Indian war stories are classified: Rana Daggubati

Hollywood is notorious for fictionalising true events, such as the case with Pearl Harbour. But the problem with doing that in India is that most war-based incidents are classified, leaving moviemakers stumped while recreating the true stories itself.

Which is what prompted Rana Daggubati to ensure that his research for the upcoming film Ghazi — based on the sinking of a submarine during the 1971 war with Pakistan — was solid.

“I called (director) Sankalp after learning about the story from a common friend. We both discussed about it and he did a lot of research. I read many articles and books related to this war incident and then we decided to come out with a big film,” says Rana, and adds that 70 per cent of the story takes pace within the submarine.”

“There, people know about such cases, but in India, most of such cases are classified and the public never knows about it,” he says.

“This incident happened in 1971 in Vizag. I tried to meet people who could tell about it, but couldn’t find any living person. I met many Navy officers to prepare for my role in the film,” he says.

The film’s set is erected in a swimming pool near Tank Bund. Sankalp, for whom this is his debut, initially wanted Ghazi as a low-budget movie.

Rana will next be producing a movie along with Akshay Kumar. “Pilla Zamindar director Ashok will helm the film, which will also feature a lot of theatre artistes,” he says.

The plan to co-produce a movie with Akshay was born during the shoot of Baby. “Actually, it’s a Marathi film and Akshay wanted to remake it in Hindi, but somehow it got postponed and together, we decided to produce it in Telugu,” he says, adding that they will not stop with just this film.

“We will continue to make films in other languages too. We are taking it seriously and want to encourage new talents,” says Rana. Acting in different languages, Rana has made a lot of friends among actors and has learnt a more.

“Earlier, I didn’t watch Malayalam movies, but after being friends with Dulquer Salmaan, who discusses a lot about movies, I am watching Malayalam and Tamil films. That’s how I came in touch with director Ameer,” he says, adding he would work with the director in future.

His shooting for Baahubali 2 will begin in May. “I have to put on weight for it. It’s a bit stressful to lose and put on weight, but these are all part of my job now,” he says.

Talking more about Baahubali, the actor says he took so much effort and time for that bison fight in the movie. “It was an animated bison and I had to imagine that I was fighting it. That scene took 22 takes for one particular shot for the right expressions,” he remembers.

He was a bit of curious about the climax and was anxious on how the audience would receive it. “The film ends all off a sudden with Kattappa killing Baahubali and I was nervous, but it generated more curiosity about Part 2,” he says.

When asked about the buzz that director Mani Ratnam has approached him and Naga Chaitanya for a film, he says, “Yes, but it is still in talks.” Rana has more in his kitty, including a project with director Bala. “The script is very exciting,” he says.

About the lunch meetings of Tollywood actors, he says it definitely helps each of them. “We were able to send thousands of tonnes food and other materials to Chennai because of it. It’s easy to announce an aid of a few lakhs for it, but together, we called people and helped the victims,” says the actor.

The actor is also coming up with a TV show Memu Saitham hosted my Manchu Lakshmi. “We have taken some poor families and have decided to help them. I worked as a daily labourer for a day to help the family of a labourer who died and his family was on the streets. His wife has brain tumour and has lost her eyesight, so the family is in a very impoverished state,” he says.

Rana, Manchu Lakshmi and Nara Brahmani came forward to help the family financially and sponsored the kids’ education. “Through the show, we help such families. It is completely for a cause," he adds.