Vamshi Paidipally comes with knack for making technically excellent films. Days ahead of Oopiri's release, the talented filmmaker talks about the subject of Oopiri, how he adapted it, anecdotes during the making of the film, working with Nag, Karthi and Tamannah, and more.

Tell us about the character-sketching of Nag.

Nag garu plays a billionaire named Vikram Aditya. He is a paraplegic who dislikes being pitied by people. When Karthi, a slumdog out from jail, becomes his caretaker, there takes place a bonding between them. What triggered the thought of making this film?

My wife's brother, who watches a lot of international cinema, suggested that I watch 'The Intouchables'. I usually don't like sad films. When I watch tragedies, I undergo a lot of churning for days. But after watching this film, I was speechless. This film is considered as one of the top 25 all-time classics. You can imagine.

How was it working with Karthi?

After NTR said that he won't be able to do the film, my next choice was Karthi. It was great working with him. I have always liked his acting in films like Awara. He was of great help, like an assistant director, of the Tamil version. Since I don't know Tamil much, I sought his advice regarding dialogues and their meanings.

Who is your 'oopiri'?

My daughter is my oopiri. Not just she, my parents, wife, sister, brother-in-law, they are all my oopiri. In fact I am what I am because of their support.

After NTR expressed his inability to do the film, did you have anyone in mind before zeroing in on Karthi?

We wanted to cast NTR in the slumdog's role. But he was tied up with his commitments. He asked us to move on. My next choice was Karthi. How has doing this film affected you as a person?

I have become more self-conscious and patient. Earlier I was impatient.

Why has the subject of The Intouchables influenced you so much?

As I have said, this one is one of the greatest films that has ever been made. To narrate an incident, me and my DOP (PS Vinod) went to do a recce of Paris and other places in France. We went to a restaurant and a lady came out asking for the director. When I told her that I am the director, she told me, 'Look there. He is my paraplegic son. He had no hope and could have committed suicide. But The Intouchables changed his thinking forever'. I had goosebumps when she said that. Not just she, everywhere whoever was told that we are remaking The Intouchables, they cooperated with us and made the shoot easy for us. The incharge of a tourist place cleared a crowd of hundreds of people within three minutes. Such is the love the French people have for this movie.

Do you think Nag's fans will accept their hero in this role?

I needn't answer. Nag garu answered it with Annamayya itself. He himself has said that he has rocked it sitting on the wheel chair.

In the original, the aspect of racism was touched upon. What is it here?

Obviously, it's the class difference. That's what adaptation is all about. We discussed various ideas. We finally zeroed in on the rich-poor contrast.

Why did Shruti Haasan walk out of the film?

You should put this question to her. Frankly, it was painful that she said that she won't be doing the film when it was too late. The shoot was to begin the next day and she walked out of the project. Luckily we could get Tamannah on board.

Was it only after Karthi came on board that you wanted to do it in two languages?

Yes, it's because of him. Ours is a proper bi-lingual film. All the scenes and songs have been shot twice, separately in Telugu and Tamil.

Why has there been so much gap after Yevadu?

Yevadu released in January. And I finalized Oopiri in August. But it took time before both Nag garu and Karthi could come on board. In fact, we took only 110 days to shoot the two versions. If a film takes 3 years, I will take. I want to better my output after each film.