In keeping with the current trend of pan-Indian actors promoting their films in regions beyond their home turf, Jr NTR recently made his way to Chennai for the press meet of his much-anticipated film, “Devara: Part 1.” This upcoming project comes on the heels of the monumental success of “RRR.” Notably, this marks Jr NTR’s return to a solo film endeavor after a six-year hiatus. The actor candidly admitted that he feels both excitement and anxiety about the film’s release.
“RRR was a Rajamouli film; this is all on us! I have immense confidence in Team Devara, thanks to the incredible technicians we have onboard—my director Siva (Koratala Siva), production designer Sabu Cyril, editor Sreekar Prasad, and cinematographer Rathnavelu,” he said with a laugh. He also mentioned the music composer Anirudh, saying, “Tamil audiences have been enjoying Anirudh’s music for a longer time, and he is truly in his era. While he’s had great success, I believe he’s here to stay. He understands the importance of music deeply.”
Speaking about Anirudh’s hard work and dedication, Jr NTR elaborated, “Even when we need an output urgently, Anirudh never compromises. He knows how crucial music is, not only for Devara but for any film. I haven’t been this excited about music since Rajinikanth’s ‘Jailer’ and Kamal Haasan’s ‘Vikram.’ I am convinced he will one day achieve international acclaim, much like AR Rahman. The trailer gives just a glimpse of what to expect.”
Jr NTR explained the significance of the film’s title, “In our South Indian culture, we have many kula deivams (local deities). In Telugu, these gods are called devara, and the goddesses are referred to as devata. The title Devara has a pan-Indian reach, making it suitable for various languages, similar to RRR. The movie revolves around two central characters, Devara and Vara.”
The actor described Devara as his “most ambitious project” so far, which is a strong statement given his involvement in “RRR.” He highlighted the intense focus on VFX in this project, stating, “Water is probably the toughest medium to work with in VFX, yet I believe we have excelled. Sabu Cyril constructed a massive 200-foot by 150-foot, six-foot-deep tank for the boat scenes, and a 20-foot-deep swimming pool for underwater sequences. The work in Devara is nothing short of international standards.”
“Often, the brilliant work of production designers goes unrecognized, mistaken for VFX.
. The boats constructed by Sabu Cyril for Devara were so realistic they could almost sail. We shot underwater for about 30 days, incorporating some extraordinary stunts,” Jr NTR noted.
Although RRR made Jr NTR a household name across India, he asserted that not all his films need to match its pan-Indian status. “I’m not in this pan-India game. A story decides its own reach. Some stories work locally, others nationally, and a few may have global appeal. Kantara is a perfect example of a film that connects universally because of its rich storytelling,” he said.
Initially intended as a single-part film, Devara evolved into a two-part project. “We realized a single three-hour movie wouldn’t do justice to the story. While some films, like Animal with a 3-hour and 24-minute runtime, managed to succeed, we felt breaking Devara into two parts was the right approach,” Jr NTR explained.
Janhvi Kapoor’s role in Devara also came under discussion. “Karan Johar once called me, suggesting Janhvi for my movie. Initially, we were still in the writing phase, but her persistent interest made us include her in the film,” shared Jr NTR. He further added that Janhvi faced initial hesitations, especially concerning language and dancing, but eventually “killed it” in her role. “She reminds us of her mother Sridevi in certain angles and yet looks entirely different in others,” he observed.
Janhvi is not the only Bollywood star in the film; Saif Ali Khan, who recently made his South Indian film debut with “Adipurush,” plays the antagonist. Jr NTR commented on Saif’s performance, stating that though the trailer reveals little of his character, “He’s done something extraordinary, unique from his previous roles like Omkara. He plays Bhaira, a character as powerful as Devara.”
“Devara: Part 1” is set to hit theaters on September 27, 2024. Jr NTR concluded with a promise that this action-drama will offer relatable characters and compelling drama, setting a new standard for Indian cinema. “I can’t wait for everyone to watch it,” he said with anticipation.
Prepare for a cinematic experience that promises to be nothing short of extraordinary, as “Devara: Part 1” gears up for its grand release next year.
