Mamta Mohandas sings for Venkatesh's Tulasi

Mamta Mohandas, who has teamed up in 'Yamagola' opposite NTR will be singing a song in Venkatesh starrer 'Tulasi'. Mamta had already sung songs in Rakhee and Jagadam. She will be singing a song in Yamadonga which will be a remix of NTR's old song.

Observation: Victory Venkatesh Spends Only Rs.50, 000 Per Month!

Venkatesh has been one of the four top stars in Tollywood. Many assume that elite people and especially the ones who hail from film families lead hanky-panky lives with freakish passions.

But Venkatesh is an odd man out from that class of mob.

Close observers of Venkatesh say that he is a warm family person who prefers to reach home at the earliest after the completion of his shooting. Like the middle class working man, he loves to involve in the studies of his children as well. He makes the home work done his children in the evening.

After a light dinner he retires to sleep watching TV for sometime. Indeed, many house wives of other film stars and directors feel envious of Venkatesh’s wife for having such a lovable and supporting husband despite a grand celebrity.

Another observation says that he spends only Rs. 50,000 a month for his maintenance unlike other film stars. He goes to his father’s place every last day of the month to take Rs.50,000 as salary. That’s a positive angle observed in the close knitted family of Venkatesh

Venkatesh: 'That's A High Voltage Action Film'

Venkatesh, a few days back said that he is not aware of his next film title as 'Tulasi' at all. But in a fresh talk he said that people are calling it 'Tulasi'. Let us see what will finalize. So, he gave a hint that the same title may be retained to maximum extent. When asked to say something about the film he said that it is a high voltage flick.

Impression: Venkatesh Is Scoring Full Marks That Way

Venkatesh scored full marks with the film 'Adavari Matalaku Ardhaley Veruley' among family audiences. After the films like 'Kalisundam Raa', 'Nuvvu Naaku Nachchav' and likes Venkatesh is seen in similar role. He played in the role keeping his starry airs and image aside completely. A small hero, Sri Ram (called Sri Kanth in Tamil) slaps Venkatesh in a scene. An unknown actor reprimands Venkatesh in one of the starting scenes using mean language. Trisha also demeans Venkatesh in one of the scenes.

Big heroes say that fans generally raise their objection for such scenes. But Venkatesh has a very big fan following and they watched the film relishing the commitment of their hero, although a small percentage expressed their discomfort.

Can other heroes like Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna and Nagarjuna also do in such roles keeping their star image aside?

Venkatesh: 'Rajnikanth deserves it'

Venky, who was injured while shooting for his latest film, is now fit and raring to go. Venky is all smiles because his recent release Aadavari Matalaku Arthalu Verule is about to complete 50 days. “The film is doing well and is going to be the best in my career,” said Venkatesh. According to trade pundits the blockbuster has already collected around Rs 18 crores in six weeks in AP alone. Finally the figures may cross the Rs 25 crore mark, the highest in the star’s career. The film is going to celebrate 50 days in 200 centres throughout AP. In Nizam alone, it was released in 55 theatres and has been running for 50 days. He, however, said the title had not been finalised so far. “Suresh is looking after that and he wants to change the name from Tulasi,” he said. Venky is sportive about the hype around Sivaji. “Rajnikanth deserves it. People are crazy about him. He is a big star and that film needs it,” he said. He smiles when asked Sivaji might adversely affect his film’s collections too. “My film has already done its business, you can’t expect more,” is all he says.

AMAV review in telugu

The spiritual filmstar

Telugu superstar Venkatesh has completed two decades in the industry. His?filmography spans different genres but he is known for his family entertainers, and is a hit with women. And with his latest Lakshmi making waves at the box office, life is looking good for him.

In his room in Rama Naidu Studios, you can find two books on spirituality ?kananda's Vasistha's Yoga and Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi -- on the large table.

And in conversation with Radhika Rajamani, Venkatesh talks about his latest hit, his career and his spirituality.

You must be happy with the success of Lakshmi?

It's a good feeling. This well-planned project ensured returns to the producer and buyers. A big hit provides a good boost. Everything fell in place in this film. On a personal level, success does not matter much to me.

What contributed to the movie's success?

The film was packaged well with emotions, which the women audiences love?-- like my films Nuvvu Naaku Nachav, Malleswari, Sankranthi -- and a touch of violence coupled with good music by Yuvan Shankar Raja. So the tough-soft blend of characterisation came out well with a different look.

What made you sign the film?

It had scenes which women audience like. Lakshmi was a clever mix and the right film at the right time.

Could you talk about your next film Aadavari Matalaku Ardhalu Verule? Isn't the title a bit too long?

Yes, the title is long. That line is a popular one from a film song of the 1960s which is on most people's lips. It was chosen as the title because it suits the storyline. It is an interesting love story against a family backdrop.

Selvaraghavan is directing that film. Have you seen his work?

Selvaraghavan has made a mark in the film industry, and his movies are different. I watched his 7 G Brindavan Colony. He is able to get good performances from actors. Aadavari?will be his first Telugu film and it is a realistic, natural love story. He liked the way I am and felt that kind of look has not been explored. The movie is certainly a commercial one.

Do you think it is refreshing working with young directors as they come with new ideas?

Their thoughts are different. The whole way they create the script and approach the scenes is a learning experience too.

What are your other new projects?

