Charan Anti Sentiment @ Sye Raa

Mega Star Chiranjeevi’s patriotic entertainer Sye Raa, a film on freedom fighter Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, is all set for grand release on October 2nd. Ahead of the film’s release, Chiranjeevi shared many of his personal secrets.

Sye Raa release: I am excited, confident and tensed. However with the film coming in an extraordinary manner, I am cool and fully confident that it will be a big hit.

Star cast from across the country for Pan India image: No. Director Surender Reddy felt that Big B Amitabh Bachchan would suit for the role of Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy's guru Gosai Venkanna. Since history says that a Tamilain Raja Pandi fought alongside Narasimha Reddy, we roped in Tamil actor Vijay Sethupathi.

Since Sudeep is well known in Sandalwood, we cast him in Avukuraju role. Jagapathi Babu as Veera Reddy became an asset. Nayanthara and Tamannaah slipped into the roles of Siddamma and Lakshmi.

When we thought whose message will reach youngsters across the country, we felt Pawan Kalyan in Tollywood and suggested the same to Ram Charan. Kalyan too readily agreed for the same. In Tamil, Kamal Haasan and Malayalam Mohan Lal said. We could have got Rajinikanth to do voice over for the Tamil version. But when we asked Kamal Haasan, he despite his busy schedule of Indian 2 in Rajahmundry, made himself available for the voice over. Ram Charan had good rapport with Aravind Swamy since Dhruva time. When Charan contacted, he readily dubbed for my role in Tamil.

Protests from Uyyalawada descendants: Actually they are innocent. Some vested interests instigated them against us. They fell into their trap. Their financial situation is ordinary. So Ram Charan suggested doing something for the village or the descendants. We handed the responsibility to NV Prasad. However they started demanding Rs 50crs for 245 families which is unreasonable. Supreme Court passed a judgment saying anyone can make a film on public personality after 60 years and the descendants have no rights on them. Apart from it, NV Prasad told that there won't be guarantee that few more do not crop up claiming to be Narasimha Reddy's descendants. But the 25 families themselves wrote a letter saying no one else will come and stake such claim.

Even then did the makers of Richard Attenborough's Gandhi, Padmavat or Manikarnika made those films paying royalty to their family members.

On joining BJP: Completely false.

In which party are you at present?: I am in Cinema Party in a relaxed manner.

Differences between you and Pawan Kalyan: There are no differences. One national media spread those rumors and I got hurt. However we did not take it seriously. When we meet, we laugh them off. I and Pawan do not discuss politics.

Will Pawan fulfill your political ambitions: I came into politics after reaching a stage in life to serve the people. However Pawan Kalyan had interest since his childhood. He used to have that empathy, sympathy and used to react on the atrocities. He used to love the society more than cinema. So that was the reason he entered politics. If given a chance he can serve the people in a remarkable manner. He has that quality and ability to serve the people. He can remain strong despite numerous obstacles and failures.

On doing Bhagat Singh and Chatrapati Shivaji films: At present I do not have any such plans. My quenched my desire with Sye Raa.

What about do a mythological film in future: No. After Sye Raa, I am doing a social entertainer with Koratala Siva.

Are you doing a dual role, romancing two heroines: All those are rumors. It will be launched in October and regular shoot may start from November. More details will be revealed later.

Your film with Trivikram Srinivas: It is 100% full length hilarious family entertainer. He narrated a line and is working on it.

On you doing Narasimha Reddy and son doing Alluri Seetha Rama Raju: Good coincidence and I am happy with it. During Sye Raa shooting gap, I and Surekha went to Japan and other countries and went to the sets of RRR. There the makers were shooting scenes before Ram Charan transforming into Alluri. I as a co star got emotionally charged when few of them dragged Charan kicking with their feet. But my wife Surekha being a mom couldn't see Cherry in such a role.

Charan in Sye Raa: We planned to have a special role for Ram Charan in Sye Raa. Charan suggested to rope in either Salman Khan or Sanjay Dutt for a role of Sharekhan which appears in pre interval scene of Sye Raa. They too agreed for the same. However, few of the members felt that Ram Charan would be the best suited. I fight against Sharekhan in the film. The role has a dialogue 'Narasimha Reddy, Nee Lanti Vaadu Desaniki Kavali' and will take his life with the sword in my hand. But we felt that Ram Charan role ending in my hands would be anti sentiment and will not go down well. So during the script level discussions and considering the length, we have done away with that episode. So Ram Charan missed a chance to star in Sye Raa.

Amitabh bowled for the dishes: The moment Surender Reddy suggested his idea of Big B Amitabh in the role, I at once called him. Amitabh is so kindhearted and great that he at once promised to do the role. He told me that there is no need for me to come and asked to send him Sye Raa team for a discussion on his look and other things. So Surender Reddy, Sushmita, Anju Modi met him and held discussions and finalized the look.

He participated once for two days and another time for five days for Sye Raa shooting. Though we told him that it was an honor to host him, he refused it and bore all the expenses. However I had my way and sent him home made delicacies three times a day.

Amitabh has his own food restrictions. He is a pure vegetarian and will not eat rice, idlis made from rice flour, dosa or wheat items and also chapatis. So my wife using sprouts prepared idlis, dosas and Biryani with Kinova. Amitabh was bowled with those dishes that he remarked 'the dishes are wonderful. I want the recipe for this'. So when my cook told in Tamil, his assistant translated in Hindi and he jotted down the recipe. He even took snaps of those dishes. Amitabh while leaving even said 'Convey my special thanks to Surekha'. This is memorable experience with Big B.