Natural Star Nani has done sixteen films in just eight years. Within a short span of time, this former RJ and Assistant Director-turned Actor has created a sensational niche for himself with about fifty per cent hit ratio and always pushing new frontiers in giving Telugu Cinema a new facelift and content. On the verge of his upcoming release Gentleman, Actor Nani talks to Sridhar Sattiraju about the new movie, upcoming films and everything that moves him into high gear. Here’s an exclusive chat with a Star which reveals a lot about his energy, his intelligence, his wit and his nuanced observations about the Film Industry.
Q: You are back to working with director Indraganti Mohan Krishna who launched you in “Ashta Chemma” with “Gentleman” now. What prompted you to select your upcoming film, ‘Gentleman’?
A: I always wanted to get back to Mohan Krishna and do a film. We also discussed this numerous times. But we kept telling ourselves that we didn’t want to do yet another film along the same lines of ‘Ashta Chamma’. This time, we wanted to try out something really different, bigger which will excite both of us. Then Mohan came up with this script and everything fell into place. As soon as I heard it I felt like, “This is what we have been waiting. This is what we wanted to do together.” And I immediately okayed the script. Infact, during recent times, this is the only script which I ended up okaying immediately after the narration.
Q: How long did the script narration last for? What excited you about it?
A: The narration itself lasted for 1 hour 30 minutes. But the genre and the way he mixed entertainment, fun and romance with it was special. Because it is very difficult to make a complete entertainer as well as thrill you at the same time. And I really loved the way he did it. Actually the story belongs to R. David Nathan. And Mohan Krishna adapted it brilliantly.
Q: The title itself is a big blockbuster of Arjun’s ‘Gentleman’ from the past. The trailers tease us whether you are a ‘Hero or Villain’. Can you talk more about it? What is your role in it?
A: First of all, the title was not because the original was a blockbuster. All of us felt that for this film the title was justified. In fact, we are not going to display the title at the start of the film. It will only be displayed at the end of the film. Because when you watch the film you will understand how apt the title is. We really thought a Gentleman-like title would be really nice. But in the end we couldn’t find a word which was equivalent to that and one which suits our script so well. All of ended up discussing and decided to go with Gentleman itself. Why search for a different title? That is how it happened. And as far as the roles are concerned, the ‘Hero or Villain’ campaign takes place because there is a negative shade and even when you are watching the film you will not know whether he is a hero or a villain at many points. There are many situations and scenes like that. So we thought it will be a nice idea to launch a promotional campaign because it will be some thing which will make people curious and also tells a little bit about the film at the same time.[pullquote position=”right”] I always watch films with the general public and they are a very middle class audience. And I am always happy to be a part of that middle class audience. So I think that connect with the general audience is what is working. [/pullquote]
Q: Actor Arjun himself has promoted your teaser with a countdown…
A: When we thought of launching the theatrical trailer, we thought it would be nice if he (Arjun) launched it because he is the original Gentleman. We thought it would be a very nice surprise for the audience who were watching the audio release function. And as soon as I gave him a call he immediately said OK. He really likes me, so I was quite surprised with the nice gesture. That is how it happened.
Q: So can we expect more repeated combinations with directors like Nandini Reddy who have given big blockbusters?
A: Definitely. Maruthi, Dasari and I had a plan to do a film. Hanu Raghavapudi and I also have a plan to do one more film. So there will be repeat combinations. It is just that because I just started my career there haven’t been any repetitions. But I am sure that from now onwards I will repeat a lot.
Q: There is a lot of variety in your scripts. What is the thought process behind the selection of your scripts?
A: I don’t select my scripts as an actor. I want to watch these kinds of films. So I do films which I want to watch. I have grown up in an area called Ameerpet. I always watched films in Satyam theatre. While growing up, I was a huge fan of films and cinema and ended up as an actor. As an actor I wanted to do something I would have loved to watch in Satyam theatre. Why would I want to watch the same kind of films again and again? I will always want to see something different. Whatever cinema I would have wanted, I am now trying to give it to the audience.
