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.
Chiranjeevi’s last milestone film, his 100th film was “Trinethrudu” which was also his first home-production under “Anjana Productions”. Though the film didn’t do well at the box-office, it was a commercial potboiler, had one of the best soundtracks scored by Raj-Koti and dealt with the problem of drug-addiction which is relevant even today. A subtle message underpinning a commercial thriller modelled like a James Bond film was what “Trinethrudu” was all about.
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?
A basic difference is that Chiranjeevi is returning to the silver screen after more than six and a half years. Whereas Balayya has been juggling movies since the 1980s taking politics seriously only in the last few years since entering the arena as an MLA. For Chiranjeevi, an experimental film or a historical project is something that can come later, maybe, after the 150th film. Before that, he has to prove himself at the box-office whether he can get back his magical charishma back with a regular commercial fare. And for doing that, the best way is to take a film that succeeded at the box-office before so that there is a safety net for the producers (his son) and the distributors. Taking a gamble after a long hiatus is definitely not worth it. And Chiranjeevi knows that well. If the film succeeds, a slew of films can be planned with others besides expanding the canvass for more ambitious and diverse subjects.
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.
