Here is why Telugu language is not glorified in 'Gautamiputra Satakarni'
- IndiaGlitz, [Friday,January 13 2017]
Even before the release of 'Gautamiputra Satakarni', director Krish made it clear that he did take cinematic liberties in telling the untold legend. Since he lived more than two millennia ago, there have been disagreements over even the period of his reign. Given this reality, one can't find fault with the writers of 'GPSK' for any liberties they may have taken.
One creative liberty that the director seems to have taken is this: Projecting Satakarni as being proud of his Telugu identity. Some historians say the Satavahanas's origin can be traced to the Andhra tribe. But can Andhra and Telugu be used interchangeably in this context? Even the Puranas, which are perhaps the only texts that refer to the Satavahanas as Andhras, do not use the word Telugu to refer to them.
To be sure, the official language of the Satavahanas was Prakrit. That's why you don't find Balakrishna's character or any other character for that matter glorifying the language Telugu as such, whereas Telugu as an ethnic identity is invoked once.
So, it's understandable that while Telugu (as ethnic identity) is mentioned in a punch line, there is no glorification of the classical language in the milestone blockbuster.