I dread making love stories, says Chandu Mondeti

With back-to-back hits `Karthikeya’ and `Premam’, talented director Chandu Mondeti is on a hat-trick with his next big-ticket film with Naga Chaitanya to commence shortly. Interestingly, the maker of love saga `Premam’ in a chat with Hans Talkies discloses his disinterest for love stories.

After back-to-back hits `Karthikeya’ and `Premam’ you seem to have a taken a break?
Not at all. I was busying penning a couple of scripts since I take time to pick novel plots and fine tune them. Basically, I am fascinated with writing but I also love direction. Nevertheless, two of my films set to go on floors very soon.

We heard that you are going to direct Naga Chaitanya again in his next big-ticket untitled film? Will it be another candy floss romance?
That’s right. I am excited to work with Naga Chaitanya once again since we shared a great rapport, while working in our previous film `Premam’. This time, I am making a family thriller with scion of Akkineni family and the big budget flick is being produced by Mythri Movies. It will be very different from my previous outings. Naga Chaitanya will start shooting for our film, before his marriage in October.

Oh God another thriller, you seem to be obsessed with suspense sagas. What is the secret behind it?
I am truly fascinated with nail-biting suspense thrillers as a genre (not horror flicks please). I like to keep audience guessing till the last reel. It is a challenge as a writer and director to keep audience glued to their seats and keep guessing, who is behind all these adverse happenings in the film and then surprise them with a twist. Like the snake hypnosis in `Karthikeya’ which only a handful could guess.

You made a heartwarming love story `Premam’, are you not interested in dishing out more romantic films like your peers?
Frankly, I dread making love stories since I am not comfortable with candy floss romantic films. Although, “Premam’ was a heartwarming love story, I could make it winner as I carried the soul of the original and Naga Chaitanya’s performance made it a big winner in Telugu. Right now, I have no plans to remake films and prefer to make films with my own stories.

What happened to your big-ticket film with Nagarjuna and Nikhil. Has it been dropped?
On the contrary, the prestigious project is very much on and happening. Although, script and producer are in place, but Nagarjuna and Nikhil are busy with their own commitments. Once they allot dates, the much-awaited film will take off. I am keenly looking forward to work with a big star like Nagarjuna.