Kamal daughter Shruthi flaunts tattoo on back

Recently Shruthi Haasan has got her name tattooed on her back. Ever since she decided to show it off when she was felicitated by a famous Chennai-based magazine recently, it has become the talk of the town! Right now, she is acting in Bollywood film Luck opposite Aamir Khan’s nephew Imran Khan. With more Tamil movies that suit such a flamboyant personality being made these days, it might not be long before we see Shruthi in a Tamil film too. Until then you will have to watch out for her in Bollywood movies and Galatta’s Wallpaper and Poster sections.

Sometimes, she is the rock star with black-polished nails, metal rings, clad in a figure-hugging leather suit; sometimes she is the flamboyant model clad in the best labels of the world; and sometimes in ethnic Indian wear, she is the personification of a complete Indian girl. Switching between all these modes with ease, Shruthi Haasan has become a youth icon for a large number of youngsters in India, so much that she is closely watched by girls of her age throughout the country to know more about fashion! Just like her parents, she’s a real head-turner!

Anushka Arundathi set to cross Pokiri collections

Shyam Prasad Reddy’s latest horror flick seems to have clicked with the audience, if the initial collections are anything to go by. Industry buzz is that it’s all set to cross Rs 25 crore. Talk of making money by scaring the hell of out of people. So why does horror sell? What’s intriguing people is the confidence the producer had in this project. Unlike his peers, he didn’t sell even satellite or area rights of his latest offering. Even a colossal flop like Anji couldn’t deter him from increasing the budget of his film from Rs 4 crore to 13 crore. It took him 2 1/2 years to finish the film that was released this Sankranti.

With crowds flocking to watch the movie from day one, Reddy is laughing all the way to the bank and all because he spooked people out! He has proved that good visual effects combined with a compatible plot can spell super bucks. With good performances from the lead actors and a taut screenplay, he could make a winner out of a ’regressive’ plot. Now the producer intends to release additional prints to reach a wider section of the audience. "Top banners from Tamil, Hindi and other languages are seeking the dubbing rights for hefty sums," says a trade analyst and adds, "If the horror film can draw repeat audiences then it could even surpass highest grosser Pokiri."

Mamtha is riventingly beautiful – Nag

Nagarjuna complimented Mamtha Mohandas that she is ‘riventingly beautiful’ during the Triple Platinum disc function of ‘King’.

Nagarjuna plays the lead role in ‘King’ sharing screen space with Trisha. Sreenu Vaitla directed the movie which was produced by D. Siva Prasad Reddy on Kamakshi Kalaa Movies banner. The movie which got released on 25th December is running successfully in theatres at present.

Nagarjuna’s three faceted roles, captivating tunes, special song featuring top heroines and most of all rib tickling comedy have been said as the movie’s USP.

On 8th January, the cast and crew of ‘King’ celebrated the disc function at Prasad’s Preview Theatre. During the event, Nag complimented Mamtha by saying that even though she has less screen space to enact, she gave a captivating performance in her role. And, shev is riventingly beautiful to look.

‘I would be glad to do a movie with her again’, quipped the actor.

’Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam’ music launched

Music of Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam (KIKK) was launched amidst Tollywood big stars on Friday at Durgam Cheruvu, Hyderabad. Apart from the film’s lead pair Siddardh and Tamanna, Venkatesh, NTR and Gopichand attending the function made it a glittering event. Bollywood music trio Shankar Ehsaan Loy who are debuting in Telugu with this movie came down to Hyderabad to grace the event. KIKK is directed by debutant Dolly and produced by Nallamalupu Bujji.

Venkatesh said he loved the music and welcomed the music director’s trio to do more films in Telugu. “It is going to rock. It would be better they keep coming here for more flicks. Regarding new director Dolly, he is one of the most sincere talents around and I wish him and the entire team a good luck,” he wished.

NTR used producer Bujji’s previous movies titles to compliment about the team. “Visuals that are shown now are good and music is awesome. That apart, I must talk about my producer Bujji. He made Aadi as it first (aadi) movie, then Lakshmi to earn money, next came Lakshyam telling us that his lakshyam is to settle as producer and he now tries to be known as great filmmaker. He set to achieve with Konchem Ishtam and lot of troubles and hard work (Konchem Kashtam),” NTR said.

NTR also praised the director Dolly saying that he is one of closest associates he has. He also said that he has been great fan of Shankar Ehsaan Loy and would some day have them for his film sure.

Gopichand noted that producer Bujji is passionate person and he would definitely achieve success with this film too.

“Siddardh looks good and his chemistry with Tamanna is rocking. I have seen the songs. They are good,” he said.

Tamanna said: “It has been highly rewarding experience. I am very happy because I know it is good film and it will bring me name. Working with Siddardh is fantastic. He is awesome actor to work with. Regarding music, it is backbone to the movie and I am great fan of their music. I am feeling very proud that they are making south debut with my movie.”

Shankar Ehsaan Loy shared their joy in making debut with such a nice film. “The team is sincere and their efforts are genuine,” they said.

