was
to measure a film’s success by the days it ran in the movie
theatres. NTR’s Simhadri ran for 100 days in 156 cinemas,
while Tagore reached that milestone in 192 theatres. But,
slowly that trend was on the decline, as the industry started
measuring a movie’s performance by its box office gross and
Oct 09
not the number of days it ran at box office.
Chiranjeevi’s next film Shankar Dada which was the biggest
hit of that year, ended its box office run just short of the 40
crore run. Tagore’s record remained largely untouched till
the release of Mahesh Babu’s Pokiri in April 2006, which not
only catapulted him into superstardom, but grossed 48 crores
59
at box office. The records of Pokiri remained unchallenged.
Throughout 2006, 2007 and 2008 the industry witnessed
many blockbusters like Yamadonga, Stalin and Jalsa but
none of them could displace Pokiri. Till this box office monster
called Magadheera released. The movie flooded the market
by opening at 1000 screens across the world, which in trade
parlance is known as a “saturation release”. The idea is to
garner the maximum collections in the initial week. It opened
at 50 screens in America alone. With a 28 theatre opening,
Magadheera occupied most of the theatres in Vijayawada
city. Of the 120 screens Greater Hyderabad metropolis had
nearly 60 of them showing Magadheera. The movie opened
with a ‘blockbuster talk’ right from the day one.
The movie ended up grossing 32 crores in the very first
week itself. This is a number, which some hit movies gross
in their full box office run. Half way into the third week, the
movie whizzed past the 50 crore mark, making it the first
ever Telugu film to reach that landmark. Six weeks after its
release, today the worldwide gross of the movie stands at a
massive 75 crore. Each of the above mentioned blockbusters
crossed their predecessors by a margin of ten-fifteen percent
But, Magadheera collected over 150% of its predecessor
making it really ‘once a decade’ hit, in league of films such as
Maya bazaar, Prem Nagar, Lavakusha, Jagadeka Veerudu
Athiloka Sundari and Shiva. The movie was the first Telugu
film to collect $2 million from the overseas box office. The
distributor revenues or “share” as it’s known in trade touched
the 50 crore mark. This puts Magadheera in the same league
of films such as Shivaji, Ghajini (Hindi) and Gadar which had
an all-India share of 64, 60 and 48 crores respectively.
Grossing 48 crores, Pokiri was the biggest hit of telugu cinema.
The records of the movie remained unchallenged right through
2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, till Magadheera arrived.
 xclusive

60
The other fact that Magadheera
brings to light is the revenue
making potential of South Indian
films, especially the stamina of
Andhra Pradesh box office.

