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My character is very inspiring in Oopiri: Nagarjuna
At 56, Akkineni Nagarjuna is as fit as a fiddle. Even while his two sons make headway as leading men in Telugu cinema , Nag continues to rule as a leading man.His last release Soggade Chinni Nayana was a blockbuster. His new film Oopiri is special as it is being released in both Telugu and Tamil and Nag plays a paraplegic character for the first time. Amidst a hectic promotional spree Nag takes time off for an interview with Subhash K Jha
Oopiri is the official remake of the French film the Intouchables. How did that happen?
(Laughs) I guess the French love me as much as I love them. No but jokes apart, it was a film I wanted to do for some time. Four years ago my wife Amala and I saw Intouchables.We loved it. I loved the spirit of my character who is on a wheelchair but never depressed. never wallowing in selfpity.My character is very inspiring. I wanted to do a Telugu version of Intouchables from the time I saw it.
So why didn’t you?
I would have produced it myself. But I didn’t know how to adapt it into Telugu. If we did a completely faithful rendition it wouldn’t work. It had to be Indianized.We had to keep our commercial angle in mind.When the director Vamsi Paidipally came to me with the idea I was happy but cautious. I told him to see if he can adapt it, because I had tried and failed it.
Then what happened?
He asked me to give him six months to work on it. He came back six months later.I had no choice but to say yes.
How difficult was it for you to play a man whose movements are relatively restricted?
Initially it was difficult. I am a very physical actor. I generally use my hands a lot.It was difficult specially in the first schedule. I told my director to take his time, do as many retakes as he wants until I get it right. There were times when I did 20-25 takes. He kept asking for take after take , and I just did them. It took about a week for me to get used to the wheelchair. But one thing remained constantly unusual throughout the shooting.
What was that?
Usually after a shot we look for a chair to rest our feet. Here in Oopiri it was the other way around. After every shot I was on my feet ,walking around the set trying to get the blood circulation in legs working properly.
What was Karthi like as a co-star?
I’ve found a younger brother and a friend in Karthi. He is a wonderful actor. For me the director is top priority, then the script. Co-stars are the least important decicing factor for doing a film. But I must confess I thoroughly enjoyed working with Karthi .We share a special bond in real life now, as we do in the film.There was no sense of oneupmanship between us. There was only mutual respect. When you see the film you’ll realize how comfortable we are with one another.I don’t think actors get insecure about one another any more. They work in harmony.
To play a man with so much spirit in spite of his inability to move, was it inspiring?
It was very inspiring.I’ve seen my mom confined to a wheelchair in the last three years of her life. Both her knees had given way, and there was no way she could undergo surgery at her age. Though I was concerned for her, I didn’t know at that time what she had to go through.
Did you try to share her suffering?
Of course I’d sit with her , try to understand her pain. But it’s now after playing a paraplegic in Oopiri have I understood what she must have gone through, how frustrating it must have been to not be able to do what she wanted to, not go where she wanted to. Even if you want to go to the restroom you’ve call for somebody. You want to sleep you need someone to put you to bed. Somewhere I’ve learnt to be grateful to God for blessing us with health . Please don’t take your body for granted. You better take good care of it. My salute to all the physically disabled people in the world. For coping, smiling, living life to the fullest.
Tell me about your next project?
I am immediately starting Hathiram Baba a 17th century period film. It’s based on Lord Balajee’s life. I play a devotee named Hathiram Baba who came from Rajasthan when God summoned. I chose this because of its spiritual theme, almost like conversations with God . Legend has it that Lord Balajee used to come down to earth to play dice with Hathiram every night.
Have you done something similar before?
I had done a mythological costume drama Annamaya way back in 1997. K Raghvendra Rao who directed that film is directing Hathiram Baba.Raghvendra Rao is completely spiritual. I am looking forward to this as it is a complete change from Oopiri.
Are you looking at doing roles that take you away from what you’ve done so far?
Oh, absolutely.I wouldn’t say I am at the fag-end of my career. But in the second-half of my career I want to make sure every move and movie makes me happy an artiste.
Your two sons are doing well. Are you guiding them?
Yes, I am guiding them. The first one Naga Chaitanya is settled in his career. The second son Akhil is finding his bearings. I am guiding him with his second film which is starting now, as the first one went wrong.Now he’s finding his groove. Run of the mill films won’t work.A new phase has started in Telugu cinema.
Are you looking at more projects?
It’s a very exciting time to be an actor.I am looking at quite a few scripts.My last film Soggade ChinniNayana was a bit of a blockbuster. So we are looking at the potential for a sequel.Provided it works.
Oopiri is coming in two languages Tamil and Telugu. Added pressure?
None at all. I haven’t done a Tamil film for some years. I am there for Telugu cinema. Karthi is there to ensure Tamil audiences like the film. But I’ve done my own Tamil lines. Oopiri is a very special film. It’s been a life-changing experience for me.
Batman Versus Superman releases with Oopiri. Your comments?
Well, my character is a bit of a super-hero himself. He is confined to a wheelchair. But his spirit flies. Seriously,I am a big Batman fan, not so much a Superman fan. I am looking forward to seeing it.
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Jamuna Had A Love-Hate Relationship With Bollywood

