Tollywood’s new found love 

To me, the best biopic I ever saw was ‘Gandhi’ because it was contemporary and people have seen him. Moreover, the film was made exactly as it happened. So you need to be true and reflect exactly the life of the personality and not dramatise. The content should be realistic and authentic for which there has to be extensive research done. I think that’s why ‘Gandhi’ was a hit - Singeetam Srinivasa Rao

Surely, the success of biopic films in Bollywood is inspiring their Tollywood counterparts to bring interesting life-stories on to the big screen. Apparently, filmmakers are showing never-before interest to churn out movies inspired by personalities as varied as yesteryear actress Savitri, former Badminton player Pullela Gopichand, 18th Century Lord Venkateswara devotee Hathiram Babu, Satavahana ruler from the 2nd century Gautamiputra Satakarni, Sathya Sai Baba, etc, and bring into focus the colourful life story of prominent personalities.

But why are filmmakers showing keen interest than ever before to explore the terrain now? “I have been toying with the idea of bringing on-screen the life of yesteryear and legendary actress Savitri since a very long time. In fact, I wanted to do it much before my debut film (‘Yevade Subramanyam’) but I could not get the opportunity.

For me, things (budget and script) have been falling in place right now and I have decided to make a film on her. Backed by an in-depth research, I believe it would indeed be an interesting attempt to look into the mind of the actress,” reasons filmmaker Nag Ashwin, who is making a biopic on Savitri. “The research work is nearing completion. I have spoken to Savitri’s family members, referred books and met a few journalists, who know about her well,” he adds.

Concurring with the filmmaker is actor Sudheer Babu, who would star in the biopic of former Badminton player and current Chief National Coach for the Indian Badminton team Pullela Gopichand. The actor is leaving no stone unturned to get into shape for the demanding role. “What inspired me to do the film is Gopi’s life. I saw him from close quarters and I want people to know what he has gone through, the kind of hard work he has put in and the compromises his family made.

I’m sure his life story will become a source of inspiration for countless after they come to know about it, and that’s the reason I took up the project. Moreover, I have known him for several years and even played the sport with him”, Sudheer explains. Joining the bandwagon of films based on historical characters is ‘Om Namo Venkatesaya’, starring Nagarjuna. The actor is set to reprise Baba Hathiram, a renowned devotee of the Lord of Seven Hills. Set in the 18th Century, the film will reflect the life and times of Hathiram.

Quiz Nag, who is currently shooting for the film, on what drove him to reprise the role of a devotee, “I earlier worked with K Raghavendra Rao (KRR) garu for a few films (‘Annamayya’, ‘Sri Ramadasu’ and ‘Shirdi Sai’) based on historical characters. I love experimenting with such scripts, especially given the success rate of these films. When KRR came up with Hathiram script, I was very much inspired,” says Nag, admitting that with not much historical data available about Baba Hathiram, reprising him is a challenge.

‘Gautamiputra Satakarni’ is one of the most-talked about films based on historical personality. Nandamuri Balakrishna will reprise the Satavahana ruler of the 2nd century in the historic war saga in his 100th film, which is currently underway. Prod Krish on why he attempted such a film with Balakrishna? He replies: “I’m fortunate and blessed to be able to work on a film on warrior emperor Satakarni. I was so inspired by his anecdotes and thoughts and I felt it was a story to tell. Moreover, it is the story of the first Telugite, who has brought the entire India under one nation.

I felt someone like Balakrishna is a perfect fit for the role of an unsung hero. Since many don’t know about his life, there’s inquisitiveness amongst the audience to know more about Satakarni, and that’s my biggest asset. Having said that, we took inputs from archaeology departments, historians and other experts for data and set designs to come closer to the role.”

Another biographical film ‘Baba Sathya Sai’ has been in the making for a long time. The Kodi Ramakrishna directorial is based on the life of Indian spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba. At a time when everyone thought that the film, which was announced a few years back, was shelved, actor Dileep, who is reprising Sathya Sai Baba, recently spoke about the project’s revival. “The project is still on and we have been working on a few changes to the script so that it turns out to be a multi-lingual,” he says.