Hero Siddardh praised the music directors to the hilt. “In 1992, one man changed the entire South Indian film music with one film. That was Roja and the music director was Rehman. And in 2009, Shankar Ehsaan Loy are repeating the same magic and henceforth the way Telugu films sound will be changed forever,” he praised. He also said: “This is my fifth film in Telugu and four out of them are directed by newcomers. But having heard the opinions from all these great persons here about Dolly,

I am now feeling that I am actually making debut under his direction. Tamannah impressed me a lot on the first day itself when she spoke five lines in pure Telugu. I am sure by next film she would dub her own voice.”

Dil Raju, Venumadhav, Bommarillu Bhaskar, Lyricists Chandra Bose and Rama Jogaiah Shastry, Sree Vas, cinematographer Vijay Chakravarthi, Karuna, Samrat and others attended the function.

Flops hit Nayan’s remuneration hard

The sexy Nayanatara climbed up the popularity chart with a series of hit films. She wowed the audience with her charms and hot body. She soon rose to the top and the success of her bikini show in Billa catapulted her to the number one position.

Nayanatara jacked up her remuneration and she was the first heroine in the south to touch the one core mark. However, her subsequent films did not do as well at the box office and the series of flops resulted in roles coming down for her.

As a result, Nayanatara had no option but to cut down her remuneration drastically. She is now ready to act for 50 to 60 lakhs. Nayanatara is now acting in the Jr. NTR starrer directed by VV Vinayak. She is doing a bikini act in the film and hopes to regain her number one position.

Ram Charan is generous

Hero Ram Charan is just one film old but he already has a huge fan following. He acted in the film Chirutha and this name has stuck to him and he is refereed to as Chirutha wherever he goes.

Ram Charan is young but he is very courteous and does not throw his weight around. He never shows off that he is the son of megastar Chiranjeevi. Ram Charan’s second film ‘Dheerudu’ is now getting ready for release in March.

Very few know that Ram Charan has a king heart. He always helps the poor and the needy. He carries loaves of bread in the back seat of his car every day and he hands them over to the poor. Ram Charan also hands out money to the physically handicapped. Many poor people were fed every day during the shooting of his latest film. That’s Ram Charan for you!

Sada expecting big blast in 2009

There has been slight delay in the release of Sada’s Bollywood film KHALLBALLI but she is unperturbed. Though the film was earlier supposed to arrive in November and was later pushed to December, only to be searching a place for itself sometimes in January, Sada is keeping her fingers crossed. ’I guess everything that happens is for good. I am not worrying too much about the delay.

Let things take their own course. I am sure it would meet with a good response whenever it would arrive’, responds Sada when reminded that the film’s promotion was on it’s peak before it was pushed ahead from it’s 5th December release date post the Mumbai terror attack. Sada has a lot to look forward to in 2009 though. While she waits for her Bollywood foray to begin beginning with KHALLBALLI, she also has films like CLICK and LOVE KHICHDI ready for release. ’When I stepped in Mumbai to begin my Bollywood stint, I started with CLICK and then later got KHALLBALLI.

Being diverse films, I am happy with my decision. LOVE KHCIHDI didn’t take much of my time since the film’s director is a good planner and hence I could finish my work on the film fast. Now I am looking forward to each of these films releasing one after another. 2009 may well turn out to be my year’, winks Sada.

Another Telugu girl rocks

After Swathi, Bindu Madhavi and Sonia, another native girl Madhavi Lata tasted success with her debut film Nachavule. Yes, this is the same film that had cute pets on its posters and the gimmick worked. "It was a marketing strategy," says the actress, who was not offended with the unusual promotion. "We had to hold audience interest with our performances and we did it," says the actress, who played a responsible girl in the film.

She also falls in love with a stranger in a 15-day period. But is this realistic? "I have known friends who have proposed within just two days of knowing one another, so love can happen anytime," reasons this MA Sociology student. Wasn’t it a gamble to begin with a ’performance-oriented’ role in glam-struck Tollywood? "I was determined to start this way and now I have proved a point that it is possible.

I am also not totally averse to glamourous roles," says the actress, who likes to tread the same path of Soundarya and Sneha and is happy about indigenous girls surging ahead in Tollywood. The actress who did a brief stint on the small screen, says, "I did anchoring for a short period and took a 2-year break for the big screen offer." The actress makes it clear that she has very few friends and there’s no ’special person in her life. She says, "My first love is shopping and if I like anything I just buy it at any cost!" she giggles.

Jr. NTR to play lord Rama

Jr. NTR vowed everyone with his role of Yama in the film Yamadonga His getup and his dialogue delivery remind everyone of his late grandfather the late NT Rama Rao.

Jr. NTR will now appear in the role of lord Rama, with which NT Rama Rao was synonymous with. Jr. NTR will appear as lord Ram in a new film starring Prabhas The new film is in the direction of K Raghavendra Rao

Mamtha Mohandas changes her path

Mamtha Mohandas is now ardently working to rope herself out of the second heroine image. Her face became a known one after ‘Lanka’ (2006), a Malayalam movie that got dubbed into Telugu as ‘Pokiri Pilla’. She debuted as a second heroine into Telugu industry with ‘Yama Donga’ starring NTR and Priyamani.

Be it fate or luck, thereafter she was approached often only to play in the side roles and not as the solo heroine. She did play in a series of movies as a second heroine. The trend was followed until the latest ‘Chintakayala Ravi’ and ‘King’. Fed up with the not so prominent substituted roles, she is now determined to sign only for the lead heroine.

Mamtha is now veering out of offers and is waiting for the right role to come her way.