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Akhil’s debut film posters are close to “Dragon Ball” movie posters. Kanche trailer looks exactly like that of “Dear John” movie. And now similar thoughts are also being heard about Nitin’s upcoming movie “Courier Boy Kalyan”. Director Premsai however rubbished these rumours.

It is widely publicised that Courier Boy Kalyan is loosely based on English thriller “Premium Rush”. This film is an American thriller that is illegally copied from the 1998 novel “The Ultimate Rush”, and fell short of collecting its budget from box office.

Talking about this, director Premsai said, “I’ve written and registered my script with writers council in 2011, while Premium Rush came in 2012. Except the fact that the lead hero of the two films is a messenger (courier deliver boy), there is nothing in common”.

Even if Premsai might have got inspired by the 1998 novel, but that doesn’t mean the film become a huge hit until he has wonderful native adoption. “I’ve actually written story for Tamil audiences. But treatment is changed for the sake of Telugu audiences for Nitin’s version. They will like it immensely”, he signed off, exuding confidence.

Sibiraj started his acting career with his debut movie ‘Student No.1’ in 2003. It has been 12 years and so far he can never establish himself as an actor. He still struggles a lot to prove his capacity.

So far he has acted only in 9 movies. His last release, ‘Naaigal Jaakirathai’ did reasonably well compared to his early releases. Right now he acts in a horror comedy titled ‘Jackson Durai’.

Recently he signed his next project where he will share screen space along with Jiiva. The movie was titled ‘Pokkiri Raja’ and the movie will be directed by RamPrakash Rayappa of ‘Tamizhukku Enn Onrai Aluthavum’ fame. P.T.Selvakumar will fund the project.

Hansika will pair opposite Jiiva and Harris Jeyaraj will be the music composer. Now we hear that Sibiraj has demanded a sum of Rs.60 lakhs as wages for this project.

Allari Naresh recently acted in ‘James Bond’. The movie opened to negative critics and finally it tasted failure. The movie even faced some harsh critics and comments on social media.

But Allari Naresh has tasted success with Satellite rights. It has to be noted that Allari Naresh has worked a lot hard to establish himself as an actor. Even his worst movies were sold for a whopping price of Rs.3 Crores.

Now the same has happened with his latest release ‘James Bond’. This is because the TRP ratings are always higher when his movies are being telecasted. Most channels get the benefits whenever they telecast his movies.

As of now, the satellite rights are expected to go beyond 10 Crores for ‘James Bond’. We hear from bankable sources that a leading channel has already bagged the rights for a sum of Rs.12 Crores. An official confirmation is awaited.

When particular actor clicks in one particular role, sure Tollywood is going to shower you with similar roles. Despite the fact that “Jil” is a commercial failure, it’s villain, the stylish Kabir Duhan Singh has reasons to smile. Because his looks in the film are a terrific hit.

Though his immediate next film Kick 2 hasn’t won him any fame, Kabir has almost 10 film in his hand for the now. In upcoming films like Balakrishna’s Dictator, Pawan Kalyan’s Sardar Gabbar Singh and Bellamkonda Srinivas movie, Kabir will be seen as a protagonist.

At the same time in Ajith’s upcoming #Thala56 movie, he’s the lead villain. Other than these films, he has signed couple of Tamil and Telugu flicks along with one Kannada movie. Probably he’s the most busiest villain right now than a Sonu Sood or any other in Telugu tinsel town.

Another villain, Ajaj Khan, who is seen as Sonu Sood’s brother in Dookudu is also signing back to back Telugu movies these days. He will be seen with Ram Charan in Bruce Lee for the second time after they fought in Naayak. New breed of stylish villains are pick of the moment.

Magnum opus director SS Rajamouli’s full name is Srisaila Sri Rajamouli. With Baahubali roaring big trumpets at box office, everyone do knows this in India at least. But maverick director Ram Gopal Varma, wants to give some extra buttering to Rajamouli and that conversation on social network evoked few laughs today.

“I just now came to know that the SS in SS Rajamouli stands for Steven Spielberg (sic)“, tweeted Ram Gopal Varma, early in the morning today.

Replying to the same, Rajamouli said, “janam tho nannu thittinchadaniki kaakapothe avasarama sir ippudu idhi” (Other than to make people scold me, is this comparison necessary now?)

Well, Rajamouli gives utmost respect to both Ram Gopal Varma and also Steven Spielberg. And yet he can’t take the comparison with Steven Spielberg as a positive praise, because still our Jakkanna feels he has a long way to achieve.

AS Prakash is one of the most prolific art directors in the Telugu film industry. He has several hit films like Srimanthudu, Dookudu, Mirchi, Legend under his belt. Yet he shies away from media. Gulte managed to interview AS Prakash who is usually calm and reticent yet busy with a slew of films. A chat-athon with an art director who worked for nearly 50 films and worked for almost all big stars in the industry.

