Action is my forte: Hanu Raghavapudi

I don’t pen stories in a room. I travel and engage in multiple conversations with writers and actors to come up with a draft - Hanu Raghavapudi

It has been four years since Hanu Raghavapudi made an impressive debut with tear-jerker ‘Andala Rakshasi’. While his next, an action entertainer, with Ranu Daggubati did not materialise, it did not dampen his spirits. In fact, the director from Khammam hints at its revival.

“It will start immediately and an announcement is around the corner,” he drawls, adding that the period of break was not frustrating despite investing 18 months on the script. “The best aspect that emerged from it was the bound script.”

Meanwhile, his second directorial ‘Krishnagaadi Veeraprema Gaadha’ (KVG), starring Nani, is set to open in cinemas on Friday. Describing it as a love story, he shares, “The conflict point is new — something that no filmmaker has explored in the last couple of decades.

I don’t pen stories in a room. I travel and engage in multiple conversations with writers and actors to come up with a draft. Though the central idea of the film (KVG) is mine, I took a lot of inputs from Nani to develop it.”

The director admits to penning stories keeping Nani in mind. “My stories revolve around common man and when I start writing one, Nani flashes in my mind somehow. May be it has something to do with him achieving success without having a Godfather in the industry.

“‘KVG’ is one-side of me. My forte lies in writing action scripts sprinkled with comedy.” The most challenging part, reveals Hanu, was shooting amidst scores of people in Anantapur. “There were 3,000 people who used to drop by to get a glimpse of the shooting.

It turned out to be a challenging task to get what I wanted from the actors and technicians but the crowd was extremely supportive,” insists Hanu. He admits to be blown away by Nani’s performance. “I was surprised with the way he switched off from being Nani to Krishna in no time on sets.

There was a phase where he understood what I needed from him through my gestures. Also, he is creative, which helped,” he rhapsodises. Prod him if he was under pressure to deliver a hit and he responds, “Despite the fact that this film comes across as a typical commercial entertainer, I didn’t go out to make a hit film.

I’ve just told a story which I felt would connect with everyone. For me the process of filmmaking is more important. My satisfaction lies with an actor giving me a shot the way I envisaged it. If the film succeeds at the box-office, it’s a bonus,” smiles Hanu, whose actioner is expected to be bankrolled by 14 Reels Entertainment.