Nandamuri Balakrishna plays NT Rama Rao in the upcoming biopic titled 'NTR'.  Its launch was held today (March 29) at Hyderabad's Ramakrishna Cine Studios.  March 29 has so much significance for the late legendary actor-politician.  It was on this day in 1982 that NTR founded the TDP.  It was on this day that 'Pathala Bhairavi', 'Lava Kusa' and 'Desoddharakudu' had hit the screens.

Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu was present as the chief guest.  The event was also graced by the film's cast and crew, T Subbarami Reddy, Jamuna, Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, Paruchuri Venkateshwara Rao, Rajasekhar and Jeevitha, among others.

Speaking at the event, Venkaiah Naidu said, "Today is a special day for the Telugu people.  Although a President, a Vice-President don't attend functions like this one, I have made an exception because I personally have immense respect for NTR garu.  The schemes he introduced as the CM will be remembered by history.  The story of such a person has to be told, has to be read.  Cinema is a powerful medium and it influences people.  He created history in cinema, politics, and with respect to the Telugu language.  We don't know how Lord Krishna and Lord Rama looked.  But we know how NTR played them on the silver screen.  I don't promote dynasties.  But I encourage them only in one respect: when the descendants live up to their parents' talent and nobleness.  Balayya Babu has been taking forward his father's legacy.  I hope this film will be remembered for long.  The likes of Teja, Boyapati Srinu should make unforgettable movies.  I respect the Nandamuris because they hail from NTR's family, not for any other reason.  I have taken out my time to come here at a time when the Parliament is not functioning.  It's another matter."

T Subbarami Reddy said, "In terms of looks, there never has been anybody like NTR.  We are getting to watch his 'roopam' in this biopic.  Although I am a Congress MP, I will always praise NTR.  On one occasion, when he happened to have lunch at my home, somebody told him I am a Congress MP.  But NTR garu shot back saying that I am an Ajatashatru."

K Raghavendra Rao said, that Balakrishna and Teja are fortunate to be making the biopic.  "I was very lucky to have got to work with such a great personality," he said.

Allu Aravind said, "Before NTR, the Telugu people would be called Madrasis.  It was when NTR who came on the stage that the Telugu identity was established.  Balayya Babu is the only person who has the courage and the adventurous spirit to do the biopic of such a person.  It was 2.5 years ago that Vishnu Induri had come to me to tell the idea of this film."

Rajasekhar said, "Although I could never work with him, I personally got to spend some time with NTR.  The young generation should know his history.  Only Balayya Babu is eligible to tell that.  In terms of nature, looks, and personality, he is much like his father.  Teja is a director who does a lot of research."

Jeevitha said, "Balayya Babu is synonymous with humanity.  Teja is my classmate.  I am proud of his achievement more than him."

Co-producer Vishnu Induri said, "NTR is not just a name.  It's an emotion.  A survey once said that he is the most influential person ever.  He could shoot 'Dana Veera Soora Karna' in 44 days.  Any other hero would have taken at least two years to complete 'Gautamiputra Satakarni'.  But Balayya Babu completed it in 79 days.  He is an inspiration to this generation.  We have worked on the script of 'NTR' for 1.5 years.  We are aiming for a grand Dasara release."

Teja said, "I never thought even in my dream that I will direct NTR's biopic.  When the project came to me, I told Vishnu garu that I may not be the right person for this project.  I am very happy with the script.  It's a true story.  It's a history that we are going to narrate.  NTR's life is so great that it will take six films to tell the entire story.  But we are going to tell it in one film."

Sai Madhav Burra, the film's dialogue writer, said, "It was by watching NTR's movies that I learned how to live my life, and how to face it.  I am not there without him.  I am here because of my parents and NTR's films.  NTR could have the whole 'jati' rally behind him.  I promise that I will write every dialogue in this film in such a way that I will last longer.  In NTR, 'N' stands for Natana and 'R' stands for Rajakeeyam.  Whereas 'T' stands for Telugu vadu.  If he hasn't yet been given Bharat Ratna, it's because the award is not yet that lucky."

Balakrishna said, "My father is my 'guru' and 'daivam'.  Any and everybody can't be called great.  Such epithets should be reserved only for the likes of Shankara, Ramanuja, Mahatma Gandhi and NTR.  At a time when many states are thinking of making history an optional subject at the school level, it's necessary to make films like this.  NTR garu was a 'Karana Janmudu'.  He played a role even at the national politics.  People in many states fought for the schemes that he had introduced in Andhra Pradesh.  The script of 'NTR' is coming out fabulously well.  We are glad Sai Madhav Burra of 'Gautamiputra Satakarni' is the dialogue-writer.  March 29 has a special history.   It was on this day that 'Pathala Bhairavi' was re-released with the highest number of prints in South India.  It was on this day that 'Lava Kusa' hit the screens.  And it was on this day that NTR garu's first colour film 'Desoddharakudu' hit the screens.  I have a long way to go in the next 20 years.  I have done films as distinct as 'Sri Rama Rajyam', 'GPSK', 'Paisaa Vasool' and 'Jai Simha'."