Kannada Movie Queen Ramya - A Interview


Kannada actress Ramya hasn’t had a release in the past year, but She still ensconced in the number one slot. And there’s no dearth of things keeping her busy. She’s been appointed brand ambassador for a hair oil brand and has taken off to Kerala to shoot for a commercial. Then, there’s the final schedule of 'Just Maat Maathalli' to be shot in Germany. Soon after that, she’s off to Malaysia for 'Hucha Kicha', and then there are her two Tamil films, 'Kadhal to Kalyanam' and 'Singam Vs Puli'.

But why not a single release in the last year? “In the past year, there’ve been no hits except for Ambari and Veera Madakari. The rest were all flops. I was even offered some of them, but they didn’t interest me. I’d rather stay home for a year and do good films than be a part of flops,” she says, “Besides, my last film Bombaat didn’t do well, so I’m being extra cautious now.”

But that didn’t stop kannada movie Queen from grabbing headlines during the recent press conference of her film Jothegara, at which she had a tiff with the press. “The press wasn’t informed that I’d be late. But I was upset by their behaviour; not because I’m an actress, but that’s not the way you talk to a woman,” she asserts. There’s also been this buzz about Yogi. “Yogi is a huge fan and I was offered Raavana opposite him. Even Ganesh was a fan of mine and ever since he featured in Amruthadhaare, he wanted to do a film with me. It’s flattering and there’s nothing more to it,” she says. “But recently, a director, Vasu, claimed that I look like Yogi’s akka. That’s his opinion, I have mine, too. I think Vasu is a blatant liar because I never asked to be cast in his film. I’m not the kind to go asking for work,” she lashes out.

And what was it like to be seated behind her ex-boyfriend Ram Charan Tej at the recent Filmfare awards? “There’s no ex factor here. Charan and I are good friends and go back a long way. We went to the same acting school and I’m amazed at the way he’s transformed into a brilliant actor,” says the actress.

Now, namma Ramya wants to focus on the KPL (Karnataka Premier League) and the Champions League, which she’ll be a part of. “I’m already the ambassador for the Royal Challengers. So, I’m not sure how much time I can dedicate to the KPL, though many teams are approaching me to be their ambassador. And no, I’m not buying a team,” she says.

Kannada Movie stars Ganesh and Radhika Won Best Actors Filmfare Awards


Moggina Manasu bags five and Gaalipata won three awards at the 56th Idea Filmfare Awards 2008 (South).

Golden Star Ganesh won his first Filmfare award for the Best Actor while newcomer Radhika Pandit won the Best Actor (Female) for Kannada films at the 56th Idea Filmfare Awards 2008 (South).



Actresses in cocktail dresses, a busy dance floor; this 56th Idea Filmfare Awards 2008 (South) was more than just about beating the competition. The event was held at Hyderabad International Convention Centre on Friday evening and saw the who’s who of the Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam film industries in attendance.

Ganesh won his award for his performance in Gaalipata, while Radhika for her role in Moggina Manasu. Moggina Manasu swept the awards winning in five out of the eleven categories, that included Best Director (Shashank), Best Movie (E Krishnappa, producer), Best Supporting Actor (Yash) and Best Support Actress (Shubha Poonja). It was a victory for newcomers as Radhika Pandit and Yash debuted with this film. It was only the second film for producer E Krishnappa and director Shashank.





V Harikrishna (Best Music) and Jayanth Kaikini (Best Lyrics — Minchaagi Neenu Baralu) won two more awards for the film Gaalipata, directed by Yograj Bhat. Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal won the Best Playback Singer (Male) (Yenagali munde saagu nee) and Best Playback Singer (Female) (Ninna Nodalenthu...) respectively for the same film; Mussanje Maatu. S Krishna bagged the Best Cinematographer award for Haage Summane.



Ganesh, who won his first Filmfare promised that he would strive hard to win as many more in the coming years. For Shashank, it was a victory of his convictions. “I wanted to make this film about four teenage girls which told a story from their perspective for a very long time. It is a sensitive subject that explores the world of young female minds. The success of the film and these awards are the best encouragement for making meaningful films,” he said.




For young actors Radhika Pandit, Shubha Poonja and Yash, winning their first Filmfare award together for the same film was an added excitement. “Winning the Black Lady in my very first film is something that I can never forget in my life,” Radhika Pandit said.

This year also marked the first ever award for cinematography in Kannada and Krishna clinched it for Haage Summane. “I feel privileged to be the first in the ranks and I am not going to let this be a one-time achievement; I’ll be back next year too,” Krishna said. It might not be over-confidence on part of the cinematographer for had the category existed last year he would have picked the award for Mungaru Male.


Filmfare Awards 2008 (South) it getting bigger every year. In its 56th year, the biggest Indian film award ceremony also saw the largest gathering of south Indian film stars. The 56th Idea Filmfare Awards 2008 (South) at Hyderabad on Friday night saw the stars celebrate throughout the night.

