Nice to see Fresh Faces

[Duke]

Telugu filmdom has traditionally been ruled by superstars with films in their bloodline.

Now that barrier seems on the verge of being shattered by the trickle of new blood in the film industry. Tollywood’s mint-fresh young actors Varun Sandesh, Nikhil, Tanish, Naani, Swathi, Sneha Ullal, Shweta Basu, Swathi, Shamili and Aksha are emerging as the toast of T-town box-office with an ever-growing fan base, are taking home fat pay cheques and have lots of films in hand too.

With the advent of more younger actors in Tollyland, the themes of the films have become more contemporary much to the delight of the Gen Now audience. For now, Varun Sandesh leads the pack with an action film and love story (remake of Maro Charitra), while Nikhil has six films in hand. Even Tanish and Naani have three films each. Among the teen divas, Shweta has two films, while others also have loads of film offers but claim that they want to be selective.

However, actor Nikhil is on a signing spree.” I got a good mix of roles, so I couldn’t say no,” he says. Naani whose film Snehithuda is set for release, prefers the “wait and watch” approach. “Two of my films will go on the floors in August. I have signed up for the best ones among all the films I was offered,” says the actor, who dabbled in direction before becoming an actor. “The overwhelming success of Ride changed the course of my career,” he avers.

For award winning child artistes-turned-actors Shwetha Basu and Shamili, acting was a natural choice. Shwetha even shed extra flab to turn heads in Ride. “It was a conscious decision,” she says. The actor who’s on a signing spree these days says, “Luckily, I have got meaty roles.”

Local stars Swathi, Bindhu Madhavi and Madhavi Latha are also on a new high. “I play the role of an aspiring singer in a family-oriented entertainer,” says Swathi about her new film. Bindhu dons a glam role in the film produced by Puri Jagannath, while Madhavi Latha describes her next film Snehithuda as a ‘cute love story’.

Mumbai girls Sneha Ullal and Aksha have their share of hits, but both want to be ‘choosy’ about their roles. “I am waiting for exciting roles,” says Sneha. Ditto for Aksha who also wants to do ‘meaty roles’.

Apparently, director Sridhar Reddy, who has signed six newcomers for Snehageetham says, “Any film that reflects the spirit, aspirations and energy of the new generation viewers will hit bull’s eye.”

With Tollywood growing younger everyday, it seems a matter of time before even big filmmakers would like to try out a new cast in their big ticket offerings.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4772954.cms