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.

BRAHMANANDAM HAS A KNACK OF GETTING BEATEN UP, HERO OR HEROINE NO BAR

HIS ANGLO-TELUGU COMEDY IN CHENNAKESAVA REDDY


AND HIS COOL COMEDY IN ATHADU

NISHA KOTHARI IS BOWLED OVER BY TOLLYWOOD FILMMAKERS' PROFESSIONALISM, ANY TAKERS?

ON HER FORAYS INTO TOLLYWOOD:
I am currently working opposite Balakrishna in Okka Mogadu. It's been a fantastic experience. I am awe struck by the colour and vibrancy of Telugu cinema. The people are very cordial and thorough professionals. I would love to work again provided the opportunity.

ON HER SEX SYMBOL IMAGE:
It's very flattering and embarrassing at the same time. I don't think I am sexy at all. I am a very conservative person at heart. But it's some thing that comes with a job and I have not done anything that's vulgar. But I do not want to be typecast and want to try out different roles and grow as an actress.

ON HER ENTRY INTO FILMS:
I had actually made my debut as Amoga in a Tamil film Jay Jay opposite Madhavan in 2003. I had left my portfolio at Ramuji's office and to my surprise I got a call for an audition and I was offered a role in Sarkar. All of a sudden I was rubbing shoulders with stalwarts like Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek, Ajay Devagan. It's been a great learning experience so far but I still have miles to go.

ON BASANTI VS GHUNGROO:
It would be unfair to compare me with a legend like Hema Malini. My character has no shades of Basanti. Ghungroo is a city girl who is in stark contrast with the village bred Basanti. She is a tomboy who smokes bidis (imitating her favourite actor- Rajnikanth), is fearless and speaks a tapori lingo. I had to work very hard on my body language and expression, as she wears a new expression in every scene. Now it's up to the audience to decide.

ON HER IDEAL MAN:
I'd rather wait for him to turn up for the element of surprise.

WRINKLE, WRINKLE SUPERSTARS: A SPOOF ON THE BIG FOUR OF TOLLYWOOD

Mahesh Babu has been breaking one box-office reord after the other, Junior NTR has been riding the crest of a superstar wave, and even Prabhas and Gopichand are making heads turn with their 'hit'man profile. What are the reigning superstars doing to keep themselves in the race? We take a hilarious ride on what could be on the minds of the superstars. It has been done in jest, so take it in the right spirit and have a rollicking Sunday!!

Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Venkatesh and Nagarjuna are sitting together with their backs to each other. There is pindrop silence in the room. The emergency meeting has been called by Balakrishna for reasons better known to him. And him alone. The Big 3 -- Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh and Nagarjuna -- have arrived half-an-hour back, but Balakrishna hasn't opened his mouth yet, and naturally they are restless and waiting for him to speak up. And after an hour, Balakrishna finally speaks up.

BALAKRISHNA: (In a pensive mood, slowly raises his head and gets up to address the others) All of you must be wondering why I've called for the meeting. It is a grave issue that needs to be addressed immediately. If we don't address it now, it is going to take a toll on our careers....

(The moment he says careers, all of three sit straight in attention with apprehension writ large on their faces)

You know that a number of young heroes have burst on the horizon...

(Chiranjeevi is unable to take the the suspense anymore)

CHIRANJEEVI: Balakrishna, cut the crap and come to the point.

BALAKRISHNA (irritated): Coming to the point, a number of young heroes have burst on the horizon...

CHIRANJEEVI: (cuts in again): I told you to cut the crap...

BALAKRISHNA: (trying to calm himself): Don't get angry Chiranjeevi, I'm coming to the point. The point is....the point is... what was I talking about?

(Now Venkatesh and Nagarjuna too are pretty pissed off with Balakrishna's inability to speak out his mind. And they start squirming in their seats. Chiranjeevi gives Balakrishna a glare.)

BALAKRISHNA: (continues) I hate it when someone pops a question in the middle. See, you've cut my train of thought... Okay, okay, now I remember, the point is: the younger heroes are going beyond their brief and straying wildly into our territory. If we don't do something about it, we are going to face serious consequences.

(Venkatesh gets up and tries to say something, but Balakrishna waves his hand asking him to sit down)

BALAKRISHNA: Learn to wait Venkatesh, why are you in a hurry to speak up? Let me complete.

(Venkatesh is miffed at Balakrishna's snub)

BALAKRISHNA: What was I saying? Yeah, the point is: They are imitating our roles, bashing up the same villians we've been grounding to pulp, and they are even flirting with the same heroines?

