An Exclusive Interview With Venkatesh

Venky's latest film 'Vasantham' tasted success at the box-office. His response to the overwhelming success of the film all over AP.

Click here for Vasantham review

Click here to listen Vasantham songs

Did you expect that Vasantham would receive such a good response?
Yes. From day one, I was sure that this film would be received well by the audience. We tried to show a friendship between a boy and a girl in a pleasant way. Although the subject looks old, we tried to treat it in a different way by playing with the emotions. Normally family-oriented films pick up only in the later days. I am happy that my film ran to packed houses from day one.

Didn’t you feel that Vasantham was a risky film as no big hero in recent times has appeared in a family-oriented role?
The risk was always there. Even my earlier films like Raja and Suryavansham were risky subjects. But they clicked well at the box-office. I felt that there is one section of the audience who would like to watch such films. You need to portray the character with a lot of conviction and commitment.

What about your next film Malliswari?
The subject of Malliswari is new. It has nothing to do with the old classic Malliswari. It’s going to be a romantic love story which will have a fresh treatment.

  Are you open to working in multi-starrer films?
I am open to multi-starrer films. But there are no good writers in the industry who can provide us with a convincing subject. Filmmakers should come forward with a decent subject which is suitable for multi-starrers.

  What are your other projects?
Apart from Malliswari, I have a film with Puri Jagannath which will start in December. I also have films with M S Raju and Teja. I am planning to make low budget films catering to the needs of only the city audience. The presentation will be unique in these films.

  What about your attachment to Tamil directors?
It’s not that I am specially fascinated by Tamil directors. Tamil directors are friendly with me because I mingle with them freely. I was born and brought up in Chennai and I converse with them freely in Tamil. If they have a good subject they approach me first because I am accessible to them. I would like to work with any director who brings me a good subject.

  You seem to be deeply involved in spiritualism these days.
This is the one thing which is moving me nowadays. Spiritualism has helped me to discover my inner self. Today I am happy because of my association with spiritual activity. I read a lot of books on sufism and spiritualism written by Rumi.

  Do you believe in god?
No. I don’t believe in god. There is nothing called an outside power. It’s all an illusion. We ourselves are powerful and the only thing is that we need to discover that hidden force which lies in every individual’s body.
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