I’m yet to find my Laila

Naga Chaitanya has pulled out every stop to promote ‘Oka Laila Kosam’, his Friday release, at length. Stating that promotions play a decisive role these days, he says, “The first three days collections are very important and aggressive publicity reflects on the film. It was a conscious decision to leave no stone unturned in terms of marketing.” In a chatathon on Tuesday, he says that the film is a feel good love story peppered with entertainment. “It’s more of a mature love story of a guy Karthik who completes his graduation and is averse to marriage. How he falls in love and to what extent he goes to get his love is what the film is about.”

The actor has overseen the production of the film and describes the whole experience as a learning curve. “I monitored the production activity of ‘Manam’ too with guidance from dad and Annapurna team. It opened up a new avenue for me. Besides acting, I will do something creative with production in the future,” he states. Does that mean he will replace his dad’s name as the producer for all Annapurna Studio films very soon? “It will take some more time (smiles).”

Chai, as he’s fondly called, has also ensured that his dad abstains from the promotions of ‘Oka Laila Kosam’. Was that deliberate, bearing in mind that Nag has always taken time to endorse his films? “Dad told me, ‘How long will I keep promoting your films? You need to create a brand for yourself!’ I took his words for granted. Having said that, if required he said he would turn up before the release.”

The film was also in the news for re-shooting some portions. The actor attributes it to his dad’s advice. “Since he watched the film first time post the completion, he brought in a fresh perspective. We’ve echoed his feeling and it took us a maximum of three days to reshoot his inputs.”

For someone who has learned his lessons the hard way, it’s the content that matters the most. “Content-driven films will be lapped up by the audience if they are presented in a way they ought to be. I’m someone who doesn’t believe in bid-budgeted or pure commercial flicks. Audience is changing and it’s time that we deliver new products to them.”

“As an actor you keep trying. Success and failure are a part of any profession but you have to stay true to what you are doing. Who knows five years from now my love stories might not work?” he continues when asked whether actioners have taken a backseat for him, especially after the dismal performances of ‘Dhada’ and ‘Bejawada’?

With recent big budgeted flicks like ‘Aagadu’, ‘Rabhasa ‘and ‘Sikindar’ tanking at the box-office, there was growing clamour among the distributors fraternity that directors, stars part their fat pay cheques to compensate for losses, but Chai is someone who believes in budgeting. “It’s not just the producer, exhibitors and distributors too bear the blunt of a film’s failure. I’m someone who is cautious of my film’s budget as I make it a point to ask the producer about it before the film goes on to the sets. Even ‘Oka Laila Kosam’ budget was finalised after taking my family into consideration.”

He continues, “If a film triumphs, I want everyone to be happy and if it doesn’t, I want everyone to share losses,” he puts in his point. On a lighter note, he says he is yet to find his Laila. “My parents popped up the question of marriage recently and I did ask them to find a girl. If I like her I will walk down the aisle; however, till then I will not stop pursuing my efforts to find love.”