Puri Jagannath has more crests and troughs than any other director or actor in Telugu Film Industry. The director shot up to fame with continuous hits and has seen his peaks with Mahesh Babu starrer ‘Pokiri’. The graph declined steeply after that and the once most sought after director quickly became a second rung.

But the fighter he is, attempts to strike back. His uncanny knack in convincing a star immediately after his blockbuster (Mahesh Babu after Dookudu, Pawan Kalyan after Gabbar Singh, Allu Arjun post Julayi, even Nithin and Vishnu after their career best films) in spite of his own disastrous form gives him that hope to come back and deliver.

Hours after his latest with Nithiin 'Heart Attack', produced and directed by himself has hit the screens, he has arranged for a pressmeet and he is seen with the same smiling laughing and gaily attitude that he is known for and shared his experiences in the making of 'heart Attack' and explained his plans for future too. Excerpts...

Fantastic Crowds And They're Loving It...

We saw the film at Shanti theater and got good response from everywhere. The movie has got tremendous openings be it advance bookings, returning crowds, great footfall everywhere. Even in the overseas the movie is getting a great response. I thank them in spite of the minus degree temperatures, they are driving 40-50 miles to the theaters to watch the film just for the love of Telugu cinema and for me.

Just To Show The World...

People have seen our lands for decades.I shoot across the world with an intention to show audiences the picturisque locations around the globe. I particularly write the story with those ideas in mind. Heart Attack is a story happens in Spain and Goa and is a simple story driven by a strong emotion.

To Appease Censor...

I covered the Kiss with a cloth only for Censor. I told the officer Dhanalakshmi the same too. I know there are guidelines for them about each issue like Kiss, Murder, Drugs, Booze etc. So, I don't blame them. If we have to fight, we have to fight against the guidelines not against the officers implementing them. She offered me to give a U/A if I remove 15 minute film from the final cut. I said I will settle with an A.

Inspired By Rockstar Song...

I wrote this story in one hour when I was shooting for 'Iddarammayilatho' and inspired by a song in 'Rock Star'. I was supposed to do this story with Naga Babu's son Varun Tej but it didn't materialize. But I didn't make any changes for Nithiin.

I Wouldn't Reveal...

Someone asked me whom I like more Mahesh babu or Pawan Kalyan. How can I say... I wouldn't reveal even if I have an answer in mind.

To Make Audience Embarrased...

I show excessive violence to ensure audience feel embarrased about it. One of the scenes in which hero thrashes goons systematically is purposefully done and I think my purpose is achieved.

I do movies quickly with the sole intention to make films regularly. I hate being idle.

Heart Attack is one film I didn't have a separate track for Ali or Brahmanandam and just kept it to the extent it is necessary

Film On Family Values...

I am planning to make a film based solely on family values in the next venture itself. The film will have Godavari shores, not the Pataya Beach in Bangkok as people blame me for.

I am also planning to do one with my brother Sairam Shankar soon too. Yes, I couldn't deliver a success with him before but there are several attributes to that. Maybe my chemistry with him is not as good as it was with other heroes.

We Cried While Departing...

I did this film with such passion and belief in the film that I told in all the events that this film will have to be successful otherwise I will get a heart attack myself. The whole team felt so attached that when we departed from a restaurant a couple of days ago. We were all crying. People with loud mouths anyway complain. They have complained about 'Atatrintiki daredi' writing it off before and even after it crossed the 100 Crore mark. You can't satisfy them

Adah Is The Best...

Adah Sharma was the unanimous choice of the team after all the auditions were done and shortlisted candidates were scrutinized by the members. It's not my choice alone. And the result is so obviously clear, everyone is giving awesome ratings for her performances. Even Nithiin requested me to give him a second place after Adah's name in the credits.

Philosophy Is My Way Of Life...

We tend to get philosophical when we are feeling low for instance when lost someone, in a love failure, financially low etc., motivate ourselves saying this won't be permanent. But when you are high, you wouldn't feel the same. I observed this when I was very young and continued to develop this attitude. Life will teach everyone, it's only about what and how much you are ready to learn.

'Satya 2' Is A Practical Joke...

RGV assured me after watching 'Businessman' that he would do a film with all the bad scenes in the film and make a flop movie. He eventually did and that was 'Satya 2'. It's only Sharwanand's bad luck that he played the lead in a practical joke of a film.

Striving Hard To recreate The Magic...

I have given high voltage and dosage of performances and one liners to the Telugu audiences all the while so much that now whatever I give seems insufficient by my standards. I am actually struggling to create new benchmarks of heroism. If some others are writing the same stuff, the audiences are happy with it and even comparing them with me. It becomes hard for an established director to repeat the magic consistently. The audiences tend to compare my every new filmw ith my previous films and write them off saying the same wine. This happened with legends like Vishwanath.

I Am Reviving Puri Talkies...

I produced this film with an intention to revive my banner which I stopped after 'Pokiri'. From now on, I plan to direct two films and produce two films on my banner with new talent. So, this is a ground preparation for my future plan. I intend to produce experimental films. We ne