Chandamama Movie Review

Film: Chandamama

Cast: Navadeep, Kajal, Shiva Balaji, Sindhu Menon, Ahuti Prasad, Nagababu, Radha Kumari, Uttej etc
Dialogues: Akula Venkat
Dances: Shankar, Nobel Paul
Camera: Prasad M
Music: Radhakrishnan
Producers: C Kalyan, Vijayanand
Director: Krishna Vamshi
Released On: 6th Sep 2007

The film is very much like a ‘Chandamama’. First half is like full moon fortnight and second half is like New Moon fortnight. This waxing and waning is reflected in the film.

Story:
Maha Lakshmi (Kajal) is the daughter of Ranga Rao (Naga Babu) who lives in a village. Ranga Rao is a rich land lord of the place. Rama Lingeshwara Rao (Ahuti Prasad) is another land lord who is a dipsomaniac and flirt. But he is not harmful to anyone. His son is Dora Babu (Siva Balaji) who is very good natured. Elders decide marriage for Maha Lakshmi and Dora Babu. Maha Rani (Sindhu Menon) is the daughter of Ranga Rao’s younger brother. She is very active and eccentric.

After arranging the marriage Maha Lakshmi reveals her past to Dora Babu. She says that she spent a night with Kishore (Navadeep), her friend in the city where she studied. Listening to that, Dora Babu drinks to the full and hits by an accident. That’s the interval shot. But the second half goes in hilarity without any serious things. Who marries Maha Lakshmi? Whate happens to Kishore and Dora Babu? What happens has to be watched on screen!

Performances:
Navadeep is good in his role. He acted very well in first half but in second half the scope to act is very less. Shiva Balaji is just ok. Kajal looked good and her performance is also up to the mark. Sindhu Menon is average.

Ahuti Prasad swept the entire show with his diction and slang. There are no routine set of comedians but Ahuti Prasad filled the gap on single hand.

Naga Babu is apt as reserved elder man and father of Kajal. Radha Kumari’s dialogues and comedy are also subtle.

SM Radha Krishnan’s music is appealing for class audiences again. No song is catchy and none could din in the ears after coming out from theatres. But the picturing of songs is very good. Especially, the first song with Kajal and Shiva Balaji and another one of ‘muddu’ are good.

The hard nuts in narration are:
The set of foreigners living in Nagababu’s house in the village
Characterization of Sindhu Menon

Good things to underline:
Ahuti Prasad’s character- he did wonderful job by delivering dialogues in East Godavari slang with perfect sink.
Radha Kumari’s character is also interesting as grand mother to Shiva Balaji.
Navadeep’s acting in first half.
No violence and vengeance in the film.

Analysis:
The film starts at very good pace but suffers from various bumps in narration. First half goes smooth but second half is elastic. The climax is quite routine and in tune with the expectations of mundane audiences. Krishna Vamshi has chosen a wrong line of story and he failed to develop proper characterizations to lead roles.

Krishna Vamshi is known for showing typical mannerisms on his characters. He also puts a female role that shows eccentricity in behavior like Charmy in Sree Anjaneyam. In this film he has chosen Sindhu Menon for that.

Here in ‘Chandamam’, he made a confused concoction by mixing two things. Initially he intends to give a message that Indians are forgetting their culture but foreigners are getting attracted for the same. But finally, the conclusion is ‘let younger ones marry the ones they love and needn’t bend to whims of elders’. There appears to be some lack of clarity at the end.

We have to see how far the patronage of audiences will be extended for this film.

Exclusive Sridevi in Pellikani Prasad Gallery

Sridevi in Pellikani Prasad

Telugu Film News - September 06, 2007

Director Veeru K: From Sex to sensibility

A Tollywood filmmaker who has made commercial entertainers with good doses of skin-show is now dabbling in a different genre of filmmaking.
Veeru.K, the director who knows for his hot films is out to delve into different kind of cinema now.
Having been bitten twice with the debacle of his two previous films both of which starred Ruthika, his hot belly, Veeru is now making a "realistic film."

