Venkatesh: ‘People’s approach should change’

The approach of people who want to watch the film at the earliest should change and it is because of them that piracy has scaled up the ladder. It is a difficult thing to monitor considering the electronic era that we are in.

While he may sound clichéd at public platforms, Superstar Venkatesh is altogether a different person when you meet him in person. Yet to discover what ‘life’ is all about, although he has been on the spiritual path for the past several years, Venky, as he’s fondly called by scores of his admirers, in a near one-hour long conversation, speaks about his upcoming film ‘Masala’, his comedy timing, his take on remakes, son Arjun, and piracy among other topics.

‘I’ve used my laughter very well’

Speaking about ‘Masala’, he says that they’ve given entertainment the top-most priority and it is a different kind of entertainment. “It will be more appealing because we are arriving with healthy entertainment, spanning two hours and 15 minutes. It’s a film that I’ve never attempted earlier. The reach will be more and laughter will be genuine because the characters are lovable. Even though my character is tough at the outset, he is innocent inside and that is the USP of the film. We’ve also designed the action in a glamorous way. The build ups leading to action and two heroes fighting against the goons will make the audience visit the screens multiple times.” With his body language and broken English already becoming a rage, he reveals, “I remember speaking in crazy English while in college - where did you go da (smiles)… Everybody speaks that way and we’ve used that to a great extent in the film. I’ve also given some interesting expressions and used my laughter well.” Talking about his camaraderie with Ram, he says, “He also needed a good film. If he keeps doing regular films, he will not be able to get the kind of roles he has played in the film. I gave him a few tips and he catches things very fast. Moreover, director Vijaya Bhasker was already there.”

‘It’s a simple plot’

Venky believes that simpler the plot, the more it is for the audience to be engaged. “Our script will not play mind games with the audience. We’ve designed a simpler plot than ‘Bol Bachchan’. If you complicate your plot, no matter how many gimmicks you do, a u d i e n c e will like a part of your film but not the film in particular.”

‘The craziest in my class’

One of the few actors in Tollywood who does comedy equally well, he insists that one has to be as natural and as spontaneous as he can when it comes to enacting comedy sequences. “It’s also a combination of being a natural comedian. If a particular comedy sequence is good, no matter who does it, it will come out great but if a sequence is poorly written, only people who are good with their facial expressions and timing, will be able to pull it off ”. He adds, “I did all the mischievous things while I was in school and college. I was tagged the craziest in the class. I can imitate comedians like Jerry Lewis. And I’ve grown up watching Allu Ramalingaiah and Padamanabham. Allu’s mannerisms used to give me a kick (smiles). Moreover, I’m that kind of an actor who does not need more than two takes to wrap up a shot. I often do some or the other crazy stuff and the sequence ends up matching the director’s vision.” “Kapil of ‘Comedy Nights’ fame is a doing a great show. His energy levels are mind-blowing. That I say is real talent. We are just 5 per cent of what he is.” ‘I’m very satisfied with remakes’ Admitting that there is ‘dearth of good stories’ in Tollywood, he says he will take up any film that he likes for a possible remake. “I’m not a creative genius to get or script a super duper subject. I treat films as business. I need a project to do well and I want people who associate with it to benefit monetarily. If I feel that a remake will run in Tollywood, I will do it. Since most of my hits are remakes, some people have labeled me as remake king,” he points out adding that most of his other flicks too – ‘Preminchukundam Raa’, ‘Premante I d a e r a ’ , ‘Kalisundam Raa’ and ‘Nuvvu Naku Nachchav’ - - which are original screenplays, have been monstrous hits. “My good friend Salman Khan is back in Bollywood and it is because of remakes.

I’m very satisfied with remakes.

We have a responsibility to give good films. At the same time, I can say that the success ratio of people who have resorted to original screenplays has been poor.”

‘My brother is planning something big’

Taking about the plans of Suresh Productions which completed 50 years, he shares, “Suresh is planning something big. We are extremely proud of the banner’s achievements till date and we attribute it to people who’ve encouraged our every move. Even though I was on different track (spiritual track), my father and brother have been running the show. I’m glad that my brother has taken it to a new level and I see the next generation of Daggubati family, too, stepping on to the bandwagon. I have no role in Suresh’s Productions achievements except for the fact that I’ve came and shot for their films.”

‘Swami Vivekananda is put on hold’

The actor, who has set his eyes on bringing the life and times of spiritual master Vivekananda to celluloid, had to put the thought on backburner. “We wanted to make it and we were on the hunt for people who share my sensibilities. However, since some others are making it, we had to drop our idea. You cannot hold the rights of making a film on him since he belongs to everyone. We will see how the film fares and depending on it, we will take a call on whether to make it in Telugu or not.” “I believe in trying for the best in what you want to do. If something is expected to happen it will. I don’t ponder what’s going to happen.” ‘People’s approach should change’ On the menace of piracy, he observes, “The approach of people who want to watch the film at the earliest should change and it is because of them that piracy has scaled up the ladder. It is a difficult thing to monitor considering the electronic era that we are in.’ However, we have to request and plead people not to encourage piracy.” He continues, “I look at it in a different way and maybe it is the reason that I don’t react to it too much. You cannot escape this anymore. It’s the age of machines. When something else is controlling, human beings behave like that.”

‘Need to guide Arjun’

Talking about his 10-year-old kid Arjun Ramnath, he shares, “He is growing up. It’s time that I watch and guide him. He’s a smart kid and excels in studies. I have to direct him to activities other than studies. He needs to understand that there is something else outside his world,” he says adding that his son has ‘come with his own baggage’. “I have to give him the knowledge that is not available in books because it will be the greatest wealth I can give him. If I can give it, he can manage life and lead a balanced life.”