NAGARJUNA: Yeah, I've tried my best to get a heroine and they say they are busy with this film and that film, and so I had to settle with Anushka for Don.

CHIRANJEEVI: Yeah, they don't even have respect for a megastar like me, who has won a Padma Vibhushan, and spent lakhs of rupees to tom-tom it to the world. Look at Mahesh Babu? He has robbed the only ad I have on television -- the Thumps Up ad. And I had to settle for that greasy Navratan oil ad. (Sighs) And this should happen at a time when I am launching my son.

BALAKRISHNA: That junior NTR, he tags my father's name, he robs my image and now he is trying to usurp my identity as well by making films based on Rayalaseema themes -- my bread and butter.

NAGARJUNA: What is worse Chiranjeevi, they are looking down at me as if I am a old hag. Do I look that old, Chiranjeevi?

CHIRANJEEVI: How can you be old Nagarjuna? I'm told by my chamchas that even now you are fooling around with the young young juicy juicy fruitty tutti heroines. What luck brother, you speak good English and give good good parties and get to flirt with heroines naa? Otherwise why all heroines call you Nag, and come to your house even though you don't have a proper hit like me in the last couple of years?

(At this, Nagarjuna gets put off and looks to Balakrishna for help. But there is a glee in Venkatesh's face that Nag has been snubbed by Chiranjeevi.)

NAGARJUNA: (mustering courage) So what if I don't have hits? I am not becoming old like you know. See the wrinkles on your face?

(At this, an enraged Chiranjeevi picks up his mobile and rings up his All-India Chiranjeevi Fans' Association president and tells him to pull down all Nag's hoardings across the State for having insulted a megastar like him.)

(Nag gets agitated and even fears for his life. He slips out of the room and uses his wife's clout in the English press to plant a story of how Chiranjeevi fans are rowdy elements and how he tried to settle an issue between Balakrishna and Chiranjeevi, despite Venkatesh backing Balakrishna and how the whole thing blew out of proportion culminating in Chiranjeevi ordering his fans to pull his cutouts down.)

PRESS REPORTERS: (on the other side of the phone) When did you have cutouts Nagarjuna? All your films have been either flops or average grossers and you have been keeping up this myth that you are still a loverboy.

NAGARJUNA: Did you forget the party my brother-in-law gave you last week? He will give you an even bigger one at Hotel Taj Krishna next week, where you can have a comfortable stay with your friends and family.
(All of them are happy and think of how to write a mindblowing copy with a mindblowing headline.)

Meanwhile, Venkatesh is fumbling for words and he is talking with all the parts of his body except his mouth. His throat is parched, and he is making wild gestures trying to put across his point. He must have removed and put on his cap some 50 times and scratched it evey time.

BALAKRISHNA: (who has been watching Venkatesh's funny antics) Stop doing that Venkatesh, you are pulling the little hair you have on your head.

(And Balakrishna can't contain his disgust at the pettifoggying between the stars)

What the fuck is this. We are supposed to be fucking superstars and we can't even fucking discuss this, leave alone reach a fucking conclusion.

(When he use foul language, he is very audible. While Chiranjeevi and Nagarjuna are aghast, Venkatesh is virutally shaken. With Balakrishna's shooting episode still fresh in memory, Venkatesh immediately rings up his brother, Suresh, for an idea, lest Balakrishna takes off the heat on him. But Ramanaidu comes on the line and a nervous Venkatesh mumbles on the phone.)

RAMANAIDU: (on the other side of the phone) Stop stammering and tell me what it is.

VENKATESH: N..n..n...n..nothing papa, I...I...I j...j...j....j..ust wanted to know if you had your dinner (and cuts the call)

(Later he realises that in his frenzy, he had rang up Ramanaidu and not Suresh. So he tries for Suresh's number. Now it is the turn of Chiranjeevi to get angry at Venkatesh.)

CHIRANJEEVI: Acting in women's films and degrading the image of superstars like us, you've become like a woman Venkatesh. For every bloody thing, you ring up your father or brother to take permission. Is this the same with your wife, too?

(He comes closer to Venkatesh and puts his hands on his shoulders and shakes him up)

Be a man, Venkatesh

(Now it is the turn of Nagarjuna to giggle).

BALAKRISHNA: Enough of that giggling Nag, you are no different from him. He is doing it in films and you are doing it outside. Both are one and the same, birds of the same feather.

CHIRANJEEVI: What can you expect from them, Balakrishna? You know pretty well that they studied together in the US, and were even roommates there till they became rivals in the industry and fell out.

(Saying this, Chiranjeevi bursts out into howls of laughter. Balakrishna too joins the fun)

BALAKRISHNA: Chiranjeevi, these two guys can't do anything now. Since it affects the two of us more than them, only we should come up with a solution.

