Nani was right when he said Ram gives his heroines a run for their money when it comes to looking handsome. Two days before the release of 'Hyper' on Sept 30, the soft-spoken, affable actor takes questions calmly and answers jovially.
Read on..
The title has been well-received, especially because it suits your image. Your comments.
Contrary to what I apprehended, 'Hyper' is organic to the film. It's not just about me. 'Prathi intlo okaduntadu' says it all.
Is it also related to the director and the producers?
Considering the way Vasu (as the director is fondly called by industry-wallahs) works at such a 'hyper' pace, 'Hyper' should suit him more. I think the title best describes him. (Smiles)
Didn't Santosh Srinivas' flop bother you?
Everybody has hits and flops. They are commonplace. Vasu has gained experience by scoring a hit and a flop. He has become matured with time.
How was it doing a film under this banner?
14 Reels' producers are so passionate about cinema. 'Hyper' couldn't have been completed this fast but for their planning. They look very calm-going, but they are really 'hyper' types. If you ask me to compare my home banner to 14 Reels, I would say the former is home food and the latter is outside food that is as good as home food.
At the audio launch, you said that Raashi Khanna's fans are like sleeper cells who are going to become active when she gets the right film. What is her character like in the movie?
She is playing a character with two different shades. Her character was conceived to add entertainment quotient in a film with other equations involving me and Sathyaraj garu, and me and other characters (played by Rao Ramesh and Murali Sharma, in the main). 'Hyper' is not a love story.
Why do you say the film has a social message?
'Hyper' is not just about father-son sentiment. It has a social message delivered through Sathyaraj garu's character. Messaging doesn't suit my image and age. As for his characterization, he is different from what we have seen in 'Mirchi', 'Baahubali' and 'Nenu Sailaja'. The treatment comes with a touch of hilarity.
How have the technical departments fared?
Very well. By the way, background music is by Mani Sharma, the King of RR. Ghibran couldn't make it as he was in another country where an earthquake upset his schedule.
How are you like with your father in real life?
I am like the rest of you. I don't fear him, though. Fear was never a part of my upbringing.
This is your second release this year.
Luckily. 'Pandaga Chesko' was planned to be released in 2014 itself, but it got unduly delayed. Sometimes, things are not in our control. It was a conscious decision to speed up.
Have you committed yourself to any project?
I am waiting for 'Hyper' to release. I may have a film in Kishore Tirumala's direction after he works with Venkatesh garu. Discussions are ongoing. As for the film with Anil Ravipudi (where the male lead's character is a blind man), nothing is finalized as yet. We are yet to brainstorm about execution feasibility and all.