Besides consistently taking on good films, and acing them all, Nani went on to become a producer and television presenter. His upcoming film, Shyam Singha Roy, the periodical action-drama directed by Rahul Sankrityan is based in Kolkata.
Speaking to us, Nani also admits he wishes to enter the Hindi film industry, although after a while. For now though, Nani hopes his films are remade in Bollywood with popular actors like Shahid Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor so that they find wider audiences.
Excerpts from our interaction
What’s Shyam Singha Roy about?
It’s a film with two parallel timelines; the film begins in present-day Hyderabad and then goes back to 1969 in Kolkata.
Do you believe in the reincarnation theory shown in the film?
While I’m not personally sure, it’s an intriguing idea and so much fun to see on screen. I’d say I believe in the film incarnation more than that in true life.
It’s been around 13 years in showbiz, how has been your journey?
I found an appreciation I never expected, so I’m very contented. It must be because people can relate to me as their brother, friend, etc. because the characters I play are that of the common man.
What’s your secret to longevity?
It’s been 13 years and a great journey. And with no connections with any big wigs from the industry, I’m surely an outsider here. We’re some outsiders — four or five of friends who’ve come together for acting and producing films. And we’ve been successful. We’re not a camp though but a group. As for the secret of longevity, it’s about seeking good content as a producer and trying to play good characters as an actor.
Will we see you working with S.S. Rajamouli again? How’s your equation with him?
I think he needs to be asked that. [Smiles] As of now, Rajamouli is in a position to cast any actor from across India, and they’d grab the chance to work with him. He and I are like family, still very closely connected. He and family members usually watch the first show of my latest film and share their feedback with me. It’s been a great relationship for years.
Your next productions?
My recent productions are Hit 2, which is the franchise of the box-office success film called Hit. Hit 2, which is in the post-production stage and stars Adivi Sesh. Then, I have Meet Cute, which is an amalgamation of five different stories, with five different cast and crew, narrating how they meet and the changes they bring about etc.
You’re popular down south, but now even pan-India audiences know you.
Many Telugu films get dubbed and put on YouTube and get over 250 million views. So when I’m in, say, a beach in Goa, people recognise me and talk to me, saying they’ve watched my films.
Would you agree the screenplay in Telugu films seems to be slightly loose while the action etc. is good?
I think that Telugu films have the sensibilities to attract audiences’ worldwide, for example, Bahubali. I also think in the past few years strong scripts with tight screenplays have come from Tollywood itself, like Kabir Singh and Jersey, and there are still many the north is unaware of it.
Aren’t Telugu films getting greater recognition
I think films like Baahubali opened the gates and everyone seems to be noticing the Tollywood industry now. Initially, not everybody knew the difference between a Telugu and Tamil film.
Do you feel it is safe producing/acting in remakes?
Initially, I’d done a couple of films in Tamil as well as in the remake of the 2010-Bollywood hit, Band Baaja Baaraat. Now, I’ve made a conscious decision not to do any more remakes as an actor, I want to do original though I’m happy when my films are remade. [Smiles]. Both remakes and originals come with different set of challenges. When the original is loved, it becomes a bigger challenge to ensure your remake matches up to the original. An original comes with its own baggage.
