Suriya and Mahesh Babu together?

The hottest topic circulating in Film Nagar now is about a multi-starrer film to be directed by VV Vinayak and produced by YS Jagan, CM YS Rajashekar Reddy's son.Work on the film will commence in early 2009. Mahesh Babu and Suriya have already given their consent. The as-yet untitled film is already attracting a lot of media attention. Y. S. Jagan wants to make a big impression with his maiden film in Tollywood.

Pandurangadu dedicated to late NTR

Nandamuri Balakrishna's ready-for-release devotional film Pandurangadu is being dedicated to late NT Rama Rao, as a tribute to his blockbuster of the mid 50s Panduranga Mahatyam, according to director K. Raghavendra Rao. He said the film would be hitting the screens on May 30th all over the world. Its music by MM Keeravani is doing well in the market, recently celebrating the double platinum.

Kodi creates Happy Days flutter

Unit of Kodi Ramakrishna's latest film got thrilled to have surging crowds at the shooting location – a college at Panyam in Kurnool district. The shoot is on since a couple of days there. The film stars Dheeraj, Samrat and Vijay. Gayatri (one of the heroines in Happy Days) is playing the second heroine, with plume female lead by a Mallu girl. What's the reason for throng of big crowds at the venue? Passing on from ear to ear, it got to a wild spread in the surrounding villages that Happy Days heroes and heroines had arrived at Panyam. The youthful crowds seeing the three heroes were shocked that they didn't know any of them at all. However, they heaved a sigh of relief for their gasping trip – with the sight of Gayatri. The unit will be reaching the city on Sunday.

Rangeela producer passed away

Jhammu Sugandh, senior Bollywood filmmaker and financier, has today breathed his last at a private hospital, Zuhu, Mumbai, after suffering from a severe blood leak in the brain, followed by cardic arrest. In his late 50s, Sugandh produced some of the popular films like Rangeela with Ramgopal Varma, Hum Dil Chuke Sanam of Bhansali, Aks of Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra and and Kaalpurush of Buddhadev Dasgupta. Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, starring Imraan Khan, Aamir Khan's nephew, was his last venture. In the last couple of years, Sugandh incurred huge losses on the film. After the film got stalled for a year, it was Aamir Khan who got the production resumed. It is touching to note that the film is set for release on July 6th. Several Bollywood biggies expressed condolences on the sudden demise of Sugandh.

Yuvata shoot done by 60%

Shoot of Yuvata, starring Nikhil and Aksha, in the debut direction Parasuram with Hari producing it, is done by sixty percent. Made on Worth-watching Entertainments banner, The fresh schedule of the film commenced this morning in Hyderabad. The director said that the film akin to its title deals with the mindset of youth, their interests, and their urge for strong social identification. The shoot locations are set in Hyderabad and Rajahmundry. Manisharma's score is viewed as a big asset to the film. Sayaji Shinde and Jayaprakash Reddy are among the key actors.

Nagababu sees larger role by youth

Actor and megastar's brother K. Nagababu underlined the urgent need for the youth to take to active participation in social service. Inaugurating a blood donation camp at Bhagyanagar locality in city, the actor said: "Social service is an effective tool which the youth could use for creating a great deal of public awareness on various ills such as corruption. This will also bring them fast recognition," he said. Nagababu's frequent participation in public programs organized by the fans assumes significance in the backdrop of wide reports about his proposed political entry.

Thoorpu Padamara, an NRI love story

Shoot of a crossover film titled Thoorpu Padamara, starring new faces Arun and Ramita Shetty, is finished but for two songs. Produced and directed by Ramesh Tummala (who earlier starred and made the film Neeli Meghalu), it is coming up as a romantic entertainer. "An NRI chap comes to India to get married. He falls in love with a girl here. What happened later following differences between their individualities forms the crux of the subject," Ramesh said. Music is by Gorantla Krishna. Post production works are going on at a brisk pace. Canning of the left-out songs will be finished in the first week of June. "We re going to premiere the film at the forthcoming ATA conclave in July," Ramesh is hopeful. Prassad Konda, Padmini, Sahadev, Meena Singh, Ganga Narasimha Reddy, Suresh, Bharath Raj, Baby Pravalika and others form the cast. Rajesh Katuri is the cinematographer.

