Ahead of the OTT release of 'Narappa' (to be streamed on Amazon Prime from July 20), director Sreekanth Addala speaks about Venkatesh's performance, doing the remake and more.
Nobody had imagined that I would do a mass movie like 'Narappa'. I have made an honest remake. I have made only a few changes for the nativity. Good films shouldn't be tinkered with.
After a continuous 58-day schedule in Tamil Nadu, we had to take a break during the pandemic. The unit members worked non-stop and gave a back-breaking schedule. They wanted a short break but coronavirus gave them a six-month break.
'Asuran' was written by Vetri Maaran, who is a great filmmaker. I borrowed its intimate emotions. Venkatesh garu's performance is outstanding. He worked hard like anything. Dhanush garu won the National Award for 'Asuran'. It's not easy to reprise such a role.
'Narappa' is a sensitive film. A director's sensibilities don't change beyond a point. With a remake, you have the story read. But recreation is not an easy task. The emotions have to be retained. I was excited to do the genre. Translating the emotional core of the original was the biggest challenge.
When I was told that 'Narappa' will be released on OTT, it took me two days to come out of the disappointment. The call was taken by producer Thanu garu.
The BGM of 'SVSC' was done by Mani Sharma garu. It was good to work with him again on 'Narappa.
I liked Priyamani garu in 'Paruthiveeran', which fetched her a National Award. I wanted to cast her because I felt only she can fit the bill.
'Brahmotsavam' was a failure. I didn't fail. I am a slow worker. Had it not been for the pandemic, 'Narappa' would have been released last year itself. After watching the final copy, especially a fight in the second half, I was surprised at my work. There is bloodshed in the movie, something that is not my thing.
Ammu Abhirami was roped in because I feel her eyes are so beautiful. You will see Anantapur slang used by the characters. Satyanand garu worked as a script coordinator.
My next film will be with Geetha Arts. It will be a big-scale movie. Scripting is going on. It will be an action film, which will be made in three parts. In other words, it will be a trilogy. The story has that span. It's not a costume drama. It's set in the 1980s or a bit before. I am not yet ready to talk about who will be its hero. I don't know whether the three-part film will be made at a stretch.
Many years ago, I wrote a story with Kamal Haasan garu in mind. I can't talk about it now without any progress on that front.
