Pokiri
The Prince of Telugu cinema, it maybe recalled, was introduced as a chocolate box hero. He was seen as romantic, soft-focus hero for the youth set. But Mahesh Babu has come a long way since then.
Now the Prince has grown up to be a man of the masses. Even though he continues to shine in love themes, he has a new context ---an action hero.
Okkadu made him to be a action hero. He built it up through films like Athadu. He hopes to reach new levels in that through Pokiri.
Pokiri is, in a sense, his coming of age as an action and mass hero.
A film that has been made at record speeds (by Mahesh's standards), Pokiri is an action adventure that has all the other ingredients. The film started in November and is now all ready.
Directed by the redoubtable Puri Jaganadh, Pokiri is produced by Mahesh's brother Manjula.
Mahesh has reveled in this mass entertainer.
As Puri says Mahesh is a master of early collections. His Athadu had a remarkable opening. They now want to build on that all through.
Ileana, who is very active on the circuit, is the heroine.
The beautiful actress, who was very compelling with her performance in Devadasu, has oozed glamour in Pokiri.
The songs have been shot in places like Thailand (in the picturesque Phuket island).
The film is almost complete and the audio is expected in a couple of days.