Writer Venkee Atluri’s film with Varun Tej is not likely to happen immediately as Krish Jagar who made his critically acclaimed film with Varun Tej is to begin another film soon. The pre production is on. Dil Raju as we reported has given Krish an advance last month to set the ball rolling. Krish was impressed with Varun’s body language and dialogue delivery in Kanche and apparently approached him with a new script. In all probability heroine Pragya Jaiswal will be the heroine. More details are yet to come.
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- Movie HeroVarun Tej
- Movie HeroinePragya Jaiswal
| Director: | Krish |
Kanche collects decent figures on first day
Mega hero Varun Tej’s Kanche released yesterday, has struck the right chord with the moviegoers. Kanche’s narrative based on World War II, portrays the fences that differentiate people based on caste, religion and wealth.
The movie opened to packed houses all over. According to latest trade reports, the movie has already amassed nearly 2.05 Crores on its opening day – a decent number for a film made in a different genre. Varun Tej’s fabulous screen presence and his balanced performance, as a soldier and a lover boy, are the talk of the town. Due credit should be given to Director Krish for making bold attempt directing a film with a sensitive story-line.
First Frame Entertainment banner has produced the film and Chirantan Bhatt composed the music score.
Collections reports from all the regions in Andhra and Telangana.
• Nizam – 62 Lakhs
• Ceded – 33 Lakhs
• UA – 21 Lakhs
• Guntur – 24 Lakhs
• East – 21.2 Lakhs
• West – 16.3 Lakhs
• Krishna – 20.4 Lakhs
• Nellore – 6.6 Lakhs
Interview : Krish – My star in Kanche is the World War II
Krish is a rare phenomenon in Telugu cinema. Someone who really trusts the story he wants to say, deep in sub-text and philosophy while also binding that with commerce smartly. Most of his films, irrespective of success, you see his tendency to leave a unique stamp of his. The well-read, once US-bound director is only four film old having tasted reasonable results in Bollywood with the remake of Tagore. Now, he takes up a challenge of placing a strong story in the hands of young lead actors, Varun Tej and Pragya Jaiswal in Kanche. The film set in WWII stands amongst the most promising of the films this week and Krish guarantees enough of that, in an exclusive conversation withT360.COM
Balance between commerce and art
Commercial films means we have to attract people to the theatre and make money. I tend to balance between commercial films and sensibilities. My characters are rooted characters and I try to tell a story that is beautifully laid. There is a misconception of commercial films because of which I have been defined as a class director but I try to balance it out. My only problem is that I haven’t hit the bulls eye till now. I am sure Kanche will take care of that. It is easy to brand someone as a class director or mass director, but I might not be playing below the belt, the C centres. The World War 2 is one of the biggest incidents in world history, having 25 lakh people participating. At that time, I could have found 25 thousand stories that were never told. The driving force is to tell a story that I have never seen on an Indian screen. Only when I get really excited, I make a movie. Going into a territory that has not been attempted before always plays on mind.
On story being the hero in Kanche
Philosophy: I strongly believe that the audience is far more intelligent. But to take cinema to the next level, we need a star. My star in Kanche is the World War II. It has a love story, a simple one that plays against the backdrop. The man who played Thangabali’s character in Chennai Express, Eshwar Prasad also has an important role. When the film starts, Dhuppati Hari Babu meets Eshwar Prasad, they salute each other and want to kill each other. There is some old tale of rivalry. There is a love story as well as a male bonding. There are many layers to the story and we made sure, the flavour is not lost. The theme evolves on its own and we don’t try to preach anything. The evil forces create barriers, boundaries, in villages. But how we overcome all that with love is Kanche.
Playing careful with the budget and planning
It all boils down to budget. I had to re invent the way to do the entire pre production. The prospect of making a period film is always a herculean task but they say necessity is the mother of invention. We had to come up with all innovative ideas to make the system fall in place. I had to finish the film in 55 days and I did it faster than Gamyam. One day shooting would cost us 25 lakhs. There is so much detailing that went into even small things like a fruit store set in that period. It all involves money. In Georgia, there is a 12 minute war sequence. We dug trenches and that was not that easy. We took permission from Georgian government, military. Three months before, we had to dig trenches and bunkers had to be ready with tanks, boats, uniforms etc. We had a great theme. When you make and watch such films, you tend to value your freedom and the advancements made in science and technology. Just 10 or 15 years ago, we weren’t this advanced. Kanche is a small lesson we studied in history books but it is a lesson taught by history – to make sure there is no bloodshed.