Veteran Telugu actress Jamuna who passed away on Friday, shared an uneasy relationship with the Hindi film industry.She did eleven Hindi films including the iconic Milan in 1967 where Jamuna agreed to play the second lead, or the supporting role if you will, to Nutan.
Jamuna as Gauri was the Other Woman who craved for the hero Sunil Dutt’s attention whereas he had eyes and devotion only for Nutan. In later years Aruna Irani played a similar role in Caravan.
In Milan Jamuna was not keen to do a supporting role. Producer L V Prasad tempted her with three chartbusting songs. Besides, Jamuna had played the same role in Mooga Manasulu, the Telugu original of Milan. But it was the songs composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal which convinced Jamuna to take up the second lead in Milan.
While Nutan had no solo songs in Milan, she did have the chartbuster duet Sawan ka mahina . Jamuna on the other hand, had two splendid Lata Mangeshkar solos: Tohey saawariya naahin khabariya and the magnificent Ghazal Aaj dil pe koi zor chalta nahin.Not only these, Jamuna also had a hit duet with Mukesh based on her character Gauri: Bol Gauri bol tera kaun piya.
But then, fate intervened. After the film released one of Jamuna’s solos, the poignant and memorable Aaj dil pe koi zor chalta nahin was snipped out of the film.
Here is what happened: the Ghazal , one of Lataji’s all-time greats, was very much a part of Milan when it released on 17 March 1967. But then it was seen to hamper the flow of the film and edited out. The beautiful song occurred right after intermission. Producer Prasad, a shrewd filmmaker, got to know that audiences prolonged their loo breaks as there was a song after the break. Hence the sacrifice of a seriously sonorous melody.
Jamuna hardly did Hindi films after Milan. Her last Bollywood appearance was in Raj Kumar Kohli’s Raj Tilak where she was lost in a multistarrer as the royal queen.
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Karan Johar Moves Alia Song From Switzerland To Kashmir

The romantic duet in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani which was to be shot in Switzerland and which was delayed due to the film’s leading lady Alia Bhatt’s motherhood, is now being relocated to Kashmir.
Purely out of the love for new mom Alia.
Says a source in the know, “Karan loves Alia like his own daughter. He would do anything for her. He postponed the release of Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani as the love duet could not be shot before Alia’s maternity leave. Karan had decided to shoot the song in Switzerland after Alia’s maternity love. But now he has relocated the song to Kashmir as Alia doesn’t want to leave her baby girl behind for long stretches.”
And as Karan Johar argued, snow is snow. How does it matter whether it is Switzerland or Kashmir?
This song would be Karan Johar’s tribute to his idol Yash Chopra. Alia would be dressed in chiffon sarees while Ranveer, for a change, would be seen in formals.
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Bobby Deol’s Switchover To Villainous Roles

After Prakash Jha’s webseries Ashram where Bobby played a sleazy godman, and Love Hostel where he was a ruthless assassin, he is playing the villain to Ranbir Kapoor in Sandeep Vanga’s Animal.
Bobby says it is not conscious career decision to play negative characters but a conscious decision to play interesting characters. “ I don’t look at characters as positive or negative.When I watch films there is always one character that stays with you. I want to play that character.”
Prakash Jha’s Ashram proved a gamechanger for Bobby. He admits finding challenging roles is tough. “I am trying. I am doing Sandeep Vanga’s Animal with Ranbir Kapoor , Parineeti Chopra. Then I am doing the family film Apne 2 which I am very excited about.”
In an earlier interview with this writer Bobby spoke about his long absence from screen before Prakash Jha’s Ashram. “My fans would ask why I wasn’t being seen on the screen.And I couldn’t tell them it was because I wasn’t getting good roles. But my fans stood by me. They gave me the strength to keep looking for the right roles. Thankfully I found the roles I liked. My new films have given me some new fans. I am thankful I am still here. Yeah , I am in a good space right now.”
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Pathaan Collects 55 crore nett in India On Day 1

YRF’s Pathaan has apparently wiped out all previous records as it collected 55 crore nett in India and recorded the biggest ever Day 1 for a Hindi film. The total collections of Pathaan on Day One is 57 crore nett (Hindi – 55 crore and dubbed versions 2 crore).
It is the widest Hindi release of all time in India and also the highest grossing 1st Day for a Hindi film.It is also the highest grosser on the first first for a non-holiday release. Pathhan is also the highest opener for Shah Rukh Khan.
Akshaye Widhani, CEO of Yash Raj Films, says, “It is a historic day for Indian cinema and we are humbled to see the love and appreciation that is flowing for Pathaan globally. For Pathaan to shatter records in this fashion on a non holiday, just proves that the theatrical business is here to stay, provided we make films that entice people to come to the cinemas to witness a never seen before experience that entertains them thoroughly.“
He adds, “We, at YRF, are thrilled with the start that the film has got across India and we are hopeful that Pathaan brings joy to cine-goers globally in the days to come! Pathaan is the fourth film of our YRF Spy Universe and we are thrilled that we have been able to elevate the cinematic experience of audiences with each film from this franchise. We humbly share this moment with all the stake-holders of the film who have given their blood, sweat and tears to give people a movie-going experience like never before.”
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