As 'Om Namo Venkatesaya' braces up for a grand Feb 10th release, K Raghavendra Rao talks about what makes his film special, what it teaches the folks, how he felt watching Nagarjuna's performance, and more.

Imagination Vs Reality:

The legend of Hathi Ram Baba happened only a few centuries back. So, it's history and not mythology. We had to do a balancing act between fact and fiction. Without imagination, the point can't be conveyed. Take the example of the conversation between Lord Venkateswara and Annamayya in the climax of 'Annamayya'. In reality, Swamy may not have told His devotee that he should live for many more years so He can savour his kirtanas. He says, 'Na ayushu kooda posukoni bathuku'. That didn't happen. Because of that imagination, it's called one of the best climaxes ever.

The idea is always to convey something of substance to the audience. In that effort, imaginative narration is a must, just as a bitter medicine has to be added with a sweetener when given to a baby.

Those defining conversations:

In the history book, all that is mentioned is that Swamy played 'pachikalu' (game of dice) with Baba. There is written nothing beyond this. Now I can't show the game as taking place normally as it takes place at Jubilee Club! I have to choose a (dramatic) backdrop, deciding upon which took seven months for us. The conversations during the game have come out very well.

It's a youthful film:

Youngsters will like this film. Even to this day, a lakh people go on a pilgrimage to Tirumala, many of whom are youngsters, on any given day. That means they like Swamy a lot as He solves their career-related problems, etc. 'ONV' will be found endearing by these youngsters. Generally speaking, the film will prompt the devout to see Tirumala in a new light. It's important for the pilgrims of holy towns to clearly know the do's and dont's. It's not a problem if do's are not followed. But errors of commission will negate the fruits of pilgrimage.

India, a culturally rich land:

It's our cultural greatness that we have so many Puranas, Itihasas and spiritual traditions. We have to spread awareness about them. If not for our film 'Annamayya', not many of the young generation would have learnt about the exponent. Our children only know about his 'Brahmam okkate..' and nothing more.

The young directors too can make such films. They think they can't, but I feel they have it in them.

Nag and Nag only:

I wouldn't have made this film if Nagarjuna had said no. It's not because there are no artistes who could have essayed the role, but the audience would have loved to see only him in such a role. After the shot is over, at times, I couldn't say cut, watching his expressions. I would be speechless. Cameraman S Gopal Reddy too would some times have wet eyes watching his performance. Saurabh Jain, who has played Swamy, has done a very good job too. He was chosen because we wanted freshness. When Anushka came on board, many concluded that there would be romance between her and Nagarjuna. But there is no such thing. As for whether 'Anandam' song has fruits, etc, you will know it soon. (Laughs).

God chose him:

If Annamayya chose his God, it's the opposite here. Swamy has many devotees, but He chose Baba of all. He is like His brand ambassador. Just as we have Amitabh Bachchan to spread awareness about polio vaccine, God chose Baba to spread His word.

A way, not the way:

I am teaching lessons regarding direction through a programme because I want to help aspiring directors to learn from my experience. Assistant directors are paid less than even light boys. These lessons are only one of the ways, but not the only way to learn. Theory can't be uncritically put into practice like a thumb rule. It changes as the situation changes. The same lessons can't be applied in the same way while doing a film with Chiranjeevi, Prabhas or some other hero. Stardom or lack of it has to be factored in.