The heroine’s homecoming

  V V Balakrishna

Last Updated : 15 Apr 2012 09:59:17 AM IST

HYDERABAD: Playing a second innings is not uncommon for actors. Bollywood siren of the 80s Jaya Prada is now contemplating a second innings in Andhra Pradesh politics. Jaya’s political fortunes haven’t been very favourable of late and in order to revive them intends to return to her janmabhoomi. Jaya has recently hinted at returning to her alma mater-the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
  The sitting Member of Parliament from Rampur in Uttar Pradesh has gauged that there is not much action left for her in the Samajwadi Party now. The actress who had recently come to Tirupati to seek the blessings of Lord Balaji on her 50th birthday was heard speaking praises of TDP chief N Chnadrababu Naidu. Jaya seems to have forgotten the humiliation she faced before the 2004 general elections when Naidu did not even like to have her on the dais of a massive TDP rally in Secunderabad, compelling her to sit with members of the audience. Thereafter, she disappeared from Andhra Pradesh politics, only to emerge in the Uttar Pradesh political arena with former general secretary of Samajwadi Party Amar Singh. Her subsequent rise in Uttar Pradesh politics is well known. During her successful campaign for the Rampur parliamentary seat in 2009, she had hit the election trail with the slogan “Andhra is my janambhoomi but Uttar Pradesh is my karmbhoomi  (place of work).”
  While speaking to the media at Tirupati, Jaya did not play her cards openly, but gave a hint of a comeback when she said that she was keen to campaign for good friend and actor Balakrishna, the son of the late N T Rama Rao, who has emerged as a power centre in the TDP. Speaking highly about Naidu, Jaya said. “Naidu is a good leader. He has skills to put the state again on the path of development.”

Will NTR Jr be TDP’s trump card?

VV Balakrishna
First Published : 30 Jan 2010 08:36:03 AM IST
Last Updated : 30 Jan 2010 11:36:29 AM IST

HYDERABAD,: Telugu Desam party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu, it appears, is laying a strong foundation for the future of the party. He is `building bridges’ with the NTR family with a longterm perspective to sustain the party in the State.

The regional party, founded 29 years ago, has seen several highs and lows during its chequered history. Now, remaining in the Opposition for the second consecutive term, the party needs a fresh appeal and approach to reach out to people. The Young Turks, who joined the party at the time of its inception, are past their prime now. Thus the party badly needs young blood and faces with some glamour that could fetch it votes. The deadwood in the party is no longer able to deliver at the time of elections.

As part of its efforts to sustain the party in the next three decades, Naidu is making all-out efforts to revive his `bond’ with NTR family.

He married off his only son Nara Lokesh to NTR’s granddaughter Brahmani. By consummating the marriage, Naidu moved close to film hero and Brahmani’s father Balakrishna.

Naidu inducted NTR’s another son Harikrishna into the party and made him a Member of Rajya Sabha. Now, he has fixed the marriage of NTR Jr to Lakshmi Pranati, the daughter of his niece.

Besides building bonds with NTR’s family, Naidu is also promoting his son Lokesh as an entrepreneur.

Lokesh has recently bought some stakes in a regional news channel and made a friend of his the CEO of the channel.

A look-alike of his grandfather, NTR Jr has a long career and bright future in the film industry.

He campaigned for the TDP in the recent Assembly elections.

``Like NTR Sr, NTR Jr too has a good fan following. NTR Sr united the people of Andhra Pradesh with his charisma. We badly need such a personality in the party now,’’ says a young MLA from Telangana. Only the young and popular actor can lift the party out of the morass it finds itself in and ensure a good future for it, he hopes fondly.

NTR Junior to wed TDP chief’s relative

Express News Service
First Published : 29 Jan 2010 04:18:41 AM IST
Last Updated :

HYDERABAD: Leading Tollywood actor NTR Jr (26) is getting married to Lakshmi Pranati, a close relative of TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu.

Lakshmi Pranati (18), who is studying Intermediate at a private college in the city, is the daughter of Narne Srinivas, owner of a regional news channel, Studio N and granddaughter of Naidu’s sister.

A ccording to sources, the Narne couple met Naidu at his residence on Wednesday and NTR Jr on Thursday to clinch the alliance. The young hero finally agreed to marry Pranati.

