Director Shashank Yeleti Demystifies Fahadh Faasil: ‘He Is Not Finicky, That’s Just a Perception’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Debutant director Shashank Yeleti has directed Malayalam star Fahadh Faasil's Telugu debut, “Don't Trouble The Trouble.” The much-awaited fantasy film with a touch of magical mysticism releases on October 2. The filmmaker is upbeat about the movie and confident about its end result. In an exclusive chat with Variety India, Shashank Yeleti talks about how Fahadh Faasil came on board after a script narration during an hour-long car ride, his admiration for the actor and how the star’s easygoing approach put him at ease during their first meeting. 

‘Don’t Trouble the Trouble’ explores a world that blends fantasy and magic realism with a contemporary setting. What inspired you to make this film?

We've created something new, and we want people to experience it. The fantasy genre we’ve chosen isn’t completely unique. Magic realism, for instance, hasn’t been explored much. That’s one aspect. Another is the combination of characters—not the actors, but the characters in the film: a child, a dog and a crook. That mix makes it more exciting and challenging. I think I’ve done everything veteran filmmakers advise against. I remember Steven Spielberg once said that for your debut, you should never work with a child or a dog or take on heavy-duty VFX. But that’s pretty much what I’ve done here.

How would you describe the film?

As I said, the film is unique but also relatable. The emotions are accessible. The world is slightly mystical and magical, though it unfolds in a contemporary setting. The plot is offbeat, but the relationships and emotions are very palatable. So, it isn’t completely niche, aimed only at a specific audience, nor is it a typical big-ticket commercial film.

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Fahadh Faasil is known to be selective about the projects he agrees to be a part of. Was it tough to convince him?

No, I wouldn’t say he’s finicky at all. That’s just a perception. As an actor, I’m a huge fan of Fahadh sir. The first film of his I watched, without knowing anything about him, was “Bangalore Days.” I didn’t know who Dulquer Salmaan sir, Nivin Pauly sir, Nazriya (Nazim Fahadh) ma’am, or Fahadh sir were at the time. I knew nothing about the film, but Fahadh sir's character stayed with me. He has a duality in that role, and he expresses so much with very few words. Based on my interactions with Fahadh sir over the last few years, I feel he always tries to offer a different and unique experience through his cinema. Whether he plays Mahesh in “Maheshinte Prathikaaram” or his character in ‘Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum,’ each role feels distinct. Many actors experiment with cinema, but making those choices relatable is what makes him special. When we connect with the character, we also connect with the story. 

What clinched the casting in Fahadh’s favor?

Once the producers, Shobhu Yarlagadda sir and SS Karthikeya sir, agreed to produce the film, we began discussing how to proceed and whom to approach for the character. When we were discussing casting, Karthikeya, who was already working with Fahadh sir on another project called ‘Oxygen,’ suggested that we also pitch this film to him.
I’ve always held Fahadh sir in very high regard. I wondered why he would agree to my script, because I felt it might not be in the space he usually explores. We met him around May 2023, on the “Pushpa 2” set near Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh.

Do you remember the time when you narrated the script to him?

Yes. The narration was very informal. We were driving back to the resort, and since it was a one-hour journey, I narrated the story in the car. I sat next to him and was nervous. I told him, “Sir, let’s not make this a formal narration. I’ll tell it to you as if it happened to a friend of mine.” He was very easygoing and made me feel comfortable. It didn’t feel like meeting a superstar for the first time. He simply told me to take my time.
By the end of the drive, he said, “I’m doing this.” It was a surreal moment. It took me a couple of hours to process it. It was like two dreams coming true at once. I had always wanted to work with Fahadh sir, and I was also determined that this film would be my debut. Having him on board made it even more special.