Oct 09
True to the Rajamouli brand of blockbusters such as Student
No.1, Simhadri, Chatrapati, Sye, Yamadonga, the movie had
all the commercial packaging such as strong story, peppy
music, well-executed action episodes, glamorous heroines.
But what set this film apart from his previous works was the
grandeur. The film was made on a budget of 40 crores, the
highest ever for a Telugu film. The colosseum-like stadium,
sword and sandal costumes, the chariot chase, epic wars
transported the audience to another era.
Chirutha – Ram Charan’s debut film though was an average
film, grossed 32 crores at box office. Armed with a lineage
and DNA that go into metamorphosing an actor into a mega
star, Ram Charan has captured the box office and captivated
a cross section of audiences with his magical second film.
Surpassing the box office records of his father’s films, Ram
Charan is being viewed as the befitting heir who can carry
the mantle from his illustrious father.. Even though he is being
lauded for his blockbuster performance in Magadheera, the
fact remains that even his first firm had collected as much as
Chiranjeevi’s hits.
Interestingly, Dashavataram & Anniyan were produced by
Tamil Askar Ravichandran, while Ghajini and Magadheera
were produced by Allu Arvind’s Geetha Arts. Historical,
mythological and fantasy movies have always been a favorite
amongst the Telugu audience. Mayabazar, Lava Kusha,
Alluri Seetha Ramaraju, Dhaana Veera Soora Karna,
Jagadekaveerudu Athiloka Sundari) are classics of the
industry which fall in this genre. Such films were consistently
churned out till the 1990s. The production of such movies
declined with the fall of the studio system and the rise of the
Here comes
Oct 09
star system. But, Magadheera brought it back into vogue
and the audiences have lapped it up big time. Many Telugu
filmmakers are not out to make ‘sword and sandal’ dramas
with big budgets. Geetha Arts, the producers of Magadheera
themselves are one amongst them. Badrinath, is the title of
their next film to be directed by V.V Vinayak, this time with the
other star in the family, Allu Arjun. The movie is another big-
budget epic drama which would go to floors in 2010.
The other fact that Magadheera brings to light is the revenue
making potential of South Indian films, especially the stamina
of Andhra Pradesh box office. Inspite of being a Telugu-
language film, the movie was able to match the collections of
Bollywood’s biggies and the Tamil-Telugu bi-linguals starring
Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan.
To give credit where it’s due, AP box office contributes
considerably to these bi-linguals. Here’s an indicator: Sivaji –
18 crore, Aparichitudu – 14 crore, Dashavataram – 12 crore,
Chandramukhi – 10 crore, Ghajini – 9 crore.
All-India Distributor Shares
Movie All-India share Languages
Sivaji 64 Tamil, Telugu
Ghajini 60 Hindi
Magadheera 52* Telugu
Dashavataram 46.5 Tamil, Telugu
Dhoom 2 45.8 Hindi
Gadar 45.1 Hindi
Chandramukhi 44 Tamil, Telugu
Anniyan/Aparichitudu 42 Tamil, Telugu
Krrish 40 Hindi
Om Shanti Om 40 Hindi
• Still running in theatres

the
Box Office
61

Monster...
 true to the rajamouli brand of blockbusters such as Student star system. But, Magadheera brought it back into vogue
No.1, Simhadri, Chatrapati, Sye, Yamadonga, the movie had and the audiences have lapped it up big time. many telugu
all the commercial packaging such as strong story, peppy filmmakers are not out to make ‘sword and sandal’ dramas
music, well-executed action episodes, glamorous heroines. with big budgets. geetha arts, the producers of Magadheera
But what set this film apart from his previous works was the themselves are one amongst them. Badrinath, is the title of
grandeur. the film was made on a budget of 40 crores, the their next film to be directed by V.V Vinayak, this time with the
highest ever for a telugu film. the colosseum-like stadium, other star in the family, allu arjun. the movie is another big-
sword and sandal costumes, the chariot chase, epic wars budget epic drama which would go to floors in 2010.
transported the audience to another era.
the other fact that Magadheera brings to light is the revenue
Chirutha – ram charan’s debut film though was an average making potential of south indian films, especially the stamina
film, grossed 32 crores at box office. armed with a lineage of andhra pradesh box office. inspite of being a telugu-
and dna that go into metamorphosing an actor into a mega language film, the movie was able to match the collections of
star, ram charan has captured the box office and captivated Bollywood’s biggies and the tamil-telugu bi-linguals starring
a cross section of audiences with his magical second film. rajinikanth and Kamal haasan.
surpassing the box office records of his father’s films, ram
to give credit where it’s due, ap box office contributes
charan is being viewed as the befitting heir who can carry
considerably to these bi-linguals. here’s an indicator: Sivaji –
the mantle from his illustrious father.. even though he is being
18 crore, Aparichitudu – 14 crore, Dashavataram – 12 crore,
lauded for his blockbuster performance in Magadheera, the
Chandramukhi – 10 crore, Ghajini – 9 crore.
fact remains that even his first firm had collected as much as
chiranjeevi’s hits.
interestingly, Dashavataram & Anniyan were produced by
tamil askar ravichandran, while Ghajini and Magadheera All-India Distributor Shares
were produced by allu arvind’s geetha arts. historical,
mythological and fantasy movies have always been a favorite Movie All-India share Languages
amongst the telugu audience. Mayabazar, Lava Kusha, Sivaji 64 Tamil, Telugu
Alluri Seetha Ramaraju, Dhaana Veera Soora Karna, Ghajini 60 Hindi
Jagadekaveerudu Athiloka Sundari) are classics of the Magadheera 52* Telugu
industry which fall in this genre. such films were consistently Dashavataram 46.5 Tamil, Telugu
churned out till the 1990s. the production of such movies Dhoom 2 45.8 Hindi
declined with the fall of the studio system and the rise of the Gadar 45.1 Hindi
Chandramukhi 44 Tamil, Telugu
Anniyan/Aparichitudu 42 Tamil, Telugu
Krrish 40 Hindi
Om Shanti Om 40 Hindi
• Still running in theatres
Here comes

