Nani is quite proud of his production venture 'AWE'. Ahead of its release on Feb 16, the actor-producer talks about the challenges he faced as a producer, what he wants to do in future, and more.

Are you tensed because you are the producer?

Since I am the producer, I need to own up everything. The responsibility is greater, so also the risk. Many think that producing a movie was not required for me.

But I have done the movie because I felt it's essential to be made in Telugu. The film industry needs a film like this. I cogitated over whether someone would invest in such a movie. But I didn't want to wait for someone else to do it. I did it myself.

Was it not all the more challenging to turn into a producer while being an artist?

It was very difficult. I managed everything over the phone. When the film's post-production works were going on, I was shooting for 'Krishnarjuna Yuddham' in Goa. I was on a ship and there were no signals. The other day, I came back from Goa at 12:30 in the midnight. I couldn't go home directly. I had to come to the lab and oversee the works. I have been busy promoting the movie for the past two days.

I have always respected the producers. I always have the knowledge of their difficulties. With 'AWE', I have experienced it first-hand.

How do you see a film from a business perspective?

It's definitely commercial. It's also an art. Unlike a painting which is entirely about its art, a film is made with commercial interests in mind.

You are distributing your movie on your own. Don't you see any risk in it?

Distributors buy out a movie on the basis of the hero-director combination. I am not saying this or that person is responsible for this. Having made a film like 'AWE', I didn't want the distributors to buy it because I produced it. I didn't want to escape the risk factor. When we start making movies for the sake of others, there is no honesty in it. I am confident that 'AWE' will be loved by the audience. I don't know when exactly they will like it, but they are sure to like it.

Do you think 'AWE' will be in the league of a 'Yeto Vellipoyindi Manasu'?

'YVM' had a familiar emotion. On the other hand, 'AWE' is inspired by true events and every scene is new. Writer-director Prasanth Varma thinks out-of-the-box. I gave him the right actors and technicians. And he has made the film in a better way than the way he narrated it.

Did Kajal Aggarwal, Regina and others do the film because you are the producer?

They did it as they loved the script. I gave them the remuneration they asked for. There were no favours.

Are you going to do films for others?

I will do films in my own banner only when I find novel subjects. Otherwise, I will continue to be approachable for everybody. The producers out there have helped me build my career over the years. Twenty years from now, when people talk about the films of this era, it will be great if they mention me and my Wall Poster Cinema's movies.

What has your journey as a producer taught you about your well-wishers?

I have been quite busy. I don't have the time to think about all that. We would always know who are our people and who are not.

Are you going to promote 'AWE' on the festival circuit?

The efforts are on. Recently, 'Aruvi' in Tamil was sent. Likewise, our movie will be sent to festivals.