Australian Open 2009

Click here for details

Ram | Hansika | M S Raju | B Gopal | Maska Movie Review

Rating: 3/5

Banner: Sumanth Arts Productions

Cast: Ram, Hansika Motwani, Sheela, Sunil, Naresh, Jhansi, Mukesh Rishi, Pradeep

Music : Chakri

Camera: Sekhar V Joseph

Director: B Gopal

Producer: MS Raju

Release date: 14th January 2009

Story

Krishnakanth alias Krish (Ram) is a happy go lucky guy who is a nice lad but then he is educated upto intermediate and loafs around with his good buddy (Sunil). Krish lives with his caring brother and sister-in-law (Naresh and Jhansi) and deciding to put an end to all his problems, he decides to lure a educated and earning girl so that he can get married to her and lead his life. His prayers get answered when he chances upon Manju (Sheela) and thinks she is the ideal one. He spins a tale of fictitious love in front of her and he is partly successful in his goal since Manju begins to fall in love with him slowly and steadily looking at his nature. Just when things began to look better for Krish, trouble comes in the form of Meenu (Hansika) who is exactly fitting the bill of the story that he had fabricated. Not only that, a powerful politician Sivaji (Pradeep) is out to kidnap her while Simhachalam (Mukesh) is keen on killing her. Who is Meenu? What is the political link she has? What happens to Krish and his love story plans? Watch the movie to unravel the suspense.

Artistes and technicians

Ram has come out with a good performance and he seems to be improving with each passing film of his, though his expressions are stiff at few places, he has done well in the dance and the stunt departments. He has an elegant charm which will work its way with the audience. Hansika was hot and sexy for the first time unlike the usual soft and shy characters and she had enough glamour from her end. Even better was Sheela with her naturally seductive poise and she has shown her mettle in glamour by coming out with good oomph, Sheela has also scored in the acting department where Hansika could improve. Sunil was the hilarious giver for a major part of the first half, Brahmanandam was apt, Mukesh and Pradeep Rawat were evil enough and have come out with a mean performance which was perfect to the role. Jhansi was top notch, Naresh was valuable. The director has come out with a subject that covers all genres of audience and he has been quite matured in his narrative and taking care of the presentation too

Cinematography deserves special mention with the angles and framing while the music had about three songs worth humming. The script was neat, dialogues had few punchlines, screenplay was professional, locations were beautiful and the costumes were impressive. The other departments did their bit to contribute.

Highlights

technical values

glamour from Hansika, Sheela

political touch to the plot

Drawbacks

comedy could have been more effective

First half and second half

While the first half goes about with the comedy track and the romance track in the light hearted mode, the second half takes a serious turn with the violence, romantic confusion and the political drama. The pace was consistent throughout.

Report

The makers have come in with a breezy entertainer and there is not a single area that has not been touched to ensure that it is a full length commercial treat. The film has given rise to a new angle of image for both heroines and Ram has shown his mettle in all departments with more ease and confidence. This will surely appeal the mass, class and the youth audience and though there are no shock points or high value scenes that will remain in heart forever, it truly serves the mind of the light hearted audience who are out for some entertainment. The genre is mixed so it will work at the box office

Vijay's Villu Movie Review

Formula entertainers and 'Ilayathalapathy' Vijay are inseparable. When he is hitting the bull's eye with such films, no wonder he seems to have developed a fascination for such 'mass themes'.

Come harvest festival (12 January), for it would be celebration time for die-hard Vijay fans as their favourite star's much-awaited "Villu" will be hitting the screens. It would be bountiful of joy for his rasikas, as Vijay is all set to dazzle the screen with his typical punch line dialogues, flex his muscle to fight the baddies and evoke laughter in the company of Vadivelu. With Nayantara around to romance Vijay on screen, no doubt it would be a youthful extravaganza in cinema halls

