At the Bangalore Naatkal teaser launch, everyone was speculating about whether Parvathi and Sri Divya, the film’s heroines, would attend. When an excited voice said, “Vaanga, Rana vandhutanga (Come, Rana has arrived)”, mediapersons rushed outside with cameras jostling. A much thinner Rana Dagubatti, the Baahubali antagonist, had arrived. He could be heard telling Bobby Simha that he had shed almost twenty kilos.
Producer Rajeev Kamineni announced that the movie would release by the first or second week of February. Lead actor Arya said, “Hit or flop, I’ve been working continuously under the PVP banner. Whenever a super hit film is remade in other languages, comparisons definitely crop up. But, director Baskar has put in a lot of effort and had made a genuine attempt. In my opinion, he has put in the same effort as Anjali Menon (director of Bangalore Days). My buddy, Rana Dagubatti, reprises Fahadh Faasil’s character in the remake.” He characteristically joked, “To be precise, Rana is himself in the movie (a character who has had love failures).” Rana Dagubatti smiled sheepishly and let the joke pass.
Dagubatti wished everyone for the New Year and added, “Hope you have recovered from the devastating floods”. Arya immediately said, “Macha, hope you have recovered from the New Year party.” Rana had to pause for a moment until the laughter subsided. He went on to praise his co-stars. Sri Divya, who was returning to the city after the floods, said she was happy to see Chennai getting back to her feet. She said, “I was hesitant when I was being approached, fearing that there would be comparisons. But, Baskar sir has stayed true to the essence of the film.”
Parvathi said she had requested the director to not change her role in the remake, “As I was reprising my role, I requested him not to change anything in the remake, even my name. Baskar sir kept his promise. I see many remakes in which the culture and character’s name are changed. I can name several films, but I don’t want to say anything controversial. I wanted my character Sara to be Sara, and that was how I could do justice to the film.”
