“We can’t really stop working and sit at home, can we?” Asks Telugu Superstar Nani

Nani is one  of Telugu cinema’s  leading lights. His track record since 2008 is  impressive, to say the least. With two back-to-back  blockbusters Tuck Jagadish and Shyam Singha  Roy in 2021 Nani is being seen as  one  of the front-runners  at  the Telugu boxoffice.

   Speaking on  his spectacular performance in Shyam Singha Roy, Nani  says, “ The script  was the  king here. The way the script was written and  the way it was narrated to me…I really  enjoyed  it . I could visualize what  a spectacular experience it would be  on the  big screen, and I am glad it  came true.”

Nani did not let  the pandemic dampen his  spirits. “I never let  it come in the way of my decisions  regarding which  films to do or not do.I’ve been  working non-stop  through the pandemic.Shyama Singha Roy finished  its  run in the movie theatres, and then went  to Netflix so that  everyone  who  didn’t get to  watch it …who couldn’t see  it in theatres saw it on Netflix .I am  happy to have success in both the theatres  and on  Netflix   I couldn’t have asked for more.”

At this juncture in his  career what is Nani  looking for  in his projects?  “Just the excitement  of being in something that  I  haven’t done before. The  script of Shyam Singha  Roy was so mainstream  and yet so unique and so subtle. What am I looking for? I want to tell great  stories, explore new  content  and I am curious to know how  the audience responds to my  films and performances.”

The Tamil-Telugu superstar  admits  it wasn’t easy making  Shyam Singha  Roy through the pandemic. “It was a very big challenge for  the entire team . There was medical  assistance on the sets  all the time checking junior artistes , every  lightman, every  part  of the team. It  was  a big challenge for all of us to wear masks  constantly  and to work under such tough conditions. But then, when you are working hard to create something  as special as Shyam Singha Roy you tend to forget all the  challenges. A   lot of  film crews  faced    the same challenges  during the pandemic. Life has  to go on. There is  no other option.We can’t really stop  working and sit at home, can we?”

  At the top of the game for 14 years,how does Nani  look back at his journey as an actor so far?

“I  am filled with  happiness gratitude    . I never  thought I’d come this far. There are  quite  a lot  of  memorable roles. But if I  have  to pick  a few…obviously  the  first film Ashta Chamma. My journey started  from there . Then there  is Pilla Zamindar,  Bheemili Kabaddi Jattu, Rajamouli’s Eega  was  very special, Yevadi Subramaniam… all these are  very special  to me  .I am  very very happy where I am. I will keep searching for great content in other languages. Not that I’ve anything against doing a  Hindi  film—if something  interesting comes along, why not—but I am very  happy doing Telugu and Tamil films.”

One of  Nani’s   finest films Jersey has been remade in Hindi.Nani bats  for Shahid Kapoor in the  remake. “The  whole idea  of a Hindi remake started with  Shahid loving the  original and the original director  directing. It all happened at the time when we were  getting all  the love  for Jersey from all  corners. I am very very  excited  to see  how Shahid  has done the part. The Jersey role  is very close  to me heart. And  Shahid is a great actor. I am sure they’ve done  a super  job. I am  really looking forward  to   the remake.”

If Shyam Singha Roy were to be remade in Hindi whom would Nani like to see in the title role? “There are quite  a  few options. I think  Hrithik would be great, Ranbir would be  great, Shahid too.”

 Nani’s  next release is Ante Sundaraniki . “It is  a laugh riot. And  it will release this  summer.  I start  shooting my next film entitled Dasara  in  a month’s time.”