Saleem (Dhummu Reputhadu), the prestigious 50th film under Sri Lakshmi Prasanna Films banner, was formally launched at a hotel in Hyderabad at a grand function. The movie stars Vishnu and Ileana; Mohan Babu has a very important role.
Dr. Dasari Narayana Rao was the chief guest and gave the first clap, Nagarjuna switched on the camera for the muhurat shot under the honorary direction of K. Raghavendra Rao. Earlier, Mohan Babu and his wife handed over the script to the director while Kalyan Ram lighted the traditional lamp to mark the occasion. Dr. Mohan Babu's family performed the puja and his nephew Prabhas performed the arthi.
Speaking on the occasion, Mohan Babu said, “Y.V.S. Choudary became one of the top directors with his commitment on his own. I am totally confident on his talent. As I liked the subject narrated by him, I came forward to produce the film. This would be the highest-ever budget film on our banner. I wish the film would be a bigger hit than Pedarayudu, the biggest hit in my career.”
The director said, “There is no comparison between the historical Saleem and this Saleem. But both have similarities with regard to love. The hero will have high energy levels like all my earlier films and Vishnu has shed a lot of weight exclusively for this film. Mohan Babu is doing a special character with negative shades but definitely not a villain. There are seven songs in the film and Sandeep Chowtha is scoring music for the first time in my direction. So far, four songs were recorded and Chandra Bose is penning all the lyrics. Regular shooting will begin from September 15 and we are planning to shoot the film in Hyderabad, Rajahmundry and also in the US and Malaysia. We will complete the shooting by March-end.”