Biopics always need cinematic liberty: Srinivas Reddy

Director Srinivas Reddy, who is busy working on "Ma Neta Rajanna", a Telugu film on late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy (YSR), feels filmmakers need cinematic liberty to make biopics.

"Biopics are not easy to make. They are very challenging and one needs some degree of cinematic liberty since they are based on someone else's life. Audiences are always ready to point out mistakes in these films, and therefore, you need the freedom to compromise on few things," Srinivas told IANS.

"Making a film based on the life of a political figure means that you're dealing with the emotions of lakhs of his or her followers. One scene is more than enough to earn their wrath. Just because you're making a biopic doesn't mean you can include every minor detail," he added.

In "Ma Neta Rajanna", Reddy will portray some politicians who belong to the opposition party in negative shade without belittling them. "This wouldn't be possible without having the freedom to even attempt it at the first place," he added.

"Ma Neta Rajanna" will feature veteran actor Vijaychander in the role of YSR. .

"He is a versatile actor. All of us know he is one the popular actors in the Telugu industry to have been part of several biopics over the years. I didn't have any other actor in mind," he added.

Vijaychander is known for playing the screen avatars of Shirdi Sai Baba, Jesus Christ, Kabirdas and even Telugu stalwarts such as N.T Rama Rao and T. Prakasam Pantulu.

"Ma Neta Rajanna" is the second film on YSR after Telugu film "Jagannayakudu" by P.C Reddy.

Srinivas says he is making the film out of passion.

"It will only be on him from his initial days as a doctor to his political career and his death. I have been one of his followers and this film is my way of paying tribute to him. I'm not trying to seek any political mileage out of this," he said.

The film also features Raghunatha Reddy, Mani Chandana and yesteryear heroine Geethanjali in important roles. It is slated to release in November.