Action choreographer Nabakanth has rapidly climbed the ranks in Telugu cinema, moving from an assistant role to the mastermind behind some of the most anticipated stunt sequences in Peddi. Fresh off his work on the Pushpa franchise, he sits down to discuss his latest and most demanding project yet.
I am originally from Manipur, but my family moved to Hyderabad when I was a child, so I grew up here. My father was my primary inspiration, and I entered this field at the young age of 14. Over the last 18 years, I have gained extensive experience in stunt choreography. I started by working as an assistant master under Vijay master and the Ram-Lakshman masters. My career took a major turn when I became an independent action choreographer with Pushpa. Since then, I have worked on Pushpa 2, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad, and Dacoit.
While Pushpa 2 was still in progress, director Buchi Babu Sana explained to me the introduction sequence he had in mind for Peddi. He wanted something that felt like action without being a conventional fight scene. I designed the batting-style shot seen in the glimpse based on that conversation. The footage went viral across the country. The director generously gave me all the credit for that success. He possesses a very good heart. I drew inspiration for that specific shot from my childhood in Hafizpet, which is a thoroughly mass area. When we played cricket as kids, we felt a desperate urge to hit a six no matter what. We used to swing the bat with intense force from a low angle. That raw, local style inspired the cinematic shot.
The best quality about Ram Charan is his ability to listen intently to technicians. He places immense trust in his team. He underwent a massive physical transformation for this film. The entire second half of the movie relies heavily on his physicality. He maintained a strict diet and observed the spiritual discipline of the Ayyappa Mala while filming these grueling sequences. His dedication was extraordinary. He possesses great experience from films like Magadheera and remains highly careful regarding action elements. I believe we should only choreograph as much action as a character can logically carry to maintain believability. His performance will truly live up to his Global Star stature. He even showed the action sequences to Chiranjeevi garu, who expressed wonderful words of appreciation for my work.
During a rolling movement, Charan garu accidentally sustained an injury. I literally cried at that exact moment. However, he showed his greatness by openly admitting the mistake was on his part. Very few heroes would do that. Before checking his own injury, he instructed everyone to ensure the opposing fighter was unharmed. He received stitches and returned to the set the very next day. I was completely shocked by his resilience. Once he commits to a task, he ensures its completion. That reflects his extraordinary dedication.
Buchi Babu presented these action sequences as a major challenge. The content is extremely powerful. Every single episode feels fresh from the introduction to the climax. In this film, my masters Ram-Lakshman composed an episode set in a police station. For the national-level wrestling sequences, we collaborated with Bollywood stunt director Shyam Kaushal. We shot those wrestling matches in a highly natural way. There is another wrestling episode that embodies full-on mass style. Audiences have not seen this level of action anywhere until now. A third wrestling sequence proved to be highly challenging for me. The specific image of Charan garu holding a mace belongs to one of these wrestling episodes.
The movie features great action sequences for Divyenndu Sharma and Shiva Rajkumar sir as well. The latter possesses superb energy levels and incredible willpower.
The emotions in Peddi are fantastic. Audiences will connect with the emotional core right from the first half. Charan garu will transport viewers straight into the world of the film. His performance is going to be at its absolute peak.
I am currently working on The Paradise and Rowdy Janardhana. I am also choreographing action for director Vamsi Paidipally's upcoming film with Salman Khan, as well as Chiranjeevi garu’s project with director Bobby Kolli.
