Karthik Ghattamneni believes that 'Eagle' will work with the audience owing to its larger-than-life protagonist who fights for an international issue. Dealing with cotton farming and global cartels, the film attempts to wed action and drama. "We all watch Hollywood action films regularly. 'Eagle' combines those sensibilities with soul. This is not an actioner alone or a drama alone. It is an action drama," Karthik says.
The film is slated to hit the cinemas on February 9.
'Surya Vs Surya' was my debut in 2015. I have always yearned to make action movies. I was caught up with my assignments as a cinematographer for years on end. That's why it took time for me to do a directorial like this.
I cranked the camera for 'Dhamaka'. I pitched 'Eagle' to Ravi Teja garu at that time. The protagonist is in his late 40s in the film. I was not sure if he would do such a character. But Ravi Teja garu was game for it. You will see him behaving like his character rather than enacting the part. There are many intense actors out there. By contrast, Ravi Teja garu is uniquely intense and cool.
The first wave of Covid-19 gave me the time to write a screenplay. I focused on writing and that's how 'Eagle' was born.
Anupama Parameswaran plays a reporter. She sets into motion a series of events with her reportage. She, Navdeep and a few other secondary characters become the eyes and ears of Sahadev (Ravi Teja). The trailer is not as intriguing as it appears to be. You will realize it once you watch the movie. The hero doesn't talk much until the second half. Three female characters drive the story. A girl child represents the future. The film is not too Westernized. The dialogue writer helped me with keeping the soul Telugu-ish.
Ravi Teja garu controls himself. He eats moderately and is always chilled out. He doesn't party hard. There is entertainment in the film. But it is in the dark comedy space. The humour is situational and not forced.
The climax was taxing to be shot for 16 nights in a real setting. The VFX was used only for enhancement. The sound design was done for six months. The sound of the sniper, for example, was meticulously crafted. The background score had multiple versions; the soundscape was planned in detail.
This is my fifth assignment with People Media Factory. The previous four were as a cinematographer.
'Naa Autograph' was a very good film. But it didn't work out commercially in theatres. Timing is everything.
