It is well aware that Ram Charan Tej, son of Padma Bhushan, Mega Star, Dr Chiranjeevi is making his debut through ''Chirutha'', directed by versatile director Puri Jagannath and produced by Chalasani Aswanidutt on the banner of Vyjayanti Movies.

There were lots of expectations on the film, especially by Mega and Power Star fans, in particular and the Telugu audiences in general. Noted Bollywood dress designer Vikram Phadnis is working for the movie. Vikram Phadnis had organised a fashion show at a Fashion Bar in road No. 2 of Banjara Hills in Hyderabad.

The participation of Ram Charan Tej has become a centre of attraction for this show. For the first time he had an encounter with the media at this fashion show. Indiaglitz had a tête-à-tête with this young hero.

Over to Ram Charan Tej.

Are you a party folk? Do you go to parties frequently?

No. I am not a party guy. I am still a boy and am just 20-year-old.
Then, why did you attend this party?

Because of Vikram Phadnis. He is the designer for 'Chirutha'
What is your style?

This is my style, just as you watch me.
What should be done to be stylish?

You should be like yourself, without imitating others. That would be your style.
Who is your roll model?

Who else. My dad.
Tell us about your attachment with your dad?

For me, my dad is everything. He is not only my father, but also my guide, my teacher, my friend, my well-wisher, philosopher and what not. Without him, I am just a zero. I am a normal boy sans his stature and image.
Which of the films do you like most of your dad?

Oh. There are many. Of them, I liked 'Khaidi' and 'Abhilasha' most.
Which of the films of your father you don't like?

I don't like 'Big Boss'.
Who is your favourite actor?

Of course, Dad! But I also like the Brad Pitt style and his dressing sense.
Do you watch movies?

Yes. I love to watch films. However, I watch mostly the Hollywood films and art films.
Which would give you immense pleasure?

Horse riding.
What your favourite pastime?

I play with my pet 'Jack'.
What is your favourite food?

I like continental and Indian food.
What is your favourite hangout?

Fusion Nine Pub
Finally, how would be 'Chirutha'?

As was expected by everyone. Thanks and bye for now.

Directing Amitabh is a lifetime experience - EVV

senior director EVV Satyanarayana had directed successful films like ''Chevilo Puvvu, Premakhaidi, Alluda Majaakaa, Vaarasudu, Hello Brother, Intlo Illalu-Vantintlo Priyuralu, Appula Apparao, Aame, Jambalakidi Pamba, Aayanakiddaru, Thaali, Kanyadanam and Aavidaa Maa Aavide''. He had 46 such films to his credit as director.

Presently, he is directing ''Pellayindi Kaanee'' being produced by M Narasimha Rao on the banner of Raasi Movies. He is making a tireless journey in the Telugu film industry. Indiaglitz.com had a chit-chat with this senior director.

Here are the excerpts:

We are here to enlighten our Indiaglitz.com browsers about you…

Sure. Let me wish the indiaglitz.com browsers as well. Greetings to all! What details can I give you for your readers?
What are the basic and minimal qualities of a director?

A director should have complete knowledge on all the 24 crafts in the film-making. He should be well aware of making use of them appropriately.
What is direction?

A director should have command on what he is going to explain. He should be able to convey what he is going to present on the screen? Why he is showing it and at the same time he should convince not only himself but also the audiences with what he is presenting on the screen in a correct way. You see… we could present a scene with just one dialogue which we can't explain properly in 100 shots. Likewise, what we can't convey in 100 dialogues could be explained with one shot. What should be explained in a scene and how a scene should be presented is just commonsense and it is called direction.
You prefer small films in most cases? Why?

My career began with small films. After giving seven to eight hits, Nagarjuna gave me a call and asked me to direct 'Varasudu'. If we direct star heroes' films and if the film turns out to be a big hit, the credit would go to the hero and we (technicians) will just get 20 per cent credit. Moreover, while making films with big heroes, we should keep their image in mind. But, in case of small budget films, I could get job satisfaction. If the film turns out to be a hit, the director could enjoy the entire credit for the success. Moreover, we will have enough freedom in small budget films. While I am doing 'Alluda Majaakaa', I also directed 'Aame'. While directing 'Varasudu', I also did 'Alibaba, Aradozen Dongalu'. It is small budget films that earned me the present stature.
Tell us about 'Jambalakidi Pamba' film?

