Eenadu special - Interview with Siddharth (26th August 2012)

Lucky to growup that way....

By now you all know that who’s the young hero who’s gonna chat up with you all this week. Its none other than Lover Boy Siddharth! Let’s see what he has to say!

Hello all! This is your Siddharth, thanks for all the love and affection that’s showered on me. Do I sound lazy?! It’s Sunday, so you all must be thinking that I woke up late… Oh well… it’s my habit to wake up late, reason being, I sleep late in the night! Before you all start wondering, what could be the reason, let me spill the beans out! I’m crazy about music. I have set up a mini home studio with all kinds of musical instruments. Once I enter that room, I do lose track of the time, thanks to my love for music. So, it’s lunch time, by the time I wake up the next day!

Now Food reminds me…what’s cooking special at your home today? If it’s something to do with ‘Gongura Mutton’, then I shall surely drop in for lunch at your home!

Oh it’s okay, if it’s not! Do you think I don’t know how to cook? Ask my friends, to know about my expertise in cooking non-vegetarian delicacies!  I bet if you taste it once, you are gonna drop by my home every day for lunch! Won’t mind you all coming home for lunch but unfortunately I wouldn’t have time to cook for you!

I guess God knew that I am lazy, and hence he has made me a star! If I have scheduled shoots, then it’s a complete no for the sleep! I wake up at 6AM, get ready in an hour and then starts the busy busy work for the day!

That’s how I landed up

Why would anyone land up in the film industry? Only to become either a hero or a writer or a director! But in my case, I wanted to be all… Yes! I wanted to become a director…wanted to be a screen-play writer…wanted to become an actor…wanted to be a singer… wanted to make films!  Untill now, could achive few things, but there is much more to achive!  This attitude is what I carried from my childhood days! Always had the quest to know and learn new things! Cricket is my favorite sport. Once I am on to the field, I play with the concentration as if I am playing a world cup match! Loved to act in plays in my school days! Once on the stage, I used to perform as if I was participating for an international competition! 
Once in a while, writing poetry is also a hobby!  Sometimes, the Shakespear in me, ends up filling up many pages together!  My interests were not always on one particular thing! Sometimes it was acting…sometimes it was writing poetry.. sometimes it was sports! Not that I used to neglect my studies! I used to listen to the lectures in the classes with all the concentration! It was like, if I hear it once, its equivalent to reading it 100 times! There wasn’t a need to read back at home, and would directly appear for the exams! Now, would any parent excuse you for not reading at home? Mine were no different, and hence when they would ask me if I was studying, I would asnwer that it was a second round of revision happening! 

Education First

I guess I was 13 or 14 years old!  One day, I said to my father ‘Dad, I’m thinking of a career in films’!  He immediately didn’t react like ‘Don’t be foolish! Study well and wish to earn a good job or to be become a big business man and leave aside these dearms of making into films’. The environment back at home was never serious! ‘Dream about what you love doing the most, and work hard towards to fulfilling your dreams’ is what my mom & dad would always say! ‘Whatever you may dream to be, but complete your education first and then work towards your dreams. In case, any obstacles come in your way, your education would give you a backup’ is what my parents told me! Those words did their magic!  Then in a row, I completed my Inter… Graduation… MBA! I did my Schooling in Chennai, Graduation in Delhi, MBA in Mumbai! My father’s job demanded frequent transfers, that’s the reason I grew up in Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai! In a way, I was lucky to have spent my childhood days in different places. That way, I would learn about the various cultures and various places in India. After completing my MBA, I started my trails into films.

That’s how I became an actor

If you think, ‘I want to be director’, is that sufficient? You gotto learn a lot of things for that. But then, from whom to learn? That’s when, one name came across my mind. Maniratnam. I joined as an assistant with him. I worked with him for the film ‘Kannathil Muthamittal’. Then I came to know that Director Sankar was in search for 5 new faces for his upcoming film ‘Boys’. With Maniratam sir’s permission I went for the audition and got a break in ‘Boys’. Later Maniratam sir, gave me a chance to work in his film ‘Yuva’.  I got good recognisation for my role in ‘Yuva’. Then, in telugu ‘Nuvvosthanante Nenodhantaana’ happened.  From then there’s no looking back. But then, I must mention that it took me 5-6 years to establish myself as a fullfledged actor. I didn’t have to try hard for the oppertunities, but I strived hard to create a separate identity for myself. From there, I started getting oppertunities in Bollywood as well, and life became busy busy! No! I am not complaining, for the reason, I wanted my life to be this way. And hence I enjoy every moment of my life!

