NEWS YOU CAN USE:Going to Tirumala? Think again

If you are planning to go to Tirumala to have darshan of Lord Balaji, perish the thought for the next couple of days. Otherwise you will land yourself in serious trouble. The Telugu Desam Mahanadu is currently underway in the temple town and every inch of space has been occupied by the Telugu Desam cadres. Even people who have confirmed reservation can't find their legitimate place. Such being the state of affairs, it is better to be safe rather than sorry. For one thing, this mahanadu is a prestigious issue for Chandrababu Naidu, who is making preparations for the coming elections. And so it is a massive show of strength with the mobilisation of cadres from all over the state. So, it would be advisable not to venture out into the temple town till the mahandu is over.

NTR's Karna a hit in US

Even in his death, N T Rama Rao continues to live in the hearts of the Telug people. And such is his popularity that his films are still seen with fascination by the Telugus both in India and abroad. Right now, one of his films -- Dana Veera Sura Karna -- which was produced and directed by him, besides playing three roles, that of Krishna, Karna and Duryodhana, is slated for release in Freemont, USA. Earlier, it has run to packed houses in Detroit and Richmond. Surely, the distributor who has bought the rights of the film knows where to put his money. For, it is the perfect timing with the Telugu Desam celebrating its silver jubilee and NTR's birthday falling at the same time.

Whom are you trying to bullshit Mr Naresh?

The other day I was reading a film magazine. And it carried a news item on Naresh. No, not Attili Sattibabu LKG. I'm talking about Naresh senior, who faded out of the industry, and joined BJP so that at least the cadre would not forget him. According to political circles, he was doing quite well when the BJP was in the power at the centre, and when it was tailing along with the Telugu Desam in the state. And a euphoric Naresh too was in no mood to turn his attention towards the film industry. But, now that the BJP is directionless in the state, and the TDP too distancing itself from it, Naresh seems to have realised that the party has no chance of staging a comeback whatsoever, especially after its disastrous performance in Uttar Pradesh. So, he has turned his attention towards films once again.

And this is what he has to say. "Although I entered politics unexpectedly, (note his words unexpectedly not out of choice), I received good recognition. So, I was away from films. The folks in the Telugu film industry thought I wouldn't do films any more. So, they stopped approaching me. But, acting is my first priority. I've turned my attention away from films a little. Now I want to spend more time in front of the camera."

The point is if he has received good response from the people, why does he want to stray away from politics? Two, who was interested in him, that warrants him to give an explanation? Three, how can he turn his attention away from politics a little and spend more time in films? If you turn your attention a little from politics, it means you devote little attention to films and not vice versa. Whom are trying to bullshit Mr Naresh? Why don't you admit that BJP is down in the dumps in the state, and that you don't have any hope that the party will be able to stage a comeback. It would have been gracious of you, instead of giving bull like 'I still like politics but I like films more.' Anyway, are there any takers for this not so young man?