Sircilla Environmentalists Cast In Vanajeevi Biopic
In a notable recognition of grassroots activism, Dobbala Prakash, popularly known as Prakruti Prakash, and his daughter Prakruti Blessi, a Class VI student from Suddala village in Konaraopet mandal, have been selected for roles in the film: Reports
KARIMNAGAR: The inspiring life of Padma Shri awardee Daripalli Ramaiah, popularly known as Vanajeevi Ramaiah, is set to be brought to the silver screen. In a significant development, two local environmental enthusiasts, Prakruti Prakash and his daughter Prakruti Blessi, from Rajanna Sircilla district have been cast in the biographical film Vanajeevi.
Produced under the Paryavarana Parirakshana Films banner, the film aims to inspire a global movement for environmental protection by showcasing Ramaiah’s legacy of planting over one crore saplings and his lifelong belief that trees are the lifeline of all living beings.
In a notable recognition of grassroots activism, Dobbala Prakash, popularly known as Prakruti Prakash, and his daughter Prakruti Blessi, a Class VI student from Suddala village in Konaraopet mandal, have been selected for roles in the film. Their casting is significant as they are not merely portraying environmentalists on screen but are real-life conservation practitioners.
Inspired by Ramaiah, the father-daughter duo has earned recognition in the Rajanna Sircilla region for restoring green cover using modern technology. They are known for preparing and dispersing lakhs of seed balls and for using drones to scatter seeds in remote and inaccessible forest areas. The film is directed by Vemuganti Lingaswamy and produced by music director Ballepalli Mohan. Actor Brahmaji has been cast in the title role to portray Vanajeevi Ramaiah.
The production team recently completed a key shooting schedule at Komuravelli village, during which Prakash and Blessi filmed several important scenes alongside Brahmaji. The filmmakers said the duo was chosen to honour their sustained commitment to environmental conservation and to blend real-world activism with cinematic storytelling.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Prakash said that over the past 12 years he has personally prepared around 18 lakh seed balls and used drones to distribute them in deep forest regions, including in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. He also focuses on replanting large fallen trees. His daughter Blessi, inspired by him, has been actively involved for the last seven years and has prepared nearly eight lakh seed balls, he said.
Prakash described his association with Ramaiah as deeply personal, recalling that he had invited him to Rajanna Sircilla district on four occasions and shared a close bond with him. He expressed gratitude to the director and producer for giving him and his daughter an opportunity to be part of a film that reflects their own life’s mission.
By featuring real-life environmental activists, Vanajeevi seeks to convey a powerful message—that the legacy of environmental protection initiated by Vanajeevi Ramaiah is being carried forward by the next generation.
