Leader Review by Early Tollywood: Sensible and Honest Telugu Movie after a long time

Film: Leader
Rating: 3.75/5
Direction: Sekhar Kammula
Banner: AVM
Cast: Daggubati Rana, Richa Gangopadhyaya, Priya Anand, Subba Raju, Harshavardhan, Kota Sreenivasa Rao, Ahuti Prasad, Tanikella Bharani, Suhasini, Suman, Udaya Bhanu etc
Music: Mickey J Mayor
Cinematography: Vijay C Kumar
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh
Producers: M Saravanan and MS Guhan
Released On: 19th Feb 2010


Review:

Leader has been postponed many times and faced many hurdles. Finally it released today. I think it is the most awaited movie honestly in the recent times in Tollywood (Atleast I was waiting eagerly). Firstly I was very excited that Shekhar took the Politics as the theme. And secondly the cast from Hero Rana to everyother artiste. We have big names like Kota, Suhasini, Ahuthi Prasad, Subba Raju, Gollapudi, Tanikella Bharani and all.

Can you expect something insensible from Shekhar Kammula? No way at all. One more honest attempt from Shekhar in the form of Leader. I went through the reviews of other websites. I thought they need some more time to get matured and accept the content. Instead of understanding the content they are complaining about the scenes that they did not understand. Another movie website which is very close to our Telugu cinema fans wrote 3 reviews. What a comedy!! Firstly they tried to defame the movie. Not worked. I bet you there will be huge positive opinion in the public about the movie. So seeing this they wrote another review "Review 2" by praising the movie. So you can easily understand the quality of that website. Unfortunately that website doesnt have comments section. If there had been a comments section it would have been a different situation.

Ya coming to the review. As usually I wont let the story out. But I will quote some extra-ordinary dialogues in the movie which I think many did not get them with the pace of the movie.

1) Shekhar Kammula all the way. The dressing of Rana especially a plain Shirt with a normal pant with in-shirt resembles Shekhar's dressing. Though the movie had some loopholes but the positive feel of the movie drives you away from those loopholes. Hatsoff to Shekhar for such a positive and honest movie.

2) Mickey J Meyer. Wow!! His Background score is life for the movie. What a stunning background he gave. He will get huge applause from the audience.


3) Rana did justice for the character. Many times his voice resembles Venky's. Especially his smile can drive girls crazy. He can be a good actor like Venky with his selection of movies. I hope he will do some meaningful movies in the future.

4) Priya Anand is good with his accent and you will enjoy the jokes. But her character should have been carefully crafted.

5) Richa Gangopadhyay. Another Shekar Kammula Heroine. First when you see her in some modern outfits there wont be a big response. Later in the film when she will be seen in saree. you say Wow. What do you think? Is it the beauty of the saree or Richa?

6) Kota. What an actor he is. If I want to write about him I can go on and on. When you think of a politician Kota will be the man that comes to your mind.

7) Subbaraju and Rao Ramesh were good as usually.

8) There are some technical problems with clarity of the film in some scenes and abrupt ending sometimes.



I dont want spoil the movie. But I think the most fantastic scenes in the movie are

The conversation between Rana and Gollapudi about present politics. The dialogue is not the same but the meaning is.
Gollapudi says " Ippudu janalu Chicken Biryani thintunnaranuko..manam valla daggara adhi lageskoni Pappannam istham.. vallu godavalu cheyaru aa pappannam thintaru..tarvata pappannam kuda lageskoni annam pedtham..appudu kuda godavalu cheyaru... tarvata aa annam kuda lageskuntam.. lageskoni Free Rice antam... veetiki dheniki godavalu cheyakunda Free rice ani egurukuntu vastaru..votlestharu..."

I think Shekhar's anger is not on politicians but more on the people who are not at all thinking. Great one Shekhar.


Rana Says" Mekoka 70..80 ellu untay...Meru Gandhi ni thakuntaru...Nehru ni ee kallatho chusuntaru.. me anubhavam, chaduvu antha avineetiki dharabosaru...alantappudu meerunte entha oodithey entha?"

Rao Ramesh to Rana" Rajakeeyalu gurinchi ...jeans lu eskoni pizzalu thine neku em thelsu ra...."
Rana " aunu mavayya.. naku thelsindhi rajakeeyalu ante konadam ammudupovadam..adhi jeans lu pizza lu thine nake kadhu... rendo class chadivuthu cheddileskone vadiki kuda thelsu.."

Tanikella " Ivvala nijayithee ga panicheyadamante thyagam cheyadame sir.."

Suhasini "Ninnu Leader ga chudalanukunnanu ra...Politician ga kadhu..."

On the Whole.... Most Sensible Telugu movie of the recent times... Shekhar rocked again with his honest attempt.

