INTERVIEW WITH DIRECTOR GOWTAM TINNANURI ON "KINGDOM
Q: How did you feel before and after the release of Kingdom?
Gowtam Tinnanuri: To be honest, it was a race against time right up to the release. We were busy polishing the final touches, so sleep was a luxury I couldn’t afford. But once I saw the audience’s response and the appreciation pouring in, I finally felt a sense of peace and slept well for the first time in days.
Q: What inspired the title "Kingdom"? Was it always the first choice?
Gowtam: I usually begin thinking about the film’s title while scripting. With Jersey, for instance, the working title was 36. For Kingdom, since the lead character is named Devara Nayak, we considered that for the title. But with NTR’s Devara already announced, we looked at a few other names like Yuddhakanda. Eventually, we chose Kingdom. To me, ‘Kingdom’ represents a place of belonging, where you feel safe and sheltered it’s like home. Plus, it’s a title that works in every language.
Q: The audience loved the song "Hridayam Lopala." Why was it removed from the final cut?
Gowtam: That’s been a common question! We loved the song, and it did fit during the writing stage. But during editing, we realized it was affecting the narrative’s flow and momentum. After discussions with editor Naveen Nooli, Naga Vamsi, and Vijay, we decided to remove it. There’s still a possibility it might be included in the OTT version, along with a few extra scenes. We’ll decide on that soon.
Q: Did you always envision Vijay Deverakonda in the lead role?
Gowtam: This story idea had been with me for a while, but I hadn’t fully developed it until I thought Vijay would be perfect. Interestingly, we had initially discussed a different script together, but when we started working, it became clear that this story was tailor-made for him and he loved it as well.
Q: Audiences associate you with emotional dramas like Jersey and Malli Raava. Why pivot to an action film like Kingdom?
Gowtam: For me, what matters most is an emotional core, no matter the genre. Even though Kingdom is a gangster drama with action elements, it is the underlying emotion and bonds that drive everything. That’s what makes it resonate and, in my opinion, that’s the real reason behind its success.
Q: Venkatesh, a newcomer, plays Murugan. How did he get the role?
Gowtam: Murugan is part of a new world for the protagonist. Using a familiar face wouldn’t have given it that freshness. One of our assistant directors suggested Venkatesh, and his audition really impressed us. His passion was infectious, so we finalized him quickly.
Q: Satyadev plays Shiva in the film. Was he always your first choice?
Gowtam: Yes, Satyadev was always at the top of my mind for this role. He was juggling several projects and our shoot schedule wasn’t fixed at first, but once things fell into place, we approached him and he loved the story.
Q: You also made a film called Magic. Can you tell us about that?
Gowtam: Yes, Magic was something Vamsi and I always wanted to do a movie centered on music. When Kingdom’s shoot was delayed, we took that time to make Magic. Its strengths are definitely Anirudh’s music and Girish Gangadharan’s cinematography.
Q: What can you share about Kingdom Part 2?
Gowtam: The core story is already ready, and we’ll start the script work soon. Before that, though, we’re planning a web film focused on the characters Murugan and Sethu, specifically for OTT.
Q: How do you see your journey as a director over these past 8 years?
Gowtam: Frankly, I wish I could have made more films by now. But the pandemic took away a couple of years, and sometimes, scripts just need more time. I’m aiming to do more projects at a faster pace from here on.
Cast: Vijay Deverakonda, Satyadev, Bhagyashree Borse, Venkatesh
Director: Gowtam Tinnanuri
Producers: Suryadevara Naga Vamsi, Sai Soujanya
Music: Anirudh Ravichander
Cinematography: Jomon T. John ISC, Girish Gangadharan ISC
Costume Designer: Neeraja Kona
Art Director: Avinash Kolla
Editor: Naveen Nooli
Production Houses: Sithara Entertainments, Fortune Four Cinemas
Presented By: Srikara Studios
PRO: Lakshmi Venugopal
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