The first teaser of Yatra, a biopic on the former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, was released on July 8, on the occasion of his birth anniversary. The film, directed by Mahi Raghav, features Mammootty as the late politician.
The teaser gives a glimpse of Mammotty who, in a crisp white shirt and dhoti, bears a striking resemblance to YSR. A voiceover by Mammootty reveals his ambitions as a politician. He goes on to say that he wants to visit every house beyond Cuddapah, walk with the people and listen to their heartbeat. The monologue then says he would leave it to history to decide if his journey was about obstinacy or foolishness.
The film focuses on the CM’s pada yatra that helped him win the Assembly elections in 2009. The makers had initially decided to cover the entire life of YSR. However, they eventually felt that it would dilute certain important incidents in his life including the famous pada yatra that YSR undertook before winning the elections and becoming the Chief Minister.
Here’s the teaser:
The film is produced by Vijay Chilla and Shashi Devireddy under the banner of 70 MM Entertainments.
Talking to The Indian Express earlier, Raghav explained the reason behind casting Mammootty in the film. He said: “I grew up watching his (Mammootty) films. Keeping that aside, YSR was perceived to be a strong and courageous leader. To portray his character, we needed someone who can get in that aura [sic] of a leader who we can look up to. I have seen a lot of his films and I thought Mammukka doesn’t have to put in a lot of effort to pull off something like this.”
The film’s first look was leaked even before the makers official could officially announce the release. The leak forced the makers to release the first look ahead of the decided date. “Appreciate and overwhelmed by the interest and support for Yatra… it is not fair to leak and undermine the work of the technicians. The official poster will be shortly out,” tweeted Raghav.
Appreciate and overwhelmed by the interest and support for Yatra… it is not fair to leak and undermine the work of the technicians. The official poster will be shortly Out
— Mahi Vraghav (@MahiVraghav) April 7, 2018
The film, which is made in Telugu, will also be dubbed in Tamil. It was earlier reported that YSR’s son and the chief of YSR Congress Party, YS Jaganmohan Reddy has been involved in the film, from the beginning. In fact, film began only after he approved the first draft of the story line.