My friends

Sometimes, I feel, I am missing my social life! And whenever I feel that way, I pack my bags and travel to places where people don’t recognise me, and spend 4-5 days there! I have many friends! And many of them don’t have anything to do with the movie biz. So, if I spend sometime with them, all the work pressures are eased out and I become rejuvenated! Once you attain stardom, though you wouldn’t want to accept, but it so happens that without your knowledge, there’s the ‘I am STAR’ attitude that gets developed! And my friends are good at clipping down those unwanted wings! Our friends gang has rule! Whoever done anything, everyone should support them! Later we may sit down to ponder upon if that was right or wrong! So, we fully support each other in whatever one does! Most of my friends are book worms, completing 2-3 books reading in a week! I neither have that speed, nor the time! So I end up reading only 2 books in a month! Autobiographies interest me more!

And the most interesting thing to do with my friends, is having food together! I don’t stick to any diet charts and love eating full! And the next thing which I love doing the most is to ‘sleep’! While travelling in the car… whenever I get free time… how much ever it may be a minute or an hour, I sleep! ‘How do you get sleep whenever you want to?’ is what most of my friends ask me! Now that’s possible, because, I stay away from tensions! If you were to do a job, then at that moment, you need to give your 100% dedication to it. We need to forget about the results, once you have given your best efforts! That’s when you have the peace of mind and that’s how you can sleep effortlessly!

All kinds of it

How mant films do you watch in a month? May be 3 or 4? Huh… I bet you wouldn’t watch more than I do. Reason being, you wouldn’t come across a crazy movie buff like me! I watch 2-3 films a day! If you ask me to list down my favorite films, that would be long list for sure! I like all of my films. I enjoy all the roles I enact.  If you ask me about hits and flops, now that’s one thing no one can forecast! The zeal to know about all the things was there from my childhood, and I carry the same attitude even now. That’s the reason I keep myself very well updated with all the new happenings in the field of cinema.  I sing songs whenever I get a chance. Recently I turned a producer too. And I am producing 3 films at a time! All my MBA skills are put to work now. Some people ask me, ‘There isn’t any relevance of the education you had and the current work that you do’. That’s wrong! For the simple reason, education helps building your character! In whatever field of work you are, someway or the other, your education would come into help!

It’s been 10 years that I am into the field of cinema. And if I look back, it amazes me, that I am the same now as I was 10 years ago!  The fire in the belly to learn new things and do something differently is still keeping me on my toes! I still am able to think like a once a middle class person! I believe in one thing - Do whatever you wish to do with complete dedication and submission, and happily accept whatever may be the result!

And preaching things to my admirers and fans is what I like the least! Be happy as much as possible, is all what I can tell you all… with that I take your leave! Bye! Love Siddharth...

Interview with Siddharth

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Part II:

Yes, i'm arrogant, so what? - TOI interview with Siddharth

Siddharth Chit Chat - Sid talks about 'Love Failure'

TV1 – Siddharth & Balaji Mohan Chit Chat on Love Failure

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Siddharth in Kudirite Cuppu Coffee

Kadhalill Sodhapuvathu Eppadi - Siddarth,Amala Paul Spl Interview Video on Jaya Tv

The audience wants out-of-the-box films: Interview Siddharth

Sakshi TV - Sakshi Special interview with Siddharth and director Balaji Mohan

Sakshi TV - Sakshi Special interview with Hero... von HeroSiddharth

Siddharth and director Balaij Mohan talk about 'Love Failure'

TV 1 – Siddharth Love Failure movie Interview

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This success means the world to me

Siddharth can’t stop raving about his new film Love Failure and not without reason. The response to the film has been quite encouraging so far and he believes there’s a lot more in store for him in the future

 

You must be on cloud nine following the response you got for Love Failure. Does success make a big difference to you?

I am as proud of my hits as I am of my flops because the same amount of blood and sweat goes into both. However, Love Failure is unique as it’s my first home production. It was crucial that I get it right. This success means the world to me.

