Check what Vijay Deverakonda and Ananya Panday hate about each other

Anand Deverakonda's upcoming OTT release Highway is creating all the right noise ahead of its digital premiere on August 19 (Friday). He has certainly upped his game yet not in any rat race. He is making slow inroads in this league, finding his voice, style and niche with his interesting choice of scripts.

In an exclusive chat with ETimes TV, Anand talks about how and why he signed 'Highway' much against his brother Vijay Deverakonda's advice, his approach to cinema, working experience with cinematographer-turned-director Guhan, Abhishek Banerjee (of Paatal Lok fame) and more. Excerpts...

We know Guhan garu has worked with Mahesh Babu sir for many movies including Athadu. I've heard he shot portions of Pawan Kalyan garu's Kushi as well while assisting PC Sreeram sir. The first thing I've asked Guhan sir is, 'Why do you want to become a director sir?'. He wants to explore more as a storyteller and he just loves challenges. One such challenge was Highway. So, when I was offered this script, I felt I could learn something from him and also this entire process. Moreover, I haven't worked much with experienced technicians so far. So many advised not to experiment much but I, too, believe, if we focus on good scripts and the journey, results will follow through. I'm not fretting about results right now, just focusing on my craft.

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I play Vishnu, a photographer, in this road drama-cum-psychological thriller. I'm not technically equipped as a photographer in real life. I haven't learnt ISO, Shutterstop etc but a lot of Vijay's (Vijay Deverakonda) Insta pics at home are shot by me. I can say I'm quite inquisitive as a photographer must be (smiles).

(Photo: Instagram)

I believe circumstances dictated the style of making of this film. We've planned the shoot during the second lockdown and we ensured there were lesser crew, equipment and number of shoot days as well. We've shot in Hyderabad, Araku valley and Chikmagalur and the guerilla making was very challenging. It was a whole new experience and a good learning curve. It is something that shall help me evolve as an actor as well. The film was conceptualised for OTT, so it gave us scope to experiment and push our envelope. I was more willing to experiment too, just trusting Guhan sir and the process.

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It is a story happening around 24-26 hours between four strangers. I did not have many sequences to be shot with my co-stars but the off-screen conversations with Guhan sir, Abhishek Banerjee (of Paatal Lok fame) and others are memorable. Abhishek is such an amazing co-star, we used to discuss a lot about acting, how his experience as a casting director helped him in acting, the working atmosphere in Bombay and down South, about even Vijay being accepted across the country and a lot more.

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When I first briefed about the concept of Highway, Vijay found a few other characters in the show more interesting. He felt I shouldn't be attempting such a genre at this point of time. But I went with my instinct and trust in Guhan sir. I'm very happy with the process of making this film.

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Vijay often watches my films. He loved Middle Class Melodies and Pushpakavimanam. He wants to see me crack a theatrical success, maybe like Pellichupulu, do a love story or a mainstream film as well. But he saw the performer in me and keeps encouraging me to have fun with my craft and not to be bothered about the fact that he is a star.

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I agree, I've someone so big at home whom I always look upto. The whole country is accepting him, looking forward to Liger. But for me, I try and separate myself and my journey from his. I don't think I should be imitating him. I've my own journey. I'm looking for theatrical success, too. That's why I'm experimenting with my scripts, trying to have a 'Highway' and also a 'Baby'. Hoping to strike a balance someday.

(Photo: Instagram)