|
What
is the story of Nijam?
All
the stories of my films (Chitram, Nuvvu Nenu, Jayam and Nijam)
are old stories. I am just trying to present in a different way.
I am trying to present the old wine in a new bottle. Audiences
will have to say if I am successful or not after watching the
film. It's a normal story made by a normal director called Teja.
Why
there is so much hype for this film?
I
never tried creating hype for Nijam. I held back all the stills
and I did not give many interviews. But some how, this hype was
created in the market. After the release of the film, I try to
talk in promos to sustain the collections of the film. But I never
speak high about my films. I never praise myself. I never praise
my films.
In
all the films you made so far, you have a low profile casting.
But for 'Nijam' you have taken popular faces like Mahesh Babu,
Raasi, Jaya Prakash Reddy, Prakash Raj, Brahmaji etc.
Do
you think big names make the movie run? No! What makes any movie
run is the story and perfect casting. 'Nijam' story needed this
sort of casting. Hence I selected these actors. You would understand
it once you see 'Nijam'. I don't believe in stars or stardom.
I believe in good story shot with perfect casting. This film would
not run on the name of either Teja or Mahesh Babu. It would run
if the film were good. Nobody watched any film just because Teja
made that film. That's the reason why I have not kept my name
in the even in the titles of the Nijam film. 'Teja' name would
come during interval point in 'Nijam'.
Is
'Nijam' a Mahesh Babu's film or Teja's film?
Mahesh
Babu has lots of fans. After 'Okkadu', the fan base of Mahesh
increased a lot. I don't know if I have fans or not. But, I would
like to say that whoever watched 'Jayam' and 'Nuvvu Nenu' would
definitely watch this film.
The
songs of 'Nijam' have the flavor of Teja. The songs remind us
the style of 'Nuvvu Nenu' and 'Jayam'. The songs do not sound
like that of Mahesh Babu. The audio of the film turned out to
be a typical Teja's product. What about the film?
For
the public, Nijam story is directed by Teja and enacted by Mahesh
Babu. It's neither Mahesh Babu's film nor Teja's film. I made
a film for the public of Andhra Pradesh.
If
you look at the posters, the caption of 'it's a lie' used to come
at the bottom of the logo 'Nijam' before the start of the film.
But now the 'it's a lie' tagline comes in a prominent place above
the logo. Does it have any significance?
Its
purely poster designer's (Krishna Digitals) decision! I don't
have any hidden truth or heavy thought for it.
In
an interview given to 'Number One' film magazine, you told that
'Rathaalu Rathaalu' song is not going to be there in the theatrical
version of the film. Is it true?
I
had two minds about the song earlier. By giving that statement,
I sent feelers to the audiences. I got a feedback from audiences
that the song should be there. Hence I decided to keep that song
in the final version.
There
is so much of negative publicity and comments about Nijam that
the film has not come out well. Did you hear these kind of comments?
There
is bound to be negative industry talk for all the films that generated
hype before the release. The latest examples are Gangotri and
Dil. Both these films turned out to be hits after release.
In
this film industry, if 4 people work the remaining 400 people
gossip about the things. We are around 30 people who were working
for Nijam. And around 400 people talk about 'Nijam' without knowing
what's going on inside. Nobody has seen the final cut of the film
including myself. How can anybody tell if my film is good or bad
before the release? The people who talk much about the other's
films are the people who do not have much work. They have cerebral
lethargy.
What
went wrong with the actor Murali Mohan? Can we have your version
about that controversy?
It
has become quite a big controversy. I don't want to rake it in
again by opening my mouth. To keep the respect of the elders in
the industry in tact, I have decided not to talk about it.
How
is the performance of Prakash Raj (who replaced Murali Mohan)
in this film?
Excellent!
What
is your experience in working with Mahesh Babu?
He
is a very good actor and he is totally professional!
I
heard you have given 25 lakhs as remuneration for Prakash Raj's
small role?
I
do not want to reveal the figure of remuneration. But I paid him
very high amount because, He helped me by gave dates immediately
when I wanted him.
What
is the new sound system that is being introduced through 'Nijam'
film in Telugu?
Dolby
Digital Surround EX
How
much would it cost for the theater owners to equip their cinema
halls with this new sound system?
Most
of the theaters have got either DTS or Dolby SR. To upgrade those
theaters to this new sound system, it would cost anywhere between
2 lakhs to 5 lakhs. For a theater owner who does not have any
of the earlier formats, it would cost 15 lakhs for installation.
It
would not workout for theater owners to upgrade their sound system
to a new format, unless many more movies are made in that format
in future?
The
film industry runs on sentiment. if one film becomes a hit in
Dolby digital, all the makers would follow it.
How
many prints are getting ready for Nijam's release?
As
of today, it crossed 180.
How
many theaters?
Number
of Theater and prints are counted by the people whose ego banks
on it. I don't have any ego problem. I don't mind releasing 100
prints in 120 theaters. It's not prints, theaters, 1st week share
records that are important for me. The film has to become a hit
and people should like it. That's what matters to me. I don't
make my films run by tearing tickets or paying the theater rent
in reverse. I don't claim that my film would run for 100 days
in so many centers. I would never fall in to that trap. I am here
to entertain the people. I would do my best to entertain them.
