Hyderabad: Actor Nagarujuna flew to Ahmedabad today to meet Narendra Modi, to “exchange ideas with the next Prime Minister of India”, though speculation has it that the actor wants the Vijaywada constituency for actor-turned-activist wife Amala.
“I came to meet Narendra Modi to exchange ideas. There is no political agenda. I am neither a politician nor does my family have any such interests,” he told the media after the meeting.
The actor praised the leadership of Narendra Modi and the “way he had developed Gujarat”. “I visited a small but modern village in Gujarat and was surprised at the facilities. It has broadband, wifi, 24-hour power. There are many such villages in the state. Modi is a leader who can change the country,” he said.
Wagging tongues say the praise came from a need to safeguard his business ventures and properties in Hyderabad. During YS Rajasekhar Reddy’s time, the actor had used similar words of praise for the late chief minister. He had even acted in an advertisement that was made by the YSR government. “I was inspired by some of the policies of YS Rajasekhar Reddy and I wanted to campaign for those projects,” Nagarjuna had said.
It was also reported then that the actor wanted to expand his Annapurna Studio into an entertainment park that included multiplexes. The project was almost approved by YS Rajasekhar Reddy.
After YSR’s death, Nagarjuna became good friends with Jaganmohan Reddy. But the bifurcation of the state means Jagan will now stick to Seemandhra.
Nagarjuna is not so pally with the Telugu Desam Party, TRS or the Congress. The Telugu Desam Party accuses the actor of illegally encroaching into an area for his studio. The actor has denied these allegations.
Sources say BJP is a good option for him. Though the meeting was arranged by senior BJP leader Venkaih Naidu, sources say Nagarjuna’s good friend Nimmagadda Prasad was also involved in bringing the two together.
It is also rumoured that after Pawan Kalyan and Nagarjuna, it might now be the turn of top stars Mahesh Babu and NTR Jr to meet Modi. But secretly.