Not a new phenomenon
While the buzz surrounding these films is getting bigger with each day, the concept of making films on historical and real-life personalities isn’t a new phenomenon in Telugu cinema. There were many films that resonate with the biographical touch. Legendary actors like NTR, ANR, Krishnam Raju, Chittor Nagaiah, Krishna, etc, have starred in a number of films based on celebrated personalities and scored success.

‘Rudhramadevi’, directed by Gunasekhar was one of the films made based on a historical character Rani Rudhramadevi. The period drama has Anushka Shetty essaying the character of the Warrior Queen of the Kakatiya dynasty – Rudrama Devi. The director puts it down to technology as the rationale behind showcasing her trials and tribulations on-screen.

“I was inspired by heroics and bravery of Rani Rudrama Devi when I read about her in my childhood. I wanted to make a film on her long ago, but I needed the state-of-the-art technology if I were to showcase her royalty and to do justice to such a subject. I’m glad that I finally did it recently," Gunasekhar reasons, adding, “I suppose films based on such inspiring personalities should have good research-oriented content, protagonist should have acceptance in public and the ability to carry the role elegantly. ‘Rudhramadevi’ was a big hit because I incorporated these elements.”

Filmmaker Singeetham Srinivas Rao, who made a dance film ‘Mayuri’ (1985), which is based on a true incident in the life of Sudha Chandran, begs to differ. “To me, the best biopic I ever saw was ‘Gandhi’ because it was contemporary and people have seen him. Moreover, the film was made exactly as it happened. So you need to be true and reflect exactly the life of the personality and not dramatise. The content should be realistic and authentic for which there has to be extensive research done. I think that’s why ‘Gandhi’ was a hit,” says the filmmaker.

Writer JK Bharavi, who penned historical films ‘Annamayya’, ‘Sri Manjunatha’ and ‘Sri Ramadasu’, turned director for ‘Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya’. The film, which was released a few years back, showcased the preaching and practises of the iconic 9th century saint from Kerala.

Interestingly, the film was made at a time when youth were hooked to watching rom-coms and action films. “I have managed to trigger the curiosity in youth for my film ‘Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya’. Remember, ‘Shankarabharanam’ broke the stereotypical formula of commercial entertainers in Telugu cinema and scripted history. My ‘Annamayya’ and ‘Sriramsadu’ too hit the screens amid masala clutter and brought in a change. So the audience is always ready to watch films that have inspiring content,” opines Bharavi.

So what according to him makes for a successful film in this category? “I think the personality has to be inspiring and there has to be the curiosity factor amongst the audience to know more about the person. Also, the target audience should be aware of the personality for better connect and these are one of the reasons why ‘Annamayya’ and ‘Sriramadasu’ were highly successful,” he concludes.

Films based on historical and real-life personalities

‘Mahamantri Timmarusu’ (1962), ‘Valmiki’ (1963), ‘Veerabhimanyu’ (1965), ‘Shri Krishnavataram’ (1967), ‘Brahmashri Vishwamitra’ (1991) while ANR stepped into the shoes of ‘Tenali Ramakrishna’ (1956), ‘Mahakavi Kalidasu’ (1960), ‘Bhakta Jayadeva’ (1961), ‘Amarasilpi Jakanna’ (1964) , ‘Bhakta Tukaram’ (1973) and ‘Mahakavi Kshetrayya’ (1976).

‘Alluri Sitarama Raju’ (1974), ‘Bhakta Kannappa’ (1976), ‘Tandra Paparayudu’ (1986), ‘Bhakta Potana’ (1942) and ‘Tyagayya’ (1946), which later remade with the same name in 1981, ‘Bhakta Ramadasu’ (1964), ‘Andhra Kesari’ (1983), Mayuri (1985), Ashwini (1991).