HERO HONDA HUNK

Hero Honda Hunk : The new bike from Hero Honda
Hero Honda recently launched their not much awaited bike Hero Honda Hunk.
Already talks about it and specially its name, Hero Honda could have used some better name. Well, Hunk is still, if you look into dictionary then it is a very manly word.
This machine has almost similar power and torque to CBZ xtreme, ie. 14.2bhp at 8500 rpm and 12.8 nm at 6500 rpm. Then engine displacement is 149.2 cc . And the engine is set to have tumble flow ( I can't comment over it as do not have enough information about it).
Lets talk about other things of the HUNK, ie. its look and fairing and its styling.
First thing you will note that it has gas charged, adjustable rear shok absorber, it is I think first in Hero Honda Bike. One thing I loved about CBZ from beginning was its saddle position, it just made you sit so sporty that you feel like GOD on road. .. here in Hero Honda Hunk, saddle position is nice so it feels so sporty while sitting on Bike.
Front Disc brake is fine, I wished if they could have increased its size as TVS did in Apache RTR 160, it looks so nice and somohow makes feel bike more powerful (physcologically).
Looking over design, the bike has over all a big look as we had with CBZ xtreme. This time grab rail is single piece ie not like CBZ xtreme which as splitted one looked really cool. One thing I noticed here that they wanted to bike to look shorter and sporty and hence you can see on back that they have kept seat little shorter though ideally should stretch a bit more, anyhow it is looking unique.
What I think that there was something missing in CBZ xtreme and Hero Honda thinks that to compete with Apache RTR and new pulsar, they should work around and hence we have "Hunk".
It has body coloured leg gaurd, I have seen first in Hero Honda bikes and rather in any bike yet. another nice thing about design is its fairing covering the tank, it really makes it feel big, sit over and it is really big. Headlamp is good but again could have better in design. I don't know why Hero Honda people can't create a appealing front look but its satisfactory this time.
As most part of bike is gray so other color create different look than whole gray bike. As you look in above pic, the bike is in red colour but touch of Gray , black makes it appealing.
Looking at the meter console, we have no digital instruments there, looks like Hero Honda wants to make it traditional style manly stuff, only raw power. After all, you can't feel the adrenaline in those digital meter as you feel when the niddle spindle over the meter .. wraoommmm...

Fuel consumption is said to same as CBZ but with little improvement. And bike comes in two version, a kick start costing Rs. 55000 ex showroom Delhi and Rs. 57000 for Electric start ex-showroom Delhi. Price is all standard. Anyways, Going to most little more about the bike after riding it for a while.

