Content is the king and Swathimuthyam's unique concept is its USP: Ganesh
Ganesh, the scion of Bellamkonda family is all set for his maiden venture, Swathimuthyam. The actor is trained in the USA and believes that content is the only crowd puller. In Swathimuthyam, he is paired with Varsha Bollamma and the movie is slated for release this Dussehra. The family entertainer is directed by Lakshman K Krishna and has a stellar cast of Naresh, Rao Ramesh, Subbaraju, Vennela Kishore, Harshavardhan, Pammi Sai, Sapthagiri, Goparaju Ramana, Siva, among others. Produced by Suryadevara Naga Vamsi, Swathumuthyam is coming to win the audience’s hearts on October 05.
Here are the excerpts from Ganesh Bellamkonda’s interaction with media.
On the journey to movie industry
I wanted to be an actor since childhood. I took it seriously in 2016 and pursued an acting course in Mumbai in 2017. Later on, I went to the US to learn the nuances of acting and started listening to movie stories from 2019. Swathimuthyam happened in 2022.
How Swathimuthyam happened?
I got to know director Lakshman Krishan through common friends, and he narrated the story of Swathimuthyam. We laughed a lot during the narration, and I took this project to Sithara Entertainments. Vamsi garu also liked this story and it got started.
Why did you choose a class film?
I believe that story drives a film rather than other elements. I don’t believe in fights and action. Movie has to be a good one and there are no other specifications to it.
With whom can you relate with this character?
The behaviour of Balamuralikrishna from Swathimuthyam is different from what I am. There is a stark contrast. There are no inspirations to the character. I just live the journey.
Any suggestions from your brother?
He always thought I could manage on my own. So nothing much came from my brother.
How Swathimuthyam is unique?
Post covid the audience preferences are sky high. They want some unique concept in all the films. So, when Lakshman told me about the USP of the film, that instantly hit me. You have to watch the film to experience it.
How was your experience during the shoot?
Movie sets are not new to me. I also oversee production in our banner. I liked the environment of shoots and movies are my first love. So grabbed the acting opportunity. Only thing that was new to me was facing a camera. I was into acting classes and I know how to act in a midshot and closeup and how to show different variations in acting. So the shoot has been a pleasant experience for me.
Is this movie related to Vicky Donor?
Both are not related. Maybe the sperm donation can be common, but everything is new. It’s just there for 10 mins and rest is a different story. So, please don’t draw any parallels.
How is the entertainment quotient in Swathimuthyam?
There is no forced comedy and it’s all situational comedy. It’s high on entertainment and it appeals to all classes.
How was the experience working with senior actors?
Happy to work with so many seniors. Acting is mutual and the conversations make acting. It helped me learn a lot working with seniors.
What was your father’s reaction?
He also fell in love with the subject. And asked me to do it.
Why were you not launched in your own banner?
I always wanted to get launched in another banner. And I got a wonderful opportunity to be launched in Sithara. They are making a lot of family entertainers. I also knew Vamshi since a long time.
How was the makeover from production to acting?
As I told, I was learning acting since a long time. I learnt dance and martial arts with my brother but couldn’t put them to use in Swathimuthyam. Maybe in forthcoming movies you can see all of them.
What are your favourite genres?
I like RomComs and want to do many genres. Even I can do action like my brother did.
Why weren’t you launched in a big budget and with big director?
I only believe in story but not budgets and directors. So, Swathimuthyam happened. I wanted to be close to all the family audience. And I don’t want to get typecast in any role. I want to be in different shades of character. My next movie is a thriller titled “Nenu Student”. It will release in a few months.
On releasing the movie along with Chiranjeevi and Nagarjuna
I am happy to see my movie poster next to biggies. Dusserhra is a big festival and there is a scope for many films.
What are your interests?
I like Cinematography, direction and want to be in all the departments.
Have you watched Swathimuthyam?
We are watching this evening in a small screening with friends, family and media.
Are the situations conducive for newcomers?
Content is the king. Everyone is watching a lot across languages and genres. So, it’s a level playing field. New actors or directors have a good chance to make it big in the movie world.
On acting with your brother?
If the script demands and there is some equal scope to both of us, I would love to do a movie with my brother.
On listening to new stories
I am listening to a lot of stories. I am done with 40-50 film stories. If I like any script, it moves to my father.
Any uneasy situations during the shoot of Swathimuthyam
Situations and scenes are close to real life. I was living the moment. How to behave with different people – father, mother, and girl I just met. Though Varsha is a senior to me, she was very grounded. So there were no uneasy situations during the shoot.
How was the middle-class life saw in the film?
We were not rich from lineage. My father worked as an Asst cameraman, production manager, and we moved up. I experienced the middleclass life and love those moments. My mother also brought me in such a way that we value everything in life.
Your favourite hero
Venkatesh. I watched “Raja” countless times. Venky sir also worked in many of our productions.
