Andhra CM to soon be the ‘invisible’ protagonist of biopic
HYDERABAD: A movie vein runs in his family, and politics too — the two passions that keep a nation riveted, more so in the awe-inspiring world of south Indian cinema and political landscape.
Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu fits both these aspects, and he will now be the “invisible protagonist” of a biopic which is expected to hit theatres this winter.
Writer and filmmaker Pasupuleti Venkata Ramana could not have chosen a better personality.
The Telugu Desam Party chief ’s life fits the bill perfectly — he is the son-in-law of actor-politician NT Rama Rao, the Telugu icon from whom he inherited the political mantle.
The film is titled Chandrodayam or Rise of the Moon, an allusion to Naidu’s ascent in life. Chandra in Telugu and many Indian languages means moon. Ramana said the film won’t be docufeature, but a commercial venture — with four heroines; comedy scenes and action (“fight”) sequences. It will have six songs by music director Raj Kiran. The script is based on the life of Naidu – right from his childhood to his rise in politics.
“Since 1999, I have written a few books on Naidu and based on these books, I prepared the script. The film will showcase his efforts to put Hyderabad on the global map in the past and his present struggle to build Amaravati as a global capital city,” Ramana said.
He has prepared the script in such a way that the character of Naidu will not be visible in the movie.
“Though it is a biopic, there is no lead character resembling him. The story revolves around four youth, who play the role of journalists. They would get inspired from the people’s leader. But, Naidu’s invisible presence is felt in every scene,” he said.
The cast includes popular Telugu actors Tanikella Bharani, Jayaprakash Reddy, Brahmanandam, and Ravi Babu besides new heroes and heroines.
Shooting begins at Ongole in the coastal Andhra district of Prakasam on August 4.
Deputy chief minister Nimmakayala Chinna Rajappa will clap the stick for the mahurat shot.
“We have Naidu’s blessings for the film,” said TDP leader Kakumanu Mallikharjuna Yadav, who is supervising the movie’s production.