Books: Telugu students: Mr. Gollapudi Maruthi Rao recommends

Earlier: Gollapudi Maruthi Rao picks Best Telugu Movies

1.Ekaveera: Novel by Viswanatha Satyanarayana (It was made into a film eventually.)

2.Chivaraku Migiledi: Novel by Butchi Babu

3.Alapajeevi: Novel by Ra.Vi.Sastry

4.Mahaprastnam: Modern verse by Sri Sri

5.Anubhavalu-Gnapakaalu: Sripada Subrahamanya Sastry (Reminiscences)

6.Amrutam Kurisina Ratri: Modern Verse by Bala ganagadhara Tilak.

7.Kanya Sulkam: Play by Gurazada Apparao

8.Varavikrayam: Play by Kallakuri Narayana Rao

9.Kallu: Play by Gollapudi Maruthi Rao (Sahitya Akadami Award and Best Script Nandi Award)

10.Sayamkalamaindi: Novel by Gollapudi Maruthi Rao – Sahitya Akadami Award as the best Novel.

11. Himajwala: Novel by Vaddera Chandidas

12. Stories of Kodavatiganti Kutumbarao

13.Stories of Tripuraneni Gopichand

14. Keishna Paksham by Devulapalli Krishna Sastry

From book to film: Kamal Haasan recommends

Earlier: Best Tamil Movie Screenplays according to Kamal Haasan « 10 Hot

1. Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand has a few film versions, the notable ones starred Jose Ferrer (1950) and Gerard Depardieu (1990).

2. Spartacus the Howard Fast novel was turned into a screenplay by Dalton Trumbo and directed by Stanley Kubrick

3. A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess was turned into a screenplay for Kubrick.

4. The Last Temptation of Christ, a novel by Nikos Kazantzakis, was translated to film by Scorsese.

5. Being There, a novel by Jerzy Kosinski, was turned into a screenplay by Kosinski directed by Hal Ashby

6. Trainspotting, the novel by Irvine Welsh, was adapted by John Hodge for Danny Boyle’s film

7. Perfume, the novel by Patrick Suskind, was rewritten by Tom Tykwer for film

8. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a novel by Ian Fleming, was turned into a screenplay by Roald Dahl and Ken Hughes.

9. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was a short story by F Scott Fitzgerald, which was fleshed out as a screenplay by Eric Roth for David Fincher’s film.

10. Forrest Gump by Winston Groom was a novel turned into film by Groom and Eric Roth.

11. Marathon Man, a novel by William Goldman, turned into a screenplay by Goldman himself.

12. Magic, a novel by William Goldman, was turned into a screenplay by the author and directed by Richard Attenborough

13. Bram Stoker’s Dracula was turned into a screenplay by James V Hart for Francis Ford Coppola

14. And of course, The Godfather, a novel by Mario Puzo, was translated to film as the Godfather trilogy, written by Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola.

Anjum Rajabali Recommended books

Earlier: Anjum Rajabali Recommended films

1. “The Art of Dramatic Writing”, by Lajos Egri (first published in 1943, this excellent book by a teacher of playwriting captures all the essentials of what constitutes good drama)

2. “The Hero With a Thousand Faces”, by Joseph Campbell (while this is not a writing text, it is a study of world mythologies which expose us to the rhythms of our characters’ journeys based as this pattern is in a deep understanding of the human unconscious. A seminal and precious work for every screenwriter.)

3. “Screenwriting 434″, by Lew Hunter (Regarded as one of the most respected teachers of screenwriting in America, Hunter has adapted his course at UCLA, where he was the head of the screenwriting department, into this lucid book with a classroom approach.)

4. “Story”, by Robert McKee (regarded as America’s most influential screenwriting guru, McKee’s understanding of mainstream Hollywood narrative is impeccable. Unfortunately, that is all that this is good for really.)

5. “Poetics”, by Aristotle (Leon-Golden edition. Strongly recommended)

6. “Tools of Screenwriting”, by David Howard (Interesting approach to writing. Nice book.)

7. “Writing the Character-Centred Screenplay”, by Andrew Horton (Desirable)

8. “Adventures in the Screen Trade”, by William Goldman (Enjoyable insights into the industry mentality)

9. “Alternative Scriptwriting”, by Jeff Rush and Ken Dancyger (Interesting examples of departures. Not necessarily always useful, though.)

10. “Four Screenplays”, by Syd Field (Good format. Nice intereviews with the writers of those four films.)

11. “The Craft of the Screenwriter”, by Joel Brady (Detailed interviews with six greats. A good read.)

Note: Around half a dozen books a year are released on screenwriting, most of them from the US. Reading too many ‘to-do’ books can confuse you and undermine your free-thinking. However, in-depth interviews with screenwriters are always useful.

Anjum Rajabali Recommended films:

1. Chinatown (Dark theme, complex characters, tragic ending, difficult screenplay. But, one of the finest to come out of Hollywood)

2. Casablanca (Regarded as one of the best screenplays from Hollywood. So simple as to be almost elementary. Definitely worth studying closely.)

