Vijay, I think among the Telegu fans or the South Indian market is really known for his promotions
Who is most likely to get married first?
Probably me
I think its going to be me but not anytime soon. 3-4 years but things can change, we’ll see
Are you in love already?
Right now, I am in a space where I just dress simply, comfortably.
I am not like Vijay and Ranveer Singh where they are so bold
You look at Virat Kohli, he is probably the most successful captain and yet he gets bashed
because of poor performance in one world cup. So, the
nature of the internet is like that you can’t really do anything
In Hindi I like Sriram Raghavan sir, I like Shoojit Sircar
Hi Anand, welcome to Pinkvilla.
Hi, hi, thank you so much for having me. And its nice seeing you.
Same here and like I said even before we started this conversation that the trailer of
Pushpaka Vimanam looks really, really interesting. I can’t wait to see the film
Yeah, it going to be really interesting. It’s a different genre. It’s like a comedy, thriller space.
Very realistic characters but then there’s lots of fun and
entertainment so it maybe remade in Hindi as well.
So, lets begin with that. If its ever remade in Hindi, would you like to play the part in Hindi
as well or which actor you think will suit the part if not you?
I mean I think if I am playing it its going to take some big push for it to reach the audiences
but I think someone like a Ayushmann or Rajkummar Rao would be perfect for this role.
But you know even right now looking at the promotions of the film, you and Vijay and rest of
the cast also you all are out there promoting the film and after so long, especially after the
pandemic I was seeing the promotion looks fun and it looks happening and you know there is
a chemistry between the cast and the crew right there. How was this promotion really planned
before you’ll started marketing the film?
So, it always helps to have a Vijay Deverakonda presents so that’s an easy part so Vijay, I
think among the Telegu fans or the south Indian market is really known for his promotions
and once he believes in something he takes it out there no matter what. There is no thinking
twice also you know you are just on your foot always; our phones are always buzzing with
messages saying what do we do next? What happens next? So, it all started with Vijay
watching the film even though he produced it he was never involved in to day-to-day
activities. He only watched it when the final cut was ready and me, my father, Vijay and a
couple of others from my previous film watched it and Vijay happened to love it and he said I
am going to take this forward. I am going to push it as much as we can and lots of impromptu
things happen when you are with Vijay, we just discussing he just tells let’s make a video.
Those videos if they come out well, they always go viral. Recently we made a video of both
of us sharing our bed and annoy me and saying hey where is your wife? Why are you on my
bed sort of thing so all of those things. They are unique, there are novel and that’s why people like it.
Your character in the film is entertaining yet very balanced. How much do you as
Anand Deverakonda relate to your character? Are you’ll in any way similar?
So that’s a good question in the sense that my director thinks that I am a little similar to my
character in the sense that I am very introverted, I don’t talk too much in real life and that
character is like that but not too much similarity. I play a government school teacher in the
film, a math teacher who had two little kids. So that was one of the things when I was first
listening to the narration, I was like can I really play a teacher at this point because I still look
like a college going kid sort of thing. So, and then we figured out the look, did a look test and
then a few workshops and through the process we figured out the character. So, he is one of
those teachers, I don’t know if you have one of those teachers from your schooling days but
those guys who always command respect you know. Who don’t command it through their
knowledge or anything but way of dressing. They are always wearing a tucked in shirt, specs
and combing their hair really well, no matter what. If there are going for a film or going to
the bar to have a drink or going for a family function. They are always dressed like that. So,
this guy is one of those guys. I don’t have too much
similarities, maybe the fact that we don’t talk much
And how did Pushpaka Vimanam as a project happen for you? Why this script now?
So, it actually took off in 2019, it was something of course the pandemic hit all of us and it
delayed the project and its release and everything but we were focused to get it into
the theaters because we knew it was a new concept, a new genre, comedy, thriller. The
Telegu audiences are used to horror comedy and not comedy thriller. So, we thought it would
be new for our audiences and so we waited but then two years back it was an interesting
point. My first film had come out and it didn't do too well at the box office but still the director
pitched the story to me and he said you would be really good in it I think, let’s give it a shot. I
really loved the story. Everyone, I don’t know if I should be saying it directly but I am sort of
now, even though I am just three films old, I am sort of known for my script section or
whatever that is called. Because of offbeat sort of films, I am doing. So, if you look through
the YouTube or the social media comments, the positives for me are people keep saying
script selection is superb. I think you should carry on like this. Bring us new concepts, don’t
do the massy entertainer sort of thing. So that’s good. I am happy it happened. This film.
Are you and you know this is a very great observation as an actor do you go on the internet
and study what people say about you and then accordingly
react and does that also impact your scripts section process?
No, no. Not at all. I do look at social media and what’s happening around the film promotion
because you have to be aware in some sense to know what to do next, what not to do next in
terms of promotions but it doesn’t affect my script selection at all. I only look at if I fit in that
particular role, if I like the director’s sensibilities, if he is saying something will he do it also
in actions so what is on paper will it come out on set. So, I am
trying to read all those, not read the comments on the internet
Also speaking about social media, you know a lot comes your way when you are on social
media and an actor has to battle all of that. One of the
things that I am sure you also might get is the comment of nepotism. It does?
A lot, a lot
How do you react to it?
