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It's
been more than a week since Takkari Donga is released. What is
the commercial outcome of the film?
Commercially,
I think, Takkari Donga is a huge hit. The figures are there for
everybody to see. There is no comparison with the other films
released in this season. Jayant and I are on high right now. It's
really satisfying after working hard for one year.
Did
you get to hear any critical remarks made by industry?
Yes, there is some criticism by the industry people. They say
that there is no story in this film. Right from the day of the
start of shooting, we kept on saying that there would be no story
in the film. What kind of story can we write for a cowboy film?
Cowboy film is an adventure. Takkari Donga is a two and half hour
adventure film. That's what we had in mind. That's why I has to
do those risky shots. I would not be doing that for other films.
Are
you 100% satisfied with the outcome of the film?
Oh,
Yes! More than 100% satisfied.
Could
u please tell us about your educational background?
I
studied in Madras and I graduated in commerce. Now I am here!
Did
you not consider any profession other than acting?
No.
I did films when I was young. So it got into me that I would finish
my studies and take acting as my career.
What was your experience of working as a child artist?
When
I was a child, acting was my hobby. I like going to sets. It was
exciting. My dad used to be there. I used to follow dad's instructions
and get back. And it was an opportunity to bunk school (giggles).
But, now it is changed. I was not focused when I was child. But
it helped me in a way to expose me to the cinema industry. I am
comfortable right from the day one as the hero, because of my
experience as a child artist.
You
have done five films so far. What is the most satisfying film?
Other
than my third film, every film has been satisfying. I prefer to
forget, Vamsi, my third film. I feel that I have done only four
films.
What
is your policy in accepting any film?
I
should get excited when I listen to the script. There might be
good scripts, which I rejected because my character in that film
is not exciting enough for me.
Did
you watch any cowboy films to observe how cowboy behaves when
u accepted 'Takkari Donga'?
No.
That's the one thing I deliberately avoided. If I watch cowboy
films, I will get into that mode. That's the reason why I acted
very naturally in 'Takkari Donga'. I did not follow any style
or whatever. We did not even rehearse most of the scenes. I did
the shots spontaneously.
There
is a critical comment on the film that the hard work and efforts
put on this film was not effectively made an impact on the screen
to influence the audience to a higher lever. What do you feel
about it?
Today
is 11th day and the theaters are packed. If the movie did not
make any impact it shows up in the collections. If a film is not
good, the collections drop on 3rd or 4th day. For a crazy product
like this the collections may fall on 7th day. What about now?
Saying 'what efforts we put in did not transform on the screen
effective' is rubbish. You can see every frame in the film and
you can see our efforts right there. It's not a normal Telugu
film. Compared to the Telugu film standards, that's much much
high! That's what we wanted to do. And, we did it with in the
available budget.
Few
characters of the film are missing in the end.
Like
what?
The
characters of little dog, Tanikella Bharani, Surya, Raj ….
Those
are very minor details. Fine. Dog is not there in the end. But
it's not a major problem. Why do you scrutinize this film like
an Oscar film? It's a basic entertainment film. We had the length
problem in the film. If we had shown the logical conclusion for
all the characters, the film would have taken 3 hour 45 minutes
to 4-hour duration. We made the film little crisp.
Are
you planning for any post release promotional activities for Takkari
Donga like going for road shows (Vijaya yatra) etc?
No.
We are not. We don't need that.
What
are the future films you are doing?
I
am currently doing one film with K Raghavendra Rao garu. Sobhan
Babu is the director. I am doing another film with Guna Sekhar.
Then I produce one film.
There
are comments on you that you side with directors and ignore producers?
Can
you elaborate it?
For
Takkari Donga, KS Rama Rao was original producer. But, later on
Jayant became the producer.
Jayant
did not replace the original producer. Original producer opted
out of project. KS Rama Rao was not willing to produce cowboy
film for budget consideration. Telugu movies he was not sure how
we are going to produce this film on that limited budget. He wanted
to produce a normal love story. Jayant and I were excited about
the film. Then Jayant asked KS Rama Rao if he had any problems
with Jayant taking over production. KS Rama Rao was happy about
it. Now you know what happened to Jayant and how he spent the
money. It's incredible.
Tell
us about Jayant as producer.
He
is unbelievable. Initially, I thought the production would hamper
his direction work. But it did not affect him at all. The product
is out there and it's like a big treat to us.
You
have become very selective about picking the right films and there
seems to be a huge gap between two releases. Are the fans happy
about it?
The
big gap is there only between Murari and Takkari Donga. For other
films there would not be so much gap. Takkari Donga need this
much of time for production. All the action sequences are very
complicated. Rains and delay in USA schedule added to it and the
product was delayed.
When
is Sobhan Babu directed movie is releasing?
It
would be released during July or August.
