I Like A Blend of Realistic and Commercial Cinema, Says Shiva Nirvana

Tollywood director Shiva Nirvana is on cloud nine following the rousing response to his latest release—Kushi starring Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu. In an exclusive interview with Deccan Chronicle, the filmmaker tells us why he looks up to Rajamouli and Maniratnam and reveals his future plans.

How's the response to your recent release, Kushi?

I am super happy and overwhelmed by the appreciation the film has been receiving from all quarters. The youth is liking the first half—Vijay's comedy timing, Sam's screen presence, songs and another section of the audience connecting with the emotions and the matured approach to the climax. It feels good to know that my film has appealed to all sections of the audience.

Ninnu Kori, Majili and now Kushi—all targeted at family audiences. What is it about this theme that appeals to you?

It was just a coincidence. I have written scripts of all genres. But I had lined up this subject with an intention to give a soft light hearted rom-com film for Vijay after his Arjun Reddy. But both of us got busy so this had to wait.

But family subjects have been done by several filmmakers already, yet you thought there was something left to explore?

There's not a single movie in the last few years on the family subject. From KGF and RRR to Pushpa and even medium-budget movies, were all about action. There have been no movies which we could have watched with our entire family. All genres of movies are required. But Kushi is a welcome change from all the action movies we have seen in recent days.

Did you expect people to watch family subjects after people got used to watching movies with violence and action?

I didn't have any doubt because the audience watches all kinds of movies. Ideally a multiplex should have films of various genres in different screens, that’s a film fest for the audience. Rom-com, dark comedy, action films, family drama...every kind of movie should be there to give the audience a choice. So, I didn't have an iota of doubt about my content or if my movie will play or not. What with an extraordinary artist like Vijay Deverakonda and versatile actress like Samantha, beautiful songs, cinematography, the novelty in terms of plot..I knew the film would work.

How did you decide on the locations?

I first wrote the second half, the climax scenes and the message I wanted to deliver—that love and humanity were more important than opinions and principles. Later, to establish the love story between Aaradhya and Viplav, I wanted it to be a visual feast rather than routine stuff, because watching movies in the theatre is all about experience. It could be in a college or some place in Hyderabad. But I decided to take it to Kashmir so it can be visually appealing. I added a few elements of fun to make the meeting interesting. So when the audience watches movies on the big screen, the 2.5 hours must offer everything—from a good screenplay and visual experience to songs and climax.

Did you decide on the cast of the movie beforehand?

I wrote this story with Vijay in mind. To handle heavy scenes in the second half and handle those intense emotions, confrontations, I considered options but I decided that an artist like Sam can showcase such maturity and pull it off perfectly. I knew that Vijay-Sam chemistry would be great and hence decided to cast Samantha, who instantly agreed as she loved the script. Also, because we had worked together in Majili, she had confidence in me.

What changes did you notice in Samantha from Majili to Kushi?

Samantha has remained a thorough professional from then to now. She has the same excitement and she preps up for her role soon as she arrives on the sets and she's become superfast now. Her pace is so quick that the minute I narrate the scene, she delivers the very next minute effortlessly.

Do you stay true to the script or incorporate changes suggested by actors?

I always narrate the full script to actors first. But during the shoot, I discuss the scenes with the actors on the sets. So if there's room for improvement, I do. Although I stay true to the script, in terms of treatment, I alter according to a hero's body language. Like in the second half of Kushi, there's a reference to Arjun Reddy, that's more for Vijay's fans to enjoy.

Ever since the Kushi trailer dropped, there have been comparisons with Sakhi and Bombay. Did it bother you?

I knew very well that the movie that people will see in the theatre would be very different from the glimpse shown in the trailer. So I did not mind them at all. The plot was very different. See, nobody is talking about it after the movie release.

Hesham Abdul Wahab's music has a role to play in the film's success. Did you think the music would be topping the charts?

Heshab’s work is extraordinary. The song was composed with lyrics and then the tuning happened. Maniratnam songs and movies have a happy element and I knew with words from his movies, it would be an instant connect for the audience pan India.