You have always stated that you work hard for every film. How different was it working for Love Failure? It is one of those films where you didn’t have to try too hard to look the part in your role. Wasn’t it?

I’m getting a bit tired of the assumption that effortless acting is easy. I take great pride in my craft. It’s not easy for a 32-year-old to play a college kid. It is not a coincidence that I look younger than ever in this film. It takes conviction to create that. I refuse to let someone call it easy just because it appears so.

Love Failure was shot in 36 days. And you have been mentioning about a ‘new’ business model? Was keeping costs low and working days as low as possible one of your primary goals?

The primary goal was to make a good film. In order for it to be commercially viable, we needed to identify our market, the target audience and crack the right budget. Then it was merely a question of executing a plan. Above all, we wanted a world-class product. What we have pulled off is nothing short of a miracle.

The way Love Failure was shot and narrated must have been quite new for you too. The short film was fantastic, but what drove you to believe that this could be a good feature film?

It’s an amazing script. The novelty and freshness of the short film was retained, but the biggest success was the creation of a brilliant full-length screenplay. It took a bunch of index people who believed in Balaji Mohan to see this conversion through. I was so bored of formula love stories that I felt that I deserved a change as much as the audience.

A lot of people believe that your role in the film is sort of inspired from some incidents in your real life. Was it?

Nothing in Love Failure is based on my own life, although I did tap into every failed relationship in my life to find this character. It made it easy for me to laugh at myself and to create a cute, confused teenager. Arun is a lot like Siddharth in his college days as a result.

The first film as a producer was an experimental film. Can we expect you to make more such films? Or would you like to try out the usual commercial films?

I have become a producer to make films that would otherwise not come to me. I can assure you that Etaki Entertainment will not make regular commercial cinema. Of course, the intent to make money exists. I’ll find ways of doing that through different genre films. Love Failure is going to be a critical and commercial success that will be discussed for years to come. That’s all that matters.

Year 2012 looks extremely packed for you. Is there even time to breathe?

I’m getting more and thankfully better work than ever before. Six releases await me in four languages. This is my most exciting year. I took five days off last year. That looks impossible this year. As long as I’m working on what I love, I’m not complaining.

source: postnoon

Successful Failure: Interview with Siddharth & Amala on Maa TV

Chit Chats with Siddharth & Amala Paul on Love Failure

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I learnt that from Aamir Khan: Siddharth

Ever wondered how Siddharth could so easily become one with the young college chaps in Love Failure?  He is 32, but looked terrifically 20-something.  In addition, he struck perfect chemistry with those he interacted in the film.   It is true that Sid's own efforts to gel along with the other cast and to slip into the role so as to look a natural cannot be overlooked.

He told IndiaGlitz that he learnt the trait of mingling freely with the rest of the cast from Aamir Khan, when he shot with him for that Bollywood blockbuster Rang De Basanti.  The film saw Sid in the role of a close buddy of Aamir.  Sharing his experiences of working with Aamir and shooting for the movie with him, Sid said that Aamir once told him that a film is made not just for the present, but also for the future.

"While shooting for Rang De Basanti, I would wonder why such a big star like Aamir gels along with the rest of us like an ordinary star.  It was only later that the reason revealed itself to me when he said that a film is for all ages, not just for the present.  I have imbibed his dedication and that feeling in me", says the actor.

An actor, especially a star, might succeed in seeming natural for the present generation but when the film is watched by a future generation, the disconnect would be apparent if the actor fails to strike that natural rapport with his juniors.

source: indiaglitz

Chit Chat with Siddharth

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Siddharth talks about Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Yeppadi

Siddharth - Interview

Siddharth is just 32 but already spent 12 long years in the film industry and donned various roles - assistant director, actor, writer, and singer. Now he turns producer with Love Failure that is releasing this weekend. The film got clean U Certificate and hitting the screens on Feb 17. Siddharth is releasing the film on his own in Andhra Pradesh. So confident about its success, the actor talks about the movie in particular and his career in general. 

Currently, you are too busy with multiple films on hand!

2012 is going to be an eventful year in my career. Despite not delivering a big hit in the recent years, I have multiple films in three languages. Call it luck, or filmmakers have faith in my talent, or the love of audiences, I have never been this busy before. A year ago, I thought of slowing down. But my friends suggested me not to be idle and do more films. The plus point in doing more films is that now I have mastered the multi-tasking. The downside is I am not getting time to take holidays. Working round the year.  Yet, I am enjoying this phase. 

