Anand Deverakonda on film responsibility says, "Cinema shapes culture, but censorship isn't the solution"

Anand Deverakonda is currently promoting his upcoming film, 'Gam Gam Ganesha,' directed by Uday Shetty. The actor, who gained significant attention with last year’s hit, 'Baby,' a college romance drama, is feeling confident and excited, yet nervous about the expectations that come with him being recognised by fans.

Since the release of 'Baby' in 2023, Anand’s life has taken a dramatic turn. The film’s success catapulted him into the spotlight, but it also sparked a wave of polarising opinions.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, he said, "I remember feeling proud whenever I thought of Baby, just knowing we made something good. But it was overwhelming after it was released when there was so much conversation around the film.".

Talking about it, Anand feels a mix of pride and overwhelming, he also mentioned the same intense discussions that followed his brother Vijay Deverakonda’s film 'Arjun Reddy.'

Anand firmly believes that cinema is more than just entertainment; it plays a crucial role in shaping culture and influencing everyday behaviour. For Anand, movies reflect life and simultaneously push it forward. He cites 'Joker' (2019) as an example, a film he admires but also questions the responsibility of its depiction of violence in a country like the US where gun violence is a significant issue.

He said, "Cinema takes from life and life is pushed forward by cinema. I loved Joker, but to make a film like that in the US where gun violence is prevalent. Does that show irresponsibility on the part of the filmmaker (Todd Phillips)? As an actor, I know I am socially responsible and I also know there can be a chain effect to censorship, so I feel it’s much more complicated than that."

He believes that while movies can influence behaviour, censoring them isn’t necessarily the solution.

Anand's next big release, 'Gam Gam Ganesha,' is set to hit the screens on May 31st.