Speculations back on Thalapathy Vijay’s political entry

All the political parties and several film stars, including Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth, are gearing up for the Tamil Nadu general elections which are scheduled to be held next year. On the other hand, speculations on yet another leading Kollywood hero Thalapathy Vijay’s political entry have been in full swing for the last few years.

Now that Kamal has already begun his election campaign and Rajini is all set to launch his party on January 17, the buzz surrounding Vijay’s foray into politics has caught up once again. Apparently, Vijay recently met with the members of his fan club Makkal Iyakkam at his farmhouse on the outskirts of Chennai.

The buzz has it that Vijay discussed his political entry with his fans and urged them not to shift to other parties before the elections. We will have to wait for a few more weeks to get clarity on whether or not the star hero will eventually announce his political entry just in time before the elections.

‘Too skinny’ Keerthy gaining weight?

Keerthy Suresh has lost many kilos of weight early this year, in her attempt to lose the flab that she gained for the challenging roles in films like ‘Mahanati’. But she lost the weight more than required and became too thin.

With adverse results and trolling for ‘thin’ looks, she is now putting on weight. She has already gained some kilos and is now looking better.

Her latest photographs show, she is fit and fab – not too thin, nor bulbous.

Keerthy Suresh will have to join the shoot of ‘Sarkaru Vaari Paata’ next month. She is paired opposite Mahesh Babu in this film. Keerthy Suresh is also working opposite Rajinikanth in ‘Annaatthe’.

Ram Charan unveils the showreel of ‘Shoot-out At Alair’

ZEE5 is a prominent OTT platform dishing out unique content to Telugu patrons. It is bringing the intense action-drama ‘Shoot-out At Alair’, a web series, on December 25. Well-known costume designer and Megastar Chiranjeevi’s daughter Sushmita Konidela, her husband Vishnu Prasad have produced it. On Tuesday, at an event held in Hyderabad, Mega Power Star Ram Charan released the web series’ showreel.

The web series is coming after ‘Loser’, ‘Chadarangam’, ‘GOD’ and such superb content streaming on ZEE5. Comedy, message-oriented entertainment, political drama, sports drama, gangster drama- various genres have been seen on the streaming giant. ‘Shoot-out At Alair’ is now the next big thing on ZEE5.

‘Sye Raa’ costume designer Sushmita Konidela and her husband Vishnu Prasad have produced it on Gold Box Entertainments. This is their first attempt as producers. The action-drama will be streamed on ZEE5 exclusively from December 25. Srikanth and Prakash Raj are its lead actors.

Releasing its showreel, Ram Charan today said, “Prasad Nimmakayala garu has been like a mentor to my sister and brother-in-law. I sincerely thank him on this occasion. I have watched Anand Ranga-directed ‘Oye’. I used to listen to its songs while on my way to the gym in those days. It’s such a beautiful film. I have missed his films over the years. I am happy that he is making a comeback in the production of my sister and brother-in-law. The showreel is fantastic and realistic. This is the kind of project we all have been wishing for. The plastic era of filmmaking is passe. The combination of Teja and Nandini Rai will stand out in the web series. It’s commendable that the team extended a great amount of support in completing the film during the pandemic. This year won’t be forgotten. The industry is slowly getting back on its feet. I hope this web series is going to close the year on a high note on ZEE5. I want to remember 2020 in this way. I look forward to great content on OTT in the coming years.”

Talking about Sushmita Konidela, Ram Charan said, “Since my father’s debut in movies, our family members have been into experimentation in different ways in the entertainment industry. Sushmita is a fighter in the OTT space. She was a stylist on ‘Rangasthalam’, and had also worked on ‘Khaidi No 150’. Although we can’t show our frustration on family members when they go wrong on set, I have shown anger at ‘akka’ at times. She has been my biggest support. I am confident that she will succeed with the web series.”

Creative Head-ZEE5 South Prasad Nimmakayala said, “I thank the producers for choosing our platform to launch the maiden venture of their banner. ZEE5 has been offering quality content not only in Hindi but also in the regional languages. During the pandemic, we have offered 500 hours of content, be it shows, films, or web series. Five of the originals belong to Telugu language. ‘Shoot-out At Alair’ is going to be a hit.”

Anand Ranga said, “I thank Charan for being here. I thank Sushmita, Vishnu Prasad on this occasion. I hope the content of our web series clicks with the audience.”

