Balakrishnas summer gift to fans

The unit of Balakrishnas upcoming film has recently returned to Hyderabad after a long schedule. The unit was busy shooting the film in Rajamundry. "This is a complete Balakrishna film. It has got all the elements that his fans are expecting. There is sentiment, there is comedy, there is action and there is romance. We are planning to start the next schedule here in Hyderabad from 18th Jan to 7t February.

We are planning to soot an action episode," said Producer Siva Lanka Krishna Prasad with media. "We recently shot few songs, and few talkie scenes. Two more songs and few action sequences are left. We are planning to complete the film as soon as possible and release the film as a summer gift to his fans," added the producer. Priyamai is paired opposite Balakrishna in this flick, which is being directed by Mahadev, a debutant director, who earlier worked with Raja Mouli.

Asin moves get acknowledged

Remember Asins introductory song in Tamil Ghazini the Rahatulla… number? Well in the Hindi version, the song was shot by noted ad filmmaker Ravi Udhyavan, who had shot a few commercials with Aamir Khan. Asin is all smiles after she completed her introductory song in Hindi Ghajani, tuned by A.R Rahman at a Mumbai studio a few days back.

On Aamirs recommendation, Ravi did the song like a music video which has an international feel to it. He was all praise for Asin, her dedication, and the way she danced. This song will be shown on television promos only after the release. The film is slated for December 25 release.

Akshays kiss is more passionate than Bonds sex

By locking lips with him in Kambakkht Ishq, Hollywood hottie Denise Richards calls Akshay Kumar the sexiest man in India after lip-lock in film. It appears there is a full-on, two-minutelong kiss between Akshay and Denise in this Bolly-Holly film that also features Sylvester Stallone and Brandon Routh. The kiss, which has been passed by the Indian censor board, has been described by Denise as passionate.
 
Apparently, she enjoyed the kissing sessions with the actor and found his technique was most impressive. Denise, who hasn’t kissed any other Indian actor but has done love-making scenes with several in Hollywood including Pierce Brosnan, is adamant that no man in Bollywood can match Akshay’s skills.

Nayanathara getting back to original shape

When Nayanathara entered in to films she was bubby and she got to fame with her heavy body structure in Tamil films and even Telugu audiences also encouraged her. As she got more Tollywood offers she started controlling her weight and it was said that she underwent for a surgery. She surprised every one with her slim structure in Boss opposite Nagarjuna. After that she did Dubai Seenu, Yogi and Tulasi in Telugu but none of these films became successful at box office and the result is that she hasn’t yet signed any Telugu films after Tulasi. But she ahs signed few Tamil films. According to sources, now she is again concentrating to come back to her original shape. There is also another reason that she has been advised from the producers and her beloved ones from Tamil and Malayalam industries o come back to her original shape.

MAA TV may not support Chiranjeevi

Chiranjeevi and Nagarjuna have stake in the channel.  For the past few months there were speculations that MAA TV is all getting ready with special programmes that will support Megastar. Few experts say that it will be a perfect media for Chiru.  But Chiru do not want that the channel to be labeled as mouth piece of his party.  "There are other board members in the channel like Chalasani Ramesh, N Prasad of Matrix Labs, C Rama Krishna, Chairman Murali Krishnam Raju, Venkateswara Raju.  It is not clear whether they fully support Chiranjeevi or not," said a source. 

Shweta Prasad impressing big wigs

Shweta Prasad... remember the little girl in Makdee... or the kid sister of Shreyas Talpade in Iqbal .. Well, Shweta is no longer a child artist, but all grown up and romancing heroes too. The actor is enjoying her first hit in the Telegu film industry, Kotta bangaru lokam , produced by Dil Raju. Apparently the film is doing brisk business even after 6 weeks since it released.

And now the buzz is that, she has been signed by Shekhar Kammula. With long hair and a svelte body, this 18 year old has certainly evolved into a glamorous actress. Talking of pretty actresses, there are also rumors that Nagarjuna has signed up Shweta Prasad to act opposite his son Chaitanya. She’s a good actress, but rather plain looking. Wonder what Nagarjuna’s strategy is?

Shriya goes gaga over Goa

Recently media is portraying Goa to be a dangerous and unsafe location filled with drugs and violence. But for Indians Goa still remain a beach paradise and the ultimate party destination in the country. Shriya too feels the same way and loves going to Goa as she can unwind there and be herself. "It’s a holiday destination where people can let their hair down.

They don’t have to worry about whether they’re dressed appropriately or not," she says. "I’ve been there four times in the last five years and I think it’s not right to blame the place or the people either. It is a very sad incident, but as a single girl, you should be careful, even in the safest city."

