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It's Shabana Azmi who bagged Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR) Award for 2006. Shabana got a national award for her very first film 'Ankur', directed by Shyam Benegal. Last year, the ANR award was presented to Bollywood actor Dev Anand. "I have received several awards. But receiving the ANR Award, that too in my home town, is something special," says the actress. "I feel proud of being a Hyderabadi. This is the land which brought together my mother and father. I can’t express in words the joy I get when I land here," said the actress. However, there has been widespread criticism over confining the award to north India. But actor ANR says that in the next three years film personalities from the south may get the award. The award carries Rs 3 lakh as cash prize and a memento. The award was presented to Shabana in the presence of Central ministers T Subbirami Reddy and Meera Kumar, and actors Nagarjuna and Sumanth and Akkineni
Venkat.
Satire on real estate boom
Besides rocking the city of Hyderabad the real estate boom appears to have spread to Tollywood as well going by the developments in the film industry. Now director Sivanageswara Rao, who directed several comedy films, is gearing up to direct a film with a real estate backdrop. The grapevine has it that comedian Venumadhav may appear in the lead role. Venumadhav has already acted in 'Hungama' as hero which went on to become a big hit. The recent film 'Andala Ramudu', starring comedian Sunil, has also been a successful venture. In view of this, expectations are high about the film. The film, titled 'Bhookailas', with the tag 'Ekaram Yabhai Kotlu', will be launched in the last week of January. We will have to see how the director's satire on the ever fluctuating real estate market turns out to be.
Ilayaraja unites music directors
The audio release of 'Anumanaspadam' witnessed music maestro Ilayaraja and other music directors of Tollywood, like Koti, M M Keeravani, Devisri Prasad and R P Patnaik coming together. Directed by Vamsee, the film has music by Ilayaraja. The film stars Aryan Rajesh and newcomers Hamsanandini and Vanitha Reddy. The film is said to be a suspense thriller with a forest backdrop like the director’ earlier flick 'Anveshana'. The maestro was felicitated on the occasion by the music directors. Saying that Ilayaraja is his favourite music director, M M Keeravani has expressed his wish of singing a song in the maestro’s direction. 'Anumanaspadam' is scheduled to be released on February 1.
Evadaithe Nakenti nearing completion
Corrupt politicians have been the root cause of many problems being faced by the common people in society. 'Evadaithe Nakenti', the Rajasekhar-starrer revolves around this theme. According to director Samudra, the film starts off with the hero, a military major, analysing the problems he encounters when he enters society, largely influenced by corrupt politicians, after his retirement. It's all about how the hero strives to purify politics by taking it as a challenge. Sama Chandra Sekhara Reddy is the producer. Chinna is the music director. There was a shooting for an item song, 'Tappaduraa Tappaduleraa' on Rajasekhar and item bomb Mumaith Khan at Ramoji Film City. The film is all set to be released on January 25.
Srilekha's long run in film industry
Though she entered the film industry at a very young age, music director M M Srilekha has been performing steadily. Having started scoring music very young, she found place in the Guinness Book of World Records as well as the Limca Book of Records. She has scored music for about 50 films among which 12 are for Ramanaidu's Suresh Productions. However, she attributes her success to the producers and directors, who, according to her, have been the reason for her successful long run. Mention that she is identified more with melodies and she replies, "Whether it is an old or new film it is melodies that come to our mind. Though of late fast beats have assumed importance, melody is present in them also as an undercurrent. Ilayaraja's numbers are a harmonious blend of wonderful melody and exciting beats. And that’s the reason why some are copying his tunes." Her melodies like 'Manchukondallonaa Chandramaa' from 'Tajmahal' and 'Dheerasa Meere' from Venkatesh's 'Dharmachakram' held sway over the audience then. Asked why she didn't score music for top actors' films, the music director says, "Let them give me a chance, I will prove myself."
P Haribabu
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Akkineni award for Shabana