What made you to turn producer?

As much as I love doing Telugu films, I also regret the fact that we are not experimenting much. In order to do something different, I thought of producing films on my own. So I registered a banner of my own - Etaki Entertainment. During that stage, I happened to see this short film called How To Mess Up With Love on Youtube and fell in love with. I was searching for the short film's director and one day when I went to a party in Chennai, I met Sasikanth of Y Not Studios, he told me that he was working with a young director Balaji Mohan who made a short film How To Mess Up With Love. I said I was actually looking for him. And lo, this project fell in place. 

What really attracted you to this short film and subsequently to the feature film version of this story? 

The protagonist in the film talks to camera directly and does a kind of direct conversation with the audiences. That is entirely novel for Indian cinema. The setup of scenes and characters are simple and life-like. A slice of drama told in manner that we see in international romantic comedies.  

The beauty of the script and film is that it is not heavier than it's worth. That is what I liked most. 

How tough it was to act in this film where you have to look at camera and say the dialogues where as traditional rule is that actors should not be conscious of where the camera is located?

True, we actors have been taught of not looking at camera when saying dialogues. Though Mass heroes who have larger than life image always mouth dialogues looking straight into the camera, all the actors try to be not the conscious of where the camera is positioned. So working in this film is completely new experience altogether. The director wanted to narrate this way, as it adds empathy to the character. 

You produced it in tighter budget?

As I said, we remained faithful to the script. Not went for flashy narrative modes. The story narration itself would be novel experience for us. I always take Aamir Khan as my inspiration. Like him, I went with the script and took newcomers for the most of the characters because the film needs fresh faces, not star actors. The only reason I was in the movie is that it needs a known face that attracts the audiences to draw in. Other than that, I am just the character. We shot the entire movie in both Tamil and Telugu in just two months. 

But again, the film is not made in cheap. We spent whatever it needs to be done. 

In one sentence, how do you describe the movie?

Love Failure is a small film with a big heart.  The other day, someone even commented that it is biggest ever film with small budget, which in fact is a best compliment that I could ask for. 

You play a college student in the film?

Yes. After Boys, I got to play the role of a college student with scenes in college campus with this film. 

Tell us about the director Balaji Mohan?

This is my 12th year in film industry. And Love Failure is my 10th film with a new director. I am lucky to work with the new breed of directors. It gives great satisfaction that so many young new directors are thinking of me to cast in their maiden film. Balaji Mohan is just 24 years old and studied at LV Prasad Academy in Chennai. He is so lucid about everything. When I asked director Raju Hirani (of '3 Idiots' fame) how does he create such perfect scenes, he said: "I see the film in my head even before I film it." Balaji has such clarity. And good part is that he wants to make films that entertain the audiences. 

Taman has given melody tunes, completely different from his style. How do you guys bring such tunes from him?

Taman used to play these kind of songs and compositions when I was assistant to Manirathnam and he was with Manisharma. And even during the shoot of Boys (Taman played one role along with Siddharth in Boys), he used to play melodies. But today, he is known for more beat-oriented songs. Anyhow, I am really happy with his success. His journey is awesome. And also happy that he has given music that is true to the script. When we approached with this film, he said he would not let it go, despite his busy schedule. He was so charged up and took it as a challenge. 

I also should mention Sri Mani, the lyricist. He wrote so beautifully and trendy. His expressions like Happy Heart Attack are fresh. He is talent to watch out for. 

People say that you have bank of your own tunes and great collection of music CDs.

Who told you this? Well, even in my college days, I used to write songs and play them. Music makes me relax. If you ask me, would I become music director in future? Well, I don't know.

Tell us about Amala Paul?

We wanted a simple girl who can speak with eyes. Remember in all my films, the heroine characters are strong, roles that are etched out well. I saw her Tamil film, Mynaa that was recently released in Telugu as Prema Khaidi, and loved her acting. So I suggested her name and she did well in this film too. 

What do you regret?

I regret that I was not born in era when the great directors like Jandhyala and K Vishwanath were making splendid movies. I feel fortunate to be part of this great Telugu film industry, yet I feel sad that we are not making great cinema, we are shying away of making experimental movies. 