Q: So far you have featured in thrillers, multi-starrers (produced D for Dopidi), comedy thriller, action (Krishna Gaadi Veera Prema Gaadha). Do you have any other genres left to test?
A: There are always a lot of genres to test. Even Kamal Hassan did some mixture of genres. You cannot compare him to anyone else. And even he had a few different films which haven’t been attempted yet. That will always be there. Regardless of the versatility in my work, there will always be many more options for me try out.
Q: Some people say you are following the exact route trodden by megastar Chiranjeevi in 1970s and 80s. He went about with a lot of experimental scripts before connecting both with masses and class. Are you following his path or are you just going with your instinct?
A: No, I am not aware about that. It is not a conscious effort on my part to follow somebody or something like that. I am only trying to select the best from whatever I am getting. I genuinely feel what matters the most in the long run is not the numbers today. It is the content. Today, your film might not collect crazy numbers. But if it is a good film, it will earn you respect and that respect will turn into numbers someday in the future. And let’s say if it is a crazy commercial project right now, it might get you numbers now, but after a point it won’t earn you any respect. The same film might look silly for people who watch it 10 years down the line. So I prefer the other way. I don’t want any instant fame or success or money. I prefer the long run more. Do good cinema and someday it will all turn into numbers and box office performance.
Q: You have provided 6-7 blockbusters out of the small portfolio of films that you have done so far. So your hit ratio is probably better than some of the so called stars at the box office. How did you acquire this gut instinct for scripts? Is it from watching too many films while growing up or have you developed your own intuition?
A: There is nothing like that. I really struggle and work hard. I always watch movies with audience and I learn from their feedback. I was not born and brought up in Jubilee Hills or Banjara Hills; I never watch films in a home theatre. I always watch films with the general public and they are a very middle class audience. And I am always happy to be a part of that middle class audience. So I think that connect with the general audience is what is working.
Q: Can you please share with us some of the scripts that you have rejected?
A: Obviously, there are many rejected scripts. There is definitely nothing which I rejected and went on to regret. But sometimes that might happen. I only understand or judge something from what I have seen or what I feel. And I am sure something which I didn’t want to do, they would have done it with somebody and it would have worked. But I am not really aware of it.
Q: Considering the films you have done so far, can we expect another multi-starrer like D for Dopidi? Because that and your debut film itself can be considered as multi-starrers.
A: I just produced D for Dopidi. But I am always open to doing multi-starrers. But the problem here is that nobody has really strong scripts for a multi-starrer film. People here think a multi-starrer is all about two heroes having equal screen space. It is not about the screen space at all. It is about the content and the strength of the script. If something like that comes up I am really open to doing a multi-starrer film with anybody.
Q: You have experience in production. You initially started as an RJ (Radio Jockey) in World Space Radio and you have even dubbed for stars like Dilquar in Oke Bangaram. How was the experience of dubbing in a film by Mani Ratnam whom you admire?
A: It was because of Mani Ratnam sir. Otherwise I wouldn’t have done it for anyone. And I am a huge fan of Mani sir; he is one of my prime inspirations to get into cinema. I loved the whole experience of working with him and our association actually evolved into a film where he called me, narrated a script and we were about to do a film. But that was dropped due to different reasons. But we will definitely be working together at some point in the future. I don’t know when it will happen, but it will definitely happen.
Q: Tell us about the choice of heroines in your films. Is it a deliberate strategy to pick heroines who are not as well-known as you or you want to give them a chance?
A: Whenever I discuss about heroines, everybody complains about a shortage of heroines in Telugu cinema. Is somebody doing anything about it? Nobody. Everyone, even the biggest stars in Telugu cinema, wants an established heroine. How can new heroines ever enter the industry if no one is willing to take a new girl? Mostly, I go with new faces. You saw Nitya Menen in Ala Modalaindi. She is one of the top talents now. I worked with many newcomers who settled later and they are doing different kinds of films. So a lot of other filmmakers got their heroines right. I don’t want only an established heroine to come and save the film because all of us believe in the script and go ahead. I am okay with a newcomer also as long as she is talented. And in that way, one more heroine enters Telugu cinema which is good for everyone.