3. 12 Angry Men (A tightly-structured screenplay entirely placed in a single room. Notice the arcs of transformation of different characters.)

4. It’s a Wonderful Life (The reluctant hero, who is capable of exemplary heroism. And of course a compelling theme. Trivia: The idea for this script came from a Christmas greeting card!)

5. Fugitive (Quite a definitive thriller. Very clear structure and defined motives even as the intentions change with the growth of the character – including a definite mid-point where his response to his situation undergoes a sharp reversal. Disappointing action climax, though.)

6. Witness (Good combination of premise and theme.)

7. Zodiac (Another way of crafting a thriller, elaborate and open-ended, in a way.)

8. Amores Perros (Three separate stories linked only by their theme and by an individual incident.)

9. Children of Heaven (You don’t need a universally BIG premise for a touching story. It can be merely about a lost pair of shoes, but the effect of that on the characters has to be strong.)

10. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Written by one of Hollywood’s most interesting contemporary screenwriters, this very unusual premise has been structured in a most energetic and involving way. See all of Charlie Kaufman’s films.)

11. Big Fish (Tim Burton’s experiments with narratives continues. What is fantasy, and what is reality? After a while, does it matter really?)

12. Sweet Sixteen (Ken Loach’s touching, rousing and heart-rending account of a boy in Ireland. See all of Ken Loach’s films.)

13. Dead Girl (Telling the story of one dead person from the povs of different characters who knew her, and how character is revealed thus.)

14. The Machinist (A character believes his delusions to be reality. Quite well done.)

15. Cronicas (A dramatic but incisive and uncompromising story about how media-persons manipulate reality with tragic consequences.)

16. No Man’s Land (An entire screenplay loaded with huge ethnic conflict depicted entirely in a narrow, tense space during a war.)

17. Amadeus (Powerful theme of envy, keeping your sympathies entirely with the envious protagonist who is an anti-hero. Excellent opening sequence.)

18. Verdict (Rather compelling script of how a character rises from the ashes to some glorious heroic victory.)

19. Battle of Algiers (A bold powerful and different way of telling a story. While it is made to look like a documentary, it is actually a feature film and was entirely scripted.)

20. Deewaar (One of the better scripted Hindi films. Good to study.)

21. Aakrosh (Notice the transformation of the character, as the plot intensifies. While telling the front-story of the lawyer and his case, the script brings out the exploitation of tribals so effectively.)

22. Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (Once again, notice the arc of the character.)

23. And another 100 that you already know about or will discover. Watch as many films as you can!

Gollapudi Maruthi Rao picks Best Telugu Movies

1. Yogi Vemana: Directed by K.V.Reddy (Vauhini Films) Featuring Chittooor Nagayya, M.V.Rajamma

2. Laila Majnu: A great movie that made waves as a love story. Featuring Akkineni , Bhanumati; Music:Subbaraman; Director:P.S.Ramakrishna; Bharani Films

3. Shavukaru: The first realistic movie and the first movie produced by Vijaya Pictures, Director: L.V.Prasad; Featuring N.T.Rama Rao, Janaki (First film for both)

4. Deeksha: Directed by K.S.Prakasarao. A children’s film which was a resounding hit. Atreya wrote his first ever lyric in it. Featuring G.Varalakshmi and new actor Ramagopal (This was his first and his last film)

5. Devadas: A legendary movie. Though this film was made any number of times in Indian cinema, it is said that Devadas is the best. Directed by Vedantam Raghaviah, Music:Subbaraman. When he died during its making, his asst. M.S.Viswanathan made the history with the song “Jagame Maya”. Production: Vinoda Films.

6. Malleswari: An astounding period drama based on a fiction story by Palagummi Padmaraju. Featuring: N.T.Rama Rao, Bhanumati; Director: B.N.Reddi. It is known for everlasting melodies of S.Rajeswara Rao, music director and Devulapalli Krishna Sastry, Lyricist.

7. Vipranarayana: The story of famous Alwar Tondar Adi Podi Alwar. Featuring Akkineni and Bhanumati. Directed by P.S. Ramakrishna, Music: S.Rajeswararao.

8. Maya Bazar: All time great Children’s Film, it is said. By K.V.Reddi. For N.T.Rama Rao, it is the beginning of mythological metamorphosis. Featuring N.T.Ramarao, Akkineni, S.V.Ranagarao, Savitri. Produced by Vijaya Pictures.

9. Mooga Manasulu: A nostalgic love story with a myth and romance that is platonic. Featuring Akkineni, Savitri. Directed by Adurthi Subbarao. Produced by Babu Movies.

10.  Manushulu Marali: A neo-realistic story with leftist ideology, an adaptation of a Malayalam Movie. A thought provoking theme. Featuring Sarada, for which she received the National Award. Directed by V. Madhusudanarao

11. Pratighatana: Another realistic movie. A path breaking movie. Featuring Vijaya Santi. Directed by Krishna. Produced by Usha Kiron Movies.

