JOIN US'Master' has many takers
The launch of Dinesh Baboo’s Master, several months back was a grand affair. Lead pair Vishnuvardhan and Suhasini looked resplendent. Producer C R Manohar who was undaunted by the debacle of his Orata seemed on the ninth heaven, having two great actors on board.
Soon, there was a controversy regarding the film’s title. Baboo, who had earlier called the film School Master, had to change it to Master and the shoot began, continued and concluded. And, there was hardly any news about the film after that as Manohar, who had bitten by the politics bug, ventured out to try his luck in the Assembly polls...
That was then. Vishnuvardhan moved onto other projects - Bellary Naga and Aptharakshaka. The continuous hard work and strain eventually took its toll on the handsome actor. The makers of Master woke up and found time to release the music of the film, a precursor to the actual release. That the function turned out to be yet another condolence meet was inevitable. The event was graced by personalities including Jayamala, Sa Ra Govind, Ramesh Aravind, Puneeth Rajkumar, Rajendra Singh Babu, K Manju, K Shivram, Premkumar, Srinivasmurthy, Prakash and B Ramamurthy, who crowded the dais. Former chief minister and producer H D Kumaraswamy was represented by former minister Cheluvarayaswamy. Vishnu was also there, albeit in a portrait bedecked with roses. Everyone recalled their association with the late actor.
In a great sporting gesture, several people agreed to Sa Ra Govind’s suggestion and decided not to release their films on the day Master released - which by the way has suddenly found takers and will be releasing next week.
A couple of songs were shown and thus ended the music launch event.
Prem available on website
Joining the bandwagon of actors who have websites, is namma Lovely Star Prem. The handsome actor who had women swooning in Nenapirali, his first hit, was, till recently bogged down by unsavoury and unnecessary controversies surrounding Jothegara, his film co-starring Ramya.
His spat with Jothegara producer Ashwini Ramprasad didn’t exactly win him any brownie points and Jothegara is yet to see the light of the day. After a spate of flops, Jothegara was expected to revive Prem’s career.
But not one to mope around, Prem has quietly gone and got a website all for himself! Designed by his fans, the website was launched by Rebel Star Ambarish recently. Now, the actor is available online at www.lovelystarprem.com.
Meanwhile, Januma Janumadallu, his next film alongside Aindrita Ray, is on at a brisk pace. The speed is not surprising, considering that Dinesh Baboo who is constantly breaking records for time, is at the helm. Expect Jothegara and Januma Janumadallu anytime soon.
Troubled by an ardent fan
Nikki, the leading lady of Basavareddy-produced Mandahaasa has proved that she is a dedicated student. The Mumbai girl, who didn’t know a word of Kannada when the film was launched, is nowadays rattling off long dialogues in the language in a single take! If director Rajesh Nair beams everytime he looks at her, you know why! But, this dedication did not come to our girl’s rescue recently. The Mandahaasa unit that is shooting at Santhebennur has naturally drawn large crowds curious to see the film shoot. The wannabe stars happily oblige the crowd with autographs with practically no complaint. But Nikki had her first brush with stardom - she met a youth who was completely smitten with her. He walked up to the actress after unbuttoning his shirt. The shocked actress just looked on when he explained that he wanted her autograph on his chest!
Nikki, who by then had regained her composure, politely but firmly declined the request. Wonder what’s in store for the actress next?
‘Apthamitra’ to be re-released?
Here’s more news on Vishnuvardhan. Or rather his films. Competing with Master to become the first release of the late actor post his demise, is Aptharakshaka, the so-called ‘sequel’ to the superhit Apthamitra.
The producers of both the films wanted to rake in all the sympathy moolah. Thanks to the ‘intervention’ of the film chamber, Master, which was made first, is
coming to the theatres on January 22. As agreed by some of the industry people, none of the films will be released next Friday. Except for Darshan-Praneeta starrer Porki. Porki producers are keen to release the film on January 21, a day earlier! While Sudeep, who’s ready with his first original offering Just Math Mathalli has postponed its release. That is not all. Grapevine has it that Apthamitra will also be re-released soon! Who said cinema is pure entertainment?!!
Mad about movies
Ramu, who produced and starred in Mad Love is now back, proclaiming his ambition of becoming a policeman! Helping him realise it, at least on the screen is Shivashankar Raju, who has taught many an aspiring student the grammar of cinema in film institutes. Part of Samudaaya Troupe, Raju has also worked with M S Sathyu in Pratidhwani and Khair in Hindi. All that experience has now come handy and Raju has begun Nanu Police Aagtini, reminiscent of the struggles anyone with dreams has to endure in this world. This serial and telefilm director has roped in newcomer Shilpa as the heroine. Interestingly, Nanu Police comes without songs! Meanwhile, Ramu stubbornly forgot to mention anything about the disaster called Mad Love!