Koratala Siva interview on Devara Part 1: Jr NTR will take you on an emotional wild ride
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Devara Part 1 is all set to hit the screens on September 27, 2024. Koratala Siva directs the film and he speaks to us about the debacle of Acharya, the equation with Chiranjeevi, how Devara started, making it in two parts, roping Janhvi Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan the trolls faced for the film's trailer and its mega release. Here is the transcript.
How disappointed were you after Acharya's debacle?
I will not lie if I say I was not disappointed. I had worked very hard on the film but sadly it did not work. There was so much trolling and insults thrown at me but I had no time to react much. In just two weeks of Acharya's release, we started working on the motion poster of Devara and have been busy since then.
News says that the debacle of Acharya spoiled your relationship with Chiranjeevi. What do you have to say?
So much was written about me after the debacle of Acharya. There is a common thinking that Chiranjeevi Garu is upset with me. But that is not the case. When we announced Devara with Jr NTR, he was the first person who messaged me wishing best of luck for my comeback. All is well between me and Chiru Garu.
What is the basic theme of Devara?
For any human being, fear is the biggest challenge. It drives everyone and in Devara, fear is the major theme on which the story has been set in different worlds. The film is narrated in two time periods and the fear factor continues to travel through the years before the hero takes over the challenge of facing the inevitable.
Is the news about Devara's third part true or false?
It is not true and we have no idea to take the story forward. Even while scripting the film, we had no idea about making the film in two parts. But as we shot so much footage, our editor gave the idea that the story should move forward into two parts. We stopped the shoot rewrote a few scenes and decided to make the film in two parts.
A lot is being said about VFX in Devara. What's your take?
Yes, the basic backdrop and setting is set in an imaginary backdrop of ocean and at least 80% of the film has VFX effects. We have hired some big names to do the VFX and until recently, the team has been working on the graphics to make things better. I am confident that the visual effects will only add to the aesthetics of the film.
What made you choose Anirudh to compose the music?
So far, I have only worked with Devi Sri Prasad in all my films, and share a very close rapport. I decided to Mani Sharma with Acharya which backfired. So, I decided to work with Anirudh as I love his style of music. Also, NTR wanted to have Anirudh at any cost and so we got Anirudh finally. He is the mainstay of the film as his BGM is on another level altogether.
About roping in Janhvi Kapoor?
Until the final draft was finished, we did not have any name of the female lead. But once the final narration happened with Jr NTR, he suggested Janhvi Kapoor's name suddenly. We felt she would be a perfect fit for the role of Thangam and roped her in. She has surprised us with her dedication and sincere performance.
About Jr NTR's role in Devara?
Jr NTR plays both father and son in the film and has given a mind-blowing performance. Right from the time the story was being written, he was a detailed part of Devara. He is the one who gave me the belief to dream big and direct the film on such a huge canvas. The character of the elder NTR in Devara will stun everyone with its intensity and spell-binding performance of Jr NTR.
Is your next with Prabhas confirmed?
As I had a lot of time during a pandemic, I had penned a few stories with Prabhas. The last time when I worked with Prabhas, he was a superstar but now, his range has gone international. Also, he is busy with multiple films. But I will surely work with him as I have a story ready for him.
What's the update about Devara Part 2?
To be frank, it will not happen in the next one and a half years as NTR has two big films lined up for release. Only when he wraps up shooting for those films, we will take the second part on the floors. It has an even bigger canvas and terrific twists involved. For now, all eyes are on Devara and its outcome as we have worked so hard on the film for the last three years.