Vishnu Prasad said, “‘Shoot-out At Alair’ is fantastic. I hope it will be a game-changer on OTT. It wouldn’t have been easy for us had it not been for the guidance and support given by Prasad Nimmakayala garu.”

Sushmita Konidela said, “Charan has always been supportive at all major turns in my life. I am so proud of him. They say we have to be ready when luck beckons us. My father always says that we have to search for opportunities and own them. Prasad garu has been very supportive in several ways. Thanks to the team, this project has been memorable. Prakash Raj garu and Srikanth garu have given their best. Being with them is like working with family. The team has worked hard during the time of corona.”

Nandini Reddy said, “I have known Prasad Nimmakayala for many years. Ever since he started his stint at ZEE5, we have seen several hits from the platform. I met Sushmita garu a year ago. That’s when she told me she would be debuting on OTT as a producer. I advised her to keep things simple. But ‘Shoot-out At Alair’ is actually grand. Brilliant filmmaking and great planning have gone into it. I have known Anand Ranga for several years. He is a brilliant maker. We are going to see his second version. He has just started his second innings. Each shot in the web series is exciting.”

(Press Release)

Paayal Rajput’s ‘5Ws’ to release next month

Paayal is known for her glamorous avatars. This look from her upcoming movie, ‘5Ws’, comes as a surprise.

Paayal Rajput dons a cop avatar in this thriller. Pradeep Thakore, the former associate of Gunasekhar, is directing this investigative thriller, with Smt. Yashoda Thakore is producing the movie under the banner Kaivalya Creations.

The makers are planning to release it in January 2021.

“This is an investigative mystery drama that would present Payal Rajput in a new light. It would be a feather in her cap. We are inspired by a real-life incident in the life of a cop and made the movie with no compromise on the quality,” the makers said in a statement.

Salaar to be completed in flat four months

Prabhas’s ‘Salaar’ will start rolling next month. Prabhas has allotted his dates to this mega action drama from the last week of January. 

The major portion of the shoot will be completed in four months. The remaining portion will be done in the second half of 2021.

Directed by Prashanth Neel, ‘Salaar’ is expected to hit the screens either for Dussera 2021 or Sankranthi 2022. Being made on a massive scale as a Pan-India project, ‘Salaar’ is produced by Hombale Films.

Two heroines are being considered for ‘Salaar’. Of these two, Disha Patani is the main contender for the female lead.

Ravi Teja’s Krack to release on Jan 14

Ravi Teja’s ‘Krack’ has officially confirmed its release date as of January 14, 2021. The film’s director Gopichand Malineni has tweeted a hashtag – #KrackOnJan14.

As things stand today, this will be the solo biggie for the upcoming festival period. All other films are backing out. Of course, there is Tamil superstar Vijay’s dubbed movie, ‘Master’, that is expected to hit the screens on 8th January. 

‘Krack’ has completed its shooting formalities. Directed by Gopichand Malineni, ‘Krack’ has Shruti Haasan as the heroine. It is a cop drama. Thaman has composed the music. 

Vedhika setting the internet on fire with bikini pics

Vedhika, an actress in Telugu and Tamil films, has been breaking the internet with her steamy photos. She is currently vacationing in the Maldives. She is sharing pictures of her bikini avatar.

She has been setting the temperatures soaring with these photographs. Her fans describe the pictures are too hot handle.

She is quite bold in posing for the camera and sharing them on Instagram. She has 2.6 million Instagram followers.

Recently seen as Balakrishna’s lover in ‘Ruler’, Vedhika is part of Telugu films like ‘Baanam’, ‘Vijayadasami’ and ‘Daggaraga Dooramga’.

The 30-year-old actress is currently busy with Tamil films.

Pooja Hegde becomes the highest-paid actress in Tollywood

Pooja Hegde has hiked her pay package. Tollywood producer’s guild has requested the actors to reduce a 20 percent cut in their remuneration due to the setback in the movie business post the coronavirus outbreak. But Pooja Hegde is in much demand.

Even after agreeing to cut in the paycheck, she would be taking home a whopping 2.5 crores for signing new projects.

She has overtaken Anushka Shetty, who previously remained the highest-paid actress, with about Rs 2 crores.

She deserves every penny of it as her recent movies like ‘Ala Vaikunthapurramloo’ set new records at the box-office.

