In a time when everyone is too caught up with the 'pan-Indian' marketing trend, Telugu actor Naga Chaitanya begs to do rooted stories that are honest and genuine.
In an interview with PTI, the actor, known for films such as Love Story, Manam, and Majili, said that as long as the work of an actor or filmmaker is genuine, "it will automatically travel places."
"This whole pan-India thing, making films for a certain section of the audience, and casting a certain way and doing various things to sort of package it as pan-India film, I don't think I would take that approach. I would pick emotions, stories, journeys, and characters that are universal, rooted and real, and those will automatically travel," he added.
Naga Chaitanya, who made his debut in 2009 with the film Josh, was doing his promotional tour ahead of the release of Thandel, which has Sai Pallavi as the female lead. Interestingly, the former played Nivin Pauly's role in the Telugu remake of Sai Pallavi's debut, the Malayalam blockbuster Premam.
Thandel is a romantic drama based on true events, in which Naga Chaitanya plays a fisherman captured by Pakistani authorities after he and his crew get lost at sea and drift into their waters.
Directed by Chandoo Mondeti, Thandel sees Naga Chaitanya working with Sai Pallavi for the second time after Love Story.
Speaking about his preparation for the role, Naga Chaitanya said the team conducted workshops to get the details right. "We didn't rush into this film. I dedicated two years to this film; there were no other commitments that I took up. This is the longest time I've spent on a film."