(Chiranjeevi clasps his chin in his hands and starts thinking very hard for an idea. Likewise Balakrishna. While both of them are engrossed in their quest for an answer, Venkatesh and Nagarjuna are playing with their mobiles)

CHIRANJEEVI: (after half an hour) I've got it Balakrishna, I've got it. Why not copyright the Rayalaseema narratives and the choreographed fight sequences that have a row of Sumos, Qualis, Scorpios, etc kicking up dust. The brand name of the vehicles is also important.

(Balakrishna nods his head in gleeful agreement.)

BALAKRISHNA: (Visibly happy) How did you get this brilliant idea, Chirnajeevi?

CHIRANJEEVI: (Mighty impressed with himself) What do you think I am? I'm a Gandhian now. No, a street smart Gandhian. I'm no more an ordinary superstar. A Gandhian superstar. Haven't you heard about my new film Shankardada Zindabad?

(But Balakrishna is nor more interested in Chiranjeevi's Gandhian lecture and takes a dig at Chiranjeevi.)

BALAKRISHNA: I should have done this -- opted for the copyright -- after I've made Narasimha Naidu, Chiranjeevi, so that you wouldn't have poached on my theme and made Indra, and stolen some of the thunder from under my feet. What a shame Chiranjeevi that you should stoop so low to copy my themes!

(Chiranjeevi gets mad at Balakrishna, pulls out his mobile and rings up his fans to stop pulling Nagarjuna's banners and posters and instead burn up Balakrishna's cutouts and banners.)

(A fuming Balakrishna too gives the same instructions to his fans. And in an even louder tone. That done, they exchange a war of words.)

CHIRANJEEVI: (gulps down a quick drink he is carrying in his pocket and launches a tirade) You are too caught in your image, Balakrishna. That's why you are scared about the kids and have called for this meeting.

BALAKRISHNA (burning with rage): I walk 5 km around Brahmananda Reddy Park everyday and exercise regularly. Can you beat me in looks or physique? Never. And right from the beginning, I was clear about my image. Not like a you -- doing this theme once and that theme another time.

CHIRANJEEVI: That's because you have no choice, Balaiah. (Chiranjeevi's drink starts acting on him) You are stuck in your image. But I, I'm a universal actor. I even acted in a couple of Hindi films.

BALAKRISHNA: That's because you were unsure about your self and looking for avenues in various places. But what happened? The two or three films you've done were flops. I'm not like you. I'm too sure about my image and don't and won't waver under any circumstances. Narasimha Naidu, he says (slapping his thighs) and lets out a roar.

(Venkatesh and Nagarjuna stop fiddling with their mobiles and try to flee from the place before the two guys get into fisticuffs.)

(Venkatesh gets into the gestures drama and tries to tell them not to get worked up over the issue. But, as usual, he cannot do it..so Nagarjuna takes over)

NAGARJUNA: (in his drunken sounding voice) Look, I'm not into all this on-the-sly stuff, and I'm very jumpy just now. I've to go look for a heroine. (He excuses himself and walks away)

VENKATESH: (Searches for an excuse but can't find one) I too have lots of work in the studio. My brother told me to tally the accounts in the morning, but since we had the meeting, I couldn't do that.

(Saying that he runs from the place without waiting for a reply)

Now only Balakrishna and Chiranjeevi are left and both of them are glaring at each other, waiting for the other to strike first. There is an uneasy calm in the hall for 15 minutes. And both of them speak up at the same time...

BALAKRISHNA: Sorry, Chiranjeevi, I shouldn't have poked fun at you.

CHIRANJEEVI: It was my fault, brother, I should have been a little serious, as you have called for this meet in right earnest.

BALAKRISHNA: The point is not that brother. We have been in the industry for around 25 years, and today these bachcha actors have become thorns in our side. How do we regain our old popularity?

CHIRANJEEVI: I know Balakrishna, I can understand your feelings. That is why I am launching my son to fight the battle on two fronts. While he will cash in on the youth's craze, I will be able to cash in on his popularity by piggybacking on his success. That is called killing two birds with one stone. How does my idea sound?

BALAKRISHNA: But what about me? I don't have a son whom I can launch into films right now. What do I do?

CHIRANJEEVI: Jump into politics, brother. Anyway, there is a huge craze for your father, and people too are expecting someone from the NTR family to take up the reins. And if you are successful, I too will take the plunge.

BALAKRISHNA: That sounds like a good idea, Chiranjeevi. It will reinforce my acting career, and my acting career will reinforce my political career. Both can feed on each other. And I can be a powerful factor in both the fields.

