Puri Jagannadh is successful producer and director. Till now he directed all his productions. For the first time, another director is making a film on his Vaishno Academy Pvt Ltd banner. Raj Kumar is the first director to get this honour. Puri’s brother Sairam Shankar who had acted in 143 and Danger is the lead hero. As the film is readying up for the release, Puri Jagganadh gave us special interview. Excerpts from the interview..
Puri Jagannadh is successful producer and director. Till now he directed all his productions. For the first time, another director is making a film on his Vaishno Academy Pvt Ltd banner. Raj Kumar is the first director to get this honour. Puri’s brother Sairam Shankar who had acted in 143 and Danger is the lead hero. As the film is readying up for the release, Puri Jagganadh gave us special interview. Excerpts from the interview..
Q: Tell us about Hello..Premistara?
A: It has cute story and well told film. One day director came to me and told the story after that I haven’t gone to the sets but when I saw the rushes, I was extremely happy. I am confident that it is a very good film that entertains everyone. It has become very clichéd to say ‘the film is different’. But I must admit Hello..Premistara has unique point.
Sairam Shankar plays a very bubbly character. He works in a mobile company and falls in love with a TV anchor (Sheela) who hosts a show in ETV called Hello Premistara. Title is chosen on that program.
Q: Why did you tie up with Dil Raju for this film?
A: Actually, this is his film. He wanted to make on his banner introducing Rajkumar as director. But he wanted Sairam as hero. So he sent Rajkumar to me and asked to listen to the script. He told it convincingly and he has conviction that made me to say yes. I proposed that we should produce it combined. Dil Raju agreed to that.
Q: What do you notice the difference in your brother Sai from your film 143 to Hello..Premistara?
A: He is matured now. From film to film he is improving. That is good. I am sure that he will be making an impact as an actor with this film. In Hello..Premistaara, he is a guy who constantly lies. He does that role convincingly.
Q: What are the highlights of the film?
A: Script is prime highlight. It is unique love story. Sai and Sheela both did good job as actors. Sheela impressed us so much so that Dil Raju immediately selected her for his next film. It has good comedy and good music by Chakri.
Q: Are you satisfied with director Rajkumar work?
A: Yes, I have seen the film. He told it very convincingly and entertaining way. I told him not to waste footage as my brother is not big hero. He did nice work.
Q: What is the song that you liked in the film?
A: My favorite is “Ninna..Monna Ledhu..Ee Kala..”
Q: When is the film releasing?
A: Everything is ready. Music too has got impressive response. So we are releasing it on August 30. It will have adequate prints but will be increasing after the first week.
Q: Will you continue producing films?
A: Yes. That is my idea to make small budgeted movies. If this film success, more films from my banner will come. New directors will be making on my banner.
Q: How do you update yourself?
A: I don’t watch Telugu movies but I regularly see Hollywood and other language movies. I don’t need any inspiration for stories, though. I have lots of stories ready. In the last 16 years, I have seen only few films from each hero. In Chiranjeevi’s movies, I had seen only Indra and Mugguru Monagallu. Before Pokiri, I had seen only Okkadu. I hadn’t seen any film of Pawan Kalyan when I told the script of Badri. I take inspiration from the hero’s original style and design their character based on that.
Q: What is the status of Chirutha?
A: 3 songs are yet to be shot. Rest of the shooting is completed. It releases by September end.