After Pokkiri, Prabhu Deva and Vijay are back with 'Villu' a 'Power pack Pongal' for Vijay Fans. Vijay Fans in USA are thrilled to taste the feast two days prior to release in India. After two not so good movies such as ATM and Kuruvi, Vijay is back in form. As a rigid formula everyone in the theatre expect only a Mass entertainer from 'Pugazh'-Vijay, and Prabhu Deva has done his best to maintain all the elements needed to give a complete Vijay movie - with super hero intro, romance ,

comedy, several fights, item songs and finally hero wins over the baddies

Hero Pugazh (Vijay) is introduced as a local area super hero who is the savior of poor and the needy. He acts as a Villu (arrow) of a senior Police officer Manoj K Jain and follows his instructions secretly. In his mission he targets international Dadas and as a part of the mission he makes love to Jhanvi (Nayantara), who as expected is the Main Dada Prakash Raj's daughter. Who is Pughazh and why is he back of these dadas is revealed slowly following a flash back in the second half. Director has succeeded in keeping the suspense till the end. Though there are logical flaws here and there, story falls in place.

First half rocks the theater and major credit goes to Vaigai puyal Vadivelu. He tickles us every time he appears on the screen and especially his Nakka Mukka dance in front of Swiss Police is highly comical. Only Kids can enjoy his fight with the graphic cow. Nayanthara chills the screen now and then, its high time she start doing something than a regular heroine shouting at the hero and showing recession in costumes. She is the same in all her recent movies. Mam try to act for a change!

Devi Sri Prasad rocks the floor in 'Jalsa' and 'Nee Kova Pattal' is nice to hear and to see. He could have worked more on BGM as they don't sync with the movie, rather sounds too bold at unwanted places. 'Vaada Maapla' and item song 'Daddy Mummy' is gonna be sizzling in channels for the following days for sure. 'Dheem Thanana Thillana' is a good dance number and 'Rama Rama' is a typical Vijay intro song meant to bring out josh in his fans, Prabhu Deva shows his mark in all songs and Vijay has proved that he is no less a dancer than the director. Kudos to the Choreographers! Kushboo and Prabhu Deva's special appearance in the song adds spice. Villian Prakash Raj fails to impress and has been wasted.

Ravi Varman's Camera has beautifully captured Zurich in songs and fight sequences are amazing. Prabhu Deva has brilliantly capitalized the talents of Ravi. Only one or two dialogues like 'Enakku pottukudukka theriyadhu, Poda thaan theriyum' pin the mind while others fly no where.

Analysis:

Villu has an entertaining first half, flash back in the second half is totally hindi 'Soldier' with added Tamil senti facts. Major Vijay, logic less Blue Ray Disc sequences, Drunk Nayanthara and no different villain Prakash Raj make the movie lag. Vijay imitates Superstar in some scenes which look very obvious and repetitive. Hero Vijay, song sequences, Cinematography and Vadivelu make 'Villu' a pretty good entertainer

Anushka's Arundathi Movie Review

ARUNDATHI

Rating: 3.5/5
Punchline: magnum opus
Genre: Thriller
Type: Straight
Banner: Mallemala Entertainments

Cast: Anushka, Sonu Sood, Deepak, Manorama, Sayaji Shinde, Kaikala Satyanarayana, Ahuti Prasad, Annapurna

Music: Koti
Dialogues: Chintapally Ramana
Cinematography: Senthil Kumar
Visual effects: Rahul Nambiar
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh
Story – screenplay: Mallemala unit
Direction: Kodi Rama Krishna
Producer: M Shyam Prasad Reddy
Release date: 16 January 2009


Review
Story

Arundhati (Anushka) belongs to Gadwal samsthanam in 1920’s. She is known for her bravery in saving the Samstanam by killing Pasupathi (Sonu Sood) an evildoer who creates ruckus in that place. She is praised as Jejemma (named after the famous Goddess in that area). But the spirit of Pasupathi haunts that place. Another girl is born in the same lineage after 3 generations and she is named as Arundhati. The spirit of Pasupati is after Arundhati to take the revenge. The rest of the story is all about how Arundhati puts an end to the evil spirit of Pasupathi.

Artists Performance

Anushka: This is Anushka’s first performance oriented film and she is simply amazing in two roles. There are many shots in the film where the scenes from the present time will dissolve into to flashback and vice versa. These scenes are done on Anushka are crucial in the film. She has to show the variations between the old Arundhati and new Arundhati. She did exceptionally well with subtle yet impact creating performance. Shilpa and Sowmya dubbed the voices of old and new characters respectively.