What
kind of character you are playing?
We
are targeting youth. I never tried Youth films in the past.
We
heard that you were the initial choice for Nuvvu-Nenu. Is it true?
I
have seen Niram, the Malayalam version of 'Nuvve Kavali'. I expected
that it would become a super hit. But I could not do it, as I
can't work on remakes. The remakes do not interest me as they
have already done by somebody else in other languages. In that
case, there would not be anything special for me to do.
Are
you averse to remakes?
I
am not averse to remakes. But I can't do remakes. If you expect
me to see original film and do the same emotion, I can't do it.
But,
I heard you are doing the Telugu version of Surya's New?
New
is not a remake. It's a bilingual. Both versions (Telugu and Tamil)
would release on the same day.
What
is the response of Tamil version Muari?
I
really don't know. It was released during Sankranthi in Tamil
Nadu. I have to call up Krishna Vamsi and find it out.
You
have got the most loyal and passionate fan following among Telugu
film lovers who are living in AP and across the world. Do you
have any words for them?
From
the beginning I have been saying that I am very lucky to have
fans like that. At the same time, I am scared of them also. Because,
they rip my films apart if they don't like them. They all loved
'Takkari Donga'. They call me up and say that I don't need to
do risky shots like that. What would happen if something goes
wrong? That's a personal kick. If they say that …it infers
that I have succeeded in what I was supposed to do in Takkari
Donga. I am very happy.
Do
you think its necessary for you to do such a risky shots in 'Takkari
Donga'?
For
a film like this, Yes! Otherwise what specialty we are offering
to the audience? Just showing Grand Canyon?? No! You have to do
something special!!
When
working for films, are there any incidents you differed with director
for the betterment of product?
I
don't differ with the director during the making of film. You
have to believe in the film to able to work with. Only for the
third film, there was such argument as we entered the shooting
without script in the hand.
What
is the response of Superstar Krishna for 'Takkari Donga'?
He
loved the film. At the same time, he was upset about the risky
shots I have done. He told that I should not have done those shots.
Nobody knows about these shots till the film was released. I did
not tell him prior to that either. After watching the film, he
asked if we used any graphics. Though upset, he was also proud
about those shots as nobody has done it before.
After
a decade, if you get an opportunity to do a cowboy film again
will you be a game?
May
be not. My physical condition would not be suitable. I know how
much hard we worked. I am 24-25 now. After each and every schedule
of Takkari Donga, parts of my body would ache. After 10 years,
I don't think my physical condition would permit.
Any
marriage plans?
No.
I am too busy with my career now.
What
is your ultimate objective as an artist?
I
don't know. I have not set any objectives. I want to do good work
and keep my daddy and fans happy.
We
all know about your strengths. Tell us about your professional
weakness?
I
have doubts about shots I do. I usually think if we can do the
shot in some other way. I doubt about the quality of takes. I
do set very high standard. And I am not really satisfied with
any of my performance till date. That is also a good sign because
that gives you a scope for improvement. If you think you are a
good actor, then you are finished. Nobody is a good actor. You
can learn everyday and every minute. That's what acting is all
about!
How
do you upgrade yourself with the current trends in industry?
There
is no such thing as trend. A good film is a good film. What happened
to Narasimha Naidu? Was that film suited the trend at that time?
It was a good film. That's it!
Do
you watch the films of other stars?
Not
really. I have seen Narasimha Naidu. Then I saw Manasanta Nuvve,
as my producer (MS Raju) who produced that film wanted me to watch
it.
The
Telugu movie lovers perceive you and Pawan Kalyan as archrivals.
What kind of relationship you share with him as a co-artist?
I
met him 2-3 times in formal occasions. Once I remember him sending
me a bouquet when Raja Kumarudu was released. I think that's a
really nice gesture. He seems to be a good human being.
This
film industry is having lots of big names with vicious minds who
always want to suppress you. How are you coping up with them?
If
you let them suppress you, what kind of man you are. I know there
are lots of bad people out there. In the industry, they always
try to put you down. But you should not be really bothered about
them. That's what I feel about it. It's not worth it. According
to them none of my films did well. They used to predict that my
films have gone for a toss on the day one. Right now I am on high
and am doing well. All their comments are rubbish.
What
kind of role Telugu media is playing when it comes to promote
the films?
All
the Telugu journalists write really nice about us without any
controversies. They have been really nice to me. This is because
of my dad. It is not like Hindi field where they rip all the actors
off.
Did
you take any remuneration for Takkari Donga?
That's
personal. (pause) Yes, I did take!
Did
you visit idlebrain.com?
Yes,
I do. In fact, I last visited the site day before yesterday. I
don't want the feedback I am giving to you on tape ……
(some feedback to Jeevi which should not really bother the readers
reading this interview)
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