Samantha Turns a Safe Bet

Filmmakers believe that this actress has a strong market in Telugu and Tamil, though she hasn't delivered a hit here.

Samantha may not have single big release or hit to her credit in K-Town but she seems to be sought-after by filmmakers here. The actress started off her career in K-Town with small films like Baana Kathaadi and Moscowin Kaveri and with Neethane Enn Ponnvasantham, has attempted to move into the big league. The actress is currently working on this trilingual with Jiiva, Nani and Aditya Roy Kapur (for Tamil, Telugu and Hindi respectively). So what makes her so saleable? An industry insider says, "Samantha's last film in Telugu with Mahesh Babu, Dookudu, was a superhit. She has a strong market in Telugu and now with her signing on big films here, filmmakers think she is the best bet for movies that will be released in both markets."

As far as her remuneration goes, Samantha is reportedly currently charging 75 lakh in Tollywood per flick. Says a source, "Samantha is probably taking home a lesser salary in K-Town as she is yet to deliver a hit as the leading lady. Plus, she has worked with only smaller actors before. NEP will be a test of sorts for her." The actress is seen as more affordable than the two other popular Tollywood girls, Ileana and Anushka, in the south. Moreover, as everyone knows, both these actresses are also extremely choosy about their projects and don't sign on a flick easily -especially in Kollywood.

Samantha Takes on Suresh

After Tollywood producer Bellamkonda Suresh accused Samantha of walking out of his film after having signed a contract, a meeting was called for on Thursday by the Producers' Council to sort out the issue.

While Suresh said Sam wasn't allotting dates for his film, the actress cited unacceptable changes in the script as the reason for her quitting the film. Our source tells us that after director Nandini Reddy confirmed Siddharth as the lead actor, the original script underwent a major change.

"Sid allegedly did not like Sam's character overriding his role. He reportedly insisted on some changes and Nandini succumbed to the pressure," says our source. Apparently, Sam was advised to do the film and Nandini was told to convince her as to why the changes had to be made. Samantha said that she was ready to do the film if the producers stuck to the original script, otherwise she was ready to return the advance money too.

I Love Working with Gautham: Samantha

Gautham Menon's latest muse seems to have struck gold not just in Kollywood but Tollywood too. Dookudu with Mahesh Babu is a success but Samantha, who is busy shooting Gautham Menon's tri-lingual film in Chennai, prefers to downplay it. "The credit for the success of my first film goes to Gautham Menon. My second and third films were with big stars. I am happy that I was a part of these successful films," she says.

Post Sameera Reddy, Samantha is touted as Gautham's muse having done the Telugu version of VTV, a cameo in Nadunisi Naaygal and the current trilingual Neethane En Ponvasantham. Does the film with Prateik Babbar kickstart her Bollywood innings? She replies with an emphatic, "No," adding, "I'm just doing a trilingual film and if I do get a chance to do another Hindi film, I cannot accept immediately as I am busy with South films."

Ask her if it gets repetitive, enacting same shot in three different languages and she agrees it is stressful. "But I like challenges. Also, I love working with Gautham. Somehow, working with him makes my work seem easy!"

Her focus, however, seems to be on Tollywood as she has signed three films there - opposite Siddharth, Naga Chaitanya and Mahesh Babu respectively. Samantha refuses to talk about them despite the filmmakers announcing their projects. She says, "I am a little superstitious about revealing my forthcoming films. I will talk about a film only after completing my first day shoot!"

Mahesh Babu's Dookudu Releasing Today

After a small lull, finally South Indian movie buffs can gear up for a real treat. Telugu movie Dookudu which got embroiled into censor storm has been given green signal and now the much awaited film releases on September 23.

Starring Mahesh Babu and Samantha, ‘Dookudu’ has already created a lot of buzz down south.

The film was delayed by a few weeks due to censor trouble. The censors were apparently not happy with the print of the film, which according to them was ‘not clear’.

Apparently, the film’s makers, including director Sreenu Vytla, are confident that it will go on to be a superhit.

Prince Mahesh Babu’s fan following will ensure a good opening for the film, which is produced by Anil Sunkara, Achanta Gopinath and Achanta Ram under the banner of 14reels Entertainment Pvt Ltd. Samantha Ruth Prabhu plays the female lead in Dookudu.

Special attraction of the film is of course Parvathi Milton who sizzles in an item song!