Mammootty returns to Telugu cinema after two decades, to play YS Rajasekhar Reddy in a biopic

Malayalam star Mammootty is all set to return to Telugu cinema with a biopic based on former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy, who died in a helicopter crash in 2009. The film will be directed by Mahi Raghav, whose comedy Anando Brahma was a runaway hit last year. Titled Yatra, the film will go on floors next year and will have Mammootty playing the late CM. The film will be produced by Vijay Chilla and Shashi Devireddy.

The project will mark Mammootty’s return to Telugu filmdom after two decades. His last Telugu outing was Kodi Ramakrishna’s Railway Coolie. His most popular Telugu film till date remains Swathi Kiranam.

It’s Truly an HONOUR sir. Humbled and Grateful for the opportunity 🙏 @mammukka @70mmEntertains @Vijay70mm @devireddyshashi @SabbaniRamakri1 @sivameka @RakeshMahankali #yatra#YSR pic.twitter.com/s03X6NULNr

— Mahi Vraghav (@MahiVraghav) March 21, 2018

Talking to Hindustan Times, Raghav confirmed that Mammootty is officially on board. “It’s an absolute honour to work with him. It’s too early to talk about the project but I can say confidently that Mammootty will fit the bill in this role,” Raghav said, and added that he’s thrilled to be associated with the project. It feeds into Telugu cinema’s current craze for biopics. As of now, four films – Mahanati, biopic on NTR, biopic on Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy and the Gopichand biopic - are in the offing. Mahanati, the film based on the life of legendary southern actress Savitri, is confirmed to hit the screens on March 30 this year.

In 2004, YSR was sworn in as the Chief Minister for the first time. It’ll be really interesting to see how audiences will accept and react to two biopics on the most fascinating politicians, NTR and YSR, in the history of Andhra Pradesh.

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