THE SEVEN 'SHAKY' WONDER GIRLS OF TELUGU CINEMA

They made waves in Telugu cinema not long ago with their wonderful performances. And even acted with some of the top heroes. But today, they have slowed down. Though they have been trying their best to regain their lost glory, it is a forgone conclusion that they are on shaky ground, and are on their way out.

Take a look at these seven 'shaky' heroines of Tollywood.

WANNA KNOW WHY VIDYA BALAN REFUSED TO DO SHANKARDADA ZINDABAD? BECAUSE THE BALL WAS IN HER COURT!!!

Vidya Balan, who made a dramatic entry into Bollywood, knows how to cock a snook at her critics in the South Indian film industry. Unfortunately, Prabhu Deva had to bear the brunt of the lady's ire against the Tamil film industry, as she refused to play the heroine's role in Shankardada Zindabad, despite the promise of a hefty remuneration and an equal footing along with Chiranjeevi in the promos.

Going into the details of the story, before she made her forays in Bollywood, Vidya Iyer, who later became Vidya Balan, was signed for the Malayalam film Chakram, which was shelved. She was then signed in Tamil by Lingusamy for his Run, but she was dropped after the first schedule and replaced by Meera Jasmine. God knows the reason. But it was being whispered that she was a bad actress. And soon word spread about her "acting potential", and while she was trying to recover from rejection and shock, came the second major jolt. Vidya was dropped from another Tamil movie Manasellam, and replaced by Trisha. But, this time she was told the reason: you can't act, please don't waster our time.

She then turned to advertising. She appeared in numerous television ads, many of which were directed by Pradeep Sarkar. She also did supporting roles in music videos, appearing with singers and bands such as Euphoria, Shubha Mudgal, and Pankaj Udhas, and acted in Hindi soap operas like Hum Paanch.

Then Parnieeta happened, followed by Lage Raho Munnabhai, and the actress got critical acclaim and there was no looking back. Interestingly, after the success of Parineeta, the same producer who dropped Vidya Balan from Manasellam on the grounds that she had a non-photogenic face and was a poor actress, sought to sign her opposite Kamal Hassan for Dasavatharam. But Vidya Balan rejected the offer, which went to Asin.

Of course, we can see why the actress has such a grouse against the Tamil filmmakers, but we couldn't understand why she refused to do a film with Chiranjeevi, or the Telugu film industry, who had nothing to do with her jinx story in the south.

But, sources tell us, that the actress was miffed with the very attitude of the southern filmmakers for treating her so badly, and has decided not to do a film in the south. Even if it is in Telugu. That is why despite repeated pleadings, she refused to budge an inch fromer position. And that was when Karishma Kotak was signed on as the heroine.

We understand your situation Vidya, but isn't it time you let bygones be bygones?

MEERA JASMINE SAYS SHE IS NOT ACTING IN TELUGU FILMS, CHANGES HER MIND AND DECIDES TO PLAY SECOND FIDDLE

Only a couple of weeks back, Meera Jasmine bid goodbye to the Tamil and Telugu film industries and said she was happy doing films in her mother tongue, that is Malayalam. But, don't know what happened, the girl who claimed that she wasn't interested in doing films in these two languages, suddenly signed two films. Yesterday, we told you how she is acting as Rajasekhar's sister in a new film, and now comes the news that she is acting opposite Sivaji in a film to be produced by the makers of Satyabhama. Wonder, how their memory can be so weak so as to forget the vows they have taken. Or is it just a case of sour grapes? Anyway each to his own. Coming to the film, it will be directed by Raja Vannem Reddy. And the film will go on sets in August. And before she can rejoice, there is another heroine in the film, and she is yet to be finalised. Hope Jasmine won't be relegated to the second heroine status and the other Meera steal the limelight.

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AARTI AGARWAL GETS A NEW LEASE OF LIFE, BOOKED OPPOSITE RAJASEKHAR IN A NEW FILM

Weird are the ways of destiny. It takes actors on a rollercoaster ride not knowing where it will drop them. Remember Aarti Agarwal, who has been lying low for a very long time? Her career was so down in the dumps that she even acted with Sunil in Andala Ramudu. Maybe because of it becoming a success, she seems to be slowly recovering lost ground. Now, we hear, she has been booked opposite Rajasekhar, who too, has been riding the crest of success after his runaway hit Evadaithe Naakenti. A good beginning for the Agarwal babe to reclaim her lost position. Indeed, she has been facing rough weather of late, and after her "fall-from-the-balcony" episode, no one was even willing to touch her with a barge pole. Now, with Rajasekhar deciding to her a life, let's hope she will make the most use of it.

While the Agarwal babe has been lying low in the industry, Meera Jasmine was actually ruling the roost. Look where fate has taken her now? She is playing Rajasekhar's sister in the same film. What a fall from grace? Call about reversal of roles and this is it.

The film is titled Gorintaku after the yesteryear Sobhan Babu's hit, but it is a remake of Kannada film Annatangi. It will be directed by V R Pratap and produced by Mega Super Good Films. The film will get underway in the first week of July.

YAMAGOLA MALLI MODALAYYINDI FOR THE PRODUCER: HE MAY HAVE ONLY NIGHTMARES LEFT AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE FILM

They have taken on a huge task to recreate the magic of Yamagola, the legendary film of the late 70s that is still etched in the memory of the audiences. And at a time when NTR's grandson has already started his own film on the same theme Yamadonga. But the makers of Yamagola Malli Modalayyindi are hopeful that Venu and Srikanth in the company of Meera Jasmine and Reema Jasmine are going to walk away with the accolades. But the sad truth is that all of the four without exception are either struggling to make their presence felt or like Meera Jasmine and Reema Sen are out of the industry for good. Given this, only a miracle can save the film from keeping afloat in the competition of Yamadonga. And Srinivasa Reddy neither has the spark nor the wit to boot to make it a comedy adventure. Give this, even before the release of the film, its fate is hanging in the balance. What say Srinivasa Reddy?

WANNA KNOW HOW NTR BROUGHT ABOUT A REVOLUTION IN YAMALOK AND IN TELUGU CINEMA? WATCH THE VIDEO

Meera Jasmine becomes a smart alec

Talking about Malayalam film industry, Meera Jasmine seems to have become enlightened that home is where the heart is. Listen to her latest gyan: It is always good to do films in your mother tongue rather than hop into other industries. First, she says, it is easier to act in your mother tongue because you are well versed with the language. Two, when you are in your home state, it's like living in your house. Everything if familiar to you. And the environment is the same as you grew up in your childhood. Three, she asks what did I get acting in Tamil especially, not money nor fame. On top of it, they've said that I've had an affair with every possible hero they could come up with. That is why you can never beat the home experience, she says. Not bad, Jasmine. You've mastered the art of talking. As long as you were doing well in the Telugu and Tamil film industries, you were all praise for them, and now that you don't stand a chance of getting any more films here, you've forgotten them and have started praising the Malayalam film industry, only because you get offers from there. And the link-ups with heroes that you've been talking about, they've been there ever since you entered the industry. What is so new about it? Stop bragging about your home town and give credit to the Tamil and Telugu film industries for having given you some exceptional roles.

HEADLINES OF THE DAY

* Trisha is going westwards. Priyadarshan has set has sights on her, and she will be making her debut in Bollywood

* Ramoji Film City is abuzz with activity, as the shooting of a song for Athidhi, the Mahesh Babu Amrita Rao starrer, is currently underway there

* Chiranjeevi gets ready to go to Australia

* Sindhu Talani and Kajal are the new girls in Krishna Vamsi's film

* Meera Jasmine threatens to take a producer to court over non-payment of remuneration