Leader Audio Release

November 22nd, 2009, saw the grand audio launching ceremony of ‘Leader’ directed by Sekhar Kammula under the prestigious banner AVM Productions introducing Movie Moghal Dr D Ramanaidu’s grandson and producer D Suresh Babu’s son, “RANA” to the Telugu Film Industry. ‘Leader’ is the 174th film of AVM Productions banner.

The function was graced by the prominent film personalities like Megastar Chiranjeevi, Akkineni Nagarjuna, Venkatesh, Dr D Ramanaidu, producers M Saravanan & M Guhan, D Suresh Babu, Rana, Allu Arjun, Sumanth, Manchu Vishnuvardhan Babu, Aswini Dutt, Krishnam Raju, Murali Mohan, BN Reddy, MS Raju, Sekhar Kammula, Mickey J Mayor, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Tanikella Bharani, KL Rama Rao, D Siva Ramakrishna, Prakash, Ahuti Prasad, Krish, heroines Priya Anand & Richa Gangopadhyaya. The function was hosted by anchor Suma.

The function started off with the patriotic song ‘Jaya Jaya Jaya Priya Bharathi…’ by Little Musician Academy followed by a few hit songs from Sekhar Kammula’s films.

The first song written by Shankarambaadi Sundaram and sung by Tangutoori Suryakumari was released by Krishnam Raju, MS Reddy and DVS Raju.

The second song was ‘Vandematharam’ was released by D Ramanaidu, D Suresh Babu and Venkatesh.

The third song ‘HCM’ was released by Murali Mohan, BN Reddy, and Ravi Prakash.

The fourth ‘Avunana Kadana’ was released by Chiranjeevi.

Fifth song, the item number ‘Rajasekhara’ was released by Allu Arjun and MS Raju.

And the last but not the least was the sixth ‘Sreelu Pongina’ written by Rayaprolu Subba Rao was released by D Ramanaidu and Saravanan.

Addressing the gathering producer MS Guhan expressed his happiness for introducing Rana, the grandson of D Ramanaidu under Sekhar Kammula’s direction on his banner.

Sekhar Kammula while speaking, “So far I’ve directed all small films. It is my honor to direct a film under a great banner like AVM Productions. AVM office displays the framed pictures of all its films and I used to think that one day even the picture of my film should be displayed in this office. It wasn’t Ramanaidu garu or Suresh Babu garu who called me to direct Rana, but it is me who went in search of a hero for my script and asked them. I am grateful to them and also AVM Productions for trusting me. I use to always relate my films with my family members. Like if ‘Anand’ is my daughter and ‘Happy Days’ is my son, ‘Leader’ is my mother. After delivering a successful film like ‘Happy Days’ I was sitting idle at home without knowing what to do next. During that period elections were nearing, so I would follow the TV news regularly and went in search of a new subject. Likewise I developed a script based on today’s political scenario in India. To develop the new-age politics in India we require a good ‘Leader’. How that leader should be to change today’s politics, I wanted to show the public through my ‘Leader’. The only good thing that I’ve done so far in my life is to direct the film like ‘Leader’. I crafted this film in such a way that without a single fight and without shedding even a single drop of blood my ‘Leader’ will make the audience cry. Mickey J Mayor gave excellent music for the film. To compose music for this film we have done some homework on devotional and patriotic songs. Sri Veturi Sundararamamurthy garu is the leader of this audio function because he had penned outstanding lyrics for this film.”

Giving his opinion on Rana, Sekhar said, “Rana is a very nice guy, six foot tall and maintains self-discipline. He comes to the set at the right time and makes the atmosphere very healthy. Regarding his acting skills, I want the audience to watch the film and give their opinion. ‘Leader’ is going to be a super duper hit.”

