Mammootty’s dedication and passion for cinema bowled me over: Yatra director Mahi Raghav

The YSR biopic ‘Yatra’ starring Malayalam superstar Mammootty is the latest talk in social medias. The makers had released the first look poster last day which is still trending virally. Mahi Raghav, who has made hit movies like Paathshala and Anando Brahma is directing this movie.

In a recent interview, the director was all praise of Mammootty and his dedication towards the craft. He also revealed about why he decided to cast Mammootty as YSR. Apparently, the director was mighty impressed with Mammootty’s performance in a particular scene in the movie Thalapathi. He feels that the actor has the same aura, charisma and a larger than life image that YSR had.

YS Rajasekhara Reddy, popularly known as YSR, is one of the most popular politicians that Andhra Pradesh has ever seen. YSR died in an air crash in 2009 when the helicopter carrying him crashed in a dense forest. He was so hugely popular that hundreds of his followers committed suicide upon hearing his unfortunate demise. Yatra will showcase some of the important aspects of his life and his political journey.

Interestingly, when Mahi Raghav and his team came down to Kerala for a narration, they had prepared for a briefing in English but Mammootty insisted for a full length narration in authentic Telugu which lasted for around eight hours. The director says he was bowled over by such dedication and passion from someone who has done over 350 films and is a multiple National award winner.

Yatra is an event-based film which primarily focuses on the time during YSR’s three-month-long padayatra in 2003. The padayatra was a defining moment in his career which transformed him into a people’s leader. While Mammootty has been confirmed for YSR’s role, the makers are yet to make an announcement about the actors who will be playing the other crucial roles.

Vijay Chilla and Shashi Devi are producing the movie under the banner of 70MM Entertainments.