Writer not to allow Chiru's 150th film shoot unless given credit for story

Film writer M Narasimha Rao has said he would not allow the regular shooting of Chiranjeevi's 150th film take place if he is not assured that he would be credited with the story.
Politician-actor Chiranjeevi's 150th film was launched in the city on Friday and regular shooting is scheduled to take place from May 2. The plan is to release it during Sankranti next year.
The film titled 'Kathilantodu' is a remake of Tamil-hit 'Kaththi' which had Vijay in the lead and directed by A R Muragadoss. The movie released in 2014 did good business at the box-office. Narasimha Rao had approached the Telugu Film Writers Association (TFWA) saying that though his story was used, he was not given due credit nor was he paid for it.
When he learnt that Chiranjeevi was going to act in its remake directed by V V Vinayak, Narasimha Rao once again approached the association. His issue was also taken up the A P Film Industry Employees Federation.
'Director V V Vinayak called me and said he would settle my issue. What matters to me is getting due credit for my story. I had registered my story with the writers association and it was also verified. Though director Vinayak called me, he is yet to give me any assurance that I would get the credit for the story,' Narasimha Rao said.
Asked if the issue was with remuneration for his story, Narasimha Rao said that was 'secondary'. 'I have left it to the associations to decide what remuneration I should get. I am not making any demand in so far as the amount is concerned. But I should get the story credit and it should appear on the screen,' Narasimha Rao said. The writer is now busy directing his own Telugu film.
The launch of 'Kathilantodu' took place with Chiranjeevi's clan participating in the function. The movie is being produced by his son actor Ram Charan Tej on the home banner 'Konidela Production Company'. It was announced that the title of the film was tentative.
Asked how he would be able to stop the regular shooting of the film if his issue was not settled, writer Narasimha Rao said film workers had already spoken of 'non-cooperation' for the film if the matter was not settled.
'Since director V V Vinayak has personally assured to settle the matter, we will wait for a couple of days. In so far as I am concerned, I will not compromise on my demand,' Narasimha Rao said.
Chiranjeevi's last film 'Shankardada Zindabad' was released in 2007 which disappointed the audience. Subsequently he entered politics floating the Praja Rajyam Party and contesting the 2009 elections. He later merged his party with the Congress. As a Rajya Sabha member nominated by the Congress, he also served as union minister of state for tourism.