She is currently acting opposite Prabhas in ‘Radhe Shyam’. Pooja Hegde has two big projects in Bollywood. She will soon announce another Telugu biggie, which will be made as a Pan-India project as well.

Ram’s Red to be pulled out of Sankranthi 2021?

Producers have little confidence in the potential of theatrical business during this Sankranthi 2021. Many films that announced their release plans for the Sankranthi festival are now being postponed further. 

Ram’s ‘Red’ is one such film. 

Producer Sravanthi Ravikishore, after consulting several distributors, has decided to wait further to get clarity emerge. It still has chance to come to the theaters for Sankranthi season. But producer Ravikishore is also in dilemma. There are also high chances of getting it postponed further.

‘Red’ is a mass action entertainer and is made for the theatrical experience. Directed by Kishore Tirumala, the film has Nivehta Pethuraj, Malvika Sharma, and Amrutha as the female lead. 

‘Red’ was originally slated to hit the theaters in April 2020. The film, however, got postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic conditions. 

‘I’ve been in the industry for a decade, but nothing mattered until Scam 1992’

From a Telugu movie, to TV advertisements, and web-series like Ladies Room and The Family Man, Shreya Dhanwanthary was still waiting for a role to reckon with.

First Role: Playing college girl Shailu in Telugu film Sneha Geetham (2010)

Standout Act: A Viral Wedding (Eros Now/Prime Video), Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (SonyLIV)

“I have been in the industry for a decade, but nothing mattered until Scam 92,” says actor Shreya Dhanwanthary, 29, who plays the complex role of the journalist Sucheta Dalal in the Hansal Mehta-directed Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story. “I did Ladies Room (TV miniseries, 2016) with Yash Raj Films, and it became a big thing, and was critically acclaimed, too. But people didn’t put together that it was the same girl from a Samsung phone TV commercial and the lesbian rock chick from a Fastrack commercial. I would chameleon-ise into various roles,” she says. Then came the 2019 film Why Cheat India opposite Emraan Hashmi, and, a role in the much-talked-about Manoj Bajpayee-starrer web-series Family Man (2019), “but things shifted in a phenomenal way only since Scam 1992,” says the Hyderabad-born Dhanwanthary, whose miniseries A Viral Wedding, which she wrote and acted in, released this May.

At school, she would perform on the stage from the age of four. A self-confessed nerd, who “gets all her information from books, the old-fashioned way”, she would balance science and the performing arts. She started modelling while pursuing an engineering degree from National Institute of Technology, Warangal, “to pay the bills in Mumbai”, otherwise, she says, she was “a useless model”. While juggling fashion weeks and advertisement shoots, she signed her first Telugu film Sneha Geetham (2010), where she plays a college girl Shailu. “The director held a statewide talent hunt, so I applied. It helped that the director (Madhura Sreedhar Reddy) was an alumnus of my college. I was inexperienced, didn’t even know how to apply make-up,” says Dhanwanthary, who then signed the Telugu-film Josh but it was released in 2009, a year before Sneha…

Dhanwanthary had been waiting for a role like the one she played in Scam 1992. “People had told us that everything the show was offering — the premise, the unknown cast, etc., a lesser-known streaming platform — would work against it. But I am so glad that Scam broke all those notions, debunking the myth that only a certain subject can work on the OTT spectrum, or what a star cast needs to look like,” says Dhanwanthary, who will next be seen in the web-series Family Man Season 2 and Mumbai Diaries 26/11 (Prime Video).

Sunil is the new villain for Balakrishna

If the information coming from the sources close to Nandamuri Balakrishna is to be believed, then Nandamuri Balakrishna is all set to face a new villain in his future project. Bollywood star Sunil Shetty is expected to play the baddie in Balayya Babu’s upcoming film. Sunil Shetty may be roped in for the big budget movie directed by Boyapati Srinu. Miryala Ravinder Reddy is the producer for this film.

Nandamuri Balakrishna is one of the top heroes in Telugu film industry. He is especially known for high voltage dialogues and action scenes. As all the movies of Balakrishna are high pitched action entertainers even villains play an important role in them. Therefore directors take care even while finalising villains for Balakrishna. Famous actors like Prakashraj, Mohan Raj, Jayapraksh Reddy, Kota Srinivasa Rao and others acted as villains opposite Nandamuri Balakrishna.

