‘Milky Beauty’ Tamannaah Bhatia transforms into a Shivashakti in Odela 2, a supernatural thriller, all set for a grand release in multiple languages on April 17, 2025. The movie’s writer and producer, Sampath Nandi, spared some valuable time for a brief interview, and here are the excerpts from it.
What is Odela 2 about?
Odela 2 is about the battle between soul and supernatural powers. It’s spirit versus supreme power. The idea came from my childhood memories. My grandmother was a Shivashakti – she would go into trance states, and people came to her with their problems. I witnessed this as a child, and those images stayed with me. Later, I learned that some Shivashaktis become Naga Sadhus and help restore temples. That’s how the Naga Sadhu character in the film came to life.
How did the idea for Odela 2 start?
When we made the first film, we didn’t plan for a sequel. We just left a small hint at the end, thinking that maybe someday there could be one. But the film became a huge hit in Telugu, Aha bought the Tamil rights, and there was even talk of a Hindi remake. That’s when director Ashok asked, “Why not write a sequel?” The idea came up during a music session with composer Bheems. In the first part, Hebah Patel’s character, Radha, was strong, and we wanted another powerful female lead. The thought was that if a demonic force was destroyed in the first part, we’d need a new power to control its spirit. That’s when the concept of a Shivashakti came in. I had worked with Tamannaah Bhatia before and felt she would be perfect for this role. She liked the character too.
How was Tamannaah’s Naga Sadhu look created?
We tried three different looks for Tamannaah. Since she has fair skin, the usual makeup didn’t look realistic. Naga Sadhus are often in the sun, and her skin turned pinkish when exposed to sunlight. So, we decided on a no-makeup look. I spoke with designer Neeta Lulla, and I sent her reference images. She made some sketches, and we finalized the look. Tamannaah shot barefoot under the sun and even turned vegetarian for the role. She was able to perform the part so well because she’s on a spiritual journey herself.
Are you happy with the film’s graphics?
Yes, I’m very happy. The visual effects in this film are on par with Indian superstar films. Around 150 VFX artists have been working on the film for the past six months, and it shows.
What about director Ashok?
I’ve known Ashok since childhood. I made Ooru Peru Bhairavakona because I wanted him to direct it. He’s done a fantastic job with this film as well, and I trust his vision completely.
Tell us about Ajaneesh Loknath’s music.
The first technician I finalized for this film was Ajaneesh, right after we decided on the story – thanks to his incredible work on Kantara. The background score in Odela 2 will be extraordinary, and I consider his music a huge blessing for this project.
What about producer Madhu?
Madhu is a very passionate producer. When he likes an idea, he immediately agrees to back it. I told him we should launch this film in Kashi, and without a second thought, he agreed – without worrying about the expenses. Launching the teaser at the Kumbh Mela was also possible because of his enthusiasm. This film was made with strong determination, and Madhu played a big role in that.
What about Vashishta Simha?
Vashishta has a great voice. In the first part, I asked him to dub for a character because I loved his voice. He’s delivered a great performance in this film too, and his voice adds a lot of depth to the character.
Is there a plan for a third part?
With films like these, we can’t really plan anything ourselves. I believe it should be God’s plan. Honestly, I feel this story was written by Lord Kalabhairava Himself.
What about the film you’re doing with Sharwanand?
That film is based on real incidents. It’s set in a village on the Maharashtra–Adilabad border, and we’ve fictionalized some of the events that took place there. The story is set in the 1960s.