skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Hyderabad: Thursday’s massive search operation at the residences and offices of Tollywood producers Venkata Phanindra Reddy and K Narasimha Reddy ended with Income Tax (I-T) officials seizing asum of Rs 2.5 crore from the two parties. Sources said that the close to 24 hourlong operation that began at 8.30am on Thursday concluded only at 5am on Friday after seven premises (in Gachibowli and Jubilee Hills) belonging to the producers were thoroughly searched. Apart from the cash amount, I-T sleuths also confiscated complete remuneration details for the entire cast of ‘The Businessman’, the producer duo’s upcoming Telugu flick, which will see actor Mahesh Babu romancing one Kajal Agarwal. The film is scheduled for a Sankranti release.While Mahesh Babu’s residence on Road No 81 Jubilee Hills was also searched after I-T officials unearthed payment details for Rs 2 crore (towards the actor’s account) from the producers’ premises, the team failed to retrieve any cash or documents from the actor’s dwelling. “He (Mahesh Babu) denied all charges levied against him by the search team. The actor insisted that he had disclosed all his earnings and had not received any payment from production house RR Movie Makers (run by Venkata) or from anybody else over and above what was already stated in his I-T records,” a department source said, adding that the matter was still under scrutiny. The documents seized from the producers’ houses and offices were being studied to verify the Tollywood superstar’s claim.
“Also, the department is now waiting to question Venkata Reddy who was not available on Thursday. His statement will be crucial in the case,” said an I-T official in the known of things. RR Movie Makers’ owner, sources said, was away in New Delhi although his brother Suresh Reddy, film partner Narasimha Reddy (who also runs KNR Constructions) and a few others from the production team were interrogated by I-T sleuths. “We will now have to see if the information that we have collected from these people is corroborated by Venkata Reddy. Only then can we take the matter forward and bring any action against the lead actor,” the official added. Mahesh Babu, it is believed, received a payment of approximately Rs 2 crore from the producers of ‘The Businessman’. Sources alleged that while this amount had been credited to his account, the actor did not disclose the same in his annual returns. Thursday’s I-T search, carried out by a group of about 50 officials, was conducted to verify the charges.Source: TOI
Kajal Agarwal throw-ed an open challenge to the media that she is going to grab the top place in Tollywood in 2012. Recently rumors rounded in websites and newspapers that Kajal Agarwal is facing the drought of films and her film career is at the edge of extinction. Responding on this, Kajal Agarwal stated that, “I am at present acting in “The Businessman”. I am going to act in another film which is going to be directed by V.V.Vinayak. Besides this, I am having two Kollywood offers and one Sandalwood offer in hand and in spite of these films, media is promoting that Kajal film career is going to end soon. I am saying now that 2012 is mine. Do remember this and you too will say that soon.”
Film maker Ram Gopal Varma is one man who is known for his straight forward statements and open thoughts. And after the arrival of the social networking site Twitter, he has been pushing the pedal and is pouring out his thoughts every now and then much to the delight of his followers.Now, one of his recent tweets caught the attention of many. This was a huge barrage of kisses that Ramu gave for a hero's daughter. She is none other than Ekta Kapoor, daughter of Jeetendra. Apparently, Ramu seemed to be very happy with the success that Ekta scored through her recent production 'The Dirty Picture'.His tweet read – 'I want to give 2 million 15 lakh 17 thousand 3 hundred and 26 and a half kisses to Ekta for proving that Dirty is Clean and Clean is Dirty'. Those who read this said either Ramu was overwhelmed with affection on Ekta's success or it was simply the after-effects of having few pegs of Vodka. Wonder what Ekta's reaction for this is.
Prince Mahesh Babu who has not taken any rest despite the super success of his recent venture 'Dookudu' is currently busy with the arrival of his new movie Businessman. While the inside talk has been quite positive about the film, here is something else from the camp.Recently, director Puri Jagannadh unveiled the second teaser of the film and it has got some crazy reactions. One group said "Mahesh is unbeatable, his eyes are filled with ferocity and his dialogue delivery is delivering punch. That's what we want from him always."Another version is "Puri is setting very high expectations on 'Businessman' through this latest teaser. This is good in a way but they should remember that too much hype also tends to damage the film. The business of cinema is tricky so it is better to handle the big ticket films in the right way."
The southern stud Siddarth may well be struggling a bit to score big success at the box office but he sure has enough projects in hand to keep him busy for an year or two. Now, it is heard that Sidz has reached another milestone in his career and that is through his baby.Well, we are talking about Sidz taking a new avatar, that of a producer. Yes, he has launched his production banner and it is named as Etaki Entertainment. Apparently, Etaki is a Bengali word meaning 'what is it?' incidentally, Sidz did a voiceover for an ad when he was a kid and got Rs 300, hence the name.Buzz is that Sidz has teamed up with the noted cinematographer Nirav Shah and another person Sasikanth. They have already started their first venture and this is 'Love Failure'. Sidz is pairing up with the doe eyed beauty Amala Paul in this one. Here's wishing all the success to this budding team of producers.
Movie: Osthi Rating : 3.5/5Cast: Silambarasan, Richa Gangopadhyay, Jithan Ramesh, Sonu Sood, RevathyDirection: Dharani SProduction: Mohan Apparao, T. RameshMusic: ThamanStoryIt is a typical commercial cop story that we grew-up watching. A corrupt cop Osthi Velan (STR) fears for nothing. He robs from Peter and pays the Paul. More a man with Robinhood heart, Osthi Velan is man of style and substance. He has love-hate relationship with his half brother Balan (Jithan Ramesh). There is love for him in the form of Neduvali (Richa Gangopadhyaya), daughter of a drunkard (VTV Ganesh). They get attracted to each other and fall for each other. There is an enemy to Osthi Velan in the form of Boxer Daniel (Sonu Sood). Both cross swords with each other. Osthi Velan's life has a doting mother (Revathy), a funny cop Selvam (Santhanam) around him. Velan in his typical style fights the evil designs of Boxer Daniel. He rips off his shirt towards the climax to win over him in a battle. Eventually the commercial venture ends with victory for Osthi Velan and he holding the hands of his beau.
