As india grapples with its devastating wave of Covid, the film industry is once again on hiatus with production halted and cinemas closed. As the country emerges from this tricky time and the industry kicks in, there is no more anticipated release on the calendar in india in 2021 than RRR. Mega budget telugu language action shot RRR revolves around two legendary indian revolutionaries and their journey to fight for their country, and will feature both NT rama rao Jr. and ram Charan.

Yesterday, jr ntr revealed that he had also tested positive for Covid, but confirmed to us as well as in a tweet that he is “absolutely fine” and is isolating himself with his family under the supervision of doctors. Below are the few details Jr.NTR tells us about his pandemic experience, what we can expect rrr and how he hopes the film could be the savior of cinema.

Q:How was the pandemic been for you?

A:It has been quite frustrating as I have always been someone who enjoys working 365 days a year.

Q:Coming to rrr, How is pronounced, rrr or Triple R?

A: It’s basically rrr, but you can call it Triple R.

Q: I read on the one hand that it is an abbreviation for the three names behind the film (Rajamouli, rama rao, ram Charan), but I also read separately that it means “Rise, Roar, Revolt”…

A: It started with our names, an original way to come together and make the greatest multi-star film india has ever seen but at one point rajamouli thought to himself, ‘why not name it Triple R‘? Then he came up with the abbreviation Rise, Roar, Revolt.

Q: When did the production journey start?

A: november 2018.

Q: Did the impact of the pandemic change the movie in any way?

A: In terms of budget, that hasn’t changed, and neither has history. But the speed at which we were working changed once we got back on set.

Q: Have the directors of this film ever considered releasing it directly on an OTT platform?

A: rrr was never considered for an OTT version. There are films that need to be enjoyed as a community on the big screen. Would you like to watch Baahubali or jurassic park or Avengers on OTT? No. We never thought about doing that

Q: Do you hope this movie could be the one to rekindle theaters when they return?

A:This film is directed by most successful and focused director in india today who opened markets in india by Bahubali. We never knew that a regional telugu film would ring bells across the country in china, America and UK. I am quite confident rrr is going to be such a movie.

Q: Tell me about working with rajamouli, it sounds intense…

A: This is my fourth collaboration with him. Nothing has changed, he is the same guy, he’s one big task master. I gave him the nickname ‘Jakkanna’ – a famous sculptor down south who is known for his immaculate masterpieces. It’s a joy to work with him

Q: Your character is based on a real revolutionary, to what extent did you research the real person? Is there added pressure filling the shoes of a real-life figure?

A: Absolutely. Physically, we had to look a certain way, we had to work our assess off.

Q: Did you have to do a lot of training?

A: I was put on a hectic training program for about 18 months. I had to achieve the right physical appearance. I was 71 kilos before that for another film, and I had to gain about nine kilos of muscle mass.

Q: How did you keep that up during lockdown?

A: We had finished a lot of that work. When I was in lockdown I didn’t have to keep it up as much.

Q: Anything more you can tell us about the film?

A: I really can’t tell you anything more, if rajamouli reads this interview he’s going to run behind me with an axe.

Q: What else do you have coming up? I have heard that you’re making a new movie with koratala Siva?

A: Me and him did a previous film called Janatha Garage, which was a big blockbuster. We are getting back together post RRR, at this juncture we’re still working on the script, we have an idea. I’m looking forward to that one. And then I have a film with Prashanth Neel, the director of K.G.F., coming up.

Q: The Siva project is being referred to as ‘pan-Indian’…

A: I hate referring to it as ‘pan-Indian’, it sounds like a frying pan. We just mean it is a film that can travel into all the indian languages.

Q: Do you have any interest in moving behind the camera?

A: I still haven’t considered that. I am a firm believer in destiny. I am someone who wants to be a part of the story as an actor, definitely not direct.

Q: How about working outside of India? Maybe Hollywood?

A: Why not? If there is an opportunity for an actor of indian origin to be in world cinema then absolutely, it would be a great thing to do.

Q: Are you working with the steaming services?

A: I haven’t started yet because things have been so crazy with RRR and the pandemic. But who knows how the future is going to be. I think we will start talking.