Sai Ram Shankar on Oka Pathakam Prakaram: “We’re Not Releasing With Thandel, But Next to It”
Ahead of the release, Sai Ram Shankar shared insights about the film, his character, and his experience working on this unique project.
If You Can Guess the Villain by the Interval, Take ₹10,000!
The film’s unique promotional tagline, offering ₹10,000 to anyone who correctly predicts the villain by the interval, has generated significant buzz. Sai Ram Shankar revealed that the idea originated from the team after key members suggested it during discussions. He believes this challenge has helped increase awareness about the film’s title and release date.
Why the Title ‘Oka Pathakam Prakaram’?
The phrase Oka Pathakam Prakaram is commonly used in crime thrillers, and in this film, every character follows their own strategy. The title reflects the essence of the story, where multiple perspectives and plans unfold as the plot progresses.
Director Vinod Kumar Vijayan’s Impact
Vinod Kumar Vijayan, an internationally recognized filmmaker, started his career at just 17 and has previously collaborated with renowned Malayalam actor Fahadh Faasil. Sai Ram Shankar shared that they had been planning to work together since 2005. With deep expertise in storytelling and technical aspects, Vinod brings a fresh approach to Telugu cinema.
Working with Samuthirakani
Sai Ram Shankar spoke highly of Samuthirakani, praising his ability to deliver exactly what the director envisions. “He is an experienced artist who understands the depth of his character and enhances every scene effortlessly,” he said.
Puri Jagannadh’s Reaction to the Trailer
Sai Ram Shankar revealed that his brother Puri Jagannadh watched the trailer and found it fresh. He also shared the ₹10,000 challenge with him, which intrigued the director.
Sai Ram Shankar’s Role in the Film
The actor plays a criminal lawyer with multiple shades, leaving the audience questioning whether he is just a lawyer or something more. To prepare for the role, Sai Ram Shankar underwent intensive training and workshops for a month.
Action and Suspense in the Film
Despite coming from Malayalam cinema, director Vinod Kumar Vijayan designed the action sequences and songs to align with Telugu sensibilities. Tamil stunt master Delhi Babu choreographed the fight scenes, ensuring an engaging mix of action and suspense.
Crime or Love Story?
The film blends an intense crime narrative with a love story, offering audiences an engaging mix of emotions and suspense.
An Unforgettable Experience with 25 Dogs
One of the film’s most challenging sequences involved shooting with 25 dogs over four days. During the shoot, a dog broke loose, forcing Sai Ram Shankar to climb onto a grill for safety. “It was intense, but the scene turned out brilliantly,” he recalled. The climax itself took nearly eight days to film after the director decided to enhance it further.
A Confident Comeback
Despite past setbacks, Sai Ram Shankar remains optimistic about his career. He credits the trust of producers who continue to support him and believes Oka Pathakam Prakaram will mark a turning point.
Open to Any Role, Not Just a Hero
While he enjoys leading roles, Sai Ram Shankar is open to playing any character as long as it has depth.
The Trend of Hindi Actors in Telugu Cinema
Reflecting on the influx of Bollywood actors into Tollywood, he mentioned his own experience with Neninthe and the opportunities he had received earlier but couldn’t take up at the time.
How This Film Stands Out
Unlike his previous projects, this is his first intense suspense thriller. After a month of dedicated training, he feels he has delivered a realistic and impactful performance.
Release Plans Beyond Telugu
Currently, Oka Pathakam Prakaram is releasing only in Telugu, but the team is exploring options for other languages. With a toptier cinematographer like Rajeev and a director who has delivered Malayalam hits, the film has the potential for a wider reach.
Clashing with ‘Thandel’?
Addressing the release timing, Sai Ram Shankar clarified, “There’s no competition. We are not releasing along with Thandel, we are releasing next to Thandel.”
Favorite Films & Future Plans
A fan of gripping stories, he cites Drishyam as one of the best thrillers he has watched. Looking ahead, he is working on a mythological web series where he plays a 60yearold character. Additionally, he has a film titled Resound and other projects in the pipeline.
With Oka Pathakam Prakaram set for release on February 7, audiences can expect an intriguing mix of crime, suspense, and drama.
Post a Comment