Nagarjuna as Sri Ramadasu
Star hero Nagarjuna's Sri Ramadasu is gearing up as Ugadi release. Sri Ramadasu directed by K.Raghavendra Rao is all set to hit the screens on 30th of March in India and 31st of March overseas. The team of Annamayya - Bharavi (writer), Raghavendra Rao (Director), Nagarjuna and MM Keeravani (music) - teamed up again for another periodic film. If it was Annamayya a few years ago, now it is Bhakta Ramadasu.
A time is scheduled to meet up with Nagarjuna to talk about his upcoming film Ramadasu. Nagarjuna is presently shooting at the State Arts Gallery for Kamakshi Productions film in the direction of VN Aditya. Heroine Nayanatara is also present at the location. Nagarjuna is as usual, looking very handsome and energetic.
The question hour started immediately.
Sri Ramadasu is a devotional film and every one is talking about it. Is there any special effort from your side in doing the role?
There is home work done but not on day to day basis. Typically, in Telugu films, the script is modified on the sets for any betterment. So whatever we do is on the sets during the shooting. My home work is limited to getting an understanding of the character in the broad range. Then adapt myself to fit into it. I am confident that I gave my best to live in the character of Sri Ramadasu.
What kind of research is involved with the project of Sri Ramadasu?
Director K. Raghavendra Rao, JK Bharavi (writer) and Rukmini Krishnan (costume designer) did extensive research on the script and
culture pertaining to 16th century. I know the subject from my childhood. That was sufficient for my understanding.
About your previous film Annamayya there were comments that the role of Saluva Narasimha Rayalu is degraded. With that experience, are you going close to the script or were there any changes?
There is usually no concrete information available from that period. And also, it is not a documentary we are making and hence take some liberties in making it cinematic. Our goal is to make a film to reach to all kinds of audience. In Annamayya, Narasimha Rayulu is shown as a staunch devotee of Lord Venkateswara. Also he liked Annamayya very much. But to make it dramatic, few things
are modified. Similarly, I heard comments about having moustache for Annamayya's character. There are a few changes that are made while making this kind of films. Otherwise, the film will end up as a documentary. In Ramadasu, we have Kabir Das's character. In reality, they both never existed together. Kabir Das is 200 years ahead of Ramadasu. But in the film, we show Ramadasu in the age of Kabir Das's great grand son. We got to take some liberties when making this kind of films. What you should
note here is we are making a film but not trying to recreate a history.
ANR is playing Kabir Das in the film. It is after a long gap that you are sharing the same screen with your father. How was the experience?
The last one we acted together is Iddaru Iddarey. That film did not do great at the box office. We decided that it is better to retain the individual image and identity. So we stayed away from doing films together. When we thought of this film, we approached him for the role of Kabir Das. Though Kabir Das is no way related to Ramadasu, we needed a guiding force and strong factor to motivate Ramadasu in his spiritual path. It is really a great experience working with my dad. It makes me feel proud to
share the screen in a historical film.
Your father did many devotee roles but not Annamayya and Ramadasu. How do you feel of this unique experience?
No one did Annamayya before. But Nagayya did Sri Ramadasu. These films are unique. But I would not consider them unique since no one performed them earlier. Who would deny if Mayabazar role is offered again.
How close is it to Nagayya's film?
It is totally different one.
Where does the film start in terms of Sri Ramadasu's life?
It starts off with his wedding to Kamala. Kamala is played by Sneha.
All your movies are musical blockbusters including the recent films and Sri Ramadasu. What is your contribution?
I take utmost care with music when I produce a film. For Sri Ramadasu, my contribution is not much. I put my full trust in Raghavendra Rao and Keeravani. Full credit for this audio goes to them.
Which one is your favorite number?
Palukey Bangarama.. I loved this song from my childhood. This is there in my father's film Andala Ramudu. Also, I liked Antha Ramamayam song.
Ramadasu is known to the entire state through his keeratanas. There are plenty of them. When making a film on his life, is it
necessary to have other songs?
There is a need for it. The film is about his life and Ramadasu keertanas are about his devotional admiration for Lord Rama. He never wrote songs on his own life. Some instances of life are best depicted by a song. So, we needed situational songs to narrate his life. Ramadasu has a wife. There are a few scenes between them. We portray those effectively with songs. Even
we resorted to songs in Annamayya for similar reasons. Adigo Bhadradri is an excellent song in the film.
When picturing anything about Lord Rama, you need animals like deer, peacock etc. But now the censor has rules not to show animals.
It is not the rule made now. That exists for last 2 years. Censor board did not consider it strongly until recently. As far as we are concerned, we got permission from concerned authorities in every aspect. The rules say that extinct species should not be shown and no action scenes between them should be filmed. To some extent graphics are used to show peacock and spotted deer.
To show a fleet of deer, we went to the zoo. We got permission for every thing and followed rules to the T. I expect even the others follow the same thing. I am not saying this just because my wife is in blue cross but I am also a human being and love animals.
Why is the delay in the release. Initially, the film is scheduled for December release.
We could not finish the project in December. We targeted for Sankranti but missed it too. We made all the arrangements for the end of February. However, the distributors requested to move the film since March is the period of exams.
Do you anticipate communal problems?
Actually, Sri Ramadasu emphasizes communal harmony. There is nothing in this film to disregard any community.
There are heavy expectations on this film.
I am pretty sure we will meet the expectations. Sri Ramadasu is more contemporary compared to Annamayya. It has devotional appeal
along with entertaining elements.
The trend now is for light movies with good comedy or action packed love stories or fast narration. Do you consider Ramadasu as risk project?
First tell me how many of these trend following films are successful? (laughs). I do not consider this a risk project but look at it as a different film. I am quite confident about this movie. Because this brings a relaxing effect from regular formula films. Range of audio hit itself proves the point.
Success rate has dropped in the recent years. What is your comment?
I agree. I strongly believe that a director, captain of the ship, is responsible for the success or failure of the film. He is the boss. He has to look after everything. If he has perfect planning then there won't be over budget or additional days. Siva is wrapped up in 58 days, Geetanjali in 45 days and Ninne Pelladatha is done in 60 days. Ramadasu is a big film and huge budget film. Look at the amount of time frame Raghavendra Rao made it in. He had proper planning for it. Believe me, he knows what he is
doing. I am not trying to imply that Raghavendra Rao did not have a flop ever. But what I am trying to point out is at the production cost. Second point is the lack of novel ideas. For example, Rang De Basanti is a good film. We need such kind of new concepts for successful films.
Techno revolution is over riding the expressive feeling in the films. What is your comment?
That is true. But it depends on how effectively we adapt the technology. For example there is a scene in my film when the heroine runs for the hero. I raised the doubt with the director on why cannot she call him on phone. These days every one has mobile phones. Now, the director had to think about it. However, it can be adapted by showing the either the mobile battery is down or no signal or something like that. The same technology can be used effectively too. For example, in Mass the hero threatens
the goons on phone. We got to change with the time and technology.
Tell us about Kamakshi films.
Kamakshi films will be a complete entertainer with hilarious comedy. At the same time, it is a beautiful matured love story. The plan is to wrap it up in 75 days and release it for Vijaya Dasami.
With that Nagarjuna went back to his shot. We appreciate his valuable time and wish the team of Sri Ramadasu a great success.
