Laughter guaranteed
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Ace comedian Rajendra Prasad's latest film `Pellam Pichodu' promises to be a family entertainer.
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THERE ARE no second or third innings for this actor. Like all popular actors, his career too may have had its ups and downs. Barring the occasional voluntary breaks in between, it has been one constant long innings for ace comedy hero Rajendra Prasad. A remarkable achievement for an actor who put on grease paint 28 years ago. Is he just a comedy hero? Films like `Yerra Mandaram', `Mastari Kapuram' and the recent `Aa Naluguru' prove otherwise. The question still plays in the mind as we enter a private resort in the suburbs of Shamshabad, where the actor is shooting for one of his forthcoming films, `Pellam Pichodu'. Produced by R. R. B. Sastry and B. V. Srinivas under the banner of Sri Gayathri Cinema, the film is being directed by writer-lyricist turned director Jonnavithula Ramalingeswara Rao. A scholar in Sanskrit and Telugu, with several hit songs to his credit as a lyricist in the past two decades, Jonnavithula, as he is popularly known, has a distinct style in satirical writing both in prose and verse.
Crucial scene
At the location, the debutant director is busy filming a crucial scene involving the hero and the two heroines - Richa Pallod and Srujana. The latter plays the hero's wife and the former his girlfriend. "We found the story narrated by Jonnavithula very interesting," says one of the producer duo, adding that "it gave a different dimension to the man-woman relationship".
The other adds, "A married man can have a girlfriend. But the theme is based on the extent to which such a friendship can be stretched. It is a complete family entertainer."
After the shot is over, Rajendra Prasad joins for a brief conversation while the director busies himself, holding discussions with cinematographer Surender Reddy for the next scene. "The title evokes curiosity, doesn't it?" asks the veteran actor, flashing his trademark mischievous smile. "What does it mean? Why he is so mad after his wife? What does he do in the end?" he rattles on before finally saying, "I know all these doubts will crop up in mind when you read the title. To get the right answers, watch the movie." Having said that, a cheeky smile remains on the actor's lips. "My role has three dimensions - a lover, a husband and a friend. But it isn't just mine, every character in the film has its own relevance and importance."
He says the movie is not only for his regular admirers but would also appeal to the youngsters, especially newly-weds.
He had a word of praise for the director for coming up with a good script. "The script and the committed producers made me sign up for the venture," he says.Dwelling on the action happening around him, producer R.R.B. Sastry reveals, "In this schedule, we will complete the talkie part apart from filming a song rendered by S.P. Balasumbrahmanyam and Sunitha, choreographed by Swarna Babu. The rest of the songs are planned to be completed soon in the next schedule."
Telangana Sakunthala, Sudha, Rajitha, Hema, Jyothi, Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam, Giribabu, Rami Reddy and Raghubabu are in the cast. The film is slated for release in March.
M. L. NARASIMHAM
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