Watching movie is a preferred pass time for all people especially when it is a festive time and all our dear ones are at home. Keeping that in mind our filmmakers always try their talent for presenting joyous films – be it a Sankranti theme movie, love, comedy, action or mixture of all. Now this year will see three big films on the Sankranti eve and it’s gonna be a big festive treat to all movie buffs. So let’s take a quick glance through the list of Sankranti releases.
Naayak: Releasing on 9th January, 2012, ‘Naayak’ is an action flick directed by V V Vinayak and produced by DVV Danayya under Universal
Media banner. However, it’s often being promoted as Ram Charan’s ‘Naayak’. The actor plays a dual role in this film, which is for the first time in his career. The story is about a guy who fights hard to fulfill his father’s ambition. Kajal and Amala Paul have shared their screen space with Ram Charan in this film. While Charan-Kajal were declared as hit pair with ‘Magadheera’, it’s remained to seen how the chemistry works between him and Amala Paul in this film. Chiranjeevi’s famous song ‘Subhalekha Raasukunna’ from ‘Kondaveeti Donga’ was remixed and shot on Ram Charan and Amala Paul in Iceland. Trailers and stills witness that cinematographer Chota K Naidu showed Amala Paul ultra-glamorously on par with Kajal. Apart from these two heroines, Charmee got the chance to shake her hips with Charan in an item song ‘Nellorae’. The response for the track is pretty good too. It’s also the first time combination of Charan, Vinayak and Thaman. The film received good response for music as well as the trailers. Four out of six tracks have become instant hits - ‘Hey Naayak’, ‘Kathi Laanti Pilla’, ‘Subhalekha Rasukunna’ and ‘Nellorae’. Besides the beautiful foreign locations, few songs were also shot in the lavish sets. The talkie and action episodes were also shot in various national and international locations. The pre-release business of the film across AP and other parts of the world was fabulous. After doing good business with ‘Julayi’ and ‘Cameraman Gangatho Rambabu’ in 2012, Danayya is planning to release the film in USA by himself through his banner Universal Media. On the other hand, Dil Raju bought the Nizam rights for a massive price of Rs 11 crores. Gemini TV has reportedly bought the satellite rights for a gigantic figure touching Rs 8 crores. This Tollywood entertainer is being dubbed in Tamil and is scheduled for release on January 25th. This power-packed action entertainer obtained ‘A’ certificate and is set to hit theaters worldwide in couple of days, i.e., on January 9th.
Vishwaroopam: Vishwaroopam is a product of Kamal Haasan made in Tamil and Hindi (Vishwaroop) and dubbed in Telugu. It’s a spythriller written, directed and co-produced by Kamal made with a giant budget of Rs 95 crores. The story of ‘Vishwaroopam’ is based on the concept of international terrorism. A mere professional by himself, Kamal learned Kathak for an important episode in the film. He also imported several Hollywood technicians as well as the stunt masters from Thailand to work for this Raj Kamal Films International. Besides that, artists from Iran, Russia and Africa were roped in to play the American soldiers in few key scenes in which Kamal played an Afghan. An Afganisthan look-alike set was also erected in Chennai to shoot those scenes. The film was majorly shot in countries like USA, Canada and Jordan, apart from local places like Chennai and Mumbai. Bollywood ace director Shekhar Kapur essayed a special role in the film on the request made by Kamal Haasan. Pooja Kumar and Andrea Jeremiah are the two chief ladies. It’s reported that Andrea’s role is lengthier than Pooja Kumar’s. Rahul Bose played the antagonist as Omar. His scenes were shot in Jordan. The film also features Nassar, Zarina Wahab, Jaideep Ahlawat and several international artists named James Babson, Miles Anderson, Jude S Walko, Greg Sammis, Chris Kotcher, Melissa Bayer and David Scott Diaz. Musical scores composed by Bollywood trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy got good response in Tamil and Telugu. Sanu Varghese handled the camera and Mahesh Narayan did the editing work. While the theatrical release is scheduled on January 11th, the film will release on DTH platform on 10th i.e., few hours before the actual release of the film in theaters. The film will be first of its kind to release on DTH platform for Rs 1,000/- in Andhra Pradesh. However, time will decide about this concept in Tamil Nadu due to the controversy raised by the Tamil Nadu theater organizations. Since Kamal comes up with some unique idea with each of his film, the audience gets curious to watch his films. The movie did tremendous business and Kamal predicts the turnover to be above Rs 300 crores.
Seetamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu: Directed by Srikanth Addala and being released by Dil Raju, Sirish & Lakshman under SriVenkateswara Creations banner, ‘Seetamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu’ is a clean family entertainer starring Victory Venkatesh, super star Mahesh Babu, Anjali, Samantha, Prakash Raj and Jayasudha as the main cast. The film is about two brothers called Peddodu and Chinnodu in a family. While Venkatesh and Mahesh Babu will be referred as Peddodu and Chinnodu, Anjali and Samantha essayed their love interest and Prakash Raj and Jayasudha will be seen as parents to Venkatesh and Mahesh. Other prominent stars in supporting roles
are Rohini Hattangadi as grand mother and Abhinaya as sister to Venky-Mahesh. Mickey J Meyer provided the soundtrack and Mani Sharma scored the background music. K V Guhan is reportedly captured the scenes beautifully as per the mood of the story. Marthand K Venkatesh did the editing work. The movie wallpapers, trailers and music have already created buzz on the internet. SVSC is a multi-starrer film in Tollywood which is said to have been made after 25 years. Filming began in January 2012 and it’s hitting the screens worldwide exactly after one year. Shooting took place in several locations in India like Hyderabad, Bhadrachalam, West Godavari, Vishakapatnam, Chennai, Kerala, Pune, Ahmadabad, etc. While Anjali dubbed her own voice for her role in the film, dubbing artists Chinmayee lent her voice for Samantha’s role. SVSC is being promoted as the best Sankranti film of all time with Mahesh Babu-Samantha pair targeting the youth audience and Venkatesh-Anjali pair targeting the family audience. Overall the movie is said to be create a festive mood for the Telugu audience. The makers earned tempting amount by selling the theatrical distribution rights for a record price in all areas. 14 Reels Entertainment banner bought the overseas rights for a whopping price of Rs 6 crores which is said to be the highest ever paid amount at overseas. SVSC will also be the first South Indian film to be premièred on January 10th at AMC Empire 25 theater in Times Square in New York. The film will open to theaters worldwide on January 11th as a delightful holiday film.
So in addition to colorful rangolis and kites dotting the sky, these three much anticipated movies are said to be the holiday treats to Telugu audience during this Sankranti festival.
__ Radhika Andluri
