THE AUDIO IS OUT AND IS REPORTEDLY QUITE A RAGE WITH THE FANS, WILL THE FILM BE THE SAME TOO?

The audio of Shankardada Zindabad, the sequel to Shankardada MBBS, was launched with great fanfare at a function held at Shilpa Kala Vedika on Wednesday. Fanfare, because some of the prominent actors and directors of the Telugu film industry graced the occasion. They include actors not just from the Chiranjeevi clan like Pawan Kalyan and Allu Arjun, but Venkatesh too made his presence felt.

Of course, the entire cast of the film -- Srikanth, who plays the role of ATM, Karishma Kotak, the heroine, Mamata Mohandas, Devi Sri Prasad, who complosed the music for the film, Prabhu Deva, the director.

Also present were the Tollywood filmmakers K Raghavendra Rao, Trivikram Srinivas, S J Surya, V N Aditya, M L Kumar Chowdary, Aswini Dutt, M S Raju, Paruchuri Venkateswara Rao, Dil Raju, Gemini Kiran, Ravi Shankara Prasad, Manohar Prasad, T Trivikrama Rao, Addala Chanti.

The whole auditorium reverberated with the cries of Shankardada Zindabad when the audio was released.

WHO SAID WHAT:

The most precious thing for me in the world is the affection and enthusiasm showered by my fans. Devi Sri Prasad, who scored amazing music for Shankardada MBBS. did even better for Shankardada Zindabad. All songs in this film are superb. Sometimes, I feel jealous of the manifold talents of Devi Sri Prasad.

-- Chiranjeevi

I always wanted to do at least a small role in Chiranjeevi’s film. I am acting like a representative of all the fans. My dialogue in the film represents the heartbeat of all the fans. It took me 18 years to fulfill my dream of becoming hero.

-- Pawan Kalyan

Shankardada MBBS was a big hit. I hope that Shankardada Zindabad will become a bigger hit.

-- Venkatesh












THERE IS NEVER A DULL MOMENT AT OUR HOME, STEP IN

WHY DO K RAGHAVENDRA RAO'S FILMS HAVE THE HERO THROWING FRUITS ON THE HEROINE'S NAVEL?

Director K Raghavendra Rao is called for an interview with the censors regarding his new film Grapes, Oranges and Bananas.

CENSORS: Mr Raghavendra Rao, this is about your new films, Grapes, Oranges and Bananas. You call it an educational film, what does it teach?

RAGHAVENDRA RAO: Human Anatomy, sir. Human Anatomy. Everytime our hero playfully hits the heroine with a grape or an orange or a banana, the audiences are so engrossed with the navel that they are forced to know a thing or two about it. And soon their curiosity will be roused and they will enquire about the other parts of the body like stomach, hips, heart, lungs, etc. This way they will be thoroughly informed about the anatomy of the whole body.

CENSORS (zapped): ?????

RAGHAVENDRA RAO: If you are still not convinced, ask the audiences and they will tell you the exact dimensions of the navels of the actresses who worked with me -- from Jayasudha to Genelia, including Sri Devi, Jayaprada, Ramyakrishna, Rambha, Nagma, Radha, Vijayashanti, Raasi, Ravali, Deepti Bhatnagar, and even Meenakshi Sheshadri.

CENSORS (recover from their shock): But, what if any of the heroine gets hurt or dies in the fruits throwing binge?

RAGHAVENDRA RAO: Then they will learn about death, sir. They benefit one way or the other. And in the process the audiences get to have some lusty entertainment too. It is for no reason that heroines make a beeline to my house. And audiences love to watch my films.

CENSORS: ?????

Now sit back and enjoy this Raghavendra Rao's song from Vetagadu. Sri Devi was a rage and set many a heart aflutter in the late 70s and early 80s.

Puri Jagannadh apologises for quip on Raghavendra Rao

All of us make mistakes. Especially when we are on an upward curve in our careers. It's not that we intend to harm anyone with our words. But, generally, we'd like to show that we too are smart. And filmmakers are no exception. During the shooting of Super in 2005, director K Raghavendra Rao dropped in on the sets to narrate the story of Sri Ramadasu to Nagarjuna. Puri Jagannadh, who was also present there, jokingly said to Raghavendra Rao, "Who will see such kind of films anymore, sir? I think you should retire now." Although the observation was made in lighthearted spirit, Raghavendra Rao just smiled and left it at that. But Puri realised the blunder he had committed sooner than latter. And had been cursing himself for having spoken like that to a director like Raghavendra Rao. Recently, during a function, where Raghavendra Rao was also present along with him, he narrated the incident and went on to say, "I realise now what a blunder I committed that day. My film Super did not fare so well, but Raghavendra Rao's Sri Ramadasu went on to become a super duper hit. Such people should keep on making films," he said. And he took the opportunity to seek forgiveness for his tasteless comments. "Sorry, sir, please forgive me," he said turning to Raghavendra Rao. Ok Jagannadh, you are forgiven. But this should serve as an eyeopener to all the guys who think they are larger than life once they have a hit under their belt.

Balakrishna is the new avatar of God!!

Director K Raghavendra Rao can't seem to get off the hangover of devotional films. Till now, he has made three of them -- Annamayya, Sri Manjunatha and Sri Ramadasu. And, all of them, barring Sri Manjunatha, went on to become super duper hits. Basking in the glory of his new found formula, Raghavendra Rao is now planning to make another devotional film. This time, he has set Nagarjuna aside and wants to do it with Nandamuri Balakrishna. Rangadu Pandurangadu, the name of the new film, will star Balakrishna both as God and devotee. The film dialogues are written by J K Bharavi, while Raghavendra Rao's favourite Keeravani will compose the music. Will it put Balakrishna in the stratosphere -- literally?

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.