« Back to article

Print this article

Sesh: Pawan Kalyan is the USP of the film

Panjaa, releasing on December 9, is Pawan Kalyan's second release this year. The Power Star will be acting with Sarah Jane Dias (a former Miss India) and Anjali Lavania (a model who has appeared on the Kingfisher calendar).

It is directed by Tamil director Vishnuvardhan who makes his debut in Telugu, Panjaa is produced by Shobu Yarlagadda of Arka Media, who produced Vedam and Maryada Ramana, and Nilima Tirumalsetti of Sanghamitra Arts. 

This big budget film has been completed quickly. "We started shooting in May and the film is ready to release on December 9. It has shaped up well and we are very happy with it," says producer Shobu.

"Kalyan chose Vishnuvardhan to direct the film. The film is basically a love story set against a mafia backdrop. It's an original story by Vishnu. The director did the movie he had in mind without being bogged down with the image of Pawan Kalyan," says Shobu.

Sesh: Panjaa is slick and stylish

Sesh Adivi, who plays a pivotal role in the film, says, "The film has a lot of different dishes--action, emotion, romance and comedy--presented in stylish and different avatars. Panjaa is slick and stylish. Technically the film is top notch. The fight sequences are very stylish."

The choice of new heroines Sarah Jane and Anjali, was Vishnu's idea, says Shobu. He felt new faces would be better.

"Pawan Kalyan is the USP and the soul of the film. He has a new look and body language in the film. He is definitely the best part of the film," says Sesh who is acting opposite the Power Star for the first time.

Sesh, who confesses to being a "huge admirer" of Pawan, says he couldn't give up this opportunity to work with Pawan.

Of his own character in the film, he says, "I have a strong and impactful role and I play this explosive, sophisticated, but crazy character, who wears Armani and moves around in the best of cars in Australia."

Sesh: Panjaa is going to be a treat for the audience

He says director Vishnu is obsessive about detail. "Vishnu is a savvy and stylish director. His sense of style goes beyond just the camera work and shots. He is himself a stylish person and would look into every detail of the film, including the costumes, styling etc. A person had to dub just two lines of the film and Vishnu was supervising even that! There's always scope for improvisation and spontaneity. Even though he's prepared, he's always ready to try something new."

The story is set in Kolkatta and so the film was extensively shot in that city for two months. The rural part was shot in Pollachi. Most of the songs were filmed in real locations barring two in studios locales.

The cast includes Tanikella Bharani, Brahmanandam, Ali, Parachuri Venkateswara Rao, Subbaraju, Jhansi, Sampath, Jackie Shroff, Atul Kulkarni and Kishori Ballal.

Yuvan Shankar Raja has composed the music, and Ravi Abburi has written the dialogues. Shaam Kaushal choreographed the action scenes, while P.S. Vinod is the cinematographer and Sreekar Prasad, the editor. Art is taken care of by Sunil Babu and the styling is by Anu Vardhan.

Expectations are high for Panjaa. Sesh feels, "Panjaa is going to be a treat for the audience. It will set a new trend. Everybody's waiting for it. It will satisfy on many different levels."