In Malaysia, during the “MYTA Decade Celebration,” the film “Bandhook,” which was created in the backdrop of the Telangana statehood movement, received a rare honor.
The “Telangana Breathless Song,” conceptualized by the film’s director Lakshman Murari, written by lyricist Goreti Venkanna, composed by music director Karthik, and sung by Saketh Komanduri, has achieved a prestigious recognition even after 10 years. The song, titled “Poosina Punnami Vennelamaina” (Telangana Breathless Song), was celebrated on a prominent platform in Malaysia.
At this grand event, attended by political leaders, justices, writers, intellectuals, film actors, and social activists from Malaysia and Telangana, the Secretary of the Malaysian President’s Office, Dato Romli Ishak, presented the “MYTA Decade Award” to “Bandook” director Lakshman Murari in honor of his contribution!!
President-elect Donald Trump said on Saturday he picked oil executive Chris Wright to be the secretary of energy, a role in which he’s likely to promote fossil fuel development and reverse many Biden-era initiatives.
“As Secretary of Energy, Chris will be a key leader, driving innovation, cutting red tape, and ushering in a new ‘Golden Age of American Prosperity and Global Peace,'” Trump said in a statement.
Wright heads an oil fracking company Wright is the chief executive of oil and natural gas fracking services company Liberty Energy and sits on the board of a nuclear reactor company.
The upcoming Telugu film “Prema Charitra – Krishna Vijayam”, set to release on January 3, 2025, is all set to leave an indelible mark in the hearts of movie lovers. This monumental project stands as a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Superstar Krishna, celebrating his unparalleled legacy in Telugu cinema.
A Historic Farewell to a Cinematic Icon
Marking his final on-screen appearance, “Prema Charitra – Krishna Vijayam” features Superstar Krishna in a pivotal role, showcasing his timeless charisma. Produced under the banners of Ambuja Movies and Ram Films, this magnum opus is helmed by writer-director-producer H. Madhusudhan. The film stars Yashwant and Suhasini as the lead pair, with notable performances by Naga Babu, Ali, and others.
On November 16, coinciding with Superstar Krishna’s second death anniversary, a press conference was held to honor his memory and announce the film’s release date. The event witnessed the participation of prominent film personalities, including K.L. Damodar Prasad (President, Producers’ Council), Veera Shankar (President, Directors’ Association), acclaimed filmmaker Sunil Kumar Reddy, noted producer Tummalapalli Rama Satyanarayana, emerging producer-actress Lalli Madhumitha, Krishna Fans Association President Khader Gori, Padmalaya Sharma, senior journalist Dheeraj Appaji, and the film’s team.
Addressing the media, director-producer Madhusudhan expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work with Superstar Krishna. Determined to ensure the film’s release and cement Krishna’s legacy, he spared no effort in crafting a technically superior and emotionally compelling cinematic experience. He thanked the fans for their unwavering support and promised that the film would be a cherished tribute to the beloved icon.
The music, composed by M.M. Srilekha, complements the emotional depth of the narrative, while the publicity design is crafted by Srikanth. The film’s co-producers include Bandri Nagaraj Gupta, B. Venkatesh Shetty, and Sripada Han Chate. With story, screenplay, dialogues, and direction by H. Madhusudhan, Prema Charitra – Krishna Vijayam is poised to be a memorable addition to Telugu cinema.
The film’s release aligns with Sankranti, a festival that held special significance for Krishna and his fans. Guests at the press conference urged fans and audiences to celebrate this cinematic milestone, as it encapsulates the legacy of a star who redefined courage, kindness, and artistry.
Get ready to witness history on January 3, 2025, as Prema Charitra – Krishna Vijayam releases in theaters, immortalizing the legacy of a true Superstar. The PR is handled by Dheeraj-Appaji!
Revu, starring Vamsi Ram Pendiyala, Ajay, Swathi Bheemireddy, and Epuri Hari in key roles, has taken the audience by storm. Produced by Dr. Murali Ginjupalli and Naveen Parupalli under the banners of Sanhith Entertainment and Parupalli Production, and directed by Harinath Puli, the film made its debut in theatres on August 23 to overwhelming success. The production team also included journalist Prabhu as the production supervisor and senior film journalist Parvathaneni Rambabu as the executive producer.