First Break:

I came from an ordinary family which has no filmy connections. We hail from Vizag. I completed Fine Arts course in Andhra University and came to Hyderabad in an aim to crack Group exams. But destiny had different plans for me. When I was going through a newspaper, I came across an advertisement inviting applicants from art background to work in Ramoji Film City. More than for job, I applied for it to see RFC once. I attended the interview and got selected. I got offer letter but I didn’t have much interest to take up the offer. I received offer letter for three times and then I gave it a thought.

I asked my father and he advised me to take up the job considering that Ramoji Rao garu has great reputation and his organisation is well-known. I joined as an assistant to Department Head Nitish Roy who was quite impressed with my work and we get along easily. It’s there (RFC), I got chance to explore cinema.

Director Sukumar and producer Dil Raju are looking for a new art director for Allu Arjun-starrer Aarya. They got to know my ability and approached me. I was interested but due to some reasons, I went to my home and couldn’t make it. They (Director Sukumar, producer Dil Raju) had waited for me for three-days for my return. Knowing it, I decided to work on the project. That’s how I landed up into films. Yet my family didn’t like the idea of me joining films but slowly they came to terms with it. Since then I never looked back. I worked for several films under Sri Venkateswara Creations. Sukumar garu and Dil Raju garu gave me life in the industry.

Working with stars:

Working with star heroes is definitely a good thing as your work would get noticed by large number of people. Mostly, star heroes don’t have much conditions for sets. Only if there is any special song involved, they brief me in advance. Rest of the times, I coordinate with director and cinematographer.

Challenges:

Art direction is not easy at all. In fact, it’s so challenging and a Herculean task. Striking perfect balance between lavishness and budget constraints, meeting deadlines and yet winning hearts of all is part and parcel of our work. At many instances, there is a possibility to lose cool. But we’ve to suppress it and wear a smile on face.

Not Interested in Going Places?

Actually, I got several offers in Tamil and other language films but I didn’t get chance to take up as I was occupied with my work in Telugu. If all goes well, I don’t have any qualms in working in other languages. But as of now, I’d love to continue in Telugu.

Why Not Events?

These days many of art directors are into events, high-profile weddings. In fact, there is more money involved in it. Yet I restrained myself from taking part of the events as I’m passionate about films and want to continue working for films.

On Media-shy attitude:

Since my childhood, I’m so calm. I’m friendly yet will take some time to build rapport. Yes, I’ve been away from media for long time as I got busy with work. I believe that my work should talk more for myself.

After Srimanthudu:

Definitely big offers have been raining after Srimanthudu. Since movie is second highest grosser in Telugu, my work is getting noticed. Hero Prabhas has personally called me and appreciated my work in the film. He said he loved the sets in Srimanthudu. Despite being busy with Baahubali success, Prabhas taking time off and complimenting me surprised me.

Upcoming Projects:

Upcoming films include VV Vinayak’s Akhil in which one could get to see 8 sets. Also I’m working on Ram-Raashi Khanna starrer Shivam and another movie of Sravanthi Movies. Between I’m getting several big offers, but I only decided to go slow and spend quality time with family. Many other films are in discussion stage.

Awards?

Since I’m not into much publicity and I haven’t talked about my work, I lost several awards. Not many know that the house in Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu was a set erected for two big stars Mahesh Babu and Venkatesh. Until I came and told, no one knew about it. Since no one know about my work, I missed many awards.

Advise to Newcomers:

My sincere advise to newcomers who would like to become art directors is to work hard without expecting much. Only if they’re very passionate about films, they should foray into films. Because, it take long-time to get recognition in the industry and start an earning. At the same time, it’s not a bad place to work. Only thing is that one should have enough patience.

Megastar Chiranjeevi gave life to many different characters in his long career. However, his unsatisfactory for not portraying a patriotic related role such as Bhagat Singh remained unfulfilled. In one of his birthday interviews when a spectator asked Chiru about what was the role he missed playing so far, Chiru answered this.

“I always wanted to portray Bhagat Singh kind of patriotic role, but I couldn’t get to do it practically. But, I would definitely essay similar kind of role- as freedom fighter from Telugu land ‘Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy’ sometime, may be in my 151st or in the other future ventures.”

Megastar also revealed his Auto Johnny moment in the interview. “I was an NCC cadet, during my college days. When we were performing Pothuraju Poleramma play in the presence of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the girl who was playing Poleramma character fell unconscious.

I lifted her on my arms, took her to auto and as there was no driver in the auto, I alone drove her to hospital. Doctors appreciated me for bringing her on time. That was the Auto Johnny moment in my life.”

Previously, Chiranjeevi agreed to work for Puri Jagannath’s Auto Johnny. However, he rejected the script owing to loopholes in second half. Chiru will next be seen in a crucial role in son Ram Charan’s Bruce Lee and his next full length film is likely to hit floors later this year.