Why Allu Arjun declined NOTA?

Leading Tamil producer Gnanavel Raj has reportedly approached reigning star Allu Arjun to play the political leader in much-hyped ‘NOTA’ but the ‘Sarrainodu’ star refused the offer after holding discussions with his family and friends. “Allu Arjun was okay essaying a fire-brand politico with grey shades but wasn’t sure about the political backdrop,” says a source from Chennai. Although he liked the anger-driven script set against a political backdrop, he felt that it may not connect with the Telugu audience since it was harping on clashes between the ‘powers-that-be’ in Tamil Nadu. 

“It was loosely inspired by happenings in Tamil Nadu politics but it is mostly a fictional drama and had a wider reach, but even then, Allu Arjun developed second thoughts and gave it up,” the source adds. Eventually, the makers zeroed in on Vijay Devarakanda, who has become a master of ‘grey roles’ these days and the rest is history as the film got the necessary hype in the two Telugu States besides Tamil Nadu, the source concludes. 

Actually, Gnanavel Raja is close to Allu Arvind and his family from the days of ‘Ghajini’ and it strengthened over the years. No doubt, Allu Arjun would have taken the film and his performance as a fire-brand politico to the next level, but he didn’t want to dabble in a political movie at this stage.