THE NIGHTINGALE OF INDIA TURNS 78, STILL GOING STRONG

Lata Mangeshkhar, the doyen of playback singing, turned 78 today, and the film industry wished her good health to continue mesmerising generations with her voice.

As the Nightingale of India celebrated a quiet birthday, it was time for other leading musicians to shower praise on Lata.

"I worked with her as a junior artiste. But she brought me up to the position that I am today. My compositions from films like Rudaali are still remembered because of her," veteran singer and music composer Bhupen Hazarika told PTI.

"I was a famous Bengali singer and known for my Assamese tunes. But it was after she lent her voice to my compositions that I got universal recognition," Hazarika said.

"I could not go to wish her today but through you I am sending her wishes and pray she lives long to continue singing," Hazarika said.

For singer Manhar Udhas, Lata Mangeshkar was an institution in herself.

"I have sung a few hit songs from films like Abhimaan and Hero. I feel proud of the fact that I have been her colleague. Times may change but she will remain untouched. Her glory will live on," Udhas said.

Lata Mangeshkar's global fame can be gauged from the fact that the Royal Albert Hall, London, has recorded the graph of Lata's voice with the help of a computer which is by far the "Most Perfect" in the World.

TIGHT SECURITY FOR INDIA-AUSTRALIA ODI

Tight security arrangements have been made for today's ODI between India and Australia at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium with the city police deploying more than 3,000 personnel.

In addition, the police have pressed into service anti-sabotage, bomb disposal and sniffer dog squads for the day-night game, which has attracted a sell-out 55,000 crowd.

"We have taken all precautionary measures for the smooth conduct of the match," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) B N S Reddy told reporters.

Reddy also said a disaster management group drawn from 18 government departments, including home and medical, had been put in place in a nearby ground which would activate emergency measures within 15 minutes of any eventuality.

Security personnel have been given electronic badges this time, replacing the thick paper ones of the past, police said.

WHEN TWENTY20 OUTNUMBERED SAAS-BAHU SOAPS IN TRP RATINGS

In a clear indication that women viewers do watch things beyond the saas-bahu soaps, the India-Australia semifinal match of the Twenty20 World Cup saw a rating as high as 12.8 for the female TG.

This is the highest rated programme across the top-3 Hindi mass channels in 2007.

In fact, the semi-final between India and Australia touched a high of 23.2 TVR and the average rating for the match was also as high as 17.9 TVR, a press release issued by ESPN-STAR Sports said.

During the duration of the match, the channel share of ESPN and STAR Cricket combined was 63 per cent.

Meanwhile, STAR Cricket will once again take cricket lovers through the winning moments of the Indian team in the ICC World Twenty20 and will air non-stop action of all the victorious matches played by India on Sunday from 1530 IST.

INDIA SHINING: WE ARE ONE OF THE TOP TALENT HOTSPOTS IN THE WORLD

India will retain 10th position as the world's leading country for nurturing and developing talent over the next five years, says the first ever Global Talent Index (GTI).

Asian Pacific countries are giving a tough competition to the US and Europe when it comes to attracting and nurturing talent, says the Index developed by executive search firm Heidrick and Struggles and the Economist Intelligence Unit covering thirty countries chosen for the survey based on a representative geographical spread.

The GTI says that the much fabled 'BRIC' (Brazil, Russia, India and China) phenomenon should more accurately be expressed as 'IC' when it comes to talent. While China and India rank among the top 10 talent hotspots worldwide, Russia will fall from sixth to 11th place by 2012, while Brazil will slip from 18th to 19th.

India will be followed by Malaysia, which will remain in 12th place, South Korea, which will rise from 15th to 13th, and Japan (16th to 14th).

It adds, US will maintain its position as the world's leading country for nurturing and developing talent over the next five years but faces increasing competition from the UK, which will rise to second place by 2012, and China, which moves from eighth to sixth.