When I am working as an associate with Jandhyala, I penned a story 'Aade Magaithe' and sent it to 'Andhra Jyothi' weekly magazine. Though the theme and story is good, they rejected it stating that the language was not up to the mark. Generally, we used to say, 'If I were in your place…' and that was the inspiration behind that subject. I prepared the complete script and gave it to Jandhyala. Though he said okay, he expressed the doubt whether the audiences could accept if the entire film runs on the same theme, instead of restricting it to one or two scenes. He chose to use the script in three scenes in his film 'Mogudu Pellalu' and the audiences enjoyed those scenes well. After I turned director and started making films on my own and produced 'Jambalakidi Pamba'. When I screened the film for a preview, several audiences left the theatre in the middle of the film. However, I had complete confidence on the script, and hence I personally took it as a challenge and released the film on my own. Let me tell you one thing here. Movie Moghul Dr D Ramanaidu complimented me after watching my film 'Sitaratnamgari Abbayi'. He spoke to me for about 30 minutes over phone and showered compliments. The same Ramanaidu chided me after watching 'Jambalakidi Pamba'. However, after a few days, he realised that the film was a hit and congratulated me again. He says, 'I am very sorry. I am wrong'. That was his affection and humaneness.
Tell us about 'Suryavamsh'?

Right from my childhood, I am a fan of Amitabh Bachchan. Though I don't know Hindi, I used to watch his films for a number of times. My ambition is to take a photograph with him. During the shooting of 'Indrudu Chandrudu' of Kamal Hassan at AVM Studios, he came to meet Kamal Hassan. Then I had a chance to have a photograph with him. Unfortunately, the film reel got exhausted at that time, I could not get the photograph. I cursed the photographer for about a year about his mistake. One day, I got a phone call from Padmalaya Studios with an offer to direct a Hindi film. When Dr D Ramanaidu asked me to do his film 'Prema Khaidi' in Hindi, I refused his offer saying that I don't know Hindi. I conveyed the same to Padmalaya Studios as well. But, they told me that the hero would be Amitabh Bachchan. Then I kept a condition that I would like to talk to him beforehand for about five minutes. After meeting Amitabh, I straight told him, 'Amit Ji, I don't know Hindi. Even my English is also average. This is my position. Suggest me whether I could step forward or not?' The great man patted me saying, 'It is not the language but the meaning and the presentation which is very important'. His encouragement gave me super strength. Really, I was able to complete the film shooting as if I am working with comedians like LB Sriram and Brahmanandam. Our heroes should feel ashamed by comparing themselves with Amitabh Bachchan. He will enquire about the next day scene, before leaving the shooting spot after 'pack-up'. He will be very punctual for shooting and present himself at the set in time. Working with him is a lifetime experience. I am very much satisfied for doing a film with a great artiste like Amitabh Bachchan in my life.'
It seems a woman political leader spoke very badly about you in an interview some time ago. Can you please explain about it?

Yes. She spoke very badly about the film 'Aaruguru Pativratalu'. She alleged that it is not a film at all. For her, 'Aame, Aayanaku Iddaru, Thaali, Kanyadanam…' all these are not films at all. For such people even 'Mayabazaar' is also not a good film. Basically, she doesn't like men. Because of her and her utterances in the interview, I suffered about Rs 1 crore loss. I just kept quiet because she spoke before the media and condemning her words is not worthy. If she comes before me and criticise again, I am ready to give her a fitting reply.
You generally prefer to bring out comedy films? Any specific reason?

Bringing out a comedy film is not that easy. My first comedy film is 'Appula Appa Rao'. Whenever I start making a comedy film, I would be very cautious about the script. I do homework for about seven to eight months to prepare the script in a professional way. I have got a special image among the audiences about my films, especially if they belonged to comedy genre. I don't want to spoil my image. At the same time, I don't want to bring out the comedy films alone, as there is a problem of monotony. Now I am directing 'Pellayindi Kaani'. After this film, I will bring out a comedy movie. I am sure that my current film would be my career best. If we want to bring the women to the theatres by taking them off from the televisions, the film should be very attractive. Did they not come and watch 'Bommarillu'. Same would be the case with 'Pellayindi Kaanee…'. Even if Dawood Ibrahim watches the movie, his eyes would also turn wet. Not just tragedy and sentiment, the film also had several other elements. I am proud to say that the film would earn a very good name to the entire unit.
Using foreign locations has become a fad these days. But you chose to shoot the songs in Kashmir? Why?