CHIRANJEEVI: But, how will you take the plunge?

BALAKRISHNA: I already have the line ready brother -- "If people want me to enter politics, I will....one day". So, my brother-in-law Chandrababu Naidu has already opened his channels of communication and paving the way to induct me into the Telugu Desam Party.

CHIRANJEEVI: Wish I too had a lineage like you Balakrishna, so that I could take the plunge into politics immediately. Although I've been putting up this front that I am not interested in politics, I can never be sure whether I would be successful in politics or not, especially after Imran Khan and the late Shivaji Ganeshan, who have been demigods in their own right, have been sent packing by the voters... And going by the way they've rejected Chandrababu Naidu in the last election, my fears have only worsened. What do I do Balakrishna? How do I do it?

BALAKRISHNA: You don't need to worry Chiranjeevi, your popularity surpasses theirs by a mile. Where are they, and where are you. But, the point is, after all this, do we need to take the plunge into politics after all the attention we have -- I for my birthday and you for your welfare activities? We are just worrying about something which is not there, brother. It is just a figment of our fearful imagination. What do you say?

CHIRANJEEVI: That gives me the courage, Balakrishna. Look at Rajnikanth, how he has shaped his career? We only need to do a bit of planning and we would be where we are for ages to come -- right on top.

BALAKRISHNA: Yes, Chiranjeevi, kids come and go, but we will rule Tollywood forever.

CHIRANJEEVI: Let us say it together once again, brother, in a sing-song fashion.

(And both of them start singing)

We will, we will rock Tollywood!!
We will, we will rock Tollywood!!
We will, we will rock Tollywood!!
For ages to come!!

(And the last we heard they haven't stopped singing)

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PREETI JHANGIANI WANTS TO MAKE IT BIG IN TOLLYWOOD AGAIN. GETS CAST IN AN INSIGFICANT FILM

Remember Preeti Jhangiani? The cute little kid who covered herself all over in Mohabbatein, and predictably after not getting any offers after that, decided to strip her way to stardom. But, unfortunately, there were no takers for her. So, many of her ilk, she has been hanging around the sidelines of the Hindi film industry on the lookout for bakras.

The dame, who had earlier acted in a couple of Telugu films, including Narasimha Naidu, opposite Balakrishna, and with Pawan Kalyan in Tammudu, has entered the Telugu film industry once again to try her luck. But this time, there are no big offers coming her way. She is cast opposite Rajiv Kanakala and Allari Naresh, in a film the latter are doing together.

But what is important is that the babe wants to settle down in the South, especially in Hyderabad, for which she has been learning to speak Telugu, we hear. Little wonder, why all the actors seek to cast their spell on the Telugu audiences when their heydays are over!!

BALAKRISHNA SINGS AND DANCES HIS WAY INTO NRIS HEARTS IN US: A PHOTO FEATURE

LOKESH-BRAHMANI ENGAGEMENT VIDEO JUST FOR YOU

You have read the reports and seen the pictures of Andhra's most talked about event -- the Lokesh-Brahmani engagement. Now see it on video.


What are you waiting for? Switch it on...

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?

ASIN TALKS BIG, AND CAN'T STOP TALKING: WILL SOMEONE TELL HER TO SHUT UP AND PUT UP?

Asin, who has wowed the South Indian audiences with her mesmerising beauty and her acting talent, has been consistent in one thing: teaming up with all the top actors. She has acted with almost all of them in Telugu -- Balakrishna, Venkatesh, Nagarjuna, Pawan Kalyan, Ravi Teja -- you name the star and she has done films with them. Without exception. Maybe Mahesh Babu looks a little too young besides her, which is why he hadn't opted her in his films, and it will take some time for Chiranjeevi to realise her potential.

Not just Tollywood, she is even a name to reckon with in Kollywood -- the Tamily film industry. And now she is pairing opposite Aamir Khan and she is on cloud 9. And she can't help boasting. "Everyone has been saying that after Hema Malini and Sri Devi, I will be as popular in the country." It's a little too much Asin, without even finishing your first film in Bollywood. We know you have the talent and the looks, but they make a good combination when it is tempered with modesty.

Why only Bollywood, she throws around names like Hollywood too. "Wherever I go, whether it is Bollywood or Hollywood, I will still remain Asin," says she. But who wanted you change, Asin?

She also claims that she is not apprehensive about anyone stealing her position in the Telugu film industry. What position does she enjoy in the Telugu film industry today? None. Because the likes of Ileana have pushed her out of the scene long time back. And, as far as we know, no Tollywood filmmaker is planning to cast her against the top heroes her.

