Biopic on Padma Shri Vanajeevi Ramaiah begins filming in Khammam

A multilingual biopic on Padma Shri awardee and green crusader Vanajeevi Ramaiah is underway, directed by Vemuganti and starring Brahmaji. The film aims to present Ramaiah’s environmental mission to global audiences and is being produced with aspirations for major awards.

Khammam: The life of renowned green crusader, Padma Shri late Vanajeevi Ramaiah, is set to be immortalised in a biographical film.

Followers of Ramaiah and those inspired by his work have come together to make the biopic. Nandi Award winner Vemuganti is directing the film, which is being produced by Lingampalli Chandrashekar, while noted Khammam-based musician Ballepalli Mohan is composing the music.

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Popular Telugu actor Brahmaji is portraying Ramaiah, and actress Nagamani is playing the role of his wife Janakamma. The director of photography is Thota Ramana, and Dr Kalaranga is the story writer for the project, being produced under the banner of Prakruthi Parirakshana Films.

Speaking to Telangana Today, Vemuganti said the main objective of the biopic, titled Padma Shri Vanajeevi Ramaiah, was to take Ramaiah’s life and message to national and global audiences. The film also aims to inspire future generations and highlight the work done by Ramaiah, who planted nearly one and a half crore saplings during his lifetime, earning him national recognition in the form of a Padma Shri award.

The biopic is multilingual and will be released in six languages — Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Marathi, Hindi and English. The English version is being made with the intent to submit it for the Oscars, as environmental protection, the cause championed by Ramaiah, is a global concern, he said.

High technical standards will be maintained in filming the biopic with detailed characterisation, and the director hopes it will be an award-winning film. The production is being made with focus on the Gaddar Awards, National Film Awards and the Oscars.

The muhurtham shot and a few scenes have been filmed at various locations in Khammam. The remaining shoot will take place in Vikarabad forests, Eco Park and KBR Park in Hyderabad. Ramaiah’s childhood scenes will be filmed at a house in Cherial, and the shoot is expected to be completed by December 15, Vemuganti said.

Actor Brahmaji, who is working without remuneration for the biopic, said he was deeply inspired by Ramaiah’s life story and felt portraying him was not just another role but a significant responsibility.