Jayasudha says she deserves doctorate

Student unions want the University to recall the doctorate announced for youThese student unions have no right to talk about me. This is just another publicity stunt. Why don’t they concentrate on student welfare activities instead. There would be some merit to it if the criticism came from top leaders like Chandrababu Naidu or Chiranjeevi.  Critics point out that you’ve done nothing to deserve a doctorate... Of course I deserve it. In fact, everyone in the film industry has been saying I got it a tad too late. I have been working since I was 13. I have done the maximum number of lead roles and I’m the only actress in the industry to have done roles portraying the problems faced by women. I’ve also got the maximum number of Nandi awards. If I don’t deserve a doctorate, then who does? Would you have been chosen if you hadn’t joined the Congress?

My role in the Congress party has nothing to do with the University’s decision to confer an honorary doctorate on me. I can understand if an Ileana or Nayanatara joins the Congress and then gets an award. But i am a senior actress and I certainly deserve it. Don’t you think universities should stop felicitating those who wield political power?

I am an actress first, and then a politician. I have been doing a lot of charity work for the past several years. Also, through television shows, i have helped the poor. Politicians are eligible for doctorates if they are worthy of it. Moreover, this honour is not a result on anyone’s recommendation. I never applied for any award or doctorate.  Should be strict guidelines to decide who gets a doctorate?It is for the Universities to decide. All i can say is that i should have gotten such accolades long ago.

Kareena says no to 10 Downing Street

Kareena Kapoor, who wooed Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone got noticed even by the UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. According to sources, Kareena was invited for a gala event by the House of Commons as a special guest of the PM at his residence at Downing Street on November 18th. She was supposed to meet Brown himself and also be honoured as an international ambassador and join the Silver Star charity that helps in spreading awareness about diabetes.

Leading members from the political, business, arts and culture, and sports fields were present at the occasion but, unfortunately, Bebo couldn’t make it. Says a source, “She was looking forward to attending this prestigious event, but had to opt out. However, Kareena intends joining the Silver Star charity and working closely with them soon.”

Charmi with R Narayan Murthy

Post Mantra, Charmi is the hottest girl. According to sources. Charmi is all playing an important role opposite R.Narayana Murthy in one of his upcoming films. According to sources, Kuchipudi Venkat, who is busy with Krishna Bhagawan’s John Apparao 40 Plus, will direct this film.

It is said that the director has made three characters very interesting in this film and the fate of the film will depend on these character. Everyone in the industry is looking forward to see this new combination.

Murugadosss universal dreams

Guess who Murugadoss is dreaming about these days? The director disclosed this in public at a recent awards show where he had the honour of presenting an award to the actor of his dreams. “In fact, I have had dreams where I tell Kamal sir that I have had dreams of talking to him,” revealed the director to the amusement of the audience.
 
And Kamal, the gentleman he is, on receiving the award, told the director that he can very well meet him in person if he ever felt the need to talk to him. So, do we see the Ghajini director working with him on a film soon?

Megastar clears Gunashekhars subject

Director Gunashekahr recently said that he is all getting ready to come back with a big bang. According to latest buzz Gunashekhar recently met Megastar and convinced him with his subject and he may soon direct Megastar.

Gunashekhar earlier worked with Megastar for Chudalani Undhi and Mrugaraju. Post Shankardada Zindabad, many directors approached Megastar with their subjects. N.Shankar, Krishnavamsi, VVVinayak and Shankar’s names were in the list. According to the buzz Megastar has given green signal to Gunashekhar and the film may start in January 2008.

NTR shifts his focus back

The shooting of NTR’s upcoming film was stopped as he was busy with the political campaigns. Adding to that the accident further delayed the shooting. Now he is all getting ready to shoot from 20^th June onwards.
 
“The shooting will resume from 20^th of this month. This will be a non stop three months schedule. My focus is completely on this film now,” said NTR.

Sexy Sameeras noble act

This Independence Day, several street kids in Mumbai will have a pucca roof over the heads, thanks entirely to the efforts of Sameera Reddy.   The sexy actress and her mother have been supporting NGOs in suburban Mumbai that take in beggar children, give them shelter and try to put them up in schools. Last year, a girl child got molested in one such shelter, and when Sameera’s mother got the police involved... the landlady of the shelter was pressurised by the molester to evict all the children and shut down the home.  “It happened on Independence Day,” revealed Sameera, “and that’s when I decided to do something for these children. One year later, on this August 15, the actress will throw open the doors of a 1,200 sq ft shelter in Goregaon East that she has managed to raise from scratch for these same street kids. “I appealed to everyone to chip in and within a week, managed to raise Rs 25 lakh,” she said. “I was overwhelmed. Even my liftman offered to help.”  She’s had further luck since then. Another well-wisher has donated a place in Mulund for the same cause. “We can now house the girls and boys separately,” said Sameera.

Manchu Lakshmi reveals spicy tastes

A regular breakfast at our home comprises idli and mutton pulusu. The idlis that my mom makes are like cotton, it melts in the mouth. We get the rice for the idli from our hometown. That lends the softness to the idlis. My father is particular about the way breakfast is made at our place, since he is away for the rest of the day. Idlis are steamed in a brass vessel, where we put cloth under the idli pindi as it becomes easy to remove them. Idlis are incomplete without the yummy palli chutney that my mother makes.

