Director Bhanu Bhogavarapu: “Mass Jathara offers big surprises”

“Mass Jathara” marks a special milestone in Ravi Teja’s career (his 75th film) and also introduces writer Bhanu Bhogavarapu as a director. As the film gears up for release this weekend, Bhanu shared his insights about the project, the inspiration behind it, and working with the team.

Mass Jathara is mass film with unique point:

“It definitely carries strong mass elements,” Bhanu says, “but it also offers something fresh. The story is set against the backdrop of the Railway Police, which itself is rarely explored in our cinema. The crime angle that unfolds within that world will surprise audiences. Even the visuals and treatment are designed to feel different.”

He adds that the film’s title came from the star himself. “It was Ravi Teja garu who suggested the title Mass Jathara. When I narrated the story, I didn’t even know it would become his 75th film.”

On Ravi Teja’s character:

“When you think of the word mass, the first name that comes to mind is Ravi Teja garu. I developed the story keeping him in mind. Though he has played a cop multiple times, this time the Railway Police angle gives it a whole new flavor. His earlier police films are iconic, so I made sure this one feels fresh while respecting that legacy.”

On Sreeleela and Naveen Chandra’s roles:

“Sreeleela plays Tulasi,” Bhanu reveals. “We didn’t cast her just because of the success of Dhamaka. She was the perfect choice for this character. The chemistry between Ravi Teja and Sreeleela will remind audiences of the fun and energy we saw in Chiranjeevi and Vijayashanti’s pairing in Gang Leader.”

Naveen Chandra, on the other hand, plays a powerful villain named Shivudu. “We considered several actors initially, but none fit the part as perfectly as Naveen Chandra garu.”

On producer Naga Vamsi’s support:

“Even though this is my debut film as a director, Naga Vamsi garu stood by me like a pillar. He never let budget be a constraint. He built an elaborate railway station set worth over Rs 6 crore and mounted the Jathara sequence on a massive scale. It’s rare for a newcomer to get that level of trust and support.”