I will be doing a film produced by Suresh Productions -- my home production house --?and another one produced by M S Raju. Both the scripts are being worked on.

How has the two-decade journey in the film industry been?

It's been great. I'm lucky people have accepted me from the beginning. I was lucky to succeed even after taking some risks (in the choice of films) in the early days. I have been accepted in all kinds of roles. I thank all my directors and story writers for this and even my sixth sense in taking risks with some projects.

For example, with films like Chanti (remade in Hindi as Anari), Pavithra Bandham, Pellichesukundam. I have received many awards. Now I have a desire to do more roles which are more challenging and different.

My spiritual attitude has helped me. Success and failure never bothered me. My reaction is balanced ?e is no over-reaction. My name tag as Venkatesh, the hero, bothers me. I don't identify myself as a hero. This is just a drama. I am playing in it, so I am supposed to do well. So I prepare for it when I wear that name tag.

You have done all genres of cinema but you seem to be successful in family-based entertainers.

It's difficult to say why. There could be many reasons for it. My personal image too has helped me ? not controversy-prone.

You have acted in quite a few remakes -- especially of Tamil films.

My being in Chennai --?till I shifted to Hyderabad -- and familiarity with Tamil and the Tamil film industry is the main reason. I used to see Tamil movies and then decide on remaking them. Commercially also, remakes have a minimum guarantee and are viable as there is clarity in production costs.

Does your spirituality give you a sense of peace and solace?

There is no doubt about that. I am a person without any goal and ambitions. And I achieved success. When many of my films were hits I could not react normally. There was an internal restlessness ?thing bothering me. I could not find answers to the question ?am I? Initially I thought if I go to Himalayas for six months perhaps I would be happy. I did go, but it was the same (feeling).

Slowly spiritual science began to make sense. Reading the works of great masters like Vivekananda, Ramana brought clarity and I found answers in their works.

The 'advaitic' path has helped me. My final achievement will be to find myself. I am reading and re-reading the masters, I like being alone ?y the aloneness and I am connected all the time.

I look at something beyond Venkatesh, the man. Prarabdha, super power and self effort are interlinked. Respecting that and living that moment, keep doing what you do.

Life now is?

Wonderful.

Venkatesh is back with AMAV

Venkatesh is back after a brief hiatus with Adavari Matalaku Ardhalu Verule (AMAV). The star, who took a break after his super hit Lakshmi, is quite excited about his new film with Tamil director Selvaraghavan. He is paired opposite Trisha for the first time.

Radhika Rajamani caught up with the star and chatted at length on AMAV, which is slated for release this month.

The film has an interesting title. What made you sign it?

I found the title very interesting the moment I heard it. There was a lot of curiosity and interest among the public too when the film was announced.

The film is about being misunderstood. In many situations, women are not able to express their feelings and even if they do, they are misunderstood. But there is nothing preachy about the title.

After doing many love stories, many of which were hits (Preminchikundamu ra, Kalisiundamu ra, Nuvvu Naaku Nachaav, Malleswari), doing another one at this stage of my career was challenging. But I was impressed with the way the director narrated the role of my character, which was realistic and identifiable.

Though the film has a women-oriented headline, the hero is not neglected...

Exactly. It has got to do more with the hero. It's a youthful and family-oriented film.

Is the title taken from a Telugu song?

Yes.

What is really exciting about the film?

The character I play is very real and my performance also is on a higher plane. The way the director has made us emote is a more realistic and natural. The expressions are not loud or artificial.

You won't find me suddenly breaking into a song and dance somewhere abroad and the music is natural with meaningful lyrics.

What inspired you to work with Selvaraghavan? Have you seen his earlier films?

Yes, I have seen his earlier films. His last film 7G Brindavan Colony was quite real. He has his own style of presenting the main character and I liked the way he extracted the performances from everybody. His handling of the camera is simple, very effective and intense. The love scenes in AMAV may be similar to other films but the treatment is simple and realistic.

You are perhaps the first big star to have worked with Selvaraghavan. What are his strong points?

His strong point is his clarity.?He is very clear about how the hero and the heroine should express themselves. Also, there is no difference in the way he deals with us. He treats everyone equally.?

Could you throw more light on your role?

I play a guy who is trying to settle down in life, as most people of his age already are.?The guy still asks his father for money and this angers the former. At this point, he falls in love and the movie captures his moods and feelings.

Do you don a new look?

No, it's a more natural look. In the beginning, you may find me looking slightly irritated and disinterested.

Is there comedy in the film?

Yes. There is a lot of humour.

What is your opinion on Yuvan Shankar Raja's music?

Yuvan Shankar Raja's music is already on the top of the charts and that will definitely boost the film. The songs in the first half are entertaining and visually appealing while the ones in the second half are more sentimental and meaningful. If the audience is ready for something fresh, this is the film for them.

You are working with Trisha for the first time...

It was a good experience. She is a thorough professional and has emoted very well?-- very silent and intense. It will be a good change for her after doing all those commercial films.

Of late, quite a few Tamil directors have crossed over to Telugu. What do you think of this trend?

I never look at anything as a crossover. If they are comfortable working here, let them work. It's like us actors working in other languages. If one feels comfortable, one should go, explore and reach out to new markets.

At Brahmani Engagement

Aadavari matalaku arthale verule Photos

Aadavari matalaku arthale verule audio release