Sai Ram Shankar Talks About ‘Oka Pathakam Prakaram’ and His Future in Films
Tollywood actor Sai Ram Shankar, younger brother of iconic director Puri Jagannadh, is gearing up for the release of his latest film, Oka Pathakam Prakaram. Helmed by Malayalam filmmaker Vinod Kumar Vijayan and produced by Garlapati Ramesh and Vijayan, the film is set to hit theaters on February 7. Featuring Shruti Sodhi, Ashima Narwal, and Samuthirakani in key roles, the movie promises an intriguing narrative, with Sai Ram Shankar portraying a character with multiple shades.
As part of the film’s promotions, Sai Ram Shankar shared insights into the project and his career in an exclusive interview. Here are some highlights from the conversation.
Q: Who came up with the idea of offering ₹10,000 to viewers who can guess the villain by the interval?
Sai Ram Shankar: The response has been phenomenal! This strategy helped create buzz around our film. Initially, some key team members suggested the tagline, and we all felt it was a great idea. So, we decided to go ahead with it, and it has worked wonders in grabbing attention.
Q: Why the title Oka Pathakam Prakaram?
Sai Ram Shankar: The phrase is commonly used in crime genre stories, and in this film, every character has their own strategy and planning. It perfectly encapsulates the essence of our movie.
Q: Your director, Vinod Kumar Vijayan, has won an international award. How has his expertise shaped this film?
Sai Ram Shankar: Vinod started directing at just 17 years old and has been a close friend since my debut film. We’ve been planning to work together since 2005. He has a vast knowledge of filmmaking and has successfully produced two films with Fahadh Faasil. This project is his Telugu directorial debut, and he has brought his rich experience into crafting a gripping thriller.
Q: How was your experience collaborating with Samuthirakani?
Sai Ram Shankar: He is a brilliant actor and delivers exactly what the director envisions. His presence has added depth to our film.
Q: Did Puri Jagannadh watch the trailer? What was his feedback?
Sai Ram Shankar: Yes, he did. He said it looked fresh and engaging. I also told him about our ₹10,000 challenge, and he found it interesting.
Q: What can you tell us about your character in the film?
Sai Ram Shankar: I play a criminal lawyer with a complex personality. As the story unfolds, different shades of my character emerge, leaving the audience wondering whether I am just a lawyer or something more. I even underwent a month of intense training for the role.
Q: Is the film action-packed?
Sai Ram Shankar: Yes! Though Vinod comes from the Malayalam industry, he understands Telugu cinema well. He ensured that the fight sequences and songs appeal to our audience. Tamil stunt master Delhi Babu choreographed the action scenes, making them intense and engaging.
Q: Is this purely a crime thriller, or is there a romantic angle?
Sai Ram Shankar: It’s a blend of a gripping crime narrative and an emotional love story.
Q: Any unforgettable experiences from the shoot?
Sai Ram Shankar: Definitely! We shot a climax sequence with 25 dogs, which took four days to complete. At one point, a dog broke free, and I had to climb onto a grill to escape. Thankfully, I was safe. The climax is very intense, and we even extended the sequence to enhance the impact.
Q: Will you continue doing films consistently after this?
Sai Ram Shankar: I have immense confidence in this film. Despite past setbacks, I am grateful that producers still believe in me. I’m hopeful this film will be a turning point.
Q: Will you stick to lead roles, or are you open to other characters?
Sai Ram Shankar: I am open to any role as long as it’s meaningful and exciting.
Q: Hindi actors are frequently appearing in Telugu films, while Telugu actors get fewer opportunities in Bollywood. What’s your take?
Sai Ram Shankar: I previously worked in Neninthe and had some opportunities in Bollywood, but I couldn’t take them at the time.
Q: How is Oka Pathakam Prakaram different from your previous films?
Sai Ram Shankar: I have never done such an intense suspense thriller before. The one-month training I underwent helped me bring realism to my performance.
Q: Will the film release in Malayalam too?
Sai Ram Shankar: For now, it’s a Telugu-only release, but we are planning to expand into other languages. Our cinematographer Rajeev is one of India’s top DOPs, and our director, despite being from the Malayalam industry, even learned Telugu for this project.
Q: Your film releases around the same time as Tandel. Do you see it as competition?
Sai Ram Shankar: Not at all. We are not releasing alongside Tandel; we are releasing next to Tandel.
Q: Any recent movies or web series that impressed you?
Sai Ram Shankar: Drishyam—I couldn’t get its story out of my mind!
Q: With web series becoming popular, do you have any plans to explore that space?
Sai Ram Shankar: Absolutely! I am working on a mythological web series where I play a 60-year-old character. I also have a film titled Resound and a few more projects in discussion.
As Oka Pathakam Prakaram gears up for release, Sai Ram Shankar remains optimistic about the film’s reception and his journey in the industry. Fans can look forward to an intense crime thriller that promises a mix of action, drama, and suspense.
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