Sharwanand and Samantha starrer 'Jaanu', the Telugu remake of '96', directed by C Prem Kumar and produced by Dil Raju, opened to a positive response on 7th February. Sharwa is very happy with the response to the film and his performance. He talks about the appreciation he has got, why he doesn't want to do remakes anymore, his upcoming projects and more.
Appreciation
Everyone who watched the film is saying that it looks like a fresh movie and not a remake. It's our first success. Many have also said that they forgot Vijay Sethupathi and Trisha while watching the film and enjoyed Sharwa and Samantha's performances. After seeing the response from audiences and industry people, I can't express my happiness in words.
Trusted him
I believe in Dil Raju garu's judgement. After listening to 'Shathamanam Bhavati' script, I said it was good but my character had no importance. But he asked me to believe in him. I did that film trusting his judgement and it was a big hit. I watched '96' upon his suggestion. I liked it. But I was not sure if I wanted to act in the remake of such a classic. Again, he asked me to believe in him. The film started three months after I signed it. I watched the film only once and didn't try to watch it again. I had not done any homework for the role. I surrendered to the director. Prem used to explain the backstory of every scene for 10 minutes before shooting it. I only understood why he was doing it after two schedules understanding the depth of my character. I got more clarity after Samantha joined the sets.
Felt uncomfortable
I wasn't very comfortable doing this role. When I watched '96', I thought it could be easily done as the story happens in a night. But in my entire career, I've never put in so much effort like I did for the role of Ram. We shot the first song for 20 days in Kenya. We worked very hard and I also met with an accident. Apart from these, I was also concerned that Samantha would steal the show. I was apprehensive about the trolls comparing this movie with the Tamil version. So, I was very uncomfortable while working on this movie. But I was determined to give what the director wanted. There are less dialogues and I had to convey feelings mostly with the expressions. It was tough. But I got into the character and was in that character mood throughout the film's shoot.
Superstar Samantha
No one becomes a superstar easily. I learnt a lot working with Samantha for this movie. She doesn't put on airs and try to give her best for every scene. She watches her performance on screen after every shot and tries to improvise on it. I tried to follow her formula. We used to discuss every scene before doing it.
Credit goes to him
The film revolves around only two characters and holding audiences' interest is not easy. The credit goes to director Prem Kumar. As an actor, I try to give my 100 percent for every role. Only few films would turn out to be memorable ones for any actor. Jaanu is such a film for me. The actor in me got completely satisfied doing this role.
Reunions with friends
I meet friends regularly. But we haven't met in the recent past as I got busy with the shoots. Charan, Vicky and I were classmates.
First Love & breakups
Less than five percent of the guys get married with their first love and breakups are common for many. I might have done this movie because it happened in my life. I got connected mostly to the scene where Ramachandra tells Jaanu that he attended her marriage because it happened in my life too.
No more makes
Actually, I decided not to do remakes. A lot of comparisons arise if we do remakes and there would be a lot of pressure on us.
Like Akshay Kumar
After 'Padi Padi Leche Manasu' and 'Ranarangam', I decided to do films with good stories and which require less call sheets like Akshay Kumar does. After completing three films, I will start doing three more.
As a farmer
I will be seen as a farmer in 'Sreekaram'. Why shouldn't a farmer's son become a farmer? The film is based on that point. It's a genuine attempt. The shoot is nearing completion. We are planning to release the film on 24th April. We are not trying to criticize anyone in this movie. It's about a conflict between a father and a son.
Film with Amala
We will start the bilingual film, where I will be seen as Akkineni Amala garu's son, soon. It's a story revolving around a mother and her son.