Yes you are true. We too thought of going abroad to shoot shots. But the story of the film runs in village backdrop. In order to maintain the nativity, we shot for about 12 days in Araku. When we were there, one of my friends Kumar, who was a best friend to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, called me up and asked me to shoot my film in Kashmir. I went to Kashmir for the first time. It is really a heaven on the earth. I had so far toured about 30 countries. But I did never see a beautiful place like Kashmir. It is unfair to blame that there will be no protection for the members of the film unit. There are about 8.60 lakh military personnel, police and other service organisations, who would safeguard us. The tourism department and the government would assist us in as many ways.
Tell us about your sons, Rajesh and Naresh?

I will tell you about Naresh first. I made it very clear to him that all the upcoming heroes always wanted to be a Mega Star. If he wanted to be like that he would be the 61st person in the queue. Instead, no one is trying to be a comedy hero like Rajendra Prasad. So I advised him to try his best on those lines. He started trekking the path which I advised him. At the same time, he proved himself as a good artiste with films like 'Nenu' and 'Pranam'. He proved that he had the talent to do any kind of character. I did not even expect that he would earn so much name and fame in such a short period. In a bid to break the monotony by doing comedy films continuously, he started making variety roles. He is playing a mentally challenged person's role in 'Pellayindi Kaanee…'. Likewise, he is doing a negative role in Rajiv Kanakala's film. Naresh is poor in studies right from the beginning, but had good passion towards cinema. He knows everything about direction and camera. When it comes to Rajesh, he is also a good artiste. But he failed to get adequate break in the absence of a good subject. Though I produced two films with him as hero, those two his went into my account, but he personally failed to achieve any breakthrough. I am planning two more films with Rajesh as hero. I am confident that he would get the expected break with at least one of them.

Bujjigadu Prabhas

It''s his birthday on October 23. The year 2007 hasn''t been very lucky for him. Yet, Prabhas hopes he will have a good run in 2008. Soon, he will begin shooting for his next film with Puri Jagannath. On the eve of his birthday, IndiaGlitz gets him to talk of his favourite co-star and marriage

Here’s wishing you many happy returns of the day!

Thank you.
How’s your career shaping up?

I have had a bad year. Both Yogi and Munna didn’t do too well, though they have got good reviews. Having said that, it cannot be ignored that Munna made six crores in Nizam. Yogi did okay too. So, looking forward for future projects!
Both Yogi and Eeshwar bank heavily on the mother sentiment… Did you want it that way?

It is just coincidence. Even Munna and Chatrapati too have mother sentiment. We didn’t try to put in anything. It just happened.
One usually associates Prabhas with mass, action films. Are you game to trying different subjects like Aparichitudu?

In my case, I have already tried experimentation in Chakram and Pournami. But they failed at the box-office. So, now I stick to good old mass films.
What do you look for before signing a film?

First, it has to be the storyline. Then, of course, it would be my role. If the role excites me, then I look out for the director and banner.
Action flicks apart, what kind of films do you personally like doing?

I love romantic subjects. Gitanjali is among my favourite films. Then come the action films. Sentiment films are surely not in the top slot.
Looking back, which is your favourite among your films?

Definitely Chatrapati. The audiences too have liked it.
There is intense competition in the industry these days. How do you deal with this?

By being smart and trying to make the right choices. That you have to put in lots of hard work goes without saying. It is equally important to try variations in characters and characterization.
Krishnam Raju is known for his historicals. Do you have any intentions of trying your hand at historicals or mythologies?

Yes, but after four years or so. I surely would love to try doing some good subjects. In fact, Bhakta Kannappa, which stars my uncle Krishnam Raju in the title role is among my favourite films. Incidentally, it was directed by Bapu garu, which is another highlight. I would love to do a similar role.
There are rumours about you doing a film with your uncle soon…

Yes. It will be launched next year.
Among your female co-stars, who do you like the most?

Shriya.
Are you open to doing multi-starrers?

Why not? Though I should be convinced about my role in it.
Still some films show heroes bashing up 20 goons single-handedly. Your take on that?

This has been the trend since black and white films. People have watched them and continue to watch them. Personally though, I like natural action sequences. We tried our best to make the fight scenes look believable in Chatrapati.
After Puri’s film, what are your other films?

