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On a historical high
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The slump in the industry notwithstanding, Venkatesh risks a period film to scale a new milestone in his career, writes Y. SUNITA CHOWDHARY
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Time machine: Venkatesh takes on the British in `Subhas Chandra Bose'
The Telugu film industry, floundering to find the right formula to make the box-office registers ring, is turning the lens eye to the yesteryears to stage a comeback . When an accomplished filmmaker comes up with his new product, you await it with bated breath. And if the track record happens to be as enviable as that of Raghavendra Rao, the expectations soar. And there is Venkatesh, attempting to emote a few years in the life of a fictitious historical character for the first time on celluloid in his forthcoming release Subhas Chandra Bose (Not based on the life of freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose). A majority of recent Hindi films were based on historical characters, but will it similarly click in Telugu? A little disingenuously, he comments, "My career is not significant enough to be affected by box office hits or flops. I'm completely unaffected. If films are hits, this happens purely by chance. I just ask that a film has some kind of resonance. If the script is exciting and the plot is good, the timeframe makes no difference. What is important is a story that entertains people."
On what inspired him to work in this film, Venkatesh says, "It is the first time I got a chance to do a film against such a backdrop. . This man's name is Chandram and hence calls himself Subhash Chandra Bose. The period part is only 70 per cent. It's a modern story in a couple of reels followed by period stuff then we return to the present day."
On his costumes, the looks and the locales, Venkatesh elaborates: "We've been working on a fixed set in Kurnool and the crowds kept coming. They saw us make something different and the feedback is they have liked the look. Overall it is colourful, has a patriotic feel plus there is a dual role. There were scores of junior artistes as British soldiers, the horses; the costumes were all so interesting. I have been very honest and sincere in my work." Talking about finances Venkatesh says, "We should limit our budget, no doubt, but again it's the choice of the producer and what kind of film he wants to make. Finally it is the script and content that makes a film run. Like in Sankranti, it had no great look but it is turning out to be a big grosser, but yes, for some movies we do get a good opening because of the look.
On the personal front, Venkatesh says,"The past two years have bought a considerable change in me. I'm in a state of bliss." He says a movie that isn't a box-office hit, can it still be successful movie "because everyone involved has devoted his or her vision, passion, time and money in it. We talk of a successful author or artist, which invariably means financial reward. But how many fine movies, books, and works of art have not netted huge financial rewards. Are they not still successful? Surely a creation that changes lives succeeds just as much."
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