Latest news with #KeedaaCola
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Rag Mayur, the accidental actor
Tell us how it all began. I started with theatre while juggling multiple roles — writing, directing, and even working as a film critic for six to seven years. I had all this energy and love for cinema but didn't know how to channel it. I was also working an IT job at the time. In 2016, I made a short film titled Rama Kanavemira, which unexpectedly went viral with over two million views. That gave me the clarity that acting was where I truly belonged. I stopped writing, focused on acting, joined theatre workshops, and began auditioning for films like Mahanati and Dear Comrade — wherever I saw potential in the directors. Then came Cinema Bandi. I first acted in the demo version, but usually, demo actors don't make it to the final film. Thankfully, Raj & DK insisted we continue and that became my first major break. The response was overwhelming. We got messages from Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka... we had to use Google Translate to read the reviews! It finally felt like I had arrived. You've often mentioned Tharun Bhascker as a dream collaborator in your earlier interviews. What was that experience like? None of my interviews are complete without mentioning Tharun Bhascker, and rightly so. Cinema Bandi brought a niche following, but Keedaa Cola made me recognisable even among auto drivers and cabbies. After Cinema Bandi, Tharun messaged me on Instagram and that alone felt surreal. I had auditioned for Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi and was rejected, but five years later, I got Keedaa Cola. He's incredibly humble, encouraging, and believes in creative freedom. After two ad films, he called me in for Keedaa Cola, and that became one of my most cherished projects.
New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Vishnu: I'm still half-baked at work
How did your journey in films begin? Honestly, I was never really into films. Even now, I feel like I'm still half-baked at work! I began as a photographer right after college. Some of my college friends from Hyderabad Public School were connected to Tharun Bhascker. One of his friends, who was also a photographer, needed an assistant and I jumped at the opportunity. Through Kishore, I met Tharun and started shooting with him. Pelli Choopulu came later, but before that, one of Tharun's friends made a short film Four Is A Mob, and Tharun saw me in it. He pitched me in Sainma, and that opened doors. But I knew I wasn't ready. I lacked confidence in acting and tried everything to avoid film sets. Funny thing, Tharun offered me a role in Pelli Choopulu as a photographer named Vishnu. It was practically written for me, but due to some delays, I couldn't do it. I was present throughout the film's making, though, and watching everyone else act, I felt a strange jealousy. Vijay Deverakonda, who I knew from college, told me I should've done it and pitched me Taxiwaala. I auditioned, got selected, and received some good feedback. But that set was nothing like Tharun's, it felt too mechanical. The project dragged for over a year, and I lost interest again. Then, a friend from Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi offered me Skylab with Nithya Menen. I shot one day, and COVID hit. Eventually, we resumed, and I was stuck at a director friend's place. We'd exchange ideas daily. Skylab didn't do well commercially, but working with Nithya ma'am taught me so much, her eye for detail, her professionalism. Then came MAD. Director Kalyan Shankar was excited and told me, 'We start shooting in three days.' I needed the work, so I said yes. They liked what I did on day 1. Around the same time, Tharun asked me to read a script. I suggested I do the role of Sikandar instead, he liked the idea, gave me audition material, and I worked hard. He approved it, and that's how Keedaa Cola happened. It all felt like Sainma again. MAD and Keedaa broke the shackles for me. They gave me the confidence I never had. Then MAD 2 came along, and we just wanted to make something funny. Looking back, I realise what Tharun sowed in me and during Sainma it really took root. That's a life lesson, I owe him a lot.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tharun Bhascker confirms ‘Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi' sequel with original cast returning
The awaited follow-up to the beloved buddy comedy "Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi," directed by Tharun Bhascker Dhaassyam, has finally been revealed. The project, called "ENE Repeat," was revealed on June 29 in an unexpected announcement video. The promo video for "Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi," which marks the film's seventh anniversary, opens with the tagline, "Elinaati Shani Ayyipoyindi, Kanyaraasi Time Ochindi," which translates to "the bad phase is over, Team Kanyaraasi has arrived," indicating more trouble and comedic confusion in the follow-up. This is the post: The humorous image of a half-open suitcase with strewn-about items like sunglasses, headphones, and a beer bottle in the video reflects the humor and nostalgic charm of the film. Based on the initial impression, it seems that the focus will now be on the United States. This is the promotional video: The movie gained a cult following after its initial release in 2018, particularly among younger viewers. A trend of successful theatrical re-releases was sparked by the tremendous reaction to its recent re-release. The original core cast, which included Venkatesh Kakumanu, Sai Sushanth Reddy, Abhinav Gomatam, and Vishwak Sen, will return for the sequel. Filming is planned to start shortly after pre-production is complete. Tharun Bhascker, whose first film, Pelli Choopulu, and sequel, Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi, established his unique voice in Telugu cinema, will once again direct "ENE Repeat." In his most recent project, "Keedaa Cola," he served as both the director and the actor. In order to preserve the film's unique tone and texture in the follow-up, cinematographer AJ Aaron and music director Vivek Sagar are also returning. D Suresh Babu, Srujan Yarabolu, and Sandeep Nagireddy are funding the sequel.
New Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Jeevan Naidu: Peace of mind is success
He made us laugh with his comic timing, and surprised us with his intensity in serious roles. Jeevan Naidu, the actor known for his standout performances in films like Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi, Keedaa Cola, Jathi Ratnalu, and many more has effortlessly balanced humour and gravity on-screen. CE had the pleasure of catching up with him for an exclusive one-on-one interaction at his home after a delicious afternoon meal. How did your journey into films begin? I used to run a restaurant named Charcoal Barbeque. Many people from the film industry would visit, including Sai Dharam Tej and Viva Harsha. Harsha and I became close, and one day he suggested we make a short film together. That's how Drunk and Drive happened. We kept making more short films from there. The turning point came when one of my 10th-grade friends, Bharath who was also a classmate of Tharun Bhascker during engineering knew about my interest in films. He introduced me to Tharun. That's how my journey into cinema really began. Were you always interested in films? Absolutely. I've always wanted to be a part of this industry. But I was also practical, I knew I needed financial stability before diving in. Without a proper plan, I could have ended up on the streets. So I focused on building a career first and then slowly transitioned into films. How was your experience working with Tharun Bhascker and Brahmanandam? Working with Brahmanandam garu, someone we've all admired since childhood, was a dream come true. With Tharun, it's something else altogether, he's my mentor. He supports everyone he works with and keeps in touch with them. His entire team is shining now because he builds people up, not just casts them.
