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Pokiri1
Vooriki Bewarse
Username: Pokiri1
Post Number: 4649
Registered: 03-2006
Posted From: 152.123.2.230
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 3:12 pm: |    |
Nannu Emanna ante mee dishti bommalukalustha. |
Durga
Bewarse ke Bewarse!
Username: Durga
Post Number: 14185
Registered: 03-2004
Posted From: 163.181.251.10
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 1:59 pm: | |
ee sinduri..evvartho gaani baaga pilm knowledge vunnatu vundi..
directed by renowned director Puri Jagannadh with fi lms like Tagore and Pokiri to his credit.
twagore puri daa leka VVV daa ? ippudu sudden ga conpusion lo ki ellipoyaa.
evvadaina a2care |
Tycoon
Kurra Bewarse
Username: Tycoon
Post Number: 850
Registered: 03-2005
Posted From: 207.126.177.35
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 12:47 pm: | |
South's Next Mega Star
Already, as the son of megastar Chiranjeevi, his name is familiar in tinsel town and not just Hyderabad. Expectations on star sons such as Abhishek Bachchan or Charan are always high. With his imminent debut, people are wondering whether he will not only deliver a hit, but whether he will also be a super success like his father. SINDURI VUPPALA catches up with the 20 year-old Ram Charan Teja who bears the burden of standing up against a larger-than-life father at home and on the screen...
Announcing the arrival of South’s Superstar Chiranjeevi’s son, Ram Charan Teja, it was a launch like no other. The big decision was made and Charan’s doorway into eminence could not have been more perfect. Having reached a pinnacle as a megastar for several years, Chiranjeevi had it all planned out. “The last 12 months have been very special for me. My daughter got married, I received the Padma Bhushan Award and President Abdul Kalam inaugurated the research centre of our blood bank. Besides, I am planning a cinematic debut of my son Charan Teja this year,” he announced to a jam-packed audience who were over come with frenzy. The words exchanged may have been plain and simple but its impact was massive. The whole industry was on alert and it went without saying - a new star was born!
As I got closer to his house, my inhibitions about meeting the Megastar’s son began to grow. Although I had heard several times that his children had a very grounded and simple upbringing, I had to see it to believe it. Once inside, standing there and playing with his miniature pet pomeranian was Charan. One sight of him and I knew it was going to be a pleasure talking to him. Sipping orange juice, he began to explain how he got totally blanked out after his launch was announced. “I didn’t know how to react. I knew they had something planned up that evening but the function was nearing the end and I though I had escaped it. Even as the announcement was made I hesitated to come up till my dad signaled me. On stage I was totally spaced out,” he smiles.
Chiranjeevi handed over his son’s reins to his friends and Charan’s fi rst fi lm is being produced by Ashwini Dutt and directed by renowned director Puri Jagannadh with fi lms like Tagore and Pokiri to his credit. Although the name and cast is yet to be fi nalized the fi lm is a live-hearted lover boy script with some good action scenes. “The fi lm is set up in Bangkok and is different from the usual love stories,” he explains. The second fi lm is planned with Raja Mouli and will be produced by Raghavendra Rao. Making a debut with big banners and best directors in the industry may seem like Charan is having it all served on a gold platter but on the other hand, Charan maintains a practical view. He may be confi dent but is defi nitely not overconfi dent about his acceptance. “The best example I have is Abhishek Bachchan. His dad is the megastar of India and he expected it to be a cakewalk. It took him so many years to realize it wasn’t going to be easy. Learning from his experience I am keeping expectations low,” he says. But yes, somewhere deep down he agrees that knowing his father’s fans will stick by him, gives him self–assurance. “It will help me in tough times as I will still have someone to show my movies to,” he says with honesty. Always destined to be an actor, Charan explains he was not just an average but a very - very average student in school. “Although I didn’t grow much in height I was good in sports,” he grins. Even though his ambitions kept varying from wanting to be an industrialist to an entrepreneur as a child, he believes that acting was an infl uence that turned into a passion. “Once I turned 15, I started realizing how my career could shape up in this fi eld and my decision was quite obvious to my family as well. Even in school I was inclined more towards sports and dance and my parents didn’t force me on my grades. If they ever wanted me to become a doctor, they would have probably been after me.”
