    
Arunwam
Pilla Bewarse
Username: Arunwam
Post Number: 2
Registered: 09-2004
Posted From: 203.145.152.149
| | Posted on Monday, November 01, 2004 - 1:57 am: |    |
Shankardada MBBS has brought smiles to the faces of movie-goers and distributors in Tollywood. The star has gone a little easy on his 'mega' image with his take on Munnabhai MBBS but the move appears to have paid off .
This is a different Chiranjeevi the crowds are watching, one who was almost lost in the maze of hits like Hitler, Indra and Tagore that had a distinct social flavour. These films fuelled the "political ambition" rumour and elevated him to status of demi-God. But Chiru, as the lovable goon wanting to be a doctor in Shankardada MBBS, has become more tangible this time round and the audiences love it.
With witty one-liners and emotional dialogues like Rogini prematho vaidyam cheyyaleni doctor antakanna pedda rogi (A doctor who does not treat with compassion is more ill than the patient), Chiranjeevi seems to have subtly toned down the starry image in his latest movie. He agrees, "I know, Shankardada is a more balanced character in that sense," he says. "He is a tough guy but lets the tears flow when he's emotional."
"I was tense when we were shooting for the scene where Shankar first enters the college. Srikanth and I got talking and I told him, I am a rowdy character who wants to create a good impression on the first day. So how do I walk? That's when I hit upon the bewarse swagger idea. It feels good that the audiences have liked it," says the star. So when Srikanth says, "Style anna style", Chiru sways in every which way, reducing crowds to helpless giggles. Yes, Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Rajkumar Hirani would surely have approved.
In fact, they'd also have loved Srikanth's role of ATM (Any Time Murder). Initially, it was Ravi Teja's name that was floated to play the role of Arshad Warsi's 'Circuit'. "But Ravi Teja playing the role wouldn't have been different because he has played several rough and tough roles. That's when I thought of Srikanth. We ran a make-up test on him at my place. I asked him to get his hair gelled. He looked every inch the part," recalls Chiranjeevi. "The film wouldn't have worked without Srikanth, Jayant Paranje and Paresh Rawal," he voices giving credit where it's due.
Tollywood, meanwhile, has no complaints. After Arya, this is perhaps the clearest hit, and cash registers are ringing everywhere. Shanka-rdada MBBS is the talk of the town. Even at a promotional event for Thums Up, Chiranjeevi is flooded with queries about the film as nonplussed Coke officials look on. Nobody is interested in the fizzy cola. Everybody wants a piece of the star. "Can you get us tickets," is a common plea. "Anything but that," says Chiru grinning. "I couldn't even arrange tickets for my wife's friends," he says, begging off. At his home in Jubilee Hills, a steady flow of fans continues. His affection for the children is obvious as he makes his way towards the younger lot first.
Talking about his next film under the Geetha Arts banner in which he's playing a double role of dad and son, the actor shrugs off the observation that his fans might not be able to digest an 'old' Chiranjeevi. "Why do you say that?" he sighs. "Here I am trying to age gracefully. Besides, I have done similar stuff in Sneham Kosam." But he explains that the basic storyline shall appeal. It will deal with an allari chillari tandri (a mischievous dad) and a budhimanthudu koduku (straightforward, obedient son).
Talk of Sneham Kosam reminds one of the scene where Meena slaps him twice. At the time, outraged fans protested and spit fire at Meena. Hence in Shankardada, Rohit, who plays a cancer patient, merely clutches Chiru's collar where as Sanjay Dutt gets a tight smack in the original, Munnabhai MBBS. Despite this, angry shouts of Orrey! echo in the hall. Almost immediately, an item number follows as if to soothe ruffled feathers.
Meanwhile, Karnataka's relaxation of a seven-week embargo on release of non-Kannada films seems to have come at a great time for Chiru fans. "I have a substantial following out there, so there's a relief," says the star. In an industry where money talks the loudest, estimated collections of Shankardada in two weeks are in excess of Rs 10 crore. This certainly goes to prove mass appeal or not, everybody likes a good laugh once in a while. And who better than Chiru to tickle the funny bone?
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