How did the idea trigger?
While I was doing Vedam in Vizag, someone told me about Vizag bomb. A big bomb was flung and there was a ship that had goods in it during the World War II. Two bombs took off and the third diffused. It is true, we couldn’t have created it. (http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/07/22/stories/2002072201240400.htm) After I announced this film, a Flight Commander called me and said that there were many world war 2 widows and still 18 families living there. I saw the acknowledgement paper that showed how much money was pooled and sent as expenses for the war. There are so many chapters in Indian history that people are not ready to talk about. For instance, the distribution of army fund between the soldiers during the partition. I would wonder how these 25 lakh soldiers left the country, how long they would have been there and if they’d ever returned.
On Varun Tej
He is not even in the good actor league but the great actor league. He is handsome and has honesty in his eyes. I wanted to do his first film but it didn’t happen. You shouldn’t attempt this film if you don’t have the money. I was keen that I should not ridicule it by making it look fake. I had also to do a balancing act (not to archaic and not too contemporary) in terms of music and had to extract such work from both the lyricist and the music director. Sai Madhav Burra has written great dialogues and art director Sahi Suresh created magic.
Ideal runtime for Kanche
Crisp runtime is playing a big part for the success of the films in the present trend. Moviegoers are preferring to watch films which have less runtime and taut screenplay. These two factors are going to be crucial for Varun Tej’s Kanche.
The film, a war drama based on the true happenings of the historic World War II, is getting ready to release on October 22nd. With an ideal runtime of 125 minutes, the film will have a scintillating narration. Krish, the director for this film, is confident that the racy screenplay and the crisp runtime will help the film big-time.
Starring Varun Tej and Pragya Jaiswal in the lead roles, Kanche has its music composed by Chirantan Bhatt. First Frame Entertainment banner has produced it.
Two medium budget films to compete with Kanche
With ‘Akhil’ out of Dussehra race, a bunch of films are now gearing up to test their luck at box office on October 22nd. Already, the makers of Kanche have confirmed that they will release the film on Dusheera.
Now, adding into the fray are a couple of medium budget films. One of them is ‘Raju Gari Gadhi’ which was directed by anchor turned filmmaker Omkar. The film, a suspense thriller, has Dhanraj and Danya Balakrishna in the lead roles. This is the second directional venture of Omkar.
Another medium budget film which is going to release along with Kanche is young actor Sumanth Aswin’s Columbus. Misthi Chakraborthy and Seerat Kapoor are the female leads in the film. R. Samala is making his debut as director with this film.
So, both Raju Gari Gadhi and Columbus will be competing with Kanche which is carrying positive reports in the industry circles.
Gradual route to Sahi Suresh’s success
Thirty five years old Suresh Babu Katta is known as Sahi Suresh to industry people. Hailing from Madanpalli, with no background in the industry, it was his curiosity to be part of film sets that ensured his introduction to an associate art director Murali, later to Pekati Ranga and so on. The latest jewel to his crown promises to be Krish’s Kanche, a period film set during the World War II, essentially a dream scenario for an art director to work on. He took a lot of time to get noticed, but once as he settled down, he ensured great output in his role with limited budget films like Karthikeya, Venkatadri Express and Saroccharu. On the other front, when he has had scale on his side, he didn’t disappoint with Malli Malli and One too. His journey, as he unveils, is gradual yet intriguing enough, all in an exclusive conversation with Telugu360.com
How did the journey in cinema, specifically art direction begin? What were your interests?
I discontinued my graduation and shifted to films. Father would work in the irrigation department and we would move from place to place and finally settled down in Kurnool. While I was studying in Kurnool, I would watch many films, even from the 8th and 9th standard. I saw Bhairavadveepam around 100 times, it influenced and inspired me. At that time, I did not know there was something called an art department. We shifted to Hyderabad later and pursuing films became easier although I did not have any connections in the film industry. My parents insisted I study but my mind was fixed on this. I would read news reports of shootings taking place here and there in the city and would go to that place and merely watch the shoot progress. Once I went to Film Nagar too and in this process, was acquainted to Murali, an associate art director and my rapport with him improved. He introduced me to Pekati Ranga, an art director. I decided I have to work here in the art department. I recalled the art direction of Pekati Ranga who worked on Bhairavadveepam and luckily I got an opportunity to work with him in his team as an assistant, not an assistant art director. It was a big team and he was a busy technician and around 9 films were on sets at that time. My aim was to make him address me with my name and then I came to a position where I was given a chance to do art direction for a project individually. That’s how my journey in art direction began. I struggled to get work for three years as an assistant, that is to join his team.
What ensured your growth in the industry?
My friend Narayana Reddy, art director and me moved together for Chitram. Nuvvu Nenu, Family Circus, Okarikokaru, Yeh Dil and Bagireedha followed. With this, I got some recognition. Gemini Kiran introduced me to art director Ashok Kumar, who was the best in the industry. He helped in getting Shankardada MBBS, where I worked as an assistant art director. I worked with Ashok Kumar in a few films and even with Anand Sai and Bhupesh (Malleswari and Anaganaga Oka Dheerudu). Rajeevan who is now working with Trivikram’s project is a famous art director, and I got to work with him as an assistant art director for Oye. I got a call from Aswani Dutt who had plans to make me an art director for Saaroccharu. I was working at that time for Sakthi for which Anand Sai was art director. He saw my skill and talent and called me when I was doing 1, Sukumar’s film. I did 8 films as a art director. Karthikeya, Malli Malli, Beeruva, Venkatadri Express, Daguda Muta Dhandakor and Kanche.
Some memories from what you’ve worked on?
Sarocchara was done in low budget and I gave them good output. During the editing time, Chandoo Mondeti took me as art director for Karthikeya. We had to do it in a low budget and give a better output. It gave me a recognition, Garbha Gudi set was put up for Karthikeya. Then Gemini Kiran gave me Venkatadri Express. Malli Malli Idhi Rani Roju was my next. Films are team work. It depends on the director as to how much he extracts the work from me. We too give our inputs. I always think I should give the best output but sometimes if you do the film within the budget, there is a risk of being called unskilled. One shouldn’t blame the art director for over budget, he does it according to the director’s requirement. If you see a rich couple going in a small car, does it look good? We find a better alternatives always and there are quite a few discussions. You have to give the requirement as per the character. Our films are unrealistic and have a look at other films like Marathi movie Court which reached Oscar nomination. The house sets on beach in Oye and Malli Malli Idhi Rani Roju got flak for being deserted and solo on the beach but also got appreciation from certain quarters. After the film released a lot of people asked for the sets to shoot their film.
On surviving as an art director and if CG is a threat to their profession?
Art directors are great visionaries. They design to a great extent and only if they feel that the CG is necessary they recommend it. CG is very necessary, but not all films can be Rudramadevi and Bahubali. Digital technology can never replace art directors. Directors visualise the CG before itself and make the artistes perform, infact the demand for art directors will rise in the future. Venkatadri Express, everything was shot in RFC. We had to create different villages on one platform. In the office, we put up a map of Venkatadri Express, what time the train stops at each village and planned the film. Different images of each village was created, the shops, posters etc would be changed on the platform. Shakti and Anaganaga Oka Dheerudu gave enough experience. Sets which are not related to the story or scenes is not art direction. For example, if there is a death scene going on, it is not right to have bright colours in the background. The colours, objects divert your mind. Art direction many think is about colourful song sets and that is not at all true. People tend to think that way because we see a lot of commercial cinema. People are very smart and they know which set or location is being repeated. So we have to constantly be on our toes. Since we are going abroad, it is better if we choose a different country. Also, there should be a perfect coordination between DoP and art director. How much ever nicely you design, it is the cinematographer who elevates it. Director will be busy with other things.
How did Kanche happen?
I was doing Dagudamuta Dhandakor and Krish roped me in Kanche. He rose to great heights and has encouraged me too. Kanche trailer got me great compliments. Just not Georgia, we did a lot more in India to recreate history.
Kanche censor done, gets appreciation from the board
Mega hero Varun Tej‘s upcoming war drama, Kanche, completed its censor just a few minutes ago. The censor board issued a U/A certificate for the film. Reports state that the board members appreciated the content in the film.
Creative filmmaker Krish is the director for the film. Young girl Pragya Jaiswal is the film’s leading actress. Chirantan Bhatt composed the music and the audio is getting a decent response for the nostalgic appeal in the lyrics. Rajeev Reddy is producer for the film. The film is slated to hit the screens during Diwali.
Hardwork behind Pragya Jaiswal’s dream debut
Pragya Jaiswal is another addition to the long list of models who have turned actors. She promises of having her own identity and seemingly has only one distant relative who’s into films, barring a strictly academic family. However, she earned permission to explore this side of the world too, ultimately landing up at the audition of Gabbar is Back, where she was rejected. However, the good news was in wraps for a while. Krish had her in mind for another film, which happened to be Kanche and she was quite surprised to receive a call from the producer. She auditioned yet again but there was no looking back since then. In a conversation with Telugu360.com, she calls her role in the film, Sita Devi, a dream and feels, its her hardwork with the team support which made all of this possible.
The hardwork behind her appearance:
I would like to believe that I am tailor made for this but to be honest I have put in a lot of hard work. The entire team has worked hard to make me look the royal and regal girl from 1930s, a Sita Devi look believable and convincing. Obviously this is how I look, but the role really suited me. Initially, I too had my doubts but later I was very happy. I am excited that I am looking like the part that was expected.
Her background and entry into films:
I was born in Madhya Pradesh and we moved to Pune later. My schooling, college and modelling started there. I did not take it seriously and also my family is remotely connected with cinema but for some distant relative. Acting and modelling were never career options. It has been a natural progression. I had it in me but I didn’t know I could do it. At last, with my family’s permission, I could actually take a step towards it. I was always a dancer and would perform plays in school and college. Since I was into modelling, many doors opened and that’s how the journey began .
In films, you never know what works out, when and how. For me, it all just happened, there was never so much planning and strategising. I had actually auditioned for Gabbar Is Back and it never happened. One day, I got a call from the producer Rajeev Reddy. Maybe, Krish sir had me in the back of his mind as he liked my audition. I was very excited and I have seen quite a few friends in South films doing very well. For me, language is not a big deal as long as you are doing good work. I had to audition again for the Telugu film though the first audition helped. I did a small film in Hindi and Telugu and that time I did not know I wanted to really act. That little experience helped me understand the technicalities of film shoot.
On the sets of Kanche:
Here, everything is so unpredictable and you never know what can happen and where life can take you, so just keep working. It is actually a period film that happens during 1930 and eight years from then and how the two characters fall in love. Dhupati Hari Babu and Sita Devi study in the same college. The love story is happening in the backdrop of World War II. Hari Babu goes to a war which is about the world at large and a village too. The title is Kanche and how people create fences between each other and not what God has created; how we create differences between caste, creed, sex, rich and poor. It is a bigger meaning and a bigger message. My story is very integral to the war, Krish Sir has the knack to bring a lot of metaphorical connection to various stories and lives.
About the experience with the film’s team and the role:
I have seen Krish sir’s films like Vedam, that made me cry. They have a meaning and a message. Varun Tej is just not good looking but a good actor and has completely fit into Hari Babu’s image. He has two different phases, once when he is a young boy, then in college and how he transforms into an Army man. Varun Tej is tall and I am tall too but he had to bend a bit for me.
Getting into the skin of her part
So early in my career, am getting a hard core and yet unconventional role. It was a dream come true. The name is normal 75 years ago, Rajakonda Sita Devi is a big Zamindar’s daughter, very rich, goes to college, sweet, innocent and falls in love. She has strong values, doesn’t adhere to society’s rules and regulations and has her own mind, beliefs and principles, even if the world goes against her. The expression of love at that time is completely different then, very subtle and very intense, cannot be expressed in words. It is slightly different from what we see today. My costumes are done by Aishwarya, the producer’s wife. They went all out to research and also struck a balance between reality and cinema. They did not want to go too far and make it unreachable.
We first shot in Hyderabad, sets like Madras Cultural Club, before Independence with jazz music. Sita Devi was way ahead of her time, in terms of thinking, dressing, outgoing. On her birthday, she goes to the club like what you saw in the trailer. The era so authentic with the chandeliers and the pianos. Baba Sir recreated it so well. There was a palace, like a house where we stayed, me and my family. We also went to villages like Palakollu, Thatipaka, because they had the Brahmin houses which looked authentic. The second schedule was in the villages. Then a big period was in Georgia, where the war sequences was shot including the songs. The equipment war, actual guns, artillery, tanks were found there. You increase your knowledge as an actor with this. Even if my history is not brushed up, you have a great team to help you with it.
Kanche postponed to November
Mega hero Varun Tej‘s upcoming war drama, Kanche, has been postponed to November 6th. The film was to release on October 2nd, but the makers now decided to push it to November as a Diwali treat for the audience.
The post production work is going on at a brisk pace and the audio was launched recently in Hyderabad. Creative filmmaker Krish is the director for the film and young svelte Pragya Jaiswal is the heroine in the film. Chirantan Bhatt is the music composer for the film. Set against the backdrop of World War II, Kanche promises to be an emotional tale of a young and brave soldier who took part in the historical war.
Rajeev Reddy and Krish have jointly produced the film on First Frame Entertainment banner.
Kanche audio launch venue changed
The audio of Mega hero Varun Tej‘s upcoming film Kanche will take place on the 17th of this month. A couple of days ago, the makers announced that the grand event will take place in Vizag. But, the latest update reveals that the audio launch event is shifted to Hyderabad due to unknown reasons and Ram Charan is expected to grace the event.
Directed by Krish, the plot of Kanche is set against the backdrop of World War II. Pragya Jaiswal is the female lead. Chirantan Bhatt composed the tunes and First Frame Entertainment banner has produced the film. The movie is gearing up to hit the screens on October 2nd.
Stunning Kanche trailer makes an impact
Director Krish’s latest world war epic love saga Kanche trailer was launched today. This movie was shrouded in secrecy all along and major parts of it were shot in Georgia far away from media glare. Due to this, very few details about the movie are there in public view all these days. Publicity campaign of the movie was started recently with a teaser which created some curiosty around the film and a couple of character posters of Varun Tej as Dhoopati Hari Babu and Pragna Jaiswal as Rachakonda Seetha Devi.
Theatrical trailer of Kanche is aimed at unveiling the scale of the film and theme of it which deals with the love story of Hari Babu and Seetha Devi which is affected by World War II after Hari Babu is drafted as a soldier. Trailer of the film is bang on target and well received by the audience. Impeccable detailing of Krish and the scale on which the movie has been made is being appreciated by one and all. Love story thread of Varun Tej and Pragna Jaiswal is well established in the trailer. Looks like Krish has a winner on hands this time. Whishing the whole unit a very all the best.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIY-F_XAIto&w=853&h=480]
Kanche character posters launched
Krish who is known for his unique style of film making is following a unique style of promotion for his film Kanche. Today character posters of the hero and heroine were launched. Hero is named Dhoopati Hari Babu and heroine is named Rachakonda Seetha in the film. Theatrical trailer of the film will be launched tomorrow, September 1st 2015 on the eve of Power Star Pawan Kalyan’s birthday. Sources reveal that the theatrical trailer is spectacular and is sure to pique the interest of movie goers. Varun Tej and Pragna Jaiswal will be seen as war torn love pair in this film. Chiranthan Bhatt is scoring music. Rajeev Reddy is producing the film on First Frame Entertainments banner. 
Varun Tej’s Kanche First Look
First look of Varun Tej’s second film Kanche was released today. Staying true to the style of maverick movie maker Krish, first look of the film creates curiosity about the subject and treatment of it. The shoot was completed sometime ago and the post production activities are going on at a good speed. The film’s audio will be unveiled in the next month and the teaser will be out on the 15th of August. Makers are planning to release the film on October 2nd on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi.
The first look poster of the film which is generating a superb buzz in the social networking sites. Looking at the poster, it will come to mind that the plot of the movie revolves around the different stages in the life of a soldier. Already, it is known that the story of the film is set in the backdrop of World War II, and the poster also reveals the other facets of the story line. So, it would be interesting to see how Krish will showcase Varun Tej in his second outing after appearing in a soft role in his debut.
Pragna Jaiswal is paired with Varun Tej in this love saga set against the canvas of second world war. Bollywood music composer Chirantan Bhat is scoring music. Rajeev Reddy is producing this film on First Frame banner.
Kanche Teaser for Independence Day
Mega Prince Varun Tej’s 2nd film Kanche is in the final stages of post production work. Director Krish and Producer Rajeev Reddy are planning to kick start the publicity campaign of the film very soon. First look teaser of the film is being planned for August 15th on the occasion of Independence Day. Kanche is set in the backdrop of second world war and deals with the love story of a soldier. Pragna Jaiswal is paired with Varun Tej in this film. Kanche promises to be first of its kind film which deals with the world war scenario. Makers of the film are aiming at October 2015 release.
