What attracted you when you first heard the story of Korean Kanakaraju?
Varun Tej: The biggest attraction for me was the entertainment. I kept laughing from the time Merlapaka Gandhi narrated the story. Whenever I listen to a script, I try to experience it like an audience member sitting in a theatre. I had been wanting to do a proper entertainer where people could relax and laugh for two and a half hours, and that was the main reason I chose Korean Kanakaraju.

The film appears to have several comm ercial elements suited to your screen image. Was that intentional?
Varun Tej: I believe an actor should be able to perform every kind of role. There is sometimes an assumption that tall actors cannot do comedy, but I do not agree with that. If a comic character is written properly, physical appearance does not become a limitation. Korean Kanakaraju has strong comedy, but it also has action and other commercial elements that fit naturally into the story.

The premieres are filling up and additional shows are being added. Has that reduced the pressure?
Varun Tej: We completed the shooting well in advance, which gave us enough time for post-production. We were extremely happy with the final film, and that confidence allowed us to promote it strongly. Gandhi, Ritika, Satya and the entire team treated the film as their own. After watching the teaser and trailer, audiences themselves decided that they wanted to see the film, and that response is now visible in the bookings.

The promotional campaign has also been quite different. How did you plan it?
Varun Tej: Today, promotions also need to feel fresh and connect directly with the content of the film. Some people felt the trailer revealed too much, but our intention was to clearly prepare audiences for what kind of film they were going to watch. We wanted people to know that this is a complete entertainer, and we reflected that same fun in the promotions.

How was your combination with Satya?
Varun Tej: Satya and I share a very good bond, and this is our third film together. I do not see him only as a comedian because he is also a very strong actor. Both our characters are crucial to the story, so we did a lot of homework. We practised the Rayalaseema dialect and worked specifically on comic timing. I believe audiences will enjoy our chemistry.

How was the experience of learning Korean?
Varun Tej: I enjoy learning new things, and that is one of the reasons I became an actor. Every new role allows me to experience a different personality and way of life. My aim is always to make the audience forget Varun Tej and see only the character, so I put in whatever preparation is required.

Was it difficult to create a trailer for an out-and-out comedy film?
Varun Tej: Yes, comedy films are especially difficult to present through trailers. Many jokes work only because of the situation around them. When you remove a scene from its context and place it in a trailer, the same humour may not have the same impact. That is why we focused more on establishing that this is a complete comedy entertainer.

How challenging was it to perform a character with two different dimensions?
Varun Tej: It was one of the most satisfying aspects of the film for me as an actor. I had the opportunity to show two different body languages and two contrasting mindsets within the same role. That made the performance challenging, but it was also creatively exciting and gave me a lot of satisfaction.

Did the Rayalaseema setting require special preparation?
Varun Tej: Gandhi was born and raised in Rayalaseema, so the dialect and cultural environment are very familiar to him. For me, however, the accent was new. I spent considerable time practising it so that it would sound natural on screen.

What genres do you personally enjoy watching?
Varun Tej: I enjoy humour and action films the most. Those are the genres I naturally gravitate towards as an audience member.

Some viewers compared the trailer with OG because of its Asian influence. What is your response?
Varun Tej: OG created a huge impact among Kalyan Babai’s fans, and that film has a Japanese influence. Since Korean Kanakaraju has a Korean element, perhaps some people felt there was a similarity. But there is absolutely no connection between the two films. They are completely different.

What preparation went into your Korean-inspired look?
Varun Tej: We spent a lot of time designing the character’s appearance. We specifically wanted the hairstyle to have a Korean feel. Koreans generally have straight and silky hair, so I even coloured my hair for the first time for this role. When we travelled to Korea for shooting, I saw many people with similar hairstyles, which gave us confidence in the look.

How did you feel after watching the final output?
Varun Tej: From the beginning, Gandhi kept telling me that audiences had never seen me in this particular style. Although I have done comedy in films like F2 and F3, this character is very different. Kanakaraju has two dimensions, and my main objective was that audiences should not see Varun Tej on screen. I wanted them to see only Kanakaraju.

Did you take any special care during the making of the film?
Varun Tej: We were extremely careful with every aspect of the film and repeatedly double-checked everything. The producers gave us whatever we needed without compromising. Even after the film was completed, Gandhi continued checking small details. I also tried to promote the movie as much as possible despite dealing with an injury.

How was your experience working with the producers?
Varun Tej: This is my third film with them after Kanche and Antariksham. Rajeev and Vamsi are very passionate producers, and they gave the film and the entire team complete support throughout the production.

Your family has grown recently. How are you balancing work and personal life?
Varun Tej: After my son was born, I did not have continuous shooting, so I was able to spend more time at home. When I am shooting, naturally I have to stay away from family. Whenever I am free, I prefer being at home and travelling with my family. Maintaining a balance between work and family life is very important.

How important is Thaman’s music to Korean Kanakaraju?
Varun Tej: Music plays a major role in this film. The character begins as a mass personality from Penugonda and later goes through a transformation connected to Korean culture. That change had to be reflected in the music. Thaman said that finding the right sound for that transformation was a major challenge. His background score has come out brilliantly, and the theatrical sound experience will be a major strength.

What can you tell us about Ritika Nayak?
Varun Tej: Ritika is a very good actress and an extremely hardworking performer. She also supported us strongly during the promotions. I feel this particular role suits her very well, and she has done a strong job in the film.

What would you like to tell audiences about Korean Kanakaraju?
Varun Tej: Korean Kanakaraju is a nonstop fun entertainer. It is designed to make audiences laugh wholeheartedly. The screenplay is very tight, and the entertainment continues throughout the film. Our aim was to give audiences a thoroughly enjoyable theatrical experience.

The film is receiving a good overseas response. How does that make you feel?
Varun Tej: We worked extremely hard on the film, so seeing this early response makes us very happy. Audiences appear to be connecting with the content, and the advance response has been encouraging. That gives us confidence that the film will entertain audiences everywhere.

What is the latest update on Bari?
Varun Tej: Bari is currently in pre-production and is completely set against a sports backdrop. I have played volleyball since childhood, so I connected with the story immediately. My father will also play an important role in the film. I have wanted to act alongside him for a long time, and Bari is finally giving me that opportunity.

All the best for Korean Kanakaraju.
Varun Tej: Thank you.

Director Merlapaka Gandhi Interview on Korean Kanakaraju