Balakrishna’s Bhagavanth Kesari is scheduled for a grand release on October 19. The movie, directed by Anil Ravipudi, has Sreeleela, Kajal, and Arjun Rampal in crucial roles. Sahu Garapati and Harish Peddi are bankrolling the film under Shine Screens. Ahead of the release, Anil Ravipudi had a brief interaction with the media, and here is the transcript.
You have tried something different with Bhagavanth Kesari. Could you tell us something about it?
I gave more importance to entertainment in my previous films, but I handled emotions well in those movies. I thought of telling an honest story with intense drama. I am fortunate enough to have Balakrishna on board, and the movie got bigger with Sreeleela and Shine Screens banner. I hope Bhagavanth Kesari will turn out to be a memorable film.
Sarileru Nikevvaru has an army backdrop, and so does Bhagavanth Kesari. What’s the reason for it?
I wanted to do a film based on the army backdrop with Mahesh Garu, but here in Bhagavanth Kesari, it is not just about joining the Indian army. There is a lot more to it. Bhagavanth Kesari showcases how girls need to be brought up in life. We have depicted it through Sreeleela’s character. Women are in the army but not in the war zone. We researched this topic, and I have seen films like Gunjan Saxena, though it is about the Air Force.
How did Balakrishna Garu react when you narrated this story to him?
Balakrishna Garu is open to trying new concepts, and a few experiments like Aditya 369 and Bhairava Dweepam have also worked in the past. He believed in the script and gave me solid support during the shoot. It was so great of him to accept stories like these. It was my idea to have Telangana slang in the movie.
Generally, female characters in your films have loud personalities. Will it be the same in Bhagavanth Kesari?
No, Bhagavanth Kesari won’t have such loud and over-the-top characters. The entertainment will also be in a subtle manner. The treatment will differ from my earlier films, and even the action scenes will be realistic.
Will Bhagavanth Kesari have any political satires?
Bhagavanth Kesari doesn’t have political satires as such. There is no scope for them in this particular story. If you observe carefully, my films don’t have any controversial content. If the story doesn’t demand, we can’t have such dialogues. We can’t include them forcefully.
Will you produce movies in the coming days? Also, could you tell us about your future projects?
Right now, I am occupied with direction. If any script excites me, then I will definitely produce movies, and I don’t have any hesitation regarding it. As of now, my entire focus is on direction. Currently, I am thinking solely about Bhagavanth Kesari. Even if I make entertainers in the coming days, they will be unique, unlike F2 and F3.