KURNOOL: The much awaited biopic on Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, essayed by Mammotty in Yatra, got a mixed response from the audience most of whom were YSR Congress sympathisers and activists.
Kurnool was given prominent space in the film as two scenes were devoted to Panyam MLA Gouru Charita Reddy and her husband Gouru Venkat Reddy.
YSRC leader Silpa Ravi Chandra Reddy said that it was a great effort to bring YSR back to life as the cadre were immensely satisfied to see their leader on celluloid. It would help Jagan to reach out to masses with a great lineage, he said.
Mr Venkat Reddy said that YSR has been visiting him at jail in real life which was a bold step taken by him and that single episode skyrocketed the popularity quotient of YSR among the leaders and followers. This is why it was made part of the film, that too in the opening scenes, establishing YSR as leader who stands by what he says.
Congress leaders were also happy to see their successful leader YSR in reel life as it surrects their chances. A leader said that even though YSR defied the High Command, it was the High Command which had given an opportunity to raise the ranks.
On the first day, the crowd was not that enthusiastic as several rows of seats in movie theaters in Kurnool were empty. It will take time to pull the crowds, said a movie buff.
Satya, a movie enthusiast, said that it is an opportunity missed. He said that save for Mammooty restrained histrionics and in a few episodes in the first half, it looks like watching Sakshi TV on YSR Vardhanthi. “You get a documentary feel throughout that is sadly and unsuccessfully used to promote YS Jagan”.
