Satyadev on ‘Rao Bahadur’: Mahesh Babu’s reaction, makeup challenges and more

Director Venkatesh Maha’s “Rao Bahadur” stars Satyadev in the title role. The film has already generated significant buzz ahead of its July 3 release. In a conversation with the media, Satyadev opens up about the film, the challenges he faced while portraying the character, and the appreciation he received from Mahesh Babu.

Mahesh Babu says “Rao Bahadur” is a Telugu film like never before. That’s a huge statement. What gave him that confidence?

That confidence came only after watching the film. Even before we began shooting, we had decided on the tagline, “A Telugu film like never before.” After watching the completed film, Mahesh Babu used the exact same words. Several filmmakers who have seen it have echoed the same opinion. It’s not a promotional line; it’s a belief that comes after experiencing the film.

What genre does “Rao Bahadur” belong to?

At its core, it’s a psychological drama with elements of magical realism and dark comedy. Magical realism is about presenting metaphors visually. Some moments may even feel like horror. For instance, you may have noticed the roots chasing someone in the teaser. When audiences watch the film, the meaning behind such visuals will become very clear.

Did you know from the beginning that your role would require such an extensive makeover?

Absolutely. I knew this film would demand at least 300 percent more effort than my usual projects. I also knew it involved heavy prosthetic makeup. I’ve always admired actors like Kamal Haasan, Suriya and Vikram for taking on such physically demanding roles, and it had been my dream to do something similar.

When “Rao Bahadur” came my way, I embraced it wholeheartedly. More than the physical makeover, what mattered was the mental preparation. Every day, I was ready to spend nearly 16 hours on set. It took almost five hours to apply my makeup and another one-and-a-half hours to remove it, but I genuinely enjoyed the process.

Would you call this the most challenging role of your career?

Without a doubt. Until now, I used to look at my career as before and after “Jyothi Lakshmi.” I believe people will now talk about my journey as before and after “Rao Bahadur.”

The character Ramappa has no reference point in Indian cinema. He’s a completely unpredictable and eccentric personality. In fact, after this film, I think Ramappa himself will become the reference for similar characters. I became so immersed in the role that it felt like the character had taken over me.

What is the film’s time period?

The story unfolds between the 1960s and the 1990s. My character is a wanderer who returns to his ancestral palace, Bhuvanalayam, after years of travelling. What happens after his return forms the heart of the story.

The film also features a beautiful love story. Deepa Thomas has an equally powerful role and performance. There are two dance numbers as well. In fact, this is the first film in my career where I’ve danced so extensively. I even learned salsa for it.

What was Mahesh Babu’s feedback after watching the film?

Mahesh Babu and Namrata watched the film together and spent nearly 40 minutes discussing it with us. He also agreed to lend his voice for the trailer, which meant a lot to me. Sukumar watched the film too and shared very encouraging feedback.

I had worked with Mahesh Babu earlier in “Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu”, but my scene was eventually removed. So hearing him introduce the teaser with the words, “Satyadev in…” was a truly emotional moment for me. His voice-over is priceless.

I must also thank producers Sharath, Anurag and Chinta Gopal garu. They first believed in the film and then brought Mahesh Babu on board. In my previous films, I often faced challenges when it came to market reach and releases. This time, they have taken complete responsibility and are giving “Rao Bahadur” a truly grand release.

What are your upcoming films?

I’m working on “Samavarthi”, which is unlike anything I’ve done before. It’s set against the backdrop of a forest-based action drama. I’m also shooting for a comedy film and playing a mass character in “Full Bottle”.