Devara: Part 1: Jr. NTR was ‘shocked’ to see Janhvi Kapoor’s Telugu learning skills; Saif Ali Khan felt pressure performing in new language: “I was panicking”

Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan and Janhvi Kapoor have ventured into the uncharted territory of Telugu cinema, joining the star-studded cast of Jr NTR's highly anticipated film, Devara: Part 1. Directed by Koratala Siva, the actors recently sat down for a chat with filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga.

 

Devara: Part 1: Jr. NTR was ‘shocked’ to see Janhvi Kapoor’s Telugu learning skills; Saif Ali Khan felt pressure performing in new language: “I was panicking”

 

In a recent interview, the trio discussed their experiences working on the film, particularly the challenges posed by the language barrier. Both Saif and Janhvi admitted to feeling apprehensive about navigating Telugu dialogue, a language unfamiliar to them. However, they were buoyed by the support and guidance of director Koratala Siva, who assured them that language would not be a hindrance.

 

Jr NTR was particularly impressed by Janhvi's rapid assimilation of Telugu. He praised her memory and dedication, expressing surprise at her ability to grasp the language so quickly. He said, “She is phenomenal with her memory. I was shocked. I thought this girl has come from Mumbai, what would she know?”

 

Saif, acknowledging Janhvi's South Indian heritage, attributed her proficiency to her late mother, Sridevi, a Telugu native.  “She has South Indian roots,” he said. Agreeing to it, Jr. NTR added, “But still, sir, speaking in Telugu… she was just brilliant. She went all out. Siva was watching her performance, and I was raising my hand in appreciation. She was fabulous.”

 

Saif also revealed that he was initially drawn to the role of Bhairava in Devara: Part 1 due to its depth and complexity. Jr NTR, a fan of Saif's work, believed he was the perfect fit for the character, recognizing his ability to convey emotional intensity. He said, “Saif has a lot of intensity as an actor, but not many films have explored that.”

 

Recalling his first day on set, Saif admitted to feeling nervous about delivering his lines in Telugu. The pressure of performing in a new language, coupled with the fear of making mistakes, was palpable. He said, “Siva sir told me don’t worry. He told me I could speak Hindi, English whatever. He also said that it’s easy just to come. Firstly, when I was approached for the film… it’s a great honour. I love Hyderabad cinema but I was worried about the language.”

 

Saif expressed gratitude to director Koratala Siva for his unwavering support. Siva gradually increased the length of Saif's lines as his proficiency improved. “On the first day, I had to say these lines and I was given cues. Sweat started dripping down my t-shirt, and I felt a thrill I hadn’t felt in a long time. Even though it’s a film made in our own country, since it was a different language, it was a new experience for me. I was panicking because I thought I might not do it properly,” Saif said.

 

He added, “After some time, the dialogues started getting bigger. I would get two pages of dialogues, and I thought, ‘How will I manage this?’ But Siva said, ‘Now you can do it.'” Thanking Siva and Jr. NTR for their support, he added, “I have to thank Jr NTR, who was incredibly focused and helpful during the scenes. It could have been distracting for another actor, but he concentrated and helped, and together we made it work.”

 

Devara: Part 1 will release in cinemas on September 27, 2024.

 

ALSO READ: Devara Part 1: Jr NTR opens up about shooting water action sequences in Goa; says, “Some of the sequences even involve a blood sacrifice to the gods”

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