Recreating the Robin Hood of Stuartpuram: Why director Vamsee had to rely on his imagination to make Tiger Nageswara Rao

As the markers of progress are evident everywhere in 2023, filming a period movie such as Tiger Nageswara Rao, set in the 1970s, has been a challenge says director Vamsee. “Many filmmakers prefer indoor shoots for historical films for the same reason, but that presents an obstacle when filming dacoit-inspired movies. When shooting outdoors it is very difficult to stay true to the timeline,” says director Vamsee.

The film, based on the life of the infamous titular dacoit from Stuartpuram, who was popular among the poor and notorious among the wealthy until his death in 1987 at the hands of the police, is in its final stages of filming in Visakhapatnam. Ravi Teja and other lead actors are performing action sequences at the harbour during the night. “To make the scene look authentic, the team modified the dock to appear less modern. Additionally, a huge set resembling Stuartpuram of the 70s was created on five acres of land in Hyderabad,” explains Vamsee.

To achieve the correct aesthetic for the movie, the filmmaker had to rely on his imagination and a few references. Creating a biopic on a robber with a limited amount of source material was difficult. “I visited Stuartpuram numerous times, but few resources were available. After gathering a few photographs from locals, I formulated an idea of what I wanted the movie to look like: Coastal and gritty. I had to rely on my imagination to fill in the gaps,” shares the director. Similarly, Vamsee transformed Ravi Teja’s appearance for the film. “Not only his costumes, but his body language and diction underwent significant changes, and he was enthusiastic about it,” Vamsee remarked, adding, “Who better to portray the Robin Hood of Stuartpuram than Ravi Teja? The character necessitates a great deal of enthusiasm, and Ravi Teja pulled it off with ease. He was intrigued by the prospect of portraying a man performing such a negative act (robbery) for the betterment of others, which he believes will divide the audience.”