In a quaint fictional village nestled near Kurnool, a small-time thief’s life takes a wild turn as he becomes entangled in a whirlwind of conspiracies. What unfolds is a riveting mix of crime and comedy, with the upcoming film “Gam Gam Ganesha” promising audiences a delightful cinematic experience. Penned and helmed by newcomer Uday Shetty, this film is set to showcase actor Anand Deverakonda in a whole new avatar, diverging sharply from his previous, more reserved roles.
In a recent chat in Hyderabad, Anand opened up about the film, slated for a theatrical release on May 31. “Gam Gam… is vastly different from my usual calm demeanor. An energetic side of me, usually reserved for close friends, comes alive in this film. I flaunt spiked hair, a tattoo, and exhibit a hyper-energetic persona,” Anand explained. Initially concerned about audience reception, Anand transformed this fear into a driving force. “The doubts I had sprang from fear, which I channeled as motivation to try something new.”
The inception of “Gam Gam Ganesha” coincided with the production of “Middle Class Melodies.” By this time, Anand had moved past the initial awkward phase he experienced during his debut in “Dorasaani.” Reflecting on the trajectory of his career, Anand noted that the realistic characters he portrayed in his first few films happened by chance.
“In ‘Middle Class Melodies,’ director Vinod Anantoju designed a placid character for me, which pushed me to maintain a balanced performance. During that period, I was heavily influenced by Malayalam cinema, which inspired my preference for realistic roles. Even in ‘Baby,’ I maintained a grounded performance except for one scene where my character drives the female lead to the theater. Director Sai Rajesh coached me on how to bring that scene to life,” Anand shared.
Behind the scenes of “Gam Gam Ganesha,” director Uday Shetty brings his wealth of experience as a writer for prominent filmmakers like Vijayendra Prasad and K V Anudeep. Although “GGG” draws comparisons to Telugu films such as “Swamy Ra Ra,” “Run Raja Run,” and “Express Raja,” the creative discussions pulled from a diverse range of inspirations like the animation film “Rango,” as well as “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and “Hot Fuzz.” “Our aim was to capture the right mood, and we had extensive discussions with Uday and co-star Emmanuel to ensure we all operated on the same wavelength,” Anand said.
Many fans may not know that Anand originally worked in the corporate sector before diving into the world of cinema. One thing that remains unchanged from his corporate days is Anand’s indifference to his reflection. “I would check the mirror only to shave when I had my corporate job. Even now, I don’t feel the need to check my makeup or hair before a shot or review the monitor afterward. I rely entirely on the director’s feedback,” said Anand, contrasting his approach with that of his brother, Vijay Deverakonda. “Vijay is very meticulous and checks everything right after his shots to plan his next move,” he added.
This humble approach allowed Anand to quickly shed his camera shyness early in his career. Reminiscing about his experiences in “Middle Class Melodies,” he recalled, “My dad would always say that when things fall into place, you stop worrying about camera angles.
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Anand learned not to bother about how he looked on camera, whether he was crying or laughing. “In ‘Baby,’ I had three different sequences where I had to cry, each orchestrated differently by Sai Rajesh. It’s similar to a batsman finding his form; you just know when you’ve nailed it,” he explained.
During the conversation, Anand frequently circled back to “Baby.” Although “Middle Class Melodies” garnered widespread appreciation, it went directly to digital release amid the pandemic. “Baby,” however, was a box office hit. Acknowledging the varied reactions “Baby” elicited, Anand remarked that he has learned to take social media comments with a pinch of salt. “It wasn’t a movie about virtuous people,” he clarified.
Before filming a controversial scene where his character uses profanity against the female lead, extensive discussions were held. “We debated whether the word should be included. Sai Rajesh felt that given my character’s background—neglectful of his mother, fatherless, and surrounded by foul-mouthed friends—his reaction was justified. We never intended to glorify or market the film through that lens,” Anand said.
The production of “Gam Gam Ganesha” began in May 2022, and there were instances where Anand was juggling work on both “Baby” and “GGG.” “Compared to the emotionally intense ‘Baby,’ ‘Gam Gam Ganesha’ was a breeze. Plus, this film isn’t centered solely on me; I’m one among many characters. The story unfolds in three chapters—fear (bhayam), greed (ati aasa), and conspiracy (kutra),” Anand revealed. He praised working with Vennela Kishore and appreciated the well-crafted script and situational comedy, confident that the twists and humor will captivate the audience.
Since embarking on his film career, Anand has been steadfast about not chasing stardom. Despite “Baby” earning over ₹100 crores, he maintains this stance, drawing inspiration from actors like Dhanush who balance commercial and offbeat cinema. “If my taste in cinema aligns with success and more people want to see me as a star, perhaps it will happen in ten years. I’m in no rush,” Anand asserted.
Anand’s upcoming projects include “Duet,” produced by Studio Green and starring Ritika Nayak, another collaboration with creative director Sai Rajesh, and a raw action entertainer directed by Vinod Anantoju.
When asked about handling success and failure, Anand emphasized familial support. “There is a brief period of gloom when a film we hoped for doesn’t perform well. But we have a strong support system, especially our parents, who don’t let us dwell on it for long. We shift our focus to physical activities or the next project because dwelling on the past is futile,” he concluded.
