Ram Charan in this interview talks about what drew him towards remaking 'Thani Oruvan', retaining Aravind Swamy, the probability of working with Mani Ratnam, being open to remakes/horror movies, the learning he has had, so on and so forth.

Are you tensed before the release of 'Dhruva'?

I am tensed to the extent I should and also confident to the extent I should. It's not like I am not tensed because it's a remake of a hit.

Why did you go for a remake? What drew you towards 'Thani Oruvan'?

Even remake has a story. We wanted to take this story to our audience. When NV Prasad garu had confidence, why should I not have? He has been associated with mass movies. We haven't done major changes to the original. The run-time is also the same. At about 159 minutes, it's arresting and edge-of-the-seat. There is no scope for further editing out of the movie.

You fought off one hundred in 'Magadheera'. Here it's just one person. It's curious. Isn't it?

(Smiles) We have to change, unlike the Tank Bund statue. One goes by the demands of the script. Aravind Swamy garu too was chosen because we saw nobody else who is that apt for Siddharth Abhimanyu's role. I felt it correct to do this remake because of the story. Rather than unlearning anything, I keep on learning.

Is there comedy in the movie?

The whole movie is entertaining. You didn't find comedy in 'Magadheera'. Any film high on emotions doesn't need such elements.

Why Rakul Preet again?

She is a talented and hardworking actress. She is a top heroine who did brilliantly in 'Nannaku Prematho'. For that matter, are there too many actresses out there?

What mental preparation did you put in while approaching the role?

I am not that big a method actor. Even the physical exercise that I put in, I have put in earlier as well, but in the case of 'Dhruva', it's very visible.

Did you ever want to pay Siddharth Abhimanyu (the villain's character) at any point of time?

The character might tempt, but I find the hero's character inspiring and positive. He is someone whom you would want your kids to follow.

What has been your learning curve after 'Bruce Lee'?

Not just after 'Bruce Lee', I have always learnt with every film.

How have the experience been for you as a producer? When is the audio coming?

With Vinayak garu, you can be relaxed. He takes care of everything. I will be seen in a song in the movie. We are planning to launch the audio around Christmas. As for the release, it will be either on Jan 11 or 12.

What kind of role are you playing in Sukumar's movie?

It will in contrast to the kind of role I am playing in 'Dhruva'. It will be an all-out entertainer. It will go on the floors after the release of 'Khaidi No. 150'.

Your father, your 'babai' and you are all into doing remakes. Why so?

It's just a co-incidence. Nobody does remakes for the sake of it. As for me, I have not hard and fast rules with respect to remakes.

Can we expect you in horror entertainers?

I am open to them. If I come across something interesting and I think it suits me, I may do a horror movie.

What about your movies with Mani Ratnam and Koratala Shiva?

Story discussions have been ongoing. If something falls in place, we will work together. There were plans to do a film with Koratala Shiva, but things didn't work out. We may work together in future.

When can we expect a movie in Pawan Kalyan's banner?

May be next year once I am done with my current assignments.

Are you planning to venture out into Kerala like Bunny?

I have no such plans.