Kamna pairs with Raja again

After costarring hero Raja in the film Toss, once again Kamna Jetmalani is going to play the female lead for the actor. The film is directed by Raviraja Pinisetty. She has been passing through a lean period in Tollywood for the last several years, giving a single hit with Ranam, opposite Gopichand.

MAA Music gets ready for test run

MAA Music, extension of popular entertainment channel MAA TV, is going to have its trail run from May 30th. The full-fledged commercial operations are likely in the coming couple of months. Swapnesh Chintala – a passionate music lover and an youngster – heads the operations of this channel.

Dasarath-Mickey film on Adulthood

After Swagatham, a movie intended for family crowds, Dasarath geared up for a romantic entertainer. "I call this – The Journey of a Boy. A boy attaining the age of 14 thinks that he got matured in society and he is fit for anything. My concentration is about the growth of a boy between 16 and 24 I hope to deal the phases meticulously. I am going to introduce new artistes in tune with the script. A small college backdrop will be there," Dasarath said. The movie will be officially launched on June 13th. When asked whether he was inspired by a movie like Happy Days, Dasarath rejected any such influence. Mickey J. Mayer is likely to be the music director for this flick. Being a very delicate and youthful subject, music is said to have its lion's share.

Krishna plans B'Day with fans

Superstar Krishna will be celebrating his birthday on May 31st in Hyderabad amidst his fans, said the representative of Padmalaya Studios. At present, Krishna is in Ooty and will be arriving in Hyderabad in a couple of days. The actor has been following the tradition of celebrating the B'Day with his fans for the last several years. Interestingly, the birthday of his spouse Vijaya Nirmala was recently held at their farm house in Hyderabad, which saw an impressive gathering of fans of Krishna and Mahesh Babu.

Chilakalapudi in Pandurangadu fervor

Chilakalapudi is not a sleepy village these days. It is all spruced up to welcome the release of Pandurangadu, the devotional film of Nandamuri Balakrishna, on May 30th. Ever since the launch of the film's audio, the number of devotees visiting the temple of Lord Panduranga, is increased by twenty percent on a regular basis, a priest maintained. Special pujas would be performed on May 29th and 30th on the special request of devotees. A devotional procession with the participation of women and youth is planned from the village to the releasing theatre in Machilipatnam. The village is said to be in the grip of a festive atmosphere. It is not an exaggeration that Tallapaka in Kadapa district was not known to many till the release of KRR's Annamayya. After the release of his Ramadasu, the number of visitors at Ramadas Bandhikana at Golconda Fort has increased by leaps and bounds.

Kamna ready for two more films

Kamna Jetmalani, who plays heroine for Raja in Andamaina Abaddam, was last seen onscreen in bilingual film Toss in Telugu and Kannada, last year. When asked why she took a long gap, she retorted, saying: “It was released ten months ago. How can you say, it’s a long gap.” She told Idlebrain that she heard half-a-dozen scripts; and would be doing two Telugu films, soon.

Ram - Hansika - Tamanna's Josh?

Producer MS Raju was so passionate about his forthcoming venture, starring Ram, Hansika and Tamanna under the direction of B. Gopal. For this film, he has registered a title Josh. The film awaits launch soon.

Clean U to Pandurangadu

K. Raghavendra Rao-directed Nandamuri Balakrishna starrer Pandurangadu on RK Film banner underwent censor formalities last night and obtained a clean U certificate. The film is set for release on May 30th. Though it’s a devotional film, it film is said to have some passionate streaks of romance between Tabu and Balakrishna, who plays dual roles.

