Acclaimed actress Vidya Balan will start shooting for her first Telugu film from July 18. The film is a biopic on the well-known actor, producer, editor, director and politician NT Rama Rao. NTR as he is popularly called, served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for seven years over three terms. The Tumhari Sulu actress plays Basavatarakam, NTR’s wife whom he married at the age of 20 when still studying. Nadamuri Balakrishna, NTR’s sixth son will be essaying the role of his father in the biopic. The film is being directed by Krish, a successful Telugu director who has also wrapped up Kangana Ranaut’s Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi.

[caption id="attachment_100152" align="aligncenter" width="800"] NT Rama Rao and his son Nadamuri Balakrishna[/caption]

Vidya doesn't speak Telugu and hence did not grow up on NTR's films. However, like everybody else knew what a great phenomenon the actor-politician was. However, of all the biopics that were offered to her Vidya zeroed on this one. Talking about her decision to take up the role she told a leading daily, "It’s a biopic on NTR and while Basavatarakam is not NTR, she is extremely integral to his story and that’s why I’m doing this film. I’m looking forward to the experience. I still don’t know what it is about this film that interested me. Let’s say it was an instinctive decision."

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Vidya who herself is a hugely acclaimed actress said that she has always wondered what stardom does to the lives of the people around the star. She told a leading daily, “I have always been interested in this aspect, and how different people react differently to it. In this case, Basavatarakam was a very private person who held her own despite being the wife of a demi-god.” Vidya also said that since not much material is available about Basavatarakam in the public domain, her prep has been to find out more stuff about her.

Besides, Vidya the film also stars Bengali actor Jisshu Sengupta who is making his debut in Telugu films and plays the role of late filmmaker and Dadasaheb Phalke winner, LV Prasad. Rana Daggubati plays the role of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. Vidya who has always taken up roles that are central to the film has diversified with this biopic. However, the actress maintains that signing up this film was an instinctive decision and while it’s a biopic on NTR, Basavatarakam is an extremely integral character in his story.