Director Keerthi Kumar Interview about Chaari 111

Young and talented filmmaker TG Keerthi Kumar debuted with  Sumanth Yarlagadda’s Malli Modalaindi and he is now helming Vennela Kishore's Chaari 111 which is headed for release on the 1st of March. With the release date fast approaching, the director sat down for a brief chitchat as he opened up about the film and gave a few interesting tidbits. The film is produced by Aditi Soni under Barkat Studios banner. 

Give us a briefing about you career and how Malli Modalaindi happened

I never worked in the direction department before starting my career. I started as an editor after doing a course in visual communication. I edited TV commercials and corporate films for nearly 10 years early in my career. I then worked on my debut film Malli Modalaindi.

How did Chaari 111 happen?

Vennela Kishore acted as a comedian in my debut film Malli Modalaindi and I pitched the idea of Chaari 111 to him then. Later I shared the script with him. He read the script and okayed the project even without the script narration. He trusted in me from day 1.

How did Chaari 111 idea strike you?

This film is inspired from the core theme of Pink Panther and Johnny English. I liked those spy comedies a lot and it propelled me to develop this script. For a film like Chaari 111, the casting is very important and I was lucky enough to get Vennela Kishore and Murali Sharma onboard for the film. This is a character driven film and the conflict and villain will come later. 

Spy action is a serious subject, how did you pen Chaari 111 with Kishore in mind?

Our film is a spy action comedy. For instance, James Bond is a spy actioner, Johnny English is a spy comedy. My film falls under the second category. I wrote this script with Vennela Kishore in mind. I wouldn't have done this film hadn't Kishore approved the script.

You're citing English films as inspiration, weren't you inspired by Telugu films?

Yes there is. We have Chiranjeevi Garu's Rudranetra in Telugu. I named the main agency in our film after the Chiranjeevi starrer. There's Chantabbayi as well which is a true inspiration. 

Why Murali Sharma?

In our film, Kishore's character irritates his boss to no end. I wanted a serious-looking actor for the role and that's why I went with Murali Sharma garu. 

Your favorite comedy track from Vennela Kishore's films?

He is a brilliant actor and I enjoy his comedy timing. I love the serious side of him, like in Oke Oka Jeevitham and Goodachari.

You didn't show the villain?

There's a reason why the villain wears a mask in our film. I wasn't a conscious effort to hide the villain but on the story front, it has an interesting touch. So we decided to hold the suspense for marketing purpose.

Between Malli Modalaindi and Chaari 111 did you ever plan to work with a star hero?

I wish to work with a star hero sometime in the future. I want to do an action entertainer with a star hero but I have to prove myself first. I am happy to have made Chaari 111.

Any plans for sequels?

If you observe in the trailer, Rudranetra is an agency. There is scope to bring more heroes onboard into the idea. There is the plan to make  sequel for Chaari 111, I must admit. There is a lot of potential to make spy comedies in this universe.