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A devoted fan of actor Balakrishna stunned audiences and surprised the Telugu film megastar as well when he scrimped and bought a ticket paying Rs 1 lakh to watch `Gautamiputra Shatakarni’, the 100th film of the actor released on Thursday.
Gopichand Innamuri, 27, who owns a modest restaurant in Guntur, walked into the benefit show for cancer patients at a Hyderabad theatre, where organisers were hoping to sell tickets for anything between Rs 500 to Rs 2,000. When Gopichand handed over the cheque against the ticket, organisers were left speechless.
Gopichand said he also wanted to be part of the cause of helping patients at the Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute here.
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“I saved that money over one year so that I could give it for a cause through Balakrishna’s movie,” Gopichand said.
“I chose not to spend money unnecessarily on parties etc., with the intention of saving it for charity. I was waiting for the movie to be released so that I could donate it,” he added.
Gopichand, who has an MBA degree, is looking forward to taking a picture with Balakrishna soon.Although he met the actor at the Sri Brahmaramba theatre at Kukatpally, Gopichand felt it was not the right time for a picture.”Balakrishna appreciated me for making the donation,” Gopichand said. Balakrishna is also the chairman of the hospitals’ board of trustees.
The Rs 1 lakh cheque was handed over to Naveen Moparthi, the administrator of manabalayya.com, a website dedicated to Balakrishna that gives updates on his films and also organises charities.
Nara Rohith, nephew of chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, handed over the cheque on behalf of Gopichand Innamuri to Naveen who will pass it to Basavatarakam hospital. The fan also got to watch the benefit show at Sri Brahmaramba theatre at Kukatpally along with Balakrishna, and director of `Baahubali’ Rajamouli, among others.
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