It did not take many days for me to realize the situation. A camel
could easily pass through the eye of a needle. But, getting into the film industry
was not that easy. Conditions forced me to become a physical education teacher with
Kesari High School , after completing my degree in physical education in YMCA.Yet;
I was determined to pursue my dream with tireless zeal.
I had only a couple of dress and often I would go penniless. Now,
thirty years after that state of affairs, the scene is still vivid in my mind as
I look at my wardrobe full of latest designs.
Come what may; first set your foot into the tinsel world. Taking
heart into my mouth, I flew down the first opportunity lane, and took up job as
an assistant director with a small production company. My remuneration was Rs 50
per month (roughly one dollar) and the job would stretch beyond six months. I trembled
at the paltry amount as to how I could eat, clear room rental and maintain a decent
dress. I hold a lifelong thanks to Mr Lakshmi Deepak, who armed me with the first
stone to strike at the goal. I would need many more weapons to reach the other side
of the end.
I shall share with you one incident taken from the treasure trove
of my memoirs. It is just for you. They say Truth is stranger than Fiction. It is
like a reel-life in real-life. A cyclonic storm had hit Madras when I stood at a
corner in Pondy Bazar (a popular business hive in Chennai) late in the evening.
A bizarre rain started. I had only Rs 2/- (1/23rd of a dollar) in my pocket, a few
points above the bus fare to reach my room at Mahalingapuram locality. The business
ended for the day and all the shoppers were leaving one after the other. Bus stop
too was empty. My thoughts were wavering that moment. "What if I don't reach my
locality by bus.? Can't I walk the distance? I can have a good breakfast with this
little money tomorrow." I had to leave the bus shelter.
Hailing from a farming family, I always craved for hot, spicy and
delicious food. But, it eluded me those days. Many a night, I watched people relishing
such stuff on the roadside restaurants. Without my knowledge, tears would fill my
eyes and vision; blurred. Was I crying? Of course, I did so alone in my room with
either half or empty stomach. I feel proud for having experienced such a hardship
rather than feel ashamed to reveal it.
Tamil screen super star Rajnikanth and I were good friends right
from my career with the Kesari High School , where he was learning film acting.
We would always delight at the big cutouts of legendary heroes late MGR and late
Sivaji Ganesan at the focal junctions and cinema theatres. Sharing the feelings
with each other, we dreamt of the day when we too could have our giant cutouts.
With sagging hopes, I met Dr Dasari Narayana Rao. Three decades
had gone by since the moment I had met him. I regard him as my father and my mentor,
who gave me rebirth by offering me the first opportunity to act in a film "Swargam
Narakam". He renamed me "Mohan Babu", dropping the original "Bakthavatsalam Naidu".
Thereafter, no looking back. People of Andhra Pradesh showered
their blessings on me. I owe a lot to my fans and followers for all the success
I could reap in life. I had acted in 507 films, 102 as a Hero.
In 1982, I had started my own film production company "Sree Lakshmi
Prasanna Pictures", named after my darling daughter. The same year, I produced and
starred in the film "Pratigna", clapped by NT Rama Rao (Renowned Actor and former
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh). Mr N Chandrababu Naidu, then a Congress minister
and a good friend of mine, was also present that occasion. The film was an amazing
hit. I continued to produce more and more films.
After a considerable gap, I once again launched my home venture
"Alludugaru" in 1990 under the direction of K Raghavendra Rao. When I starred as
the hero, there were people who murmured behind me, expressing their own doubts
about my hero status. A financially weak producer that I was, I had to sell all
of my property, except my houses in Chennai and Hyderabad , to complete the movie.
Reports began to appear in some newspapers, mocking at my "trial
to come back as hero". Jealous people began to criticize me directly on my face.
Imagine such a worst kind of disgrace on an artiste, who struggled all through his
life. The harder I seemed to climb, the easier I seemed to fall. What was left for
me were tears again, which I shed while making tough trials for an entry into the
glamour world. The same tears, which I thought would never be shed again once I
would set my foot into my dream world. I can never forget the moral courage, which
I had received from my wife and young children that time. All for good, "Alludugaru"
was released to make a blockbuster at the Box-Office.
The movie was followed by five other roaring hits. Soon, people
placed me on the list of top heroes. I was hailed as the hero, who could deliver
dialogues on a par with my beloved brother the legendary NT Rama Rao. Those who
mocked at me too had started praising me. Success is a public affair and failure,
a personal funeral, I do not forget the past, at the same time I do not cherish
any hatred toward anyone.
Later, I took up producing "Pedaraayudu" and once again, financial
worries began to trouble me. However, I could successfully release the movie, thanks
to the timely help rendered by my friend Rajnikanth. He proved the saying: "A friend
in need is a friend indeed." The movie turned out to be an all-time hit, the record
that is yet to be broken at the box-office.
The noble ideals of my father Sri Narayanaswamy Naidu, a pious
and retired school headmaster, prompted me to set up Sree Vidyanikethan Educational
Trust (SVET) with an International School at the serene atmosphere near Tirupati,
a famous pilgrim centre, with the premier objective of imparting the best education.
Parents from across the country and some parts of the world visited my campus and
responded with overwhelming happiness.
Today, children from Vidyanikethan Family have come out with global
standards in their education. They are successful worldwide. With hard-earned money,
I have provided all facilities to my children. Everyday, I receive scores of letters
from parents, students and public, appreciating my endeavor. I sincerely thank all
of them.
My generation of film artistes faced a rough weather in their journey.
It was a thrilling adventure. One rainy evening, surfing the Net, you will just
lift the curtain and take a glance through the window. At a distance, a young chap
is on a lonely walk, taking long strides and disappearing gradually. Can anyone
ever imagine that he would become a hero one day?
If you come up to me and ask whether I have achieved what I wanted,
I can say I have still a lot more to achieve and if you ask what it is, I have to
tell you to wait and watch...
Thank you all for your love and support.
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN,
With love,
Yours,
(MOHAN BABU M)