January 1, 2017
Telugu film star Nagarjuna has been super-busy in the closing
months of 2017, but he is satisfied and happy about the response of the audience
and critics to his son Akhil Akkineni's movie "Hello".
"There was my
son's film 'Hello' and there's my own film with Ram Gopal Varma," Nagarjuna said
"For me, my son Akhil's film was more important than anything else. I've
never been more nervous about any of my own films. I personally supervised the
production and post-production. Though, mind you, I was never on sets while
shooting was on. I didn't need to be.
"The film was in very capable
hands. Our director K Vikram Kumar made our family film 'Manam', which starred
my grandfather, my son Nag Chaitanya and me. So we knew what Vikram could
achieve with my younger son. I am glad I trusted Vikram. My faith has paid off."
Nagarjuna says he is extremely proud of "Hello".
"It's a love story
that makes us believe in magic. In any case, isn't all cinema about believing in
magic? The action scenes were devised on a scale never done before. Nowadays, we
can't try to palm off sub-standard stunts, and tacky special effects just
because a big name is involved with the project. Audiences want their money's
worth."
Nagarjuna admits he was nervous about the release of his son's
film.
"Like all fathers was eager to see my sons find their place. We did
our best with 'Hello'. I am relieved and happy that our efforts paid off."
Looking back at the year that was, Nagarjuna says it was important for two
reasons.
"My elder son Nag Chaitanya got married and my younger son Akhil
had his film 'Hello' on release. These events were more important than anything
else in my life in 2017."
Nagarjuna is back with Ram Gopal Varma after
three decades. They are collaborating for a film which promises to be as
hard-hitting as "Shiva".
"We have shot only for a few days and we return
to the film after the year-end holidays. But I must say I am impressed with what
we are doing here. Ramu shows the same level of dedication that he did when he
made 'Shiva'.
"I think when a director is in awe of an actor, he tries to
do something special with his vision. That's what Ramu is doing here. I feel our
collaboration after so many years is going to be really special."