After a fantastic run in theatres, Revu has now garnered a strong and raving response on OTT. Premiering on aha, the film is quickly becoming a trending sensation on the platform, with its growing popularity leaving the team elated.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the coastal village of Palarevu, Revu delves into the fierce rivalry between Ankalu (Vamsi Ram Pendiyala) and Gangayya (Ajay), offering a gripping narrative that highlights the region’s cultural nuances and the everyday struggles of its people. The film has been lauded for its rich technical execution, as well as the powerful performances of the cast, which have captivated audiences both in theatres and online.
With its continued success on both the big screen and https://www.aha.video/movie/revu OTT, Revu is earning well-deserved praise for its compelling storytelling and cinematic excellence.
ZEE5, known for impressing audiences with unique content in web series and films, is all set to stream a brand-new web series, Vikkatakavi, starting November 28. The series will be available in both Telugu and Tamil. Produced by the renowned SRT Entertainments banner, Vikkatakavi stars Naresh Agastya and Megha Akash in lead roles, with Ram Talluri as the passionate producer and director Pradeep Maddali, who previously directed the blockbuster web series ‘Sarvam Shaktimayam’, has directed this series as well.. This is notably the first-ever detective web series set against a Telangana backdrop. Director Pradeep Maddali has shared some intriguing insights about this period series.
How did the journey of Vikkatakavi begin?
The story of Vikkatakavi was written by teja desraj, a writer who had previously worked with director prashanth Varma on films like Awe and Kalki. Teja, who is a good friend of mine, pitched this story to ZEE5 and got their approval to develop it as a series. As ZEE5 began discussing the project with various actors and directors, I happened to meet Teja. During our conversation, he told me about Vikkatakavi and asked if I would be interested in directing it. I listened to the story and found it to be quite challenging. SRT Entertainments’ Ram Talluri and the ZEE5 team asked if I could complete it within a specified budget, to which I agreed. That’s how my journey with Vikkatakavi began.
What kind of experience did creating a period series bring?
Working on a period series like Vikkatakavi was a rewarding experience for me as a director, and it gave my team a unique challenge as well. The story has multiple layers, set in the 1940s and 1970s, so creating and capturing that world on screen was exhilarating. Recreating the sets, costumes, language, looks, lighting, and overall working mood from those eras was quite challenging. We aimed to present the series with a royal look while also delivering a strong thriller element that complements the storyline.
How challenging was it to direct a series with a period concept?
Directing a series or film with a period concept is a significant challenge for every technician involved. Every detail needs to be observed meticulously. Translating our vision onto the screen is a big task, as it requires perfect alignment between the director’s ideas and those of the production designer, costume designer, and cinematographer. Fortunately, I had an incredible team, where each member treated this project as their own and worked with a strong desire to prove themselves.
Tell us about the cinematographer’s working style during the making of Vikatakavi.
Cinematographer Shoaib worked on Vikkatakavi. Although he had previously done only one project and over 300 Punjabi music videos, I decided to bring him on board, which surprised many. Some questioned why I chose a Punjabi cinematographer when there are so many talented cinematographers and friends in the industry. However, the drama in Vikkatakavi is quite unique, and I felt that a fresh perspective would be beneficial. Additionally, I was inspired by the texture in a Bengali film, where a technician named Sanjeev had worked as the colorist. Luckily, Sanjeev happens to be friends with Shoaib, so he also joined our project. Alongside them, we had skilled technicians like costume designer Gayatri and production designer Kiran, making it a strong team.
How many sets were created for the Vikkatakavi series?
For Vikkatakavi, we built a palace set, and we used VFX sparingly, only where necessary. Most of the series was shot on real locations, including Ramoji Film City (RFC) and the Aluminum Factory. We adapted these locations to fit the story, with great support from the production design team and RFC’s team. To my knowledge, no other series has utilized RFC on such a grand scale. We worked so deeply that, when you watch it, you won’t even realize it’s RFC—we’ve integrated it seamlessly into the series.
What inspired the concept of the Amaragiri estate in the story?
Before India’s independence, there were many princely states across the country. Among them, Amaragiri represents a fictional estate in Telangana. When writer Teja wanted to tell a unique story, he came up with this idea. The backdrop involves a village that is set to submerge after the completion of the Srisailam project, forming a fictional element around Vikkatakavi in this setting.
Why was the title Vikkatakavi chosen for this fictional detective series?
