The Family Star starring actors Vijay Deverakonda and Mrunal Thakur might not have worked at the box office but that hasn’t stopped Deverakonda and Telugu producer Dil Raju from joining hands again. On Deverakonda’s 35th birthday on May 9 this year, the makers announced the project. Billed as an action drama that’s set for a pan-Indian release, the untitled film will be directed by Telugu director-writer Ravi Kiran Kola.
At the Moscow International Film Week, Raju spoke to News18 and shared an exclusive update on the actioner. He told us, “We’re starting shoot by April next year.” And he’s elated to be collaborating with the Geetha Govindam and Arjun Reddy star once again. Raju agrees with him being a national heartthrob and talking about their dynamic, he said, “We share a very good equation. He’s very close to me.”
At present, Deverakonda is busy with Jersey director Gowtam Tinnanuri’s next. A while back there were reports that the big-budget action entertainer has been shelved due to budgetary constraints but the actor’s team debunked the rumours. Its shoot began following the release of The Family Star. However, Telugu actor Sreeleela is no longer a part of it.
Lauding Deverakonda’s script choices in recent times, the Varisu and Vakeel Saab producer remarked, “He’s working really hard these days. He’s focusing on proper commercial scripts now. The film he’s currently doing now – which is being made by Gautam – is a full-blown commercial film. My next script is also a mainstream film set against the backdrop of the 1980s. It’s heavy on action.”
Talking about commercial films, he also alluded to Nikkhil Advani’s conversation with Allu Arjun. The Pushpa star had said that Bollywood has forgotten how to present its heroes and that South films are packed with ‘incredible moments of heroism’. But Raju feels that heroism exists in both Telugu and Hindi films and those that are exploring it are proving to be box office successes.
The producer, who’s awaiting the release of Game Changer, said, “It isn’t the case with Telugu films alone. If you look at Bollywood films 30 years ago, you’ll see so many multi-starrers. Tollywood directors are also looking for a heroic star, to give him a good build-up against a villain. That makes for a quintessential commercial film. To top that, makers are also focusing on their film’s music, which contributes to its success as well.”
Yet another factor that he thinks is helping Indian films ‘go global’ is their cultural rootedness. “When Kalki was screened at the Moscow Film Week, everyone liked it because it was a visual experience and the story was a part of our history. It’s taken from Mahabharata. RRR was based on the lives of two freedom fighters. Baahubali too was a visual treat. Everyone wants to watch such films for the experience,” he pointed out. Interestingly, his next with Deverakonda also captures the local essence and is set in rural India.
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