anaganagaokadheerudu

The grand audio launch of ‘Anaganaga O Dheerudu’ was held at Hitex City in Hyderabad yesterday (December 18, 2010). With Siddharth-Sruthi Haasan as lead pair and Lakshmi Manchu in pivotal role, Prakash Kovelamudi directed this fantasy flick under the production of Walt Disney’s and K Raghavendra Rao. 

The grand event was attended by K Raghavendra Rao, Dr Mohan Babu, Prakash Kovelamudi, Allu Aravind, Suresh Babu, NTR, Ram Charan, Prabhas, Raana, Siddharth, Sruthi Haasan, Lakshmi Manchu, Vishnu, Manoj, Sumanth, Mickey J Meyer, Koti, Keeravani, Krish, Baby Harshita, Sounder Rajan, Swathi, Dr Brahmanandam, Gunnam Gangaraju, Mahesh Samanth, Ramesh Prasad and many others. 

K Raghavendra Rao introduced the characters in this film in a unique style followed by the audio release by Dr Mohan Babu. 

Walt Disney’s CEO Swathi said, “This is the first movie in India produced by Walt Disney. This is a special movie and the entire crew worked with passion. Lakshmi Prasanna was outstanding as Airandri. Music rendered by Keeravani, Mickey J Meyer, Koti and Saleem-Sulemaan is extraordinary. I’m happy to note that my favourite star Kamal Haasan’s daughter Sruthi is the heroine of this film. I’m confident about the film’s success.” 

Rajamouli said, “Prakash has a great visual thinking which is very unique and I’m sure he will become a bigger director than Raghavendra Rao garu. This movie would surely throw Siddharth out of lover boy image. Similarly, it would also be a good film for Sruthi and Lakshmi as well.” 

Dr Brahmanandam opined that ‘Anaganaga O Dheerudu’ is on par with Hollywood film. “Being the daughter of Mohan Babu, Lakshmi was able to portray the negative role with great ease. Prakash has the ability to understand the needs of today’s generation and thus crafted the film accordingly,” he said. 

NTR while speaking, “Although I’m feeling happy for the entire team, I’m also feeling jealous on the other hand for not being part of this film. I’m always a fan of Raghavendra Rao. No one can tamper with Mohan Babu’s pride. If it happens I will be too happy. I wish the film to become a grand success.” 

Keeravani said, “Prakash is one of the genius directors and I’m sure this movie will become a mega hit. I did a song in this film only to be part of it. I request Raghavendra Rao to do more and more films in future.” 

Koti, who scored two songs in the film expressed his disappointment for not doing the re-recording work. 

Mickey J Meyer thanked Prakash for the opportunity to be part of the film. He said that it was a great experience working for this film as the album was made with various music directors clubbed together. 

Ram Charan Tej said, “’Jagadheka Veerudu’ and ‘Magadheera’ put together is ‘Anaganaga Oka Dheerudu’. People predict the films’ results even before its release and think that they will break records. But my latest release ‘Orange’ could not reach the people’s expectations. I hope this movie will become a big hit in this year 2010. The performances of Siddharth and Sruthi are good. I was a little scared to see Lakshmi Manchu on screen.” 

Prabhas opined that graphics of this film are of Hollywood standards, though done in Hyderabad. He also praised Siddharth and Lakshmi’s performances. 

Raana opined that ‘Anaganaga O Dheerudu’ will earn a great remark and remain in the history of Telugu Cinema forever. 

Vishnu commented that Prakash will lead the generation today just like his father Raghavendra who led during his father’s generation. 

Lakshmi Prasanna said, “I would like to thank all the technicians including my make-up man Altin. This movie is proving that the dreams do come true. My dad came up in the hard way which is the prime reason for our present position.” 

Sruthi Haasan thanked Raghavendra Rao for giving her the opportunity and said, “I’m very happy to be part of this film. It was nice working with Siddharth. Prakash’s direction is outstanding. ‘Anagagana O Dheerudu’ is being made on par with international standards.” 

Dr Mohan Babu said, “Raghavendra Rao garu is one of those directors who made India pride. We worked together in many films. He is the only director who can shoot the songs from the point of poet’s vision. When I was a zero he directed ‘Alludugaru’ and gave me a new life. Prakash is like my son and his thought process is very good. I wish him to become the pride of India. About Lakshmi Prasanna, I don’t feel anything. I deny that I’m lesser compared to my children. When she was a child she held a snake in her hand and acted in a scene. Today, for her performance in this film, the entire credit goes to Prakash. She gave a wonderful performance with good dialogue modulation. We welcome Sruthi Haasan to the Telugu film industry. I saw Siddharth’s films and he is a good actor. He is very lucky to do this film which will remain in the first page of his life.” 

