Saurabh Jain to play Lord Venkateswara

The frantic search for the actor who will play Lord Venkateshwara in Nagarjuna-starrer in ‘Om Namo Venkatesha’ (tentative title) has finally ended with Saurabh Raaj Jain. Although some eminent names from South were considered for the part, Saurabh who played Lord Krishna in Hindi TV series Mahabharat has made the cut, we’ve learnt.

A source said, “Lord Venkateswara part has utmost significance in the film and after considering several names, director K Raghavendra Rao and writer JK Bharavi felt Saurabh fits the part better than others. Also, his experience of playing the Supreme Being twice earlier in ‘Jai Shri Krishna’ and ‘Mahabharat sealed the deal for him.”

The source added, “Vimala Raman will play Goddess Sridevi while the hunt is on for the part of Padmavathi.” Despite repeated attempts, Bharavi remained unavailable for a confirmation on the story. The long-in-the-planning movie, which sees Nagarjuna as godman Baba Hathi Ram, a staunch devotee of Lord Venkateswara, will roll shortly. It is buzzed that a special set has been erected in Hyderabad for crucial portions to be shot.

By Nagaraj Goud