Thandel producer Bunny Vasu talks about why he didn’t enter into politics, the Allu and Mega family disputes, handling issues regarding the Allu Arjun incident, the risk taken for his film and many more…
suresh kavirayani
Bunny Vasu is the talking point in the industry as his film ‘Thandel’ is releasing on February 7. Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi are playing the lead in this love story directed by Chandoo Mondeti. Bunny Vasu is also one of the few people who worked closely with top producer Allu Aravind and his son Allu Arjun. Interestingly, he is also very close to Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
Actually, his name was on the list to contest in the last elections, but at the last minute, he dropped out. When asked about it, he said he is close to Pawan Kalyan and also to Allu family. So with the differences cropping up between those two families, people talk more about Bunny Vasu, whether he is under pressure and also can he handle the situation well?
“Yes, hundred per cent it is true and I can handle the situation and I have the talent and courage. But for me, the timely incidents and the situation are causing some embarrassment. But when I was open and genuine, people could misunderstand. But in the long run, my stability and how I took my stand definitely proved me as being perfect,” said Bunny Vasu. He added that he won’t change anything for someone. “Whatever they think about me, I won’t change my character and also my stand. I will go with my flow. Then only everything will fall in place,” said Bunny Vasu.
He even got an opportunity to contest in the last elections, but he took a decision not to contest. “Yes, it is true that I got an opportunity to contest in the last elections. But I think two things, one is I have to look at financial strength, because politics is not that easy, I have a few responsibilities as a family person. When I decide to contest, I have to spend time with people and I can’t sit here. If I give the commitment to Kalyan garu, I have to abide by it. If I can’t stand by my commitment, he will put me aside, and it would be very difficult for me to reach Pawan Kalyan again. So, I decided not to take it, which is my call,” said Bunny Vasu about his political entry.
When asked whether there are reports that he is distancing himself from Geetha Arts, he said in a diplomatic way, “My attachment with Geetha Arts is 25 years and after Aravind garu, our generation is going and now we have to train for the next generation which will go for the coming 10 years.”
In the recent incident that happened around Allu Arjun, he was not guided properly and asked about that, he said he will wait till the legal issues are over. “What is the situation and what happened there, we have discussed very deeply and we have clarity about it. Now, the issue is in court and once it is cleared I will speak about it definitely,” said Bunny Vasu.
The makers of ‘Thandel’ announced that Allu Arjun will be the chief guest, but he didn’t turn up. When asked about why he didn’t attend the event, he said, “Till evening 6 pm everything looked good. But I don’t know what happened as I was busy with the event till 11.30 pm. Morning when I asked Aravind garu about it, he said Arjun had some health issues, so he didn’t attend.” He added that he woke up today and was busy with the promotions of the film. “Once after the promotions, I will go and meet Allu Arjun,” he said.
Talking about his ‘Thandel’, he said, it’s a high budget film and also a risky one. “As the story demands, we put money according to it, though we have a budget in our mind, it has gone higher,” he said. “That’s why in most of the areas we are releasing the film on our own, which is definitely a risky one. We have to make the film a hit and get our money back,” he said. He added that the digital rights are sold out. Apart from Telugu, the film is releasing in Tamil and Hindi. The ticket price was also normal in Telangana, but he applied for a Rs 50 hike in Andhra Pradesh. “It is not yet confirmed, but I applied for a Rs 50 hike in Andhra Pradesh and it is under process,” he said.
About the film ‘Thandel’ he said it all started with his classmate Bhanu, who introduced Karthik with this story. “Karthik inspired by true incidents and wrote the story. We did our research and met many people and got to know a few incidents. So with the true incidents we created a love story. So, it is fiction with some real incidents,” said Bunny Vasu. In the trailer, he said they showed only the love story which everyone knows. “But there is a very interesting story and you all will definitely be surprised. What happened in Pakistan, the situation in India at that time, how they survived in Pakistan are not known to many,” he said.
They shot this film in many areas. “We shot at Mangalore coast, Kerala, Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Wagah border and many other places. There is only one scene we shot in the studio, but most of the sea scenes were shot at sea,” he said.
There are a few films made about Indian prisoners struggling in Pakistan jails. “But each one has a different story and I took one story. More than that these stories are there in newspapers and other platforms. So, anyone can pick up a story and we took one story with a love angle in it,” he said.
Karthik narrated a story to Bunny Vasu and he accidentally met Naga Chaitanya the next day. “I went to meet him for some personal work. So, he asked me if there was any story. Immediately I told this story and he was excited to do it. But I told him about the fisherman’s life and the slang, and the look. I was shocked to see him after he moulded himself for the character and the slang. You will definitely be surprised after seeing Chaitanya’s performance, especially the last half-an-hour in peaks,” he said about the film.