Siddharth while speaking, “This is not a ordinary film. Everyone worked hard just like the warriors. The cinematographer understood Prakash’s mind and captured the right thing from right places. Similarly the music directors also provided the aptly suitable music. And not to speak of art director Bhupesh, costume designer Nikhar Dhawan, Sruthi Haasan, Lakshmi Manchu and above all Prakash Kovelamudi. Graphics play vital role and they are of international standards. I got this script because it was rejected by few of them. I’m happy when they are saying that this movie will beat the records of ‘Magadheera’. Raghavendra Rao garu took the total responsibility in the making of this movie. Hence I’m very confident about the film’s grand success.” 

Director Prakash Kovelamudi said, “Four musicians worked for this flick. I thank them all for agreeing to do this film the moment I asked them. I worked on this script for 4 long years and later when I narrated the story to Siddharth, he instantly gave his nod. I thank him for trusting me. I predicted the success of this film when my dad got convinced with the subject. I was associated with Disney Productions since long time. Hence I was able to meet them regarding this project. I thank Sruthi for agreeing to do this film. Very often I used to discuss about films with Lakshmi. Hence I selected her for this negative role. I’m confident that she would become a big vampire in Indian movies. I crafted this film with a good team. I thank my entire team on this occasion.”

Music of Disney’s first south indian film - Anaganaga O Dheerudu was launched at a function organized in HITEX, Madhapur on the night of 18 December. It was attended by Mohan Babu, NTR, Ram Charan Tej, Siddharth, Prabhas, Vishnu, Manoj, RaNa, K Raghavendra Rao, SS Rajamouli, Krish, Koti, MM Keeravani, Micky J Meyer, Swati Shetty, Mahesh Sawant , Brahmanandam, Tanikella Bharani etc.

The function was kicked off with a stylish entrance of a floater on which Siddharth who is playing the role of Yodha (the warrior) in the movie entered into the auditorium. The other key actors like Shruti Hassan, Lakshmi Manchu and Harshita were also introduced in a typical ballet style. The creative floater designed by the art director Bhupesh R Bhupati stood as the backdrop for the entire event.

Mohan Babu launched the audio CD and handed it over to all the young heroes who were present at the function.

AOD is about magic and beief - Swati Shetty

Speaking on the occasion Swati Shetty (Disney India) said, “Anaganaga O Dheerudu (AOD) is a special film for Disney and it is Disney’s first south Indian film. AOD is a good-looking film with simple/beautiful story. It is about good over bad. AOD is about magic and belief. Disney is proud of a talented artist like Siddharth. Shruti dons a new look in this movie. Lakshmi will scare you away. This film has music by Koti, MM Keeravani, Micky J Meyer and Salim-Sulaiman. Salim-Sulaiman composed background music. AOD is the result of beautiful work done a dream team. We are going to send the floater of AOD to all over Andhra Pradesh.”

Prakash have extremely creative ideas - SS Rajamouli

SS Rajamouli said, “I was supposed to direct a film titled Vijayasimha with Prakash as hero after my Student No.1. It didn’t materialize. Prakash used to say that we should do a different film. I understood what he actually meant by different after watching visuals of AOD. AOD has songs, colors, fights and commercial elements. Yet, it is refreshingly different with a new canvas. Prakash have extremely creative ideas and I am sure that he is going to exceed his father as a director. Siddharth is very lucky to get this project as it will give him an oppurtunity to come out of his ‘loverboy’ image. It is a good launching pad for Shruti Hassan. Mohan Babu is very proud person. I am sure that Lakshmi will kill his proudness with her performance in this movie. Firefly has won vfx national award for their movies Anji and Magadheera in the past. I am sure that they will win for this year with AOD despite terrific competetion from Endhiran/Robo.”

I am happy and jealous - NTR

NTR said, “I am happy and jealous at the same time. I am happy for Prakash and I am jealous that I am not doing the title role of this movie. I am a huge fan of K Raghavendra Rao and I wish this film a thumping success.”

AOD = JVAS + Magadheera : Ram Charan Tej

Ram Charan Tej said, “I have shown the trailer of AOD to my dad a few days back and he asked me why I didn’t do this movie as Prakash has been my close friend for years and we spent lots of time together in our house doing studies. No film has crossed Magadheera records and I wish that AOD will do it. AOD is equivalant to JVAS and Magadheera together, in my opinon.”

Pabhas opined that AOD visuals look like that of any Hollywood flick.

Our association goes a long way - RaNa

RaNa said, “I am associated with the entire team of AOD. AOD is very important to me because it is directed by Prakash. Our association with the family of K Raghavendra Rao goes a long back. Prakash’s grandfather K Surya Prakash Rao directed Prem Nagar film for our banner when my grandfather D Rama Naidu was at make-or-break situation. I am a big fan of Kamal Hassan and I welcome his daughter Shruti to Telugu film industry.”

