Biopics on NTR, YSR to hit screens in Telugu states

It is political biopic time in the election-bound Telugu states. While “Yatra” a biopic on former AP Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s epic “Padayatra” that catapulted the Congress into power is getting ready for release, a biopic on NTR with his son Balakrishna in the title role, and Daggubati Rana as Nara Chandrababu Naidu is shaping fast. Yatra has Malayalam superstar Mammootty donning the role of YSR.

It was in 2003; YSR covered about 1475 km on foot paving victory for Congress in the 2004 election. Congress has won the 2009 election with the help of the goodwill that his Padayatra has generated years ago. According to Tollywood sources, the movie will hit screens in both the Telugu states on 21 October this year, coinciding with the birthday of YSR’s son YS Jaganmohan Reddy. Jaganmohan Reddy is also on a similar Yatra to bring his party YSR Congress into power in the 2019 elections.

The movie on YSR which will touch upon the Yatra part of the great leader’s life is being directed by Mahi Raghav. The film went on floors on June 20 this year. However, the unit is tight-lipped about the role of Jagan in the movie. In a teaser released by the unit, Mammootty looks convincing as YSR. The director in a recent interview said the Malayalam superstar is interpreting YSR and not just imitating him.

Rana as Naidu

The biopic on the founder of TDP late NT Rama Rao with his son Balakrishna as NTR, Daggubati Rana as Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Vidyabalan as NTR’s wife Basavatarakam is shaping fast under director Krish Jagarlamudi. While Balakrishna’s features have a striking resemblance of NTR, it was the “Bhallaladeva’s “transformation into NTR’s son-in-law Chandrababu Naidu that generated much hype. Rana has cut down his Baahubali weight and got Naidu’s haircut.

Recently, Rana took to Twitter and shared a black and white photo of NTR and Naidu saying “A great Human Phenomena #NTR with #RanaChandraBabuNaidu in 1984 #Vinayaka Chavathi Subhakankshalu”.

NTR movie overcame initial hiccups as shooting was delayed with director Teja walking away from the project and famous director Raghavendra Rao refusing to take up responsibility.