With Gangster Gangaraju set to open this Friday, idlebrain.com caught up with its lead actor Laksh Chadalavada who, among many things, spoke about the big gap in his career, what prompted him to don the greasepaint again, his pastime activities and his next, Dheera
Your last film Valayam was a thriller about a missing wife. What was the response to it? After doing a classy film like it, you’ve got into the gangster zone with your next.
Before I took a long break, I’ve done mass action films. I’ve got a re-launch with Valayam because I felt at that point of time people were accepting content-based films and good thrillers. Frankly speaking, the theatrical response to Valayam was muted because it got rushed for a release and at the same time COVID-19 started spreading. On top of it, it was released on the same day as that of Bheeshma, so it was overshadowed. But the silver lining was that a song from the film was a tremendous hit on YouTube. Other than that, when it was released on YouTube, it was one of the top trending movies, and it continues to receive good clicks now as well. So it was a satisfactory thing at the end of the day. Of course, there is nothing like theatrical revenue but the response it got on OTT was pleasing. After Valayam, I felt the need to associate with content with which I can reach a wider section of the audience. For Valayam, I got a mixed response as a performer. It was a comeback film for me. I was a little nervous. Maybe I couldn’t deliver as per my capabilities. After that I did Gangster Gangaraju. It was developed in our office from scratch with a team of writers and the director. The script came out well. I thought it is more suitable to my body language and at the same time has the potential to reach a wider audience. So I picked it. Next film that I’m doing is Dheera. It is a different concept film but belongs to the out-and-out commercial entertainer zone like Gangster. It is an action-thriller and unfolds on a road like Khaidi. It is about a racer who is given a job to deliver a package to Hyderabad from Vizag.
It looks like Transporter?
Yes, it is also, to an extent, inspired by Shoot Him Up. There are different movies… It’s a mix of everything but overall it’s close to our emotions and nativity.
What is Gangster Gangaraju all about?
In the film, I play a good-for-nothing guy who gets reprimanded by his father constantly. How my part emerges as a beacon of hope for Devaralanka town forms the crux. The town is situated in between AP, Telangana and Karnataka. We took that liberty to make our artists look rawer to bring in that freshness element. Which is why, if you see the villains, you’ll get a Tamil feel. My characterization might look raw and rugged but he is very entertaining. At the same time, the film is not an out-and-out action flick. Gangster name gives you an image of shootouts, car chases and blasts. There is a small justification to why we titled it as Gangster Gangaraju. Why he became a gangster and what he does later is the story all about.
As an actor, why did you take a gap? What was your last film?
Shankar, which was released in 2006, was my last film. I was 21 back then. It had Rahul Dev in it and it’s on YouTube. It was a different subject.
So it’s a 14-year gap?
I got introduced as a hero when I was 16. I stopped doing films after 21 because I felt the movies I was doing were beyond my age. Also, my mother was worried about my education. I became a hero after I completed my 10th standard. My mother was particular that I had a college life. Plus, things were not going as planned on the film's front. So I decided to bid adieu to acting and took a break. I later went to Singapore and worked there as the director of our company, while simultaneously pursuing my MBA. After returning, marriage and business happened… I came back to the production side with Bichagadu.
So Bichagadu ignited the acting itch again?
When it came, I never thought of coming back into acting. Back then, Vijay Anthony garu told me to try, saying there’s nothing wrong in trying. He turned into a hero by being a music director, right? So, he understands all that. I used to sit with him for promotions because he had a language issue. Later, I did Tik Tik Tik with Jayam Ravi. I participated in interviews with him as well. During this period, it was the media which advised me to get back to acting. They remembered me from my previous films. People who interviewed at the beginning of my career had a déjà vu feeling seeing me again. They quizzed me on why I stopped acting despite possessing a good physique. They reminded me that I got decent recognition through the mass films I did. My second film was a hit with the masses. When I spelled out the reasons on why I stopped, they encouraged me to stage a comeback again, saying now audiences are embracing content-driven cinema. Initially, I didn’t heed to their advice. During Tik Tik Tik promotions, they said the same to my dad. Seeing me, dad said, ‘It’s up to his wish. If he wants to continue I don’t have any objection’. But still I didn’t make up my mind. Later, when content-based films did well irrespective of who was headlining them; I felt the need to give it a try. I believe in telling good stories, so I felt let us tell them. If they reach people, it’s well and good. That’s how I started again. I went to my dad and expressed my wish. He asked me to start straight away but I told him, ‘The present heroes look like race cars and race horses. If I have to look presentable, I need some time. I took some six-eight months time and lost about 20-25 kilos. And then I got back into acting.
Other than acting, what are your favorite things to do?
I play a lot of sports. I play cricket, badminton and tennis. At the same time, I love watching movies and listening to music. I’m a very private person. I don’t go to parties unless the parties are thrown by my close friends.
So you are a teetotaler?
Yes, I’m. No smoking and drinking! Basically, I call myself the bad boy of the generation (laughs). I’ve got a good set of friends who keep coming to my place or I keep visiting their places. I’d like to spend time with them whenever I get it.
Do you love to travel?
Of course! I’ve been to 35-40 countries so far. Due to COVID-19, I had to put some of my plans on pause mode. But I’m trying to cover it up now. I’m now balancing shoots and travelling. My next destination is Greece in July.
Does travel make you wiser?
I’d like to experience different cultures. And at the same time, I’m a foodie. If I don’t enjoy food now that I’m a teetotaler, there’s no meaning to life (smiles). I like to explore different cuisines. I also like scenic views and a good coffee. Shopping is my wife’s territory and I have to accompany her. When I go to a new place with good weather, the first thing I do is to order a cup of coffee and I will have lots of them (laughs).
Gangster Gangaraju is releasing this Friday. What is your gut feeling about the film? Why should the audience watch it?
Telugu audiences always accept good content. I’m sure of not getting extraordinary openings because they don’t know me. It will take time for them to accept me and understand me. But if the film is good, we are confident that they will come to watch it. With Gangster Gangaraju, they will see a genuine effort. Irrespective of the result, it is an emotional and heart touching project for me because as a producer and actor I’ve gone through so many things. It should’ve ideally been released last summer but due to COVID-19 and its associated issues, set damages due to rains etc etc we got delayed. There were so many hiccups and so many issues… At the same time I’ve sustained many injuries. Those scars are memories. When we watched the output after going through all these issues, we felt satisfied and we forgot everything in a second. Which is why, the project became closer to our heart. Hopefully, our judgment is not wrong and after people watch it, they will like it.