Others: Sonu Sood looks deadly in the role of Aghora. His performance is excellent. A special mention should be given to P Ravi Shankar who dubbed the voice of Sonu Sood. It is a great opportunity for any dubbing artists to get a role like this. The way he pronounces ‘ninnu vadalaa … vasta .. vasta’ is extremely good. Sayaji Shinde got a beautiful role ‘Talla Sayibu’ in this film. He is completely believable in that role. Manorama is very good. Deepak is nice. Satyanarayana and others are good. All other artists are appropriately cast in their roles.

Technical departments

Story - screenplay - direction: Story of the film is good. Screenplay is very good. The beauty of this screenplay is about revealing the story and information in parts. There is always something to look forward to with anticipation in the film. It possesses one of the best screenplays in the recent times. Direction by Kodi Rama Krishna is very good. However, there are a couple of violent scenes that are disturbing to the family crowds. You can see a few Hollywood inspirations like Lord of the Rings, House of Flying Daggers (dum dance), Final Destination 1 (car - train episode). A couple of episodes (the thread of drum dance by the guru & establishing Arundhati as the warrior) should have been more effectively established.

Other departments: Visual effects and graphics done by Rahul Nambiar are extraordinary. Cinematography by Senthil Kumar is excellent. Background music and rerecording by Koti is brilliant. The songs in the film go with the flow of narration. Art direction by Anand Sai is first-rate. Make-up work is good. Editing is smooth. Digital Ingredient (color grading) is very good. Production values of this film are extravagant.

Analysis: First half of the film is excellent and the second half is good. The plus points of the film are performances, screenplay, technical values and grandeur. The only negative point I see in this film is violence (got an A certificate from censors), which is very much required for the film to be effective. After a long time, I watched a Telugu film that has both content and technology rightly mixed to give a vibrant output. Arundhati is a film which you can proudly show it as a Telugu film to all your non-Telugu friends. And it will live up to the adjective of ‘Magnum Opus’. Two thumbs up to Shyam Prasad Reddy for making a brilliant film. Don’t watch it on internet or pirated DVDs. Arundhati is a film that must be watched in a good theater with nice sound/projection system.

EVV & Allari Naresh's Fitting Master MP3 Songs Free Download

Click here to Download

Koncham istam koncham kastam Movie Updates | Work progress

A film that has been generating a lot of excitement in this new year is Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kastam (KIKK), directed by debutant Kishore Kumar (Dolly), who is a long-term associate of ace director V. V. Vinayak and said to be a key contributor for several films. Lorve and Sri Ramanjaneya Films grabbed the overseas theatrical screening (except Dubai and Singapore) and DVD rights of KIKK. Nallamalupu Bujji produces this movie under the prestigious Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Productions. Lover boy Siddharth and Happy Days fame Tamannah play the lead roles. Siddharth's past movies Bommarillu and Nuvvosthanante Nenodhantana hold the record as the highest grossers in USA till date.

Here are few details about the movie and the stars spoke about the film and their roles in it. Prakashraj, who plays the role of Siddarth's father, elaborated on his role, "I liked Dolly's narration. The story contains plenty of family sentiments and emotions similar to Bommarillu. Parents are role models for their children and every family is built on this concept. This film's story too revolves around this concept and it is a debate between parents and their children. I am sure this will be one of my best performances ever." After Bommarillu, Siddharth made a name for himself as a versatile actor. "I was hunting for a film that would match Bommarillu's standards and KIKK is even better than I expected. A film with a good message, it conveys great values to the audiences. Prakashraj is playing my father for the third time in my career. This time too, I look forward to learning something from him." Tamannaah plays the role of Geeta in the film. "I liked the film's script and am happy to work with Siddharth." KIKK sees the return of Ramya Krishna to the big screen, as Siddharth's mother. The cast also includes Samrat, Karuna, Brahmanandam, Venumadhav, Sunil, Nazar and others. Bollywood rocking trio Shankar-Eshaan-Loy composed music for the first time for a Telugu movie. Shankar-Eshaan-Loy are well known for scoring music for films like Dil Chahta Hai, Mission Kashmir, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Bunty Aur Babli, Don, Taare Zameen Par and Rock On. Abburi Ravi and Harish Shankar have written the dialogues and Chandra Bose and Sirivennela Seetarama Sastri have penned the lyrics. KIKK is slated for a February first week release. Our sincere thanks to Nallamalupu Bujji gaaru for giving us this opportunity