With no other back up plan or plan B to fall back to, “Do or die, this is my career,” informs Charan, who is giving his best shot at grooming himself for his fi lms. Apart from currently training for some action sequences in Thailand, he has done an acting course in Mumbai. But Charan insists that living with his father by itself has been like an acting school. “My dad used to discuss a lot. I would sit down with him for story discussions and observe how the story and scenes develop in a script. My dad would practice every morning before his shoot and we would enact scenes with him as kids. I used to hang out a lot on the sets and the dance sequences were something I would never miss. That apart we used to have several discussions on cinema which has helped me a lot.” Having said that I ask him if he can dance like his dad and he blushes as he exclaims, “Hmmm! I don’t know. I did a course in street hip-hop and salsa in London but the fi rst time I ever danced was for my sister’s sangeet. It was also the fi rst time my father saw me dance and people seemed quite happy with it.”
Favorite actor: Brad Pitt...Apart from his movies I like his style and his dressing sense.
Party Animal: I am not a party guy. I was as a child but it faded out all of a sudden. It’s probably because of my career or the extensive traveling. I do go out occasionally but I enjoy watching a movie.
Cinema buff: Besides Telugu commercials I watch international fi lm and art fi lms. One of my personal favorite is Life is beautiful, which is a must watch. I love watching movies that trigger emotions.
Dad’s film he would love to redo: Kaidi and Abhilasha
Dad’s film he dislikes: Big Boss
Enjoys doing the most: Horse riding. I learnt how to ride a horse when I was studying in Ooty.
Fetish: Exotic animals but my mom never encouraged it. I had a chameleon, a fi ght master brought from Coimbature forest. My mother found it gross and got it out of the house.
Favorite hangout: Fusion 9
Favorite pastimes: I am a workout freak. I enjoy jogging and spend most of my day at the gym and with my pets.
Foodie talk: I enjoy Continental food. I also enjoy Indian food but there is no end to it. You can’t stop at eating two rotis and a little biryani. Continental fare has a set meal so it helps me watch my calories.
oon to be facing the cameras professionally, Charan is worried about his fi rst stint with the camera but working with directors he has known since his childhood is an added advantage. No doubt it seems like Charan is born with the silver spoon but the pressure on him is extensive. He comes from a family of megastars and power stars and the competition from within the family itself is immense. He fi rst has his dad to match up to followed by his Uncle Pawan Kalyan and cousin Arjun, who have all made their foothold in the industry. “That's the best part, because the competition is within the family. There are no bad vibes between my uncle and my dad or Bunny and myself. We grew up together and went to the same school. It is a positive combat,” he smiles. There is no denying the comparisons that will follow in the days to come but living with a family of seasoned actors also has its advantages. “My dad taught me how to deal with people around me, which is very important. What I like about Bunny is his commitment that is almost inspirational. He was very stubborn as a child and it has become an advantage for him. Now anything he takes up, be it exercise or diet he is steadfast about it. My uncle Pawan talks about spiritual issues and has got a lot of knowledge on scripts and off-screen information.”
Mom’s take
“My son is my husband's biggest fan. He may be attached to me but his father is his real hero. Just like I saw Kalyan as an actor, I see qualities of a great charismatic actor in Charan. As a kid, I have seen Charan walk around in his father's clothes and shooting props like guns and hats and always knew he would grow up to become an actor. I have been very fortunate. I have been a daughter to Allu Ramalingiah, wife of a star like Chiranjeevi, sister-in-law to Pawan Kalyan, aunt to Allu Arjun and mother to my would be star son. I pray for my son and hope the best for him”
Dad on his Lad
Did you always know your son would fi nally end up in an acting career?
Was it an obvious decision? Acting was never thrust upon Charan, but when we identifi ed early signs of interest in this fi eld, it set us thinking. It was just like when Kalyan started showing interest and went on to bloom in this profession. In recent times, Allu Arjun emerged a hero in this generation and this also could have added to Charan's impetus to emerge as a star.
What kind of an upbringing did you give Charan? Were you a strict father? Do you have any special memories from his childhood?
I was not a strict father but I insisted on inculcating principles. My own experiences with my father were mentally and physically harsh at times and I didn't want the same for my kids. I am like a friend with them but when required I am also strict, precise and to the point. For instance I never restricted my children from spending but was particular that they understand the value of money. When Charan was 14-15 years old, I had noticed that he enjoyed going to the bowling alley. Each visit was Rs 500 - 600 but he seemed to enjoy it immensely. I did not want to spoil his fun and when he was in a good mood on a drive I showed him a stone-crusher who earned Rs 80-100 a day. I explained that the money he was spending was equivalent to fi ve days of hard work put in by the crusher. This was probably one of his fi rst lessons in life ... never to be reckless while spending yet not hesitate to spend, when required.
