“I Gave My Heart and Soul to Nagabandham; It’s a Grand Cinematic Experience”: Virat Karna
Hero Virat Karna is all set to captivate audiences with the epic adventure thriller Nagabandham – The Secret Treasure, directed by Abhishek Nama. Produced on a grand scale by Kishore Annapureddy and Nishita Nagireddy under the NIK Studios banner, the film also stars Nabha Natesh, Aishwarya Menon, Jagapathi Babu, Mahesh Manjrekar, and Rishabh Sawhney in pivotal roles.
With its promotional content creating a nationwide buzz, Nagabandham is gearing up for a worldwide theatrical release on July 3. Ahead of the release, Virat Karna interacted with the media and spoke about the film, his physically demanding transformation, working with director Abhishek Nama, and why he believes Nagabandham will offer audiences a spectacular theatrical experience.
“I Consider It a Blessing to Begin My Career with Big-Scale Films”
Your first two films have both been mounted on a huge scale. How does it feel to start your career with such ambitious projects?
I truly consider it a blessing. My debut film Pedakapu was also a big-budget production, and now Nagabandham is an even bigger venture. Regardless of the commercial result of Pedakapu, I gave that film my complete dedication and earned appreciation for my performance. For Nagabandham, I pushed myself even further and worked twice as hard.
“The Journey Began the Moment I Heard the Story”
How did Nagabandham happen?
Director Abhishek Nama was searching for a fresh face who could perfectly fit the character he had envisioned. When I heard the story, I was instantly excited. It felt like the role had been written specifically for me, and that’s how this incredible journey began.
“The Budget Grew Along with the Story”
Did you plan this as a â‚ą100-crore film from the beginning?
No. As the script evolved, the scale demanded more. The budget naturally increased to match the vision and grandeur required by the story.
“I Completely Transformed Myself for the Role”
How did you prepare for your character?
The moment I heard the script, I had a clear picture of how my character should look and feel. Playing both Rudra and Nagasadhu was incredibly exciting.
I underwent a complete body transformation, learned horse riding, focused extensively on dance training, and reshaped myself physically and mentally for the role. The makeup for the Nagasadhu look alone used to take nearly six hours every day.
“Yes, There Will Be a Sequel”
Will Nagabandham have a Part 2?
Absolutely. Director Abhishek Nama has already confirmed that the story will continue with a sequel.
“I Worked Through Fever Because This Film Meant Everything to Me”
How did it feel to play such a larger-than-life character in only your second film?
Every actor dreams of building a strong identity in the industry. Getting a role like this is a rare opportunity, and I feel fortunate that Nagabandham came my way.
I gave everything I had to this film. Even when I had a fever during shooting, I never stepped back. I worked with complete commitment because I wanted to do justice to the character.
“Playing Rudra Was Physically and Spiritually Challenging”
How difficult was it to portray Lord Shiva-inspired imagery on screen?
I gained nearly 20 kilograms to play Rudra and later lost around 5 kilograms to portray Nagasadhu. The physical transformation required tremendous discipline.
Spiritually too, it became a special journey. During the shoot, I visited a Shiva temple every day to perform Abhishekam. After completing the film, I even wore the Shiva Mala and visited several temples. It became much more than just another role.
“An Injury Almost Forced Me to Stop”
Was gaining and losing weight difficult?
I’ve always loved working out, but this transformation was particularly demanding. During the process, I suffered a muscle injury, and doctors advised me to take six months of rest. Thankfully, I recovered and continued my journey.
“Abhishek Nama Took All the Pressure Off My Shoulders”
Did the scale of the film create pressure?
Initially, yes. Every day there were massive sets and nearly 300 junior artists on location. For the song Namo Re, almost 5,000 people participated.
But director Abhishek Nama constantly motivated me. He would simply tell me, “We’re making a great film. Don’t worry about anything else.” His confidence made everything easier.
“The Producers Never Compromised on Quality”
The producers believed completely in the story and invested heavily without compromising on quality. Their support and the aggressive promotions have played a huge role in taking the film across India.
The advance bookings have also been extremely encouraging. Seeing such a positive response even before release feels like God’s blessing.
“Every Scene Gave Me Goosebumps”
Everyone who has watched the film so far has given us wonderful feedback. Abhishek Nama has an excellent understanding of commercial cinema and audience pulse. Every scene he directed gave me goosebumps.
I’m confident audiences will enjoy an extraordinary visual spectacle on the big screen.
“Megastar Chiranjeevi Is My Biggest Inspiration”
Who inspired you to become an actor?
Megastar Chiranjeevi garu has always been my greatest inspiration. I grew up watching his films and dancing to his songs. That’s where my passion for cinema began.
“This Film Has Given Me Tremendous Confidence”
What has this film given you as an actor?
Nagabandham has given me immense confidence. I learned so much during this journey. I genuinely feel Abhishek Nama shaped and polished me like a precious pearl.
“One Action Sequence Landed Me in the Hospital”
Any unforgettable incident from the shoot?
We shot during extremely cold weather. In one action sequence, my costume required minimal clothing, and my body completely froze because of the freezing temperatures.
The team immediately rushed me to my caravan, removed the makeup, and shifted me to Apollo Hospital’s emergency ward. Thankfully, all my medical reports were normal, and I returned to the shoot the very next day.
“Not a Single Action Scene Used a Body Double”
Did you undergo workshops for the role?
Yes. We held extensive workshops and spent a lot of time perfecting the dialogue delivery and character preparation.
Also, I performed every action sequence myself. I didn’t use a body double for even a single stunt in the film.
“Nabha Natesh Plays a Very Important Character”
Tell us about Nabha Natesh’s role.
Her character is extremely important to the story. There are several surprises surrounding her role that audiences will discover only in theatres. The songs featuring her are visually grand and beautifully shot.
“I Love Commercial Entertainers with Strong Family Emotions”
What kind of films do you want to do in the future?
I enjoy films like Mirchi that combine strong family emotions, action, and entertainment. Those are the kinds of commercial entertainers I would love to continue doing.
“The Response Across India Has Been Fantastic”
We promoted the film in several states, and the response has been phenomenal everywhere. The trailer and teaser have generated tremendous excitement.
Advance bookings in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have been excellent, and they continue to grow rapidly. I firmly believe audiences are going to witness a spectacular cinematic experience.
“I Plan to Do Two Films Every Year”
What’s next?
My goal is to release two films every year. I’ll be announcing my upcoming projects very soon.
Read Also:Â Peddi Review: Ram Charan Powers an Emotional Sports Drama