Pooja Bedi plays Egyptian princess in Junior NTR "Shakti"

Nearly two decades after featuring in "Chittemma Mogudu" alongside Mohan Babu, she will now be seen as an Egyptian princess with super natural powers in Junior NTR-starrer "Shakti".

Without divulging too many details, the 40-year-old said the movie will be "high on sci-fi and special effects". With a budget of Rs.45 crore, the film is being touted as the costliest movie in the Telugu film industry.

"Shakti" has actress Ileana D'Cruz in the lead, and features other Bollywood actors Jackie Shroff, Sonu Sood and Manjari Phadnis.

Best remembered for her Marilyn Monroe skirt act in "Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander", Pooja has been missing from the big screen for a long time. She is more active on small screen and participated in reality shows and even got to host her own chat show - "Just Pooja".

Pooja, daughter of actor Kabir Bedi and late Odissi dancer Protima Bedi, is a single mother to daughter Aalia, 13 and a son Omar, 10. She divorced her husband Farhan Furniturewalla in 2002, after an eight-year long marriage, and admits it is tough being a single mom.

"My kids were very young when my husband and I took divorce. When I went to (comedian) Rajeev Nigam's house as part of 'Maa Exchange', I saw him bond with his son. At that point, I did miss the father-child bonding in my house and for a moment I felt that I need a husband now," she said.

"It has been really tough being a single mother. You have to take care of the children - financially, emotionally, so you have to work hard and also spend time with them. It wasn't easy but I am proud of the way my children have shaped up - mature and well-mannered. Their scores are wonderful, the walls of their rooms are full of medals and certificates and they enjoy all sports. Most of all, they respect me and their elders. So I have no complains!" she said.

Ice cream parlour sex scandal case makes news

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Friday said if needed the government could order a re-investigation in the sensational Kozhikode ice cream parlour sex scandal case.

This case saw the downfall of then powerful state industries minister P.K. Kunhalikutty of the Indian Union Muslim League as a witness in the case, Regina, made alleged revelations that she was sexually exploited by the minister in the early '90s.

Kunhalikutty stepped down as minister in January 2005 following an opposition onslaught, thanks to a media trial in the case after Regina went to the media repeating again what happened to her in the early '90s.

The issue made headlines again Friday when a series of press conferences were held by Kunhalikutty (twice), his brother-in-law K.M. Rauf and Achuthanandan.

Kunhalikutty out of the blue told reporters at Malappuram Friday that he faces a threat to his life from his estranged brother-in-law Rauf and he might be blackmailed with a forged CD, according to what he has heard from many sources.

Hours later, at Kozhikode, Rauf in an hour-long press conference telecast live by TV channels here told reporters that Kunhalikutty got away in the ice cream sex case by influencing the judiciary and also by paying money to the witnesses.

'I have all the documents to prove that Kunhalikutty paid money to influence the witness in the ice cream case. At the appropriate time I will come out with all the documents,' said Rauf.

Friday evening, Achuthanandan told reporters in response to the Kunhalikutty-Rauf spat that truth will come out one day.

'Look, not long ago both the characters who spoke to the media today were thick pals and for some reason they have parted ways. So slowly things will come out and truth can never be hidden for long because one day, the truth will come out. We will wait and see and if need be government will look into this case and even look if there is a case for a re-investigation,' said Achuthanandan.

Kunhalikutty, again appearing in front of the media in Kozhikode, said the allegation of his name figuring in the ice cream case has been summarily dismissed by even the Supreme Court.

'I have no issues at all even if the case is re-investigated. I have already told Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan that I have no problems if the government is to order a probe into my wealth. It is now my need that Rauf has to be exposed,' said Kunhalikutty.

Metro train services by 2013: Stalin

Stalin inspecting Metro rail work

Chennai: The 45-km Chennai Metro Rail project will be completed ahead of the original schedule and the train service would begin in two years time, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said here Friday.

"The works are progressing fast and at this rate we will be able to operate trains between Koyambedu and St Thomas Mount by 2013. The entire network of metro rail under phase one will be ready by 2015," he said after inspecting works near the Military Hospital in Alandur, SIDCO, Jawaharlal Nehru Street and Koyambedu.

According to him, works valued Rs.629 crore have been completed till date for the Rs.14,600 crore project.

Chennai Metro Rail  Plan

He said "81 pillars have been constructed and concrete platforms placed between 11 pillars to form a viaduct on the Koyambedu-Ashok Nagar stretch. Works on elevated stations at Vadapalani and Koyambedu have begun."

Stalin also inspected the site of the proposed metro rail station at the airport.

"Extension of the line to Tambaram will be considered after taking up works at Tiruvottiyur and also the already announced phase two corridors," he told reporters.

The central and the state governments would contribute Rs.2,920 crore and Rs.3,034 crore respectively, and Rs.8,646 crore will be raised as a loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Metro Rail work under progress

Photo News: Nuvvu Nenu Anitha in sexy swim suit

Anita, who looted the hearts of many young guys with her portrayal as female lead in Nuvvu-Nenu almost a decade ago. Later she appeared in few films and some special appearances. She is also a very notable figure on Hindi TV serials as well.  Freshly she is coming back wearing a bikini. Watch this pic. This is her still from the film 'Aha Na Pellanta' starred by Allari Naresh in lead role. The film is hitting screens in 2nd week of Feb. Enjoy guys!!