The index points out that China which is the world's most populous country is set to exploit its natural advantage by significantly improving its compulsory education system and developing a much better environment for producing and nurturing talent. This the index adds will enable the country to build on its manufacturing base and attract increasing numbers of foreign-owned businesses. PTI

SENSEX, NIFTY CLIMB NEW PEAKS

The stock markets remained bullish and climbed new peaks on day-to-day basis in the week under review amid indications of a sharp downward correction ahead as the valuations looked stretched.

In the last nine days (including five days of the week) the bull-run was mind-boggling. The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) barometer completed the fastest 1,000-point journey in just six days and gained 1,787 points or 11.5 per cent during the strongest rally beginning September 18.

The 30-share BSE index ended the week at 17,291.10 against previous weekend's close of 16,564.23, a rise of 726.87 points or 4.39 per cent in the week ended September 29.

Similarly, the broader S&P CNX Nifty of National Stock Exchange (NSE) crossed the 5,000-points level and closed the week at a new closing peak of 5,021.35, a jump of 183.80 points or 3.8 per cent over previous weekend's close of 4,837.55.

The unprecedented surge was credited to a dramatic rise in FII inflows after the US Federal Reserve lowered interest rates on September 18.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) poured in more than USD 3 billion (Rs 13,600 crore) since September 19. This week's inflows stood at about USD 2 billion (Rs 8,500 crore) including the provisional number of Friday.

Analysts expect a downward correction after a phenomenal rise in share prices in a short period, while investors seemed optimistic about another rate cut by the Fed next month in the light of release of data showing sluggish housing sales and consumer confidence in the US.

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NAGARJUNA DANCES TO CHIRUTHA'S TUNE: A HILARIOUS REMIX

Nagarjuna may not get the right script to act with Chiranjeevi, but he doesn't need to the tunes of the megastar's son -- Ram Charan Teja. And that is precisely what he does in this video. Check it out!



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CHIRUTHA MAKES A MIGHTY ATTEMPT TO MAKE A DEAFENING ROAR, BUT IT IS LOST IN THE CALLOUS NOISES OF THE WILD

One of the biggest challenges in the Telugu film industry today is launching a star son. The money riding on the film is so phenomenal and the expectations are so high that the audience wants nothing but a perfect product. And ironically, filmmakers too give a serious thought to the audience's likes and dislikes, and start pandering to their sentiments. So, what we get in Chirutha is a mish-mash of comedy, drama, sentiment and loads of action. The latter more so since Ram Charan Teja happens to be megastar Chiranjeevi's son.

But the moot point is: How does one launch the hero? With what kind of script? How should the love story be? These were some burning problems before Puri Jagannadh and the star-father Chiranjeevi. And not wanting to beat about the bush, they opted for the straight and simple narrative. The villain (Ashish Vidyarthi) kills the hero's father (Surya), and the hero seeks revenge.

And, of course, there is another stereotype. The heroine. That is Neha, whatever. If she is rich, she has to be arrogant and throw attitude and she does it in plenty being the wealthy businessman Prakash Raj's daughter. So what is a hero for if not to remove the money-clouded dust in her eyes and make her see the world in all its glory? And our Ram Charan does the same thing too and they fall in love and all that rigmarole.

But what is so different about the film you ask. The scale of the film. The action happens not in India but in Thailand, the land of sex, sleaze and sun-kissed beaches. And we have the hero gyrating to all those massy-massy numbers with the sometimes skimpily clad heroine and having a gala time. But, time and again he keeps rememering his mission: to avenge the death of his father lest it would be difficult to drag the film to its logical conclusion.

By now, you must be asking what is new about the film? I want to ask you the same thing what is new about any film where the hero bashes up a hundred guys without as much batting an eyelid. If you had expected an unusual script, that is your problem. Chiranjeevi & Co are more interested in carrying forward the mantle in the parameters laid down centuries ago. You either like it or leave it. But they wouldn't change their way of looking at cinema.

But, some of us are clever at reading the film between the lines. And that is where the comedy scores. Ali, portrays the half-man, half-woman character to perfection. And so do the other comedians, who lift up the spirits of the otherwise run-of-the-mill film.