oct 09
the
Box Office

61
Monster...
 62

kAleidoscope
10 : 09 FUNdA
Pic: Sanjeev

ASH EFFECT!
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at the Longines watches
promotional event in Hyderabad.
Pic: Sanjeev

BRANd LOyALTy
Heart throb Mahesh Babu at the Thums Up promotional
event in Hyderabad held at Mc Donalds.
Pic: Sanjeev

BOSE BOASTS
Rahul Bose visits Hyderabad in connection
with the ‘Joy of Giving‘ cause held at Grill
Room.
Pic: Bhushan

GRANd LAUNCH
pic: sri vatsa

Kamal Haasan, Venkatesh, Shruti Haasan at the music

release of eenadu at Taj Krishna, Hyderabad.

FILM INdUSTRy’S “THANKS GIVING” TO

THE CHIEF MINISTER
Kannada film industry gets together to thank Chief
Minister Yeddyurappa for getting the audio-video
piracy under goonda act.

62 oct 09
 telugu

63

FUNdA 10 : 09
BIOSCOPE

eenaDu

Good could have been better...

n soP (statement of purpose) n second time blues
A no non sense Telugu movie with run time of less than It’s just plain unfortunate that the film had to be a
two hours! No hero, no songs, no comedy track, no remake, more so if you have already seen A wednesday.
villains, no cheap thrills . . . not even an item number. Except for some minor tweaks here and there, it’s
eenadu might just make it to the Ripley’s (Believe it or almost like watching the original a second time.
not we mean!) No pun intended. So what if eenadu is a
remake, it still makes the point loud and clear. There is
n something amiss
life beyond the “formula”
Though it’s hard to find flaws with the film, for some
reason eenadu does not exactly sweep you off your feet.
n understated yet extravagant Blame it on the extended hangover of A Wednesday! the
The two big stars – Kamal Haasan and Venkatesh BO collections will perhaps be the best judge.
were at their understated best. Except for a rather
objective account of a horror tale of physical abuse of
an unfortunate woman, Kamal Haasan exudes intensity - Karthik Pasupulate
without as much as twitching a facial muscle. Venky is
immaculate as a seasoned Police Commissioner. The
film stays true to the original in flesh and spirit.

n slick is the word

The movie has another first to its credit. It’s the first
Tollywood flick ever to be shot on Red one camera. The
effect is not lost on the eye as the rich visuals make an
impression. The debutant director Chakri Toleti does a
sleek job of it all. The back ground score is impressive
and the editing stands out as well.

oct 09 63
kAnnAdA
telugu

64

BIOSCOPE
10 : 09 FUNdA

Good could have been better…

n First things first. Naga n Packaging: The central theme
chaitanya is such a heart of the story revolves around
warming chip of the old block! student politics (Think Shiva)
He seems to have inherited and Josh has an underlying
more than just genes. his message as well. Déjà vu?
grand-father (ANR) was Well, Telugu film buffs have
perhaps the first lover boy of learnt to live with this kind of
Telugu cinema and his father déjà vu! But they expect some
(Nagarjuna) is the reigning amusement for the tickets they
sultan of style. And you know buy.
what we mean when we say
n Music: Except for a couple of
nag’s son chaitanya or chay,
hummable numbers there is
like they call him sure has
nothing in the album or the
got some style! Let’s hope his
background score that stays
acting gets as good as his style
with you.
in times to come.
n Everything else… is just too
n Karthika! Earthy, slender
patchy.
and delicate are adjectives
generally not associated with
the leading ladies of the south.
But Karthika is all that and - Karthik Pasupulate
more. With a smile that could
disarm an assassin and the
most expansive set of eyes

