Vidya Balan in an inspiring role, to learn harmonium

Undeniably, B-town actress Vidya Balan has chosen an inspiring role to make her debut in Tollywood, as she is reprising the role of Basavatharakam, wife of legendary actor NTR, in the latter’s biopic. “She stood like a pillar behind NTR all through his life. 

From his days of a struggling actor until he became a legendary actor in T-town” says a source, close to the family. When he gave up his lucrative job of sub-registrar to pursue his career as an actor, she even gave her ‘wadyanam’(golden waist belt) while he was leaving for Chennai and wished him good luck. “Any wife in her place would have asked him to continue in the government job than seeking a career in the competitive film industry since their family was not rich at that time. Unmindful of the risks involved, she supported his goal and passion as she believed that he would achieve great success one day and it finally happened,” he adds. 

Sharing more details about her childhood, he adds “She was also an exponent in harmonium and used to sing many devotional songs. In fact, she fell in love with NTR for his good looks and honesty and both married against the wishes of NTR’s parents,” he points out.  Their marriage sustained for decades because she took care of their 12 children as her husband was busy in shootings. “She worked 22 hours in a day at home in looking after her husband, children and a big joint family. 

She didn’t mind her co-sister (Trivikram Rao’s wife) handling the finances of the home, even though her husband was the earning member in the big joint family. She was calm, understanding and a traditional housewife, a role model for new generation girls,” he adds. Now-a -days, many a superstar wife throw their weight around, but Basavatarakam was an exception. “She maintained a low profile and rarely visited a film set. She used to send home-cooked food for her husband during his shootings and never behaved like a star’s wife,” he points out. 

In fact, NTR used to take all major decisions of his personal and professional lives only after seeking her advice. “Whenever NTR has to step out of home, she has to come opposite him. Though, it was superstitious, but he believed that she was his lucky mascot,” the source concludes. Initially, she was reluctant about NTR plunging into politics as she believed that ‘his honest and straight-forward attitude’ may buy him more villains. 

Her fears came true, when he was dislodged from the chief ministership in 1984 by Nadendla Bhaskar Rao. “Despite lying in hospital, she urged NTR to regain his position since Telugu people voted for him and asked Harikrishna to go with him. She was happy when NTR was reinstated as Chief Minister.” he concludes.