Happy Ending for a Movie Star

When erstwhile Screen Idol N.T. Rama Rao, 61, was dismissed as chief minister of India's southern state of Andhra Pradesh last month, an eruption of protests left 53 dead and hundreds injured. With national elections due to be held by mid-January, many Indians saw his ouster as another in a string of attempts by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to bring down state governments run by her opponents. Although Mrs. Gandhi denied any role in the removal of Rama Rao, the rising opposition has clearly been damaging to her Congress (I) Party. Last week the state governor, a political ally of the Prime Minister's, ruled that Rama Rao should be reinstated.

Cheering supporters lined the streets of Hyderabad, the state capital, as the popular star greeted his fans from the roof of a van that he has dubbed his "Chariot of Divine Enlightenment." Later he thanked Mrs. Gandhi "for seeing the light." Many of his admirers would like to see him run for Prime Minister against Mrs. Gandhi. After starring in more than 300 feature films during his 31-year career, he would have one important attribute: instant nationwide recognition.