Ismat Tahseen (BOMBAY TIMES; May 23, 2019)

Jaya Prada is speaking to us right after a temple visit, which is exactly how she wanted her day to begin, she tells us. “Before I leave for any conferences, I like to go to the temple to pray,” says the actress-turned-politician. The way the exit polls are shaping up, it shows a clear win for her party, the BJP. “Exit polls suggest that people have immensely supported Modi ji. In UP, particularly Rampur, they are indicating a positive report,” she says.

In a chat, Jaya talks about the elections, being thankful for the support from Amar Singh and how her acting career has been an advantage for her political career. Excerpts:

‘AMAR SINGHJI CAME TO RAMPUR FROM THE ICU TO SUPPORT ME’
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for her, as she joined the BJP only recently, and jumped headlong into the fray — with canvassing, election-related work, meetings, etc. “Mere liye bahut kam time mila. I just got 17 days for campaigning. I joined the party on April 28 and on May 3, I went for the nomination. I joined the party in the afternoon and within two hours, they announced my candidature from Rampur,” she informs.

That must have been a huge challenge? “Yes, it was (laughs). But maybe, it is because I have worked for 10 years and provided my services to the people of Rampur, that I didn’t have to be introduced to them. However, I was new to the party and it was the first time that I was in a national party. In the 17 days that I got, I managed to do some rigorous campaign work, but due to lack of time, there were certain places I could not visit. I had complete support from the party, especially Amar Singh ji. Even though he was in the ICU, he came directly to Rampur to support me. I am also thankful to Modi ji. If I win, it will be due to the Modi wave.” Does she think it will be a landslide victory? “Yes, for Modiji, it will be a landslide victory,” she states.

‘PEOPLE KNOW ME FROM MY FILMS, AND THAT HELPED ME IN POLITICS’
From being a well-known actress in Bollywood and the south, was it a huge change for her to join politics? “Yes, I belong to a glamorous world, but I have to say, it is a blessing to be able to go out and meet needy people,” she replies.

She also credits Bollywood for helping her get this far. “I am from the south, but people know me from my films, and that helped me adjust to the politics in the north,” she says.

‘OFFENSIVE COMMENTS HAVE BEEN DIRECTED AT ME REPEATEDLY, RIGHT FROM 2009’
Jaya Prada has also faced a barrage of sexist and offensive comments from rival Azam Khan. When we ask how she manages to move past it, she says, “Earlier, I used to be very sensitive about these things, but I think my experience made me strong. Having said that, yes, it is hurtful, because at the end of the day, I am a lady first and an MP later. These comments have been directed at me repeatedly, right from 2009. It’s 2019 now and I am still facing such remarks.”

She adds, “It’s time men changed their mentality. Why should we celebrate Women’s Day and 33% reservation for women? We engage in debates on this subject, but the reality is very different. You either need heritage of politics or strong support from a political family, which I don’t have. So, it is a struggle for a woman to establish herself.”

‘NOW, EVERYONE HAS TO WORK FOR THEIR CONSTITUENCIES, OTHERWISE, PEOPLE WILL NOT SPARE THEM’
Jaya is very clear about her reasons to be on the political turf. “Mujhe koi swarth nahi hai,” she says. “I entered politics to help NTR (Telugu matinee idol-turned-politician NT Rama Rao) and it was then that my career shifted towards politics. Also, when I was with NTR or Chandrababu (Naidu), I never expected to be a minister or be given a post. But, in public life, once people make a name for themselves, they easily forget others, particularly those from the film fraternity. Abhi hum party mein rehte hain aur hum party ke liye prachaar karte hain. Chandrababu or NTR had no time to think about a worker who did so much… jo jhanda leke chalta hai. Unko yaad karna unke liye bahut mushkil kaam hota hai shayad,” she says.

For someone who is well-versed with politics, what would she call her greatest learning? “Earlier, people would get elected and then not do anything for their constituencies. But these days, everyone has to work for their constituencies, otherwise, people will not spare them,” she says.

‘I HAVE TO WIN THE ELECTION TO PROVE A POINT’
With several hits to her credit in Bollywood and the south film industry, does she miss the world of acting? “Actually, I never really left films,” says Jaya, “Last year, six of my films released in the south and I have two projects in the pipeline. I was also doing the TV show, Perfect Pati.” If she’s elected, does she plan to take a break from acting? “Right now, my only focus is to win the election. I have to win the election to prove a point.”

‘FILM FRATERNITY HAS A POWERFUL REACH TO THE COMMON PEOPLE’
For someone who hails from the film fraternity, is she happy that Bollywood has become politically vocal? “Definitely. But this is not a recent development. It’s been happening from the time of Jayalalithaa ji and NTR, all of them knew what the people wanted. Artistes from the film fraternity have a powerful reach to the common people, whose support we need,” she explains. 

