The anticipation for the highly anticipated Bharateeyudu 2 (Indian 2), starring the legendary duo Kamal Haasan and Shankar, is reaching fever pitch. The film, set to release on July 12th, is poised to be one of the biggest releases of the year.
The star-studded cast includes Kamal Haasan, Shankar, Kajal Aggarwal, Siddharth, SJ Suryah, Rakul Preet Singh, Priya Bhavani Shankar, Bobby Simha, Brahmanandam, and many more. Anirudh Ravichander has composed the music for the film, which is produced by Lyca Productions and Subhaskaran under the banner of Red Giant.
The Telugu theatrical rights have been acquired by Asian Suresh Entertainments LLP, while Srilakshmi Movies secured the Ceded rights. The film’s pre-release event, held yesterday in Hyderabad, was an extravagant affair, followed by a media interaction today where the film’s secrets were unveiled.
Suresh Babu, the film’s distributor, expressed his excitement for the release, praising Kamal Haasan for his innovative approach to cinema. He recalled working with the legendary actor during “Indrudu Chandrudu” and congratulated Shankar for his ability to blend social issues with commercial elements, citing “Gentleman” as an example. He wished the entire cast and crew, including Siddharth, Rakul, and Bobby Simha, all the best for the film’s success.
Bobby Simha, who plays a pivotal role in the film, thanked Shankar for giving him this opportunity and remarked that Kamal Haasan is synonymous with Indian cinema. He also shared his excitement about sharing screen space with Siddharth, with whom he had collaborated previously on “Love Failure.”
Rakul Preet Singh expressed her joy at being a part of the “Bharateeyudu” franchise, calling it a dream come true. She revealed her eagerness to work with Kamal Haasan, describing her first day on set as a memorable experience. She also praised Siddharth’s professionalism and highlighted the hard work put in by the entire cast and crew.
Siddharth, who was visibly moved by the experience of working with Kamal Haasan, described “Bharateeyudu 2” as an “event film.” He shared how he was influenced by the original “Bharateeyudu” and how he views the sequel as an “anti-virus software” that needs constant updates. He fondly recalled his childhood admiration for Kamal Haasan and shared a heartwarming story about how Jayasudha had compared him to a young Kamal Haasan at an event. He expressed gratitude to Shankar for the opportunity and called this film a beginning.
Director Shankar revealed that the idea for a “Bharateeyudu” sequel came to him while observing corruption in society. He explained that the prevalent corruption reminded him of Senapathy’s character and the story he conceived resonated with Kamal Haasan. He lauded the performances of Kamal Haasan, Siddharth, Rakul Preet Singh, Bobby Simha, and Samuthirakhani, and said that the film will leave audiences with much to ponder. He thanked Suresh Babu for the grand release.
Kamal Haasan, speaking about his journey in cinema, highlighted the significance of his Telugu films, especially “Maro Charitra,” which he credits as his big break. He expressed his gratitude for the success of films like “Akali Rajyam,” “Indrudu Chandrudu,” and “Sagara Sangamam.” He acknowledged the support of directors like Maniratnam and Shankar for casting him in mature roles, allowing him to flourish in the latter part of his career.
He discussed the themes of responsibility and anger in “Indian 2,” emphasizing the need to express anger constructively and channel it towards positive change. He quoted Gandhi, stating that “Nature can provide, but not every man’s need,” highlighting the film’s message about social responsibility.
Kamal Haasan also appealed to the media to be responsible in their reporting and urged them to amplify the film’s message about social justice. He expressed his confidence that “Bharateeyudu 2” will spark important conversations in society.
The cast later answered questions from the media and shared their secrets.
The pre-release event of “Bharateeyudu 2” (Indian 2) continued with insightful discussions on the film’s themes and the cast’s perspectives on their roles. Here are the highlights:
On Corruption and Social Responsibility:
Kamal Haasan addressed the question of corruption, stating that the existence of “Bharateeyudu 2” is a testament to its prevalence. He humorously acknowledged that we should thank the entire world for making corruption so rampant and emphasized that ethical wealth is necessary for change. He cautioned against blaming politicians alone and urged self-reflection and introspection to uproot corruption.
Siddharth highlighted his dedication to social responsibility, mentioning his involvement in condom awareness campaigns since 2005. He emphasized the importance of taking responsibility independently, rather than waiting for directives from authority figures. He emphasized that actors are inherently responsible individuals, and while they are responsive to calls for social action, they shouldn’t be mandated to create content solely for a political agenda.
On the Challenges of Filming:
Shankar addressed the question of balancing simultaneous projects (“Bharateeyudu 2” and “Game Changer”) by asserting his commitment to quality and highlighting the completion of “Bharateeyudu 2” sets before the pandemic, minimizing disruptions. He cited examples of legendary filmmakers like Balachander and Dasari Narayana Rao who simultaneously managed multiple film projects without compromising on quality.
Kamal Haasan, in agreement, recalled Balachander’s dedication to perfection despite juggling projects and highlighted Dasari Narayana Rao’s ability to manage story discussions for five films concurrently.
On Kamal Haasan’s Role and the Film’s Ambitions:
Kamal Haasan, responding to questions about his role being sidelined by other pan-India projects, humorously suggested people ask who he is. He emphasized his focus on elevating the role of Senapathy and highlighted Shankar’s vision of his character’s omnipresence in the film.
Shankar reassured the audience about the distinct and fresh approach taken in “Bharateeyudu 2” compared to the original, promising a unique experience. He also shared an update on “Game Changer,” revealing the completion of Ram Charan’s portion and a pending release date announcement after final edits.
On the Film’s Themes and Global Impact:
Kamal Haasan discussed his dream of seeing India produce Oscar-winning performers, highlighting the nation’s position as the world’s largest film producer. He suggested that India could establish a global film award that could potentially influence the Oscars.
Shankar confirmed that “Bharateeyudu 2” is not a mere sequel but a pan-India thought, offering a fresh perspective on corruption and its impact. He also addressed the film’s exploration of Gandhi and Subhash Chandra Bose’s ideologies, urging audiences to watch the film to understand its message.
On the Future of the Franchise:
Shankar shared that while he initially didn’t plan for an “Indian 3,” the story’s scope expanded significantly as the shoot progressed. He felt two parts were necessary to fully explore the narrative, leading to plans for a third installment. He also addressed the question of politics and his association with Vijay in Tamil Nadu, reiterating that political themes are present in all his films.
Daggubati Suresh Babu, concluding the event, emphasized his decision to participate in “Bharateeyudu 2” based on the presence of Shankar and Kamal Haasan. The pre-release event concluded on a high note, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating the release of this highly anticipated film.
The pre-release event concluded with a sense of optimism and anticipation. The film’s star-studded cast, the intriguing plot, and the powerful messages it conveys have created a buzz that is set to translate into a successful release.