B Srinivas Interview: B Srinivas of ‘Chhatrapati’ said – I am buying a house in Mumbai, waiting for Bollywood offer

Nowadays Telugu movies are doing well in Hindi belt. Be it Bahubali, RRR or Pushpa. What would you like to say about this trend?
It’s a great thing, it’s a great collaboration. Whether we are from North or South India, we are Indians. We are all one in Indian cinema. Ultimately, we have to give a good experience to the audience, because that is our target and aim. We see Hindi cinema and Telugu cinema in a special and different way, if these two cinemas come together then we can make a better cinema.

But not every film is doing well, only a few films are able to survive at the box office, what do you see as the reason behind this?
Be it any movie, be it any day, content is king. I believe that when the audience likes the film, they like the content, then the same people tell 100 other people that the film is good, to watch it. So this is what I believe.

On the other hand if we see Hindi films are not getting good response in South. Pathan also got very less viewership in Telugu. What kind of logic is that?
I don’t think so. Many people think differently. When a film comes, we all watch it in Hindi only. If you look at Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu together, then the calculation of Hindi is more in the numbers. Hindi is our national language so most people like to watch in Hindi only.

The original film of your film Chhatrapati came in 2005, today this film is coming in 2023, there has been a difference of almost 18 years. So do you think that as of today you have changed the story of the film so much that it will work?
We have done a good job, only the audience will respond. Today’s audience has become very smart. He values ​​time more than money. We have worked hard and tried our best to give the audience a good experience through the film.

Who is your favorite star in Bollywood?
There are many. My childhood has been spent watching Amitabh Bachchan. I have also been a big fan of Aamir, have seen his films Lagaan and Rang De Basanti many times. And I also like to see Salman Khan on screen and Shah Rukh Khan sir is an all-rounder. I like Hindi movies since childhood. I have recently seen the movie Pathan, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. I watch all movies. (laughs) That’s my job.

How would you feel if you get a chance to act in a Bollywood film after this film?
This would be like a dream come true. I hope and am waiting. Right now I am going to buy a house in Mumbai. I am waiting for the next Bollywood offer.

Nushrat Bharucha is with you in this film, how was the experience of working with her?
I had a great experience working with him. I am new to Hindi language so she helps me, tells me dialogues in Hindi. Second, he is very experienced. He has good command over the language. She tells me how to deliver the dialogues in Hindi. Apart from this, working with Bhagyashree madam and Sharad Kelkar sir was also a good experience. Have seen Bhagyashree ma’am’s ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ movie many times. During this, I also asked about that film, how it used to be at that time, what was the style of working. I wanted to know how things used to be in the 90s.

You are remaking this film of Prabhas and Rajamouli, so did you take guidance from them?
Yes, when Rajamouli sir came for the opening ceremony, I told him that this is a small tribute from our side to you. I had seen the film in my childhood, when Chhatrapati was released. I wanted to create the same magic that the film had at that time. I was in 7th or 8th grade when I saw the film. I thought when Hrithik Roshan sir is making Agneepath, I should also make it. Prabhas sir supported me in this.

You are debuting in Hindi films. How did you feel when you got a chance to act in the remake of such a big mega star’s film?
I was very happy when I got a chance to work in this film. It is everyone’s dream to work in Bollywood. When my Telugu films got dubbed in Hindi, and I got millions of views with good response, it was a blessing from God. I had never seen so much love for myself before. I am very happy to see that it happened and it gave me this opportunity.

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Did you see the film when it was released earlier?
Yes, I saw the whole movie. When I saw the first copy, I didn’t see it with full re-recording, but when I saw the first edit, I was very happy. Then I made more efforts to bring more best music directors on board. Music director Ravi Basrur sir, who also composed music for KGF, is re-recording the film. To make the VFX a bit better, took the help of Jayanti Bhai (Jayanti Gada). Whatever was needed to make this film the best, has been done.