Jhummandi Naadam Press Meet

K Raghavendra Rao’s ‘Jhummandi Nadam’ starring Manchu Manoj Kumar and a debutant Tapasee as lead pair, produced by Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna and to be presented by Padmasree Dr Mohan Babu under Sri Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures banner is all set to hit theaters worldwide on July 1st. A press meet was organised at Film Chamber on the success of the film’s audio.

In this programme Dr Mohan Babu, K Raghavendra Rao, Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna, Manchu Manoj Kumar and Ashok participated.

Addressing the media Dr Mohan Babu said, “I was confident about the film when I initially heard the story. The openings of my banner Lakshmi Prasanna Pictures was held at Vijaya Garden in Chennai. My brother NTR, who was in ‘Bobbili Puli’ get-up directly came to the venue and broke the coconut, while my sister Dasari Padma lite the lamps. Chandra Babu Naidu sounded the clap board for my first film that began at Tirupathi. Likewise I began my film production. I produced ‘Major Chandrakanth’ in 1992 with my favourite actor and Lakshmi Prasanna sounded the clap board for that film. With the blessings of God my brother had also sent me to Rajya Sabha. God had given me everything only because I am a self-disciplined man. I always wanted to make a film with Raghavendra Rao garu and by God’s grace ‘Alludugaru’ happened. Likewise we produced 56 films under our banner of which there are many wonderful films as well as flop films too. Ups and downs are very common in our life and our banner too faced it. My Guru told me recently that I’m the only actor who produced so many films and we later came to know the fact through investigation.”

Speaking further he added, “Raghavendra Rao garu has directed this film under our banner after almost 14 years. I’m very happy that he himself showed interest to make a film with my son Manoj. It is any actor or actress’ dream to do atleast a film under Raghavendra Rao’s direction because his films generally earn stardom. Although there were successes and failures before ‘Alludugaru’, Raghavendra Rao garu ensured that I become zero to No. 1 after that. The reason for not acting much in films these days is that my children are into my profession. So I wanted to help them to grow steadily. This apart I am also looking after my educational institution in order to be helpful to a few people atleast. So my daughter Lakshmi Prasanna has become the producer of this film. I hope the audience will bless my daughter in the same manner as they did it to me.”

Speaking about the music he said that there are altogether nine songs and all songs are excellent because of the combination of Raghavendra Rao and Keeravani. In general in any film we would find a couple of hit songs in a film. But in this film all songs have become hit. On this occasion I organized this function in order to introduce my daughter as a producer.”

About the director he said, “Raghavendra Rao is a man who does not talk but show it in action. Any producer can relax while working with one such director because he is a perfectionist, who makes the hero learn the song if the character demands.”

Regarding production he said, “I did not involve even a bit in production. It was my daughter Lakshmi and executive producer Ashok who prepared the budget and made the film within the budget limit. I’m only a financier. Depending on hero’s market demand Raghavendra Rao suggested to make the film within that budget. My entire family will be thankful to him always.”

“From the time of ‘Nenu Meeku Telusa’, Manoj started growing step by step. He is also doing films for outside producers. We are releasing this film on July 1st with highest number of prints in Manoj’s career. I thank all the cast and crew members including MM Keeravani for their sincere efforts. The heroine of this film Tapasee, was chosen by my daughter. This Delhi based girl is a very disciplined person and I wanted her to act as heroine with me as well.”

Producer Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna while speaking, “I am very excited that my film is going to be released shortly. I forgot to thank my father on the audio function day. Infact it was he who guided me on production. It’s unbelievable that the film had completed so fast. Raghavendra Rao uncle used to ask me each and every small bit before taking every shot. He made me feel as if I got the experience with just one which he got by doing 100s of films. At this moment I thank Raghavendra Rao uncle. Uncle used to appreciate Manoj by saying ‘Veedu samanyudu kaadu’. Infact we first wanted to name that as the title. People have already seen a film in daddy and uncle combination. And now they are going to see the film in the combination of Manoj, daddy and uncle. We enjoyed a lot on the sets. I’m very happy to say that we are introducing a very good artist like Tapasee to the Telugu film industry. I thank my entire crew and my mother who took care of me by serving food on time. I also thank the media for their support. I hope to do more good films in the future.”

Manoj said, “I’m very lucky to do a film under Raghavendra Rao’s direction. He made me feel so comfortable on sets that I never felt like I was working with some great director. He is infact like a God who made this film. Keeravani’s music and Gopal Reddy’s cinematography are extremely good. I’m very happy to work with my father again under Raghavendra Rao uncle’s direction after Major Chandrakanth’.”

Tapasee said, “Andhariki namaskaram. I’m very happy to be introduced to the Telugu screen through ‘Jhummandi Nadam’. The songs in this film are too good. I thank Keeravani garu for providing wonderful music to the film. I learnt a lot about acting from Raghavendra Rao garu. I thank my co-star Manoj for making me feel comfortable during shootings, my cinematographer Gopal Reddy who showed me very beautiful and all my crew members. Simple thanks is not sufficient for my producer Lakshmi Prasanna who took care of me very well.”