Josh
this young lady sure has an
understated grace about her.
n The title: It was a title fit for the
young gun. With a tag line that
reads ‘youth rocks…’ the film cast:
sure knew its target audience! Naga Chaitanya, Karthika, J D Chekravarthy,
Sunil, Brahmanandam, Rehaman, Prakash Raj,
hema, surya and sreya dhanwantari

direction: vasu varma

Music: Sandeep Chowta

Produced by: Dil Raju

64 oct 09

65
FUNdA 10 : 09
Good
n Upendra’s acting and the release
date. The actor has excelled in
both comedy and action scenes.
Upendra’s earlier movies Raktha
kanneeru and Budhdhivantha,
released on his birthday, proved
to be box office hits. If you go by
that trend Rajani, another birthday
release, has followed suit.
RAJANI
cast:
Upendra, Aarti Chabria, Sharath Lohithashva,
Mukul Dev, Rangayana Raghu, Ramesh Bhat,
Kokila Sadhu
Music: Hamsalekha
Produced by: Ramu
kAnnAdA
BIOSCOPE
could have been better
n The title. The curiosity it generated n The plot has nothing new to offer.
because it happens to be the
n Aarti Chabria could have put
superstar’s name worked in its
in a little more effort to match
favour. Some people thought it was
Upendra’s brilliant acting. Her only
a remake of ghajini. Nobody is
contribution is to prance around in
complaining because the film has
blink-and-you-will-miss clothes.
succeeded in drawing crowds to the
Wake up girl. There’s more to acting
theatres on the first day of release.
than just baring it all.
n Hamsalekha’s music. All the five
songs have a lilting melody and
are immensely hummable. The
background score is mellifluous too. - usha Prasad
oct 09 65
FUNdA

02
2nd, 11th, 20th or 29th
Peo le born on dates

(People born on dates 2nd, 11th,

20th or 29th)

Vocation
PeoPle

Your professional life will be

upgraded with expansion in your
area of work, resulting in self
satisfaction.
Assets

october
You will have plenty of disposable
finances for the expansion of
business or for buying property.
Family and Friends
There is a probability of marriage

predictions
for those of you who’re single.
Health
Minor ailments like stomach
disorders, knee pain, bile disorder
or diabetes might disturb you
erratically.
Travel
The unwanted transfer won’t
happen this month but there will
1st, 10th, 19th or 28th
Peo le born on dates

be some changes at locally.

Romance
You may enter a new relationship
that may pep you up!

01 03
PeoPle

3rd, 12th, 21st or 30th

Peo le born on dates

(People born on dates 3rd, 12th,

(People born on dates 1st, 21st or 30th)
10th, 19th or 28th)
Vocation
Vocation This month will certainly bring for
An important person would get you better growth in your career
attracted towards you and help you and business.
on the professional front. Assets
Assets There might be some expenditure
Your movable and immovable that will be incurred on repair of
property will get augmented. immovable property or machinery.
Family and Friends Family and Friends
PeoPle

Some relatives might come to Some auspicious ceremony is on

your house for their medical the cards.
treatment or education. Health
Health You may get relief from some old
Health of elderly natives might get diseases.
affected slightly but only due to Travel
excessive work and stress. Some uncertainties will surface
Travel in the way of journeys concerning
Your employers or parents might your profession.
send you abroad for higher Romance
education. You’ll tend to develop intimate and
Romance deep love relationships, or it may
Issues surrounding your love life just be strengthening of a current
and relationships would simply relationship.
disappear!

