The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : On a marathon run for a foothold in filmdom

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Wednesday, Jun 25, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

On a marathon run for a foothold in filmdom

Special Correspondent

From Jeypore to Hyderabad, Venkata Rao covers some
60 km a day

VISAKHAPATNAM: Smitten by the tinsel world, some people would do anything to get a role in films. They shift to Hyderabad and wait for months to get a footing in the Tollywood. They are even prepared to do bit roles and odd jobs or even starve for days at a stretch is the experience of many. They keep on trying to impress the producers and directors.

But Kanimeraka Venkata Rao of Jeypore in Orissa has chosen a different method to get noticed by the film industry. He decided to run from Jeypore to Hyderabad, a distance of 1,000 km, so that filmmakers would not fail to notice him, and offer him a role. He is one good example of how mad some people are about joining the film industry.

Childhood dream

“Since childhood, I am very keen to join films. Any role is OK. I am also ready to do any job in the industry if I fail to get an acting role. I just want to be with films,” said 27-year-old Venkata Rao.

He tried for 22 times in the past to get a role by coming to Visakhapatnam, Araku and other places when films were being shot. So, he thought of doing something different to get the attention of the film world and started running.

“If I am not successful in Hyderabad, I would run to other film production centres in the country,” says Mr. Venkata Rao, he told reporters here on Tuesday.

To a suggestion that he could turn out to be a good marathoner if he put the same efforts in athletics, Mr. Venkata Rao said he would not do any job even if he was offered Rs. 1 crore.

No training

He had no formal training and was not even aware of the precautions to be taken to run long distances.

Mr. Venkata Rao prepared for Army selection rally but could not attend the selection due to an accident.

He said that his family supported and encouraged his idea of running to Hyderabad for film roles. Married one year ago, Mr. Venkata Rao asked his wife Lavanya to take care of the family’s bakery in Jeypore till he returned. He started at Jeypore on June 19 and was covering 50 km to 60 km a day.

Secretary of Visakhapatnam District Amateur Boxing Association G.V. Ravi Raju appreciated Mr. Venkata Rao for deciding to run up to Hyderabad and gave him Rs.250, but cautioned him to take proper food.

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