IS CHIRUTHA AUDIO UP FOR GRABS FOR A COOL RS 1 CRORE? YOU BET IT IS!!

Now that the engagement of Balakrishna's daughter Brahmani to Nara Chandrababu Naidu's son Lokesh has been solemnised, all eyes are back on the film industry. And with every passing day, Chiranjeevi and his son Ram Charan Teja seem to become jittery. Will it? Won't it? That is will his first film Chirutha create a storm in the industry? Not just Chiranjeevi and his son, all and everyone is closely waiting with bated breath for the completion of the film. The film is currently underway in Bangkok, if I am not mistaken, and has raked in quite an expectation. If I may say so, the expectation for Chirutha in Andhra Pradesh can be comparable to Sivaji: The Boss in Tamil Nadu. It is just the degree of difference. Even Shankardada Zindabad hasn't generated so much hype. Meanwhile, we hear the audio is up for grabs for a cool Rs 1 crore. Might be true. Because the kind of attention it has been receiving is not only unique but also mindboggling. Must say that the celebrity culture has taken India by storm after the liberalisation of the Indian economy. What say you?

LOKESH-BRAHMANI ENGAGEMENT IS OVER TODAY, NOW WAIT FOR THE MARRIAGE ON AUGUST 26

The most talked-about engagement in Andhra Pradesh uniting the two families -- the Nara family and the Nandamuri family -- got underway in the morning. , according to sources, it was a very simple and traditional affairs. It was Balakrishna who called the shots right from the word go. First, it was the filmi crowd that formed the invite list. And there were hardly any politicians.

Two, junior NTR came, saw, and left in a huff. It is rumoured that he was given the royal snub with no one giving him a damn. While others, however, claim that he was in a hurry to go for the shooting of Yamadonga, which is currently happening in Hyderabad. But, if it is such an important ceremony, for whose recognition junior NTR is desperately groping , wouldn't he cancel his shoot? This is all bull, and we know that they didn't take NTR's walking in with a warm smile.

It was a heavily-guarded affair blanketed by a posse of prive security guards. No journalists, not even those closest to either Balakrishna or Chandrababu Naidu were invited for the engagement ceremony. Inquisitive onlookers however, thronged to see from a distance if they could get a peek into the ceremony. But with so much security, I wonder even if the guests were able to catch on what was happening inside.

Balakrishna's house in Jubilee Hills was bustling with activity with an entourage of motrocades wheezing in and out of the premises. The guest list included: the Ramanaidu family, Nagarjuna family, Krishnam Raju family, all the Nandamuri brothers and cousins, the ANR family, the poet-laureate of Andhra C Narayana Reddy, among others. Chiranjeevi was conspicuous by his absence, and instead Allu Arvind made his presence felt.

Rammurthy Naidu, brother of Chandrababu Naidu, who said he wouldn't have anything to do with his brother's son's wedding, has come because he was called by Balakrishna. He came with the Nara family from his native place.

As was expected, and runoured, Daggubati Venkateshwara Rao and Purandareshwari played the achor role in the ceremony.

The ceremony got off to a start with the Chandrababu Naidu and his relatives went to Balakrishna's house in a Volvo. Chandrababu set aside his gruff looks for a while, and was laughing away most of the time.

The wedding will take place on August 26, 8.21 am.

ARRANGEMENTS ARE QUIETLY UNDERWAY FOR THE ENGAGEMENT CEREMONY OF LOKESH AND BRAHMANI

While Balakrishna is busy shooting for his film Okka Mogadu, and Chandrababu Naidu trying to forge a rainbow coalition into a Third Front, preparations are quietly underway for the engagement ceremony of Lokesh Naidu and Brahmani to be held on August 26. Chandrababu Naidu, we hear, is leaving for the US of A to convince his son about the significance of this marriage for his political future, and ensure there are no hiccups in the last minute. Maybe he wants to make it doubly sure after Chiranjeevi's daughter's engagement fiasco with Uday Kiran. Meanwhile, NTR's daughters meet regularly or keep in touch over the phone and can't stop discussing about the things that Brahmani should be decked with -- from gold ornaments to sarees to mehndi to what not. They want to ensure that it is one gala engagement ceremony.

