NTR and YSR biopics to release ahead of Andhra Pradesh elections?

Tollywood is keen on cashing in on election fever with the Lok Sabha elections set to take place next year. And the two most awaited biopics on previous chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh are likely to hit the marquee around the same, that is, in January next year.

The NTR biopic, directed by Teja, went on the floors recently with its release planned for January 2019. N Balakrishna, son of the celebrated political leader and actor NT Rama Rao, who ruled Andhra Pradesh as its chief minister, will be essaying the role of his late father.

The biopic, to be released in Hindi and Telugu, is being produced jointly by Nandamuri Balakrishna, Sai Korrapati and Vishnu Indukuri under the banners Brahma Teja Films, Vaaraahi Chalana Chitram and CCL Productions.

The other biopic that is hogging the limelight happens to be on YSR which is being directed by Mahi Raghav. Titled Yatra, the film has Mammootty playing the late chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Rajashekar Reddy. On his film being ready for release just ahead of the elections, director Mahi had said that the timing may be coincidental and thatnothing was planned.

He was quoted by the Deccan Chronicle as saying, “We are not trying to cash in on the political flavor of the season. I had registered the title Yatra under my banner in 2012. However, with the recent success of Anando Brahma, I got recognition as a filmmaker and then decided to roll out the film.”

According to trade analysts, though it might be a good idea to release the biopics right before the elections, the makers will have to do it before the code of conduct is in place to avoid issues with the CBFC.

(Content provided by Digital Native)