Balaiah ready to contest against Chiru!

Telugu Desam star campaigner Nandamuri Balakrishna is more than ready to contest against megastar and Praja Rajyam president Chiranjeevi in the next elections.

"If the party directs me to do so, I am prepared to contest even against Chiranjeevi. Or for that matter from anywhere in the State. And I challenge that I will emerge victorious in this contest," he said.

However, Balaiah made it clear that except him, no other person from NTR family would contest the elections. "Jr NTR, Taraka Ratna and Kalyam Ram will campaign for the party, but not contest the elections at present," he said.

Why Chiru is bothered about NTR?

Why is Praja Rajyam party president Chiranjeevi making so much fuss about Telugu Desam party carrying N T Rama Rao's portrait during its election campaign?

According to TD leaders, the answer is simple: If TD highlights NTR during its campaign, people would definitely draw a comparison between him and Chiranjeevi. Already, Chiru's speeches have failed to generate any enthusiasm among the people, as they are dull and drab. They are coming in large numbers to his meetings, but they are finding that his speeches do not have any punch and sting that NTR used to have.

And once Balakrishna enters the scene and goes about with his road shows with NTR's portrait in the backdrop, people will definitely get attracted towards him. Hence, Chiru is raking up the issue of NTR to convey to the people that the NTR legacy in TD had already been lost.

Who asked money to hush up Raju case?

The Andhra Jyothy report that a Union Minister trying to bargain with the family members of tainted Satyam group chairman B Ramalinga Raju for hushing up the cases against him has created ripples in the Congress circles early in the morning. . The Union minister is reported to have demanded a hefty amount for which Raju's family members expressed their helplessness.

There were frantic calls to the New Delhi correspondent of the daily to find out who that minister actually was or whether it was just a kite flying story. The correspondent, however, kept it a closely guarded secret.

There are, however, speculations that the person who demanded money from Raju could be Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jairam Ramesh, who has close links with the Y S Rajasekhara Reddy government. This minister also knows in and outs of the infrastructure projects entrusted to Maytas Infra and Maytas Properties owned by Satyam Raju family.

This is just a speculation in the media and god only knows the facts!

'Slumdog Millionaire' Review: Just Good But Not Great

Film: Slumdog Millionaire
Critic Rating: 3/5
Banner: Celador Films
Cast: Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Madhur Mittal, Imran Hasnee, Mahesh Manjrekar, Shruti Seth, Saurabh Shukla, Raj Zutshi, Jeneva Talwar, Ankur Vikal
Music: A R Rahman
Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy
Cinematography: Anthony Dod Mantle
Director: Danny Boyle
Producers: Christian Colson, Tessa Ross, Paul Smith
Release Date: 23/01/2009

The much publicized, acclaimed and laurelled 'Slumdog Millionaire' has hit the screens of Hyderabad today. The film got the punch after winning Golden Globe Award also getting 10 Oscar Nominations. It's indisputable to say that the film allured entire western audiences. But how far it can appeal for Indian movie lovers? Let us peep into the details.

Story
A hard hitting and realistic tale, the story is about Jamal Malik (Dev) who is on the verge of becoming a millionaire from an ordinary slum boy as he has reached the final stage of the 'Who wants to be a millionaire?' show being hosted by Prem Kumar (Anil Kapoor). As he gets closer to his goal, the story goes behind and shows his days from childhood and how he is able to answer each question posed to him. There is a reason why Jamal is at the show, he wants to locate his long lost childhood sweetheart Latika (Freida) who is forcibly taken away by his own brother Salim (Madhur) and given to local don Javed Khan (Mahesh Manjrekar). On the other hand, there is an allegation of cheating heaped on Jamal and he is busy trying to explain his answers to inspector (Irrfan) and constable Srinivas (Saurabh Shukla). So does Jamal get out of those charges? Does he manage to win the show? And most importantly, does he locate his girl for whom he has been pining so much? Watch the movie to know more.

Performance
Dev Patel was decent and carried out his role with aplomb; he was shrewd where necessary and silent when needed.

