Popular filmmaker and former Union Minister Dasari Narayana Rao announced on Wednesday that he would make a biopic on former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, who breathed her last on December 5.
“I have been closely associated with the actor who went on to become a political leader and I have observed her life. It struck me that it was only appropriate that I make a film on a person who inspired several people and worked in at least 140 films in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada,” he said.
Although plans have not been firmed up entirely, it is said that it could be a tri-lingual in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. Among the actors who may don the greasepaint include Ramya Krishna, Simran, Trisha and the dream girl, Hemamalini, it is understood. While only disclosing the bare outline, Mr. Narayana Rao has said the film may go on the floors by the end of 2017 or early in 2018. He made it clear that as he was presently involved in scripting work, he was not focussed yet on the casting. However, the content, its nuances and the way the story will be showcased is not finalised yet. It is not clear whether the film maker will stick to the life of Jayalalithaa or will make changes.
Just for the record Jayalalithaa has worked in Tamil with the late M.G. Ramachandran in 28 films, with every one of them turning out to be hits, while with the legendary N.T. Rama Rao, she acted in at least a dozen films in Telugu, again all of them proving to be hits.
Vennira Aadai , her debut as lead actress announced Jayalalithaa’s arrival on silvers creen in Tamil, followed by Aayirathil Oruvan the all-time hit with MGR, both in 1965. In Telugu too, she debuted the same year with Manushulu Mamathalu and for the next 12 years, she turned the spotlight on her.
Although several books have been published about her rise from a movie star to a popular politician, it’ll be interesting to see her story unfold on the silver-screen.
