It’s official! Vidya Balan is making a foray into South Indian cinema with the Telugu biopic of NT Rama Rao, legendary actor-turned-politician and the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
The biopic, which went on floors with much fanfare a few months ago, was to have been directed by Teja. However, the filmmaker walked out of the project mid-way due to creative differences.
The film features NTR’s son Nandamuri Balakrishna playing the lead role, and the makers have been on the lookout for a leading lady for months.
After much speculation, Balakrishna, Sai Korrapati and Vishnuvardhan Induri have finally issued an official statement saying that top Bollywood actress and national award-winner Vidya Balan has been brought on board to play NTR’s late wife, Basavatarakam. A close source to the team says that hers is a crucial character.
Early on in her career, Vidya was rejected by a few Tamil and Malayalam filmmakers. Later, she played a role in the Malayalam film Urumi, only because it was helmed by ace filmmaker Santhosh Sivan. Since then, Tamil filmmakers have been attempting to get her to sign films with them, but she’s remained elusive. Her name surfaces every time a Rajinikanth film was announced. And interest in casting her has been heightened since her portrayal of southern siren Silk Smitha in The Dirty Picture. Now, she has finally accepted a Tollywood movie.
Perhaps we can look forward to seeing her in more South Indian films in the future.
