Chandoo Mondeti, proving the detractors of 'Premam' wrong, has delivered a Dasara hit. In this exclusive interview to IndiaGlitz, a relieved and happy Chandoo talks about what went into shaping the remake. Read on..

From hesitating to direct this remake, to getting a thumbs up from Nagarjuna and Trivikram (who were among the first to watch the first cut) and now critical acclaim and audience's approval, take us through all that.

I ended up directing the remake by accident. I had been mooting stories with Naga Chaitanya around the time this film released. A handful of producers happened to evince interest in remaking 'Premam' if Chaitanya gave the nod. When my producer and hero suggested that I helm the project, I was initially hesitant, given the fact that it's not a story-based film, but an emotional drama.

Actually, romantic movies are not my cup of tea. I can write a 15-20 mins track until the heroine falls for the hero and that's all. (Smiles). Science, mythology, etc interest me a lot. I also like things related to satellite communications. I have a subject related to after death and before life. Amidst all this, 'Premam' happened without me asking for it.

More than fear, we were worried. Many flashed fears regarding comparisons with the original. Finally, we have scored a big hit, thanks to the Telugu audience and media support.

So, what changed the game for you? Nativity factor must have mattered to you the most.

I began writing the scenes as I saw them. I gradually started seeing potential for adaptation. Nativity is very important. Elements like 'Butterfly Effect' from the original haven't been imported. On the other hand, the Marathi cuisine thread is not there in the original. The original is ambiguous when it comes to whether Sai Pallavi's Malar really lost the memories of the hero.

The names have metaphorical allusions. A flower withers away like the short-lived love story of Suma (Anupama Parameswaran) and Vikram. The star up above, however beautiful, is unreachable, just as Sitara (Shruti) is. Sindhu (Madonna) is always with us on the forehead.

The third love story, some think, could have been better. What's your say?

Personally, I like the Chaitanya-Madonna track the most. Emotional content is there if you notice keenly. Sindhu (Madonna) remembers the content of the love letter that Vikram (Chaitanya) wrote many years ago. It's because she always liked him deep down.

Doesn't the film's soul resemble that of 'Na Autograph'?

Unlike 'Na Autograph', which is more about an individual's journey through different stages of life, 'Premam' is just about love. That's why, what happened in between the leaps (the film takes five and ten year leaps after Chaitu-Anupama and Chaitu-Shruti Haasan's stories, respectively) is not even an issue.

Tell us about how the casting happened, especially of Shruti and Madonna. Characterization of Shruti must have challenged you as a writer and director because Sai Pallavi was a big sensation in 'Premam'.

Casting Samantha as Sindhu was one of the options. Just as some other decisions, casting Madonna was a collective decision. Madonna looks like someone who has the maturity to do the part.

We wanted someone with star value. Shruti Haasan fit the bill. She is seen without make-up in the movie. Because of her skin tone, she looks like she has make-up. When I offered the role, she was pretty much interested in reprising Sai Pallavi from the original. I tweaked the character as per the image I have of the lady lecturers. Some times, they feign dominating persona in the presence of students. I have seen it in my wife, who is a lecturer. You see that in Shruti's demeanor in 'Premam'.

Were the references to Nagarjuna, Akhil and the cycle chain element infused because you are a die-hard Nag fan?

Even in the original, such references are there. For example, Vekatesh garu's DCP Ramachandran has an equivalent in the original. Chaitanya was initially reluctant to have that cycle chain line. He felt it might be too much. But when I, Praveen and others on the set said the audience will enjoy it, he said OK. The idea was to cater to mass audiences. By the way, the Nag fan in me hasn't come out fully through 'Premam'. Years ago, when I said I wanted to meet Nagarjuna garu, he told me that I should meet him by having an identity of my own.

Your third films is on the anvil. What next?

My third movie will be produced by iDream. The hero's name will be announced. Dil Raju garu and Sitara Entertainments are on the anvil, though I am yet to sign the dotted line. I have about 8-10 stories belonging to different genres. I have a cop story for Nagarjuna garu. I will some day do a film with him for sure.