HEADLINES OF THE DAY

* Here's good news for Chiranjeevi's fans. The megastar's most-awaited film, Shankardada Zindabad, is releasing on June 28

* Similarly, Venkatesh's Tulsi has been scheduled for September release

* Everyone is eagerly awaiting the release of Rajnikant's Sivaji. While movie goers have to wait for another two weeks to see Rajnikant in action, Kalaidar TV has bought the exclusive telecast rights of Sivaji

* The title of D Rama Naidu's film has been announced -- it is called Bhale Jodi

Will Srikanth manage to hang on?

Srikanth is desperately trying to keep his on-the-verge-of-drowning career afloat in the wake of the onslaught of younger heroes who have been sweeping the Telugu film industry like a tsunami sending tremors in the hearts of the ageing-and-refuse-to-leave-the-industry superstars. From NTR to Prabhas, from Mahesh Babu to Allu Arvind and even Ram and Siddharth have been flying high creating a niche for themselves. The reasons are many. But the most important is their freshness. And, of course, their ability to strike a chord with the younger directors. Coming to Srikanth, he has been clutching on to the straws, literally, and has been desperately trying to make himself noticed with his trademark comedy films with his trademark directors. But the land under his feet is fast slipping away. So he thought he would do something different before he fades away from the industry. Of course, it is just a euphimism for his unemployment. And for that, he has even shaven his head and is now sporting a barely-grown-hair-on-his-head look for his new film 'Operation Duryodhana'. Incidently, the film is directed by Posani Krishna Murali, and looking from the likes of it, it appears as if the theme is written keeping Srihari in mind. We will come to that later. The film has some really hard-hitting political dialogues questioning the system and its deviation from the Constitution, in typical Posani style. But will Srikanth be able to deliver? That is the million dollar question.

Bravo! Melton baby, keep it up!!

You need to have guts to say no to a top producer in Tollywood. Especially when it is Rama Naidu, you need to have all the more courage to refuse to budge from your stubborn position. But Parvati Melton did just that. When the makers of Madhumasam (produced by Rama Naidu) wanted her to strip a little more for her role in the film, she coolly said that it wasn't needed and that she would make up for it with her histrionic talents. They tried various means to pursuade her but she said no with such final authority that they had to give in to her. Now that the film has been released, she says she says she feels vindicated by her stand. Bravo! Melton, keep it up. Hope we have more gals like you in the industry.