Director Koratala Siva Talks ‘Devara’ and the Journey Ahead

Koratala Siva

The latest film directed by Koratala Siva, Devara, stars Jr. NTR as the lead, with Janhvi Kapoor as the heroine and Saif Ali Khan portraying the villain. Other key roles are played by Sreekanth, Murali Sharma, and Shruti Marathe. As the film is set to hit theaters on September 27, Koratala Siva recently shared insights with the media about the project.

What is the Theme of Devara?
“Fear is a central emotion that runs through Devara,” Koratala explains. “In fact, everyone should have a sense of fear. It’s what keeps us from jumping traffic signals, for example. This responsible form of fear is what we’ve chosen as the main theme for the film.

Is There a Connection Between Devara and Your Project with Allu Arjun?
Koratala confirmed that he had announced a film with Allu Arjun as the lead, but due to unforeseen circumstances, that project had to be dropped. Since Devara also features a backdrop of the ocean, some might think it relates to the earlier project, but he clarified that there is no connection whatsoever.

Emotional Support from NTR?
“I treat NTR like a brother, and he shares a similar bond with me,” Koratala revealed. “When I present a scene, if he thinks it’s good, he says, ‘Wow, that’s amazing!’ If he doesn’t like it, he lets me know honestly. NTR’s honesty ensures that there is no compromise in the quality of the final product.”

Did You Initially Plan for Two Parts of Devara?
Koratala initially wrote a six-hour-long script but decided to shoot it as a single part. However, after seeing the output during filming, both he and NTR agreed that it would be better to release it in two parts, which they are now working on.

When Will Part 2 Be Released?
Koratala mentioned that shooting for Part 2 will take considerable time, especially since NTR has committed to other projects. They will start working on Part 2 only after those commitments are fulfilled. “We have no plans for a third part; it will conclude with these two parts,” he confirmed.

What About the Pressure from Acharya?
Koratala admitted that he felt some disappointment regarding the results of Acharya, but he took a break to avoid letting that affect him. “We released the motion poster for Devara just 20 days after Acharya’s release, and I quickly resumed work, so I didn’t dwell on its outcome.”

Are There Any Conflicts with Chiranjeevi?
Despite media reports suggesting conflicts between him and Chiranjeevi, Koratala assured that their relationship remains strong. “Chiranjeevi was the first person to text me after the Acharya results came out, saying, ‘You will bounce back stronger, Shiva.’ I ignore any rumors about disputes between us.”

Were You Disappointed by the Cancellation of the Pre-Release Event?
Koratala expressed sadness over the cancellation of the Devara pre-release event, as it was the only opportunity to engage with the audience. “We had prepared speeches and carefully checked names to ensure no one was missed. It was disheartening when the event was called off, and I can’t point fingers at anyone for that.”

What Do You Think About Negative Trolling on Social Media?
“I distanced myself from Twitter due to excessive negativity,” he said. “I joined to share something fun about my movie, but I found no positivity there. It’s okay to share memes and jokes, but hatred is never acceptable.”

How Do You Respond to Feedback on Promotional Content?
Koratala takes the feedback on promotional content seriously, stating, “We are continuously improving the graphics. We particularly focused on the shark fish episode and the CGI work to ensure everything is polished.”

Will You Collaborate Again with Devi Sri Prasad?
After working consecutively with Devi Sri Prasad, Koratala felt he might be getting too comfortable in that zone. “So, I told Devi that we should take a break and then work together again,” he explained. He later worked with Mani Sharma for Acharya and Anirudh for Devara. “I will definitely collaborate with Devi Sri Prasad for my next project,” he assured.

In summary, Koratala Siva’s insights provide a glimpse into the creative process behind Devara and the relationships that shape his filmmaking journey. As the release date approaches, fans eagerly anticipate what promises to be a gripping cinematic experience.