With the release of Poola Rangadu on Feb. 18, director Veerabhadram has secured a neat hit for the second time. Repeating the feat of Aha Na Pellanta, this director imbibes the creative qualities of his guru EVV Satyanarayana. What makes this director different from the rest is that, like EVV, he makes comedy a part of the narration and refuses to agree with you if you term his films as mere comedy entertainers. For, according to him, they are wholesome family entertainers.

In this exclusive chat with IndiaGlitz, Veerabhadram talks about his journey so far, what he seeks to make of Sunil with his new film, his ambition to direct a big hero and more. Excerpts:

On how Poola Rangadu happened:

I got good name after Aha Na Pellanta, which celebrated 100 days, thanks to the blessings of audience. It was an Allari Naresh film, and a complete family entertainer, and crossing the century mark was not a joke. I have known Sunil since the days of Akkada Ammayi Ikkada Abbayi. I had a story idea in mind and I approached Sunil. After he heard the narration, he did not take a while to give the nod. RR Movie Makers evinced interest in the project and the film was kickstarted with delay.

The film has come out so really well. After K Atchi Reddy garu and editor Gautham Raju garu watched the rushes, they complimented me. I felt very encouraged and we shot at a stretch without a break. Story, characterization of Sunil, the climax fight are the biggest highlights of our film.

On how he presented Sunil in PR:

We all know Sunil as an able comedian who has acted in more than 150 films and we have watched him in the films like Andala Ramudu and Maryada Ramanna. I wanted to present him in a new light. You will see him in this film as a soft, easy-going, carefree and irresponsible youth - just fitting the definition of a typical 'poola rangadu', but he bravely takes up a responsibility. In the course of the film, he expresses his anger quite compellingly.

I was pretty sure of how to adapt the story to suit Sunil's body language. The film is tailor-made for him. All the sidekicks also do comedy. What makes this film special for him is that this is going to consolidate him as a commercial hero.

On the rationale behind six-pack abs:

We did not want Sunil to build a body just for the sake of it. After you watch the film, you will definitely say that the element was very much demanded by the script. He loses patience and the climax fight between the hero and the villain, which is one of the most important highlights of the movie, required such an element. It was Sunil who advanced to build six-packs body, which has been his wish of 2 years. I gave a thought to it and felt that it would be apt for the story. The body is required for the hero's character. The audience will definitely appreciate it.

We had actually thought of not revealing about Sunil's six-pack body till the release. We do not know how the information spread on Facebook. When the journalists asked us for confirmation, we decided to make it public.

On why they went for a big release:

I felt very happy when the producer said that the film will be released in 450 theatres. It only goes to show how much the makers are confident about the project. They are gutsy and the big releases bear testimony to their faith in the product. Though we had planned to release the film for Sankranthi, we had to postpone because a song was pending. Also the post production and rerecording works were still on.

On the prospect of directing a big hero:

After the success of Aha Na Pellanta, I was to do a film with a big hero. Things did not fall in place because he could not give his dates for the project. Just as Sunil will be called a commercial hero after the release of PR, I will be called a commercial director. I have directed Sunil after he was directed by someone like Rajamouli. The film will never disappoint you. I will come back with a film with a top star!