Exclusive: We had not planned for KGF to have two parts, says director Prashanth Neel

As the release of KGF: Chapter 2 nears, director Prashanth Neel speaks about what it took to make the two-part magnum opus, how Yash was the voice of reason in his team and of his plans, post the release. Excerpts from a chat...

It’s nearly a decade since the KGF journey began. What’s your state of mind?
It's exhausting. Obviously, we also had this crisis that the whole world has gone through together. So, we take those two years out. But barring that, staying on a project for so long would be taxing for anybody. But it becomes easier because of all the love, support and then, the recognition. We are in cinema to make money and the way we make money is by making a name. When you know that it is going to get amplified, then you do everything possible to stay on it. You don’t get distracted as the end product is the only thing that matters. Irrespective of whether it takes six years or sixty, if your result isn't fine, then you aren't going to be fine either.
Any release jitters?
I am very nervous and tense. It does not matter how many people around you tell you the film is good, especially those whose judgement I trust. At the end of the day, the paying public has to give that verdict. Honestly, I have lost judgment of the movie because I have been making it for such a long time.

Since its announcement, the scale of the film has grown. Tell us about this process...
We had not decided to split the film into two parts. We still had budget constraints at that time… rather, I had those in my head. We didn't think about the scale or budget when we wanted to take that plunge to go bigger as we didn't realise what it would take. We had to work five times harder to show that scale and grandeur that people so often demand from cinema. as we still did not have an extravagant budget. But when, as a writer, you begin conceiving, your thought process does begin with Hollywood standards. Today, I am happy that we have got to this stage and have such results.
How did you go about making the film an immersive experience?
The process comes naturally. I look at the shot as an audience member and want to have something believable or engaging while watching the film. While the technical team has been an intrinsic part of the film in creating the ambience, I also credit every actor. Like that shot when

Rocky

comes to KGF for the first time and looks around, I wanted the same look in the audience's eyes. The actors, right from the junior artist, have made this believable. They made the audience believe that this world is real and they will be in this world for the next couple of hours.

The first part won a lot of fanfare and love. What role did that play while making Chapter 2?
The love made it very easy. Even before I came to the industry, I knew one thing about cinema: The audience doesn’t care about the hardships one faces while making a movie. It’s just the end product – they liked it or they didn’t. This was the same mentality behind each shot and we didn’t care how long it took to get that perfect shot. We were creating fantasy and it had to be convincing. The good stories of hardships and everything will come out only if the result is right. Otherwise, there’s ridicule about having spent so much money and time for something that wasn’t worth it. This fear made it easy for us. The fear of people not liking the product if a particular shot didn’t come out right. When Chapter 1 was accepted as a successful venture, it became easier. We couldn't afford to slack off as we didn't have the budget of a Hollywood film. But, somewhere in the depths of our hearts, we were trying to achieve something like that.

KGF is not complete without the dark violent world. How did that take shape?
I don’t follow the violence, I follow the story. Neighbours can kill over a parking space. Here, we are talking about an empire and a piece of land so precious that it could make you the most powerful man in the world. Imagine the kind of conflict that can come there. If I don’t show violence to convince you that this place is precious, then the movie will not move. The story has written the violence.

There are times when we put in an action bit because of the star. I enjoy action, but there has to be a reason for it. We have had to explain Yash's journey to Bombay in this film, for instance. KGF required that action as, without it, I will not be able to convince the audience of this world and the conflict.


You have cast actors who you have grown up watching on the big screen... What was it like?
I was apprehensive to cast big people as they came from different worlds. The Hindi film industry is not something I know. So, when we cast Raveena Tandon and Sanjay Dutt, I was very apprehensive about how they would react to our way of working. We are very punctual on sets and wanted them early there. But when they came on set, they were more professional than the people I've met before. They belong to the old school of thought where they think the director is the ultimate. This made it easy for me. Of course, I had success behind me and they knew I would do something worthwhile. Once they trusted the script, it became easier. They are value additions. Sanjay Dutt brought his entire attire with him. The inputs they gave were to better the film. They came with no tantrums and lit up the set. Rao Ramesh sir was another revelation. His is the only character that we had written very little of, but we worked on it later. It changed from a 4-day to a 14-day shooting experience with him. Prakash Raj sir came at a very difficult stage for us and became the voice of the movie and I am very happy with that.

Yash has been a part of your dream from the inception. How has this journey moulded your working relationship?
The least bit of work that Yash has done in this movie is acting. He has been involved in every aspect. He never interfered, but was a support throughout. He acted like my assistant director so many times. He is the life of this movie and I can't thank him enough. He was a motivational point for us. He made the right decisions and I would say he is everything for the movie.


Today, you’re compared to greats like SS Rajamouli...
It is scary when people take my name in the same breath as Rajamouli sir's. I believe there is no comparison. You cannot judge someone from a single project. I am going to work so much harder to keep my credibility up and it will take a while. It might be a decade, but this is my third movie and I still have to prove myself as a director. I don't feel that pressure as I am not here to do that. I am not here to compete with anybody. I am here for my bread and butter. The comparisons are only because of the frenzy of KGF. Only when I have made different movies and different genres should people compare.

You said you're exhausted. Are you going to take a break from the KGF hangover?
I have a few more responsibilities to fulfil with KGF and then I get straight into filming

Salaar

from first week of May. I think the world of Salaar will be my break. It is a different and exciting story. Since I have been stuck with KGF for eight years, the big break will be going into another movie and seeing new characters.