Srinivas had to put on 30 kg and lose 15 kg in 3 months for Jaya Janaki...

Director Boyapati Srinu had earlier signed on

Bellamkonda Srinivas

for a project that hit rough waters and was put on the backburner. But for him the decision to cast him in

Jaya Janaki Nayaka

wasn’t just to “honour a commitment”. He says, “I did not want to go with the old script for sentimental reasons. I had the theme of Jaya Janaki Nayaka in mind for a long time, and we decided to go with it,” says the Legend director.

But the young hero didn’t have it easy. “For every film, I take the hero’s body language into consideration and shape the script accordingly. Even Bunny (Allu Arjun) underwent a drastic makeover for Sarrainodu,” says

Boyapati

adding, “However, with Srinivas, I had the advantage of grooming a raw young man. I watched both his (Srinivas) previous films at least 20 times each. We then prepared a comprehensive SWOT analysis of styling, body language, diction etc. He was made to gain 30 kg and then lose 15 in a span of three months. We literally put the boy through hell for three months,” says Boyapati, elaborating on Srinivas’ makeover for the film.

He is convinced that Srinivas is a star in the making. “While dubbing, he (Srinivas) gave a screen expression which Jagapathi Babu found difficult to replicate. He remarked, “Srinivas is a future star.” You will find out when you see the film,” says Boyapati.

Talking about the film he says, “Jaya Janaki Nayaka is not an action film; it’s a love story supported by action sequences. It’s a family film that will touch every heart.”

Produced by Miryala Ravinder Reddy under Dwaraka Creations, Jaya Janaki Nayaka releases today.