MAD Square, released in theatres on March 28th, has grossed Rs 55 Cr worldwide in three days. Director Kalyan Shankar is the man of the hour. The young filmmaker is looking at a galloping future in the film industry.
In this interview, he talks about the response for the crime comedy featuring Sangeeth Shoban, Narne Nithin, Vishnu Oi, Ram Nitin and others. Produced by Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas, MAD Square has music by Bheems Ceciroleo.
I certainly have kept my promise that MAD Square will be doubly more enjoyable than MAD. If MAD was loved predominantly by youngsters, the sequel has been embraced by the family audience as well. I have been to several cinema halls playing my movie. Everywhere, regardless of their age, the audience are enjoying our movie the most. They are laughing out loud! I did expect the sequel to do extraordinarily better than the first part. However, the movie taking over the final collections of MAD on Day 1 itself was a windfall I didn't see coming.
I think we did the right thing by setting the audience's expectations right. We told the audience to ignore logic and soak into the magic. Rajamouli garu is a pro at setting the expectations of his audience beforehand. We too prepared the audience mentally for what we had set up in MAD Square.
It is not true that the second half is somewhat dull compared to the first half. This opinion was expressed only on Day 1. With time, the audience have started enjoying the second half more, especially the track involving Sunil and Muralidhar Goud. Also, the character Anthony from the first part has been liked by the audience.
The mother of a friend of mine stayed away from theatres for 15 years. After she watched the trailer of MAD Square, she asked her son (my friend) to take her to the cinema. She enjoyed the movie so much that her eyes became moist from laughing. This is the biggest compliment I have received.
Our movie grossing one million dollars in the Overseas market, that too within just three days of its release, feels great.
China Babu garu's support (S Radha Krishna of Haarika & Hassine Creations) mattered a lot. His suggestions helped us during the making stage.
I worked with Editor Naveen Nooli closely throughout the making stage. His role didn't start after the shoot was over. Throughout the production journey, before every schedule, I brainstormed with him to ensure that the running time was crisp.
I will be doing a superhero story with Ravi Teja garu next. It is not a sci-fi movie. It will be entertaining, with the protagonist's backstory being unique.
I believe that scenes in a movie have to go beyond what the audience can predict or expect. Be it entertainment or emotion, they have to be along unpredictable lines. Comedy is a genre I like the most because, these days, anything can make people angry. Frustrations are running high. A comedy film is the least they deserve.
