'Ghazi' Press Meet Gallery

Speaking at a promotional event held yesterday in Hyderabad, producer PVP, Rana Daggubati, Tapsee Pannu and director Sankalp spoke of the experience of making the movie.

PVP said, "Although I have produced many films as a producer, I am particularly proud of 'Ghazi'. This is a subject that was never touched not only in Telugu, but also in India cinema. Taking cinematic liberties, we have largely stayed true to history."

Debutante director Sankalp said, "I thank the producer and the actors for keeping faith in me. I have done MFA in the US and tried for a chance for five years. No producer was willing to produce a film like this when I told them it has no heroine, no songs, no item song, etc. Coming to the film's subject, based on a less-known 1971 battle between India and Pakistan, we have woven imagination around the fact. As the files related to the battle are classified information, we had no other choice. There are roughly 700 CG shots. Shivam and Murali have contributed phenomenally to erect the submarine set. Madhie's cinematography and Chennai-based K's are great."

Tapsee Pannu said, "I desired for a full-fledged role, but since girls are not allowed inside the marine, the only way a heroine could have been there was by playing a refugee. It was a difficult decision for me. But being part of a film like 'Ghazi', India's first submarine film, is a big deal. That's why I have done the movie. I want to do a full-fledged role opposite Rana. He is a wonderful human being. His heart is bigger than his size. I can see the vibes. The whole country is waiting to watch our film."

Rana Daggubati said that he came to know about the project through producer Ram Mohan. After reading the story, he approached the makers for a role. "People don't understand me and see me as a mad guy. Had the amount of money and time we have spent on 'Ghazi' been spent on a commercial movie, it would have been an easy way out. Even though there is a submarine in Vizag beach, not even the localities know of the story behind it. There is a great story we don't know. Our film tells that story. If the residents of Vizag are living peacefully, it's because of the Navy heroes who fought in the submarine. We have seen films which glorify the Army, the police, but we have hardly seen movies that glorify the Navy, despite we having one of the world's best navies," Rana said.

The actor recalled how, when he told about the project to Rajamouli, the latter patted his back saying he was going in the right direction. 'Ghazi', Rana said, is aesthetic because of the technicians. "Kay Kay Menon, Atul Kulkarni, Om Puri, Nasser, Tapsee - everyone is an A-list performer. Karan Johar has watched the movie in silent mode. He clapped thrice. When I approached Amitabh Bachchan with the script, he asked me what he could do for the film. As soon as I said we wanted his voice-over, he agreed happily. I am going to meet some names in Telugu," he said.

Dialogues are by Gunnam Gangaraju. The film will hit the screens on Feb 17th in Telugu, Tamil and Hindi.