06/28/08 ~ Early Tollywood

6.28.2008

Passionate fanfare marked the audio launch of Hare Ram, the latest film of Nandamuri Kalyanram, at Ramanaidu Studios, Hyderabad. Kalyanram also produces the flick on his production house NTR Arts. Nandamuri brothers – Harikrishna, Balakrishna, Mohana Krishna – and younger clan – film hero Kalyanram and NTR – Mohan Babu, Ali, Gowtham Raju, Rajiv Kanakala, Raghu Babu, Mickey J Mayer (music director), Harshavardhan (debut director) and prominent cast and crew graced the occasion.

Rajya Sabha member and actor Harikrishna formally launched the logo of the film – Hare Ram (a small video clip). Balakrishna released the audio cassette and presented the first number to Harikrishna. In turn, Mohan Babu unveiled the audio CD, presenting the album to NTR. Three bit songs were screened to the gathering amidst heavy shouting.

No Kuppi Ganthulu for Bobbili Puli Vamsam: Mohan Babu

Mohan Babu, who graced the occasion as the chief guest, addressed the Nandamuri fans (who were profusely giving slogans in favor of Balakrishna, shouting ZNB and hailing him as the future CM). “Konthamandhi laaga meeru kuppi ganthulu veyyakoodadhu. You should remember that ours is Bobbili Puli Vamsam. We should talk when the right time comes. For everything there is a time. You all know what kind of association I maintain with Nandamuri family members. I recently saw Pandurangadu. Seeing the characterization of Lord Krishna (played by Balakrishna), it reminded of Anna NTR. Young NTR can deliver even tough dialogues with ease. I clapped the muhurt shot of Kalyanram’s film Athanokkade, which was a super duper hit. This film Hare Ram will also be a blockbuster. Vishnu apprised me of the risk taken by Kalyanram during the stunts. I advise them not to take risk because they have the access to graphics. Kalyanram is a decent and disciplined actor. Director Harshavardhan worked as co-director in our productions. Actually, we registered the title Hare Ram for Vishnu’s forthcoming film. But, when I was away from the city, Vishnu called to say that the title was needed by Kalyanram. Immediately, I told Vishnu to surrender the title to him. I pray to God to bless Kalyanram more than my sons. Our Vedika will come soon. That time I will come.”

This get-together is festival: NTR

NTR made a curt speech: “I am happy that we (family members of late NTR) are sharing the same dais. This is like a festival to me. This year Nandamuri fans have three hits – Kantri, Pandurangadu and Hare Ram (yet to release). Kalyanram should get even a bigger hit than Athanokkade.”

Kalyanram is disciplined like grandfather

Balakrishna said: “The music of Mickey J Mayer will enthrall the fans and the audiences. I appreciate Sirivennela and the playback singers for their superb job for this album. Kalyanram is disciplined like his grandfather (NTR) and his plus point is his perseverance. I hope that Hare Ram will run for 100 days. That day, I will talk more.”

Harikrishna’s appeal to AP Adapadachulu

Harikrishna repeatedly (more than four times) spelt the title Hare Ram as Hey Ram. He addressed the gathering … starting with political overtones, as: Naa Adapadachulu and etc etc.” “I have three sons – Janakiram, Kalyanram and NTR. We are all one family. People should not think that there are any differences among us. I never helped Kalyanram or NTR to become heroes. I never gave them any money for that. I just asked them to stand on their legs and both proved their mettle by hard work. I always told them to give importance to studies. If you earn money, it might be taken away by Income Tax people, or it might be attacked by pest. But, education can’t be taken away by anyone. I hope Kalyanram’s Hey Ram (Hare Ram) will become a big hit and stand up to the expectations of the Nandamuri fans.” Harikrishna again and again dwelt at length giving references to his father NTR. He sought the blessings of AP Adapadachulu (women), public and Nandamuri fans for Kalyanram.

Kalyanram simply rendered the vote of thanks, with a few words for the gathering. “I look forward to the day when the movie will be watched by the audience. When the movie becomes hit, that time I will speak.”

Balayya and Hari Krishna Speech:

Mohan Babu and Jr.Ntr Speech:

Click Here to view audio launch photo gallery

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KONCHEM KOTHAGA REVIEW

Film: KONCHAM KOTTHAGA
Rating: 2.25/5
Banner: Sapara Creations
Cast: Venkat, Tulip Joshi, Ashish Vidyarthi, Ali, Banerjee, Latha Sabharwal, Johnny Lever
Music: Raju Rao
Camera : S Arun Kumar
Director: Raju Rajendra Prasad
Producers: Satish Paulraj, Abraham Kalvakuri
Released Date: July 28, 2008

Story:

A suspense tale, the film begins with a murder incident of a beautiful woman (Latha Sabharwal) and after few hours in the same place, a beautiful girl (Tulip Joshi) is seen who is just loitering around in the well designed home. Few frames later, a stranger (Venkat) arrives on the scene and he goes upstairs. Both the boy and girl spend some time without being aware of each other's presence and guessing that someone is around. They get to realize it with the arrival of a thief (Ali) who comes with the intention of a burglary. The thief ties them both assuming them to be husband and wife and wants to burgle the house but has a shock of his life when he discovers a dead body (Ashish). To add to the woes, a police inspector Vijay Krishna (Banerjee) arrives and a lot of confusion and chaos happens. In this process, the stranger wriggles free from the clutches of the burglar only to discover that there is another dead body (Latha) in the refrigerator. How did the dead bodies appear? Who are those people? How come Venkat and Tulip don't know each other living in the same place? Why does the inspector appear from nowhere? All this forms the rest of the story.

Performances:

Venkat is muscular and healthy as usual. But his dialogue delivery is still childish. He needs to improve on that. Tulip Joshi is very attractive and played her role in adequate form. Benerjee as police cop is right choice. Ali's comedy is ok. Johnny Lever made his appearance on screen in a guest appearance but no dialogue for him. Ashish Vidyarthi and Latha Sabarwal are ok.
Presentation:

The director has come out with perhaps a very new concept which has never been experienced in the Telugu cinema before. The presentation was perfect but then the narration part lost out, full marks to the technical department especially the camera work and the lighting effects, even the location was good. The music was excellent when heard individually but then it was not in sync with the film, sometimes it was loud and blaring and sometimes it was too pacy for a scene. Editing was upto the mark. Venkat has come back after a long time but then there is no improvement in his dialogue delivery, emotions are missing during voice modulation and facially it is nil. Tulip Joshi was present for a tinge of glamour and despite her pedal pushers outfit, her luscious body cannot be missed, not much was there for her as far as acting goes. The real show stealer was Ali who brought life into the movie with his expressions and he has shown his experience as a senior star. Banerjee was apt as the cop, Ashish Vidyarthi did his brief role with ease, Latha had too much of make up on her at few instances but she exhibited fear properly. Johnny Lever was there for three seconds to be exact.

What is 'new' in this?

No dialogues in first half
Entry of Bollywood Comedian Johnny Lever in last scene of the film
Entire film runs only inside the bungalow

Conclusion:

The film has come across as a scoop from the European thrillers and mystery movies and it was more like a film festival material. The first half of the film starts on a dull mode and there is not a word spoken during the entire session. It is the second half which changes the story and gets momentum and a quick climax connects the dots together to take the film to its destination. Technically and conceptually, the film is well made but with respect to entertainment and appeal it is very hard for it to prove its presence at the box office. Appreciations to the makers for coming out courageously with a new idea and this could well be a very different approach in the Telugu industry when it comes to film making.