I
heard that you are taking help of Mahesh Babu's fans to prevent
the piracy of 'Nijam'?
Yes.
3 people would be there in each and every theater that is playing
Nijam. One guy would be there in projection room, one guy would
be there in theater and another guy would be there in lobby. The
guy in projection room make sure that nothing goes wrong from
the operator. The guy in lobby checks the belongings of audiences
to see if there is any camera. The guy in theater makes sure that
nobody is shooting the film secretly. I also have codes on prints.
Before handing over the prints, I am signing a document by the
theater owner that I would claim a damage of 50 lakhs if it were
found that a pirated print is shot in that theater. These people
would also take care that toilets are clean and women are well
taken care of in the theaters. This is just the beginning. For
the next film, I would make sure that everything is streamlined.
Don't
you think it's the responsibility of the film chamber and exhibitors
association to take care of such things?
They
would also do it. But it's my responsibility now as the film that
is releasing is mine. I want to give the audiences the best possible
comfort, as audiences are important to me.
I
heard you are following 'recoverable advances' method for selling
Nijam to buyers. What exactly does it mean?
Let
me explain the system of 'NRA' (Non-recoverable advances). If
a distributor buys a film for Vizag territory for 25 lakhs and
if he made losses, he can't claim any thing from producer. If
he makes any profits, those profits are shared between distributor
and producer (normally 80:20 percentage). In MG (Minimum Guarantee)
basis, if buyer buys the film for 25 lakhs and if he makes any
profit, it would be shared between distributor and producer in
50:50 ratio.
I
am selling Nijam on recoverable advances basis. Every paise would
be returned if my movie does not work. I am not here to make money.
I am here to make a hit film and entertain the people. Money would
automatically follow. I need money to make films. I don't make
films for money.
If
you follow recoverable advances model, how do the distributors
ensure transparency? Most of the first week collections include
money earned through black tickets and flat rates.
I
will have my people stationed at theaters to check these things.
20 minutes after starting of every show, I would be getting complete
reports for each and every theater.
I
am trying these new things. Lets see how it works out. I am not
a person who does not try anything.
I
heard that buyers went back from the commitments for Nijam after
seeing the fate of Johnny, which made you change the business
proposition from NRA to Recoverable advances. Is it true?
Nijam
theaters and Johnny theaters are different. The distributors for
these two films are different. Johnny is done on NRA basis. I
sold that Nijam to distributors on recoverable advances basis
before the muhurat of Nijam.
There
is another rumor that you signed Raasi by saying that she is paired
up Mahesh Babu and later on you revealed that she is playing female
companion to the villain Gopichand. Is it true?
I
do not have intentions of cheating anybody. I am not in such a
position. I never cheat. I am a straight-forward person. I narrated
entire story to her and explained her role. She signed on the
dotted line only after listening to her role. I never try playing
games with people, that's too in my profession!
Tell
us about your next film?
I
would decide about my next film, if Nijam runs well and makes
money.
When
would Sambaram (made by Chitram Movies and directed by Dasarath)
would release?
It
will release after 100 days run of Nitin's latest film 'Dil'.
It
is also rumored that you are playing the role of Godfather to
Nitin in film industry?
Yes.
Its 100% true!
There
is another rumor that you made the producers of 'Dil' to pay 1
crore as remuneration to Nitin for 'Dil'?
I
do not interfere in money matters. Nitin or his father Sudhakar
Reddy would deal remuneration matters. It's their personal thing.
I guide Nitin in terms of selecting good scripts and good producers.
How
much share did 'Jayam' collect?
I
don't want to reveal it. People with ego would like to boast about
the shares.
Do
you have any new publicity plans for Nijam?
If
the movie is good, it would become a hit. The best publicity for
any film is the mouth publicity by a satisfied audience. A film
would not become a hit because of publicity. If that were so,
all the films made by owners of TV channels would have become
hits.
What
went wrong between you and Tussar Kapoor during the making of
'Yeh Dil'?
Most
of my films are shot in single schedule with the bulk dates given
by the hero. But Tussar Kapoor failed on his promise to honor
the bulk dates, hence the delay in release of 'yeh dil'!
You
films are becoming big hits. But the critics and intelligentsia
downplay your movies. What is the reason?
I
have not made great films. My films are liked by the masses more
than the smart people. I am a cheap filmmaker who got a cheap
taste. I can never make great films like K Viswanath, K Raghavendra
Rao, Ram Gopal Varma, Krishna Vamsi, Poori Jagan or Vinayak. I
am from the streets. I used to live on the streets. I used to
watch films by sitting on the floor (nela class). My taste would
be that only. I don't make films with aesthetic sense. I am a
cheap stuff who makes cheap films for the people like me.
When
is Nijam releasing?
The
censoring board is going to watch Nijam from 2 pm onwards today.
If there were no major cuts, I would be releasing it on 23rd May
2003.
Checkout
1st interview of teja for idlebrain.com
|
