6 minute read
Gopichand Malineni
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In an exclusive conversation with Sumita Chakraborty,
Gopichand Malineni, the director of Telugu blockbuster Krack, articulately reasons why he wanted his film to release on the big screen only.
Telugu film Krack starring Ravi Teja and Shruti Haasan is the first film to hit the theatres in 2021 after the horrific lockdown. Not only that, but the film is also a huge blockbuster. Though now it’s released on AHA platform, director Gopichand Malineni was absolutely sure that he wanted to release the film only in theatres first. Here, he talks about working on Krack, Ravi Teja and Shruti Hassan and his plans of making Krack in Hindi and his dream team.
Gopichandji, 2020 has not been a happening year for many people but for you, 2021 has started extremely well. Your film Krack is a huge hit. How do you feel at this moment?
I am very happy - Krack is India’s first blockbuster to be released in theatres in 2021. It’s received a phenomenal response. In fact, as we speak more and more people are going to the theatre day by day and making it a bigger blockbuster. I’m really very happy for that. I was a bit worried before the release whether people would come to the theatres because of the pandemic and the eight months lockdown, but we were totally shocked that so many people turned up at the theatre - that too even when it was a little bit delayed for release. But people were waiting for it and it is an unanimous blockbuster. We are very happy that it’s still houseful and going strong.
When you were directing Krack, Gopichandji, did you even think it would be so big or be a blockbuster?
Yes! Right from the scripting stage itself I started feeling that it would do well. But I didn’t imagine it would be this big. It has become the biggest blockbuster.
Gopichand ji, why did you not choose the OTT to release it at first, why the theatre more so after the pandemic everybody has been wary about releasing their films at theatres? Everybody, even the big Hindi film directors, are releasing their films on the OTT. What made you make it a theatrical release?
I made this film for the theatre only and not for OTT. Krack is a very mass film and a commercial one too. People will see this film with the crowd and ambience. And I shot it for the big screen since it is a commercial film. Not at any point did I think of an OTT release because I didn’t want to compromise on my vision. And even my hero (Ravi Teja) supported me on this decision. He kept on telling me that we’ll release our film when the theatres reopen. So if the theatres will open in January, we will release our film in January. If they reopen in February, we’ll release it in February. But we will release it in theatres only.
I believe Krack had a bit of a pre-release jitters as some financers had backed down just before the release…?
Yes, it was a very small thing. We faced some small problems but we sorted them out and it got released – we missed just two shows.
Were you worried at that point. Or were you sure that things would get sorted out?
Yes, I admit I was a bit worried because I was keen to release it on the big screen. So many OTT platforms asked us to release the movie with them but we refused politely. We received all the artwork and then on the day of the release, we missed a couple of shows, so as a director I was worried about that. But I was confident this would be a blockbuster.
Gopichand ji, you have worked quite a bit with Ravi Teja and Shruti Hassan. Are they your favourites?
Yes, definitely! Both of them are very good. This is my third film with Ravi Teja and my second film with Shruti Hassan after Balupu. We got a great reaction to Shruti Hassan’s character and I am very happy for her.
So what are your future plans? Are you planning to do Krack 2 because everybody’s expectations are very high now?
Yes, definitely I will do Krack 2. But before that I am doing one more film here with a big production house and a big hero and it will be finalized in the next few days. But I will definitely do Krack 2 with Ravi Teja.
Are you planning to make any Hindi films?
Yes, definitely, if I get a very good offer. I am also planning to do Krack in Hindi, if I get the right production and the right hero, then definitely, I will do that. I have my dream hero too. For Krack, Ajay Devgn will be superb for this character and Ranveer Singh too.
…And for Shruti Hassan’s character?
For Shruti Hassan’s character, it can be any good actress but my choice for Ravi Teja’s character is Ajay Devgn or Ranveer Singh.
Gopichand ji, in the Hindi film industry, there is this major thing about nepotism? Do you have that in the Telugu industry too?
No, we don’t have anything like that and we are happy here. Telegu industry has no nepotism. We are like a family. All the stars called me and told me what they felt about this film. They encouraged me after its release and they felt that this would be the industry hit. After Corona, everybody feels that this is the industry hit not just mine or Ravi Teja’s because this is the first release in our (Telegu) industry. So many people have told me that you’ve shown the way and they are really happy about it.
Gopichand ji, would you be taking outsiders too - I have so many actors coming to my office showing their pictures so should I pass those off to you?
Definitely! The Telugu people encourage all actors and give them a fair chance. It’s simple. I was once new in this industry and somebody gave me a chance to grow and so here I am. So it is my duty to encourage other newcomers too. So definitely, I will do that.
So Gopichand ji, what is next for you? Would you try the OTT platform, dabble on web series or anything? Or is it only films for you?
Only films! I always think in terms of the big screen. I have a few projects and I will do them only for the big screen and not for a digital release.
Gopichand ji, when you look back, you had started out as an Associate Director, you have climbed the steps and you’re so big now, when you look back at your journey, what do you have to say?
I will say only hard work will pay. And whatever small opportunity comes your way, grab it and do your best and work hard. Put 100% team effort and you will succeed. I, personally, believe that. And I will always give my 100% to films. I love films so that’s why there is no shortcut to anything - only hard work pays.
Lastly, how do you balance your personal and professional life? Your wife doesn’t complain that she hardly sees you...
Sometimes, my family definitely complains but I manage to balance things. (Ha Ha)
Gopichandji, Thank you so much. It’s wonderful talking to you.
It was a pleasure talking to you. Do you know when I was a student, I used to buy Stardust magazine, and today, I am giving you an interview. I am really happy!