12. Sankarabharanam: Directed by K.Vishwanath, Produced by Edida Nageswara Rao. Made waves all over the country. Featuring J.V.Somayajulu and Manju Bharagavi. Production: Poornodaya Art Creations

13. Swati Muthyam: Directed by K. Viswanath, Produced by Edida Nageswara Rao. Production: Poornodaya Creations, featuring Kamal Haasan and Radhika

14.  Sakshi: Directed by Bapu. Written by Mullapudi, featuring Krishna and Vijaya Nirmala.

15. Osey Ramulamma: By Dasari Narayana Rao, it reflects the change of ideology and social revolt. Featuring Dasari, Vijaya Santhi.

16. Aitee: Just Yellow Private Limited. Directed by Neelkantham. New wave cinema.

17. Shiva: By Ram Gopal Varma. A departure from hackneyed cinema. Violence and retribution as a melodrama of youth has been employed.

Best of the World Cinema: Kamalhaasan Movie Picks

1. Virgin Spring (Jungfrukällan), Ingmar Bergman
2. Wages of fear (Le salaire de la peur), Henri-Georges Clouzot
3. Rashomon, Akira Kurosawa
4. The Cranes are flying (Letyat Zhuravli), Mikhail Kalatozov
5. Das boot, Wolfgang Petersen
6. Amadeus, Milos Forman
7. Hair, Milos Forman
8. Duel, Steven Spielberg
9. The Tenant (Le locataire), Roman Polanski
10. Chinatown, Roman Polanski
11. La strada, Federico Fellini
12. Au hasard Balthazar, Robert Bresson
13. The Brutalisation of Franz Blum (Die Verrohung des Franz Blum), Reinhard Hauff
14. In a Year with 13 Moons (In einem Jahr mit 13 Monden), Rainer Werner Fassbinder
15. The 400 blows (Les quatre cents coups) Francois Truffaut
16. Code Unknown: Incomplete tales of several journeys (Code inconnu: Récit incomplet de divers voyages), Michael Haneke
17. Amelie (Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain), Jean-Pierre Jeunet
    Cinema Paradiso, Giuseppe Tornatore
18. 301, 302, Cheol-su Park
19. Three Colours: Blue/White/Red, Krzysztof Kieslowski
20. The Decalogue (Dekalog), Krzysztof Kieslowski
21. A short film about killing (Krótki film o zabijaniu) Krzysztof Kieslowski
22. Life of Brian, Terry Jones, written by Graham Chapman
23. Being there, Hal Ashby
24. The Party, Blake Edwards
25. Birth, Jonathan Blazer, written by Jean Claude Carriere

Best Tamil Movie Screenplays according to Kamal Haasan

1. என்னதான் முடிவு W/D K.S. Gopalakrishnan (கே எஸ் கோபாலாகிருஷ்ணன்)
2. சாது மிரண்டால் W/D Thirumalai (திருமலை) /Mahalingam (மகாலிங்கம்)
3. காவல் தெய்வம் W/D Jayakanthan (ஜெயகாந்தன்) / K.Vijayan (கே விஜயன்)
4. யாருக்காக அழுதான் W/D Jayakanthan
5. அவர்கள் W/D K. Balachander (கே பாலச்சந்தர்)
6. மன்மத லீலை W/D K. Balachander
7. அவள் அப்படித்தான் W/D Ananthu (அநந்து) /Rudhraiah (ருத்ரையா)
8. நாயகன் W/D Mani Rathnam (மணி ரத்னம்)
9. கல்லுக்குள் ஈரம் W/D Selvaraj (செல்வராஜ்) / Bharathiraja (பாரதிராஜா)
10. தேவர் மகன் W/D Kamal Haasan (கமல்ஹாசன்) / Bharathan (பரதன்)
11. மகாநதி W/D Kamal Haasan (கமலஹாஸன்) / SanthanaBharathi (சந்தானபாரதி)
12. அலைபாயுதே W/D Manirathnam (மணிரத்னம்)
13. ஹே ராம் W/D Kamal Haasan (கமல்ஹாஸன்)
14. அன்பே சிவம் W/D Kamal Haasan (கமல்) / C.Sunder (சி சுந்தர்)
15. மும்பை எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் W/D Kamal Haasan/ Singeetham (சிங்கீதம் ஸ்ரீனிவாசராவ்)
16. விருமாண்டி W/D Kamal Haasan
17. பருத்திவீரன் W/D Ameer (அமீர்)

W: Written by
D: Directed by

Note from Kamalhasan:

The Tamil films below are not to be compared with the list of international films unless you like self flagellation.

These films dared to go against the pundits opinion of how films should be. They fought the market to create new trends. Some were made in a shoestring budget and some at great financial risk. Mumbai Express was made with a 3CCD camera and Pushpak with Rs.30 lakhs