Savouring the experience

Straight talk

The excitement around ‘Baahubali 2: The Conclusion’ has been vindicated by the fact that it has become the all-time highest grosser. Actor Rana Daggubati, who played the character of Bhallaladeva, is garnering praise for his menacing look and beefed up body. On his part, he terms his experience of acting in the film as ‘brilliant’. Rana thinks it is a rare chance to be a part of such a fine script. In an interview with Nina C George, he talks about his experience of working in ‘Baahubali 2...’

How do you feel after the release of the film?

The excitement surrounding the film has given us hope that there’s some great cinema that you can make and there’s a whole nation out there to watch it, irrespective of which region you belong to.

How was it to portray the character of ‘Bhallaladeva’?

I’ve never played such a character before. The story is written so beautifully that I was wondering if I would be able to do the job perfectly. It is rare that one gets to portray negative roles that are also memorable.

Was it difficult for you to shed weight after ‘Baahubali 2...’

It wasn’t a struggle for me to shed weight because it is a part of my job. It’s like going to work for me.

On working with S S Rajamouli again...

Rajamouli has an immense understanding of cinema. He is a simple man who goes to great lengths to tell a story. We actors feed off his energy.

Will you work with him again?

This one film has taken us five years. I didn’t realise that it took five years because it just passed like a breeze. Rajamouli doesn’t think in a small format. He always attempts the unimaginable and it is a pleasure to be associated with him.

We’ve seen you working on a lot of historical films. Tell us about it.

Historical dramas have always fascinated me as a storyteller or as an actor because you have never lived in that era, but you are a part of recreating it. It takes you into another world altogether. That’s the power of cinema.

What is your next project?

It’s a political thriller and I play a crazy, bad politician. The teaser will be out in a week. We’ve attempted something that has not been done before in Telugu cinema.

 

Do you have a favourite co-star?

Anushka Shetty, by far, is my favourite co-star. She’s a fine actor, a great human being and a thorough professional.