 

Satyam CFO Attempts Suicide

Satyam Computer Services Chief Financial Manager reportedly attempts to commit suicide. He is admitted to a private hospital. His conditions is stated to be critical

Maytas may lose Metro Rail, Machilipatnam port projects

The Andhra Pradesh Government on Thursday disowned the biggest fraud in corporate sector in India that came to light in the multi-national Information Technology (IT) giant Satyam Computers with the confessional statement of its chairman, Mr Ramalinga Raju, but said that the two major projects awarded to Maytas, an associate of Satyam Computers, will be reviewed. The Minister for Finance, Mr K Rosaiah, told media persons after inaugurating the 41 st annual convention at the Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University here on Thursday that the State Government has no role to play in salvaging the Satyam Computers. He, however, made it clear that the projects awarded to Maytas -- Metro Rail in Hyderabad worth about Rs 12,000 crore, the Rs 1,500 crore worth of Machilipatnam Deep Water Port and the drinking water supply project to the twin cities – will be reviewed.

“I can’t immediately say what will happen to these major projects. We will have to review them and a decision will be taken only after that,” Mr Rosaiah said hinting that the contracts might even be cancelled. He said as an Andhraite “I am feeling ashamed at the developments in Satyam Computers.” The Finance Minister is of the opinion that the monitoring mechanism has miserably failed to detect the Satyam fraud.

 

Satyam out of SENSEX & NIFTY

<<satyam.jpg>> The Bombay Stock Exchange on Thursday said it will replace Satyam Computer with Sun Pharmaceutical in its benchmark index Sensex with effect from January 12. Satyam would also be removed from various other indices like BSE-100, BSE 200, BSE-500 and BSE Teck and BSE IT index the exchange said in a statement."Trading members of the exchange are hereby informed that the replacements would be made with effect from January 12, 2009," the statement added.

Further, GlaxoSmithkline Pharmaceuticals would replace Satyam in the BSE 100 index, while the IT firm would be replaced by Castrol India in the BSE 200 index.

Meanwhile, Cadila Healthcare replaces Satyam Computer in the BSE-500 index. The statement by the exchange comes a day after the NSE said it would strike off Satyam from its benchmark index Nifty with effect from January 12.The National Stock Exchange has removed the company from various other indices like the CNX 100, S&P CNX 500, CNX IT and the CNX Services sector index

Raise and fall of Ramalinga Raju

Byrraju Ramalingaraju, once acclaimed as the pioneer businessman of India in the world of Information Technology (IT) by the elite sections in his home state of Andhra Pradesh and also across the globe, is now devoid of any supporter to lean on.

“Is Ramalinga Raju the most feared man among some North Americans-even more than Osma Bin Laden?” “If Chandra Babu Naidu (when he was the chief minister) is the chief executive officer of Cyberabad, then crowned prince of Cyberabad is Mr B Ramalinga Raju, chairman of the Hyderabad-based Satyam Computers.”

These are some of the accolades given to Ramalinga Raju at the height of hype the media built during 1995-2008. Son of a farmer from obscure beginnings, Ramalinga Raju rose to such great heights as to rub his shoulders with the chief ministers and Union ministers. He was really the most feared man among the senior officials and ministers because he used to have free access to the chief ministers right from the beginning after he established the IT giant.

Right from the spinning mill in which he tried his hand in body shopping and real estate he had managed, he had evidently not made much progress. He, however, was able to create much fanfare about his IT venture, thanks to the support extended by successive governments.

Born on September 16, 1954 in Bhimavaram, a sleepy town in West Godavari district in Coastal Andhra Pradesh, he came in contact with high profile personalities during his college days in Vijayawada. He later obtained MBA degree from Ohio University. He had even attended a course of Owner/President at Harvard University. 