HAPPY DAYS REVIEW

Shekhar Kammula made his debut into films with 'Dollar Dreams'. Later, he ventured into Telugu films and his first movie 'Anand' starring Raja and Kamalini Mukherjee, was a big hit as it was a different from routine film. As the tagline of the film suggested, the film is really tasted like a good coffee. His next film is 'Godavari' featuring Sumanth and Kamalini Mukherjee. This film too was proved a good hit.
After two big successes, Shekhar ventured into the third movie with all new faces. At the same time the film featured the 'Happy Days' of college life and he made it again to achieve a hattrick. This time the director targeted the youth in particular.
A team of students join engineering college. Of them ChandraShekhar @ Chandu (Varun Sandesh) Madhumati @ Madhu (Tamanna), Rajesh (Nikhil), Appu (Gayatri Rao), Tyson (Rahul) and Chandra (Vamsikrishna) become good friends. As usual, the seniors rag the juniors and the juniors used to obey the seniors. One of the seniors order Madhu to come to the college in a half-saree. Chandu loses his heart once he saw Madhu in half saree. Their friendship grows to such a level that Chandu opens his heart innocently that he wanted to kiss her, while doing combined studies. Madhu's father happens to listen those words. Being a father's child, Madhu stops talking with Chandu. For almost two years their friendship fails to blossom again.
However, both of them continue to love each other in their hearts and same is the case with Rajesh and Appu. Of them, Tyson is brilliant chap and he used to do several wonders with his intelligence. Once, Tyson finds Chandra's girlfriend (Monali Choudary) with some other boy and warns Chandra to forget her. He fails to listen to Tyson. Then he tries to tell that girl not to cheat Chandra, and in a fit of anger slaps her. This causes heartburn to that girl who instigates the seniors, one of whom was her brother, and also Chandra. They bash him up. In another case, Tyson loses his heart to a senior Sravanti (Sonia). But she has some other plans to continue her education in the US and she refuses friendship with Tyson. Will Chandu able to patch up with Madhu? What happened the friendship between Appu and Rajesh? Did Chandra realise that his girlfriend really ditched him? Answers to all these questions form part of the climax.
Performance:
Chandu (Varun Sandesh): Though there are four heroes in the film, Sandesh could be considered as the main hero as he dominated all the other characters and appeared the leader of the gang. He also got a good footage all through the film. Though a novice, he performed well. Especially in the love and romantic scenes and other scenes with college in the backdrop, he showed good body language.
Madhu (Tamanna): Though she appeared in modern attire, i.e, in jeans and shirts, she appeared very homely. She is glamorous in modern outfits and at the same time gorgeous in half sarees and sarees. She too gave a brilliant performance along with Sandesh. Especially, she expressed good anger in her eyes and in facial expressions.
Rajesh (Nikhil): This is another major character that has good footage all through the film. Though he is the son of an MLA, he could not do anything in front of seniors and he provided good comedy in the movie. His language with Telangana slang is good to listen and his expressions and body language in convincing the other friends is worth watching.
Tyson (Rahul): This is another major character in the film. He is a very intelligent guy. He wants to do something in Robotics. He had good interest in computers and he used to do wonders with his experiments in physics and chemistry. Moreover, his body language in saving the friendship, helping friends and in maintaining friendship is also worth watching. The way he wanted to win the love even by going to the US as a junior to his lover again, wets the eyes of the audiences.
Vamsikrishna, Sonia, Gayatri Rao, Monali Choudary and others also did justice to their respective roles. Kamalini Mukherjee made a guest appearance as a lecturer and looked quite romantic in a couple of scenes. Other who played the roles of seniors looked very apt in their respective roles.
Technical:
Music: Though both the earlier films of Shekhar Kammula had KM Radhakrishnan as music director, this time the director-cum-producer chose Mickey J Meyer and he gave melodious tunes to all the songs. While a couple of them were based on melody the others suited the taste of youth.
Camera: Vijay C Kumar's cinematography during songs is fantastic. He tried new angles and especially the one that was shot with Vizag beach in its backdrop is beautiful. Even the scenes with college backdrop also came out very well. Especially, he was able to capture the moods of the heroes and heroines of the film perfectly. He gave the feel as if we were watching some incidents that are just happening in front of us and the audiences don't get a cinematic feeling at all. He perfectly moulded the moods and idea of Shekhar Kammula on the celluloid.
Editing: Marthand K Venkatesh edited the film. Though he did his perfectly, he might have forgot to cut short a part of the film as the length of the film is too long and it stretched for more than two and a half hours. In fact, he could nod to do so, as the scenes were so interlinked and make the audiences immerse in it unknowingly due to the magic spell of director Shekhar Kammula.
Location: A major part of the film was shot in Chaitanya Bharati Institute of Technology (CBIT). In fact, the CBIT management of stopped giving permission for shooting films on their campus long ago. Being an alumnus of the college Shekhar Kammula convinced the management to shoot the film on their campus.
Director: Once again Shekhar Kammula came up with a clean and neat film. So far, several directors destroyed the college atmosphere in films and portrayed it in indecent and awkward manner. Criticising the lecturers, showing them as buffoons, showcasing the principal as a fool and other such scenes are routine in Telugu films mostly. But Shekhar Kammula showed the real college atmosphere on the screen.
Producer : Shekhar Kammula is a very intelligent producer too. He cut the cost of the production on a big way in different ways. He chose new faces for the entire cast, he saved in the form of remuneration to the cast. Next he shot a major part of the film in CBIT, which saved him the cost of erection of sets etc. He partnered with 'Pantaloons', which helped him in saving the cost of costumes budget in a major way. Above all, he provided boarding facilities to the cast and crew in Treasure Island which he got at a reasonable price.
Remarks: Running a college radio, starting anti-ragging squad in the college itself are the innovative ideas of Shekhar Kammula, which could be introduced in the college, and they would be really useful for the college students. Generally there is a wrong notion that youthful films are not advised for family viewing. But 'Happy Days' proved it wrong as the film reflected the mindset, views and aspirations of the youth. It is a movie which everyone can enjoy.