66 oct 09
 04 06
4th, 13th, 22nd or 31st
PeoPle born on dates
(People born on dates 4th, 13th,
22nd or 31st)
Vocation
There is a possibility of you being
promoted to a senior management
position.
Assets
You will use some of your savings by
the month end.
Family and Friends
Some pending family problem will
get resolved by mid month.
Health
You might be affected by blood
disorders, knee pain, hypertension or
diabetes in the middle of the month.
Travel
There will be numerous journeys in
connection with your business/work
partners this month.
Romance
Increased responsibilities and duties
may draw a lot of your time, so you
may not be able to take pleasure in
your love life.
05 07
5th, 14th or 23rd
PeoPle born on dates
(People born on dates 5th, 14th or
23rd)
Vocation
In your business you will be able to
lead your group.
Assets
There is probability of detachment
in your business and property which
may prove advantageous to you in the
long run.
Family and Friends
One of your family members might
get a job of their choice.
Health
Take great care of your diet and
exercise regimen to keep fit as much
as possible during this period.
Travel
You will travel by air frequently.
Romance
There might be an inner struggle/
tussle over some issues and you may
feel tied down to everything and not
able to express yourself freely.
08
6th, 15th or 24th
le born on dates
8th, 17th or 26th
PeoPle born on dates
(People born on dates 6th, 15th or (People born on dates 8th, 17th or 26th)
24th)
Vocation
Vocation The middle of the month will bring for
PeoPle
Someone close and senior may help you laurels and achievements in your
you to expand your business and specialized field.
improve your reputation and there will Assets
Peo
be extensive gains too. You might spend money on the
Assets renovation of your old resources.
You might spend a lot of money in Family and Friends
the expansion of your business by the There will be division of your parental
middle of the month. property in the beginning of the month.
Family and Friends Health
By mid month, you might be worried Minor ailments like cough, cold and
about the health of elderly people in headache might bother you. Just follow
the family. an optimal diet and exercise regime so
Health that any ailments you might have don’t
An old health problem will get cured as get aggravated.
the month progresses. Travel
Travel If you are away from your home because
An invigorating pleasure trip is also of your job or business, there is an
on the cards with your close friends or indication of getting transferred to your
family members. native city.
Romance Romance
Romance and flirting might be a theme You may enter new relationships this
for you this month. month, but a life time commitment
seems highly unlikely.
09
7th, 16th or 25th
le born on dates
9th, 18th or 27th
PeoPle born on dates
(People born on dates 7th, 16th or (People born on dates 9th, 18th or 27th)
25th)
Vocation
Vocation Professionals will enjoy senior post and
You will save considerably on overhead reputation also.
PeoPle
costs. Assets
Assets Be careful about rent and lease related
Peo
You will spend a good amount of money matters.
on infrastructure or machinery that Family and Friends
concerns your business. One of your family members is about to
Family and Friends relocate to some other city.
You will be happy with the career growth Health
of your family members. Certain auspicious placement of planets
Health will bring quick recovery from health
You need to be slightly concerned about problems and your working efficiency
your health, since it needs a little bit of will remain intact.
extra attention. Travel
Travel You are likely to go abroad for your
You will not be bothered by unwanted higher education.
travel. Romance
Romance You may feel the pressure of
There is warmth and happiness in responsibilities and may be tempted to
current relationships, and there is a find a quick escape.
possibility of fun through new love Astronumerologist
relationships.
Bhavikk Sangghvi
e-mail :- bhavikksangghvi@gmail.com
website :- www.bhavikksangghvi.com
oct 09 67
 1
FUNdA
STARRy AFFAIR

23
PRABHAS

4
Prabhas Raju Uppalapati popularly known as Prabhas, was born on 23rd
October 1980 which makes him a Number 5 ( Mercury ) person in numerology.
He is a cusp between the zodiacs – Libra and Scorpio and hence is jointly ruled
by Number 6
( Venus ), partially by Number 8 ( Saturn ) and Number 9 ( Mars ) whereas his
destiny number adds up to Number 6 again ( 2 + 3 + 1 + 0 + 1 + 9 + 8 + 0 = 24 =
2 + 4 = 6 ). That means, he is ruled by Number 6 twice. Which is too good ! His
female fan following is huge due to this factor.

Prabhas’ lucky numbers are in the series of 6 and 8. Here’s proof of his notable
films which add up to his lucky numbers :

* varsham (2004): This film which reversed his fortunes released in his 24th
year. The year also adds up to Number 6.

* Chatrapathi (2005): The title of this monumental blockbuster film adds up to

Number 8 (35).