Q: If at some point you do get a leading heroine, would you say no?
A: I will not say ‘no’ to it. Only thing is I will not try too hard for it. I am comfortable with anybody. The ultimate thing is the script.
Q: Is a film with an established actress like Tamannaah etc. shaping up?
A: Nothing as of now because right now I am doing a film with Virinchi Varma (director of Uyyala Jampala) and Anu Emmanuel is playing the heroine who is again a Malayali and a new girl. After that I am doing a film with Dil Raju but we haven’t decided about who the heroine will be. It could be an established one this time.
Q: We have seen you in films with different stories. When can we expect to see you in a proper commercial masala film?
A: You will see that in the one with Dil Raju. It is not masala, but it is quite commercial. It is very funny, entertaining and it has its commercial elements in the right place. Not formulaic, but definitely very, very commercial. It is my most commercial film to date.
Q: Do you have any ambitions to go back to your direction days? Because you have worked as an Assistant Director with reputed directors like Bapu and Sreenu Vaitla. So does it interest you to get behind the megaphone or do you want to settle as an actor?
A: I want to concentrate on acting right now. Someday, I might go back to directing. But right now, I am really enjoying the whole process of acting. I am getting to work with different teams, technicians, backdrops and stories. So I don’t want to disturb this at all. But because of my love for the craft, I will someday do it when I can take an year off, put everything aside and concentrate on it.
Q: But isn’t there a director still in you even when you are working under some other director?
A: There (while working as an actor) he (the director part in me) won’t come out at all. He only helps me in performing in different ways. The director in me helps me in understanding my director and delivering him what he wants.
Q: Having tested waters in Tamil as well, are you planning to explore any other languages like Malayalam or Hindi?
A: Nothing like that. Even the popularity in Tamil Nadu is only because of Eega. It became a huge blockbuster in all languages that even Malayali, Hindi and others recognise me now. Nothing more than that. My mother tongue is Telugu and I am a Telugu actor and I will keep doing Telugu films. But if someday something very interesting comes out, I don’t mind trying it once in a while. But my main concentration and focus will be Telugu films.
Q: What is your opinion on the latest trend of budget films? Because you became the champion of budget/crossover films by featuring in Ala Modalaindi.
A: Budget films are really good. But the thing is, in the name of ‘small films’ a lot of people are delivering content which doesn’t make any sense at all. A quality film like Ala Modalaindi only comes but once in a while. Every alternate day, we see some weird poster about some Valentine boy or some other weird titles. But we don’t know who the actors or producers are. It also looks tacky. The problem is there are too many people just falling for the glam. When they think about cinema, all they see is that they want to act or something like that. But nobody is really understanding the cinema and trying to make a good film at the same time. That is the problem for me. If that changes and people start doing quality films within budget, I think it will have a great impact on the whole industry and new ideas will pour in. For example, in Tamil cinema, there is a parallel industry. One side keeps making completely commercial films and on the other side, nice budget with innovative ideas are also being made. We (Telugu film industry) don’t have that kind of culture. We are somewhere in between. Every film is a commercial film for us or in the name of off-beat films, some really boring movies have been released. Instead of that, if we really strike a good balance and make good films within budget I think we will grow as an industry.
Q: For that to happen, big stars should commit themselves into doing a 5 crore film for every 40 crore film they do. Maybe it will start then.
A: Yeah. And they (as well as the producers) should understand a fact. For example, Aamir Khan does Talaash after Ghajini. He will not charge much for Talaash, whereas he will charge more for Ghajini because it is a different film. And he doesn’t need much. So they should understand the fact that they always focus on the genre of a film. When you are doing a mass film, you can charge high because of the high numbers involved. And producers shouldn’t charge the distributors so much. They should understand the genre and keep their budget in mind and make some decent profits. Everybody shouldn’t try to make money all the time. If everybody gets into that business, then the art is dead. And the only way that happens will be when the superstars understand and keep trying out different genres with different budgets. They should also make themselves a partner in it. Promotion will also become easy.
