Looks like no biopic is free from controversy and the Ghantasala biopic is no different. Singer Krishna Chaitanya and his wife Mrudula are reprising legendary music composer (Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao) and his wife in the upcoming biopic, directed by Ch. Rama Rao. However, looks like the film might run into rough weather.
Apparently, the family members of the fabled musician have denied permission to make the film. In fact, director Rama Rao was denied permission when he approached the family members seeking consent.
Seemingly, Ghantasala’s wife Savitri and his younger son have been miffed with the developments. A source says, “When the director (Rama Rao) approached the Ghantasala family last year, he was denied permission to make the biopic. The family members felt that Ghantasala had a clean image and led a controversy free life that lacks enough drama to make the biopic interesting for the audience, so what was the need to make one?”
Disregarding the disapproval, Rao went ahead with the film.
“The director even showed the film to the family members, which they did not like. They are now preparing a ground to serve legal notice to the filmmakers for proceeding without permission,” adds the source.
Meanwhile, another source close to the film unit says that the makers have obtained all the legal clearances to make a film.
“Why will the filmmakers spend crores on a film without getting the permission? Since the director is a big fan of Ghantasala he wants to make a film on him. When he approached the family for making a film, he was told that he is free to make the film as he is a public personality. However, he got all the legal rights to make a biopic on him.”
Since the film is nearing completion, it would be interesting to see whether this dispute affects its release.
