Power-packed performance
M.L. NARASIMHAM
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With `Chatrapathi' turning out to be a big grosser, Prabhas emerges as the new `angry young man'.
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Whatever we have achieved is all due to team work and it is all the more rewarding when the audience turns it into a great success
METHOD ACTOR Prabhas had to work hard for his portrayal of Sivaji in `Chatrapati.'
Measured performance in the action genre is a rare thing to find in our films. Two young actors made Telugu cinema proud in recent months by turning the `angry young man' concept a reality on the celluloid with their sensible portrayal. Mahesh Babu in Athadu and Prabhas in Chatrapathi gave a new definition to action flicks.
But then Mahesh always preferred subtlety in his style. Whereas Prabhas has evolved as an actor to watch, improvising his performance with each film, following a kind of method acting. His forte lies in getting into the skin of the character, and emoting. It has paid rich dividends in Varsham, his first huge hit, and now in Chatrapathi. According to box-office pundits, Chatrapathi may turn out to be this year's biggest grosser among straight releases.
We have seen on screen the mother-son bonding, the sibling sentiment, jealousy and the resultant turmoil, the dons and the bonded labour, the sea and the smuggling activities associated with it from time immemorial. But what makes Chatrapathi so interesting that it manages to draw houseful crowds even after six weeks.
Pat comes the reply from a young movie-buff in Rajahmundry, who watched the film thrice. "Its racy style of narration (screenplay and direction: S.S. Rajamouli), Prabhas's excellent performance in a difficult role, the superb action scenes (Peter Heines), songs (M.M. Keeravani), and Venumadhav's comedy.
Even the sentiments are not played overboard and look natural. Everything is good about the film. You don't feel bored at any time."
As for Prabhas, he says the moment he heard the story he was confident of the subject's success.
But to play a matured character at a young age is no child's play. He had to work hard for it.
Ample homework
"For the character of Sivaji, I should portray rugged looks, control my emotions and vent my anger only when driven to the wall. And there is a finely cut sentiment angle too. I have done a lot of homework for the role besides workouts at the gym, as I had to look tough and, of course, provide entertainment by singing and dancing. I am happy that the audience liked our efforts," smiles the hero.
Rajamouli agrees with him. "Basically, our audience is hero-centric. So I prefer to make films with super heroism as the basis for my themes. I also see to it that all the elements of mass and family entertainment are present in my hero. He is a do-gooder."
"His fight is for a right cause. He is a peoples' hero.
After watching a particular scene in Adavi Ramudu, I felt Prabhas is the right choice to play Sivaji in Chatrapathi.
He vindicated my stand with a superb portrayal. Apart from him, Bhanupriya as his mother, Shafi as his step-brother, and Pradeep Rawat as Rash Behari, the villain, Narendra Jagan as Baji Rao have contributed a lot for the film's success with their performances."
The next step for Rajamouli after four hits in a row is naturally an ambition to direct Chiranjeevi.
"When Chiranjeevi saw the preview and said, `not only your performance but your dance is also good.' I felt light.
Whatever we have achieved is all due to team work and it is all the more rewarding when the audience turns it into a great success," concludes Prabhas with his characteristic smile.
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