Click here for more pictures of Anitha 

JBT gets "A" Certificate

 

Hyderabad: At last, the Censor Board of Film Certification on Thursday gave clearance to the release of controversial film Jai Bolo Telangana (JBT) made by director N Shankar in the backdrop of separate Telangana movement.

Interestingly, the Censor Board gave “A” (Adults Only) certificate to the film, though there are no violent scenes in the film. Apparently, the Board felt that some of the dialogues and scenes in the film are provocative and can instigate the minds of the youth and create hatred. Hence, the A certificate.

The Revising Committee of the Board, which reviewed the film after the Censor Board declined the film certification a couple of days ago, suggested as many as eight cuts in the film, on the ground that some scenes and dialogues are highly objectionable. Shankar had no option but to agree for the cuts and got the certificate. “We will release the film on February 4,” he said.

“Jai Bolo Telangana” has Jagapathi Babu in the lead role and the music is composed by Chakri.

IT success makes Obama mention Bangalore - Governor H.R.Bhardwaj

Bangalore: The success of India's resilient IT industry makes US President Barack Obama mention Bangalore every time he talks about competition, Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj said.

"Indian IT and BT (BioTech) industry is synonymous with Bangalore. The very fact that the US president never forgets to mention Bangalore every time he talks about competition is a proof of recognition that we are in a position to compete with the best in the world," Bhardwaj said in his Republic Day address here.

Lauding the achievements of the IT and BT sectors in the state, the governor said Bangalore had emerged on the international map attracting attention of every developed country, even to the extent of inviting admiration and envy from none other than the US.

"Our economy recovered much faster than many developed economies from the recent recession. It is the farsighted policies of the Indian government and the skilled young entrepreneurs with the cutting edge technologies that are helping to move on the path of recovery," Bhardwaj said at the 62nd Republic Day celebrations in this tech hub.

The governor also highlighted the role of IT in ushering in e-governance and bringing several public services within the reach of the people across the state and Bangalore.

"The expectations grow faster than the speed at which we can provide services," he added.

Rahman's family on cloud nine

Rahman with Oscars

Chennai: The family of music maestro A R Rahman is on cloud nine, as he has been nominated for two Oscars for a Danny Boyle film again this time for '127 Hours.' Rahman's elder sister Raihanah could not hide her jubilation after the news that her brother was nominated for two Oscars trickled down

''We are very happy...Insha Allah by God's grace he wins both,'' she told.

''Focus on music was the key to his success,'' Raihanah said, adding the double Oscar nomination was a reward for Rahman's hard work, dedication and focus.

''He works for about 16 hours a day...perhaps even more,'' she gushed.

ARR Family

Raihanah said Rahman would be looking forward to more Hollywood movies where there were more success.

It turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Rahman as the double Oscar nomination comes after he missed the Golden Globe award for best Original score (Motion Picture) for the same film-'127 Hours'.

Ironically his score in the same film had now been chosen for double nomination to the 83rd Annual Academy Awards for Best Song along with Dido and Rollo Armstrong and Best Original Score for the song 'If I Rise'.

By his own admission, the 45-year-old Mozart of Madras said if he wins the awards again, he would be scripting history, as no one had won it twice in a row.

Rahman had already won two Oscars in 2009 for 'Slumdog Millionaire', besides two Grammys, a BAFTA and a Golden Globe.

Movie Review: Wanted

Cast:

Gopichand, Deeksha Seth, Nazar, Prakash Raj, Benarjee, Subbaraju, Shafi, Chandramohan, Jayasudha, Brahmanandam, Ahuti Prasad etc

Music: 

Chakri

Story, Screenplay, Dialogue, Direction:

BVS Ravi


This is the movie with huge star cast, enough hype and scintillating commercial trailers. This has hit the screens yesterday. Let us see how it performed.

Story:

Rambabu (Gopichand) is the young man who has no job at all. Peculiarly, his parents (Chandramohan and Jayasudha) also encourage their son to stay only at home and eat without doing any job. Accidentally he falls in love with a medico Nandini (Deeksha Seth) who has a secret mission. Although she is a medical student, her flash back pushes her to do certain activities secretly. What are those activities? That is a facet of heroine.

Eventually Nandini uses Rambabu’s love on her to take vengeance on the criminals those made her family an ash. What is the vengeance and who put an end to her family?

There comes Basivi Reddy (Prakash Raj), a rugged gangster who killed Nandini’s family members. Hence he faces trouble from Rambabu as a part of Nandini’s revenge. What happens next is an easy guess.

Positive Things:

    * Production values
    * Story line

Limitations:

    * Comedy weak
    * Narration meek
    * Screenplay bleak

Bottom-Line: Not up to expectations

Money Matters - Who is the culprit in burning currency totalling Rs.5 Crore??

Bellary: Half-burnt currency notes littered among dry thorns left the curious villagers of Alipura, 7 km from Bellary, wondering where so much money came from. And why would anyone want to burn it.

That the notes are real was established by a note-detector machine, police said. According to SP M N Nagraj, the cash is estimated to be around Rs 70,000 to Rs 1 lakh, though the villagers claimed it could have been around Rs 5 crore.

Some unidentified men came with the gunny bags, set them afire and fled the place yesterday in Alipura village, four km from here, police said.