But, Ram Charan seems to have succeeded in making a statement of style. And in choosing a subject that has some resemblances to Kaho Na... Pyar Hai, he has decided to usurp the title of the Hrithik Roshan of Tollywood.

IS TULASI SLATED FOR DISASTER AT THE BOX OFFICE?

Daggubati Suresh Babu, who is presently busy with the film Tulasi, starring his brother Venkatesh, is not a happy man these days. Not for any reason. He feels that Tulasi is not shaping the way he wanted it to be. And, therefore, he's pretty upset about its future. And, unlike many producers, Ramanaidu and his son, release their own films and therefore, if the film turns turtle at the box-office, it leaves a big hole in their pocket.

IT IS NOT EASY TO BE CHIRANJEEVI'S SON, AND RAM CHARAN TEJA IS FEELING JITTERY TOO OVER CHIRUTHA'S RELEASE

It is one of the biggest debuts in the Telugu film industry in recent times. When other star sons like Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, Balakrishna and even Mahesh Babu made their debut, they were greeted with a mix of objective optimism. And the fanfare was definitely muted when compared with the debut of Chiranjeevi's son Ram Charan Teja.

Ram Charan is all set to hit the screen tomorrow. And he has already become something of a legend. For the simple reason that he is the son of Chiranjeevi, the megastar who trailed a blaze for three decades. And still continues to command a huge following.

And it is not an easy task for anyone to make a debut with such huge expectations riding on him. And naturally Ram Charan Teja is feeling jittery too.

Talking to NDTV on the eve of the release of his film, Ram Charan admits he is tense about Friday when his debut film, Chirutha releases in 650 theatres worldwide.

Says the 22-year-old actor, "I would want to see how Chiranjeevi's son is performing. What does he have to give us? Is he going to reach his fans' expectations? Does he have anything in him apart from being Chiranjeevi's son?," says Ram Charan.

Charan is himself a huge fan of Chiranjeevi, the star, and he does not want his father to look for different kind of roles, just because his son is donning the greasepaint as well.

"I want to still see him in the funny massy roles, where he gets to dance with two or more beautiful heroines in one movie, and I want him to stay like that," said Ram Charan.

Chiranjeevi's family is truly the first family of Telugu cinema, as his father-in-law Allu Ramalingaiah was a veteran character actor and both brother Pawan Kalyan and nephew Allu Arjun are established actors.

But this son-rise will be the star's biggest test off-screen.

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YOU DON'T NEED TO BE A GENIUS TO MAKE LIFE A WORK OF ART, YOU JUST NEED TO USE YOUR IMAGINATION

Some people can create wonders from anything -- waste, paper, bottles, scrap, pencils, anything. Because their life is filled with wonderment. They don't look at things mechanically, like you and me, but with cautious alertness. They look at the world with the innocence of a child. Like a child who loves to make castles in sand, they too love to work their imagination with whatever they have in their hands. And because of this simple desire to do simple things in an ordinary way, they are able to work magic with their minds. Take a look at the vegetable art presented in this post and you will know what wonderment is all about. At least for a couple of days you will look at seeing things differently. Like a child.

SENSEX BREACHES 17K LEVEL IN ITS FASTEST 1,000-POINT RALLY

The stock market continued its record-breaking run today with the BSE Sensex breaching the 17,000 mark for the first time in its fastest 1,000-point rally as foreign funds stepped up purchases of local shares.

The 30-share index, however, failed to hold on to the early gains and closed at 16,921.39, still higher by 21.85 points from the previous close, as investors booked profit.

Profit-booking sparked as the Sensex crossed the 17,000-point level, covering the last 1,000 points in just six trading sessions. It touched an intra-day high of 17,073.87, and a low of 16,887.07 points.

In similar fashion, the National Stock Exchange's index Nifty closed higher by 1.65 points at 4,940.50, after touching a record high of 4,980.85 and day's low of 4,930.35 points.

A steep fall in Reliance Industries, the country's biggest firm by market value, mainly drove the Sensex down. The RIL scrip, which has about 15 per cent weightage in the Sensex, fell after reports that the company may put on hold investment plans to expand retail venture in Uttar Pradesh.

