Multi-starrers are no longer a rarity in Telugu cinema. Mana directors are keeping them alive and senior actors, who preferred solo appearances in the past have no qualms to share honours with the younger lot. The latest attempt is young turk Sriram Adittya, who is two-film-old in the showbiz, is pulling off a casting coup by getting the ever-in-demand actors Nagarjuna and Nani aboard for a multi-starrer.
Unlike films that have run-of-the-mill stories, the director says that, this project will explore a different dimension of these actors and has a unique storyline. “It’s going to be a stylish actioner with loads of entertainment. Nagarjuna and Nani will be seen in never-seen-before roles and both the stars are excited to be a part of the film set in the urban backdrop,” says Sriram Adittya.
But, what about the challenges of handling two stars? “Both the stars have mutual respect for each other and the script has equal importance for both their roles. I will try to exploit the great comic timing they possess and I’m hoping that the film will create a new wave in Tollywood.” Although multi-starrers are not new to Nagarjuna, he is showing interest in joining forces with Nani. “I am happy to team up with Nani as both the characters are etched interestingly and above all, it is a fun-filled entertainer.”
Another project that has garnered a great deal of interest features Venkatesh and Naga Chaitanya as the protagonists. To be directed by Kalyan Krishna, it’s touted to be a family entertainer. “Recently, Venky and Chay had worked in Premam and that one particular portion featuring them together had become one of the talking points of the film. So, we are hoping to recreate the same magic with this film, albeit on a bigger scale,” says a source close to Kalyan Krishna.
While the distribution rights of multi-starrers come at a premium, the distributors are kicked as they have good chances to recover their investments. “Ardent fans throng the theatres to watch their favourite stars share screen space with another. Though such films come at a fancy price, we are ready to invest as the return on investments is guaranteed. Further, it becomes easier for us to promote the film. So, either way it’s viable”, explains Sreekanth M, a leading distributor from North Telangana.
Director Teja is contemplating to bring Venkatesh and Nara Rohit together for his Aata Naade Veta Naade. Buzz is that Venkatesh is also in talks with director Anil Ravipudi for a multi-starrer. However, the other lead is yet to be finalised. Director Harish Shankar is also planning to cast Nani and a young hero in a love story. Besides these films, director Naga Ashwin has roped in actors Vijay Deverakonda, Dulquer Salman and Mohan Babu in a multi-starrer — Mahanati, based on the life of legendary actress Savitri.
With multi-starrers on the rise, we will see many such films in future if they reap gold at the BO.