Director Hanu Raghavapudi’s Padi Padi Leche Manasu has been wrapped up and the post production is on, with the makers working towards a December release. Though Sharwanand had dabbled with the romance genre in Malli Malli Idhi Rani Roju , he calls this new project a complete love story aimed at the young audience.
The actor reminisces that he never had the luxury of choosing the genre when he debuted as an actor; he chose from the best of what was available to him and what he felt would suit him. He relied on instinct. Now he is in a position to choose his stories: “In Tamil I had done a love story, but there was another layer to it; romance was a sub plot. Padi Padi... is a proper love story. Love can happen any time and if you make a good love story, it will be memorable. Films like Nuvve Kaavali, Gitanjali or Arjun Reddy look like classics. Love stories need to be convincing and make the audience connect with it, then nothing will stop the film from working at the box office. Hanu Raghavpudi and I were planning to work together for a long time. I don’t usually repeat genres in consecutive films. The films I have done so far are all different.”
Sai Pallavi and Sharwanand in Padi Padi Leche Manasu
Sharwanand doesn’t divulge details of the project but says the essence of the film is “ Prati roju kotthaga preminchali, prati roju oka prayatnam undali . It could be anyone — your parents, sibling or girlfriend — but keep the romance or interest alive, demonstrate your love. Always try to impress her.” Portions of the film have been shot in Kolkata and Nepal; Sharwanand states that though Nepal has no connection to the story, it gives the audience a different experience while watching the story unfold.
The actor grew his hair to sport a new look. “My stylists have done a good job,” says Sharwanand who’s incidentally a football player in the film.
He addresses director Hanu Raghavapudi as Telugu cinema’s Mani Ratnam as he’s so passionate about cinema: “Whenever he is on set, he is so focused.” Sharwa had known Hanu for a long time. During the shoot of Amma Cheppindi , Hanu was an associate to director Chandrasekhar Yeleti. He talks of the director’s serious yet easy style of filmmaking and the journey became easier as they were more like friends. “We could discuss anything. When you see what he has done here, you will be convinced that he is a different filmmaker and a fan of Mani Ratnam. The execution of a love story makes all the difference.”
Sharwanand is known to do one film at a time, though he’s made an exception and simultaneously worked on director Sudheer Verma’s project. He quips, “It didn’t feel like a task, I had a good time shooting for both.”
The industry buzz is that Sharwanand interferes with a project and at times keeps his directors waiting before agreeing on a project? He states firmly that he never keeps any director waiting unnecessarily. . “I should know what I am getting into. If only directors come with a bound script, I can decide if I want to do the film next. I don’t give my word to a filmmaker without knowing the story. A few directors, after delivering a big hit in their debut, are not able to follow it up with another success. I do and will interfere; filmmaking is not a one man job. If a scene is not working out, you have the right to say it. Finally it’s the director’s call.”
He terms his Padi Padi... co actor Sai Pallavi a fantastic actor and says he hasn’t seen someone like her for a long time. “She was genuine to the script and her performance is so natural. She’s an intelligent actor,” he says.
Sharwanand is confident about the film and sums up, “Post Run Raja Run , critics said they didn’t think I was capable of pulling off certain genres and a stylish look. Padi Padi ... is another changeover and for me.”
