Ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Indian film industry has to offer much more than mere entertainers. An array of biopics, in various languages, are on their way, with the most prominent of them being The Accidental Prime Minister which has already caused quite a storm in the political circles.
THE WEEK takes a look at the upcoming biopics that are likely to change the way many view politicians.
NTR
N.T.R. Kathanayakudu is set to hit the screens on January 9. The movie, which depicts the life and times of actor-turned-politician N.T. Rama Rao, has his son Nandamuri Balakrishna in the lead. Balakrishna is also one of the producers of the movie. Directed by Krish Jagarlamudi, the movie will be released in two parts—NTR Kathanayakudu and NTR Mahanayakudu. The first part traces NTR entry into the film industry while the second part deals with his transition from an actor into a politician. The movie also boasts of a strong cast—Vidya Balan, Rana Daggubati, and Nithya Menen to name a few. The second part of the movie will be released on February 8.
NTR, which also looks at the formation of Telugu Desam Party, is expected to boost the party's fortunes in the 2019 polls.
The Accidental Prime Minister
The much-awaited movie about former prime minister Manmohan Singh will be released on January 11. The movie, which is an adaptation of a book by former media advisor to Singh, Sanjaya Baru, chronicles the10 years of Singh's prime ministership. The trailer of the movie had faced much criticism with the Congress leaders calling it a “promotion” for the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Recently, the Delhi High Court dismissed a plea to ban the trailer of the movie.
Thackeray
The movie on late Shiv Sena leader Balasaheb Thackeray is directed by Abhijit Panse. According to the producer of the movie, Sena leader Sanjay Raut, Thackeray, which has Nawazuddin Siddiqui playing the titular character, would not deal with the controversial aspects about the late leader. The movie hit the headlines when actor Siddarth accused the movie of promoting hate against South Indians. The film will be released on January 25 in both Hindi and Marathi.
Yatra
Directed by Mahi V. Raghav, Yatra, a biopic of former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh has Malayalam superstar Mammootty in the lead. The movie, which will focus on the padayatra of YSR ahead of 2004 and 2009 elections which led to the victory of the party, will hit theatres on February 7, a day ahead of the release of the second part of NTR.
While NTR may help TDP electorally, Yatra is expected to help the opposition party YSR Congress in the upcoming elections.
PM Narendra Modi
A recent addition to the growing list of biopics has been a movie on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Titled PM Narendra Modi, the movie, directed by Omung Kumar of Mary Kom fame, has Vivek Oberoi essaying the role of the prime minister. “I am extremely fortunate. Today, I am feeling like I felt 16 years ago, during 'Company' days. I am feeling the same kind of excitement and hunger because this is a role of a lifetime for any actor. I truly believe at the end of the journey, I pray I become better actor and a better human being," Vivek Oberoi had told reporters during the launch of the first look poster of the movie.
There is also a film on the mysterious death of second prime minister of India Lal Bahadur Shastri expected to be released in February or March. The movie, directed by Vivek Agnihotri, is titled The Tashkent Files.