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.

ANUSHKA CLAIMS SHE IS QUITE A 'HOT' PERSON IN REAL LIFE TOO

Ask Tollywood heroines which is the best role they have essayed till now, and pat comes the answer -- the film that is ready for release. And ask them why? They say it is very close to their heart, or it resembles their real life. Of course, we know it is all bakwas . They are just saying it to derive mileage for their film. The other day, a newspaperman asked Anushka, how her role would be in Lakshyam, her film opposite Gopichand. "I've put my heart and soul into it," she claimed. But before she could rub others the wrong way, she hastened to add, "Of course, I've liked all my other roles too, but the role in Lakshyam is close to my heart."

She says that "The role is very close to her real life. Whatever I do in real life finds expression in the film. And, even in real life I'm no different either. I am a happy-go-lucky person."

Does she mean to say that she wears all those revealing clothes, for which the film has become famous for in real life too? Those who have been associated with the film say that Anushka looks hot in the film. In fact, too hot for Gopichand to handle.
Says she, "I look pretty in real life too. In films, you should look glamorous so that all the people from the classes to the masses should like me."

Wow that is one confession that we wouldn't forget Anushka. And what does she do to keep her curls and curves in shape? "Nothing in particular, but yes I do yoga," says the sex kitten.

The lady is acting in Don, opposite Nagarjuna, in Okka Mogadu with Balakrishna and another film with Jagapati Babu. In all of them, she is expected to ooze tremendous oomph to make the audience go bonkers. So, wait for the sex goddess to titillate you!!


CHECK OUT THE HOT BABE'S HOT VIDEO

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.

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

BALAKRISHNA'S FANS SET THE AGENDA FOR HIS POLITICAL ENTRY: Balakrishna is the future chief minister of Andhra Pradesh

He came, he saw and he was hailed as the 'Future Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh'. Nandamuri Balakrishna, who is the most-talked about hero in Andhra Pradesh today, due to his inclination for joining politics, celebrated his 48th birthday in Rajahmundry with great 'fan'fare -- literally.

Fans virtually went overboard in cheering on their leader, and happy at their screen god's decision to enter politics, they've set the agenda for him -- nothing less than a chief minister. And the sloganeering fans didn't stop shouting and went on and on with shouts of Kaboye mukhyamantri Balakrishna ringing in the ears of all the Rajahmundry residents.

Visibly enthused by the fans' support, Balakrishna neither told them to stop their sloganeering, nor did he stop basking in the glory of their fans. He merely said he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, the late N T Rama Rao, and work for the upliftment of the society.

Later, addressing his fans, and the sea of people present at the function, he didn't stop praising his father to the skies. "I am what I am today because of my father. I learnt everything from him, including acting, which is why I was able to become your adorable hero."

He didn't mention a word about his brother-in-law Nara Chandrababu, who has taken all the trouble to make the function a thundering success. If not for that at least for forging a relationship with Chandrababu as their children Lokesh and Brahmani are entering into a wedlock in August. And Chandrababu, who has been waiting with bated breath at the proceedings of the birthday celebrations, had to hear what he didn't and wouldn't want to hear: a competition for the chief ministership.

But Balakrishna had words of praise for Rajahmundry. "I am fortunate to celebrate my birthday in the historic Raja Mahendravaram (Rajahmundry)." Balakrishna celebrated his birthday in the same place in 1993, while he was shooting for Bangaru Bullodu, which went on to become a smashing hit.

And now, after 14 years, he has been shooting for Okka Magadu for the last one month, in and around Rajahmundry. Will this film too go on to become a rage like Bangaru Bullodu?

Prior to the function, Balakrishna participated in a pulse polio programme, distributed clothes at an old age home and attended a medical camp organised by the NTR Trust.

The function was organised by the NTR Trust, Balakrishna fans and the unit of Okka Mogadu, of course, with the active support of the Telugu Desam cadres from the Godavari districts.

(Photos: courtesy Idlebrain.com)