The mood at Venkatesh Daggubati’s office in Ramanaidu Studios, Hyderabad, is cheery. In the course of this interview for his new Telugu film Sankranthiki Vasthunam (we are arriving during Sankranti), the actor says, “I value peace of mind and tell those around me to also try and have a positive outlook.” Amid promoting this film, he has also been working on season two of the Hindi-Telugu Netflix web series Rana Naidu, co-starring his nephew, Rana Daggubati.
Post Sankranthiki Vasthunam and Rana Naidu season two, Venkatesh has not finalised his next film. “I am not a creator. So I wait in the hope that a director will approach me with an interesting script. It will happen in a matter of time.” He has been acting for 38 years and reflects, “I have learnt the importance of patience, all the more at this stage of my career. I gracefully accept that I have had a good innings so far and wait for the next move.”
Sankranthiki Vasthunam, which he describes as an entertainer laced with humour, is his third collaboration with director Anil Ravipudi. Venkatesh first met Anil on the sets of Masala (2013), for which he was the screenwriter. “Rana and my brother (producer Sureshbabu) also knew Anil back then; we could sense the spark in his writing. Anil was simultaneously working on Pataas (his directorial debut). We knew Pataas was a potential winner and were glad when it turned out to be one.”
Meenakshi Chaudhary, Venkatesh and Aishwarya Rajesh
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Special Arrangement
Venkatesh and Anil worked together for the comedy films F2 (Fun and Frustration) and F3. Teaming up again for Sankranthiki Vasthunam, they decided to keep things subtle. “The loud comedy worked for F2 and F3 since the characters and situations were written that way. In Sankranthiki Vasthunam, we wanted to keep things simple and still make people laugh. The story has a sub plot of crime, which gives the film a fresh tonality. We go all-out crazy in the climax.”
This story of the film that stars Aishwarya Rajesh and Meenakshi Chaudhary as the female leads unravels during Sankranthi festivities. Venkatesh discloses that like in his other recent films, the narrative addresses the age gap between him and the female leads. He adds that the writing also ensures that the comedy scenes in which his character grapples with the possessiveness of his wife when his ex resurfaces do not end up as awkward or inappropriate. “There are instances where I say, ‘I hope I am not hurting anyone’, just to ensure that things are smooth.”
Sankranthiki Vasthunam was filmed in about 70 days and Venkatesh credits Anil’s disciplined working style. “He is hard working and his friendly approach keeps the sets lively. He is efficient and does not get distracted.” Venkatesh and Anil had several discussions as the script evolved. “We were on the same page. We worked towards fixing the minor flaws that we identified. In filmmaking, we may not get it 100% right; perfection involves time. We go ahead if we are convinced that we are getting more than 70% (of the script) right.”
Venkatesh went all out to promote the film, accompanied by Anil, Meenakshi, Aishwarya and producer Dil Raju, dancing to the songs. “I enjoyed dancing to the songs (music by Bheems Cecerolio). It is tough to gauge how much promotional push is required for a film. Since this a festive entertainer, we stepped up the promotions. I doubt if this strategy would work for an intense film.” Venkatesh has also sung a special pongal song in the film, eight years after he sung ‘Jhingidi jhingidi’ in Guru (2017).
‘Sankranthiki Vasthunam’ is Venkatesh’s 76th film
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Special Arrangement
In his long career, Venkatesh’s effective portrayal of both comedy and emotional segments has made him a favourite among the family audiences. He reminisces about how he has watched his films in theatres over the years to gauge the audiences’ reaction. “People were silent during the comedy scenes in one of my initial films. It was as though they were analysing if I could perform well. Once people own you as an actor, they cheer wholeheartedly. The humour in films such as Abbaigaru, Chanti and Intlo Illalu Vantintlo Priyuralu were appreciated and then Nuvvu Naaku Nachav, Malleswari and other films followed.”
In the early 1990s when Venkatesh chose to be a part of Sundara Kanda, the Telugu remake of director K. Bhagyaraj’s Tamil film Sundara Kandam, well wishers dissuaded him. “I went ahead since I found Bhagyaraj’s comic timing and the subtle humour to be fresh. The style of comedy I portrayed in Nuvvu Naaku Nachav reflected my persona in school and college. I have to thank the audience for accepting me in all these films.”
Last Sankranti saw the release of his 75th film, Saindhav, a brooding action drama. The film underperformed at the box office. “It should not have been released during the festive period,” says Venkatesh. Taking stock of the film, he adds, “We wanted to create a different world, on the lines of Gotham city, but we could not achieve what we had envisioned. My character not being able to save his daughter may have also disappointed the audiences.” Nevertheless, he is proud of the effort that went into the film. “I thoroughly enjoyed working with Sailesh (director Sailesh Kolanu). He is much younger than me but we vibed like friends from college. He made me perform very well.”
Box office results, says Venkatesh, do not bother him. This stems from having been through the vagaries of cinema for nearly four decades; he also attributes it to his spiritual leanings. A wall in his office is dotted with images of thinkers and philosophers such as Ramana Maharishi and Swami Vivekananda. “With all due respect to the worldly comforts I enjoy, I like to surrender to the higher energy that drives me. I am sincere at work, but I do not dwell on success and failure. To be honest, even now when I am talking to you, I am not fully here. I do this as part of my responsibility as an actor. There is something above all this.”
(Sankranthiki Vasthunam releases on January 14)
Published – January 13, 2025 03:27 pm IST
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Telugu cinema
