Senior actor Brahmaji opens up about his film Baapu, sharing his experience of shooting in a village, his thoughts on the project and insights into his upcoming films
suresh kavirayani
Senior actor Brahmaji, one of the most versatile performers in Telugu cinema, has played a variety of roles—from lead and villain to character roles and comedy—throughout his four-decade career. Known for his non-controversial image, he is now seen playing the lead role in Baapu, directed by debutant Dayakar. Interes-tingly, Brahmaji chose not to take any remuneration for this film, as he was deeply drawn to the character.
“When director Dayakar narrated the story, I loved it because it was something completely new for me. It wasn’t a regular role, and I was eager to do it. However, the film had budget constraints, so I told the producer I wouldn’t take any payment,” said Brahmaji. He added that if the producer earns profits post-release, it’s up to them to decide if they want to compensate him.
The film’s journey began nearly two years ago, and the shoot was completed a few months back, though it was filmed in intervals due to the actors’ schedules. The team shot in a village near Karimnagar, avoiding the use of caravans. “We had lunch in villagers’ homes and even took naps there. That’s why everything in the film looks so natural,” said Brahmaji. Other actors also reduced their remuneration and adapted to village life.
Recalling a memorable moment, he shared, “We shot a scene in the market yard with real farmers. They didn’t recognise me—they thought I was one of them.”
Brahmaji also spoke about how film sets have changed over time. “In the early days of my career, everyone ate together and didn’t use caravans. But now, as soon as the shot is done, people rush to their caravans, even for meals,” he observed.
He praised actress Dhanya Balakrishnan, saying, “She might look like a rich girl in real life, but she transformed herself with makeup and delivered an excellent performance as a farmer’s daughter.”
The senior actor, who is selective about his roles, said, “I reject characters with double-meaning dialogues or vulgarity. I want to do meaningful roles, even as a father, but not just as a guest appearance in one or two scenes.”
Brahmaji was excited to be part of Pushpa 2, which has gained massive national attention. “In Pushpa, Sunil got a great role, which led to many Tamil film offers for him. I didn’t get any Tamil films, but Sunil got a ‘National Permit’ with Pushpa,” he joked.
On the bright side, Baapu has already secured its OTT and satellite rights, which Brahmaji sees as a positive sign. “Many big films are struggling to sell their OTT rights, but Baapu has done it before release, which boosts confidence,” he said. The film is being compared to Balagam, but Brahmaji clarified, “The stories are completely different, except for the Telangana cultural backdrop.”
His upcoming projects include Vishwambhara with Chiranjeevi, a film with Raj Tarun and a small role in Siddhu Jonnalagadda’s Jack, along with a few others in production.