Recently when we were traveling from Liverpool to London, the cab owners were asking for a steep fare. I would have relented, but Charan insisted on checking with other companies and ensured we traveled for almost half the price. That day, I felt I was seeing the result of a few simple principles I imbibed in him.
How difficult or easy do you think his career in the industry will be?
It is not a cakewalk for everybody to live up to audience expectations. From the very fi rst day, Charan may have to face the difficulties that I faced after my 100th fi lm. However, I saw him perform during my daughter's wedding and could instantly see that he had a style of his own - distinct grace and confi dence. But the bottom line is - whatever be the background, he will have to fi ght the battle on his own like any other soldier.
To what extent are you involved in his career?
I will be involved only to a certain extent and even this only in his initial projects. But in the long run he will need to shape his own career and destiny. Even failures will only add to his strength. I seek to have a relationship where he will have his space and reach out to me only when required.
Is there any particular image you want Charan to portray?
Initially I want him to portray youth oriented roles that would appeal to the modern audience. In the later fi lms he should be able to gain an image that suits him. More importantly, I want him to become an actor who will be embraced by all classes of audience and be accepted as a member of their family.
One trait you like the most about Charan?
He is sensitive towards others. He has never been full of himself and his comforts and such an attitude will be helpful when he becomes a part of a team. He is down to earth and his presence of mind is most appreciable.
One trait you would like to re-work on?
It would be sensitivity again. He should know where to draw the line and not extend it till the point of botheration. Over stretching this quality and always wanting everyone around him to be comfortable should not become a burden to his own mind. I am sure as he grows he will temper these basic qualities and balance them to the right measure.
Any plans of acting together?
Definitely, I would love to work with him. This will happen when the time is appropriate.
Taking on his family’s footsteps, Charan wants to be versatile. “This is not going to be easy. People stick to their image and their next fl ick is based on the image they create in their previous fi lm. They are not experimenting like actors did previously which is something I would like to start off with.” He keeps his strategy simple. “I want to be able to satisfy the director. The competition is tense and everyone is at his best these days. One can dance well, fi ght well and even act well hence every aspect of the presentation matters.”
With no false airs and egos, Charan may be the son of a superstar but he has his foot fi rmly on the ground. He was exposed to a very simple upbringing. “I had a very hotchpotch childhood. I was born in Madras and did my initial schooling there. At that time the entire Telugu industry living in Madras was planning to relocate to Hyderabad and my dad, who was in a dilemma about where he belonged – Hyderabad or Madras, put me in a boarding school in Ooty. I wasn’t doing too well there and once he decided to move, he brought me here.”
This decision exposed Charan to a whole new unfamiliar world. Every time he passed by, chatter would begin in the background and people would whisper - he is Chiranjeevi’s son. Life here was a contrast. “Having random people talk to me was something very new. It was not only diffi cult but also embarrassing. At that age, I didn’t know whether to feel good or bad about all the attention. I use to stay hush and never talk about it. In fact, when people asked me about my dad I would tell them he was a business man,” he says.
Although he claims to be a mamma’s boy, his eyes shine with deep respect when you mention his father. “During my childhood, my dad was in his early stages of acting and truthfully, I didn’t spend much time with him. But whenever dad came home, it was the best time of the day. He used to pamper us a lot and only good things happened when he came back home,” he reveals. So did he ever confuse Chiranjeevi the star to Chiranjeevi the father? “It was a catch 22 situation because if we watched a comedy flick, we would come home with that image of him in mind. This would again change when we saw him in a serious role. It would take us almost two days to digest it,” he smiles.
Family is again very special to Charan. “I am sandwiched between two sisters and being the guy I usually get neglected (he grins). Sushmita and I were like a cat and a mouse. We cursed each other for three years but now she has become my best companion,” he smiles. While he thinks his younger sister was the most pampered and managed to get whatever she wanted, Sreeja has a different opinion. “My brother was a big bully and would chase me and my friends all around the house. He is pampered by my mother and she always saves him from Dad. On the softer side, Charan is very possessive,” she smiles.
With a larger-than-life father, be it his dancing or his acting, comparisons are bound to be inevitable. But with oodles of charm and a never say die spirit, Ram Charan Teja has all the traits of becoming South’s next megastar!
Jeevitham Lo Pass Avvalante Kaneesam Oka Gatti Failure Ayyina Vundali..Kanche Ilayya,Y I'M NOT HINDU Author. |
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