23 June 2020
Hyderabad
Actor Anand Deverakonda lets us into his quarantine world. Just one film old, he has plenty of hopes for the future and also shares that he is grateful for where he is right now.
How have you been handling the last two months?
I don't mind being home but I'm not used to not knowing what's going to happen - all the movie releases are stuck, shootings have stopped, the uncertainty is tough. Everyday Vijay and I try to figure out with our friends like Tharun Basckar, Vinod, and other young film makers about what's going to happen. But no one knows what's happening, it's just assumptions. We don't know how long till the theatres open; how many projects will go to OTT.
What's been keeping you busy?
I've been watching a lot of content online. Once restrictions relaxed I've been catching up with my director and a couple of friends - some social interaction. Until recently it was just me and Vijay playing board games. We also play a lot of playstation. And we are very competitive at those. There's a board game called Settlers of Catan that we play, or Carroms. We can get on each other's nerves at those times but apart from that we are really chill.
How was it spending all that time with your brother Vijay?
We grew up together, we went to same boarding school. So we respect each other and give each other space. In the last few years since I moved back to Hyderabad, Vijay has been shooting non-stop all over the place - Bombay, Chennai, overseas. So my parents are all glad he's not stuck somewhere else. And that we glad we get to be together.
What series have you been binging on?
I love dark stuff. Ozark for example - it's a Breaking Bad style show - I really like Jason Baton. And I loved Paatallok. I didn't expect it. I loved the acting, writing; it kept me hooked! I binge watched it. The only other Indian series I watched is Sacred Games and I liked the first season. Now I'm forcing Vijay to watch Paatallok. I already got him to start Ozark. He was a big Peaky Blinders fan.
Any movies you recommend?
I've watched quite a few movies lately as well. I watched Miracle in Cell Number 7. It's a Turkish film. It's about a father-daughter relationship. Must watch!
Any good books?
I'm reading Shoe Dog which is about the Nike Founder experience. I just started it actually. I was trying to read from the beginning of lockdown but it took me a good two months to go to other forms of interest. I've read the Conversation with Mani Ratnam with by Bharadwaj. Film people should read it. He's the bridge from old to new cinema. There's a lot youngsters can learn from him. But I'm keeping myself a target to read at least 25-30 books a years from now.
What do you see happening in the future?
Once this epidemic ends I expect that there'll be lots of partying, catching up, drinking, eating, going to the movies. You know what happened to the liquor business, I hope it happens to all businesses. I'm hoping we don't have to shoot with restrictions. Hearing that the guidelines are quite strict. But I'm optimistic that there will be a cure. I'm hoping the theatre business survives.
Do you see any silver lining to this?
The whole situation is scary and unreal. Noone can predict what's going to happen. Lakhs of deaths are predicted. Looking back though, considering now our family is well-off, because I saved from my job in the US and Vijay is doing well in cinema, I'm glad it happened now. If this had happened five years ago we would be looking at others for help. My parents were also self employed so it would have been a very tough space to be in. I feel lucky to be in this position right now.
What are you looking forward to once this is over?
I'm looking forward to my second film which was supposed to come out in April. Now it's indefinitely postponed. The post work has resumed. DTS and DI are going on since the studios have opened. At the moment I'm looking forward to the release irrespective of where it releases. Everyone wants their film to do well and for it to be successful. Success in cinema means having as many people as possible watch it. You have to do what you can to facilitate that. I really love the experience of going to the theatre and watching a film with surround sound and laughing with everyone in the theatre. Fingers crossed - hope it comes back soon!
- Maya Nelluri
