It is difficult to say who is the man of Dammu - is it NTR or Boyapati Srinu? With expectations from the film sky-high, all that our director is saying is, "Watch the film, if you have any complaints after you watch it I am ready to be held accountable." He is pretty sure about Dammu. Having scored a hat-trick, he belongs to a rare species of filmmakers.

In this freewheeling interview with IndiaGlitz, the rising director talks about what went into coining the idea, his style of filmmaking, his take on the gore in his films, his convictions and more.

Excerpts:

On how it all began:

As I said, NTR wanted me direct a film for him after he watched Simha. He gets along very well but I do not take advantage of the lenience he gives me. It is not that he did not like ten scripts. But it is true that I narrated a few lines to him in the many short discussions which I had with him on several occasions. He would suggest improvisations, but it was when he explained some pattern in which he wanted the story to be written I instantly picked it and spun a full-fledged story. He had some specifications in his mind, which triggered my creativity.

Dammu came out impromptu. It followed a flow so to speak. After a few exercises NTR said, "We are doing the film."

On how he has presented NTR:

Whichever hero I am working with I become his fan. I am his biggest fan who watches his film seated in the front row. I always have a definite idea about how my hero should look like. His demeanour, the camera angles, etc are the result of my idea of his heroism. For a scene in which NTR walks in a new style, we rehearsed it thoroughly to get it perfect.

I would have placed this song, 'Rooler', in any other story for NTR. This image of him, I had it for long now. Believe me, the song has been conceptualised to work at a different level. You will be thrilled when you watch it.

Coming to his character, NTR is a socially conscious player. The film is, however, more than about fight for something. It throws up other elements too, the story itself is anchored in a family set-up.

This film will be a wholesome entertainer. I am confident that I have done the film in such a way that it is going to be a fitting payback to the faith Nandamuri fans have on me.

On his style of filmmaking:

I don't like to use the element of violence for the sake of infusing it. In Simha my hero stems out the villains like a doctor removes a malignant tumour from a body part. I neither believe in forced violence nor use it as a justification to project larger-than-life heroism. I don't depict violence because I feel about myself as a mass director. The script should demand a fighting scene. The hero finishes someone in Bangaru Konda song and returns to savour the familial love. I used that situation to elevate the hero's character in the mind of audience.

It is my feeling that the violence which we depict in cinema is much less intense than the violence taking place in society. True. There is mind-numbing gore that is happening around us. We talk about it for a few days and forget all about it. There is a difference between ferocity and intensity and violence. My films are more about the first two.

When you expect the hero to bash up someone he does just that in Dammu. You can watch the film with your wife and children and still feel nothing uncomfortable about the violence. That’s why I call it a family entertainer.

The role of heroines in Dammu:

If you see my track record, heroines have always had an integral role in the story. For me, a heroine should have a part in the story. In Dammu too I did not go for a second heroine because NTR, who is a mass star, needed two heroines. The story demands her introduction at interval. Both Trisha and Karthika are equals in the film. Coming to their dances, they matched steps and both were extremely good.

Feedback for music:

The feedback has been very encouraging, as each song appealed specially to a particular section. If NTR’s fans like Rooler, youngsters like O Lilly and the title track. Other sections like other songs. What appeals to an audience depends on his taste and profile.

In fact, the visuals have come out much better. When you watch it on screen you will know what I am saying.

On working with Keeravani:

I knew that the script demanded someone like MM Keeravani and that's why we roped him in. Besides giving all kinds of songs, he has infused life into re-recording. It is amazing and fabulous.