Asin’s housemaid safe in Mumbai

The Chennai police received a complaint from a woman, mother of actress Asin’s housemaid, stating that her daughter was missing. Bhulya (24), has been working as domestic help for the last five years at Asin’s house at Golden Apartments at Chetpet area. As per the complaint, the girl used to visit her house thrice in a week, but didn’t turn up for the last since a week. The woman further alleged that when she went to enquire at the actress’ house, she was threatened by the security guards. Following the complaint, the Chennai city commissioner ordered the area police to look into the matter. At last, the actress was contacted on her mobile. She confirmed that the housemaid was safe with her in Mumbai; and sympathized with the old woman, for her motherly-tension.

40 huts gutted at Film Nagar

Fire gutted about 40 thatched houses at Tarakarama Nagar in Film Nagar, Hyderabad, on Tuesday evening. The fire broke out all of a sudden that by the time the fire-fighting equipment arrived, already the damage was optimal. A vehicle belonging to Ramanaidu Studios and some pushcarts were also gutted.

Sriram’s Brindavanam

Nukarapu Surya Prakasa Rao’s next film with Sreeram (roja poolu fame) and Sada in the main leads is titled as Brindavanam. CSR Krishna makes his debut as director with this film. This film will go to floors in the second week of June. Marudhuri Raja pens dialogues. Mani Sharma composes music.

Kalyanram launches book on NTR

Nandamuri Kalyanram today launched a book on late NT Rama Rao, to commemorate the latter's 86th birthday celebrations. The publication is titled Nayakudu-Kathanayakudu, written by Todupunuri Friends.

Ready to canvass for Chiranjeevi: Suman

Hero turned current-on-screen villain Suman said that he was ever ready to take up campaigning for the party of megastar Chiranjeevi. Talking to the media at the fort town Bobbili in Vizianagaram district, Suman hoped that under Chiranjeevi's leadership, women and the downtrodden sections would be benefited. Regarding films, he said that he looked forward to do more and more devotional films.

I will campaign for TDP: Balakrishna

Actor Nandamuri Balakrishna today announced that he would be taking active part in the campaign for Telugu Desam Party for the ensuing general elections in the state. "I will soon take a decision on joining the TDP," the actor said. Talking to reporters at Basavatarakam Cancer Hospital, he said that he was not a stranger to the activists of the TDP. When asked whether he would be inviting his sister Purandareswari into the TDP, he said there would be no such gesture directly from him. Interestingly, Purandareswari's husband Daggupati Venkateswara Rao was seen accompanying Balakrishna. The actor was seen in an upbeat mood, on the eve of his latest film Pandurangadu's release.

Balakrishna, Kalyanram visited NTR Ghat

Family members paid tributes to late NT Rama Rao at NTR ghat, Necklace Road, Hyderabad. Sons Nandamuri Balakrishna, Jayakrishna, daughter Bhuvaneshwari, grandsons NTR and Kalyanram arrived at the ghat at the sunrise. Placing wreaths and garlands at the Samadhi, they observed silence for a while. Balakrishna said he felt proud to have born as NT Rama Rao's son. "If there is rebirth, I wish to born to NTR again and again," NBK said. The TDP leaders who visited the ghat included Devender Gowd, Errannaidu and Roja. The TDP leaders organized a blood donation camp at NTR Trust Bhavan. An artiste Balu arranged an art exhibition, projecting NTR in the best of his characterizations of the yesteryears films.

Later, Balakrishna accompanied by NTR and Kalyanram arrived at Basavatarakam Cancer Hospital, where he inaugurated a blood donation camp.

Meanwhile, TDP president Chandrababu Naidu, accompanied by Harikrishna, who are on a 150-day public show Meekosam, garlanded the statute of NTR at a tribal hamlet Jayanti Puram in Krishna district. A road show was conducted by the late actor's fans and party workers up to Jaggaiapet.