Locals also told the police that some persons dumped at least three more gunny bags into a canal. Police said a search was on for the bags and the incident was being investigated.

Half-burnt currency notes in the denomination of 100 and 500, totalling about Rs four crore, were found scattered around the area, police, who were informed by the locals about the incident, said.

The burnt cash was spotted behind Mahadevatha temple on Sunday evening, when locals were returning home from their farms. The mystery of burnt currency notes remained unsolved on Tuesday. "We are yet to find out why it was burnt. We have not yet traced the source," the SP added.

Additional SP Ashok Kurer said some of the notes were being sent to Bangalore for a forensic report.

Bank officials who examined the half-burnt currency notes said the notes were genuine.

India turns 62 today

While India is celebrating its 62nd Republic Day with great pomp, show and grace and is making full use of the opportunity to showcase its achievements and the pride of states; do we know everything that needs to be known as a proud Indian?

How many among us, even the so-called patriotic among us fully understand the meaning of Republic Day? What it stands for and how different it is from Independence Day?

As we all know India had to fight hard to attain independence and many lives were lost in the struggle for Independence. Under the able leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Maulana Azad and many others India fought a fair battle uplifting the principles of Ahimsa.

South India News has taken the duty upon itself to enlighten readers on the importance of Republic Day and what it means for the large number of Indians spread across the globe.

The Republic Day was first celebrated when the Constitution of India came into existence and India formulated an establishment to rule themselves. This constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950, when India became a Republic. Therefore India celebrates this anniversary on January 26 as India's Republic Day. The day is also celebrated to honour the 'Declaration of Independence of 1930' from the British Rule.

While there exists uncertainties in the minds of many on the difference between Independence Day and Republic Day, the most apparent difference being that while Independence Day dwells upon the past and remembers the struggles and achievements of the yore; Republic Day is an occasion for renewing of the pledge and the golden words in the Constitution is highlighted.

Another more visible difference being that while Independence Day is mostly rhetoric-based, Republic Day is an out-and-out visual spectacle with no speeches.

Hope we have been able to give you a better idea on the importance of the Republic Day and an insight into the transition of India from a British Dominion to a republic on January 26, 1950.

Happy Republic Day to one and all and let us all be proud to be an Indian.

Click here: Complete list of Padma winners on R-day 2011

Complete list of Padma winners on R-day 2011

As India celebrates its 62nd Republic Day with lot of joy and hope there was joy unbound for a select few when they were awarded with the country's highest civilian honours.

The awards will be presented by the President of India, Pratibha Patil in the Rashtrapati Bhavan in a function to be held in March/April.

South India News brings to you the complete list of awardees

Padma Vibhushan

    * Dr. (Smt.) Kapila Vatsyayan - Art - Art Administration and Promotion – Delhi

    * Mrs. Homai Vyarawalla - Art – Photography - Gujarat

    * Shri A Nageshwara Rao - Art- Cinema - Andhra Pradesh

    * Shri Parasaran Kesava Iyengar - Public Affairs - Delhi

    * Dr. Akhlaq-ur-Rehman Kidwai - Public Affairs - Delhi

    * Shri Vijay Kelkar- Public Affairs – Delhi

    * Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia - Public Affairs – Delhi

    * Shri Palle Rama Rao - Science and Engineering - Andhra Pradesh

    * Shri Azim Premji - Trade and Industry - Karnataka

    * Shri Brajesh Mishra - Civil Services - Madhya Pradesh

    * Prof. (Dr.) Ottaplakkal Neelakandan Velu Kurup - Literature and Education - Kerala

    * Dr. Sitakant Mahapatra - Literature and Education - Orissa

    * Late Shri L. C. Jain - Public Affairs - Delhi

Padma Bhushan

    * Shri Satyadev Dubey - Art - Theatre - Maharashtra

    * Mohammed Zahur Khayyam Hashmi alias Khayyam - Art - Cinema - Music - Maharashtra

    * Shashi Kapoor - Art - Cinema - Maharashtra

    * Shri Krishen Khanna - Art - Painting - Haryana

    * Shri Madavur Vasudevan Nair - Art - Dance - Kathakali - Kerala

    * Waheeda Rehman - Art - Cinema - Maharashtra

    * Shri Rudrapatna Krishna Shastry Srikantan - Art - Music-Vocal - Karnataka

    * Arpita Singh - Art - Painting - Delhi

    * Dr. Sripathi Panditharadhyula Balasubrahmanyam -Art - Playback Singing, Music Direction, acting

