Vedam (Allu Arjun, Manoj Manchu, Anuksha)

[kalikaliankhen]

Hehehe... I'm loving the new Arjun fangirlism here   I've only seen one AA movie on the big screen, but I can assure you it is pretty darn distracting 

Disappointed that I can't find where this movie is playing just yet...  You'd think Sirish would be more mindful of our needs and tells us where it's coming instead of wasting precious tweets on Apple and other such trivial non-filmi issues... Sheesh!   

I'm as surprised as the next person one movie can turn me into AA's scariest fan Can't wait for the screening...

I know for a fact Idlebrain's listings of abroad screenings are incomplete (300 o/s prints, was it?). Have you tried phoning the US distributors to find out where in Amrika Vedam's screening and/ or if they have details of Canadian distributors? Just google idlebrain and abroad, and the vedam listing has several contact phone numbers you can try. Good luck!!  

[kalikaliankhen]

Hehehe... I'm loving the new Arjun fangirlism here   I've only seen one AA movie on the big screen, but I can assure you it is pretty darn distracting 

Disappointed that I can't find where this movie is playing just yet...  You'd think Sirish would be more mindful of our needs and tells us where it's coming instead of wasting precious tweets on Apple and other such trivial non-filmi issues... Sheesh!   

in fact just had a look on the webz and the US distributor w the rights (Cinegalaxy and Ikon Entertainment) is usually the Canada distributor for other Telugu movies as well. So they shld DEFINITELY know re screenings in yr town. If you haven't already you GOTTA call them!

[mayabazar]

generally the desis in every big city in US will have their favorite website. You need to get hold of that website. 

[dustdevil]

Whoo-hoo, it looks like we're getting Vedam, but for just one show.  I feel like I may want to wait this one out for subtitles.  I was able to follow Varudu pretty well, but I missed a lot of the humor in Darling.  This one looks like it actually has some plot twists and all that.

[Dolce~oro]

in fact just had a look on the webz and the US distributor w the rights (Cinegalaxy and Ikon Entertainment) is usually the Canada distributor for other Telugu movies as well. So they shld DEFINITELY know re screenings in yr town. If you haven't already you GOTTA call them!

Yup, that's the next step.

In the meantime, pics from this promo thing they did where he was playing electrician in the slums. Something about this way of promoting the movie doesn't sit well with me at all, but the pictures are still worth a look (or two... or many...  )






Tons more pictures here, but you get the idea. http://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/vedam-cableraju/index.html#thumbsrow5

[dustdevil]

I saw a clip of the video from this.  His character is called "Cable" (because he's illegally stealing cable, like Akshay's character in Tashaan? if I recall?)

Anyone Anyway, in the videos I was slightly worried that he might electrocute himself, 'cause that's a crazy mess o' cables.

[Dolce~oro]

I saw a clip of the video from this.  His character is called "Cable" (because he's illegally stealing cable, like Akshay's character in Tashaan? if I recall?)

Anyone, in the videos I was slightly worried that he might electrocute himself, 'cause that's a crazy mess o' cables.

Ya, that's the gist of it. He would have deserved it if he got an electric shock...

[Dolce~oro]

Show schedule for you lucky bums in the US

http://idlebrain.com/usschedules/vedam.html

[dustdevil]

I just checked, and our guys cancelled the showing tonight, but rescheduled for next week.  So, now I don't have to choose between this and Rajneeti.

[jjake61]

But the big question I have is whether it's going to be subbed or not.  Have tried to find out from Sirish, Southscope and Vedam_movie on twitter but no-one has responded.  Anyone hear anything yet?

[Dil Bert]

But the big question I have is whether it's going to be subbed or not.  Have tried to find out from Sirish, Southscope and Vedam_movie on twitter but no-one has responded.  Anyone hear anything yet?

Keep in mind that even if prints intended for overseas showings are subtitled, Indian prints make make it overseas by informal means and be shown.  Locally, a group of Telugu folks somehow get the films and show them in a local Indian/arthouse theater.

Anyways, no subtitles means more time staring at your favorite stars.

