Not many from the film industry have birthday resolutions but veteran actor and political leader Krishnam Raju has one. It has been 42 years since he entered films. As January 20 is his birthday, he decided to produce at least two to three films a year in corporate style under his banner Gopi Krishna Movies like how he used to do earlier.
“As part of it our first project Prabhas’ Billa went on floors on Dasara last year. Currently it is being shot in Malaysia. Two songs including an item song on Hansika, will be shot in Malaysia from January 23 to 29. Except for some patch work, shooting will be completed by February 23 ,” said the Rebel Star actor interacting with the media at his home on Monday morning.
Though the project was supposed to go on floors about one-and-a-half year ago, it started only last year due to non-availability of the right subject.
“Fans have been pressing that they want to see Prabhas and me together. So it was delayed a bit,” he said and added: “Now I want to make three films a year in corporate style. We want to concentrate on modern and realistic characters doing away with the monotonous and lengthy fights and song sequences,” he said.
Prabhas appears as an international smuggler in the film whereas Krishnam Raju plays a special police officer who is after the smuggler. “As his character demands international locations we have decided to shoot the film outdoors,” he said. Interestingly Billa perhaps will remain as the first ever film to be shot for as many as 75 days outdoors.
“When you watch Billa you will not feel like your are watching a Telugu film but a Hollywood film. Going by the lighting and frame you will feel like watching a James Bond film. Meher Ramesh of Kanthri fame and cameraman Sundara Rajan did an excellent job,” he informed.
Krishnam Raju says that he is making the film with minimum wastage on a big scale. “As the crew has asked for helicopters, we have hired two to three helicopters. As there are chasing sequences we have purchased a couple of sports cars as well,” he explained.
The film is expected to be released either in March or April. Expresso wishes the actor a ‘Happy Birthday’