1 Nune 2023
Hyderabad
In an exclusive interview with idlebrain.com, actor Bellamkonda Ganesh discusses doing an unconventional film like Swathi Muthyam as his maiden project, the box office performance of it, genesis of his next, Nenu Student Sir, what he is going through as the film is days away from a big screen debut, the actors he looks up to, what does his do in his free time and his next.
Did you always wanted to be an actor or was production on your mind?
From the beginning, we both brothers wanted to be actors. I would tag my brother for dance and gymnastic sessions. It was during Alludu Sreenu audio launch that producer Dil Raju garu said that I should be a producer. Which is why everyone thought I would dabble in production.
You come from a family that swears by commercial cinema but you made your debut with an unconventional film like Swathi Muthyam. Why?
I felt that for the first film I need not save the world. I wanted to be associated with a simple story. I want my first 10 films to belong to 10 different genres and I’m keen on producers and directors believing that I’m a good acting talent. The funda is clear: If I prove myself as an actor, automatically filmmakers will believe me and offer good work. I was really impressed with the story of Swathi Muthyam. I felt people would accept the film and me as an actor and decided to go ahead with it.
The box-office, however, disappointed you despite the good word-of-mouth and positive reviews…
After the pandemic, the situation for small and medium-budget cinema was a cause of concern. People were ready to patronize larger-than life movie experiences. We felt we’ve made a good film and had we got a good release date, it would’ve performed better. Our producer was adamant on releasing it for Dasara, saying it was a perfect family viewing for the festival. He believed in the date. Had we come solo; we would’ve gotten better results at the box office for the talk the film generated.
Did the BO performance affect you at a certain level?
Since I’ve been in the industry from childhood, I’ve been a firm believer that a Friday will not change your life. I got a good name out of the film; there was no sense of dissatisfaction. At the same time, the film started streaming two weeks after the release. So before I could feel sad about the box office, there were many congratulatory messages pouring in appreciating my performance in the film.
When you told your dad that you would choose a path that is different to that of your brother, what was his reaction?
Dad was not just associated with commercial films; he produced content-rich cinema like Naa Autograph and Shambo Shiva Shambo. While they didn’t generate much revenue, he got accolades and a good name for his association with such films. With me, I was clear in my mind that I should do non-commercial and movies belonging to different genres. I wanted to prove myself as an actor and would remind dad about it constantly. After listening to Swathi Muthyam story, I sent it to dad. He liked it and encouraged me to do it.
What’s the genesis of Nenu Student Sir?
During the shooting of Swathi Muthyam, producer Satish Varma garu approached my father with an intention to do a film with my brother Sreenivas. Around this time, dad and Satish garu met lyricist-turned-director Krishna Chaitanya after learning that he had some stories with him. He pitched two-three ideas and both of them liked Nenu Student Sir storyline. Dad felt more than Sreenivas, it suited me well. Satish garu didn’t know about my credibility as an actor until then, so dad showed him the rushes of the film I shot with Pavan Sadineni (the film was eventually shelved). Satish garu was impressed by my performance in it and decided to make Nenu Student Sir with me. Later I heard the narration; I liked it as well. In the story, the curiosity of what happens next is maintained till the last frame. There was an emotional arc to my role, so I felt the need to do it. You will not know or guess the villain until the climax.
What aspect of the story impressed you the most?
In Swathi Muthyam, my performance was restrained because of the monotonous nature of the role, whereas in Nenu Student Sir I was required to open up. It’s about a happy-go-lucky student whose life turns upside down due to an incident and how he emerges from it with his brains. The character got a good arc from first shot to the last and as an actor I found the role challenging.
What kind of brief did you get from the director to play your part or did he leave it to you to interpret in your own way?
Personally I’m a stubborn guy who likes to do what I believe in. I found the same stubbornness in my role Subba Rao, so there was a personal connection. After getting the scene paper, I would tell the director, ‘I’m imagining the shot in this kind of emotion and the next in a certain different kind’. He felt that my approach was correct and we proceeded from there.
What aspect of director Rakhi Uppalapati impressed you the most?
He had immense clarity for the project. He had a grip over other departments and has a great editing sense as well, shooting what is necessary. We managed to complete the film without exceeding the budget and within 50 days because of his expertise. So impressed by his efforts that our producer after watching the first copy, handed over him advance payment for his next directorial as well.
Swathi Muthyam was a sensible film. Nenu Student Sir looks to be another sensible film. Do you wish to do commercial potboilers in the future?
I can’t tell you about the future now. Right now though, I don’t think I have the market to carry a commercial film. A star hero can get away beating 10 people at a time but I don’t think I can pull off such acts now. I want to be associated with good stories; that is on my mind now. In future, if a filmmaker thinks that I being part of a commercial film will be a plus to the movie, I don’t mind doing it but for the next 10 movies though I don’t have such thoughts.
Nenu Student Sir is days away from a release. What are your emotions like as the release day approaches?
Believing in the film, our producer hasn’t sold OTT rights yet. He said that he doesn’t want to sell it to any OTT platforms. I was shocked to hear that. He is confident that people are going to watch the film in the theatres. I don’t want him to suffer any losses because of me. I wish him good success. At the same time, I want to earn a name for my script selection and for a good performance. That tension is there and it’s increasing day by day.
Is there a goal that you’ve set for yourselves as an actor?
Yes, I want to be in the space of Venkatesh garu and Jr NTR garu. I want to be closer to the family audience and develop a fan base among them and at the same time want to prove myself as a good all-rounder like NTR garu. I look up to both of them as well. Also, I want my films to be watched by audiences of every ilk and different age groups. They shouldn’t cringe seeing my films.
Is there a possibility of the Bellamkonda brothers sharing screen space together in the future?
(Smiles wide) As of now, we don’t have such thoughts. In future, if someone feels that it will be good if both of us share screen and if he pitches a story that impresses us both, we will be okay to do it.
Sreenivas has been in the industry for almost a decade. What’s his one piece of advice that you carry to sets every day?
He told me to work hard, report to sets on time and give what the director wants. It’s a valuable suggestion I felt and I’m following it every day. If you ask my producers, they will say that I’ve never arrived on sets late. If my call sheet is 8 am, I would report to the sets by 7:15-7:30 am with my hair and makeup done. I don’t want anyone to wait for me.
What do you do in your free time?
When I’m free, I watch two-three films daily, ranging from Indian cinema to world cinema. I make it a point to watch films of Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and Christopher Nolan. I like gripping narratives. Very rarely do I go out with my friends. Maybe I go out once or twice a month. Also, I want to learn and understand the other crafts of moviemaking. It’s my dream. Whenever there is some space, I want to learn cinematography and direction courses.
Do you harbour direction dreams in the future?
No, no! I don’t want to poke my hands in other departments. Basically I want to learn other crafts so that my acting becomes easy.
What else have you got coming up?
I’ve agreed to do a crime-comedy up next. It will be directed by first-timer Nitiesh. Right now, I’m looking for a producer who trusts in the vision the director and I have for the project. I want someone like Satish garu who was closely associated with the script of Nenu Student Sir. He was also the first to report to sets and the last to depart. A passionate producer like him will be a big plus to our movie.
-NAGARAJ GOUD