[prachus]

I really wasn't interested in this movie, because it doesn't feature any of my favourite actors. But all the enthusiasm on this board had made me curious. The movie is getting very good reviews. Now it is on my must watch movies list.
I remember a discussion on this board about Bunny singing a bit in one of the songs.
Here is him singing it live followed by a clip of the same song bit in the movie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRcLSYKZebU&feature=related#t=01m30s

ETA:Just before he starts singing there is a discussion where he says he sang in the original track. But his bit was replaced by some other singers' voice in the released album.

Or at least I thought that is what was being said. They speak so fast & my telugu is still so-so  

[red42]

So saw the movie last night - without subtitles, but to be honest with Bunny on screen probably wouldn't have read them anyway!

This is an amazing movie - quite different to normal Telugu fare, but with enough 'tradional' elements to make it fully enjoyable.

The next comment is sort of spoilerish...

Spoiler (hover to show)

 It's more along the lines of Amores Perros - a number of different storylines that converge. 

But it's just very well done - great performances, good use of colour and really beautifully shot. 

idlebrain jeevi has posted a review, and so far the response seems to have been good.

http://idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-vedam.html

I loved it, and will definitely get the DVD when it's released - if only to work out all the jokes I missed.

Oh and the audience reaction was great!

It was much more like when I go to see movies in Tamil Nadu - Hindi film audiences have become so tame recently!

[bollywhirl]

I also saw this last night, from the seat next to red42 Lack of subs really just meant I had to pay attention and missed a few nuances but I felt satisfies that I understood the film and its intent.

Its a really engaging and clever film, with some good performances. Allu Arjun has in some respects the weakest plot thread, but manages to create a really strong character with many nuances. Anushka and her assistant (whose name I cannot recall sorry) are fantastic, and Anushka's song in the brothel is so exubrant and spontaneous looking it was just a joy to see. I wont get too spoilery but it is worth a look at how a talented film maker has managed to take several typical SI filmi plot arcs and construct a narrative that is fresh and different. As red42 said, the colour palette throughout is just perfect.

Re the manband - it sort of has a justification and is limited in its screen time. Just for those of you worrying, I want to reassure you it is almost used for a comedic flourish at one point. So don't despair.

[jjake61]

Thanks Red and BollyWhirl. I was waiting to see how it was for people without subs. Sometimes when you have 3 different stories intertwined it tends to be a dialog heavy film so I was worried that it would be a film I should wait for the dvd on.  So glad its enjoyable without.  I am going to go tonight.

[kalikaliankhen]

Enjoy, jjake! I went to the Melbourne screening last night too.

I was a bit blown away by the climax

Spoiler (hover to show)

Generally by the realistic, non-cartoonishness of the violence in the hospital, as well as the general terrifyingness to me of these sorts of indiscriminate violence-against-random-folks scenarios

Consequently, it's taken me 24 hours or so to deal.

In summary, I really enjoyed Vedam. Wouldn't say I LOVED LOVED LOVED it. I thought everyone's performances were really good, I was impressed with the way the stories were interwoven. I was so glad the writing didn't go to all the obvious places,

Spoiler (hover to show)

Like romance between the male and female lead

and that it took some interesting turns.

I was surprised at Manchu Manoj's billing (I know there's been a bit of a kerfuffle around it). He had a reasonably substantial role, why was he represented only as 'special guest' appearance?

Agree there's nothing quite like watching an Indian movie in a cinema of desis. Reactions to the reveal of each big star were priceless (and deafening).

It's also probably the first time I've gone to the first session of anything. There was something really special about that too, the fact that you're one of the first people to see it, and reviews only start coming out after you've seen it. Might have to do that again.

Very glad I went. I would definitely recommend it!

[Dolce~oro]

Boo-hoooo!!! No one in Toronto (read distributors) has heard about this movie, so after all this, I might have to wait for the DVD. I am starting to suspect it's not coming here after all...       

[kalikaliankhen]

Boo-hoooo!!! No one in Toronto (read distributors) has heard about this movie, so after all this, I might have to wait for the DVD. I am starting to suspect it's not coming here after all...       

Oh noooo!

Did you try the US phone numbers of the info on idlebrain? Those guys have distributed to Canada for releases in the past... If no joy, boo hoo indeed!

