Hero Teja Sajja Interview

'Hanu-Man' marks the maiden Indian original superhero film from the visionary cinematic universe crafted by creative director Prasanth Varma. Backed by the ambitious production efforts of K Niranjan Reddy under PrimeShow Entertainment, this cinematic endeavour stars the dynamic young hero Teja Sajja in the lead role.

The film, presented as a Sankranthi gift, made a grand global debut on January 12, capturing the hearts of audiences and earning the status of an epic blockbuster. In the wake of its tremendous success, Teja Sajja graciously shared the film's distinctive features and insights during a press conference, shedding light on the creative journey and the immense entertainment it delivered to diverse audiences.

Q: How does it feel that Hanu-Man has achieved such great success?

A: I am elated and filled with joy. The extraordinary response from all quarters, especially from audiences beyond the Telugu-speaking regions, is truly surprising. While the Telugu audience is familiar with my work, the support pouring in from other language speakers is immensely gratifying. Witnessing such remarkable openings and numbers, I believe Hanu-Man will stand as a benchmark film in my career. This triumph belongs to the audience, and their warm welcome has been truly heartening. Hanu-Man is proof that a good movie can captivate audiences, and I express my sincere gratitude to all.

Q: Wasn't there a bit of pressure before the release of Hanu-Man? What were your thoughts then?

A: There wasn't any real pressure in the last ten days leading up to the release. We had faith that everything would unfold as planned. The increasing number of theatres each day reinforced our belief that the film would run successfully for more than four weeks. We were confident in seeing another week of success that matched or surpassed the current one.

Q: Tell us about producer K Niranjan Reddy.

A: Niranjan Reddy, our producer, placed immense faith in our team. Inspired by the trust of both the director and the producer, I refrained from committing to another project during Hanu-Man's making, as any other film might have affected its outcome. Watching premieres with the audience and witnessing their fantastic response felt like a weight lifted off my shoulders. As we revel in the success, we're considering expanding the film's reach to Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, and possibly Yus.

Q: Director Prasanth Varma mentioned that you provided good input during the shooting. Can you elaborate?

A: As an actor, I express my thoughts openly on set, focusing on what I believe the audience will connect with. Director Prasanth Varma values input from anyone involved in the creative process, showcasing his commitment to making the movie extraordinary. Our collaborative efforts as a team were crucial in the making of Hanu-Man.

Q: Are all Hanu-Man action stunts original?

A: Yes, all the action sequences in Hanu-Man are original. From the underwater scenes to the climax in the air, everything was done practically. Even the air sequence, where I climbed ropes with makeup, was a real feat that required descent in the evening.

Q: Is the brother-sister emotion well-developed in Hanu-Man? How was it working with Varalaxmi Sarathkumar?

A: Varalaxmi Sarathkumar is a phenomenal actor, and the opportunity to work with her was a learning experience. The brother-sister dynamic in Hanu-Man is well-crafted, and our scenes turned out well due to mutual cooperation.

Q: The statue of Hanu-Man in the movie feels divine. How long did it take to create?

A: Crafting the divine statue of Hanu-Man took six months for a single shot.

Q: Many people thought that Chiranjeevi would appear as Hanu-Man. Have you contacted him?

A: Chiranjeevi was aware of the Hanu-Man project, and he understood our intentions. He sent a congratulatory message on the 12th, expressing his pride and happiness for our achievement.

Q: Harigaura's background music is receiving an excellent response. What were your thoughts when you saw it in the theatre?

A: The response to Harigaura's background music has been extraordinary. Certain scenes have the audience in a divine trance. It feels like we didn't make the Hanu-Man movie; Hanu-Man happened to us.

Q: What did you learn in Hanu-Man's journey?

A: I learned the value of patience in Hanu-Man's journey. (laughs)

Q: Are any new projects on the horizon?

A: We are gearing up to start shooting for a new movie, and details will be announced soon.