HAS CHANDRABABU NAIDU PLANNED HIS US TRIP TO CASH IN ON BALAKRISHNA'S POPULARITY?

Let's make one thing clear right at the outset. Chandrababu Naidu has a way of planting stories in the media. For two reasons. One, he has the media in his pocket. And two, he does it so subtly that even the seasoned journalists can't figure out his moves. The latest rumour which is doing the rounds is that Balakrishna might accompany Chandrababu Naidu on his US visit at the end of the month. While Balakrishna is going to attend the TANA conference, what is Naidu going to do there, we wonder. Piggyback on Balakrishna's popularity? In normal circumstances, they would have been miles away from each other's reach. And Naidu wouldn't even be crossing the path of any member of the NTR family. But, now Naidu is ploughing a lonely furrow in terms of popularity, and he has no choice but to cash in Balakrishna's soaring popularity in the US of A. And get some mileage for the sagging image of the party in the eyes of the people. Therefore, it is reported, that he has been using all his clout to muster the goodwill and popularity of the Non-Resident Telugus in the US to boost his image. And that is what Naidu desperately needs back home to kick off his electoral campaign. And Balakrishna becomes the best bait for him, especially now after their bonding becoming stronger with Chandrababu's son Lokesh's engagement to take place with Balakrishna's daughter Brahmani in the last week of August. Towards this end, we are told, that Naidu even "arranged" an invite through his contacts in TANA. Quite possible. For you can never underestimate the guile of Chandrababu Naidu. He knows where to sow his wild oats. And if the opportunities are not ripe in India, which they are definitely not, as everything he touches is bouncing back on him, he would start from abroad. But, will he be successful in taming Balakrishna? That is the million-dollar question right now.

BALAKRISHNA'S FANS SET THE AGENDA FOR HIS POLITICAL ENTRY: Balakrishna is the future chief minister of Andhra Pradesh

He came, he saw and he was hailed as the 'Future Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh'. Nandamuri Balakrishna, who is the most-talked about hero in Andhra Pradesh today, due to his inclination for joining politics, celebrated his 48th birthday in Rajahmundry with great 'fan'fare -- literally.

Fans virtually went overboard in cheering on their leader, and happy at their screen god's decision to enter politics, they've set the agenda for him -- nothing less than a chief minister. And the sloganeering fans didn't stop shouting and went on and on with shouts of Kaboye mukhyamantri Balakrishna ringing in the ears of all the Rajahmundry residents.

Visibly enthused by the fans' support, Balakrishna neither told them to stop their sloganeering, nor did he stop basking in the glory of their fans. He merely said he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, the late N T Rama Rao, and work for the upliftment of the society.

Later, addressing his fans, and the sea of people present at the function, he didn't stop praising his father to the skies. "I am what I am today because of my father. I learnt everything from him, including acting, which is why I was able to become your adorable hero."

He didn't mention a word about his brother-in-law Nara Chandrababu, who has taken all the trouble to make the function a thundering success. If not for that at least for forging a relationship with Chandrababu as their children Lokesh and Brahmani are entering into a wedlock in August. And Chandrababu, who has been waiting with bated breath at the proceedings of the birthday celebrations, had to hear what he didn't and wouldn't want to hear: a competition for the chief ministership.

But Balakrishna had words of praise for Rajahmundry. "I am fortunate to celebrate my birthday in the historic Raja Mahendravaram (Rajahmundry)." Balakrishna celebrated his birthday in the same place in 1993, while he was shooting for Bangaru Bullodu, which went on to become a smashing hit.

And now, after 14 years, he has been shooting for Okka Magadu for the last one month, in and around Rajahmundry. Will this film too go on to become a rage like Bangaru Bullodu?

Prior to the function, Balakrishna participated in a pulse polio programme, distributed clothes at an old age home and attended a medical camp organised by the NTR Trust.

The function was organised by the NTR Trust, Balakrishna fans and the unit of Okka Mogadu, of course, with the active support of the Telugu Desam cadres from the Godavari districts.