Before we found where and by whom Telugu movies are being screened in Melbourne a couple of weeks ago, it seemed a flippin' state secret! Don't give up, hope you hit paydirt soon...

[simi83]

Boo-hoooo!!! No one in Toronto (read distributors) has heard about this movie, so after all this, I might have to wait for the DVD. I am starting to suspect it's not coming here after all...       

It's the same here in Frankfurt.

Now after reading all the positive reviews, I'm even more sad that I'll have to wait for the DVD. 

[Ms. Chandni]

It's in Cleveland which is only a 2 hour drive away but I already had plans today so couldn't go.  Is there a general U.S. Idlebrain telephone number?  Their website sort of makes me twitch and my spyware always detects threats whenever I try to open it.

[Dolce~oro]

Good news and bad news for Canadians. Spoke to the US distributor and he said they were "thinking" of bringing it here next week.  I hope my enthusiasm convinced him that it would be a terrific idea (he did ask me if I was planning on going to see it and I hastily replied that yes, definitely, as soon as I find out where it's playing) I'll have to call him again next week and find out where it's coming. I'll post when I know for other desperate souls like me (if there are any out there    ).

Is there a general U.S. Idlebrain telephone number?  Their website sort of makes me twitch and my spyware always detects threats whenever I try to open it.

Just hit "ignore warning" every time, eventually your spyware software will catch on Mine did. I think there's an option for "never bug me about this again on this website"...

[ApunBindaas]

I just posted this on my Twitter - http://twitter.com/apunbindaas/status/15509206329

Just got back from watching Vedam

I am speechless because it is that good. I was very excited to watch it, not only for Bunny but because I was a huge fan of the film, Gamyam.

I know. I know. How could I watch it without subs? It's *not* hard to follow at all. I get the gist of the storyline. I may missed a couple of comedic parts because there were a lot of laughter from the audience.

For those who complain that Telugu cinema needs to step it up, this is a what I'm talking about. This film still had all the masala-ness that made me fall for Telugu films. Action, drama, comedy, you name it.

The film does have some shades of the Hollywood movie, Crash. However, Vedam is in a league of its own. The only similarity of the two films are how the main characters of the film come together at one point and meet to re-connect in some way.

Imagine if I love Vedam that much, how eager I am for the dvd to come out with English subs.

Instead of me making this seem like my Vedam review, I will leave it as is and start my review soon

[kalikaliankhen]

Good news and bad news for Canadians. Spoke to the US distributor and he said they were "thinking" of bringing it here next week.  I hope my enthusiasm convinced him that it would be a terrific idea (he did ask me if I was planning on going to see it and I hastily replied that yes, definitely, as soon as I find out where it's playing) I'll have to call him again next week and find out where it's coming. I'll post when I know for other desperate souls like me (if there are any out there    ).
Just hit "ignore warning" every time, eventually your spyware software will catch on Mine did. I think there's an option for "never bug me about this again on this website"...

Good work! It's good they know there's interest. Good luck, let's hope they give it a run!

[Dolce~oro]

How very cool. It's shaping up to be a hit, it seems


Arka Mediaworks’ first venture Krish Jagarlamudi’s VEDAM starring Allu Arjun, Manchu Manoj, Anushka & others opened to a smashing first week collection of Rs 10.5 crores in India alone.

The movie released on the 4th June with 225 prints across 350 screens to a positive talk. The movie is both a critical & commercial success. With movie grossed $201,766 in the US within the first five days itself, making it the highest grossing Telugu film in the US in 2010. The music scored by M.M Keeravani is one of the highlights of the film. So is Gnanashekar’s cinematography.

Trade pundits expected the movie would only work in the urban areas, but the movie surprised them by doing exceeding well in the rural areas too.

The producers Devineni Prasad, Shobu Yarlagadda & rest of the Arka Mediaworks unit thank the Telugu movie going population worldwide for embracing this brave attempt.
http://www.idlebrain.com/trade/vedam-1stweek.html

And here's hoping the reason why I haven't seen it yet is because the prints are still stuck in the US since it's such a hit  , and that inevitably it will make its way here. I don't mind waiting, as long as I get to see it... 

[Dil Bert]

Postmortem from director (spoilers):
http://idlebrain.com/movie/postmortem/vedam.html