Nagarjuna on Sri Ramadasu
There are a lot of cinematic liberties taken in filling the gaps in Ramadasu's life. There was a folk element as well...
The writer Bharavi and the director filled in the gaps. Bharavi went to Bhadrachalam and Nelakondapalli where Ramadasu was born and lived. The liberties were taken to make it interesting. Otherwise, it would have looked like a documentary and wouldn't have been watched by so many people.
Ramadasu was actually a sculptor. He married into his own maternal family. I met the eleventh generation of his family at one of the premiere shows (in aid of Blue Cross) and they told me they continue the tradition of marrying into the maternal side.
How did his descendants react?
They loved the film and told me I have brought the story forward. Now, more people know about Ramadasu and what he has done. They were happy and touched.
On screen, it looked as if you portrayed Ramadasu with ease. But it must have been difficult...
Not really. The concept was created so well. When we went for the shoot with everybody in costume, it felt as if we had gone back in time. Keeravani's music was so moving and uplifting that it got you into the scene. Maybe I felt a little out of place in the first schedule but, later, I was fine.