What inspired Veeru to change tracks from his customary style of filmmaking?
Veeru says the success of some of the Bollywood films like Page 3 and ChandiniBar has blazed a new trail for many filmmakers like him who want to try some sensible stuff on celluloid.
According to the sources, Veeru is set to expose the sordid side of tinsel town in this film.
Having been in the film industry for decades, Veeru has seen the world of showbiz at very close quarters. Drawing from his experiences, Veeru has given shape to a story that will bring to light the bitter realities of film world – like casting couch, sexual manipulations and betrayals, and ego tussles.
It is going to be a story of a successful actress whose position is threatened by ambitious new girls in the industry.

Veeru is presently writing his new movie's script. He says the cast of the film will be finalized after the script is completed.
So expect a film on casting couch and sexual betrayals.

Raghavulu draws a blank with Megastar

The report that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders had a detailed talk with Megastar Chiranjeevi to rope him into their party fold and that he had evinced keen interest in the Leftist movements turned out be a deliberate leak by the Leftists to their favourite daily Eenadu.
While everything was written positively about the meeting between the Comrades and the Megastar, what was not leaked to Eenadu was the cold reponse given by the latter to the Reds' invitation to him to join the politics. Sources said Chiranjeevi had not spoken his mind at all about his interest in politics and in fact, reportedly said a "no" to their invitation, as he is planning to confine himself to social service activities at present. Thus, Raghavulu could only draw a blank with Chiranjeevi.
The Leftists, who are looking for building up a strong third alternative in the State, desperately need a driving force for their political movement. They might not come to power on their own, but the Comrades want to play the role of kingmaker in the State as well and get their works done. But, so far, their attempts have not succeeded.

Pawan face to face with Nandini tomorrow

Actor Pawan Kalyan will come face to face with his first wife Nandini after a long time. The two are slated to appear at the family court in Visakhapatnam tomorrow. The family court directed Pawan Kalyan to appear in person for the hearing.
And accordingly, Pawan Kalyan came to Visakhapatnam this evening. He is staying at the local Green Park hotel in Visakhapatnam. A large crowd consisting mostly of Pawan’s fans gathered outside the hotel on coming to know about his presence at the hotel.
The police are also making elaborate arrangements at the family court tomorrow as a large number of Pawn Kalyan fans are likely to gather for catching a glimpse of their favourite star.

Gossip: Satti Babu Insists Saroja In Thailand!

Every one lines up when a director plans shooting in abroad. He usually picks up his co-directors and assistant directors to fly along with the main artistes in the cast.
Contrary to this practice, E Satti Babu, the director of Viyyalavari Kayyalu, flew along with Saroja Reddy, the daughter of Prabhakara reddy, a popular actor of yester years to Thailand for shooting. She is involved in the film as executive producer and has become an eyesore to many, including the co-director and the asst director of the film. Satti Babu didn't feel their need at Thailand and dropped them.
They wonder what services Saroja would render to Satti Babu there.

Sushant’s debut on 7 September

Sushant - nephew of Nagarjuna Akkineni - is all set to make his debut as hero with a film to be launched on 7 September. Tamanna (Sri and Happy Days fame) is paired with Sushant in this film. Sri Nag creations produces this film. Annapurna Studios presents it.

Medhavi talkie part completed

National award winning director Neelakanta is directing a film titled Mister Medhavi with Raja Genelia in the main leads. The talkie part of the film is complete. Raja is doing the role of an employee in a corporate. Genelia is doing the role of an NRI girl. This film deals with the emotional relationship between these two people. This film too sports a novel storyline like the ones in Neelakanta’s earlier films. Chakri composed five songs. Suman is doing the role of Genelia’s father. The shooting of songs will start on 17 September. The postproduction work will be completed in October month. B Rama Rao produces this film on Life Style Art Pictures banner.

Sekhar Suri prefers same cast

After delivering success with his different film ‘A Film By Aravind’, Sekhar Suri is all set to direct another film with the cast of that film. Rishi and Rajiv Kanakala play leads in this film too. Urvasi Sharma (a model from Mumbai) makes her debut as heroine. A new producer Phani will produce this film. This film will go to floors on 6 September

Tight security at Prasads

As the Hyderabad city is getting back to the normal mood after the gory incident of bomb blasts, Prasad - the most-sought-after entertainment center in Hyderabad is making it taking tight security measures. Each and every patron who is going to watch cinema has to go through three electronic checks and two manual checks before entering the screen. All the baggage has to be deposited outside the complex.

