Tamil actor Karthi is popular among Telugu audiences as his films including Yuganiki Okkadu, Naa Peru Siva and Awara were huge hits here. And though he got many Tollywood offers, he held out till Oopiri. “When Vamsi narrated the story, I didn’t say anything to him.
He gave me the original French film to watch and told me that he would come the next day morning,” says Karthi, adding, “I watched the film and I felt that it would be very difficult to convert it into Indian culture. The emotions were very subtle and we would have to change the entire treatment. So I was in a dilemma, and it was a multi-starrer too, so initially I wanted to say no to him.”
Next day Vamsi gave the entire script to Karthi. “When I read the script I was really surprised how Vamsi has superbly Indianised a lot of emotions. Also, he he didn’t add any extra character,” says Karthi, adding that he knew by then that Nagarjuna would be the other star.
He adds that he was aware that his role had been offered to Jr NTR first. “Yes. I know. Every filmmaker generally keeps three options. If the first option does not work out, he then goes for the second or third. I feel lucky I got this project.”
He met Nagarjuna for the first time while on the project. “I have seen his films. He is a trendsetter. When he chooses a script, I know that it will be something special. He had said before that he didn’t want a big introduction like his earlier films, as he wanted the characters to speak more,” says Karthi about Nagarjuna. Unlike most other films, in Oopiri, the chemistry is between Karthi and Nagarjuna, not with the female lead.
“I like Nag garu and we both get along very well. Once we started the shoot, he completely took care of me and our bond became very strong. He treated me like a younger brother,” adds Karthi.
“While shooting at Annapurna Studios I wanted to go cycling after lunch. When I came back for the second round, I found all the speed breakers removed as he had asked the staff to remove them. That’s how much he cares about me,” says Karthi. His family too is happy about the film. “My father said that this was a milestone in my career. My sister-in-law (Jyothika) told me to do more films like this.”
Though Karthi speaks Telugu very well and dubbed for himself earlier too, for Oopiri he took extra care. “Before the scene I used to learn the dialogues. Director Vamsi helped me to correct my language. Though it took time, I am happy,” says the actor.
“Actresses from Mumbai come here to do Telugu films, so why can’t I,” he says. There was another reason to do the film. “Yesteryear actor Sivaji garu had done a few Telugu films, later Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan also worked here. But from my generation, no one has done any major Telugu films. So as an actor this film was a big challenge for me,” he says.
Karthi started his career as an assistant director to Mani Ratnam. Will he take up direction in the near future? “I don’t have any such ambition as it is a difficult job. I have to learn a lot and I am not ready to become a director and will continue as an actor,” says Karthi.
He adds that his co-star Tamannaah was simply superb. “The story revolves more between me and Nag sir, so Tamannaah’s character is only limited. But she was bang on with her performance, she is a major plus for this film,” says Karthi.
