'Homam' Review: Something New That Appeals A Few

Film: Homam Rating: 2.5/5 Banner: Sreya Productions Cast: Jagapathi Babu, Mamata Mohandas, JD Chekravarthy, Pradeep Rawat, Manish Manjrekar, Madhurima, MS Narayana, Brahmaji, Raja Raveendra etc Music: Nitin-JD Chakravarthy Editing: Bhanodaya Cinematography: Bharani K Dharan Lyrics: Suddala Ashok Teja Director: JD Chakravarthy Producer: Kiran Kumar Koneru Released On: 28 August 2008 The long awaited film 'Homam' released finally today. Let us see how it has gone with the taste of the audiences. Story: Malli (Jagapathi Babu) is the son of a criminal. He wishes to become police officer but his family background keeps him away from entering police department. A sincere police cop Vishwanath (Pradeep Rawat) makes him an under cover cop. And thus Malli joins the gang of a big gangster Daddy (Manish Manjrekar) and becomes a covert. On the other hand Chandu (JD Chekravarthy) is a helper to Daddy's gang who joins police department and works for Daddy. Mahi (Mamatha Mohandas) is a doctor who falls in love with Malli. The other girl (Madhurima) becomes the love interest to Chandu. The turmoil starts between Chandu and Malli in second half and finally who wins on who becomes the climax. Performances: Jagapathi Babu performed in his stereotype style blending both action and sentiment. Mamatha Mohandas has nothing big to play and same applies for Madhurima. JD Chekravarthy attempted to act in 'open style' without any inhibitions (he appears in underwear in a couple of scenes). Pradeep Rawat, well known notorious face on Telugu screen has played a positive role. Manish Manjrekar presented villainy well. MS Narayana's comedy with Hindi brought laughs to some extent. Dialogues are ok to large extent. Lyrics are very weak and music killed the words as usually. Action sequences are also not that convincing and impressive. And coming to JD Chekravarthy, as he has taken the 'Departed' directly, he got some saving grace with creativity in story development. He tried to show something different but that difference may not appeal for all sets of audiences. Analysis: The movie is directly taken from Hollywood flick 'Departed' and the climax is changed where it appeared to have dragged. Screenplay chosen for this film is something new and at the same time it becomes hard nut to bite for majority of Telugu audiences. Many scenes have lost required punch, which Telugu audiences anticipate, due to this screenplay model. Music in songs is very weak in the film while the background score is ok. Especially the first song sounds strange for the variety in it. While some enjoy some others discard it with disgust. And the much hyped and publicized steamy song on Mamatha Mohandas is not seen in the film. Probably it adds to the film only after 10 days to get mileage. Sakshi Sivanand's item song conducted heat to the screen. First half of the movie goes with crispness while the second half is dragged to some extent. On a whole, the film may gel well only with patient audiences those can get connected to variety. And the mass audience like little comedy sprinkled by MS Narayana but not the narration style. The title 'Marana Homam' was flashed on screen at the end of the movie. It is the sequel that is going to release on October 9th tentatively.

Rambha denies rumors of suicide attempt

Rumors of Rambha attempting suicide traveled thick and fast on Monday as she was admitted to a private hospital in Chennai. On Tuesday morning (Aug 27), Rambha denied them and spoke to the media. " I am no coward to end my life," she said.

Talking to media persons at her residence in Valasaravakkam, in Chennai, Rambha said, ‘I was rushed to a nearby hospital after I started vomiting on Sunday. I was administered drips and regained my health after spending two days there.’

Denying reports that she attempted suicide, Rambha said, ‘I got calls from from my fans and well-wishers from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Mumbai following the news report.’ She also alleged that there is conspiracy behind the rumors. "Some vested interests are spreading such baseless rumours," she said.

Prabhas is going to do Yugandhar ( Billa )

Prabhas has finally made up his mind for his next project. After much brainstorming and listening to scripts narrated by various directors in the last four months, Prabhas has, at last, given green signal to the remake of Billa, the Ajith starrer Tamil film, which is nothing but the remake of Amitabh Bachchan’s Don. Prabhas’s home production house Gopikrishna Movies will produce this. Meher Ramesh (of Kantri) will be directing it. It will be Prabhas’s immediate next film and will hit the floors next month, sources informed us.

NTR’s Yugandher was also based on Amitabh’s Don. Both the remake rights of Billa and Yugandher (same story and concept) are with Sri Raja Rajaeshwari Combines and the production house has sold the rights to Gopikrishna Movies for a decent amount.

Trisha opposite Kamal in Marmayogi!

Trisha has her hands full. Despite the fact that she is quite busy in Telugu with three films (King, Venky’s Krishnum Vande Jagadguru and Ravi Teja’s next), all the big directors and senior actors are preferring her now to be their leading lady. It is learnt that Kamal Haasan has roped her in for his ambitious bilingual flick - Marmayogi. For long, she has been longing to act with the legendary actor and finally she got the opportunity. So Trisha has immediately said yes to the project, sources said.

Marmayogi is to be produced both in Tamil and Telugu simultaneously. Kamal is directing and producing it on his banner. Also Pyramid Saimira is backing this massive film.

