Ravi Teja sir, Nani loved ‘FIR’ so much: Vishnu Vishal

Kollywood actor Vishnu Vishal is gearing up for the release of ‘FIR’ on February 11 in theatres in both Telugu and Tamil. Released by Abhishek Nama of Abhishek Pictures, it is presented by Ravi Teja, the ‘Krack’ and ‘Khiladi’ actor.

Speaking to the media in Hyderabad, the Kollywood actor spoke about how the ‘Ramarao On Duty’ star came on board to present the action thriller ‘FIR’. “Thanks to my wife Jwala Gutta, I have so many Telugu friends. If you remember, Natural Star Nani had remade a film of mine in Telugu as ‘Bheemili Kabaddi Jattu’. We have been good friends since then,” Vishal begins to say, adding that the ‘Shyam Singha Roy’ actor watched ‘FIR’ and liked it very much and offered to release the trailer.

As for Ravi Teja presenting the Telugu version, Vishal says, “My wife’s close friend has been working with Ravi Teja sir. When he watched the trailer and rough cut, he was very impressed and asked me how I choose such interesting scripts.” The Tamil actor said that the ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’ actor offered to release the film in Telugu when Vishal showed interest in bringing it before the Telugu audience.

Abhishek Pictures then entered the scene. “Abhishek Nama sir watched the Telugu final copy and liked it a lot.”

For Vishal, releasing ‘FIR’ in Telugu is great news. His wife Jwala wanted him to release his Tamil blockbuster ‘Ratsasan’ in Telugu but his producer had by then sold the remake rights. In the case of ‘FIR’, his wife was insistent on a Telugu-dubbed release.

‘FIR’ is based on a real incident. It’s neither partial towards any community nor is it biased. “It will only speak facts. ‘FIR’ is a film that borders good content and a commercial film,” says Vishal, adding that he, as a producer, rejected OTT offers to ensure that it gets a grand theatrical release.

Directed by Manu Anand, the film has Gautham Menon in a key role. The ‘Ye Maya Chesave’ director is someone Vishal looks up to. “Manu Anand narrated me an action-packed story first. I wanted something different and he offered ‘FIR’. I immediately grabbed it. He was surprised that I came forward to act and produce a sensitive subject,” Vishal says.