Sampath Nandi returns with Bengal Tiger after two successful films Yemaindi Ee Vela and Raccha . With offbeat subjects working well at the box office would he make something similar to Yemaindi Ee Vela after Bengal Tiger? He responds, “I wrote a film called Black before Yemaindi... with an estimated budget of Rs. 20 crores. That was in 2009-10 when it was beyond my reach, be it the budget or finding a producer who would trust me with a subject for a debut. So I started off with a concept based film, Yemaindi , which producer Radha Mohan (also producer of Bengal Tiger ) liked. When I have an opportunity to execute a script with a big budget, bigger canvas that would reach all segments of audience in the two States why would I limit myself to just multiplex audiences?”
He elaborates on Bengal Tiger , “There is a dialogue in the film that explains that among all the Tigers, the Bengal Tiger is by far the best and in what context it is compared to the hero’s character and why it became a national animal. It is screenplay-based, not a police story or based in Kolkata. I did a good amount of research. In short it is about a man from Athreyapuram in Godavari district who comes on a mission to Hyderabad. This is a far better film for Ravi Teja and me.
The director is happy with Boman Irani’s presence in the movie and says he plays a subtle CM , not a loud villain. It is a conflict between two intelligent people, the screenplay of which is simplified and shown in a lighter vein.
The story has a great flashback episode as well. With a big canvas that includes Rashi Khanna, Tamanna, Ravi Teja, Sayaji Shinde and others why did the auteur chose a little known Bheema as a music director? “Bheema has been travelling with me for the past 12 years. He scored the 'Juice' track for my debut movie.
Whenever I had a chance I kept encouraging him and in this project he really did good work. Ravi Teja trusted me and he too liked his tunes.”
In tune with his penchant for encouraging new talent Sampath Nandi turned a producer with Galipatam , and plans to make a film every year and work with new technicians.
Finally ask him if he being replaced by another director for Gabbar Singh had affected him he replies, " Charitra lo oka project kosam one year one month cheyocchu (one can spend year and a month in one’s history for a project); but if it doesn't materialise it’s better to move on.
We are both moving on with our respective films. In future I will surely go to Pawan Kalyan if I have a story that suits him.”
