Boyapati Sreenu is upbeat that the audience are embracing his latest mass entertainer with fanfare. In this interview, the maker of blockbusters like Simha and Legend talks about treating heroes like Balakrishna and Allu Arjun differently, the Aadhi-Bunny face-off in Sarrainodu, punch lines, his style of filmmaking, his forthcoming projects, and more.

What is the feedback you are getting for Sarrainodu?

It's a super hit. Everybody is unanimously saying this. It's day 3 and the film is going rock-strong. I guarantee that it will continue to be so. By divine grace, I only did what I could. I could translate on the celluloid what I had visualized. After Legend became a blockbuster hit, the reason I didn't do any film immediately is because I didn't want to compromise on anything.

After working with a hero like Balakrishna, what care did you take to project Allu Arjun?

Allu Arjun is not a Balakrishna. Moreover, Legend and Sarrainodu belong to two different genres. I couldn't have put Allu Arjun into that mould (of Balayya's character in Legend) for the sake of it. Bunny's body language is different. Entertainment, style, and family emotions form the major highlights of Sarrainodu.

How about punch lines?

I gave Bunny the lines that are apt for him. It's not correct to go beyond a certain level. If I am making a film with Mike Tyson, I will put him in a family set-up and make an actioner. If it's Michael Jackson, there will be dance, family and action.

What was the thought behind scripting the Aadhi-Bunny face-off?

Once you make two such powerful characters confront directly, the film would be over! Whoever, whether the hero or the villain, backing off would be disastrous. That's what is new about the screenplay. The audience waits for their confrontation. That's the crux of Sarrainodu's screenplay.

What about the comedy quotient in Sarrainodu? How are the audience receiving it?

Audience are in splits. They are laughing like anything in the halls for all the comedy scenes. Vidyu Raman and Brahmanandam are hilarious.

But you always don't follow the same type of comedy. Isn't it?

It depends on the subject. Heat cinemallo kudardu. Because comedy would be a dampener. For example, once the high-voltage interval is over, you don't remember what had happened before that. The audience will will be in a state of shock. For Legend, if there is a comedy scene of the like in Sarrainodu, audience will dislike it.

Does Aadhi's character have a real-life reference?

No. If there was one, I would have openly said it. I am not afraid.

Why do you maintain a low-profile before the release of your film?

Yuddham lo gelusthanu ane clarity unte chalu. This is not over-confidence. Without such confidence, why make a film?

You work with superstars. What is their involvement?

I don't accept interference of any. I involve them before the shooting starts so as to convey the body lagnuage in my mind, the mindset, etc. Too many cooks spoil the broth.

Sarrainodu seems to be a mix of class and mass like Bhadra and Tulasi. Isn't it?

In Tulasi, I went for a script that suited Venkatesh babu's image of a family man. I followed apt approaches for Balayya babu and NTR. So also for Sarrainodu because Bunny is a stylish actor and elements of mass and family entertainer were involved.

Why do you like to portray family sentiment in your films?

We are 20-30 members. I like the family system. No matter how prosperous India becomes, a mother will be a mother, a father will be a father, and so on.

Why are you working with an upcoming hero like Bellamkonda Srinivas?

I can make a film with a big hero. But one should stand by one's words. I gave them a word. Since his second film (Speedunnodu) flopped, I didn't watch it. Definitely, my film with him is going to be a jamborific one. I need to think afresh because he is down after the second film's failure. Rakul Preet Singh is the heroine.

So, when are you going to direct Chiranjeevi?

Let's see. I have full confidence in myself that I can deal him. I need time. I can't say it will be next year, though. After the film with Bellamkonda Srinivas, I have another film with Allu Arjun in pipeline.