Prabhas’ wedding in 2015: Krishnam Raju

Come what may, veteran actor Krishnam Raju is keen to take on his project ‘Okka Adugu’ on floors this year. “The script has been finalised and it will feature Prabhas and me. Gopi Krishna Pictures will be producing it. It will be a message-oriented subject where the emphasis will be on rooting out corruption from the society,” he says, adding that he will also deal with the “greatness of ancient India.” “Since the subject is a tough one, I would like to direct it. However, I’m not averse to handing over the project to any other director if he shares my sensibilities.”

The actor-turned-leader will be celebrating his birthday on Monday in the national capital where he will be attending BJP’s nation council meeting. Ask him why he joined BJP again? “I never thought of taking a plunge into politics again but after witnessing what Modi has done to Gujarat and how he has managed to mobilise people, I had to think about my options again. In the meanwhile, BJP president Rajnath Singh called me up and asked if I was interested in being a part of BJP again. I said yes,” he recalls.

He continues, “On top of it, I know the party well and consider it as my family. Under the Modi leadership, I see a bright future for the party and for the country. He is the most-talked about leader, be it at the urban level or at rural level. I foretell BJP forming the government at the centre in the coming elections.”

How does he see his political future bearing in mind that he comes from coastal Andhra and will contest for the Lok Sabha from the same region? He hits back, “I studied at Hyderabad’s Badruka College, and started my business in the city before packing bags to Madras to meet my dream of an acting career. The decision of Telangana has been taken and now it’s the Union government’s duty to ensure that both the regions benefit.”

Talking about his nephew Prabhas, he said that the young actor made a wise decision to concentrate on ‘Bahubali’ for good 18 months. “He is lucky as he wouldn’t be getting another shot to star in a flick like ‘Bahubali’. In fact, he has been waiting for the past three years to shoot for the film,” he insists.

So, when is he making Prabhas walk down the aisle? “As soon as ‘Bahubali’ releases,” he smiles, without hinting whether his family is on the hunt for a suitable girl for the actor. “There’s lots of time for that.”