The Tamilian Vijay phenomenon is apparently feeding into a lot of South Indian film stars: there has been heavy speculation on Jr NTR gearing up for a big political turnaround.
The Andhra Pradesh and Telangana-based Telugu superstar has reportedly begun a massive social welfare programme, many in the region feel could be the first foot in the door to active politics. On the 20th, Jr NTR, who will celebrate his birthday on May 20, will start a social welfare fund worth nearly Rs 100 crore, funded by his fan associations.
Mobilising his massive fan base, the initiative plans to implement broad-based social service initiatives across both Telugu-speaking states. The development has almost immediately generated political discussions, as social-service activities performed by film stars in South India have typically become political movements.
Vijay himself developed his “Vijay Makkal Iyakkam” fan organisation through welfare programmes and became a political force, with later political ascendancy in becoming Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, according to political observers. Now, many analysts think that Jr NTR is, in actuality, trying to move along the same tracks, but by transforming his support base around his fan base into an organised social and political network. Jr NTR’s Political Roots.
Unlike other actors who only began getting involved in politics, Jr NTR already has deep-rooted political connections and experience. He is a member of the influential Nandamuri family, one of the largest political families in Andhra Pradesh.
During his youth, Jr NTR was active in the campaign for the Telugu Desam Party as well as serving as a youth leader within the party. He was once one of the party’s top star campaigners and travelled widely across undivided Andhra Pradesh to campaign for TDP candidates.
Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had, at one point, reportedly described Jr NTR as a valuable asset to the party. But political equations among the Nandamuri family and among the TDP changed gradually. It has been reported that Jr NTR gradually distanced himself from active party politics in the years after, while the family became synonymous with leadership figures such as Nandamuri Balakrishna, who turned into a political figure.
A New Political Beginning?
Now, Jr NTR’s latest welfare initiative has reignited the issue of whether or not the actor is setting his sights on his own independent political platform in the future. Activating fan associations for organised social work is becoming a strategic decision for grassroots influence.
The actor has a hugely popular following in urban and rural markets and is also widely accepted as an eloquent public speaker. And added to his family’s political legacy and extensive connections throughout various political circles is the widespread belief that Jr NTR would make a significant political impact should he formally enter politics.
His relatively unblemished public image is also a bright spot. He enjoys cordial relations with leaders of several political parties and is regarded as a personality who transcends political factions. While Jr NTR has not made any official political announcements so far, the magnitude and timeline of the welfare programme are fuelling speculations that the Telugu megastar might soon make a serious political gambit, as Vijay did when he stepped up his game and became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