Gopichand's Sankham || Shankam (2009) Movie Review by Greatandhra

Film: Sankham

Rating: 2.75/5

Cast: Gopichand, Trisha, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Supreet, Satyaraj, Krishna Bhagawan, Ali, Chandramohan, Srinivas Reddy, LB Sriram, Subbaraya Sharma, Telangana Sakunthala etc

Music: Thaman

Cinematography: Vetri

Producers: J Bhagawan, J Pulla Rao

Director: ‘Souryam’ Siva

Release Date: 11th Sep 2009

The combination of Gopichand and Trisha has been in discussions from quite some time. The film arrived at last today. Let us see how the output is.

Story:
Chandu (Gopichand) lives in Sydney along with his age-old bachelor uncle (Chandramohan). Mahalakshmi (Trisha) lives with her uncle and aunt (Dharmavarapu and Rajitha) and works in a bakery which happens to her uncle’s business. Chandu develops crush on Mahalakshmi for a dramatic reason and slowly she too reciprocates for him. But Mahalaksmi is forcibly carried to Cuddapah by her another aunt (Telangana Shakunthala) and the real faction story runs behind her.

Chandu is the son of Sivayya (Satyaraj) and Mahalakshmi is the daughter of Pasupathi (Kota). A strong rivalry burns between Pasupathi and Sivayya. Chandu believes that his father was dead for many years. Why he believes so? Who makes him believe so? What’s the rivalry between Pasupathi and Sivayya? Why Chandu lives in Sydney? The answers for all these will be unleashed on silver screen.

Performances:

Gopichand: He was given a cosmopolitan look in bigger way than in any other film. It has been a widely spread assumption that Gopichand fits well only for mass rugged roles. Some exercise to prove that wrong is apparently seen in first few minutes of this film. But the make up is like paint on his face which didn’t gel well. Once again he proved that he is the man with macho look carrying on a perfect bearing and dialogue rendition.

Trisha: She is at her best. She gained little weight and perfectly in tune with the taste of majority Telugu audiences. She has delivered best of her performance too.

Satya Raj is good in his elderly role while Kota also grooved well although he did hundreds of such characters earlier. Ali’s comedy has no constructive sequence but his style and presence have brought countless laughs in theatres. Krishna Bhagawan appeared in a small side kick role and could bring little laughs. Telangana Sakunthala is routine. Srinivas Reddy tried to bring some laughs in first half.

Music is very mundane, dialogues are routine with no sparks to underline, Cinematography is good and sound effects are average. On a whole the screenplay is straight and flat. Director could have worked more on the departments of dialogues, music and developing voltage in narration. Especially the scene where Satya Raj discovers his son in battered condition is very weak and couldn’t bring in any emotion in audiences.

Highlights:
Trisha
Production Values
Ali

Disappointments:
Vulgarity in comedy
Music
Flat narration

Analysis:

The movie lacked required voltage and hence it’s average. Director concentrated well on the aspects of framing and bringing richness on to celluloid but didn’t bother much about narration.

Bricks and cement can make a mansion. But not when they are just made a heap. Engineering is required to make use of them in right way to build a mansion. Similarly a few comedy scenes, a few action elements and a little sentiment mounded like a heap will not be sufficient to bring out a commercial entertainer. They need to be rightly placed with right intensity and right flow. That is missing here.

The major pulling factor for this movie is Trisha. Gopichand fans expect energy and hence return back half hearted.

Verdict: Watch it when you really have time to kill

Many Many Happy returns of the day to Legend Kota Srinivasa Rao

Many many happy returns of the day to the versatile actor of the telugu industry from Early Tollywood

CLICK HERE to see full profile of Kota Srinivasa Rao

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KOTA SRINIVASA RAO FROM EARLY TOLYWOOD

Many many happy returns of the day to the versatile actor of the telugu industry from Early Tollywood

CLICK HERE to see full profile of Kota Srinivasa Rao

KOTA SRINIVASA RAO

Kota Srinivasa Rao is a highly versatile Tollywood actor. He is more famous for his roles as villain and character artist. He is praised as an actor who can act in any role