Pic of the day : Payal Rajput

Tollywood thanks YS Jagan

Telugu Film Industry (TFI) thanked Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for announcing a slew of measures to offer relief to the film industry, which is suffering due to COVID-19 repercussions. Though theatres have been opened with COVID-19 precautions, movie goers are fearing to return to theatres like earlier. It might take longer time for the movie industry to get back to normalcy. Movie theatres are the worst hit among all segments of film industry. Many movie theatres are on the verge of closure. At this critical juncture Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced several measures to rescue the movie theatres and multiplexes.

 

AP CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy announced waiver of fixed electricity charges for movie theatres in AP for April, May and June months. The six months electricity bills after June can be paid in instalments. Government also announced loans of Rs 10 lakh to movie halls in A and B centres and Rs 5 lakh to theatres in C centres. Megastar Chiranjeevi, senior star Nagarjuna, senior producers Dil Raju, Suresh Babu, Tammareddy Bhardwaja and others expressed happiness on YS Jagan’s gesture and said that his relief announcements will help movie theatres in AP to a great extent at this troublesome times.

Sonu Sood Is Real Life Hero Of Year 2020

The man who has stunned the audience with his performance on-screen has also left everyone speechless with his work, off screen. Sonu Sood who is famous for his negative roles in films like Singh Is Kinng, Dabangg and Simmba became a real life hero of India.

The actor did not leave a single stone unturned. When the pandemic hit the world and with it our country India also implemented lockdown, the actor provided his help to people. In March 2020, thousands of migrant workers were left stranded in different cities with no means of transport. The workers that rely on public transport like buses and trains had no means to travel back to their villages.

Sonu Sood came to their aid. From migrant workers to health care personnel, this amazing Indian came to the rescue of every person he could. Many people tagged him as the “Messiah.”

Buses For Migrant Workers

Due to the lockdown many migrant workers were stranded and had nowhere to go. They wanted to leave for their hometowns and villages but had no means to do so. They had no work and no money. Sonu Soodhelped them by arranging buses for these workers. He got permission letters from the respective state government, arranged buses and food for the workers. He also made sure that these workers get their health check-up done.

Many workers from Mumbai were able to reach Bihar, UP and other states  

Food Donation Drive

In partnership with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Sonu Sood organized a food donation drive. Under Shakti Annadanam drive he helped around 45,000 people every day, especially people living in slums or Dharavi of Bandra, Juhu and other areas.

Helped Health care workers

When a situation like COVID-19 hits the nation, the ones that work the most are health care workers. These medical experts have to work extremely hard to serve and treat the patients who are affected by the virus. To help these medical workers, Sonu Sood opened his hotel to them. His hotel in Juhu, Mumbai was open to health care workers, medical experts who travelled from far and would probably need a place to stay.

Scholarship For Aspiring Kids

On Nov 28, 2020, Sonu Sood announced a scholarship program under which needy students can fulfill their dreams of becoming a doctor. In association with ISM EDUTECH, he launched the program. Anyone who wants to apply can do so, on the website http://SONUISM.ORG

Apart from the things we mentioned above, he even arranged for 177 women who were stuck in Kerala to head back to their hometown Odisha. This amazing actor has done so much that calling him a ‘Messiah’ or ‘Real Life Hero’ will be completely justified. He is now working on a new initiative for senior citizens. 

Jr NTR Gets Paid More Than Bigg Boss Host

Young Tiger Jr NTR is one of the most talented actors in Tollywood. He has a huge fan following in different parts of the country. As you all might aware that Jr NTR is away from the silver screen for more than two years. No doubt, his fans are dying to see him on the silver screen. For all Jr NTR fans out there, this piece of news is for you. Jr NTR is all set to host another reality show for a second time on small screen.

Do you know, how much he is charging per episode? If reports are to be believed, Jr NTR is getting paid Rs 30 lakh per episode which the highest remuneration for any host in the history of Telugu television.So, totally he is going to make Rs 18 Cr for this entire show.  The reality show is likely to be two months and the theme of the show is yet to know. An official confirmation regarding the news is awaited at the moment. According to the sources, Jr NTR got paid around 15 Cr for Bigg Boss Telugu season 1. Likewise, he is getting paid more than Bigg Boss for his new reality show which is set to go on air in the next two months.