(Photos: courtesy Idlebrain.com)

COUNTDOWN TO BALAKRISHNA'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS BEGINS: Chandrababu Naidu watches with baited breath for NBK's announcement today

Nothing has generated so much interest in recent times in Andhra Pradesh than Nandamuri Balakrishna's birthday celebrations. All the political parties, including the Congress, are eagerly awaiting for the birthday celebrations to get underway in Rajahmundry. And not without reason. It involves the survival of Nara Chandrababu Naidu's political future and grand political entry of Balakrishna. Two crucial events tied with a common bond: the marriage of Chandrababu's son, Lokesh, to Balakrishna's daughter, Brahmani. Political fortunes tied down to personal bonding. A sensitive combination that has larger ramifications both for the NTR family and the Chandrababu Naidu family, not to talk about Lokesh's family.
While Chandrababu Naidu is totally guarded in his approach, and has been playing second fiddle for the moment, Balakrishna has been keeping all his cards close to his chest. It has become an acid test for Chandrababu, who is hell-bent on piggybacking on Balakrishna's charisma to romp home at the hustings.
Will Balakrishna's entry into politics generate the kind of euphoria that his father, the legendary N T Rama Rao, created in 1983? Well, a lot of it depends on his latest release Okka Mogadu. If it goes on to become a super duper success like Narasimha Naidu or Samarasimha Reddy, there is looking back for Balakrishna. But the moot point is: will Balakrishna be content playing second fiddle to Chandrababu Naidu? Only time will tell. But, for the moment, he is basking in the newfound glory showered upon him by the TDP and his fans.

(The photos are of Balakrishna's birthday celebrations, 2006)

Chandrababu Naidu offers Rajya Sabha post to Balakrishna, tells partymen to donate blood on actor's birthday

The Telugu Desam has offered a Rajya Sabha seat to cine star Balakrishna in an attempt to bring him into the party fold as a ‘glamorous’ campaigner. TD chief Chandrababu Naidu assured Balakrishna, his brother-in-law and son of party founder N T Rama Rao, that he would be the sole TD nominee in the Rajya Sabha polls to be held next March. Naidu believes that Balakrishna’s presence will add charisma to the TD and will help it to ride back to power in the 2009 polls. In the post-NTR era, the TD has been sorely lacking glamorous campaigners.

Sources said that the TD supremo got a promise from Balakrishna that he would actively associate with the party activities henceforth. Significantly, Balakrishna made a statement few days ago asking TD workers to unite under Naidu’s leadership and to ensure that he became chief minister again. The relationship between the two will be further cemented by the marriage between the TD supremo’s son Lokesh Naidu and Balakrishna’s daughter Brahmani on August 26 this year. TD can send only one candidate every two years to the Rajya Sabha given its strength in the Assembly.
Two candidates have been chosen from Telangana and Rayalaseema. Now it would be the turn of Coastal Andhra, to which Balakrishna belongs. The star’s birthday falls on Sunday and his fans association will be organising a big blood donation camp at Rajahmundry, where he is shooting for a film. Interestingly, TD headquarters has instructed leaders and workers in Rajahmundry to actively participate in the blood donation camp and make it a grand success. Several party leaders including former MLA G Butchaiah Chowdary and Ganni Krishna are overseeing arrangements for the camp. Naidu is also planning to induct Harikrishna, another brother-in-law, either as TD general secretary or politburo member.

Why is Chandrababu Naidu hell-bent on roping in Balakrishna into the Telugu Desam Party?

Everyone knows that Chandrababu Naidu is a master in the art of realpolitik. His detractors have even compared him with Chanakya, the Machievalli of Indian politics. And naturally. For he is known to use the right people at the right time and dump them like hot potatoes once he achieves his objective. Mohan Babu, Jayaprada, Renuka Choudary, Rammoorthy Naidu, Harikrishna, Daggubati Venkateswara Rao -- he had the knack of using all of them to rebel against NTR and usurp the chief ministership of the State in 1996. And what did he do after becoming the CM? One by one, he got rid of them.

