Though there is no comparison, matinee idols of yesteryears Ms. Jayasudha, Ms. Radhika, Mr.Murali Mohan, Mr. Naresh all took to TV. Acting in TV serials has become full time occupation to many a yesteryear film artists.

No doubt why Dr. Akkineni Nageswara Rao too made a decision to appear in TV serial. This is first time in his 60 years of film career, he decided to act in ‘Matti Manishi’, enacting a title role. ANR who has more than 250 films to his credit and probably the only person in the world who continuously acted as a hero for 60 long years. He not merely acted in so many films but has kept his audience spellbound for more than 6 decades. He has been among others recipient of the Padmabhushan, Padmasree, Dadasaheb Phalke Award etc. besides being a part and parcel of each and every Telugu speaking home anywhere in the world. Thus he has become South India’s legend film artist. When such a personality opts to act in a TV serial first time in his life, his entry is being commented upon by the media, film industry as well as TV industry as a defining moment in the history of Telugu Television industry.

Finally ANR starred serial is on air from 8.30 to 9 pm on ETV. Keeping full stop to the speculation of his fans and many industry watchers, whether ANR will plunge into TV or not, he made up his mind to formally enter the TV. The story-line preferred for his entry too is very powerful. It is the story of a strong willed man who brings about a positive change in the lives of the people he interacts with. The story-line goes something like this: The President of India’s office gets an unusual request from a farmer in Andhra Pradesh, that the Krushi Ratna Award bestowed on him by the Government of India shortly at a glittering ceremony in the
ornate hall of the Rashtripati Bhawan amidst several luminaries and VIPs be handed over to him by the President in his own village and in front of his fellow villagers. The President of India, for the first time goes out of his office, personally visits the farmer and hands over the National Award to Ramabrahmam and appreciates his candour and honesty.

Matti Manishi is the story of this rare individual who says what he thinks and does is right.
Ramabrahmam is a model farmer, an altruist, a man of high integrity and strong self disciplined. He has innate confidence and faith in his own abilities and looks at nature, the soil and the clouds as his benefactors. He is recognised across the State as the personification of kindness and humanity. The story is a social melodrama of rivalry, conflicts and finally all get together in unison for a common cause.

Practically the entire cream of the Telugu TV industry Latha, Achyuth, Ashok Kumar, Pradeep, Kiran, Uday,Suma, Sana, Anita Choudary are essaying varied roles in this 104 episode mega serial. The serial is produced by United Friends, a banner set up by teaming up of biggest starcast of the Telugu Television industry - Achyuth, Ashok Kumar, Pradeep Kumar and Kadambari Kiran. The serial is their maiden venture.

Pradeep directed the serial. The Paruchuri Brothers,the duo, the name to reckon in scriptwriting in Telugu film industry penned the script for the first time for a TV serial. While renowned film music director Vandemataram Srinivas scored the music.I ncidentally, he too gave music for the first time to a TV serial. The accomplished cameraman of the film industry Diwakar shot the serial. The serial was clapped none other than Chandrababu Naidu. Zuari Cements is the major branding sponsor of the serial.

The serial is a result of good team work of TV and advertising industry professionals. The release was well timed. In turns of slotting, it was well placed in a prime time bracket at 8.30pm and that too on Sunday. If the events preceded the telecast was any indication, the serial is going go homes to be a all time hit. Millions of ANR fans wish that his tryst with TV will last longer. 

D.Ramchandram
Reachout's News Bureau
-May' 2002

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