Jagapathi Babu : JD can Only do Homam

Jagapathi Babu‘s Homam directed by J.D. Chakravarthy is releasing Today (August 28th). Jagapathi Babu confesses that he only agreed to listen to the story because the offer came from Ramu‘s camp, but that he clearly stated that he‘d not act if JD directs the film, since he heard negative things about JD‘s attitude. The gentleman he is, Jagapathi Babu now takes his words back and feels sorry that he said that about JD. He adds that J.D. Chakravarthy directed the film in a very inspiring manner.

JB adds that he liked the way the director in JD executed the film - Telugu film industry found a very good director now, he says! "Only RGV can make a film like Gaayam. Only JD can make a movie like Homam", says Jagapathi, and announces that he‘s ready to do another film in JD‘s direction!

What more, an elated Jagapathi Babu wants to remake the film in Hindi himself, apart from acting in the movie‘s sequel that‘d start in October. Homam is the story of a protagonist working as an undercover cop in a mafia gang and the antagonist working as an undercove mafia agent in the police department!

‘I am trapped‘, says Mumaith Khan

Mumait Khan is fuming about sections of media that‘s gossiping about her relentlessly! She claims that it‘s a deliberate attempt of defamation and malice with her as the "Target".

She adds that she read all kinds of weird "news" about her in the media! Mumait reveals that she‘s but a plain Jane in real life as opposed to some so-called "traditional" heroines, but that people tend to mistake her by her screen presence and image. "I am trapped in my on screen image and people are judging me in that angle, "she said.

Nayanatara Says No To Prabhas

Prabhas has approached Nayanthara to play the heroine role opposite him in the remake of Billa, the Ajith starrer in Tamil.

This film is produced by Prabhas’s home banner ‘Gopikrishna Movies’ and Meher Ramesh (of Kantri) will be directing it. It is Prabhas’s next film which will go to floors by September. Prabhas was keen on Nayanthara doing the same role which catapulted her to fame and superstardom in Tamil. But we understand that Nayantara is not willing to do the same role once again as she feels that her character which was a trend setter of sorts will not work for the second time. And she has politely refused the role.

The latest we hear is that Anushka has been signed up by Prabhas.

Trisha Opted Out Of Two Telugu Cinemas?

Trisha has just one Telugu film for which she is currently shooting in Hyderabad- Nagarjuna’s King. She was supposed to be signed up for two big projects Venky’s Krishnum Vande Jagadguru to be directed by Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi ( of Gamyam fame) and Ravi Teja’s next film to be directed by Surendar reddy.

But the latest buzz is that she has voluntarily opted out of theses two plum projects to accommodate Kamal Hassan’s magnum opus Marmayogi. The reason is that she has to give bulk dates of nearly 200 days for this Kamal film, which will start rolling soon and she will have no time for any other projects. Before that, Trisha has to complete two projects in Tamil Sarwam and Chennayil Oru Mazhailalam. Her next release will be Radha Mohan directed Abhiyum Njanum.

Sources close to Trisha say that she is upset that, she had to opt out of Venky’s and Ravi Teja’s films to accommodate Marmayogi which will be a lifetime role for the actress. It seems that Trisha has decided to give her best for Marmayogi as it was always her dream to do a film with Kamal, her all time favourite actor.

Phoonk To Release In Telugu As RAKSHA on Sept 12th

Phoonk, which opened to packed houses in India last Friday, is going international. The general practice is to release a Hindi film across the globe on the same date, but in this case, the makers of Phoonk released the film in India, not in Overseas.

It's a known fact that small-budget films with new faces rarely find a theatrical release in major international markets like America, UK, Australia and Middle East. The producers of Phoonk, therefore, hit a brainwave. They're dubbing the film in various international languages and only then will they release the film internationally.

Ram Gopal Varma is not directing but only presenting Raksha. Vamsi Krishna Akella, a young talented director is directing the Telugu version starring Jagapathi Babu, Kalyani, Jayasudha and Rajiv Kanakala. Sudeep, the hot Kannada star, has essayed Jagapathi�s role in the Hindi version.

Bapi Tutul has scored the music and Surjodeep Ghosh has handled the camera. Chandra Sekhar, Vijaya Laxmi and Suryavathi will produce the film under One More Thought Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. banner.

While you're reading this news-piece, the English dubbing is already taking place at a studio in Mumbai. Spanish, German and French dubbing will follow later.

Meanwhile, the Telugu version of Phoonk, titled Raksha, will hit the screens in Andhra Pradesh on September 12. This version will be dubbed in Tamil and Malayalam languages subsequently. Phoonk is truly a money spinner!

Bhumika Chawla Loves 40 Year Old Man Rajasekhar

A new film with Rajasekhar in the main role is coming up under the direction of Ram Prasad and likely to go on sets from September 5. It is reliably learnt that Bhoomika Chawla is to pair with Rajasekhar. The film is a remake of the Malayalam movie 'Hello'. After completing Rajasekhar's present movie 'Satyameva Jayate', the proposed film will go to sets.

The story is about a love between a 40 years old man and a young girl who is much younger to him which would be very interesting to the viewers. The film is produced by Maganti Gopinath.

