Shiva Rajkumar’s 100th kannada film Jogayya

With much fanfare, and in the presence of none other than the chief minister of the state, the 100th kannada film of Shiva Rajkumar Jogayya was recently announced by director Prem and his producer-wife Rakshita. The film’s shooting was supposed to commence on April 24 and release by the year end. But going by the recent developments, the film’s shooting may begin only in the second half of this year and release in 2011, the 25th year of Shiva Rajkumar’s film career.

The actor’s new kannada film Sugreeva will release this Friday. Then there is Cheluveye Ninne Nodalu and Tapassu scheduled for this year. Producer Kanakapura Srinivas has the dates and commitment from the actor for the 99th film. It has proved to be a jinx so far. Director Raghava Loki was to direct the film but his story demanded a big budget and has been put on hold. Then R Chandru announced that it would be his film Mailari that would fill the slot. But due to the problem with the title and the story, this film has also missed the line up.

Kanakapura Srinivas will remain the producer, but the story and director for the 99th film still remains a suspense. Prem, with a little more than expected time on his hands, is said to be considering returning to acting now. Interestingly, R Chandru was to direct Prem in Male as the hero but the two are not in talking terms.

APTHARAKSHAKA - Movie Review

DIRECTOR: P Vasu

ACTORS: Vishnuvardhan, Avinash, Sandhya, Vimala Raman, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, Komal

Aptharakshaka is a worthy final kannada film for Vishnuvardhan. It is well-thought out and executed for a commercial film with enough entertainment values any movie buff to enjoy. It is hard to watch the film without realising that Vishnuvardhan is no more. But on its merit alone this film stands head and shoulders above most films made in the recent years in Sandlewood.

Those who have seen Apthamitra will realise that the sequel (and part prequel) is also similar in setting. The story is a playoff between a psychiatrist and a godman who try to unravel the mystery of a long dead dancer’s effects on living souls.

Late kannada hero Vishnuvardhan and Avinash re-enact their respective roles. This time there is more than one woman affected by either Nagavalli’s ghost or psyched after reading about her life. The psychiatrist and the godman respect each other’s methods of solving the problem for a common good.

Aptharakshaka also brings to life the story of Nagavalli and king Vijayaraja Bahadur which was mentioned in the first film. This is the high-point of the film. But director Vasu has other aces up his sleeve which he unravels as the film progresses. The real fun would be in watching it.

Vishnuvardhan in a dual role and a very unlikely getup steals the show. The negative shades in the king’s role does not affect his charm any bit. He modulates his voice twice over and the result is exciting. Komal as his sidekick is hilarious. Vimala Raman as Nagavalli is apt. Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, Sandhya and Bhavana are the suspense elements who help the film gain momentum towards an unexpected climax. But it is only Bhavana who gets to don the best designer blouses.

P Vasu deserves all the praise for deft handling of the interesting plot he has conceived. There is hardly a scene that is out of place. Gurukiran’s music and PKH Doss’ camera work complement the film that is a must watch.

Kannada Star UPENDRA renumeration is 7 crore for Super

The nameless film by the comeback director may cost producer Rockline Venkatesh more. For now though he’s already transferred the big bucks into Upendra’s account.

Upendra’s comeback as a kannada director, the film with just a hand symbol for the title, will have a grand mahurat in Bangalore’s tennis stadium on Thursday. The film produced by Rockline Venkatesh, his 25th, is claimed to have cost him Rs 25 lakh for the photo shoot alone. Truth is the bill amounted to only Rs 5 lakh. The film’s invitation carries on the exaggerated tone; printed like a newspaper, it says the film will do business of Rs 25 crore.

Upendra is leaving no stone unturned to create some hype with these things. In the midst of all these, the real facts about the film are hard to come by. Sources say that the initial estimated budget of the film is Rs 7 crore. The amount is already in Upendra’s account and most likely, he is making the film on a contract basis.

The pictures from the photo shoot of the film do not reveal much about the characters, except that it has been done lavishly. The maverick director-actor is said to be playing a scientist in the film.

Nayanthara's popularity knows no bounds. Now she has signed her first Kannada film, and last week she did a photo-shoot in Bangalore.

The untitled kannada film, which will start rolling from April, is a big budget extravaganza starring superstar Upendra. He will also direct the film.

Nayan, we are told, is thrilled because her role is meaty and she will be shooting for the film in London and Bangalore.

By signing this kannada film produced by Rockline Venkatesh, Nayan is all set to charm the Kannada audiences, too.

This kannada film has been long time coming and Upendra himself had announced his comeback as director more than a year ago. Things seem to have fallen into place for now. But knowing Upendra, this film is likely to hit theatres only by the end of the year. The shooting alone is scheduled to take place for 100 days.

Here are the pictures/photos/wallpapers of Nayanatara and Upendra fro the kannada filn Super (or just palm symbol!!)