NOT JUST IN ANDHRA, OUR FILM CRAZY FANS HAVE TAKEN THEIR STAR MANIA TO CHENNAI THEATRES AS WELL

Theatres in Chennai that screen Telugu films of late are marked by fanfare and huge billboards on the day of film’s release.

Fans of Telugu actors indulge in elaborate celebrations to rejoice the film’s release on the same day as in Andhra Pradesh. Staff of city theatres observed that such enthusiasm by Telugu film fans' associations emerged in the city in the last five years.

The recent festivity in the city was for the much-awaited film, Chirutha, with debutant actor Ram Charan Teja, son of matinee idol Chiranjeevi, in the lead. Several fans who thronged the theatres burst firecrackers and distributed sweets to celebrate the release.

A staff of the Casino theatre said the merriment was almost on par with the celebration for Tamil movies. Huge billboards were also put up by members of Telugu film fans association to cheer the movie. However, most of these fans associations that are formed by a group of youngsters or college students are short-lived.

Earlier, the students used their college names in the billboards. After they faced disciplinary action from their colleges, they had formed associations, he said.

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RAJNIKANT'S SIVAJI: THE BOSS GETS THE BEST EVER RATING FROM THE PRINT MEDIA

They broke pumpkins to ward off evil eyes, lit camphor to perform aarti and bathed gigantic cut-outs of Rajnikant with hundreds of litres of milk. As crackers burst incessantly, the Tamil superstar's fans exhibited their joy by distributing sweets.

Film buffs in Tamil Nadu gave a rousing yet traditional welcome to "the boss's" latest avatar as Sivaji, the one-man demolition squad against black money, in his newest offering, Sivaji: The Boss, which had a global release on Friday.

"It was great to watch Rajni. I enjoyed Sivaji thoroughly. Though it's long (3 hours and 6 minutes), it never bored me even for a second," said Chennai Corporation mayor M Subramanian.

For the most expensive film ever made (Rs 95 crore) in the history of Indian cinema, Sivaji's first two days' bookings in just Chennai crossed Rs 3 crore. "It's a smash hit. With such response, it'll have a long run. Our investment will bring back good returns," said C T Valliapan, owner of Kamala Theatre. In Chennai, the film had a 16-screen opening. "We're housefull for the next 14 days," he said.

As is the case with every Rajni film, Sivaji's story too is not thick plot. It goes like this: Sivaji (Rajnikant) is a US-based software professional who returns to India to work in his native land. A socialist and do-gooder, he tries to establish a university and hospital with his own money. His aim is not to profit; but, give free education, treatment and employment opportunities to the poor.

The Indian Robinhood, in turn, uses the entire money for the welfare of the poor and needy. Rajni fan Valliappan is certain the actor has replicated his old magic yet again. "It has the production standards of a Hollywood film in terms of grandeur and technical value," he said.

R Pandirajan, a call centre employee, who is not a Rajini fan, said he wasn't disappointed. "It has all the ingredients — comedy, action, punch, dialogue, all Rajni style." But, who will fight the touts selling tickets for Rs 1,000?

(Courtesy: The Times of India)

HARD LUCK FOR ZEDS: The left-arm pacer suffers an injury, may not be taken for the ODI series against South Africa and Ireland

India's pace spearhead Zaheer Khan is unlikely to make it to the squad for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa in Ireland due to a hip strain. The left-arm pacer suffered the injury while bowling in the second one-dayer of the Afro-Asia Cup in Chennai on Saturday. He bowled only 2.4 overs for the hosts before going off the field. The extent of Zaheer's injury and how long he would be out of action was to be ascertained yet. India were to play three one-day internationals against South Africa in Ireland between June 26 and July 1. They then take on Pakistan in a one-off ODI in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 3.

Dhoni moves up to 4th in ODI rankings

Team India stumper Mahendra Singh Dhoni gained a spot to be fourth in the latest LG-ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen, released today. Dhoni, who was the man of the series in the one-day international series against Bangladesh, has a chance to move up to third if he continues his fine form during the Afro-Asia Cup in Bangalore and Chennai starting tomorrow. The 25-year-old is just five rating points behind Australia's Mike Hussey and, if he continues with his good form over the next week, he will close the gap on Kevin Pietersen and Ricky Ponting at the top of the log. Skipper Rahul Dravid also moved up one place to be 15th, just one point behind South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs.
In the bowlers' chart, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, despite being out of action after being dropped for the tour of Bangladesh has cilmbed up one spot to share the 13th position with England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga. The only other Indian in the bowling top-20 is Ajit Agarkar, who occupies the 16th spot. Shaun Pollock continues to lead the pack and is set to play in the Afro-Asian Cup as a specialist batsman following minor foot surgery. PTI

Ramyakrishna bids adieu to Krishnavamsi!!

All is not well with Ramyakrishna's marriage. It's been rumoured in Hyderabad that she has left for Chennai with bag and baggage to live with her parents, along with her son, to escape from her depressing marriage. However, sources close to the couple say that there was no marriage at all in the first place, as it was only Krishnavamsi who was interested in her, and she never gave a damn to him. It seems the director had such a huge crush on her that he waited for her nod for more than five years, before she finally got disgusted and said yes. But, insiders insist, she wasn't keen on keeping her commitment to him and strictly told him that she would do what she wants and that he shouldn't tell him what to do. But, alas, the butterfly that she is, it must have been very difficult for her to cope with the not-so-sophisticated maverick filmmaker. Ramyakrishna has had a legendary reputation for going around with directors K Raghavendra Rao and Raviraja Pinisetty, in whose films she excelled.

Wanna fly? Now is the time

With monsoons round the corner, domestic airlines are offering tickets at throw-away prices. Several of them have announced special offers to woo passengersto travel during the rainy season which is considered a lean period. Despite incurring heavy losses, airlines are offering tickets atRs 225 or 99 paise.

Budget carriers like Air Deccan, GoAir and SpiceJet have even offered free tickets to passengers. Full service carrier Jet Airways is also joining the monsoonoffer bandwagon to fill space during the lean season.

These cheap fares are tactics to stimulate passengers to travelmore, say industry analysts, and fill as many seats as possible. The rainy season is the worst time for airlines. Therefore, airlines areselling seats in advance by offering cheaper fares.

According to estimates, domestic airlines posted a net loss of about Rs 2,000 crore during last financial year. Jet Airways, the country's largest private airline, is offering special advance fares in 40 sectors, including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore and Goa.

The airlines' monsoon fares are priced lower than normal economyor check fares. Under the scheme on offer, passengers can bookflights on certain domestic routes 10, 15, 20 and 25 days before thetravel date, and the journey should be undertaken by September 30.

(Courtesy: UNI)