The title Vikkatakavi was chosen by writer Teja. In Telugu culture, Vikatakavi often brings to mind Tenali Ramakrishna, the witty poet who served in the Vijayanagara empire. Teja explained that Tenali Ramakrishna also acted as a spy for King Krishnadevaraya, playing a key role in safeguarding the kingdom against the Bahmani Sultanate. Since our story’s hero has similar qualities, Teja felt Vikatakavi was a fitting title.
What was the reason for casting Naresh Agastya as the lead?
Before I came on board as the director, the makers approached a few other actors, but it didn’t work out. Once I joined, I suggested Naresh Agastya for the role. I had seen his performances in Senapathi, Mathu Vadalara and I was impressed by his acting skills. At that time, ZEE5 was working with Naresh on Paruvu, so it was easy to meet him. After a look test, the entire team agreed that Naresh was perfect for the role of Vikkatakavi. He completely immersed himself in the retro look of the character.
How was Naresh Agastya’s character designed?
Naresh’s character was crafted to embody the cleverness associated with Tenali Ramakrishna, ensuring his wit remained central. His character is a young man from Hyderabad, speaking both Urdu and Telugu, which we researched to accurately depict his style and demeanor. In the story, Naresh plays a detective who arrives in the fictional Amaragiri region to solve a local problem for money, which leads to unexpected events. Naresh is a talented actor, known for naturally holding his characters with strength and depth.
What is Megha Akash’s role like?
Senior actor Siju Menon plays the aging king of Amaragiri. Megha Akash portrays his granddaughter, the princess of Amaragiri. Her character is a doctor studying psychiatry, adding a modern touch to her royal heritage.
What secret in the Amaragiri region will you be showing?
In the 1940s, an event takes place in the Amaragiri region, which is later repeated in 1970. The local people regard it as a curse. The hero, upon arriving in the region, investigates whether this is truly a curse or if there is another explanation. To find out more, you’ll have to watch the series to discover the mystery.
Will there be a Vikkatakavi Season 2?
Yes, there will be a Vikkatakavi Season 2. Writer Teja is already working on it. If everything falls into place, Vikkatakavi 2 will be made on an even bigger scale.
What kind of care was taken with the music?
The music for Vikkatakavi was composed by Ajay Arasada, who recently worked on the music for Ai. He and I have been close friends since 2016, and we always wanted to work together. After I came on board, I asked him to join the project. At that time, the pre-production of Ai had already started. Ajay composed the theme music for the Vikkatakavi motion poster, which everyone liked. Since the series is a period drama, he crafted the background score with a vintage touch to match the setting.
What are the other key roles in Vikkatakavi?
Apart from Naresh Agastya and Megha Akash, the series features several key roles. Siju Menon plays the character of the king, Raghu Kunchi portrays an MLA, while Mukhtar Khan, Tarak Ponnappa, Ramya Ramakrishna, Ashok Kumar, and Amit Tiwari also appear in significant roles.
What are your upcoming projects?
I’m currently working on a new-age sci-fi horror story. Additionally, I’m developing an action thriller fantasy project.
Varun Tej(Vasu) arrives in Vizag as a refugee from Bangladesh.Story deals with Varun Tej rise from a refugee to be Vizag Don by getting into Matka Business.
Story of the film is set in 1970-80’s era.
Varun Tej starts as a vagabond youngster and accidentally drawn into Vizag crime gangs.
During his growth he is supported by Ajay Ghosh who employs him initially and local politician Nani Babu(Kishore).
Don KB(Jonh Vijay) excels in his role as rival Don.With Nani Babu support Vasu accumulates wealth.
During a trip to Bombay Vasu accidentally discovers Matka game and later he popularizes the illegal game in Vizag and rest of India and in the process he siphons off big money from the system and partially cripple the National economy.
Government orders an enquiry in to this mess and rest of the story deals with repercussions Vasu faces and how he handles them.
Navin Chandra did a good job as CBI officer enquiring in to this issue of illegal Matka game and it’s effects on economy and his efforts to stop Matka.
It’s a film for Varun Tej fans, Varun Tej excelled in his role as vagabond youngster later in his role as Don.
Most of the film runs on predictable lines with very less entertainment making it an average film.
In Short Department of Government Efficiency aims to dismantle bureaucracy, cut wasteful expenditures Trump likens DOGE to ‘The Manhattan Project’ for efficiency Musk and Ramaswamy vow to shake up government waste US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Elon Musk and “American patriot” Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to clean up the federal bureaucracy.
In a statement, Trump said that the 53-year-old billionaire Musk and the 39-year-old former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance”, partnering with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.”