    * Tamil Nadu

    * Shri C.V. Chandrasekhar - Art - Classical Dance - Bharatanatyam - Tamil Nadu

    * Shri Dwijen Mukherjee – Art - West Bengal

    * Smt. Rajashree Birla - Social work - Maharashtra

    * Mrs. Shobhana Ranade - Social work - Maharashtra

    * Dr. Suryanarayanan Ramachandran - Science and Engineering - Tamil Nadu

    * Shri S.(Kris) Gopalakrishnan - Trade and Industry - Karnataka

    * Shri Yogesh Chander Deveshwar - Trade and Industry - West Bengal

    * Ms. Chanda Kochhar - Trade and Industry - Maharashtra

    * Dr. K. Anji Reddy - Trade and Industry- Pharmacy - Andhra Pradesh

    * Shri Analjit Singh - Trade and Industry - Delhi

    * Shri Rajendra Singh Pawar - Trade and Industry - Haryana

    * Dr. Gunapati Venkata Krishna Reddy - Trade and Industry - Andhra Pradesh

    * Shri Ajai Chowdhary - Trade and Industry – Delhi

    * Shri Surendra Singh - Civil Services – Delhi

    * Shri M. N .Buch - Civil Services - Madhya Pradesh

    * Shri Shyam Saran - Civil Services – Delhi

    * Shri Thayil Jacob Sony George - Literature and Education - Karnataka

    * Dr. Ramdas Madhava Pai - Literature and Education - Karnataka

    * Shri Sankha Ghosh - Literature and Education - West Bengal

    * Late Shri K. Raghavan Thirumulpad - Medicine - Ayurveda. - Kerala

    * Late Dr. Keki Byramjee Grant - Medicine - Cardiology – Maharashtra

    * Late Shri Dashrath Patel – Art – Gujarat

Padma Shri

    * Ms. Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry - Art - Theatre - Chandigarh

    * Shri Makar Dhwaja Darogha - Art- Chhau Dance – Jharkhand

    * Shri Shaji Neelakantan Karun - Art – Film Direction - Kerala

    * Shri Girish Kasaravalli - Art - Film making - Karnataka

    * Ms. Tabassum Hashmi Khan alias Tabu - Art - Cinema - Maharashtra

    * Shri Jivya Soma Mase - Art - Warli Painting - Maharashtra

    * Guru (Ms.) M.K. Saroja - Art - Dance- Bharatnatyam - Tamil Nadu

    * Shri Jayaram Subramaniam - Art - Cinema - Tamil Nadu

    * Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty - Art - Music-Indian Classical Vocal - West Bengal

    * Smt. Mahasundari Devi - Art - Mithilia/ Madhubani Painting - Bihar

    * Shri Gajam Govardhana - Art - Handloom Weaving - Andhra Pradesh

    * Ms. Sunayana Hazarilal - Art - Dance - Kathak - Maharashtra

    * Shri S.R. Janakiraman - Art - Carnatic Vocal Music - Tamil Nadu

    * Shri Peruvanam Kuttan Marar - Art - Chenda Melam- Drum concert – Kerala

    * Smt. Kalamandalam Kshemavathy Pavithran - Art - Dance – Mohiniattam - Kerala

    * Shri Dadi Dorab Pudumjee - Art - Puppetry - Delhi

    * Shri Khangembam Mangi Singh - Art - Traditional Music of Manipur (Pena) - Manipur

    * Shri Prahlad Singh Tipaniya - Art - Folk Music - Madhya Pradesh

    * Smt. Usha Uthup - Art - Music. - West Bengal

    * Smt. Kajol - Art- Cinema – Maharashtra

    * Shri Irfan Khan - Art- Cinema – Maharashtra

    * Shri Mamraj Agrawal - Social work - West Bengal

    * Shri Jockin Arputham - Social work - Maharashtra

    * Ms. Nomita Chandy - Social work - Karnataka

    * Ms. Sheela Patel - Social work - Maharashtra

    * Ms. Anita Reddy - Social work - Karnataka

    * Shri Kanubhai Hasmukhbhai Tailor - Social work – Gujarat

    * Shri Anant Darshan Shankar - Public Affairs - Karnataka

    * Prof. M. Annamalai - Science and Engineering - Karnataka

    * Dr. Mahesh Haribhai Mehta - Science and Engineering - Agricultural Science - Gujarat

    * Shri Coimbatore Narayana Rao Raghavendran - Science and Engineering - Tamil Nadu

    * Dr. (Mrs.) Suman Sahai - Science and Engineering - Delhi

    * Prof.(Dr.) E.A. Siddiq - Science and Engineering - Agricultural Science - Andhra Pradesh

    * Shri Gopalan Nair Shankar - Science and Engineering - Architecture - Kerala

    * Shri Mecca Rafeeque Ahmed - Trade and Industry - Tamil Nadu

    * Shri Kailasam Raghavendra Rao - Trade and Industry - Tamil Nadu

    * Shri Narayan Singh Bhati - Civil Services - Andhra Pradesh

    * Shri P K Sen - Civil Services – Bihar

    * Ms. Shital Mahajan - Sports - Adventure Sports- Para Jumping - Maharashtra

    * Ms. Nameirakpam Kunjarani Devi - Sports - Weightlifting - Manipur

    * Shri Sushil Kumar - Sports – Wrestling - Delhi

    * Shri Vangipurapu Venkata Sai Laxman - Sports - Cricket - Andhra Pradesh

    * Shri Gagan Narang - Sports - Shooting - Andhra Pradesh

    * Smt. Krishna Poonia - Sports - Discus Throw - Rajasthan

    * Shri Harbhajan Singh - Sports - Mountaineering - Punjab

    * Dr. Pukhraj Bafna - Medicine - Padeatrics - Chhattisgarh

    * Prof. Mansoor Hasan - Medicine- Cardiology - Uttar Pradesh

    * Dr. Shyama Prasad Mandal - Medicine - Orthopaedic – Delhi

    * Prof. (Dr.) Sivapatham Vittal - Medicine - Endocrinology - Tamil Nadu

    * Prof. (Dr.) Madanur Ahmed Ali - Medicine - Gastroenterology - Tamil Nadu

    * Dr. Indira Hinduja - Medicine - Obstetrics and Gynaecology - Maharashtra

    * Dr. Jose Chacko Periappuram - Medicine - Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. - Kerala

