Trivikram awaits the release of 'Aravindha Sametha' on Oct 11. In this interview, the director talks about the film, working with NTR, how he takes failures, advising Pawan Kalyan, and more.

NTR stood with us

After the tragedy (Harikrishna's demise), I and the producer decided that we should release the film either in February or in the Summer of 2019. But on the second day of his father's death, we got a call from NTR. He said that he will start shooting for the film right after three days. The funeral pyre scene in the film was pending to be shot. It was shot after his father's demise. It's NTR who has completed the film by standing with us. I didn't speak much at the audio function of 'AS' because NTR has been swallowing the misery of his father's death all by himself.

Ever since 'Nannaku Prematho' was being made and I was doing 'A Aa', I and NTR had been working strongly to team up. Before 'AS', I narrated three stories to him. But they didn't excite him.

I use my actors' strengths by making them emote unseen histrionics in their career. That's what I have done in 'AS'.

That's why the title

In 'AS', the grandmother and the granddaughter propagate the same thing. The heroine's character is the key here. That's why the title the word Aravindha in the title. I don't believe that people can be reformed through arguments. I don't believe that the stronger one will always be the victor. Even if the physically stronger one wins, the weaker ones will curse him.

How 'AS' is a different film

It was not planned to be written as a factionalism film. Generally, we always talk about what preceded a factional battle and what happened during it. But nobody talks about what happened later. What's the aftermath is neglected by us. In all the factionalism films, we haven't seen what happens next. So, 'AS' explores the aftermath.

Women in the story of 'AS'

No other film has involved women in faction feuds. Women are not consulted by men in taking major decisions. What happens if they are involved? 'AS' shows that. Had women in feudalistic families been at the forefront, maybe, all the violence could have been stopped.

Emotions in films are driven by the times

Romance has been the mainstay of literature for centuries now. Maybe, those writers were living self-contented and opulent lives. If you observe the post-Great Depression cinema, tragedies started to be made. Emotions explored by cinema are driven by the times. 'AS', too, does that.

I don't remember my films

I don't remember what is in my film after the mixing is done. Till mixing, I remember every detail. Once I am done with a film, I probably think that it's of no use to remember its content!

Are 'AS' and 'Kobali' the same?

'AS' has no resemblance with 'Kobali', which was meant for Pawan Kalyan. 'Kobali' was meant to be a songless, raw, parallel film.

Homework for the NTR film

I happened to meet some poets from the Rayalaseema region. I have read books on the economic and social conditions in the region. The film doesn't glorify violence. It actually glorifies the beauty of the Seema region. I have symbolized the pain of the women through the hero's mother.

No unnatural comedy

There is no forced comedy in the movie. For example, there is no separate Brahmanandam track where it's not needed!

Failures affect me

It would be a lie to say that failures don't affect me. But I don't cling on to a failure and feel sad about it. I am not overwhelmed by successes either. I don't know how I get ideas that work and ideas that don't work. When people come and tell me they liked 'Khaleja', I just give a blank expression. Sometimes, I write a storyline tonight and the next morning, I feel ashamed of my own ideas. (Laughs)

Fear of change among directors

I want to make my scripts less fatty and more muscled. The audiences are now getting used to watching single-genre films. This is because of the exposure to international cinema. In India, films are expected to be longer. It's not easy to break the mould. Everyone is scared of daring to break the pattern. Even when 'Lava Kusa' was made in colour, for more than 12 years, black and white films continued to be made. Directors were afraid to show ANR garu and others in colour, wondering if the audience will accept.

Comedy is everywhere

There was a time when entertainment was offered only by cinema. Now, you have Jabardasth and Extra Jabardasth every week. In Hindi, you have Kapil Sharma. Brahmanandam garu is hosting a reality show. People now have access to comedy on TV. Entertainment has become more personalized.

My favourite movies recently

Every time I watch a great film, I feel jealous and feel happy. 'Arjun Reddy', 'Rangasthalam', 'C/o Kancharapalem', 'RX 100', 'Goodachari', 'Pelli Choopulu'. I have liked all these films. 'Goodachari' was made on a limited budget and it was a single-genre film. It's a great thing really.

Journey is important

In 1964, 'Sangham' was made. It was shot in Europe for 60 days. The crew of this movie was 120. It was Raj Kapoor's own film. Take 'Baahubali'. Will you dare to invest that much after reading the script. Journey is very important. Journey is 90 percent, the rest is only 10 percent.

NTR is not media-shy

The heroes I have worked in the past were media-shy. NTR has grabbed me by the collar to give interviews. I am someone who runs away from media.

Thaman is a deep man

One day, suddenly, Thaman was talking about a film. 'That film is not hungry for background score', Thaman said. I was shocked. Someone has to be very deep and creative to talk like that. People are not what they seem! Thaman has got great depth. Cinema is second nature for him. He doesn't need to be explained much. In 'AS', you don't have dance numbers. I briefed about this to Thaman right at the outset.

That's why no Devi Sri Prasad

DSP didn't do 'A Aa' because he was too big for the film, budget-wise. Anirudh was supposed to do 'A Aa' but he couldn't because of legal issues with the 'Beep' song. And I roped him for 'Agnyaathavaasi', my next film. Just because I am not working with DSP, it doesn't mean I have differences with him!

Miscellany

I try to come out of this so-called 'Trimark-mark cinema'. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.

NTR became a superstar when he was not even 20. It shows the strength of his mind. What kind of advices does such a person need?

Pawan Kalyan garu doesn't talk about his plans with his brother and mother! Even they come to know about him by reading newspapers. Don't ask me political questions. I am a friend of Pawan Kalyan garu.

Once a friend, always a friend. Sunil, Mahesh Babu garu, Pawan garu, NTR garu - they have been my friends for long. We don't have friends to seek or give advices to. It's about a sense of comfort. A friend has to accept you without judging you.