Oil and gas index dropped by 160.57 points at 9,616.94, followed by realty index by 112.09 points at 8,973.38. Capital goods index lost 109.26 points at 14,654.35 and auto index ended lower by 35 points at 5,215.27.

Major support to the market came in from the bank index, which rose 172.82 points at 9,117.80. This was followed by IT index by 153.35 points at 4,501.97. PSU index gained 80.39 points at 8,055.51 and teck index rose 69.05 points at 3,720.46 points.

THERE IS MORE TO PRASHANT TAMANG BEING 'VOTED' AS THE INDIAN IDOL: HERE'S THE TRUTH THAT TRANSCENDS BOUNDARIES

When he decided to try his luck at the Indian Idol reality show, winner Prashant Tamang probably did not dream that he would make it to the top.

Even if he did imagine that, the 24-year-old from Tungsung village in Darjeeling district could have never thought, even in his wildest dreams, that for many in Nepal his win would become a symbol of political victory over their southern neighbour India, frequently regarded as an arm-twisting bully.

For nearly two months, Nepal agonised over Indian Idol while its own contest Nepali Tara went ignored. Indeed, the Nepalese contest had to change its timing since no one watched it while it clashed with Idol.

Why would a nation ignore its own talents and devote its energies to promoting a singer whose ancestors originated from Nepal?

The answer is because, for many Nepalese, Darjeeling is still part of Nepal. In the 19th century, Darjeeling and other parts of Sikkim had been annexed by Nepal. However, as the British East India Company tried to open trade routes to Tibet via Sikkim, Nepal waged war against the Company and lost.

As a result, it was forced to sign the Sugauli Treaty and withdraw from all the territory it had occupied in Sikkim, Kumaon, Garhwal and much of the Terai.

Though the British found it difficult to govern the Terai and restored some of it to Nepal, Darjeeling, Kumaon and Garhwal remained part of British India.

When India obtained independence in 1947, Nepal hoped to get back its wrested land but did not.

Since then, the dream of achieving a "Greater Nepal" some day in the future with the lost area still remains in the mind of the Nepalese.

Royalists had been demanding a Greater Nepal and the Maoists, the opponents of the royalists, want it as well, demanding that the Sugauli Treaty be scrapped.

There has been no formal treaty between Nepal and India after 1947, even after Sikkim's merger with India in 1975, which Nepal regards as the annexation of Sikkim.

Nepal still does not formally recognise Sikkim's "annexation", nor has India sought recognition from Nepal.

Therefore Nepalis still regard Darjeeling as a part of Nepal that should be restored and Prashant Tamang is considered a Nepalese.

His victory Sunday therefore is the victory of Nepal over India in a way, which is why, despite his Indian citizenship, the fact that Prashant speaks Nepali at home, which constitutionally is an Indian language as well, is being regarded as evidence of his being a Nepalese.

Ironically, actress Manisha Koirala, who carved a niche in Bollywood, was never an icon in Nepal. One reason was probably because she came from one of Nepal's most influential families and the average Nepali did not identify with her.

Her popularity also took a dive after she supported King Gyanendra when the king tried to seize absolute power through an army-backed coup.

Nepalis feel that Manisha obtained stardom with the help of the Indian film industry, she did not "defeat" thousands of Indian contenders to attain success.

PAYAL ROHATGI DOESN'T WANT TO GET TYPECAST, SO SHE'S CHANGING HER IMAGE FROM A SEXY GAL TO GLAMOROUS BELLE: WHATEVER THAT MAY MEAN

Actor Payal Rohtagi of Corporate and Dhol fame is working hard to get an image makeover. Also, she has no qualms in accepting that things did go wrong in the past as her earlier films Tauba Tauba and Fun -- can be dangerous were branded as sleaze flicks.

"Yes, I was typecasted. But I am going through an image transformation now. It has taken about three years to get out of my previous image," avers Payal adding that she is moving ahead in her career.

She maintains that the process of transition hasn't been easy. "But, it's my struggle and I am fine with it," she says adding that she had an inkling that something was going wrong in her career.