RRR is a fictional story of two Telugu freedom fighters Alluri Seetharama Raju and Komaram Bheem. The film is produced by DVV Danayya and features Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn, Samuthirakhani, Ray Stevenson, Allison Doody and Olivia Morris. The film was set for January 2021 release but they could not release it due to COVID-19. The makers are yet to announce the new release date of the film.

Dil Raju’s birthday becomes a talking point

Maverick producer Dil Raju is celebrating his birthday on Friday. He is turning 50 today. Industry colleagues, fans and well wishers are soaking the successful producers in greetings. Dil Raju has thrown a lavish party on the occasion of his birthday at his residence in Hyderabad. Now this party has become a talking point in Tollywood. Who is who of the Telugu film industry attended the event. Megastar Chiranjeevi, Power Star Pawan Kalyan, Mahesh Babu, Baahubali star Prabhas, Ram charan, Nitin, Akhil Akkineni, heroines Raashi Khanna, Pooja Hegde, Anupama Parameshwaran, director Anil Ravipudi and others attended the event. The pics of this star-studded birthday event are going viral on internet.

 

Tollywood sources say that there are multiple reasons for organizing such a grand birthday party by Dil Raju. It is said that besides being the special occasion of 50 years, Dil Raju wanted to introduce his newly married wife to his colleagues and well wishers in the industry. Dil Raju married for the second time during lockdown and could not hold any marriage function. He married for the second time after his first wife Smt Anita’s untimely demise.

Hero Vishal planning to contest in Assembly elections

As the elections are nearing in Tamil Nadu, new faces are springing up in the race. Already Thalaiva Rajinikanth has announced that he will launch political party and contest in upcoming Assembly elections. Now Telugu and Tamil star Vishal has also expressed his interest in contesting the Assembly elections. According to news reports from Chennai, Vishal is speaking to his fans and knowing their opinions.

Vishal has a good fan following in Chennai and is said to be interested in contesting elections from Chennai city. He had unsuccessfully tried to contest during the bye-elections to RK Nagar in the past. But this time, Vishal is said to be determined to contest in elections and making all the necessary moves. However it is yet to be known, whether Vishal will join any political party or fight elections as an independent.

Mohan Raja to direct Chiranjeevi

Tamil director Mohan Raja has been selected by Megastar Chiranjeevi to direct his 153rd film. Chiranjeevi will act in this remake of Malayalam hit Lucifer. After a several rounds of discussions and evaluating various options, Megastar has chosen Mohan Raja for the project. Mohan Raja is a popular director in Tamil and gave several hits. He also directed Telugu film Hanuman Junction. He is the son of senior producer Editor Mohan. Mohan Raja worked as assistant director for Chiranjeevi’s hit movie Hitler two decades ago. His father Editor Mohan produced it.

“With the blessings of my parents and well-wishers, life has always gifted me better and bigger things. And this time, I am elated and honoured to direct a mega project with Megastar Chiranjeevi,” said Mohan Raja expressing happiness over the opportunity. With Mohan Raja getting selected for Chiranjeevi’s 153rd movie, all eyes will be on him from now and Mega fans will be looking towards him to deliver a hit. NV Prasad is producing this movie along with Konidela Productions.

Mahesh Babu’s birthday gift for Adivi Sesh

Young hero Adivi Sesh is celebrating his 35th birthday today and Superstar Mahesh Babu has made this day a very special one. Mahesh Babu released the first look of Adivi Sesh’s upcoming movie Major. Releasing the first look poster of Major, Mahesh Babu expressed heartfelt wishes for his younger colleague. “Happy to present the first look of Major. Wishing you a very happy birthday, Adivi Sesh. I’m sure Major will go down as one of your best performances. Good luck and happiness always,’ tweeted Mahesh Babu releasing the first look through his official handle. Now this is really the best gift Adivi Sesh has got on his birthday.

Major movie is based on National Security Guard (NSG) officer Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s life. He had laid down his life, while fighting terrorists in 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The trailer and posters of Major movie have already gone viral and movie lovers across India are curious about the movie. Adivi Sesh is playing the lead role of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan in the movie. He got approval from movie lovers and passed the look test. Many expressed satisfaction that Adavi Sesh has been successful in appearing exactly as Adivi Sesh. He is busy with Major movie right now and planning to wrap up the movie within three months and release it for summer 2021.

Pic of the day : Disha Patani