Ramabanam hit the theaters today. Ahead of the release, Macho star Gopichand spoke to the Hyderabadi media about sharing screen space with Jagapathi Babu, some insights about the film, and more.
After his maiden film, Tholi Valapu didn’t yield results at the box-office, Macho star Gopichand took the most unusual route. A path that most leading men of the aughts would be sceptical of. His portrayal of Raghu in Teja’s Jayam made him one of most sought after antagonists in the industry. Later, he cashed in on the newly built image with block-busters such as Nijam and Varsham. Post the superb reception of Varsham, the paradigm shift occurred. Gopichand went on to star in films like Yagnam, Andhrudu, and Ranam.
In 2007, director Sriwass’ Lakshyam made it possible for Gopichand to turn into an A-lister. Again in 2011, the pair got together for Loukyam. The film was a huge hit at the box-office. Now the duo is back with Ramabanam. The film is being touted as an action-packed entertainer. The film stars Dimple Hayathi, Kushboo, Jagapathi Babu, Sachin Khedekar, and Vennela Kishor in important characters and is produced by TG Vishwa Prasad of People Media Factory. The music is composed by Mickey J Meyer. Macho Star’s Ramabanam hit the screens today.
It was the man of masses, Balakrishna, who suggested the title, Ramabanam. The makers felt the title went really well with the subject matter of the film and decided to finalise it.
Another addition to the film is Jagapathi Babu. He’ll be seen playing Gopichand’s brother in the film. The Telugu audience loves the man and after a long time, he’ll be seen playing something subtle on the screen. Speaking of his relationship with the actor, Gopichand said, “I never had the feeling that I was acting alongside a co-actor. He’s more like a brother to me and I thoroughly enjoyed working with him. The chemistry between the both of us worked really well.”
Gopichand says Ramabanam is high on family emotions, and it’s got a good message within it. It’s difficult to incorporate a message in a commercial film, but for this one, the makers were able to do it, according to the actor. And that’s one of the major reasons why he agreed to be a part of the film.
Squashing the talk about the director-actor duo collaborating just for the sake of selling the film as their ‘Hattrick-Combo’ film, the star replied, “There was a gap of 7 long years between Lakshyam and Loukyam. Sriwass asked me earlier if I wanted to collaborate with him, but I told him it’s better to wait and make a good film. Everything worked out for this film, and that’s why we went ahead.”
The Varsham actor is of the opinion that no matter what kind of films that the audience is exposed to, their rooted emotions don’t change. “There’s no way that our emotions would completely change. If we give the right content, people will watch it. It’s just that films should be made in an engaging way. Audience will watch films that have good content. And the family audience will walk into the theatres on the second or third day only when one makes a good movie.”
However, he affirmed that there’s no one who can guess the state of mind of the audience. “If we’d know what the audience thinks, every film would be a blockbuster! We can never guess such things and how can I even tell you what they think. We all get on to the sets to make good films.”
Ramabanam, Gopichand says, would have the perfect balance between all the essential elements of a commercial film. This film is going to be a complete family entertainer, says the star. However, he also informed the local press that the film wouldn’t be able to match Loukyam’s comedy level as it’s not an out and out comedy film.
Now that we have already informed you that Gopichand got his break as an antagonist, would he ever go back to playing a villain in the future? He confirmed that he’d definitely play a villain opposite Baahubali fame Prabhas if he gets the right opportunity.
“The powerful villain roles saved me in the initial days,” said the Nijam star. “I will certainly be a part of any film that offers me great and powerful parts. Working for the sake of working is a waste of time. It should have some meaning.”
The Ramabanam star’s previous film titled Pakka Commercial was a colossal flop at the box-office. He’s known for wooing the family audience and he’s certain that Ramabanam would end his dry spell at the box-office.
