Anil Ravipudi is poised to score a hat-trick with the Oct 18th release, 'Raja The Great'. In this interview, he talks about the film's USP, working with Ravi Teja, and more.

How is your film with a blind protagonist different from other films with a similar protagonist?

'Raja The Great' is in a different space compared to the likes of 'Kaabil', 'Black', 'Fanaa' and the like. We have seen many genres but my film doesn't belong to any of those genres. I have touched upon a new angle. Even the action sequences are logical. A lot of homework went into designing them. And my film is out-and-out commercial.

Is the movie inspired by any particular international movie?

I have been inspired by world cinema in different ways. But no, 'Raja The Great' is not a copy. It's not based on any film. You will see a lot of Telugu nativity, moreover.

As a child, I loved 'Yodha', the Mohanlal-starrer. I liked how the hero, despite being a blind man, saves a child in a 30-minute-long episode in the second half. Ten years ago, I had watched a Hollywood actioner whose lead character is blind. Perhaps, such films have stayed in the back of my mind ever since.

So, what exactly convinced Ravi Teja to do this film?

In the second half, he liked the distinct treatment of 2-3 scenes. He liked my narration and my confidence. He knew that I would deal this script well. Despite the protagonist being a blind guy, the film is fun to watch. As it's a commercial film, we were never scared. We went ahead with confidence right from the word go.

How have you kept the screenplay real?

Not just action, take the songs, for example. There are no dreamy moments. The songs are organic. When the heroine expresses her love to the hero, he shouts for everyone who he knows and shares the moment with them.

I have understood by observing blind people that they are very confident. They don't see themselves as suffering from a disability. In my film too, you won't see the protagonist losing his confidence even once.

How about the other important characters?

Radhika garu as the hero's mother is playing a constable. She wants to see her son as a police officer. But how can a blind man be one? That's how she wishes to see him crack a problem. She believes that only he can do that. And she and the hero comically force the IG (played by Sampath Raj) into doing certain things. I am sure that 'Raja The Great' will go down as Radhika garu's comeback movie.

Prakash Raj garu has a very important role. And Rajendra Prasad garu will be seen in a hilarious role in the first half. Srinivas Reddy interprets others expressions to the hero. Annapurnamma garu and Prudhvi have interesting roles.

Ravi Teja garu's son has played the role of the hero's childhood. He is very authentic in his expressions.

As for Mehreen, the story begins with her problem. The hero's story is narrated in parallel.

Does the film tell a message?

Not explicitly. The way the characters talk suggest messages subtly.

Wasn't this film first narrated to Ram and then NTR?

The story that was narrated to Tarak garu was entirely different. After Ram garu and Tarak garu couldn't do my film, I sat down to evolve the script even more. The script took a different shape because of Ravi Teja garu doing the film.

Finally, are you nervous?

Everybody who has watched 'Raja The Great' has loved the film. That's why I am even more tensed. I want to see the audience's response. I am nervous.