Nithiin awaits the release of 'Extra - Ordinary Man' on December 8. Director Vakkantham Vamsi's entertainer, co-starring Sree Leela as the heroine, has Nithiin in a hilarious role. He says that, for the first time ever, he is not stressed out ahead of the release of a movie. Nithiin reveals that a song (not a full-fledged one) in the second half will surprise the audience.
The journey of this film began 2.5 years ago with Vamsi giving a narration. The shoot was begun in November 2022. We are now ready for a solid theatrical release this Friday.
As I am an extra on the sets of films in this movie, there are references to some movies and stars. Pawan Kalyan, my favourite actor, is one among them. (The film taps into the meme culture to an extent, Nithiin hints).
The film doesn't delve into the struggles of junior artists. It is a fun-filled entertainer with an exciting screenplay. Vamsi is known to write fresh protagonists, as evidenced by 'Kick', 'Temper' and 'Race Gurram', among others. Goddess Maisamma drives the story in a certain direction, as the trailers suggested. Thanks to Maisamma's 'screenplay', the extra becomes the protagonist. By the time of the interval, you can expect a surprise element that might be called a twist. Amid violent films in recent times, we are confident that 'Extra' is mostly about being an out-and-out entertainer.
The father-son scenes will surely bring the roof down. My scenes with Rao Ramesh are hilarious. I play a fear-stricken son who is scared of his controlling dad. Our characters are thoroughly entertaining!
You will also fall in love with Sampath Raj's character. When the content is strong, every artist will get into the right zone. Every scene that the artists were part of became close to their hearts. That's why we all could give our best.
Dr. Rajasekhar's character enters the screen in the second half. Anybody else doing the character would have rendered it run of the mill. Our director could only think of him for the role. I have to thank his daughters, Shivani and Shivathmika, who listened to the story and prodded their dad to take on the role. Any good performance is owed to the script and the director. The nuances have to be ensured by the actor.
Usually, films set in the backdrop of the film industry turn serious. 'Extra' maintains its hilarity factor throughout. It is jovial from start to end. The 'josh' factor will surely keep the audience engaged consistently.
Harris Jayaraj is an extraordinary music director. The songs in 'Extra' have been bettered by the background music. The RR is compelling!
My primary focus is and will be Telugu cinema. Anything else that comes my way will be a bonus. I am not fancying my chances to do non-Telugu movies at this point in time. I have done non-entertainers like 'Check' and 'Maestro' in recent times after dabbling in safe genres like 'Bheeshma'. 'Maestro' would have become a box-office hit had it been released in theatres. Since it was an OTT release, I am unable to gauge if I should try out something of that sort again. I am focusing completely on the mainstream cinema and theatrical market. I am not inclined to do OTT. I am up for a grey character.
Rashmika Mandanna has been replaced by Sree Leela for my film with director Venky Kudumula of 'Bheeshma' fame. Her character is hilarious in it. In 'Extra', the comedy has been done by me. In that film, it will be Sree Leela's turn! I shot it for three weeks. Venu Sriram's movie has been shot for two weeks.
Love, comedy and action are all my favourite ingredients. That's why I like films like 'Bheeshma' a lot.
On 'Telangana hero' identity: I have never viewed myself as a Telangana hero consciously in the last 20 years of being in the industry. Unless someone tells me I am a "Telangana hero", that thought doesn't even cross my mind.
