Versatile actor Jiiva, recognized for his dynamic roles ranging from the guy-next-door to a caped crusader in Tamil cinema, is set to surprise audiences yet again with his latest portrayal. Known for his impressive performance as former cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth in the Hindi film ’83’, Jiiva now steps into the political arena to embody Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy in the Telugu biopic ‘Yatra 2’. With a release date set for February 8 in theatres, Jiiva shared some insights with The Hindu regarding this ambitious cinematic venture.
The role appeared on his horizon quite unexpectedly. “I am always game to take up films that require me to be an actor rather than a star,” explained Jiiva. It was the art of photography that indirectly opened this opportunity for him. Following a photoshoot using his newly purchased cameras and lights, which he uploaded on Instagram, producer Gnanavel Raja made an unexpected connection. The producer, familiar with ‘Yatra 2’ director Mahi V Raghav, saw potential in Jiiva for the political role based on those photographs.
The challenge wasn’t lost on Jiiva, who had two immediate concerns: his unfamiliarity with Telugu, and the intimidation of portraying a contemporary political figure. Seeking guidance, he turned to Mammootty, who had brilliantly played the late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, Jagan’s father, in the first installment of Yatra. Mammootty’s response was clear, “why not? We are actors. We might act as a politician in one film, a cop in the next, and maybe a murderer in another. That does not mean we are a politician, cops or a murderer”. This advice significantly alleviated Jiiva’s apprehensions.
To prepare for the role, Jiiva immersed himself in Raghav’s previous work by watching ‘Yatra’ and acquainting himself with the nuances of Srikkanth’s character during the filming hiatus caused by the pandemic. His efforts were integral in adapting to his new character in ‘Yatra 2’. The actor’s Telugu-speaking neighbor also contributed by accompanying him to the script narration and was reportedly impressed by the dialogue and emotional depth of the story.
However, mastering the Telugu language, particularly the political speeches, proved to be arduous. Jiiva trained rigorously with a tutor, learning his lines each morning and recording his practice in the afternoon. Despite this dedication, he admitted to not dubbing for the film personally, conceding that the Kadapa accent was beyond his grasp.
Beyond language, comprehending the character’s psyche was critical. Although he never met the Andhra Pradesh chief minister, ample video footage facilitated a robust understanding of the character. Jiiva noted, “Mahi’s story is about a father, son, a promise and how people connect with both the father and the son.” He found parallels with ‘The Godfather 2’, where the narrative’s tone and the pivotal silent scenes that articulated emotion purely through expressions mirrored his task in ‘Yatra 2’.
While Jiiva is eager to see how the Telugu audience reacts to the film, he is also looking forward to engaging with scripts through his family’s production company – Super Good Films. Alongside cinematic pursuits, Jiiva is excited about the recent launch of Deaf Frogs, a music label and content company aimed at project design, film marketing and promotions, and more. The label already released its first music video and is looking to feature indie artists from the South Indian music scene.
Deaf Frogs is all about promoting artistic talent, with music as the jumping-off point. Jiiva reminisces about the days when Tamil cinema projects often kicked off with a musical creation by Ilaiyaraaja, underpinning his belief in the power of music as a foundation for the arts. The initiative is a step toward capturing fresh talent, where Deaf Frogs plans to be a catalyst for emerging artists seeking new exposures in the vibrant landscape of indie music and cinema.
In summary, Jiiva’s artistic journey continues to evolve, with his role in ‘Yatra 2’ as the latest testament to his wide-ranging abilities as an actor. Through new ventures like Deaf Frogs, Jiiva further exemplifies his commitment to nurturing the arts and providing platforms for new talent to shine. No doubt, film enthusiasts and music lovers alike are keen to witness the unfolding of Jiiva’s multifaceted career ventures.