No doubt, Telugu film industry is the best in India in making blockbuster commercial entertainers. That is why every one from assistant director to big producer in Bollywood now are watching all Telugu films and are reading all the websites to know the latest updates. They want to grab the rights of our movies. That way we should feel proud but the fact is that we are NOT making good cinema. 

Will you turn to film direction?

I can't deny it but not now. If I take a gap of more than a year from acting, then you can free to speculate that I am turning director. As of now I am tied up with six films.

Your next films?

1. Nandini Reddy's love story (recently launched)
2. Sukumarudu (Yet to begin)
3. A bilingual in Telugu and Tamil (being produced by Vetrimaaran)
4. Remake of Chasmee Baddur
5. Deepa Mehta's Midnight's Children
6. First Classman (a film on the life of Srinivasa Ramanujan)

source: telugucinema.com

Love Failure is a 'small big film': Siddharth

Debuting as a producer, Siddharth is on cloud nine.  In fact, he is apparently not a bit nervous about Love Failure.  Listening him speak so confidently about the first-of-its-kind film on Indian screen, you will think that the success of the film is a foregone conclusion for him.  Going by the promise it holds, LF is indeed a potential hit.

In this exclusive chat with IndiaGlitz, Sid speaks at length about his Feb. 17 release, talks about his convictions, and shares much more for the first time.  Watch him talk frankly in the most important interview he has given in the recent times.  Excerpts:

On how Love Failure happened:

I happened to watch a ten-minute video on You Tube uploaded by one guy.  I found it so very novel that I started to feel embarrassed.  After being in the industry for so many years, many of us could not come out with such innovative ideas.  I immediately wanted to get in touch with the mind behind it.  To my utter surprise, I found him in the office of a friend in Chennai.  When he developed the story into a two-hour film, it had earlier been compressed into that short video.

Because I wanted to make a different and honest film as a first-time producer, I decided to produce it myself.  He came up with a bound Hollywood-style script.  I made up my mind to make the film with the appropriate budget and give it a good release.

On Love Failure the film:

I will call LF a "small big film".  I will call it a cute, experimental film; but I will also call it a commercial one.  There is no message and no melodrama here.  I promise that this film, unlike my previous films, will not make you sob.  You will come out with a smile on your face.

For the first time in our cinema, the hero (Arun) behaves like one among the audience from the beginning.  He involves them through his conversations with them.  The film begins with a break-up.  There is reverse narration at some places, the film flits between past and present.  It is not limited to one pair.  The hero's friends too have a story.  It shows what happens after the marriage.  It is a romantic comedy with multiple stories thrown in.  Thaman would say that after watching LF successful couples might break up and those not getting along well will patch up.

The film raises certain real questions like why we fall in love, etc.  It entertains, it confuses you.  Regardless of your age, you will relate to the story very well.  I promise that you are going to see a new world.  It is not a film for the industry.  It is common man's cinema.  This film will be taken up as an example by many after its release.

On his character in LF:

I play a college student hear.  Though initially I was a bit apprehensive about playing a college buddy at 32, I was pleasantly surprised when I watched the rushes.  I am looking younger than I look in the mirror.  My character has no heroic or cinematic frills attached to it.  I play a totally normal one.  The mannerisms and expressions are very real.  I would say that I acted less and lived the role more.

On learning from Aamir Khan:

While shooting for Rang De Basanti, I would wonder why such a big star like Aamir gels along with the rest of us like an ordinary star.  It was only later that the reason revealed itself to me when he said that a film is for all ages, not just for the present.  I have imbibed his dedication and that feeling in me.

On Balaji Mohan, the director:

I am awed at the vision and creativity of this young man.  If the film is so different, full credit goes to him.  LF follows from his vision.

On music by Thaman:

Thaman has given a beautiful music.  He worked as if it was his own production.  That he is my friend helped a lot, but he was inspired to give that very different output.  After scoring for the movies like Dookudu and Businessman, he was excited to work for this romantic film.  He exudes that child-like excitement.  Listening to the music, nobody would guess that it is Thaman's work.

Every song was in a sense very risky.  We wanted them to be not so regular and thus asked Srimani (lyricist) to push the envelope.  This young man's prolific contribution was in no less way helpful.  He completely digested the madness of LF.

