I have learnt a lot from Chiranjeevi: Vijayabhaskar

Hyderabad, Dec 16 (IANS) Telugu director Vijayabhaskar, who signed Chiranjeevi for his film "Jai Chiranjeeva", says it will be a landmark film in the actor's illustrious career.

He also promises a 'feast' for the actor's huge fan following.

"We have nicely used family drama, comedy and mass elements to cater to his huge following," he says.

Vijayabhaskar and scriptwriter Trivikram, who gave hits like "Swayamvaram", "Nuvve Kavali", "Manmadudu" and "Malliswari", promise a great entertainer in "Jai Chiranjeeva".

"I became his staunch admirer," Vijayabhaskar tells IANS in this interview.

Excerpts:

Is it a fantasy as the title suggests?

Not at all. It's a regular mass commercial film, with a tinge of comedy and family sentiment revolving around a good-hearted village guy who is adamant about certain issues. The transition from village to city, and from city to the US is well-worked out in the screenplay.

It's a tale of a man who is forced to visit the US to accomplish a mission. It is a musical, a love story, with exclusive dances from Chiranjeevi and has all the other ingredients that please the masses.

How can a mass hero like Chiranjeevi fit into a comic family drama?

Your doubt is reasonable, but we will prove all wrong since we have nicely used family drama, comedy and mass elements to cater to his huge following.

He plays a straightforward guy who cannot take a 'no' for some issues. We have described his character in just one song and his role will attract the youth in a big way and other sections too.

You have made light-hearted entertainers like "Manmadudu" and "Malliswari" and how different will this be from other films?

We deal with varied themes and this film will also showcase a new facet of life. If "Nuvve Kavali" was about friendship, "Nuvvu Naaku Nachavu" was a love story and "Manmadudu" was about a woman-hater turning into a lover.

Each film had its own significance and we are again touching another emotional chord. We have worked out delightful punch lines for Chiranjeevi and it will leave audience in splits, I promise you.

You say you have become an admirer of Chiranjeevi, can you elaborate?

You will remember that I penned a script "Bharat Rathna" for Chiranjeevi but it didn't materialise. When I got this opportunity, I resolved to make a tasteful film, keeping his stature in mind.

He has command over script and also on minute technical values and, above all, grasps the 'requirements' of the director and delivers it. Undoubtedly, his dances will enthral everyone. Besides learning a lot from him, I have become his staunch admirer.

After a disastrous debut with "Prarthana", did you ever think you would reach the top slot?

Though I never thought much about this, I kept pursuing my dream of understanding cinema for seven years without a break. After that, "Swayamvaram" changed my fortunes. I lived and ate movies, and probably that is helping me to churn out some good and successful movies now, touchwood.

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Jai Chiranjeeva