Pawan rejected ‘Pokiri’ script: Puri

The director on ‘ISM,’ why his film with Mahesh Babu not taking off, next with NTR and why Abhishek Bachchan declined to star in ‘Temper’ Hindi remake

A lot is riding on ‘ISM’ but director Puri Jagannadh is a picture of calm as he awaits its release this Friday. He points out that he had the idea of ‘ISM’ even before he made the record-shattering ‘Pokiri’. “Every journalist has a theory and ideology and ‘ISM’ is the story of one such journalist Satyadev Marthand (played by Kalyanram). It’s his battle against corruption in the society,” Puri begins.

He admits that technology and journalism has changed over the last decade and his story is in tune with the modern times. So, was Kalyanram always on his mind for the lead role? “When I decided to make a film with him, I thought ‘ISM’ script would suit him apt because I wanted an actor who looks genuine and honest at the outset and Kalyanram is very honest in real life.

When I narrated him the story, he said yes pronto,” he flashbacks. He promises that audience will get to see a new Kalyanram in the film. “He has performed very well. He nailed the second half, especially! I’m certain that he would walk away with the best actor trophy,” he raves, pointing out that his lead actor would not be delivering any message through the film. “It will neither be preachy nor will Satyadev lecture on how to lead life. It talks about his angst and audience will discover a message in it. It’s a film which current society needs.”

Puri had been dropping hints on working with his fave actor Mahesh Babu again for the third time for the last three years but the project is yet to take off. Does it upset him when the superstar overlooks him for other directors? “I wrote ‘Jana Gana Mana’ for him. It talks about the indiscipline in the society and is one the best scripts I’ve written till now. He said he liked it but I didn’t hear back from him, leaving me no option but to proceed with other projects of mine. I don’t know when the film will happen. The ball is in Mahesh’s court,” Puri shares candidly.

After making ‘Bbuddah-Hoga Terra Baap’, Puri had distanced himself from Hindi cinema but he admits to have been offered plenty of B-town projects. “Hindi films take five-six months to materialise; in the meantime I can make a Telugu film here,” he chuckles, admitting that he wanted to remake ‘Temper’ in Hindi with Abhishek Bachchan. “He categorically told me that he will not be able to outshine NTR’s performance and the plan was called off eventually.”

Recently, the grapevine was abuzz that he bagged a chance to direct Megastar Chiranjeevi next. Ask him about it and he says, “I narrate my scripts to different actors and depending on who likes it, I’ll take the project accordingly on to sets. I narrated ‘Pokiri’ to (Pawan) Kalyan but he didn’t like it, so if not one actor, there would be another one, right?” Next up, while it’s almost confirmed that he would be teaming up with NTR again for his next, Puri is playing cards close to his chest. “In a week, you’ll get to know about it,” he reveals little. So what is that he is working on for the powerhouse performer? “It’s a good entertainer.”

Puri is also keen on making a film with good friend Ravi Teja. “We did think of coming together again recently but he is a lot into travelling of late. I guess we are the only two industry personalities who have been working round the clock for the past 16-17 years without taking a big break. He did ask me to join him for the travel but let’s see,” Puri avers. Going forward, Puri has chalked out an ambitious plan that will be adding another feather to his cap. He says he is keen on making crossover films. “I want to bring together Telugu and overseas actors in a film. It’s my dream and I will strive to work in that direction.”