December 17, 2003

Nobody took a note of Prakash Raj in Telugu until Vinodam happened. Nobody knew the name of Sunil, till he got a break as 'Banthi' in Nuvvu Naaku Nachchav. Surya had to do various roles for a decade to get much-deserved recognition with a comic character in Premaku Velayara. Likewise, there are a lot of strugglers in the industry who try hard to get a break inspite of having abundant talent. They might impress you in small characters in many films, but you might not know their names.

Our new section Future Favorites is aimed at introducing (and sometimes reintroducing) such talented artistes who shine in many cameos but are still waiting to get a right break. Will they be your future favorites? Well, take a look and wish them good luck!

Latest Future favorite - Rajesh

Akbar Sheik has sent us a small write up on the budding comedy artist Rajesh. Rajesh acted in few films in buddy roles. His role in Satyam is expected him a break!

In September 1994, I went to Vizag to join some of my friends who were organizing a Fashion show. That's when I met him first. He came to me and introduced himself saying that his name is Rajesh, Catfish Rajesh. I noticed everybody calling him Catty.

The very next hour I realized that he is a talented chap and can shine like a star in the tinsel world. He can mimic and imitate each and every actor. The best part is his slow motion walk on the stage which you can only see in the movies. The way he walks and waves his hand in slow motion make you think that you are watching the entry seen of a hero.

He is so creative. The creativity was to the extent that he use to translate all Michael Jackson's songs into telugu and see the songs with telugu lyrics of his own. Here are the wordings he came up with for Michael Jackson's 'beat it' song.

"College lona beate, beach kelte beate
yekkada chusina beate beate beate".

He use to breath movies. I consider myself as a movie buff. After seeing him, I thought I am nothing. You all must have remembered Baba Sehgals "Manjula" song. Here is the telugu version of the Manjula song, Rajesh came up with.

"Chiranjeeviki chiraku yekkuve manjula
Nagarjunaki koncham natte manjula
Bala krishna ki buddi lede majula
venkateshu ki koncham verre manjula
Rajesh gadu nalla guntade manjula
nalla gunna muddostade manjula"

This Lyric he came up wi