Kajal Aggarwal Acting Skills Are Being Tested

After playing a simple lover girl in Chandamma, KAJAL is portraying a multifaceted role in the much-talked film with RAM CHARAN TEJ. She will be playing the soul mate to a fiery lover boy in this big budget extravaganza. According to sources, she needs to portray varied shades and has pulled out all stops to match strides with the hotshot star, who is himself playing a demanding role. The actress who began her innings with a traditional role in Laxmi Kalyam, later impressed as a urban girl in Aatadista but this complex role seems to be testing her acting skills. Similarly, the pretty actress will be seen as the love interest of ALLU ARJUN in Arya 2, and if both the films succeed she could stake claim for the top slot. Looks like TRISHA and ILEANA are in for some competition.

Chiranjeevi's 'Praja Rajyam' flag

Chiranjeevi announced his party name ‘Praja Rajyam’ with the slogan Mana Rajyam Surajyam, Swarajyam, Prajala Rajyam, Praja Rajyam!!

The Party Flag was hoisted near the stage. The flag designed with an inspiration from nature displays red sun on white coloured background and a band of green colour at the foot.

The Sun with 24 rays on the flag symbolizes the energy source in the universe, spreading light all the 24 hours of a day. It also represents the change that is looked forward to. The yellow streak around the red sun indicates the smiles of citizens. While the green colour symbolizes the greenery of agriculture or prosperity and White represents the unity of all the castes like the colours of VIBGYOR merging in to reflect white light.

The Flag also symbolizes the 3 Main faiths White for Christianity, Red for Hinduism and Green for Islam, conveying that the party gives equal importance to all religions.

Nagarjuna wishes all the best to Chiru!

Actor Nagarjuna amidst the shooting of King congratulated his counterpart Chiru for launching successfully his much awaited political career by establishing a party named as Praja Rajyam Party, while meeting reporters at Annapoorna Studios.

He also appreciated Chiranjeevi for talent in films and hoped similar success in politics through exposing talent. The actor emphasized on maintaining good relationship with the rulers and he also does maintain good relations with certain ministers. He also pointed out that maintaining such relations in the interest of industry.

Nagarjuna stressed the need for executing the franchise with out fail and made himself an example in this regard by not missing a chance to accomplish the democratic duty.

Chintakayala Ravi' shoots climax

Climax shooting is in progress for 'Chintakayala Ravi' (Software Engineer) directed by Yogi and produced by Nallamalupu Srinivas with Venkatesh, Anushka and Mamata Mohandas in the lead.

Producer says, 'Presently the film is shooting at Ramanaidu Cine Village in Nanakramguda,Hyderabad involving all the lead characters. We will wrap up the present schedule by August 21. After that we will can a song on Venkatesh, Anushka and some comedians with which the shooting would almost complete. We are planning to unveil the audio by the first week of September.'

Chiru’s ‘chariot’ campaign set to roll next month

Hyderabad, Aug 28 (IANS) After the roaring success of his maiden public rally, Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi is gearing up for a state-wide tour atop a ‘chariot’ to popularise his new party Praja Rajyam.The tour, likely to begin in the first week of September, will cover all 23 districts and is likely to serve as the campaign for assembly elections scheduled early next year. With the mammoth crowds at the party’s launch in Tirupati proving beyond doubt his star appeal, Chiranjeevi’s aides were busy making plans for the ‘yatra’ and holding consultations on constituting the party executive and other committees to build an organisational structure. The special vehicle, which will take the superstar to different towns and villages, has been designed on the lines of the famous ‘rath’ of matinee idol N.T. Rama Rao, who took state politics by storm when he launched the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982. Chiranjeevi has been holding talks with his close aides, including brother-in-law Allu Arvind, brothers Naga Babu and Pawan Kalyan and party spokesperson Mitra. They reviewed the Tirupati meeting and the lessons to be learnt, especially in crowd management. The stampede at the meet injured 50 people as the over 3,000 volunteers deployed by the party failed to control the frenzied fans. Even the actor had a tough time in returning to his car after the meeting. The core committee discussed ways to make the campaign tour more effective and the steps needed to control the crowds. It is not yet decided whether Chiranjeevi will address public meetings at selected places or conduct road shows, touching as many towns and villages as possible. The 53-year-old actor, from the Kapu community, will be focussing on nine districts in coastal Andhra as 100 assembly constituencies in the region have a sizeable Kapu population. The actor will then cover the Telangana region, where the demand for separate statehood is again picking up momentum. After making remarks in favour of Telangana at his first meet, the actor will be eyeing support in the region that sends over 100 legislators to the 294-member assembly. Though Chiranjeevi, or Chiru as he is fondly known, launched his party from Tirupati town in Rayalseema region, it is the ruling Congress that seems to firmly in the saddle in all four districts of the region. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy hails from Kadpa district while TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu comes from Chittoor. Observers feel Chiranjeevi’s party will alter the equations in state politics, dominated by two parties ever since thespian NTR launched the TDP. NTR had then created record of sorts by coming to power within nine months after launching the party. Chiranjeevi’s fans are confident that history will repeat itself.