Keeping in line with the latest trend of pan-Indian actors promoting their films in cities beyond their home base, Jr NTR recently visited Chennai for the press meet of his highly anticipated film “Devara: Part 1.” Following his monumental success with the epic “RRR,” the actor is back with what promises to be another showstopper. During the press conference, Jr NTR candidly spoke about the project, its star-studded team, and the significance behind its title.
Reflecting on his return to the silver screen in a solo capacity after six long years, Jr NTR freely admitted to feeling both excited and anxious about the new venture. “With ‘RRR,’ we had the legendary Rajamouli leading the project. This time, it’s all on us. However, I am extremely confident in the team of ‘Devara’ because of the incredible talent we have,” Jr NTR acknowledged, naming the film’s key contributors, including director Koratala Siva, production designer Sabu Cyril, editor Sreekar Prasad, and cinematographer Rathnavelu. He also singled out music composer Anirudh for high praise. “Anirudh is at the top of his game. This is Ani’s era. He works tirelessly, maintaining the highest standards even under tight deadlines. His contribution to ‘Devara’ is nothing short of extraordinary.”
Continuing his accolades for Anirudh, NTR pointed out the Tamil audience’s long-term familiarity with the music maestro. “Tamil audiences have been enjoying Ani’s music for years, and he’s only getting better. I’ve repeatedly said that this is Ani’s time. Many artists have fleeting moments of success, but I believe Anirudh’s talent is enduring,” Jr NTR elaborated. He even likened Anirudh’s future potential to that of AR Rahman on an international scale.
When asked about the intriguing title of the film, Jr NTR provided a cultural perspective. “In our South Indian traditions, we have many ‘kula deivams’ or local deities. In Telugu, these gods are called ‘devara,’ while goddesses are ‘devata.’ The title ‘Devara’ carries a pan-Indian appeal. It sounded unique and compelling to us and we believe it will have a similar impact across various languages, much like ‘RRR’ did,” he explained.
Jr NTR emphasized the ambitious nature of “Devara,” considering it one of his most enterprising projects yet. “This is probably the most ambitious movie I’ve undertaken.
. It’s heavily laden with VFX, which is an entirely different craft that Rajamouli has mastered. We have gone to great lengths to make it look realistic, particularly with challenging elements like water. Sabu Cyril constructed giant tanks for both the boat and underwater scenes, achieving an unparalleled level of realism. The international caliber of the production design, coupled with the VFX, sets ‘Devara’ apart,” he proudly stated.
Interestingly, Janhvi Kapoor’s involvement in the film has an intriguing backstory. “Karan Johar recommended her for the film, citing her exceptional talent. Initially, we were still in the scriptwriting phase, but it seems Janhvi manifested the role into reality. She faced numerous challenges, including mastering Telugu and dance routines, but she has exceeded all expectations,” Jr NTR revealed, noting the uncanny resemblance between Janhvi and her legendary mother Sridevi in certain scenes.
Janhvi Kapoor isn’t the only notable addition; Saif Ali Khan takes on the antagonist role, bringing his distinctive gravitas to the film. NTR opted to maintain an element of mystery around Saif’s character. “The narrative is so intricately woven that revealing too much could spoil it. Saif’s portrayal of Bhaira is as powerful as Devara,” he hinted, describing Saif’s performance as something entirely new for the seasoned actor.
Jr NTR also touched upon the decision to make “Devara” a two-part series. “We initially didn’t intend for this to be a two-parter. However, the complexity and depth of the story necessitated it. It was evident that a single three-hour film wouldn’t suffice for a narrative so rich. If audiences were open to a five-hour movie, we would have gone that route,” he admitted.
Reflecting on the broader landscape of Indian cinema and successful storytelling, Jr NTR mentioned that not every film needs to aim for a pan-India reach. “Stories should dictate their own scope. While some narratives are universal, others are more regional. For example, a film like ‘Kantara’ resonated throughout the nation despite being deeply rooted in local culture,” he remarked, highlighting the importance of authentic storytelling.
In conclusion, Jr NTR expressed his excitement for audiences to experience the highly anticipated “Devara: Part 1,” poised for release on September 27, 2024. “Devara offers a fresh take on heroism and has a lot of commercial appeal, but it also dives deep into the cultural nuances and exceptional craft,” he promised, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the film’s debut.