On his involvement in films:

I always make sure that we choose the right musician and right cinematographer for our film.  Their technique is quite important, because they develop things extempore.  That's why you see that the cinematographers of all my films were quite good talent.  Coming to working with a musician, I never believe in making specifications to him.  We give him the story and lead scene and ask him to belt out the tune.  Good music will come out this way.

On being first-time producer:

It feels proud and amazing that things fell in place.  The correct budget and completion in the time frame are very important.  Of course, the biggest victory is when the audience lap up your film.  I am very confident that they will like it.

On choosing Amala Paul:

I wanted to go for a new girl; I did not want a heroine from Mumbai or Chennai who drops on the sets as if she was giving a darshan.  But choosing a new girl was not an easy job.  At that time, we zeroed in Amala Paul.  She proved a right choice; she understood the character very quickly and gave a natural performance.

On his "image":

I do not believe in any image.  If people call me 'chocolate boy', 'lover boy', et al, who can stop them?  On my part, I would like to be called a good artist.  After LF, I will love if people say that Sid should come next with an experimental film and another section say that he should come up with a romantic film.  I have not given a single blockbuster in the last five years.  Why are producers investing in me.  My films are made at Rs. 10 cr.  I have no god father in the industry.  It is because I constantly try to do something new and because I work hard that people like making films with me.  I like the heroines to be depicted sans vulgarity in my films.

I cannot bear hearing someone say, "Siddharth is routine etc".  For me, hits and flops are unpredictable.  I put the same effort to the biggest hit and the worst flop.

On what audience want:

People are wrong when say that the audience are not yet ready for experimental cinema.  Whenever I have been to the places like Vizag, etc., people say that the filmmakers should make different films.  It is nonsensical to place the burden on the audience if we are not willing/capable to make experiments.  I think LF is a small step in the right direction.

On the "inevitability" of multi-starrers:

I think we are going to see lot of changes in the next 3-4 years.  Gone are the days when the audience used to go to the theatre as if it was a temple.  These days films have to make their money in the first two weeks.  Given this scenario, there is an increasing tendency among the producers to make multi-lingual films.

At this rate, multi-starrers are only inevitable.  We first need to put the term in the right perspective.  If two or more superstars team up, you call it a multi-starrer.  For example SVSC is an example of a multi-starrer.  Rang De Basanti is an example of ensemble cast.  If a superstar here is willing to rope me in, I will be happy to be part of the film (provided, of course, he likes the script, which, he says, is always his first criterion).  I say that we are living in exciting times.

On missing a K Vishwanath:

I wish I was born when a K Vishwanath garu or a Jandhyala garu were making films.  It is wondrous that I am still able to hold my ground despite the absence of such filmmakers.  I would like to work with fresh directors.  That's why I am quite popular with assistant directors.

On the LF tour:

I would like to invite all IndiaGlitz viewers/readers to be part of our Love Failure tour in the coming days.  Please do join me!

source: IndiaGlitz

Interview with Siddharth about 'Love Failure'

Siddharth is a man who follows his passion and applies business sense at the same time. With a perfect balancing act, he is able to do multiple films in multiple languages to get the tag of a ‘multi-faceted hero’. Apart from acting, he has skills in writing, producing, singing and music composition. He is doing local films with debutant directors and doing international films with acclaimed Hollywood directors as well. He accomplishes so much in so little time and still has so much time to tweet. He has over 3.3 lacs of followers from all around the world on Twitter. Siddharth’s latest film ‘Love Failure’ with a tag-line ‘Fail in Love’ is getting released on 17 February. 

Here is the excerpts of an interview - 

You are doing multiple projects in quick succession?
I believe that we should make hay when sun is shining. I didn’t have a major hit in the past 5 years and I am still getting plenty of offers. Most of the films I worked for are by first time directors. Love Failure is my 10th film with a debutant director.

What is the reason behind getting into production? Were you not interested in direction?
I came to film industry to become a director. Direction is always on the cards. The project of Love Failure fell in place and I decided to turn into production. I happened to see a short film on Youtube called ‘How to mess up in love’ by Balaji Mohan around 1 and half years back. It went viral. I was searching for Balaji and I was told that he was already offered a movie by some producer. After that I ran into Sashikanth (YNot banner) and he informed me that he has roped in Balaji Mohan. I met Balaji and expressed my intention to produce a full-length feature film based on his youtube video. I thought of casting a new boy. But I realised what Amir Khan has told me during the time of Rang De Basanti. Though RDB could have been done by a new comer, Amir Khan prefered to act in as main lead as his brand will get more crowds to theater to make it a blockbuster. If a new guy were to cast in Amir’s role, it would have remained just a good film with no massive reach. I thought that I will do the main lead so that the film will have commercial viability and a wider reach.