A lot of red chilies and onions are used in Rayalseema food. The small white onions used at our home also come from our hometown. We eat a lot of karam podi with ghee at home. My mom is a wonderful cook, the chicken fry and the mamidikai chepala pulusu that she makes is out of the world.

Tamannah suffers with flu on set

Tamannaah is in Theni shooting the climax scenes for her Tamil film Kanden Kathali, a remake of Jab We Met. The heat and sultry weather has taken a toll on the actress as she was keeping unwell and has just recovered from a flu.

“Everyone on the sets including my director, hero and assistant directors were having flu and I too caught it. Now I am ok,” said Tamannah

Jia Khan not in secure of Asin

“No one’s seen me in my new look yet. I’m playing a medical student in Ghajini and I’m covered from head to toe for the most part,” says an excited and nervous Jiah Khan. She doesn’t mind the change of image because she believes the role is worth it. “The role is amazing, so I didn’t mind being completely covered up. But I do have a song in which you’ll see a different look. It’s very stylish in a Jennifer Lopez kind of way,” she gushes.  There’s been a lot of talk about friction between Jiah and Asin, who’s getting a lot more publicity in the film’s promos. “I’ve met Asin twice and she’s a nice girl. Using her for the promos is a professional marketing strategy. I had my bit of fame when I made my debut in Nishabd. Now it’s Asin’s turn as it’s her Bollywood debut,” she says matter-of-factly. But Aamir Khan’s been singing Asin’s praises does that make Jiah insecure? “I’m the surprise package of the movie. Aamir has completely changed my look. So he’s left it to the audience to judge,” she replies.

Sonali Bendre has no time for movies

Sonali Bendre, who took a break from the big screen post marriage, has no intentions of coming back to films at present.   “I am not really ready for movies yet. It calls for a bit too much commitment,” Sonali said.   She was speaking on the sidelines of the Omega Olympics Evening organized to honor the Indian contingent for the Beijing games. Asked when she was planning a comeback to the silver screen, Sonali said: “It is going to take me a while and I won’t call it a comeback. Once an actor is always an actor. There is nothing dramatic as a comeback about it. Right now I am taking a break. I don’t have the time to do movies now.”
The actress has been on a sabbatical from acting since her marriage to filmmaker Goldie Behl in 2002. However, the beautiful actress will be seen on television as a judge in the fourth season of the upcoming music reality show Indian Idol along with music stalwarts like Javed Akhtar, Anu Malik and Kailash Kher.  This is not the first time the actress will be seen on the small screen. Sonali has earlier judged Sony Entertainment Televisions reality show Mr. And Mrs. TV with Bollywood director Madhur Bhandarkar.

She didnt know that she was sexy

Shes currently shooting for Mani Ratnams bilingual film Ravan/Ashokavanam, but its her appearance in an item number in Nagarjunas King that has got people talking about Priya Manis sexy looks. After all, shes who audiences found most interesting in the song sequence that featured seven other beauties, including Trisha, Anushka, Genelia, Mamtha Mohandas, Charmee and Sneha Ullal. Tell her that and she sounds surprised, "Is it? I didnt know I was sexy. I do put in a lot of effort to look good on screen. But yes, that statement has made my day."  And if taking the glam route for a song wasnt enough, Priya Mani has taken the sex quotient a step further by wearing a swimsuit in her next film, Drona. The film sees the National Award-winning actress pairing up with Nitin, who has had a spate of flops recently. Is the swimsuit a part of trying to give Nitins career a much-needed boost? "One swimsuit sequence cannot ensure a hit. The scene is in a dream song and I had to jump into a pool. Obviously, I cant jump into water wearing a saree," she says.  Ask her about working with Mani Ratnam and shes all excited. "Its been great. I just started shooting two days ago in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, in misty weather. Im lucky to work with Mani sir at an early stage in my career. Its every actors dream and I am living it," she says. In Ashokavanam, she also co-stars with Prithviraj. The duo has already worked together in several movies and rumour mills have been on overdrive about the two being more than just co-stars. "Theres nothing brewing between us. He was my first Malayalam co-star. Our association dates back to well over 5-6 years. And my mother and his mother are batchmates," Priya clarifies.

Action King Arjun bereaved

Kishore Sarja, elder brother of Action King Arjun, died on Saturday in Bangalore due to a cardiac arrest. Kishore Sarja made his debut as director in Kannada cinema many years ago with Arjun as hero and has been associate to many famous Kannada directors like SV Rajendra Singh Babu, D Rajendra Babu, V Somashekar and others.

Kishore has recently completed Vaayuputra (the launch film of his cousin Chiranjeevi) that will be released shortly. Arjun has been very close to his brother and was by his side at the time of his death.