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'I dont have a glamarous role in Rachcha'
Tamannaah is one of the busiest heroines in Telugu. She has been working continuously in Telugu films for quite some time. Her acting was appreciated in last year's release Oosaravelli. Though Badrinath and Oosaravelli didn't fare as expected she tasted success with 100 % Love.
Rachcha, her first film with Ram Charan Tej releases tomorrow. In this exclusive interview, Tamannaah dwells on the experience of shooting for the film and her future plans.
How did you sign Rachcha?
I was excited to sign a film opposite Charan. When Sampath Nandi came and narrated the script, he was clear and confident.
It's challenging to give a good narration and what I liked about Sampath Nandi was he was bang on. Generally the heroine's track is disconnected from the main plot. In Rachcha, it is integral to the main plot which was a huge plus. So I went ahead and said yes.
The film is in commercial format. Do you have a glamorous role?
I'm not a glamorous girl. I play this rich girl who lives in a protected world. As the film progresses, the layers in the character get revealed.
'I like Charan's style of performance'
You said sometime back that you shot in different terrains and places which were difficult to reach. Could you recollect any experiences?
An important chunk was shot in the Sri Lankan forest which was the first schedule of the film. A song Oka Padam was shot in Kerala and China. We shot several scenes in Bangkok.
In China we had to travel for 10 hours to reach the location. We shot in a bamboo forest. So a lot of time was spent in travelling.
It was interesting to go to a new country as I had never been to China and we travelled a lot into the rural areas. On the whole, we were accessing different terrains and it was not an easy ambience. Also, the climactic conditions kept changing.
How was it working with Charan?
For the number of films Charan has done, he has matured as an actor. He is alert, he leaves no stone unturned, takes care of detailing. He is spontaneous. I like his style of performance.
In this film, he has a different body language. In commercial films there is not much of a clear-cut character sketch. He has taken care of a number of details while enacting his character. It was nice working with Charan.
'I'm happy I did a song done by Chiranjeevi'
You have shot quite a few songs with Charan including Chiranjeevi's Vaana Vaana Velluvaaye from the film Gang Leader. How was it shooting the remake of this song?
Whenever you do a remake of a song, it is challenging, as a benchmark is set by the original and you want the remake to reach the same level.
Shobi Master is a good choreographer and caught the pulse of why the original did well. The grace and expressions by Chiranjeevi and Vijayashanti were the key in that song.
The remix version is treated in a faster way – the same grace and feeling has been maintained by Shobi Master. People are pleasantly surprised to see the same mood and feel. This song was shot in Hyderabad.
At the audio release of Rachcha recently Chiranjeevi had good words to say about you. He had also hinted that he wouldn't mind acting with you. How does it feel when you hear such words from a megastar?
It really puts me on cloud nine. It is very humbling when an actor of his stature says things like this. It's a huge compliment and very sweet of him to say so.
In fact, when he was present on the sets during the Vaana Vaana song shoot, I told him I always felt bad that I missed working with him and that I should have been born twenty years ago. At least I'm happy I did a song done by him. Vaana Vaana is so timeless that even the next generation can attempt it!
'The entire team was in great sync during the shoot'
How was it working with Sampath Nandi (director) and Sameer Reddy (director of photography)?
They are a good combo. Every scene looks good. We shot in difficult climactic conditions and yet Sameer Reddy made me and Charan look awesome. He has portrayed me so well. It's the best I have looked.
Sampath Sir was clear on the sets and he was open to improvisation as a result of which the scenes got better. I felt comfortable working with Sampath Sir.
On the whole, how was it to shoot Rachcha?
More than the actual shoot, it was the travel which was tiring. But the entire team was in great sync and that's a huge plus.
I must also mention Mani Sharma, the music director who has given a good album. The songs are good. I like four out of the five songs and I have been listening to them as they are playing in my car while I travel.
'We have to live up to people's expectations with Rachcha'
Expectations are high as people are waiting for Rachcha. How do you feel?
I'm eagerly awaiting it too. I haven't seen the film so I am looking forward to seeing it myself. Expectations are bound to be there as it's Charan's film and it's coming after a long time and it has to live up to people's expectations.
You've had three releases in the last one year, namely 100 % Love, Badrinath and Oosaravelli. Rachcha is your fourth release. You have Endukante Premanta coming up for releasing in May and you are shooting for Rebel. So you have been doing half a dozen films. Life must be hectic for you...
It was hectic. Now it is a bit better and less stressful. I am much more relaxed.
What are your future projects? Have you signed a film with Pawan Kalyan?
Yes, I have signed Pawan Kalyan's film Cameraman Ganga Tho Rambabu to be directed by Puri Jagannadh. I will start the shoot of this film in May after I finish the shoot of Endukante Premanta (about 10 days is still left) and Rebel.