‘I want to do two to three films a year’

In an exclusive to DC, megastar Chiranjeevi discusses his upcoming films, why director V.V. Vinayak has stepped into Sujeeth’s shoes for the Lucifer remake and his new look

It is my wife’s (Surekha) wish that my son Ram Charan and I act in a film together, so we don’t want to miss this opportunity of working in

Acharya

Chiranjeevi’s latest ‘goon’ look, including a shaven head, has created a sensation on social media. Many say that the look, revealed recently, is for Acharya while others feel it is for the Vedalam remake.

When we asked him about it, the megastar ended the debate by saying “It’s not for Acharya, it’s a trial look for the Vedalam remake in the second half. I haven’t taken a final decision, as people may compare it with Rajinikanth’s look in Sivaji.” The make-up takes him nearly an hour-and-a-half, says Chiranjeevi. “Earlier, we used prosthetic make-up which looks artificial. But with new technology, we can make it look exactly like a shaven head even in close-ups,” says the actor. Now that the technology is available, actors don’t need to shave their hair off if they want a bald look, he pointed out.

Chiranjeevi confirmed that Meher Ramesh is directing the film.

Talking about another remake, Lucifer, he confirmed that Sujeeth, who was entrusted with the task of directing it initially, has been replaced.

“Yes, Sujeeth has been replaced with V.V. Vinayak,” he said. “Sujeeth got married recently, and he told me he was unable to concentrate fully on the project, and wanted me to excuse him, so I agreed,” he explained.

The actor says that he would like to do two to three films a year, talking about his plans for the future.

“The audience always welcomes new subjects and I am getting some interesting characters, so I am accepting them. It’s very good experience for me to work with some of the young directors and writers who have fresh ideas.”

We ask if there has been any change in Ram Charan’s role in Acharya because of the COVID-19 scenario.

“No, Charan is doing the film. I spoke to Rajamouli and I told him that if we missed this opportunity, I didn’t know when we could get another chance to act together, so he obliged and adjusted Charan’s dates. It is my wife’s wish that we act in a film together, so we don’t want to miss this opportunity.”

Acharya is expected to be ready by next April. He may start shooting for the film after Dasara.

Recently Chiru’s elder daughter debuted as a producer and started a web series. “The future is digital and my daughter wanted to prove herself, and I encouraged her,” the actor shared, adding, “The inspiration was Ekta Kapoor, who started her own production two decades back and succeeded in the field.”

Chiru is of the opinion that theatres may open in November. “They may open on a trial basis, and to test the reaction of audiences. I don’t think audiences will flock to the theatres; it is more likely that they will trickle in,” he predicts. “But I am confident that from Sankranti next year everything will be set right,” he says.