"I had to face the consequences as nobody forced me into it. It was my decision. But I am happy I made those mistakes so early in her career. What if I had worked with Shah Rukh Khan and then goofed up!" quips the computer engineer-turned-actor adding that the mistakes have made her a mature person.

"I do not come from the industry. But I have realised that it's very important to work with senior directors and good production houses. It makes a lot of difference. Like in Dhol, I have a glamorous introduction, but it's not cheap but beautiful," she shares.

In the Priyadarshan directed film, she plays a a club singer opposite Arbaaz Khan. "It's a good role and has added to my growth as an actor," she avers.

How was the experience of working with the much acclaimed director? "It was great. He's one director I worship right now," exclaims the model who featured with cricketer Virender Sehwag in an ad campaign.

"The role has turned out exactly what he had told me. I am thankful to him for that," adds the actor. Some of her earlier films including Subhash Ghai's 36 China Town which was directed by Abbas-Mustan and Madhur Bhandarkar's Corporate were reasonably successful at the box-office. But she hasn't signed any more films as of now.

"Talks are on some films, but I'll finalise only after seeing the results of Dhol," she says adding that she has great expectation from the film.

So what's her ambition as an actor? "Dhol has me in the second lead. But I wish to upgrade to playing lead roles and want to be in the league of respected actors of the industry.

"At one point of time, I would like to shoulder a film on myself. I am putting my best efforts towards it," says Payal.

"I won't say that I dream of playing etched characters like Meena Kumari's in Pakeezah. Though I have seen the film 20 times but you can't compete with something as classic as that. So my focus is on doing some good work with good directors where I can grow as an actor," she concludes.

SOME CHILLING TRUTHS ABOUT THE COLLAPSE OF THE PANJAGUTTA FLYOVER IN HYDERABAD

THE EX-FACTOR GETS A JLo PUSH: THE HISPANIC ACTRESS TO REPLACE SHARON OSBOURNE

Hollywood's highest-paid Hispanic actress Jennifer Lopez may soon replace Sharon Osbourne as a judge on the British reality television show The X-Factor.

"Sharon is set to quit the show at the end of the current season. Jennifer knows that she's got a massive fan base in the UK," the media reported on Monday, quoting a source close to the actress as saying.

Apart from Osbourne, other judges on the show are Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue.

"Getting Dannii Minogue on board has proved a big hit. Now Simon Cowell wants to take the show to the next level and make X-Factor an international success. People Stateside will tune in just to see Jen.

"She won't come cheap but Simon knows it will be a great investment -- just the thing the show needs to become a hit in the States," the source told The People newspaper.

JLo, who is rumoured to be pregnant with her first child, had recently said that she would not do any more nude scenes in her movies.

"In the beginning I did some and I was really lucky because they would cut my (nude) scenes out -- so there is only one out there or something like that.

"I'm not comfortable with it, I'll be honest with you -- not at this point in my career. I love the idea of being a bold actress and I am quite fearless when I work but there is just something about it that just feels not quite right to me -- a bit exploiting," JLo told a British chat show.

MEN MORE INTELLIGENT AND MORE STUPID THAN WOMEN: STUDY

It's a research that is guaranteed to delight as well as infuriate both men and women, and could spark a row over the breakfast table.

Yes, the study carried out by scientists in the United Kingdom has revealed that men are actually more intelligent than the fairer sex but they are more stupid as well, the Daily Mail reported in London today.

"The phenomenon may have its roots in society's expectations for the sexes. Men have long been expected to be high achievers, while women were expected to base their lives around the home.

"The female developmental programme may be tilted more towards ensuring survival and the safety of the middle ground," one of the study's authors, Psychology Professor

Timothy Bates of Edinburgh University, was quoted as saying. The researchers came to the conclusion after measuring the intelligence of over 2,500 brothers and sisters by testing them on science, maths, English and mechanical abilities -- they found a disproportionate number of men in both the top two per cent and the bottom two per cent.

According to the findings, there were twice as many men as women in the smartest group. But there were also twice as many men among the dunces. However, the average scores of the men were virtually identical to that of the women.