And for more than eight years, he didn't even give them a second glance. Not even at private parties and functions. But, now, with the elections drawing near, and with the party's image plummeting in the eyes of the people, he's realised that he needs star power to pull the masses back to the party. Because the alienation of the people has been so severe that even the so-called misdeeds of the Congress party under Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, are unable to bring the TDP any closer to the people.

Sensing the seriousness of the situation, Chandrababu Naidu realised that it is time to play the NTR card to the hilt. So the CEO of Indian politics thought of a brilliant plan to make it a realistic ideal -- rope in Nandamuri Balakrishna, who is presently blazing a trail in the Telugu film industry, to rev up the image of the party. But, with the NTR family being wary of his moves after the death of NTR, and later with the exit of Harikrishna from the party, earlier, he has come up with a marriage proposal. Of giving his son Lokesh in marriage with Balakrishna's daughter Brahmani.

This way, he not only has Balakrishna, who has kept away from politics all along, canvassing for his party, but can also hope to cash in on the glory of NTR. And everything seems to work according to his plans. For, initially, the NTR family, it is reliably learnt, was antithetical to the very proposal of giving Brahmani is marriag to Lokesh. But, Buvaneshwari stepped in to cut the ice.

Everything has worked well so far. How? Harikrishna was give his rightful due during the recently anniversary celebrations of the party in Tirupati. And two, he has dangled the carrot of Rajya Sabha seat to Balakrishna. What more, with Balakrishna busy shooting for his film Okka Mogadu near Rajahmundry, Chandrababu has reportedly told the partymen that the latter's birthday celebrations on June 10 in Rajahmundry, which Balakrishna is planning to celebrate with his fans, should be a party affair. And that no stone should be left unturned to make it a grand spectacle. Gorantla Buchaiah Choudary, a senior TDP leader from the place, has been personally supervising all the arrangements at Subrahmanya Grounds in Rajahmundry.

And there have been messages flying thick and fast from the top rung leaders in Hyderabad, a euphemism for Chandrababu's house, that no Telugu Desam flags or banners should be seen at the venue. Not even the colour yellow! Everything should look as if it is being done by Balakrishna's fans alone.

It is reliably learnt that Balakrishna is likely to make an important announcement concerning his entry into politics and his role in the Telugu Desam Party. While this has gladdened the heart of Chandrababu, it is also making him jittery, that Balakrishna might say something unusual that the party may not be unable to digest. But, is there anything that the diplomatic Chandrababu can't counter in his life?

Photo of Lokesh and Brahmani, the most-talked about couple in Andhra today

YSR government gives away 10,760 acres!!

The Andhra Pradesh government is all set to give away 10,760 acres to the Cuddapah-based Brahmani Steels unit at Rs 18,000 per acre. A decision to this effect is likely to take place in the cabinet on Wednesday. The price of the land has been arrived at on the basis of the report produced by the district collector. Once it is approved, the project will get under way on June 10, it is reliably learnt.

HEADLINES OF THE DAY

* It's official now: Chandrababu Naidu's son, Lokesh, to wed Balakrishna's daughter, Brahmani, on August 26
(Look below for detailed story)

* Kamal Hasan's Dasavataram in the last stages of shooting

* Second schedule of Yamagola currently underway at Ramoji Film Studios

* Rajendra Prasad's film in regular shooting

It's official now: Lokesh to wed Brahmani on August 26

It's confirmed now. The marriage of Chandrababu Naidu's son Lokesh with Balakrishna's daughter Brahmani. And it comes from none other than Chandrababu Naidu himself. Naidu, when asked my newsmen whether they was any truth in the marriage rumours doing the rounds, replied in the affirmative. He said that the engagement hasn't taken place as rumoured, and explained that the marriage would take place in August. To be precise, he said the marriage might take place on August 26. "Brahmani is a very intelligent girl. And all of us like her. Since the kids are writing their exams, we didn't want to tell anyone."

Talking about his son for the first time, Naidu said, "My son is studying MBA in Stanford University, USA. He has still one more year to go. After the marriage, the girl will also go there."

Naidu hinted that the marriage will be a simple affair sans any hungama.

Balakrishna's daughter Brahmani is doing engineering in CBIT in Hyderabad.