Adivi Sesh, the Kshanam sensation, is on a cloud nine. In this exclusive interview to IndiaGlitz, the actor-writer-director talks about what worked for Kshanam, life after Baahubali, his personal life, and more.

What is that one USP which worked for Kshanam?

I feel it is the originality that worked. When we push honesty in a story, we don`t go for unrealistic heroism and the like.

For a thriller like this, what is that masterstroke which did the magic?

I think luck is that masterstroke. You can never decide what works for a film. With Abburi Ravi's guidance, we had that blueprint. The thrills, etc worked brilliantly well. I have never received so much appreciation for my writing.

In the last four weeks, how far has Kshanam reached out to the mass audience?

I don`t know. All that I can say is Kshanam is playing phenomenally well in cities/ towns. I don`t know about villages. Even the release pattern was keeping in mind the sensibilities of the movie.

Can everybody make a rich-looking movie with a budget of Rs. 1.10 cr?

I don`t think so. I wouldn't say that I am the reason for it. The reason is Shaneil Deo. He was nominated at Cannes Film Festival for his film Lyla. One should have a best friend like him who is ready to make it for free.

What worked as far as the cinematography is concerned?

It's the hand-held approach that worked. We used trolly very rarely. And no cranes were used. We shot in real, live locations.

Do you think you and Anasuya being relatively unfamiliar faces helped the film in a way?

I think Anasuya is not an unfamiliar face. She is well-recognized. When audience comes to the theatre wishing to see someone, that is stardom. But our film didn't need stars.

How has Abburi Ravi guided the script?

He perked up the script me and Ravikanth wrote. He etched certain portions in such a way that it reached out to the audience. It wouldn`t have happened without Abburi Ravi garu. That's why we have credited him with dialogues and script guidance. It`s not a technical term.

Could you narrate some examples of how he perked up the script.

In a scene, Babu Khan (Vennela Kishore) says 'Apudu pranam meeda asha saab. Ipudu pranam poyindi anna badha saab' when I ask him why he didn't tell me earlier. That`s what he brings to the table. To tell you another example, there is a scene where the Marwadi seth doesn`t react favourably. There should be a danger and suspense in his reaction. Such elements wouldn't have been there without him.

Tell us about Anasuya Bhadrawaj as a character and an actor.

She definitely has talent. Despite being busy with her anchoring and acting commitments, she would practise along with us. Without her push, her character wouldn`t have come out well. If people are calling her ACP Jaya Bharadwaj, there is a reason.

Whose idea was it to rope in Anasuya?

It was my idea. In one of her anchoring shows, she kept an angry expression and I freezed it.

Did you attempt at becoming a mainstream hero with KISS?

I don`t know what is mainstream. I tried to reach out to people, but it didn`t work out. We always hope that people will want to buy the ticket for us. In that sense, I have been making such attempts right from the days of Karma.

How has life changed after Baahubali?

As an actor, life hasn`t changed much. In Oopiri, I am doing a cameo. I was shooting in Paris. A Tamil family came to me and told me, 'You are there in Baahubali, right? They are Tamil refugees` descendents. That`s the reach of Baahubali. Such things don`t happen always. Today if I can call up a Karan Johar, a Gnanavelu garu, it's because of Baahubali. I can tell them I am Sesh and I acted in Baahubali. It`s in my resume.

On your personal front, are you seeing someone?

Yes, but I prefer not to talk about my personal life. At home, I don't talk films with my family members.