Dr D Ramanaidu while speaking, “Today is the happiest day for me. I entered the film industry in 1962 and started Suresh Productions banner on 16th November, 1963 with a film ‘Ramudu-Bheemudu’ with N T Rama Rao garu. During that time my son Suresh Babu was studying in a college but never showed interest to act in films. In the year 1986 I approached Krishna garu with a script for which he could not allocate time. Therefore I asked Raghavendra Rao garu if he could take up that script and launch on second son Venkatesh. Venkatesh was at Paris for his higher studies. When I asked him if he is interested in acting, he immediately gave his nod and thus the film ‘Kaliyuga Pandavulu’ happened. Now we are introducing Rana and I hope the people’s blessings with always be with him. I always wish to be on No.1 slot. Likewise wishing my grandson Daggubati Rana to overtake me I am launching him as a hero through South India’s biggest production house AVM banner. I hope everyone will watch him on screen and make the film a grand success.”

Venkatesh said, “Very soon a ‘Leader’ is going to appear in front of you and he is Rana. All of you have given me enough encouragement for the past few years, now it is time for Rana to get the same encouragement from you all who is coming with an honest film.”

Allu Arjun commented, “While D Ramanaidu garu is like a God father to Telugu film industry, MS Guhan garu is the real leader of Tamil film industry and Rana is my best friend. This is definitely a hit film. There may be many hit films in a year but this film will make everyone think. Rana! All the best!”

Nagarjuna opined, “Like Bunny said some time back wherever Rana comes he keeps the atmosphere energetic. I wish Rana to reach great heights like his grandfather Ramanaidu garu and uncle Venkatesh. I wish him all the best.”

Mickey J Mayor said, “I thank Sekhar Kammula garu for giving this great opportunity to me. We really worked very hard to compose tunes for these songs. It is beyond my capacity to compose tunes at par with great patriotic songs written by great lyricists. This audio has come out very well only due to the remarkable lyrics provided by Veturi garu. But Sekhar Kammula garu had given me complete freedom to work on it. Re-recording of the film is excellent. I hope this film will give Rana a very big hit. My dream was to meet Chiranjeevi garu. Today I got the opportunity to meet him and shake hand with him. Thank you sir!”

Chiranjeevi said, “I am very happy to say that I have an association with each and every person related to this project ‘Leader’. This function is making me feel like my own as I felt for Charan’s launch. Rana is coming as ‘Leader’ fulfilling his grandfather’s wish. Rana is very lucky to get introduced through the prestigious banner like AVM Productions which is a dream for every actor to work for atleast one film. ‘Punnami Nagu’ under this banner was a milestone in my film career.”

Speaking further Chiranjeevi said, “Sekhar Kammula is a trend setter for new conceptual films. Although I’ve watched his film ‘Anand’ only once in theater, I watched it on small screen many times and whenever I watch that film I get glued to my seat. This director, who has a very good taste in film-making, now coming up with a thought provoking film like ‘Leader’ for the good cause of the society. I wish ‘Leader’ to become a super hit film.”

Rana had captured the attention of the entire stadium with his humble speech. He said, “My namaskaram to the elders who had come to bless me, my family and to all. I am going to appear in front of you all with the film ‘Leader’. I thank editor Marthand K Venkatesh garu for bringing this project to me. Generally there would be some fear while working for the first film. But in my case, my entire crew including my makeup men, drivers, light boys etc., have treated me as one among them. I thank all of them for giving me the work comfort. For the past 40 years my family members have dedicated their lives for the film industry. Hence I am going to follow their foot-steps from today onwards. You all supported my grandfather and father as producers and also supported my uncle who changed his sir name into ‘Victory’, so as a grandson and son I cannot do anything more than this. People in general mention their hometown as their birth place. But I will say that I was born in the lap of “Kalamathalli”.

Heroines Richa Gangopadhyaya and Priya Anand too spoke and expressed their happiness for being the part of the film.

In the end the CDs were released formally by producer M Saravanan and the cassettes were released by megastar Chiranjeevi. The audio function ended with the presentation of ‘Leader’ film mementos to the entire cast and crew members.