Naga Chaitanya film bets bigger - Hollywood Producer joins Mohanlal film

Pre-production is as important as production, particularly for films that are based on real incidents and are made in original locations. Naga Chaitanya’s 23rd film to be helmed by Chandoo Mondeti and produced by Bunny Vas under the guidance of legendary producer Allu Aravind who presents it. The makers are leaving no stone unturned to give a new experience to the audience across the country. For that, they adopted a new approach. To begin the pre-production, team #NC23 explored coastal Andhra Pradesh and visited K Machilesham village in Srikakulam. Producer Bunny Vas said, "The director was keen that we should not work on this story sitting in Hyderabad. We are taking this pre-production forward with a lot of care by studying the people and atmosphere." Director Chandoo Mondeti said, " Our pre-production begins now after coming to this village and observing every minute detail." Hero Naga Chaitanya said, " We are in this village to meet the characters, study their body language… know the texture of the village and understand their lifestyle." Taking it to the next level, team #NC23 took to the sea to understand the worklife of the fishermen. The entire journey is presented as a documentary called The First Cut Documentation. It’s an exciting expedition, we must say. Like never before in Tollywood, a hero visited locations and interacted with people, before starting the shoot. Naga Chaitanya is showing his special interest in the project by taking part in the pre-production works.

The makers of Vrushabha, which boasts of top actors like Mohanlal and Roshan Meka and that which marks the launch of Zahrah S Khan and Shanaya Kapoor on a pan-India level, have now roped in Nick Thurlow as the Executive Producer of their film. Nick Thurlow, who’s known to have produced and co-produced several Hollywood films in the past, acquired laurels for academy awards winning films like Moonlight (2016) and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) With Nick Thurlow now on board, Vrushabha merits itself as a superior quality film being made on the lines of Hollywood cinema. To showcase the grandeur and the massive scale on which the film is being made, the makers released a 57-second video, displaying the architectural model of the set, meticulously making the crew well versed with the technicalities, the paraphernalia and the protocol to be followed during the entire shooting schedule of the film. Vrushabha stands to be the first film in India to adopt this style usually followed by filmmakers from Hollywood. Nick Thurlow shared, "Vrushabha is my first Indian film and I’m very very excited. As an executive producer, I will be looking into the different aspects of filmmaking including creativity. This is my first brush working in a multilingual film that too outside my country and I am absolutely thrilled. Every film is a new experience for me, giving me something to learn and with Vrushabha I am sure the experience will be extraordinary." Producer Vishal Gurnani shared, “With Nick Thurlow having teamed up with us, one can only imagine the gigantic scale and grandeur with which our film is being made. Vrushabha is amongst the first Indian films to be made at a scale on par with Hollywood films, and we are fortunate to have someone of Nick's stature and credibility join Team Vrushabha" Vrushabha is the Pan “India high-octane father-son drama", starring Megastar Mohanal & Roshann Meka, Shanaya Kapoor and Zahrah S Khan in the lead along with Srikanth Meka and Ragini Dwivedi. The film is High on emotions and VFX, the film is an Epic Action Entertainer transcending generation. Touted to be one of the biggest films of 2024, Vrushabha is presented by Connekkt Media and Balaji Telefilms in association with AVS Studios. The film is directed by Nanda Kishore and produced by (for AVS) Abhishek Vyas, Vishal Gurnani, Juhi Parekh Mehta and Shyam Sunder (First Step Movies), produced by (for Balaji Telefilms) Ektaa R Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, produced by (for Connekkt Media) Varun Mathur and Saurabh Mishra. Shooting simultaneously in Telugu & Malayalam and will release in Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada and Tamil.

Sanjay Kapoor daughter and Salma Agha daughter with Mohanlal

The presence of talented beauties Zahrah S Khan and Shanaya Kapoor promises to add a dose of glamour and spunk to this powerful Saga in Legendary Star Mohanlal’s VRUSHABHA. Shanaya Kapoor, daughter of Sanjay Kapoor makes her much awaited and talked debut in the film. She stars opposite Roshann Meka and plays a pivotal role who bridges the gap between Past and Present timelines of this Epic Action Entertainer. On the other hand, India’s Pop Diva Zahrah S Khan, the daughter of yesteryear star Salma Agha, also marks her Pan India debut in the film. Starring as the female lead opposite Roshann Meka in the period portion of the film, Zahrah plays a Warrior Princess and has some major action scenes in the film.After their success with critically acclaimed ‘Janhit Mein Jaari’ & ‘Hawaizaada’, Juhi Parekh Mehta the creative force and co-producer along with Vishal Gurnani and Abhishek Vyas found AVS Studios Pvt Ltd. Along with the release of ‘Sirf ek Banda Kaafi hai’, the socially committed filmmakers are also prepping for their upcoming film ‘Vrushabha’ with Malayalam Superstar Mohanlal

