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PADMANABHAM

PADMANABHAM

                                          

     (20 August 1931-20 February 2010)

Basavaraju Venkata Padmanabha Rao, popularly known as Padmanabham is a great comedian Telugu film industry has ever produced. He was born to Santhamm and Basavaraju Venkata Seshiah in Simhadripuram, Pulivendula of Kadapa district.

He was passionate about acting since childhood and got a break in movies at the very early age of 12 in 1943 with “Maayalokam”, since then, he grew by leaps and bounds and entertained generations with his comedy which fetched him countless fans. Though he debuted as a child artiste, it’s the super success of “Shavukaru” (1949) and “Pathala Bhairavi” (1950) that gave him the major break and gave him a strong foot hold in the industry.

Padmanabham was famous for his comic roles with funny expressions; he along with Geetanajali was the best comic pair during those days. The directors used to create special characters with him in mind that was the impact he created during his reigning period. He along with Relangi, Suryakantham, Girija and Geetanjali delivered most memorable movies. It’s not just comedy; he can essay any role with grace. His role in “Deshoddarakudu” (1975) had been highly appreciated for his pitiful role in the song ‘Aakalayyi Annamadigithe Pichchodannaru Naayaallu'. He also directed 8 films and most important fact is that he introduced the legendary singer SP Balu with his “Sree Sree Maryada Ramanna”.

The actor who once led the life king’s size had to lead a common man’s life during the old age. He was offered with few roles in recent movies as a mark of respect towards him. It was his role in “Chakram” that was highly appreciated in which he explains about his own life and life style. The actor lasted his breath on 20^th February 2010 in Chennai.

BY RAJASEKHAR BODDUPALLI

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RAJANALA

   RAJANALA

Rajanala, the name needs no introduction in the Telugu film history; his actual name was Rajanala Koteswara Naidu but became famous with his surname. Rajanala was introduced by HM Reddy in “Pratigna” (1953) and apparently the same movie was the debut for popular actor and hero Kantha Rao who once popularly known as “Kathi Kantha Rao” because of his sword fights.

Rajanala had redefined the meaning of Villain in Telugu films and ruled the industry for quite a long time. He had a great physique and stentorian voice, it’s his looks and expressions that made him stand apart from other villains. He was seen as a baddie in most of the folk-lore and social films, but, it’s his and Kantha Rao’s duel made them famous hero and villain. During his reign, he used to receive the same remuneration as that of heroes of that era.

Though, he is a villain on screen and known for his cunning acts and cruel tactics, off the screen he is a very kind-hearted and generous, and used to donate thousands of rupees to his workers on festivals and occasions. He had acted over 100 films in his career.

As the days pass by, everything changes and his fortunate too fluctuated. By the fag end of his career, he was left with no money and property and lived in a rented house where he lasted his last breath. Rajanala is truly a legendary actor and great human being.


BY RAJASEKHAR BODDUPALLI

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RAJABABU

RAJABABU

 (20 October 1937 – 7 February 1983)

Raja Babu, the name itself is sufficient enough to tickle your ribs. He was the best and highest paid comedian during his times and used to compete with reigning heroes in terms of remunerations. It’s his mischievous smile and funny expressions that made him unique and earned countless fans.

Rajababu was born to Punyamurthula Umamaheswara Rao and Ramanamma as Appala Raju in Rajamundry of East Godavari District of AP. He passed out Intermediate and completed Teacher Training course and worked as teacher for a while. Though, he is professionally a teacher, he always had the passion for acting and acted in few dramas like “Kukka Pilla Dorikindi”, “Naalugilla Chavidi” and “Alluri Sitaramaraju”. It’s his spontaneity that attracted Garikapati Raja Rao invited him to Madras and he initially lived on tuitions till got a break. At last, Addala Narayana Rao gave him the first break with “Samajam” in 1960. He became popular for his slapstick comedy and his pairing with Rama Prabha and Allu Ramalingaih had sensational hits.

Rajababu acted as hero in few movies like Tata Manavadu, Pichodi Pelli, Thirupathi, Evariki Vare Yamuna Teere, Manishi Rodduna Paddad and interestingly his first film as a hero is the debut film as director for the legendary director Dasari Narayana Rao which was released in 1972. In his career span of nearly 20 years he acted in over 589 films.

Rajababu had ruled the industry till the very last movie but, with fame and name, he got addicted to alcohol and was unable to come out of the habit. At last, the same alcohol took his breath at the mid-age.

BY RAJASEKHAR BODDUPALLI

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LV Prasad

L V PRASAD

  (17 January 1908 – 22 June 1994)

LV Prasad (Akkineni Laxmi Vara Prasad) is the well-noted personalities in Telugu Film Industry. He is a Producer, Director, Actor, Cinematographer and Businessman, he mastered in all the crafts of film making which made him a legendary character in Telugu Film Industry.

