Nithin: Gunde Jaar Gallanthayinde is a total love story

Nithiin's career was going through a bad patch till the film Ishq tilted the scales. Ishq, directed by Vikram Kumar, was a hit and boosted Nithiin's career. 

Subsequently, Nithiin signed Gunde Jaar Gallanthayinde (GJR) repeating Nitya Menen from Ishq.

Nithin talks about working with Nitya and Isha Talwar (who is making her debut) and provides a glimpse of GJR which is releasing this Friday, April 19.

How did you come to sign Gunde Jaari Gallanthayinde?

I had heard the narration of GJR before Ishq released. I loved the line by Vijay Kumar Konda. It was a new angle and a fresh point which attracted me to it. 

Ishq released and it became a hit. I didn't start this film immediately after. The director, actor Harshvardhan and the unit worked on the screenplay and dialogues for another eight-nine months. 

Then we narrated it to the music director, to Nitya Menen and to others. When they heard it for the first time, they agreed. So we felt confident.

You are acting with Nitya Menen again after Ishq. Is it because of the super success of Ishq that you wanted to do so? 

We thought of the big names first. They were willing to do the film too. Then I thought it's a cute love story with natural emotions. I felt it's important the girl should dub her own dialogues. 

Nitya is a natural actress and can dub in her own voice. This script cannot be compared with Ishq and is completely different. 

So, how was it acting with Nitya for the second time?

It was fun. We gel well and became good friends during Ishq. I knew her timing and she knew mine. The chemistry on screen is great. 

In Ishq, the first half is a love story and in the second half, I had more to do with her brother. 

GJR is a total love story. While Ishq had an action-based climax, GJR has a feel-based climax.

What are Nitya's unique traits?

She's natural and spontaneous. She doesn't believe in rehearsals. When I was doing my rehearsals, she would be around. In the take she would transform herself in front of the camera. She feels from the heart. So, one can feel her pain or happiness. 

She doesn't take prompting. She didn't know Telugu when she did her first film but she learnt it and dubbed her own lines. She sings too. She's a very talented girl.

How did you work on your role?

My role is different from my previous films. There's a lot of comedy which is more situational. The characters behave in a genuine way but for the audience, it will be comedy. 

We used to rehearse a lot like in a workshop and the output is fantastic.

What is the USP of the film?

The love story, the chemistry between Nitya Menen and me, the comedy and entertainment quotient are the USPs. 

One can say it's a quadrangular love story as there's Nitya, Isha Talwar (a new actress), Madhu (who plays his friend) and me. 

The film is hilarious.

How was it working with debutante Isha?

Isha is a newcomer in Telugu but she has done films in Malayalam. 

We saw her in the Cadbury advertisement and called her. She loved the film. She's a great dancer though she didn't have to do much dancing in the film. 

She's a hard working girl. Isha doesn't take prompting. She asked the meaning and learnt the dialogues.

What would you say about the director Vijay Kumar Konda?

Since it's his first film, he has the fire and zeal to do his best. He's worked hard on scenes and the artistes' performances. He's been totally involved in the post-production and hasn't slept for the last two weeks. 

Your sister Nikita has ensured a lavish production though it's her first project. How does it feel having a sister as producer?

I feel happy. It feels like home. She's not just invested in the movie; she wanted to learn. 

As it was her first film, she was involved in everything. She used to sit with the designers Ashwin and Neeraja to discuss the styling and look. She scouted for locations too. She took a personal interest.