Freida was the perfect choice given her natural beauty and her magical eyes, Madhur was effective with his brief presence, Anil Kapoor was masterly, Irrfan Khan was matured, Saurabh was suitable and Mahesh was regular.

Child artiste Vikas Swarup has proved to be the best.

The others did not have much say and did their bit mechanically. The story was simple but it was presented in a very captivating manner, the dialogues were realistic, music and background score was relevant to the situations, editing was neat, script was written well, screenplay was sensible. Cinematography deserves a pat on the shoulder. The other departments were up to the mark.

Most Appreciable Aspects:
Canning the slum areas so convincingly and naturally
Performances of child artistes
Last question faced by Jamal Malik
Title Song

Debatable Things:
Depiction of darker side of Indian slum so terribly
Conviction In the content
Why the director concluded it saying 'it's written'? Why can't he say 'he is lucky'?

Analysis:
It's a movie that sounds mundane for Indian audiences as they have got exposed to better story lines and better narrations so far. But it has run on a new platform where Indian movies seldom do. Let us discuss how it appealed for western audiences and how for Indians. As almost every Indian knows the most famous TV Show 'Koun Banega Crorepathi', they can get connected easily. It's the story of a slum boy who happens to be on the hot seat of that show miraculously. He wins 20 million rs in that show and makes big news in entire nation. How the uneducated slum boy could win that show with his general knowledge? That forms the interesting narration all over. His practical exposure and knowledge that comes to him since childhood luckily form the set of questions in front of him when he faces that show. Ultimately he wins the maximum amount from that show. But there is no big social responsibility that is linked up in the climax. There is no surprise element or the aspect that boosts up the graph of the movie in climax. Hence it appeals to be a normal flick for Indian movie lovers. Beside all this, the love line in the movie is also nothing new for Indian audiences and it goes without saying in any movie. The adrenaline hasn't boosted up even in climax as there is no suspense part.

But for westerners, they hardly get exposed to this kind of stuff. They can easily get sympathetic when the pathetic India is shown for them from the angles of filthy slums, brothel lanes and Mumbaikar gangsters. Rehman's Indo-western style of background score appealed for them in novel way. And moreover, the sensitive love concept from the side of lead role also makes them connect better.

The film is neither extraordinary nor great. It's a good narration with an average content where direction and screenplay grooved well. But still, the film got the great international recognition- because 'It's written'.

Behind The Scene: Naidu, an iron leg?

Nothing seems to be working in favour of Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu these days. His every attempt to consolidate Opposition against the ruling Congress is ending up in a failure.

Naidu made a desperate attempt to form a third front at the national level to run down the UPA government. He was able to form United National Progressive Alliance by mobilizing the support of several parties Samajwadi Party, AIADML, Lok Dal, Asom Gana Parishad etc, but one by one, all the parties gave him hand and subsequently, the UNPA ended up as a non-starter. The UPA remained strong with the support of Left parties.

After the Communists deserted UPA, Naidu revived his attempts for the third front and within no time, he was able to shake hands with top Left leaders. Till now, there are no other supporters for this so-called third front. Though Mayawati and Jayalalithaa are showing interest, they are the most unreliable partners. So, Naidu remained silent again.

Back home, Naidu's attempt to form a Grand Alliance is also getting fizzled out, as the Telangana Rashtra Samithi is planning to get out of it following failure of seat-sharing negotiations. The Communist parties are not of much help to TD in coming back to power.

So, can we say Naidu has an iron leg?

"I'd have kicked the minister"

Telugu Desam MLA from Gudivada Kodali Nani, who has been maintaining a low profile all these days, has suddenly turned aggressive, obviously to stake claim for the party ticket for a second consecutive term.

Nani, allegedly kicked a Congress party activist Ratnakara Rao during a clash between TD and Congress workers at Gudivada on Thursday, admitted that he had done it in a fit of rage, but not intentionally.

"If at all I wanted to do it intentionally, I would have kicked Minister Pinnamaneni Venkateshwara Rao, not an ordinary Congress worker, because the minister deserves to be kicked," Nani said, further fuelling the controversy.

