Saagar K Chandra is revelling in the success of 'Bheemla Nayak'. In this interview, he talks about adapting the Malayalam original, working with Pawan Kalyan and Trivikram, his future project, and more.
The project came my way during the first lockdown. Producer S Naga Vamsi garu called me and asked me to watch 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum' (Malayalam). After I watched the movie, I was offered to direct the remake and then I met with Trivikram garu. Pawan Kalyan garu entered the project and that's how it all started.
It felt surreal when Kalyan garu came on board. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. You don't get to do work with him because of your calibre alone; such things have to just happen.
Talks by the producers are currently on to release the Hindi-dubbed version of 'Bheemla Nayak' in theatres soon.
The film wouldn't have worked had the original been done as it is. It had to be an adaptation. Our conditions, sensibilities, nativity must be respected. Malayalis' cuisine, for example, gets reflected in their films. Our audiences expect a wide range of emotions and elements. That's why our movies have a bigger span.
Biju Menon (reprised by Pawan) is more like a glorified character artist in the original. Prithviraj Sukumaran (reprised by Rana Daggubati) is its protagonist. For the Telugu remake, the shift had to be paradigmatic. The original is more like a procedural drama. The emotional graph goes up in the second half, where the story doesn't move much for 30 minutes. We had to reimagine those portions to suit the commerciality of Telugu cinema and the image of the leading men. Some redundant scenes were removed. We made the scenes brief.
Trivikram garu asked me to get the idea of a remake removed from my mind. He wanted the film to be made like an original, so much so, someone else should want to acquire Bheemla Nayak's remake rights.
Since this is not an original film, creative differences were not there. Without Trivikram garu, this project wouldn't have happened. Thaman is a flawless technician. It was a great opportunity to work with him. Our discussions were open. It was teamwork.
When I debuted with 'Ayyare' more than 10 years ago, I was a rookie. With time, I have got to meet many people and work with them. 'Bheemla Nayak' has made me a director who doesn't need an introduction. So, it's a massive opportunity.
The choreography of scenes is not conventional in this movie. We followed a seamless, fluid style. We feel it worked out. Even the climax was shot in such a way that the camera seems to follow the actors rather than the actors coming in front of the camera.
Rana Daggubati is a strong performer and that's why the scenes between him and Kalyan garu worked big-time.
In the Malayalam original, Ayyappan walks from the bus and destroys the house. The pacing is different from the original. That's why the staging of the portions is different.
I am happy with the recognition I have got for 'Bheemla Nayak'. I am satisfied. Kalyan garu was shooting for 'Vakeel Saab' when I first met him on its set after this project was okayed. He asked me to do the film with focus.
Kalyan garu's fans are complimenting me wildly. I have been receiving a lot of messages and calls. There was a time when I used to wonder how filmmakers receive compliments from unknown people. I now know how it all happens (laughs).
Producer China Babu garu (S Radha Krishna of Haarika & Hassine Creations) is a great support system for our movie. He was very instrumental in ensuring that the project was complete. Thanks to big players doing the project, they smoothened out issues that the pandemic threw up.
A film with Varun Tej as the hero was announced by 14 Reels Plus. The project has since been put on the back burner due to some reason. My next film will be announced soon. It will be a straight film.
