Lights, camera, action in Vizag!

Vizag is fast becoming the favourite destination of low budget Telugu filmmakers, who are making the most of the City of Destiny’s picturesque landscapes
A ravishing green cover, coupled with wide expanses of blue sea, a laid back atmosphere — all these and more are an integral part of Vizag. And these elements are what make for a perfect shot! The City of Destiny is a treasure trove of amazing visuals, and the latest to tap this potential are low-budget movie-makers.At least five Telugu flicks have been shot in the city in the past two months. What is interesting to note is that most of the directors and the actors of these films are either debutants, or relatively new to the industry.
Untitled ventures The latest film to be shot in the city is Arun Dasyam’s untitled maiden venture. The movie, which is currently being shot at Krishna College Road here, has Vizagites Sudhakar Komakula and Karthik, playing the leads — both of whom are freshers in the industry. While Sudhakar of Life is Beautiful fame, is just one movie old, Karthik is acting in his first film. Leading lady Avantika Mohan too is testing Tollywood waters with this film, though she has already acted in a few movies in Tamil and Malayalam.
The shooting of another film is currently underway at Ramanaidu Studio here. It is director Sampath’s debut movie. Though lead actor Randheer has acted in a few Telugu movies before, female lead Gautami is a newcomer.
3 Idiots Similarly, last month, shooting was on for the Telugu flick, 3 Idiots, on Vizag’s shores. The movie was shot at RK Beach and on the rocks jutting into the sea below the Tenneti Park. The movie, directed by Vykunt Lavya, was his first. The three heroes Nandu, Siddhu and Sreeraj were just a few movies old. Of the female actors, Smitka Achary was a debutante, while Samdeepthi was known for playing mythological characters.
Prema Geema Janta Nahi It was raining debutants in Prema Geema Janta Nahi. With this film, which was shot at the RK Beach, director Subbu and actress Barbie Handa dabbled in Tollywood waters for the first time. The film also has Sreeramchandra in the lead for the first time, though he had acted in Nagarjuna-starrer Sri Jagadguru Adishankara before.
Love You Bangaram Similarly, director Goverdhan Reddy and actor Sravya Boini had debuted in Love You Bangaram, a film that was shot at RK Beach as well as Tenneti Park. Rahul Haridas (Tyson of Happy Days fame), who played the hero in the movie, is just three films old.
Angry Young Man Vizag’s picturesque landscape seems to have caught the fancy of Bollywood as well. Angry Young Man, a Hindi film under Mumbai-based banner, was shot here in August. Director Ramesh Raut, lead pairs Harsh Singh Rathore and Prachi Sinha are all debutantes.