Ramalinga Raju founded Satyam Computers Services in 1987 after his ventures into other businesses like construction and textiles failed to make much headway. Though Satyam Computer Services was acclaimed by the elite as the fourth largest software exporter in India, the common man was always sceptical about its status.

His downfall began, in fact, in September last year with the news leaking out to the media that the World Bank had imposed an 8-year ban on the Satyam Computer Services. But the media in the State had not only downplayed it but also attacked the foreign media for spreading “malicious campaign” against the pioneering company. But the ban imposed by the World Bank came out with a such force that bruised Ramalinga Raju so badly from which he could not recover. His IT company was blamed for “theft” from the World Bank
 
Then came the crisis following his attempts to acquire Maytas, which is into construction venture, because it remains an obscure company despite Andhra Pradesh Government awarding a major contract to it to build metro rail system. To cap it all, the Maytas is owned by none other than Ramalinga Raju’s son, Teja Raju. 

What still baffles the observers is that Ramalinga Raju, who continues to be a chum of former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, acclaimed to be the CEO of Cyberabad (Hyderabad had come to be known by the name then) managed to establish a rapport with the present Chief Minister, Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, too

 

The big Satyam Scam

It is the biggest corporate scandal that India has seen. One that threatens future foreign investment flows into the country and casts a cloud over the Indian technology space as a whole. Satyam Computers Chairman B Ramalinga Raju quit after admitting that the company's profits had been inflated for several years. In his letter to the board, Raju admitted that the IT major's balance sheet had inflated cash and bank balance of Rs 5,040 crore.

Raju, however, took all the blame for cooking the books and said that other board members were unaware of the financial irregularities. This dramatic disclosure took the Satyam stock down a whopping 77% — it closed at Rs 40. With Satyam went the broader market as well. The Nifty lost 6% while the Sensex closed down 7%.

Read on to know more

 

Ramalinga Raju quits | Resigns Satyam ; admits to financial wrong-doings

Satyam Computer on Wednesday plunged into a deep crisis, as Mr B Ramalinga Raju resigned as its Chairman after admitting to major financial wrong-doings and saying his last-ditch efforts to fill the “fictitious assets with real ones'' t hrough Maytas acquisition failed.

The beleaguered IT giant, already under scanner over the aborted acquisition of firms promoted by the Chairman's family, received a rude shock days ahead of its January 10 board meeting, with Mr Raju stepping down along with his brother and Managing Dire ctor Mr B Rama Raju.

“It was like riding a tiger, not knowing how to get off without being eaten,'' Mr Ramalinga Raju said in a letter to Satyam's board of directors, wherein he listed major financial wrong-doings over the years to inflate the profits.

Listed at New York Stock Exchange, the company could face regulatory action in the US, analysts said.

While Mr Raju recommended DSP Merrill Lynch be entrusted the task of “quickly exploring some merger opportunities,'' the company informed the stock exchanges that the investment banker has terminated its engagement with Satyam.

Noting that every attempt to eliminate gaps in balance sheet, purely on account of inflated profits over several years, failed, Mr Raju said: “I am now prepared to subject myself to the laws of the land and face consequences thereof.''

Low percentage of promoter equity in the company, where four independent directors resigned in the last two weeks over the acquisition fiasco, could lead to a takeover and expose the gap, he said in the letter, also sent to regulator SEBI.

The promoters' share in Satyam has now dipped to just over 3 per cent that too is pledged with lenders. Shares of Satyam plunged by over 40 per cent immediately after the announcement of resignations, necessitating an overhaul of the Board and managemen t

Text of Mr Ramalinga Raju’s statement

Tarun & Genelia's sasirekha parinayam Movie Review | Rating

Movie : Sasirekha Parinayam
StarCast: Tarun, Genelia

Director: KrishnaVamsi

Rating: 3/5

 

The title cards sequence (involving visuals of Maya Bazaar song Aha Na Pellanta’) is very good. The first half of the film is adequate. The initial half of the second half is boring (a common problem with journey flicks if they do not have conflict point). The director makes it up in the last half an hour. The positive points are Genelia and last half an hour. On the flipside, there is no conflict point (that creates dramatic impact) in the second half. This film has elements that can go well with class audiences and women.