Kalyan Ram on ‘MLA’, politics, learning from mistakes & more

Nandamuri Kalyan Ram, ahead of the release of 'MLA' on March 23, says in this interview that the film is a bit more emotional than 'Pataas' but is a full-on commercial movie.  He also says if he has any political plans, future films, and more.  

Why the title 'MLA'?

When Upendra Madhav came to me and told the story, the first thing he said to me after the narration was that the title is 'MLA' because the hero has good traits.  I found it meaningful.  Nobody is a perfect man and my hero is not either.  He does a mistake and regrets it later.  He instinctively realizes that he has to undo it.  

Is the film related to politics?

It has no political satires whatsoever.  He is just a character.  I watch a film as a film.  'MLA' is not a stepping stone for reaching the next level in a non-filmi career.  

In terms of entertainment, where does the film fit in?

It's an entertaining film first.  If 'Pataas' was a lighter-veined commercial entertainer, 'MLA' is a bit more emotional.  At 126 minutes, it's very short and sweet.  It delivers a small message.  It drives home the message that the future of an individual is in his education.  An educated man will know how to make a livelihood.

Whose idea was it to rope in Kajal Aggarwal?

It was the production house's idea.  They had been involved in the scripting.  They felt that an established actress like Kajal should deliver some important dialogues.  A new star wouldn't be able to do that.  The film begins as a love story.  At the interval, it has a twist.  And then comes another twist later.  It's her character which takes the lead.  

Tell us about Mani Sharma's music.

I have grown up listening to his music.  The song 'Yuddham Yuddham' in the second half is very crucial.  When he loves the movie, he gives the best BGM.  Otherwise, he doesn't.  He has loved 'MLA' a lot.  

How do you receive failures?

Nobody is perfect.  We make films in good faith.  When Vakkantham Vamsi narrated the story of 'Kick-2', I thought it will definitely work.  When Bobby came up with 'Jai Lava Kusa', I felt Tarak will be the right one to do it.  Whenever I fail, I listen to the feedback.  I try to rectify my mistakes.  That's all I can do.

Posani Krishna Murali was saying recently that a good person like you should become an MLA.  What's your take?  What do you have to say about the current political problems in Andhra Pradesh?

I don't know.  I never thought I will one day be producing movies.  After my first two films flopped, I had no clue what would happen next.   You never know what will happen.  I read about politics.  Aina manaku enduku politics?!  

What about your upcoming films?  Tell us about 'Naa Nuvve'.  

The movie with KV Guhan is entirely different.  The movie with Virinchi Varma will have a village backdrop.  I could relate to the story and the characters as I am aware of the lives of my cousins.  It's a realistic movie.  I will talk about my production film later.  

As for 'Naa Nuvve', it's my first pucca romantic movie.  When I was told that Jayendran garu wanted to tell me the story, I was surprised he wanted to cast me.  There are love stories that are dealt in a massy way.  Then there are love stories like 'Naa Nuvve'.  I am happy some filmmakers want me to change!