The choice of Chiranjeevi’s 150th film has oscillated from one director to another. Kept under tight wraps, first it was Puri Jagannadh, then other mega makers were speculated. Eventually, it is V.V.Vinayak and the story is based on the Tamil film “Kathi”. One wonders whether this holds any excitement for millions of fans who have been waiting for the Megastar’s return to celluloid.
But forty-nine films later, what could be running on the megastar’s mind to select a commercial film again borrowed from Vijay’s film “Kathi”? Mind you, the pressure on him would have been stupendous given that Balayya, his contemporary already announced a grand project on the life and times of an ancient Andhra warrior King “Gautamaputra Satakarni”. One expected Chiranjeevi to announce a project of similar stature. But none of that came. Why?
In the circumstances therefore, Chiranjeevi’s decision cannot be faulted. Backing himself with his son as producer makes it a strictly family venture – and what better way than to take a subject as entertaining as “Kathi” to attempt a home-run for the megastar which will keep the fans in good spirits. On that count, Chiranjeevi has always been an intelligent megastar who weighs the risks well before deciding on any action. Given that he has the talent that can combine both the commercial charishma of Rajinikanth and the nuanced acting of Kamal Hassan, and there is plenty of time to re-test Chiranjeevi’s Magic in his second innings, we think this is a prudent strategy. And cannot be compared with Balayya’s motives to make a different milestone film. Chiranjeevi’s fans will cheer him on for more diverse subjects but only after a paisa vasool movie for the 150th appearance.