Mar 17, 2026 11:08am IST
‘Pawan Kalyan has Unimaginable Aura’: ‘Ustaad Bhagat Singh’ director Harish Shankar on the Powerhouse Performers of Telugu cinema
Director Harish Shankar is preparing for the release of Pawan Kalyan’s “Ustaad Bhagat Singh,” which is set to hit theaters on March 19, coinciding with the Ugadi festival. In his over two-decade long career, the filmmaker has worked with almost all the big names of Tollywood.
As fans expect his upcoming film to be a tentpole massy entertainer, in an exclusive interview with Variety India, Harish Shankar reveals the unique qualities of Pawan Kalyan, Allu Arjun, NTR Jr. and Ravi Teja, his take on the use of A.I. in films and why action and violence are working big-time at the box office.
Excerpts from the interview…
You have worked with most of the big stars in Telugu cinema, (Pawan Kalyan, Allu Arjun, NTR Jr. and Ravi Teja.) What traits that make them stand apart from the rest?
Pawan Kalyan has an unimaginable aura and screen presence. Allu Arjun’s hard work and commitment are commendable. NTR Jr. is a single-take artiste, and Ravi Teja has unparalleled, unmatched energy.
Today's audience is exposed to pan-India and global content. So, how has that changed the way you mount commercial cinema?
There is a thing called as a pan-India film. But when it comes to writing, I don't think any genuine filmmaker would think that a pan-India script would constitute one thing and a regular commercial film would have something different. ‘Pushpa’ is the biggest pan-India success. It is a deeply rooted story of Andhra Pradesh, set against a forest backdrop. It's a very rooted thing. I’m not sure how many people are aware of that kind of world. But when your story is genuine and organic, it will be appreciated not only in India but also worldwide. If you aim to please people in Bihar, Mumbai, Kashmir and Kanyakumari at the same time, it will be tough. I don't think anybody can serve everyone in one script. I feel that when you share your homeland stories and stay true to your lived reality, it resonates with the audience. You should stick to your basics; everyone will appreciate that, especially now that the digital revolution has broken communication barriers.
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Do you think the theatrical mass movement is still the safest bet, or is storytelling taking priority now?
It differs from film to film and also on which actor or filmmaker you are working with. When people want to enjoy a hero, they take to Shah Rukh Khan's films or Rajkumar Hirani or Sanjay Leela Bansali's films. Every film has a different objective, to which I am targeting. So, it varies from project to project. Sometimes, the audience just wants to see the hero’s presence and enjoy him. Sometimes, they want to enjoy him in a good story as well. And sometimes, they don't care who is in the film; they want to enjoy a good film. So, I don't think that we can put it in one word.
Is there a genre you haven't attempted yet but are eager to explore?
I'm not just eager; I'm dying to make a love story, and very soon I will. Allu Arjun always says when we chat or work together, 'Harish, I think you'll make the best love story ever. Please write something.' He constantly pushes and encourages me. That's the one love story I'm dying to write and direct, and very soon, I will do that.
Your last film (‘Mr. Bachchan’) didn't perform as per your expectations. Did it affect you personally?
It's a flop. I am saying it's a flop. See, what makes us different from any other creature or nature is that we are human beings and are full of emotions. We communicate with emotions. When it comes to artists, they are more intensely attached to emotions. So, definitely, the disappointment will be there. But it will be there for just for a day or two. My first film (‘Shock’) itself bombed at the box office and now I am completing two decades as a director. And still I am working with top stars. So, I think that doesn't affect me much. What I mean to say is that, instead of disappointment, I feel it is a fuel. Every flop is a fuel for me.
What’s your take on the implementation and usage of A.I. in the filmmaking process?
The flower that naturally grows and flourishes in a forest or in a garden has a unique fragrance and presence. Having said that, VFX has played a big role in the films. Initially, during the VFX evolution, people were saying, ’Now graphics are here, we can do anything.’ But at the end of the day, however good the A.I. May be; it always needs H.I., meaning human intelligence. Without human intelligence, there is no space at all for artificial intelligence.
With the success of ‘Chhaava,’ ‘Dhurandhar’ and ‘Pushpa’, do you think that violence or action has become the USP at the box office?
I don't think any of the biggest directors in the world can predict whether a film will do well or not. If that were possible, instead of making films, he can open an office and sell the USP. Somehow, I feel that these days, people are going through a lot of stress. Sadly, they can't express it like how the hero can express it on the screen. If someone drives a car on the wrong side of the road, then anyone would feel like slapping him or breaking his glass or doing something. But that is not possible in the real world. When the hero does that in a film, people find their emotional and stressful outlets through such characters. So, that's why I think a lot of these kinds of films are getting appreciated.
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