Jr NTR’s ‘Dragon’ and Prabhas’s ‘Fauzi’ Action Director Chethan D’Souza on Crafting Distinct Action Styles for Both Films (EXCLUSIVE)

After choreographing the action sequences in Nelson Dilipkumar’s “Jailer 2,” headlined by Rajinikanth, action director Chethan D’Souza has two highly anticipated projects coming up — Prashanth Neel’s “Dragon,” starring Jr NTR, and Hanu Raghavapudi’s “Fauzi,” featuring Prabhas. He has also designed the action for Suriya in “Scene,” directed by Jithu Madhavan. In an exclusive conversation with Variety India, D’Souza discusses developing distinct action languages for Jr NTR and Prabhas, and why spectacle alone does not make a sequence memorable.

For “Dragon,” D’Souza says his approach to the action is different. “Prashanth Neel’s films, including ‘KGF’ and ‘KGF 2,’ sometimes feature larger-than-life action that suits the actors’ stature. That approach works with someone like Prabhas. Here, Jr NTR’s physicality is different; he has toned down his physique and is playing an assassin, so the action must feel believable and relatable.”

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D’Souza adds, “We have redefined the action language to make it more convincing. The fights are realistic and suited to his character and physique, while still delivering crowd-pleasing impact. ‘Mass’ action doesn't necessarily mean people flying through the air, slow-motion walks or jumps. It comes from a powerful moment created through storytelling and conveyed through action. That is the change we have made.”

In “Fauzi,” directed by Hanu Raghavapudi, the action director says Prabhas will be seen in a more grounded yet stylized avatar. “We have often seen him in larger-than-life action. Here, his action will be grounded and highly stylized, with strong emotions running through it. An isolated action sequence might work on YouTube as a demo reel, but within a film it must tell a story.

Elaborating on the action style he has developed for Prabhas in “Fauzi,” he shares, “The sequences I am designing have a strong emotional connection throughout, with moments of suspense and surprise in even the smallest details. His fighting style has also shifted towards physical combat with a more stylized approach. I have practiced martial arts for around 22 years and have a flair for it. I like to bring that into my choreography whenever it fits the director’s vision and the film’s needs.”