Tamil Nadu’s pride “Thalaivar” Rajinikanth, an Indian superstar who has fans traversing boundaries has often alluded to admiration, respect and reverence for the late Telugu superstar and multi talented man of many achievements, Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (popularly NTR).
NTR Sr. (not to be confused with NTR Jr, his grandson and current Telugu actor) was a larger-than-life figure for the general public in the united Andhra Pradesh state as well as the people that interacted with him within the Telugu, Tamil and Hindi film Industries and from political parties through out India. He was a successful, prolific actor, director, politician and chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, who set new records in Tollywood and in the world of Indian politics.
In the realm of Indian cinema, he is still remembered and revered for the sheer number of films based on the Hindu epics and ancient texts which were hugely popular in the Telugu states. The Hindi film and television industry borrowed plenty of ideas from NTR’s extensively researched, well executed, elaborately made movies based on characters and stories from the various Hindu texts. He starred in over three hundred films, received three National Film Awards and a Padmashree award.
In the shady, unpredictable world of Indian politics, he openly challenged a stalwart like Indira Gandhi, built a brand new political party from scratch within a few weeks and single handedly defeated Indira’s Congress party in the united A.P within a year of the new party’s creation. Such an accomplishment was unheard of, in modern Indian political history. The Congress party’s defeat was so massive and thorough that it caused Indira Gandhi and her party, major embarrassment at both the state and national level. NTR’s formation of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and its dramatic, historic win at the party’s very first state elections, causing a crushing, humiliating defeat to the Congress party is legendary and is a
note-worthy chapter written into Indian text books for Political Science students.
As a human being from a humble background, he stole people’s hearts with his determination and grit, his hard work, his honest dealings, his equal treatment of all people involved, his genuine concern for the struggles of the common man and his reputation as a man who kept his word, a man that unfailingly helped people under all circumstances.
It is out of respect for the memory of the much admired N T Rama Rao that the Tamil superstar, a favorite with the Telugu audiences too, agreed to attend a ceremony to mark NTR’s birth centenary celebrations in Vijayawada.
One of NTR’s son-in-laws, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and current TDP leader, N Chandrababu Naidu had invited Rajnikant to grace the occasion of NTR’s birth centenary celebrations.
The event to mark and celebrate NTR’s achievements took place on April 28 2023 at Vijayawada’s Poranki locality. It was a star studded event with hordes of common people and celebrities from various fields coming together to honour a modern-day legend of the Telugu states. Apart from the impressive guest list and thousands of people thronging the event, there was added excitement around the announcement of the Central Mint of India’s decision to unveil a special coin with the Sr NTR imprinted on it, marking the centenary celebrations of the iconic actor – a significant gesture by the Government of India, honoring and showcasing the people’s immense love and respect for NTR.
By all accounts, Rajnikant’s interactions and conversations with members of the NTR family and on the public dias, steered clear of controversial comments of any type. As is natural for all dignitaries that accept an invitation to participate/ speak at a commemorative event, Rajnikant talked of the admirable qualities of NTR that both common people, leaders and actors like himself, admired and respected. He spoke from the heart and sounded sincere when he talked of NTR’s traits, strengths, beliefs, his values and principles that made him a great man, endearing him to millions of fans and admirers. Rajnikant stayed away from any controversial remarks and certainly did not get into aspects of NTR’s entry and success in the field of politics.
He remarked on the foresight and vision of the TDP leader, Chandrababu Naidu in terms of his previously envisioned and successfully implemented plans for the growth and development of Hyderabad city and his futuristic vision for the current bifurcated/ residual state of Andhra Pradesh. While he spoke about Naidu’s well known, praise-worthy efforts in inviting major IT, technical and financial companies to Hyderabad city in the 1990s which turned it into a competitive metropolitan destination for business and employment he stayed away from commenting on other political parties, leaders or the incumbent YSRCP party.
The YSRCP and its leaders, already steeped in a bad reputation for unnecessary interference and inappropriate remarks on everything that happens in A.P including religious and non-political events, over stepped their boundaries yet again. Among the unnecessary and disrespectful comments were those made by Telugu-Tamil actor, YSCRP MLA and State Tourism Minister R.K Roja, who took objection to Rajnikant’s positive comments for TDP leader, Chandrababu Naidu. She indicated sarcastically that Rajnikant was an actor who was not well versed with the politics of A.P and Telangana. She also tried denying Chandrababu Naidu’s widely acknowledged role in the economic development of Hyderabad city when it was the capital of the larger, united Andhra Pradesh.
Another YSR Congress Party MLA, Kodali Venkateshwar Rao (a.k.a Kodali Nani) remarked that Rajnikant may be a hero in Tamil Nadu but he is a “zero” in A.P especially after his positive comments for Naidu. Kodali Nani, known for his acerbic, objectionable, often vulgar comments on opposition leaders, also alluded to the age and health of Rajnikant when he mentioned that the actor shoots for three days but requires hospital care for six days. Another YSRCP leader and Water Resources Minister, Ambati Rambabu labelled Rajinikanth a “coward”, mentioning the actor’s intention to enter into Tamil Nadu politics but lacking the courage to implement his political plans.
Fans of Rajnikanth from both Tamil Nadu and the Telugu states are now demanding disciplinary action on YSRCP leaders from C M Jagan Reddy, for their unnecessary, rude remarks on Rajnikant especially when the much loved, veteran actor had carefully avoided any comments on the YSRCP or the current political climate in A.P. They are strongly questioning the YSRCP for its aggressive stand on Rajnikant’s personal views on former CM, Naidu and demanding to know if anybody in Andhra has the constitutionally guaranteed right to freely express their personal opinions on someone or something, without offending others. Many people questioned the law & order situation in the state and the dictatorial attitude of Jagan Reddy and his YSRCP leaders.
With Naidu trying to extend a fig leaf to the BJP to join the NDA, Rajinikant’s comments will make Jagan Reddy sweat in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections.
YSRCP leaders abusing Rajinikant for appreciating Chandra Babu Naidu shows that Jagan Reddy is jittered.