Star wars hit Andhra political turf

Hyderabad, March 14 (IANS) Top Telugu stars have hit the campaign trail for different political parties, and some of the rivalry is spilling on to the big screen as well.

Eminent director and Congress leader Dasari Narayan Rao has come out with a movie, which reviews say takes pot-shots at actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi, who launched his own Praja Rajyam Party last year.

Narayan Rao, a former central minister who acted in the satirical movie 'Mestri', apparently pokes fun at the Praja Rajyam Party chief.

Chiranjeevi is unruffled. The megastar, as he is popularly called, said such movies would have no impact on his 'mission to serve people with all sincerity'.

'Some stars like Krishna did this even to NTR but it had no impact. I think such movies will help us,' Chiranjeevi told IANS.

Krishna, a popular yesteryear actor and former Congress MP, through his films had targeted thespian N.T. Rama Rao, the founder of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and former chief minister.

'Mestri' has been released at a time when Chiranjeevi along with his brothers and popular actors Nagababu and Pavan Kalyan were campaigning for his party.

Actress and TDP women wing president Roja has bitterly criticised Chiranjeevi and his brothers on several occasions.

Actor couple Rajasekhar and Jeevitha, who are campaigning for the Congress, are also targeting Chiranjeevi.

NTR's son N. Balakrishna and grandson Junior NTR have hit the campaign trail on behalf of TDP, but they have refrained from directly criticising Chiranjeevi.