The sports drama Saala Khadoos, which was also filmed in Tamil and called Irudhi Suttru, was critically acclaimed for its heartwarming tale of a disgraced boxing coach who sees potential in a commoner and mentors her to become a champion.
Director Sudha Kongara, who directed the film, now returns with the Telugu remake called Guru. Venkatesh takes on Madhavan’s role from the original.
Kongara said that she tweaked her script to suit the Telugu audience.
“The setting and culture of Andhra Pradesh is different from Tamil Nadu where Irudhi Suttru was placed,” she said.
“In the Tamil version, Madhi [the role Rithvika Singh played] is a fish seller. With an agrarian set up in Andhra Pradesh, in Guru her character is the daughter of a farmer and works as a labourer,” Kongara added.
Look out for Venkatesh dancing to the song Jingidi.
Due to budget and time restrictions Kongara could not include a song in the original film.
“Besides, Maddy [Madhavan] was not comfortable doing a dance,” she added.
“Venky was cool with it. Jingidi is placed in a drunken scene and a groovy number that Venky has done effortlessly,” she said.
What about directing Venkatesh after working with Madhavan?
“Venky and Maddy are extraordinary actors and their commitment to work is phenomenal. Yet, each brought a different dimension to his character,” said Kongara.
Madhavan being involved with the story for around four years had a lot of time to work on his physique. Venkatesh had six to eight months to bulk up for the role.
Guru was shot in Visakhapatnam, Delhi, Hissar and Dharamshala.
Talking about Singh and Mumtaz Sorcar who repeat their roles from the original, Kongara said that Sorcar was always perfect with her expressions.
“I rarely had to correct her. She is a sharp learner who would meet me at the beginning of the day for a discussion and deliver exactly the way I envisioned. Even if she occupied a corner of the frame, she was ready with her expressions. I would love to work with her again.”
Singh, post Irudhi Suttru, went on to do other Tamil films.
“She was beginning to act and I wanted her to live the role. For Guru she had to unlearn a few things and I had to bring her back now and then. The final outcome is phenomenal,” Kongara said.
The supporting cast includes Nasser, Tanikella Bharani, Raghu Babu and Zakhir Hussain.
Guru, produced by YNot Studios, releases in the UAE on March 31.
