If you thoink the first quarter has been boring, with a few hits in the form of Businessman, Bodyguard, Ee Rojullo, and Racha, a raft of up-and-coming movies are going to leave you spellbound. At least for their budgets and expected openings. Firstly, there is NTR's Dammu, which, in MM Keeravani's words, is going to take heroism onto a greater pedestal. Releasing amidst a rare hype, this one has the names like Boyapati and NTR, who instantly ring a chord with the masses, going for it. Even a 'watchable once' talk will translate into Rs. 30 crores in just the first week, some estimates say.

Then there is Daruvu, Ravi Teja's curious socio-fantasy. If the genre doesn't inspire the mass audience much, Brahmi-RT's comedy track and Tapsee Pannu's presence will. If the comedy works, and there is substance in the story, Mass Maharaja can comfortably put the 'Tuppu' (no offence meant) past behind. It will indirectly help Puri Jagannadh’s producers, as Devudu Chesina Manushulu would hit a month later. If everything goes well, Balakrishna would finally reign supreme as Adhinayakudu on the same day as Daruvu hits the screens, so goes the rumour in Film Nagar circles. The film has been languishing without a release for four months now.

Going by the tantalising ring to the film's title, people may soon forget Pawan Kalyan's name and start calling him Gabbar Singh. Ask 'Surya bhai,' he knows it better than any other hero. The hype is understandable, because this one is the first genuine mass entertainer in Pawan's 15-year old career.

Eega, to be released on May 30, has already become Tollywood's pride. Rajamouli's film has been able to hog the limelight in three southern States. Get ready to watch the triangular love story, complete with murder, retribution, and state-of-the-art graphics.

Ram's Endukante Premanta, which is a bi-lingual, is the odd one out. This one is for the heart. Karunakaran is all set to tell us a heart-warming, mature and high brow love story, and he has the perfect cast. Expect Ram to be doing something which he has never done. Of course, Tamanna is always at her best when it comes to portraying emotions as a sweetheart romantic (as KIKK has proved).

Come June, there is Prabhas’ Rebel, being shot arduously by Prabhas and Lawrence (who has been shooting it intermittently). A Rs. 40 cr behemoth, this is the most important film in Prabhas’ career. Will Lawrence strike gold?

Then there is Julayi. Expect loads of laughter, a sizzling heroine (Illeana), slick action and foot-tapping music (by DSP). This is important for Arjun, who has had a lean patch for a long time now.

When hundreds of crores are at stake on a handful of films, forgive the producers if they resort to ubiquitous release. With first week records becoming the arithmetic of prestige, expect a lot of heat this summer, aside from the one generated by solar radiation.