The much-hyped ‘Raktha Charitra’, a film being made by Ramgopal Verma on the faction feuds in Rayalaseema, has run into rough weather yet again.
Taking strong exception to the portrayal of Sane Chenna Reddy, his sons Sane Ramana Reddy and Sane Obul Reddy as “bad characters” in the film, a legal notice has been slapped on the director to either delete the “objectionable content” or face legal action.
Verma, who also received death threats over the same issue, said on Sunday he cannot be scared that easily. “I am not afraid of Obul Reddy’s men. I will not be afraid even if Obul Reddy rises from his grave and comes back to haunt me,” Verma said in a statement. He wondered how anyone could know what he had shot even before the film’s release.
“They are imagining things and trying to scare me,” he said.
‘Raktha Charitra’ has been in one controversy or the other ever since it was conceived, as it depicts the real life story of the bloody rivalry between the two families of former TDP legislator Paritala Ravi and faction leader Maddilacheruvu Suri.
When Verma visited Anantapur and spoke to the families, it raised apprehensions that the film might exacerbate tensions that are endemic in the district. The legal notice was served by sisters of Sane Ramana Reddy and Sane Obul Reddy who claimed that their father and brothers were shown in poor light while Gangula Suri and Paritala Ravi were glorified in the film.
They further said the film had damaged the reputation of the family and caused them mental agony.
Chenna Reddy, who was elected legislator in 1991, was shot dead later. After his death, his son Ramana Redy was elected Penukonda MLA and his second son Obul Reddy too entered politics. Obul Reddy was killed in Panjagutta in Hyderabad on July 23, 1996 while Ramana Reddy was done to death in Jubilee Hills on August 22, 1998. Now only Chenna Reddy’s wife Parvathamma and his four daughters are alive.