Hyderabad: Films are adding spice to the ensuing Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and the country.
Three political movies are lined up for the elections—Yatra 2, Vyooham, and Razakar.
While the filmmakers deny any political motives, the controversial films say a lot.
Andhra Pradesh will have simultaneous Assembly and Lok Sabha elections this year, and Telangana will face Lok Sabha elections along with the country.
While Yatra 2 hit the screens, Vyooham was caught in a court battle and is now reportedly cleared, Razakar had to undergo several cuts by the Film Censor board before it was cleared.
Yatra 2 biopic on Jagan Reddy
Yatra 2 (journey), the second part of the biopic on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy hit the screens on his birthday on December 21.
Actor Jiiva is portraying the character of Jagan Mohan Reddy while Mammootty is donning the role of his deceased father late former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.
Yatra 2 depicts YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s denial of CM’s gaddi by Congress High Command after YSR’s death, resignation from Congress, the launch of YSRCP, marathon padayatra, and victory in the 2019 Assembly polls in AP. It’s based on the political scenario in AP between 2009 and 2019.
It is a continuation of Yatra, a hit movie starring Mammootty, a biopic on late Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, his successful marathon padayatra, and a big win in undivided AP.
The film aims to boost the political chances of Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is now facing a tough battle with Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam, Actor Pawan Kalyan-led Jana Sena, a TD-Jana Sena combine and BJP.
Jagan Mohan Reddy, a staunch supporter of BJP, air dashed to Delhi and held meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Sharing the Yatra 2 poster, Jiiva wrote, “They thought it was his end and he knew it was just the beginning! Wishing @ysjagan garu a very Happy birthday. Can’t wait to tell your story to the world through our lens. #Yatra2 in cinemas from Feb 8, 2024 (sic).
Vyooham targets Naidu
Another movie to hit the screens and stalled by the High Court is Vyooham, written and directed by Ram Gopal Verma.
The political thriller is said to revolve around the unexpected events that led to the death of AP CM Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, the stories around Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, and the launch of the YSR Congress Party. Ajmal Ameer plays the character of Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, Manasa Radhakrishnan as Y S Bharathi, and Dhanunjay Prabhune as N Chandrababu Naidu. The film targets Naidu.
Nara Lokesh, son of Chandrababu Naidu, objected to the movie and went to the High Court to stay since he alleged that the movie was aimed to tarnish the image of his father. CBFC too raised a red flag.
A Congress leader Nageswar Rao too went to the High Court saying the film depicts ex-UPA chairperson and senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi in a bad light. While RGV denied the allegations, HC stalled the movie.
Telugu Desam alleged that Vyooham had overt political implications intended to defame the Opposition Telugu Desam in Andhra Pradesh and show Chandrababu Naidu in poor light.
Chief Minister and YSRCP president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is trying to win a second term in the assembly elections slated a few months later and going all out against much-strengthened opposition Telugu Desam led by N Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena led by Pawan Kalyan.
Film cleared: RGV
Wrote RGV in a cryptic message on Facebook: “I am very very happy to inform you that Vyooham films release issues are cleared. Release date will be announced soon.”
There have been mixed survey reports on the outcome of Andhra Pradesh polls, some predicting a landslide win for the Telugu Desam-Jana Sena combine and some asserting the return of Jagan Mohan Reddy with a depleted strength. BJP too is cosying up to Naidu.
BJP takes film route through Razakar
Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA, which is tipped to return to power in the country, is also adding films to its ammunition.
BJP State executive member Gudur Narayana Reddy is producing a multi-lingual film Razakar on the alleged genocide of Hindus by Razakar militia headed by Khasim Razvi around the time of the Hyderabad merger with the Indian Union in 1948.
The film depicts alleged atrocities committed by Razakars in Gundrampally, Parkala, Bhairanpally, and other places in Nizam State during the tenure of Nizam VII Mir Osman Ali Khan. Directed by Yata Satyanarayana, the lead actors include Siddharth, Makarand Deshpande, Raj Arjun, John Vijay, and Mahesh Achanta.
Gudur Narayana Reddy told Siasat.com that the film is not targeted against any community but depicts the history wherein reportedly “2 lakh odd murders, 60,000 rapes, and several heinous incidents took place in Hyderabad State.”
The film is being released in six languages Telugu, Hindi, Marathi Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.
Reddy, who is in Mumbai, for the release of the film trailer on February 10, personally invited Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Actor Kangana Ranaut, and others.
There are several political movies to hit the screens in the country including Article 370, Prathinidi 2, Prabhutva, and Game Changer.
So, the 2024 assembly and Lok Sabha elections will have a deadly mix of films and politics.
