Allu Sirish’s latest movie is “Buddy,” featuring Gayathri Bharadwaj and Prisha Rajesh Singh as the heroines. The film is produced by KE Gnanavel Raja and Adhana Gnanavel Raja under the Studio Green Films banner, with Sam Anton as the director and Neha Gnanavel Raja as co-producer. “Buddy” is an adventurous action entertainer set for a grand theatrical release on August 2. In today’s interview, hero Allu Sirish discussed the film’s features.
We started filming “Buddy” in March last year and completed it by July. We initially aimed to release it in December, but there was a gap between my movies. Producer Gnanavel and I decided to expedite the process and host a success party on December 31. However, with over 3,000 CG shots in the movie and the need for perfect animation of the Buddy character, we required additional time for the artists. This led to a delay, moving the release from summer to August. The key aspect of the film is how the doll comes to life, ensuring that “Buddy” meets international standards.
Director Sam Anton presented the story to me, mentioning that the Teddy Bear would be a significant element. Although a similar film called “Teddy” had been released in Tamil and an English version exists, Sam assured me that the story would feel new. After listening to the story, I watched the Tamil “Teddy” on OTT and found that while the concept of a teddy bear coming to life was similar, everything else in “Buddy” is unique. The conflict between the heroine and the villain, the hero’s characterization, and the justifications in the story are all well-scripted. I was impressed by the novelty of “Buddy.” I am also making my debut as a pilot, and my character is intense.
Since the release of the “Buddy” poster, there have been comments questioning whether it is a remake. It has become a challenge for us to clarify that it is an original film. Despite the comments, we can’t change people’s opinions or prove it until the film is released. After its release, audiences will see that “Buddy” is an original film. “Buddy” offers both class and mass entertainment for everyone.
The real reason why the ticket price for Buddy movie is so low is that when I asked some people if they have seen any movie, the ticket price is too high, they said they will see it in the second week. They said that if they have to go with their family to watch the movie of their favorite hero, it will be more difficult. We have reduced the ticket price with the intention that the whole family including children should go and see this movie.
Telugu movie lovers still prefer to watch films in theaters, which is why we have focused on ensuring that “Buddy” is available in theaters at affordable prices. This is in contrast to the North, where theater attendance is relatively low despite the large population. I noticed that my friends went to the cinema only in the second week. Hence, we are making “Buddy” accessible in theaters for everyone to enjoy.
“Buddy” includes a love story, but it is a very small part of the film. Director Sam has included only as much romance as the story requires, believing that too much focus on the love story would cause the narrative to deviate. The movie’s runtime is crisp at 2 hours and 8 minutes. For a concept-oriented film like “Buddy,” a longer length would not be appropriate. The story needs to move quickly, almost like performing magic, and Director Sam achieved this with “Buddy.”
“Buddy” features four major action sequences. I instructed our action choreographers to design them in a natural manner. Surprisingly, they had already planned to approach them naturally, which aligned with my vision. It seemed we were all thinking along the same lines.
The film is rich in production quality. Studio Green’s Gnanavel Raja produced “Buddy” without compromise. We even acquired an old airplane, created artwork for it, and shot scenes inside it, including the climax fight. The producer emphasized that the film should receive everything it needs, though not to rush the shoot. We completed the film in two shifts.
The music and background score by Hip Hop Tamizha are excellent. When we watched “Buddy,” the BGM was superb, and special showings received a positive response from the audience. I enjoy Hip Hop Tamizha movie songs like “Thani Oruvan” and “Dhruva.”
I previously worked with Ali in “Srirastu Subhamastu,” and we acted together again in this film. I’m happy to collaborate with such a senior actor. Ali plays the role of a co-pilot in “Buddy.”
I prefer not to work on multiple films simultaneously, focusing on one project at a time. This is why there are gaps between my releases. Generally, any film, regardless of size, can experience delays and may not be completed on the originally scheduled timeline.