He should spell his names PRRABHAS or PRABBHAS so that it vibrates on his

most favorable Number 6. It will ensure more fame, success and glory. Added
to that, he should wear a diamond above half a carat set in any metal on his
ring finger on a Friday morning, sunrise time after reciting the mantra ‘OM
SHAM SHUKRAYA NAMAH’ - 16 times before wearing.

He should also wear a red coral set in gold on his right hand ring finger on a
tuesday morning, one hour after sunrise after reciting the mantra ‘oM Ang
ANGARKAYA NAMAH’ – 19 times before wearing. This will take care of certain
delays in his life and will even improve his health, especially blood related
issues.

Prabhas will soon be entering his 30th year which may not be his best phase.
He may have to keep a watch on his wallet. Unnecessary luxuries can wait.

Both his releases Ek Niranjan and Darling may not create any ripples at the
box office.

68 oct 09
Evvariki kanapadadhey premadhi Ey roopam..
Ey Chevi ki vinabadadhey premedhi Ey raagam
Kanake apuroopam..
Kaligey anuraagam...
Evvariki kanapadadhe premadhi Ey roopam..
Ey Chevi ki vinabadadhey premedhi Ey raagam
Kanake apuroopam..kaligey anuraagam...
Yedhaloney koluvunna, Edurinaa polchaleka...
Nijameley Anukunna, Rujuvedhi telchalekha..
Marila..Aaa.. Aaaa...haaa.....Haa..Aaa..
Pedavula venakane aligena......
Hrudayamlo vintha bhavam,
Padamedi leni kavyam ...
Pranayam lo priya naadam ,
Vintune vunndi pranam.....
Telusa..Aaaa... Aaaa....
Evvariki kanapadadhe premadhi Ey roopam..
Ey Chevi ki vinabadadhey premedhi Ey
raagam.....

Evvariki kanapadadhe premadhi Ey roopam..

Ey Chevi ki vinabadadhey premedhi Ey
raagam

Dhaari adagaka paadham,

nadusthunnadha...
Vela telupaka kaalam,Gadusthunnadha...
Thadi vunnadhaa Yedhaloo...
Thadimi Choosuko..Ooo..
Chelimiga adigithe Cheli janta, Chilipiga
palakadha vayasanthaa
Jathapadu valapula gudi ganta, Thalapula
thalupulu Thaduthundha..
Choosthune pasikoona, Edigindha
inthalona..
Chebithe ney Epudina , Telisindha Ee
kshanana..
Avuna..Avunaa..Aaaa... Aaaaa.. Haa..Aaa..

Evvariki kanapadadhe premadhi Ey

roopam..
Ey Chevi ki vinabadadhey premedhi Ey
raagam.....

Kallu nuvvostunte, Merustunnavi...

Vellivastanannte, Kurustunnavi.....
Konnalugaa....Nalo
Yenni Vinthaloooo...Ohoo
Galagala kaburulu chebutunna,
Vadaladu gubuloka gadiena ,
Madi anavalasinade edina ,

Film: Josh Singers: rahul Vaidya, ujjaini mukherjee Music: sandeep chowta

oct 09 69
FUNdA

Looking
BAC K
if cinema is magic, then Mayabazaar must be among the most enthralling of its pack of tricks!
Karthik Pasupulate revisits the classic that became a celebrated landmark of Telugu cinema

Movie: Mayabazaar Cast: sV rangarao,

ntr, anr,
Gummadi, relangi, ramana
Year: 1957 1957
reddy, mikkilineni,
mukkamala,
Director: Kadri Venkata Reddy nagabhushanam,
allu ramalingaiah,
r. nageswara rao,
Cinematographer: Marcus Bartley savithri,
rishyendramani,
Producers: B Nagi Reddy, Chakrapani chayadevi, surya Kantham
and sandhya,

Music: Ghantasala

Distributors: Vijaya Vahini Studios

y
ou just know a good film when you see one. And a great film, well, stays with
you long after the stardust has been swept away and the year of release
doesn’t matter. An iconic film, well, creates legends of its own that last for
an eternity. kv Redddy directed Mayabazaar is among those iconic films that
went on to become a phenomenon!
director Kadri Venkata Reddy

70 oct 09
It’s been fifty-two years since Mayabazaar hit the theatres. Many films have been
made since but you will struggle to find somebody who has seen Mayabazaar and
not liked it. To say Mayabazaar is one of the finest Telugu films ever would be
stating the obvious. What is even more remarkable is that the film is based on
hugely popular South Indian folk-myth, Sasirekha Parinayam. It is the delightful
tale of Abhimanyu’s (son of Arjuna) marriage with Sasirekha, the daughter of
Balarama (elder Brother of Lord Krishna).