I haven’t signed any yet. The shooting for this film will begin from November. I am reading scripts.
What’s your opinion about love marriages?

There’s nothing wrong in it.
So, when are you getting married?

My older brother is still to get married. It will be at least four years before I get married.
Anything you want to say to your fans?

I would like to thank them for all the love and adulation they have given to my uncle and me over the years. I really appreciate all that they do for us, but I sincerely advise them to concentrate on their careers and wish that they would do well in life!

venki

Directed by Boyapati Sreenu, presented by Dr D Ramanaidu and produced by D Sureshbabu on the banner of Suresh Productions, ''Tulasi'' with Victory Venkatesh and Nayanatara in the lead is all set for release on October 12. To mark the occasion, Venkatesh had a brief chitchat with indiaglitz.com. Here are the excerpts.

Mr Venkatesh! How would be the film 'Thulasi'?

'Thulasi' is a family entertainer with good emotional drama. As the film is coming up after two successive hits like 'Lakshmi and Aadavari Maatalaku Ardhale Verule' we took every precaution to give a different look to the movie.
What are the aspects that could attract an average audience?

There is a good dosage of romance, high voltage action and heavy sentiment in the climax. All these elements would definitely satisfy an average audience. Moreover, we shot the film in glamorous locations, it has a best story and fantastic movement, besides neat editing. All these points would be additional attractions and turn plus points for the movie leading to its success.
The word 'Thulasi' sounds female? How did you accept the title, though you have a distinct image?

In 'Lakshmi' the hero's name is Lakshminarayana. In this film the hero's name is Tulasi Ram. Everyone call him as Tulasi. Moreover, each house would have a 'Tulasi' plant. So, it is almost a household name and well-known among all the Telugus. That's why we gave that as the title.
Tell us about your characterisation in the movie?

Hero Tulasi Ram is basically an architect. Of course, there is nothing much about architecture in the film. Tulasi would be always very silent and at the same time, he would react in such a violent way if the situation demands. That is his character.
There was a talk that the film has faction in its backdrop, after your previous film 'Jayam Manadera'. Can you please explain?

The hero's family belongs to Palnadu. So even without the hero's intervention, he would be dragged into the factional feuds. Though there is a little faction touch, it is not a film with factionism in its backdrop totally.
How would be the heroine's role? Nayanatara and you proved to be a hit pair, isn't it?

Of course yes. We played together in 'Lakshmi' and again in 'Tulasi'. Her character would be youthful and at the same time will have good maturity. It is a very good role in fact.
You played as 'Pellikani Prasad' in 'Malliswari'. Again in 'Aadavari Maatalaku Ardhale Verule' your character has the shades of a person who remained bachelor for long. How you are covering up that image in this movie?

We covered that image with the help of a small boy. The boy is very cute and we covered the bachelor image with the child sentiment and attachment with that child. I believe that the child sentiment in this film would remain a highlight of the movie.
We came to know that there are eight villains in 'Thulasi'. So how would be the action part in the movie?

You are claiming that there are eight villains in the film. When there are so many villains, there would be as many fights and they are there also. Kanal Kannan and Ram-Lakshman composed the fights. Though I don't say straight that the fights are in different composition, the fights are a little stylish and effective.
Tell us about music in your film 'Thulasi'?

Devisri Prasad has given a fabulous music. These days, he is giving hit after hit. This film would be another good musical hit for him. Instead of giving fast beat songs, he took precautions in scoring tunes with a touch of melody and good to listen. The background score was also very effective. Good music totally.
Will you please explain about your film's budget?

You see. Any sane producer would invest on a hero, based on the business he could expect from that hero. I too would ensure the same. Basically, I came from a family of film producers. So, I could understand the problems of producers very well.
Multi-starrer films are not coming up in Telugu? What is your opinion on such movies?

If the directors come up with new subjects and could convince me, I am ready to do such roles, on the lines of 'Dil Chahta Hai' kind of movies.
Do you have any dream character?

It is not really a dream character, but I have a strong desire to do Professor Parvatamma kind of characters. But I came to know that one hero is playing a role in woman's attire in some film. That is why I dropped the idea to portray such role now.
Thank you Mr Venkatesh. All the best for your 'Thulasi'!

Thank you too.