TULASI REVIEW

Banner : Suresh Productions Pvt. Ltd.
Cast: Venkatesh, Nayanatara, Master Athulith, Ali, Sivaji, Ramyakrishna, Rahul Dev, Ashish Vidyarthi, Uttej and others
Music Director: Devisri Prasad
Producer: Suresh Babu
Director: Boyapati Srinu
Released on: October 12, 2007

Thulasi is everything and more of what one can expect from a commercial mass entertainer. It’s bang on and packs in all the elements that make a film a box-office success. Director Srinu manages to throw in the right sentiments in the right proportions to keep the audience entertained all along.
Though the title is somewhat suggestive of a rustic plot, Thulasi is a contemporary story packaged for the urban audience, both here and abroad. It has lots of action, romance and emotional drama, yet is crisply told. The credit goes to the director for coming up with a film which complements the image of Venkatesh. The plot moves back and forth between Bangalore, Austria, Germany, the hero’s village and Hyderabad. But nowhere does the storyline loses pace.
The film opens with Thulasi (Venkatesh) bashing up the bad boys led by Rahul Dev at a fashion show held by his now estranged wife Vasundhara, Vasu (Nayanatara). A quick flashback reveals the frothy love story of Thulasi and Vasu and their subsequent marriage. After missing their flight en route to an NRI wedding, Thulasi decides to accompany Vasu to her destination, being the chivalrous hero. Starting off with scenes that are obviously reminiscent of Saif’s Hum Tum, we are instantly taken off on a mushy and incredibly beautiful tour of Austria and Germany. A couple of songs later, the two-some end up at the wedding and decide to tie the knot themselves.
Cut to present day, Thulasi lands in Bangalore and manages to get a flat at the Clean and Green Apartments where his wife and little son now live. Soon, he manages to make friends with his adorable son, Harsha (Athulith), much to the annoyance of Vasu. From here, the plot gets a bit serious and we are told of a brain hemorrhage. Who suffers from it, is the twist in the tale though. Before one has the time jump to conclusions, the bad boys of yore make their entry once more and shoot Thulasi. This time around, it is friend and doctor, Ramyakrishna, who narrates the rest of the flashback as Venkatesh fights death. The crossword puzzle falls into place and the rest of the story shows how Thulasi takes on the baddies.
Venkatesh is perfect in the tailor-made role, which sees him playing a lover boy, angry young man and a doting father, all in one. A special mention has to be made of Venkatesh’ stylist for using a varied colour palette to dress him up. Nayanatara provides ample glamour, yet looks mature enough to be the mother of a five-year-old boy. The son is definitely the little star attraction. His cute looks evoke the sympathy that his character demands. The bonding between Venky and the little boy looks so real that one cannot help wondering if it is his real son. Incidentally, Venkatesh’s real-life son happens to be of the same age. Ramyakrishna in a cameo and Shriya doing an item number are bonus surprises of the film.
The entire bad boy brigade suits their characters and Sivaji makes an impact with his small but well-etched character.
Though there is lots of action in the film, it is weaved into the plot appropriately. Also the comic track in the form of Kokapeta aunty, a parody of the real estate boom in Hyderabad is hilarious. Jhansi is excellent as the aunty who tries to show off her newfound wealth. Ali’s track though was gross in parts and could have been cut down at the editing table. Paruchuri Brothers manage to add subtle humour wherever possible through out the film.
Another highlight of the film is its music by Devisri Prasad. The entire album is foot tapping and the timing of the songs is perfect. The special effects in Vennelantha and the settings are superb. Mia Mia is another number worth a mention. Chandra Bose comes up with catchy lyrics yet again.
What makes Thulasi tick is its fresh and trendy look. There is a bit of an overdose of action in the second half. But then, in all, it’s not tedious watching. Go for it!