Apart from bagging the most coveted ‘Black Lady’, the southern stars and the audience were treated to scintillating performances by Mumait Khan, Gouri Munjal, Shraddha Das, Sindhura Gadde, Priyamani, Sneha and Genelia on the stage. They mostly performed to an assortment of songs from their films in various south Indian languages. Kannada songs like Ek Galassi..., Chitranna Chitranna, and Nodalivalu Lovely Lovely were part of the package.

While most actors and technicians who bagged the awards dedicated their wins to their crew, family and God, Ganesh (Kannada) and Suriya (Tamil) dedicated it to their daughters. The most heartfelt dedication was by Radha Krishna J, who won the best director award for his Telugu film Gamyam. “I took my script to many producers in Hindi as well as Telugu. But no one believed that it was worth making such a film. But finally my family came to my rescue and gave me Rs 2.5 crore to make this film. I dedicate this award to the many young writers and aspiring directors out there who are waiting for their opportunity. Just like mine, your time will come to be on this stage,” he said. ‘Bunny’ Allu Arjun was the last awardee. He won the best actor award in Telugu and was given the trophy by his cousin Ramcharan Teja. He dedicated the award to his uncle, (Teja’s father) Chiranjeevi.

K J Yesudas got a standing ovation when he got on stage to receive the Best Singer award for Malayalam. Shreya Ghosal was compelled by the audience to sing Yenagali Munde Saagu Nee... from Kannada blockbuster Mussanje Maatu when she came on stage to collect the award. “Even though it is not my mother tongue, I have been fortunate to get so many good songs to sing in Kannada. I thank all my supporters in the Kannada industry,” she said. After Shreya’s turn, other winners came prepared with the lyrics of their songs. Sonu Nigam, who won the award for the same kannada film, thanked via a recorded speech.

Harris Jayaraj, who won the best music director award for the Tamil film Vaaranam Aayiram, dedicated the award to Michael Jackson. Senior Telugu lyricist Veturi Sundararama Murthy was honoured with the lifetime achievement award.
ALL-NIGHT PARTY

Man of the moment Bunny seemed the most vibrant actor around at the party that followed the awards function. He was clearly enjoying his moment of glory. He made no bones about the fact that “it was through hard work” that he got the award having “waited six years for this”. He was the most-sought-after actor at the party and he obliged every request for photographs.

Style check

Ramya’s dress was one of the most talked about at the party. The vibrant multi-colour gown got the most comments (in fact, like their Bollywood counterparts many actresses chose to wear dresses or gowns, ditching the traditional saree). Being identified as Divya Spandana for this evening, she got to meet the Kannada contingent only at the party. Sanjana too was part of the bigger scheme of things, moving around with her companion.

Ganesh seemed to be the best dressed among the actors. His tie in particular even had emcee Purab Kohli comment that “he was beaten to his game”. Ganesh was, however, too happy to pass on all the compliments of his style sense to his wife Shilpa.

They danced all night

Like stars in the sky, the actors shone brightest late into the night. The dance floor got buzzing only at 2 am. Jayanth Kaikini and Shashank who decided it was wrong not to watch the girls dance stayed on for sometime but did not venture to shake a leg.

While Harikrishna made the most by moving to the music from a distance, S Krishna continued to resolve that he would speak on stage next year. The nervous cinematographer had earlier literally ran away from stage after grabbing his trophy.

KANNADA

Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Male): Yash (Moggina Manasu) Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Female): Shubha Poonja (Moggina Manasu) Best Lyricist: Jayanth Kaikini (Minchaagi neenu baralu-Gaalipata) Best Playback Singer (Male): Sonu Nigam (Yenagali munde saagu-Mussanje Maathu) Best Playback Singer (Female): Shreya Ghoshal (Ninna nodalenthu-Mussanje Maathu)

TAMIL

Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Male): Ajmal (Anjathey) Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Female): Simran (Vaaranam Aayiram) Best Lyricist: Thamarai (Nenjukkual peithidum - Vaaranam Aayiram) Best Playback Singer (Male): Naresh Iyer (Munthinam partheyney-Vaaranam Aayiram) Best Playback Singer (Female): Deepa Miriam (Kangal irundal-Subramaniyapuram)

TELUGU

Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Male): Allari Naresh (Gamyam) Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Female): Jayasudha (Kotha Bangaru Lokam) Best Lyricist: Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry (Entavaraku-Gamyam) Best Playback Singer (Male): Karthik (Nijangaa nenenaa-Kotha Bangaru Lokam) Best Playback Singer (Female): Shweta Pandit (Nenani Neevani- Kotha Bangaru Lokam)

MALAYALAM

Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Male): Anoop Menon (Thirakkadha) Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Female): Sukanya (Innathe Chinthavishayam) Best Lyricist: Girish Puthencherry (Amma mazhakkar-Madambi) Best Playback Singer (Male): Yesudas (Amma mazhakkar-Madambi) Best Playback Singer (Female): Chithra (Oduvil oru-Thirakkadha)

Related Article: Filmfare 2007