Right from the start I mean it happened a lot during my first film of course which is fair, I
think. If I was in a position where I was looking are actors, the fact that people encouraged
Vijay so much because he was self-made right? Because he struggled and made it so big and
now, he is acting in Bombay for a national film. So, people enjoy that so they put you on a
pedestal, they like you in a certain way and when you reach that pedestal there are so many
elements of audiences or the media, so many elements trying to knock you off that pedestal
now. I think that happened with Shah Rukh Khan sir, Amitabh sir, all of them, right? They
would have faced no matter what, irrespective of social media, internet or not
I think it happened with sports stars like Michael Jordan. You look at Virat Kohli, he is
probably the most successful captain and yet he gets bashed because of poor performance in
one world cup. So, the nature of the internet is like that you can’t really do anything. What
you can do is focus on your work and keep moving forward and maybe in the future present
some new work so that some of the negative turns into positive and slowly it’s like a domino effect
But you know I always wonder how do you guys deal with this on a mental level? For a very
simple reason because you know once like you said Vijay has proved himself in one film.
Can he get you know people will start appreciating him because he is self-made but again if
somebody comes from a background of a family, of a film family then that person has to
prove himself again and again in every film you have to say I
deserve to have this place and its such a tough task
See there two ways of looking at it. Let’s take the metaphor of a closed door, right? Like say
Vijay had to knock on doors not many would open so probably he had to break them to enter
and get an audition. That took a lot of time. What he did do in the process of breaking down
doors and getting opportunities is also he created opportunities for so many other people. Not
just me but so many other new directors because he is also
known for sort of the new wave of cinema that he brought with his first film
So many new opportunities came so now what happens is with is the door is open so I can
walk in freely but once I am in the room, I have to prove myself so that he is not going to
puppet me, do this, do that. I still have to do my work, I still have to prove. That happened
with my second film where I got lots of appreciation not just for my role but the fact that I
could get this. If I wouldn’t have said yes to that film that would never have been on floor
because it went to so many actors and they were like no, we don’t want to do this
I was like this is a brilliant script I want to do it. I didn’t think of result I thought of the
process and it was enjoyable so I think it’s a constant battle
I guess 15 years later also I will be trying to prove myself.
But like I said you have proved yourself already. You have had
success in the past and I am sure there is much more even in the future
Yeah, hopefully. Fingers crossed
Are you willing to also, a lot of actors now Hindi films actors are also going to south.
South Indian actors are also coming to the Hindi space. Are you
willing to make that shift as well? Have you been offered in Bollywood?
I actually got some messages yesterday saying someone from Bombay asking me for a show,
for a role in a show. I don’t know if its legit, I still have to pursue it and see what is
happening with that. I don’t know it’s still about the role, it’s still about the workshop. Am I
going to be a south Indian in Bombay? Am I going to be a Telegu guy placed in that movie?
So, it all depends on the character and if I like it, I will
probably pursue it and see how far I can get with it
Is there anyone from the Hindi space you want to work with?
In Hindi I like Sriram Raghavan sir, I like Shoojit Sircar, I like there are so many names.
Even in Telegu there is some names I will definitely. I think there is a trailer called
name is Vishwak. It’s a new film which is going to release next month, I think that guy is
brilliant. My previous film director is going to go a long way. He is going to make some
really good cinema, Vinod. So, I want to work with him at some point. So many directors I
think there is so much talent now. There is no point in life where you are thinking like I am
lacking script; I want something because something is coming to you all the time
We will play a quick 2-minute game. It’s called who’s most like to? I am going to ask you
some questions and you have to say either it’s you who is most likely to do it or Vijay
First question is who’s most likely to take the longest to get ready?
Vijay.
I would be ready in 2 minutes. Not that he takes longer but he
is pretty clear about his style and also, he is a star he has to be
His fashion game is on point. Do you take any inspiration from there?
I do. From a clothes point of view but I right now am in a space where I just dress simply,
comfortably. I am not like Vijay and Ranveer Singh where they are so bold
Who was more mischievous as a child?
At home, definitely me. At school, it was Vijay
Really? Yeah. And Vijay was the ballsy and the gutsy who would bunk school. I was and we
were in a boarding school and it was really strict so he would still manage to get out of the
school, take an auto or sharing auto go to a different village and watch films so he was that
kind of guy. I wouldn’t do all of that. At home I was the naughty one because
Who is most likely to get married first?
Probably me
I think it’s going to be me but not anytime soon. 3-4 years but things can change, we’ll see
Are you in love already?
Maybe. Maybe not. I don’t know
Who is most likely to cry while watching a sad film?
A sad film? Maybe me. I have watched this film called Togo. Have you watched it? No, I haven’t.
It’s a brilliant film about husky, about a dog and by the end of it I was like breaking down.
I was like damn
Who is most likely to be the best in a match?
In what kind of match?
A sport, maybe
A sport, its going to be me. There is no way that guy is beating me. Unless it comes down to
UFC, wrestling because right now he is playing a fighter, he is going to kick me. But if its
cricket, volleyball, football, badminton I am winning it. No matter what.
Who is more closer to the parents?
So, Vijay always says that he is mom’s favourite and
I am dad’s favourite but it sort of little edge here and there. That’s all
Who is most likely to skip a shower if there is no work?
Both of us. If we are just staying home as in, we are extremely lazy because we don’t dare to
go out as much at least I can a little. Vijay doesn’t get to step out in Hyderabad at all. So, it is
definitely like if you are staying home. We are bunked in the home theatre just watching stuff
all the time, chilling with our friends, playing lots of board games, all of this without shower.
One last question, who is most likely to be hungry all the time?
I feel for Vijay in the sense that he is been only eating chicken and veggies, I mean grilled
chicken and veggies since the last two years. So, I feel so bad for him but I think I snack a lot.
I have lots of cravings for sure. I am looking at chocolate right and I am like as soon as this
interview is over, I am going to have some chocolate, its going to be me.
Lovely. I don’t want to keep you away from the chocolate so long now but thank you so
much Anand, this was a lovely conversation and like I said
Like I said I can’t wait to see Pushpaka Vimanam, it looks
interesting and I am sure everyone is going to love it
Thank you, thank you so much for having me. Its very kind of you.