ATHIDI MOVIE REVIEW

Storyline: Athidi (Mahesh Babu) is an orphan kid adapted by Amritha’s (Amritha Rao) parents who live in New Delhi. They were later killed by a psycho killer in which Athidi was unfortunately comprehended as murderer and sent to jail for 13 years. He comes out of jail and sworn to kill the psycho killer. Incidentally Amritha is an art student in Delhi happens to be saved by Athidi from goons and falls in love with him on the first sight. Meanwhile Athidi confronts Danny (Ashish Vidyarthi) to come to know that the psycho killer’s name is Khaiser (Murali Sharma), who is a disguised kidnapper in Hyderabad. Khaiser’s next target is to kidnap Amritha. How Athidi takes revenge on Khaiser and rescues Amritha from him form the rest of the story.

Casting Performances:Mahesh Babu once again excelled with his extraordinary performance. He looks handsome and very stylish with his new hairdo. He suited the role of Athidi to the tee. He performed extremely well in action episodes. His comedy timing is also good particularly in the scene confronting Brahmanadam and Sunil in drunken state. He also did well in emotional scenes. His dances are also good.

Amritha Rao debuted through this film as heroine. She played as heiress of lots of inherited wealth. She is up to her elements with her cute mannerisms. She got good footage in the story of the film and justified the role. She looked glamorous in songs. Overall, she is ok.

Others:Ashish Vidyarthi looked bit weird and funny in the getup of a drug dealer. He showed some ruthlessness even though his getup is funny. He did a nice job. Murali Sharma played the role of main villain and perfectly suited as to the role of disguised kidnapper. His performance towards climax is note worthy. Kota Srinivasa Rao’s role of a political leader is ok. He did well with his typical Telangana dialect. Venumadhav’s short role is bit comic relief in the first half. Sunil and Brahmanandam evoked huge laughter in the scene confronting Mahesh Babu. Malaika shook her legs through an item number in this film. Others chipped in.

TECHNICAL ASPECTSStory - Screenplay & Direction:Basic story of the film is typical revenge plot with nothing novel in it. Surender Reddy left his mark in certain scenes of the film particularly in action and chasing sequences. He is succeeded in presenting the hero in a stylish way. But he completely missed his concentration on the narration of the story. Screenplay is mediocre. Direction is good at times.

Music by Mani Sharma is ok. All songs are melodious except the item number towards climax. Background score is alright.
Visually all the songs are wonderful to watch. Photography by Sameer Reddy is terrific. The camera angles, lighting effects
and camera movements are appropriate to relevant scenes. Few scenes shot in the range of like Hollywood films. Graphics works
in the film are professional. Dialogues by Abburi Ravi are ok. Mahesh’s reckless dialogues reminded of Pokiri’s dialogues.
Editing could have been more precise in the first half. Fights by Stun Siva are excellent. Introduction fight is pretty
creative and different to regular fights. Production values by Krishna Productions and UTV Motion Pictures are of high standards.

Analysis:First half of the film is mediocre. Second half of the film is very interesting with good twists at right time. The first
half of the film is little boring with slow screenplay. Tempo rises gradually through the second half. There is very limited
comedy in the film. Entertainment values are highly missing in the entire film. Sunil, Brahmanandam and Venumadhav were
limited for only few minutes. Mahesh’s performance, Surender Reddy’s stylish taking, photography, fights and second half are
main positive aspects of the film. Lack of comedy, overload of action sequences and slow first half are negative aspects of
the film. Overall, Athidi is a run of the mill flick.