WHERE IS THE SUPERHEROINE IN TELUGU CINEMA GONE?

What has happened to the superheroine in Telugu cinema? There was a time when the likes of Sri Devi and Vijayashanti strode the silver screen with the dare devilry of any hero. And even actors like Jagapati Babu played second fiddle to them.

They were followed by Soundarya, who excelled in the role of a superheroine in her own way in family subjects. Remember how she stole the limelight even from actors like Venkatesh and Nagarjuna in some of the films like Pavitrabandham and Nuvvostavani?

To some extent, Simran too did shine bright with some good roles on par with the heroes of her time.

But today, it is a different ball game altogether, what with every actor worth his name -- from Gopichand to Chiranjeevi -- has assumed the superhero avatar, reducing the heroine to a prop. We have woman-oriented films like Missamma, but Bhumika is no superheroine in the film, though she gets to essay a wonderful role to perfection.

Is it because the subjects which revolve round real estate wars and faction politics don't have a place for superheroines? It is time to ponder over the death of the superheroine.

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.

DID YOU KNOW THAT IT TAKES AROUND 28,000 LITRES OF WATER TO FILM A RAING SONG?

Did know that it takes around 28 tankers or 28,000 litres of water to can a rain song?

...They would fill the requirements of 30 families for a month

That is on the conservative side. If maverick directors like Ramgopal Varma, Sanjay Leela Bhansali or Krishna Vamsi were to can the song, the would devour three times the quantity.

Now, sit back and enjoy a sizzling rain song of Balakrishna and Vijayashanti in Rowdy Inspector.