Rana Daggubati on Pan-India Cinema, Onscreen Hatred for Venkatesh & Changing Audience Preferences

Rana Daggubati, known for his role in Baahubali, recently starred in the web series Rana Naidu 2, where his performance was well-received He discusses his experiences and insights from playing complex characters, particularly the emotionally challenging role in Rana Naidu 2.

Rana emphasizes his preference for unique and bold roles, describing his career choices as driven by a desire to portray characters and stories that are not conventional, often against advice, which has led to significant success

He addresses the evolving audience perception of anti-heroes in cinema, noting that characters like his in Rana Naidu reflect real-life complexities and the diverse moralities shaped by personal backgrounds

Despite his close personal relationship with his uncle Venkatesh, Rana relished the professional challenge of portraying a character with deep-seated animosity towards his uncle on screen, finding it a refreshing change from typical family roles

Working with three directors on Rana Naidu 2 required Rana to adapt to different directing styles, enhancing his ability to engage deeply with the family drama's intricate narrative

Rana observes a positive shift towards a unified Indian cinema industry, with pan-India films gaining traction across regions, breaking traditional linguistic and regional barriers

He discusses the challenges of drawing audiences back to theaters, pointing out that while theatrical attendance has declined, the success of several films surpassing ₹1000 crore indicates a growing, albeit changing, audience demand

Rana calls for the development of a unified Indian entertainment industry, highlighting the need for specialized training and addressing regional disparities to uplift smaller film industries