Krishna Ajai Rao's love for single screens

Krishna Ajai Rao is excited and nervous at the same time, as his maiden home production Krishna Leela hits screens this weekend. We caught up with the debutant producer about what made him choose this film to launch his banner, his new role as husband and his take on the main theatre concept. Excerpts:
Why did you choose Krishna Leela as your first home production?
It was the script and the comfort factor of working with Shashank.I look at Shashank as an elder brother and we share a very good understanding. He has seen my life -- the progression from a junior artiste to hero and to a star, and then even my fall and the eventual rise again.
In fact, initially, Shashank was to produce this film under his banner. When I heard the script, I requested him to give me the chance to produce it, as I had already announced my production house and was looking for a good script. I saw a gold mine in front of me when he handed over the script. The story revolves around a sim card and how it changes the lives of all the people in the film. It is a true story. It is sweet and Shashank has shown it in a Chaplin-esque style, which was tough for the characters, but appears comical to the audience. During the making of the film, I connected with my character Pesal Man, who faces everything with a smile, because I faced quite a few problems in my life too. I came across some financial hardships, due to which I had to sell some property and borrow money from friends, but on the set I would be seen with a smile enacting my character. It has been a very memorable experience.
You moved from being a bachelor to a married man during the making of this film. Tell us about it...
Let me remind you of the film Krishnan Marriage Story -- the title for it was suggested by Shashank himself. When we started this film, he kept saying that he should not have parted with that title, as he thought it was apt for this story. Then when I told him that I was getting married, he beat himself up as that title since would have worked on and off the screen this time. Speaking of marriage, I must say that my character has been very helpful in a way. I have faced many situations in real-life, which I have enacted on screen in the film. I'd never imagined myself as a married man, but this has been a lovely period.
Sandalwood is facing a dearth of single screens in the pivotal Gandhinagar area. What's your take on the main theatre concept?
I have two opinions about it. As an Indian movie fanatic, I love the idea of watching a film in a single screen, at which you will find a big cutout of the hero outside and the entire seting inside being nothing short of a festival. I love to whistle and hoot. The mass audience finds it difficult to whistle in a multiplex as they cannot show their exaggerated fanaticism there. In fact, I chose to wait for a long time for a particular theatre in Gandhinagar, as I have many sentiments attached to it. My first film as a lead actor, Excuse Me, was released there, and, hence, I wanted to my first home production to open there as well. On the other hand, as a producer, and having seen the number of films waiting in queue due to the lack of a big screen in Gandhinagar. I respect the fact that Darshan addressed this issue during the release of Ambareesha. I think it would be better for all films if stars collectively addressed this issue. That way, filmmakers don’t have to wait for a main theatre and producers won’t be affected adversely.