Q: Are you planning to do something similar like that? Because you have grown up so fast in such a short time, people look to you for guidance so as to create path-breaking content similar to that of the Tamil industry.
A: Yes, I am trying to. In fact during the next year or so, with my production house I want to do these little films which make sense and are filled with innovative ideas. They might not have me in them, but they will hopefully boast of really good technical values and content.
Q: You have already worked with Gautam Menon and Rajamouli. Do you want to work with any other big directors?
A: I don’t want to take names. But every top director in Telugu cinema industry is calling me, congratulating me and telling me how much they like my work. And that we should work together and stuff like that. I don’t know when everything will fall into place, but definitely soon.
Q: I read the other day that you don’t to work in a scene or a movie which makes you cringe while watching with your family. Isn’t that very tough? How do you handle that?
A: I can never act in embarrassing scenes. For me the biggest high is to watch my film on the first day before the verdict is out. And I want to watch it with the general crowd and my family, cousins and friends around me. It gives me a great high. I take my grandparents, cousins, sister’s kids, everybody for the first show. Not a lot of actors go to the theatre to watch their film. So when I can’t watch this film proudly with my own family, then I can imagine what other people will go through when they watch a film. So there are different kinds of films which we can cater to different sections of the audience. I am not complaining. But for me, I am happy doing films which a whole family can watch together and enjoy. That doesn’t mean that I will do sentimental films and all that. You have seen my films. There is love, fun and everything which a so called ‘entertainer’ should have. But at the same time there is a line which I will not cross.
Q: Some actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan lend their voice for voice-over or commentary. Since your effort was so successful in Oke Bangaram, why don’t you think of lending only your voice too to register your presence for special projects?
A: Yes, I actually gave voice-over for D for Dopidi and that is how I ended up producing it. I am always open for that. Actually, I am a huge big fan of animation films like Kung Fu Panda, Ice Age, etc. I badly wish that something like that comes up my way and that I can dub for an animated character. In fact, when Rajamouli called me for the first time for Eega, I got very excited after thinking that I would have to dub for the fly! But I realized later that it is me who dies and becomes a fly and that the fly doesn’t talk. That is a different thing. But that gave me an excitement. Somehow I badly want that culture of animation films and fairy tale stories to come into Telugu cinema. Someday when it happens I will be open to providing my voice for all the characters. I am open to working children’s films.
Q: How do you unwind? What are your main interests and hobbies?
A: Generally, I watch a film with family, friends or I will be discussing ideas and scripts with a few of my film friends. And if I get time I meet a few of my old friends from school and we just go out, have fun and talk. Nothing more than that. Whenever I get a longer break, I visit Virginia (USA) to see my sister who stays there.
Q: Outside of your own circle, whose (actors) work do you admire the most? In Tollywood or anywhere?
A: Nothing in particular. It all depends on the films. I might like a film of an actor, but I might not like his other works. So I can’t really give you a name but it all depends on the film.
Q: What about directors? Who do you admire the most?
A: It is definitely Rajamouli and Trivikram.
Q: The speed at which you finish your films is better when compared with other big stars. How do you manage that?
A: I started this last year. Before that, I was very slow. But then I realized that cinema is my love and life is short. I should make as many memorable films as possible. I have been doing one film after the other. More importantly, I am only doing films which I really like so I really don’t have a problem with that. I am working a little extra but at the end of the day, I am really enjoying the whole process.
Q: What is your view on mythological stories as far as Telugu cinema is concerned?
A: I love it. I am a huge fan of all these fairy tales and Chandamama stories. I love it. And finally Rajamouli has made Baahubali, so if more films like this come out then I would love to be a part of them.