    * Prof. (Dr.) A. Marthanda Pillai - Medicine – Neurosurgery – Kerala

    * Shri Mahim Bora - Literature and Education - Assam

    * Prof. (Dr.) Pullella Srirama Chandrudu - Literature and Education- Sanskrit - Andhra Pradesh

    * Dr. Pravin Darji - Literature and Education – Gujarat

    * Dr. Chandra Prakash Deval - Literature and Education - Rajasthan

    * Shri Balraj Komal - Literature and Education - Delhi

    * Mrs. Rajni Kumar - Literature and Education - Delhi

    * Dr. Devanooru Mahadeva - Literature and Education - Karnataka

    * Shri Barun Mazumder - Literature and Education - West Bengal

    * Dr. Avvai Natarajan - Literature and Education - Tamil Nadu

    * Shri Bhalchandra Nemade - Literature and Education - Himachal Pradesh

    * Prof. Riyaz Punjabi - Literature and Education - Jammu and Kashmir

    * Prof. Koneru Ramakrishna Rao - Literature and Education - Andhra Pradesh

    * Ms. Buangi Sailo - Literature and Education - Mizoram

    * Prof. Devi Dutt Sharma - Literature and Education - Uttarakhand

    * Shri Nilamber Dev Sharma - Literature and Education - Jammu and Kashmir

    * Ms. Urvashi Butalia - Literature and Education - Delhi

    * Ms. Ritu Menon - Literature and Education - Delhi

    * Prof. Krishna Kumar - Literature and Education - Delhi

    * Shri Deviprasad Dwivedi - Literature and Education - Uttar Pradesh

    * Ms. Mamang Dai - Literature and Education - Arunachal Pradesh

    * Dr. Om Prakash Agrawal - Others - Heritage Conservation - Uttar Pradesh

    * Prof. Madhukar Keshav Dhavalikar - Others - Archeology - Maharashtra

    * Ms. Shanti Teresa Lakra – Others-Nursing - Andaman & Nicobar

    * Smt. Gulshan Nanda - Others - Handicrafts promotion – Delhi

    * Dr. Azad Moopen - Social work - UAE

    * Prof. Upendra Baxi - Public Affairs -Legal Affairs - United Kingdom

    * Dr. Mani Lal Bhaumik - Science and Engineering - USA

    * Dr. Subra Suresh - Science and Engineering - USA

    * Prof. Karl Harrington Potter - Literature and Education - USA

    * Prof. Martha Chen - Social work - USA

    * Shri Satpal Khattar - Trade and Industry - Singapore

    * Shri Granville Austin - Literature and Education - USA

South India News congratulates all the winners.

Power Star as "Gabbar Singh"

Pawan Kalyan & Harish Shankar

Pawan Kalyan is going to produce and act in a film titled Gabbar Singh. This is an official remake of Salman Khan’s blockbuster ‘Dabang’. Pawan Kalyan plays the role of cop Gabbar Singh (Chulbul Pandey in Hindi) in this movie. 

Pawan Kalyan has established Pawan Kalyan Creative Works banner after the release of Khushi movie and has been contemplating on producing films. This movie will be the production no. 1 on Pawan Kalyan Creative Works. 

Harish Shankar whose Mirapakai is running well this Sankranthi season will direct this movie. Harish Shankar was supposed to do a movie with Pawan Kalyan earlier and he narrated the script of Mirapakai to Pawan Kalyan in the past. Finally the combination of Pawan Kalyan and Harish Shankar is materialising with Gabbar Singh. 

This movie will be shot and released in this year only.

Gangula Bhanumati becomes a fool!

Gangula Bhanumati w/o Late Suri

Recently, Gangula Bhanumati admitted that she doesn't know Swetha Reddy and she is not the relative of their family or Suri. In the TV9 interview Swetha clearly told that Suri is their distant relative, that she came to know after 2008. Swetha haven't said she knows Bhanumathi as well, she knows only Suri through his relatives.

Interestingly, Suri and Bhanumati have parted ways since he released from the Jail in 2009, before many years they never met or spoken to each other in the Jail as per the Charlapalli jail records. The reason for their spilt was known everywhere in Ananatapur and Kadapa districts. Soon after, media probing the Jagan hand in Suri murder, she immediately threw a stone on TDP.

However, Bhanumati is trying hard to hide some dark angles in their life with Suri and others, now she wants to become a politician under the leadership of Jagan. If media probes, why Suri and Bhanumati have parted who is responsible for the spilt, then the young politician will come out in Suri murder case.

Bhanumati with Late Suri Brother

Click here for video of Swetha Reddy & Gangula Bhanumati versions

Veteran director EVV is no more..

E.V.V.Satyanarayana

Hyderabad: Noted film director EVV Satyanarayana who was ailing with throat Cancer since last few years was died on Friday night in Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad. He was admitted in the hospital for the treatment on 19th of this month. EVV Satyanarayana who is popularly known as EVV has left his mark on film industry of making comedy films with his son Allari Naresh since last several years.

