Tollywood to get a slice of Mohanlal magic

Hyderabad: Undoubtedly, Mollywood superstar Mohanlal is one of the finest actors in India and has bagged four national awards including one as a producer in his illustrious career and attained status of a super hero among his fans across the world.

He put in an appearance briefly in a song in Telugu film “Gaandivam.” Now, the 56-year-old star’s upcoming Telugu film Manamantha is his full-fledged entry into the T-town (even though his other Telugu film Janatha Garage was supposed to be released first).

Along with trade pundits, even the six-time Kerala State award-winning actor himself would be waiting for the response with bated breath from the Telugu viewers.

Producer Sai Korapati is reportedly investing Rs 6 crore in the family entertainer which is being helmed by Chandrasekar Yeleti of Anukokunda Oka Roju fame. Earlier, his colleagues like Mammotty and Suresh Gopi did straight Telugu films like Swathi Kiranam, Anthima Theerpu respectively, so now it is turn of Mohanlal to test the waters in T-town.

“It is true that Mohanlal has new challenge on hand in T-town. But actually to his advantage, his other big-ticket Telugu film Janatha Garage with NTR Jr which was supposed to be released first, generated lot of hype and it is likely to help Manmantha to draw openings,” said Telugu film director Sunil Kumar Reddy, who made Malayalam film Best Friends.

“Mohanlal is one of finest actors in Indian cinema and his body of work is impeccable. I can easily say that Telugu viewers were unlucky for not being able to watch best of his works like Thanmatra, Pranayam and Drishyam, just to mention a few in his 300-odd movies.

He has attained super hero status and also a powerhouse of acting talent and garnered unprecedented following in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gulf countries and overseas, now an opportunity for him to add Telugu fans to the list of admirers,” he added

However, producer N Padmini, said that Mohanlal’s earlier dubbed films released in united AP did not set really box office on fire, except for Yodha.

“Very few of his films were dubbed into Telugu and even the much-hyped Manirathnam’s dubbed film Iddaru in which he portrayed the role of legendary MGR failed to set box office on fire, although he won accolades.

Whereas, Suresh Gopi is more popular with Telugu viewers with his onscreen cop roles, followed by talented Mammotty. Even director Chandrasekar Yeleti is known for his path-breaking films, so Manamantha is a film to watch out for,” she concluded.