Filmography

1. Sundarakanda (2008) (filming)
2. okka Magadu (2008)
3. Athidhi (2007)
4. Darling (2007/III)
5. Lakshyam (2007)
6. Munna (2007) .... Srinivas Rao
7. Aadavari Matalaku Ardhalu Verule (2007) .... Ganesh's father
8. Classmates (2007) .... Professor Chandram
9. Yogi (2007) .... Kotaiah
10. Rakhi (2006)
11. Khatarnak (2006)
12. Sainikudu (2006) .... Chief Minister
13. Andala Ramudu (2006)
14. Bommarillu (2006) .... Kanaka Rao
15. Darwaza Bandh Rakho (2006) .... Veterenary Doctor Umapathi
16. Shock (2006) .... Dharma Reddy
17. Allari Pidugu (2005)
18. Chatrapathi (2005) .... Appala Naidu
19. Athadu (2005) .... Bajji Reddy
20. Sarkar (2005) .... Selva Mani
21. Soggadu (2005) .... Ravi's father
22. Allari Bullodu (2005)
23. Naa Alludu (2005)
24. Thirupaachi (2005) .... Saniyan Saggadai
25. Gudumba Shankar (2004) .... Devudu
26. Malliswari (2004) .... Bhavani Prasad
27. Satyam (2003) .... Shankar, Ankita's father
28. Tagore (2003)
29. Simhachalam (2003)
30. Donga Ramudu & Party (2003)
31. Simhadri (2003)
32. Saamy (2003) .... Annachi
33. Ammulu (2003)
34. Pellam Oorelithe (2003)
35. Sandade Sandadi (2002)
36. Avunu Valliddaru Ishtapaddaru (2002)
37. Tappu Chesi Pappu Koodu (2002)
38. Kondaveeti Simhasanam (2002)
39. Daddy (2001/I)
40. Family Circus (2001)
41. Chinna (2001)
42. Orey Thammudu (2001)
43. Eduruleni Manishi (2001)
44. Badri (2000) .... Badri's father
45. Annayya (2000) .... Babai
46. Sneham Kosam (1999)
47. Ganesh (1998)
48. Bavagaru Bagunnara? (1998)
49. Maavidakulu (1998)
50. Anaganaga Oka Roju (1997)
51. Annamayya (1997)
52. Chinnabbayi (1997)
53. Gokulamlo Seetha (1997) .... Muddukrishnayya
54. Maa Nannaki Pelli (1997) .... Subba Raju
55. Mama Bagunnavaa? (1997)
56. Oho Naa Pellanta (1996) .... Vallabha Rao
57. Akkada Abbai Ikkada Ammayi (1996) .... Suleiman
58. Little Soldiers (1996) .... Major Harishchandra Prasad
59. Rambantu (1996) .... Gireesam
60. Big Boss (1995)
61. Gharana Bullodu (1995)
62. Alluda Mazaaka...! (1995) .... Kota Pentaiah
63. Ghatotkachudu (1995) .... Mantrikudu
64. Money Money (1995)
65. Subha Sankalpam (1995)
66. Police Alludu (1994)
67. Pacha Thoranam (1994)
68. Raithu Bharatam (1994)
69. Mugguru Monagallu (1994)
70. Aame (1994) .... Srinivasa Rao
71. Alibaba Aradajanu Dongalu (1994)
72. Hello Brother (1994) .... Tadi Mattayya
73. Number One (1994)
74. Pelli Koduku (1994)
75. Shubhalagnam (1994)
76. Yamaleela (1994)
77. Govindha Govindha (1993)
78. Mutamestri (1993)
79. Akka Pettanam Chelleli Kapuram (1993)
80. Gaayam (1993) .... Guru Narayan
81. Ish Gup Chup (1993)
82. Jamba Lakidi Pamba (1993)
83. Mayalodu (1993) .... Appalakonda
84. Mechanic Alludu (1993) .... Kotappa
85. Money (1993)
86. Praana Daata (1993)
87. Rajendrudru Gajendrudru (1993)
88. 420 (1992) .... Tadi Mattayya
89. Ashwamedham (1992)
90. Chitram Bhalare Vichitram (1992) .... G. Garudachalam
91. Pachani Samsaram (1992)
92. Sundara Kanda (1992)
93. Rowdy Alludu (1991)
94. Prema Entha Madhuram (1991) .... Narayan Rao
95. Stoovertpuram Police Station (1991) (as K. Srinivasa Rao)
96. Edu Kondalaswamy (1991)
97. Kobbari Bondam (1991)
98. Mamagaru (1991) .... Pothuraja
99. Seetharamaiah Gari Manavaralu (1991)
100. Raja Vikramarka (1990)
101. Jayammu Nischayammu Raa! (1990) .... Patel
102. Shatruvu (1990) .... Venkatarathnam
103. Bandhuvulostunnaru Jagratha (1989)
104. Bava Bava Panneeru (1989)
105. Hai Hai Nayaka (1989) .... Pedda Rayudu
106. Swara Kalpana (1989)
107. Khaidi No. 786 (1988) .... Suryachandra Rao
108. Yamudiki Mogudu (1988) .... Kotayya
109. Choopulu Kalasina Shubhavela (1988) .... Gurnadham
110. Sahasam Cheyara Dimbhaka (1988) .... Harmonium Hanumantha Rao
111. Varasudochhadu (1988)
112. Aha Naa Pellanta (1987)
113. Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe (1987) .... Yella Papa Rao
114. Pratighatana (1986) .... Yadagiri
115. Tandra Paparayudu (1986)
116. Pranam Kareedu (1978)
117. Kantri(2008)