Shivarajkumar and Ram Gopal Varma speak about their latest release Killing Veerappan and how thrilling it was to work together.
Ram Gopal Varma
Starting his debut with a smile with Anand — he then went on to deliver back-to-back hits at the box office, a unique feature which earned him the coveted filmy title Hat-Trick Hero. After batting for more than two-and-a-half decades as an actor, the eldest son of the late thespian Dr Rajkumar, Century Star Dr Shivarajkumar is still one of the busiest and most popular actors in the South Indian film industry. At 50, he is still regarded as number one, and it is not surprising to see his call sheets booked for at least five years with many projects awaiting release in 2016. Of these, is the most-awaited project — Killing Veerappan directed by the ‘sensational’ director Ram Gopal Varma. Both, Dr Shivarajkumar and Ram Gopal Varma speak on their experiences of bringing the slain forest brigand to life, and yet again killing him on the silver screen.
“It was always a dream to work with Ram Gopal Varma, and the dream came true and it’s been a great experience working with him. I was shooting abroad when he called to discuss aspects about the film. I was completely thrilled. I also met him in Hyderabad, where he revealed the story succinctly. We did the photo shoot trial at Ramoji Film City and everything started to come together. There is no hero as such in the movie, everyone who has put in his hard work is the hero,” Shivanna shares.
The actor who recently gave a nod to another mega project titled Kali alongside Kiccha Sudeep in a 100 crore project to be directed by Prem, adds, “Ram told me that I will not have any heroine in Killing Veerappan. In fact, I consider Veerappan’s character in the movie as my heroine! I have had a nostalgic and romantic experience shooting for the film. Moreover, shooting for the film with Ram Gopal Varma was a very pleasant experience, and I never felt bored. Talking about who killed Veerappan, I feel that an Indian police officer was behind it.”
The ace director too is chuffed about the film. Varma says that it has been a 12-year-old project. “With a bounty fixed on Veerappan, I had planned a project several years ago titled Let’s Catch Veerappan but unfortunately he was killed in a police operation before the project could take off. I shelved the project as it made no sense as the protagonist was already killed in an encounter. I had kept quiet after several documentaries and films were made on him. However, when I heard about Senthamarai Kannan, the mastermind of the Operation Cocoon, I started discovering how Veerappan was hunted, and was thrilled with the facts about the most dreaded criminal in Asia that led the biggest hunt for him in the continent. I felt that the story needed to be told to the world,” says Varma.
RGV goes on to reveal that Shivanna was initially sceptical about the project, but as he heard the narration and his plans to make it, he became excited. He stresses that the actor was the perfect match for the cop role and the film is going to be remembered for a long time. “Apart from his suitability, his connect and closeness to the subject when his father — the late thespian Dr Rajkumar was kidnapped, Shivanna has acted with pertinent emotion and context, and the audience will love his performance. Sandeep, who has portrayed the character of Veerappan has lived the character, and after the release, people will think of Sandeep whenever Veerappan’s name is mentioned. The makeup artist Vikram also had a great role in making Sandeep look like the real Veerappan.”
Shivanna, also revealed that he has teamed up with RGV for another project titled South. Killing Veerappan also features Yajna Shetty playing the role of Muthulakshmi, the role of Veerappan’s wife and Parul Yadav in an important role. The movie releases this Friday.
Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
Next Story
