When R.K Laxman, the cartoonist celebrity arrived in Hyderabad, I went to see him and request him to visit Heart Animation Academy. Laxman readily obliged.

We were driving in a car when he asked me about the location of the Academy. I said it was in the MLA colony.

After a while, we entered the vast MLA colony. Laxman looked thro the windshield and pointed at a construction activity. He asked me what that site was meant for.
I said it was going to be the future Police quarters.

Laxman with a grimace on his face said, he did not like Policemen and Politicians and they were hand-in-glove people.
I asked why?

His reply was, “Look here. The Police quarters are being built in the MLAs colony.”

I was at Rajahmundry with Bapu, when shooting of “Manavuri Pandavulu” was in progress. The location was an isolated bungalow at the town outskirts. Bapu was scripting an important scene with the big starcast, Krishnama Raju, Rao Gopal Rao, Allu Ramalingiah, Krishnamohan, and Chriranjeevi.

Chiranjeevi was a fresher then to the tinsel world. He looked vibrant and full of enthusiasm clothed in his role costumes. He looked exceptionally simple. I introduced myself and he immediately stood up and shook hands with me. He was pleased to have met Jayadev, the cartoonist.

A few years later I met him at Vijaya Bapineedu’s office (Chennai). He was in his full make up and his eyes glowed on seeing me.

Many years later, I met him in his residence at Jubilee Hills (Hyderabad) on the occasion of his birthday. He was extremely courteous to remember all our previous meetings and gave me an affectionate hug.

A couple of days ago, I saw him on the TV addressing a mammoth rally at the Parade Grounds. Though attired as a politician he looked his usual self, a simple human being.

Prajarajyam Party Election Symbol

Actors Kamal Haasan and Gollapudi Maruthi Rao are probably mutual admirers. In certain of Kamal’s big hits, Gollapudi has played important roles. Kamal in return seems to have played Gollapudi’s role himself. Watch Naidu’s character of Kamal in “Dasavatharam” and you will notice stunning similarities to Gollapudi’s features!

“Vamsa Vruksham” was the film Bapu was busy with.
The shoots were planned on the Godavari River banks, off Rajahmundry.
Known for introducing new faces, Bapu chose Anil Kapoor, a bright young handsome man to play the supporting actor role.

Since Anil was all English and Hindi, my friend, Dr.Gopal was assigned the task of teaching Telugu to Anil and helping him in dialogue rendering.
I had the privilege of accompanying Anil Kapoor and Dr.Gopal to shooting locations.

Anil Kapoor was quick to follow Dr.Gopal’s instructions. He picked up Telugu words fast but when he uttered them, Telugu sounded like Hindi. It was great fun when serious expressions and subtle dialogues had to be matched and presented before the camera. Anil himself was amused about his pronunciation.

It was therefore decided that Anil Kapoor’s voice be dubbed. SP Balasubrahmanyam was chosen for the job.

After the schedules were over Anil Kapoor (he gave a commendable performance in the film) returned to Madras. The very same day he wanted to meet SPB and make a personal request to lend him the latter’s voice even though the Producers of the film had already fixed the deal. Bapu asked me and Dr.Gopal to take Anil and introduce him to SPB.

Anil Kapoor was meticulous about everything he did and also wanted to make sure that he met SPB for courtesy reasons. For me and Dr.Gopal it was wonderful to be with a dynamic young man who would eventually become a Super Hero in Bollywood and famous internationally.