Producer, Juhi Parekh Mehta said, " We are elated to have Shanaya Kapoor on board for Vrushabha. Her debut has been much awaited by the audience and are thrilled to have her in our team. As for Salma Agha's daughter, Zahrah, I had watched her in Khoj and was impressed by her acting prowess. She is perfect to play the fearless warrior princess and can't wait to unveil her look." Director Nanda Kishore said, " Both, Shanaya and Zahrah are the perfect fit for their respective characters in terms of looks and skills. They are very talented and hardworking young actors and for me, as a director, I want to bring the best out of them. Our collaboration as actors and director is something I am eager to experience. Actor Shanaya Kapoor said, “I am highly excited to face the camera and begin shoot, there will be so much to learn and explore from this film. The storyline is a fascinating one which has stayed with me. Also, the film has all big names associated with it, and is being made on a massive scale, it’s the kind of role any young actor would be excited, and inspired to play. Especially so early in one’s career. It’s a dream come true. And with Mohanlal sir on board, I feel honoured to be a part of Vrushabha. Extremely grateful." Actor Zahrah S Khan said, " Vrushabha being my debut pan India release is a dream come true, I’ve always wanted to be apart of a film with such high level performers like Mohan sir & to share screen space with him is a treat for me as an actor, the look of the film and the scale is huge from the periodic section to the present day. I’m very excited to be paired with Roshan as I feel he’s got such striking screen presence. I’m eagerly waiting for everyone to see my character and the way it’s been shaped up, the credit goes to our director Nanda sir. Can’t wait for everyone to see this epic film come to life." Vrushabha is presented by Connekkt Media and Balaji Telefilms in association with AVS Studios. The film is directed by Nanda Kishore and produced by (for AVS) Abhishek Vyas, Vishal Gurnani, Juhi Parekh Mehta and Shyam Sunder (First Step Movies), produced by (for Balaji Telefilms) Ektaa R Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, produced by (for Connekkt Media) Varun Mathur.

Bigg Boss Malayalam 4 50 Days :Lone Rangers Robin- Lesslie hot favourites

 Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 4 next 50 days will see a fight between Dr Robin Radhakrishnan and Lesslie for the title. Based on the previous voting patterns in the weeks gone by, both these contestants are in top list of most votes polled. Why ?. Common factor is that both are gamers who play it as per what they think will appeal to the viewers. They put across to the housemates that they are Lone Rangers and do not conform to the rules set by the Bigg Boss . In reality, both draw a line when it nears a point of point of getting summarily evicted by Bigg Boss for breaking rules. It is this trait that foxed Jasmine Moosa who asked " Why only warnings to Robin always and extreme warnings to me/?".

Housemates see both the contestants as mad caps and those who will play out themselves from the game. Very few like Daisy and Aparna have seen through the game of Lesslie. Robin pitches himself as a opponent to Jasmine ( most vocal ) and counters it with the same vocal bury. He however is careful that his fight is not adopted by anyone else and it remains his own. This way , he comes across as a Lone Ranger . Jasmine on the other hand invites support and looks like a ganging up.

Lesslie pitches his sweetness to the contestants and puts across an act of a simple lad who does not know the dynamics of the show. In fact, he gets close to those who he thinks could be easily exposed to the voters and this he does without their knowledge. His USP to his voter base is that of youth who has no family - career background and slightly better than a street singer, is out to prove himself in a crowd of actors and social media influencers. 

Similarly Robin puts himself as a difficult person who is always misunderstood for his views ( read as  rude comments). He has a goal  that he wants to achieve and that is indulge in bigger level of charity after becoming a STAR and he revealed it to Wild card Vinay who admitted that he could not make any head nor tail of the `goal'.

Despite every contestant calling Robin a fake and he too admitting it, voters do not send him home as they see him give jitters to a few known faces and those who claim to have a social media following. He has  kept his  motivation therapy back home as he knows that it will not cut any ice with contestants or a cynic audience.

Both the gamers have realised that they need a `love story' to add to their act in Bigg Boss. Dilsha is their victim. She playing along as it will save her in the long run and Robin - Lesslie are not easy pushovers who will be eliminated easily. Lesslie puts across the role of  a lover boy who even after rejection will continue to die for his lady and Robin is playing the guy who hopes to graduate from `best friend' to lover.

On the cards are wild card Riyas going in for a `pact' with Robin and getting Jasmine to join the newly opened front. In due course, Suchithra - Dhanya - Lakshmi Priya - Suraj will fall in comparison to other contestants in tasks . Akhil  with his wit and good at physical tasks will join the elite 5 is my reading. Akhil  could be the dark horse ?

When Jasmine removed her blazer and told other contestants that she was not the one to sit and listen to this as she has self respect after a dressing down by Mohanlal , Why was she not even shown a read card ? What was the need to ask her " What way did I touch on self respect by Lal. After that Jasmine gets a kid glove treatment in following episode and camera edits never miss her. Any reason Bigg Boss ?