The engagement is due in March and the wedding will take place in May. Local channels quoted Chandrababu Naidu as confirming the alliance.

According to the grapevine, Naidu’s son Nara Lokesh has acquired some stakes in Studio N recently and one of Lokesh’s friends is the chief executive officer of the channel. NTR Jr campaigned for the TDP in the recent Assembly elections.

During the campaign he met with an accident.

After recovering from the back pain, the actor is busy shooting for Brundavanam being produced by Dil Raju. He also signed for Sakti to be produced by Vyjayanti Movies and both the films will be completed in May.

Balakrishna to contest from Hindupur

Express News Service First Published : 27 Jan 2009 04:41:00 AM

HYDERABAD: Cine actor Nandamuri Balakrishna is likely to contest for Assembly elections.
Asked wether he is interested in national or State politics, he said: “I want to prove my mettle on the home-turf first.” According to sources, Balakrishna is likely to contest from Hindupur Assembly segment in the coming elections.
Balaiah will launch his election campaign from Hindupur in Anantapur district on January 29. In the first leg of his tour, he will cover Anantapur, Kurnool and Mahaboobnagar districts. After the first round of tour, he will take oneweek break to complete his film shootings.
Later, he will embark on a full-fledged campaign after February 15 without a break till the elections. He is planning to cover the entire State by organising road shows in a specially decorated vehicle.
Balakrishna camapigned for TDP in 1994 elections.
On choosing Hindupur for kick-starting his campaign, Balakrishna told Express: “Hindupur is known as Nandamuripuram”.
His father and TDP founder NT Rama Rao too was elected from the same segment.
Whether he is interested in taking up the party responsibility or want to become the Chief Minister, Balakrishna said: “It is up to the party to decide.” He said he would campaign for the TDP wherever his sister and Union Minister Daggubati Purandhareswari contested . Interestingly, Balakrishna is not a member of the TDP. “I never took the membership of the party till now.” The reason? “TDP is our party,” he remarked.
On Praja Rajayam Party f ounder Chiranjeevi , Balakrishna said: “Chiranjeevi and I are best friends. We met at a marriage function, after the launch of PRP,” he added. He, however, said that the friendship was limited to cinema industry.
Balakrishna will focus on `social justice’, in his poll campaign.
“Social justice was during the TDP regime. TDP has been enjoying the support of all castes,” he pointed out

Six stars seek earthly support

VV Balakrishna
First Published : 04 Feb 2009 03:34:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 04 Feb 2009 12:16:05 PM IST

HYDERABAD: As many as six faces from the tinsel world will seek the support of voters — for themselves as well as for their respective parties — in the coming elections.

Apart from leading campaigners like the TDP’s Balakrishna and PRP founder Chiranjeevi, film personalities like RK Roja, Kavitha, Vijayasanti and UV Krishnam Raju have decided to enter the fray. Roja, who is Telugu Mahila president, has been cleared by the TDP for the Chandragiri Assembly segment in Chittoor district. She had unsuccessfully contested the Nagiri segment on the TDP ticket in the 2004 elections.

Balakrishna is likely to enter the fray in the Hindupur Assembly segment in Anantapur district. Chiranjeevi has already announced that he would contest both Tirupati Chittoor) and Mummidivaram (East Godavari) Assembly segments.

Another newcomer to the rough and tumble of electoral politics is Kavitha, who joined TDP recently. She was cleared by the party leadership for the Visakhapatnam-I Assembly segment.

Meanwhile, veteran actor and former MP Krishnam Raju has decided to contest once again from the Narasapur Lok Sabha segment on the BJP ticket. Another veteran film personality and BJP leader Naresh has been preparing the ground for some time now to fight for the Hindupur Lok Sabha seat. However, it is not sure whether he will actually take the step and square off with Balakrishna.

Vijayasanti aka Lady Amitabh, who joined TRS recently, is likely to contest a Lok Sabha seat on TRS ticket in Telangana region. For its part, the Congress too may give tickets to some film artistes.

Popular comedian Dharmavarapu Subrahmanyam may enter the fray in any one of the Assembly segments in Guntur district.

