Dhandoraa, as per actor Sivaji, is a "well-balanced commercial entertainer that blends emotion, drama, and realism". Set for a Christmas release, the film is directed by newcomer Murali Kanth. In this interview, the senior actor talks about his character and his choices lately.
Produced by Loukya Entertainments, the film will be released in theatres on December 25.
Dhandoraa came my way before Court: State Vs A Nobody came my way. Production delays meant that Court got released first. Dhandoraa is more than a mere vehicle for a message; it's a beautifully crafted film with deep, resonant emotional layers.
While I am not the hero, incidents circle back to my farmer character in Dhandoraa. My character inhabits a grey area. Since he can't be bracketed into this or that moral compartment, he is ambiguous and the audience won't be able to figure out where to place him until the end. Given the multi-dimensionality of the character, I feel lucky to have got to portray its multiple shades. After Mangapathi in Court, here is another character that will be remembered in my career.
What sets it apart is its exceptionally organic and natural-flowing screenplay. The narrative progression is smooth, ensuring the film's powerful emotions land effectively without ever feeling preachy. Dhandoraa is an emotional package. The characters and their reflections are what the drama is about.
Talking of landing layered characters lately, I feel our filmmakers should have been exploring local talent since long. There is no room for hesitancy and over-calculation when our own place has so much talent. In Dhandoraa, everyone from Ravi Krishna to Nandu and Navdeep have nailed it with their performances.
All through my career, I have got to dabble in multiple genres. I enjoyed doing dramas like Missamma, Shailaja Krishnamurthy, and Adirindayya Chandram as much as intense films like Court and Dhandoraa. I have always been confident in my versatility as an actor, readily handling the demands of comedy, negative roles, and emotionally intense characters.
I don't think my character in Court was villainous. Most of the elders in Indian society behave like Mangapathi. The only set of people, from what I have observed, who accept inter-caste marriages are Communists.
Sampradayini Suppini Suddapoosani is among my upcoming movies. Epic (starring Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya) is another.
