Normally, film producers skirt behind the screen. Only few producers get name and fame and recognized by the common audiences. But there is one producer who made a big name and hogs all the attention with just two films. He is Lagadapati Sridhar, the man behind the successful movies “ Evadi Gola Vadide and Style. Hailing from a big business family, Sridhar believes in making films that either inspire or entertain the audiences rather than minting money from it.

Excerpts..

Tell us about Viyyalavari Kayyalu!

Viyyalavari Kayyalu is not mere love story. It is ‘lovely’ story. The film says it is also important for lovers to get married with blessings and support of their respective families. We are not preaching here but the message is subtle where as entertainment dominates. Our film is more entertaining than the recent romantic blockbusters - Bommarillu and Nuvvostanante Nenonaddanata. I want this film to be loved by everyone.

But the title sounds very old!

“Peru Chooste..1935, Katha Chooste 2035,” that is how legendary actor Akkineni summed up about my film. It is true that the title has vintage touch but the story is modern. And the scenes bubble with verve and energy. Moreover, the title has chosen based on the script; it is very apt. Any how, what is wrong in putting a title that has traditional feel? Do you find anyone serving Pizzas in our wedding dinners?

You gave two successful films in a row and you are in a position to make films with big stars. What made you to go for ‘out of form’ Uday Kiran and director Sattibabu who gave two films earlier?
I believe in ‘talent’ not on their market ’statuses’. Uday Kiran might have been rejected by a section of filmmakers for various reasons, he won the hearts of Telugu audiences with his memorable hits. Just because it lost shine, can gold not be gold? Same is the case with my director. I liked his work in Evandoyee Srivaru despite the fact that it didn’t run well at the box-office. When I began my first film, director EVV was also going through rough patch. Commitment, energy, dedication, zeal to prove something is what I look for in my case and crew members.

Was selection of Srihari in prime role based on the sentiment that he brings luck to young heroes?

No. When we approached him, Dhee was not released. As I said, I respect talent. I have always had special admiration towards Srihari when he was doing small roles, negative characters in the films. He is real star. I liked to watch films if he had any role in those movies. So when director narrated this script, we immediately approached him. He loved the script and told me that he is a fan of me for promoting a film well and loving my project. That is how Srihari came into the film.

What is his character?

He plays a rural patriarch and a factionist with good heart. To him his sister played by Neha Julkha is everything. She falls in love with Hair Stylist (Uday Kiran). All the characters are well etched and very interesting ones.

There are comments that your heroine lacks glamour!

To be frankly speaking, Neha Julkha was not our first choice. We had approached all the big heroines but could not get their dates. So then we heard of Chandra Sekhar Yeleti introducing a new heroine, we went to see her and chose Neha. Because, all his heroines who acted in his films get big break. Sindhu Tolani made debut in his Aitey, and her second film, Atanokkade, was a big hit. Charmi acted in Anukokunda Oka Roju, and then she got a string of success later. For Neha too this is second film, I am hoping the same patterns repeats.

More than that Neha is a top model; you see her daily on commercials. That is a plus point to her film. I am sure that after Viyyalavari Kayyalu she goes places although she might lack the conventional glamour quotient. She is asset for our film.

Are you satisfied with the outcome of the music?

Ramana Gogula has given us better and lilting music than our previous two films. Each song has a special theme and conveys the various moods of love. Except for a mass song, all the five songs denote five ‘ation’ of love -attraction, confusion, connection, expression and conclusion (marriage). It is concept oriented music that looks even better on screen.

Last year among three releases at Sankranthi, your movie, Style, was appreciated by everyone than other movies. But it could not turn out to be a big hit like them. Where did it go wrong?

I am satisfied that I made a film that I am very proud of. Monetary is secondary. It might not have collected as much money as the other Sankranthi releases, but I got praises and appreciation from unusual quarters too. Hero Venkatesh appreciated even though his film, Lakshmi, was running along with our film. Senior producer Ashwinidutt specially called on me after watching the film. The appreciation is more important. It is wrong to say it didn’t collect money.

Was it true that Style went over budget?

I just understand why people and media always talk about budget and expenditure of the film. I make films that I believe in and put anything for it. See what happened when Tatas and Birlas entered into film production and made them thinking too much of budgeting and other factors? Did any one lose money in my films? Why do you think about budget?

What is your goal as producer?

I don’t want to disappoint audiences who come to see my films. Earning money through movies is last thing in my mind. Personal Satisfaction is vital to me. I am true lover of movies and try to be a good filmmaker. No award or reward is more gratifying than the common man’s appreciation.

Do you have plans of producing movies in other languages?