Sumanth said, “All of my friends are working for AOD. I am sure that Siddharth will kick some butt with this movie.”

Vishnu Manchu said, “The next generation of Telugu film industry should be proud of Prakash. I am sure Prakash is going to lead us all.”

Prakash struggled for five years with AOD script - Krish

Krish said, “AOD sports very good music and visuals. People do think that Prakash is born with a silver spoon and hence a film like AOD came in his way. It is not true. Prakash struggled by carrying this script and narrating it to various heroes and producers for the past five years. K Raghavendra Rao and Disney backed him. I am sure that AOD will become a huge hit.”

MM Keeravani said, “I saw most o the film and it is an eye-feast. AOD will be a mega hit.”

Koti said, “I always dreamt of scoring hit music to K Raghavendra Rao. It is becoming true with AOD.”

Dialogue writer Rajasimha said, “I was an assistant to Paruchuri brothers before becoming an independent writer. I would like to thank Prakash for entrusting me with such a responsibility. I penned pristine Telugu dialogues for AOD.”

Child actress Harshita said, “I am glad to be the part of AOD movie. I had memorable events during the shoot of this movie. Working with such a reputed studio like Disney is a milestone in my career.”

Shruti Hassan said, “I am grateful to K Raghavendra Rao for taking me in. I am glad to be the part of Prakash’s dream. Siddarth breathed life into the characetr of Yodha with his performance. Prakash has an unique way of doing things and having four music directors for one movie is such a thing.”

Dreams do come true - Lakshmi Manchu

Lakshmi Manchu said, “It was Ramji who suggested my name for this character and I want to thank him. Prakash has brought Hollywood to Tollywood by associating with Disney. I want to thank Elton (make-up), Phani (Firefly) and all the technicians. I am an example to that fact that dreams do come true. I would like to thank my dad.”

I got Yodha role because it was rejected by a few popular heroes - Siddharth

Siddharth said, “I am indebted to K Raghavendra Rao for this opportunity. AOD’s is not an ordinary team. All the technicians who worked for this movie are like warriors. DOP Sounder Rajan is a committed technician and a genius. Art director Bhupesh R Bhupati performed a challenging task. Raj G did the drawings. We are going to release a comic book on AOD along with the movie. Nikhar Dhawan designed costumes. Firefly did international standard work for this movie. If the same quality movie had to be done in Hollywood, it would have cost 100 million dollars. I have the best co-actors in the form of Shruti and Lakshmi. Lakshmi brought out the meaning of evil with her work in this movie. I got the role of Rang De Basanti after 16 popular actors rejected it. I got the role of Yodha in AOD after many popular actors rejected in Telugu. None of the international studios have chosen the right projects in India in the past. But Disney has made the right choice by opting for AOD. I am tuly the luckiest man in the world.”

Siddharth was brave enough to play this role - Prakash Kovelamudi

Prakash said, “I am very happy to have four music directors for this movie. It is gracious of them to accept to work for this movie. It’s been five years since I was working on this script. I loved Siddharth’s performance in NVNV and I was in touch with him since then. Not many heroes were brave enough to do this movie. Siddharth is brave enough to accept the role of Yodha. Without Siddharth, AOD wouldn’t have happened. My father K Raghavendra Rao is known for the commercial elements and I am glad that I have convinced him with the story of AOD. I approached many studios in the past two years and I am happy that Disney came forward to produce it. Disney took the leap of faith along with me. I was looking for a heroine of exotic looks and Shruti Hassan turned out to be a perfect choice. Lakshmi has convinced her parents to do this role. She made the movie come alive with her performance. She will be one of the greatest villains of Indian cinema. Siddharth surprised me with his adeptness and adaptability. Raj G translated my ideas into drawings. Using those drawings, art director Bhupesh R Bhupati came up with sets. Soundara rajan mounted those beautiful sets onto the film. Phani of VFX added the glitz to the film and took it to a higher scale with right vfx. Editor Sravan gave clarity in rhythm of shooting.”

Nobody can dominate me - Mohan Babu

Mohan Babu said, “K Raghavendra Rao is an encyclopedia of cinema. His father K Surya Prakasa Rao was a master of screenplay. K Raghavendra Rao gave me a hit in the form of Devatha film when I need it most. He has also directed Alludu Garu when I was down. I was surprised that everybody here praised Lakshmi to an exent that she surpassed me. Nobody can dominate me in this film industry, not even my daughter. Lakshmi knows no fear. She acted with a live snake when she was 7 years old. Lakshmi took my advice regarding dialogue delivery and modulation. I taught her a few tips and she came up with wonderful modulation. Kamal Hassan was a dancer when I was struggling as assistant director in Chennai. Both of us became actors later. I welcome Kamal’s daughter Shruti Hassan to Telugu films.”