The research tallies with past findings that men at university were more likely than women to receive first class degrees or thirds -- while women tended to achieve second.

The argument was always that men were more likely to take risks with their academic arguments, which could either be successful or fail dismally. Women, it was suggested, were more steady in their learning.

SEVEN HOURS OF SLEEP MUST FOR SOUND HEALTH: STUDY

In today's hectic world, it may be difficult for many to get adequate sleep. But, those who manage to clock up seven hours of shut-eye every night can slash the risk of health problems.

Yes, according to a study by scientists in Britain, seven hours of sleep is a must for sound health as it reduces the risk of heart problems -- but getting an hour more or less can be fatal, the Daily Mail reported in London today.

"Sleep represents the daily process of physiological restitution and recovery, and lack of sleep has far-reaching effects. Our findings indicate that consistently sleeping around seven hours per night is optimal for health," lead researcher Professor Francesco Cappuccio, of the University of Warwick's medical school, was quoted as saying.

However, he said that "insufficient sleep is a risk factor" particularly in weight gain, high blood pressure and type two diabetes.

"Fewer hours of sleep and greater levels of sleep disturbance have become widespread in industrialised societies. This change, largely the result of sleep curtailment to create more time for leisure and shiftwork, has meant that reports of fatigue, tiredness and excessive daytime sleepiness are more common," the researcher said.

In fact, Prof Cappuccio and his team came to the conclusion after studying how sleep patterns affected death rates among 10,308 people. The researchers examined data for 1985-88 and for those still alive in 1992-23.

Once adjustments were made for factors such as age, smoking and illness, the study was able to isolate the effect of changes in sleep patterns.

So, sleep yourself healthy.

SENSEX CROSSES THE 16,800 MARK, NIFTY AT 4,900 IN EARLY TRADE

The stock markets continued their record-breaking spree with the benchmark Sensex touching a new peak of 16,820.53 within a few minutes of trade today, up by a whopping 256 points on the back of firm global cues and a slew of positive news.

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) 30-share barometer opened with a wide upside gap at 16,697.89 from last Friday's close of 16,564.23 and rallied further to a new intra-trade life-time peak of 16,820.53.

However, profit-taking pared early gains and it was quoted at 16,656.34 at 1030 hours.

Similarly, the broad-based S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) logged a new intra-day high of 4,913.35, a rise of 75.80 over previous close of 4,837.55. It was quoted at 4,861.90 at 1030 hrs.

Top heavyweight Reliance Industries (RIL) remained the most favourite of the investing fraternity on news that the company has struck oil in D4 block of Krishna Godavari (KG) basin.

Banking counters also remained in the limelight on expectations of interest rate cut by the central bank in near future.

Most of the Asian indices were firm today in morning deal due to firm trend on Wall Street last Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq Composite Index rose by 53.49 points and 16.93 points respectively.

Market also got support from hectic short-coverings by operators and retail investors ahead of the expiry of September contract on September 27.

AGARKAR, ROHIT TO GET RS 10 LAKH EACH FROM MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT

The Maharashtra government today announced cash incentive of Rs 10 lakhs each for Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma, both hailing from Mumbai, for playing a part in India's Twenty20 World Cup victory.

The announcement was made by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. "Maharashtra is proud of the performance of our boys. They have brought laurels to the state," he said.

Deshmukh would be present at the Mumbai airport to welcome the Indian players when they arrive here from South Africa, an official in the state Secretariat said.

DHONI IS JHARKHAND RATNA, AND MORE SURPRISES IN STORE FOR HIM FROM JHARKHAND CM

Jharkhand Chief Minister Madhu Koda today said he would present a surprise gift to the inaugural ICC Twenty20 World Cup winning captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni when he returns home.

"I have promised a surprise gift for Dhoni and it is proper that I should reveal it before him only. If I reveal now, the surprise element will be lost.

A couple of years ago, the state government had given a piece of land in the state capital after Dhoni's sizzling performance at the international level.

