Rajasekhara Reddy plays chief minister on screen too

Hyderabad, July 12 (IANS) At a time when film stars in Andhra Pradesh are making a beeline for politics, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy is working in a Telugu film.

Interestingly, he is playing the role of the chief minister in "'Gokaraju" that is based on Andhra politics.

Rajasekhara Reddy, who is a physician, will make guest appearance in the film, to be produced by C.C. Reddy and directed by Arun Prasad.

The shooting of the film began in the chief minister's camp office Saturday.

YSR, as the chief minister is popularly known, had agreed to act in the film in March. He will be acting along with comedian Brahmanandam.

The chief minister's role in the movie will be dedicated to the upliftment of a poor village in the state.

The movie is being produced at a time when Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi is gearing up to launch a new political party next month and several other stars are waiting to join either the ruling Congress party or the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

Congress leaders hope the movie would help the chief minister send his message to people ahead of assembly and Lok Sabha elections.

On Saturday, YSR also launched a 'ratham' or specially decorated vehicle, which will go around the state to publicise the development and welfare programmes taken up by his government during last four years.