And hero of yesteryear and businessman Murali Mohan has expressed his willingness to contest on a TDP ticket. D Ramanaidu, cine producer and ex-TDP MP, is again moving closer to TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu. Any one of his family may plunge into electoral politics from Prakasam district this time. It was when NTR founded the TDP in 1982 that film personalities began foraying into State politics, and the bond between Tollywood and politics is now over a quarter century old. K Satyanarayana (Machilipatnam LS), K Srinivasa Rao (Vijayawada East), D Ramanaidu (Bapatla LS), Sarada (Tenali LS ), Babumohan (Andhol) and G Krishna (Eluru LS) have served as public representatives over these years.

Balaiah’s remarks cause ripples in TDP

VV Balakrishna 26 Dec 2008 04:04:00 AM IST
HYDERABAD: It is ‘star trouble’ in Telugu Desam Party. It seems heroes from NTR family are causing troubles to party Chief N Chandrababu Naidu.It was Balakrishna, the star campaigner for the party in the next elections, who created embarrassment to Naidu by saying that if people wanted him to become the chief minister, he would become one. This statement caused much discomfiture to TDP leaders.Notwithstanding Balaiah’s assertion, the TDP leaders maintained that Balakrishna was not that ambitious and recalled his statement at Yuva Garjana in Guntur that his aim was to see Naidu as the chief minister.Balakrishna might have talked of Chief Minister’s post only after he was grilled by reporters, they maintained.Speaking to reporters here Thursday, party leader E Dayakar Rao said that there was no doubt that Naidu would become the Chief Minister.Balakrishna too decided to campaign for the party only to make Naidu as Chief Minister.Interestingly, Balakrishna is not member of the TDP though he had been campaigning for the party since NTR launched the party.Taraka Ratna, another hero of NTR family, is also causing embarrassment to Naidu by repeatedly saying that Balakrishna should become the Chief Minister, if TDP was voted to power. However, he was calmed down by the family members. Tarak, later, amended his statement by saying that he only said that Balakrishna would be the future Chief Ministerial candidate and Naidu would be the next Chief Minister.Tarak, however, was creating troubles to party leadership. A realtor, who joined the party recently in Nizamabad district, invited Tarak to unveil NTR statue in Bodhan. The realtor was an aspirant of TDP ticket.However, his opponents, reportedly called up Naidu and informed him about the development. According to sources, Naidu asked Tarak not to unveil the statue and cancel his scheduled visit to Bodhan. Tarak assured Naidu that his tour would be limited to Ayyappa puja organised by the local leaders. Meanwhile, NTR Jr too caused some embarrassment to party leaders by skipping the Yuva Garjana meeting.Balakrishna may launch his campaign after Sankranti and tour the state for a month. NTR Jr too would campaign for the party before elections, a party leader said.
vvbalakrishna@epmltd.com

Congress days are numbered: Balaiah

VV Balakrishna
NAGARJUNA NAGAR: First Published : 06 Nov 2008 09:09:00 AM
Nandamuri Balakrishna, son of TDP patriarch NT Rama Rao, who made a re-entry into TDP, called upon his fans to see that the TDP regain power in the State. ``The days of Congress are numbered in the State,’’ he roared at a massive Yuva Garjana rally here today.

Striking an emotional chord with his fans and TDP activists, Balakrishna aka Balaiah to his fans, said that he belonged to every caste.

R eproducing some puchy dialogues from his blockbusters, Balaiah enthralled the audience. He added local flavour to the speech by referring to local leaders like Palnati Brahmanaidu, Manchali and Alluri Sitaramaraju.

During his 25-minute speech, Balakrishna mainly focussed on Congress-bashing while sparing Chiraneevi and PRP. The first part of speech was devoted to praise showers on TDP-founder NTR. When NTR launched his party he never informed anyone nor invited anyone into the party, Balakrishna said in a oblique reference to Chiranjeevi’s efforts to woo leaders from other parties.

NTR was a he-man, Balaiah said while explaining the welfare schemes launched by his father. He also lauded the services of N Chandrababu Naidu as Chief Minister.

``While NTR brought recognition to Telugus worldwide, Naidu encouraged Telugus to prove their talent,’’ he said.

Naidu started several engineering colleges and developed infrastructure.

``Naidu’s nine-year rule was an ideal rule. Bring back TDP to power to serve you better,’’ Balakrishna exhorted his fans.

I n an vitrolic attack on YS Rajasekhara Reddy Government, Balaiah said that there were no communal clashes in TDP regime like in the present Congress rule. Farmers were suffering a lot due to non-avaialbility of fertilisers and lack of minimum support price for their produce.

Balakrishna’s speech was like mix of cinema and politics. After starting his speech with filmi dialogues showcashing his dialogue delivery skills, Balakrishan later swiched onto political mode. He even blamed the Congress for cheating its alliies after winning the elections in 2004. Congress dumped the parties with which it had forged alliances, he alleged.

U nemployment raised its head in Congress rule, he said and asked his partymen to teach a befitting lesson to the Congress in the next elections. He concluded his speech with `Jai TDP, Jai NTR and Jai chandrababu.’’
vvbalakrishna@epmltd.com

Pawan Kalyan, Balakrishna calling the shots

VV Balakrishna 22 Dec 2008
HYDERABAD: ‘Power star’ Pawan Kalyan and ‘Yuva Ratna’ Nandamuri Balakrishna are calling the shots in their respective parties. Both the stars, who had enormous following in the tinsel world, are now proving themselves as ‘star managers’ for their parties.
Pawan Kalyan was instrumental in roping in Vijayawada East MLA V Radhakrishna to the party fold. He spoke to Radhakrishna and convinced him to join the party. Pawan Kalyan was made president of the youth wing of Praja Rajyam Party recently. He also got good response for his recent tours in Rangareddy and Hyderabad districts.

Meanwhile, Balakrishna is also proving to be a good star manager for Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
At a time the TDP was facing crisis, his entry into active politics boosted the morale of party cadres.
Balakrishna was instrumental in roping in two MLAs Gali Muddu Krishnama Naidu and K Lakshmi Naidu into party recently.
Balakrishna also prevailed upon party senior leader Ambika Krishna not to leave the party. He rang up several leaders, who were planning to quit TDP and join PRP. According to insiders, Balakrishna was meeting party leaders from various districts.
He is willing to meet leaders and people in East Godavari from December 28, where he will stay for some days for film shooting.
Pawan Kalyan with his modest behaviour was attracting youths and elders alike. Pawan did a lot of homework along with his friends in the cine field to search talented youths to form ‘Yuva Rajyam’.
Both the heros will remain ‘star campaigners’ for their parties in the next four months.
While Pawan Kalyan has decided to launch his campaign from Kondagattu in Karimnagar on December 26, the itinerary and style of campaign of Balakrishna has not been decided yet. However, party sources confirmed that Balakrishna may kickstart his campaign after Sankranti.
Balakrishna is willing to contest in the next elections.
However, Pawan Kalyan will remain as lead campaigner for PRP.

Chariots of the stars set to roll

VV Balakrishna

12 Sep 2008 02:48:00 AM
HYDERABAD: Come Dasara, stars will cross swords blurring the thin line between the real and the reel worlds. While Chiranjeevi is all set to embark on his rath yatra by this monthend to cover every nook and corner for his Praja Rajyam, the TDP, which stands directly in the megastar’s firing line, is going to unleash its own "home-made" weapon –– NTR’s son and hero N Balakrishna. In all probability, he will launch his rath yatra after Dasara to shield the party from ‘mega’ inroads. The exact date for Chiranjeevi’s yatra has not yet been finalised but he may set out from Arasavilli in Srikakulam district after constituting party committees. Balakrishna, who extended his support to the TDP at a recent meeting with party chief N Chandrababu Naidu, is no stranger to poll campaign for he has been canvassing for the party off and on ever since its inception but that has been confined to a handful of constituencies. This time around, though, it’s going to be a full-time job for him for obvious reasons. According to party sources, the ‘Yuva Garjana’ rally of the party will be held in the last week of this month or in the second week of October in Guntur district. Balakrishna along with other actors of the NTR family - Hari Krishna, NTR Jr and Kalyanram - will take part in the rally. He may kickstart his yatra from Guntur itself. However, his first maiden public appearance post-Chiru entry into politics will be in Kollapur, Mahaboobnagar district next week for the unveiling of NTR’s statue. Confirming his active role in TDP, Balakrishna on Thursday said, "my aim is to bring the TDP back to power." Asked if he would attract youth to the party, he said, "the youth have always been with the TDP. It was they who had benefitted the most under the nine-year TDP rule." Balakrishna, who participated in a poor-feeding programme at the Basava Tarakam cancer hospital, however, said the dates for his campaign were yet to be finalised.