It's all in the homework, says Boyapati Srinivas

With Sarrainodu being declared a hit, director Boyapati Srinivas has got the rare distinction of delivering five blockbusters out of the six films he has made in his 12-year-career.

“Many people are asking me the same question (about his slow turnover rate). So from now I will try to make films faster,” says Boyapati while adding that he takes a lot of time doing his homework before each project.

The director says he met Allu Arjun three years back and it was then that he narrated the story of Sarrainodu. “Both of us were busy back then… and we decided to do the film when we were free,” explains Boyapati.

Allu Arjun wanted to do an out-an-out commercial film and his father Allu Aravind suggested Boyapati’s name. “When Allu Aravind said that Boyapati would take care of everything, it put more responsibility on me. When I work with an actor I watch all his films and try to show him in a different light. That’s why I watched 12 of Arjun’s films and then asked him to shape up like a military man,” he says.

“I told him that I don’t want a six-pack body, but I asked him to put on some muscles. I even changed his diction, style and looks… he seems like a new person,” he adds.

There was a rumour that he had to narrate the story of Sarrainodu to many people. “Not many, but to a few. I narrated the story to Allu Arjun, his friend Bunny Vasu and his father Aravind. Aravind’s sister, too, heard the story as she has a lot of knowledge about films,” he says and adds that there’s nothing wrong in it.

“When I write a story, I narrate it to all my family members. We have a joint family that includes my three sisters, brothers and all our in-laws. I narrate all my subjects to them and get their feedback,” says Boyapati.

Aadhi Pinisetty played the villain in Sarrainodu. Casting him, too, was Boyapati’s idea. “Initially I wanted Madhavan or Vivek Oberoi and we approached them. Both said they couldn’t do it. Then I suggested Aadhi’s name. Allu Aravind was in a dilemma as he felt shy to ask him as Aadhi’s father is a close relative and a friend,” he says. But the director forced Aravind to take the call.

“When I narrated the story, Aadhi got excited and immediately said ‘yes’. He is a gentleman without an ego,” says Boyapati. Aadhi’s father and popular director Raviraja Pinisetty also appreciated Boyapati for showcasing his son well.

Often when two lead actresses are in a film, there are ego clashes. But Boyapati didn’t want any catfights on the sets and he made matters clear from the start. “I narrated the story to Catherine and told her why I was offering her the role. I did the same with Rakul Preet too. So both knew about their roles and what they were doing in the film,” he says.

Initially Arjun was not keen on acting opposite Catherine as he had already done two films with her. “But I strongly felt that she needed to be in the film. I needed a glamorous girl who looked stylish and serious at the same time and she fit the bill,” he says.

Asked whether he chooses his actor first or the story, he says story. “After I finish the story, I make a few changes according to the actor to suit his body language,” he says.

Sarrainodu has turned out to be the best film in both Allu Arjun and Boyapati Srinivas’ careers. “I always work as if it’s my first film. My next film is with Bellamkonda Srinivas. The actor has done a few films, but they haven’t done well. So I have to work more on the subject to make him successful,” says Boyapati.

He adds that he will work with Allu Arjun again. “Yes we will do another film, but not now... when both of us are free,” says the director.