Adivi Sesh awaits the release of 'Goodachari' on August 3.  In this interview, the writer-actor talks about what makes his film a unique one, how the project happened, what his creative sensibilities are and more.

No nervousness at all:

Before this film, I used to be very nervous days before the release of any of my film.  But this time, I am calm.  With quiet confidence, I can say that I am very happy with the way 'Goodachari' has shaped up.  I am no one to sound over-confident and say that my film is something.  I regard the audience as the ultimate.  You don't act pricey in front of them!

How it all began:

'Kshanam' released in February 2016.  Within 20 days, I signed up to do 'Goodachari'.  I had written a draft when I was still in college.  Director Sashikiran Tikka read it and told me it's too bad.  We sat down to write a new script for the next 10 months.  But the base story is the same as what I had conceived many years ago.

No comparisons please:

With a title like 'Goodachari', there are bound to be comparisons with James Bond films. For perspective, let it be said that a Bond film is made at a cost 10 times more than that of 'Baahubali'.  As far as the audience are concerned, they pay the same bucks to watch any film.  So, we have made 'Goodachari' as a film which every Telugu can relate to.

It's an origin story:

In a spy film, you can show the hero as a spy from word go.  Alternatively, you can show his origin.  I like to tell a story where the hero is an MBA grad, the ordinary guy who flirts with girls.  How such a guy goes on to become a spy is what is exciting to me.  I, Sashi and Rahul Pakala have written the film's screenplay.  It's very layered.

In Telugu, you don't find spy films per se.  'Garuda Vega' was more a military film. Superstar Krishna garu's 'Goodachari 116' is one of my favourite films.  The unique identification number (in the form of a bar code number) that the hero has in my film is like a tribute to his films.  There is the element of Trinetra, which is shown as a subset of RAW.

General research into RAW:

We have done a general research.  RAW is super-powerful and it operates out of the country.  It directly reports to the Prime Minister.  It carries out covert operations.  Its members are trained to cheat even lie detector machines.  Our film shows how they are trained to do that.

You won't find any technicalities in the movie.  I don't like such fashioned elements. There is a lot of nativity in the story.

Decorated reality:

I don't like films like 'Ek Tha Tiger' and 'Tiger Zinda Hain' where a RAW agent is shown dancing!  There are two kinds of films.  Anurag Kashyap's films are ultra-realistic.  On the other end are ultra-glamorous films.  A song in Jordan, something else in Greece and the film cuts to Delhi in those films.  I believe in taking the middle-ground.  I believe in decorated reality.  I stretch reality, but I don't break it.

Romance is not physical:

'Goodachari' has got three beautiful numbers that don't hamper the flow.  I have not danced in the movie, as I can't show a RAW agent dancing!  as for romance, it has to be heart-touching and not just physical.

Lots of action & locations:

Indian defence forces are trained in Krav Maga techniques.  We have composed realistic fights.  In a small film, it's about 30 locations that are there.  In a big film, it's about 60-70. In 'Goodachari', you will find 168 locations across three different countries.  It took 116 shooting days to complete it.  Prakash Raj garu shot an action episode in biting cold in the Himalayas.  We shot in the snowstorms in the US in -20 degree temperature.

My version 2.0:

'KISS' was the biggest mistake of my career.  I was broke after the film.  I couldn't seek monetary help from my parents.  I had led a comfortable life in the US.  It's after the failure of 'KISS' that I donned my Version 2.0.  I was now a different person.  I wanted to focus on making the film a hero rather than making myself a hero.  I decided to never try both acting and direction at once.  And I always wanted to do only things that my heart likes to.  After 'Kshanam', I declined about 50 offers.  One big producer even got angry with me.  But I told him I will follow my heart.  He was not wrong in showing his annoyance.

No competition:

It's not like I am competing with my friend Rahul Ravindran, whose film 'Chi La Sow' is releasing on August 3rd along with 'Goodachari'. Rahul, Vennela Kishore, 'Saaho' director Sujeeth and I are thick friends.  I loved 'Chi La Sow' and Rahul loved 'Goodachari'.

Upcoming movies:

'2 States', which stars Rajasekhar garu's daughter Shivani as the heroine, is half-done.  I will be doing a film under PVP banner.  It will be directed by Ramjee, a newcomer.  I have agreed to do a film with a family friend, who has been a distributor.  Many people ask me when I am doing a film with my brother, Sai Kiran.  His sensibilities are soft.  My sensibilities are a contrast.