I launched Etaki? banner to produce films. ‘Etaki’ means ‘what is this?’ in Bengali. This is the word I uttered while dubbing for an ad film when I was a kid. I got a remuneration of Rs. 300/- for that. It was my life long dream to establish a company called ‘Etaki?’.

Tell us about Love Failure?
Love Failure is a tribute to international romantic films. I have adapted a Hollywood style of film-making in shooting and budgeting. I have used ‘Spielberg Model’ which professes that if you are going to lose, don’t make a movie. We have shot the movie in two months and I am amazed at the quality of output. Its well shot and classy. Love Failure is a city based film. It is a small film with big heart.

You are acting in many languages. If you were to tag yourself with a particular language, which one do you prefer?
I consider myself of as a mainstream Telugu hero. After Boys and Yuva, I haven’t done a Tamil film 8 years and I have migrated to Telugu and starting owning it. I introduce myself as a Telugu hero when I go to Mumbai. Likewise, Love Failure will have a better opening in Telugu than Tamil.

Tell us about music of Love Failure?

Sri Mani: Sri Mani has penned nice lyrics in 100% Love. The lyrics of Tamil and Telugu are different. The lyrics of Love Failure of quirky and fabulous.

Thaman: I worked with Thaman as an actor for Boys film. I know his potential. Thaman has been asking me for a long time and I was waiting for the right subject. But I am lucky that I signed him when he has delivered huge chartbusters in Telugu. Love Failure is a right film for him. Music is fresh for him. We have adapted a random structure with no palavi/charanam grammar.

Tell us about the director Balaji Mohan?
Balaji Mohan is a 24 year old editing graduate from LV Prasad Film Institute. He has a clear and uncluttered mind. He is a character. He has shot Happy Heart Attack song in loony tunes cartoon video. When you watch any film, the characters will be speaking to other characters. In this movie, you see me interacting with camera. It’s in typical Woody Allen style (Annie Hall is an example) which adds to the empathy of the script.

You are going to love Love Failure. I am curious to know how family crowds are going to react. Family audiences have always been my forte. 

You are saying that Love Failure is a kind of experiment done in a commercial way. Do you think it will work in Telugu?
I feel that Telugu film industry is the least experimented film industry. It is the same industry that gave a classic blockbuster like Sankara Bharanam. Love Failure is experimental in terms of methods, but not in content. I found the director on youtube and made/shot/budgeted the movie in an experimental way.

Tell us about casting Amala Paul?
I saw Maina film and cast her. We had done a make-up test and I was taken aback with her performance. She can speak with eyes. Heroines play important roles in all my films and Love Failure is no exception. Amala Paul will connect with audiences.

I heard that you do compose music and have a huge bank of your own compositions?
My substitute of going to gym is working on songs/music. It keeps my mind active. I can compose a song. But I am not a full-fledged musician.

What are your future projects?

1. Love Failure: Due for release on 17 February.

2. Nandini Reddy’s film: Next film is in the direction of Nandini Reddy which is going to be produced by Bellamkonda Suresh. Samantha plays female lead. It’s a straight Telugu film.

3. Sukumarudu: This film will be directed by Ashok who directed Pilla Zamindar. It is a straight Telugu film.

4. Vetrimaran film: National award winning director Vetrimaran is penning and producing this bi-lingual film.

5. David Dhawan’s film: It is a hindi film which is likely to be titled as Chashme Buddoor. The shoot is almost done.

6. Midnight Children: It’s an English film which is going for film festival release soon.

7. First Class Man: It is a Hollywood film based on the life of mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujam. It will be directed by Roger Spottiswoode who directed Bond film “Tomorrow Never Dies”. This film will go to shoot in the end of this year. This is going to be the biggest film in my career.

I am also scouting for the right script for My Malayalam debut. Dil Raju is eager to do another film with me.

source: idlebrain.com