Having worked for around two years on the script of the sequel to the hit 2016-film Soggade Chinni Nayana, director Kalyan Krishna is elated that the film Bangarraju, also starring Nagarjuna, has eventually gone on floors on Friday.
Despite it being a sequel, Bangarraju, according to the director, is still independent on its own and has a fresh storyline.
“Even those who missed watching the first part can connect to the second version; in fact, for better recall, we also offer a few references of the first part at the beginning of the sequel,” says Kalyan Krishna.
According to the director, Nagarjuna’s character in this film is flamboyant, eccentric and simultaneously very rooted. “He loved playing this role in the first part so much that we’d even discussed making a sequel while shooting that film,” recalls the director, revealing that after the first show of Soggade Chinni Nayana release, the actor confirmed the sequel.
Interestingly, the sequel also has Nagarjuna’s elder son Naga Chaitanya, playing the role of young Nag. And the director states that it was a collective idea to have him on board. “Nag sir, Naga Chaitanya and I had thought about roping in Chay for the sequel. Moreover, Chay was naturally fitting the script,” explains the director.
Apparently, Nag’s younger son Akhil too was supposed to be part of the sequel, but his dates were clashing with that film it seems.
Kalyan Krishna is very excited and is looking forward to working on the sequel. Apparently, a lot of research went into writing the script. The director also assures the sequel will be even more gripping with a unique screenplay and interesting characteristics. “Directing father and son in the same film is a unique opportunity and I am thankful to Nag sir for his tremendous support,” he shares.
But Kalyan Krishna admires Nagarjuna for another of his qualities, what the director calls his unique swag.
“Nag sir’s approach to filmmaking is distinctive; he has a unique swag that’ll draw everyone to him. In this sequel too, his characterisation will be very unique,” the director further adds. Kalyan further admits that meeting the expectations of the first part is a challenge. He further adds that what kept the entire team to work on the script was the interesting layers the script had.“The twists and turns, the emotional graphs of the story and the highs of the scenes, all give the audience a true experience of a fantasy drama,” he stresses.
Meanwhile, the makers of the film are constructing sets in private studios. Apart from a heaven and hell set, there’s also a temple and a rustic house set.
“The film will be high on VFX; in fact, around 30 minutes of the film comprises VFX, so there’s a lot of pre-visualisation that goes into the making,” says the director signing off.
