23 June 2022
Hyderabad
Speaking exclusively to idlebrain.com, Akash Puri opens up about not seeking his dad’s help when it comes to picking his scripts, Chor Bazaar, competition this Friday, pandemic, direction plans and much more…
Despite featuring in a couple of films as a lead—Mehbooba and Romantic, a super hit has eluded Akash Puri, son of writer-filmmaker Puri Jagannadh, so far. “Romantic has been a very big push for me but yes I’m looking for a proper commercial blockbuster. It definitely plays on your mind while working but I’m striving hard to achieve it,” Akash begins.
The suave actor is presently awaiting the release of director Jeevan Reddy’s Chor Bazaar, which opens this Friday. The choosy actor agreed to headline the story after the first narration itself. On what clinched the deal, he explains, “The story, screenplay and the way my role of Bachchan Saab was etched sealed it for me. I thought it was the perfect follow up for me after Romantic. I also thought it would take me closer to the mass audience because the script has all the elements.”
It was only after the story narration did he watch Jeevan’s George Reddy. “I totally loved it, immediately realizing that I was in the safe and secure hands of Jeevan,” he smiles.
Did his dad get to hear the script? “He doesn’t listen to my scripts. I take my own calls. I don’t want to involve him nor I like disturbing him for every movie,” the actor responds.
Giving a peek into his role Bachchan saab, he shares, “My mother (played by yesteryear actress Archana) in the film is a huge fan of Amitabh Bachchan. She decides to name me as Bachchan saab so that no one in the bazaar will address me as ‘rey, come here?’ She doesn’t like that sound. Since I’m named Bachchan saab, I get that respect from everyone. I’m a thief who steals car tyres. If you park your car roadside and break for a cup of tea, your tyres will disappear in a flash. I’m very quick with my skills.”
The title revolves around a precious diamond which surfaces in Chor Bazaar and how different parties put their best foot forward to get hold of it with Bachchan saab in the mix as well. “The film is a commercial entertainer with romance, comedy, action, drama and thrills in equal measure,” Akash insists, adding that he was initially a bit scared about speaking Telangana dialect for the film. “From the beginning, I was very keen on getting my pronunciation right. As Jeevan sir comes from Telangana, he helped me a lot. After every dialogue I used to ask him whether I got the pronunciation part right? He used to correct me.”
For Akash, Jeevan’s direction, especially his taking style, was very different. “He believes in taking a lot of long single shots. That was very new for me. It was a challenge but I enjoyed it. His strength is action and he was amazing with it,” he points out.
This Friday, it is a little crowded at the box-office with three other releases—Sammathame, 7 Days 6 Nights and Gangster Gangaraju—vying for the top position. On how he sees the competition and his film’s chances, Akash maintains, “I’m happy Kiran’s (Abbavaram) film is releasing. I really respect and admire him as an actor. I want his film to do well. It’s a family entertainer whereas my film is a commercial action entertainer. Audience can happily watch both films. In fact, I’d love to see all the films do well that day. Our audience loves movies and I wish they will bless all of us.”
Akash believes the pandemic has changed everything for actors like him. “People are not coming to the theatres like before. It is a tough time for all of us, especially our generation. We are struggling but we are working hard. If audiences come to theatres and embrace our films, it will be helpful for us to give them better films in the future,” he emphasizes.
So far, the likes of Nandamuri Balakrishna and Ravi Teja have promoted Chor Bazaar, while Puri is missing in action. Is it a conscious decision not to involve his dad in the promotions? “Dad is in Rajasthan right now for JGM, and is completely busy. I don’t want to disturb him. He is keeping a tab on promotions and asking us to do well. He left it to me. He believes in me. He wants me to be independent and be strong. And I really like that,” Akash asserts.
While Akash is realizing his dream as an actor right now, he also wants to go behind the camera and wield the megaphone like his dad. “I worked as an assistant director to my dad for a long time. I really want to direct films in the future but right now my priority is acting. I need to prove myself as an actor and attain a good market,” he notes.
His three films until now have seen him as a loud and energetic youngster and he is keen on giving such roles a break. “If there is a love story which requires me to be understated and reserved, I’m ready to do it. I’m waiting for such scripts but I’m getting more commercial entertainers,” he laments, adding that he has green-lit a comedy entertainer next up. “I’m excited about it. I can’t reveal the details right now but it’s a very challenging role and I’m ready to take it up.”
-NAGARAJ GOUD
