Director Sudheer Verma is wrapping up Keshava as he wants the film to be released by April end. Having worked with Nikhil for the super hit Swami Ra Ra.., he shares a high level of comfort with the actor.
Sudheer Verma detests defending himself when something goes wrong with his film. “I don’t regret doing Dochay . I take total blame for its failure. Many felt it was similar to Swami Ra Ra . I guess they expected something else which we couldn’t deliver.”
He adds, “Director Teja’s Chitram was followed by many small successful films but there was quite a gap after that. Post Swami Ra Ra , producers were willing to encourage decent subjects with small budget, then came Uyyala Jampala, Venkatadri Express, etc. Chandoo Mondeti, Merlapaka Gandhi, Tarun Bhasckar, Karthik Ghattameneni, Virinchi Verma, Ravi Kiran, Sankalp etc have proved their mettle. They proved themselves fast and a lot of things changed swiftly, with each of them trying new genres. The atmosphere turned healthy and producers and heroes had lot more options.”
Ask the director why star heroes are not working with directors like him who have dished out one or two successful films, he feels they are justified in their choice.
Sudheer Varma during a shoot
The budget for their films is far bigger than that of mid-range heroes. “We can never say our concept stories are commercial and it will collect great money from big hero projects. The budget for a mid-range hero is less, but the same concept or script will be given more money ..maybe ₹50 or ₹60 crore and the risk is also that big if the film is made with a star.”
The director wants to make a sequel to Swami Ra Ra with the same cast some day when the artistes are available. Admitting that his forte is to make thrillers, he reveals that in Keshava , the hero’s name is Keshav. Keshava is also Lord Vishnu’s name . Keshav’s family is affected by a bunch of people and he takes revenge after he grows up. The tagline of the film is Revenge is a dish that is served cold.. as he is taking revenge after 12 years.
On his spade work, he shares, “I decided on the visuals when I conceived the story. I set it up in Kakinada and Visakhapatnam, Narsapuram where I grew up. I shot the film even without a recce..as I knew the places inside out. Small portions were shot at Hyderabad.”
The film was completed in 40 working days. Isha Koppikar is doing an important role in the movie.
