Director Sashi Kiran Tikka's 'Major' is scheduled to hit the cinemas on June 3 in Telugu, Hindi, and Malayalam. In this interview, the 'Goodachari' maker talks about working with Adivi Sesh, the challenge of narrating a realistic tale about a martyr, the never-seen-before premiere shows, Mahesh Babu's appreciation, his experience of bringing out 'Major', and more.
'Major' is Sesh's dream project. This he told me even before I directed his movie 'Goodachari', after which I got busy with a few assignments. In the meantime, 'Major' was in the workings. When the question of who should direct the movie arose, Sesh pitched my name. When the offer came my way, I was a bit reluctant. Sesh convinced me that I am the right person to wield the megaphone.
I then started learning about Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who I eventually discovered was a magnetic personality. When the 26/11 Attacks took place, we all saw his face on TV screens. I was really enamoured of his personality and agreed to wield the megaphone for 'Major'.
This story has been told for the sake of Major's parents, who lost their only son during the Attacks. We dealt with the subject carefully. We didn't make BO-related calculations and all.
I and Sesh complement each other's craft. Every actor has a certain graph in his career. 'Goodachari' was a huge leap for Sesh as an actor. I am glad that it was my directorial.
Writer Abburi Ravi is like the backbone of Major's script. He is not limited to writing dialogues for Sesh's movies. He has provided script guidance as well in the case of 'Major'. The Hindi version's dialogues were written based on what our writer wrote for the Telugu version. At times, we improvized the Telugu version's dialogues based on inputs from the Hindi version's writer. Watching 'Major' with the general audience in Vizag was a revelation. The audience reacted with excitement listening to the dialogues.
Fifteen policemen and two NSG commandos, including Sandeep Unnikrishnan, were martyred during the Attacks. I hope someday, their stories will be told like Sandeep's story has been told. It was a touching experience to screen 'Major' for Sandeep's parents. During the scripting stage, we consulted them on minute details. They would tell us how their son used to react to something in a given scenario. It was like a litmus test for us to take their feedback. The story is the parents' narration.
'Major' has no agenda. It's an organic story that lets the audience soak in the emotions. Some of the artists broke down while listening to the script. Prakash Raj garu and Revathi garu cried. I too got emotional at times. Revathi garu's performance will leave you teary-eyed.
'Major' was shot mostly on set. At the same time, we had to be as real as possible. That said, cinematic liberties were taken to an extent. The action sequences have been designed to be as commercial as possible. The decision has really paid off if the audiences' reactions at premieres are anything to go by.
Major's premieres have been held amid tight security and controls on crowds in order to prevent piracy. We are asking the crowds to submit their mobile phones before entering the auditorium. Due to logistical issues, we haven't been able to hold screenings in Kerala. The Hyderabad screenings are scheduled to take place on June 2.
It's every filmmaker's desire that his product is watched by the maximum number of people. Even at film festivals, we want the maximum to watch our movie. A pan-India flick has the widest possible reach!
Mahesh Babu sir (one of the producers) has watched 'Major'. He was speechless for five minutes after watching the show. We were wondering whether he liked the movie or not! He later came up, hugged Sesh and appreciated us a lot.
I am committed to doing a movie under Sitara Entertainments. The genre is yet to be zeroed in on. Everything depends on the availability of heroes. I am not going to direct 'Goodachari 2'. Another guy named Vinay is going to do it.