Set at a time when the gods walked the earth, the cast of Mayabazaar is certainly
worthy of its characters. Needless to say, SV Rangarao, NTR, ANR, Gummadi,
Relangi, Nagabhushanam, Allu Ramalingaiah, Savitri, Chaya Devi, Suryakantham
are all demigods of Telugu cinema. However, the contributions of the legendary
director KV Reddy and master cinematographer Marcus Bertley tower over
everything else.

KV Reddy’s genius can be found in every frame. He brings epic characters to

life in a way that was breathtaking. The movie takes you on a wondrous voyage
into the world where myth meets the reel in black and white. There isn’t a single
shot that seems unnecessary or overdone. The quality of acting talent that KV
Reddy had at his disposal must have surely helped but what also stands out is the
cinematography.

The special effects were futuristic and truly something to talk about
even six five decades later. Ghatotkacha (SV Rangarao) digging into the
wedding feast in the song Vivahabhojanambu…is quite awe inspiring
to say the least. The laddus falling on their own into the hungry
Ghatotkacha’s mouth, arrows flying in the air, the bed posts bending
forward on their own is creativity at its best at a time when animation
was not a household term. We might not be too off the mark to state,
Mayabazaar is a lesson in black and white photography.

Any reference to Mayabazaar can never be complete without a mention

of the music. Songs like Bhali Bhali Bhali Bhali Deva, Lahiri Lahiri, Ahan
Naa Pelli Anta, Vivaha Bhojanambu, Chuupulu kalasina Subhavela are
legendary. It’s just one of those rare films where everything comes
together so beautifully, the end result is phenomenal!

oct 09 71
Letter from the Editor
Happily ever after

The festive season has begun. With Eid and Dasara behind us and Deepavali around
the corner, the aroma of celebrations is in the air. However, for us south Indians there
have been plenty more reasons to say cheers this year. We won the Oscars. We swept
the national awards. And beginning this month, we will have a magazine exclusively
covering southern cinema.

Considering the fact that the southern industry has churned out biggest blockbusters
forever now and other language film makers have laughed their way to the banks
by remaking our films, we haven’t really got the media space that is due to us. But
now that’s in the past. Here comes Southscope, India’s only English film magazine to
capture the true spirit of southern cinema. We have tried to pack in the punch of every
aspect of cinema we all love. In one sentence - for cinema, of cinema and by cinema
lovers. We have a feeling you’ll appreciate our offering.

I must thank my publishers who have entrusted me and my team with the responsibility
and ensured that we have the best of resources and above all, the creative freedom
which is equivalent to oxygen for us writers. My editorial associates Mona Ramavat
and Karthik Pasupulate who, I believe, are God’s special gifts to me and Southscope.
The youngest member Vrinda Prasad may be the baby of the Southscope family but is
as good as they come. We are also blessed with a dream creative team - Raj Shekar at
the helm ably supported by Prakash, Ravi, Vamsi and Suresh & Suresh (yes, there are
two of them) who are not only on the same page as us but have made all our efforts
spring to life.

We, at Southscope, are a crazy movie manic bunch and we love people who are like
us. That’s why we instinctively know what or who you may want to read about. From
whacky interviews to serious reviews, starry airs to down-to-earth affairs, behind the
scenes action to on screen stunts, Southscope is ready to take on the world of Telugu,
Tamil, Kannada & Malayalam cinema with its action packed stories. Please stay with
us. We will back every month.

Before I sign off let me wish all of you a safe and fun Deepavali on behalf of all of us
at Southscope.

Vanaja Banagiri
Editor-in-Chief

Oct 09 73
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Wishes all its ReadeRs
a daZZlinG Festival
OF liGhts!