When Kartikeya Gummakonda was six years old, he performed a dance routine to the song ‘Ramma Chilakamma’ from Chiranjeevi’s blockbuster film Choodalani Vundi at a school event. The warm reception he received filled him with joy and anticipation. By the time he entered fifth or sixth grade, his aspirations evolved; he wanted to grow up and become a star. “I am glad I convinced my parents and gave acting a shot; otherwise I would have always regretted not trying,” he shares during this interview ahead of the release of his new Telugu film, Bhaje Vaayu Vegam, slated for May 31.
Kartikeya exudes confidence and enthusiasm when he discusses Bhaje Vaayu Vegam, directed by debutant Prashanth Reddy, who previously collaborated with director Sujeeth on films like Run Raja Run and Saaho. “I have not signed my next film yet. I am confident about Bhaje… and a good reception will validate my choice as an actor; I will be sure that I am on the right path,” he asserts.
This interview is conducted at an office in Madhapur, Hyderabad, where camera crews are lining up to document his interviews. Transitioning from one interview to the next, Kartikeya notes, “I have a lot of patience, which helps me get through the promotion schedules. It is part of my job.”
Bhaje Vaayu Vegam follows on the heels of his previous hit, Bedurulanka 2012, but the film itself has been in production for nearly two years. Prashanth originally pitched a story that intricately blends a father-son relationship with a race against time. Since a large portion of the film involves a dramatic car chase, titles like ‘Race’ and ‘Speed’ were initially considered before settling on Bhaje Vaayu Vegam for its resonance with the Hanuman Chalisa and its metaphorical connection to the narrative.
A silver Jaguar, prominently featured in the movie, was previously owned by actor Prabhas. “A luxury car plays a significant part in the story. About 40 minutes in the second half are on the road and involve car chase sequences. If we were to hire a Jaguar, we would be concerned about the rentals, fixing cameras, and any potential damage. The producers of UV Creations (associates of actor Prabhas) remembered that Prabhas anna had a Jaguar that he was not currently using and requested him to lend it for the film,” Kartikeya reveals.
While the adrenaline-pumping car chase segments are crucial for the film’s excitement factor, the relationship between the father and son provides the story’s emotional core. Bhaje Vaayu Vegam was filmed over 53 days, with 20 days dedicated to the car chase scenes. “On some days, we filmed long hours. I would arrive on the sets at 6 AM and leave the next day at 8 AM,” Kartikeya recalls.
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Meticulous planning during pre-production made this grueling schedule possible. “Plenty of sketches were made, and Prashanth was very clear on how he wanted his script to translate onto the screen. Action choreographers Dilip Subbarayan and Venkat master helped execute it smoothly. We were particular about working within our budget,” he explains.
Bhaje Vaayu Vegam marks Kartikeya’s ninth film as a lead actor and his 11th project overall, including his roles as an antagonist in Nani’s Gang Leader and the Tamil film Valimai starring Ajith Kumar. Kartikeya is still open to playing characters with morally grey shades if the script and character are compelling. “I worked in Nani’s Gang Leader soon after RX100. Until then, I was being offered characters that required me to look rugged. That film presented me with a stylish look and helped me get urban, stylish-looking parts in my next films. Today, if I were offered a film like that, I would want more from the antagonist’s role,” he states.
Entering the industry as an outsider, Kartikeya acknowledges that he was lucky to have his family’s support. His parents, who own a school in Vanasthalipuram, were initially concerned when he expressed his desire to become an actor. An alumnus of NIT Warangal, Kartikeya knew he could always pursue postgraduation if he did not succeed as an actor, but he was determined to give it a shot. “I told my dad that whenever I come across a poster of a hit film, I might regret not having tried. He relented and asked me to try until I was 25 or 26,” Kartikeya reminisces.
His family further supported him by producing Rx100 and 90ML, with Rx100 becoming his first blockbuster. Ten films later and now 31 years old, Kartikeya observes that he has significantly improved as an actor and is learning to better assess scripts. “With experience, I am learning how to switch on and off on sets and do what is required for a shot. Earlier, when I watched a rough cut of my film, I would not know how to assess it. I can manage to an extent today, but I am still learning,” he confides.
Despite the pre-release anxiety that concerns his mother, Kartikeya wouldn’t trade his journey for anything. “But I will not exchange this for anything else,” he assures, reflecting on his career.
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