YSR to come alive on silver screen

Hyderabad, Sep 14 (IANS) After statues and temples immortalising late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the popular leader who died in a helicopter crash early this month will come alive on the silver screen.

Telugu actor Rajasekhar will play the role of YSR, as the late leader was popularly known. Producer-director Puri Jagannath announced Monday evening that he would make the Telugu film titled "Rajasekhara Reddy".

Flanked by actor couple Rajasekhar and Jeevitha, Jagannath said he was feeling honoured to make a movie on the towering leader, who enjoyed unbelievable popularity among masses.

"YSR was immensely popular. A large number of his fans died of shock or committed suicide after hearing about his death in the helicopter crash," he said.

Rajasekhar, who along with Jeevitha had joined the Congress early this year, said he was fortunate to play YSR's role. He said they would re-make the film in various Indian languages.

The actor said the film based on YSR's life would be a real tribute to the leader, who dedicated his life to serve the poor.

YSR and four others died when their helicopter crashed in bad weather in dense Nallamalla forests in Kurnool district Sep 2.

The late chief minister was also playing the role of chief minister in the Telugu film "Gokaraju" based on Andhra politics. He was to act along with comedian Brahmanandam and had even posed for few shots in his office.

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

However, the film to be produced by C.C. Reddy and directed by Arun Prasad remained incomplete.