Atharvaa Murali has played the role of a filmmaker with a difference in Harish Shankar-Varun Tej's 'Gaddhalakonda Ganesh' (previously known as 'Valmiki').  In this interview, the talented Kollywood actor talks about his experience of working on the movie, doing a Telugu film for the first time, his favourite Telugu actors and more.  

How was your experience of working on the movie, especially given that it's your first Telugu film?

When Harish Shankar sir told me about the idea of remaking 'Jigarthanda' (Tamil), I was excited.  It's one of my favourite movies in Tamil.  I have reprised Siddharth's character from the original.  He has added a little bit of his own flavour to the remake.

I didn't know anything when I came on the sets.  It was like doing my first film in a different language.  Since this is my first straight Telugu film, it was like going to a school for the first time.  I was engrossed in learning my lines, etc.  It was a learning experience.  It was very nice working with both the director and Varun Tej.  I had met Varun before this film happened a few times.  We bonded well quite fast.

Harish Shankar is known for his powerful dialogues.  Tell us about that.

He is very good with his lines.  He has complete control over the scenario.  His dialogues are his biggest strength.  'Valmiki' was a new experience for me, this being a new language.  

Do you watch Telugu films?  Or is the language totally new to you?

I watch a lot of Telugu films and I know what it takes to utter the dialogues in the language.  But this being my first Telugu film, I had to be very conscious.

Who are your favourite Telugu actors?

My most favoruite Telugu film, obviously, is 'Baahubali'.  I loved Prabhas sir in it.  I see Pawan Kalyan sir's films and like him a lot.  'Gabbar Singh' worked for me big-time.  'Attarintiki Daredi' is another of my faovurite film of his.  I like Allu Arjun sir's dances.  I started watching his films when I was in college.  Even then, I really started liking him.

It's the era of bilinguals and multi-linguals.  When are you going to act in a bilingual?

Bilinguals need strong scripts.  In the near future, I might do a bilingual.  The barriers of language have been broken by some films.  Universal content is being created these days.  The audience wants to watch good content and that's why they are ready to watch films from any language. Like everyone, I too am waiting for 'Sye Raa'.  My expectations from it are huge.  I am remaking 'Ninnu Kori' in Tamil and reprising Nani's role in it.  As for my immediate release, the Telugu audience are really lovely.  They find films a lot entertaining.  I hope they will thoroughly enjoy 'Valmiki'.  

Your father, Murali, was such a nice actor and a well-known name back then in Andhra Pradesh as well.  

Some of my father's films, I have heard, are quite popular in Telugu.  It feels nice that he is still remembered because of his work.  It's a proud moment for me as a son.