Rana Daggubati has interacted with the media to share his experience of doing 'Bheemla Nayak' with Pawan Kalyan and Trivikram. In this interview, catch him talk about his character, his next movies, trying new kind of films, and more.
When 'Bheemla Nayak' hit the cinemas, I was in Mumbai shooting for a movie. I watched the movie amid Telugu-speaking audiences at a multiplex there. I could only imagine what was happening in the Telugu States. It was a very happy feeling.
Most of my films are genre movies. I am very happy that a big star like Pawan Kalyan garu is supporting genre movies like 'Vakeel Saab' and 'Bheemla Nayak'. Genre movies will become more common.
The Malayalam original 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum' had the undercurrent of the same emotion running throughout. It's really amazing. And its run-time was almost 3 hours. But the Telugu nativity is different in terms of our sensibilities and characterizations and the way we talk. Our films are more flamboyant. You can't show a rich politician in Telugu movies the way Mollywood filmmakers show a rich politician. As Daniel, I have played a character who does unlikeable things and yet is liked by the audience.
My father (D Suresh Babu) told me my performance is very satisfying. He doesn't use superlatives and therefore his word is big!
Trivikram garu is an exciting person to work with. He is a very knowledgeable and deep man. And his grasp of the Telugu language and culture is awesome. With him and Kalyan garu, there is loads of knowledge to be had. He is like this film's backbone.
My exposure to cinema is different, considering I have worked in different languages, doing different things with a variety of people. Kalyan garu is a unique personality. He is a pure soul. There is palpable energy around him. Working with him was a highly gratifying experience. I got to observe him up close and personal.
I was a flamboyant, crazy fellow while doing the film. I really enjoyed every moment. The performance came straight from my heart.
Over the years, I have learned how to play characters - like that of a king or a Chandrababu Naidu. But I don't know what "hero" is meant by. I switch off myself if an element strays from the character in a film. For example, songs can distract my attention. I want the narration to be focused on the sotry. Heroism has to be organic. I really wanted to deliver a hit with a film sans the usual songs and fights.
'Bheemla Nayak' is a heavily mainstreamed version of 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum'. Unlike other industries, where story-telling is done, Tollywood is into filmmaking.
When I watched the Malayalam original, I didn't think that it belonged to my zone. When Chinna Nanna (Venkatesh) does a remake, he wants it to be faithful. The remake 'Bheemla Nayak' has gone much beyond the original. Adapting the original for an audience whose culture is to love big-screen experiences was not an easy thing. In Malayalam, the language is verbose. Our language is brief and short.
Thanks to my upbringing, the way I view cinema has always been distinct from others. I observed the editing process in pre-high school days itself. My interaction with cinema started when I was a kid. That's why I want to try things that others don't.
Daniel (Rana's character in the film) respects women, he has got a lot of good things about him. He is a complex guy. There is so much layering that went into the character. That's why people are liking him.
I trusted producer S Naga Vamsi to do the right thing with respect to casting and all. Director Saagar K Chandra is a straightforward, sorted guy. He was in total control despite being young. He has matured a lot as a filmmaker over the course of doing 'Bheemla Nayak'. A film is a collective effort. Writer, director, actor - everyone has to work in symphony.
I never planned my projects to be pan-India or this and that. 'Nenu Raju Nene Mantri' had me in a louder role. Daniel is not like him. I have to enjoy what I do on screen. Otherwise, I can't enjoy waking up and going to work.
The RR of 'Virata Parvam' is almost done. Its release date will be finalized soon.
I can't reveal much about 'Rana Naidu'. Netflix doesn't allow it. Both I and Babai (Venkatesh) have entered a new zone for that. It's a web series.
I am very happy that my brother Abhiram is debuting with 'Ahimsa' under Teja's direction. It's not like he and I are going to compete with each other!
During the pandemic, I didn't work much. And I am now full of work. The Netflix series is like shooting for three projects at a time, given the running time is about 8 hours.
I don't get into ego clashes. I mind my own business.
