Nushrratt Bharuccha's first look in Sreenivas Bellamkonda-starrer 'Chatrapathi' unveiled on Instagram

The Telugu star is all set to make his Bollywood debut with Chatrapathi, also starring Nushrratt Bharuccha
BOMBAY TIMES (May 4, 2023)

After making his debut with the 2014 film Alludu Seenu and enjoying a successful career down south, actor Sreenivas Bellamkonda is excited about his foray in Bollywood, with Chatrapathi which hits the theatres on May 12. “The film offers the audience everything they have been longing for, including a good theatrical experience. I can’t wait for them to watch it,” says the actor in a candid chat with us. Excerpts:

The trailer of Chatrapathi released this Tuesday and was received well by the audience. How do you feel?
I’m happy we could show a glimpse of all the blood, sweat, tears and most importantly, all the love that we put in to make this film. It’s a great feeling to see the audience react the way they did to what we have to offer. I was confident before, but now I’m really pumped up to see how the audience will react to the film. They’re in for a ride!

What pushed you to do this project at this point?
I’ve made my mark in Telugu cinema and was ready for something new. When I saw how my films, like Jaya Janaki Nayaka and Kavacham that were dubbed in Hindi had received a huge number of views on YouTube, it excited me. This film is my way of thanking everyone who loved my work because when the perfect script came my way, I just couldn’t say no.

The film is based on S S Rajamouli’s 2005 Prabhas-starrer of the same name. Tell us something about it…
More than a remake I’d call it an adaptation of the story penned by K V Vijayendra Prasad. I play a refugee who comes to Gujarat after losing touch with his mother and stepbrother. The film delves into how local politicians tend to take advantage of displaced immigrants, apart from showcasing how my character revolts for the people, becoming their ‘chatrapathi.’ The bond my character shares with his mother is also very relatable.

Given that Prabhas is considered a pan-India star today, are you worried about comparisons?
Honestly, I’m not. Mujhe sirf pahad chadna, girna, aur phir chadna hi malum hai. I love challenges and that’s exactly what this film offered me. My character is intense, and I loved playing it. The story written in 2005 has been adapted to suit today’s generation, as today’s cinema space is completely different. I believe the audience will see this as a straight-out Hindi film, and not a remake, because that’s how we have treated it.

What was the energy like on sets while shooting for the film? What can the audience look forward to?
My first film ever was with director V V Vinayak, he’s my guru. So, I’m glad my ninth film is with him too and I believe it’s my lucky number (laughs!). Nushrratt Bharuccha is a fantastic co-star, she brought such great energy to the set. In fact, the entire cast did, including Bhagyashree and Sharad Kelkar. Ravi Basrur’s background score and Tanishk Bagchi’s OST will be something to watch out for, so will the VFX in some exciting scenes that I can’t reveal now. I feel grateful that I’m working at a time when the lines between north or south cinema have blurred – a good film is all that matters now. And this one will be a visual spectacle for sure.