Virat Karna: I feel blessed to land a film like Nagabandham

Virat Karna made his acting debut with “Peddha Kapu”. Although the film failed to make an impact at the box office, his second outing, “Nagabandham”, has been mounted on an even grander scale with a massive budget. Ahead of its worldwide release on July 3, Virat Karna interacted with the media and shared insights about the film and his journey.

Both your films so far have been big-budget productions. How does it feel to begin your career with such large-scale projects?

I consider it a blessing. My debut film, “Peddha Kapu”, was also mounted on a grand scale, and now “Nagabandham” is an even bigger production. Although “Peddha Kapu” didn’t perform well commercially, I gave my 100 percent to the role and received appreciation for my performance. For “Nagabandham”, I worked twice as hard.

How did you get selected for “Nagabandham”?

Virat Karna: Director Abhishek Nama had developed the story and was searching for a fresh face who fit the character perfectly. He wanted someone new with the right qualities. He called me for a meeting, narrated the story, and I was instantly excited. That’s how my journey with the film began.

Was it planned as a Rs 100-crore film from the beginning?

No. As the script evolved, the scale of the film kept growing. The budget increased naturally to meet the demands of the story.

How did you prepare for your role?

The moment I heard the script, I had a clear picture of how my character should look. It almost felt as though the role had been written for me. When I learned about the characters Rudra and Naga Sadhu, I knew this was the kind of film I had been waiting for.

I underwent a complete physical transformation, learned horse riding, and focused on improving my dance skills. I completely reshaped myself for the role. The makeup for my Naga Sadhu look alone took nearly six hours every day.

Every actor dreams of creating a unique identity in the industry, and roles like this don’t come often. “Nagabandham” gave me that opportunity. I worked with complete dedication. Even when I had a fever during the shoot, I never stepped back. I literally gave my heart and soul to this film.

Playing a character inspired by Lord Shiva must have been challenging. How did you approach it?

I understood the essence of Rudra as soon as I heard the story. I gained nearly 20 kilograms for the role and later lost around five kilograms to portray the Naga Sadhu. I was extremely committed to the transformation. During the shoot, I visited a Shiva temple every day and performed Abhishekam. After completing the film, I even wore the Shiva Mala and visited several Shiva temples. It was a deeply spiritual journey for me.

Who inspired you to become an actor?

Megastar Chiranjeevi has always been my biggest inspiration. I grew up watching his films and dancing to his songs. That’s how my passion for cinema began.

What kind of films do you want to do in the future?

I enjoy commercial entertainers like Prabhas’s “Mirchi”. I would love to do films that blend strong family emotions with action.

Have you signed any new projects?

My plan is to do two films every year. I will be announcing my upcoming projects soon.