I dubbed Style in Tamil. Recently Evadi Gola Vadidi was bought by producers of Partner (Salman Khan). I don’t want to produce films in Tamil and Hindi directly. I may go for joint ventures. But in Kannada, I might remake some movies in the future.

Is it true that you are planning a movie with hero Balakrishna?

Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Nagarjuna and Venkatesh- are the four top stars in our industry. Chiru and Nag have already acted in my movie and I am honored for it. I want to work with other two top heroes too. I met Balakrishna gaaru with a film proposition but nothing has yet been materialized. Among younger heroes, I am also planning movies with Mahesh, Allu Arjun.

Heard that you are doing sequel to Evadi Gola Vadidi?

True. I believe sequel to this film works. When Evadi Gola Vadidi released, everyone including in your site review, trashed it but ultimately people loved it for its sheer entertainment. Making sequel to it is a better option, I think. Also I want to do a revenge drama.

Source:Telugucinema.com

Amidst all the hype surrounding the release Ram Charan Teja comes across as someone who has his feet firmly planted on the ground as he lets us into his thoughts in an interview.

One wonders what thoughts could be running through the mind of the 22-year-old who is being hailed as the next superstar even before the release of his first film, “Chirutha”. Being the son of a super successful father is hard enough and one must be a brave man indeed to choose to follow those illustrious footsteps.

Excerpts:

On Pre-release Jitters: I am totally blank right now. The fact that it’s my movie release is still sinking in because I was shooting till last week. The prospect of watching the premier was a little unsettling as I didn’t know what to expect. I will be eagerly looking forward to the response of my family, the film fraternity and fans of-course.

The Experience So far: I will let the audience have announce their verdict. I have put my best, being conscious of living up to the expectations of millions of my dad’s fans. I’ve had the opportunity to work with the best in the industry - ace director Puri Jagannadh, music director Mani Sharma - in my very first film and it’s just been fantastic. All I can say for now is that Chirutha is going to be a great entertainer. I am not the movie myself, but just a part of it.

Was Acting A natural Choice?: When you are born into a family that lives and breathes cinema, I guess it is only natural to take to it. I do not remember even thinking of being anything else. I got trained in the basics of acting from Kishore Namit Kapoor in Mumbai, but most of it is picked up from the institution that my home is.

On Comparisons: I realise I cannot stop people form drawing their comparisons. Those are big shoes to fill, and the least I can do is not let it get into my head. I try my best to keep my mind focussed on the job at hand. My career has just started and I am aware of the responsibility that comes with being the son of an icon like my father. I am excited about the challenge of carving a niche for myself in the industry.

Source:Timesofindia, Photo courtesy: Ragalahari.com

Spirited and beautiful, actress Ileana is literally going places. Besides being the top-notch actress in Tollywood, Ileana is also reportedly making her debut in Bollywood. And the icing on the cake is that she has been signed opposite latest heartthrob Shiney Ahuja. “Finally, I’ve made it to Bollywood. I have never been overzealous about my entry there. For me, the storyline is what matters and not the industry. But now since it’s happening, I’m only too happy.”

Naturally, she’s gung-ho about the movie, for which she’ll start shooting from next month. “I can’t divulge much details except that the film will be directed by debutante Indrajeet Lankesh.”

Since many actresses from Tollywood are joining the Bollywood brigade, where does she see herself? “I’m content with what I have. If others are also following suit, I’m happy for them too.”

Ileana’s delighted that the movie Pokiri has done extremely well. And she’s not complaining about Mahesh Babu stealing all the limelight.

She dismisses all talk about her not having much to do in the film. “Pokiri was Mahesh’s film. So there was no power struggle for me. I enjoyed shooting for it, liked working with Mahesh, and I am tremendously happy about it’s BO success. And unlike Mahesh, who seldom talks and is an introvert, I had a whale of time constantly chatting and doing masti on the sets.”

So, is she bidding adieu to Tollywood? “No. Never. Talks are on about some really impressive projects here. I’ve my fingers crossed.”

She describes her foray into Tollywood as a ‘serendipitous accident’, but nonetheless happy about it. “At 16, I was offered Dhairyam, a Telugu film, but it didn’t happen due to certain reasons. Later Raima Sen did this film with Nitin. I’m really proud about my film Rakhi. I feel I have given my best in the film.”

When we asked what tops her priority list, pat comes the reply, “The most vital thing in this world is unconditional love, which only family members can give. And without my small family, I’m no one.”

And if she’s not shooting, she loves “catching up on films on DVD or reading a Sidney Sheldon.”