A case under SC/ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act was filed against the TD MLA, since the victim claimed that he belonged to Dalit community.

Nani, however, said the person he actually kicked was not a Dalit.

"This is a deliberate attempt by the minister to tarnish my image. I will teach him a fitting lesson," Nani said.

Drunk Pavan fell unconscious

Exhibiting his true colours, Yuva Rajyam chief Pavan Kalyan discarded all decency and consumed toddy and fell unconscious for a brief period on Friday.

The incident occurred during the fourth day of his road show in Karimnagar district.

Pavan consumed the toddy given by one of the toddy tappers. He could have tasted a few drops of it to show courtesy. However, he chose to drink the full pot of toddy which went to straight to his head, sources said.

And when he took to padayatra, the toddy began showing its effect. Under its effect, Pavan danced to folk drums at Antargam village in Ramadugu mandal. Then, within a few minutes the toddy took full control on Pavan following which he fell unconscious for a brief period.

Pavan’s assistants immediately swung into action and brought into senses by offering cold water after which he resumed the padayatra, sources said.

Top Story: TRS to get out of Maha Kootami?

Going by the latest reports, Telangana Rashtra Samithi is understood to have decided to get out of Maha Kootami, much before it is officially formed.

TRS State executive, which met here on Thursday under the leadership of party president K Chandrasekhara Rao, is learnt to have decided not to compromise on the number of Lok Sabha seats to be shared with other members of Maha Kootami. "Under any circumstances, let us not accept less than 10 Lok Sabha seats. If we can't get them, it is better we stay away from Maha Kootami and decide on our own way," KCR reportedly told the party leaders.

The TRS president is also angry with the way the Left parties are taking Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu for a ride and forcing him to be tough with TRS on seat sharing. Though CPI State secretary K Narayana tried to blame it on the media, KCR reportedly told the negotiators that irrespective of the media reports, there was no compromise on the number of LS seats.

Now, TD is in trouble. If it gives 10 seats to TRS and two each to CPI and CPI-M, it would be left with just three seats in Telangana. It creates a lot of unrest among the party cadres, which ultimately reflects on the party's prospects in the Assembly. So, it is a devil and the deep sea situation for Naidu!

Photo Feature: Obama's first signature

President Barack Obama's first signature as president seen after he signed a proclamation, after being sworn in as the 44th President of the United States during the inaugural ceremony in Washington January 20, 2009.

Chiru takes Naidu bastion by storm

After conquering Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's own constituency Pulivendula in Kadapa district a few weeks ago, megastar and Praja Rajyam president Chiranjeevi shifted his attention to Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu's native constituency Kuppam in Chitoor district.

Chiru virtually took Kuppam by storm on Thursday and drew huge crowds for his road show. And his main target was Naidu. Chiranjeevi pointed out how Kuppam continued to remain backward despite being represented by a former Chief Minister for the last two decades. He took strong objection to Naidu's criticism that PRP was a party of defectors and turncoats. "Naidu must have forgotten that he, himself, is a migratory bird. He defected from Congress into the TD. He has no moral right to point an accusing finger at us," he said.

Chiranjeevi also pooh-poohed Naidu's remark that PRP is an air bubble, which would burst at any time. 'I am not a gaali budaga (air bubble), but an aggi pidugu (fire ball). We will show our strength in the elections," he thundered.

"Forget TD, TRS has many other takers"

Telangana Rashtra Samithi seems to be of the view that if it comes out of Maha Kootami, it will be welcomed with open hands by other parties like the Congress and Praja Rajyam Party.

That is the reason why, TRS leaders are blackmailing Telugu Desam and the Communist parties, demanding more seats. "Many other parties are eagerly waiting to have an alliance with the TRS. So, it is for the Maha Kootami members to decide whether they need us or not," TRS official spokeman Jagadeeshwara Reddy said.

