Producer shot at by NTR

Hyderabad, June 4 (IANS): One of the two producers allegedly shot at by the actor-son of late Andhra Pradesh chief minister N.T. Rama Rao continued to be in a critical condition Friday.

Doctors at Apollo Hospital said while Bellakonda Suresh was now out of danger, his assistant Satyanarayana Chowdary's condition was still critical.

In an incident that has shocked the entire Telugu film industry, N. Balakrishna, a top Telugu film actor and Rama Rao's son, allegedly opened fire at the two Thursday night.

In a dramatic action, Balakrishna then got himself admitted in a hospital, claiming he was injured during a film shoot.

Doctors of Care Hospital, where Balakrishna is admitted, refused to divulge anything about the nature of injuries sustained by the actor. They said he was not in a position to speak.

Preliminary investigations by police revealed that a dispute over the recent film "Lakshminarasimha" led to the incident. The two producers met the actor at the latter's residence in the posh Jubliee Hills neighbourhood to sort out differences.

Following an altercation, Balakrishna took out his revolver and allegedly fired six rounds at them. Both received bullets in the abdomen and doctors operated on them.

Sources close to the actor said he fired in self-defence. They said the producers were angry with the actor over not being invited to his birthday June 10 as they claimed to have played a key role in his recent success. They allegedly beat up the actor, who then opened fire in "self-defence".

Police rushed to Balakrishna's house but learnt that the actor had already left for a hospital. Police sealed his house, began gathering clues and picked up two household employees for interrogation.

Police Commissioner R.P. Singh said police could not collect any bloodstains at the actor's house as the spot had been washed clean. He said no complaint was lodged with police.

"No case has been booked so far. Investigations are still on," he said.

Police have reportedly recovered two revolvers from Balakrishna's house. He is believed to have used the revolver of his friend to open fire.

Police are also questioning personal manager M.R. Prasad, who was an eyewitness to the incident. They are likely to arrest Balakrishna after he is discharged from hospital.

He reportedly possesses a valid licence for a .32 revolver.

Immediately after learning about the incident, the actor's family members thronged Care Hospital while the relatives of the producers gathered outside Apollo Hospital.

Besides being the son of legendary actor N.T. Rama Rao, Balakrishna is the brother-in-law of former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.