The Chief Minister, who watched the entire match in the capital, said he spoke to Dhoni's parents over phone and congratulated them on the success of the Indian team.

"We have arranged a grand celebration for Dhoni...We are already conferring him the Jharkhand Ratna on November 15."

NAGARJUNA WANTS A SUPERHERO SUBJECT AHOY!

Nagarjuna is willing to give a chance to anyone who can give him a blockbuster. But, he should be able to deliver a blockbuster. Nothing less. Of late, he has been harping on the "mass entertainment" factor too much in his interviews. "I want to do a film like Shiva, which has a wider appeal," he had gone on to say in a recent interview. And it is not easy to understand why.

The younger actors like Mahesh Babu, Junior NTR, Allu Arjun, and the likes have stolen the thunder from under the feet of the Big Four -- Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh, Balakrishna and Nagarjuna -- leaving them tottering on the brink of extinction. And what they need is a massive hit to stabilise their position. While Balakrishna and Venkatesh are managing to hang on there with their cleverly crafted subjects, Chiranjeevi and Nagarjuna have been struggling to maintain their image.

Especially for Nagarjuna, who is unable to bracket himself in any category unlike the other Three, it has been a Herculean task to withstand the competition. Which is why he is singing the "mass entertainment" mantra. Don't think he has any love lost for you, on the contrary, he wants to count his money. And the bigger the packet, the grander their words. So, don't be surprised if you see Nagarjuna twisting and tearaing the hands and limbs of villians in his next film a la a super hero. Remember, he is only trying to be in the reckoning.

ILLEANA IS REALLY GOING PLACES: TAKING BABY STEPS TO BOLLYWOOD

Tollywood has become the launch pad to Bollywood, especially for the heroines. In recent times, it started with Bhumika Chawla notching up a couple of some real good Bollywood films. Following in her footsteps, Asin is making her debut in the Hindi remake of Gazni. Sada, too, is busy shooting with Shreyas Talpade for a Sangeet Sivan film called Click, and she has another one, Love Game, in the pipeline with Randeep Hooda. Before we can actually exclaim, "Wow, the Tollywood babes are really going places", here comes the news that Illeana has signed a Bollywood flick opposite Shiney Ahuja.

Illeana shares her delightful news with us.

ON HER DEBUT IN BOLLYWOOD
Finally, I’ve made it to Bollywood. I have never been overzealous about my entry there. For me, the storyline is what matters and not the industry. But now since it’s happening, I’m only too happy.

ON HOW SHE SEES HERSELF IN BOLLYWOOD VIS-A-VIS OTHER HEROINES
I’m content with what I have. If others are also following suit, I’m happy for them too.

ON HER ITSY-BITSY ROLE IN POKIRI
Pokiri was Mahesh Babu’s film. So, there was no power struggle for me. I enjoyed shooting for it, liked working with Mahesh, and I am tremendously happy about it’s box-office success. And, unlike Mahesh, who seldom talks and is an introvert, I had a whale of time constantly chatting and having masti on the sets.

ON HER 'SERENDIPITOUS ACCIDENT' IN TOLLYWOOD
At 16, I was offered Dhairyam, a Telugu film, but it didn’t happen due to certain reasons. Later, Raima Sen did this film with Nitin.

ON WHAT FILM GAVE HER THE BEST SATISFACTION IN RECENT TIMES
I’m really proud about my film Rakhi. I feel I have given my best in the film.

ON WHAT TOPS HER PRIORITY LIST
The most vital thing in this world is unconditional love, which only family members can give. And without my small family, I’m no one.

ON WHAT SHE DOES WHEN NOT SHOOTING
I love catching up on films on DVD or reading a Sidney Sheldon.

ONE OF THE BEST SONGS PENNED BY SIRIVENNALA: JAGAMANTA KUTUMBAM NAADI, EKAAKI JEEVITAM NAADI

DIL CHAHTA WAS A REAL EYEOPENER: IT TAUGHT ME SOME AMAZING THINGS THAT WE TAKE FOR GRANTED

CHECK OUT SOME AMAZING WALLPAPERS OF CHIRUTHA