Completing the film on time is my job: Harish

Says ‘Ramayya Vastavayya’ director Harish Shankar when asked whether it’s the right time to release the flick, as the State is reeling under crisis. “I don’t know about politics. Dil Raju is a big producer and he is the right person to answer it”, he adds

My writing reflects my observations and interactions, much like the proverb - I’m the sum of all I have met. I write multiple sequences in a day whereas on occasions, it takes 20 days to pen down one sequence. For me, the hero’s image too holds paramount significance - Harish Shankar

After the box-office shattering show of ‘Gabbar Singh’, filmmaker Harish Shankar is set to woo the audience again with his fresh venture ‘Ramayya Vastavayya’, which sees Superstar NTR in the title role. To release today globally, Harish says that he goes a long way with NTR and that the actor was always his well wisher. “We were in discussions for the past five years to do a film. In 2009, I narrated a story titled ‘MLA’.

A large chunk of the film is replete with political satires, but I felt that I needed more experience to handle the project. Though it was put on the backburner, NTR always remained in touch with me and had nice things to say about my films. Nachchidi cheyadam kanna vachchindi cheyadam naakishtam (I like to do what I know than what I like),” he says and continues, “NTR behaves his age. He treats me more of a friend than a director.

The director recalls how he was made to use Buddodu term for NTR in the teaser. “When I announced that I would be doing a film with him, many people left me messages which had ‘Buddodu’ reference. After some time, I didn’t appreciate it as I’m a hero-worshipper and decided to include it in the teaser, which according to me should tease the audience and tell about hero’s personal attitude, unlike trailer, which reflects about the film in general.”

Roping in two of the hotshot heroines - Samantha and Shruti Haasan - for the film, he says they both will change the course of the proceedings. “For Shruti’s character, we felt an established heroine would fit the bill. Since I directed her for ‘Gabbar Singh’, I approached her. She wanted to be a part of the film irrespective of her role and when I narrated her portions, she was more than impressed. She is involved throughout the story,” he maintains, adding, “I’m a big fan of Samantha. She gives a tit for tat reply for NTR and has ego clashes with him in the film.”

About NTR’s look in the film, he says, “Since I wanted to show NTR in a youthful way, I presented him as a student. However, the film is devoid of any classroom portions. Some people said he is looking good and I give the credit to him. I haven’t tampered with his hairdo since he is already a Superstar and people love him that way. He plays a powerful and purposeful character,” he reveals, without divulging much about the reported six-pack abs that the actor has acquired for the film.

Does he feel that it’s the right time to release the film in the State? “I don’t have any knowledge about politics. Completing the film on time is my job. Dil Raju is a big producer and he is the right person to answer it.”

Talking about how he goes about his writing, he shares, “I’m a big fan of Yendamuri Veerendranath works and Tilak poetry. I come from theatre and travelled across the country owing to it. My writing reflects my observations and interactions, much like the proverb - I’m the sum of all I have met. I write multiple sequences in a day whereas on occasions, it takes 20 days to pen down one sequence. For me, the hero’s image too holds paramount significance. The cutout dialogue in ‘Gabbar Singh’ was written keeping Power Star’s image in mind.”

Up next he hopes to direct or produce concept-oriented flicks on the lines of ‘Life In a Metro’, ‘Cheeni Kum’ and ‘Bheja Fry’. He also has a project with Allu Arjun for which he is yet to prepare a subject.