NTR biopic: Vidya Balan, Paresh Rawal reportedly in talks to play pivotal roles in the film

The highly anticipated biopic on the life of legendary actor and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao was officially launched on 29 March in Hyderabad by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu. The who’s who of Telugu filmdom came together for the grand launch of this prestigious project, which will feature NTR’s son Balakrishna in the titular role. In the introductory shot of the film at the opening ceremony, Balakrishna was seen in the avatar of Duryodhana from his father’s film Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977). The film will be directed by Teja, best known for films such as Jayam (2002), Nijam (2003) and Nene Raju Nene Mantri (2017). As the team gets ready to commence regular shooting, the makers are busy finalising rest of the cast members. Since the project has been confirmed to be made in Telugu and Hindi, the producers are on the lookout for actors from both the industries. [caption id=“attachment_4414631” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Vidya Balan; NTR biopic poster and Paresh Rawal. Facebook[/caption] It is believed that the team has initiated talks with Vidya Balan and Paresh Rawal to essay key roles in the film. “While Vidya ji has been approached to play NTR’s wife, veteran actor Paresh Rawal has been offered the role of former Andhra CM Nadendla Bhaskara Rao. Both the actors are yet to give their official nod as they’re working out their dates and are negotiating other terms,” a source from the film’s unit told Firstpost, adding that Paresh Rawal will be seen in a cameo. “His role is merely a special appearance.” Bhaskara Rao, in 1984, served as the CM of Andhra Pradesh for the shortest term yet of just 31 days. At the film’s launch, Teja said he wasn’t sure if he could do justice to this opportunity of directing a biopic on the life of NTR. “Everybody knows I’m a huge fan of NTR. I consider myself extremely lucky to have landed this opportunity. I’ll try and give my best efforts. NTR’s story is so vast; it’d take six films to encompass everything in it . We’ve tried to encapsulate everything into one film and I hope we will do justice. We’re targeting Dussehra festival release.” Interestingly, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma is also planning to make a biopic on NTR. In July 2017, Varma had announced he will be making a biopic on NTR. In an emotional voice note, he said he is proud to have been given the opportunity to helm the prestigious project. In the note, he said, “NTR is a name to reckon with every Telugu-speaking individual. He was not just a great actor but a leader with an unprecedented following. I’m very proud to direct a film on his life.” He also confirmed that Balakrishna will play his father on screen. However, when Balakrishna was contacted to verify the authenticity of Varma’s words, he denied being part of Varma’s biopic. “It’s our responsibility to tell audiences his story. The biopic I’m planning on him will reveal unknown facts about his life. I will play my father on screen,” Balakrishna had told reporters in 2017. Varma had said that he is proud to direct the NTR biopic because: “My personal relationship with him goes back to the year when his blockbuster film Adavi Ramudu (1977) had released. I didn’t have money to take the bus to the movie hall. I walked ten kilometers each time and watched the film 23 times. I was also one among the lakhs of people who had gathered during his first political meeting, soon after he launched the Telugu Desam Party. From being a faceless guy in that large gathering to getting to direct his life story means something,” he said. He further added that his story on the iconic star will shine the spotlight on his enemies, on those who betrayed him and so much more that people don’t know about the actor yet. Also read: NT Rama Rao biopic traverses tricky terrain: Will appeasing too many political stakeholders spoil the plot?