It’s one of modern India’s oldest of links, politics and the movies. So accepted is the match that for actors, a seat in the country’s Parliament is almost the best retirement plan. However, the links begin early in their career and this season, especially, allegiances are out in the open. Politicians are calling on movie stars to help out in any possible manner, some fly kites, some write songs, speeches and then there are others, who assist in sprucing up an image.
The latest and best example was Pawan Kalyan’s raging rant at a hotel in Hyderabad. While many know about the actor’s connect with his fans, he obviously had help and insiders claim that speech writing was all director Trivikram Srinivas work.
Even older brother Chiranjeevi is desperately dialling old Tollywood contacts to help out with campaigns along the Seemandhra region.
And after PK's explosive speech, he may need all the help he can get because high command had already announced that Chiru was their choice to head the party’s campaign committee in the region.
During the launch of his Praja Rajyam party, Chiranjeevi had hired the services of lyricist Anant Sriram and director Maruthi. Sources say that this time he might hire more Tollywood personalities to give the Congress campaign, that edge. Then, there's the Bharatiya Janata Party, bringing back two elders from Tollywood's past.
Actor couple Jeevitha and Rajasekhar, who joined the organisation recently, will be campaigning in the South for the party. Jeevitha, who is still unsure of what her job with the party is, says, I am planning to make a few short films and will also take care of other publicity matters for the party in the South. One of her short films is actually aimed at projecting Narendra Modi as the South's hero and the flick even stars Rajasekhar. The film has a song too. In South, I wanted to create some awareness amongst the people about Modi. And that's why this film, she says. The other parties, including former chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy’s Jai Samaikyandhra, will also not lag behind.
Former chief minister and cricketer Kiran Kumar Reddy’s newly launched Jai Samaikyandhra party will have actor, singer and lyricist Ghazal Srinivas heading the party’s campaign. Srinivas, who has already created a song for the new party, says, Earlier too, I had sung in support of the Samaikyandhra movement. Now I have joined this party and am singing for it. I am also training 1,000 artistes and they will concentrate on different parts of the state. We will also focus on each constituency and the local issues of the people.
He adds that he will explain the manifesto, vision and future of the party to the people with these songs. The songs will inspire people. If you can sing in a way that educates people it will definitely motivate them, says Srinivas. Priyadarshan Ram for YSRC Experienced campaigner in commercial and print advertisements, Priyadarshan Ram, will be looking after YSRC party’s campaign. Always in demand for campaigning for parties and leaders, Ram is also an actor and has directed a couple of Telugu films. He is currently working in a Telugu channel owned by YSRC chief Jagan Mohan Reddy.
And after PKs’ explosive speech, he may need all the help he can get because high command had already announced that Chiru was their choice to head the party’s campaign committee in the region.
During Praja Rajyam’s launch, Chiranjeevi had hired lyricist Anant Sriram and director Maruthi. Sources say that this time he might hire more Tollywood personalities to give the Congress campaign, that edge. Then, there’s the Bharatiya Janata Party, bringing back two elders from Tollywood’s past.
Actor couple Jeevitha and Rajasekhar, who joined the organisation recently, will be campaigning in the South for the party. Jeevitha, who is still unsure of what her job with the party is, says, “I am planning to make a few short films and will also take care of other publicity matters for the party in the South. One of her short films is actually aimed at projecting Narendra Modi as the South’s hero and the flick even stars Rajasekhar.
The film has a song too. I wanted to create awareness about Modi. And that’s why this film, she says. The other parties, including former chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy’s Jai Samaikyandhra, will also not lag behind.
Former chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy’s newly launched Jai Samaikyandhra party will have actor, singer and lyricist Ghazal Srinivas heading the party’s campaign. Srinivas, who has already created a song for the new party, says, “Earlier too, I had sung in support of the Samaikyandhra movement. Now I have joined this party and am singing for it. I am also training 1,000 artists and they will concentrate on different parts of the state. We will also focus on each constituency and the local issues of the people.”
Meanwhile, the TD has roped in director K. Raghavendra Rao and Murali Mohan for supervising the party’s campaign. Rao in turn has hired lyrics geniuses Suddala Ashok Teja and Anant Sriram to prepare an entire TD playlist.
So, will this trend see more names emerging? It certainly will and for those who watched Pawan Kalyan talk, it’s clear that no matter how big a star is, he or she will always need a bit of help.