What is the best compliment you have received so far for Kushi?

My parents loved both Ninnu Kori and Majili. My father said that the fact that I wanted to give this message in Kushi made him respect my thoughts. He said he was proud of me, which was the best compliment.

After exploring love and romance themes, would you be willing to experiment with new genres or is it too much of a risk for you?

I never see it as a risk. Immediately after Ninnu Kori in 2017, Chaitanya asked me for a good love story and I did Majili. Then, I narrated the Kushi story to Vijay after Arjun Reddy. So, the stories were finalised for actors then itself. But my upcoming movies will have surprising genres. Even though there will be human emotions, it would definitely not revolve around before and after marriage issues.

Any actors on your wishlist?

I am okay with any actor who loves my script.

Name some of the greatest movies you have watched and why you like them

I am a fan of Rajamouli and I watch his movies over and over. I watch it once for every episode. I loved RRR, Pushpa and almost every Friday, I watch movies made by young directors. I personally like Tarun Bhascker, Vivek Athreya, Sandeep Vanga, Gautham Talluri.

Now, the shelf life of a movie is less than a week as a film is on OTT space in less than two months of its release.

Earlier, there was no other source of entertainment. Now, irrespective of the scale of movies—be it big or small, with the flood of content on OTT and other platforms, it's a big deal even if a movie runs for 10 days. It's been eight days since Kushi released and I am happy that it's still playing in theatres. How much we can collect in two weeks itself is important.

What's your opinion about web series?

Web Series are the greatest opportunity to tell stories. It is limitless, films have trade binding. How much can be explored, what kind of content will work with certain stars, content to avoid...so there will be a lot of restrictions. There are constraints. But in web series, you can explore a lot. You can prolong the series and create an entirely different world—be it GOT or Family Man. You can't completely capture the essence of say, Family Man in one shot like introducing new characters, experiencing what's happening to them. All this is possible in the Web series format. Having said that, both film and web series have their own advantages.

You said you love both Rajamouli and Maniratnam. If you had the chance to work with one of them, who would you choose?

I wouldn't miss the opportunity to work with either of them. I would probably work with Rajamouli in the day and Maniratnam in the evening. I love the blend of commercial and realistic elements. In Maniratnam, I like the frames and music sense and in Rajamouli, I love the high, the adrenaline rush it gives me. I would love to learn from both.

Name a movie in recent times you thought was overhyped

I never think that way. I always consider the efforts of the filmmaker that went into making the movie. I don't like to pass judgments. If I like it, I will enjoy the movie. If not, I stay mum. I don't think anybody is eligible to comment. Nobody's perfect. You can express your views, but I don't think anyone is in a position to pass a judgment.

Your previous film, Majili was remade in Marathi as Ved, which became a blockbuster. Any such proposals for Kushi too?

Ved was a surprise for me too because they directly got in touch with the producer and it happened. I was given credit for the story. Kushi is doing exceptionally well and running to packed houses in Tamil Nadu and also in Nizam and overseas. So in Marathi too, it might work. You never know which market it might appeal to. Earlier, people could not connect to dubbed movies because it did not really sync. Now, with the casting of Pan India stars like in Jailer and Jawan, people in those regions can easily connect.

There seems to be a dearth of Telugu speaking girls because all the Tollywood actresses are from Karnataka or other states

‘Baby’ actress Vaishnavi is a Telugu ammayi. For star films or medium budget films, trade decides the cast. Suppose Jawan has actors like SRK and Nayanthara, then the returns are humongous. Trade changes based on the artists in the movie. Even the audience has their wish list of seeing certain actors pairing up in movies. They want returns for the ticket money they spend. So there are parameters which decide the cast. If not for the lead character, we do auditions for supporting cast and rope actors from here.

What next after Kushi? Are you trying anything new?

I am doing a movie Naga Chaitanya March 2024. I will announce the details soon and It will be a surprise genre.