Narsaiah was truly a man of the people: Shivarajkumar

Shivarajkumar, son of the legendary Dr Rajkumar, has carved out a distinguished career in Kannada cinema spanning over three decades. Now, he is expanding his horizons with a slew of ambitious pan-India projects, including his debut as a lead in Tollywood with the biopic of Telangana leader Gummadi Narsaiah.

In an exclusive conversation with us, the superstar opens up about playing the iconic politician, his experience collaborating with Rajinikanth and Ram Charan, his cherished memories of Hyderabad, and the life lessons he gained after battling cancer.‘A cop mistook me for a prisoner while we were filming in Hyderabad’Hyderabad holds a treasure trove of memories for the Sandalwood superstar, but one unscripted run-in with the cops stands out. “I’ve done many shoots in Hyderabad over the years, but one of my fondest memories is from the film Mutthanna (1994).

There was a scene where I had to escape from jail, dressed in a prison uniform. We were filming near Ramakrishna Theatre when a real policeman apprehended me, thinking I was an actual escapee! The crew had to quickly rush in and explain the situation.

It was such a fun moment,” he recalls with a smile.‘I’m amazed by the sincerity Gummadi Narsaiah embodies’Reflecting on the story of his next film, Shivarajkumar says, “When the director narrated the script, it felt incredibly real.

I wouldn’t just call him a politician; he is truly a man of the people. I am amazed by his genuine sincerity. Even today, he travels by bus and lives a simple life. Portraying someone like him is a true honour. Sacrifice is often misunderstood, but dedicating your life to serving others is the greatest sacrifice of all.

”The film was officially launched with a puja in December, with principal photography slated to begin in February.

“Most of the filming will take place in his village, with schedules in Hyderabad and Karnataka. I will be dubbing for myself in Telugu, and I also plan to dub in Hindi and Tamil. I’m comfortable with those languages, though Malayalam will be a bit of a challenge, but I’ll give it my best.”Speaking about his preparation, Shivarajkumar admits he is going the extra mile to get the nuances right. “I have studied several video clips to capture the specific essence of Gummadi Narsaiah.

When he saw the teaser, he seemed very pleased. I don’t want to compromise the essence of his character; I want to approach it with confidence and sincerity.”Who is Gummadi Narsaiah?

Gummadi Narsaiah is a revered veteran politician from Telangana and a prominent leader of the CPI (ML) New Democracy. Often hailed as a “Prajala Manishi” (People’s Man), he served five terms as the MLA for the Yellandu constituency between 1983 and 2009.

Known for his extraordinary simplicity and integrity, he notably travelled by bicycle, lived in a humble home, and often donated his entire legislative salary to his party.

Throughout his career, he was a staunch advocate for tribal rights, leading major movements for forestry rights and protesting against rising electricity tariffs.

‘Survival of the fittest applies to cinema too’Touching upon the blurring of linguistic boundaries in Indian cinema, the 63-year-old veteran insists that staying relevant means staying adaptable.

“Society is changing, and globalisation is here. As actors, we must adapt; it’s survival of the fittest. I’ve witnessed the evolution of cinema since my father’s time. I always tell my fans not to limit themselves to one language. Look at my recent release 45, or upcoming projects like Gummadi Narsaiah, Peddi, and Jailer 2; they are all pan-India releases.

”‘Nobody can truly become Rajkumar’

Given the trend of biopics, questions about a film on his father, the legendary Dr Rajkumar, are inevitable.

However, Shivarajkumar firmly dismisses the idea of stepping into those shoes. “It is very difficult to make a biopic on Appaji. Nobody can truly ‘become’ Rajkumar. If a film were ever made, it would be historic, but it should definitely be played by someone else, not me. He gave me life; I will always worship him, but I don’t think I am the right person to play him.

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‘Work was my anchor during recovery’Displaying the spirit of a true fighter, Shivarajkumar battled bladder cancer with immense resilience, undergoing a major surgery in December 2024.

Reflecting on that testing phase, he says, “That experience taught me the importance of a healthy lifestyle. I was fortunate to have incredible support from my family, friends, and doctors. In fact, even while I was undergoing chemotherapy, I continued shooting for 45.

Work has to go on, no matter what.” ‘Ram Charan is as cultured and humble as his father, Chiranjeevi garu’

In Ram Charan’s sports action drama Peddi, Shivarajkumar steps into the shoes of Gour Naidu, a character described as both regal and explosive.

Sharing insight into this intense role, he explains, “It is a very special role with a well-defined journey, right from the beginning to the emotional climax. I act as a support system to the protagonist, and the bond between our characters adds significant depth to the narrative.

Working with Ram Charan has been delightful; he is as cultured and humble as his father, Chiranjeevi garu.”‘Rajini sir is like family’

After his explosive cameo as Narasimha in Jailer became a fan favourite, Shivarajkumar is set to reprise the role in the highly anticipated sequel. “Rajini sir and I bond very well on set. SJ Suryah often jokes, ‘Whenever they get a chance, these two start talking like relatives.’ And in a way, we are. I grew up in Madras watching his rise to superstardom. Despite his success, he remains grounded. He shares a close bond with my father, and every time he is in Bengaluru, he makes it a point to visit our home.

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