Actor Ram Charan who attended the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2022 along with Akshay Kumar as a panelist spoke at length about family, films, and fandom.
From an impromptu dance session with Akshay Kumar on ‘Rangamma Mangamma’ from ‘Rangasthalam’ to talking eloquently on the future of cinema, the star did it all and how.
On being asked about how it feels to come from a family of popular film stars, and when did he realise he wanted to be an actor. Ram Charan said, “My dad opened up the umbrella for all of us and laid a path. Although we come from a filmy family, we were conservative as a household. Dad never brought work home, not even film magazines where he was on the cover page. While he didn’t bring cinema home, cinema eventually landed on us.”
Adding to the statement about carving a career, he said, “I had to do something to show my dad, so I thought of taking up mechanical engineering for a brief period,” he quipped.
When the moderator asked about ‘RRR’ breaking all the records and if he knew it would, he immediately said, “While making the film I didn’t think about all the records. My focus was only on giving my best. On the day of release, there was a 20% talk that it wouldn’t work but I am glad it not just crossed the Telugu states but also across other countries, including orthodox markets like Japan. It is heartwarming to be appreciated by them.”
Talking about the famous opening scene in ‘RRR’, the star took a dig at Akshay Kumar and said, “Certain movies will finish in that much time, Akshay sir finished a movie in 40 days or so I heard. We shot the scene for 35 days with nearly 3000 to 4000 people. I have dust allergy since childhood, in fact, I had even undergone sinus surgery. Look at my fate, I had to work in dust for 35 days. As soon the director would say cut, my assistant would wave the white flag to me. I would be engulfed in dust. Thanks to my master, SS Rajamouli, the scene came out really well.”
On the topic of ticket and popcorn expenses, movies not doing well at the box office, supplementing Akshay Kumar’s comment on bringing down the prices, Ram Charan said, “We all have to rethink and restructure from the filmmaking level too. We all have to pitch in this big game. Good films and good stories will drive people to the theatres. In the south, we had hits like ‘KGF’, ‘Pushpa’, ‘RRR’, where people came to the theatres. I did a film right after RRR. I played a small role but people didn’t watch it in the theatres. If we bring good concepts, people will come to the theatres and also buy popcorn and samosa,” he opined. He also agreed with Akshay Kumar on cutting down the prices.
‘RC15’ seems to be the most awaited film and the moderator mentioned the first look’s release. He said he is also waiting for the first look and he trusts maverick director Shankar for doing the right thing at the right time. “I have been a fan of his work since 1992. It is an honour to go and work on his sets. We are off to New Zealand for the next leg. The entire team is waiting for the first look now,” he stated.
“We have all become one unit. There is no south or north. It’s Indian Cinema now. It’s high time our cinemas went beyond our states. I am glad it is reaching everyone now. I want to work with directors in Gujarat, and Bengal. I love Bengali films. I really wish to see a seamless cinema industry,” he said on being bracketed as south actors.
On a concluding note, Ram Charan said, “The love we receive from our fans is really overwhelming. As actors, not just entertaining people, we even have a huge responsibility on our shoulders. Stardom is a responsibility.”
