Raghava Lawrence started his career as a small-time dancer and went on to become one of the top choreographers in South India. He then started acting and directing films. His horror film Muni took him to a whole new level in both Telugu and Tamil, which was followed by two successful sequels. He is now coming up with another horror film Sivalinga, directed by senior director P. Vasu.
“Working with Vasu sir has been a great experience for me. I learnt how a film can be completed quickly, keeping the quality intact. I am lucky to work with him,” says Lawrence. Rithika Singh of Guru fame, a trained boxer, is playing the female lead in the film. Was it difficult to work with her? “Actually, my job was easy as both of us worked in rhythm,” shares the actor.
Lawrence, in fact, turned choreographer because of Chiranjeevi, who offered him the first opportunity with Hitler many years ago. Since then, he has worked with the Megastar on many films, including Khaidi No.150, where he choreographed the Rathalu song.
“When annayya (Chiru) asked me to do a song, I immediately took a flight to Hyderabad. There is no question of remuneration between us, but I want the special dosa and chicken curry which vadina (Chiru’s wife Surekha) cooks,” says Lawrence.
Talking about the special song and Chiru, he shares, “I choreographed the song keeping annayya’s age in mind. But even after a huge gap, he hasn’t changed.”
In a first, Lawrence is building a temple of his mother. “I see God in her and it is because of her that I am doing well in life. I had a brain tumour as a child and it was she who took care of me. That’s why I decided to build a temple. It will open from May 1,” he reveals, ruing that many are leaving their parents in old age homes.
When asked if it is a good idea to build a temple while his mother is alive, Lawrence replies, “Many people do so once their parents die, but I decided to build the temple now. I checked with many elders before making the decision.” Lawrence took director Vasu’s suggestion that a person shouldn’t build a temple all by himself. “I took money from three people — Rs one lakh from Vasu sir, Rs 50,000 from R.B. Chowdary and Rs 3 lakh from Chiru annayya.”
The group of temples will house a 10 foot idol of Gayatri Mata, Raghavendra Swamy and a five feet idol of the choreographer’s mother.
