Varun Tej is waiting for this Friday. April 8 is when his sports actioner 'Ghani' is going to hit the screens.

At a time when he hasn't had a film release in nearly two years, the 'F2' actor is poised to score a box office hit. In this interview, he suggests that the Kiran Korrapati directorial is a sincere film. He also says that his next film, directed by Praveen Sattaru, is going to be a full-on actioner.

Highlights:

I had never done boxing before 'Ghani'. It has dawned on me that a boxing-based film is more exhausting physically than a regular action film.

The story of 'Ghani' has got elements that are separated from other boxing-based movies like 'Toofan'. Six characters (besides the hero, the characters played by Upendra, Suniel Shetty, Jagapathi Babu, Naveen Chandra, and Nadhiya) are important.

This movie required a newcomer like Saiee Manjrekar to play the heroine's role. It was a pleasure working with seniors like Upendra garu, who is so down-to-earth and soft-spoken.

The release date (April 8) was announced right when the film went on the floors. Due to the pandemic, the shoot had to be stalled. With repeated postponements, it was somewhat frustrating, given it's the first movie for a lot of them who have worked on the movie. It was the producers' call to release the movie on April 8. I was not particular about any date. The producers' well-being is my only criterion.

You are going to see a new Upendra garu in 'Ghani'. Suniel Shetty's character was written with the actor in mind. 'Ghani' is not an appropriate/exciting film to be made as a pan-India one. Bollywood has seen boxing movies already.

Thaman's BGM is quite significant for a film like 'Ghani'. He understood the film thoroughly. He studied the script, watched other boxing movies, and analyzed the tempo required... He has done an amazing job.

I grew a beard during the making of 'Gaddalakonda Ganesh'. I kept the beard as it is while undergoing training in boxing in the US. Practise and rehearsals were elaborate. I am lucky to have found the right trainer. He made my task easy. Physically, it was a hard film for sure. After doing 'Ghani', I am more disciplined. I am now ready to push myself.

If the right story comes, I am ready to do multi-starrers. My rapport with Sai Dharam Tej and Nithiin is strong. So, I would want to work with him. And, of course, I want to work with Pedda Nanna and Babai any day.

I am not going to become a producer. My father will produce a movie if at all. I am doing a film in the direction of Praveen Sattaru. I am scheduled to do a movie with Allu Bobby, again.

My priority is never to do a pan-India movie for the sake of it. Budget has to work out. The subject has to be right. It is important to know your audience. There are some Malayalam movies that any audience will like to watch. Not all movies made in Tollywood are like that. We need to strike a balance between commerciality and novelty. 'Mister' was routine. 'Antariksham' was too novel. There has to be a balance.

Both 'Pushpa: The Rise' and 'Roudram Ranam Rudhiram' have made a splash on the pan-India stage. It gladdens me. I am happy for both the two heroes (Allu Arjun and Ram Charan) from our family.

'F3' is a totally contrasting movie compared to 'Ghani'. I consciously wanted to do two contrasting movies.