It is not difficult to fathom her big airs. Right now, she is doing Dasavataram with Kamal Hassan, apart from Aamir Khan, which explains her haughty talk.

THE STARS SHINE DOWN FOR LOKESH-BRAHMANI ENGAGEMENT

SNAPSHOTS FROM THE LOKESH-BRAHMANI ENGAGEMENT: THE MARRIAGE IS ON AUGUST 26

It was the engagement that created a hype in Andhra like the abhiash wedding all over the country and the world. All eyes were glued to the TV to have a glimpse of Lokesh and Brahmani. TV channels were agog with news of the event, and it is the one thing that was talked about, and is still being talked about all over Andhra. Even the NRIs couldn't contain their excitement and were logging on to whatever source that could provide them the news of the engagement.

The engagement took place at a simple ceremony at Balakrishna's house and the families of all the big stars in Telugu film industry were present for the occasion.

Take a glimpse of the snapshots of the family. While Balakrishna cannot contain his excitement, Chandrababu is all smiles too.

HE WENT, HE SAW AND CAME BACK IN EXACTLY 15 MINUTES: DID JUNIOR NTR GET THE ROYAL SNUB AT LOKESH-BRAHMANI'S ENGAGEMENT?

The more he tries to get closer to the NTR family, the farther they are keeping away from him. Junior NTR, who has been desperately hankering for the love and affection of the members of the NTR family, has not been lucky till now. There have been reports of how Balakrishna had insulted him when he tried to address him as 'babai' and seek his blessings a couple of years back. Not just Balakrishna, the whole of NTR family could not digest the fame and popularity of junior NTR. Why they didn't even like the idea of the junior using NTR's name. They consider him to be a pariah, and wouldn't even touch him with a barge pole. And on Sunday, when Balakrishna was soaking in the attention of the film industry's biggies on the occasion of the engagement ceremony of Lokesh and Brahmani held at his house in Jubilee Hills, NTR too went to greet the young couple. We don't know whether he was called by the Balakrishna family, or whether he was invited by his father Harikrishna, but the enthusiastic young man went with stars in his eyes, literally, to greet the young couple. Exactly in 15 minutes, however, he walked out with a red face. The answer was obvious. He got a cold reception. Or worse still, there must have been snide remarks, the kind we see in films, about how he could have come for the engagement ceremony, and who had called him. Don't worry NTR, your success speaks for yourself, you don't need to curry favour with anyone. The man whose love and affection you deserve, the late N T Rama Rao, is up in the sky and watching their every move. And, don't forget to remember that his benign grace is always showering on you. So, as Dale Carnegie says, stop worrying and start living a life you deserve to.

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.

WHAT ARE THE TOLLYWOOD STARS DOING TO EMULATE RAJNIKANTH AS THE IRREPLACEABLE ICON?

Rajnikanth has been making waves the world over with his latest film Sivaji: The Boss. What are the Tollywood stars -- Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna, Venkatesh, Nagarjuna, Pavan Kalyan, Prabhas, Allu Arjun, Siddharth, Sivaji, et al -- doing to become icons in the mould of Rajnikanth?

Scroll down to know what they are busy with















TRYING TO WAKE UP TO COMPETITION

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.

YOU'VE WATCHED THE PHOTOGRAPHS, NOW SEE BALAKRISHNA'S BIRTHDAY ON VIDEO

DON'T BE FOOLED BY YOUR SUPERSTAR'S HOLIER-THAN-THOU ATTITUDE: IT IS JUST AN OUTWARD APPEARANCE

A Tollywood superstar, testifying in a minor breach of contract case, was asked to identify himself.
"I am the world's greatest actor," he told the court with a simple dignity.
One of his friends chided him the next day. "Don't you think that boost you gave yourself was a little too thick?"
"Usually I avoid any kind of self praise," said the film idol, "but remember, this time they had me under oath."

Sounds like a rib-tickling scene from a latest Telugu film. For, you would ask, which of the present day actors behave that way in real life. The point is: Who doesn't behave that way today? Every hero worth his name, from Chiranjeevi down to Sivaji, have their bloated egos plastered all over their body. It is only when they are in the company of crowds that they appear to be simple and sombre. But, in reality, they are a species the defies definition: they are crass, crude and clumsy to the point of hatred. You just need to spend a couple of days with a hero to know the kind of insecurity he suffers from. To get rid of which, he projects a larger-than-life to his fans, friends and the flunkeys who surround him. And the moral of the story is: like him, love his acting, but don't get fooled by his holier-than-thou attitude. Because he has none.