Rocking it, Tollywood style!

Lead characters in Telugu cinema are getting musical these days and playing a rockstar seems to be the zeitgeist, onscreen at least. Stylish star, Allu Arjun���s ���rockstar-meets-hip-hop-artist-meets-rapper��� look in Puri Jagaannadh���s upcoming action-romance, Iddarammayilatho, has been the talk of the town. Apparently, the actor plays an assassin who masquerades as a rock musician.Harshvardhan Rane too is playing an urban rock enthusiast in his upcoming rom-com, Prema, Ishq, Kadal. Debutante Revanth can be found staring down from posters splashed across the city, as a guitar-wielding fusion musician in Intinta Annamayya. Last but not the least, Shraddha Das will be seen essaying the role of a Mexican Pop diva in the Sai Dharam Tej-starrer Rey.
As interesting as each of these roles sound, you can���t help wondering what and who do these characters represent? The city does not boast of a thriving alternative music scene, and neither does the state. Harshvardhan Rane, who is currently ���working on his guitar strumming skills to prepare for his role,��� thinks otherwise. He believes the trend is a reflection of the aspirations of the youth today. ���Today���s youth have grown up on a healthy dose of music channels. The idea of a rockstar is not an alien concept to them. So, identifying with the characters isn���t going to be that difficult. We have so many city-based college bands that play genres as diverse as rock, death metal, hip-hop, fusion ��� you name it. Besides, as an actor, it gives me an opportunity to try something new,��� explains the actor.
Revanth too echoes similar views. Admittedly, he can play the guitar and piano for real. So, is he playing himself in the film? ���Nothing like that. I had actually set out to become a war journalist!��� says Revanth, adding, ���Music is more of a hobby and it never went beyond jamming with friends for fun. However, that���s not what motivated me to take up the role.��� Apparently, the movie is all about fusion music. ���We are trying to portray classical music in new light to a new generation which has perhaps distanced itself from traditional music. Composer MM Keeravani garu has come up with fantastic fusion renditions of our good old Annamayya kirtanas, it���s going to be the highlight of the film. I play a musician who���s trying to bring about a musical revolution,��� explains the debutante.
Director YVS Chodhary���s Rey, which is set in the backdrop of a pop-music competition in the US, has actor Shraddha Das playing a pop diva with Mexicacn roots. The actor claims to have taken inspiration from pop stars like Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce and Rihanna to get her look right. ���It���s easily the most exciting role in my career. I play the reigning Mexican-American pop star in the film, who doesn���t like anyone to come in her path to success. Sai Dharam Tej happens to be a member of a rival gang that challenges my supremacy. So, expect lot���s of breathtaking song and dance sequences that will blow your mind away,��� shares Shraddha. Well, if Ranbir can make Bollywood critics go gaga with his rockstar performance, stars in Tollywood too are hoping to do the same. Only time will tell.