Kannada star Upendra is really good at conversing in Tamil. Given her proficiency in the language and the fact that she has acted in several Telugu films and one Tamil film ( Satyam in 2008), it makes you wonder why he hasn’t jumped on the pan-India bandwagon. The veteran actor wants to answer it in style with his upcoming film capture Which is going to release this Friday. Connecting over a call right in the middle of the promotional tours of their upcoming pan-India film, the actors talk about their role, being inspired by youth and even take a short walk down the memory lane. Excerpts:
about what capture attracted you the most?
I think there is no one specific thing that makes a film pan-Indian. From content to making and stars, everything works wonders and as far as capture As far as is concerned, it was the making that got me hooked to it. I was in awe of the sets he built and the lighting he used for this film. It is also a period drama that begins in 1947 and spans a few years, covering the political scenario of post-independent India.
While still in the idea stage, they showed me storyboards and references for how they wanted to go about it. A good period film should be like a dream, it should take you back in time. capture He will
You have previously worked with its director Chandru on the historical action drama, Brahma (2014) as well as a romantic drama I love you (2019)…
Working in two different genres gave me the confidence to work with Chandru in another film, this time on a bigger scale, made on a budget of 100+ crores. Both the previous films have done well and I attribute that to his understanding of what message he wants to convey through his films. He is also smart and knows what works and knows how to pull a crowd in theatres. He is also good with the propaganda part of it.
A still from ‘Kabja’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The trailer shows that your character is going through a lot of changes during the period in which the film is set.
The charm of my character starts from his childhood to his transformation into a don. It also features his marriage and fatherhood. He serves in the armed forces and while traveling to his hometown, he witnesses something he shouldn’t and that leads him on a journey he was not prepared for.
Are pan-India big budget films the way forward for big stars?
I think so, yes. The change in the film industry is moving towards two directions – one doing pan-India films or doing original, content-oriented films with exceptional content and good publicity. Earlier it was difficult as the films used to be tagged as regional content. But now the limitations are over and we are in a position to do big budget films. So naturally, every big star wants to do films which end up being tagged as pan-India.
Given the market and expectations a star makes of a film, is it possible for someone like you to take up smaller, content-oriented subjects?
Of course because, at the end of the day, whether the budget is 100 or 200 crores, it comes down to the content. like a movie capture, which is set in a period background that required substantial sets, demanded a large budget. some movies like Kantara, do well because of their village background, good content and exceptional performances. These two types of films have been the cornerstone of our film industries.
A still from ‘Kabja’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
capture The treatment of the film seems very similar kgf, Was it given how it works or was it just an inspiration?
When Shiva (1990) Telugu and appeared in my film Om (1995) released, the youth followed the trend, as the new generation of filmmakers in Tamil wanted to do films inspired by the works of Mani Ratnam sir and Shankar sir. Similarly Chandru has also been inspired by kgf Which he accepts honestly. Probably the making and all India concept may be same but the content is very different.
When I am an actor, I am only concerned with acting. It is when I direct that I have to own my thoughts. The new generation and their style of photography and making is something we should embrace. There is nothing wrong in this. If our junior does something good then it is our responsibility to appreciate him. We enjoy that the youth are following our films and similarly we should also take what is good with an open heart.
Speaking of the director in you, you are known for your out-of-the-box ideas. Does it bring a sense of pressure when you start a new project, such as for your upcoming directorial venture? UI?
I really like living in that area. It inspires me and challenges me to try something new and different. as far as UI As far as that is concerned, it is a film that I am really excited to work in. The making and content will be different from what I have done before.
Kabzaa is scheduled to release in Kannada on 17 March 2023 with dubbed versions in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam