Prince of hearts Ram Charan Tej on the importance of the Black Lady, his dad’s comeback and marriage rumours
BVS Prakash I TNN
Tollywood’s biggest superstar Chiranjeevi has bagged more Filmfare South awards than most other T-towners. Following in his larger than life shoes, his son and rising star Ram Charan Tej has opened his account at the 56th Idea Filmfare (South) Awards with his secondouting, “Magadheera” for which he got the Best Actor (Male) award. “Maghadeera” is close to my heart and getting a Filmfare Award for it, makes it absolutely special,” says the actor, who dedicates the coveted award to his entire crew.
Is he being modest? “No, I am being honest. Every unit member has worked equally hard to make this film a success and has contributed to the awards,” he says. Charan admits that, “while awards encourage actors to be more versatile, commercial success is very important,” he reasons.
Right now, the actor is excited about his dad and politician Chiranjeevi’s comeback to 70 mm. “Yes, he has agreed to make a comeback. Our efforts to make him don grease paint again have paid off — the king is back! “Maghadeera” was dad’s 149th film. I’ll be producing his 150th. We’ll leave no stone unturned to make it a magnum opus,” he says with glint of pride. “Although dad’s birthday is on August 22, things will fall in place soon since we are looking for a rock solid script,” he adds. Chiru’s return will change equations as the three major contenders to the BO king’s crown might rework their strategies to take on the mighty star. “Only larger-than-life roles will work for dad,” points out Charan, who’s busy doing two films at a time. “Shooting for contrasting films is hectic, but I had enough leisure time last year. It’s time to sweat it out now,” he affirms.
Having essayed a lover boy role in “Orange”, the actor will be seen as a spirited soccer player in the big ticket “Merupu”. “Both are challenging roles, and I enjoyed them equally,” he says.
He’s been doing only home productions. Was that deliberate ? “It’s sheer coincidence. I’ve decided to do two films for other banners,” he says. Charan had once told us that he had plans to producemeaningful films. Is that on? He says, “I want to launch my production house with a commercial flick and then I’ll do meaningful flicks.”
The teen heartthrob intends “do endorsements that no one’s done before. Although I have lots of offers, I’ll restrict myself to niche brands.”
Charan also nixes rumours of his marriage to heiress Upasana Kamineni with a diplomatic, “We are just friends. I am not marrying now. My parents will take a call on my marriage when the time is right.”
