A biopic on Vedire Ramachandra Reddy

Remember the Bhoodan Movement which was started by Vinobha Bhave, Mahatma Gandhi’s follower and spiritual successor, in 1951? Well, his inspiration was Pochampally Zamindar Vedire Ramachandra Reddy, who donated 100 acres of land to the poor.

Now, 70 years later, Ramachandra Reddy’s life will be chronicled on the silver screen! His grandson Aravind Reddy has roped in National-award-winning director Neelakanta to helm the biopic.

“When Aravind garu approached me to be part of this film, I was thrilled. Ramachandra Reddy garu’s story has great historical significance in the post-Indian independence era,” says Neelakanta, who considers it an honour to be part of such a prestigious project. He has just began writing the script, but says the film will include all significant movements that took place during the post-Independence era.

“The film showcases Ramachandra garu’s childhood, how he pursued law, his tenure as a tahsildar under the Nizam’s rule, and how he turned into a social reformer and made the historic gesture,” says the director, adding that he had also linked Ramachandra’s story with the Freedom Movement.

Expressing awe at the ‘largest bloodless revolution’ for acquiring land, Neelakanta says, “Imagine pooling in 58 lakh acres of land (under Vinobha’s initiative) without undue coercion — incredible.”

Noting that Ramachandra’s story has not yet been told on celluloid, the director says, “The film will be a tribute to his great sacrifice and also a tribute to others who donated their land. There are several other important characters who were influential and part of history, we shall bring them to life too.”

Asked how a story set around the Independence Movement would appeal to the current generation, he says, “If you look at the kind of films that are being made on OTT, most of the plots have a strong emotional connect. The project is challenging for me, both intellectually and as a director.”

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Allu Arjun’s father-in-law excited about producing the film

Allu Arjun’s father-in-law Chandrasekhar Reddy is bankrolling the biopic. Talking about his association with the film, Chandrasekhar says he can connect with the story of the historic personality.

“I was approached to produce a few films earlier too, but somehow the scripts did not excite me. But when Aravind Reddy came up with the idea of this biopic, it resonated with me instantly,” he says. Chandrasekhar adds that the film chronicles how land grabbing by extremists was at its peak in 1951, and how Ramachandra garu’s gesture of donating 100 acres kicked off the Bhoodan Movement.