Ismart Shankar is ready for a release this Thursday and on this occasion, we met Puri Jagan for a detailed interview. Here is the transcript.
How did this project start?
To be frank, I did not have a hit after Temper and this was hurting me big time. Somehow I wanted to make a hit film and in this process met Ram. He told me to write a bad boy kind of a role for him and that is how ISmart Shankar was born. The chip concept is inspired by Hollywood films and I have set the rest of the story in Telangana.
How difficult was it to adapt Telangana language for the film?
I did not do any homework for the Telangana backdrop. One of my co-directors helped me with the dialect and as my wife is from Telangana I am used to this style of speaking at home.
About heroines Nabha Natesh and Nidhhi Agerwal?
Niddhi is doing a posh character whereas Nabha will be seen as a local Telangana girl. Both of them have done a superb job and will be big stars post this film.
Working experience with Ram?
Ram has this crazy energy which has not been tapped by many directors. I tried to bring all of that out and as his role is a local mass guy, Ram has gone all out and his performance is the biggest highlights of the film. I feel that the newcomers should learn how to act after seeing Ram’s performance.
What is the whole chip concept in the film?
A small chip is inserted into the hero’s head by the cops. Why it is done and what it has to do with Shankar and how he manages it is the basic theme of the film. There was also a controversy about the story being inspired but the script of this film is original.
How happy are you with the film’s output?
The film has shaped out extremely well and after watching the movie, Ram gave me a long hug and left abroad for vacation. He is very confident about the film and I hope that it has been quite some time that a pure typical commercial masala entertainer has come out and I feel that the audience will love it.
Any update on the film with Balayya?
The story is yet to be completed and once the script is ready, I will approach Balayya very soon. I love working with him and will make a project which will be a big hit in my career.