Rana Daggubati talks about his turn as Chandrababu Naidu in the biopic of his favourite actor
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 31, 2018) 

Mirror (August 6) had earlier reported that as a part of his prep Rana Daggubati had met the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu, in early August for his turn as the politician in Krish’s biopic on Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, featuring NTR’s son Nandamuri Balakrishna in the lead. Now, we have learnt that the 33-year-old actor filmed at the late actor-turned-politician’s residence in Abids, Hyderabad, earlier this week. Reportedly, Vidya Balan, who plays NTR’s wife Basavatarakam, also shot at the same residence where the Padma Shri recipient had lived in the ’80s.

“From the time I was a child I was fascinated by NTR, his films and politics, his influence on society and on Telugu as a language. So, getting an opportunity to recreate his life was a big deal for me. My excitement doubled when the first call sheet I received for this film read ‘Location: NTR residence, Abids’. From that day to walking into that house was like travelling through history and time for me. It was the same house where NTR lived, the room where he put on his make-up. It’s been left intact, just touched up a bit to show what it looked like back in the day. Recreating his story in his own home was surreal and probably will be my most memorable day in my life in films,” says Rana, adding since no one has ever shot in that house before and they are the first to do so it made them feel even more special.

Rana learnt history and mythology through NTR’s films, his favourite being the 1977 Telugu mythological, Daana Veera Soora Karna, in which his hero played the triple role of Karna, Krishna and Duryodhana, as also the 1951 fantasy, Patala Bhairavi. “I have grown up on his cinema, learnt reading and writing Telugu practicing his dialogues,” adds the actor.

He is grateful to Chandrababu Naidu for sparing a few hours from his busy schedule to spend with him, informing that their conversation revolved around his politics, the CM’s growth as a leader, historic incidents that he was a part of, which helped him understand the politician he was going to play on screen. Rana has simultaneously been working with images and videos from the archives, going back to Naidu’s days as a student leader and his early days in politics to the beginning of the Telugu Desam Party.

Meanwhile NTR’s 61-year-old actor-politician son Nandamuri Harikrishna, died in a road accident on August 29. The last rites were performed in Hyderabad on Thursday. Rana says he visited the family to pay his condolences and offer his support on Wednesday.

The actor plays the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in the film which also features Nandamuri Balakrishna
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 6, 2018)

Mirror (July 3) had earlier reported that Rana Daggubati will play Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in the biopic on Telugu actor-turned-politician Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR) that will feature his son Nandamuri Balakrishna in the titular role. The Bahubali actor met the politician on Friday as a part of his prep.

Rana informs that when the film was still being scripted, Balakrishna had called to say he wanted him to play Chandrababu Naidu. He’s happy that Krish, a dear friend with whom he collaborated on the 2012 Telugu action drama, Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum, is on board as the director. “Both of us are huge NTR fans. His life journey is an important story as he was our first face and voice and struck a chord with every Telugu speaking person across the world,” asserts the 33-year-old actor.

Rana has never played a living person before and is excited to take on the challenge. “For 25 years, I’ve seen Mr Naidu reign as a politician. He has had a great influence on our people and society,” he avers, saying he doesn’t plan on aping Naidu. “We’ve been working with images and videos from the archives taking us back to his days as youth student leader and his early days in politics to the beginning of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).”

Rana’s grandfather D Rama Naidu had established his production house with the 1964 Telugu comedy Ramudu Bheemudu featuring NTR. That film was remade in Hindi as Ram Aur Shyam and in Tamil as Enga Veettu Pillai. “Even as an actor, I learnt the language, along with history and mythology, through his films so it’s an honour to be a part of his biopic,” says the actor whose favourite NTR film is the 1977 Telugu mythological Daana Veera Soora Karna in which his hero played the triple role of Karna, Krishna and Duryodhana. He also enjoyed the 1951 fantasy Patala Bhairavi.

Rana is also thrilled to work with Vidya Balan who plays NTR’s wife, Basavatarakam. “She is a fine actress and I’ve been hearing great things about her from Krish,” he smiles.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 16, 2016)

After he was roped in to promote Bulgarian tourism, Ajay Devgn, along with wife Kajol has now been approached by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to be the faces for the state.

Naidu met Ajay earlier this week and according to a source the discussion was on development with focus on entertainment and business. "In the course of the meeting the Chief Minister suggested that Ajay and Kajol be the brand ambassadors for the state. Ajay has a mass appeal and connects with the locals," adds the source pointing out that he has a long association with AP.

"Rohit Shetty's Singham along and Nishikant Kamat's Drishyam were both filmed there. Ajay is keen to take up the role." The actor has thanked Naidu for the "warm and delightful meeting". "It was a pleasure to discuss your amazing vision for the new state," he tweeted.

However, for now he is totally focussed on his second directorial venture, Shivaay. "The Bulgaria schedule has wrapped and Ajay will be shooting for a month in Mumbai now. Simultaneously, he has begun post-production and dubbing," informs the source.