ANANTAPUR: Tense silence prevailed here yesterday ahead of the release of Ramgopal Verma's controversial film 'Rakta Charitra', based on real-life happenings in faction-ridden Anantapur district.
The film is based on factional feuds, particularly those involving the late TDP MLA Paritala Ravindra, Maddelacheruvu Suri and former MLAs from Penukonda Sane Chenna Reddy, his son Sane Ramana Reddy and Ramana's brother Obulu Reddy.
Many fear that faction feuds may flare up again in Anantapur district if any of the known factional families are depicted as villains in the film. These fears are compounded by the announcement by Raptadu MLA Paritala Sunita, widow of Paritala Ravindra, that she would watch the movie at a theatre like everyone rather than attend a special preview in Hyderabad.
The fear of the situation turning volatile if 'Rakta Charitra' is released saw several exhibitors in this faction-ridden district back away from screening the film at their theatres. Finally, the Triveni group of theatres and the Krishna Theatre in Anantapur came forward to screen the film.
Police too are worried, more so after Sunitha distanced herself from the film. Not taking any chances, police have made heavy security arrangements, unprecedented for the release of a film.
Metal detectors, closed-circuit TV cameras and dog squads are being used to frisking moviegoers at theatres where 'Rakta Charitra' will be screened. It is learnt that RGV made attempts to attend a screening here, but was asked to not do so.
Former municipal chairman V Prabhakar Chowdary says the movie could stoke faction violence once again in the district and, if so, the film’s director should be held responsible and arrested. He also demanded that profits from the film should be used to help the victims of factional violence.
Former friend of Suri and Congress leader T Chandu claims Suri financed the film, in which Suri and Ravindra were glorified as heroes. In the film one of the heroes dies and the other survives.
He says that though former Penukonda MLA S Chenna Reddy has had no bad image, he was shown as a villain in the film, and so were his sons S Ramana Reddy, who was also a Penukonda MLA, and S Obulu Reddy.
• With objection from Censor Board and widespread protests from local people and politicians, Anantapur’s name is changed in the movie as Anandapur. The names of characters too are changed.
• Verma initially decided to watch the first show in Anantapur town but dropped the idea with stiff resistance from locals. He will view the first show at Prasad’s in Hyderabad.
• The name of Maddelacheruvu Suri’s character is Bhanu Suri and Tamil actor Surya essays the role.
• Moddu Srinu’s name is Muddu Krishna in the film.
• Former chief minister NT Rama Rao’s character is played by Shatrughan Sinha. Verma says there is no NTR-like character in the movie.
• Obul Reddy family protested that he was depicted as if he was enamoured of women.
• The movie is presented by C Kalyan and produced by Madhu Manthena, Sheetal Talwar, Chinna Vasudeva Reddy and Raj Kumar.
• Actor Pawan Kalyan’s tonsure at the behest of Paritala Ravi also figured in the movie.
• There is no hero or heroine in the movie. Equal treatment is given to the two lead male characters.
• The name of Paritala Ravi’s character in the movie is Pratap Ravi which is donned by Vivek Oberoi.
Ramgopal Verma is directing a Telugu movie after a gap of 13 years. Verma himself sang the title song and gave bridge voice for the film.