PerformanceIt is Simbu's special all the way. The multi-faceted actor has preferred to play to the gallery. He as Osthi Velan, a funny cop with his own antics is entertaining and energetic. He fights, dances, romances and preaches too in his imitable style. No way one can compare Simbhu's performance with that of Salman for STR has rendered it in his own style. His diction of Thirunelveli dialect is good. Especially when he rips his shirt towards the climax fighting Sonu Sood is a special treat for his fans. The young actor has impressed one and all. Sonu Sood does what he did in the original. At places funny and at places a clichéd villain on Tamil screen, Sonu Sood leaves his impression in a movie which otherwise is occupied by STR's massive screen-presence. He unlike villains in other Tamil films, get a major share on screen and utilize the opportunity well. He gyrates and speaks from the bottom of his belly at places.
Richa Gangopadhyaya, who is in a fine form thanks to stupendous success of her recent release Mayakkam Enna, consolidates her place strongly with Osthi. As Neduvalli, who is in love with Osthi Velan, she is homely yet glamorous. Her expressions and emotions are apt and Dharani extracts the best from his heroine. Santhanam emerges true champ with his one-liners that tickles our funny-bones. He is at his crackling best and scenes involving him and Simbu bring the roof down with laughter. Jithan Ramesh enacts the role played by Arbaz Khan as step-brother of Osthi Velan. He gets a meaty role to play and there is romance for him too. He is energetic too onscreen. Dharani's choice of star cast is apt for the masala venture. The likes of VTV Ganesh, Thambi Ramiah, Nasser, and Revathy add pep to the proceedings with a performance that is straight from their heart. The highlight being Bollywood sexy-siren Mallika Sherawat appearing for an item number equivalent to Munni Badnam.
TechnicalitiesDirector Dharani and cinematographer Gopinath share an excellent rapport and the two proved their mettle in their earlier outings. Osthi is no different and the duo makes it an engrossing affair where the camera compliments the racy story line. The major fillip for the movie is S Thaman's exemplary music. The pacy and racy songs are the major plus for the movie. The songs especially the title song Osthi rendered by Baba Sehgal, STR's rendition of cute pondatti and Kalasala Kalasala makes everyone break loose. Dharani's dialogues are crisp and Nellai Tamil fits the story well. Dharani has ensured that its racy commercial all through with no compromise. There are songs, fights, romance, comedy sequences and no dull moments all through.
Finally:An honest remake, Osthi is entertaining if you forget all logic and go inside cinema-hall for sheer joy, fun and entertainment. Dharani and STR have pulled it off in style. Three cheers to Osthi team.
What started a taboo in the film industry has now become a boon and hot cake for the cine folks. We are talking about the item songs and this was meant to be a domain for vamps and exclusive bombshells. But today, even that has been replaced with top league heroines shaking their booty.Amidst all this, one name has become the most desirable in Tollywood. This is Parvathi Melton. After making a debut in ‘Vennela’, this red wine beauty was unable to sustain her career due to flops. Later, it was the much promised film with Mahesh Babu and after keeping her hanging for a while, Parvathi was dumped.Later, her dream was half fulfilled when she did the item song in ‘Dookudu’ and with that, Parvathi is earning in one song what she used to earn acting for a film. Now, it is heard that producers and directors are fighting tooth and nail to get Parvathi’s call sheet for item songs. Let us wait to see if Paro will stick to the item route or prove her mettle as a heroine.
Ram Charan's film 'Yevadu' under the direction of Vamsi Paidipalli has been formally launched Today, Dec 9th 2011. While speaking in the pressmeet after the pooja ceremony, Ram Charan is all praise for director Vamsi Paidipalli and his film Brindavanam."We all have seen what Vamsi Paidipalli is capable off with his previous outing 'Brindavanam'. He succeeded in developing a family subject to suit a main stream actor (NTR Jr)," said Ram Charan.Ram Charan referring to NTR's film has surprised everyone because no other lead actor in his league would dare to do that. And that to knowing the fact that fans of both these families would always try to seal every opportunity to cross swords. Lookslike, the alleged gap between the Mega and Nandamuri camps is reducing with each passing day. Good for them and good for the Industry!!!
Is there a political angle to the Income Tax raid on the residence of leading hero Mahesh Babu?The official reason is that the hype generated over the box office collections of the recent Mahesh-starrer “Dookudu” had prompted the taxmen to knock the doors of the movie producers and the hero.However, questions are being raised whether there are political reasons behind this raid. Mahesh’s fans point out that the IT officials did not bother to touch either the producers of the hero Ramcharan Teja of Magadheera though the movie made huge box-office collections. There was an equal hype surrounding Magadheera. The talk in political and film circles is that Chiranjeevi’s association with the Congress has kept the taxmen at bay. His political position has acted as a protective cover for him and his family, it is argued. Mahesh Babu’s paternal uncle Adiseshagiri Rao is understood to be associated with the YSR Congress Party. It is in this backdrop that the raids assume significance. It is this political connection of Mahesh’s family members that is giving rise to suspicion that the raid could be politically motivated.