Photo Feature: Shilpa Shetty plays 'Don'

If you think that SRK was not up to the mark as Don in Farhan Akhtar's version, then here’s some news for you. It seems that Shilpa Shetty has taken the responsibility of continuing the ‘Don legacy’ as she plays a lady Don in one of her upcoming films, Shilpa the Big Don.

For quite a while now, there have been reports doing rounds saying that Shilpa was offered a Hollywood film Pink Panther 2 which she didn’t accept. Now take a look at what she has given up the Hollywood flick for. After ‘Big Brother’, one would expect classier choices from Shilpa but tight jeans, garish naval exposing tops and junk jewelry like a dog leash attached from the neck to the belt surely don’t paint a very classy image. The word ‘classy’ probably has a different meaning in her dictionary.

One of the dailies had reported that Shilpa demanded 350,000 pounds for starring in a British film titled Quick, Slip Me a Bride. The producer then had no option but to move on and select another actress. But then looking at the production value of this probably dubbed Hindi film, Shilpa the Big Don, with Shilpa in an action-packed role, we wonder how much they must’ve paid her.

Abhishek in Salman Khan’s footsteps

Looks like AB baby is following in Salman Khan’s footsteps. Sources close to Abhishek reveal that the actor has a new hobby — painting.

Even though he has no immediate plans to take it up seriously, Abhishek apparently visits websites that offer painting classes and even reads books on the topic.

The actor, we are told, will soon paint a canvas for a charity event and show off his newly acquired skills. Such fun!

Will Chiranjeevi Enter Communist Party

The banner of Eenadu today published a gossiping style of News (!) stating that Chiranjeevi sat with Communist party leaders at his home. It also mentioned that he invited them to his home and talked on various terms relating to politics. The item said that the communist leaders recalled the association of Allu Ramalingaih with Praja Natya Mandali, a close ally of Communists. That is the funniest part in the item. There are many in Paraja Natya Mandali who are not communists at heart. Paraja Natya Mandali is only a cultural organization set up with a good motive of educating people and sensitizing them on various issues. But now there are many hardcore business men with caste feelings in Praja Natya Mandali. There are millionaires in that association. But they all play dramas and sensitize people to fight against irresponsible government. How far those rich people in Praja Natya Mandali are responsible for society? Allu Ramalingiah was also very rich. It doest mean that he was irresponsible to society. He had set up a Homeo Hosipital and before that he was a Freedom Fighter. His history is spotless. But giving a call to Chiranjeevi saying about his father in law is a fun. Chiranjeevi's ideologies are never in tune with communism. He started charitable society and only God knows how far it is useful for poor and needy. There are many procedures to procure blood from CCT. They don't give blood just like that for any one when they come and cry for that. The long procedures may kill the patients as well. Such news hardly comes out. They don't show the interest in giving blood for patients than showing interest to squeeze blood from donors. Coming to taking the blood from donors, CCT team comes out only when there are some 200 donors at single place. Otherwise it says, 'It won't work out for us'. What is this word 'work out' means? It's a business term but not charity oriented. Apart from this, the CCT asks the donors in-charge to hire beds and equipment from a place in Jubilee Hills. That's again a business model between CCT and that bed-hiring shop in Jubilee Hills. There appears to have more business than charity in CCT. CCT spends nothing while going outdoors for taking blood from donors, except the fuel in their single vehicle. Water bottles or coconut water should be borne by donors themselves. So there is no big visible expenditure in this big 'business'. Well, the storage of blood may be expensive. But fans, out of their unconditional love for their star doesn't care all this. There is no comparison between Allu Ramalingiah and Chiranjeevi. And Chiranjeevi never joins hands with Communists. If he joins, people also may not relish that. Looking at flip side, Chandra Babu Naidu is doing another funny act with respect to eye donations and blood donations to divert people from Chiranjeevi to him. What is this funny side of AP politics? It's ludicrous for all.