Tollywood has lost a great giant among comedy directors.

He was born on June 10, 1958. in Dommeru, West Godavari district. His full name is Edara Veera Venkata Satyanarayana.

Famous for his comedy films, EVV's first film was Chevilo Puvvu and last film was Kathi Kantha Rao. He turned popular with ‘Prema Khaidi’ and turned as producer with ‘Chala Bagundi’.He was survived by wife and two sons Aryan Rajesh and Allari Naresh.

South India News Network prays for his soul to rest in peace.

E.V.V Family - Aryan Rajesh & Allari Naresh

Photo News: Hour glass beauty Ileana

Hour glass beauty Ileana who hails from Goa and tastes better than a milk kova for Telugus. She is making her attempts to make her presence felt on Bollywood screen as well. This is her latest bold pose for the cover page of FHM magazine. She kept her over coat away and posed this way sporting her curves voluptuously.

Click here for more photos of Ileana

Actress Yamuna - Is she is a prostitute ??

Bangalore: Well known movie actress Yamuna, who acted as heroine in several Telugu, Tamil and Kannada movies, presently busy with assignments in some TV serials, was caught red-handed by Bangalore Task Force police while she was involved in prostitution on Thursday.

The task force police team, led by special officer Krishnam Raju and Assistant Commissioner of police Alok Kumar, arrested Yamuna, one Mr Venugopal, CEO of a Bangalore based software firm and another person who brokered the deal between them.

On a tip off, the task force teams raided the seven-star Sapta Tara Hotel, the costliest hotel of Bangalore and South India at 9.45 pm Thursday night and took them into custody. The teams are on the look out for some other key persons who have been organizing the hi-tech prostitution rackets with the involvement of film stars.

Yamuna was introduced to the Telugu audiences through the super hit movie ‘Mouna Poratam’ produced by media baron Ramoji Rao some years ago and her other hit movies included ‘Mamagaru’ with Dasari and ‘Puttinti Pattucheera’.

After the actresses like Bhuwaneshwari, Jyothi and Saira Banu it is now Yamuna who joined the bandwagon of brothels.

Yamuna - E Tv WoW Programme

 

M.S.Subbalakshmi award for Maestro Illayaraja

Mozzart with Maestro

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has issued a press note on Monday informing that it is going to honour the music maestro Illayaraaja with the prestigious M.S. Subbulakshmi award. The award is conferred in memory of the noted Carnatic musician M.S. Subbulakshmi.

The award offers a memento and a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh. The announcement came on a day when 'Mozart of Madras' A.R Rahman missed his second 'Golden Globe award'. So, it has come as a compensation for the music fans of the city.

The statement added that the government will also confer the 'Bharathiyar award' to renowned writer Jayakanthan and the Balasaraswati award to danseuse Bharathanatyam guru Padma Subramaniam.

In May 2009 budget session, the Karunanidhi government announced to honour the eminent personalities from the field of music, dance and drama. These personalities will be chosen based on their contribution at the national level.

The state government has definitely taken a novel step by making this announcement as Illayaraaja is considered to be one of the greatest music composers in India. He is also a songwriter, conductor and an instrumentalist. In his career spanning more than 3 decades, Illayaraaja has composed more than 4500 songs and given music to over 950 Indian movies in different languages. The legendary musician has also received 'National Film Award' for his music direction in the 1986 Tamil film Sindhu Bhairavi

Balu with Raja

Rambha becomes yummy mummy

Rambha became the proud mother of a beautiful girl baby on January 14th, 2011 at a hospital in Toronto, Canada. The actress married Indra Kumar, Toronto-based businessman in a high profile wedding on April 8th 2010 at Tirupati and has been living in Canada since then. Both the mother and daughter are in good health, said Indra Kumar, Rambhas husband.

Rambha had acted in several Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada, Bengali and Bhojpuri films before settling down for marital bliss. She was one of the top heroines in the Tamil film industry and has acted with stars like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Karthik, and others.

The actress had in an earlier interview remarked on how much she loved her parents.

Now that the actress has also become one, she has one more person to love and care for. We are sure, this yummy mummy will do her best.

South India News Network joins its readers in wishing the proud parents on the new arrival.

100 day action plan ready - Starts from Monday: CM Kiran to officials

Hyderabad: Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has evolved a multi-pronged strategy to take the State administration to the door-steps of the people, particularly to the rural areas. "What I want is a first-hand feedback from the people so that we can implement these programmes more effectively," he said.

The Chief Minister, who is very particular to see that every rupee spent on various welfare schemes reach the targeted genuine beneficiary, wants to get a first hand feedback from the people.

Hence, he has decided to launch the programs, "Rachcha Banda", "100-days Special Development Agenda" and the "Praja padham" throughout the State.

While the Chief Minister will visit and participate in as many 'Rachchabanda' and Prajapadham programmes as possible, he will also constantly monitor the 100-days Special Development Programme to be launched in the other parts of the State as well shortly.

Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy along with senior Ministers, Chief Secretary and other top officials will hold a video conference with District Collectors in this regard on January 18 from the Secretariat.

The Chief Minister will embark upon the 100-days focused mission-plan throughout the State on the lines of what has been taken up in the State Capital under GHMC area.

He will also participate in the Prajapadham programme.

Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy made it clear to Chief Secretary SV Prasad, Special Chief Secretary, Planning, SP Tucker, Special Chief Secretary, Finance, G Sudhir, Principal Secretary, Rural Development, R Subramanyam and other top officials that the Government should release enough funds to meet the requirements to complete the works taken up under these programmes.

Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy said that the people want a government that works. "We should take the administration to their door-steps and take them into confidence. People should be happy that here is a government that cares for them and eager to solve their problems.

"It is not just enough that we have a number of welfare programmes and innovative schemes. It is also not enough that we spend thousands of crores of rupees on each scheme. What matters is that every rupee that we spend under these schemes should reach the real beneficiary", the Chief Minister told the officials.

The Chief Minister desired that all the Ministers, MLAs and other public representatives to take part in both Rachchabanda and Prajapatham progreammes under the guidance of the District-in-charge Minister. 25 lakh acres of assigned lands of SC,ST, Small and marginal farmers is being developed under NREGS at a cost of around Rs.7,000 crore in two years.

The Action Plan is ready and works will commence on Monday, January 17. With this major initiative of the Govt., barren and marginal lands will become more productive and help for the economic development of the above categories of farmers, the Chief Minister said.

He specifically directed the Chief Secretary to focus on this issue.

The District Collectors will be asked to make all arrangements for the Rachchabanda programme being conducted from January 24 to February 12, 2011.

He will also direct them to distribute the temporary ration card coupons (over 5 lakh new ration cards will be issued) to the people during the programme. As far as housing is concerned, beneficiaries of the 4.7 lakh houses started without sanction letters and which are at different stages of completion would be handed over the sanction letters and as far as possible along with 1st bill for basement level during the programme.

The officials should also prepare a plan of action for providing infrastructure facilities in Indiramma colonies to be provided at the earliest. The Chief Minister said all the Pavala Vaddi dues till March 2010 will also be cleared during the programme besides providing additional 25 job days for those who have completed 100 job days under NREGA.

The Chief Minister said that all works sanctioned under Rajiv Palle Bata and Nagara Bata will be taken up under the 100-days Special Development Plan. Issue of Ration cards, launch of comprehensive package for weavers and 100 model schools, issue of Aadhar cards in 7 pilot districts, completing 2 lakh houses predominantly in SC/ST localities etc, will also be taken up under the 100-Days special development plan.

Issues like drinking water, NREGA, Aarogyasri, Services under 104/108, Health Education campaign, street lights and domestic water supplies in urban areas and 7 hours agriculture power supply will be taken up and resolved under the Prajapadham programme.

The Chief Minister felt that the programmes taken up should be time-bound and result-oriented, accountable and responsive so that the common man, particularly the poorest of the poor get the benefit out of it.

Another face of liquor baron Mallya

Dr.Vijay Mallya

Bangalore: Swami Ayyappa of Sabarimala has such a strong pull on aviation and liquor baron Vijay Mallya that every year he goes through the mandatory 41-day ritual of `no drinks, no meat' before heading to the hill shrine.

He's gone to Sabarimala over 20 times now with a group of friends. He walks barefoot the last 10km like an ordinary pilgrim before climbing the 18 steps for a darshan of the deity.

Mallya has gold-plated the roof of the sanctum sanctorum. This offering initially attracted criticism, but the Kerala High Court finally allowed him to donate 32kg of gold and 1,900kg of copper to gold-plate the temple roof. The exercise reportedly cost him Rs 18 crore.

Dr.V.Mallya

Mallya and wife Rekha have also donated money to help gold-plate the pillars of Ayyappa temple at Jalahalli in Bangalore. Also, every aircraft that Kingfisher Airlines purchases first circumambulates Tirupati's Venkateshwara temple before being inducted for commercial operations.

Really it wonders..

Jallikattu Begins

Madurai: Jallikattu (Taming of Bulls) got off to a colourful mark in South Tamil Nadu, which is famous for hosting the event though the event was marred by injuries.

Twenty people were injured in Jallikattu also popularly called 'Manju Virattu' held at Avaniyapuram Village, the first such event to be held in Southern Districts of Tamil Nadu as part of the ongoing harvest festival of Pongal, here today.

Ferocious bulls were let out one by one through Vadi Vaasal (the entrance through which they are released) which charged at everybody and everything that came their way. Over 140 agile youngsters tamed the bulls.

In all 149 specially reared bulls brought from Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Pudukkottai, Tiruchirapalli, Dindigul, Theni, Virudhunagar participated in the event. More than 10,000 spectators from various parts of Tamil Nadu congregated at the village to witness the event. The whole event was held under the watchful eyes of the officials of Animal Welfare Board of India, besides Revenue, Animal Husbandry and Police Departments as per the stipulations laid by the Apex Court.

Barricades were erected for the safety of the spectators and medical teams stationed at the venue to treat the injured persons on the spot.

All the bulls were subjected to medical test by a team of veterinary doctors before the commencement of the event.

The participants also were subjected to thorough verification by the police to ensure whether they were carrying any sharp weapons.

The world-renowned ''Alanganallur Jallikattu'' will be held in Madurai on January 17.

My father will solve all problems in family: Kanimozhi

Kanimozhi, the daughter of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, has said her father would solve whatever problems there are in their family.