However, KCR is only living in fool's paradise. Except a few outdated politicians, most of the Congress leaders are feeling a lot more relaxed with the high command endorsing the development agenda of Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. In fact, YSR reiterated on Thursday that there was no question of passing a resolution in the Assembly on Telangana. So, they might resist the re-entry of TRS into the UPA camp. Even if it is done, the Congress might not accept KCR's demand for 10 Lok Sabha and 50 Assembly seats.

So, the only option is PRP. But, it is doubtful whether Chiranjeevi will welcome TRS into his camp and allot so many seats to it. In any way, the options are limited for KCR. Otherwise, TRS has to contest the polls on its own and see its own debacle!

Don't underestimate Chiru: TRS leader

Will Telangana Rashtra Samithi incline towards Praja Rajyam Party, in case it fails to strike a deal with Maha Kootami?

Well, one would get this impression going by the way TRS leaders are making statements on Wednesday. Participating in a live chat show, former MLA and senior TRS leader A Chandrasekhar said one should not underestimate PRP president Chiranjeevi and his ability to come to power. Reacting to a comment made by Congress MP Lagadapati Rajagopal, the TRS leader said it was not proper for the Congress leaders to heckle Chiranjeevi. "I was in the Telugu Desam party established by a cinema hero, for more than two decades and I know how film stars can turn the tide in his favour. When N T Rama Rao could come to power within nine months of establishing the party and teach a fitting lesson to the Congress both at the Centre and the State, why can't Chiranjeevi? The coming elections will show how the "Mega Kootami" is going to pull down the Congress government," the TRS leader said.

What does it indicate? In fact, the channel anchor sought to know whether his comment was a indicator to a possible tie-up between TRS and PRP. However, Chandrasekhar parried the question. Definitely, "daal mein kuch kaala hai."

Pro-TD editor backs Chiranjeevi

Chiranjeevi's Praja Rajyam Party received a pleasant surprise on Wednesday when Syed Vicaruddin, senior Urdu journalist and editor of Rehnuma-e-Deccan, a popular daily in Hyderabad, came to the PRP office and pledged his support to Chiranjeevi.

This gentleman, who enjoys a lot of clout among the Muslim intellectuals and general educated Muslim youth, was hitherto an ardent supporter of Telugu Desam. He was leading Indo-Arab League in Hyderabad and used to organize conventions in support of Palestine and Arab world. And Naidu was a must invitee to all his functions.

So, Vicaruddin's support to PRP is definitely a plus point to Chiranjeevi, who is looking for a foothold among the minorities in the city. And who knows Vicaruddin might be PRP candidate from one of the Assembly constituencies in Hyderabad!

YSR laughing in his sleeve!

Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy must be laughing in his sleeve over the abortive attempts of forming a Maha Kootami by Telugu Desam, Telangana Rashtra Samithi and the Communists.

Right from the beginning, he has been saying that the Congress would be undeterred by any such alliances and that it would come back to power on the plank of developmental programmes. He told the same to the high command the same and got its support to his stand.

Now, what is happening in the Maha Kootami is exactly what he has predicted. The CPI and CPI-M are at logger heads over seat sharing in Khammam and Nalgonda districts, while TRS is demanding more number of seats than it actually deserves. The struggle for seats will continue for some more time; and even if there is an understanding finally, there will be back-stabbing at several places. Hence, it will be advantage Congress only!

Behind The Scene: KCR insists on lucky number!

Why is Telangana Rashtra Samithi president insisting on 10 Lok Sabha seats and 50 Assembly seats as part of seat sharing with the Maha Kootami?

Party sources attribute it to the lucky number of KCR, six. The digits of Assembly seats and Lok Sabha seats he is asking for add up to six. One might argue that he could as well settle for lesser number of seats that might add up to six; such as 42 Assembly seats and six Lok Sabha seats, as was given by the Congress in the last elections.

But KCR wants to play a bigger role in the Lok Sabha this time with more number of seats, so that he could achieve his goal of Telangana with more pressure. So, he is not compromising on the number of LS seats. At the same time, he also wants considerable Assembly seats to form a pressure group in the Assembly. If he wants his lucky number to be achieved, he has to get 10 LS and 50 Assembly seats. That is the whole problem!