Gopichand Malineni is revelling in the success of 'Krack', the biggest Sankranthi hit. In this interview. the director talks about the mental stress he underwent when the film's release got delayed, why it has worked at the box-office, the idea of 'Krack 2', whether he will direct 'Krack' if it's remade in Hindi, and more.
There was so much pressure on me to opt for OTT during the lockdown last year. At one point of time, I took to Twitter and clarified that 'Krack' will release only in theatres. This is a crowd-oriented movie. This is the right kind of film that came at the right time.
On January 9, when the film didn't release in the morning, it was a huge shocker. No director should go through such kind of a situation. Words can't capture my pain. But when the crowds watched the night shows on the same day enthusiastically, I was relieved. 'Krack' is Ravi Teja's biggest hit even though the occupancy limit is 50%.
I came to know that 'Krack' was in a crisis-like situation on January 8 itself. As I feared, the movie didn't release in time the next day. NV Prasad garu and a few others supported our film during the crisis.
Trivikram Srinivas, VV Vinayak, Anil Ravipudi, Surender Reddy, Vamsi Paidipally and several others called me up and congratulated me. Chiranjeevi garu has asked me to meet him. Ram Charan garu, too, is thoroughly impressed. He tweeted in praise of 'Krack' as soon as he watched it.
I thank the fans of all heroes for supporting 'Krack'. They are all movie-lovers. When the release of 'Krack' was in limbo, they all felt sad and boosted our morale. Sai Dharam Tej, Manchu Manoj and others called me up and motivated me when the going was tough. Our movie is running to packed houses even in the new week.
The backdrop of Vetapalem, the characters played by Samuthirakani and Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and a few other elements have clicked with the audience like anything. I don't agree with the view that 'Krack' has similarities with 'Sethupathi' (Tamil). Just because the hero has a family, do the two films become similar?
Even in the scenes where the hero is absent, it is his character which is being elevated in 'Krack'. I wrote Katari Krishna keeping Samuthirakani in mind. When he listened to the story, he was startled. He himself is a director and he knows the potential of a script.
There will be 'Krack 2'. I haven't thought much about it, but Ravi Teja will be the lead man. My story-writing style will undergo change. I am feeling more responsible now. My next film will have to be much better. As for remaking 'Krack' in Hindi, I see a possibility and nothing more can be said about it at this point of time. Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn will be apt, in my opinion.
The details of my project with Mythri Movie Makers will be divulged in 10 days.
