Karthikeya

Nani is busy promoting his new film Gang Leader in the direction of Vikram Kumar. On this occasion, we caught up with Nani for a detailed interview. Here is the transcript.

What do you have to say about Jersey’s box office result?

I find it hard to understand why is everyone asking about the film’s box office result. Let me make it clear that the film made 30 crores at the box office. The film broke many stereotypes of Telugu cinema and won a lot of acclaim and box office result. If such a film can make the money it made, I fail to understand why is everyone asking this question in the first place. Jersey is a blockbuster in every which way and now it is being remade in several languages.

How did Gang Leader materialize?

Both me and Vikram have been wanting to collaborate for a long time. Vikram has been bouncing several ideas to me and before I began Jersey, he narrated me the story of Gang Leader and here we are with the release of the film.

Who thought of the title Gang Leader?

It was Vikram’s idea to have that title. Once we had the title fixed there were some controversies and make things clear for the audience, we added Nani’s Gang Leader as the title. I feel the title suits the film perfectly and you would know that once you watch the film on the big screen.

Vikram Kumar’s films are screenplay based. How simple is this film?

Gang Leader is Vikram Kumar’s most simple and entertaining film to date. There is no screenplay confusion even though there are a lot of twists and turns in the film. Vikram has made the film in a thrilling manner which will impress many.

What attracted you towards Gang Leader in the first place?

Everything about this film was quite new. The revenge angle is shown in a fun manner in this film along with the twists and turns. Also, the main characters are 5 women and everything was situation based. So, all these factors made me say yes to the film. Gang Leader will showcase Vikram’s comic angle in full flow.

Whose choice was Karthikeya to play a key role?

We had three to four actors in mind and then approached Karthikeya first. Within half an hour of narration, he called me excitement and said he is delighted to work with me. His role is quite special in the film and everyone will just love Karthikeya completely.

How involved are you in your films’s post-production?

Once I shoot my films, I give me inputs once I watch the final copy. But it will always be the director’s call at the end of the day. I take a lot of opinions from many of my friends but leave on the director as he is the captain of the ship.

How easy was it to shoot this film when compared to Jersey?

I had a blast on the sets of the film. Jersey was too heavy on me and drained me physically and mentally. But for Gang Leader, I shot with a lot of ease and never felt a burden and Vikram Kumar made it a lot easy for the shoot.

How do you look back at your 11-year career in Telugu?

Time has flown so fast that I don’t realize it. I have worked so hard to come where I am today and I thank my fans for all the love and support.