I am on top : Sameera Reddy

Sameera Reddy could well believe that she has had a new phase kick starting in her career. Though majority are aware about the controlled and impressive performance she has given in last weekend's release RED ALERT - THE WAR WITHIN, not many know that this is not the only reason for her feeling joyous. That's because on the same Friday, her Malayalam film ORU NAAL VARUM with none other than Mohan Lal also opened. That's not all as the film is a commercial success.

"It has been one crazy weekend and I have loved every moment of it", says Sameera who is indeed ecstatic about the turn of events, "I was on phone the entire day and congratulatory calls were pouring in for both RED ALERT and ORU NAAL VARUM. After a while, I just started enjoying the good words rather than keep track of who was congratulating me for which film."

After the hat trick of successful films in the form of RACE, DE DANA DAN and ONE TWO THREE, Sameera now has two new films of hers which have got her attention all over again.

"Both my new releases were performance oriented films and hence the response this time was very different from what it was in case of DE DANA DAN or RACE", says Sameera, "RED ALERT was pretty offbeat while this Malayalam film was about divorce and pain that comes with it. It was Priyan who had requested me to do this film and I am glad I did it. I am told by the director that it is a hit. This film is special because it has also got a social message.

Well, same is the case with 'RED ALERT as well which is as topical as it gets. Does it mean that Sameera could well be turning into a social crusader of sorts?

Laughs Sameera, "Nahi, aisa kuch nahi hai. I didn't plan it this way at all. It is just coincidental that both films have released together."

I was extremely caught up with Bollywood : Sameera

RED ALERT - THE WAR WITHIN releases today and Sameera Reddy couldn't have been happier. It was close to a couple of years back when she was associated with this Ananth Mahadevan directed film. Now that her effort is ready to be unveiled in front of audience, she can't help but keep her fingers crossed and wait for the final outcome. The film is also special because she started working on it at the time when she was going through a low period.

"I wasn't quite enjoying my life", she sighs, "In life you are sometimes so busy chasing things that you don't know what you are actually doing. Once you decide that you want to be a little relaxed in life, things finally start falling in place all by themselves."

One wonders what exactly is indicating here? What was she chasing actually?

"I was extremely caught up with Bollywood", admits Sameera who comes with a hat trick of successes (RACE, DE DANA DAN, ONE TWO THREE) behind her, "My life was only about that. Eventually I realized that it was just a state of mind. We actors sometimes just don't take out for time for ourselves. The way we run from one shoot to another, it is simply crazy. I guess it is necessary for us to give time to our own life."

This is the reason why the first step for her was to get into a weight loss regime. "I worked hard on myself and went through a weight loss. It was before the release of DE DANA DAN and ever since then I haven't looked and felt better. Also, I changed as a person and that showed. One needs to have a healthy mind as well to ensure a healthy body", smiles Sameera before signing off.

Naxalism is not acceptable says Sunil

Sunil Shetty's RED ALERT- THE WAR WITHIN, which has won a lot of critical acclaim internationally, is all set to release on July 9. The actor is playing a farmer in the film, which takes up the sensitive issue of Naxalism.

Sunil says, "Naxalixm is an issue that will out beat every other problem that the country has. Poverty is acceptable but not Naxalism."

The actor went on to add, "Terrorists are people who come from outside to harm the nation. They can be stopped by the army, navy, air force etc. But when one member of your own family goes against you and you don't know about it, it can be the most dangerous thing. Naxalism is actually dividing the country into bits and pieces."

Sunil had a hard time shooting in the jungles of Arunachal Pradesh. "Shooting in the jungle was a task. It took two-three hours to bring in food. I had thorns in my body which came out after three months."

According to Sunil, RED ALERT has been one of his finest performances. "I have reached a new high with RED ALERT. If I get a better subject in the future which touches me, maybe I will beat this performance."

Woman Power shown in Red Alert

RED ALERT-THE WAR WITHIN, slated for release on 9th July 2010 reveals an unusual angle in the Naxalite fold the power of women. Top lining Sameera Reddy, Bhagyashree, Seema Biswas and Ayesha Dharker, the film highlights women fighting alongside men. Going totally deglam, these actresses battled it out in rough terrain and heavy rain enacting sequences from the film that closely resemble headlines today in a movement that has empowered women with equal rights.

For Seema Biswas, RED ALERT marks a return to the gritty realism of BANDIT QUEEN, Ayesha Dharker picks up the threads after THE TERRORIST, Sameera Reddy continues her tryst with serious cinema after KAALPURUSH and Bhagyashree sheds her MAINE PYAR KIYA image for some real life conflict.

The admirable male ensemble in the film sure has some terrific competition in the acting and action departments.

Red Alert is inspiring movie says Sunil

As an actor, Suniel Shetty is ecstatic about the new and exciting phase in his career. The fact that his realistic RED ALERT - THE WAR WITHIN comes after a riotous comedy like DE DANA DAN and a family drama like TUM MILO TO SAHI tells a lot about different roles that are coming his way. Add to that the fact that a few months back, RED ALERT fetched him an award for the Best Actor at New York's South Asian International Film Festival is something that excites him even more.

"It's a major shot in the arm when international award and recognition comes in. Suddenly, it starts seeming that you are working in just the right projects. It is ironical though that a foreign country had to come and recognize my talent", he says.

"Icing on the cake is when you working on different kind of films at the same time. After RED ALERT, it would be Anees Bazmee's NO PROBLEM that would arrive. It is definitely one exciting phase in my career", he lights up.

Talking fondly about RED ALERT, Suniel says, "Such films should be made. We talk about problems from external sources plaguing the country. The fact is that there are so many burning stories about our own country. We should start looking deep within."

Continuing in the same vein, he adds, "When Ananth Mahadevan, the director, narrated the subject to me, I knew that this film had to be done and done quite well. Aruna Raje coming as a writer gets a female factor and a certain sensitivity on. RED ALERT is a very noble and unassuming film with a topical subject that should make a huge difference."

RED ALERT - THE WAR WITHIN also stars Naseruddin Shah, Vinod Khanna, Sameera Reddy, Bhagyashree, Ayesha Dharker, Seema Biswas, Gulshan Grover and Aashish Vidyarthi. The film releases this Friday.