Nani is one of the most versatile and gifted actors out of the younger lot of heroes in Tollywood. He never fails to impress the audience with his comic timing and great spontaneity. He has already delivered a memorable film Yevade Subramanyam earlier this year and all set to entertain the audience with another fun filled entertainer Bhale Bhale Magadivoy which is releasing tomorrow. Here is an exclusive chitchat with the exuberant actor:
Hello Nani..
Hi..
Please tell us about your latest film Bhale Bhale Magadivoy!
The film is based on a very different concept. But this doesn’t mean that it isn’t devoid of entertainment. Usually, themes like this are raw and boring but I am glad I got a story which is entertaining as well as with good theme. When Maruthi narrated me the story, it looked totally different and when he was on sets it became even more entertaining. Maruthi has such a wonderful talent that he can narrate a normal line also in a comical manner. He has great sense of humor. I enjoyed every moment of working in this film.
Director Maruthi has got a brand for himself that he makes movies with vulgarity. What made you accept a film with him?
Maruthi came to the film industry with 40 Lakhs cash and a Canon 5D Camera. He didn’t have any support or godfather in the industry. He was determined to make a good name in the industry and wanted to be recognized. He must have chosen that path to gain recognition but that is not the usual style of his filmmaking at all. I didn’t find anything wrong in doing such film to establish himself as a director. The real Maruthi would be known with Bhale Bhale Magadivoy – I can vouch for that. It is like a 360 degree turn for him as a filmmaker from how he began!
Your role in Bhale Bhale Magadivoy has the shades from Ghajini?
Well no! Ghajini deals with a person who has a serious mental illness. But my role in this film is of a normal guy who often forgets things. Many people have this forgetful nature and he is such a typical role. My role cannot think about two things at once. If he is doing one task and something intervenes, he forgets the first task! The main plot deals with how the hero finds difficulties and winning his love!
The songs in Bhale Bhale Magadivoy are fresh and melodious. Your comment?
I admired the composer Gopi Sunder’s work in Malayalam film Bangalore Days. He gave phenomenal re-recording and great songs for it. I wondered how he would compose music for a comical theme like Bhale Bhale Magadivoy. I must say he caught the pulse of audience so well and he will be instantly recognized with this film.
Bhale Bhale Magadivoy is taken from an old hit song from Maro Charitra. Is there any specific relation to the film’s storyline?
This song is the hero’s ringtone in the film. Whenever he gets a call there is a strange connection to the story. Usually, song based films also adopt the song as a remix but here we made it a crucial connection for the story. The title is completely justified in a different manner and would make audience think how a hero can be so funny!
You have a tagline of multiplex hero right from Ashta Chamma. Do you think this film would ease it up?
Bhale Bhale Magadivoy is a film which anybody can be connected to. It cannot be classified as a class audience or mass audience film. In fact, I am also a little forgetful in real life. When I told about the storyline to my friends and cousins, everybody started relating to it. This made me realize the potential of this script.
You seem to have increased speed in making movies now?
Yes. Earlier, I used to focus on only one film in hand and take a break of two months after it. Somehow, that gap used to increase and in 2013 I didn’t even make one film! I felt I was moving away from my passion. Realized that gap shouldn’t be taken exclusively but it should happen by itself. As a result, I changed my style . While I am on sets for one movie, I am participating in script discussions for other films!
Yevade Subramanyam seems to be a memorable film in your career. Are you completely satisfied with its result?
It gave me a new boost up in career. I was aware of the target audience for that subject and predicted that it would click well with multiplex audience. To my shock, it reached more classes of audience than I expected. Ten years down from now, I shouldn’t have any regrets that I didn’t so such a film! Usually if I do a good film, people congratulate me but for this, they thanked me! Some people even said that they realized what they lost after watching Yevade Subramanyam. Even till date I get lengthy mails from people overseas about their connection towards the movie!
It’s looking like Rajamouli is actively promoting you these days?
He is genuinely doing that. Rajamouli really liked Bhale Bhale Magadivoy trailer and hence posted in his Twitter handle. If he admires something he does it openly but if he doesn’t like he remains silent. Right from Eega, their family has been watching my every film first day first show. He always stays in touch and gives me honest feedback!
Will Eega-2 be starting sometime soon?
I am sure Rajamouli has the idea but I don’t know how the script is going to be!
Rajamouli expressed his wish of making Mahabharata as a film someday. Which role would you want to be featured in it?
I would be pleased to be just a part of that project! However, my preference any day would be the role of Arjuna!
There is a buzz that your film with 14 Reels production house is title Jai Balayya?
No. It is a big rumor. Such speculation must have come because I have a Jai Balayya tattoo on my hand in the role. I play the role of a Balakrishna fan but the title is yet to be confirmed.
Plea tell us about your working experience with Lavanya tripathi..
It was a perfect pairing for me after long time with her. I was doubtful about how she would pull this role off but she did so well. Nobody can replace her in this role!
How was it working for a dual big banner such as Geetha Arts and UV Creations?
For my previous films, I used to worry about how well it would reach the audiences. But these folks are doing a great job in taking the film straight to the audience. Their experience is coming into play and I am relieved than ever before.
Okay..thanks and wishing you the best for future projects!
Thanks a lot!