Ahead of Game Changer release, Ram Charan talks about pre-release jitters and more.
From overcoming the pressures post-RRR to collaborating with perfectionist director Shankar, Ram Charan reflects on his journey and the anticipation surrounding Game Changer. (Image by arrangement)
Ram Charan is a busy man right now. After RRR, he is gearing up for his next release, Game Changer, after a gap of four years. Expectations ride high on this movie after RRR’s stupendous success globally. It is also being directed by Tamil filmmaker Shankar, a man known for his larger-than-life offerings.
Excerpts from an interview:
Doing a movie after a 4-year gap
Every film is more important than the previous one and there is enormous stress. “My knees wobble as I feel the stress because we have to outlive the previous film’s targets. Mere ko bhi movie jaldi jaldi karna hai ...malum nahi itna der kyun hota hai. (I too want things to move fast, but I don't know how they get delayed).
A dream come true
Every film is more important than the previous one and there is enormous stress. “My knees wobble as I feel the stress because we have to outlive the previous film’s targets. Mere ko bhi movie jaldi jaldi karna hai ...malum nahi itna der kyun hota hai. (I too want things to move fast, but I don't know how they get delayed).
A dream come true
Shankar sir made a remake of 3 Idiots in the South titled Nanban. When it was released, I was the chief guest. I was sitting next to Shankar sir and was thinking, ‘How do I tell him to make a Telugu film too apart from Tamil films? Why not make a Telugu film with me or my dad or my contemporary heroes?’ But I didn’t have the guts to tell him.
"I remember I was having coffee with Shankar sir on the sets and he started looking at my hair. He then called his assistant director and asked him to bring an ipad. He then said ‘your hair doesn’t match the picture we sent.’ There was just five percent difference in terms of look, but he is so particular about everything. He wanted my hair to look exactly the same as the picture.” — Ram Charan
After a couple of years, I received a call from producer Dil Raju. I was shooting for RRR at that time. He came to meet me and said: 'Shankar wants to work with you.' Initially I did not understand that it was the Shankar, and replied I would talk later. But then he told me ‘It’s Shankar sir’ and I finally understood that Shankar sir really wanted to work with me.
Recently, SS Rajamouli sir also said, 'Shankar is the epitome of commercial, larger-than-life films. He is the first pan-Indian director we have.’ I feel so blessed I got to work with him. He should have done it with dad. I don't know how my dad will feel. I am very fortunate to be working with him.
On Shankar, the perfectionist
On Shankar, the perfectionist
I remember I was having coffee with Shankar sir on the sets and he started looking at my hair. He then called his assistant director and asked him to bring an Ipad. He then said ‘your hair doesn’t match the picture we sent.’ There was just five percent difference in terms of look, but he is so particular about everything. He wanted my hair to look exactly the same as the picture. It doesn’t matter whether he is working with Rajni sir or Kamal Haasan sir or me. He is very particular about what he wants. I enjoyed working with him.
On similarities between Rajamouli, Shankar
On similarities between Rajamouli, Shankar
Both are hard task masters. They expect a lot from every person working on the film. They give you every opportunity to perform and be at your best. It’s rare to work with such talent. They keep pushing you always. There is not a single day where you get to relax.
Why is global platform important
Why is global platform important
Global platform is important, especially for an Indian film. We got an overwhelming response in Dallas (for pre-release event). I hadn’t expected it. It shows global audiences are true cinema lovers. Most of our revenue comes from there. The response is not just for me or Shankar sir, but because they love a good film. I’m blessed to have that kind of response.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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