Anil Ravipudi is the 'Pataas'-turned-'Supreme' director of the moment. In this exclusive interview to IndiaGlitz, Anil talks about the character played by Sai Dharam Tej in the movie, how he has matured as a director from his first movie, incorporating incidents inspired from current events in a script, the difference between Kalyan Ram and Sai Dharam Tej, and more.

After 'Supreme' was chosen as the title, Sai Dharam Tej was tensed. How about you?

There definitely was some pressure to do justice as the word 'Supreme' is related to Megastar Chiranjeevi garu. But since the scripting was done in a tight manner, I was confident from the beginning. So, I was less tensed than Sai.

Is there any reason why the hero is a cabbie in the movie?

There is no specific reason. I wanted to do a travel movie after 'Pataas'. I felt that a taxi driver's character will necessarily be apt for a travel movie. Such a character would be close to the story.

Why does the hero get irritated when someone honks the horn? How is it justified?

The hero strictly follows rules and regulations. So, when someone breaks a rule, he naturally loses his cool. That's why his character was designed in that way.

You have said that human emotions here are at another level compared with 'Pataas'. How did you ensure that?

The characters in my film have a task to complete. In the process of their journey, there is scope for the portrayal of human emotions. That's how I have ensured it. To illustrate, take the example of Ramayana, where rescuing Sita from the clutches of Ravana is the task of Rama. Hanuman and his 'vanar sena' assist him in the task. In the same way, in 'Supreme', Balu (Sai Dharam Tej) sets forth to complete a task. Various characters help him in accomplishing it.

In 'Pataas', you touched upon the duty-mindedness of sincere cops. In 'Supreme', it's the element of patriotism. Was it conscious?

Yes, I consciously try to incorporate my social views in the script. I follow current affairs, I watch news channels more. It doesn't mean that I would like to go for out-and-out message-oritented stuff.

So, would you say you have a social conscience?

Since you are inspired by current affairs, have you touched upon incidents in JNU, for example?

Not in this film. May be, if the subject was such, I would have touched upon such incidents. Because in 'Pataas', there is an episode involving students and it ends with the mothers teaching their children a lesson.

Raashi Khanna has called you an all-rounder. Where did you learn acting, writing, and such skills?

Cinema has taught me everything. After watching a movie, I would imitate everyone. I used to give stage performances and do skits while in college. That killed any stage fear in me. I also used to enact while explaining the scenes.

You have brought back the break dance from '80s Telugu cinema. What else do you want to re-introduce to our generation?

As of now, I have been inspired to re-introduce break dance. I will think of other elements as and when a story needs it. We had the great Jandhyala back then. If we want to get inspired from him, we can continue to write comedy for the next 10 years. It was a Golden Era when the likes of Raghavendra Rao garu, T Krishna garu, K Vishwanath garu, Kodandarami Reddy garu, K Balachandar garu, etc generated great scenes and very many characters.

How come our directors are not trying new things and are in the same formulaic mould?

Of course our directors are trying new things. For example, Rajamouli garu doesn't repeat himself. He tries to be different every time. Even upcoming directors are trying different genres. But commercial cinema is seen as a safe bet by producers. Even within the commercial mould, novelty is being introduced.

How have you matured as a director from your first film?

In 'Pataas', I could show only heroism as the story was like that. The second half was prominently about the hero-villain clash. But in 'Surpeme', I have dealt with delicate emotions.

Are you tensed because it's your second film and second-time directors have mostly seen failure?

Didn't Koratala Siva garu make a blockbuster like Srimanthudu? May be, the trend is changing now. (Smiles with a sense of confidence).

Why did Ramajogayya Sastry garu say that he was reminded of 'Pasivadi Pranam'?

Aayana edo flow lo annaru. There are certain elements spun around a kid's character, which we have not revealed. They are very heart-touching. It's a completely different film from 'Pasivadi Pranam'. The story, the treatment, everything is different.

Hasn't Surbhi already done fighting in 'Express Raja'? What is new about Raashi Khanna's fighting here?

It's not just about the fights. Heroines look glamorous in any uniform. The reason why Vijayashanthi was liked in cop roles in many films, is because she looks very beautiful in cop's uniform. In a long time, we haven't seen a heroine in cop's uniform. I wanted to see it again. The track involving Raghu Babu, Vennela Kishore and Raashi will be very hilarious.

There is a good ensemble cast of comedians in 'Supreme'. Isn't it?

There is are hilarious tracks involving Prudhviraj, Prabhas Seenu and Jayaprakash Reddy on the one hand, and Raghu Babu, Vennela Kishore and Raashi on the other.

What about other characters?

Ravi Kishen garu, Rajendra Prasad garu and Sai Kumar garu have interesting roles in the film. I should say that everybody has worked really hard; they even invested their life for our movie. What kind of difference do you see in Kalyan Ram and Teju?

Since Kalyan garu is a senior, even though I was close with him, I was more respectful toward him. With Tej, it's a brotherly camaraderie. As actors, they both have individual styles, which can't be compared.

What about Sai Kartheek's music?