Source:Timesofindia

Shyam Benegal is a director having with principles and named as parallel film director. Director Shyam Benegal is one of the top most directors of India. He was a native of Hyderabad and settled in West Bengal and made many message oriented movies. He won many awards both from people and governments also. He brought the Indian Cinema to the heights and level of international. Hence he has been awarded with a prestigious DADA SAHEB PALKE AWARD by the Indian government. Three decades before he made a film ANUGRAHAM in Telugu which still remains in the memory of cine critics. Telugu literature is very wide and broad. If any one comes with a good story I am ready to make a film and I am waiting for such opportunity said by Shyam Benegal. He is busy in making a Hindi film at Ramoji Film City. In this connection, he had transactions with press.

You have gone far away from Telugu?

I want to come again. If anybody comes forward with good story, definitely I will make a film in Telugu.

Are you not trying to make with your own story in Telugu?

Telugu literature is very wide and great. There are many stories in Telugu. There is no necessary to break our heads for selecting stories. Whatever the stories we have, if we try to modify front to back then we can make many wonders. I do not know reading Telugu and I am waiting for somebody who can translate Telugu and hear me.

What difference you have observed at the time of your film ANUGRAHAM and present changes in Tollywood?

Why not… when I made the films with Vanisri and Amrish Puri Telugu Cinema was not so developed technically. Now they are using modern technology. One more important issue is previously there was strong story based films. Now there are only dances and fast beats, more than that what we can see in present movies. Already Tollywood stopped to make Telugu culture movies.

Do you watch Telugu movies?

I do not remember what movie I saw in the last. However, while changing TV channels, then if it is not interested also it will appear. In this way I came to know about some of Telugu movies.

Malayalam Cinema is getting international identity. But there are no such opportunities for Telugu. Where these failures are affecting?

If I tell in one word, can you show me Telugu culture in Telugu movies? If you remove sound and watch, then can any Telugu people say it is Telugu film? but Malayalam Cinema is not like that. It protects its identity. There is no wrong in developing into the heights of Hollywood. But it is not fair and correct to pour all the water from pale by seeing the clouds.

Parallel cinema means Bengali and Malayalee alone comes to memory. What is the reason?

There are many literates in that states. They do not like one hero, or one heroine, or one item song. Even they are not interested to watch stereo type cinemas also. They watch the reality on the screen. Hence, whatever cinemas we make in that languages we are getting tremendous inspiration from there.

Do you have confidence in the films which are not near to commercial values and mass in becoming successful?

There is no guarantee to say that those who are making films, filling with mass masala are becoming success! However, I never thought to earn enormous money from mass by watching my movies. My aim is to highlight the issues of middle class of cities. I am very happy if my concept understands to them that’s all.

Cinema means it is a entertaining art. However, you will discuss the issues seriously. How far it is fair? How will you define by yourself?

As a director if I am confident and successful in exposing about the issues and create thinking capacity in the minds of the people, then whatever field I have chosen I feel it is correct.

Do you mean to say you are making the films not for money, but for awards?

If my cinema is good then awards will come their by own. In regards of money also automatically comes to me. Hence I want to keep interest in my work. Each and every small mistake I try to rectify and work hard to get the perfect results.

When you got DADA SAHEB PALKE AWARD some people say it is the identity got for parallel cinema. What is your opinion on this?

It is very happy, but I do not express any interest or see the difference between the parallel cinema and commercial cinema in getting any award. This is my style that’s all. I feel happy to say that the government might have respected my hardships and offered the said award.

When anybody watches the physique of present heroines then male will get impotent very soon said by Akkineni Nageshwara Rao recently. What do you say?

It is absolutely true. When there is strength & stuff in story, then there is no necessary to expose the physique of ladies. In the past if there is a scene of heroine becomes wet in covering complete sari also there was lot of comments on that. However, can you see any heroine wears saris? Further, if the story is good and constructive, then there is no necessary of exposing nakedly and half nakedly and embracing and kissing between hero and heroines.

What do you say about the increase of production cost on making cinemas? Is it for good or bad?

Definitely it is for good only. When we are spending enormous budget on making cinemas and in return when we are getting profits, then spending extra crores there is no wrong in that. Nevertheless today’s young directors are creating wonders on the screen. In my view I feel it is not bad.

Can you say actually on which way our Indian cinema is going?

I can say it is going in better way. Day by day cinema is going on developing. The income of Cine Industry is growing at least 25 percentages every year. It is encouraging is it not?

Who is a beautiful lady in your view?

My first place goes to Madhuri Dixit. Then Jayaprada, Hemamalini. At present i.e. in this generation Kareena Kapoor.

What is your life’s aim?

Until the last breath I want to go on direct the films. Now also I am making one film with Amrutha Rao. After completing this I want to make a film on the life history of VEERENDRA CHATOPADHYAYA. Making films basing on the life stories of national leaders get a lot of thrilling and satisfaction to me.