Niharika, daughter of actor Naga Babu and niece of Chiranjeevi, is all set to break the stereotype of only male members of filmy families taking up acting, despite strong opposition from the Mega fans and unhappy family members.
Despite ‘threats’ to filmmakers from the ‘fans’ of Megastar Chiranjeevi, the girl seems to be determined to make a mark in Tollywood that’s unfamiliar with filmy-family girls romancing the screen.
Sources said that the threatening messages have unnerved both the producer and the director launching her, but her father Naga Babu has assured them of his complete support.
“The film team has been receiving threatening messages from Mega Star fans accusing them of launching a girl whom they consider their sister and daughter,” agreed a film team member, unwilling to be quoted.
Niharika will team up with Naga Shourya, relatively a small hero, in a film to be directed by Rama Raju and produced by Madhura Sridhar.
The Konidela girl didn’t mind being cast opposite a newcomer compared to the family that she comes from as the script is said to be “amazing”.
The bubbly girl has already made a mark with some television shows in Telugu.
The last heroine from a well known filmy family was Supriya, niece of actor Nagarjuna, who made a not-so-successful debut opposite Pawan Kalyan, who is Niharika’s uncle. Whether Niharika now has Power Star’s blessings is not clear though.
Sources said a majority of Mega family members was pretty upset with her decision and did not extend the needed support, but her father, Naga Babu, stood behind her solidly.
Later, her brother Varun Tej, who has also made his entry in Tollywood recently, decided to respect her decision.
Niharika’s contention, sources said, was when nine members associated with Mega family can become heroes, why can’t she?
Filmmakers say that she is talented and her demeanour loaded with an air of confidence separates her from the publicly shy Mega family members. “The arrogance that’s also noticed in Mega family members because of their influence in the industry has not rubbed on her so far,” a film critic said.
She is a highly independent girl, who is assertive and yet humble, and her feet are firmly stuck to the ground, he added.
In fact, when Naga Babu was hospitalised after his disastrous ‘Orange’ shook him up financially, the girl preferred to work in a coffee shop than to depend on her family for money.
On the support from Mega Star Chiranjeevi himself, the girl is said to have remarked that she respects him for his achievements and the fame the family enjoys because of him.
At the same time, she would take her own decision when it comes to her career.
Tollywood may not have seen girls from filmy families, but Bollywood has seen them achieving stardom with their talent.
Karishma Kapoor, a girl from the first family of Indian films – Raj Kapoor’s family – faced similar issues when she opted for a film career.
But Karishma Kapoor, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor, Esha Deol, Soha Ali Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Twinkle Khanna, Raveen Tandon and Shruti Hassan are among several who made it big in Bollywood.