LV Prasad was born as the second son to Akkineni Sriramulu and Basavamma on January 17^th 1908 in a remote village Somavarapadu of Eluru Taluk in West Godavari District. Ever since childhood, he was attracted by stage dramas and soon became a part of the drama troupe. He got married at 17 and was blessed with a baby girl in a year; he was forced to look beyond dramas to meet the financial requirements which forced him to move into movies.  In the process, he tried to find work in “Kohinoor” studios in Dadar but, couldn’t grab the chance as he is unable to speak any other language except Telugu.  So he temporarily joined as a cleaner in a tailor’s shop for time being. After long struggle, he got an opportunity to act in a small role in “Star of the East” a silent film produced by Indian Pictures followed by yet another small role in India’s first talkie movie “Alam Ara” released in 1931 and he started getting offers from films like “Kalidas” and “Bhakta Prahlada” which gave him foot hold in the industry and has shifted his family to Mumbai afterwards.

He was offered the role of assistant director for the film “Kamar-Al-Zaman” directed by Ali Shah. After working as an assistant director and production supervisor for few films, he got the chance to direct “Gruhapravesham” accidentally which was released in 1946 which stood as a classic film during 40s. LV Prasad has introduced NT Rama Rao in his “Mana Desam” in 1949 and later the same NTR has become legendary actor and Chief Minister for the state.

The versatile genius has received many awards for his immense contribution to the film industry. He was awarded with “Dadasaheb Phalke Award”, the highest award for films in India. Few more awards received by him:

National Film Awards

·         1955 - Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Tamil - Mangayar Thilakam

·         1982 - Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Nandi Awards

·         Raghupathi Venkaiah Award - 1980

Film Fare Awards

·         Film fare Award for Best Film - Khilona

Other Awards

·         Raja Sandow Memorial Award for the year 1978-79 by the then Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. M. G. Ramachandran at Madras

·         Udyog Patra Award by the Honorable Vice President of India, Mr. M.Hidayatullah at New Delhi on 20 December 1980

·         Ramnath Award -82 by the Cine Technicians’ Association of South India on 5 June 1982

·         Kalatapasvi Award by Telugu cinema weekly magazine Sitaara on 13 March 1983 at Hyderabad

·         Kala Prapoorna award was conferred on him by Chancellor, Andhra University at Waltair on 21 December 1985

·         Andhra Ratna award was conferred on L.V.Prasad by Andhra Pradesh Kalavedhika on 27 March 1987 at Hyderabad.

He is the founder and chairman of LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad and the famous Prasad’s IMAX has named after him.

BY RAJASEKHAR BODDUPALLI

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LEGEND Movie Review

Banner: 14 Reels Entertainments and Varahi Chalana Chitram
Cast: Balakrishna, Jagapathi Babu, Sonal Chauhan, Radhika Apte, Jayaprakash Reddy, Rao Ramesh & others
Music: Devi Srirasad
Director: Boyapati Sreenu 
Dilagouges: M Rathnam
Producer: Anil Sunkara, Ram Achanta, Gopi Achanta
Release date: 28^th March 2014

Rating:  2. 50

After a long slump, Balakrishna is all set to roar again with LEGEND directed by Boyapati Sreenu. The directed who delivered a hat-trick BO hit has tasted a dud in the form of DAMMU. The director and hero earlier delivered SIMHA and duo are set to repeat the magic again and one more interesting factor is veteran family hero turning as a full-time villain with this film. The movie is getting released with big hype; let’s see how the movie fares at BO.

Story:

Krishna (Balakrishna) stays in Dubai, he loves Sneha (Sonal Chauhan), he with the help of Manikyam (Brahmanandam) comes to Vizag to attend a marriage. But, the village is ruled by a ruthless guy Jitendra (Jagapathi Babu), the hero decides to turn himself as a dictator to save his family and the villagers. Jitendra (Jagapathi Babu) plans to kill Krishna (Balakrishna) and his family, but Simhachalam saves his family. Who is Simhachalam and why does he save their family, what happens Jitendra (Jagapathi Babu), to know all these, it should be best watched on big screen.

Performances:

Balakrishna is as at his usual best and such types of roles are cake walk for him. Sonal Chuhan doesn’t have much scope to perform; Radhika Apte has done justice to her role.

Jagapathi Babu’s looks needs appreciation, his dialogues are good and his confrontation scenes with Balakrishna are also good, but the way his role has been designed is not impressive.

Comedy track by Brahmanandam doesn’t evoke any laughter.

Background Score by Devi Sriprasad is good.

Analysis:

Though Balakrishna’s fans will be impressed by the movie, rest of the spectators feels bored, the director failed create the SIMHA magic this time, there’s no soul in the movie.

Highlights: Train chasing scene

Balakrishna and Jagapathi Babu’s performance

Drawbacks: Stale comedy

No grip in the story

Final Say: Go and watch the movie without any expectations keeping SIMHA in mind.

By  Rajasekhar boddupalli

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