Vijay Devarakonda is back with his latest film Taxiwaala which is up for a release this Saturday. On this occasion, we caught up with him for a detailed interview. Here is the transcript.

How has the whole piracy issue burdened you?

I don’t know how to react to all these issues. I have been speaking to the media a lot in recent times and felt that I should not have another press meet about this film. But the manner in which my team has been hurt by the leaks has brought me here to address the issue so that it will get a better reach and many will stop watching the piracy version.

What kind of action do you plan to take on such leakages?

Most of the leakage has happened from servers which are set in other countries. In such a case, even I cannot do much as the enemies are faceless. I can only say that all these so-called piracy sites need to be banned right away.

What have you learned from the failure of NOTA?

I got to see NOTA only a day before its release and found out several mistakes which could have been avoided. But things were too late by then. The lesson I have learned from its failure is that I should do one film at a time and keep track of it till the end.

When did you okay this film?

I okayed this film right after the success of Pelli Choopulu. I had signed Arjun Reddy by then and felt that after a serious film I should come out with a project which the kids and all sections would love it. The film was ready post-Geetha Govindam but I delayed it so that post a family film like Geetha Govindam, I felt I should present myself in a different avatar with NOTA. But things did not work.

What is Taxiwaala all about?

The film about a young guy who gets into all sorts of troubles because of his car. There is situational comedy, horror and many supernatural elements which have been narrated in a superb manner. All the characters in the film are serious and go through many issues but the audience will enjoy seeing them.

What kind of business will this film do?

Taxiwaala is not a film which will collect huge as the genre is different in itself. As the film is made with a low budget, everyone involved with it will be in a safe zone and earn good profits. My heroine feels that the film will be a huge money grosser but I don’t think so.

When will you work with a senior director?

I am getting good offers from star directors and am very thankful to them for choosing me. Probably next year, I will surely do a film in a combination of a star director and see how crowds will react to it.

What is the update on your production house?

I have a few plans up my sleeve and will soon announce something very interesting. I want to give chance to new age filmmakers who are finding it hard to find producers even after having good scripts in hand.

What is the status of Dear Comrade?

We have completed 30% of its shoot and the film will take its own time to release. There is a big canvas for the film as it a romantic drama and will only release in the later part of 2019. I have good hopes on that project.

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