"All issues concerning to 2G Spectrum, the resignation of Telecom Minister A. Raja and the subsequent problems that have cropped up in our family would be resolved shortly," Kanimozhi said.

Asianet TV quoted that Rajya Sabha member as saying in the interview with its news editor T.N. Gopakumar: "Similar problems do crop in all families and we are certain that whatever problems are there in our family would be settled soon by our father."

On the vexed Mullaperiyar dam issue between Tamil Nadu and Kerala, she said that in the best interest of all, politics should be kept aside by both the states to find an amicable solution.

YSR spirit would be hurt - Jagan

Y.S.Jagan Mohan Reddy

Having declared that the by-elections to Kadapa Lok Sabha seat and Pulivendula assembly seat are going to be mini-general elections, former Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy is making all out efforts to win them by hook or crook.

Though it is a foregone conclusion that Jagan and his mother Y S Vijayalakshmi would win both the seats because of the huge YSR sentiment in the district, Jagan is worried about the margin of victory as his uncle and agriculture minister Y S Vivekananda Reddy wields tremendous influence in the district. If the margin is reduced, it will be a big blow to Jagan’s fledgling party.

Y.S.Vijayamma with Late Y.S.R

That is the reason why Jagan has started playing the sentiment card vigorously. In a meeting with his supporters and the local political groups in Pulivendula, Jagan wondered whether it would be appropriate on the part of his uncle Vivekananda Reddy to say that he would contest against his mother Vijayamma in the by-elections if Congress president Sonia Gandhi had ordered him to do so.

“There is nothing wrong in aspiring for the minister’s post in the state cabinet. But is it appropriate for my “babai” to stoop to so low levels as to contest against his sister-in-law to please Sonia Gandhi? Is it the kind of respect he has for late YSR?” Jagan asked, adding that YSR’s spirit would be hurt if Viveka contested against Vijayamma.

AOD - Graphics wonder Content blunder

Sidarth in AOD

Cast: Siddarth, Shruti Haasan, Manchu Lakshmi, Vallabhaneni Ram, Baby Harshitha, Ravi Babu, Tanikella, Ali, Brahmi, Subbaraya Sharma etc

Music: Keeravani, Koti, Mickey J Meyer, Salim- Sulaiman

Story, Screenplay, Direction, Dialogues: Prakash Kovelamudi

The prestigious Hollywood production house Walt Disney has made its debut in Tollywood along with Shruti Haasan. Let us see how it fared.

Shruti Haasan in AOD

Story:

Irendri (Lakshmi Manchu) is a serpent queen who rules the kingdom of Angadesam. She hails from the family of magical witches and seeks immortality. Her mentor reveals about a girl Moksha (Baby Harshitha) who has a divine power in her and drinking her blood would be the solution.

Irendri sends her troops to get Moksha but her bodyguard Yodha (Siddarth) the blind warrior stands as protection. On the other hand, Yodha has got his love tale with Priya (Shruti Haasan) and assumes she is dead.

However, there is a connect between Irendri and Priya. And Yodha’s mission is to take Moksha, the divine girl, to a place to save the lives of many children who get into coma with the poison showered by Irendri’s fiendish troops.

Will Moksha go and save children with her power or she falls in the trap of Irendri? What happens from there forms the rest of the story.

Performances:

Lakshmi Manchu in AOD

Siddarth is a mismatch to the role. He can be good for the role of a prince but he doesn’t have the ruggedness or the masculinity to be a warrior. However, he tried to do his best so efforts were good though result was bad.

Shruti Haasan looks fresh, beautiful, seductive and sensuous. However, she must remember that if she continues picking up roles like this, her career will not last for long. Performance wise, she didn’t have anything to offer except show some oomph in the songs.

Lakshmi Manchu is the saving grace for the film. Her grandeur and decoration in appearance makes up for any drawbacks and she has given a decent performance given her debut in Tollywood.  Well, there is huge acceptance for her as Mohan Babu’s daughter. She emulated him in a few scenes with her walk and dialogue.

Baby Harshitha is okay but given her character, it would have made sense if she maintained some serenity instead of prancing around like a kid who just comes after the school is over.

Ravi Babu looked silly, Ali brought few smiles, Brahmi looks dumb, Subbaraya Sharma has a guest role, Tanikella was brief, the others did their bit as required.

Wonders:

• Historical grandeur of graphics unimaginable on Tollywood screen
• Make up and back ground score given for Lakshmi Manchu

Blunders:

• Siddarth Appearnce - No Macho look
• Dialogue delivery
• Phrases like ‘Naayala’ ‘Jaffa’ …sounds strange in a fantasy film.
• Hard to find out the back drop - Caribbean or Arabian or Siberian or Indian ?
• Moksha characterization lacked value

Analysis:

Shruthi Haasan in AOD

First things first, if Prakash is looking to make a career as a director, he must go back to school and learn the fundamentals. For starters, the story must be strong, if it is not then the narrative must be strong, if that is not then atleast the etching of the characters must be convincing. He has failed in all skills department. It looks as if he was focusing on the surroundings and the colorful settings rather than the main plot and the depth it must have.

Overall, the film has got some breathing moments only due to the presence of the visual effects and graphics. This is one of its kind and the first time in Tollywood. Cinematography was just average, dialogues, screenplay were amateur.


Bottom line: Watch it only if you dare!!