Brahmaji will be seen as a lawyer in this week's release 'Slum Dog Husband'. His son Sanjay Rao has headlined the family comedy slated to hit the cinemas on July 29.
Co-starring Pranavi Manukonda, the film will clash with Pawan Kalyan's 'Bro'. In this interview, he talks about what drew him to the role, working with comedians like Saptagiri, what makes the film unique and more. He also talks about his upcoming movies, among them 'Pushpa 2' and 'Salaar'.
Usually, I don't get to play novel characters. 'Slum Dog Husband' is different, though. I genuinely have a very entertaining part. Salman Khan is my name, while my father's name is Amjad Khan. He is a self-styled lawyer from Old City and he doesn't listen even to his clients once he comes on board.
This film came my way when I was shooting for 'Mr. Pregnant', which is also produced by Mic Movies. I and Saptagiri are playing rival lawyers. The character that the latter has played was offered to me first. And my character was supposed to be played by Vennela Kishore. It was after I came on board that my son Sanjay Rao was offered the lead role.
Saptagiri's energy levels are high. It was fun to do the courtroom comedy scenes with him. There is a scene where the dog is grilled in the court. The judge is played by Fish Venkat.
I always advise my son to pick different movies. I happened to play a cop in his first feature film, 'O Pitta Katha'. I was reluctant to play that role, because the audience, I felt, might become too conscious of our relationship.
Love stories, thrillers, and horror movies have a certain template. On the other hand, 'Slum Dog Husband' has got a unique template altogether. The very premise of men and women being married off to animals sounds exciting. The practice is still prevalent in India. Even Aishwarya Rai was married off to a tree.
Recently, Allu Arjun watched the movie's trailer and gave a thumbs-up on the sets of 'Pushpa 2'. I am waiting for the release of 'Pushpa 2' like everyone. The second part will be way better and more effective than the first edition. I have got more screen time in the second part.
Our film is coming out in theatres at a time when 'Baby' is doing well and just a day after 'Bro'. On the brighter side, ours will be the number two choice for the audience among the new releases. Those who might not get tickets to 'Bro' will want to watch our movie. That's our calculation. The title is also catchy. Director Sreedhar has previously worked under Puri Jagannadh and RGV. I am told RGV advised him to opt for 'Kukka Mogudu' as the title (laughs). The producers, who live in the US, didn't endorse the title. They found it too strange. The dog's name in the film is Baby. Incidentally, it's the title of the latest Box-Office blockbuster.
Several artists and technicians have come forward voluntarily to promote our movie. Nagarjuna garu came forward to release a song. Many talents did Insta reels. This love makes me believe that I am the richest man in the industry.
People say I look too young for my age. Discipline and genes have kept me youngish. I am a joyous person and I don't nurse ill feelings towards others. That adds to my looks. If you store negative feelings about others within you, you will look dull.
Besides 'Pushpa 2', I am also doing Mahesh Babu's 'Guntur Kaaram', a movie with Balakrishna, Prabhas' 'Salaar' and Sundeep Kishan's 'Ooru Peru Bhairavakona'. In 'Salaar', I will enter towards the end. My role in the second part of 'Salaar' will be more.
