Director Praveen Sattaru's 'The Ghost' is going to hit the screens on October 5. In this pre-release interview, the filmmaker talks about the film, working with Akkineni Nagarjuna, the hero's character, and more.

Excerpts:

The very word 'Ghost' is enigmatic in nature. We use the word in everyday language in different contexts. It is powerful as well, especially if you are using it in high-brow contexts.

The Ghost is the underworld mafia's nickname for Nagarjuna garu's character. This is a completely fictional movie that has no resemblance to any person, living or dead. There are multiple action blocks, some big and others small. The climax was shot on a huge budget to ensure a grand scale.

I had met the producers with a different story. The producers asked me to come up with something else. We had a lot of back-and-forth interactions. I wanted to see Nagarjuna garu in a powerful role by making the best use of his intensity and eyes. His character doesn't talk much, it is larger-than-life. Since the story was written with Nag garu in mind, it was relatively less difficult to know how the story has to progress. You also know the boundaries.

'Wild Dog' belonged to a different genre. 'The Ghost' has the hero in a very powerful character. They are as different as the 'MI' movies and the 'Bourne' series. Rage is an intense emotion that needs a strong drive. You will see that in 'The Ghost'.

Doing 'PSV Garuda Vega' has helped me a lot. I must thank Jeevitha garu and Rajasekhar garu for accepting the script in a forward-looking way. It's not easy to convince someone with such a story. I feel I have to start from zero every time. After 'The Ghost', I will start from scratch again.

The pandemic delayed 'The Ghost' a lot. We had to change the action choreographer due to practical difficulties. Due to restrictions, we didn't have the wherewithal to do a recee of locations, for example.

We are releasing this movie in Hindi as well. 'The Ghost' features a number of goosebump moments. Everything was planned meticulously at the scripting stage. (Producer Suniel Narang said that the film might or might not have a sequel).

When you are writing a story, you have to give a strong back story to the protagonist. Nag garu is a retired Interpol agent in the movie. His is a 40-year-old character in the movie. He comes with vast experience. Someone gifts him a metal named Tamahagane (sword) at one point.

We don't have many actresses who are capable of action-oriented roles. At one point, after Kajal Aggarwal opted out (due to pregnancy), we mooted names like Amala Paul and Shruti Haasan. We eventually zeroed in on Sonal Chauhan, who was also ready to give so much time to the project. I prefer actors who give me enough time so that I can mold them well.

Suniel Narang garu is a mogul in film distribution. Sharrath Marrar garu is well-versed with satellite and digital. As someone who has produced movies in the past, I know that the real challenge begins when you are releasing the movie. When you have able producers bankroll your movie, the challenge gets reduced.

As a producer, I am clear about what I want. I plan to the T one month before taking a film to the floors. It's the Line Producer's job to control the budget after everything has been planned thoroughly.

These days, the audience are deciding on watching a film right after the teaser/trailer. When you are making a film, it's like you are writing one page in the book of cinema. 'The Ghost' is a page. It's going to be there forever. If you are conscious of it, you will make a film with caution and care.

Due to the pandemic, everyone has got exposed to world cinema, which is a good thing. From visual quality to sound quality and narrational quality, we have been exposed to high standards.

I don't believe in the term 'experimental'. If a story is told in an engaging manner, the viewer is going to enjoy it. I don't believe in doing something I can't. If I struggle to understand what the audience wants, it means I have to retire. After my work, I switch off completely and go back to my family. For my kids, I am a father, not a filmmaker.

My next film is going to be an actioner. It's not a spy thriller or something. The action episodes are going to be completed with a deep message. I am lined up to do a web series, a format I like because you can convey a variety of emotions through it. 'Game Of Thrones' is an example. If you are obsessed with elements like twists, you are once again doing a feature film-like thing. You have to elaborate on the sequences while doing a series.

'GodFather' and 'The Ghost' are two contrasting movies in terms of content. So, I don't see any competition between them.