Mega Fanz

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Charan Interview for The Telegraph Calcutta

t2 caught up with Ram Zanjeer Charan who was on a personal visit to Calcutta over the weekend

What brings you to Calcutta?

I am here on a personal visit... to attend a wedding. Just after landing here, I went to Kalighat. I also went to a Punjabi dhaba(on Russell Street). I am generally a coffee guy but for the first time I enjoyed tea. I had some chaat on Park Street. My wife (Upasana) shopped for kurtas from Weavers Studio. They are so comfortable. I have asked her to get more so that I can wear it as my staple clothing in Hyderabad! I make sure that I am served the mustard fish that is wrapped in banana leaves (paturi) every day. There hasn’t been a single day when I haven’t had gur rosogolla.

The Calcutta I know is through movies. My dad (Chiranjeevi) has shot a couple of films here. It has a character that no other city has. I shot a movie in Calcutta last year called Nayak. I loved the experience.

How much did the failure of your Bolly debut Zanjeer set you back?

I was very upset. Zanjeer was a huge learning experience on how we should overcome and go ahead. I don’t regret doing the film. I have a very good relationship with the director (Apoorva Lakhia) and the team. There are no hard feelings.

What went wrong?

The script and the screenplay. The way we adapted the old Zanjeer misfired.

Does that mean we won’t see you in Bolly for a while?

There is something that I will start in October-November next year. It is a period drama.

You are a Deepika Padukone fan...

She is doing so well! I am looking forward to working with her.

Who are you close to in Bollywood?

Salman Khan. I know him for the past 10 years. He takes care of us whenever we are in Mumbai. In case I need any help, Salman is there like a big brother.

You are a superstar in Telugu films. How tough has it been to adjust to the ways of Bollywood?

Cinema is the same everywhere. Only the culture and the language are different.

Your hit film Magadheera will soon be remade in Bengali with Dev....

I have heard about it. I am more than happy to see that. I wish them all the best. Nothing can go wrong with that script.

How much do you know about the film industry here?

I know there is a star called Jeet. I have got a couple of DVDs of his films and will watch them. A lot of south Indian films are remade here. I am happy to see that.

You are reportedly toying with the idea of producing a film...

My family is into it. It is too early to get into it individually. Right now, I want other people to earn from my movies. Eventually I will produce films. My dad has done 149 films. If he agrees to do his 150th film, I will produce it.

Do you feel flattered or pressured when you are compared to your father?

It is okay. If I were in the audience’s place, I would have also thought ‘Yeh bandar kya kar raha hai?!’ These comparisons have always helped me to come up with something new... it has always worked positively for me.

Would you like to follow him into politics?

I don’t understand anything of politics. I would be better off staying away from it.

QUICK SIX

FIGHTING FIT: I love doing weights. I play football and badminton. I love horse riding. I have a polo team and own 10 horses.

DIET: I love to eat. I’d rather spend 20 minutes more in the gym than not enjoy my food.

STYLE: I love to keep it simple. Jeans and white tee is perfect for me.

LAST FILM WATCHED: Ram-Leela. I am a Deepika fan, so I had to watch it!

FAVE MOBILE APP: Shazam. I download tunes from there. I am also hooked to games on my iPad.

FAVE HOLIDAY SPOT: Bhutan. I go for a yearly trekking trip.

courtesy : The Telegraph