Koratala Siva, one of the most reliable directors, has scored a blockbuster with 'Bharat Ane Nenu'.  In this interview, he talks about the compliments that 'BAN' has got, future plan as a producer, and more.  

You have been busy receiving compliments.  After all, 'BAN' is your fourth consecutive hit.  You have a 100 percent strike rate.  This is not a joke.  

I am feeling very happy.  It's rare that a filmmaker receives applause both commercially and critically.  'BAN' has earned both box office success and critical acclaim.  It makes me feel very happy.  I wanted to talk to the media ahead of leaving for a vacation with my family.  I have been busy with promotions for the past two weeks.

'BAN' being a well-meaning entertainer, did you make it with the intention of getting precisely this kind of applause?

Not at all.  I always do a film with commercial aspects in mind since films these days are a high-stakes business.  The producer, the distributors and all concerned stakeholders have to get returns.  That's the perspective.  Rest of the things are a bonus.

You have done well-meaning films in the past as well.  Especially 'Srimanthudu' and 'Janatha Garage', while being in the commercial mold, had ideal-type protagonists.  But with 'BAN', you seem to be getting more than what you ever received in terms of admiration.  Isn't it?

When you are making a film like 'BAN', a small mistake can make the entire film look like a documentary.  However, I made it into a commercial film.  This is what KTR garu told me upon watching the movie.  This is the best compliment I have received.  Jayaprakash Narayan garu doesn't often talk about movies.  It's an unforgettable thing for me that he has spoken about 'BAN'.  Communist leaders and others have called me and gave me a pat on the back.  When I was writing the script, I met leaders like JP garu to discuss with him about what needs to be done to change the society for the better.  That's when I mentioned topics like local governance.  

Have you got any plans to do a biopic of any leader?

It would be boring to watch the biopic of a single person.  I would rather prefer to draw ideas from the lives of different people, identify their strengths and write a fictional character!

Mahesh Babu has said that you have given him two hits when the going was tough for him.  Your take?

It's his greatness that he said those words.  Mahesh garu is someone who wants to show variation from one scene to next.  Such an actor will always like to show variation from one film to next.  In such a journey, hits and misses are bound to happen.

Although 'BAN' is a political drama, you have strictly and consciously avoided controversies.  How was it possible?

My thinking is not so cheap that I would want to target some personality in expectation of raking in the moolah.  'BAN' has been made to motivate people without hurting anybody.

When are you going to turn a producer?

The idea is to produce those stories which I can't handle.  They will be handled by other directors.  I am yet to decide as to when I will start producing movies.  

When is your next film as director happening?

A few ideas are in mind.  I am yet to complete a script.  My next film will be a full-on commercial entertainer.