Expectations from Balakrishna in NTR: Kathanaykudu, the biopic on his father late NTR, were huge, but the film has bitten the dust. According to trade analysts, the film didn’t have enough masala like Mahanati, the biopic made earlier on actress Savitri. Directed by Krish Jagarlamudi, the film is a perfect tribute to NTR, but it only shows the rise and rise of NTR, giving all controversies a complete miss, thereby making the film dull.
Ram Charan’s film Vinaya Vidheya has been given the thumbs-down. There’s nothing to talk about in this film.
Rajanikanth’s Petta, a dubbed version of the original Tamil film also released, but failed.
So of the four big films released this Sankranti, only one, F2, made on a relatively small budget, is the clear winner. The Venkatesh-Varun Tej’s multi-starrer directed by young director Anil Ravipudi is full of entertainment, and it’s Venkatesh, who has actually carried the film on his shoulders.
His return to the comedy genre after a gap of many years has helped deliver one the biggest blockbusters of the season in F2. “People are in a festival mood, and enjoyed it a lot. I am happy that we entertained them,” says Venkatesh.
The actor calls the decision to do an entertainment film as a conscious one. “Yes, I took the decision to attempt a hilarious film this time. I have done mature roles in my earlier films Drushyam, Gopala Gopala and Guru. People had missed me in the comedy genre, and wanted to see me in such roles again. So when director Anil came up with this film, I was happy. Also, many of my contemporary actors have not tried this genre in recent times. The younger ones are trying either a love story or action films. So, decided to go with it.”
While Venkatesh has done comedy roles in earlier films like Malliswari, Nuvvu Naku Nachav and Intlo Illau Vantintlo Priyuralu, he was then young. Now, the 58-year-old however looks more energetic in this film, than he did in the earlier ones. “I think the hidden energy comes out at the right time. Even I was surprised that I had so much energy. Perhaps I attempted such a role after a long time, and the co-stars and director encouraged me,” he says modestly.
Elaborating further, he says, “Right from my childhood, through my college days, I have had a comic layer inside me. I watch a lot of entertaining shows, American or Indian, and also watch the comic actors timing. Also whenever I travel, I watch people and study their expressions, and this helped me a lot. If you have it inside in you, it comes automatically, otherwise you can’t entertain.”
The wide circulation of the film’s scenes on social media indicates that it is a huge hit. “I am ready to do a sequel to this one. When I started the shooting on the day one, I decided that it’s going to be a franchise and can make sequels,” says Venky. Venky is also the one actor who initiated multi-starrers in Telugu after long gap. He did with Mahesh Babu, Pawan Kalyan and now with young actor Varun Tej. “When you work with younger people, it is a new experience. You learn how they function, their body language and behaviour. It helps to learn new things and then move on,” he says, adding that the same applied to the two young female actresses in the film, Tamannah and Mehreen.
Speaking of his next film Venky reveals that it is an emotional drama with a bit of action. “The title Venky Mama indicates that it is a wonderful relationship between uncle and nephew, so it’s going to be packaged well with all kind of drama,” he rounds off.