Priyamani: A Simple Girl or a Sexy Siren!

We have seen her playing a simple, homely girl in her early films. But then, we have also seen her in sexually provocative roles. So what really is Priyamani up to?

Priyamani's active acting career in Tollywood began with Jagapathi Babu's 'Pellinakothalo' and soon she acquired the onscreen image of a homely girl. And she did simple, low-key role in "Toss".

But to grab more opportunities in the tinsel town Priyamani started thinking seriously about the way her acting career should be. And so we saw shedding her homely image and swap those suits and saris for skimpy dresses and low-necks.

What is the point of shuttling between the two different images?

Priyamani acknowledges that she underplayed in 'Yamadonga' due to her scope with character. She doesn't rule out the possibility of doing bold roles.

"I had never made any conscious effort to do only conservative roles. I think one must play different roles," Priyamani quoted.

By the way, Priyamani 's next movie will be a Tamil remake with Tarun, titled 'Nava Vasantham' in Telugu, which is a family drama. Hope this time she gets lucky.

Reel Buzz: Hero Enjoyed With 'Wet Heroine'

There are talks that actress Sheela has shot for one of the longest running love scenes for her movie "Hello Premistara".

The lucky girl, in spite of her first film (Raju Bhai) debacle is having good films in her kitty.

According to the people connected with 'Hello Premistara', Sheela shot for a bold scene with co-star Sai Ram Shankar for 4 days in the rain. Another two days were added later on for the scenes, which required some changes.

Hello Premistara film's director, says that the scene is the demand of the script of the film.

He insists that the scene is the turning point in his film and that is why he took 6 days to shoot this hot sequence in a very stylish manner.

The film will also have a song in the rain.

Forget about the director's happiness but the hero surely enjoyed the whole episode a lot, says one of the production team members.

Ileana Is Really A 'Beauty With Brain'

While the news of Ileana's item song in Mahesh's 'Athidi' is making rounds in Tollywood we catch-up the girl for clarification. Instead of giving a clear answer the beauty made some remarks on item songs that are quite interesting.

Ileana has no qualms about doing item numbers in films and she has a very valid reason for that.

According to Ileana, item numbers means good money. "They mean good money. If the number I do becomes a huge hit, then that number is practically included in all the stage shows that happen abroad and I am guaranteed to be booked for the whole year to perform that number," she told.

Sure the sexy girl is really a beauty with brain. The item girls like Abhinayasree and Mumaith bagged big fame and money with their dances or 'Aa Ante Amalapuram..' and 'Ippatikinkaa…' respectively.

Screen Talk: Vedha Slaps A Misbehaving Guy

Vedha sure does know how to 'straighten' the guy who acts 'differently' with her.

At one of the parties thrown by her present heartthrob in a nightclub, a guy swooped down from the dance podium onto Vedha, shocking her and spilling her drink. Vedha's response was spontaneous – a full-blown slap on his face.

The incident reportedly happened at one of the popular hangout place of Tollywood people, on last Saturday, well past the midnight when the party was in full gear. The music was loud and the drinks were floating freely.

One guy, presumably drunk, was particularly trying to catch everyone's attention by doing funny dance steps on the floor. Some of his gyrations were quite sleazy. In one such step, he jumped from the podium and landed just a few inches from Vedha and spilled her drink.

With equal swiftness, Vedha delivered a slap on his face. Then she took a drink from her friend and splashed it on the guy's face.

The man vanished after the incident, but the hero who is present with her is well shocked and speech less. The hero seemed be a zero for that moment. Yes, Your guess is right. The hero is Raja as per the eye witnesses.

Well, this is the woman of today for you.

Tamil writers scripting Chiranjeevi's film

Grapevine has it that three top Tamil writers are working on our Megastar Chiranjeevi's film. According to sources, the three writers - Bhupathi, Vallasurai and Krishnaswamy - are preparing a script for Chiranjeevi's 150th film. It will also be directed by none other than Chiranjeevi and his wife Sureka acts as producer for this film.

More details are awaited but the work for this special film of Chiranjeevi is going on at brisk progress.